Thicker Than Water
By Bec
G/C
Disclaimer – See chapter 1
Thanks again to everyone on the Graveyard shift who have encouraged me to keep writing, and to everyone who has given me feedback. Please keep reviewing this story so I know that I can continue.
Chapter 5
Sixteen hours later, they were no closer to finding their suspects and all the CSI's were tired. People were using the break room to sleep in shifts when they weren't required as it was easier to do that then keep going home now that they were all still on call. The locker room was beginning to resemble a dormitory. Grissom was sat quietly at his desk analysing data, grateful that he had his own office, while Catherine dozed on his couch. He had been out to four different scenes since the bar, and whilst they could prove Reed or the other suspect Reyn Daniels had been there, they could not find a shred of evidence that told them where they were going. Two grocery stores, a tobacconists, and a small betting shop that contained no clues.
He sighed, pulled off his glasses and lay them down gently on the desk so that he could rub his eyes. He needed some sleep, but his mind was working a mile a minute and he would never have been able to relax enough. He moved his gaze over to the other occupant of the room and kept it there, watching her sleeping somewhat peacefully. 'At least she's got herself to rest' he thought, grateful that one of them had.
His cell phone lay on the desk next to him and he picked it up to check it for what seemed like the tenth time in as many minutes. He had rung Grace at the townhouse but had received no answer. When he had tried her cell phone, it was off, and he received a similar result with Maggie's. He'd left a message with both of them to ring him as soon as they could, but so far, they had not. Catherine had tried to allay his fears earlier, but he could not get rid of the nagging feeling in his stomach. Now, he leant back in the chair, the phone in his hands, and he watched it.
"Does it do tricks?"
"Does what do tricks? Catherine's voice had been unexpected but he masked his surprise well.
"Your phone. Anything that warrants that much attention must have some kind of attractive qualities." She stretched her limbs as she pulled herself up and noticed Grissom watching her intently, a slight grin on his face.
"What?"
"I want to see if you do tricks."
They both smiled at his statement, but their eyes never left each other.
They were brought out of their silence when Grissom's phone rang.
"Grissom."
"Gil, it's me."
"Grace! Where the hell are you?" Catherine was just a little surprised at the annoyed tone he was using.
"We've spent the day shopping, and we've just come out of the movies. What's wrong?"
He sighed. "You two should be careful, what with everything that's going on out there."
"Gil, don't worry. We're just going to grab some dinner and then we'll head back to yours."
"Can't you just go straight back?" He was trying to keep the worry from his voice, but he could not hide it from either of the women that could hear him.
"Gil, it's ok. We'll just get some take-out and then go back. It won't take long."
"Alright. I'm just worried about you both." He dropped his voice a little, although he was unsure who he was trying to hide it from.
"I know, and I appreciate it."
"What are you getting?"
"Italian. From that place you keep telling us about. Deluca's."
"It's nice there." He paused. "Just call me when you get back in the house."
"I will. We won't be long."
"Good. See that you aren't. Give my love to Maggie."
"I will. See you soon, Gil."
"Goodbye Grace." And she hung up.
He stared at the phone for a few moments before putting it down on the desk and standing, wandering over to check on the tarantula.
Catherine watched him pace around the room looking at various insects, like he was inspecting them, when really she knew he was just trying to pass the time before Grace rang him back. She kept trying to engage him in conversation, hoping that he would settle down a little, but in the end it was just small talk. She knew that when he started to have emotional responses to things, he closed up, even to her. It frustrated her a little, but that was who he was, and she never really wanted to change him.
It had been going on for a while when there came a knock at the door.
"Come in," Grissom called, putting down a case of butterflies and turning to face the visitor. Jim Brass entered the room, and the two investigators could tell from his expression that this was no social call.
"What have you got for us, Jim?" Catherine asked her from her position on the couch. Brass looked from Grissom, to her, and then back again before answering.
"There's been another abduction."
"When was that?" Grissom took a small glance at Catherine before focusing back on Brass.
"Just a few minutes ago. A deli just off the strip."
Grissom felt his stomach begin to churn, and he was forced to grab the back of his chair just in case his now shaking legs gave way. Catherine watched him and knew exactly what was going through his mind. She stood and turned to Brass.
"Where?" she asked, aware that Grissom had become unable to form the words to ask. Brass looked a little confused by the scene.
"Just around the corner from Main."
"Name of the Deli?" she demanded.
"Sure, um, it's called Deluca's."
"Please, God. No."
His voice was quiet, too quiet for Brass to hear, but Catherine heard it and she could feel his fear. Time seemed to stand still for those few moments as the two just looked at each other, his eyes asking her the questions that he too afraid to ask. For the first time she had ever seen, Grissom looked lost.
She picked up his cell phone, pulled him from behind his desk, and without words, she took him out to her car, making sure she stayed right beside him as they drove out towards one of his worst nightmares.
TBC…
