Chapter 17

Alex stayed in the hospital for the next week. The doctors wanted to make sure that she was going to be all right due to the extent of her injuries. Once they let her out, she still had a long road to recovery.

The first problem she encountered was where she was going to stay. There were many things she still couldn't do for herself due to the broken leg, broken arm, cracked ribs and many other bruises. Grissom, trying awkwardly to fit into his fatherly role, offered to let her stay with him. But she knew with his work schedule, he probably wouldn't be much help. The next offer came from Greg. However, she'd been to his apartment, it was too small. And, they had just started as a couple, making moving in together seem a little fast.

Catherine was the third offer she had received. It was the first one she took somewhat seriously. Alex and Lindsey shared a sisterly relationship, while she and Catherine were, what Alex would consider, good friends. Alex just didn't like the idea of putting anyone out.

She finally decided on just going back to her place and hiring an in-home aide. She knew she would ultimately be more comfortable at her own home. Plus, everyone offered to help her out and she would feel free to rearrange her furniture so she could get around.

Sara had spent the last week a little differently. She already had vacation time planned, but instead of going back to California, she headed for the other coast. She couldn't put her finger on it, maybe it was her jealousy, maybe she was the only one who didn't get sucked in by Alex's gravity, but she knew something wasn't quite right.

Sara didn't dislike Alex. Hell, she didn't even know Alex. She just didn't like any woman who wasn't her that got Grissom to show emotion. She needed to know, if only for herself, that Alex wasn't the dazzling jewel everyone thought she was.

Sara got off the plane at Richmond International Airport and made her way to the car rental counter. What am I doing here? She thought, as the reality of the situation sunk in. Am I really going to find anything that is going to make things better for me? But she knew it was too late to turn around now.

She was a little disappointed in her rental car. They didn't have much left on such short notice. She frowned at the blue Chevy Cavalier that would be her vehicle for the next few days. She hated little four bangers. She wished they had had anything with a 6V that wasn't going to cost her an arm and a leg.

She pulled out the rental car agency map as she got into the front seat. It took her a minute but she finally located Mineral on the map. Mineral, great name for a town, Sara thought sarcastically. It was about a sixty-mile drive. I hope they have a good radio station around here, she though as she started the car and her journey.

Back in Vegas, Alex was starting her own journey. Grissom picked her up from the hospital and drove her home. Luckily her apartment was on the first floor and she wouldn't have to try to navigate any steps. Although she did have a walking cast on her leg, it was more of a fracture than a break.

Once inside, she had never been so happy to be in her sparsely furnished apartment. Before she moved she had sold almost all of her furniture. She didn't want to have to haul it halfway across the county. Since then, she'd been meaning to buy furniture, but she had just never gotten around to it. Still, it was good to be home.

Once Grissom got her in and settled he asked if there was anything else he could do.

"I don't know, Gil," she replied. "It's just good to be home."

"I can only imagine," he said, sitting down on her couch. "When is the aide coming over?"

Alex looked at the clock. "She should be here in an hour or so."

"Do you want to have dinner after?" he questioned.

"That's be nice," she responded. "I am so sick of hospital food, but don't you have to work?"

"Not today," he said. Then he added, "I've got other things to do."

Alex smiled. He had actually taken a day off for her. "Great! It's a date!"

Grissom looked at his watch, "But I do have a few errands to do before then. Are you going to be ok?"

"I'll be fine," she assured him. "Besides, if something happens, did you not notice our escort?"

Grissom nodded. He had noticed the dark sedan that was following them. He knew it was a couple agents. With Thompson still missing, precautions had to be taken.

Grissom excused himself and Alex was, for the first time in almost two weeks, alone. It was actually quite refreshing.

She hobbled around her apartment, making sure everything was in place. She knew she wasn't going to be alone for long. She didn't want to look like a slob when the in-home aide came over. Although, she knew the purpose of the aide was to help her around the house.

In Virginia, Sara was just coming around another house. It was a two-story brick house on St. Mary's Avenue in Mineral—the house where Alex grew up. Sara had stopped at a local diner and gotten directions to the house. In a town where the population was 450, people were quite friendly.

She drove past the house, missing it the first time down the street. She was still trying to think of a cover story to get in the door and ask the neighbors questions without raising too many suspicions.

This time she pulled in the driveway. She checked herself in the visor mirror and then got out of the car. She walked up to the door and knocked, not knowing what to expect. I hope I can pull this off, she though as she heard someone on the other side of the door.