The fifth chapter of my six-chapter story. I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did writing it.

As usual, thanks to all my beta readers for helping turn this into something readable. Any remaining mistakes are mine and mine alone.

Title: Ghosts in the Shadows (Chapter 5 of 6)
Author: Jonathan
Disclaimer: I don't own CSI or the characters; CBS please don't sue me.
Archiving: Just ask me before you put it up.
Synopsis: The team finds evidence which brings up unwanted memories for Sara. Later, things come to a head between her and Grissom.

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Warrick had filled Catherine in on more than just the case. He had also told her of how Grissom and Sara had behaved around each other. Catherine hadn't believed it at first, but Warrick had promised her that it was true. Now, she was determined to find out why.

First, though, they had to deal with the evidence at hand. Their suspect's pickup.

It was a maroon four-door Ford pickup, from the early to mid-90s. The back windshield was gone, shattered by Brass's shots. The two rear tires were also flat.

Grissom shined his flashlight inside. He found what could charitably be called a mess. The whole floor of the pickup seemed to be one giant garbage can, with cans of soda and hamburger wrappers scattered on the floor. There were also plenty of glass shards that had once been part of the back window.

Catherine came over to the other side of the vehicle. "One man's garbage is another man's treasure," Grissom said. "Somewhere in here lies the evidence we need to catch Manuel de la Vega."

Catherine was a little caught off-guard. Grissom almost never used the name of a suspect. To him, it was never about who they were after; it was always about the evidence. Nothing more. Of course, Catherine reminded herself, this isn't any ordinary case.

She noticed that there was something in the seat beside the driver. "What's that?"

Grissom turned his flashlight on it. "Looks like a small printer... and a digital camera."

"Open the door?"

He shook his head. "Not yet. Let's photograph everything thoroughly before we touch it."

Grissom and Catherine began taking photos of the pickup's exterior and the inside. Just as they were finished, Warrick entered the room.

"Hey, Grissom, I'm done with the shoeprints, nothing real conclusive. We now know what his shoe size is, but that's it." Warrick paused. "Could you use a hand or something?"

Catherine answered for both of them. "Thanks, the inside looks worse than a frat house."

Warrick took a peek inside and shook his head. "I've seen cleaner dumpsters."

"Well, that dumpster is our newest piece of evidence. We need to sift through that mess if we're going to find our suspect." Grissom pulled on a pair of latex gloves. "Shall we?"

Grissom and Catherine moved towards the cab. Warrick had noticed that there was a locked toolbox in the bed of the truck, and he retrieved a bolt cutter. After cutting the lock, he shouted out to the two other CSIs.

"Hey, look what I found." He held up a kilo of cocaine, which had been in the toolbox.

Catherine let out a whistle. "So our suspect is a coke head, too."

Grissom continued bagging the remains of fast food meals he was finding inside. "It would explain how he could give five thousand dollars in cash to the electrician."

At that moment, Sara walked into the garage. The first thing she saw was Warrick, standing in the pickup bed, holding up the drugs. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Well, if you think it's one kilo of coke, yeah."

Grissom pulled his head out of the cab to listen to Sara. Seeing that she had everyone's attention, she continued. "I looked over the file, evidence is a blank, but Narcotics seems to think it's the drug gangs fighting with each other."

"Well, if he's got a kilo of drugs, I'm pretty sure this guy is a player," said Catherine.

Sara glanced at the pickup. She could see that it would be take a while to finish gathering and processing the evidence. "You guys need a hand?"

Catherine and Warrick turned to Grissom, wondering what he would say.

Grissom was silent for a moment. "Alright. But," he held up a finger, "you don't touch the evidence, even with gloves. Somebody else must bag it first. We can't risk you contaminating anything. Clear?" He tried to soften his tone as much as he could.

Sara nodded. "Okay."

The two other CSIs exchanged a look of relief, thankful that this had not turned into an argument.

Nick came into the room then. He noticed the somewhat awkward environment. "Uh... did I interrupt anything?"

Sara turned to face him, and gave him a smile. "No, no, not at all."

"Oookay..." Nick turned to face Grissom. "Finished with the door. Prints confirm that the guy at the door is our suspect."

Grissom just nodded in response. With his whole team present, they could finally process the pickup in earnest. Grissom, Catherine, and Nick began removing the evidence from the cab. Sara was organizing the bags the others had filled, so that they could easily look over it later. Warrick had been sent off to the lab, with the camera and printer in hand.

After what seemed like forever, Nick finally found something out of the ordinary. It was a folded-up piece of paper, similar to the ones the stalker had first sent to Sara. "Hey, I've got something," he said, catching the attention of everyone else in the room. Everyone moved to a nearby table, as Nick unfolded the paper.

When he was done, everyone was silent. The paper had thumbnails of Sara, from about a week ago. They were obviously pictures her stalker had taken. Nick just lowered his head. Catherine looked over to Sara, who just bit her lower lip. Her hand reached out for Grissom's. He squeezed it, as if to give her strength. She turned to face him, and his eyes told her all she wanted to hear from him. We'll get him, Sara. She gave a faint nod.

Catherine, Grissom, and Sara moved back to the truck. They were joined by Nick, after he was finished photographing and bagging the page full of thumbnails. The CSIs went back to removing the garbage from inside, but it had no more surprises.

Just as they were finished, Warrick entered the garage. He had a look of worry on his face.

Nick asked Warrick what was wrong. "Archie found at least a hundred more photos on the memory card inside the camera. He also said that there could be a whole lot more, but he'll need time to check."

Sara and Grissom had been off to the side of the garage, cataloging the gathered garbage when Warrick had spoke. He gave her a quick glance. Her eyes met his. He spoke quietly, so that the others wouldn't hear.

"Sara... are you going to be alright?" He asked her, the concern and worry evident in his eyes.

Sara's voice was just as soft as Grissom's. "I will be..." He gave her a look, telling her he didn't buy it. "Or at least, I'll try."

Grissom just gave her a nod, but his eyes told her all she needed to know. She gave him a smile, which was as bright as the circumstances allowed.

"Guys, I found something." Catherine's voice caught everyone's attention. She had in her hands a notebook computer. "Found it under the driver's seat."

Everyone knew that Sara's stalker had most likely used a computer of some sort to get the images off the hidden camera in Sara's apartment. When Catherine held up the notebook, they knew what to expect. Photos, or a video, of Sara, alone in her apartment.

Catherine brought the computer over to a nearby workbench, much like Nick had done earlier. There was a small box with an antenna connected to it; everyone supposed it was for catching the signals from the hidden camera.

Everyone gathered around the computer as they waited for it to boot. The tension in the air was so thick one could practically cut a knife through it. Sara turned to face Grissom, whose hand was on the small of her back, as if to steady her.

The notebook finally booted, and it was right there on the desktop. It was a video file of some sort, and Cath moved the cursor over the icon, ready to play it.

Before she did, she turned to Grissom. "Play it?" she asked. He responded with a slight nod.

The video began to play on the screen of the computer. It was grainy, and there was no sound. Even then, it was clear to everyone what the video showed. Sara, at the end of shift, coming home to her apartment.

Sara had tried to prepare herself for what was going to happen. That didn't stop her from gasping. Then she realized when the video had been taken. It was the day before she had gotten the pictures in the mail; and she remembered what had taken place then...

***

The noise of the opening door lock echoed in the empty apartment. Sara entered the room and rested against the door. It had been a long, hard shift. She had been sent to a rape case at an apartment near UNLV. A guy had tried to rape his girlfriend, but the noise had caught the attention of the neighbor, who had pretty much charged into the room and manhandled the would-be rapist. It was an open-and-shut case, but that hadn't made it any easier to deal with.

She sighed. She had not wanted to handle the case. Not now, with so much on my mind... Grissom, however, had made it clear that she had to. She was the only CSI who didn't have a case. Reluctantly, she had said yes. Of course, I could never say 'no' to Grissom. Even if I tried.

Sara just bowed her head. It was days like this that hurt so much. Sometimes, the gruesome crimes she dealt with daily and her distant relationship with Grissom was too much, even for someone as strong as Sara was.

She went to the kitchen and retrieved a beer from the refrigerator. It was a vice she didn't particularly like, but it was something to help the pain go away. That was all she wanted – for the pain that seemed to always be present in her life to leave.

Entering the living room once again, she grabbed a photo of her and Grissom. It had been taken about three years ago, when she had newly arrived in Las Vegas. Happier times, back when Grissom and I...

Grissom. It always comes back to you, doesn't it? I still love you, but... I don't understand. Why do you keep pushing me away? Her mind went back several weeks into the past. "I couldn't do it..." I saw it in your eyes. You're hurting. So why do you keep doing it? Why do you keep pushing me away? Why?

Sara didn't have any answers. The same questions had been in her mind for several weeks already, but there were still no answers.

She closed her eyes and lied down on the sofa. Tears flowed down her cheeks, and she tried to push the pain out of her heart. It didn't work.

***

Back in the garage, Sara gasped as the video began to play. Grissom turned to her and saw something was very wrong. He had no idea what the video was showing; he was entirely focused on the brunette beside him.

"Excuse me... I've got to go," Sara stammered, and moved towards the door. She didn't get far before Grissom gently took her by the elbow and led her out. Everyone turned away from the computer, not quite sure of what had happened.

Nick wanted to go help Sara, but Catherine stopped him. "She'll be fine, Nicky. Trust me." He just nodded.

Warrick put words to the thoughts which were on everyone's mind. "Guys, what's going on?"

Nick spoke up. "I don't know, man, it's just plain... strange, that's all."

"I think I know." Nick and Warrick turned to face Catherine. "Think about it. Sara's probably one of the most private people here at the lab, if not all of Las Vegas. How do you think someone like her would react to someone taking a video of her inside her apartment?" She turned to the notebook and stopped the video. She consciously avoided looking at the screen, not wanting to violate Sara's privacy any more than it already had been.

"But she knew there was a camera. I mean, you did tell her, Cath," Warrick reasoned.

Nick shook his head. "Having someone tell her is one thing. Seeing it up close and personal – that's something else."

Catherine let out a sigh and shook her head. "Let's worry about Grissom and Sara later, okay? For now, we've got things to process and not enough time to do it." She turned her attention to the computer, while Nick and Warrick resumed their search of the truck.

Meanwhile, Grissom had led Sara back to his office. He sat her on one of the chairs in front of his desk, locked the door, then took the chair opposite Sara's.

Sara had managed to collect herself during the walk from the garage to Grissom's office. Still, she had a hard time bringing her eyes up to meet his.

Grissom noticed that fact. "Sara..." Her eyes were still not meeting his. "Honey, what's wrong?"

The words wore spoken so softly that they were barely audible. However, as far as Sara was concerned, he might well have been shouting. When was the last time he called me 'honey'? Right after the lab blew up... too long ago.

"I... I don't know."

Grissom took Sara's hands into his. "Sara, something is wrong. What is it?"

Sara managed to look into Grissom's eyes. What do I tell him? She sighed. "You... me... us... I don't know where we are anymore." I'm hurting, Gil. There was more than a hint of sadness in her voice, as she told him just what had happened in her apartment two days ago.

When she was done, it was Grissom's turn to lower his head to the floor. She saw it in his eyes – you're hurting too. So why do you keep doing it? I don't understand.

For what seemed like an eternity, neither Grissom nor Sara spoke. The emotions were running through both of them, but the words to express them could not be found. Both were exceptionally smart individuals, but communicating was not a particularly strong suit for either.

Finally, Grissom managed to face Sara. "I... I don't know where to begin. I... haven't been a particularly good friend, or a supervisor. I'm... sorry."

Sara moved her hand to Grissom's cheek. "Gil... neither of us has been a good friend for a while. We've both screwed up so many times... we've both been so stupid." There was just a hint of a smile on her face, and her eyes were misty.

"Yeah. Sara-" He was interrupted by the sound of someone knocking on his door. Sara lowered her hand from Grissom's cheek, her pale features turning a bit red in embarrassment. "Let's... pick this up later."

Grissom rose from the chair, then grabbed a box of Kleenexes which he handed to Sara. He got a nod and a small smile in thanks. Walking over to the door, he found Warrick and Catherine on the other side of it.

"Find anything new?" His question was aimed at Catherine.

She shook her head. "No. Another envelope full of photos, and a small flash memory card. The card is similar to the one the camera uses. Everything is with the lab, results will be back in a few hours."

Grissom glanced at his wristwatch. "Okay. Where's Nick?"

Warrick answered. "Nick's dropping the stuff off at the labs."

Catherine stifled a yawn, which Grissom noticed. His decision had already been made, but she had just confirmed it. "Alright. We're well into a double shift, and there's nothing we can do until the results come in. Let's all get some sleep and a good meal, look at the evidence with fresh eyes in a few hours time."

"What about-"

Grissom held up his hand. "She'll be fine, Cath."

"Ooookay..." Catherine and Warrick strode off, looking for Nick. Grissom idly wondered if there was something going on that he didn't know about. Shrugging it off, he returned to his office. Sara was still inside, but she was now up on her feet.

"I'll tell you on the way in," Grissom said, answering the unspoken question of what the knock had been about. "For now, let's just go home."

"Okay." Sara gave Grissom that smile of hers – a smile he had not seen, in its full radiance, anytime recently. He smiled back as well, then led her out of the room. They were soon in his Denali, heading back toward the townhouse they both called home – for now.

***

The drive had been, in a rather weird way, both comfortable and uncomfortable. It was comfortable because the distance they had both put between themselves for the past few months had just... evaporated. It was almost a new beginning.

However, they still didn't know what the next step would be. Could they go back to the way things were when Sara had just arrived in Las Vegas? Doubtful, Grissom thought. Both knew they would have to take things to the next step if they wanted to go anywhere.

That was a step which scared them both. You're still her supervisor, the nagging voice of his conscience reminded him.

As if there was a debate going on his head, another voice spoke up. Gil, come on. Sara means the world to you, despite what you've tried to tell yourself for years. If there's one thing worth gambling for, it's her.

Eventually, they reached the entrance to the townhouse. Grissom unlocked his door then turned to hang his keys on a hook. When he turned back, Sara was right in front of him, not more than a foot away.

"I, uh, have something to confess." She was quite fidgety; it was obvious that whatever she wanted to say made her quite nervous.

"Okay..." His eyebrows knitted in frustration just a bit.

"I... heard everything you said, Gil."

Grissom had no idea what exactly Sara was referring to. She continued when she saw the look of confusion on his face.

"I heard it all, Gil. You... Brass... Lurie..."

"Oh."

"Gil..." She paused, weighing her words. "You still have a second chance. You haven't lost me, you never could... it's not too late."

"Sara, listen to me. Even if, even if..." He couldn't bring himself to say the words he wanted to say, that he cared for and loved her. "It's... not right. I'm older than you. I'm your boss. Do you really want me to list all the reasons why things could never be right between us?"

Sara inched ever closer to Grissom and brought her hands together around his waist. "Gil... do you think things are right between us, right now?" She ruefully shook her head. "We can't keep this, this... thing, this dance we do around each other – it can't last forever. We can own up to how we feel, or..." She refused to say it; she refused to even contemplate a future without him.

With misty eyes, she continued. "Do you... do you have any idea how long I've waited for you, Gil?" A tear threatened to fall down Sara's cheek.

Grissom moved a hand to wipe away the tear.

"Too long."

As if it was the most natural thing in the world to do, their lips moved ever closer, until they met. The kiss lasted ever so briefly, but it was more than enough. The emotional walls they had spent so much time and effort building came crashing down, washed away in the flood of emotions that had been exchanged in that kiss.

Their lips parted, but the parting was almost as brief as the kiss had been. Soon, their lips joined again, with both Grissom and Sara surrendering themselves to emotions of the moment – and of the past four years.

Grissom had one last coherent thought before his emotions took over. This is the way things were meant to be.

***

To be continued...