Chapter 1: Often we are blind

"And it doesn't seem quite fair why we're all left in ignorance," Sara softly sang while processing the evidence from the case she was working on with Grissom. Her boss looked up when he heard her sing.

"You sound happy there."

"Oh, sorry, I didn't realize I was doing it again," Sara shyly smiled.

"No, it's okay, you have a lovely singing voice," Grissom said while comparing two things under the microscope.

"Was that a compliment, boss?" Sara teased. She waited until Grissom would say something, but he didn't. She shook her head and continued working.

"So call on the secret life… Oh, sorry!" she apologized when she realized she was singing again. This time, Grissom did look up.

"I don't know that song. Who's singing it?"

"It's called Secret Life and it's by The Corrs, they're an Irish group," Sara told him. She wanted to say more, but she was interrupted by her cell phone. Before answering it, she checked the ID.

"Hey, honey, what's up?"

Grissom rolled his eyes. Sara apparently had a new boyfriend!

"Honey, calm down, baby, it's alright, you're safe, honey," Sara softly said into the phone. "It's okay, honey, just calm down. Honey, stop crying, you're okay. Honey…" She sighed. "Do I need to come home, sweety? Okay, I'll be right there, sweety, just hang in there." She hung up the phone.

"New boyfriend?" Grissom wanted to know. Sara immediately shook her head. "Gris, I'm really sorry, but I have to go. That's okay, right? Okay, I'll see you tomorrow!" She didn't even wait for his reply, she just grabbed her things and rushed out, leaving a startled Grissom behind. He shook his head. What was wrong with her all of a sudden? He turned around and faced the evidence on the table. He'd never get it processed alone! Who could help him? Greg walked down the hall just as he was thinking that.

"Oh, hey, Greg, wait a second!" Grissom rushed to the hall where Greg had stopped walking.

"What's up, boss?"

"Greg, I need your help processing evidence," Grissom said.

"Sorry, boss, my shift is over, I'm going home," Greg said. "See you tomorrow!"

"Wait, Greg, I need someone's help!"

"I'm sorry, Grissom, but I really have to go home," Greg said. "You know I never work doubles or longer than I have to!"

"Can't you make an exception for once?" Grissom begged. "Come on, Greg, you're the only one I've got!"

"Sorry, boss, I really have to go home," Greg replied. "See you tomorrow!" And he walked outside. Grissom sighed. What was wrong with him? Catherine walked up to him.

"Something wrong?"

Grissom told her what had happened.

"Greg and Sara acting weird?" Catherine raised her eyebrows. "You don't think they'll…"

"No!"

Catherine laughed after Grissom had shouted out his thoughts. "Give it up, Gil, you're jealous that Sara may like someone else."

"No, of course not!" Grissom said, staring at her. "And Greg?"

"You do have to admit he has indeed never worked a double," Catherine said. "Or worked longer than he had to. And he'd always be just in time for his shift, never early in all those seven years he has worked here. But let's forget them, show me the evidence and I'll give you a hand!"

Sara rushed inside. "Oh, honey!"

She wrapped her arms around a young woman with long, brown hair who was crying hysterically.

"I keep dreaming about it!" the young woman cried. "I can't forget it!"

"I know, honey, I know," Sara whispered. "Calm down, I'm here for you, Kyra." After a few more minutes Kyra finally managed to calm down.

"I'm sorry, Sara, that I made you come here," she now sobbed. Sara held her tightly.

"It's okay, Kyra, you know I'd do anything for you!"

Kyra smiled weakly. "Thanks, Sara. I don't know what I'd do without you!"

Sara gave her another tight hug, but then got up. "Well, how about some breakfast then? Newspaper here yet?"

"I'll check," Kyra said while Sara went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She heard Kyra flip the pages of the morning paper and smiled. That girl would never be patient enough to read everything! Sara quickly finished the breakfast preparations and went back to the living room.

"Anything interesting?"

"Well, this may be an interesting job for me," Kyra said. She pointed to a small ad. Sara read it aloud: "Wanted: babysitter for little girl. Babysitting times mainly at night due to work. Contact…" Sara put the paper back on the table. "Go for it, girl, you rock at babysitting! And working at night means you don't have to be alone anymore when I'm at work!"

Kyra nodded. "I think I'll call. Let's see… Call between seven and eight a.m. or one and five p.m." She checked the clock. "Seven fifteen, I'll give it a go!"

While Kyra made the call, Sara ate breakfast. She had only just finished when Kyra came back. "I have a job interview this afternoon! And it's not that far from here: Four Winds Lane."

"Oh, you're right, Four Winds Lane is close to Chapparal Street," Sara nodded. "Well, good luck, girl, although you probably won't need it!"