For Disclaimer see Default Chapter
Chapter Two – Everything in Flux
Two hours before start of his shift Grissom returned to the lab to make sure he can get hold of Ecklie and Catherine. When he walked through the hall he heard Ecklie calling for him.
"Gil, my office, now!"
Grissom raised an eyebrow and glanced back to Ecklie but not moving in his direction. Slightly uncomfortable Ecklie added: "Please?" He gestured Gil to follow him.
Conrad watched Grissom as he moved in as if in trance, taking a seat without being asked to do so. Gil looks exhausted, he thought. Shoulders hanging like he's carrying the weight of the world, shadows under the eyes like he did not sleep for decades.
Ecklie nearly felt sorry for that man. But no, he was too often pissed off by Grissom's disrespectfulness. The team's busted, Grissom failed in managing the team and, as a bonus to Ecklie's amusement, his personal life. Definitely, he and this insolent Sara Sidle deserve each other. Everybody in the lab knows that they had a thing which didn't really work out. Now, finally I have his ass. He couldn't resist putting a sly grin on his face.
Well, the lab needs Grissom though. Conrad had to admit that Grissom was the best material they could get, a very acknowledged scientist and entomologist, but with people and politics, heck he is such a loser. Splitting up the team was some fun. I need to keep him, but I do not necessarily have to let him lead a shift, have I? Grissom would not fight his decision. He never did. Although recently he almost put his job on the line when asked to fire Sara, Ecklie remembered. What a weird man he is. Even Catherine barely knows what Grissom's thinking and they have been friends for years now.
Grissom carefully watched Ecklie. This guy was far too self complacent and overconfident, he noticed. More precisely: Ecklie looked like a fat cat which has already cornered the prey. Ugh, that's very likely a worst case scenario. With no expression on his face he mentally prepared for things to come. Would Ecklie finally sack him or Sara or even both?
Ecklie spoke up: "We are just waiting for Catherine to join our meeting."
Grissom flinched and opened his mouth as if to say something. But he didn't. Conrad caught him by surprise. Catherine? What the heck does Cath has to do with this?
Cath was nervous. When Ecklie informed her about his decision regarding changing the lab organisation all over again, he made absolutely clear that she would be very much in the middle of it. She had been flattered and scared at the same time. She has hoped to get a chance to talk to Grissom before Ecklie did, but couldn't manage to make it on time. Cath barely slept last night due to the upcoming event, and finally fell asleep shortly before wake up call. She was feeling sore and overtired, although she looked as if in best shape ever. Decades of training, it must be. Cath mused. It would have been her official day off today but Ecklie called her in for the meeting with Gris. Poor Gil, he never understood and wanted to understand all the politics going around in the lab. It just wasn't his style of doing things. I hope we still can be friends, Cath mused. He has done so much for me, I would not even be here if he hadn't covered my ass a couple of times. With a deep breath she entered Ecklie's office and managed to smile at Grissom.
"Hi, Gil! Conrad!" Cath nodded. "Sorry I'm late on my day off." She added sarcastically.
Ecklie did not react but just offered very gentleman like a seat to Catherine. That so does not suite him, Cath frowned and took a chair next to Gris. I do not want to look into his eyes when Ecklie's going to tell, she thought. Grissom felt that Cath was not very comfortable with him at the moment. If they only had talked before. Ecklie interrupted their thoughts.
"Well, uh, I have monitored the performance of the lab during the last couple of months and came to the conclusion that separation of graveyard was dead wrong."
Ecklie nearly looked kind of regretful and Cath and Gris couldn't believe what they have just heard. But both remained silent. That was so unlike Conrad to admit a fault. Then he dropped the bomb.
"Swing shift and graveyard will be merged again and you, Catherine are going to lead the team and become graveyard shift supervisor. Gil, with your CSI seniority you will be second in command. Big shoes, Catherine. You wanted them, so now wear them but don't loose them." Ecklie added ironically, nodded to both of them and left them stunned, not eager to discuss any of this matter.
Silence again. Grissom straightened and briskly stood up. Cath took a deep breath and encountered the look of his deep blue eyes.
"Cath, you knew this was going to happen, right?" She took his arm to hold him back. "Gil, look, I'm sorry."
"Well, Cath! You rule now." Grissom sighs. "Good luck! See you on shift!" Then he turned around without a second glance and left a concerned Cath behind.