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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12- Epilogue
"I have a pizza for..." The delivery girl read from the box. "... Gil Grissom."
The receptionist acknowledged her with a smile and a nod as she paged the shift supervisor. By the time the receptionist reached him, the young lady had made herself comfortable in a chair and was reading a scientific magazine, the pizza sitting nearby.
Grissom walked up the long hallway, heaving a long suffering sigh. What was up now? A blonde pony tail swayed rhythmically out of the back of an old purple and green ball cap. The faded sweatshirt had lost most of its color and looked dingy and dirty. At least it covered her belly button, not hidden by the waistband of her hip hugger bell bottoms. She met him at the end of the hall and taking his arm, guided him towards his office.
"What are you doing here? Grissom asked sitting down at his desk.
She put the pizza on his desk before he could put down his paperwork. "Visiting you."
"Try again." His voice was tense and impatient. He was annoyed at this interruption.
Gillian sighed and shook her head. "Ok, I'm checking up on you."
"It's been three weeks." Grissom's forehead wrinkled in consternation. "I'm fine. But that's not why you came all the way down here."
"Disempi called."
Grissom nodded and waited for her to continue. Friends from Gillian's martial arts school called frequently; this was hardly unusual enough to warrant a visit.
"Katelyn fell off the boardwalk at Venice Beach and broke her leg in two places." Gillian began. "So they're a person short for the tournament team."
"Team?" Grissom could see where this was headed.
"For the Open in Orlando."
Grissom nodded. "So you want me to call your mother?"
"No." Gillian shook her head, frowning. "I already called her. She said you're my father and it was high time you behaved like it."
Grissom was aware she was watching his reaction. This was just like Miranda. Only this time, Miranda hadn't called him to outline why she didn't want Gillian to go. This would be interesting; explosive, but interesting.
"In short," continued Gillian. "She doesn't want me to go, but she wants you to be the one to tell me no."
"Why would I say no?" asked Grissom.
Her body language changed. She was presenting rational arguments here. This ability to keep calm and present logical reasons for both sides was what had prompted Grissom to recommend Gillian pursue law as a career.
"I would be traveling across the country to Florida. Staying in a large resort full of unknowns. Competing against thousands of people from around the world, exposing myself to who knows what kind of weird, dangerous creeps. And I would be without any sort of familial supervision."
Grissom nodded. All valid arguments. Some of them had been Miranda's arguments about why Gillian shouldn't attend UNLV. The potential for terrorism had also crossed Grissom's mind; considering the location and the amount of tourists in attendance, it would be a perfect target. "So why should I say yes?"
"Because I won't be alone. The rest of the team will be there. Disempi and Sensei, of course. Eric is going. Dawn and her husband, Sean, are going. We'll be meeting her brothers, Thomas and TJ in Orlando, they're cops. I've done this before, and the last time only Ian was with me. Besides, it's a martial arts tournament, who would try anything?"
Gillian gave him an impertinent grin. Grissom studied her seriously. "You'd be surprised."
"No, pop, I wouldn't. I'm studying Forensics, remember." Gillian was impassive again. "Dawn swears she'll watch me like a hawk and I'll share a room with 'Badger' and Katelyn, she's going along to videotape the competition. We'll have an adjoining room with Disempi and her father."
"And this couldn't wait until morning?"
Gillian took a deep breath. This was where she told him something she was afraid would change his mind. "The coordinator says the alternate paperwork needs to be in by the day after tomorrow. And I would need to return to LA to practice with the team."
"When?"
"This weekend, if possible." Grissom nodded at the manipulative, little girl smile, as she continued. "I know I should stay and study over the summer, but I really want to do this... and I need to try to resolve some issues with mom."
Grissom said nothing.
"I'll be back before classes start again and maybe we can arrange housing better this year if mom doesn't think I picked my major and school to vex her."
Gillian bit her lip awaiting his answer. Grissom knew saying yes would cause much friction with Miranda, but he couldn't say no, despite the parental fear of danger and his own paranoia, she was right. She needed to go, if for no other reason, then to prove that she was growing up. He nodded. "Much as your mother will protest, I can't see any reasonable excuse for you not to go. Good Luck."
"You're awesome." Gillian jumped to her feet and ran over to kiss him on the forehead.
"Would you still think that if I had said no?"
"Yes, I just wouldn't have told you that." Gillian grinned at him triumphantly. "Got to go, things to do and people to call."
Grissom stared at the pizza on his desk. He sighed and took a piece. Catherine walked in with a stack of papers. She raised a questioning eyebrow at the greasy box.
Grissom simply shrugged. "Want a piece?"
AN:
Sorry to be deceptive folks, but IV was right. I hated writing this story. I don't see Grissom being a father prior to becoming a CSI. If you enjoyed this little fantasy, thanks. I didn't; I wrote it on a dare. It was hard and not my best by far. For those that wonder, no, Gillian isn't me; if you want to see someone like me read 'Evidence of a Ghost.' Thanks for your input, but I'm glad this is over… that's one of the reasons it took so long to get it all posted… I just wasn't happy with the story. I've intentionally left unanswered questions. If you must absolutely know the answers, email me. It's just back story.