DISCLAIMER: I don't own them. None of this is mine. This font? Not mine.
Please don't sue me, k?
A/N: Spoilers? Yup! Mostly from Season 4's "Butterflied."
CH.8:
Sara accepted the steaming mug of coffee Lurie offered as she sat on his couch.
"Thanks." She set it down to cool off.
"So! What did your friends have to say after our little evening the other night?" Lurie was eager to hear their responses; never one to enjoy being left out of the loop.
"They had a good time. Maybe we can try time. Grissom didn't get the card I sent him. I think he thought I left him out on purpose."
"Hmmm. Well, maybe next time we can have it closer to your work so he'll feel more comfortable going. I'm sure he just didn't want to away from the office too long." Lurie sipped his own coffee, savoring the flavor of the hot liquid as it passed over his tongue. As he saw Sara was about to speak on what he guessed was Grissom's defense, he spoke first. "Did - Catherine was it? - have a nice time? She seemed to have plenty of stories to tell."
"Yeah. She seemed to. She said you seemed like a nice guy. Fooled her." Sara chuckled until she noticed the look on Lurie's face.
"I'm just kidding, Vincent. She thinks you're great." She reached down for her mug, to have something to hold onto.
"Well, I thought she was very nice as well. You'll have to tell her I said to tell that daughter of hers hello. Your friend Nick seemed to know a lot about you and me. Do you two talk often?" His grip tightened on his mug as he spoke, but his voice remained calm.
"Oh, Nick's a great guy. It's like having an obnoxious brother around most of the time." Sara smiled at the thought. Why was Vincent so interested in what the others thought about him? It seemed more self-conscious than interested. "Warrick said he liked you because you made me smile." She was happy that this comment seemed to get a positive response from Vincent at least.
"Well, that's a good thing because I hope to make you smile for a long time to come." Lurie took another sip from his coffee before setting it down.
Sara was a bit stunned by the comment. She wasn't sure if it made her happy, or nervous, or maybe a bit of both. They'd only known each other for two weeks. She liked him, but she didn't love him. Not yet. Maybe in time, if things went really well, she would grow to love him, but she honestly didn't feel it yet.
Lurie stood, and took her half empty mug without first inquiring if she was done. He sat down close beside her on the couch. He leaned in, and kissed her hard, and somewhat awkwardly. Sara didn't expect the sudden move, and didn't respond right away. Lurie ignored this fact, and pressed on. Sara laughed nervously, and pulled away.
"Somebody's eager tonight." She grinned uncomfortably. She was tired, and they had only gone to bed the one time after he practically got her drunk first. "I've got to go get some sleep, Vincent. I'm sorry." Sara stood, ready to leave.
"No, no. That's perfectly alright. I totally understand." He stood as well, and walked her to the door.
As she was stepping out into the sunlight, he stopped her to hand her a small envelope.
"Here. I want you to have this. For anytime you need to unwind, and forget about work." He gave her another quick kiss. He smiled broadly as she nodded her thanks, and made a hasty exit to her car.
Once safely in her car, she examined the envelope. It had the outline of a key on it. She opened it, dropping the shiny silver key in her palm.
'He gave me a key to his place? After two freaking weeks?' She groaned as she started her car. As much as she wanted this to work, as much as she wanted a nice relationship outside of work, this was borderline creepy. She thought about it as she drove home. His comments about her friends, and his need to know what they'd said when he wasn't around. It wasn't borderline. It WAS creepy. She sighed. It just figures. The first seemingly nice guy away from the job to show interest in her, and he's needy. She wasn't sure she could deal with needy, and the house key put him in the pushy category as well. Two strikes against him. Sara decided she'd try to look beyond it. She'd discuss it rationally with him, and explain her side. That was only fair. Maybe she was overreacting.
Sara looked in her rearview mirror, and saw that a silver crown Victoria had been following her since she left Vincent's house. No matter where she turned, they silver car followed. Finally, she pulled into police headquarters. If this guy wanted to tail her, let him deal with the cops. As Sara parked, she was relieved, and also ticked to see Brass immerge from the vehicle.
"Brass? What's the deal? Why were you following me? This better be because of a case."
"It is, and it isn't. You wanna follow me into my office? I have some stuff I think you gotta see." Brass frowned.
Sara didn't like the sound of this one bit.
"What is it? Is someone hurt?" She immediately thought of Grissom.
"No! Nothing like that. Please?" He gave her a pleading look.
"OK." She gave him a 'this-better-be-good' look, and followed him into the building and down the hall to his office. She still felt a bit uncomfortable being there after her last encounter with her friends in blue with their trusty breathalyzer.
"Have a seat. You want any coffee?"
She shook her head as she took the seat in front of his desk. Brass grabbed the file that had been on his desk, and handed it to her. She read the sticker on the tab. 'Debbie Marlin Case.' She was confused.
"What's this about?" She opened the file, and saw the various crime scene photos, and close ups of Debbie's wounds. She cringed upon looking at the close up of the face.
"What's this about?" Sara demanded once more.
"Keep reading." He hated doing this to her, but when he saw her pull up to Vincent Lurie's home, and enter it, he had been horrified. When she finally left, and he witnessed Lurie kiss Sara then hand her an envelope. . .well if a talking pig flew down and sat on his car he would've been less shocked.
Sara stopped cold when she flipped past the autopsy photos. There was Vincent on a police card, front and side view. The side view sent chills down her spine. She read the name, 'Dr. Vincent Lurie.' Three strikes, yer out! She dropped the folder, and placed her face in her hands. She felt nauseous.
"I'm sorry, Sara, but this guy's a killer. How the hell did you end up at his place?"
He didn't get his answer. Sara bolted down the hall to the restroom, and threw up. Her body was racked with convulsions. She sat down on the cold floor of the closed stall. He had known she worked in the crime labs. He knew what she did for a living. She now understood how Grissom's card alone had not been received. She felt her stomach lurch once more. She needed water. She splashed cold water on her face, and washed out her mouth. She wanted to wash off his scent. She suddenly felt filthy beyond compare. How could she have been so stupid? She was furious. If Brass knew, then Grissom was sure to find out as well. Sooner or later, the whole crew would learn that she had been dating a homicidal killer. She felt sick once more, but her stomach was empty. How could this have happened?
"Sara? You in there?" Brass knocked on the women's restroom door.
"I'll be right out."
Brass pushed open the door, looked around cautiously, and walked over to Sara.
"You ok?"
"Does Grissom know?" She held the moist towel to her forehead.
"Not yet." Brass looked around at the stalls uncomfortably. "How 'bout we take this back to my office?"
Sara followed him back into the room, and he shut the door.
"You wanna tell me how this happened?"
His tone wasn't stern, but Sara almost wished it had been. She felt like she'd completely betrayed Debbie Marlin, Grissom, and herself. Oh, God, Grissom! What would he think of her?
"I didn't know. OBVIOUSLY, I didn't have a clue! I would've never. . .Why did this happen?" She shook her head sorrowfully, and Brass could tell she was on the verge of tears. Who wouldn't be?
"Sara, where'd you first meet him?"
"The grocery store." Suddenly, with sickening clarity, she understood the look he had given her. It must've been like seeing a ghost for him. "He acted like he knew me. Then when Nick, Catherine and I went to see Warrick DJ at the 'Neon Lites', he sent over a drink, and we just started talking." She looked up at him, hoping to see anything but the disgust she felt for herself. Thankfully, he only seemed concerned.
"It's not your fault, Sara. He played you. Bad. I'm sorry I had to be the one to break it to you, but I'm not sorry I followed you today. I told Grissom I'd keep an eye on you."
Sara's head shot up.
"I thought you said he didn't know?"
"He doesn't know about you and Lurie. Last night at the Venecian, I caught Lurie spying on you two from the lobby's patio entrance. I told Gil 'cause I figured might be planning on getting him back for accusing him."
Sara shook her head again, and took a deep breath. This could not be happening. He had played her. He had played them all.
"That phone call I got?" She looked up, and Brass shook his head in understanding.
"Yeah, he probably thought you were getting too cozy with Grissom. I know it's gonna be rough, but ya gotta tell Gris." Brass felt sympathy for Sara. He didn't envy her or Grissom right now. If he found out the woman he loved had been seeing a nutjob, he'd probably loose it. Lucky for her, Grissom was the more sedate kind. He'd probably just rearrange his cockroach collection. Brass came around the desk, and placed a hand on Sara's shoulder.
"C'mon. I'm gonna drive you back to the labs. You want to fill out a restraining order first? I don't really think it's a good idea for you to go home right now either. I'm sure he knows where you live."
Sara agreed. He knew where she lived. He had been in her apartment. He had been in. . .Sara held back the tears of frustration and anger. She knew Brass was going to have to do some fancy paper shuffling to get her a restraining order when Lurie hadn't hurt or threatened her yet.
A/N: Spoilers? Yup! Mostly from Season 4's "Butterflied."
CH.8:
Sara accepted the steaming mug of coffee Lurie offered as she sat on his couch.
"Thanks." She set it down to cool off.
"So! What did your friends have to say after our little evening the other night?" Lurie was eager to hear their responses; never one to enjoy being left out of the loop.
"They had a good time. Maybe we can try time. Grissom didn't get the card I sent him. I think he thought I left him out on purpose."
"Hmmm. Well, maybe next time we can have it closer to your work so he'll feel more comfortable going. I'm sure he just didn't want to away from the office too long." Lurie sipped his own coffee, savoring the flavor of the hot liquid as it passed over his tongue. As he saw Sara was about to speak on what he guessed was Grissom's defense, he spoke first. "Did - Catherine was it? - have a nice time? She seemed to have plenty of stories to tell."
"Yeah. She seemed to. She said you seemed like a nice guy. Fooled her." Sara chuckled until she noticed the look on Lurie's face.
"I'm just kidding, Vincent. She thinks you're great." She reached down for her mug, to have something to hold onto.
"Well, I thought she was very nice as well. You'll have to tell her I said to tell that daughter of hers hello. Your friend Nick seemed to know a lot about you and me. Do you two talk often?" His grip tightened on his mug as he spoke, but his voice remained calm.
"Oh, Nick's a great guy. It's like having an obnoxious brother around most of the time." Sara smiled at the thought. Why was Vincent so interested in what the others thought about him? It seemed more self-conscious than interested. "Warrick said he liked you because you made me smile." She was happy that this comment seemed to get a positive response from Vincent at least.
"Well, that's a good thing because I hope to make you smile for a long time to come." Lurie took another sip from his coffee before setting it down.
Sara was a bit stunned by the comment. She wasn't sure if it made her happy, or nervous, or maybe a bit of both. They'd only known each other for two weeks. She liked him, but she didn't love him. Not yet. Maybe in time, if things went really well, she would grow to love him, but she honestly didn't feel it yet.
Lurie stood, and took her half empty mug without first inquiring if she was done. He sat down close beside her on the couch. He leaned in, and kissed her hard, and somewhat awkwardly. Sara didn't expect the sudden move, and didn't respond right away. Lurie ignored this fact, and pressed on. Sara laughed nervously, and pulled away.
"Somebody's eager tonight." She grinned uncomfortably. She was tired, and they had only gone to bed the one time after he practically got her drunk first. "I've got to go get some sleep, Vincent. I'm sorry." Sara stood, ready to leave.
"No, no. That's perfectly alright. I totally understand." He stood as well, and walked her to the door.
As she was stepping out into the sunlight, he stopped her to hand her a small envelope.
"Here. I want you to have this. For anytime you need to unwind, and forget about work." He gave her another quick kiss. He smiled broadly as she nodded her thanks, and made a hasty exit to her car.
Once safely in her car, she examined the envelope. It had the outline of a key on it. She opened it, dropping the shiny silver key in her palm.
'He gave me a key to his place? After two freaking weeks?' She groaned as she started her car. As much as she wanted this to work, as much as she wanted a nice relationship outside of work, this was borderline creepy. She thought about it as she drove home. His comments about her friends, and his need to know what they'd said when he wasn't around. It wasn't borderline. It WAS creepy. She sighed. It just figures. The first seemingly nice guy away from the job to show interest in her, and he's needy. She wasn't sure she could deal with needy, and the house key put him in the pushy category as well. Two strikes against him. Sara decided she'd try to look beyond it. She'd discuss it rationally with him, and explain her side. That was only fair. Maybe she was overreacting.
Sara looked in her rearview mirror, and saw that a silver crown Victoria had been following her since she left Vincent's house. No matter where she turned, they silver car followed. Finally, she pulled into police headquarters. If this guy wanted to tail her, let him deal with the cops. As Sara parked, she was relieved, and also ticked to see Brass immerge from the vehicle.
"Brass? What's the deal? Why were you following me? This better be because of a case."
"It is, and it isn't. You wanna follow me into my office? I have some stuff I think you gotta see." Brass frowned.
Sara didn't like the sound of this one bit.
"What is it? Is someone hurt?" She immediately thought of Grissom.
"No! Nothing like that. Please?" He gave her a pleading look.
"OK." She gave him a 'this-better-be-good' look, and followed him into the building and down the hall to his office. She still felt a bit uncomfortable being there after her last encounter with her friends in blue with their trusty breathalyzer.
"Have a seat. You want any coffee?"
She shook her head as she took the seat in front of his desk. Brass grabbed the file that had been on his desk, and handed it to her. She read the sticker on the tab. 'Debbie Marlin Case.' She was confused.
"What's this about?" She opened the file, and saw the various crime scene photos, and close ups of Debbie's wounds. She cringed upon looking at the close up of the face.
"What's this about?" Sara demanded once more.
"Keep reading." He hated doing this to her, but when he saw her pull up to Vincent Lurie's home, and enter it, he had been horrified. When she finally left, and he witnessed Lurie kiss Sara then hand her an envelope. . .well if a talking pig flew down and sat on his car he would've been less shocked.
Sara stopped cold when she flipped past the autopsy photos. There was Vincent on a police card, front and side view. The side view sent chills down her spine. She read the name, 'Dr. Vincent Lurie.' Three strikes, yer out! She dropped the folder, and placed her face in her hands. She felt nauseous.
"I'm sorry, Sara, but this guy's a killer. How the hell did you end up at his place?"
He didn't get his answer. Sara bolted down the hall to the restroom, and threw up. Her body was racked with convulsions. She sat down on the cold floor of the closed stall. He had known she worked in the crime labs. He knew what she did for a living. She now understood how Grissom's card alone had not been received. She felt her stomach lurch once more. She needed water. She splashed cold water on her face, and washed out her mouth. She wanted to wash off his scent. She suddenly felt filthy beyond compare. How could she have been so stupid? She was furious. If Brass knew, then Grissom was sure to find out as well. Sooner or later, the whole crew would learn that she had been dating a homicidal killer. She felt sick once more, but her stomach was empty. How could this have happened?
"Sara? You in there?" Brass knocked on the women's restroom door.
"I'll be right out."
Brass pushed open the door, looked around cautiously, and walked over to Sara.
"You ok?"
"Does Grissom know?" She held the moist towel to her forehead.
"Not yet." Brass looked around at the stalls uncomfortably. "How 'bout we take this back to my office?"
Sara followed him back into the room, and he shut the door.
"You wanna tell me how this happened?"
His tone wasn't stern, but Sara almost wished it had been. She felt like she'd completely betrayed Debbie Marlin, Grissom, and herself. Oh, God, Grissom! What would he think of her?
"I didn't know. OBVIOUSLY, I didn't have a clue! I would've never. . .Why did this happen?" She shook her head sorrowfully, and Brass could tell she was on the verge of tears. Who wouldn't be?
"Sara, where'd you first meet him?"
"The grocery store." Suddenly, with sickening clarity, she understood the look he had given her. It must've been like seeing a ghost for him. "He acted like he knew me. Then when Nick, Catherine and I went to see Warrick DJ at the 'Neon Lites', he sent over a drink, and we just started talking." She looked up at him, hoping to see anything but the disgust she felt for herself. Thankfully, he only seemed concerned.
"It's not your fault, Sara. He played you. Bad. I'm sorry I had to be the one to break it to you, but I'm not sorry I followed you today. I told Grissom I'd keep an eye on you."
Sara's head shot up.
"I thought you said he didn't know?"
"He doesn't know about you and Lurie. Last night at the Venecian, I caught Lurie spying on you two from the lobby's patio entrance. I told Gil 'cause I figured might be planning on getting him back for accusing him."
Sara shook her head again, and took a deep breath. This could not be happening. He had played her. He had played them all.
"That phone call I got?" She looked up, and Brass shook his head in understanding.
"Yeah, he probably thought you were getting too cozy with Grissom. I know it's gonna be rough, but ya gotta tell Gris." Brass felt sympathy for Sara. He didn't envy her or Grissom right now. If he found out the woman he loved had been seeing a nutjob, he'd probably loose it. Lucky for her, Grissom was the more sedate kind. He'd probably just rearrange his cockroach collection. Brass came around the desk, and placed a hand on Sara's shoulder.
"C'mon. I'm gonna drive you back to the labs. You want to fill out a restraining order first? I don't really think it's a good idea for you to go home right now either. I'm sure he knows where you live."
Sara agreed. He knew where she lived. He had been in her apartment. He had been in. . .Sara held back the tears of frustration and anger. She knew Brass was going to have to do some fancy paper shuffling to get her a restraining order when Lurie hadn't hurt or threatened her yet.