Sweet Anger Chapter Two
Sara and Catherine were having dinner in the break room when Ecklie came in.
"Where's Grissom?"
"Who?"
"Don't play games with me, Sidle. Where is he?"
"The last time I saw him, he was in the garage. Nick needed help dismantling the SUV he brought in a couple of hours ago."
Ecklie didn't say anything before turning on his heels and heading towards the garage.
"Sara, Nick didn't bring in a SUV."
"I know. I wanted to warn Gris that Ecklie was looking for him."
"Well aren't you cute?"
"I do my best. Watch my stuff?"
"Sure."
When Sara left, Catherine reached for a piece of broccoli off of her salad and popped into her mouth.
"You're playing with fire, Sara," she said out loud. "I hope Grissom's on standby with a fire extinguisher."
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Grissom had effectively avoided for two days. He knew Conrad was pissed about sending the newest member of the lab into the field without his supervision.
As he set with the rest of the team in the break room, handing out assignments, Ecklie finally caught up with him.
"Grissom, can I have a word with you?"
"I'm kind of busy right now, Conrad. Maybe I can stop by later," Grissom said without emotion.
"NOW Grissom."
"I think I know what this is about. Just say it…before your head explodes."
"Grissom-"
"This is my team, Conrad. Whatever you have to say to me can be said in front of them. It helps cut back on the inter-office gossip."
"Grissom," Macy cut in.
"Don't worry, Macy, he's harmless." Sara met Ecklie's cold stare.
"I know," Macy said, eyeing the director. "But maybe we should take this someplace private?"
"I'm the boss here, Macy," Ecklie spat out.
"You are a son of a bitch aren't you?" she asked.
"Macy-"
Macy didn't realize it was Grissom. Her eyes never left Ecklie's.
"Don't worry guys. I've got this under control."
Grissom watched the scene in front of him. He knew he needed to step in or Macy's career at the Las Vegas crime lab was going to be very short lived. On the other hand, it was nice seeing someone put Ecklie in his place.
"Enough!" Grissom said gruffly.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"Gil, you had no right-"
"I ASKED to go."
"Macy, stay out of this."
"No, I will not stay out of this."
She stood from the table, advancing on Ecklie.
"I told Dr. Grissom that I would take responsibility for my actions if this situation was to arise. I'll stand behind that. I'll stand up to you."
Everyone sat very quietly. Mostly out of shock. The new girl was either very tough or very stupid.
"Well, isn't that sweet."
"You bastard. How dare you-"
"Stop while you're ahead, Ms. Donovan."
"Okay, I've had enough." Grissom tossed out.
Ecklie turned towards Grissom.
"You had no right sending her out without adequate supervision. Her mother-"
"Has nothing to do with this, Father."
The rest of the team looked between them in shock. They looked at each other for good measure. Father?
Ecklie laughed harshly.
"What's the matter? Didn't you tell them?"
"You set me up. Mother fucker."
"No pun intended, I'm sure."
Macy gave him an angry stare before slamming her fist into his nose, followed by a stream of blood.
"Fuck you, Mr. Director. You better put some ice on that."
She shook her hand out and left the room quietly.
Grissom handed Ecklie a few paper towels, trying to bite back a laugh.
"Well, that went well," he announced.
"I'll go after her," Sara broke in. "Ecklie, I'm so sorry about that."
"Sara!"
"I'm going, I'm going."
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Sara found Macy in the bathroom, running cold water over her swollen knuckles.
"I'm really sorry, Sara."
"For what?"
"Coy doesn't work for you, Sara," she said dryly.
"I know. So you didn't tell us. It's a little upsetting, but-"
"But what? You guys have made it very clear about your hatred for my father."
"And? Big deal. Conrad Ecklie being your father doesn't change your creditably. It doesn't cancel out your Masters or doctorate, Macy."
"Really? You aren't pissed?"
"I wish you would have mentioned it, but no, I'm not pissed."
"What about the rest of them?"
"With the way you just put him in his place? I wouldn't worry about them. They've probably already started the Macy Donovan fan club. I bet Nick is the president."
"You're such a smart ass. But you're a good friend too. Thank you, Sara."
"You aren't going to hug me now, are you?"