COLLIDE
Sandle fic. Only two more chapters of this to come. All other stories are on hold until this is finished. Enjoy! And Hank, gone but not forgotten, makes his encore performance. I had to bring him back for one last part before we cart him off to prison. Thank my brother for this chapter, he role-played all the testimonies with me, which was incredibly amusing…
You finally find
You and I Collide
"You ready yet, Mr. Straightedge?" she called up the stairs to him from where she stood by the front door, Leigh in her arms.
He appeared a moment later, cradling Emily against his chest." Yeah, yeah. I'm coming. Is Lindsey here yet?"
Sara shook her head, "I'll call and see where she is"
After a brief conversation with Catherine, she hung up, pocketed the phone and turned to Greg. "We now officially have a problem."
"What?"
"Lindsey's sick. She can't watch the twins for us while we're at Hank's trial." Sara related the news to him as Leigh squirmed. She shifted the two month old infant to a more comfortable position.
Greg sighed, picking up the diaper bag by the door. "Look's like they're going with us."
Reluctantly, she agreed and followed Greg out to the Tahoe, making sure Leigh and Emily had been buckled into their car seats correctly.
"Hey guys," Nick greeted them outside the courthouse in the cool November air. "How are Emily and Leigh?"
Greg moved to the backseat to retrieve his daughters. "See for yourself." He replied, handing Emily to her god father.
"You brought them?"
"Lindsey got sick," Sara explained, as she watched Greg pull Leigh into his arms.
Nick nodded. "Ah, explains why a zombie answered the phone when I called Catherine earlier to see where she was." Greg and Sara both smiled as Emily 'cooed', getting Nick's attention. "How are you're wedding plans going?" he asked as Emily latched onto his hand.
"Ugh... I think Catherine has dragged me to every store in Las Vegas. And we haven't even gotten to dresses yet…" Sara told him, Emily had started crying so she took her from Nick, rocking her gently.
"Isn't the wedding next month?" Upon receiving nods from both of them, Nick continued. "You still don't have a dress?"
Sara shrugged. "We've managed to cover: flowers, music, food, Greg's set with his tux, the wedding parties done, invitations were sent out which was quite pointless really cause all we actually needed to do was walk into the lab and go 'Hey! Wedding next week!' All we have left is my dress." Sara ticked the points off on her free hand.
Before anyone could respond Warrick appeared. "You know we're supposed to be inside now, right?" he said, standing beside Greg.
They all shrugged and shuffled inside, not very enthusiastic about having to see Hank again. All too soon for them was Hank brought into the court room, his gaze fixed on Sara, occasionally drifting between Greg and the infants in their arms.
Nick was called first, simply to testify on evidence collected during the bombing.
"So, Mr Stokes, what evidence do you have to verify the defendant indeed committed the crime?" the defense attorney, James Greene, questioned.
Nick sighed. "There were fingerprints on the remnants of the bomb, as well as on the photo and letter he left at Greg's."
Mr. Greene continued. "True, the defendant could have built the bomb, which is not a crime. Someone else could have easily stolen and planted it in the car, while wearing gloves, or holding a surface between them and the bomb."
"In theory, yes." Nick nodded. "But, there was no evidence to support that claim on the bomb, and your client deined making one in our interrogation, let alone having one lying around for someone to steal."
"And someone couldn't have put the defendant's prints on the bomb after constructing it with gloves?"
Nick shrugged, "Yeah, they could've, but this is real forensics not some little kiddie games you play when you get bored. This is a murder case."
"Tell me, CSI 3 Nick Stokes, what part of your evidence excludes that as a possibility?"
"You think your client is playing a kiddie game?"
"No. What excludes the theory that someone else planted the bomb?"
"That in and off itself. Theory. We don't work theories, we work evidence, And the evidence only supports that your client is guilty."
"No further questions." Nick smiled at the fact he'd outsmarted the man and got off the stand as Warrick was sworn in.
"Mr. Brown, what evidence was found in Ms. Sidles apartment that places my client there?"
"Ugh, that would be, prints everywhere in the apartment, photos that could have only been taken from inside it, and when I searched your clients house we found more pictures, along with videos and more incriminating evidence." He explained, glaring at Hank.
"But, since Ms. Sidle and my client were dating at one point, isn't it possible that he could've taken the photos then, and left the prints then?"
Warrick shook his head. "First off, the prints had not deteriorated at all, which they would have since she and Hank dated more than three years ago… Second, the picture was taken the night before the attack. I know, because I had to pick Sara up the next morning. And third, some of the videos in Hanks apartment were taken recently."
He scowled. "Nothing further, Your Honor." He sighed, rather upset that that had not gone as he'd intended.
Then it was Sara's turn. "Were you aware of the bomb in Mr. Sanders' car?"
She nodded, "Yes." Her eyes stayed locked on Greg.
"Really? Then why didn't you warn, Mr. Sanders?"
"Because he warned me when he heard it ticking." She replied, realizing she'd misunderstood the question.
Mr. Greene nodded. "I see. Did the defendant have any time to plant said bomb?"
"Yes, we we're inside Greg's apartment after Hank broke into mine." She explained.
"Do you have any idea why Mr. Pettigrew broke into your home?"
"Cause he was stalking me…?" she suggested, dryly.
"And, do you know if the defendant is capable of making a bomb?"
Sara shot Hank a glare. "Apparently, he managed."
The attorney, who was becoming slightly annoying, had made it into Sara's 'people to remind that I know how to hide a body' list upon asking "What is you're relationship with Mr. Sanders?"
"Why are you asking me that?"
"To figure out what your reason for being there was, so that we can verify you were really there."
Sara shrugged, shifting her glare to the man in front of her. "At the time we were just friends. We are now engaged." She looked to Greg as he cradled the two infants in his arms.
"Is it possible that Mr. Sanders could have indeed planted the bomb himself, in order to place the blame on the defendant?" Mr. Greene questioned.
"Only if he had time between work, dinner, the park, and taking me to the hospital after I passed out of a migraine attack." She listed off the points on her hand.
The defense attorney shrugged, rolling his eyes. "Is it possible Mr. Sanders conspired with the defendant in order to murder you?"
"Ugh… that would be a 'no'."
"Are you saying that to defend him?"
"Would I defend someone who tried to kill me?" Sara retorted, getting frustrated.
"Do either Mr. Sanders or the defendant have you under blackmail?"
Sara let out a laugh. "Yeah, he's holding our two daughters hostage…" she replied sarcastically. "Again… that would be a 'no'."
Mr. Greene kept on. "Is it possible the defendant has Mr. Sanders under blackmail, to kill you?"
The Prosecutor stood up. "Objection! For God Sakes! He's asked the same question three different times!"
"Sustained. Get on with it, counselor." Judge Kohen replied.
He shrugged. "I have no further questions at this point. Your witness." He said, turning it over to the defense who only had a few questions.
After a few moments, she and Greg had traded places, Sara now holding Emily and Leigh while Greg incurred the wrath of Mr. Greene.
"Mr. Sanders, did you conspire with or enlist the help of the defendant to kill Ms. Sidle and/or yourself?" he stared in on Greg immediately.
"Well, now… You're persistent…" he sighed.
"How long were you aware of the bomb in your car before you allegedly 'warned' Ms. Sidle?"
Greg rolled his eyes, finding this guy irritating already. "For all of about two seconds…"
Mr. Greene was pacing in front of the stand. "And the defendant had possession of your car long enough to plant the bomb?"
"Ugh… it was sitting on the street for three hours, outside the hospital for another hour, and about seven while I was working." He listed off.
"Is it possible that Ms. Sidle conspired to kill you with the bomb?"
Greg was getting more and more frustrated as this went on. "And what? Did she conspire to be stalked as well?"
"Are you aware of the seriousness of this matter?" he snapped.
"Are you?" Greg snapped right back.
Mr. Greene finally stopped pacing, coming to stand directly in front of the enraged Greg. "Do you think this is funny, Mr. Sanders?"
"Funny? No. Irritating? Hell yes." He replied. "I'd much rather be at home with my fiancee and newborn daughters planning our wedding."
"So, you don't find the fact that both you and your fiancee were nearly killed important?"
Greg let out a groan of irritation. "Of course I do. You are just asking, rather incessantly I might add, if I assisted in it. And it's getting really really old, really really fast."
"Do have a problem with my methods, Mr Sanders? Or are you just feeling guilty?" Mr. Greene smirked, hoping to get a rise out of Greg.
Unwilling to fall for that bait, Greg shook his head. "You have to BE guilty to feel guilty. Guilty is radiating off the person abot 15 feet behind you." He gestured toward Hank.
"Or are you just attempting to shake the blame off of yourself and onto the defendant?" He replied, ignoring his witness's short outburst.
Greg leaned his head back in exasperation. "You… Are… An… Idiot! How the hell did you make it through law school?"
Mr. Greene continues as if nothing had happened. "Mr. Sanders, are you disagreeing with the evidence collected form the scene?"
"No," Greg shook his head. "Hank's prints were on the car bomb. On the photo and letter he left for Sara to find at my apartment, all over her apartment, which he totaled, all over everything they found in his apartment. Videos, tapes, photos… There is nothing to disagree with. The evidence never lies." He was standing now, completely irritated by this mans apparent lack of knowledge on the justice system, or rather is complete ignorance of it.
"Frustration is a sign of guilt, Mr. Sanders." The defense attorney turned to the judge. "Your honor, I demand Mr. Sanders be removed form this court room and arrested for the attempted murder of Sara Sidle."
Amid the uproar, Judge Kohen's gavel banged. "Not so fast, counselor. You've gone way beyond badgering the witness… I will, however, call a ten minute recess."
Greg immideately moved to Sara, taking Leigh from her before pulling her into a hug. "That was not a fun expierence."
She shook her head against his chest. "You can say that again."
The two of them walked into the hallway to get some air, and some much needed space from that narcissistic attorney.
After a moment Nick pulled Greg away, to talk to him about some random piece of evidence, leaving Sara standing by the door, holding Emily.
"Sara," a familiar voice echoed in the courthouse.
She loked up to see Hank, who'd apparently managed to avoid the corrections officers that had been insode the room. She took a step back, holding Emily tight in her arms. "Hank, how'd you get away?"
"That's not important." He said, advancing on her. "Why did you leave me? What does Sanders have that I don't?"
Sara laughed at the irony of that question. The same thing Greg had asked when she'd started dating Hank, this time she had an answer. "Me." She said and turned to walk away, but Hank grabbed her shoulder.
Fortunately, Greg happened to be returning from his chat with Nick, who was now watching Leigh, in time to see this, and rushed forward grabbing Hank by the collar and slamming him against the wall. "Stay away from her." He warned. "Stay away froom her and my daughters."
With perefct timing a panicked looking corrections officer appeared from the other end of the hall just as Greg relinquished his hold on Hank. "Lose somehting?" Greg supplied, handing over Hank to the C.O.
The man nodded sheepishly and led the convict away.
"Are you okay?" Greg aksed, standing beside Sara.
She nodded, "Just a little shook up."
He sighed, pulling her into his arms again. He held her until it was time to go back in. To listen to Hank testify…
"Mr Pettigrew, did you plant the bomb in Mr Sanders' car?" The ADA questioned.
"Maybe…" Hank smugly retorted.
"Do you know how to assemble a car bomb?"
"I could probably pull it off…"
"Why were you stalking Ms Sidle?"
Hank looked up. "Stalking, who's stalking? I was protecting her from guys like him," he gestured flippantly at Greg who scowled and glared at Hank, holding Sara to him.
"And you assumed that almost murdering both Mr Sanders, and Ms Sidle would resolve the issue?" Elise McKenna, the ADA, asked, as she started the pacing that had thoroughly annoyed both Greg and Sara.
Hank shrugged. "I guess it didn't work too well, huh?"
"So, you admit to planting the bomb?"
"No."
Ms. McKenna rolled her eyes. "Are you being intentionally dense?"
Hank shook his head. "No, are you?"
"Did you conspire, or force Mr. Sanders to plant the bomb for you?" she asked, hell bent on ruling out that theory.
"Ask him, he's the C.S.I."
The prosecutor was growing impatient with her smart-mouthed witnesses. "Yes or no, Mr. Pettigrew! Answer the question!"
"Do I have to?" he mocked.
"You are in a court of law! Answer the question, yes or no, or you will be held in contempt!" the ADA warned.
"That would be my job, counselor." Judge Kohen spoke up. "Mr. Pettigrew, answer the question or you wil be enjoying my hospitality, which isn't all that hospitable..."
Hank smirked. "That idiot wasn't involved, except in stalking her, that was all him."
"Somehow I predicted that…" Ms. McKenna sighed. "If that's true why do Mr. Sanders and Ms. Sidle's stories collaborate naming you as the stalker, with evidence to support it?"
"They're lying?" he supplied.
"Mr Pettigrew, do you hold a grudge against Mr Sanders or Ms Sidle?"
"Maybe…" Hank repeated.
Growing frustrated, she shrugged. "Yes or no?"
Hank rolled his eyes. "Damn, are you picky…" Upon hearing the Judge clear her throat, he wisely choose to answer. "He stole her from me…"
"Mr Pettigrew, are you aware that this is not a matter or your intentions, but that of murder, a federal offense?"
Hank didn't seem concerned. "Yeah… so?"
"Mr Pettigrew, did you kill the federal agent?" she continued, still pacing.
"What federal agent?" he replied.
She stopped, turning to face him. "You weren't aware that your car bomb killed a federal agent in the explosion?"
He looked smug. "What car bomb?" he was playing dumb and leading the conversation in circles.
"Mr Pettigrew, how do you explain your fingerprints on the bomb?" Ms. McKenna chose to disregard that last statement.
Hank shrugged, leaning back in the chair. "They work in a freakin' crime lab. They could have fabricated evidence…" he defended himself, albeit, not very convincingly.
"Well... personally, I think you did do it..."
Hank still didn't look worried. "Then you aren't a very impartial ADA, are you?"
She shook her head. "You did, didnt you?"
"No, I didn't." he replied.
"Yeah, you did."
"Didn't…"
"Did…"
"Didn't…"
"Did…"
"Didn't…"
"Didn't…"
"Did…" Hank had slipped up. ( I know that that actually wouldn't win anything, but it was fun to type so, its staying.)
"I rest my case." The ADA replied, leaving the entire courtroom laughing.
"Hey! Waita minute... Damn you…" Hank growled as he was led away to await a sentencing hearing.
Greg pulled Sara into a hug, her head resting on his shoulder. "Can we go home now?" she asked, rocking Leigh in her arms, as Greg held Emily.
He nodded. "Sure. We have a wedding to plan." He replied and led her out the door.
XD… 10 pages… wow… I'm sorry that took a few days to get up, but you can see why… Do me a favor and review that! Meh… my hands hurt now… poor keyboard…