Well, what a treat! Three chapter in one. Maybe I'm making up for not posting on this for simply ages!!!!! Very sorry but I got caught up in the Magical World of Harry Potter. Those people that have read the books will know what I mean. You can read my HP stories as well if you want.
Anyway, I decided to put these three together for two reasons. One they are really really short chapters, and two they all take place roughly the same time, chapter seven a little bit after the other two but not by much.
Chapter Five – A Trip To Maine – Sara and Nick
Hearing Nick sigh, Sara turned away from the view of the clouds and looked at him. Seeing her move, he stared back at her, smiled, then looked down. Sara knew just what he was thinking. The whole case rested on their shoulders, on them finding something at this guys house to help them find the killer. It weighed heavily on Sara's mind and she could see that it was on Nick's as well. She looked back out of the clouds for a moment, then checked her watch. They had about 20 minutes before they arrived in Maine.
She turned up the sound on the headphones to hear some soft classical piece swoon out, and she closed her eyes. She'd been thinking about Grissom since they'd got on the plane. Their first meeting, their conversations about new techniques, evidence detection and everything else related to their jobs and interests. They were so alike in many ways, closed up, emotionally inept. She suspected that he used to be like she was now – so immersed in their jobs that their social/personal lives suffered. He seemed to have found a way around it, but she was still trying. She missed him, his voice, skills in the workplace, his company. Life wasn't the same at CSI Headquarters without him. She sighed, leaning her head back, thinking about all of the cases they'd worked on.
Next to her Nick's thoughts were on the same subject. Grissom had helped him through so many cases and problems. He'd always wanted to do well for Grissom to be proud of him and Grissom had shown him that he didn't need to. That he had to do the work for himself and not anyone else. Nick knew now that Grissom was already proud of him for everything that he'd accomplished, and he was thankful to Gil for so many things. Including the time when he had the gun in his face by that hysterical woman, then when he'd been stalked. Things were suddenly put into perspective and Grissom had helped with that. He knew Grissom had his faults but what person doesn't. He was the father of their team and without him at work, there was a huge gaping hole that no-one could fill. Catherine was trying her best but they were big shoes to fill.
Nick knew that whatever they found in Portland was going to play a big part in the case and he was hoping and praying that they would find something to help them solve the case.
Chapter Six – A Small Conversation – Catherine and Brass
Brass walked down the corridors of the CSI to find Catherine in Grissom's office, staring at the jars on the shelves, her chin resting on her hand, elbow in the table, deep in thought. He knocked gently on the open door, shaking her out of her thoughts and she looked up.
"Jim. Something up?"
"No. Just thought I'd come and see how you were doing."
He said as he entered the room and sat down on the chair opposite her.
"I'm doing okay. We just got a lead in Portland, I sent Nick and Sara over there to investigate. I knew they needed time away from the lab and this was a perfect opportunity."
"They're not the only ones."
Brass stated. Catherine looked down at the desk.
"I've got too much work to do to be taking time off."
"I'm sure there are others that can take over."
"To be honest I need to keep busy. If I stop then...I don't think I'll get started again."
Brass nodded in understanding. It was the same with him.
"How's Jade holding up?"
"She's hardly left his side. And when she does Warrick says she hardly sleeps. It's gonna be hard for her, considering what happened to her parents."
Not knowing the full details, and knowing Catherine wasn't in the mood to talk about it, Brass just nodded again in agreement.
"And Warrick?"
"I think he's put his own feelings aside to help Jade through. I should talk to him, give him some time away from the hospital as well."
"I'll talk to him if you want. Then you can keep an eye on Jade."
Catherine shook her head.
"Thanks but I think he'd talk more if it was me. But maybe you could sit with Jade for a while."
"Sure. How's the case going anyway?"
He asked, changing the subject.
"Not good. If Sara and Nick don't find anything then I'm worried that this is going to be another one of those cases that got away. We haven't got any other leads to follow."
"Try not to worry too much. No matter how the case goes, it's Grissom that's important. Him recovering and getting better. All that matters is him pulling through."
Catherine thought for a moment, staring at Brass.
"Thanks Jim."
"Anytime. And I think you need to go and see Grissom for a while. I think it's what you need. I went to see him this morning and he's looking better. The doc's are saying that his sats are up which is a good sign that he's recovering physically. Have you seen him recently?"
"I've been busy..."
She covered.
"Go and see him. I mean it, straight after your shift. I'll go with you if you want."
She nodded her thanks.
Chapter Seven – A Confession – Warrick and Jade
Warrick looked over at where Jade was dozing in the chair across the room, and sighed. She was taking this so hard, and he felt completely at a loss at how to help her. He felt useless. It didn't help that he didn't know how to deal with the situation himself. In fact he hadn't dealt at all, he'd been too busy looking after Jade.
Grissom was more than just a boss to him. He was a teacher, a mentor, an almost father figure. He'd helped him through so many times – like his gambling problems. Where so many people would have just sacked him, Grissom gave him a second chance. He'd almost blown it but managed to pull himself back with his help, and Jade's. If it wasn't for Grissom he wouldn't be there now, he wouldn't have still been with Jade. His life would be completely different if it wasn't for Grissom.
Feeling the emotions welling inside him he tried to clamp down on them to deal with them later but found it hard. A movement pulled him from his thoughts suddenly and he focused his eyes to see Catherine at the window, looking at Grissom. Forgetting his own problems he stood up and moved quietly out of the room.
"Catherine?"
She turned to look at him.
"Hey Warrick."
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I just...you know."
She didn't have to finish the sentence for Warrick to realise she needed some time alone with Grissom. He nodded and moved back into the room with Catherine following. He gently nudged Jade awake and she looked up at him.
"Hey honey. Time to go home."
She sat up in her seat and looked at Grissom.
"No I'm fine. I'm staying here."
"Jade, you need sleep. Look, Catherine's come to sit with Grissom so he won't be alone. Please come home."
Jade looked around to see Catherine standing there.
"Hey Jade. I'll stay here and keep an eye on him. I promise."
Jade stood and moved over to Catherine, giving her a hug.
"Thanks Cath."
She replied tiredly. She grabbed her coat and bag and left. Catherine turned to the bed and sat down on the seat Jade had vacated.
Reaching home, Warrick led Jade inside, and made her go and get a shower, while he cooked some breakfast. By the time she finished her shower, breakfast was cooked if a little burnt. His mind had been elsewhere. He watched as she came into the living room, wearing black cotton shorts and one of his shirts, and slumped down onto the couch, pulling the towel off her short hair.
He stopped in the doorway and just stared. Something had suddenly hit him about her and it was taking a moment to process. It had hit him right in the heart but he couldn't work out what it was. The way she moved? Sat down? The way her short hair fell into her eyes when she pulled the towel off her head? The way his shirt looked on her? He couldn't pin point it to one thing. It was just everything about her. He leaned against the doorframe and watched her as she towel dried her hair, her eyes on the early morning news, but he knew she wasn't listening to a word of it. She had a distant look on her face.
A thought suddenly occurred to him. It was when he'd been thinking about Grissom and chances. That if he'd have blown it he might not be with her now. Without warning he worked out what it was. He would miss her. He would miss her so badly it would hurt if she went away, or if she wasn't there at all. He suddenly couldn't stand to be without her for even a moment, and then, even when she was around his heart was aching to be next to her, holding her. His eyes widened as a thought hit him right between the eyes. Was this what it was like to be in love?
"Warrick?"
He jumped, realising she'd said his name a couple times.
"Something up? You looked miles away."
"I love you."
He hadn't meant to say it. It had just come out of his mouth. And for the first time ever, he knew that he'd never meant anything more in his life. For a moment Jade looked completely shocked.
"What?"
"I can't help it. I...it just suddenly hit me. I love you."
She stood up and for a moment neither moved. They just stayed separate, staring at each other. Warrick had stood upright in the doorframe but he hadn't moved towards her. He was worried at what she'd say. Before he could open his mouth to apologise for the abruptness of his confession, she walked across to him, put her arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug.
"I love you too. I think I've always loved you. I just never knew it till now."
He sighed and held her tight to him, breathing in her smell.
What did you think? Good? Bad? Comments would be welcome. Do you like where this is going? Do you have any clues as to where I'm taking this. I like to know.