Okay, so - on we go…

XxX

Twelve. That was the number of different introductions Lily had imagined introducing herself with. As soon as she saw her though, her thoughts became jumbled and disoriented. It was better to say nothing yet. Let her head be able to string a sentence together, or at least have one coherent thought.

"Hey Greg." She seemed happy enough. "Who are your friends? I didn't think guided tours were until next week." The brunette laughed. Did she really have to do this/ She knew she had an alibi.

"Ha ha. Actually, they," He gestured frantically between Lily and Scotty, "are here on business. And - they're coming to my party tonight.

"Your party?" She asked, taken aback. "I thought Catherine was having it. It's her birthday, right?" These two women obviously weren't close, especially with the second guessing birthday thing.

"Aaah, but she's only going to the pub. She has got a kid you know?-"

"A little hard to miss, Greg." Now these two got along, even if a little guarded along the way.

"Well, anyway, if you'd let me finish." He tried to sound annoyed, but a smile broke as Sara humoured him with a 'continue' gesture. "Catherine's leaving early, and Nick, Archie and I, were planning on continuing the celebration without the birthday girl - at my house." He explained.

"I'm sure that has logic somewhere." She was amused. "You don't expect me to come do you?" The playful banter in her voice told him she would be.

"Hey, anyone who's anyone is gonna be there, including my pals here. Right Scotty?" He glanced behind him, blocking the view of the blond woman from Sara, but clearly showing the Puerto Rican.

"Well, seeing as we're staying there, it'd be a hard job not to." He smiled.

"Well, I'm sorry." Her smile was friendly, nothing more, nothing less. "Where's my manners? I'm Sara Sidle." She held her hand toward the man.

Taking it, he answered, "This is detective Rush and I'm detective Scotty Valens." He thought it necessary to let Lily 'introduce' herself.

Extending her arm momentarily towards Lily, Sara seemed to slip into a daze.

"You okay?" Asked Lily, glad the hand had fallen, not sure if a handshake was the way to go. Of all the ways she imagined her first words to her little 'sister', those were never on the list. Hmm, thirteen, unlucky for some.

"Erm, yeah, you just reminded me of someone - from a long time ago." She found her smile again, as did Lily. Scotty observed it was one of the most sincere she had ever given. Her heart beat an extra time that moment. She recognized me. So much for thirteen being unlucky. "So anything I can help you folks with?"

"Yeah. Er, Greg." Scotty looked pointedly at his friend. "You mind giving us some privacy?" He added when the suggestion has escaped the younger man.

"What? It's Sara you want to talk to? I swear she hasn't done a thing."

"We're not saying she has." Came Lily's soft, recovered voice. "We just need to interview you."

She looked directly at Sara the whole time. Her eyes, although more friendly and happy, still contained the same secrecy Lily remembered. Someone once told her you could learn a lot through looking into someone's eyes. It's like looking straight to the soul, they had said. And here and now she believed it. The frail image Sara had grown with in Philadelphia, was no more. She was skinny, but she was now tall. Taller, even, than Lily. Must have hit puberty late. Her brown hair clung gently around her face, framing a strong, authoritive look, differing from the cute ringlets she owned as a child.

"Sure. Come with me." She could feel an underlying issue as she lead the detectives into Grissom's office. He better not get pissed with me over using his office, as well. "Is this about a case I've worked on? A crime in my neighbourhood?" She shut the door, motioning them to seats. "Because I'm not there that often, I won't be much help."

"No, it's not about that. It's about your brother really." Came Scottie's voice. "But we'd need to know a few things from you that may be awkward."

"Yeah, I know how it goes. You want his history. But, I don't get it. He's down at Tomales Bay, where we grew up. What are you doing down here?"

"Well, Sara," The word sounded so alien on her tongue, "It's more complicated than that."

"Nothing's happened has it?" Agitation was evident.

"No, nothing like that." Scotty turned to Lily for help. She decided to be a detective first.

"We work cold cases. We're investigating the murder of one John Langhan back in 1985. We need information."

"You're from Philadelphia?" She asked almost resigned.

"Yeah. We got new evidence in."

"It is you?" The statement was completely out of the blue, and Lily wasn't sure if she had even heard about the evidence. "If you knew where I was?-"

"I didn't."

"I can't believe it's you. And - you're a cop."

"And you're a CSI. You always were good with books." They shared a knowing look. "So, now I know your name. No more Baby Girl." She laughed lightly.

"Definitely. And what's with the hair? You hated wearing it up."

Both women were reminded of Scotty's presence, as his laughter echoed through the room.

XxX

Okay, so the end of this chapter wasn't spectacular, but there's always next time. Lol.