Chapter 14

Closing her text book, Sara grabbed her bag and jacket. She was already in her sixth week and things were still so new, to everyone. Her students were already getting used to her and she was beginning to look on like a proud mother hen. It was a new feeling and she liked it.

Passing the entomology lab, which was small compared to her physics lab on the other side of the building. She needed a text book for her course and had to pass by to get to the library. It was a poor excuse and a foolish one.

"Miss Sidle!" Henry Giles greeted excitedly when he looked up from his marking. "It's good to see you again."

Sara smiled and made her way into the room. She had befriended the older professor one evening at a late night coffee run. She was making an all-nighter to study for her first exams and he was trying to stay awake long enough to finish his evening seminar papers.

"Mr Giles. You're not still working on those damned papers from last week are you?" She asked good-naturedly.

Henry laughed, his voice being absorbed by the many books and wall hangings. "Goodness no. Please, sit." He quickly stood and cleared a chair of books.

"Thanks." She smiled.

Settling back in his seat, he sighed. "It's good to take a break."

"What are you still doing here anyway? It's nearly eight p.m." Sara inquired, checking her watch.

"Oh!" His face crinkled, showing signs of wrinkles and evidence of what gravity had done over the years. "A good friend of mine, and yours I imagine." He smiled and nodded. "A Mr. Grissom."

Sara's eyes widened briefly, before turning her head to casually look around the room. "He's the Night-shift Supervisor for the Crime Lab."

Henry chuckled and sipped his lukewarm coffee. "I know. He said to pass on a message if I by chance saw you." He watched as she looked at him with something he could not tell lingering in her eyes. "There is a celebration of sorts, at the Tangiers. He asked me to remind you to check your email."

"Oh." Sara smiled softly. "I haven't checked it in about a week."

"Well, he seemed troubled by something when I saw him this morning, but knowing Gil, it's probably just work."

Sara stayed awhile and talked about the university. She had already met quite a few professors, male and female. Her students were surprising her everyday and she studied at night. This gave her less time to seek out many none work related friendships and she hadn't seen anyone from the lab apart from Brass.

Two weeks after she had left the lab, Brass turned up in her seminar and asked about a student that was reported missing. After talking about work, they sat for half an hour and chatted about things happening around them. They both worked like always, but they still missed a social life.

Logging into her email the minute she returned to her apartment, Sara waited patiently as the page loaded. She hadn't heard from Grissom, and wondered what kind of email he had sent. It could be a number of things, but mostly, she hoped it was something on a personal level, like asking how she was. But when she located the aforementioned email, her mouth dropped into a frown of disappointment.

'From: Gil Grissom, Nightshift Supervisor

To: Mr. N. Stokes, Mr. W. Brown, Miss. S. Sidle, Miss S. Curtis, Mr. P. Marlo,

Mr. G. Sanders, Miss J. Francs, Mr. B. Dolton, Mr. A Johnson…

Subject: Congratulations Dinner and Drinks

Recent changes have taken place at the Crime Lab and celebrations are warranted. As I've been directed

to notify those of the Crime Lab, you are hereby invited to dinner and drinks at the Tangiers on the 5th

December 2004. The attire is black tie for the gentleman and gowns for the ladies.

Dr. Gil Grissom, Nightshift Supervisor.'

Sara leaned back in her chair and stared at a blank spot on her desk. Obviously it was intended for Crime Lab employees only. So why send her an invite? Surely she couldn't still be on the mailing list? It had been over a month since she started her Uni courses and teaching.

But, what if it wasn't some computer mistake and she was truly invited and she was just over thinking the whole thing?

She sighed and decided to let Grissom know she could attend, just in case it was a mistake. Even though there weren't any other emails from Grissom or the lab, and the fact that Grissom mentioned it to Professor Giles, perhaps the invite was legit.

'From: Sara Sidle SidleS…

To: Gil Grissom GrissomG…

Subject: Re: Congratulations Dinner and Drinks

Hey'

Sara's brow furrowed as she tried to think what to say. It was suddenly more difficult than she first expected. They hadn't spoken a word, not really. The first real conversation, be it short, was at her leaving party. He hadn't tried to contact her, but neither had she for that matter. Thinking about picking up the phone, or typing up an email, or dropping in for a visit at the lab, wasn't exactly doing those things.

'Hey,

I thought I'd email you and let you know that I don't actually work for the lab anymore. I figured you'd

remember that. Guess not. Or maybe you did and you just want to see me, but not alone. I can

understand that. You don't want to be left alone with me. I can't understand why you wouldn't want that,

but I guess it's because you think I might do or say something to make you feel uncomfortable…'

And Ctrl-A and Delete.

Skulking away from her computer, she busied herself with making something hot to drink and a sandwich.

"Turn to your notes from yesterdays talk on analysis and theory." She instructed as soon as she switched the lights back on. "Analysis and theory." She began.

"You've been given your assignment. You've arrived at the scene, wherever that might be. And you've either done the walkthrough or the lead CSI has given you the rundown. From the notes taken by the on scene officers, the paramedics; if they were called, and your own notes."

She paused and picked up her old, now empty, pocket sized notebook and held it up. "You can begin to piece together, roughly, what happened. This is called a theory." Placing the notebook on the desk, she crossed hers arms over her chest and leaned back against the heavy pine. "Now, you can share this theory and you may find clues or evidence to support it, but usually the evidence, after processing, gives you a completely different theory to the first. This is a good thing though. Not everyone can be right and it's always a good idea to keep your minds open to other possibilities."

A student on the fifth row shot a hand into the air. "Miss Sidle."

Sara smiled and glanced at the setting plan. It was still early days to know everyone's name. "Yes, Alex."

Alex straightened in his seat and pushed his glasses up his nose. "Um. Is…" He flushed red with embarrassment. "Isn't a theory an assumption? And, if so, wouldn't that be going back on what you've been telling us, 'Assume Nothing'?"

Chuckling, Sara shook her head. "No Alex. Even if you don't assume, there is always going to be a theory running around in your head. It's interpretation of the crime and theory of the why and how. Though they can be the same, but they're different also." Seeing that she needed an example, she moved around her desk to search for a projector slide. Once she found one, she placed it into the machine and walked across the room to turn the lights out. The picture came up clear in the dark.

"Ok, here's a picture of a reconstruction. You've got your evidence, you've got your crime scene. Now process it with your eyes and brain before even thinking of moving around the room. Picture yourself standing at the door to the room and think about what you see. If you were really there, you'd use your sense of smell and sound, but use your eyes for me."

Standing by the wall, she waited a few moments to give them time to be pulled into the picture. Sensing the quietness of concentration, she spoke softly, but loud enough to be heard by all.

"I'm standing in an unknown room. Already I'm thinking, 'What happened in here?'. 'Who could have done this?'. 'Why?'. Already my mind is thinking dozens of scenarios and trying to piece together what I see to find some answers. I might see some evidence or blood stain or disturbance that doesn't look right, that doesn't work into my already forming theory, but I note it down just the same to work on later. I wait and learn. I wonder why the bloody knife is on the table and not on the floor or there at all. I wonder why the body is on it's back and not it's front. I wonder why there aren't any stab marks on the body if there's a knife sitting not far away. I wonder why the room is almost torn apart, but the body is near enough intact."

She swiftly switched the light back on, dulling the image on the white screen. Walking back to the projector, she turned it off. "Theory without assumption." She finished, looking up at Alex, seeing him scribbling notes.

"Miss Sidle?"

Turning from her desk, Sara smiled. "Henry. What are you doing this side of the campus?"

Henry Giles chuckled and set his briefcase on the desk beside Sara's. "I come to give you an invite."

Sara took the creamy envelope from his thinning bony hand and opened it. "I sure am getting invites at the moment aren't I?"

"Are you attending the celebrations at the Tangiers tonight?" Henry asked, smiling as he tucked his hands into his blazer pockets.

"I haven't decided yet." She politely informed him. "I've still got my 'reconstruction and assessment' papers to mark."

Henry nodded to the invite and reached for his briefcase. "I would like you to attend this small gathering. It's just a few of the professors."

Sara sighed and mustered up a smile. "Of course. I'll be there. Thank you for inviting me Henry."

Not sure what she was doing standing there in the corner in the first place, she was debating whether to find anyone or leave. At the moment, she stood clutching her black purse in both hands and trying not to slouch. Her long black dress matched her shoes and wrap perfectly. Wispy bits of curly hair hung close to her face and her makeup finished the look completely. All she needed was a date and the butterflies in her stomach to fly away before she lost her bottle and left.

After a few minutes, the crowd dispersed slightly and a gap between bodies showed a clear view of Grissom standing by the tables lined up close to the wall. His crisp black tux and his short curls took her breath away.

This was the first time she had seen him since her leaving party and she could see clearly the changes he had undergone. He looked like he had lost some weight, but built some muscle in his chest and shoulders. Something about filling that tux with muscle made her stomach flutter. He looked good, really good in fact. The last time she had seen him looking so relaxed was when Catherine had arranged a dinner for two at one of her father's expensive casino restaurants, though she didn't know he was her father at that time.

Checking herself quickly, she made a small step forward, but was stopped by someone's hand on her arm and her name being called and questioned.

"Sara Sidle?"

"Yes." Sara turned slightly, though trying to keep her eyes on Grissom so she didn't lose him. "How can I help?"

The tall woman stood just about an inch taller than Sara, most likely due to her high-heels, and wore her blonde hair long and loose down her back. Her dress was red and her purse matched. Dangling ear-rings and perfect make-up. She looked like she dressed in formal-wear all the time.

"I'm Sophia Curtis, the new CSI on Nightshift." She held out her hand to Sara and smile. "I thought I recognised you. It's finally nice to meet you. I've heard so many things."

Sara smiled genuinely and took the offered hand. "Well then, I hope whatever you heard was all good."

Sophia chuckled lightly and nodded. "It was." Glancing around the room, she sighed. "I guess you heard about the party from one of the guys. I was told no non-lab personnel were attending. It was all in-house." She shrugged and smiled. "But I guess that doesn't go for ex-non-lab personnel huh?"

"Oh." Sara's smile faded, suddenly she didn't like this woman so much.

Turning quickly, Sophia laughed. "No! I didn't mean it like that." She laughed again and patted Sara's arm. "Goodness no. I was just curious." She sighed with a small smile. "I apologise, I tend to say what's on my mind."

"No no, that's fine." Sara quickly fired back, trying to come up with something to say. "I got an invite."

"That's alright then." Sophia grinned. "Ok." She sobered and looked around again. "It was so nice to meet you, but I have to find my date before the speeches begin."

Sara nodded and watched her walk away. Guess that went well. How come you can never take back first impressions? That would have been just one of the moments she'd love to erase.

Settling back into silence, Sara made a move to walk down the steps, but stopped. Only this time it wasn't from someone holding her back, but this time is was from what she was seeing. She suddenly didn't like her new acquaintance, change that to bordering close on didn't like at all.

Sophia was standing with whom Sara guest was her date for the evening. What struck Sara was that it was Grissom. Unsure what to do, she stood close to a crowd on the steps and watched as the two talked. A sinking feeling started to build up and the butterflies seemed to die off, because all she could feel was her heart beating rapidly and her whole body temperature drop a few degrees.

Sophia's right arm was hooked with Grissom's left and her hand clutched his.

Taking that as her cue to back out, Sara turned and proceeded to leave the room. She made it to the cloak desk and collected her coat. It was only a few minute walk to the elevators and as she walked, she pulled on her coat and tucked her purse into one of the large pockets.

It was like a sledge-hammer in her gut. She couldn't explain what just happened. If she could think straight, she might have stayed and stuck it out, but seeing him and this woman on such intimate terms made her heart ache.

Just what had she been doing for the past few months? Working to get on with her new life and struggling to juggle work and Uni, and most importantly, she had been trying to forget just how much she missed Grissom and how much it hurt to move on without his presence in her life.

Reaching the elevators, she pushed the down button and waited. Her eyes were fixed on her manicured hands as more thoughts rushed through her head.

"Are you going?" Came a familiar voice from behind.

Sara turned and smiled. "Hey Greggo."

Greg smiled brightly and moved forward for a hug. It wasn't something he'd do normally, but he hadn't seen her in months. "Hey Sara."

She welcomed his hug and sighed lightly. "How you been?"

"I should ask you that." He chuckled, stepping back and stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets.

"I'm good." Sara looked him over, noticing his normal but spiky brown hair.

Greg frowned. He glanced at her coat, then the elevator doors. "Are you leaving? The party hasn't started yet."

She nodded sadly. "I just found out it was lab only. So, I'm gonna head out and finish up some work."

"Oh." He looked down, disappointed, but his head snapped up with a thought.. "You got an invite though, or you wouldn't be here. That means you can stay."

Sara chuckled. "I guess so."

"Cool." He straightened, but his shoulders dropped when the elevator doors opened and she took a step toward them. "You're still going though?"

"Yeah. Sorry Greg. I've really got things to do, but you know what?" She asked, turning when she stepped into the elevator and looked at him. "You call me tomorrow and we'll have lunch?"

Greg's eyes light up and his head jerked up and down excited. "Really? Yeah, I'd like that, I'd like that a lot."

She laughed and pressed the ground floor button. "Good. Tomorrow at the diner on 5th at 11."

"I'll be there." His voice flew through the closing doors.

… TBC …