Chapter 18

Sara and Greg walked in silence, it took her a few seconds to realise Greg wasn't leading her to the lab, but his Denali parked a few spaces from the entrance. She glanced over to her friend, but his face was still screwed up in anger and the question died in her throat.

She couldn't wrap her head around what had just happened. In all the time she had known Jimmy, in all the drinks they had shared, the conversations they engaged in, nothing hinted at the violence he had displayed just moments before. He was sweet, kind. A little annoying maybe, but nothing like the man she had just encountered. Sara shivered as she thought of where his hands were going before she was able to push him away. Greg drew closer, still only touching her with his hand. But his presence alone was comforting.

I want you. I love you.

He screamed the words at her. Spat them out, as if he were choking. Sara knew Jimmy liked her. Knew he wanted more from her. But she had never thought…

She could feel her eyes starting to burn. The adrenalin was starting to leave her system. Her heart rate had reduced, and the fear that had locked her limbs was starting to loosen. But with this, came the realisation of what had happened. What might have happened if she hadn't been able to get away. If Greg hadn't turned up when he did.

"I'm so sorry, Sara," Greg said, his voice thick, shaking. Fighting his own emotions. Trying to be strong, for her.

"It wasn't your fault, Greg," Sara said. They had arrived at his car and Sara turned to him, but Greg wouldn't, or couldn't, look at her. Something like shame started to creep up within her.

What must he think of me? She was criminalist. A good one. A great one. She worked for one of the best labs in the country. Had worked thousands of assault cases. Murders… Rapes. A chill ran down her spin at that word.

She should know better. Should have seen something. Noticed something. How many times had she given talks? Giving advice and information to young women at the university. She taught self-defence. Volunteered with a victim support group. Her childhood was enough to teach her what people are capable of.

Sara knew what was out there. Knew that anyone could turn, at the drop of a hat. She should have left, the moment she saw Jimmy's behaviour change. But she didn't.

"I should have gotten to you quicker, faster." He took a shuddering breath. "I saw him with you, and when he pushed you against the car… I didn't know what to do… I… I should have…I couldn't get there fast enough. I'm so sorry, Sara."

"Greg," Sara said softly, cupping his face. Greg looked up at her, shame shining in his eyes. "You were there when I needed you," she said. Greg pulled her into a hug and the pair gripped onto each other. She could feel him shaking in her arms. With tears or anger, she didn't know. Sara just held him close, trying to give as much comfort as she was getting.

Eventually, they pulled away, dropping their arms a little awkwardly. Sara gave him a small grin and Greg smiled back, a little laugh escaping his lips.

"What happened?" He asked her, serious once more. Greg's face clouded with resentment when she told him how Jimmy responded to her ring, of his deceleration. When Sara got to the part against the car, her voice halted. She didn't want to go over that, and Greg didn't push her. He just took her wrist, gently in his fingers, and looked at the bruising now coming out in full force.

"I should have seen it," she said. Humiliation lacing her words. "I should have…"

"Don't you dare blame yourself, Sara," Greg said, fiercely. "You did nothing wrong."

"I'm a CSI!" She exclaimed. "I should be able to see this sort of thing."

"There was no way you could have known," Greg said. "This is not your fault." He had gripped onto her upper arm. A gentle touch, but enough to keep her facing him. Eventually, Sara nodded, and Greg dropped his hands. "You should report it," he said, gently. "Carl and Suzie will take him to PD, and I'll make sure they know not to let him anywhere near the lab."

Sara didn't respond, but Greg didn't seem to expect her too. She was a private person, and the idea of the people she worked with, the people she spent all her time with, knowing what had happened… She could just imagine the looks she would get. The pity that would be reflected back at her in the eyes of her friends.

She had always hated that look. It was a look that haunted her childhood. Had haunted every conversation she had about her parents. The only person who didn't look at her like that, was Grissom.

"Do you want me to take you back to Catherine's?" Greg asked and Sara shook her head.

"No," she said. "There's too much to do, with the case and everything. I need to work." Greg nodded. Sara looked over to the labs entrance, she needed a few moments before going in. Before facing Grissom.

"He's not there," Greg said.

"Heather?" Sara guessed. "Catherine told me she wasn't the woman in the car."

"No," Greg said, hesitantly. "She called him. He's gone to meet her at PD. Russell and Catherine went with him."

"Is he, uh," Sara stuttered.

"I don't know," Greg said. "They left as soon as she called."

"When?"

"A few minutes ago," Greg replied. Sara looked over to her car, there was no one there. "Do you want me to come with you?"

"No," Sara said, shaking her head. "I'll be fine." Jimmy was probably at the station by now, but Sara couldn't let herself think about that. Heather was there. So was Grissom. She needed to go too.

"Sara," Greg said. "When you get there, will you talk to someone? Carl and Suzie have probably already reported it, but will you say something?"

"I don't know," Sara answered, honestly.

"Will you tell Grissom?"

"No," she said, instantly. "I'm going to meet up with Russell and Catherine," Sara continued before he could say any more. "I'll see you later."

Sara turned to walk away but paused. Turned back and pulled Greg into another hug.

"Thanks," she whispered, before squeezing his shoulder and letting go.

The journey to PD was quick and, before she knew it, Sara was switching off her ignition once more. The bruising on her wrists catching her eye. Sara pulled her sleeves down before exiting.

As she made her way to the interview room, she saw Catherine and Russell standing by the door. A few feet away, Grissom was standing with Lady Heather. Heather was wearing a simple red blouse and black skirt. Nothing like what Sara had seen her wonder around in before. There was nothing flashy in the clothing the older woman was wearing. Nothing that would hint at the life she led under the surface. Or the life she used to lead, in any case.

Grissom was standing beside her, hands in his pocket, looking more relaxed than Sara had seen him since he arrived. Lady Heather said something, and Grissom smiled slightly. His face free of the worry lines she had gotten used to seeing over the last 24 hours.

Sara approached Catherine and Russell, adverting her gaze from the couple before her.

He'll probably leave soon. Now he knows she's ok. Sara thought. Or he might stay, might help find out who's framing her? For some reason, neither option made Sara feel better.

"Has she said anything?" Sara asked, in way of hello.

"No," Russell replied. "We've only just got here. How did you know?"

"Greg told me," Sara said, looking back over at Lady Heather and Grissom. As if feeling her gaze, Lady Heather turned her head and met Sara's eyes. She dipped her chin in acknowledgement. Sara took a breath. The woman's face was guarded, she couldn't read anything on it.

Grissom looked up. As soon as he saw Sara, he put a hand to Lady Heathers arm and walked over to the trio standing by the door.

Sara pulled her sleeve.

"Are you ok?" Catherine asked, under her breath as Grissom walked over.

"Fine," Sara replied.

"I haven't spoken to her about the case," Grissom said as he drew level. "But she came in voluntarily, so please," he looked to Catherine and Russell, "treat her with respect." His voice was soft, concerned. Questioning, but not accusatory.

"Of course," Sara answered. Not able to suppress the trickle of irritation course through her. He may be worried for his friend, but did he really think they would be anything other than professional? Catherine only arched her eyebrow and Russell nodded. Sara watched as Lady Heather walked towards them and Russell, ever the gentleman, held the door open for her.

"Ma'am," he said, gesturing for her to precede them. Lady Heather looked between Sara and Grissom before entering. Sara chanced a glance. He was watching after them, concern framing his mouth.

The room was bare. A simple, steel table sat in the middle. Four metal chairs placed on either side. Russell took one of the chairs and brought it to the other side. Lady Heather sat on the single seat, while the three law enforcement officers sat opposite her.

"Dr Kessler, thank you for coming in," Russell started. "As you can imagine, we have some questions for you."

"And I will do my best to answer them," Lady Heather replied. Her voice cold. Not uninviting, but not giving anything away.

"I'll start, Dr Kessler," Sara said. She pulled a file towards her and opened it, taking out a photo and putting it on the table. "Do you recognise this man?"

"Hi name is Adrian Kelly, he was a patient of mine," Lady Heather replied.

"He set of a bomb at the Eclipse Casino," Sara said, keeping her voice as expressionless as the dominatrix.

"And you think I had something to do with this?"

"So far, that is was what evidence is suggesting," Sara replied.

"That doesn't answer my question," Lay Heather replied, her shrewd eyes taking in Sara's face, her posture. The way she pulled at her sleeves once more. Her hand. They narrowed slightly as they took in the gold band resting there.

"Do you know why he would want to blow up my casino?" Catherine asked.

"No," Lady Heather said, taking her eyes from Sara to the FBI agent. "Adrian was with me to work through some childhood trauma. But he was not violent."

"Had you seen him recently?"

"No." Lady Heather looked back to Sara. "Does Grissom think I had something to do with this?"

"That is not relevant at the moment," Sara replied.

"Maybe not to you," Lady Heather responded.

"Dr Kessler," Russell said. "When we searched your house, our CSI's found a lot of blood. Not a drop of it belonged to you, can you explain this?"

"I came home after a long day," Lady Heather said. "And was surprised by an intruder."

"And you didn't think to call the cops?" Catherine asked incredulously.

"After the death of my daughter, Zoe, and the vehicular murder of my granddaughter, Alison. I've lost all faith in law enforcement," Lady Heather responded. Her voice tight.

"Do you know who it was?" Sara asked. Lady Heather shook her head.

"I never saw his face."

"Could it have been Mr Kelly?"

"No, as I've told you, he wasn't a violent man."

"How do you explain his setting off a bomb and killing five people?" Catherine asked.

"I can't," Heather replied.

"What about one of your other patients?" Russell asked. "When we searched your house, we found three client tapes missing from your office. One was for Mr Kelly; the others were for Patrick Smith and Lucy Jones. Could one of them be behind this?"

"I highly doubt it," Lady Heather said. "Lucy was working through her own trauma, and sexual repression. As was Patrick. Neither of them showed any signs of outward violence."

"Have you had any contact with them since you shut your practice?"

"No. I referred them onto other practices and haven't spoken to them since."

"Dr Kessler," Sara said. "You were ordered to 6 weeks of court mandated therapy, after your granddaughter was killed."

"I was."

"Did you keep it up, after the initial weeks were over?"

"I did. I spoke with a friend, after Alison died, and he suggested I keep going. Even once the six weeks were up."

Sara didn't ask her to elaborate. Grissom had been the one to suggest this, but she didn't want Lady Heather to confirm it. Or confirm that, out of everyone he knew in Vegas, Lady Heather was the one he chose to stay in contact with.

Sara trusted Grissom. She trusted him when he said that Lady Heather wasn't involved. But that didn't mean she had to like the woman. Grissom had chosen her. Out of everyone, all their friends, he had chosen her. Sara's temper, already close to the surface, was starting to rise. The ugly, green-eyed monster lifted its head. She needed to stay calm, objective. But with each passing second, she could feel her hostility for the other woman threaten to choak her. And based on the look Lady Heather was now giver her, she could feel it to.

Catherine's phone beeped then, and she looked down at it. Her brows rose slightly before she put the device back on the table.

"Henrys confirmed the woman in the car was Lucy Jones," Catherine said to Sara and Russell. "Do you know why Miss Jones would be at your house? Or why someone would want to kill her?"

"No," Heather replied. For the first time she looked shocked.

"Do you know the name of her new therapist?" Russell asked.

"No, I gave them all a few recommendations and left the decision to them." Lady Heather was looking at the table, her face still blank.

"Could you tell us the name of your therapist?" Russell asked. "It may help us to speak with them, if only to confirm what you have already told us."

"His name is Dr Lucas Quinn. Though how you imagine he might help you, I don't know. I never discussed my old patients with him."

"Do you know who might be behind this?" Sara asked, willing her voice not to give away the turbulent emotions running within her.

"So, you don't think it's me," Lady Heather said, a small, satisfied smile on her lips. Sara didn't respond. Lady Heather sighed. "I've had thousands of clients and patients come through my domain throughout the years. Any one of them can be after me for a million unforeseeable reasons."

Sara was losing patience. She may not think the dominatrix was behind this, but they didn't have time to pander to her ego to get the truth. Not it she was right. Not if the bomber was after Grissom.

"I'm not talking about you, Heather," Sara said, trying to keep her voice as still as possible. "This is about Grissom. Why would one of your clients or patients be after him?" Lady Heather looked up at her in surprise, and Sara couldn't help the emotion that crept into her voice as she spoke. "If you're not behind this, then help me. Help him!"

"You're scared for him, aren't you?" Lady Heather said, focusing solely on Sara. It was as if the other occupants of the room had disappeared.

"I am."

A pause, then, "do you love him?" There was something in the woman's voice. More than just simple curiosity. I was like she was confirming something. Something she already knew.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sara could see Catherine sit up slightly in her chair. Russell looking between the two brunettes, a slight frown across his brow. Sara ignored them and kept her eyes locked with Heathers.

"I do."

The atmosphere in the room was so thick, Sara could feel it pressing down on her. But she didn't break her stare.

"I believe you," Heather replied.

"You should," Sara said, and Heather gave her a small smirk. She couldn't help herself. "Do you?"

Heather arched an eyebrow, still focusing only on Sara. "Do I what?"

"Love him."

Heather's eyes widened a little in surprise and it was full ten seconds before she responded.

"No," she said, her voice back to the cool detachment of a few moments before. "I'm afraid I can't help you."

It was clear, after this, they wouldn't be getting anything else from Lady Heather. Sara could feel three sets of eyes on her as she stood to leave and strode to the door.

When they exited the room, Grissom was waiting for them in the hall.

"Well?" He asked, eyes flicking between the three of them.

"She doesn't know anything," Catherine said. "Or at least isn't giving anything up."

"We should talk to this Dr Quinn," Russell said, putting the file under her arm. "See if he could shed any light on this."

"I'll come with you," Sara offered.

"No," Russell said, a little more forceful than was required. "It's late, go home and get some rest. There isn't much to do right now."

"We'll call you, if anything comes up," Catherine promised. "You should get some rest." She eyed Sara's forehead.

"I'm fine," Sara said, for what felt like the 100th time that day.

"Go home, Sara," Russell said, his voice final. Pulling out the boss card for the first time. "That's an order." With that, he nodded to Catherine and walked away. Catherine's lips quirked up in a half smile when she met Sara's stare.

"That's an order," she said, amusement trickling out of her, and Sara couldn't stop the laugh that escaped her.

"I'm really fine, Cath," Sara said.

"That may be so, but it's been a long day. Get some rest. You can start again tomorrow."

Sara looked to Grissom, but he said nothing.

"Fine," she huffed out and Catherine gave her triumphant smile. Her eyes flicked between the couple, and Sara knew the FBI agent wanted to question her. To unpick her major-minor revelation with Lady Heather.

"You should get some rest too, Gil," the redhead said, eventually. "You must be tired."

"You don't need me for anything?" Grissom asked and, for the first time, Sara could hear the exhaustion in his voice.

"No, you head out."

Grissom nodded and Catherine, with one last searching look to Sara, followed after Russell. Once she left, the door to the interview room opened and Lady Heather walked out accompanied by an officer. She paused a little at seeing the couple. Grissom was standing next to Sara, his shoulder almost brushing her own, and Lady Heather gave him a small decerning smile.

Grissom squinted a little, in that way of his. Lady Heathers eyes flicked down, for a fraction of a second at Sara's hand. Then she was gone. Lead away to the holding cell which would be her home until they could sort this out. Grissom watched her leave for a moment before turning back to Sara.

"Are you ok?" She asked.

"Yeah," Grissom replied, sticking his hands back into his pockets. Deciding that wasn't that place to push him, Sara didn't press it.

"Where are you staying?" Grissom looked up, surprised. His eyes widened and Sara smiled. "You didn't book anywhere, did you?"

"No," he replied, a small, sheepish smile creeping across his face.

"Well, um, if you want, uh…" she hesitated, not sure if this was the wisest decision she had made that day. And considering the choices she had made so far, that was saying something.

"What?"

"Well, I'm staying at Catherine's, and she's got plenty of space. Plus, moms there. If you wanted, I sure Cath wouldn't mind… I mean, you could…" Sara trailed off, her face growing warm under Grissom's gaze. His eyes had softened while she spoke. Sara pulled at her sleeves once more, drawing his attention to her hand and his mouth opened slightly when the glint of gold reached his sight. Grissom took her hand, gently, in his.

"You wouldn't mind?" He asked, quietly. His thumb brushing over the ring.

"No," Sara breathed.

"I'd like that." Grissom raised his eyes to meet hers and Sara's heart fluttered at the look he gave her.

Someone moved behind him, and Sara saw Jimmy being led to an interview room. He looked up and saw the couple standing together, Sara's hand in Grissoms. The psychiatrists face contorted in anger as he took them in. Sara refused to drop his gaze as the officers lead him away. The memory of Greg's request reached her.

"There's something I need to do. You can wait here, if you like, or go to Catherine's. Mom's there, so she can let you in." Grissom furrowed his brows in question, but Sara continued. "I won't be long."

"I'll wait," he said, and she dropped his hand. Pulling at her sleeve once more.

Twenty minutes later, Sara found Grissom at the reception desk talking to Mitch. When he saw her, he instantly went to her side.

"Everything ok?" He asked.

"Yeah," Sara lied. Jimmy was being held for the time being, at least until his lawyer arrived. But that did nothing to calm Sara's fears. Nine times out of ten, in cases like this, all her former friend would get would be a slap on the wrist and a warning not to do it again.

At least he wouldn't be able to get to her at the lab, or at Catherine's. Greg would make sure of that.

"You ready?" She asked, and Grissom held out a hand, allowing her to precede him through the door. Together, the couple made their way to the SUV and Sara pushed all thoughts of Jimmy Thompson from her mind.