She blinked rapidly. She didn't know whether to sit down or remain standing—She didn't know if she could even remain standing.
"Because you wanted too," she echoed quietly, sitting back down in the chair. She had a blank look on her face; she was too stunned to say anything more. He slowly leaned forward on to his desk and watched her curiously.
"Now would you mind telling me who Dom is?" She continued to stare at him, blinking slowly. No response. "Sara?" he tried again. Her brow furrowed. 'He really could ruin a moment', she thought bitterly. She sighed.
"He's an old friend. How are you able to do that?" she asked disapprovingly. He seemed slightly confused by her question.
"Do what?"
"Change conversations like that. How are you able to do it," she was annoyed again. He gave a slight shrug, and leaned back in his chair. She stared at him.
"It's a gift," he deadpanned. She scoffed. "Now, care to tell me about Dom?" She shook her head in disbelief.
"I don't get you," she said, not looking at him. He didn't say anything. She sighed, looking up at him. "Fine. Never mind. I give up," she threw her hands up in disgust. "I give up," she repeated softly, picking some fuzz off of her pants.
"How long have you known him?" She looked at him. He was staring intently at her. She shrugged.
"I met him freshmen year—we were in the same class together." He paused.
"What classes?" She shrugged again.
"Physics. He was in my economics class for a little bit—but he didn't stay." She avoided eye contact.
"Any more after that?"
"Does it matter?"
"Sara," he warned. She didn't say anything for a few moments.
"Fine. No, we were only in Physics 211 together for the first semester of my freshmen year. He needed help; and I helped him—we became friends through that," she replied irritated. "Why does this all matter again?"
"I just want to know who we're dealing with—that's all," he was trying to reassure her. She rolled her eyes again.
"Grissom—look. Dom and I met freshmen year. After he left; we kept in touch. Even after grad school."
"But I thought you hadn't spoken to him in awhile," he pointed out.
"Well…yea. We lost touch after I moved out to San Francisco." He paused.
"But you were both on the West Coast-"
"Right—but I didn't know that. The last time I spoke to him, he was in New York. I didn't find out he lived out in California til last night." His eyes narrowed.
"And this doesn't bother you?"
"You've already asked me that," she replied coldly. He sighed, massaging his forehead.
"How did he find you?" he asked, after a moment.
"It's not that hard—he has connections." She shrugged. He didn't seem to like that answer. "You found me," she pointed out. He gave her a look.
"Well—yes—but that was-"
"Different. Right," she answered for him. "I know." They both became silent.
"Look—Grissom. I know you don't like him—but can you at least listen to him?" He didn't respond. "At least give him a chance." She stood up, and looked around the room before she slowly walked towards the door.
"OK," he replied quietly. She turned around.
"What was that?"
"I said—Ok," he repeated, sounding strained. She smiled.
"Great," she said, finally sounding happy. He sighed, then slowly stood up out of his chair, and grabbed his glasses. She leaned against the door, waiting for him.
"Great," he said to himself, as he picked up a file off of his desk. He glanced up, she was waiting against the door, but she was watching the traffic in the hallway. He slowly walked towards her.
"What've you got lose?" she asked as they exited his office. He didn't respond. She quickened her step as they neared the lounge. He sighed.
"Everything."
* * * * * * * *
"Ha—so there is something going on," Cath deduced. Dom didn't say anything, he was trying to concentrate on the magazine. Cath smiled to herself, as she stood up from the table.
"It's ok," she said while heading over to the 'fridge. She opened it up and peered inside. Upon finding nothing to her liking, she grabbed a water.
"Just as long as Grissom doesn't find out."
"As long as I don't find out about what?"
Catherine inhaled sharply. Grissom was standing right on the other side of the door.
"Jesus Gil, don't scare me like that," she scolded him, while opening up her water. He gave her a bemused look.
"What am I not supposed to find out Catherine?" he repeated. She shrugged, taking a sip of her water. He continued to stare at her. However, she avoided his gaze and looked over at Dom. He apparently had not noticed that Grissom was back, or he was ignoring him. He didn't even look up when Sara sat down across from him. Grissom followed Cath's gaze to the table—his eyes hardening into an impassive stare.
* * * *
"Hey," she greeted him, taking a seat across from him. He glanced up at her.
"O hey," he answered, slowly closing the magazine. He didn't say any more.
"You ok?" she seemed slightly concerned.
"Yea—why?" He yawned. She shrugged.
"O, I dunno. You're quiet. That's not like you," she said giving a slight smile. He gave a tired smile back.
"Yea well ya know—long night," he replied humorously, leaning back in his chair. She rolled her eyes.
"Was Catherine nice to you?" He shrugged.
"She was very—what's the word….nosy." He leaned forward, hands clasped. "Are you ok?" She rubbed her eyes.
"Yea-yea I'm fine," she answered. It didn't sound convincing. He eyed her carefully.
"Are you sure?" he asked quietly, reaching over; placing his hand on top of hers. She nodded, still rubbing her eye. He seemed intent on watching her—he didn't even hear Grissom come up behind him.
"So, Dom, we meet again," Grissom interrupted, taking a seat next to the younger man. Dom quickly took his hand away. Sara didn't move.
"I guess we do—Sir," he still didn't look at Grissom.
"And you're here because…?" Dom sighed.
"Because we didn't finish what we had started yesterday," he answered slowly, turning to face Grissom, who was now giving a grin like the Cheshire Cat. Dom, being slightly unnerved, leaned away. Catherine walked by and patted Dom on his shoulder.
"It's ok," she mouthed silently, before taking a seat across from Grissom. Dom looked at all three of them. Having the three of them stare back at him unnerved him even more.
"Ah—I feel claustrophobic now. I need to stand up," he said quickly, hopping out of his seat. Nobody said a word. He hastily straightened himself out, and looked at all three of them again.
"So Dom—why'd you leave school?" it was Catherine again. He sighed.
"Didn't we already go through this?"
"You left school?" Grissom interjected, he was not pleased with this news.
"Yea—Sara didn't tell you?"
"No," he answered, staring at her. She shrugged.
"It didn't come up," was all she said.
Cath sighed.
"Why'd you leave?" Grissom returned to Dom.
"It—wasn't for me," he replied, not looking at him, he was busy sorting papers in his briefcase.
"Why did you leave?" Sara asked. The two older CSI's looked over at her—'What?' she mouthed wordlessly
"I left, because—basically; they didn't want me to come back," Dom explained. They all looked at him, quiet for a moment.
"You got kicked out?" Sara remarked, amused. Catherine looked slightly surprised, and Grissom looked—well; like Grissom. Dom didn't answer right away.
"I guess you could say that," he coughed, not paying attention to their stares.
"What for?" Sara was watching him intently.
"Well—basically I did some stuff and I-"
"You got caught," Grissom smirked. Dom looked over at him.
"Obviously," he answered without hesitation. Grissom frowned.
"Ok—so Dom," Catherine was trying to get his attention. "What'd you do?" The three looked expectantly at him. It made him a little nervous.
"I—a—um," he turned his gaze to Sara. "Do you remember that incident in the Hollis Building?" She thought about it for a moment. "Ya know—the one with the-" Her eyes went wide.
"That was you?!" Grissom and Catherine looked confused. "With the cats? And the—You did that?" Her jaw dropped in disbelief. Dom leaned against the table; grinning. "That was really you?" He laughed.
"No."