Disclaimer: ALL characters belong to CBS. No infringement is intended, as this story is written for fun only. Any additional characters will be mine or I may borrow a few from some of my fellow fanfic writers.
Summary: This story details Conrad Ecklie's plan to destroy Dr. Gil Grissom's life. He secures the services of Ms. Sophia Curtis to systematically destroy Dr. Grissom, beginning of course with his relationship with CSI3 Sara Sidle (I gave our Sweet Sara a promotion).
Author: Christiangirl (AKA Sharon)
Spoilers: Mea Culpa (Sort of)
Rating: PG-13
Chapter Three—The Turning PointEcklie and Sophia sat at a diner in a more seedy part town, not that they liked that kind of place, but because they knew that none of the CSIs would venture into that place, especially not the Great Dr. Gilbert Grissom.
They sat discussing the plan to destroy the good Dr. Grissom. They were just putting on the finishing touches when Conrad Ecklie broke their wicked silence.
"Just wait until Gil Grissom finds out that Sara Sidle will be on my dayshift crew!" Ecklie crowed in evil excitement. "He won't recover. I'll have my victory. And, if we play our cards right, we'll be able to get him to quit on his own accord. Dr. Carvallo won't care, he doesn't like Dr. Grissom either."
"After we've finished with Dr. Grissom, he'll be damaged beyond recognition." Ecklie finished with a wicked laugh.
"I never said anything about making him quit his job," Sophia complained loudly to Ecklie. "Where does that leave me, Conrad? It leaves me without Dr. Grissom, that's where."
"Don't you see it, Sophia?" Conrad Ecklie asked Sophia. "Grissom would be so devastated, that he'd probably leave Las Vegas and head back to California and his 'Mommy' and 'Daddy'. He's been known to run back to California when the heat got too tough for him. You both can start a brand new life together in Southern California."
"Oh, I see your point now, Ecklie." Sophia replied smiling wickedly.
Conrad Ecklie: A master at lie-tellingTo get his and Sophia's 'Separate Grissom and Sidle' plan up and running, Ecklie started spreading false rumors around the lab regarding Dr. Gil Grissom and CSI Sophia Curtis.
'The quickest way to get CSI-3 Sidle to lose her faith in Gil Grissom,' Ecklie began, thinking to himself, 'is to make her think that he was interested in someone else.'
"Hey, Greta," Annie Bates from housekeeping began, "have I got a story for you!"
"What is it about?" Greta Andrews from trace asked.
"Dr. Gil Grissom and CSI Sophia Curtis have a thing going on." Annie Bates would have continued, but was angrily interrupted by Greta Andrews.
"Where on Earth did you get that story?" Greta asked incredulously. "I hope your source is reliable, because spreading stuff like that will get you fired."
"Hodges told me, and he's pretty close to Dr. Grissom and all." Annie Bates replied pouting, hoping that this juicy tidbit was true. No one realized that Ms. Bates secretly had a crush on Dr. Grissom and she hated the fact that Sara Sidle was always around him.
"Oh, that certainly figures." Greta replied huffily. "Hodges does have a knack for not getting his facts straight."
"I believe it's true," Annie began, "because I know for a fact that Dr. Grissom has been putting Sophia with himself on cases of late. Sara's always put on cases with Greg. If you don't believe me, then take a look at all these past schedules." Annie Bates proceeded to show Greta Andrews all of the CSI schedules over the past few months. Annie offered Greta a great big cheshire cat smile, thinking that she could be next in line on the 'Grissom Love Express'.
"Okay, so Grissom hasn't scheduled any cases with Sidle," Greta began, "so what? That doesn't mean anything. Why are we having this conversation anyway? Who said that Dr. Grissom was involved with CSI-3 Sidle? This lab grapevine has truly gone crooked as well as crazy, with you and Hodges at the head of it. I've to get back to work. Annie, why don't you stop gossiping, it doesn't become you." With that, Greta Andrews turned on her heals on stalked down to Trace, and Annie headed towards Hodges' department to pick up some more juicy tidbits about the Grissom/Curtis affair.
All the while, Ecklie sat at his desk smiling wickedly listening to the women talking about the lie he spread about Sophia Curtis and Dr. Gil Grissom having an affair.
'When CSI-3 Sara Sidle finds out about this 'affair', Ecklie began in his thoughts, 'she'll be totally devastated. She'll need someone to comfort her, and that someone will be me.' Conrad Ecklie smiled a totally demonic smile.
Grissom Wants To Talk?As Sara was sitting at her breakfast bar enjoying her blueberry pancakes, her phone began to ring.
"Sidle here." Sara replied into the receiver of her cell phone. As she heard the caller's voice she sighed heavily. 'What does he want from me?'
"Hey, Sara," Grissom began tentatively, "I need to see you in my office before shift starts, at least an hour before. Okay?"
"No, Grissom, no!" Sara replied wearily. Sara would have continued, but Grissom quickly interrupted her momentum.
"Please, Sara," Grissom pleaded with her, "I just need a few minutes of your time. Please don't push me away. We really do need to talk, okay, Honey?"
"Talking is overrated," Sara began by quoting the mother of murder victim. "Besides, Dr. Grissom, we've done all the talking that needs to be done. I'm through. And another thing, don't call me Honey, you got that?" Although Grissom could hear the coldness and anger in Sara's voice, that still didn't stop him from asking Sara his next question.
"What's wrong with me calling you Honey?" Grissom asked with a voice full of confusion. "Many women would consider that an endearing name."
"What's wrong with YOU calling me Honey is this, Grissom," Sara began sadly remembering fun days gone by. "You don't mean it. You've all but pushed me away from you. You haven't scheduled me on a case with you for the past few months. It's now you and Sophia Curtis working together. You're always throwing Greg and me together. I've had enough, Grissom. Don't try to patronize me."
"I'm not, Baby," The word slipped out before Grissom could stop it. Sara was angry with him, but she kept her cool.
"Grissom, I think I've had enough of this dumb conversation…" Sara began. She would have continued, but once again Grissom cut her off.
"C'mon," Grissom began in exhausted exasperation, "cut me a little slack, why don't you? Here I am, trying to reach out as best I can, and you're shooting me down. Yes, I've been a jerk in the past, but I am really trying. I'd like us to be friends again, okay?"
"Okay, I'll meet you before shift begins," Sara replied reluctantly. "When do you want to have our little talk?"
"About an hour before we start, maybe an hour and a half?" Grissom asked. "Is that all right with you?"
"It's fine," Sara sighed her response. "I'll see you then." With that, they disconnected their phone call. It was the longest they've ever spoken to each other in ages. Sara was left wondering what Grissom wanted to talk about.
Ecklie had been lurking in the hall of the lab, eavesdropping on Grissom's phone call to Sara. He noted that Grissom sounded desperate to have a talk with Sara. He knew that in order to destroy Dr. Gil Grissom, that he would have to use his deep feelings for Sara to do it. Ecklie knew that Sara meant more to Grissom, much more than the Good Doctor would even admit too. For Conrad Ecklie had seen the longing looks that Dr. Grissom sent Sara Sidle's way, when he thought no one was looking.
'The desperation in his voice whenever he talks to CSI-Sidle,' Conrad thought to himself. 'This will be a piece of cake. He's already putty in her hands. Just wait until she takes her love and give it to someone else…ME!'
Just then, Conrad Ecklie called his partner in crime, Sophia Curtis. After three rings, Sophia Curtis picked up the line.
"CSI Curtis here." She spoke sleepily in her phone.
"Hey, Curtis," Ecklie began, "I need you to get here about two and a half hours before your shift starts. Our plan has reached fruition. Grissom wants to meet with Sidle for a little talk. You need to be there to give her the illusion that you and the good Dr. Grissom are having an affair."
"Okay," Sophia replied. "I'll be there with bells on and nothing else."
"Sophia, don't go crazy on me or you'll get us both fired." Conrad responded angrily at Sophia's air-headed response. "You don't have to have sex with the guy, just make Sidle think that there's more going on than meets the eye."
"Okay," Sophia huffed in a pouty voice.
"Save that nonsense for Dr. Grissom," Ecklie began. "I'll handle Miss Sidle." Ecklie was truly using Sophia to get to Sara Sidle. Sophia was just a pawn in his plan to start romancing the beautiful Sara Sidle.
With that, they disconnected their call. Sofia made plans to be at shift early.
Looks Can Be DeceivingSara did as Grissom had asked, she arrived at work an hour before her shift started. As she approached Grissom's office, she saw Sofia leaving his office in a fit of giggles. That caused Sara's blood to boil. Little did she know, but Dr. Gil Grissom wasn't in his office. He was no where near the lab. Grissom was stuck in traffic as the result of a bad accident. There were news crews all around the place, Dr. Grissom just sighed, as he realized that he would be late for his meeting with Sara. Heck, he might be late for shift.
It was beginning to near the start of the shift, and there was still no sign of Gil Grissom. Sara's blood boiled as she had taken time out of her precious schedule to come in an hour before shift, only to find a silly Sophia Curtis coming out of Grissom's office giddily giggling about God knows what.
'Why do I set myself up like this?' Sara asked herself near tears. 'Hasn't Gil Grissom stomped on my heart and my feelings enough?' Sara's thoughts were interrupted by a welcomed and familiar voice. It was Catherine's voice that cut through the hazy fog she had just gone into.
"Listen up everyone," Catherine began, "Something came up and Gil called in to say that he would be a few hours late. I have just one assignment. Sophia and Greg, you have a dead body at Tangiers. Brass is already waiting for you." With that, Sophia left huffily, while Greg, on the other hand left, happy to be a CSI. Catherine gave the DB to Sophia and Greg, figuring that it was an easy case that even Sophia couldn't mess up. Catherine really needed to speak with Sara.
"Sara, Sweetie," Catherine began in her mothering way, "what's wrong?"
"Nothing." Sara lied, not wanting to pull Catherine in her 'Grissom bashing' party. "Just a little tired is all."
"Yeah, tell me about it," Catherine began, "I heard about you pulling a couple of triple shifts last week. Sara, you need to get some rest."
"I plan to." Sara replied, having already made up her mind to switch to day shift in another lab away from Vegas.
"And how do you plan to do that, Sara?" Catherine asked curiously.
"Don't worry about me, Catherine," Sara offered a weak smile that didn't quite make it to her eyes, which Catherine noticed, but decided not to call her on it.
"Okay, Sara," Catherine began in defeat. "Hey, Sara, did Grissom give you my message about us having a girls' night out in two weeks? My sister will be in town then and I thought the we'd all get together and have some fun."
"Catherine," Sara began, "Grissom never gave me that message. I'd love to hang out with you guys. The last time we had a blast."
"Just don't tell Grissom about our fun, okay?" Catherine replied, remembering the last time they went out. "You know, Sara, Grissom didn't speak to me for a whole month."
"He didn't? Why?" Sara asked, surprised at the reaction of Grissom.
"Oh, I don't know," Catherine began in mock-sarcasm, causing Sara to laugh, "something about a certain someone having fun without him. Men, go figure." Catherine tried to get Sara's reaction to Grissom possibly being jealous of Sara being with anyone other than himself. When she just sat at the table staring at an unknown spot on the wall, Catherine decided to help her along.
"Sara, Honey," Catherine began, "don't you see? Gil was jealous that you were out on the town without him, not that he'd admit it. Or that he'd do something about 'this' thing."
"How'd, who, um?" Sara stammered out the words. Catherine cut her off.
"It's been rumored around the lab." Catherine replied, sad for Sara and Grissom. "I just wish he'd be man enough to admit his feeling for you."
"Oh, but he did, Catherine." Sara replied sadly. "He told me to meet him about an hour before shift, which I did. He said he wanted to talk with me. When I came in, who should casually walk out of Grissom's office, giggling and cooing? Sophia Curtis!"
"What?" Catherine asked incredulously. "That can't be, Sara."
"Why not, Cath?" Sara asked on the verge of tears.
"He called me at home and said he was stuck in traffic due to a very bad accident."
"Well, Cath," Sara began, tears beginning to stream down her face. "Grissom could have been in the office and then left after his encounter with Sophia. It doesn't take long to have sex."
"Sara, you are so wrong." Catherine replied. "Do you think that Grissom would be so callous as to have sex with Sophia, who he hates with a passion, mind you, and then have a talk with you? That doesn't sound like Grissom, does it?"
"I don't know about him anymore." Sara replied despondently. "He and Sophia have been working crime scenes together of late. We haven't worked together in months. Doesn't that tell you something? It tells me loud and clear that Sophia is the flavor of the week." Just at that moment, Dr. Gil Grissom came into the break-room where Catherine and Sara were talking.
As Grissom walked closer to the ladies, Catherine greeted Grissom.
"Hey, Gil." Catherine began. "I see you made in one piece. What happened out there?"
"Some guy thought that the red light was only for show." Grissom replied. Grissom looked over at Sara and greeted her.
"Hi, Sara," Grissom began, "I'm sorry about being late for our meeting. How about we go out for breakfast after shift? My treat."
"No." Sara replied. Sara got up abruptly and left the cafeteria, leaving in her wake Catherine Willows and a totally stunned and hurt Dr. Gil Grissom. Catherine had planned to leave work as soon as Grissom came in, but she decided to stay in the event that Grissom needed a friendly shoulder to cry on.
"What's wrong with Sara and why is she mad at me?" Grissom asked full of sadness. "I just can't do anything right by her. Everything I do isn't right. She just drives me crazy."
As Sara sat in the lab, waiting to see if anything came back on her evidence, she overheard two swing shift employees working a little overtime talking about the latest news. She heard one of the women talk of the latest rumor to hit the lab.
"Oh, did you hear about Dr. Grissom and that Sophia chick, the one that use to work on dayshift?" The first female asked.
"Yeah, I heard it. Wow, someone said that they were holding hands or something." The second female. "Isn't Dr. Grissom interested in that glamour girl brunette from the night shift?"
"She's yesterday's news." The first female remarked snidely. "I bet she feels like the biggest boob there is, waiting for someone that doesn't want you."
"You're just jealous because half the guys on dayshift like her and they wouldn't give you a second look." The second female replied. "If I were in his shoes, I'd stay with the brunette, she's marrying material. He's not getting any younger. My son will be in town next week, I think I'll bring him by, so that he can take a look at that pretty brunette. I know he'll like her."
With that, they both left, leaving a devastated Sara Sidle in their wake. That new revelation helped CSI-3 Sara Sidle come to a definite decision. Transferring out of the Las Vegas lab and moving on to another part of the country. She had nothing left to keep her there, or did she?"
In Conrad Ecklie's OfficeSara sat in Conrad Ecklie's office to present her request for transfer from the Las Vegas lab back to the San Francisco lab. As Conrad took her transfer sheet, he nearly gasped.
"CSI Sidle, don't you think that this it a bit hasty?" Ecklie asked, realizing he plan was working, but not the way he wanted it to.
"Look, Ecklie," Sara began nervously, "I want out of this lab and out of Las Vegas. I have no desire to stay here."
"Look, Sidle," Ecklie began, grasping at straws, "a prime position just opened up on the dayshift that might just be up your alley. It offers room for growth, something that you won't get working for Grissom. I promise."
"I don't want to be in the same lab with that man, let alone on the same planet." Sara replied angrily, causing Ecklie to cheer silently in his evil heart. "Look, if you don't give me my transfer, I'll quit."
"Look, Sidle," Ecklie began bargaining with Sara, "I'm not trying to keep you from transferring out, I'm just asking you to give dayshift a try, that's all. Just think of all of the free time you'll have in the evening. You can go out on the town, any man would be glad to be out on the town with a beauty such as yourself." Ecklie quickly apologized seeing the nasty glare Sara shot him.
"I'm sorry, CSI Sidle," Ecklie mumbled his apology to Sara meekly. "So what do you say, Sidle, is it a go for dayshift?"
"Yeah," Sara began in resignation, realizing that she didn't want to start over in a new location. "When does my shift change go through?"
"In two weeks," Ecklie replied, happy to have Sara on dayshift, that way he wouldn't have to stay overtime to see her. He'll be able to go home on time. Perhaps one night soon, he'll be able to take Sara out on the town.
"Two weeks!" Sara exclaimed. "That's not enough time for Grissom to hire someone new."
"Stop worrying about Grissom," Ecklie began in jealousy, "Grissom is a big boy, I'm quite sure he can handle things. He's got Sofia on his side." Sara left his office in a huff. Ecklie was so glad to see the reaction he got from the sexy Sara Sidle. Her passion drove him wild with lust.
Devastating News for Dr. Gil Grissom"Hi, Gil," Sara began, smiling tentatively. "Have you seen the new schedule yet?"
"No, I haven't had the time to check it out." Grissom replied, trying to keep his eyes from wandering up and down Sara's beautiful body. "Is there something that I should know about?"
"Well, I've just been informed that I've been transferred to the dayshift crew…" Sara lied (she requested the change in schedule). She would have continued, but Gil curtly interrupted her.
"WHAT! Grissom shouted out in anger, causing Sara to flinch when she saw the look of anger in his eyes.
"Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger," Sara began. "Besides it's good…" Sara began, but once again Grissom interrupted her, but this time it was in hot anger.
"GOOD FOR WHO SARA! Grissom asked in an accusatory tone.
"Good for me, for starters," Sara began smiling tentatively at Grissom. "I can go back to college and work on getting my doctorate in physics and forensic science."
"Yeah, that's good Sara," Grissom began, trying to keep himself together, "and I'm very happy for you, but you're the only one I had left from my night shift crew, if I lose you, what would I do?"
"You'll hire someone to take my place." Sara replied "You'll move on. Grissom, everyone has to move on sometime in his or her life. Besides, you still have Greg Sanders, did you forget about him, Grissom?"
"It's like you want to leave me." Grissom replied in an accusatory tone, totally ignoring her comment regarding Greg Sanders still being on his team.
"Grissom," Sara sighed in exasperation, "this isn't about you or me. It's just that I need a change of pace. Besides, it would give me the chance at going out at night sometimes."
"Sara, I need you," Grissom began feeling hurt and empty, "with me on night shift."
"You mean the lab needs me, don't you? Sara spat out sarcastically.
"Sara, the lab may need you," Grissom began in exhausted desperation, "but I need you more." Grissom was like a man on a dry desert. He was desperately trying to get Sara to change her mind.
"Well, Grissom," Sara began, "you got your wish. You and Sophia can continue working cases together without having to worry about little ole' me."
"WHAT! Grissom began in anger. Gil waited for a few minutes to calm his frayed nerves down. He also wanted to squelch the red-hot anger he felt towards Sara. Nothing helped. The only thing he could think of was running from Sara's presence and hiding in his office, as he had trouble getting himself together.
As Sara noticed that Gil was contemplating a hasty retreat, she helped him on his way.
"We're through Gil Grissom," Sara's voice was harsh and cold. "FOREVER!"
As Grissom ran for the safety of his office, the weirdest thing happened to Sara, she felt as light as a feather. She no longer felt that she needed the approval of Dr. Gil Grissom or anyone else for that matter. She felt free and now that she was on the dayshift, she was going to experience her new found freedom going out to clubs after work. She was a woman with a new lease on life and with a new purpose in life, as well.
Gil Grissom's New DilemmaAs Grissom sat behind his desk, he sadly thought about his unfortunate encounter with CSI-3 Sara Sidle.
'Now what have I done?' Grissom asked himself on the verge of tears. He was very proud of the fact that Sara had become a strong woman. The sad part being that he wasn't sharing that victory with her, but instead she deemed him an enemy.
'I've got to do a lot of groveling if I'm ever gonna get her back on night shift,' Grissom thought to himself, "and back with me." He whispered softly, thinking no one heard him. But someone did hear his desperate words.
"Gil?" Catherine called, smiling tentatively. "Are you all right in there?"
"I'm fine, Cath," Grissom lied, wiping at his eyes, ensuring that no rebellious tears would escape from his sad eyes. "I was just doing some paper work."
"Yeah, of course, what else would you be doing." Catherine replied out loud to Grissom, but inwardly to herself, 'while Sara is slipping through your fingers, you're slipping through to oblivion.'
"What brings you here?" Grissom asked, knowing that the grapevine was in full swing regarding the blow-up between him and Sara. "Don't tell me, you heard it through the grapevine that me and Sara are no longer a topic of discussion." Catherine wasn't fooled; she heard the bitter tone in Grissom's voice.
"Gil, there's something you should know," Catherine began, "there's a rumor going around that you and Sophia had sex in your office." Grissom swung his head around so fast that Catherine thought that his neck would snap.
"That is not true," Grissom began losing control of his emotions. "No wonder Sara was so short with me. She thought that I was in the office banging that witch, Sophia. Catherine I didn't, I wasn't, I wouldn't." Catherine's heart ached for her friend as he stumbled over his words, tears streaming down his face. Catherine knew something was fishy about the situation, but she just couldn't quite put her finger on it. She silently vowed to get to the bottom of this sordid mess.
Sara tries out her newfound freedomSara's first day on the dayshift found her utterly exhausted. 'I'm so tired,' Sara thought to herself. 'I'll think I have an early dinner and hit the hay early.' At that precise moment, her cell phone decided to ring. Sara was so exhausted; she forgot where she lay her cell phone. She finally found the annoying thing and answered it on the fourth ring.
"Sidle here." Sara responded into the receiver.
"Hey, Sara," CSI-3 Nick Stokes began, "how's everything going?"
"Hey, Nicky," Sara began brightly, "everything's fine, how's everything with you?"
"Everything's going well," Nick began, "but it would be much better if you were on nightshift with the rest of the gang."
Sara hated the fact that she had left the rest of the gang when she left the nightshift, she really did miss them. But, in order to get her life back and get her freedom, she had to leave Dr. Gilbert (Gil) Grissom, which in turn, meant leaving the nightshift.
Since Sara was lost in her thoughts, Nick decided to explain the reason for his phone call.
"Hey, Sara," Nick began, "me and Warrick are going to Smitty's Pub tonight and we were wondering if you'd like to tag along. So, how about it, Little Sis?"
"Oh, Nicky," Sara began, sighing exhaustedly, "if you would have called about an hour ago, I might have said yes. I'm just too bushed to hang out anywhere. I had plans to turn in early tonight."
"Oh, c'mon, Little Sis, don't let your Big Bro down." Nicky whined. "Me and Warrick haven't seen you in a long time away from work. Please? Pretty please with a nice big cherry on top? Pleeeeeease?
"Oh, all right, Nicky." Sara replied, laughing at Nick's childish antics. "Throw in three scoops of ice cream along with a generous serving of whip cream, and you've really got a deal!"
"Will do." Nick replied. "Sara, do you want me to swing by and pick you up?"
"Yeah, that sounds good," Sara began, "I don't feel much like driving tonight anyway. Give me about an hour, okay, Nicky?"
"Will do," Nick began, "oh, yeah, before I forget, Catherine says to tell you hello. She would have come with us, but she had to pull a double, Grissom has the night off and that dumb Sophia called out at the last minute."
Sara couldn't help but notice the hint of dislike in Nick's voice for Sophia Curtis, but decided not to call him on it. Heck, lots of people at the lab hated the dreaded woman, because she was Conrad Ecklie's stool pigeon.
"Nicky, tell Catherine hello for me when you see her tomorrow night." Sara replied.
"Okay, will do, Little Sis." Nick replied.
About an hour later Nick pulled up in front of Sara's apartment complex. Sara was decked out in a lovely peach colored outfit complete with a matching clutch bag. When Nick saw her, his eyes popped out of his head.
"WOW, Little Sis, you look absolutely stunning! Nick exclaimed. "Grissom should see you now. My God, he'd have a fit." At the mention of her boss' name, Sara flinched. Nick decided to call her on it.
"Hey, Sara, how's everything going with you and Griss?" Nick asked cautiously.
"I don't want to talk about him, Nick," Sara began in exasperation. "Can't we just enjoy the evening without talk of work and Grissom, please?"
"Okay, okay," Nick began, Sara I'm really sorry. We're gonna have a real blast at Smitty's Nightclub."
"I've never even heard of that place," Sara began, "is it a new place?"
"Yeah, it's fairly new." Nick replied. "It opened up about two months ago. It's got rave reviews from the entertainment editor of the Las Vegas Times."
"Oh really?" Sara asked in reply. "Do they serve dinner?"
"Oh, yes, and I heard that the food is really good." Nick replied smiling at his good friend. "It's an all you can eat buffet of Chinese, Japanese, American and Italian food."
"That sounds great," Sara replied. "Oh, by the way, where is Warrick? I thought he was riding with us to the club."
"He decided to meet us at the club instead," Nick began smiling mischievously. "I really think he took a side bar with Catherine." At that comment, both Nick and Sara shared a laugh.
Smitty's NightclubAs Nick and Sara walked through the front entrance of Smitty's, the men stared at Sara, while the women stared at Nick. Although Sara was oblivious of the attention the male populace of the club were giving her, Nick was well aware of the women staring at him. He also noticed the men staring at Sara.
"Wow, Sara, the men here sure love you," Nick teased. "Just look at the way they're eyeing you."
"Well, look who's talking," Sara began with a smirk forming at the corner of her mouth. "Just look at your adoring female public." With that they both laughed as they checked out the new nightclub.
As Nick looked around the club, he noticed Warrick sitting at one of the tables by the window, offering a view of the Vegas nightlife. Warrick waved them over to where he was sitting.
"Well, it took you two long enough," Warrick began giving Nick and Sara a playful glare. "What did you guys do, take the scenic route?"
"Oh, well," Nick began, "we ran into a little traffic."
Warrick took in Sara's tall and lanky form and noted just how stunning she was.
"Wow, Sara," Warrick began, "girl, you sure are wearing that outfit, ain't ya? If Grissom could only see you now and see how these guys are staring at you, he'd probably carry your butt up out of here." Warrick winced at the glare that Sara leveled his way upon him mentioning her supervisor's name.
"No, no, Warrick," Sara began slightly agitated upon hearing her supervisor's name, "we do NOT need to go there."
"What's up with you, Sara?" Warrick asked. "It's not like you to not want to talk about Grissom. What gives?" Warrick wasn't going to take no for an answer. He really liked both Grissom and Sara and he knew that they had feelings for each other.
"Nothing is wrong, Warrick," Sara lied, "can we stop talking about Grissom and start having fun? I didn't come out to this nightclub to talk about Grissom. Besides, he's made up his mind who we wants. He's got his wish, he gets to work with Sophia Curtis without having to worry about me."
With that, they flagged down a waiter and ordered some before dinner drinks. The waiter that served them took a deep breath as he took in Sara's natural beauty. Both Nick and Warrick noticed that the waiter was taken with Sara, but Sara herself was oblivious to the waiter's wanton glances, as she was busy perusing the beverage menu.
Nick and Sara went on the dance floor. After they danced through two songs, a handsome man tapped Nick on his shoulder and asked if he could cut in. Nick then looked at Sara to see if she would mind if the young man cut in to dance with her.
"Why not?" Sara sighed. "It's not like I have a lot of guys breaking my door down anyway." 'The man I truly love is emotionally unavailable to me anyway.' Sara sighed to herself. With that, the tall, dark and handsome stranger started to dance with Sara. They danced through three slow songs, and when the music stopped, the young man introduced himself to Sara.
"Hello, Beautiful," the stranger began, "let me introduce myself. My name is Jason Willoughby."
"Hi, Jason Willoughby," Sara began giggling sweetly, "my name is Sara Sidle."
Warrick and Nick kept a big brotherly look out for Sara as she danced with the stranger. For they knew if anything were to happen to Sara, they would have to face the 'WRATH OF GRISSOM'.
As the music ended, Sara decided that she would like to get to know this stranger. She let Nick and Warrick know that she would be seated at the bar with the handsome young stranger. They nodded their assent and Nick let her know that he would drive her home. With that, Sara allowed the handsome stranger to lead the way to the bar area. Nick and Warrick just watched Sara and her new guy with amused grins.
"Sara just started going out this week," Nick began laughing, "and she gets a date lickety-split. While me on the other hand, have been on the dating circuit for at least a year or two, and I haven't been able to get a bite." Both Nick and Warrick shared a laugh and continued their vigil of keeping Sara Sidle safe.
"I wonder what Grissom would do if he were to see Sara like this." Nick said gesturing towards Sara and her new guy. "I wonder what he'd say."
"I don't even want to think about that." Warrick replied taking another swig of his beer. "We would be so in trouble."
"Why?" Nick asked incredulously. "Sara's a free woman and she can do as she pleases. She doesn't have a steady guy, and besides, what right does Grissom have to say what Sara can or can't do?" Nick would have continued his small tirade, but Warrick promptly.
"I understand everything you're saying, Nicky," Warrick began, "but we're talking about Grissom here. He seems to think that Sara is his territory and God forbid if anyone tries to date her."
"Yeah, yeah, I understand all of that." Nick replied.
"No, Nick," Warrick began, "I don't think you truly understand Grissom at all."
"Dude, I do understand Grissom, I've worked with him on plenty of cases." Nick responded defensively.
"Oh have you, Nick?" Warrick asked with a cocked eyebrow.
"Yes, I have." Nick replied laughing at his best friend. "I guess you, being Grissom's fave know all about the Enigma we call Grissom."
"Okay, Nicky," Warrick began, "let me ask you just one question, and then we'll see if you truly know the Enigma we call Grissom."
"Shoot away, I'm all ears," Nick began, "and I'll guarantee you that I know a lot about Grissom."
"Okay," Warrick began, "have you ever worked with Grissom and Sara?"
"Well of course," Nick began incredulously, "what kind of fool question is that?"
"Well, Nicky, since you put it like that," Warrick began, "let me rephrase the question. Have you ever worked with Grissom and Sara when any men are at the scene and they seem to be interested in Sara?"
"Well, er, um, well…" Nick would have continued, but once again, Warrick interrupted him.
"That's what I thought." Warrick replied, and then continued his thought. "I've been there and done that, and it's not a pretty sight."
What do you mean by that?" Nick asked amused, as he fully understood where Warrick was going with this conversation.
"Well, one night, about a few months ago," Warrick began, "we were working a smash and grab case at a Kay Jewelers store. As Grissom and me were speaking with Captain Brass, Sara was dusting for fingerprints around the jewelry case. As she was working, this guy, one of the detectives came up to her and starting talking to her. He looked like one of those guys right off the cover of GQ Magazine. Grissom was NOT a happy camper."
A Few Months AgoCSI-3 Sara Sidle was dusting for fingerprints at Kay Jewelers, while Dr. Gil Grissom and CSI-3 Warrick Brown spoke with Captain James "Jim" Brass regarding the dynamics of the case. One of the detectives, a Lt. Blake Covington approached Sara. He was taken with her beauty and the fact that there wasn't a ring on her left ring finger, which made him quite pleased.
"Hey, Lovely Lady," Lt. Covington began, "my name's Lt. Blake Covington, and who might you be?"
"I'm CSI-3 Sara Sidle." Sara replied smiling at the seemingly flirtatious guy.
"Well, hello CSI-3 Sara Sidle, pleased to meet you." Lt. Covington replied returning Sara's smile.
I'm pleased to meet you also," Sara replied, grateful for a small reprieve from the tedious work of dusting for fingerprints and from thinking about one Gil Grissom, as their relationship seemed to go sour.
While Lt. Covington and Sara continued their conversation, at that precise moment, Dr. Gil Grissom happened to turn his gaze in their direction. Grissom continued to glare at the seemingly happy 'couple', he decided that he needed to make his presence known to this young hotshot detective. Grissom reached Lt. Covington and Sara as Lt. Covington asked Sara a friendly question.
"How are you doing, Lovely Lady?" Lt. Covington asked. He would have continued, but was rudely interrupted by one exasperated Dr. Gil Grissom.
"The 'Lovely Lady', as you so put it," Grissom began putting his arm around Sara's shoulder and snarled, "is quite busy collecting evidence for this case."
"No harm, no foul," Lt. Covington backed away, holding his hands up in surrender. "I was just making small talk with the young lady, nothing more. I'll be going and finishing up with the witnesses." With that, Lt. Blake Covington left Grissom and Sara, but not before winking sweetly at Sara, which made Grissom's blood boil. Blake couldn't help but laugh at the older man.
After Lt. Covington left, Grissom thought he would have a word with Sara.
"What was all that about, Sara?" Grissom asked slightly annoyed.
"Nothing, Grissom." Sara replied, equally annoyed. "Besides, what business is it of yours? If I want to talk with anyone, I'll talk with them."
"Not on CSI's time, is that clear?" Grissom asked, trying really hard to squelch the jealousy he always felt when any man was in Sara's proximity.
"Well, I finished collecting all the evidence here," Sara began gesturing around the jewelry store. "I'm going to head back to the lab and give all my evidence to Greg."
"Sara, have you forgotten that you drove to the scene with me?" Grissom asked annoyed.
"Well, yeah," Sara began, "why don't you ride back with Jim or Warrick, so I can head back to the lab. I'd like to get Greg started on checking our DNA."
"Okay, okay," Grissom began waving Sara off as if she were some kind of bug. "I'll see you back at the lab." With that, Sara was off to the lab, driving Grissom's vehicle at that.
All the while Grissom, Sara and Lt. Blake Covington were having their conversation, both CSI-3 Warrick Brown and Captain Jim Brass witness the whole scenario. They couldn't believe Grissom's reaction to Blake and Sara's seemingly harmless conversation.
"Hey, Boss Man," Warrick began, "what was all that about?"
"What was all what about?" Grissom asked, feigning ignorance.
"Oh, that little show you put on for us." Jim Brass replied.
"And what a show it was!" Warrick replied, causing Jim Brass to laugh, which brought both men a menacing glare from Gil Grissom.
"Look, we've got work to do and I suggest that we do it, okay?" Grissom replied. With that, the angry forensics entomologist turned on his heals and left their presence. Both Jim and Warrick followed him looking at each other with amused grins. For they knew, deep down, that Dr. Gil Grissom had deep feelings for one, CSI-3 Sara Sidle, though he tried to hide his feelings for Sara.
"So, now do you get my drift, Nicky?" Warrick asked. "We have to be very careful not mention any of this," Warrick said, gesturing around the nightclub, "at the lab and especially not around Grissom."
"Wow, I do see, and I see it clearly now." Nick replied.
Remembering when"Hey, Jason," Sara began, sipping on a Merlot, "it seems that we've met before, but I just can't put my finger on it. What type of work do you do?"
"I'm with the FBI," Jason began, "my official title is Special Agent Jason Willoughby. We had a case about a few years ago that was centered around a serial killer. He killed women that were strippers. We called him some strange name, it seemed to have slipped my mind."
"He was called the 'Strip Strangler', Sara stated matter-of-factly.
"Are you familiar with that case?" Jason asked with surprise evident in his voice.
"Yeah," Sara began, "I volunteered to be a decoy, but…" Sara would have continued, but Jason finished her sentence off for her.
"Your boss told my boss that we, now how did he put it," Jason began smiling at the memory of the possessiveness of Sara's boss, Dr. Gil Grissom. 'I told them that they couldn't have Sara.' But you volunteered anyway, despite what your boss said. Not a career boosting move, huh?"
"I was thinking of the victims and their families," Sara began defensively, "and I didn't want this guy to kill another young woman."
"Okay, okay," Jason began, holding up his hands in surrender. At that precise moment, recognition suddenly dawned on Sara.
"That's where I remember you from," Sara began, "the Strip Strangler case."
"That's right," Jason began, "you were in the supermarket and a guy, not the guy we were looking for, approached you in the supermarket. He lifted your wallet from your purse." At that precise moment, Sara decided to introduce Jason to Warrick and Nick.
"Hey, Nick and Warrick, I'd like you to meet Special Agent Jason Willoughby, Sara began. "He's with the FBI.
"Jason, this is CSI-3 Warrick Brown and CSI-3 Nicholas Stokes, whom we affectionately call, Nicky." Sara replied smiling at both of her co-workers.
"Pleased to meet you both, guys," Jason replied, reaching out to shake both of the young men's hands."
"Same here." Warrick and Nick replied in unison.
"Guys, do you mind if Jason joins us for dinner?" Sara asked with a hopeful look.
"No problem," Warrick replied, "just pull yourself a chair and join in the fun."
The friends sat eating in comfortable silence. They left the dining area of Smitty's Nightclub and went upstairs to the dance area. They spent the next few hours dancing the night away, so-to-speak. Jason excused himself politely, stating that he had an early shift and that he needed to leave. Sara walked Jason out to his car, where they exchanged vitally important information, such as addresses and phone numbers. Jason left the nightclub and Sara went back in to hang with Warrick and Nick.
Upon returning to the upstairs dance area, Sara couldn't help but smile. Warrick and Nick were talking with two of the prettiest women on the dance floor. Sara, who didn't want to cramp her pals' style, decided to hang in the background.
After a few hours of dancing and drinking, the friends decided to call it a night.
As Sara entered her apartment, she was so refreshed from her night on the town. She was also pleased that someone thought she was worth something, that she was beautiful and that she was worth the risk. She sat on her bed, staring at the card that Special Agent Jason Willoughby gave her. He listed all of his phone numbers with the instruction that Sara calls him, not matter what. With that, Sara took a shower and went to bed.