Illusions

Author: Jess

A/N: Thanks for all of your kind reviews. And a special thank you to Rouch for helping to keep this story moving along and CSI4nsicAce for making sure my grammar is correct.

Disclaimer: I still do not own CSI.

Chapter Seven

Insects were perfect. Gil Grissom had learned that fact at an early age. They lived their life in order, completing the necessary steps to get to each stage. They did what was necessary for their survival without emotion.

Picking up the evidence jar, he rolled that thought around in his mind. 'A life without emotion.' In some ways, life would be easier. One would never know the pain and sorrow of heartache or loss. Jealousy and anger would never cloud one's judgment, but at the same time, one would never know the joys of love or the thrill of excitement. He recorded the latest stage of development in his book and placed the jar back in its place.

She had said no.

He frowned and picked up another jar. He was confused and worried. He had come into work that evening with the purpose of patching things up between the two of them. He remembered a time when they had been able to talk easily, a time when she had felt comfortable in his presence and he in hers. A cup of coffee had seemed like an easy way to help bridge that gap. Easy. He should have known it would never have worked.

Insecurity had seeped into him after her easy let down. He had sought sanctuary in his office, carefully cataloging the insects from Sofia's case. This was normal. Bugs he understood. This he knew how to handle. The situation with Sara was something he never knew how to handle. Sometimes, he had a feeling that he never would.

He recalled what he had said to Sara years ago. 'I don't know what to do about this.' He still had no idea what to do about this. However, he did know that what he had been doing for the past year and a half was not working. Her reply echoed over and over in his mind. 'I do. You know, by the time you figure it out, you really could be too late.'

Grissom placed the last jar back and closed the book. He was done for the time being. He looked down at the paperwork and scowled angrily as he thought of taking a crack at it. Normally, he would have done everything in his power to escape doing it, but at this point in time, paperwork seemed to be the safe option.

His eyes roamed to the clock. Fifteen minutes until the end of shift. He looked back at the paperwork and then stood. Screw safety. Grissom left his office and made a beeline towards the Layout Room. He walked in and saw Sara sitting at the table, her back to him, her cell phone tucked between her shoulder and ear as she talked and flipped through something.

He waited at the threshold of the room, not wanting to startle her as she finished her call. "Thanks, Brass," she said.

She flipped the cell phone shut and placed it on the table before quickly scribbling something. "Update?" Grissom asked and stepped into the room.

He stood beside her, his arms centimeters from hers. "I looked through their credit histories. Nada," Sara said and handed him the papers. "Then, I decided to take a look at their bank records. Both women were members of the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or SPCA. They sent in checks monthly to help with different causes."

"So, I took a look at Katherine's date book," Sara said and pointed to the blue book in front of her. "The first Monday of every month, she went to the Las Vegas chapter's meeting at the Marriot. I called Nye County. They confirmed that Angie Moore also went to these meetings."

Grissom looked at the information Sara provided. "We may have a connection," he said and smiled at her.

His smile broadened as she reciprocated. "I called Brass. He's going to get a warrant for the members' list and information on who has been in attendance over the last six months," Sara said.

Grissom nodded his approval. "Good job," he stated and handed the information back to her.

Sara looked down at her watch and cringed. She started to carefully place the evidence back into the appropriate bags. Grissom watched her, startled to see that she was cleaning up on time. Usually, she would have continued to pour over the evidence until she was kicked out.

"Plans?" he asked, silently cursing his tongue for talking.

Sara looked at him, confusion evident on her face. "Hmm…oh, yeah," she said and turned back to the evidence.

Grissom frowned slightly. He felt his breath quicken and his chest constrict slightly. He was saved from asking anything further when Greg burst into the room. "Are you ready, Sara?" Greg asked, rolling back and forth on the balls of his feet. "I cannot wait to beat Warrick! I will be a rich man next shift."

"I'll be right out, Greg," Sara said and placed the bags into their box.

Greg nodded at this and turned to leave. "Meet you at the car?" he asked.

With a confirmation from Sara, he turned and headed down the hallway, shouting, "Show me the money!"

Grissom watched Sara turn, the box in her hands. "Poker with the guys?" he asked and placed a bag in that had fallen out.

"What did you expect?" she asked, walking towards the doorway. "A hot date?"

"Any man would be lucky to have you," Grissom said.

"Yeah, they would," Sara shot back, her face a fury of emotion.

Grissom watched her leave, wondering if the words she had uttered to him years ago were true. 'Am I too late?'


She wasn't in the mood to be social. She wanted nothing more than to go back to her apartment, turn on some Sarah Slean, and soak in a bubble bath for at least an hour. She scowled when she realized that she never got the bath that she had wanted so dearly before her case first came in, but she had promised Greg that she would join in the poker match. Sara Sidle didn't break promises. She knew firsthand how much it hurt when someone did.

Leaving the crime lab the Las Vegas sun was already burning brightly and quickly donned her sunglasses. The harsh morning sun reeked havoc with her sore eyes. Sarah spotted Greg waiting by his car and couldn't help smiling at him. He was rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet, hands tucked in his jacket pocket, and trying very hard to look patient.

His eyes lit up as he saw her. "Ready for one wild morning?" Greg asked, radiating an overpowering enthusiasm.

Sara shook her head at his excitement and made her way to the passenger's side. As she buckled herself in, Greg asked, "Did you bring enough money or do we need to stop off at a bank?"

"I have all that I'm willing to spend," Sara replied.

"Then, my lady, we are off," Greg said and turned the key.

The engine roared to life, punk rock filling the car. Greg hastily turned the volume down. "Sorry, I like to jam before coming to work."

"Not a problem," Sara said. "Did we need to bring anything?"

Greg shook his head. "No," he answered. "War and Nick were getting the supplies together since we're coming off work."

Sara nodded and leaned back in the seat. She watched Greg bob his head slightly to the music, his fingers tapping the rhythm on the steering wheel. She smiled and turned her attention out the window. The citizens of Las Vegas were on their way to work. She watched business people quickly walking down the streets and tourists meandering through the city, stopping and pointing out different attractions. She wondered what fate would befall the old man and woman wearing matching 'I Love Vegas!' shirts. Would they die of old age? Cancer? Would they be found dead in an alley later this evening, their wallets empty, victims of a robbery?

Sara shook her head. She could leave work, but work never seemed to be able to leave her. Sara saw Nick's apartment complex come into view. "You sure you want to do this?" Greg asked, breaking the tentative silence.

Sara looked over at him and nodded. "Yep," she answered, hoping her tone was light and happy.

Greg nodded and pulled into the parking lot. "Now remember," he said as the two walked towards Nick's. "We are here to beat Warrick. We will hold nothing back in our pursuit of this most noblest of quests."

"It's just a poker game, Greg," Sara remarked, slightly amused.

"Just a poker game?" Greg asked astonished. "Just a poker game? Oh, Sara, how little you know…this is an exercise in--"

"—me winning all their hard earned money!" Warrick Brown interrupted from behind them.

Sara turned to see Warrick strolling up the walkway, carrying a twenty-four pack of beer. "Hey, girl," he said and gave her a quick hug. "It's good to see you."

Sara smiled at him as they made their way to Nick's apartment. She knocked on the door. "Ready to watch me whip these boys?" Warrick asked and playfully glared at Greg.

"As long as I'm not playing waitress," Sara replied as the door opened.

"Spoil all my fun!" Nick Stokes pouted from his doorway.

"Ah, man, cowboy pajamas? What are you, five?" Warrick groaned as he maneuvered his way into the apartment.

"At least I'm wearing pajamas like we agreed," Nick retorted and gave Sara a hug. "I missed you."

'I missed you too, Nicky,' she thought as she reciprocated the hug.

"Well I don't own any pajamas," Warrick replied.

"TMI!" Greg yelled as he plopped down on one of the living room's couches.

Sara released Nick, who gave her a concerned look. She flashed a smile at him, glad she only had to put a little effort into it. "What did you get to eat, Nick?" Warrick asked, as he passed out a beer to each of the participants.

"Stuff to make sandwiches, chips, pretzels," Nick replied.

"Hey, little lady," Greg said as he opened his beer. "Care to get me a sandwich?"

Sara whacked him with a pillow. "Oh fine, I'll get my own," Greg said and stood up.

"Grab the chips while you're at it!" Warrick yelled.

"And I'll take a sandwich!" Nick joined in.

"I'll take some pretzels," Sara said.

Greg gave them all a look before disappearing into the kitchen. "It's nice to see that some things never change," Nick remarked.

'Yeah it is,' Sara thought. She watched Nick remove a poker set from his entertainment center. "You trust Nick to use unmarked cards," Sara asked Warrick.

"Ouch, Sara," Nick said and pretended to pout.

"Nah," Warrick said. "Doesn't really matter if he did. I'll still win."

Sara shook her head in amusement.

"Oh, Greg and I will win," Nick replied. "We have nothing to lose and everything to gain."

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is," Sara stated. Off of their looks she added, "Vince Lombardi."

"Well, hello, Grissom," Nick said and laughed. "Are we going to have two walking books of quotations now?"

Sara shrugged. 'Why did he have to bring Grissom up?' she inwardly groaned. An awkward silence filled the room, none of them sure on how to break it. "Okay, guys, let's play poker!" Greg announced as he entered the room, his arms piled high with food.

His hilarious appearance filled the room with laughter and broke the tension. "My lady," Greg said and handed her a bowl of pretzels. "Mmm, pretzels and beer, the breakfast of champions!"

Sara rolled her eyes at him and made herself more comfortable on the couch. "Chips!" Greg said and threw the bag at Warrick.

"Thanks, man," Warrick said and easily caught it.

"Don't even think about it," Nick warned Greg as he eyed the two sandwiches.

Greg passed the plate to Nick and took his seat by Sara. "Let the games begin!"