Hello again! Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter much
appreciated. The song in this chapter is Avril Lavigne - I'm with you.
Chapter 7.
Chapter 7 - I'm with you.
Damn. They'd nearly pulled it off. The voice was familiar and looking at each other with disappointment and a slight amount of horror, they turned to face Ecklie.
"Look, It's not his fault." Greg tried to defend his boss but Ecklie raised a hand, a sign for Greg to stop talking.
"It is his fault. What do you think you were doing hiding him like that?"
Greg and Warrick remained silent, feeling like they were children being scorned for stealing the last cookie. Eventually Greg voiced his burning question.
"How did you know?"
"Well, you're normally strange but the whole speech about the toilets upstairs, that even surpasses your usual standards. After I walked around the corner I stopped and then came back and followed you down here. I still think you need a cat scan even though I know the truth."
"What's going to happen to him now?" Warrick asked, fearing the worst for the now sleeping Grissom.
"I should suspend his ass. However."
"There's a however?" Greg squeaked out hopefully.
"Yes. However, I know he's been taking the whole thing with Sara really badly and this was probably his only way of coping. However."
"Another one?" Greg squeaked out again.
"Do you ever let anyone finish a sentence?" Ecklie asked exasperated. Greg nodded and stared down at his feet embarrassed. "However, you get Grissom out of here and home and sober him up. Let him get some sleep and then bring him into my office tomorrow morning. I think we need a chat."
Warrick and Greg followed the instructions absorbing each detail and then as Ecklie walked out of the room they hoisted Grissom over one shoulder each and guided him out of the CSI HQ. Greg drove them to Grissom's house in his car, all the while Warrick tried to keep Grissom awake and eventually it seemed he was winning the battle. Using Grissom's keys to open the door they managed to heave him onto the sofa in the clinical looking living room.
Plying him with water and black coffee for an hour seemed to do the trick and satisfied that Grissom was on the mend, Greg and Warrick left him to sleep off the rest. Driving back to the lab they didn't realise how much they were going to need their boss right now.
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Catherine left Brass to make his own way up from the floor and ran around into the dark alleyway. She found it completely deserted bar a few cats and trash cans. Reaching for her gun and flicking out in front of her she followed where she thought the sound had come from. A back yard gate was slightly ajar and she burst in running on fear and adrenaline simultaneously. Her eyes opened wide at the sight before her, she was shocked and scared at exactly the same time. There were 2 bodies lying on the stone path in front of her. The night air was so soft and serene, silent to the point of non-existence that Catherine felt intrusive just breathing. In fact she couldn't breathe. The one body on the floor was of a complete stranger, the other was Nick. Snapping back into reality mode she bent down next to her co-worker and pressed her fingers heavily onto his throat. Silently praying for a pulse she was relieved when she found one.
He was unconscious and bleeding heavily from the head other than that she couldn't see any other wounds. So if he wasn't the one who was shot. Who was? However, she reasoned this question could wait. Nick was her priority right now and slapping his cheeks lightly she tried relentlessly to wake him from his unconscious slumber. She heard footsteps and still on edge she grasped her gun once again, only to be faced with Brass.
Surveying the scene in front of him, Brass flicked his cell expertly from his suit pocket. Tapping numbers furiously into the Nokia, Catherine tuned out after hearing 911. Nick still wasn't waking up and Catherine was starting to worry. Pulling Nick onto her lap she rested his head on her knees as she applied pressure to his wound. She winced at the look of it; Nick on the other hand must be in sheer agony.
After finishing his phone call, Brass made his way over to the second body that lay before them on the path. Rolling over the body he found the rogue bullet. Turning to Catherine he asked, "What the hell happened here?" Little did he know his question was about to be answered in full.
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Greg's pager beeped just before Warrick's, the message was pure and simple, 'CALL ME.' Looking at each other with worried expressions occupying both of their faces, Warrick searched to the end of the message to retrieve the number. He dialled it anxiously and before Brass could say hello Warrick barked out, "What's wrong?"
"We've got a situation." Giving Warrick a summary of the main story he gave him the address and told him to call for more back up. Putting pedal to the metal, Greg quickly found his way to the address given. Barely parking the car, both Warrick and Greg ran quickly over to Nick's empty one. Looking at each other once more, they ran into the alleyway, enveloped in its darkness.
Adjusting to the darkness quickly they raced around to the back of the suburban houses until they found the open back gate and sped inside. Nick was lying on Catherine's knees whilst she tried to make him regain consciousness, whereas Brass had disappeared. With the trained eye of a CSI Warrick noticed something extremely odd about the scene. Both Nick and the other body were facing away from the house. They were running away from whatever or whoever was inside. And now Brass had gone in.
Without an explanation he ran quickly into the house drawing his gun, he turned back momentarily motioning for Greg to move Catherine and the listless Nick out into the alleyway. Greg, doing as he was told, helped lift Nick and together Catherine and himself managed to move the muscular Texan. Warrick satisfied they were far enough away turned back and taking a deep breath he walked briskly into the house.
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Waking up Grissom came to the conclusion that hangovers indeed sucked. His head, surprisingly not spinning after last night, managed to come to rather quickly. Finding his way slowly to the kitchen he retrieved a glass from the cupboard and ran it slowly under the faucet, watching it fill with water. He gulped it down and poured himself another glass. He was so thirsty. Probably due to the huge dehydration that he'd inflicted upon himself he deduced. Turning round to avoid the glare of sunlight through his window he noticed a tatty piece of paper attached to his fridge.
"HEY GRISSOM, YOU WERE SMASHED LAST NIGHT SO WE BROUGHT YOU HOME ON ECKLIE'S ORDERS."
He stopped reading momentarily Ecklie saw him in that state last night. Shit.
"DON'T WORRY HE'S NOT SUSPENDING YOU HE JUST WANTS TO TALK WITH YOU IN HIS OFFICE AT 5 THIS MORNING. HOPE THE HANGOVER'S NOT TOO BAD. SEE YOU AT THE LAB . GREG =)"
For once, Grissom actually appreciated Greg. Or at least his note. It was 9 now, he needed to get ready ASAP.
At 4.45 exactly Grissom left the house in haste, trying to remember the last time Ecklie and himself had had a meeting. He couldn't remember a time that wasn't about something trivial like a rota etc. Finding his way into the lab a couple of minutes early he settled himself with a cup of coffee and found his way to Ecklie's office. Barely seating himself onto the deceptively comfortable leather recliner he was summoned inside. Breathing deeply he prepared himself for the Spanish inquisition ahead. Little did he know there would be a detour to the suspected conversation.
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The sound was unrecognisable but as Warrick fumbled through the darkness of the house, he became more and more fearful of what he might find. The sound began to get nearer and nearer and he finally identified the sound coming from what he assumed was the master bedroom. Slowly turning the handle and pushing it open with his foot he slid slowly around the door whilst fumbling for a light switch. He heard the sound clear as a bell now and it sounded like someone kicking something and more frighteningly the muffled sounds of someone gagged. And Warrick had a good idea who it was. Suddenly the light switched on and momentarily startled, Warrick found it hard to adjust to the light.
"Who the hell are you?" Warrick was shocked at the gruff greeting, but was even more shocked to see a woman standing next to the newly illuminated window. Did that voice really just come from her?
"Tell me who you are first and I may think about answering."
"I don't think you're in any position to argue with me. Your friend." she stopped and pointed towards Brass tied up in the corner. "tried to argue with me and now he's going to pay the price. I presume you don't want to join him?"
Warrick nodded, unsure of what else to do. "Now I asked you a question, answer it." The woman stepped up right next to Warrick and he felt something prodding his chest. Looking down anxiously he realised how stupid he was to be arguing. This woman obviously had problems otherwise what the hell was she doing holding a gun to his chest?
"I'm Warrick Brown, Miss. I work for the Las Vegas Crime lab."
"Ahh, so my efforts aren't entirely wasted." Warrick was now extremely confused and ignoring his better judgement he said, "Excuse me?"
"My efforts to get someone here aren't entirely wasted." Warrick felt a vibration in his trouser pocket and realised with a start that it was his cell. He quickly reached into his pocket and switched it off, just before she noticed what he was doing.
"Who did you want to get here? May I ask." Warrick continued. If he could keep this woman talking then hopefully the back up uniforms that he'd called for would arrive soon.
"I doubt you recognise me do you? Well, you wouldn't you didn't work on my case. I believe that was investigated by Mr. Gil Grissom and a Ms. Sara Sidle."
Suddenly Warrick began to feel nauseous. This conversation was heading in a dangerous direction and he wasn't sure how to handle it. Where were those uniforms?
"Who are you miss?"
"I am. No I think I'll save the fun for later. Right now we need to get you settled with you friend over here." She flicked the gun to point at the chair next to Brass' and Warrick sat down reluctantly. Back outside the case was taking a turn for the better.
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"Come on Nick!" he still hadn't woken up and Catherine, now in a state of extreme concern, was beginning to cry. Slowly but surely Nick's eyes fluttered open and his face crumpled up into a severe frown. Being relieved Catherine cried even more whilst Greg moved in closer to his best friend.
"What happened in there man?"
Nick tried to remember, it was all so blurry. There were fragments he could remember so he thought he's spill them out as he remembered them.
"I chased the man around to the house and inside and just as I caught him someone came out of nowhere and sliced me over the head with something. We both ran out of the house but they got him and he fell over and crushed me. I must've passed out then."
"Did you see them?"
"No it was too dark. He must've been waiting in the dark for us."
"It wasn't a he. I had a lead back at the lab. Trace missed like the biggest piece of evidence in the case, or of the century. They should be shot. I mean they."
"Greg!" Catherine interjected. "Get on with it."
"Sorry, well, there was a skin epithelial on the headlight, I think someone must have tried to get it back out of the taillight so that there was no proof. Anyway, unless your Male has miraculously grown an extra X chromosome then we ain't dealing with a he here. I did some DNA tests on the epithelial and we're dealing with a very familiar women. Casey Donahugh."
"The one who we got for murdering her boyfriend right?"
"Right."
"But why is she after Sara?"
"Sara and Grissom worked on her case. Sara was the one who found the technicality on which she was put away for. I would say Casey hasn't forgiven her."
"Then Warrick and Brass are in there with her and she might be armed." Removing her coat and placing it gently under Nick's head, she lowered him down onto the asphalt and started to get up.
"Where are you going Catherine?" Greg asked worry spreading over his face.
"I'm going in."
"Catherine don't be stupid. You have to stay with Nick. Give me your gun and I'll go in."
"You couldn't shoot a black hole Greg. Stop with the macho man crap and stay with Nicky here. Keep him talking." With that she quickly sprinted back inside the yard. Seconds later the clitter-clatter of her heels ceased and Greg knew she'd gone inside. Great, He thought to himself, just great. What the hell do I do now?
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Grissom wasn't really listening to Ecklie although he knew he should be. He'd tuned out when Conrad had started on the 'code of conduct' rules. But now he had to snap back into reality again and at least pretend to listen. Twenty minutes had passed and yet Ecklie still looked like he wasn't finished. Drumming his fingers gently on the arm of his chair Grissom tried with all his might to concentrate and eventually it paid off, just in time to hear the shock statement of the century.
"Grissom, I know that you've been taking this Sara thing hard lately and I don't begrudge you trying to deal with it. What I don't like is when your rat arsed on duty. Now I know your probably not feeling too clever this morning so that's why I'm giving you the day off to go see Sara. I know you haven't seen her in 2 days so something must be wrong. I suggest you go fix whatever you broke."
Overwhelmed by Ecklie's sudden burst of generosity, Grissom thanked the man profusely and then set about driving to the hospital. Switching on the radio he tried to drown out his thought.
~*~ I'm standing on the bridge, I'm waiting in the dark, I thought that you'd be here by now, There's nothing but the rain, No footsteps on the ground I'm listening but there's no sound. Isn't anyone trying to find me? Won't somebody come take me home? ~*~
Sara loved Avril Lavigne. Well not in that way, but she loved her music. Grissom had never really seen the fascination but suddenly he gave into the charming melody that surrounded him.
~*~ I'm with you. ~*~
Grissom wished he was with Sara right now. He was only minutes from the hospital but suddenly even that seemed too long. He needed to be next to her, to tell her that he loved her and he was sorry for everything. That was when his cell rang. Stuck in traffic he decided he could probably answer it before he had to go again.
"Grissom,"
"Hello Mr. Grissom. This is David Greatly from the Washington Crime labs. I'm calling you for a reference of a Ms. Sara Sidle."
"I'm sorry you must be mistaken. Sara hasn't applied for a new job."
"I'm afraid she has Mr. Grissom. Well, she didn't so much apply for it as we headhunted her. She seemed keen."
"Look I'm really sorry but this is a bad time for me. Can you call me back tomorrow?" With that Grissom pressed the end call button and dropped the cell onto the passenger seat. What was going on here?
~*~ It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are but I
I'm with you
I'm looking for a place
I'm searching for a face
Is anybody here I know
Cause nothing's going right
And everything's a mess
And no one likes to be alone ~*~
Was Sara leaving him? How long ago had she decided? If it wasn't for the accident would she have left already? Suddenly like a flooded engine, Grissom's mind failed to function. He'd overloaded on thoughts and questions and now as he made his way into the hospital car lot, for the first time in a long while, he didn't know what to do. Psyching himself up he told himself that Ecklie had given him the day off for this he'd better make it count. Shaking his head lightly and loosening up the tightened and tense muscles in his neck he stepped out of the SUV.
Huffing out a short breath of air he walked purposefully towards the entrance. In a complete daze he found his own way to Sara's ward, his subconscious guiding him whilst his brain tried to summon two meaningful sentences together.
On arriving at her room, he suddenly felt the urge to turn away but he realised if he did he'd never say the things he needed to say. Breathing deeply he stepped into the hospital room. She looked slightly better than the other day, and despite her bruises Grissom still thought she looked beautiful.
"Hi," he managed to croak out. Way to go Gil, he thought to himself.
"What are you doing here?" Sara replied.
"We need to talk."
"No WE don't. You do. I don't know what's going on with you Grissom but I can't help you unless you want to be and right now I can feel you pushing me away."
"I know," he said facing down towards the white bed sheets. He just couldn't meet her gaze. Slowly he lowered himself onto the bed and continued to stare at the expanse of angelic white surrounding Sara. "I'm really sorry about the other night. I should have told you how I feel about you instead of letting you walk away. I've never been good with relationships. I didn't want you to be disappointed with me. I've never felt so guilty and so worried or . well you get my point. But I've never felt like that until I heard from Ecklie of all people that you'd been in an accident. I couldn't bare to think of my life without you. And then the first night you were in here, I slept outside your room and when I woke up you weren't there and I thought the worst and ."
"Whoa Grissom calm down. I'm here. I'm a bit battered but I'm here. You haven't lost me." Grissom was blabbering, he never blabbered. She just had to interject, help him out a little.
"I can't. The thing is I haven't got you out of my head for weeks. When I'm awake I think of you when I sleep I dream about you. I never thought I could fall in love again, not after, well not after."
"After what?"
"After Carole. My ex wife. She was having an affair for months behind my back before I found out. I come home one night from work and there she was with my best friend in bed. You can put the pieces together."
"I never knew you were married."
"It was a long time ago. When I first started college. We were high school sweethearts and we got married. It seemed the right thing to do at the time. We only lasted 3 years." "I'm sorry Grissom I never knew."
"That's because I never told you. I always thought it was my fault. I was out at work to all hours she just never got the attention or love from me that she needed. I guess when push came to shove if she was happier with him than she was with me then who was I to say no. All I ever wanted was to make her happy. If it couldn't be me to make her happy then I was willing to let someone else do it."
"So that's why you keep pushing me away. I'm not like Carole. I wouldn't do that to you. And I'm not going anywhere Grissom."
"Is that right? I just had a phone call from a Mr. David Greatly. Asking for references."
"Ah, well I can explain that."
Grissom raised an eyebrow at her. He was finding the urge to break into a frown extremely hard to contain. He didn't want to show her how upset he would be at this possibility.
"Explain away."
"Well you see they offered me a promotion. And up until the accident I was going to take it. Sometimes you've got to move on you know? But lying in here for the past few days I've realised that I could never leave you Grissom. I'd miss you too much and I know this sounds selfish but I don't want to share you with anyone. If I left then someone might replace me and then where would I be?"
"No one could ever replace you Sara. I think I love you."
"You think?" She raised an eyebrow at him in mock distaste.
"Ok, ok I know I love you." Leaning forward gently he lowered his lips onto hers and she returned the favour by reciprocating with all the emotion she felt for him right then. But fate however always has other plans. This can only be demonstrated by annoying little things called cell phones.
Reluctantly answering it after breaking the sexually charged kiss he answered with an annoyed.
"Grissom,"
"Grissom, We've got a problem. I think Brass might be dead."
It's another long one! At least I'm starting to get some constructive ideas down! Please if you have the time R & R my work as I'd really love to hear from you. Hope you enjoyed it. All my love Tinx . =) XX
Chapter 7 - I'm with you.
Damn. They'd nearly pulled it off. The voice was familiar and looking at each other with disappointment and a slight amount of horror, they turned to face Ecklie.
"Look, It's not his fault." Greg tried to defend his boss but Ecklie raised a hand, a sign for Greg to stop talking.
"It is his fault. What do you think you were doing hiding him like that?"
Greg and Warrick remained silent, feeling like they were children being scorned for stealing the last cookie. Eventually Greg voiced his burning question.
"How did you know?"
"Well, you're normally strange but the whole speech about the toilets upstairs, that even surpasses your usual standards. After I walked around the corner I stopped and then came back and followed you down here. I still think you need a cat scan even though I know the truth."
"What's going to happen to him now?" Warrick asked, fearing the worst for the now sleeping Grissom.
"I should suspend his ass. However."
"There's a however?" Greg squeaked out hopefully.
"Yes. However, I know he's been taking the whole thing with Sara really badly and this was probably his only way of coping. However."
"Another one?" Greg squeaked out again.
"Do you ever let anyone finish a sentence?" Ecklie asked exasperated. Greg nodded and stared down at his feet embarrassed. "However, you get Grissom out of here and home and sober him up. Let him get some sleep and then bring him into my office tomorrow morning. I think we need a chat."
Warrick and Greg followed the instructions absorbing each detail and then as Ecklie walked out of the room they hoisted Grissom over one shoulder each and guided him out of the CSI HQ. Greg drove them to Grissom's house in his car, all the while Warrick tried to keep Grissom awake and eventually it seemed he was winning the battle. Using Grissom's keys to open the door they managed to heave him onto the sofa in the clinical looking living room.
Plying him with water and black coffee for an hour seemed to do the trick and satisfied that Grissom was on the mend, Greg and Warrick left him to sleep off the rest. Driving back to the lab they didn't realise how much they were going to need their boss right now.
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Catherine left Brass to make his own way up from the floor and ran around into the dark alleyway. She found it completely deserted bar a few cats and trash cans. Reaching for her gun and flicking out in front of her she followed where she thought the sound had come from. A back yard gate was slightly ajar and she burst in running on fear and adrenaline simultaneously. Her eyes opened wide at the sight before her, she was shocked and scared at exactly the same time. There were 2 bodies lying on the stone path in front of her. The night air was so soft and serene, silent to the point of non-existence that Catherine felt intrusive just breathing. In fact she couldn't breathe. The one body on the floor was of a complete stranger, the other was Nick. Snapping back into reality mode she bent down next to her co-worker and pressed her fingers heavily onto his throat. Silently praying for a pulse she was relieved when she found one.
He was unconscious and bleeding heavily from the head other than that she couldn't see any other wounds. So if he wasn't the one who was shot. Who was? However, she reasoned this question could wait. Nick was her priority right now and slapping his cheeks lightly she tried relentlessly to wake him from his unconscious slumber. She heard footsteps and still on edge she grasped her gun once again, only to be faced with Brass.
Surveying the scene in front of him, Brass flicked his cell expertly from his suit pocket. Tapping numbers furiously into the Nokia, Catherine tuned out after hearing 911. Nick still wasn't waking up and Catherine was starting to worry. Pulling Nick onto her lap she rested his head on her knees as she applied pressure to his wound. She winced at the look of it; Nick on the other hand must be in sheer agony.
After finishing his phone call, Brass made his way over to the second body that lay before them on the path. Rolling over the body he found the rogue bullet. Turning to Catherine he asked, "What the hell happened here?" Little did he know his question was about to be answered in full.
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Greg's pager beeped just before Warrick's, the message was pure and simple, 'CALL ME.' Looking at each other with worried expressions occupying both of their faces, Warrick searched to the end of the message to retrieve the number. He dialled it anxiously and before Brass could say hello Warrick barked out, "What's wrong?"
"We've got a situation." Giving Warrick a summary of the main story he gave him the address and told him to call for more back up. Putting pedal to the metal, Greg quickly found his way to the address given. Barely parking the car, both Warrick and Greg ran quickly over to Nick's empty one. Looking at each other once more, they ran into the alleyway, enveloped in its darkness.
Adjusting to the darkness quickly they raced around to the back of the suburban houses until they found the open back gate and sped inside. Nick was lying on Catherine's knees whilst she tried to make him regain consciousness, whereas Brass had disappeared. With the trained eye of a CSI Warrick noticed something extremely odd about the scene. Both Nick and the other body were facing away from the house. They were running away from whatever or whoever was inside. And now Brass had gone in.
Without an explanation he ran quickly into the house drawing his gun, he turned back momentarily motioning for Greg to move Catherine and the listless Nick out into the alleyway. Greg, doing as he was told, helped lift Nick and together Catherine and himself managed to move the muscular Texan. Warrick satisfied they were far enough away turned back and taking a deep breath he walked briskly into the house.
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Waking up Grissom came to the conclusion that hangovers indeed sucked. His head, surprisingly not spinning after last night, managed to come to rather quickly. Finding his way slowly to the kitchen he retrieved a glass from the cupboard and ran it slowly under the faucet, watching it fill with water. He gulped it down and poured himself another glass. He was so thirsty. Probably due to the huge dehydration that he'd inflicted upon himself he deduced. Turning round to avoid the glare of sunlight through his window he noticed a tatty piece of paper attached to his fridge.
"HEY GRISSOM, YOU WERE SMASHED LAST NIGHT SO WE BROUGHT YOU HOME ON ECKLIE'S ORDERS."
He stopped reading momentarily Ecklie saw him in that state last night. Shit.
"DON'T WORRY HE'S NOT SUSPENDING YOU HE JUST WANTS TO TALK WITH YOU IN HIS OFFICE AT 5 THIS MORNING. HOPE THE HANGOVER'S NOT TOO BAD. SEE YOU AT THE LAB . GREG =)"
For once, Grissom actually appreciated Greg. Or at least his note. It was 9 now, he needed to get ready ASAP.
At 4.45 exactly Grissom left the house in haste, trying to remember the last time Ecklie and himself had had a meeting. He couldn't remember a time that wasn't about something trivial like a rota etc. Finding his way into the lab a couple of minutes early he settled himself with a cup of coffee and found his way to Ecklie's office. Barely seating himself onto the deceptively comfortable leather recliner he was summoned inside. Breathing deeply he prepared himself for the Spanish inquisition ahead. Little did he know there would be a detour to the suspected conversation.
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The sound was unrecognisable but as Warrick fumbled through the darkness of the house, he became more and more fearful of what he might find. The sound began to get nearer and nearer and he finally identified the sound coming from what he assumed was the master bedroom. Slowly turning the handle and pushing it open with his foot he slid slowly around the door whilst fumbling for a light switch. He heard the sound clear as a bell now and it sounded like someone kicking something and more frighteningly the muffled sounds of someone gagged. And Warrick had a good idea who it was. Suddenly the light switched on and momentarily startled, Warrick found it hard to adjust to the light.
"Who the hell are you?" Warrick was shocked at the gruff greeting, but was even more shocked to see a woman standing next to the newly illuminated window. Did that voice really just come from her?
"Tell me who you are first and I may think about answering."
"I don't think you're in any position to argue with me. Your friend." she stopped and pointed towards Brass tied up in the corner. "tried to argue with me and now he's going to pay the price. I presume you don't want to join him?"
Warrick nodded, unsure of what else to do. "Now I asked you a question, answer it." The woman stepped up right next to Warrick and he felt something prodding his chest. Looking down anxiously he realised how stupid he was to be arguing. This woman obviously had problems otherwise what the hell was she doing holding a gun to his chest?
"I'm Warrick Brown, Miss. I work for the Las Vegas Crime lab."
"Ahh, so my efforts aren't entirely wasted." Warrick was now extremely confused and ignoring his better judgement he said, "Excuse me?"
"My efforts to get someone here aren't entirely wasted." Warrick felt a vibration in his trouser pocket and realised with a start that it was his cell. He quickly reached into his pocket and switched it off, just before she noticed what he was doing.
"Who did you want to get here? May I ask." Warrick continued. If he could keep this woman talking then hopefully the back up uniforms that he'd called for would arrive soon.
"I doubt you recognise me do you? Well, you wouldn't you didn't work on my case. I believe that was investigated by Mr. Gil Grissom and a Ms. Sara Sidle."
Suddenly Warrick began to feel nauseous. This conversation was heading in a dangerous direction and he wasn't sure how to handle it. Where were those uniforms?
"Who are you miss?"
"I am. No I think I'll save the fun for later. Right now we need to get you settled with you friend over here." She flicked the gun to point at the chair next to Brass' and Warrick sat down reluctantly. Back outside the case was taking a turn for the better.
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"Come on Nick!" he still hadn't woken up and Catherine, now in a state of extreme concern, was beginning to cry. Slowly but surely Nick's eyes fluttered open and his face crumpled up into a severe frown. Being relieved Catherine cried even more whilst Greg moved in closer to his best friend.
"What happened in there man?"
Nick tried to remember, it was all so blurry. There were fragments he could remember so he thought he's spill them out as he remembered them.
"I chased the man around to the house and inside and just as I caught him someone came out of nowhere and sliced me over the head with something. We both ran out of the house but they got him and he fell over and crushed me. I must've passed out then."
"Did you see them?"
"No it was too dark. He must've been waiting in the dark for us."
"It wasn't a he. I had a lead back at the lab. Trace missed like the biggest piece of evidence in the case, or of the century. They should be shot. I mean they."
"Greg!" Catherine interjected. "Get on with it."
"Sorry, well, there was a skin epithelial on the headlight, I think someone must have tried to get it back out of the taillight so that there was no proof. Anyway, unless your Male has miraculously grown an extra X chromosome then we ain't dealing with a he here. I did some DNA tests on the epithelial and we're dealing with a very familiar women. Casey Donahugh."
"The one who we got for murdering her boyfriend right?"
"Right."
"But why is she after Sara?"
"Sara and Grissom worked on her case. Sara was the one who found the technicality on which she was put away for. I would say Casey hasn't forgiven her."
"Then Warrick and Brass are in there with her and she might be armed." Removing her coat and placing it gently under Nick's head, she lowered him down onto the asphalt and started to get up.
"Where are you going Catherine?" Greg asked worry spreading over his face.
"I'm going in."
"Catherine don't be stupid. You have to stay with Nick. Give me your gun and I'll go in."
"You couldn't shoot a black hole Greg. Stop with the macho man crap and stay with Nicky here. Keep him talking." With that she quickly sprinted back inside the yard. Seconds later the clitter-clatter of her heels ceased and Greg knew she'd gone inside. Great, He thought to himself, just great. What the hell do I do now?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Grissom wasn't really listening to Ecklie although he knew he should be. He'd tuned out when Conrad had started on the 'code of conduct' rules. But now he had to snap back into reality again and at least pretend to listen. Twenty minutes had passed and yet Ecklie still looked like he wasn't finished. Drumming his fingers gently on the arm of his chair Grissom tried with all his might to concentrate and eventually it paid off, just in time to hear the shock statement of the century.
"Grissom, I know that you've been taking this Sara thing hard lately and I don't begrudge you trying to deal with it. What I don't like is when your rat arsed on duty. Now I know your probably not feeling too clever this morning so that's why I'm giving you the day off to go see Sara. I know you haven't seen her in 2 days so something must be wrong. I suggest you go fix whatever you broke."
Overwhelmed by Ecklie's sudden burst of generosity, Grissom thanked the man profusely and then set about driving to the hospital. Switching on the radio he tried to drown out his thought.
~*~ I'm standing on the bridge, I'm waiting in the dark, I thought that you'd be here by now, There's nothing but the rain, No footsteps on the ground I'm listening but there's no sound. Isn't anyone trying to find me? Won't somebody come take me home? ~*~
Sara loved Avril Lavigne. Well not in that way, but she loved her music. Grissom had never really seen the fascination but suddenly he gave into the charming melody that surrounded him.
~*~ I'm with you. ~*~
Grissom wished he was with Sara right now. He was only minutes from the hospital but suddenly even that seemed too long. He needed to be next to her, to tell her that he loved her and he was sorry for everything. That was when his cell rang. Stuck in traffic he decided he could probably answer it before he had to go again.
"Grissom,"
"Hello Mr. Grissom. This is David Greatly from the Washington Crime labs. I'm calling you for a reference of a Ms. Sara Sidle."
"I'm sorry you must be mistaken. Sara hasn't applied for a new job."
"I'm afraid she has Mr. Grissom. Well, she didn't so much apply for it as we headhunted her. She seemed keen."
"Look I'm really sorry but this is a bad time for me. Can you call me back tomorrow?" With that Grissom pressed the end call button and dropped the cell onto the passenger seat. What was going on here?
~*~ It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are but I
I'm with you
I'm looking for a place
I'm searching for a face
Is anybody here I know
Cause nothing's going right
And everything's a mess
And no one likes to be alone ~*~
Was Sara leaving him? How long ago had she decided? If it wasn't for the accident would she have left already? Suddenly like a flooded engine, Grissom's mind failed to function. He'd overloaded on thoughts and questions and now as he made his way into the hospital car lot, for the first time in a long while, he didn't know what to do. Psyching himself up he told himself that Ecklie had given him the day off for this he'd better make it count. Shaking his head lightly and loosening up the tightened and tense muscles in his neck he stepped out of the SUV.
Huffing out a short breath of air he walked purposefully towards the entrance. In a complete daze he found his own way to Sara's ward, his subconscious guiding him whilst his brain tried to summon two meaningful sentences together.
On arriving at her room, he suddenly felt the urge to turn away but he realised if he did he'd never say the things he needed to say. Breathing deeply he stepped into the hospital room. She looked slightly better than the other day, and despite her bruises Grissom still thought she looked beautiful.
"Hi," he managed to croak out. Way to go Gil, he thought to himself.
"What are you doing here?" Sara replied.
"We need to talk."
"No WE don't. You do. I don't know what's going on with you Grissom but I can't help you unless you want to be and right now I can feel you pushing me away."
"I know," he said facing down towards the white bed sheets. He just couldn't meet her gaze. Slowly he lowered himself onto the bed and continued to stare at the expanse of angelic white surrounding Sara. "I'm really sorry about the other night. I should have told you how I feel about you instead of letting you walk away. I've never been good with relationships. I didn't want you to be disappointed with me. I've never felt so guilty and so worried or . well you get my point. But I've never felt like that until I heard from Ecklie of all people that you'd been in an accident. I couldn't bare to think of my life without you. And then the first night you were in here, I slept outside your room and when I woke up you weren't there and I thought the worst and ."
"Whoa Grissom calm down. I'm here. I'm a bit battered but I'm here. You haven't lost me." Grissom was blabbering, he never blabbered. She just had to interject, help him out a little.
"I can't. The thing is I haven't got you out of my head for weeks. When I'm awake I think of you when I sleep I dream about you. I never thought I could fall in love again, not after, well not after."
"After what?"
"After Carole. My ex wife. She was having an affair for months behind my back before I found out. I come home one night from work and there she was with my best friend in bed. You can put the pieces together."
"I never knew you were married."
"It was a long time ago. When I first started college. We were high school sweethearts and we got married. It seemed the right thing to do at the time. We only lasted 3 years." "I'm sorry Grissom I never knew."
"That's because I never told you. I always thought it was my fault. I was out at work to all hours she just never got the attention or love from me that she needed. I guess when push came to shove if she was happier with him than she was with me then who was I to say no. All I ever wanted was to make her happy. If it couldn't be me to make her happy then I was willing to let someone else do it."
"So that's why you keep pushing me away. I'm not like Carole. I wouldn't do that to you. And I'm not going anywhere Grissom."
"Is that right? I just had a phone call from a Mr. David Greatly. Asking for references."
"Ah, well I can explain that."
Grissom raised an eyebrow at her. He was finding the urge to break into a frown extremely hard to contain. He didn't want to show her how upset he would be at this possibility.
"Explain away."
"Well you see they offered me a promotion. And up until the accident I was going to take it. Sometimes you've got to move on you know? But lying in here for the past few days I've realised that I could never leave you Grissom. I'd miss you too much and I know this sounds selfish but I don't want to share you with anyone. If I left then someone might replace me and then where would I be?"
"No one could ever replace you Sara. I think I love you."
"You think?" She raised an eyebrow at him in mock distaste.
"Ok, ok I know I love you." Leaning forward gently he lowered his lips onto hers and she returned the favour by reciprocating with all the emotion she felt for him right then. But fate however always has other plans. This can only be demonstrated by annoying little things called cell phones.
Reluctantly answering it after breaking the sexually charged kiss he answered with an annoyed.
"Grissom,"
"Grissom, We've got a problem. I think Brass might be dead."
It's another long one! At least I'm starting to get some constructive ideas down! Please if you have the time R & R my work as I'd really love to hear from you. Hope you enjoyed it. All my love Tinx . =) XX