The defense attorney for Stan Graves got up. "Stanley Graves is a police officer. He can't help who his brother is. By sheer coincidence, Officer Graves worked on the scene with CSI Willows. This is not a conspiracy. If indeed it was a rape, and, as the prosecution would have you believe, an attempted murder and a conspiracy, why is CSI Willows still here? Why didn't Officer Graves rape CSI Willows?" She walked over to the jury. "Because Officer Stanley Graves is not guilty of anything and the evidence will show that."
Dale Graves' defense attorney got up. "The prosecution would have you believe that my client brutally raped and attempted to kill CSI Willows. However, my client didn't even know CSI Willows. In fact, the only dubious connection my client had with CSI Willows, was that his brother sometimes accompanied her to crime scenes. If there was indeed sexual relations, who's to say it wasn't consensual? Given Ms. Willows past, this could just be a cry of rape because she has some vendetta against my client.'
With a dirty look at the defense lawyers, Jennifer Cowen stood up. She adjusted her jacket. "Catherine Willows has been a CSI for a very long time. She's well respected in her field and by her peers. Unbeknownst to her, Stan Graves has been funneling information about her and her movements to his brother Dale." She walked over to the jury. "The evidence will show that Dale Graves and his brother stalked CSI Willows, and then Stan faked a sickness at a crime scene, leaving CSI Willows alone. Dale came in and brutally attacked and raped CSI Willows, leaving her for dead." She pointed to the men. "These two men do not deserve your mercy or pity." She gestured to where Catherine sat with Gil. "That woman over there does. That is CSI Catherine Willows, who endured unspeakable acts at the hands of Dale Graves."
"How was court?" Lindsey asked, as a tired-looking Catherine came in, escorted by Gil. "Did you kick butt?"
"The prosecutor was very good," Gil assured her. "I'm just going to take your mom upstairs so she can lie down, okay?"
Lindsey looked concerned. "Are you okay?"
Catherine smiled weakly back at her. "I'm fine, sweetheart. It was just a big morning."
Gil sent Lindsey an encouraging smile and he took Catherine upstairs. He eased her onto the bed, sitting down beside her.
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired. A little…shell-shocked I guess."
Gil caressed her cheek. "Get some rest."
"Stay with me?"
Gil smiled at her. "Just let me talk to Lindsey for a moment and I'll be right back. Okay?"
Catherine nodded and kissed him gently. "Okay."
Gil returned down to where Lindsey was watching TV. When she saw Gil arrived, she turned it off and looked up at him.
"How is she?"
"She's going to lie down for a while. It was…harrowing, this morning."
"But everything went okay, right?"
"The prosecutor was very good. She made a strong opening argument. The defense attorney's said some…unfair things, but I believe this morning went well."
"Stupid defense attorney's," Lindsey muttered.
Gil smiled and kissed the top of her head. "I'm going to go up and stay with your mom, okay?"
Lindsey nodded. "No problem."
After sharing a hug with Lindsey, Gil went back upstairs and smiled as he saw Catherine was already asleep. He slipped his shoes off and then hopped in beside her. Catherine let out a murmur in her sleep and curled herself around him. He grinned and held her tight.
When Catherine woke up later, she disentangled herself from Gil and went downstairs. She found Lindsey watching TV.
"Hey, sweetheart."
Lindsey looked up and grinned when she saw her mother. "Hi, mom! How are you?"
Catherine sat down beside her daughter. "Feeling a lot better now. I think it must be seeing you."
Lindsey rolled her eyes and snuggled against her mother. "Where's Uncle Gil?"
"I thought I'd let him sleep. He's been running himself ragged the past few days."
"The past few months more like it," Lindsey replied.
Catherine nodded. "True."
"I'm so glad you're getting better, mom," Lindsey said, hugging her.
"Me too, Linds, me too," Catherine murmured, hugging her back.
Jennifer stood up. "The defense calls Dr Leah Grey."
The doctor who had treated Catherine after her attack stepped up to the witness stand and was sworn in.
"Dr Grey, you treated CSI Catherine Willows when she was brought in, correct?"
The doctor nodded. "Yes, I did."
"You remember her injuries?"
"Yes."
"Could you tell the court the injuries that CSI Willows suffered?"
"Ms. Willows was raped. She had serious bruises on her body and on the inside of her thighs. She had a cut to the forehead and other cuts and abrasions were over her body. She had a handprint on her right breast, and she was bleeding from her forehead."
Jennifer put a photo of Catherine's face after the attack on an easel. Catherine turned away, burying her face in Gil's shirt.
"This is the injury?"
Dr Grey nodded. "Yes. It was caused by a sharp object, probably a knife."
"What about this mark here?" Jennifer asked, pointing to a red mark on the side of Catherine's forehead.
"We see this commonly in rape or hostage victims. It's caused by a gun being held against the skin."
"Can you tell us anymore about the injuries?"
"It was a particularly brutal attack. The rape injuries were serious. It took Ms. Willows two months to heal completely."
"Thank you, Dr Grey."
The defense for Dale Graves stood up. "Dr Grey, is it possible that Ms Willows' injuries could have been the result of rough sex?"
Dr Grey blinked. "It's highly unlikely. The injuries are consistent with rape. It's the same injuries that are shown in the clock face diagram." She pointed to a diagram that Jennifer had put up. "Ms Willows injuries are the typical injuries of rape." She folded her hands on her lap. "Also, I have yet to meet a couple that had rough sex using a gun."
Jennifer smirked.
Dale Graves' lawyer frowned. "No further questions."
Gil glanced at Catherine, caressing her back. "How are you doing?"
She looked up at him, smiling. "I'm okay. A little…overwhelmed, but okay."
Gil took her in his arms as they sat on the bench outside the courthouse. "Seeing those pictures, listening to that testimony. That was hard for me. Must have been harder for you."
"It certainly wasn't pleasant."
Gil kissed the top of her head. "You've come through it so well, Catherine."
She smiled, nestling against him. "Mmm. You're a big help."
Gil grinned. "I do what I can."
"I'm nervous. About giving my testimony."
"About telling people what happened?"
"About reliving it. Again."
"Just tell the truth, Catherine. The facts. It's the only thing to do."
Catherine turned around in his arms. "You know they're going to attack me. About dancing, about Eddie."
"Can I kill them?"
Catherine smiled, rubbing his arm. "You're sweet."
"Can I please kill them?"
She kissed him gently. "No. I like having you around too much. But you can take care of me, and be with me."
Gil hugged her close to him again. "You can bet I'll be doing that."
Sara stared at the courtroom, looking at the prosecutor.
"Ms. Sidle, you were one of the CSI's assigned to Ms. Willows' case, correct?"
"Yes."
"Can you tell me what evidence that you personally worked?"
"I found fibres at the crime scene. They were consistent with Ms. Willows' clothes. I also found blood at the scene. It was consistent with Ms. Willows'DNA."
"Did you find anything that linked Dale Graves, or Stan Graves to the scene with your evidence?"
"When we took Dale Graves' clothes into evidence, we found a smear of blood on his jacket. It was consistent with Ms. Willows' DNA."
Dale Graves' lawyer stood up. "Is it possible that Ms. Willows' blood got on my client's clothes if he had stopped to help her?"
Sara's eyes widened. "You've got to be kidding me."
The lawyer looked at the judge. "Your honor…"
Judge Markham sighed. "Please answer the question, Ms. Sidle."
"It's possible," Sara replied. "But I really doubt it."
"Ms. Sidle, were you aware that Ms. Willows and Dr. Grissom were in a romantic relationship?"
"Yes."
"Weren't you in fact a rival for Dr. Grissom's affections?"
Sara looked over to where Gil was holding Catherine to him. "No, I don't believe I was."
The lawyer's eyes hardened. "Ms Sidle, didn't you have romantic feelings for Dr. Grissom?"
"I did. But his affections lie somewhere else."
"And yet you still helped Ms. Willows."
Sara frowned at the man. "Your client raped and almost killed Catherine Willows. The only feelings that come into this situation are disgust and hatred for Dale Graves."
As Dale Graves' lawyer sat down, Stan Graves' lawyer stood up.
"Ms. Sidle, have you ever been to a crime scene where the attending officer has been ill?"
"Yes."
"Did said officer leave the scene?"
"Yes."
"No further questions."
Jennifer stood up. "Redirect your honor?"
Judge Markham nodded.
"Ms. Sidle, in this situation that Mr Riley was describing, was an officer still present with you?"
Sara nodded. "Yes. CSI's are not to be left alone at a crime scene. There should be an officer with them at all times."
"Thank you."
"Witness may step down."