When they approached Sara's apartment, Grissom and Sara could hear loud
music pumping. It wasn't exactly heavy metal but it was loud enough to be
a nuisance!. Sara stormed in shouting
"Alaney!. Alaney!. Turn that rubbish down!!!".
The music stopped and Alaney appeared out a bedroom.
"Well, that rubbish is your c.d!. What are you doing back so early?. I have had such a good idea about us, Sara!. Oh!"
Alaney stopped talking when she noticed Grissom next to Sara.
"We have visitors!. Hello I'm Alaney!" she said as she offered her hand to Grissom.
"Gil Grissom" Grissom said as he shook it.
Sara continued shouting,
"Alaney - this isn't camp cuckoo!!. This is a residential area - you can't play music at that level round here!". "You sound like her mother already" Grissom joked.
Sara turned and gave Grissom an evil stare that quite shocked him. Sara Sidle had never looked so annoyed at him. Maybe it was an inappropriate joke to make.
"I was too upset to work - so my boss drove me home" Sara told Alaney matter of factly.
"Sorry! - but Oh Sara! - sit down! We need to talk!. First, breath!. I realise this has all been quite a shock. Secondly, I have gone about this in all the wrong way and I've been thinking - I don't need a mother figure!. I'm just asking we be roomies - Like you be my big sister. You won't even need to spend any money on me - because I'll get a job!" Alaney explained.
Sara sat and took Alaney's hand,
"You don't need to get a job. I'll give you all the money you need. And as for the roomies thing - well, it sounds a brilliant idea to me. I've always wanted a sister!" Sara said and smiled.
Sara and Alaney hugged. Sara turned to Grissom and said
"Do you want to stay for a drink, Grissom?".
"Well I really should be joining Catherine - but hey! I need a drink after all this drama!" Grissom replied animated.
"I'm only offering you a non alcoholic drink Grissom!. Your on duty!" Sara joked.
"Coffee please" Grissom replied.
Grissom noticed that Sara was smiling quite happily to herself now. He could see that secretly she wanted Alaney. Sara went and made a drink, leaving Grissom and Alaney alone to talk.
Alaney smiled at Grissom and he noticed those same welcoming eyes Sara's mother had. "The so called 'camp cuckoo' must be a nice place" Grissom thought to himself - all the people visiting from there were warm, welcoming and pleasant. Alaney begun to make conversation,
"So Mr Grissom. Do you enjoy being a CSI?. The way Sara talks about it - Well, it sounds fascinating!".
"Well, I enjoy it - but I don't know what other jobs are like!" Grissom replied animated. Sara returned with three cups on a tray.
"Well, it all sounds so fascinating to me!. I can't wait to be a CSI!" Alaney commented. At this Sara nearly dropped her tray - she definitely looked shocked.
"What?. You want to be a CSI!. I didn't know this!", Sara said shocked but not particularly ecstatic, "Since when?".
"Since ever! - you must have guessed! - I'm always borrowing Sara's CSI literature when I see her - and I've always asked you non stop about being one" Alaney replied.
Sara was gob smacked.
"I thought you were just showing an interest. I suppose I never really took any notice!" Sara replied, almost to herself.
"I'm used to it!" Alaney muttered angrily.
"What is it about being a CSI that attracts you, Alaney?" Grissom asked.
"Well, umm - I love science!. I love detective stories - you know their puzzles!. I have no fear of dead people or blood - and frankly, when Sara talks about it - it sounds so interesting!. And Sara's a CSI - and - well, I look up to her!. She's like my hero!. She was the most successful person in our community, you know the first one of the hippies' kids to go to university - let alone Harvard!" Alaney replied.
Sara was gob smacked again. Someone looked up to her?. Idolized her?. And Alaney of all people!. Sara felt quite guilty now - she didn't realise how much Alaney liked her. Sara thought back - maybe Alaney did follow her round more than the other kids. Maybe Sara never noticed because she sometimes had a soft spot for Alaney - or because Sara was so used to not being too interested and pushing away the kids so much younger than her. She played with them sometimes - but never enough!. In truth, her moods were like a see saw with them - sometimes she loved them and sometimes she couldn't stand them. But she'd always had a soft spot for Alaney (even if she didn't show it!) because Alaney was like an orphan!.
"Sara, are you alright?. Gees! You look so shocked!" Alaney asked.
Sara snapped out of it.
"What university are you thinking of going to?" Sara asked.
"Harvard!" Alaney said proudly.
Sara didn't look so pleased - in fact she looked rather pale.
"Excuse me, I need to go get a glass of water" Sara excused herself as she run out the room.
"What's wrong with her?" Alaney asked.
"I think maybe she's used to be the best, the 'successful' one from where you come from. Maybe she thinks you may de-value that. Maybe?" Grissom suggested.
"Oh dear!. That's not what I mean to do!" Alaney said.
Sara returned with her glass of water and looking a bit better.
"Sorry about that" she declared.
"Do you think your good enough for Harvard?. Or do you just want to be like Sara?" Grissom asked.
"Oh no! I have a good shot - it's my interview next week" Alaney replied.
"Alaney, can I ask what you've been doing in this year off of yours?" Grissom asked.
"Nothing!. Relaxing!. Chilling!" Alaney casually replied.
Sara choked on her water. Grissom wasn't surprised he had a feeling that was the case.
"You can't do nothing then expect to get into college - let alone Harvard!. What were you thinking?!" Sara protested.
"Didn't your guidance counsellor or careers person - whatever their called - didn't they tell you that was a bad idea?" asked Grissom.
"I didn't see her after the first time - she's horrible!. The first time I saw her she called me a gipsy and told me gipsy scum like me would never get into Harvard - that's kind of why I didn't apply to colleges till this year. I didn't want to deal with her again!" Alaney replied with attitude.
"Well a)Your nothing like a gypsy - you don't even move base, so how can you be?. Plus we live in houses!. B) The stupid cow is terrible and should be sacked!. But c) Your hurting yourself not her, Alaney!. Colleges particularly prestigious ones will look at your doing nothing all year as a major con in your potential application - do you understand what we're saying?" Sara said.
"You mean I won't be able to go to college at all?!!" Alaney panicked.
Sara looked as panicked as Alaney did, but Grissom remained calmer.
"Alaney. Sara, it's alright - we can sort this. Your lucky. You have contacts!" Grissom said.
"Of course!. You can put a good word in for me!. Make them take me!" Alaney exclaimed.
"No, No! it's not that easy! you need to do something with this year off of yours - and the best way - practically the only way left! - Is if you intern in a CSI department - and which one do you live nearest to?. Your going to join our team as a intern!" Grissom suggested.
"What?!" Sara replied gob smacked.
"That's brilliant!. You serious?. Oh-mi-god!. Thank you! Thank you! thank you!. It's going to be amazing!" Alaney exclaimed throwing her arms round Grissom.
Grissom wasn't used to such attention but adjusted and took it well - even breaking out in a smile.
"Grissom can I have a word with you outside please?" Sara demanded before storming off out the door.
Grissom gave Alaney a comical "I'm in trouble look!" and went to meet Sara.
"What are thinking, Grissom?. You don't even know her how can you know she's suitable to intern in one of the best crime labs in the country?. She's 18!. And I know her better than you!. She has a mouth bigger than Canada - do you realise she'll be back chatting all the suspects?. She's be immature and making immature jokes" Sara asserted.
"Sara! You back chat the suspects!. And Greg, Warrick and Nick make plenty of immature jokes" Grissom added.
"But she's worse!. Imagine us 14 years before - you think we're bad! - you want till you hear a 18 year old" said Sara.
It seemed like Sara was either scared Alaney would get her in trouble - or she didn't want Alaney at her work.
"Sara do you trust me?" asked Grissom. Sara nodded.
"Sara, I can imagine very well what Alaney is like. She's an adult now and so I think she's be alright. I'm not saying she won't lack the maturity of a CSI - but she isn't one!. And this is going to be great for her Sara - imagine getting that kind of experience at her age" Grissom said.
"She'll probably take it for granted!" Sara said.
"Sara, I know what I'm letting myself in for - she reminds me of a young Sara Sidle - sort of - except she has dollops more confidence and energy!. Where does she get that energy from?. And if you think Sara Sidle back chats and gets emotional now - then you should have seen her when she was first starting out as a CSI!. But I could see something special in that Miss Sidle - a rare potential and I knew that with more experience and years on her age that she would be an amazing CSI and I wasn't wrong then - I see a similar potential in Alaney - she isn't the same as you, but I still see unique talent in her passion" Grissom said animated.
Sara stopped and smile. She sighed and said,
"Thanks! Thanks for giving her this chance! I appreciate it! - and I'll make sure she doesn't muck up" Said Sara.
"Alaney!. Alaney!. Turn that rubbish down!!!".
The music stopped and Alaney appeared out a bedroom.
"Well, that rubbish is your c.d!. What are you doing back so early?. I have had such a good idea about us, Sara!. Oh!"
Alaney stopped talking when she noticed Grissom next to Sara.
"We have visitors!. Hello I'm Alaney!" she said as she offered her hand to Grissom.
"Gil Grissom" Grissom said as he shook it.
Sara continued shouting,
"Alaney - this isn't camp cuckoo!!. This is a residential area - you can't play music at that level round here!". "You sound like her mother already" Grissom joked.
Sara turned and gave Grissom an evil stare that quite shocked him. Sara Sidle had never looked so annoyed at him. Maybe it was an inappropriate joke to make.
"I was too upset to work - so my boss drove me home" Sara told Alaney matter of factly.
"Sorry! - but Oh Sara! - sit down! We need to talk!. First, breath!. I realise this has all been quite a shock. Secondly, I have gone about this in all the wrong way and I've been thinking - I don't need a mother figure!. I'm just asking we be roomies - Like you be my big sister. You won't even need to spend any money on me - because I'll get a job!" Alaney explained.
Sara sat and took Alaney's hand,
"You don't need to get a job. I'll give you all the money you need. And as for the roomies thing - well, it sounds a brilliant idea to me. I've always wanted a sister!" Sara said and smiled.
Sara and Alaney hugged. Sara turned to Grissom and said
"Do you want to stay for a drink, Grissom?".
"Well I really should be joining Catherine - but hey! I need a drink after all this drama!" Grissom replied animated.
"I'm only offering you a non alcoholic drink Grissom!. Your on duty!" Sara joked.
"Coffee please" Grissom replied.
Grissom noticed that Sara was smiling quite happily to herself now. He could see that secretly she wanted Alaney. Sara went and made a drink, leaving Grissom and Alaney alone to talk.
Alaney smiled at Grissom and he noticed those same welcoming eyes Sara's mother had. "The so called 'camp cuckoo' must be a nice place" Grissom thought to himself - all the people visiting from there were warm, welcoming and pleasant. Alaney begun to make conversation,
"So Mr Grissom. Do you enjoy being a CSI?. The way Sara talks about it - Well, it sounds fascinating!".
"Well, I enjoy it - but I don't know what other jobs are like!" Grissom replied animated. Sara returned with three cups on a tray.
"Well, it all sounds so fascinating to me!. I can't wait to be a CSI!" Alaney commented. At this Sara nearly dropped her tray - she definitely looked shocked.
"What?. You want to be a CSI!. I didn't know this!", Sara said shocked but not particularly ecstatic, "Since when?".
"Since ever! - you must have guessed! - I'm always borrowing Sara's CSI literature when I see her - and I've always asked you non stop about being one" Alaney replied.
Sara was gob smacked.
"I thought you were just showing an interest. I suppose I never really took any notice!" Sara replied, almost to herself.
"I'm used to it!" Alaney muttered angrily.
"What is it about being a CSI that attracts you, Alaney?" Grissom asked.
"Well, umm - I love science!. I love detective stories - you know their puzzles!. I have no fear of dead people or blood - and frankly, when Sara talks about it - it sounds so interesting!. And Sara's a CSI - and - well, I look up to her!. She's like my hero!. She was the most successful person in our community, you know the first one of the hippies' kids to go to university - let alone Harvard!" Alaney replied.
Sara was gob smacked again. Someone looked up to her?. Idolized her?. And Alaney of all people!. Sara felt quite guilty now - she didn't realise how much Alaney liked her. Sara thought back - maybe Alaney did follow her round more than the other kids. Maybe Sara never noticed because she sometimes had a soft spot for Alaney - or because Sara was so used to not being too interested and pushing away the kids so much younger than her. She played with them sometimes - but never enough!. In truth, her moods were like a see saw with them - sometimes she loved them and sometimes she couldn't stand them. But she'd always had a soft spot for Alaney (even if she didn't show it!) because Alaney was like an orphan!.
"Sara, are you alright?. Gees! You look so shocked!" Alaney asked.
Sara snapped out of it.
"What university are you thinking of going to?" Sara asked.
"Harvard!" Alaney said proudly.
Sara didn't look so pleased - in fact she looked rather pale.
"Excuse me, I need to go get a glass of water" Sara excused herself as she run out the room.
"What's wrong with her?" Alaney asked.
"I think maybe she's used to be the best, the 'successful' one from where you come from. Maybe she thinks you may de-value that. Maybe?" Grissom suggested.
"Oh dear!. That's not what I mean to do!" Alaney said.
Sara returned with her glass of water and looking a bit better.
"Sorry about that" she declared.
"Do you think your good enough for Harvard?. Or do you just want to be like Sara?" Grissom asked.
"Oh no! I have a good shot - it's my interview next week" Alaney replied.
"Alaney, can I ask what you've been doing in this year off of yours?" Grissom asked.
"Nothing!. Relaxing!. Chilling!" Alaney casually replied.
Sara choked on her water. Grissom wasn't surprised he had a feeling that was the case.
"You can't do nothing then expect to get into college - let alone Harvard!. What were you thinking?!" Sara protested.
"Didn't your guidance counsellor or careers person - whatever their called - didn't they tell you that was a bad idea?" asked Grissom.
"I didn't see her after the first time - she's horrible!. The first time I saw her she called me a gipsy and told me gipsy scum like me would never get into Harvard - that's kind of why I didn't apply to colleges till this year. I didn't want to deal with her again!" Alaney replied with attitude.
"Well a)Your nothing like a gypsy - you don't even move base, so how can you be?. Plus we live in houses!. B) The stupid cow is terrible and should be sacked!. But c) Your hurting yourself not her, Alaney!. Colleges particularly prestigious ones will look at your doing nothing all year as a major con in your potential application - do you understand what we're saying?" Sara said.
"You mean I won't be able to go to college at all?!!" Alaney panicked.
Sara looked as panicked as Alaney did, but Grissom remained calmer.
"Alaney. Sara, it's alright - we can sort this. Your lucky. You have contacts!" Grissom said.
"Of course!. You can put a good word in for me!. Make them take me!" Alaney exclaimed.
"No, No! it's not that easy! you need to do something with this year off of yours - and the best way - practically the only way left! - Is if you intern in a CSI department - and which one do you live nearest to?. Your going to join our team as a intern!" Grissom suggested.
"What?!" Sara replied gob smacked.
"That's brilliant!. You serious?. Oh-mi-god!. Thank you! Thank you! thank you!. It's going to be amazing!" Alaney exclaimed throwing her arms round Grissom.
Grissom wasn't used to such attention but adjusted and took it well - even breaking out in a smile.
"Grissom can I have a word with you outside please?" Sara demanded before storming off out the door.
Grissom gave Alaney a comical "I'm in trouble look!" and went to meet Sara.
"What are thinking, Grissom?. You don't even know her how can you know she's suitable to intern in one of the best crime labs in the country?. She's 18!. And I know her better than you!. She has a mouth bigger than Canada - do you realise she'll be back chatting all the suspects?. She's be immature and making immature jokes" Sara asserted.
"Sara! You back chat the suspects!. And Greg, Warrick and Nick make plenty of immature jokes" Grissom added.
"But she's worse!. Imagine us 14 years before - you think we're bad! - you want till you hear a 18 year old" said Sara.
It seemed like Sara was either scared Alaney would get her in trouble - or she didn't want Alaney at her work.
"Sara do you trust me?" asked Grissom. Sara nodded.
"Sara, I can imagine very well what Alaney is like. She's an adult now and so I think she's be alright. I'm not saying she won't lack the maturity of a CSI - but she isn't one!. And this is going to be great for her Sara - imagine getting that kind of experience at her age" Grissom said.
"She'll probably take it for granted!" Sara said.
"Sara, I know what I'm letting myself in for - she reminds me of a young Sara Sidle - sort of - except she has dollops more confidence and energy!. Where does she get that energy from?. And if you think Sara Sidle back chats and gets emotional now - then you should have seen her when she was first starting out as a CSI!. But I could see something special in that Miss Sidle - a rare potential and I knew that with more experience and years on her age that she would be an amazing CSI and I wasn't wrong then - I see a similar potential in Alaney - she isn't the same as you, but I still see unique talent in her passion" Grissom said animated.
Sara stopped and smile. She sighed and said,
"Thanks! Thanks for giving her this chance! I appreciate it! - and I'll make sure she doesn't muck up" Said Sara.