Summary: After viewing a horrific accident, Sara makes some hard decisions about her life. Obviously, a Sara-centered story, but with lots of friendship and a little bit of G/S at the end.
Rating: R for subject matter
A/N: No real spoilers. Thanks to Burked and all the others who previewed this for me.
Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own anything related to CSI. If I did, I'd be on a tropical beach right now.
Chapter 59
Pulling into the crime lab's parking lot, Sara was surprised by the feeling of longing that washed over her. She'd been in and out of the lot hundreds of times over the years, and had experienced a multitude of emotions, but never anything quite like this.
She had been excited the very first time she arrived here; proud that Grissom had called on her for assistance in the Holly Gribbs case, and eager to prove herself worthy of his confidence.
After the lab explosion, she'd returned from getting stitches nearly in a state of shock. Her moods had alternated from feeling numb to timorous to overconfident.
There had been some dread and plenty of aggravation during the height of the press coverage after the bus accident. Walking across the lot had never seemed like an ordeal until she had to run the press gauntlet.
Now, she smiled at the feeling of yearning that was rising up. She missed this place, and couldn't wait to return. Despite the long hours, dealing with the worst of type of scum, the smells, the frustrations with the judicial system, she missed the job.
More importantly, she missed the people inside. Guiltily, she remembered her abrupt departure. The letters she'd left to her friends hadn't been enough. She should have told them personally that she was leaving, but at the time she couldn't face the task.
Now she was about to see them for the first time since she left. They had maintained e-mail contact, and they had been understanding, but she was anxious to apologize. After all the help and support they'd given her, she owed them that much.
Pulling out her identification, she slipped the badge into her belt as she headed into the building, her mood upbeat. Seeing Teresa had cheered her up. They only talked for a little while. The trip and following short celebration had worn the girl out. Sara had caught up with her parents, getting details of her recovery and prognosis. She faced a long battle yet, but the doctors were optimistic.
Even the press coverage hadn't been able to spoil her joy. Teresa was going to be okay, and Sara didn't care if the media was there to broadcast the fact to the world.
Heading to the break room, Sara was surprised by how few people were in the hallways. As she approached, she noticed the crowd gathered around the television set. She rolled her eyes when she realized they were watching the news broadcast from the airport. Leaning against the doorframe, she scanned the room. Grissom wasn't there.
"Sara!"
She turned around to see Greg racing towards her, a wild grin on his face.
"Yeah, Greg. It's Sara. Now hush," Nick called irritably from the room. "We're trying to watch."
The lab tech stopped in confusion, smiling when Sara winked playfully at him.
"Yeah, Greg. You know Nick has problems with big words. Don't distract him," she teased as Greg hugged her.
A wicked grin formed when a dozen, stunned lab employees turned around in shock to stare at her. She started to laugh when in near-unison they turned back to stare at her on the TV, then back to see her in person.
"Hi, guys," she offered playfully.
"Sara!" they called out after a moment.
"Get in here, darlin'," Nick said, picking Sara up and twirling her around.
"Forty-two channels and you're watching that crap?"
"Hey, we gotta know you're still with us somehow," he said in mock-repute.
"Nicky, you weren't getting e-mail from a ghost. I haven't done anything to deserve spending eternity haunting a laptop having to read your stupid jokes!"
"Ha-ha. How are ya, Sar?"
"Good, but I'm getting seasick."
"Sorry," he said sheepishly, giving her a last hug before setting her back down.
"Hey, girl," Warrick said, his bear hug seeming mild next to Nick's reaction.
"Hey," she replied, shrugging when Catherine walked over. "Hi."
"Hi, yourself stranger," the older woman said kindly. Not wanting Sara to feel overwhelmed, she pulled her over to a chair to sit down. "Come on in. Want some coffee?"
"Thanks, that'd be great."
She greeted the remainder of the others, joking with those she knew and being introduced to Ron, her temporary replacement. It didn't take her long to see why the others didn't like him. After a few minutes, the techs headed back to their labs as the CSIs took up seats around the table, waiting for Grissom to bring the night's assignments.
"Hey, Ron, could you check with Trace, see if they found anything about that adhesive yet?" Warrick asked, waiting until the newest CSI was out of the room.
"How you doing, Sara? We've been worried," he said, his voice warm and soothing.
"I'm better. A lot better. Sorry I cut out on you guys like that. You deserved better, after all you've done for me," she said contritely.
"Don't worry about it," Warrick said.
"Yeah," Catherine added. "You did what you needed to do. Take care of yourself. If you don't, no one else will do it for you."
"Thanks, guys."
"When are you comin' back for good?" Nick asked, taking a seat beside her, and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"When my leave is over."
"For sure?"
"Yeah, Nicky. I'm coming back."
"To being a CSI?"
"I hope so," she whispered.
"We missed you around here," Warrick injected, trying to keep the conversation from becoming too maudlin. "What you been doin' in California? Won any Nobel prizes yet?"
Sara laughed and gave him an appreciative smile, glad the conversation was back on a light track. Recounting the previous months' activities, she made a point of keeping her private life out of the discussion.
Grissom watched the exchange from the hallway, his trepidation dying off as she joked easily with her friends. He smiled warmly, feeling proud of Sara. She was doing great.
He knew there would be press coverage for Teresa's return, and knew she would be subjected to some of the scrutiny. He'd worried that the attention would bother her. The reunion itself was bound to be emotionally draining, without the added stress.
But when he had watched the news before coming to work, he'd been amazed at how calm she was. She answered the questions directed her way smoothly and confidently. Her tenderness when dealing with the little girl made him wistful. For the first time since the accident, he felt he was seeing the real Sara.
More than anything, he wanted to talk to her, make sure she was all right. To tell her how happy he was for her. To make love to her slowly and tenderly, as a private celebration of her recovery and a promise of his continued support.
Giving himself a mental kick, he blocked those thoughts before he embarrassed himself at work. He'd have to wait until Monday for that. He waited as long as he could before entering the break room, letting the others enjoy her company. He knew they wanted to see her, too.
Walking into the room, he wiped any traces of amusement from his expression, willing a mask of indifference into place.
"Hey," Sara said, looking up briefly. She quickly dropped her eyes to her coffee, not wanting anyone to see her reaction.
Right now, she wanted desperately to be in his arms, to feel his warmth, to hear his heart beat. Sara hadn't felt this level of confidence or joy since before the accident, and she wanted to share it with him. A blush started to form as she pushed down thoughts of how they could commemorate the occasion.
"Hello, Sara," he said calmly, heading for the coffee machine.
The others exchanged nervous looks, shrugging hopelessly. Tension hung in the air, thick and tangible. No one was certain how to handle the situation. Their interaction barely counted as polite, but at least it wasn't volatile. Nick started to say something, but a pointed look and headshake from Catherine stopped him.
"Sara just told us she's coming back at the end of her leave," she said.
"That's nice," he said, not turning around. Grissom already knew she planned to return, but hearing it again made him happy. He sipped his coffee to hide any traces of his smile.
Nick flashed Sara an apologetic look before glaring at the back of his supervisor's head. Catherine rolled her eyes at him; starting a fight wouldn't help the two of them reconcile their differences.
"Trace hasn't gotten around to it," Ron mumbled as he returned to the room. Using his entrance as a distraction, Catherine filled Sara in on the case.
"You'll like this. Co-ed found dead in her room. No obvious cause of death. Room was locked from the inside, windows locked, and the transom too small for anyone to get through. Only clue was some sticky stuff on the inside door handle," Catherine stated.
"Masking tape, probably," Sara said. When the others turned to her in astonishment, she continued. "You take a long extension cord, and wrap masking tape around the middle of it, sticky side out. Then you stand on a chair and drop the cord through, holding on to the ends. You get the center of the cord over the door handle, and you can open in by wiggling the ends of the cord up and down," she explained, pantomiming the motions. "Didn't any of you have transoms in your dorm? First safety tip you learn in college."
"There was a bench at the end of the hallway," Ron stated.
"And they were doing renovations in the next wing. Heavy-duty extension cords all over the place," Warrick added.
"Go!" Grissom shouted. "Make sure to test the bench for shoe prints!"
Warrick wrapped an arm around Sara before dropping a kiss on the top of her head. "Girl, I can't wait for you to be back," he stated.
"You should have seen them, trying to figure that one out," Catherine said with a laugh. "You just saved them days of guessing."
"Catherine, O'Riley is bringing in the husband in your disappearance case. Should be here within an hour. Nick, you have a smash-and-grab on Elkwood. Check on the DNA evidence from your rape case, then head on out," Grissom said, handing out the assignments, giving Sara a brief nod before leaving.
"I cannot believe him."
"Don't worry about in Nicky," Sara said kindly. "You better head for your case. I'll talk to you later."
"Take care, sweetheart," he drawled, pulling her into a long hug. "You free for breakfast?"
"Nah, I have to head out to the airport soon."
"You take care, then."
"He's been worried about you," Catherine said after they were alone in the break room.
"Nick?" Sara asked lightly.
"Grissom. He's missed you."
"How's he been?"
"He seems to handling it well."
"Really? You're not just saying that to make me feel better?"
"No. I think he's got himself a new … interest."
"Really?" Sara asked, choking on her coffee.
"I'm sorry, kiddo, but it looks that way. Figured you should know before you got back."
"Uhm, thanks."
"Hey, I gotta run. I'll be in Lompoc seminar in a couple of weeks. Let's get together."
"Okay, but it'll have to be during the week. I'll be busy on the weekends."
"Sure thing. See ya then," Catherine said with a knowing smile. Looked like Grissom wasn't the only one who had found a diversion.
Heading into the parking lot, Sara pulled out her cell phone.
"Grissom."
"Hey, you alone?"
"Yeah. You did good," he said. It had taken all his control not to hug her on the spot when she explained the mystery of the locked room. She'd broken open a case that had them all stumped. He'd have to make sure the official report included that fact.
"Thanks. I miss you."
"Same here."
"I won't embarrass you at work, don't worry. I've got some good news and some bad news."
"Oh," he said lightly. Sara's tone indicated the bad news wasn't serious.
"Bad news is I can't get off when you come visit."
"That's okay. I'll think I'll drive down and visit my mother while you're at work. What's the good news?"
"I talked Jimmy into letting me have a four-day work week. I'll be able to fly out on Thursday nights now. We get an extra day together."
"That is good news. When's your next visit?"
"Next Thursday. I'm going to try to make it back every week."
Grissom let out a sigh. "That's a lot of travel. I don't want you wearing yourself out."
"Trust me. It's not the travel that wears me out!"
Nick walked by Grissom's office in time to hear the lustful laughter from within. Giving his boss an evil glare, he stalked out of the building.
Rating: R for subject matter
A/N: No real spoilers. Thanks to Burked and all the others who previewed this for me.
Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own anything related to CSI. If I did, I'd be on a tropical beach right now.
Chapter 59
Pulling into the crime lab's parking lot, Sara was surprised by the feeling of longing that washed over her. She'd been in and out of the lot hundreds of times over the years, and had experienced a multitude of emotions, but never anything quite like this.
She had been excited the very first time she arrived here; proud that Grissom had called on her for assistance in the Holly Gribbs case, and eager to prove herself worthy of his confidence.
After the lab explosion, she'd returned from getting stitches nearly in a state of shock. Her moods had alternated from feeling numb to timorous to overconfident.
There had been some dread and plenty of aggravation during the height of the press coverage after the bus accident. Walking across the lot had never seemed like an ordeal until she had to run the press gauntlet.
Now, she smiled at the feeling of yearning that was rising up. She missed this place, and couldn't wait to return. Despite the long hours, dealing with the worst of type of scum, the smells, the frustrations with the judicial system, she missed the job.
More importantly, she missed the people inside. Guiltily, she remembered her abrupt departure. The letters she'd left to her friends hadn't been enough. She should have told them personally that she was leaving, but at the time she couldn't face the task.
Now she was about to see them for the first time since she left. They had maintained e-mail contact, and they had been understanding, but she was anxious to apologize. After all the help and support they'd given her, she owed them that much.
Pulling out her identification, she slipped the badge into her belt as she headed into the building, her mood upbeat. Seeing Teresa had cheered her up. They only talked for a little while. The trip and following short celebration had worn the girl out. Sara had caught up with her parents, getting details of her recovery and prognosis. She faced a long battle yet, but the doctors were optimistic.
Even the press coverage hadn't been able to spoil her joy. Teresa was going to be okay, and Sara didn't care if the media was there to broadcast the fact to the world.
Heading to the break room, Sara was surprised by how few people were in the hallways. As she approached, she noticed the crowd gathered around the television set. She rolled her eyes when she realized they were watching the news broadcast from the airport. Leaning against the doorframe, she scanned the room. Grissom wasn't there.
"Sara!"
She turned around to see Greg racing towards her, a wild grin on his face.
"Yeah, Greg. It's Sara. Now hush," Nick called irritably from the room. "We're trying to watch."
The lab tech stopped in confusion, smiling when Sara winked playfully at him.
"Yeah, Greg. You know Nick has problems with big words. Don't distract him," she teased as Greg hugged her.
A wicked grin formed when a dozen, stunned lab employees turned around in shock to stare at her. She started to laugh when in near-unison they turned back to stare at her on the TV, then back to see her in person.
"Hi, guys," she offered playfully.
"Sara!" they called out after a moment.
"Get in here, darlin'," Nick said, picking Sara up and twirling her around.
"Forty-two channels and you're watching that crap?"
"Hey, we gotta know you're still with us somehow," he said in mock-repute.
"Nicky, you weren't getting e-mail from a ghost. I haven't done anything to deserve spending eternity haunting a laptop having to read your stupid jokes!"
"Ha-ha. How are ya, Sar?"
"Good, but I'm getting seasick."
"Sorry," he said sheepishly, giving her a last hug before setting her back down.
"Hey, girl," Warrick said, his bear hug seeming mild next to Nick's reaction.
"Hey," she replied, shrugging when Catherine walked over. "Hi."
"Hi, yourself stranger," the older woman said kindly. Not wanting Sara to feel overwhelmed, she pulled her over to a chair to sit down. "Come on in. Want some coffee?"
"Thanks, that'd be great."
She greeted the remainder of the others, joking with those she knew and being introduced to Ron, her temporary replacement. It didn't take her long to see why the others didn't like him. After a few minutes, the techs headed back to their labs as the CSIs took up seats around the table, waiting for Grissom to bring the night's assignments.
"Hey, Ron, could you check with Trace, see if they found anything about that adhesive yet?" Warrick asked, waiting until the newest CSI was out of the room.
"How you doing, Sara? We've been worried," he said, his voice warm and soothing.
"I'm better. A lot better. Sorry I cut out on you guys like that. You deserved better, after all you've done for me," she said contritely.
"Don't worry about it," Warrick said.
"Yeah," Catherine added. "You did what you needed to do. Take care of yourself. If you don't, no one else will do it for you."
"Thanks, guys."
"When are you comin' back for good?" Nick asked, taking a seat beside her, and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"When my leave is over."
"For sure?"
"Yeah, Nicky. I'm coming back."
"To being a CSI?"
"I hope so," she whispered.
"We missed you around here," Warrick injected, trying to keep the conversation from becoming too maudlin. "What you been doin' in California? Won any Nobel prizes yet?"
Sara laughed and gave him an appreciative smile, glad the conversation was back on a light track. Recounting the previous months' activities, she made a point of keeping her private life out of the discussion.
Grissom watched the exchange from the hallway, his trepidation dying off as she joked easily with her friends. He smiled warmly, feeling proud of Sara. She was doing great.
He knew there would be press coverage for Teresa's return, and knew she would be subjected to some of the scrutiny. He'd worried that the attention would bother her. The reunion itself was bound to be emotionally draining, without the added stress.
But when he had watched the news before coming to work, he'd been amazed at how calm she was. She answered the questions directed her way smoothly and confidently. Her tenderness when dealing with the little girl made him wistful. For the first time since the accident, he felt he was seeing the real Sara.
More than anything, he wanted to talk to her, make sure she was all right. To tell her how happy he was for her. To make love to her slowly and tenderly, as a private celebration of her recovery and a promise of his continued support.
Giving himself a mental kick, he blocked those thoughts before he embarrassed himself at work. He'd have to wait until Monday for that. He waited as long as he could before entering the break room, letting the others enjoy her company. He knew they wanted to see her, too.
Walking into the room, he wiped any traces of amusement from his expression, willing a mask of indifference into place.
"Hey," Sara said, looking up briefly. She quickly dropped her eyes to her coffee, not wanting anyone to see her reaction.
Right now, she wanted desperately to be in his arms, to feel his warmth, to hear his heart beat. Sara hadn't felt this level of confidence or joy since before the accident, and she wanted to share it with him. A blush started to form as she pushed down thoughts of how they could commemorate the occasion.
"Hello, Sara," he said calmly, heading for the coffee machine.
The others exchanged nervous looks, shrugging hopelessly. Tension hung in the air, thick and tangible. No one was certain how to handle the situation. Their interaction barely counted as polite, but at least it wasn't volatile. Nick started to say something, but a pointed look and headshake from Catherine stopped him.
"Sara just told us she's coming back at the end of her leave," she said.
"That's nice," he said, not turning around. Grissom already knew she planned to return, but hearing it again made him happy. He sipped his coffee to hide any traces of his smile.
Nick flashed Sara an apologetic look before glaring at the back of his supervisor's head. Catherine rolled her eyes at him; starting a fight wouldn't help the two of them reconcile their differences.
"Trace hasn't gotten around to it," Ron mumbled as he returned to the room. Using his entrance as a distraction, Catherine filled Sara in on the case.
"You'll like this. Co-ed found dead in her room. No obvious cause of death. Room was locked from the inside, windows locked, and the transom too small for anyone to get through. Only clue was some sticky stuff on the inside door handle," Catherine stated.
"Masking tape, probably," Sara said. When the others turned to her in astonishment, she continued. "You take a long extension cord, and wrap masking tape around the middle of it, sticky side out. Then you stand on a chair and drop the cord through, holding on to the ends. You get the center of the cord over the door handle, and you can open in by wiggling the ends of the cord up and down," she explained, pantomiming the motions. "Didn't any of you have transoms in your dorm? First safety tip you learn in college."
"There was a bench at the end of the hallway," Ron stated.
"And they were doing renovations in the next wing. Heavy-duty extension cords all over the place," Warrick added.
"Go!" Grissom shouted. "Make sure to test the bench for shoe prints!"
Warrick wrapped an arm around Sara before dropping a kiss on the top of her head. "Girl, I can't wait for you to be back," he stated.
"You should have seen them, trying to figure that one out," Catherine said with a laugh. "You just saved them days of guessing."
"Catherine, O'Riley is bringing in the husband in your disappearance case. Should be here within an hour. Nick, you have a smash-and-grab on Elkwood. Check on the DNA evidence from your rape case, then head on out," Grissom said, handing out the assignments, giving Sara a brief nod before leaving.
"I cannot believe him."
"Don't worry about in Nicky," Sara said kindly. "You better head for your case. I'll talk to you later."
"Take care, sweetheart," he drawled, pulling her into a long hug. "You free for breakfast?"
"Nah, I have to head out to the airport soon."
"You take care, then."
"He's been worried about you," Catherine said after they were alone in the break room.
"Nick?" Sara asked lightly.
"Grissom. He's missed you."
"How's he been?"
"He seems to handling it well."
"Really? You're not just saying that to make me feel better?"
"No. I think he's got himself a new … interest."
"Really?" Sara asked, choking on her coffee.
"I'm sorry, kiddo, but it looks that way. Figured you should know before you got back."
"Uhm, thanks."
"Hey, I gotta run. I'll be in Lompoc seminar in a couple of weeks. Let's get together."
"Okay, but it'll have to be during the week. I'll be busy on the weekends."
"Sure thing. See ya then," Catherine said with a knowing smile. Looked like Grissom wasn't the only one who had found a diversion.
Heading into the parking lot, Sara pulled out her cell phone.
"Grissom."
"Hey, you alone?"
"Yeah. You did good," he said. It had taken all his control not to hug her on the spot when she explained the mystery of the locked room. She'd broken open a case that had them all stumped. He'd have to make sure the official report included that fact.
"Thanks. I miss you."
"Same here."
"I won't embarrass you at work, don't worry. I've got some good news and some bad news."
"Oh," he said lightly. Sara's tone indicated the bad news wasn't serious.
"Bad news is I can't get off when you come visit."
"That's okay. I'll think I'll drive down and visit my mother while you're at work. What's the good news?"
"I talked Jimmy into letting me have a four-day work week. I'll be able to fly out on Thursday nights now. We get an extra day together."
"That is good news. When's your next visit?"
"Next Thursday. I'm going to try to make it back every week."
Grissom let out a sigh. "That's a lot of travel. I don't want you wearing yourself out."
"Trust me. It's not the travel that wears me out!"
Nick walked by Grissom's office in time to hear the lustful laughter from within. Giving his boss an evil glare, he stalked out of the building.