Author's Note: Just remember, this is a GSR story. Thanks again to spunkysquared for betaing. Please let me know what you think.


Chapter 1

Sara pulled up at the crime scene right behind Grissom. Parking her Tahoe next to his, she paused for a moment and took a deep breath before reaching for her silver evidence case that was lying on the passenger seat beside her.

She was nervous. Tonight marked her first shift back after her sudden self-imposed vacation that had followed her near DUI.

For one month she distanced herself as far away as she could from her job. She had gone to Tamales Bay, visiting her parents at their B & B. As her return flight had descended into Vegas, Sara had been startled to discover that that had felt more like coming home than walking into her childhood bedroom had. This feeling had motivated Sara into exploring more of Las Vegas. Over the years she had been exposed to the seedier side of Vegas life as a CSI. Now Sara finally took the time to see it properly in the bright light of day. She surprised herself by enjoying it.

Sara had also started seeing a counselor upon her return to Vegas, partially because Grissom had gently suggested it to her when she had made her vacation request on the otherwise silent ride to her apartment from the police station.

Sara knew she didn't have a drinking problem, she had a life problem. Her counselor had helped her to see that her life had become stagnant. She lived in a perpetual state of waiting, waiting for the day when Grissom would finally turn to her free of the inhibitions that were preventing him from acting on his feelings for her. Her counselor had made her see that she was putting her life on hold for a day that may never come and that it was killing her spirit. Sara decided then and there to take her life back. Heck, she had even gone so far as to enroll herself in a cooking class at one of the local community colleges, hoping to garner an interest outside law enforcement.

Now, with less than a month having passed since she had made her decision, Sara felt good about herself and proud of how far she had come in so short a time. But while she felt good, in fact better than she had in a long time, and knew she was ready to return to work, her uncertainty over the reception she would get at CSI was unsettling. Not only did she have to deal with reaction to her new outlook on life, but she also had no idea how far the news about her little run in with a Breathalyzer had spread.

Thankfully, on this her first night back she had been called in straight to a scene and had as yet to put in an appearance at the lab. Unfortunately, it appeared that she would be partnered with Grissom. While she loved working with him, her decision to move beyond her feelings for him had yet to be tested by his presence. At least she should have no problems while busy processing the scene. It was later, back at the lab, when his close proximity would be most likely to test her resolve.

Slowly exhaling to calm her nerves, Sara climbed out of her Tahoe.

As Sara made her way towards him, Grissom's eyes slowly traveled up her body before meeting her own. His gaze held concern for her, but her calm exterior obviously passed his silent appraisal as all he said when she stopped in front of him was, "Good to go?"

Sara nodded slightly as she said, "Good to go."

Grissom searched her eyes momentarily before turning on his heels and making his way to Brass, Sara walking at his side.

"What do we have, Jim?"

"Male DB. Name's Brian Oliver. Hikers found him about two hours ago." Brass led the two scientists down through the woods towards where David was waiting with the body.

David's face lit up when he saw Sara approach with the two men. A blush stained his cheeks as he shyly smiled. "Hi Sara, I'm glad you're back. You're presence has been sorely missed."

Sara smiled back at David while Brass rolled his eyes at Grissom. Grissom cleared his throat.

David was flustered. "Ah...Um...looks like a single gunshot wound to the chest. No exit wound, the slug's still in there, somewhere." David rolled the body over as he talked, demonstrating his words.

Sara noticed a touch of blood on the corner of the dead man's mouth. "Trail of blood coming from his mouth. From the position of the wound, it's possible the bullet punctured a lung."

Grissom nodded.

Brass grinned. "Nice catch. Good to know that all your brains didn't turn to mush while you were gone."

That earned him a light punch on the arm from Sara, which surprised both Brass and Grissom. "You wish. If they had, I'd have to give up being a CSI and apply to the LVPD instead!"

Brass' grin grew wider as he placed his hands over his heart. "Ouch! That hurts! Grissom, you better keep an eye on her tonight; there's no telling what trouble she'll get herself into when she's this feisty."

The corners of Grissom's mouth curled up in a smirk but his eyes were serious as they met Sara's gaze. "Don't worry," he murmured, "I plan on staying close."

Sara's breath hitched at his words and she had to force herself to look away. She had come too far and worked too hard in the past month to allow herself to be drawn back into her old pattern of finding deeper meanings behind his words. Intentional or not, existent or not, any deeper meanings didn't matter. She had made her choice; she was moving on and taking what was left of her battered heart with her.

Sara realized that Brass had started talking again.

"The hikers that found him? They were actually a gaggle of Girl Guides headed for a weekend of camping. Unless they shot him cause he wouldn't buy any cookies, I'm guessing they're clear. We took their statements and sent them back to the station; parents are coming to pick them up."

"That's rough," said Sara.

Brass nodded, agreeing. "Yeah. Listen, I got the vic's address from his wallet, which, by the way, had been emptied of cash. I'm going to head over there now, see if anyone's home. I'll let you know." Brass turned towards his car.

"Hey Brass," Sara called, stopping him and turning him back. "Umm...," Sara glanced around and found that the only other people in hearing range were Grissom and David, and they were concentrated on the body. "You got any plans for dinner tomorrow night?"

Grissom's head snapped around to look at Sara. Brass, startled by the unexpected question, shook his head no.

"Uh, you want to have dinner with me?" Sara asked.

Brass shot a quick look at Grissom, who was still staring open mouthed at Sara, before replying. "Sure. Dinner's good...uh...Should I pick you up?"

"No, that's okay. Why don't you come by my place at six and I'll cook."

"Deal."

As Brass got in his car, Sara turned back to Grissom. "So, where do you want me to start?" She started to scan the crime scene with her eyes.

Grissom hesitated, then looked down towards the body. He promptly met David's eyes as he looked up at Grissom. Realizing he had been caught watching Grissom's reaction to Sara's dinner invite, David flinched and averted his eyes.

Grissom clenched his jaw. Looking anywhere but at Sara, he said, "Start with the perimeter and work your way in. I'm going back with the body. Come find me when you make it back to the lab."

Now Sara stared at Grissom in disbelief. After a moment of speechlessness she stuttered, "Wha...What? Grissom, you can't possibly expect me to process this whole scene by myself. It's enormous! We don't even know what direction the shot came from! I'd be here forever!"

"You can handle it. I'll send Greg."

"Greg !?!"

"He can help with the collection. I'll tell him to bring a metal detector to search for any shell casings."

Sara glared at Grissom. "Sure. Fine. Whatever."

Grissom finally turned to look at Sara as she stocked away, her anger at him apparent by the tight clench of her fists. Stared after her for a moment before muttering to David, "I'll catch up with you back at autopsy."

David was left alone with the dead man. He watched Grissom until his Tahoe disappeared into the night.

Shaking his head slightly, David turned back to the body. The dead were definitely much easier to understand than the living.