Chapter 9

Sitting on a bench across the street from The Lucky 7, Sara took a break from the case. She and Nick had been here since midnight and weren't through yet. With no disrespect to the dead man in the pool, this case was an excellent way to keep her mind off her personal problems. Dropping her weary head in her hands she closed her eyes.

In the distance a voice called out. "You don't look so good."

Lifting her head, Sara was surprised to see Mike, in uniform, walking towards her.

"I was driving home and saw you sitting here looking a little lost." He took a seat beside her and sweetly asked, "Another rough case?"

"Yeah…" It was easier to lie. "Nick and I have been here for ten hours. These pool cases are exhausting because you have to check the water, review all the guests…"

"Have you eaten?" Pointing to the coffee shop behind them he suggested, "Let me get you something." Without waiting for her reply he left the bench and stepped inside the coffee shop.

Looking over her shoulder, Sara waited for his return. She hadn't eaten all night and the mention of food sent a series of pangs coursing through her stomach.

Smiling brightly, Mike returned to the bench. "I hope you like chocolate chip muffins." He extended the bag and held on to her cup of coffee. "Coffee, two sugars, right?"

"Right." Smiling for the first time since the emotional drama the day before, she opened the bag and ripped off a piece of the treat. "I love Chocolate Chip muffins." Reaching out she took the coffee and gingerly sipped. "Thank you, I needed this."

"My pleasure." Lowering his voice he said, "Sara…when we spoke the yesterday I got the feeling you were pushing me away. I want you to know that I didn't mean to rush things between us. It's…this is hard for me to say without sounding kinda desperate but here goes…" Fidgeting on the bench he continued, "I think I've been so lonely that when I met you and felt such a great connection I really wanted things to work out so I came on a little strong."

Sighing he settled back on the bench. "It's been hard not having anyone to really talk to and share things with…it's hard going home to an empty apartment every night…eating alone. It's so easy to talk to you, Sara. I never meant to make you feel uncomfortable by being pushy. I'm really sorry."

Overwhelmed by his outpouring of honesty, she eased. "It's not you. I've been distracted. If anyone should be apologizing, it's me."

"How about we just start over?" Leaning in he said, "How about we take some time developing a friendship and then we'll see what happens from there? We can break up the monotony of our lives while having some fun and getting to know each other."

Sighing she eased back against the bench. His open communication style was contagious and she dropped her guard. "Monotony is definitely something I'd like to eradicate it's just…I'm good at monotony…it's my comfort zone. Spontaneity, risk taking, adventures…not my forte."

Chuckling with her he announced, "You just need someone to help you cut loose. You said you have a ton of vacation time, right?"

"Yeah." Her curiosity was piqued.

Enthusiastically Mike suggested, "how about we get out of town…absolutely no pressure…separate rooms…just friends decompressing from work and having a great time. We could go boating, mountain biking…nothing like some adventure in the great outdoors to break the monotony. I have week off coming up." Turning to her he encouraged her with his eyes. "What do you say?"

"Umm…" For a control freak like her the spontaneous idea was ludicrous. However, considering how caution and patience had gotten her nowhere, she decided what could it hurt to try a different approach? After all, closure with Grissom was officially achieved and she needed to march forward into the moving-on stage. "You know...I think that is a great idea. It's exactly what I need to do." She almost sounded convinced. "I'll put in a request when I get back to the office."

"Fantastic!" His eyes sparkled. "Call me later and we can talk details." Extending his hand he helped her up from the bench. "I'm really looking forward to it."

"Me too." His infectious smile made her lips curve. "Thanks for the muffin, the coffee…and the encouragement…it was just what I needed."

"Any time." Grinning he watched her cross the street until she disappeared into the crowd.

Upon returning from the crime scene, Sara made a beeline for Grissom's office to grab a vacation request form.

Although she knew he wouldn't be there, the thought of stepping inside his domain made her bristle. In Grissom's absence would Catherine be able to approve her request or would she have to call the boss? While pondering the thought she reached his door. An unwanted gasp escaped her lips. There Grissom was sitting behind his desk. "You're here? Catherine told me you…" Discomfort seized her.

Grissom's startled expression matched hers in intensity. "My…my seminar got canceled." Quickly he powered down his laptop so she wouldn't catch him pulling up the death certificate. How could he explain his motivation to her when he couldn't explain it to himself?

A tense silence encompassed the room as they avoided each others' eyes.

Sara, determined to be strong, finally mustered the fortitude to state her business. Stepping fully inside the office, she said, "I …I came to get a vacation request form. I need a week off. I'm going out of town." Feeling an unexpected flash of anger she sarcastically added, "I know it's impulsive but isn't that what you'd expect from me?"

"Sara…" Removing his glasses he leaned back in his chair. "I can't approve your request."

She stiffened. "I have ten weeks on the books and I want to use some of it."

"We're incredibly backlogged…" He could tell she didn't believe his professional motives. Did he?

"That's not what this is about." After shutting the door, she marched over to his desk, looked him straight in eyes, and spoke in an angry whisper. "Whenever I try to move on, you undermine my plans. In the past I didn't mind letting you because I believed it was your way of showing me you wanted to be with me when you couldn't tell me." Trying not to let her voice rise with her emotions she paused for a breath. "But now I know how you really feel. You don't want me in your personal life and yet you still don't want me to have one of my own. How selfish are you?"

The rawness in her eyes cut him but he maintained his composure. "Sara…I answered your request as a supervisor. If Nick, Warrick or anyone else came in here asking for time off I'd give them the same answer." Averting his eyes he sharply answered. "No."

In a low, tormented voice, she replied. "If I want to keep my sanity I have to force myself to get a life beyond these walls. My P.E.A.P. Counselor agrees. As my supervisor you should be supporting me on this." Leaning over the desk she pleaded with her eyes as well as her voice, "You need to let me go."

The emotionally charged moment was abruptly interrupted when Grissom's door swung open to reveal Conrad Ecklie. "Ahhh…just the two people I needed to see."

Grissom eyes darted to the door and he snipped. "Professional courtesy, Conrad. How about knocking?"

"Sorry but what I have to say is too important to wait for formality." With the lab's Director in Maui for two weeks Ecklie fully intended to enjoy his position as top dog.

In an effort to regain her composure, Sara retreated to the corner of the room and busied herself in a book.

Glancing from Grissom to Sara, he raised a brow. "I'm sorry. Did I interrupt a quarrel of some sort?" Taking a seat he motioned for Sara to take one as well. "Please join us, Ms. Sidle."

The last thing Grissom needed was another complication and whenever Ecklie was involved things got complicated. "What can we do for you?"

Enjoying the suspense, Ecklie teased, "It's what you've already done." Ready to drop the bomb, he sat back in his chair. "I have been informed that there is a serious problem with the Brianna Ellers case."

Sara gasped. "What? Absolutely not!" The challenge to her professional integrity made her forget her personal challenges.

Grissom didn't miss a beat. "I've read Sara's report. There's nothing wrong. She did a fantastic job on the case."

Unbuttoning his jacket, Ecklie detailed his concern. "I received a call from Evidence this morning. One of the vials of GHB found at the scene is missing from the inventory. Ms. Sidle you did the inventory and Gil you were the one who returned the entire inventory back to evidence. The vial wasn't there when the evidence was checked in. The chain of evidence has been breeched, a dangerous substance is unaccounted for and I need an explanation. Who wants to give it to me?"

Grissom and Sara looked to each other to fill in the blanks. He remembering that she hadn't returned the inventory and she recalling the note from him telling her he had taken care of it.

Ecklie reveled in the uncomfortable moment. "Are you covering for her again, Gil? Is that why you took the inventory back to evidence for her…because you knew she screwed up and they'd be less likely to question you?"

Sara heatedly replied, "No! He took it for me because I put in sixteen hours and in my exhaustion I forgot to return the..."

"As I said…he was covering for you." Ecklie rose from his chair so he could loom over the pair. "You know Vegas seems larger than life but really it's pretty small…so small that when someone gets pulled into a police station on a DUI, even if she doesn't get booked, word gets around eventually." His focus narrowed on Sara. "You got off lucky that night, Ms. Sidle and coincidentally who came to your rescue? Who came and took you by the hand and escorted you out of the station? Can you see why I sense a pattern?" With a glint in his eye he added, "what is it that you do around here to deserve such special treatment?"

Blindsided by his intimate knowledge of her failure as well as his veiled accusation, Sara stared at the floor.

Grissom's blood pressure soared. "It was the Officer's decision to extend a professional courtesy with good reason. Sara's record is spotless. That night she was exhausted from busting her ass for the County. She barely blew over the legal limit. She deserved the break. I am her supervisor so I was the one they had to call and that's why I was the one to escort her out of the station and drive her home. Afterwards, the issue was discussed and the appropriate action advised…there wasn't a problem…there isn't a problem. Her work is outstanding..."

"Except when she loses a vial of GHB!" Ecklie steamed. "Let's cut to the chase. You both had your hands on the evidence so it could have been either of you who lost it. I can't suspend both of you because you're so backlogged already it would just make matters worse." Turning to Sara he coldly said, "Ms. Sidle since you are worth less around here you'll be the one suspended….six days, unpaid, starting now."

Closing her eyes she focused on his words…worth less…and couldn't help but run them together.

"No!" Grissom jumped from his chair. "I'm not going to let your power trip back up things here. Everyone is already pulling doubles; do you really think cutting our resources is going to help our accuracy?! She's needed here!"

"And you need to remember your place on the food chain!" Ecklie seethed. "Quit while you're ahead or I'll keep probing and if I do, I'm sure I'll find something to bring you both down…permanently."

Not desiring to make things worse for Sara, Grissom backed off. "Fine…you do what you think you need to do but don't complain when the cases stack up."

Pleased with the submissive response, Ecklie headed for the door without looking back. "Ms. Sidle, remember when you're suspended there is no contact with the office. Use the time to pull yourself together and rethink the error of your ways." Grinning he shut the door behind him, while secretly wishing he could be a fly on the wall.

Staring at the floor, Sara mumbled, "I…I don't know how I could have missed the vial. Maybe it rolled off the counter…maybe into the trash? If it was still in the lab someone would have found it by now. I…I swear I remember packing it though…but I was so…it had to go out in the trash." Lifting her gaze, she whispered, "thank you for defending me about…about everything."

Stoically he replied, "I have to look out for you because..."

"…because you are my supervisor and if Nick or Warrick were in my shoes you'd do the same for them." Unexpectedly her expression warmed as her appreciation of him grew. "It's your job. I know"

"Sara…" Rubbing his temples he sighed. "If we were...a personal relationship would mean my decisions and your reputation would be questioned all the time. You're an excellent CSI, I want people to know your success is based on your intelligence and your dedication. I can't protect you if I give them a reason to doubt my actions."

Resignation laced her voice. "I know." Rising from her chair she placed her pager on Grissom's desk before heading for the door. "You were right all along…it's for the best. I should know better than to question your judgment. I was listening to my heart instead of using my head." At the door she turned back for a moment to reassure him. "I promise never to bring up the subject again." Nodding she grabbed the doorknob and retreated.

As he watched he disappear down the hall it hit him. It wasn't until the moment she gave up that he realized how much he had been counting on her perseverance.

When Nick strolled into the locker room he was surprised to see Sara sitting on the bench clutching her jacket and purse.

"Sara?" Waving a hand in front of her face he whistled. "You awake?"

"Huh?"

Grabbing his jacket, Nick chuckled. "I hope you're on you way home to get some sleep."

"I'm on my way all right." Standing up she crossed the room stopping to lean on the lockers next to Nick. "I'm suspended…six days."

"You?!" Shaking his head in disbelief he asked, "What the hell could Little Miss Perfect do to pull that kind of suspension. Not to mention, I can't believe Grissom would suspend you." Was it the Mike thing he wondered? The most he ever did to her while she was seeing Hank was snap at her.

"Grissom didn't…it was Ecklie."

"Ugh!" Nick shook off the chill racing up his spine. Every time Ecklie's name was mentioned he tensed. "If it wasn't for Catherine that bastard would have me rotting in prison for Kristy's murder. That self-righteous pric…"

"Nick!" Looking over her shoulder, Sara chided, "Trust me…the walls have ears."

Grumbling, Nick nodded. "Thanks for watching my ass. So what did you do to get Ecklie so riled?"

Hanging her head Sara replied, "I lost a vial of GHB from the Ellers case." Saying it aloud renewed her anger. "You know I've been going over and over it in my head and I can't see how I did it."

Closing his locker he shook his head. "We're human, Sara. One mistake after all these years…don't beat yourself up. We're so tired half the time it's amazing that we make as few as we do. So what are you going to do with all that free time?" Wiggling his brows he teased, "Will you be spending some of it with Officer Mike?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. I just got off the phone with him. We're going to Tahoe." Seeing the wheels turning in her mischievous friend's head she clarified. "As friends…separate rooms…lots of OUTDOOR activities." She winked. "I'm not you, Nick."

"Hey!" Laughing he walked her out of the locker room. "Are you saying I'm loose?"

Playfully punching him in the shoulder she said, "See you in a week."

"You can thank me after the trip for hooking you up with him." Still in the mood to taunt her he said, "I'm going to have to use that 'let's go to Tahoe as friends, separate rooms' line with someone. If it worked on you it will work on anyone."

"Oh shut up."