A/N Again many thanks for the reviews they are always very much appreciated. And aslo many thanks for the amazing beta from piccolina789, and the help with plot bunnies.
"I'm surprised to say the least, Conrad, that Grissom and Sidle are still very much a part of LVPD," stated Rory Dunbar, the new sheriff.
He was over six feet tall, in his early forties with thinning brown hair and cold, penetrating grey eyes.
It had been twenty-four hours since Ecklie had reinstated Grissom and Sara and the sheriff was far from happy about the situation.
"When I said I wanted them fired, I meant exactly that," he continued, as he paced Conrad's office. "Relationships don't belong in the work place. They end very messily and leave a bitter aftertaste for everyone."
He turned to face Conrad.
"He's her supervisor – he should have been able to restrain himself."
Rory looked down to remove an imaginary piece of lint from his suit sleeve.
"It's damned unprofessional."
Conrad straightened up in his chair, placing his elbows on the desk. He recalled earlier in the shift as he walked through the lab, updating himself on the various cases that were being worked on. As he'd neared the layout room, Sara had stepped inside without noticing him. As he drew closer to the door, he'd heard Grissom let Sara know that there was no eating in the lab, in a tone that surprised Ecklie. If he'd been hoping to catch either of them out now that their relationship was in the open, he was going to be sadly disappointed.
Ecklie stared at the sheriff as his thoughts returned to the present. If there was one thing Gil Grissom wasn't, it was unprofessional, and it showed just how little the new sheriff knew about the people that worked for him.
"With all due respect, I made a decision based on what was best for the lab, Rory. It's what I'm here for. If you want a 'yes man', then hire someone else," Ecklie defended himself. "I'm no fan of Grissom's, but I was satisfied with the results of my investigation. He's highly respected by many, including his team. Besides, they're about to become parents."
Rory looked up from his grooming.
"So you let sentimentality cloud your judgement. I expected better of you, Conrad," he replied, sounding disappointed.
Although he would never admit it, after reading the personnel files on Grissom and Sidle, Dunbar couldn't help but be impressed by their achievements. Still, no matter how impressive, his professional opinion of them hadn't changed.
Rory made his way to the break room, just as four members of the grave shift exited, headed back to work. Grissom and Sara headed in his direction together, discussing the case they were working on with stacks of photos in their hands. Rory leaned against a door frame as he waited for them to draw closer.
Rory took the opportunity to observe them as they walked close together, their shoulders brushing against the other, deep in discussion.
If he hadn't known better, apart from the invasion of personal space, he would never have guessed they were romantically involved.
He straightened up as they became aware of his presence.
"Sheriff, what brings you to CSI?" Grissom asked, his right eyebrow rising.
This was their first meeting and his surprise must have shown on Dunbar's face, as Grissom elaborated.
"We got the memo about your appointment to sheriff. Congratulations."
Though they had just met, there was something about Rory that put Grissom on edge and he found himself disliking this man on both a personal and professional level.
"I'm here about you," stated Rory bluntly. "I won't beat about the bush, Mr. Grissom, I don't like work place romances. They're an unnecessary distraction. You're still here only at Lab Director Ecklie's insistence."
Grissom's eyes narrowed and his mouth thinned.
"Let me make myself clear," replied Grissom, just barely keeping his anger in check. "Our relationship doesn't interfere with our work. What happens outside the lab is our business."
He found his dislike of the sheriff growing with each passing second.
Rory's gaze skimmed over Sara. The little make-up she wore was flattering, and it seemed as if she was unaware of how attractive she was. Grudgingly, Rory thought he could see why Grissom was interested in her, although he failed to see her attraction in him. His eyes settled on Sara's stomach, his obvious gaze making Sara visibly uncomfortable.
Grissom immediately stepped in front of Sara, and Rory knew exactly what his message was... back off!
"I found your personnel file to be an entertaining read, Mr. Grissom. I'd find it fascinating to know, if it came down to a choice between the lab and Miss Sidle, which you would choose?"
Grissom glared, his gaze steady with Rory's. There was no choice as far as Grissom was concerned.
"Sara," he said without the slightest hesitation.
Rory's smile wasn't pleasant, as his own dislike of Grissom increased.
"I supposed I wouldn't expect you to say anything else when the lady in question is standing behind you. I'd watch my step if I were you, Mr. Grissom," Rory warned him. "Your impending bundle of joy may have pricked Ecklie's conscience, but not mine. I'll be watching you both."
His threat given, Rory turned and continued down the corridor.
Grissom and Sara glanced at each other with a mutual feeling of unease as they watched the sheriff head down the corridor, before turning right and disappearing from sight.
"I see you've met the new sheriff," Hodges' voice came from behind them, startling them for a second. "We had a nice chat when he stopped by the trace lab. He seems like a nice guy... knows exactly how he wants things done and expects you to follow through. We could do with more like him around here. He's invited me out to lunch next week…"
"Just what is it that you want, Hodges?" snapped Grissom, growing irritated at Hodges' ass kissing.
Looking offended at Grissom's tone, Hodges replied, "I thought you knew. Mike Garrett is in holding at PD, waiting to be processed. He can't be officially booked, until it's been done."
"He's not even our case," Sara said, sounding surprised by the news and glancing quickly at Grissom to gauge his reaction. He looked just as surprised as she was.
"Well, he is now, apparently," Hodges said with a shrug. "You know. Since the sheriff and I are on such good terms, I'm going to ask him about upgrading the equipment…"
He trailed off as Grissom walked away with an irritated sigh, Sara following right behind him.
Hodges watched them leave with a mystified look on his face.
"Was it something I said?" he asked to the empty hallway.
After collecting their kits, Grissom and Sara headed to PD and the holding cells.
Officer Clark accompanied Grissom and Sara to Garrett's cell, who watched silently while leaning against the bars.
As Clark drew closer, Garrett's eyes narrowed slightly, his nostrils flaring briefly before turning his attention to the two newcomers.
"Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle from the crime lab," Grissom introduced them. "We're here to collect DNA and any trace evidence from your person."
Garrett straightened up. He stood an inch or two taller than Grissom, with an athletic build and black hair styled in a crew cut. His eyes flickered to Sara, and something about his cold dead stare made her shiver.
Placing their kits on the floor and pulling on latex gloves, the two CSI's began the job of processing the suspect.
As they worked, Garrett remained silent. But on several occasions, Sara felt him watching her, making her uncomfortable. She tried not to think about it as she continued collecting evidence. But when she hesitated slightly while taking a buccal swab from Garrett's mouth, Grissom noticed and instantly became aware of her unease.
Garrett turned his cold stare from Sara to Grissom, as Sara quickly stepped away. Grissom's eyes flickered to Sara and back to Garrett. He now felt the same unease as Sara, and he couldn't help but feel suddenly apprehensive. Garrett had been far too quiet and cooperative after the struggle of his arrest the previous day, after almost running them down in the hall.
Grissom made his way over to Sara as she knelt down by her kit, putting her initials on the evidence she'd collected.
Sara didn't startle or frighten easily, but something about Garrett had put her on edge. When she sensed someone approaching her from behind, her hand flew automatically to the butt of her gun. She had it drawn before she turned around and realized that it was Grissom.
She breathed out a shaky, relieved breath.
"We're almost done," Grissom said softly, as he knelt down beside her. "I can finish up here."
"I'm not leaving you alone with him," Sara returned, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. Her hand shook slightly and Grissom noticed.
Grissom helped her finish putting her evidence away, brushing her fingers with his on purpose.
"I'll be fine. Officer Clark is here. Go on, I can manage."
Sara searched his face a moment before she gave him a slight nod. She blew out another shaky breath as she gathered everything together, trying to avoid looking at Garrett. She could still feel his gaze burning into the back of her neck.
Garrett tilted his head to one side as he watched the two CSI's talk in low tones. A sudden grin erupted on his face as he realised there was something more between them than just colleagues.
As Sara left, Grissom turned back to Garrett to finish processing him. Garrett was watching Sara leave. Very slowly, he turned to face Grissom again. His smile and the cold glint in his eyes chilled Grissom's blood.