Chapter 9

The teenage victims were placed on the news and Nick was looking through the missing person's reports. Four hours of searching and he managed to find a pair that went missing a few weeks ago and the descriptions given in the report matched the sketches of the victims found. Nick informed Brass and they went out to inform the families.

Catherine and Warrick closed their case as Nick and Brass left. Poison was from berries they ate on the path and sadly they didn't have enough water to flush the poison from their system. Two more bottles of water could have saved their lives. They also set out to tell relatives with the assistance of a trooper car in case of any violence from distraught fathers or other family members looked for some one to blame. It was protocol.

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* He sits up in his driver's seat, straining to see over the old brick wall. Hiding in the shadows of a large tree, which was a good idea for such a bright day. His car was parked right at the far end of the cemetery car park, making sure he was not recognised or noticed. He sat quietly watching 'her'. She was kneeling on the grass and reaching out to the grave stone. He couldn't quite see what she was doing, but never took his eyes off her. Looking towards the car she came in, he noticed that she was alone, like she is every year. Still, he always wondered why the other one didn't visit. *

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The sun shone without a cloud in sight. Gravestones glimmered in the sunlight as it hit the ground. The grass glowed from the mild dew and was quickly drying before the eyes of the graveyard visitors. In front of a small gravestone knelt a woman in her late twenties. She laid some white lilies across the grave front and leaned over to trace the engraved letters. 'HERE LIES JOSHUA SIDLE, DIED MARCH 4TH 1994, AGED 18 YEARS OLD'. She crosses her legs under her and wipes the tear from her cheek and closes her eyes looking towards the heavens.

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^ Flashback ^ Neither had ever witnessed what they were all witnessing now. Something not a living soul would even think to dream. There was so much blood and so many tears shed, mingling with the red substance as he moved towards the next victim. ^ Flashback ^

Sara had fallen asleep and was curled up into a tight ball wrapped in the blanket on the break room couch. Grissom had covered her with the blanket when he found her. He sat reading the paper, watching her twitch in her sleep every few minutes. Suddenly she sat bolt up right making him jump. He got up from the other couch and moved to sit next to her and as she sat up he saw her eyes glassy and a tear fall down her cheek. He unconsciously reached out and wiped the tear away and her eyes locked with his. She sniffled to fight back the threatening onslaught of more tears. Grissom pulled her into his arms and held her without a second thought. "Hey, It's ok, Sssssh. It's alright, I'm here." He began rocking her trying to calm her. Sara was shocked by his caring and soft words and even more shocked when he put his arms around her, but couldn't, didn't want him to let her go.

He realised she didn't push away; instead she bunched his shirt up in her hands as her grip tightened. "I'm sorry." Grissom held her face and looked into her eyes.

"Hey, don't worry."

"Ash." Grissom didn't need to ask and she didn't need to continue. Sara started to cry and this time she cried in to his chest.

"Do you want to find her, I can drive you." Grissom stroked her hair back from her face as her tears ran freely and her hair stuck to her cheeks.

"No." She closed her eyes as Grissom pulled her against his chest, wrapping the blanket around them both.

"Ok." He said in a whisper.

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* The morning dragged on and he was becoming impatient. The waiting was the worse. When he was younger it was easier, but now it was like time was running out. Action was needed and waiting for the right time was agony, but also exciting. *

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Sara pulled away from Grissom and stood. She dropped the blanket and headed towards the coffee pot. She held it in both her hands, feeling the warmth burn into her grip. Grissom watched her, but both avoided looking into each other's eyes. Sara turned to him wanting to say something, but decided not to.

Grissom pushed the blanket over and patted the couch. "Sara come and sit down for a minute." Sara shook her head. "Please Sara." She looked down at her coffee and slowly made her way over to the couch. She sat down leaving enough room between them for someone else to sit. Grissom turned to her and took the cup from her, placing it on the table. "Ash came to the diner the other day. Why didn't you?"

Sara pulled her legs under her and crossed her arms over her chest. "I didn't feel well."

Grissom laughed in disbelief. "I don't believe that Sara. You were fine when I dropped you off and Ash wouldn't tell me why you didn't come. Sara tell me why?"

"No, I won't share anything with you until you start sharing with me." She sat up and reached for her coffee.

"What is there to share?" He asked, slightly confused by what she meant.

She pulled her hand away from her cup and looked him in the eye angrily as she stood and walked to the locker room.

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Nick was getting ready to go when Sara smashed to door open. He took a step back when she headed for him to get to her locker.

"Sara you alright?" He asked hesitantly.

"Sorry Nick, I'm fine, just pissed off."

"With whom?" Nick watched as she pulled her coat on and closed her locker.

"No one. See you next shift. Warrick and Catherine left?" Nick nodded.

"About an hour ago. Bye Sara." Sara left him standing there with his jacket hanging half on and half off.

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* One more day to go and the past will be relived. The darkness grew after a long smouldering day. Following people around and keeping up with his promise made so many years ago was getting difficult. The man sat in his dark car looking up at the house and watched people coming and going, waiting for the right time. *

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