DISCLAIMER: Don't own anything associated with the show… I just like playing with the characters in it from time to time. Dance Monkeys! Dance!
RATING: M - Mature (language, sexual situations, adult subject matter)
PAIRINGS: GSR & Yo!Bling pre-established in previous fics of this timeline.
SPOILERS: Sequel to "Displacement", "Transitions" and "Vicissitudes" - Number 5 in the Discovery Series
SUMMARY: Sometimes, the best way the deal with the changes all around you is to stop fighting and evolve in response to them. GSR/Yo!Bling/Nick-OC

A/N: Reporting from deep inside the bunker... This one was a little hard to write, because after that crap with McKeen on the show a couple weeks ago, it was hard to remember that he's a nice guy in my story. :P

REVIEWS: Reviews are the way I know if people are enjoying the work or not. So, if you leave one, THANKS! And if not, I hope you found at least a little something to brighten your day, and thanks for taking the time to read.


Chapter 56
06:45 – 2007.03.02
CSI Lab

Nick checked his watch before he opened the phone and began to dial. It would be almost nine in the morning on the East Coast, which was a perfectly legitimate time for a phone call. Of course, he told himself the same thing when he called the hour before that. He only had a few more minutes before he had to be in the lounge for the big announcement.

Already knowing what the announcement was made it hard for him to be there in order to keep up the appearances that he was just as much in the dark as everyone else. He was just not in any frame of mind to play the game.

He was instantly shocked into standing still when instead of the phone ringing seven times and the random voice from the answering service picking up, the phone picked up on the second ring.

The voice that spoke was familiar, but the coolness of the tone sent a chill down his spine. "You have reached the Assistant Director of Geology for the Environmental Protection Agency. I will be unavailable for direct contact for an indeterminate period of time. All professional inquiries should be directed to offices of the Environmental Protection Agency. All other calls should be directed to another private number. Sorry for the inconvenience."

As Nick closed up his phone, he fell back into the wall and shut his eyes tight against the pain. There was nothing more to be done, but to accept the truth.

CSI GSR CSI GSR CSI GSR CSI GSR CSI GSR CSI GSR CSI GSR CSI GSR

Jeff McKeen looked at his watch once again, just to verify the time. Catherine had gone out into the parking lot to see if the weasel was simply stalling, but he knew the answer; Conrad Ecklie would never do anything where he had to openly admit Grissom was the better man.

When Catherine appeared in the doorway, she pointed to her watch and shrugged. "We really can't wait any longer. The natives are getting awfully restless out there."

He nodded his head and stood up. "I knew that selfish prick would try and pull something."

Catherine shook her head as she pulled on her suit jacket. "Just digging his own grave, Jeff." As they walked out she gave him a smirk and added, "At this rate, he'll be out on his ear before you even have a chance to announce your campaign."

The two administrators bore the evidence of their mirth in the smirks firmly entrenched on their faces. It was a well known fact the under-sheriff position nearly guaranteed the short hop election into the sheriff's seat. With Burdick's announcement he would not seek a third term as sheriff, it was almost a foregone conclusion that McKeen would be the next sheriff for Clark County.

As they entered the lounge area at the center of the Crime Lab, Jeff could see they had opened the moveable walls to allow more people to gather around. He saw faces from all three shifts, and noticed the swing shift people looked the worst for the wear. But catching the time between the graveyard and day shifts would allow for the least disturbance in schedules.

In the sea of faces that gathered for the big news, Jeff noticed a cast of familiar players were congregated together along the back wall. While they no longer all worked the same shift, they were still a close knit group. To his surprise that circle appeared to extend to some of the support staff as well. However, there also seemed to be a problem with their crew, in the form of a dark cloud off to the side, lingering in the shadows. He would have to pursue that topic with Catherine after the announcement.

The mumbles and murmurs grew as they walked through the crowd to the center of the space. Catherine immediately took the initiative and spoke up. "Okay, okay… I know you all are dying to know what this is all about. So, settle down and we'll get this underway."

As soon as the crowd quieted down, Jeff took the lead. "First, I want to thank everyone for making it in for this. I know it's hard on everyone with the schedules we keep, but we felt strongly that this needed a formal announcement." He gave them time to prepare for what he had to say before he launched right into the explosive information.

"Yesterday, we learned that a valued member of our team would be leaving us, after many years of dedicated service to this lab, and to the law enforcement community as a whole…" The murmurs started right away, and he gave them a few moments to quiet back down. "Dr. Grissom has turned in his formal notice of retirement. Due to the fact that he still has a considerable amount leave time to work off, effectively, his retirement began immediately following his notice. We are all sorry to see Dr. Grissom go, but we wish him all the luck in the world in his future endeavors. In order to celebrate his exceptional and loyal service to our department, there will be a retirement party on the ninth, details to be forthcoming."

He could see in the faces of everyone present that they were asking the same questions which ran through his mind when he first heard the news. But this time he had the answers. "As I am certain you are all aware, Frank Haggarty is retiring at the end of April. With both of these departures, I am sure you're all wondering who will be stepping up into those positions. As of shift last night, Warrick Brown became the graveyard shift supervisor. And as soon as he has concluded some personal business, Blake Reynolds will be transferring to the swing shift in order to take over as their shift supervisor. Both of these men have proven themselves through the time and efforts they have devoted to this lab, and I was proud to sign the promotion paperwork for each of them."

By that time, no one was actually listening to him any longer, but he felt he needed to add one more thing. "Thank you all for coming, and I look forward to celebrating Dr. Grissom with all of you next Friday."

Catherine gave him a quick nod and then brought her voice up over the din of those assembled. "Look… I know everyone wants to talk about all of this, but we still have a lab to run. Those not on duty, you need to take this outside, please?"

The crowd slowly began to disperse. Catherine excused herself from his side (presumably to offer her own congratulations to a certain supervisor) and Jeff did his best to slip out of the lab quietly. There was a great deal of celebrating to be done, and he would not be involved in any of it at the lab. He would enjoy his just desserts when he got back to the Metrocenter and had a few choice words to share with Ecklie.