Chapter Three- Picking Up The Pieces

A/N :) No, I'm not dead, and yes, I'm updating : P Sorry it's been so long, but since my last update I've had  writer's block, 2 giant English essays, a History project, 2 maths assessments, a maths investigation, a chipped tooth which needed replacing (there was a bacon incident... don't ask), a science assignment, a surprise party to plan for a friend and the flu.   

Thanks to everyone for your great reviews :)

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"People like us?"

Greg was getting frustrated with this conversation. "Yes, like you"

"You mean li-"

Greg interrupted before Sara could say 'like us?' one more time. "Anyone involved in that case. So that means you, Nick, Warrick, Catherine and Grissom"

"Oh" They both were quiet as they processed this information. The reality of the situation was hard to grasp

Sara furrowed her brow "But... we can't just not hand over the evidence. And there's no way we're intentionally compromising it either"

Nick looked down and rubbed his forehead. "Well, since that's not an option, what does that leave us with?"

Again, there was silence as they came to realise just how much danger this was putting them in.

Sara suddenly spoke. "I'm not having police protection"

"What?" Greg couldn't believe it. "Why not?"

"Are you kidding? There is no way I'm being followed around and treated like I'm incapable of doing so much as going shopping."

"But-"

"No." Sara, as could be expected, was standing her ground. 

"Well, if Sara's not having protection, neither am I" Nick suddenly stated to the surprise of both Greg and Sara.

"What?" Greg was sure both of his friends had gone quite insane. 

"I'm not going into protection if it means leaving any of my friends by themselves."

Proper contact with anyone else who wasn't in protection would be difficult, and Nick wasn't about to leave Sara in danger when he couldn't get to her. She was one of his best friends, and he didn't want anything to happen to her.

"Nick, you don't have to-" Sara began to protest.

"I wouldn't start that, Sidle. I can be just as stubborn as you when I want to" Nick interrupted, flashing her a grin.  Sara glared at him, knowing she wasn't going to get anywhere with this.

"Fine. Have it your way." She hid it well, but in truth she was almost relieved Nick wouldn't back down. As much as she wanted to be 'Sara Sidle, pillar of strength', she couldn't help feeling a little scared and helpless in the current situation. And to Sara that was the second worst thing in the world.  The first was admitting it.

"You're both crazy!" Greg stated before throwing his arms up in disbelief and walking away. 

"Hey, we better get over there" Nick motioned to where it seemed the entire night shift had assembled, over by Grissom's car. They made their way across the car park, Nick leaning against Grissom's Tahoe, and Sara sitting on the ground next to him.

"Okay, okay" Grissom called out in an attempt to silence the crowd.  "Everybody please-"

" Shut up!" Hodges yelled suddenly, bringing an abrupt end to the chatter.

"Uh, thankyou Hodges. Now everybody, just calm down and listen for a moment.  First of all, you are all obliviously off for the rest of the night" Grissom paused while some people actually cheered despite the previous events of the night. "Secondly, I assure you that until Seth D'Adamo is apprehended, we will do everything necessary to ensure your safety.  I stress that the majority of you are not in any direct danger, as he is only interested in the five CSI's who worked his case.  The best thing you can all do right now is go home and get some rest.  I'll see you tomorrow night" With that the night shift began to slowly file out of the parking lot into their respective cars.

"Hang on. Nick, Sara, Warrick and Catherine. I need to speak to you" Grissom called through the crowd. Groaning, the four made their way back to where he was standing.

"I want to organise police protection for the four of you and myself.  We're D'Adamo's main targets. Actually we're his only targets."

Nick glanced sideways at Sara. If she didn't want police protection she'd have to say something now. Sara saw him looking at her, and got the gist.

"Um, Griss?"

"What is it Sara?"

"Well, see...  I don't you to organise police protection for me. I, um, don't want it"

Grissom's face wore a similar expression to that of Greg's when she told him.

"And neither do I" Nick added tentatively. Grissom looked from Sara to Nick and back again.

"You can't be serious. It won't be safe"

"We'll manage. Honestly Griss, don't worry about us" Fortunately Nick had managed to find a bit more confidence than he had a few moments ago. Grissom thought for a few moments. He didn't want Nick or Sara hurt, but he had a feeling he wasn't going to be able to talk them out of it either.

"Ok. But Sara, you're staying with Nick. I don't want either of you alone."

"But-"

"It isn't open for discussion Sara. It's either that or protection."

Sara sighed in defeat and pulled her coat around her tighter.

"I take it there are no objections from any of the other members of the team?"  Grissom took the silence that followed as a confirmation.

"So, can we go home now?" Warrick hadn't slept for the last 46 hours and was getting irritable.

Grissom smiled slightly. "Not yet." He turned around and pulled out a broom, dustpan and packet of garbage bags. "The lab needs a clean up"

Catherine looked horrified "Don't we have people who do that?"

"Well sure, but they're not here, and we need this place back to normal as soon as possible." 

Rolling their eyes, the four CSI's took a garbage bag each and headed for the building.

"Hey Grissom," Catherine called over to him with a grin. "Don't think you're getting out of this. Come on" She laughed as she held out a garbage bag to him.  He and Catherine took the foyer, while Warrick, Nick and Sara tackled the remainder of the mess. 

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Chapter 4.... Sara 'moves in' (if you could call it that) to nick's place, and ... actually I don't know yet  :P Guess I'll have to wait and see

I'm on school holidays now, so I should hopefully be updating a little more regularly. If it's taking me forever again, feel free to email me and tell me to hurry my butt along, lol, sometimes I just need to be reminded :P (although not saying that you get abusive or anything) Anyway, please R &R :)