Thanks as always to Marlou ** hugs **

Chapter Three

Grissom stared open mouthed at Robert Cavallo, as he tried to comprehend what he had just heard. "Did you propose what I just think you did?"

"Yes, you heard correctly. I want you to select a member of your team to transfer for six months as part of our new exchange program." Pushing back his chair, Cavello regarded Grissom carefully, his fingers pressing together at the ends. "We have a new sheriff and new policies, an exchange program is an excellent way to share our resources with the other branches throughout the country."

"I can't ask a member of my team to leave their job and their home for six months," Grissom protested.

"I assumed I would receive this kind of reaction from you, so I already sent a memo out to CSI's Sidle and Stokes."

"What?" Grissom almost growled. "I can't believe you did this without asking my opinion first."

"Your opinion would be just that Grissom, an opinion. The guiding principles have already been placed into the system." Cavallo reached down to a piece of paper on his desk and handed it to Grissom. "I suggest you read this response I received a short time ago from CSI Sidle."

Grissom took the paper with shaking hands and looked down at it warily. The words Sara Sidle and Accept seemed to leap out of the page towards him, and he found himself drawing in a breath. "I…Sara wouldn't just do this without mentioning it to me first."

"Maybe you underestimated her abilities," Cavallo told him, his voice almost sympathetic. "She has expressed an interest in the exchange and as a direct result, you will receive a substitute CSI for her time away."

Grissom's mind was spinning. There could never be anyone who could substitute her. He knew Sara had become distant of late, but she'd given no indication of anything to suggest she was considering something like this. "When does the exchange take place?" he asked, hoping his voice hadn't betrayed his treacherous emotions.

"As soon as we can arrange the paperwork," Cavallo replied, his eyes dropping to the forms on his desk that required his signature. "A week, maybe two."

"Oh," Grissom said softly, shifting slightly in his chair as he fought to remain in control of his senses.

"I'll obviously need to see CSI Sidle to finalize the arrangements, so I would appreciate it if you could inform her that I am expecting her some time in the next day or so." He failed to look up from his task as he lifted another page to read it slowly before signing it.

"Uh…yeah," Grissom stuttered, getting to his feet. "I…Is that all?"

"Yes for now," Cavallo nodded, lifting his head briefly to acknowledge him. "Thank you."

Grissom left the office in total denial. His mind was spinning out of control, his thoughts and feelings in turmoil. He and Sara's strained relationship had all but deteriorated over the last few months, but he had hoped to reconcile some of the distance and begin to build their friendship once more. True, the ground was incredibly rocky, but he had to admit to himself that somewhere deep inside of him, he had missed her. He had to make things right between them.

tbc