Another one that's been on the backburner for a while. Not sure how often it will be updated, but I will start to work on it again. Sorry for the long waits.
Chapter Three: Consequences
She let out a heavy sigh, her fingers entwined as she sat down on the edge of the chair. Greg was behind her, but he chose to remain standing, and it was Grissom who took the seat next to her. All in all, Ecklie did not look very pleased.
Their plan of telling Grissom had fallen short; somehow Hodges had heard about her pregnancy, and had gone straight to Ecklie with the news. How he found out was beyond her, Greg had sworn not to tell anyone, but that didn't necessarily mean someone heard them talking about it. She and Greg had the short discussion nearly twenty minutes ago.
"Let me get this straight," Ecklie started out quietly. "You're pregnant," he pointed first at Sara, then moved to Greg, "And you're the father?"
"Yes sir," the pair muttered quietly.
"And neither of you thought about brining this up?"
"We were going to talk with Grissom about it tonight," Sara was quick in defending herself, glancing over at Grissom who sat there quietly.
"But you didn't," he pointed out, "Instead I had to wait, and hear from an outside source. You have any idea how compromising this looks for the lab? Two of our employees working together are also dating. You should know well of the Sidle, your dating experiences with Hank. And the two of you didn't even work in the same field."
"We kept everything professional," Sara told him. "Strictly business at work…"
"That doesn't matter. Any judge will eat this place alive, any attorney, and lawyer. Hell, the sheriff would have my ass in a second if they caught wind of this." He shook his head slowly, letting out a breath. "Exactly how long have you two been dating?"
"About a month," Sara answered quietly, glancing back at Greg who nodded in affirmation.
"Boy you two are quick," Ecklie muttered quietly, earning a shocked look out of both of them.
"Here's what we're going to do," he continued after reflecting for a moment. "Sanders, you are being moved to the swing shift, you will report to Catherine Willows. If I remember right she left to head out to the MGM, I'll inform her that you're on your way."
Greg only nodded, waiting for a moment longer to make sure that it was an actual dismissal. When it was confirmed he wasted no time in ducking out. Only Sara and Grissom were left there now, and she could feel her stomach churning, and it wasn't due to morning sickness.
"Sara Sidle you will report to Grissom, until you take maternity leave. Neither you nor Sanders will be allowed to converse during work hours, or on the lab premises at all. Is this clear?"
"You can't just separate us indefinitely," Sara stated firmly, not moving from where she was sitting.
"As long as it off these premises, and on your own time, I don't have a problem with it. But I will make myself clear, here and now, that if you are Greg so much as talk to one another while at the lab both of you will be looking for a new job. Is that understandable?"
"That's unfair," Sara started, but it was as far as she got.
"Do you understand Sidle?"
With a slight snarl she nodded, mostly because Grissom's hand was on her arm, a silent motion that she should agree. "Yes sir."
It wasn't hard to find, something that Greg had been thankful for. Ecklie had given him a vague address to go by, that address being a little more than the hotel itself. All he had to do was show the on-scene officer his badge and he was allowed through.
He was greeted with a frown as neared the body, Catherine moving to stand from where she was crouching. "Is there something I can help you with Greg?"
It was unusual to see the newly promoted CSI out here, mostly because he didn't even work this shift. She hadn't heard of another case out here, but then again they wouldn't necessarily inform her about it either.
"I gather Ecklie didn't call you," Greg returned, placing his kit on the ground.
Catherine shook her head as she pulled a pair of fresh gloves on. "I haven't been answering my phone," she admitted, having turned off the device shortly into her shift hours ago. "It wouldn't stop ringing, and it was interfering in my work."
Greg nodded, wondering vaguely how that decision was affecting Ecklie's mood. He surveyed the scene quietly; one db, a lot of blood, and many, many eyewitnesses, standing off to the side as Nick and Warrick made their way through the line slowly.
"So…" Catherine glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Are you going to tell me what's going on?"
Greg cleared his throat, nodding. "You want the short version or the extended one?"
"Let's go with the short version," Catherine offered up, knowing full well that sometimes, if given the chance, the ex-lab tech could ramble on nearly forever.
"Okay…" Greg took a breath, trying to think of the best way to explain it. "Sara and I are in a bit of trouble, and until further notice, I report to you."
"Really?" Catherine was surprised, "and Sara?"
"She reports to Grissom," he explained briefly, remembering the call he had gotten from Grissom on his way out there. "Oh…and we're no longer allowed to converse during work hours."
"What exactly did you two do?"
Greg frowned, turning to her. "I though you wanted the short version."
"Well, you've got me interested now. Talk."
"Sara's pregnant, I'm the father, and Ecklie's pissed," Greg finished with a bit of a smile, crossing his arms as she began to laugh.
"How long have you two been together?"
"About a month," Greg muttered quietly.
"Been busy, huh?"
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" he asked quietly, a hint of irritation in his voice. "Come on; give me something to do already."
"Document the body; we're still waiting for David to show up. I'm working the perimeter."
Retrieving his camera he knelt down, grateful that he had at least something to do. A few quick pictures there, a few more here. He moved closer, scanning the body for any trace.
"Is it a boy or a girl?"
He looked back up at Catherine, mouth hanging open slightly as he turned back to their victim. "I um…I think it's a her…but if you really want to know I can check…"
"The baby Greg," Catherine cut him off, glancing up from where she stood, sealing the bag.
"Oh," he blushed, turning back to the victim, snapping a few more shots of her face. "I don't know…it's too early to tell yet."
"What do you want?"
Greg let out a sigh, pulling a pair of tweezers from his front pocket. There was a strand of hair in the victim's mouth. "Honestly…I don't know. I haven't really thought about it."
"You think of any names yet?"
Greg shook his head, continuing his scan of the body. "No…"
"You don't seem too excited about this," Catherine commented quietly. It was enough to cause him to turn around.
"I just found out twelve hours ago that Sara was even pregnant. I'm still trying to absorb the information. Give me a break."
"I just figured you'd be a little more excited about it, that's all," she told him, "You seem like that fatherly type."
"I do?" he wondered vaguely, scrunching his face at that thought. He had never been around kids enough to determine that factor. "How so?"
"Let's just say I can picture you as a father. And if I can picture a male as a father, they're ahead in the game."
"That's nonsense," Greg frowned, "Deception happens all the time. You look at one person and can think they're the greatest parent in the world, only to discover later that they've murdered their own child in order to gain something in their favor. You should know that better than me Catherine."
"I suppose that true," Catherine had to give him credit. "But I think you'll do fine. But aren't you the least bit excited?"
"Honestly?" Greg turned back to face her, "I'm a little scared. I don't the first thing about kids, and I don't exactly what's going to happen…"
"That's part of the fun Greg. If you worry, then you care. It's natural, so get used to it. It's going to last forever."
He only smiled, shaking his head as he turned his attention back up front. He was grateful to have someone to talk to. It was going to be a long nine months, and it would be hard to adjust to the new schedule. Then again it could work in his benefit. There were some things he had to take care of, and being apart from Sara a majority of the day would only help.
TBC
