Huge Thanks as always to Marlou for beta-ing for me…notice I didn't say beating this time hun!!!   Also thank you to Laura Katharine for searching the net for me and helping me come up with possible destinations etc. Thanks hun you are a star…

Chapter Six

The following evening, Sara arrived at the lab with a new resolve in her heart. Grissom had called a further three times and she had let the machine pick up his wavering voice which had sounded near to desperation when she failed to answer again.

Sara wasn't a cruel person, it wasn't her nature to deliberately hurt someone's feelings, but her avoidance had been part of her own cure to repair the widening cracks inside her. She would speak to him and be civil, she would answer his questions with polite retorts, but she would no longer smile for him. Why waste something that was uniquely hers and give it to someone who neither cared for or needed it.

Pulling open the doors, she walked into the lab feeling weaker than her appearance portrayed. She walked with a confident air, her stance and posture creating the necessary façade.

"Sara," Judy called, holding out a note for her. "Director Cavello asked to see you as soon as you arrived."

Sara reached out and took the note from her and looked down at it blankly. "Thanks," she whispered, only to look up and plaster a false smile on her lips.

"You're welcome," Judy smiled as she watched Sara's retreating form.

The director's door seemed quiescent as she came to a stop outside of it. The hard wooden obstacle created a path of choices for her to ponder over. If she opened the door she could step inside and change her fate, if she backed away, the path would remain the same.

Taking a deep breath, Sara lifted her hand, hesitating for a few seconds before she finally rapped the door with her knuckles.

"Come," a voice called from inside the room, and she found she had to force herself to enter. Opening the door, she stepped inside slowly to see the Director with his head down as he read a file on his desk.

"You wanted to see me," she stated, her voice sounding more confident than she actually felt.

Cavalla's head lifted and he smiled politely. "Ah, come on in."

For a moment Sara could feel her heart thumping wildly inside her chest, but she tried to ignore the intrusive pumping. Walking over towards the chair opposite his desk, she sat down slowly, her mind suddenly blank as she stared at him, waiting for him to speak.

"Thank you for your response to the exchange program," he told her, his eyes meeting her directly as he spoke. "I have been in discussions with the police department in Brunswick, Maine. They currently have an all male CSI unit and current policies state that they need to employ a female member of staff."

"I see," she nodded, relief flooding her senses. "I'm familiar with the area."

"You are?" he asked in surprise. "Excellent. As I understand it, the exchange will take place for a period of six months, with the option to extend if both parties feel it to be necessary." Pulling a sheet of paper from the folder he handed it to her.

Sara's eyes looked down to the paper he had placed in her hands, which contained a list of addresses and telephone numbers.

"The officer you are exchanging with is Anthony Nielson. You will find his contact number and address on the information sheet. I have put the necessary paperwork through, and I'm expecting it to take a week or so to finalize. I hope that meets with your satisfaction."

Sara looked up at him, her eyes linked with his. "Uh…yes, that's fine."

"Excellent."

"Do I contact Brunswick personally?" she asked, her eyes drifting down to the sheet again.

"Yes, you can then acquaint yourself with your new supervisor and colleagues, it just makes the process easier on your part." Pushing his chair back, he came around the desk to sit on the edge of his desk. "You will be the first person to experience this particular program and I would like to thank you for your willingness to accept it."

"I'm sure the experience will benefit me as much as the department," Sara told him, her voice sounding foreign to her own ears. Standing up quickly, she clutched the paper to her chest. "Is there anything else I should know?"

"No that's all," he smiled. "I will inform you as soon as I know the exact date for transfer."

"Thank you," she nodded, stepping silently towards the door before opening it to step outside. Taking a deep breath, she finally realized that she had achieved her objective, she was finally free. So why didn't she feel better?

Walking into the break room, she was greeted by a smiling Nick. "Hey Sar."

"Hey," she smiled, his grin infectious. "What's got you so chipper?" To her surprise he stood up from his chair and met her as she came further into the room.

"I'm proud of you," he beamed, reaching out to pull her into a quick hug. "You completely confused Catherine by keeping your temper yesterday."

Sara reveled in his embrace, his warmth seeping through her skin to lighten her darkening mood. Pulling away slowly, she stepped back to hold onto his hands, giving them a small squeeze before releasing him. "Well this job isn't about who gets to work the case, it's about finding the criminals. I trust you to catch him Nicky."

"You know I'll do all I can, I promise I won't let you down," he told her as he stepped away from her. "You want coffee?"

"Yeah," she smiled, feeling the ache inside her heart growing deeper when she realized she would miss him. "Um…Nick?"

"Yeah?"

"You know that exchange program?" She started, her voice dropping slightly as she tried to break her news to him gently.

"Yeah, what about it?" he asked, turning back around to face her, his eyes lifting to see Grissom hovering in the doorway. "Hey Grissom."

Sara's senses leapt to full alert as the hairs on the back of her neck stood up on end. She could feel him watching her, his eyes burning her skin, but she couldn't bring herself to turn around.

"Nick, Sara," he nodded casually, crossing into the room to walk over to the coffee pot. "Sara would you come to my office please?" he asked quietly, his voice unwavering as he walked back out of the break room, his coffee in his hand.

Sara watched him leave and felt her heart sink down further into her chest. What further torment did he have planned for her?

Nick came to sit down beside Sara, his eyes following hers. " What was all that about?"

"You know Grissom," she sighed as she made a move to stand to her feet, wishing she did know him, but the truth was she barely knew him at all anymore.

"So Sar, what was it you was gonna tell me?"

"Oh…nothing…it's not important." Her voice was shaking, she could hear it clearly in her ears, but she tried desperately to stop it.

"You sure?" he asked worriedly.

"I promise," she smiled, reaching out to squeeze his hand.

"Hey listen, after shift how about we grab some breakfast, my treat." His grin spread wide across his face as he waited for her answer.

Sara couldn't help it, his smile was infectious and she found herself nodding. "Okay, as long as it's not that greasy diner you and Warrick like so much."

"Nope," he told her with a smile.

"Okay, you're on." Her eyes drifted back towards the door and she felt her mood darken slightly. "I should go."

"Good luck," he told her as she exited the room.

Sara's feet felt like lead as she approached Grissom's office. She knew he would probably berate her for something, or maybe he wanted to tell her again that she should leave and never return. Lifting her hand to knock on the door, she didn't make contact before the door was yanked open and he ushered her inside.

TBC