Chapter Two
Greg breathed in Sara's scent, letting it fill his lungs. He loved her scent, a soothing smell which sent him gently to sleep every night. It also calmed him after a rough shift.
He kissed the top of her head and his arms wrapped around her. She slept peacefully on top of him. He couldn't bring himself to wake her. He resigned himself to sleep on the couch with her when she moved her head.
Sara looked up at him and smiled. His heart melted at the sight of it as he ran a hand through her dark hair.
"Do you think we woke him?" Sara asked softly.
Greg listened for the sound of a crying baby then shook his head.
"I believe he could sleep through anything."
"Like you?"
He laughed and kissed her forehead. He wanted to do more, but they both needed their sleep.
"Let's get to bed," he whispered as he gathered himself to move.
"If we must," Sara said, letting him lift her in his arms.
"We must," Greg agreed, carrying her down the short hallway to
their bedroom.
He laid her on the bed and began to rain kisses down her body.
"Greg," Sara whispered. "I thought you wanted to go to bed."
"I do and we are," Greg answered as he kissed her legs.
"To sleep, Greg," Sara growled, her hands digging in his unruly
hair.
Greg looked up and smiled what he hoped was a heart melting grin.
She glared at him and he couldn't help, but laugh. He kissed his way up her body. He paid special attention to her breasts, causing her to gasp and moan. He reveled in the pleasure he gave her, loving the sounds she made.
"Greg," she moaned, pulling on his hair.
He kissed her neck then finally took her mouth. He didn't know who moaned more as he deepened the kiss.
"Sara," he whispered as he kissed her jaw line.
"You're incorrigible," she whispered.
"I try."
"I didn't mean it as a compliment."
"I'll take it as one."
"Greg, we need sleep. I need sleep."
"You sure know how to ruin a mood," Greg said as he rolled off
her.
Sara ran her hand over his chest, causing his skin to burn with
pleasure. He gazed at her, still not able to believe she was with
him. They had been married only ten months, but he still feared he would wake up and she would be gone. It was a fear he didn't believe he could shake.
"I don't ever want to lose you, Sara."
"I'm not going anywhere, Greg. I promise."
She kissed him, sending him to dizzying heights. He wanted to
deepen the kiss, but she pulled back.
"Go to sleep," she whispered. "I'll be here in the morning.
"Night."
"Night, Greg."
After leaving a list of phone numbers with the babysitter, Sara
and Greg headed into work. The lab buzzed with activity as the two walked down the hallway.
"Grissom will want to talk to you," Greg mentioned as they passed
his office.
"Guess I'll be going to his office then."
Greg kissed her and continued down the hall. She watched him until he turned the corner. She sighed then went into Grissom's office.
Grissom's attention was focused on a paper when she strode up to
his desk. She cleared her throat loudly. He looked up surprised, but quickly recovered.
"Sara?"
"Yep. I'm ready to work."
"How's the baby?"
"Adorable. He's with a babysitter."
Grissom nodded, "All right. You can work with Nick on a robbery. I believe he's in the break room."
"Thanks, Grissom."
"You're welcome."
Sara left the office and headed to the break room. She found Nick
downing a mug of coffee as if it was the last one on earth.
"Thirsty?"
Nick sputtered then coughed, setting his mug down hard on the
table. He faced her ready to yell. His expression changed to one of surprise and delight upon seeing her.
"Sara," he said, giving her a hug. "How are you?"
"Great."
"I take it Grissom gave you an assignment."
"I'm to work with you on the robbery case."
"Good. I could use someone to take my notes."
Sara punched him in the shoulder, but she smiled. It was good to
be back at work, but she knew she would soon miss her son.
"Let's go nab a bad guy," she said, smiling.
Greg stepped into the morgue where Grissom and Doctor Robbins
waited. He stopped beside Grissom and glanced at the victim. She had
been cleaned up and was an eerily grey color. He took a deep breath and turned his attention to Robbins.
"She's been beaten," he said. "She's suffered three broken ribs,
ruptured spleen, collapsed lung…"
"What about the lacerations?" Grissom asked. "All this points to
torture."
"I was getting to that. I found glass in most of the cuts. The
majority of the cuts were on her face and chest. I can tell you from the healing of some of the lacerations that she had been tortured for days."
"So glass was used to cut her," Grissom concluded.
"Most likely."
"Thanks, Al."
"I'll let you know if I find anything else."
Grissom nodded and led Greg out of the morgue. Once back upstairs, Greg went to try to identify the footprint he found. It was a size eleven and looked to be from a boot. The next step was to find which boot it had come from and hopefully lead him to the killer.
He stared at the picture he had taken of the print. Sighing, he
typed on the computer, bringing the scanned print on screen. He then typed in "enter".
He leaned back in his chair and watched the computer run through
prints in the database. After several minutes, the prints became a blur. He blinked, yawned and stretched.
"Anything?" Grissom asked, standing beside him.
Greg shook his head as he ran a hand through his hair. He rubbed
his eyes then looked back at the screen.
"How long have you been at this?"
The question brought him up short. He didn't remember glancing at
his watch once since he began.
"Since the morgue," he answered.
"That was two hours ago. Why don't you take a break, Greg, before
you fall asleep on the keyboard."
"Good idea," he said, standing.
He left the room and headed into the break room. He grabbed a mug
and poured himself a cup of coffee. He took a sip, letting the
caffeine seep into his being.
He sat down at the table and closed his eyes. He sighed and placed his head in his hands. Two hours and nothing to show for it.
The boots must have been custom made, Greg thought, frustrated.
"Coffee not working?"
Greg looked up and saw Sara enter the room. He offered her a
slight smile and gestured to a nearby seat.
"I haven't found a match to the print, yet," he said, leaning back in his chair. "I'm thinking it might be custom made."
"You'll find it," she said, reaching over and clasping his hand.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence. I need it."
Sara squeezed his hand and he smiled, squeezing hers in return.
Greg's pager went off then and he jumped. He plucked it from his
jeans and glanced at it.
"Grissom," he said, looking at Sara. "Looks like break's over."
"I'll finish your coffee for you."
"Thanks," Greg said then headed for Grissom's office.
"What is it?" Greg asked, stepping into the room.
Grissom put on his jacket and walked past him without answering.
Confused, he followed his supervisor hoping an answer would show
itself. They went outside and strode over to the SUV.
"Another body was found," Grissom said, opening the driver's door.
"Same wounds?" Greg asked as he climbed into the Tahoe.
"Lacerations on her face and chest."