A/N: Thanks to Missy Jane for pointing out I had the block on so I couldn't
accept anon. reviews. I fixed it, (I think.) Please let me know what you
think about it so far, this idea is different from my original idea for the
story, and I want to know your opinions!!!
* * *
Grissom watched Melody for a minute before continuing. She looked jumpy, like a child about to get a lecture from her father. That's the way Grissom felt about her-and his other CSI's- like a father. He knew he was a bit overprotective sometimes, but after what happened to Holly, it was better safe than sorry.
"Your old supervisor called," Grissom began. Melody looked up. Grissom couldn't tell if she was worried or just surprised.
"How much did he tell you?"
"He told me you were a wonderful CSI and a great person. He said that he, along with your colleagues, miss you very much and he said that we were very lucky to have you here."
"Oh, well then, I'm going to take my lunch break now," Melody stood up.
"However, upon more prodding, he told me that about a month before you quit, you took a leave of absence for a week. When you got back, you worked non-stop on a case, for two weeks. Didn't eat, didn't sleep. Once you solved the case and it went to trial, successfully, I might add, you filed a TRO against someone named, Justin Henderson. About a week after that, you quit. Didn't tell anyone where you were going or why." Grissom looked at her, innocent, yet concerned.
"Oh, is that all? What about the physical and sexual assault? Wanna hear about that too?" Melody asked bitterly. Grissom was surprised how quickly she dropped her 'tough-guy' façade.
"No, he didn't tell me about that. Do you want to?" Grissom prompted. Melody shook her head, "Okay, here's the deal. You don't have to tell me everything. But I'm thinking something spooked you. You had a good career, with a lot of potential. You had a lot of things going for you there. There's no way you would just disappear.
"You guys are like, the best crime lab in the country. What criminalist wouldn't want to work for you?" Melody asked.
"Nope. Try again." Grissom smiled, though he didn't want to encourage her.
"I wanted to experience the- um, magnificence of Vegas nightlife?" she tried, flustered.
Grissom shook his head, "Third time's a charm."
"There was a loop hole. The bastard I put away was going to get out. I figured it would be easier to get away from him before he got out of jail."
"See, what did I tell you? Now, does he know where you are? Has he contacted you at all?" Grissom wondered. He couldn't force her to quit, but he couldn't have her putting his CSI's in danger.
"Yeah. I got a call on my cell the other day. It's not even registered to me."
"Okay. I," Grissom thought for a minute, "I don't know what to do."
"Am I fired?" Melody asked.
"No, I wouldn't do that to you. But I can't have you putting my other CSI's in danger."
Melody smiled, "I wouldn't do that to you. I'd quit first."
"Okay, you go on a lunch break, 45 minutes, then you and I have a crime scene to go to."
"Sounds good," Melody smiled and left Grissom's office.
* * *
Grissom watched Melody for a minute before continuing. She looked jumpy, like a child about to get a lecture from her father. That's the way Grissom felt about her-and his other CSI's- like a father. He knew he was a bit overprotective sometimes, but after what happened to Holly, it was better safe than sorry.
"Your old supervisor called," Grissom began. Melody looked up. Grissom couldn't tell if she was worried or just surprised.
"How much did he tell you?"
"He told me you were a wonderful CSI and a great person. He said that he, along with your colleagues, miss you very much and he said that we were very lucky to have you here."
"Oh, well then, I'm going to take my lunch break now," Melody stood up.
"However, upon more prodding, he told me that about a month before you quit, you took a leave of absence for a week. When you got back, you worked non-stop on a case, for two weeks. Didn't eat, didn't sleep. Once you solved the case and it went to trial, successfully, I might add, you filed a TRO against someone named, Justin Henderson. About a week after that, you quit. Didn't tell anyone where you were going or why." Grissom looked at her, innocent, yet concerned.
"Oh, is that all? What about the physical and sexual assault? Wanna hear about that too?" Melody asked bitterly. Grissom was surprised how quickly she dropped her 'tough-guy' façade.
"No, he didn't tell me about that. Do you want to?" Grissom prompted. Melody shook her head, "Okay, here's the deal. You don't have to tell me everything. But I'm thinking something spooked you. You had a good career, with a lot of potential. You had a lot of things going for you there. There's no way you would just disappear.
"You guys are like, the best crime lab in the country. What criminalist wouldn't want to work for you?" Melody asked.
"Nope. Try again." Grissom smiled, though he didn't want to encourage her.
"I wanted to experience the- um, magnificence of Vegas nightlife?" she tried, flustered.
Grissom shook his head, "Third time's a charm."
"There was a loop hole. The bastard I put away was going to get out. I figured it would be easier to get away from him before he got out of jail."
"See, what did I tell you? Now, does he know where you are? Has he contacted you at all?" Grissom wondered. He couldn't force her to quit, but he couldn't have her putting his CSI's in danger.
"Yeah. I got a call on my cell the other day. It's not even registered to me."
"Okay. I," Grissom thought for a minute, "I don't know what to do."
"Am I fired?" Melody asked.
"No, I wouldn't do that to you. But I can't have you putting my other CSI's in danger."
Melody smiled, "I wouldn't do that to you. I'd quit first."
"Okay, you go on a lunch break, 45 minutes, then you and I have a crime scene to go to."
"Sounds good," Melody smiled and left Grissom's office.