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: Okay, everyone welcome in Mr. Scott Bennington. We all know why he's here, right? But hey, he's smart and polite and has nice eyes… remember Jordan Catalano of My So-Called Life? Scott has his eyes. And okay, so he's an idiot in this scene, but really, he's a nice guy.

And angst? Angst is fun.

Grissom couldn't believe he was letting his curiosity get the best of him. He was walking down the hallway, with Scott Bennington at his side, taking him to Sara.

He was even initiating a conversation.

"So, Mr. Bennington…"

Scott interrupted him, "Please. Call me Scott."

"Okay… Scott. How do you know Miss Sidle?"

Scott turned his head down and away for a moment, almost as if he was ashamed.

"She doesn't know me, but … I know her. I … met her a long time ago in California when I was starting out on the force."

Scott's laden tone lightened somewhat. "I was originally a police officer, but I switched to forensics in the early nineties. The science fascinates me."

"Me as well…" Grissom stopped himself from waxing poetical about the wonders of science as he spied Sara, Greg and Warrick all chatting lightly, waiting for him in the common room.

Shit. Assignments. How could I forget?

And I can't talk with Sara tonight. She's got a homicide with Greg. It'll have to be after shift. I'll have to catch her before she leaves.

"Scott, you'll have to excuse me. I need to meet with my team to delegate assignments for the evening."

"Is that Sara?" Scott asked, staring at her through the glass surrounding the room.

"Yes, it is, and I'm afraid that I have to send both her and her colleague out to a crime scene. Introductions will have to take place another day."

"I understand. Which way is Ms. Willow's office?"

"Down this hall, make a right, third door on your left."

"Thank you, Dr. Grissom."

Scott and Grissom parted ways as Grissom walked into the common room to brief his team.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"The new CSI is a guy." Greg's voice was filled with disappointment. "Some old guy from California."

Sara smiled at Greg and ruffled his hair as they walked towards the kitchen. "Too bad. You shouldn't have gotten your hopes up."

They had both just gotten back from the homicide, and it was time for a break.

"Well, there's that hot chick standing next to you in that picture."

"Her name is Lisa, and yes, she is single and no, I won't introduce you."

"Aw… c'mon. Why not?" Greg whined.

"She just got over a bad relationship. She needs a break from men for a while."

Sara grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table.

"Unlike you," Greg teased, as he went to open the small refrigerator. "You need to stop taking a break from men."

Sara glared at Greg, a glint of humor in her eyes, acknowledging the tease. "Knock it off, buddy."

"Excuse me, but are you Sara Sidle?"

Sara turned to find a tall, striking man standing in the doorway. His blue eyes captivated her, and her stomach immediately did a little flip-flop at the deep timbre of his voice.

Her independent streak rebelled, instantly squashing all romantic thoughts. Oh no… no swooning women here, please.

"Yes I am. Do I know you?" Sara's tone wasn't quite hostile, but it wasn't friendly either.

Mystery Man seemed nonplussed as he approached her, standing entirely too close for comfort.

"May I speak with you for a moment?" he politely inquired, sending a mild glance to Greg indicating he wanted to speak to Sara alone.

Greg grinned at Sara, "I just remembered I need to go and check on something with Hodges. I'll catch up with you later, Sar, okay?"

Sara shot Greg a black look as he almost skipped out the door.

"So?" Sara looked him, defiance in her eyes. "You got rid of Greg. What do you want?"

The man fidgeted, appearing extremely uncomfortable.

"May I sit down?"

"Oh! Yeah, sure."

He sat in a chair opposite her, clearly nervous.

"My name is Scott Bennington. I'm here as a CSI on rotation program from Santa Clara, California. And I wanted… to introduce myself to you."

Sara looked at him, clearly baffled. "Okay…"

"And well… I know you. I'm sure you don't remember me, but I remember you, and how brave you were, and I, well… I guess I wanted to say that I'm glad to see you are doing okay."

Sara's eyes narrowed. "Should I know you?"

"You… well, your family… it was one of my first assignments as a cop. I'll never forget it, or you. I… this is embarrassing… I don't want to upset you, but… I was there… that night. I know what you went through… you left such an impression on me. You were so young, but so strong… and in the courtroom… and everything."

Sara's face was ashen and she looked away from Scott, emotions overflowing within her. She knew who he was. It was over twenty years ago, but when she looked at him now, she saw the similarities. This was the young cop who was at her home, the night her mother killed her father.

Her eyes filled with tears, and her voice was choked with grief and rage.

"Get away from me. Now."

Scott's face was stricken. "I'm sorry… Oh God… I shouldn't have said anything. I'll go… I'm sorry…I won't bother you again… I'm so sorry." He stood to leave.

Sara snapped back at him, "What did you think? I was just going to say 'Hey, that's great! Good to see you again! Thanks for puking on my floor!' Are you some kind of idiot?"

"Yes," he replied, head down. "I'm sorry. I didn't think at all and it was disrespectful and I'm very, very sorry. I was just so surprised to find out you were here. You… your case… really affected me. You have no idea how brave you were. It was amazing. I could never have done what you did that day in court."

Sara's tone was bitter, "I was a child."

"That's what was so impressive. You sounded like an educated adult. You were confident and poised. My sister was close to your age at the time and I knew she wouldn't have been able to do what you did."

He went to reach for her hand, but paused halfway and withdrew it slowly.

"I'm sorry. I never meant to upset you. I won't bother you again."

Sara said nothing as Scott left the room. Repressed memories were bubbling back to the surface, and she knew from her counseling sessions that she had to get away and regroup. Go somewhere to calm herself down and regain control.

Embarrassment at her obvious emotional state was beginning to set in. She left the kitchen and was walking towards the ladies room with her head down, not really paying attention to where she was going.

She turned the corner, and crashed full bore into Grissom, his body absorbing most of their impact so that they didn't fall into a big heap in the middle of the hallway. His only comment to their unanticipated meeting was a slightly surprised "Oof!" as he caught her.

The shock of his chest against hers, combined with Sara's distraught emotional state left her mind spinning, and she reacted defensively to the onslaught.

"Excuse me," she snapped as she pushed Grissom away, hard.

Grissom was clearly taken aback, and as he looked at her, he knew something had really upset her. What had happened?

"Sara, wait… what's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said as she started towards the ladies room.

"Sara," Grissom asked softly, gently grabbing her arm to stop her.

The touch of his skin on hers affected both of them drastically.

Grissom felt the warm softness of her skin against his and he longed to feel more. Desire began to flicker within him.

Sara's defenses roared into high gear at his touch, and she yanked her arm out of his grasp, sending him a red-eyed glare of rage.

"Don't touch me."

Grissom grabbed for her again, his temper rising, and this time, his grip was strong.

"No, Sara. You are going to tell me what happened to upset you."

Sara stepped into his face, his hand still holding her arm, and stared him straight in the eye.

"Let go of me, Grissom."

"Not until you tell me what is going on."

Sara's voice, a growling whisper, dripped sarcasm. "I suggest you let go of me, before I start causing a scene in the middle of this lab. You wouldn't want that now, would you?"

Grissom paused, looking around, and realized that if they stood here any longer, they would definitely draw a crowd.

"You're right, I wouldn't. In my office. Now."

"No."

"You are going to discuss this with me, in my office, now."

"No, I'm not." Sara was defiant. "What happens in my life is my business, not yours."

"It is absolutely my business if it occurs here in this lab. I am your supervisor."

Sara twisted and with a strong jerk, she yanked her arm free. Red welts were appearing where he had held her so tightly.

"Fine. Then write me up. Suspend me. Knock yourself out."

She turned and walked straight to the ladies room, retreating to the one place where he couldn't pursue her.

Grissom's anger told him that she couldn't stay in there forever, and that he could wait her out. But the sight of the red marks on her skin, caused by his hand, made him turn and walk away, letting her go.

What have I become?