DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything
AUTHORS NOTE: This is set before the breakup of the team and before Greg was in the field.
Nick and Catherine were in the break room waiting for Grissom to hand out the assignments. Nick was sitting at the table sipping coffee while Catherine was sprawled out on the couch trying to get some last minute shut eye. Grissom walked in and turned to the two,
"Have either one of you seen Sara or Warrick?" Nick shook his head, and Catherine answered without opening her eyes,
"Sara called to say she was having car trouble and to ask if someone could come pick her up and Warrick volunteered."
"How long ago was that?" Catherine opened her eyes, glanced at her watch and said,
"About half an hour ago, they should be back by now."
"Well, when you see them tell them to find me." Grissom said as he backed into the hallway almost plowing over Sara and Warrick.
"Whoa! Griss, careful!" Warrick commented as he pulled Sara out of the way. Sara said her thanks to Warrick as Grissom apologized. The three of them walked into the break room with Grissom going through his assignment folder. Catherine sat up so Sara could sit down next to her. Warrick headed to the coffee machine,
"Anybody else want some coffee?"
"Sara and Catherine both said they'd have a cup so Warrick pulled out three cups and made their coffee the way they liked it. When he was finished, he handed them out and went to go sit at the table next to Nick.
"Nick, there's a DB in Henderson, appears to have shot in the abdomen, Brass will meet you there."
"On my way."
"Warrick, go with him" Grissom added
"Got it."
"And I need to see you two in my office." Grissom said to Sara and Catherine when Nick and Warrick had left. Sara and Catherine exchanged confused looks,
"Right now?" Catherine asked
"Yes."
"But what about our assignments?" Sara asked
"That's what I need to talk to you about." By this time the three of them were in front of Grissom's office, so he held the door open for them. After they were inside he turned around and shut the door behind him.
"So… what are our assignments?" Sara asked
"Assignment. Just one."
"Okay, so what is it?" Catherine was getting annoyed
"It's kind of an undercover/stakeout."
"Cool! That's awesome!" Sara cried
"Yeah, it's cool, but why are wedoing this and not actual officers?" Catherine asked
"Your doing it because the Sheriff wants you to and because he knows you can do the job." Grissom retorted with a little bit of annoyance.
"What exactly is our job?" Sara asked
"Billy Parker. He is a suspect that the Sheriff wants to bring in for questioning, but it seems that Parker has a gift for spotting the Police before they can spot him. So, what you are going to be doing is distracting Parker while Brass arrests him. Any questions?"
"Where is this going to be happening?" Sara wanted to know
"A place called 'Over the Rainbow." Grissom replied
"A strip club?" Catherine cried
"What!" exclaimed Sara turning toward Grissom
"You know it, Catherine?" Grissom asked surprised
"Unfortunately, yes. I used to work there."
"Oh." was all that came out of Grissom's mouth
"Wait… earlier you said undercover, did you mean…" Sara started
"Yes"
"Why?" Sara whined
"Because this is the only place we can count on Parker being every Thursday night."
"Wait, why on Thursdays?" Sara was confused
"Wizard of Oz night" Catherine replied glumly
"What's different on 'Wizard of Oz night' than any other night?" Sara asked
"All of the women who are not on stage wear a sluttier version of Dorothy's costume in 'The Wizard of Oz', and all the men who are working wear wizard costumes minus the hat." Catherine answered
"Where are we going to be working Grissom?" Sara asked with a worried face
"You," as he looked at Sara, "will be working with me, and you," as he looked at Catherine, "will be on stage."
"What! Grissom, what will I be doing on stage?"
"Do what you used to do." Grissom shrugged
"What are you and Sara doing?" Catherine asked
"I will be sitting in the crowd looking for Parker, and Sara will be working in the crowd, apparently in pig tails and carrying a dog named Toto." Grissom smirked
"Do I have to wear the costume?" Sara asked
"Yes."
"Why…," Sara whined again
"If you don't wear the costume, Parker won't trust you."
"What am I going to need him to trust me for?"
"You will need to lure him into one of the back rooms where Brass, Catherine, and I will be waiting to make the arrest. Oh, did I tell you that Greg will be working with us?"
"Greg is part of it too?" Catherine asked "What will he be doing?"
"He will be bartending." Grissom answered
"Why?" Catherine asked
"It seems that Parker has a pretty big drinking problem."
"So not only will I be half naked, I will also be getting hit on by a drunk?" Sara asked a little angry
"Maybe, maybe not. It all depends on whether or not he is drunk when he gets there. You see, once Greg sees Parker, he will ask him if he wants a drink. If Parker says no, he doesn't have any money, Greg will offer him one 'on the house'. Then, Greg will push a button that sends a tiny electric impulse to you." as he looks at Sara, "After you get the shock, you will go to the bar to find Parker. When you find him, you will wink at Greg, and he will call me on my phone. Then, I will send another electric impulse to Catherine," as he glances at Catherine, "and she will go to the back room to wait. You will have to keep his attention while we slip into the back room. Then, you have to find a way to get Parker to go into the back room with you. Greg will follow you to back you up from behind incase Parker sees us and tries to run. You don't have to worry Sara. Brass, Greg, and I will all be armed."
"Greg with a gun is supposed to make me feel better?"
"Sara, I told you, you have to worry about anything. I made sure myself that Greg could handle it." This made Sara feel a little better, but she didn't let it show.
"What Thursday are we talking about?" Catherine asked
"Tonight." Grissom replied
"Tonight? Sara repeated
"Yes, tonight."
"Just a question, we are getting paid for this, right?" Catherine asked
"Yes, double and whatever tips you make. You are okay with this, aren't you?" Grissom asked
"With double the pay, I'm fine with it. Are you Sara?" Catherine said
"Whatever." Sara answered, still a little unsure
"Good. You two can go home until later if you want to." Grissom told them
"Okay, see you two later," Catherine walked out the door.
"I think I'll just hang out here if that's okay with you." Sara said. Grissom gave her a puzzled look, "You know, because my car's not working. Oh, by the way, can you give me a ride tonight?"
"Yeah, sure."
TBC
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