Saturday, August 2nd, 2003

2:12 pm

Are you sure you're comfortable? Warrick asks, tucking the lightweight blanket around Dani's feet.

I'm fine, she replies with a smile. Relax. Breathe.

Sighing, he kneels next to the couch where Dani is curled up and takes her hand. The bruise on her cheek has faded and her face is no longer deathly pale.

I'm sorry, I'm just nervous.

Wip, it's been ten days, she points out. They wouldn't have let me out of the hospital if it was too soon.

Considering you were bugging them to let you out on day four? he comments dryly.

Dani wrinkles her nose at Warrick. I thought I showed remarkable restraint considering my history.

And if they'd seen the contraband Nick and Greg were sneaking in to get you to stay put, Nurse Ratchet would've strung us all up by our entrails.

Nice imagery, Dani retorts. Now, I've got my book and my laptop. I've got the remote for the tv and in case I get bored, I've got a small mountain of dvd's. I'm fine. You need to get some sleep, she instructs. You're going to work tonight.

Warrick waves her off. I'm okay.

You need to sleep, she insists.

I'm going to call and get Nick to cover for me. He reaches for the cordless phone, but she gets to it first.

No you're not, Dani replies flatly, holding the molded plastic in a tight grip. It's bad enough that you've got him coming over to baby-sit me.

I thought you guys were going to do a movie fest and hang out.

We are, but I know you two are conspiring together, Dani says. So you need a nap before you head off to work.



Warrick is interrupted by the doorbell.

That's probably Grissom, she says softly, a wave of nervousness washing over her.

You called him? I thought you were going to wait a few more days.

I've waited too long as it is, Dani says. Life's too short.

Nodding, he stands and quickly makes his way over to the door. A few moments later he returns with Grissom in tow.

Dani says with a smile.

How's the patient? Grissom asks. He crosses the room and takes a seat in a chair next to Dani.

Warrick provides before Dani can answer.

Very glad to be out of the hospital, she adds, wrinkling her nose at Warrick.

Are you in any pain? Warrick asks, consulting his watch. You can have another pill anytime.

I'm okay for now. Maybe in a little while, Dani replies.

Okay then. I'll be in the kitchen, Warrick says softly, dropping a kiss on her temple. He retreats quickly, closing the sliding door behind him to give them privacy.

He's very attentive, Grissom comments with a gentle smile.

He'd fly to Japan to get me sushi if I asked, Dani deadpans, then softens. He's been wonderful.

You look good together.

Dani smiles. Thank you.

Following the CSI supervisor's gaze, Dani looks out the patio doors to the section of concrete next to the pool.

You'd never know what happened out there, she remarks softly. Crime scene cleanup crew did a great job.

Is it difficult, being so close to it everyday? Grissom asks, unable to stop himself.

Actually, no, Dani replies. I had to face a monster out there, but in the end, I won. He lost, and he can't hurt anyone, ever again. This house has always been sanctuary to me. I won't let him change that.

Grissom smiles gently. Your message said you wanted to talk to me about something.

Exhaling a nervous breath, she nods. I'm not going to fumble around, making small talk, because I suck at it and I'd rather get to the point. I need your help.

Grissom arches an eyebrow. My help?

I know Warrick told you about my mother, she begins.

Some, while we were waiting for you to wake up after surgery, Grissom admits. I had questions and he needed to be distracted.

Well, when she died, she left me some hospital bills, a letter and a picture.

Reaching into the handbag at her side, Dani hands Grissom a well worn photograph with July 73' written on the back in pencil. I think the resemblance is quite remarkable, even after all these years, she adds.

Grissom's jaw drops.

Oh my God. Is this your-

My parents, in the midst of their summer romance.

Stunned, Grissom sits motionless as he stares at the picture.

I managed to get my hands on some DNA to compare with mine to confirm what I already suspected. Results came the day I left Las Vegas. At the time it was one more reason to run.

I-I don't know what to say, Grissom manages looking from the photograph to Dani's face and back again.

I'm sorry. I know you hate surprises.

Eyes wide with shock, he looks up at her and holds her gaze. This is definitely one for the books.

I think you can see why I kept it quiet, Dani says softly, watching his face carefully.

Grissom slowly shakes his head in amazement. Why didn't you say something before? As soon as you joined the LVPD you must have known it was a possibility.

I couldn't take that risk. Even if I was accepted, I didn't want to be treated differently because of it, Dani replies sharply. Think about it. Back then if people knew, it wouldn't have mattered if I was a good CSI or not. All anyone would see is privilege.

And you feel differently now?

Dani replies. I want to get to know my father, and I'm asking for your help.

3:06 pm

Moving quietly as to not disturb Dani as she drifts off to sleep, Grissom walks down the hall to the kitchen where he finds Warrick sitting at the counter trying to distract himself with a forensic science magazine.

You knew . . . about this? the scientist asks quietly.

Looking up, Warrick's eyes darken and he nods. The first time she mentioned it was about six weeks before she left Las Vegas. That twin boy abuse and murder case pushed the wrong buttons and she broke down, told me everything. Rising to his feet, he walks over to the fridge and pulls out a can of soda and pops the top. But I didn't know for sure until the night before she was shot.

How did she go to work everyday, knowing this? Grissom wonders aloud, shaking his head in disbelief. It must have been so hard for her. Why did she stay silent for so long?

Warrick gives him a knowing look. You know the answer to that.

A long, tense moment passes between the men, the only sound coming from the air conditioning ducts above their heads and the faint popping from Warrick's soda can.

Grissom says finally, sighing heavily. If she didn't acknowledge the possibility, she couldn't be rejected.


Wednesday, August 13th, 2003


1:35 pm

Dani frowns in concentration, intently studying the board in front of her. Finally she picks up a carved piece of mahogany wood and sets it down a few spaces away on a square of the same color.

Check mate.

Greg's jaw drops. Damn. I really thought I had you this time.



That's it, the lab technician declares. You're not allowed to play chess with Grissom anymore.

I beat him twice last week, if it makes you feel any better, Dani says sheepishly, cocking her head to one side and giving him a goofy smile. And I obviously have way too much time on my hands.

The front door opens and slams shut quickly in an effort to keep the heat out of the air-conditioned house.

I'm back, Warrick calls out, dropping his keys on the hall table. And damn is it hot out there!

Oh come on, it's like, three degrees cooler today than it was yesterday, Dani teases. I almost need a jacket.

Greg grins and resets the chess board as she winks at him.

Plastic bags rustle as they are placed on the kitchen counter. Very funny, Warrick retorts. I guess this means you don't want the mud pie ice cream I picked up for you?

You would deprive an invalid? Dani asks, her lips curling into a teasing pout as Warrick appears at the end of the hallway, a pint of ice-cream in one hand, a small spoon in the other.

he replies, handing her the ice cream before sitting down beside her. One craving for decadent food, satisfied.

My hero, she says, giving him a quick kiss on the lips.

Settling into the couch, Warrick looks over at their spikey-blonde haired audience and the chess board in front of him. Hey Greg. Did she beat you again?

Kicked my ass, the lab technician confesses. But she was really nice about it.

Suddenly Dani moans and Warrick immediately stiffens. What's wrong?

she mumbles around the spoon in her mouth, then removes it. You gotta try this stuff.

Warrick snorts, breaking out into a grin. Don't scare me like that.

Sorry. Want some? Dani asks, offering him a spoonful of the frozen dessert.

He opens his mouth to reply, but the phone ringing interrupts him. Rising, he walks over to a nearby table and picks up the cordless handset.



He listens for a moment.

May I ask who's calling? Another pause. I'll see if she's awake.

Covering the mouthpiece with his hand, Warrick says, British guy. Mark Rothwell from D.C.?

Smiling widely, Dani stabs her spoon into the pint of ice cream and reaches eagerly for the phone.

Markus Elliott Rothwell, she fires into the mouthpiece, tone filled with hurt. I emailed you six days ago. I know you fancy yourself a sexy bastard and all, but I really thought you'd get back to your old partner a little faster than that. Looking up, she winks at the two men staring at her.

Greg snorts with laughter and Warrick tries to hide a smile.

C'mon Greg, Warrick says. Help me out in the kitchen.

Remind me never to piss her off, Greg says to him in a low voice so Dani doesn't hear him.

Well, I've survived the wrath once or twice, Warrick replies. But I really don't recommend it. She's got a glare that can melt steel.

Yeah, I've seen it.

Really? Where? Warrick asks as he begins unloading the grocery bags sitting on the kitchen counter.

Greg shrugs. She was with Nick and they ran into Ecklie. I saw the whole thing from the lab.

Ah. A deserving candidate, Warrick replies dryly. Almost makes you feel sorry for the guy.

Greg adds with a lopsided grin.

Both men laugh.