The Apple and the Tree
Rated PG
Disclaimer: This is based on CSI, which is owned by CBS, A. Zuiker, and Atlantic/Alliance, et al. I don't make any profit or make any money from this. No infringement is intended. This is just for fun.
Synopsis: An alternative view of one of Grissom's interpersonal relationships. It's getting stranger by the minute.....
Notes: Thanks to Trap and Escher for continually putting up with me, to Disempi and Eric for pointing out serious flaws in my plot and Dawn for listening to me rehearse it all over sandwiches.
MUCH THANKS TO ALL WHO R/R*** Those that don't :( ...
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8- Hummingbird Soufflé
Gillian perched on a stool, swinging her feet, rolling it back and forth on its casters.
"Tell me, pop, how do you rate a private room?"
"They needed the bed in ICU and this was the only room available." Grissom frowned at her. "Is it really necessary to fidget like that? Did you eat hummingbird for lunch?"
"No." Gillian rose and walked to the side of the bed. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes. I'll be better when I'm out of here and things are back to normal."
"Pop, Dr. Casey said no work for a week; you need to take it easy." Gillian eased herself onto the side of the bed. "It's bad enough that I feel like I've eaten a rain forest full of butterflies, I really don't want to be worrying about you on top of all of this."
"It won't be that bad." Grissom told her. "Besides, you went to the US Open and performed in front of 3500 people, how can this make you nervous."
"Only 10 of those 3500 knew me and there aren't many schools that practice our style so I figured who's going to know the difference." Gillian let out a long sigh. "These people will know if I make a mistake and worse..."
"Grissom?" Catherine stood in the door.
Gillian glanced up. "Oops."
Grissom shook his head. "It's inevitable, sweetheart."
Catherine glanced dubiously between Gillian and Grissom. "This ought to be an interesting story." she said settling into a chair.
"Catherine, this is Gillian. Gillian, this is Catherine Willows, she works with me."
Gillian nodded. "It's nice to meet you, Ms. Willows. I hate to be rude, but I really need some sleep and I have to study for an exam tomorrow."
Gillian winked at her father. "'Night, dad. Behave yourself, no pinching the nurses."
"Since when do you have a daughter?" Catherine asked as Gillian shut the door behind her.
"She's almost seventeen, you do the math." Grissom was short as always.
"How come you never said anything about her?"
"It never came up."
Catherine scowled at him. "I've worked with you all these years and all you can say is it never came up?"
Grissom shrugged. "Gillian's mother and I didn't part on amicable terms. It's just something I don't discuss. Gillian is still young she doesn't need to be put in the middle."
Catherine nodded.
"So how is the case? Did you get the evidence collected? Sorry to have dropped all this in your lap, I should be back in a week or so."
Catherine just stared at Grissom. He was stubborn and determined; and until today, she had always thought the lab was his life. Curiosity was killing her, but she had to respect his privacy. "Don't worry, Gil. I can handle it."
Grissom nodded. "There's an envelope on my desk for Warrick, make sure he receives it before Monday. There's a supervisor's meeting on Monday afternoon; I will have to postpone all the rest...."
Catherine interrupted him with maternal firmness. "Gil, relax. We'll be fine. I can marshal the troops for a week. I'll take care of things, just get some rest."
Warrick opened the envelope and removed the papers inside. The first was a note from Grissom. Warrick read it twice, a sick, sinking feeling coming over him.