A/N: Hey y'all, so what do you think? Obviously you either liked it or I uploaded the two chapters at the same time cuz you are reading this. And FYI, the poem 'Sarah' was sent to me in an actual chain letter. If the actual writer of that poem is reading this, I hope you don't mind, and I love this poem. If anyone would like a copy of this letter, let me know and I'll email it to you. And as for the IM conversations, there are alot of intentional spelling mistakes. It's just to make it all realistic and junk. Anywhoo, on with the story. Enjoy!
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At the Lab...
"Catherine, have you found anything?" Grissom asked walking into the AV Lab where Catherine had Hannah's laptop.
"Yeah. I found emails and IM conversations."
"Okay. Bring some up." He said sitting next to her.
"Okay. Here we go."
To: ConcreteAngel02
From: Bebopsthename23
Subject: A Poem by Sarah
Hey Hannah, my cousin sent this to me and I thought you might want to read it. If it upsets you, I'm sorry. I'll talk to you soon.
Aaron
Sarah
My name is Sarah
I am but three,
My eyes are swollen
I cannot see,
I must be stupid
I must be bad,
What else could have made
My daddy so mad?
I wish I were better
I wish I weren't ugly,
Then maybe my mommy
Would still want to hug me.
I can't speak at all
I can't do a wrong
Or else I'm locked up
All the day long.
When I awake I'm all alone
The house is dark
My folks aren't home.
When my mommy does come
I'll try and be nice,
So maybe I'll get just
One
whipping tonight.
Don't make a sound!
I just heard a car
My daddy is back
From Charlie's Bar.
I hear him curse
My name he calls
I press myself
Against the wall.
I try and hide
From his evil eyes
I'm so afraid now
I'm starting to cry.
He finds me weeping
He shouts ugly words,
He says its my fault
That he suffers at work.
He slaps me and hits me
And yells at me more,
I finally get free
And I run for the door.
He's already locked it
And I start to bawl,
He takes
me and throws me
Against the hard wall.
I fall to the floor
With my bones nearly broken,
And my daddy continues
With more bad words spoken.
"I'm sorry!", I scream
But its now much too late
His face has been twisted
Into unimaginable hate.
The hurt and the pain
Again and again
Oh please God, have mercy!
Oh please let it end!
And he finally stops
And heads for the door,
While I lay there motionless
Sprawled on the floor.
My name is Sarah
And I am but three,
Tonight my daddy
Murdered me.
There are thousands of kids out there just
like Sarah. And you can
help.
Sickens me to my soul, and if you just read this and don't pass it
on I pray for your forgiveness, cause you would have to be one
heartless person
to not be effected by this email. And because you are effected, do
something about it! So all I am asking you to do, is take some
time to send this on and acknowledge that this stuff does happen,
and that people like her dad do live in our society, and I pray for
child abuse to wither
out and die, but also pray for the safety of our youth.
Please pass this poem on because as crazy as it might sound, it
might just indirectly change a life. Hey, you NEVER know.
Please forward if you are
AGAINST CHILD ABUSE
"It must be a chain letter or something. Who ever really wrote it didn't sign it." Catherine said closing the email. "She got that one a few months ago. And this one...she got two weeks after that." She said openeing another email.
To: ConcreteAngel02
From: Bebopsthename23
Subject: (No Subject)
Hey, I told you he wouldn't yell at you if I was there. He isn't home now is he? I hope you don't get in trouble. I'll see you Monday.
Aaron
To: Bebopsthename23
From: ConcreteAngel02
Subject: Re: (No Subject)
Hey Aaron, I know you were worried, but he didn't say anything all weekend. I think he either forgot or by a miracle, Ms. Andrews didn't call him. We'll see. See ya tomorrow.
Luv, Hannah
"Hmmm. I wonder what that was about." Catherine said looking at Grissom.
"Something must have happened at school and she must have been scared. I mean, it can't be something bad, knowing Hannah."
"Yeah. I think she was scared and Aaron must have gone home with her to make sure nothing happened." Catherine said smiling. Grissom gave her a puzzled look.
"What?"
"I realized something today."
"What's that?"
"Aaron is like you."
"What? I'm not following."
"He is trying to do anything to protect her. Just like you did for me."
"Yes, but so is Greg."
"Yeah but I am just thinking ahead."
"Thinking ahead to what?"
"Well, you aren't the only friend who helped me, you were just the one who was right there. Greg couldn't be right there, so Aaron was."
"Catherine you are making little to almost no sense."
"Think about it. Warrick was helpng me too, but we are only friends. You helped me and...well look at where we are now."
"Okay, I'm starting to get it. You mean Aaron likes Hannah as in more than just friends, and comparing him to me, he is just to chicken to tell her."
"Exactly. But Hannah probably knows this. Up until last night she had an obsticle which made her afraid to speak."
"Yeah. I guess you're right. Let's see what else is here." Grissom said as Catherine closed out the email.
"Okay. Let's check out her IM conversations." Catherine said as a list of conversations and dates came up. "Okay we have a ton of them here from Aaron and what looks like the same amount from Greg."
"What makes you think it is Greg based on the screen name?"
"Gil, think about it. VegasLabRat?"
"Oh, right. Uh, anyway...moving on." He said blushing.
"Okay. To save time, let's start at... hmm a few weeks ago. After her first day here. If we find something interesting, we can go back further."
"Okay. Pull it up."
ConcreteAngel02 (9:30 AM): hey aaron. r u there?
Bebopsthename23 (9:30 AM): yup. how was your first day today?
ConcreteAngel02 (9:31 AM): I loved it! It was so awesome. I couldn't collect anything, but it was cool.
Bebopsthename23 (9:31 AM): did you get to work with that girl Sara like you wanted?
ConcreteAngel02 (9:32 AM): no, I think she was having a bad day. And...well never mind.
Bebopsthename23 (9:32 AM): what?
ConcreteAngel02 (9:32 AM): nvm
Bebopsthename23 (9:32 AM): hannah! come on. tell me.
ConcreteAngel02(9:33 AM):Well, I don't think she likes me that much. I don't think she even likes Greg that much. But Greg said she was uncomfortable around kids. i think that might be it.
Bebopsthename23(9:33 AM): Well, maybe she has to get used to it. You'll see. Everybody can't help but love you. ;D
ConcreteAngel02 (9:34 AM): Thanx. : ) I hope you're right tho. She seems really deticated to her work. And I think it would be kewl to work with her.
Bebopsthename23 (9:34 AM): probly. Hey, mom is taking me to the mall, you wanna come?
ConcreteAngel02 (9:35 AM): Uh, I dunno.
Bebopsthename23 (9:35 AM): Well, is ur dad home?
ConcreteAngel02 (9:35 AM): nope. hes at work.
Bebopsthename23 (9:35 AM): ok then. it shouldnt be a prob. cuz he never really minds as long as he knows where you are. You can call him at work. You do it all the time and you never get in trouble right?
ConcreteAngel02 (9:36 AM): Yeah you're right. I did all of my chores when I got home, so I can't get in trouble for that tonight. Well, it looks like it will be a good night.
Bebopsthename23 (9:36 AM): Okay then. Well, I can call him and say I want to surprise you. You know, for your first day and all. Then I can promise you won't get in any trouble because you wouldn't have known about it. How does that sound?
ConcreteAngel02 (9:37 AM): You know I think that might work. Try it and tell me what he says.
ConcreteAngel02 (9:37 AM): You have the number right?
Bebopsthename23 (9:37 AM): yup. brb. don't go away.
ConcreteAngel02 (9:37 AM): okay. hurry.
Bebopsthename23 (9:45): hey i'm back
ConcreteAngel02 (9:45 AM): what did he say?
Bebopsthename23 (9:46 AM): he said as long as ur chores and stuff were all finished, it was fine.
ConcreteAngel02 (9:26 AM): yes! thanx Aaron, i really owe you one.
Bebopethename23 (9:46 AM): nah. don't mention it. that ones on me. but that's the only one. ;)
ConcreteAngel02 (9:47 AM): Uh huh. I'll remember that. lol anyway, I'll see you soon, call before you leave okay?
Bebopsthename23 (9:47 AM): sure. see ya soon.
Bebopsthename23 Signed Off (9:48 AM)
"Well, that's nice." Grissom said looking at Catherine.
"Yeah, but it is also sad. She said that it would be a good night. I guess she got yelled at a lot."
"Perhaps. Let's look at another one." Grissom said closing the conversation.
"Alright. This one was the day Hannah broke her arm. She is talking to Greg." Catherine said opening the next conversation.
VegasLabRat (6:15 PM): yo Hannah! lol u there?
ConcreteAngel02 (6:15 PM): yeah i'm here. what's up?
VegasLabRat (6:15 PM): not much. how ya doin'?
ConcreteAngel02 (6:16 PM): eh, i'm okay i guess. it hurts a little, but i'll live. I hope.
VegasLabRat (6:16 PM): thats not funny u know.
ConcreteAngel02 (6:16 PM): what? i just can't wait until i get to go to work and get out of here for a while.
VegasLabRat (6:17 PM): yeah, i see what you mean. Hannah, you know they are going to ask questions right? I mean, you can't tell them what happened. Have you thought about what to tell them?
ConcreteAngel02 (6:17 PM): yeah. I think i'll just tell them i fell down the stairs or something. i hate having to lie to everyone though, it's just, complicated.
VegasLabRat (6:18 PM): don't worry. if the situation is presented to where they find out, i'm sure they'll forgive you.
ConcreteAngel02 (6:18 PM): yeah. you're right. I just hope that i never have to face that.
ConcreteAngel02 (6:19 PM): Greg, i need you to do something for me.
VegasLabRat (6:19 PM): anything. what is it?
ConcreteAngel02 (6:19 PM): I need you to hold on to my mother's jewelry box for me. just for a while. i want to keep it, but i can't risk my dad finding it again. plz?
VegasLabRat (6:20 PM): of course. i was wondering, how did he find it anyway? i thought you always kept it covered up or something.
ConcreteAngel02 (6:20 PM): i do. i thought it was covered when I left. he probably moved stuff around when he was getting clothes for me when i was with Griss and Catherine. idk, it's done now.
VegasLabRat (6:21 PM): i guess it is.
ConcreteAngel02 (6:21 PM): i'm gonna go. dad will be home soon. i'm gonna leave him a note saying i had to leave early. i don't want to see him before shift tonight. just incase he is still angry. ttyl.
VegasLabRat (6:22 PM): where are you going to go? i mean chances are someone from the team is going to be at the lab, and it won't make any sense if you come in hours early.
ConcreteAngel02 (6:22 PM): i'll probably go hang with Aaron for a while. I'll call you if I go there. if I don't call that means i went to our old hang out okay?
VegasLabRat (6:23 PM): okay Hannah. I have to get ready for work soon. see ya later.
VegasLabRat Signed Off (6:23 PM)
"Well, at least we know how she really broke her arm." Grissom said looking to Catherine who had tears in her eyes. "Catherine? What is it?"
"It's my fault."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"It's all my fault. When she got in trouble. I left the box uncovered and her mother's necklace on top. Gil, it's my fault! I got her in trouble." She said bursting into tears.
"Shh. Hey, it's okay. I'm sure she knows you didn't mean to. You didn't know Catherine. It's okay." He comforted. They heard a knock at the door.
"Uh, excuse me. Catherine?" David said standing at the door.
"Oh, hey David. What is it? Lindsey didn't mess anything up earlier did she?"
"No. This came for you. It was sent from Desert Palms. It has some X-rays inside."
"Oh, why did you get it?"
"It got mixed in with Doc Robbins' mail and he asked me to deliver it to you." He said handing her the envelope. "Are you alright?"
"Yes. I'm fine. Thank you David."
"No problem Catherine." He said leaving the two CSI's alone. Catherine opened the envelope an took out two X-Ray pictures.
"What are these from?" Grissom asked not recogizing the doctor's name.
"They are X-Rays of Hannah's arm. I told the doctor we were investigating what happened. He told me he personally didn't believe Hannah's story. I had to get a warrant, but I got them." She said holding the first one up to the light. "Oh my God." Catherine said looking at the break.
"It's a spiral fracture."
"He twisted her arm enough to break it." Catherine said as another tear escaped down her cheek. "I feel so bad Gil. If I hadn't touched it, or if I had put it back the way I found it, that wouldn't have happened. And maybe she would have been able to defend herself against her father the other night."
"Catherine, you know me, I believe in science almost more than anything. Except I believe even more that everything happens for a reason." He said putting a hand on her cheek. "This happened for a reason Catherine. We may not know the reason yet, and we may never know. But it was for a reason."
"I know what the reason is. It was to get her away from her father. It was to... set her free." Catherine said looking down at the X-Ray on the table.
"I guess you're right. So...what else did the doctor say?" He said sliding the X-Rays back into the envelope.
"Not much. He told me that the whole situation was strange." Catherine said opening her notebook. "Well, he told me that Hannah was brought in by her brother. Which I'm assuming was Greg. He said they gave him the smallest amount of information as possible."
"Well, we know the reasoning for that."
"Yeah. Well, something else he said was weird."
"What's that?"
"He said Hannah was very calm. She didn't cry, or flinch when he made the cast. She was just so calm and still."
"Well, I guess being abused for so long, she had to make herself tougher. Her father probably yelled more if she cried which is why she didn't cry anytime else either." Grissom said glancing at the notebook. "She didn't cry after that interrogation with Adam West either. And when he broke her cast, he was squeezing hard. I think if it was me, I probably would have been a little shaken up."
"Yeah. Abuse victims tend to hide that very well." Catherine said remembering what her life once was like.
"Why? I mean, if you are a victim, and you are afraid to cry around your abuser, then why not cry in front of someone else? It's not like you will get in trouble with them or anything."
"Gil it is complicated. You have to have been in that situation before you can fully understand. It is being afraid of going too far when talking to someone. Or crying too much and causing concern with somebody else."
"I guess I know what you mean. I remember after Eddie would hurt you, you would come to see me. And I remember that a few times we never spoke. You just cried. Do you remember?"
"How could I forget?" Catherine said smiling.
"Hannah's problem was, her father practically kept her on servalence. He had to know where she was at all times. She couldn't go and see Greg for comfort. We already know that based on his feelings toward Greg."
"But she did confide in him. After the interrogation, Greg was putting his lab coat in the lab, and she started crying. I'm sure she confided in Aaron a lot too."
"Well, yeah. He is the only one her father would let her see without getting into trouble. But obviously Greg and Hannah were finding a way to meet. I mean her father went out a lot. Just put two and two together."
"Yeah." Catherine said looking at the screen again. "Hey. Let's look at that one. It was a message to Aaron the day of the shooting." Catherine said clicking on the conversation.
ConcreteAngel02 (9:52 PM): aaron? r u there?
ConcreteAngel02 (9:52 PM): aaron plz! i need to talk to you! its an emergency!
Bebopsthename23 Auto Response (9:52 PM): hey. I'm in a false state of ibernation...ttyl.
ConcreteAngel02 (9:53 PM): aaron! you have to help! call Greg! I think my dad is really upset. I'm really scared. I have a bad feeling about this. Oh, please come back on!
Bebopsthename23 Returned (9:56 PM)
Bebopsthename23 (9:56 PM): hannah? what is it? whats going on?
Bebopsthename23 (9:57 PM): r u there?
ConcreteAngel02 (9:58 PM): i'm here, but i'm scared. i can't call Greg, or i'll get in trouble.
Bebopsthename23 (9:58 PM): calm down. what happened?
ConcreteAngel02 (9:59 PM): long story short, Sara brought me home. Greg was with us. dad saw him. and that was the second time today! i'm in SO much trouble! i told my dad that Greg was switching shifts so he would let me keep the job. aaron, i'm so scared!
Bebopsthename23 (10:00 PM): look, calm down okay? it will be okay. i promise i'll help. nothing bad is going to happen. I'll call greg. hang in there as long as you can. has he called you downstairs or said he needs to talk to you?
ConcreteAngel02 (10:00 PM): no, but i think he will soon. i'm scared!
Bebopsthename23 (10:01 PM): look, mom is on the phone right now. when she is done, i'll call greg. just talk to me until i call him okay? i promise, i won't let anything happen.
ConcreteAngel02 (10:01 PM): omg! g2g!
Bebopsthename23 (10:02 PM): what? what is it?
Bebopsthename23 (10:03 PM): hannah? are you there? talk to me, what's going on?
Bebopsthename23 (10:05 PM): Hannah!
Bebopsthename23 Signed Off (10:06 PM)
"Oh my God." Catherine said closing the conversation. "She was so scared."
"Yeah. She saw it coming before her father ever said anything." Grissom said standing up to stretch. "Come on. Let's go check on Linds. Then we can go to see how Hannah is doing."
"Okay." Catherine said standing up and quikcly wiping the tears from her eyes.
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A/N: That wasn't too dreadfully long was it? Sry...I know I'm dragging the story. There are just somethings I want said by the characters and that is why I have to drag it AND have some of these details you know? heh heh heh. If it is too long and you want me to get to the point, just let me know, and I'll skip all the long descriptive crap... I mean junk...I mean stuff. LOL Plz review!
Sweet Jorja