Disclaimer; I do not own CSI or the characters in the show which are the property of CBS Broadcasting Inc and Alliance-Atlantis Communications. No copyright infringement is intended. Nor money made.

AN; Gotta love my Beta; The Missing Fairy – you should have seen it before she started….

"Ah, I was just about to page you," Bryson said by way of greeting.

"You got something from the scene?" Catherine anticipated.

"No. I haven't done them yet, I started with Greg's trace. Oh, don't give me that look, are you seriously trying to tell me you didn't do the same?" he chastised at their frowns.

"Look I've just finished it – the stain on his shirt..."

"Semen?" Warrick cut in

"Not just semen – there were two donors both XY" he handed the report.

"Saliva" Catherine read from the report, Bryson nodded

"Right, saliva came back as Greg's the semen as unknown. The sample from his fingernails had three XY why donors. One of which matched the semen" he finished

"Wait, Greg said he was out cold – this proves he fought back. Why lie about it? He must have known we'd find out," Warrick said confused.

"I think I know why, I'm going to check in with Gris," Catherine said walked out of the lab. Warrick nodded.

"Anything else, Bryson?"

"Not really – tox came back low levels of alcohol and high levels of adrenaline nothing unusual,"

"Did you compare the unknowns to the other band members or checked for familial DNA?"

"No do you want me to?" Bryson asked. Warrick swallowed the angry retort on the tip of his tongue. Greg would have run the tests as procedure but it was a 'Greg' procedure not a departmental one. It was times like this when he was reminded they all treated Greg as a flake and a wannabe, but in fact he was the best tech in the lab.

"Yeah do that, let me know what you find" he said trying to sound calm. Bryson nodded and went back to work. Warrick headed for the break room and waited for Catherine to finish her call.

"Grissom,"

"It's Catherine,"

"What's wrong?"

"Where are you?"

"Stuck in traffic, haven't made it to the hospital yet- why?"

"Do you have a kit with you?"

"Do I have to dignify that with an answer?"

"You need to process Greg,"

"I already did, Cath,"

"I know but this time you need too…. You need to do a SAE"

"Catherine, what have you found?"

"Unknown semen mixed with Greg's saliva on the sleeve of his shirt, 3 unknown XY donors under his nails,"

"It might have been consensual"

"Gris I saw him; ligature marks, crush larynx, facial bruising, fractures and multiple contusions and bruises say assault to me,"

"I know, okay I'll keep you informed," he hung up and looked over at Brass who had been quiet through the conversation concentrating on the traffic.

"That did not sound good," he said prompting Gil.

"There is evidence that Greg was sexually assaulted. I need to get a rape exam done," he said feeling sick even as the words left his mouth. Brass nodded but his grip on the steering wheel turned white.

"That would explain the shrinking violet act we got last time. I'm going to have to talk to him about this Gil, but I'll leave so you can do the exam,"

"Let's not jump the gun, the doctors would have said if they noticed anything,"

"Would they have checked? He was conscious when he was brought in and we know him and we didn't notice a thing," Brass reminded him none too gently.

"This isn't your screw up, Jim, this one is solely on my shoulders," Grissom said as they finally made it into the car park. He got out and grabbed he kit as Brass killed the engine.

"I'm begging you to reconsider Gecko, please let us take care of you," the voice emanating from Greg's room was male with a hint of desperation. Brass flashed his badge at the uniform o the door.

"Who is that in there?" he asked quietly

"Michael Hampton. He was here when I arrived and the kid didn't want me to make him leave. Although I think he might have changed his mind Hampton's been in there at least an hour." The officer reported.

"Gecko, I just want you safe; protected is such a bad thing for a father to want for his son?" by this time Gil and Brass were by the door and could see into the room. Hampton was sitting in the chair looking haggard even in an Armani suit. Greg signed something in clipped gestures that made Hampton wince and pinch the bridge of his nose.

"How am I going to convince you that it was a drunken and stupid mistake? Please Gecko…Greg I didn't mean it then and I always have and always will want you, as much as I want Aris. I'm going to keep telling you until you believe me," he spoke quietly but with fierce sincerity. Greg refused to meet his eyes and made a short gesture.

"Gecko please…"

"I think he made himself clear," Gil interpreted smoothly, causing both Greg and Michael to jump. Michael recovered quickly and stood between Greg and the two men; the haggard, broken man gone replaced by a strong and confident lawyer.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Detective Jim Brass LVPD and this is Gil Grissom of the Las Vegas crime lab," as Brass introduced them Michael took his warrant card and inspected it. He handed it back but still looked suspicious.

"He told me he had already been processed, why are you here?"

"I just need to ask Greg some more questions," Brass smiled, but it didn't look like Hampton was buying it.

Michael turned to Gil.

"And why are you here Mr Grissom?"

"As an interpreter – the detective doesn't sign,"

"Well I can do that, there is no need to waste the time of a CSI," Michael said smoothly.

"I think I'd prefer Gil, we've got a good working relationship going on. So thank you for the offer Mr. Hampton but why don't you go grab a coffee and I'll and have a chat with you in a few minutes," Brass said used to playing these games with lawyers.

Michael sat back in the chair.

"I'm not going anywhere, Detective Brass, as Greg Sanders lawyer I have the right to be present when ever you speak to my client," he crossed his ankles and appeared at ease. Greg jumped in before Brass could finish this verbal chess game. Greg signed something quickly that made Gil smirk and Michael frown. Hampton opened his mouth to argue but Gil again cut him off.

"I think you've just been sacked Mr. Hampton so please leave or I will have the officer outside escort you off the premises," Gris didn't raise his voice but left no one in doubt that he was not joking. Michael sighed.

"Fine I'll go to the canteen and see if they have any of that tea Greg likes," he said standing to leave. Gil stopped him.

"Since when does Greg drink tea?" he asked, Michael relaxed a little bit.

"He doesn't," he said shortly and left.

Gil raised and eyebrow at Greg.

"A test?"

:Not my idea sorry:

"Not a problem. I see how you could be confused about being adopted," Gil said lightly, Greg froze for about 30 seconds, not even breathing.

:You pulled my file:

"Standard procedure, you know that. Something it was confusing in some parts but first I have some bad news," Gil paused, not for effect but he just simply didn't have the words. He swallowed hard and looked at Brass for support suddenly unable to tell Greg.

"The thing is Greg; Drake Sanders broke out of jail two days. I don't want you to worry, I have a guard on you and another on top of the clinic's security where you sisters are," Brass spoke quickly to try and get it all out of the way at once. Greg went completely white and starting shaking. Gil put a hand on his cheek.

"It's okay, Greg, he can't get to you, and we will find him," Gris assured him in a low soft voice trying to calm the tremors. Greg slowly came through his minor panic attack.

:Does Michael know:

"Not that I'm aware of,"

:You have to tell him right now: Greg's eyes were wide and flicked between the two.

"Okay, Brass?"

"On it," Brass said following Michael. Gil turned back to Greg.

"I told Brass I wouldn't bring this up just yet but as he's not here…" he sighed trying to think of the right phrasing.

"Greg when were processed your clothes we found a stain on your top," Gil spoke slowly rubbing gentle circles on Greg's face, "we also found DNA under your nails from 3 XY donors. Because of this evidence coupled with you injuries I want too…" Gil trailed off as Greg began to sign.

:They didn't rape me if that's what you think. They were going too but they didn't have time. I'm sorry I didn't say what happened. I didn't want to remember: Gil looked from his hands back to his eyes which were now hidden behind tears, he stroked his hair. Greg flinched from his hand but quickly covered his reaction. Gil frowned he was a little worried about just how good Greg was at putting up an act he doubted anyone less observant would have caught the move.

"I understand that you don't want to remember what happened Greg but we need to know," Gil looked straight into Greg's eyes, the boy looked both terrified and nauseous. Greg nodded slowly.

:Okay, but this may take some time: Gil nodded but kept his hand running through Greg's hair.

"Take all the time you need."

"Mr Hampton," Brass said as he approached the man nursing a cup of what the hospital called coffee. Michael looked up at him, Brass could visibly see the guys' defences go up- he went from tired, concerned parent and husband to court room lawyer in less than five seconds.

"Detective Brass," he said offering the seat opposite him.

"You can drop the 'Lawyer Act'; I'm only here because my friend who's lying in the bed back there asked me to talk to you,"

"What about?" Michael lost some of the open hostility and settled on guard suspicion.

"Drake Sanders broke out two days ago," Brass said bluntly. Hampton sank back into his chair.

"I know; why do you think I'm trying to more Greg to a more secure unit?" he said sounding genuinely upset, realisation dawned on Brass.

"That's why you had the band transferred…"

"If I had moved just my family they would have been suspicious of my motives, so I moved all of them. Of course Gecko kicked off – he told me he has his own health insurance policy and didn't need me hand outs, blah, blah, the usual…" he said and scrubbed his face with his hands. Against his better judgement Brass was beginning to feel sorry for the guy.

"Kids, huh?" Bras said sympathetically, Michael snorted.

"No, this mess is all on me. I made an unforgivable mistake with Greg once and I've been paying for it ever since,"

"What happened?" Brass asked, Michael snorted.

"Still a cop huh?"

"Hey, buddy, I'm just curious, I used to be Greg's supervisor- he never mentioned his family," he raised his hands in a surrender, Michael sighed.

"Sorry. I'm not surprised he didn't mention us, he's very good at making noise – he can talk you in circles until you can't even remember what you asked him," He took a swig of the lukewarm coffee and grimaced at the taste.

"The thing is, the trial – Drake's trial - traumatised Greg he came out of that room shaking, Drake had lost it he screamed something at him, I can't remember the exact words but the gist was that Greg should have 'kept his big mouth shut and he was going to pay'," he laughed humourlessly.

"Drake got his wish, it was a year and a half before Greg could bring himself to speak again," having finished his coffee Michael was angrily tearing the polystyrene cup to pieces. Brass' eyes went wide.

"Greg 'I-can't-shut-up' Sanders was a mute?" He clarified trying to equate a silent child with the chatterbox he knew.

"It's why we all know ASL – that was Arissa's idea, one of her best,"

"That worked?"

"Yeah, Greg wasn't trying to be difficult he was simply too scared to open his mouth…" Michael pushed the pieces of the cup to one side he waited for Brass to take that in.

"That still doesn't explain the animosity between you two,"

"There is no animosity from me towards Greg; it's all the other way but it was asked for. I screwed up- what can I say? I was 24 when I married Katy and applied for adoption, I was in the same Frat house as Greg for God's sake, I got him in. I was trying to be a dad in the evenings and one of the guys during the day. Anyway a couple of nights after the trial I was in a bar with some of the guys just shooting the breeze. I was waiting for Kat to buzz me to get picked up and we got talking about my situation, they couldn't see why the star quarter back would adopt a kid who even then was a science nerd. Instead of defending him I told them it was a package deal that if I wanted the other two I had to take all three. Completely untrue of course but I didn't want to explain to a bunch of jokes about my son. I didn't know he was there, they did – thought it was the funniest thing ever. Turns out Kat couldn't get a signal and had asked him to find me," Michael sighed and looked at Brass.

"They actually thought they had done me a favour when Greg refused the adoptions. The ones I still see now regret it of course – now they've bothered to get to know him and I have no idea why I'm telling you my life's story- are you sure you're not a lawyer?" He finished, Brass shrugged.

"I was here," Brass replied. He got up.

"I've got to go talk to Greg," he said trying to keep his voice even though he had come to the conclusion that he really didn't care about this guy who had screwed up his friend, Michael nodded but didn't move as Jim walked away.

Greg was near tears by the end of his tale, he had stopped several times and Gil had to encourage him to continue, when he had finished Greg had turned away from him, too ashamed to look him in the eye.

Gil gently turned his face back.

"You did very well, Greg, don't look away from me. You have done nothing wrong," Gil was trying to cover his rage at the perpetrators so that Greg didn't see it, but he couldn't he was literally vibrating with suppressed fury. Greg eyed him cautiously.

:You're angry:

"Yes I am, but not with you," he assured the lab tech. Greg let out a sigh of relief that made the rock in Gil's stomach double in size. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Jim reappear at the door.

"Greg, you up to answering Jim's questions?"

:Sure, I wouldn't want you to get into trouble for talking to me first: Greg gave him a smile that was barely a shadow of his former grin, but it was enough to give Gil hope that he might get through this.

"Sure Jim, ask away," he said not translating exactly what Greg has said.

"Greg can you think of anyone besides Drake who might have a grudge against a band member or the band in general?"

:No sorry but you'd be better off asking Aris or Cat, they both know them better than me. Some of those guys I only met tonight:

"Okay, Michael kept referring to a Cat, who it that?"

:Katy- Cat's shorter to sign:

"Well that's one mystery solved. Does Arissa have a boyfriend or someone who might be jealous?"

:Not that I know of, she hangs out with Dan Langston a lot but I think they're just friends. You should ask her:

"What about you?"

:No, I don't have boyfriend either: Greg smirked

"Cute, what about a girlfriend?"

:No:

"Anyone in the recent past?"

:No:

"Really? I mean come on, you used to have a different girl every week, and you're telling me that none of those girls might be pissed at you?" Greg frowned and switched his attention to Grissom

:You said I had done nothing wrong:

"No, Greg, you haven't, Jim is just trying to find out if anyone might have wished you harm," Gil assured him.

Greg looked less then convinced.

"Did anything seem unusual during the performance or around that time – anyone out of place? Anything?" Brass was getting frustrated and so pushing Greg for answers. His was getting very irritated and that was not helping Greg to calm down, in fact he was become more worked up.

:No I don't know; it was the first gig I've done in 5 years, I don't know what's supposed to happen and besides before the show I spent the entire time puking my guts out in the toilets: Greg covered his eyes with his hand and was shaking.

"Jim, that's enough," Grissom said going from friend to pissed off supervisor in a blink of an eye. Brass sighed, aware he'd probably pushed it too far and definitely further then he would have done with any anomalous victim. Somehow he expected Greg to be a better witness but he was already doing more then most.

"What the hell?" Michael exclaimed stalking into the room, he glared at Brass and Gil as he sat on the bed next to Greg. He wrapped his arms around the shaking form and pulled him close.

"Hey Gecko, it's okay- they're going, they're going," he soothed tightening his grip, it was a testament to how worked up Greg was that he was able to hold him. He glared at the two men still standing in the room.

"They are leaving right now and they will not be returning," the unspoken 'or else' hung in the air. Gris nodded and ushered Brass out. They reached the car park before either spoke.

"I'm sorry Gil, I was pissed at that lawyer and I know Greg is hiding something from us,"

"You – he's hiding something from you and it's not me you should be apologising too," Gil said shortly

"I know that too, I doubt I'll be allowed back in tonight, I'll come back in the morning before shift and do it," Brass conceded sheepishly. Gil sighed and turned Brass, glancing quickly over the Detective's shoulder.

"I would be very surprised if he will still be here in the morning," he said fixing his gaze on the hospital entrance. Brass turned following his line of vision. A limo had pulled up in the hospital doorway Michael was clutching Greg to his chest holding him fiercely whilst arguing with the doctors. Apparently Michael won because the doctor did nothing to stop him getting into the limo still carrying Greg.

"Great," Brass muttered under his breath.