Hi guys. Thanks for the reviews. Again, this is my first piece of fan
fiction and you've been awesome. I'm working on the ending chapter(s) now
and see it or them a couple of ways. Conflagration or not. I hope you
like this installment.
*****************
Grissom stared intently at his cell phone, which lay on the table next to Dunn. He willed it to ring. Sara still rested against his shoulder. He knew her condition was worsening and he didn't know how much longer he could put up with this waiting game. She moved her head slightly and Grissom turned toward her.
"Sara?"
She moaned softly in reply as he brought his hands to her face. He saw that she was trying to bring her head into a more upright position and cursed himself for not having realized that necessity in the first place. She locked eyes with him and his breath caught in his throat. Carefully, Grissom braced her head against the wall.
"Is that better? Don't answer, just nod."
"Yeah," she managed.
"I said don't talk," he chided softly.
"Have to. Bored." The whisper barely reached Grissom's ears.
"Ok, I can handle bored. Unconscious no, but bored, yes. Just concentrate on my voice Sara. Can you do that?"
She nodded and rested her eyes briefly.
"I'm not waiting any longer, Sara. We can't wait." He stole a glance at Charlie who continued to enjoy his buzz. "I'll do this when I can. Do you know what I mean?" Again he saw her nod. "Trust me Sara, I'm gonna get you out of this."
"You too," she replied, with a bit more strength in her voice.
Her tone both heartened and touched him. "Yeah, me too," he replied. "Don't talk. I know it goes against every fiber of your being, but please, humor me."
Sara brought the slightest hint of a smile to her lips and it warmed his soul.
Keep talking; keep talking, he reminded himself. Yeah, talking has always been my strong point. Well it better become one right now, buddy. Keep her awake. Talk to her and keep her awake. Since when have I started answering myself? Must be the head injury. Head injuries can make one ramble. Shit, rambling is what I need. Rambling is good. If one says rambling enough times it starts to sound funny. Jeez, Grissom, yeah you're hurt and tired, but this is Sara. The woman you've loved and will love. She needs you. Ramble to her. Rambling is good. He took another deep breath and jumped in.
"So, I was thinking that we could go to Luigi's for our first official date. They've got great food," Grissom added, trying to keep up his monologue. "Or, I could cook. I can make a decent fettuccini Alfredo. In fact, I really enjoy cooking. It's a great stress reliever. I'm pretty good with garlic bread as well."
Grissom continued speaking as he slowly began working the bottle of rubbing alcohol from behind his back. He had the handkerchief and lighter within reach. He's loosened the duct tape on his wrists to the point where he could soon free himself.
********************
"He's gonna fuck this up, man," Nick said, casting a nod toward Martinez. "I swear. It's gonna be fucked up and there's not a damn thing we can do."
Warrick and Greg exchanged glances.
"Is this the hottest day of the year or what?" Greg ventured. It's like a hundred and ten out here. Of course, standing in a parking lot doesn't help."
"Cry me a river, Greg," Nick replied.
Warrick shook his head at Nick. "C'mon. You think you're helping anything by giving us your worst-case scenario? We're all here, man. We see what's going on."
"Yeah, Warrick, like you trust Martinez running this."
"No, I can't say that I trust anyone running this. But, I do have faith in Cath and Brass. Yeah, it's a bad situation. It's been bad since Sara was taken. You know that."
Greg stepped forward and slapped Nick affectionately on the arm. "You've gotta have faith in Sara and Grissom. Put their brains up against Dunn's and you've got no match my friend. Badda boom, badda bing, the dude's tied up in a corner getting a lecture on Dung Beetle larvae from Grissom.
Nick rubbed his face and forced a smile. "I really hope you're right, Greggor."
"Of course I'm right, Nick. Dude, this time tomorrow we'll be having drinks and celebrating their return. Sara will be telling us how she single-handedly saved Grissom's life."
Warrick couldn't help but smile as he saw Catherine approaching. "Ok, Greg, but you're buying."
***********************
Grissom's cell rang and Charlie stood and grabbed it from the table. The nervous and chemical energy reverberated off of him and his hand shook as he held the phone.
"You'd better be callin' to say my car's here."
Dunn pulled the revolver form his waistband as he paced. "I don't wanna see a cop within a hundred yards. Nobody tails us either, or I'll kill 'em both."
Grissom pleaded silently that Brass would ask to speak to him. He knew that he needed to tip them.
"We may be out in five minutes, but I ain't decided." Dunn held the phone away from his face and laughed. "No way I'm leavin' the line open. Fuck that! You think I'm stupid? You want me to paint a bull's-eye on my head too!"
Charlie scowled in Grissom's direction. "Why? I said they're ok. Yeah, yeah, whatever! Make it quick, asshole!"
Grissom held his breath. Dunn's face broke into a twisted smile as he extended the phone. "Your boyfriend wants to hear your sweet voice, Gilbert. I suggest you tell him what a crazy son-of-a-bitch I am."
Taking the phone, Grissom composed himself, as Dunn stayed close by. "Yeah, Brass. I'd listen to Charlie. Yes, I'm trying to make certain that Sara and I walk out. I'm getting her ready. Took some time to get everything together, but it'll be quite a conflagration, Jim."
Charlie grabbed the phone and severed the connection.
"What the fuck is that, Grissom? What the hell did you mean by uh, confugration?"
"Sorry, I was just being sarcastic. It means a good time or party. From the Latin meaning to confug."
Charlie brandished the revolver in Grissom's face. "Explain, motherfucker. You're so clever and shit. Explain to your girlfriend just how clever you are," he spat and pointed the gun at Sara.
Grissom flinched but met Dunn's gaze. "I'm sorry. Again, I was being sarcastic. The word 'confugration' means simply a fun time or party. I meant that it wasn't going to be easy getting Sara on her feet. It's my nature, Charlie. I tend to be sarcastic."
"I don't give a shit what you tend to be, Grissom. Another few minutes an' you may just tend to be dead. Now get the girl on her feet."
"She's in a lot of pain, Charlie. Why not leave her here? You've got me. I can walk and I'm beginning to doubt if she can."
"Good try, Gilberto. But, I don't think so. She's comin' along if I have to drag her. Wouldn't want her missin' all the fun now, would we?"
*******************
The CSI's, Brass and Greg emerged from the SWAT Comm van. "So, he mentions conflagration hoping Dunn won't know the meaning of the word," Catherine stated.
Brass checked his watch and scanned the lot for Martinez. "Grissom's saying that either Dunn's gonna torch the place or he is? I'm not sure what the hell he's trying to tell us."
"I'm putting money on Griss planning the fireworks," Nick interjected. "I mean, this lunatic is just too close to thinking he's getting away."
"Nick's right. He's not going to spoil his ride now."
"I don't disagree, Warrick," Brass sighed. "I'm just trying to figure out the why, 'cause I'm not sure I like this going down inside the building."
"Grissom would never do anything to put Sara's life in danger. You know that."
"Yeah, Cath, I know that," he replied. "I think it's just safer if they both walk out and we give it to SWAT."
"Unless," Greg ventured, "Grissom knows Sara can't walk out."
"And thinks Dunn may just kill her rather than be inconvenienced," Catherine finished his thought.
"Or maybe Griss thinks that it's taking too damn long," Nick raised his voice. "The car, the money, everything. Maybe Sara's going downhill. We don't know shit, so don't pretend we do!"
Warrick grabbed Nick's arm and spun the CSI to face him. "Listen to me. It's not helping, man. Just stop!"
Nick jerked free and scowled at Warrick. "Yeah well, I had to say it. Don't pretend you weren't thinking it."
The two men all but glared at each other until Catherine and Greg stepped between them. Slowly, eyes were lowered and defenses weakened. Warrick and Nick each stepped away.
"Good," Catherine stated. "I won't have any of this right now. Fight all you want when it's done, but this is our team in there. Our family, in case you haven't been paying attention. They deserve one hundred percent."
Brass broke the tension. "I've gotta find Martinez and get that engine company closer to the building before we have a damned fire on our hands."
TBC
*****************
Grissom stared intently at his cell phone, which lay on the table next to Dunn. He willed it to ring. Sara still rested against his shoulder. He knew her condition was worsening and he didn't know how much longer he could put up with this waiting game. She moved her head slightly and Grissom turned toward her.
"Sara?"
She moaned softly in reply as he brought his hands to her face. He saw that she was trying to bring her head into a more upright position and cursed himself for not having realized that necessity in the first place. She locked eyes with him and his breath caught in his throat. Carefully, Grissom braced her head against the wall.
"Is that better? Don't answer, just nod."
"Yeah," she managed.
"I said don't talk," he chided softly.
"Have to. Bored." The whisper barely reached Grissom's ears.
"Ok, I can handle bored. Unconscious no, but bored, yes. Just concentrate on my voice Sara. Can you do that?"
She nodded and rested her eyes briefly.
"I'm not waiting any longer, Sara. We can't wait." He stole a glance at Charlie who continued to enjoy his buzz. "I'll do this when I can. Do you know what I mean?" Again he saw her nod. "Trust me Sara, I'm gonna get you out of this."
"You too," she replied, with a bit more strength in her voice.
Her tone both heartened and touched him. "Yeah, me too," he replied. "Don't talk. I know it goes against every fiber of your being, but please, humor me."
Sara brought the slightest hint of a smile to her lips and it warmed his soul.
Keep talking; keep talking, he reminded himself. Yeah, talking has always been my strong point. Well it better become one right now, buddy. Keep her awake. Talk to her and keep her awake. Since when have I started answering myself? Must be the head injury. Head injuries can make one ramble. Shit, rambling is what I need. Rambling is good. If one says rambling enough times it starts to sound funny. Jeez, Grissom, yeah you're hurt and tired, but this is Sara. The woman you've loved and will love. She needs you. Ramble to her. Rambling is good. He took another deep breath and jumped in.
"So, I was thinking that we could go to Luigi's for our first official date. They've got great food," Grissom added, trying to keep up his monologue. "Or, I could cook. I can make a decent fettuccini Alfredo. In fact, I really enjoy cooking. It's a great stress reliever. I'm pretty good with garlic bread as well."
Grissom continued speaking as he slowly began working the bottle of rubbing alcohol from behind his back. He had the handkerchief and lighter within reach. He's loosened the duct tape on his wrists to the point where he could soon free himself.
********************
"He's gonna fuck this up, man," Nick said, casting a nod toward Martinez. "I swear. It's gonna be fucked up and there's not a damn thing we can do."
Warrick and Greg exchanged glances.
"Is this the hottest day of the year or what?" Greg ventured. It's like a hundred and ten out here. Of course, standing in a parking lot doesn't help."
"Cry me a river, Greg," Nick replied.
Warrick shook his head at Nick. "C'mon. You think you're helping anything by giving us your worst-case scenario? We're all here, man. We see what's going on."
"Yeah, Warrick, like you trust Martinez running this."
"No, I can't say that I trust anyone running this. But, I do have faith in Cath and Brass. Yeah, it's a bad situation. It's been bad since Sara was taken. You know that."
Greg stepped forward and slapped Nick affectionately on the arm. "You've gotta have faith in Sara and Grissom. Put their brains up against Dunn's and you've got no match my friend. Badda boom, badda bing, the dude's tied up in a corner getting a lecture on Dung Beetle larvae from Grissom.
Nick rubbed his face and forced a smile. "I really hope you're right, Greggor."
"Of course I'm right, Nick. Dude, this time tomorrow we'll be having drinks and celebrating their return. Sara will be telling us how she single-handedly saved Grissom's life."
Warrick couldn't help but smile as he saw Catherine approaching. "Ok, Greg, but you're buying."
***********************
Grissom's cell rang and Charlie stood and grabbed it from the table. The nervous and chemical energy reverberated off of him and his hand shook as he held the phone.
"You'd better be callin' to say my car's here."
Dunn pulled the revolver form his waistband as he paced. "I don't wanna see a cop within a hundred yards. Nobody tails us either, or I'll kill 'em both."
Grissom pleaded silently that Brass would ask to speak to him. He knew that he needed to tip them.
"We may be out in five minutes, but I ain't decided." Dunn held the phone away from his face and laughed. "No way I'm leavin' the line open. Fuck that! You think I'm stupid? You want me to paint a bull's-eye on my head too!"
Charlie scowled in Grissom's direction. "Why? I said they're ok. Yeah, yeah, whatever! Make it quick, asshole!"
Grissom held his breath. Dunn's face broke into a twisted smile as he extended the phone. "Your boyfriend wants to hear your sweet voice, Gilbert. I suggest you tell him what a crazy son-of-a-bitch I am."
Taking the phone, Grissom composed himself, as Dunn stayed close by. "Yeah, Brass. I'd listen to Charlie. Yes, I'm trying to make certain that Sara and I walk out. I'm getting her ready. Took some time to get everything together, but it'll be quite a conflagration, Jim."
Charlie grabbed the phone and severed the connection.
"What the fuck is that, Grissom? What the hell did you mean by uh, confugration?"
"Sorry, I was just being sarcastic. It means a good time or party. From the Latin meaning to confug."
Charlie brandished the revolver in Grissom's face. "Explain, motherfucker. You're so clever and shit. Explain to your girlfriend just how clever you are," he spat and pointed the gun at Sara.
Grissom flinched but met Dunn's gaze. "I'm sorry. Again, I was being sarcastic. The word 'confugration' means simply a fun time or party. I meant that it wasn't going to be easy getting Sara on her feet. It's my nature, Charlie. I tend to be sarcastic."
"I don't give a shit what you tend to be, Grissom. Another few minutes an' you may just tend to be dead. Now get the girl on her feet."
"She's in a lot of pain, Charlie. Why not leave her here? You've got me. I can walk and I'm beginning to doubt if she can."
"Good try, Gilberto. But, I don't think so. She's comin' along if I have to drag her. Wouldn't want her missin' all the fun now, would we?"
*******************
The CSI's, Brass and Greg emerged from the SWAT Comm van. "So, he mentions conflagration hoping Dunn won't know the meaning of the word," Catherine stated.
Brass checked his watch and scanned the lot for Martinez. "Grissom's saying that either Dunn's gonna torch the place or he is? I'm not sure what the hell he's trying to tell us."
"I'm putting money on Griss planning the fireworks," Nick interjected. "I mean, this lunatic is just too close to thinking he's getting away."
"Nick's right. He's not going to spoil his ride now."
"I don't disagree, Warrick," Brass sighed. "I'm just trying to figure out the why, 'cause I'm not sure I like this going down inside the building."
"Grissom would never do anything to put Sara's life in danger. You know that."
"Yeah, Cath, I know that," he replied. "I think it's just safer if they both walk out and we give it to SWAT."
"Unless," Greg ventured, "Grissom knows Sara can't walk out."
"And thinks Dunn may just kill her rather than be inconvenienced," Catherine finished his thought.
"Or maybe Griss thinks that it's taking too damn long," Nick raised his voice. "The car, the money, everything. Maybe Sara's going downhill. We don't know shit, so don't pretend we do!"
Warrick grabbed Nick's arm and spun the CSI to face him. "Listen to me. It's not helping, man. Just stop!"
Nick jerked free and scowled at Warrick. "Yeah well, I had to say it. Don't pretend you weren't thinking it."
The two men all but glared at each other until Catherine and Greg stepped between them. Slowly, eyes were lowered and defenses weakened. Warrick and Nick each stepped away.
"Good," Catherine stated. "I won't have any of this right now. Fight all you want when it's done, but this is our team in there. Our family, in case you haven't been paying attention. They deserve one hundred percent."
Brass broke the tension. "I've gotta find Martinez and get that engine company closer to the building before we have a damned fire on our hands."
TBC