Disclaimer: All right everyone, sing along… "I don't own CSI, its characters, or anything associated with the show. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is the sole property of CBS and Alliance Atlantis." This document was written purely based on the fact that my muse will not stop nagging me. For the entertainment of you folks only.

Spoiler: Unbearable

A/N: Just a quick warning that you might want to grab a bucket for the following Ecklie/Grissom conversation. Ecklie is … ewwww.

"Boy, Gil, you really do have a thing for fishing off the company pier, don't you?"

Ecklie's sneer was full of contempt. "First I thought it was you and Catherine, but she assured me that is not the case. Then, I was positive it was Spitfire Sidle, but the rumor mill claimed your latest trophy to be our recently departed Curtis."

"I don't blame you on that one." Ecklie clicked his tongue and leered at Grissom. "She was quite… enjoyable."

"But now I see that I was right after all. Sidle." Ecklie's grin was lecherous.

"Although, it sounds like she's had enough of your charms." Ecklie turned his head in Sara's direction, clearly observing her 'finer points'.

"Tell me… is she as much of a wildcat in the sack as she is here at the office?"

Ecklie's head turned back to face Grissom, and to his surprise, he found Grissom scant inches from his face, a violent storm brewing in Grissom's eyes.

Grissom was livid. Rarely did he let Ecklie's jibes break down the strongholds of his temper, but after his recent conversation with Sara, and his past few weeks of constant unease, the walls were weak. Rage soared through him as he stood and went towards Ecklie. Only maturity and common sense kept Grissom from flattening Ecklie against a wall and pummeling him into a pulp.

"DROP IT, CONRAD. NOW."

Ecklie took a couple steps back, panic racing across his face. He attempted to regain some of his composure by adjusting his tie, as he stammered, "I actually didn't come by to discuss your sex life. A new Level 2 CSI will be arriving in two months as part of a rotation program. He's from the Santa Clara County DA Crime Lab and he will be working for Catherine for six weeks. He may choose to stay permanently, and if he does, I will switch him to your team and move Warrick back with Catherine. He specifically requested to work with you, however I feel it is best that he go with Catherine's team."

Grissom heard half of Ecklie's words; the blood was still pounding in his ears.

"So, this affects me… how?"

"I just wanted to let you know. I'll be sending you a memo with his resume and credentials."

"You do that. Good-bye, Conrad."

Ecklie slinked away, leaving Grissom to deal with his chaotic emotions in peace.

oooooooooooooooooooooo

The day after Sara had her 'revelation' in the lab, she contacted Dr. Velez, sharing with her all that had happened. She then asked if Dr. Velez had any suggestions of what she might do. Places where she might be useful. Sara was driven. I have to help.

Dr. Velez referred her to a battered women's shelter that was three blocks from Sara's apartment complex. Sara got the address and drove there without calling ahead, requesting to speak with the head of the shelter immediately. She knew she must have frightened the frail receptionist with her ardent enthusiasm. After fifteen minutes of impatiently thumbing through women's magazines in a makeshift waiting area, a woman approached her and requested they speak in her office. The woman introduced herself as Ms. Ellen.

Sara was immediately impressed by the woman's distinguished grace and poise. Ms. Ellen's eyes indicated she was no innocent to the horrors of abuse; such scars are clearly visible to those who've shared them.

Sara explained to her that she would like to volunteer. She presented herself in a pseudo-sales pitch, stating how she worked for the crime lab and how she had received plenty of training in self-defense. She briefly mentioned that she had come from a home where her mother murdered her father, and how this would help her relate to the women at the shelter. Pain was evident in Sara's voice, but she spoke through it.

Ms. Ellen eyed her carefully for a moment.

"Miss Sidle, if you volunteer here, you realize that you will be interacting with women, women who are frightened and have had awful things happen to them. You will need to be strong for them, support them. It is acceptable to sympathize with their situation, but you cannot turn any sessions you have with them into a group pity party. Do you feel that you can handle this?"

"Yes, I do." Sara's voice was confident and determined.

"You will need to attend training sessions to learn our policies and proper techniques for interacting with our clients. You may begin tomorrow night if you'd like. We run training constantly here, on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and again on Saturday afternoons. Once you have completed the first round of training, we will meet again and discuss our options. Is this acceptable?"

"Yes. Thank you." Sara replied. The urge to say "Yes ma'am" was overwhelming but Sara suspected Ms. Ellen wouldn't be too impressed with that.

"We'll speak again soon. Thank you, Miss Sidle, for offering your services to us."

"No, Ms. Ellen, thank you."

Sara left the shelter feeling more excited about her life than she had in years.