Notes: Because all that is happening recently with CSI, it's hard to write a story about the two characters I really love the most, especially when one of those characters may not be there for S5. I'm still hoping for the best. After all, in my opinion, it is the characters and the actors who portray them that pull this show together, and thus inspire me to write stories such as these. Take them away and it's just another cop show on primetime.

Reviews are always welcome as long as they are constructive. If you don't like it, don't read it. Thanks to Marlou for tolerating me long enough to beta this. You're the best.

Chapter Four
Grissom

What a horribly long day. I didn't get much sleep last night because of this unusual dream. I fell asleep right away, which is rather typical after a case is solved, but I was quickly thrown into a dream.

The dream was unsettling for a couple of reasons, and one of them was that I couldn't speak. My lips moved and I could hear what I wanted to say, but nothing ever came out. Then I was at work, except the corridors were completely empty. I had this feeling that I lost track of something very important. I had this aching need to find whatever it was as soon as possible.

Suddenly, Sara is walking towards me. I remember a sense of relief wash over me. I call her name, but of course no sound emerges, and she continues to walk past me with her head down. I follow her, but despite my quickening pace she grows farther and farther away. I start to run. The sound of my feet is so loud echoing in the halls.

A feeling of hopelessness and dread comes over me. I run until my legs and lungs force me to stop short of my destination. Down the hall, she is slowly entering the small dark archive room. I scream her name over and over and over. For just a tiny fraction of a second she looks up. Her eyes are so hollow- the light has gone out of them. I run to her as fast as I can. In the last fleeting steps, as my hand almost has a handle on her retreating figure, I wake up panting and dripping with perspiration.

The dream was still weighing heavily on my mind when I handed out assignments a couple of hours later. To make matters worse, Sara wasn't even there. I asked everyone where she was but they just shrugged like they had no clue who I was talking about. Initially I was irritated, but on another level I was worried. I gave out assignments, pairing Warrick with Sara on a DB in a rest area bathroom, while Catherine and Nick pulled me away to our own crime scene.

Now it is the end of shift and I still haven't seen or heard from her. I assume she did come to work or Warrick would have called me. I suppose I could have called her cell, but what would I have said? I have to keep in mind that things are not the same between us. Utter professionalism is the safest way to handle things now. Besides, it is much simpler to let things work out on its own and not dwell on it.

There is a knock at my door breaking me out of my reverie. As usual, I welcome the interruption to put me back on track.

"Come in."

Warrick pushes through with Sara in tow. I wait for an explanation, but she doesn't say a word as if I permit such tardiness.

"You were late to assignments, Sara." My tone surprises me.

She smiles ruefully. "I got distracted."

Warrick glances over at her confused, and then back to me. "She cut her hand on her locker door."

I search for the hand she has carefully hidden from view. "It's nothing, Grissom. I won't be late again."

I am tempted to say 'as long as you're okay', but both Warrick's presence and my previous behavior stops me from doing so. "So what do you two need? Shift is over."

Sara drops two files in front of me. "Do you remember the Jane Doe that was stabbed to death in an alleyway roughly six months ago?"

I say nothing taking the files into my hands.

"We have reason to believe there is another murder by the same man. Mary Thompson was found..."

"Who's Mary Thompson?" I ask thumbing through the crème folders.

"That's the girl found tonight in the rest area bathroom. Take a look at the autopsy notes. Doc says both are victims. They're almost identical."

"It says here in the notes that the victims were posed?"

"Yes, they were definitely on display." She taps a picture in front of me with her bandaged hand. I'm reminded of the term of endearment that slipped the last time she cut her hand. "Other clues are greatly lacking, indicating he is highly meticulous and extremely careful. Not to mention he seems to be increasingly enjoying it."

"When did you two know these cases could be related?"

"Sara recognized the crime scene almost immediately," Warrick says with a certain level of respect.

"It was the missing pants and whip marks on the woman's legs," she adds quickly.

"Well, what do you think we should do?" I ask, eyeing them both very skeptically.

"I think Sara's on to something," Warrick says from behind her. "If our guy is still targeting other women, it wouldn't be a bad idea to work the cases as if they are related."

"I don't like crying 'serial killer' if I don't have to."

Sara sighs. "It is the same guy. I know it. All we have to do is find a common link."

"You said the clues are lacking. How can you be so sure there is a link?"

"How can you not be?"

I raise an eyebrow in surprise, but nod in agreement. "Okay, go home and we'll attack this tomorrow, but not a word to anyone about having another serial murderer."

Warrick nods in agreement and Sara reaches for the files. I pull them out of her reach. "Goodnight, Sara."

"Goodnight, Grissom." She smiles despite the frustration I know is bubbling under her calm exterior.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::

"What are you still doing here?" Catherine asks making herself comfortable in one of my chairs. "You got here early, seemed distracted all day, but you're staying well after quitting time. And I know you're tired, since you look like hell. What's up?"

"You're still here," I point out as I examine the file again. I really don't want the company.

Since Sara and Warrick dropped this case in my lap, I haven't been able to put it down. There isn't much evidence for either case, other than the way the victims were treated. And six months apart is an extremely long time for a killer with the same motive. The cases are too familiar, however, to ignore. Frequently, I've been concerned Sara is burning out. Such a case like this would really put her through the wringer, which is more than I think she can handle right now.

"Grissom?"

I look up. "Sorry Catherine, Warrick and Sara may have another serial."

"Really?" She sits up. "You sure?"

"Two females found posed in less than positive atmospheres. They were beaten, raped, and then stabbed to death."

"And that sounds like any other rape that has come through our doors. It doesn't mean they were all done by the same person."

"Are you implying something?"

She shrugs. "Serial killings are high profile cases. Maybe Sara is trying to link the killings to better her running for the promotion."

"Better her running? I don't think so, Cath," I say looking at the files again. "There are inconsistencies, but Sara wouldn't dream up such a horrible thing. Besides, she's not the person to worry about promotion."

"So you're giving it to her?"

"I didn't say that."

She holds up her hands. "Hey I'm just curious as to who you're going to pick. In fact, the whole lab is wondering who will be promoted to Lead CSI."

I lean back in my chair pulling the folders onto my lap to signal the end of our conversation.

"Night, Gil," she says rising from her chair and leaving me in peace.