The Grillows Case
By: mj0621
Author's notes: Same stuff in the first part. All same. Sorry if this chap's a little off. I had problems with things…Well, the next part, here it is. Remember, all mistakes are mine.
Part Two: Putting Plans into Action
I was 15 minutes late. Darn traffic. I was running towards the building when suddenly I bumped into something…well, someone.
"Hey! Late I assume?" I felt myself blush as I looked into his eyes. It was Eric.
"You…assumed correctly." I composed myself up. I smiled at him. "Well nice talking to you. I got to go."
I continued walking as he said "Bye Jasmine." I froze. He was the only one who called me that. And he knows it (I felt he's still looking at me…maybe). I wanted to badger him about that but I'd rather not. As I walk…ah…run towards Sir Grissom's office. I just saw Sara come in; maybe I wasn't late at all. Sheer luck! I checked what time is it, great 20 minutes and I got away from it. As I enter the room, I saw the guys and Catherine except for Grissom. I felt I survived the battle of the bugs (bugs? Sir Grissom is getting in my mind more than I thought).
"Well now! Just got lucky there Marian!" Nick taunted.
"It's not just her…" Warrick saved my butt as Sara slapped Warrick's arm.
"Traffic." I answered Sara's silent question. I sat on the couch between Sara and Cath. I hid my bag in my coat (wow it fitted in there!).
"I saw someone bumped into someone!" I looked at Cath surprised. "Sara wasn't the only one who got lucky besides you." She smiled knowingly as I turned red again. I hate that feeling.
"What's with girls being late huh?" Nick noticed the coincidences between us "girls".
"My reason is Lindsey. She won't go to bed." Cath smiled as Nick nodded a little disappointed with that answer. Maybe he's expecting an answer more interesting. I'm thinkin' maybe a date? That's an interesting answer.
"Traffic in Las Vegas. I didn't expect it to be that horrible." I shielded myself from the guys' taunts.
"And you Ms. Sara Sidle?" Warrick asked. I think he knows why.
"Ok! Fine! I went to the mall and well…lost track of time…" Sara admitted.
"So tell us about someone bump into someone Catherine." Sara fascinated (and probably trying to change the subject.).
Cath looked at me as I stared at the floor. I was shy ok?
"I'd rather not. Sorry, but I ain't giving any gossips for today."
I stared at Cath. She acted like a mother covering up for her daughter. I mouthed her thanks as Grissom came in, fuming.
"Ecklie?" Cath looked intently at Sir Grissom.
"Yeah. Ok. Nick, Warrick and…" I wished it wouldn't be me… "Sara. You guys get the murder at the Tangiers. I would shout for joy right now but you know why. I would take any case solo or not just don't team me up with the guys knowing they have a taunt ready for me anytime. And today, I'm just not feeling that happy. "Marian, you, Catherine and I got a DB in a hotel." He looked at me as I smiled by myself. I think he thinks I'm crazy or something. I collected myself as I saw the look he gave me and I just gave him a big smile. Cath suppressed her giggles as he looked astounded how I acted. I felt silly. We all left his office and to my surprise Sara and Catherine were walking with me to the locker rooms. "Don't be surprised MJ. We have the same styles." I grinned as they held out their bags from their coat.
"Meet ya at the parking lot Marian." Catherine said as she closed her locker. I nodded then she left.
I looked at Sara who was smiling at me. I don't quite understand that smile. She cleared it up for me. "It's your chance to put your plans into action. It's a shame I'm not there to witness it."
"Don't worry Sidle, I'll keep you posted." I said as she slapped lightly on my shoulder. "Hey!" I stroke the part where she hit me. I laughed as we walked out of the building. Sara said gloomily "Well, time to prepare myself from those clowns." I giggled as she slapped me one more time. "Don't get used on doing that Sidle!" I said as I ran to avoid her slap once again. I can't believe it…we're friends…close friends…I didn't expect that. I saw Catherine fold her arms and tap her foot like a mother waiting impatiently for her child.
"Children, children…"she said mother likely. Then my tongue slipped." Sorry mother." I clasped my mouth as Catherine giggled. "Well, if that's so, get in before your father goes nuts again." I can't help to laugh as she said that. She acknowledged herself and Sir Griss as a married couple. Kinda cute. "Cute." I thought it was I who spoke as we started our journey. "Very cute Cath." It was Sir Grissom who spoke as the light turned red. "Oh don't be like that. You're daughter's expecting you to be nicer." Cath said then winked at me through the mirror. I laughed. "Oops, sorry." I bit my lip. Sir Grissom smiled. The first smile I saw him wore this evening. "Well dear, better ready our child for the crime scene." With that statement, I had my mouth open. I guess it's only Catherine who can make Sir Grissom "play". It made my heart warm all over. I think they're sweet…together I mean. As Sir Grissom leads the way to the hotel room, we met Jim. "Well, well, well, Uncle Jim is here already." Catherine was still playing our little game. And by the looks of it, Jim will join in. "Well if it isn't my sister-in-law and favorite new niece MJ."
"Hiya uncle!" I rejoined the game then Catherine spoke. "Well, go with uncle Jim, sweetie. He has a story to tell you, and you have to finish that story. I have to make your father talk to me 'bout his little problem with our nosy neighbor Ecklie." Sweetie? Urgh…that's so…..nah…what the heck. "Ok mommy. I'll catch up with you later." I watched her go in the room as Jim spoke. "Ready to fix your mother up with your father kid?" I grinned at him, knowing that one of my plans is going to work. This is going to be great.
As I walked into the hotel room…or rather hotel suite, I saw them having a heated discussion. I put on some gloves and went to where they are.
"Gil, why don't you tell me?" Catherine yelled at him. It was getting hot in here as he tried to be patient with her. "It's nothing really. I can handle that creep." Wow judging in his voice and their looks, this might be serious. My plan is ruined. Jim walked in and patted on my shoulder as he pushed Sir Grissom towards another room as I led Catherine in the kitchen area where the body is. "Thanks Marian. I just want to help him." I answered solemnly. "Don't mention it. I understand. Make him cool off for a while then talk to him ok?" She gave me a small smile. "Thanks sweetie."
"No prob mom." She smiled again (I think).
I was finished with the darn kitchen area when I heard Jim call me. I walked into the bedroom and saw him smiling.
"Nice work on talking to Catherine, Marian. Grissom cooled off so you can proceed with your little plan. I've got mine waiting. You finished with your areas?" I nodded. "Well he's in the living room and she's in the bathroom." I was about to proceed to my destination when Jim said a name that caught my attention. "Eric is here too." I turned around and gave him a cold look. Now he knows. Does everybody need to know? He held his arms up to surrender. "Don't look at me like that, the whole PD knows. Newbie and Mr. Hottie. I think the detective knew and slipped his tongue with the guys." I rolled my eyes. "Oh great now everybody knows. Slipped his tongue my ass." I walked away angrily as I heard him chuckle.
"So the whole PD knows huh? Tough break." Catherine heard my little "love problem".
"Great1 Just great."
"Hey cool off sweetie." As she said that I saw Sir Grissom in the living room crouching. I have to execute my plan now.
I smiled at her and said "Hey mom, I think dad needs ya over there."
She glared at me, I smiled. "Be right back then." I thought she would not believe me.
I heard her say sorry as he also did. She helped him up then they both stares at their entwined hands. Nice. Ok, my plan really is to make them have contact. Lessen the proximity. I know it's not that actually a plan but there are things to be corrected. So one step at a time. Big things come in small packages they say. I looked at how they gazed at each other not letting go of each other. I feel my heart skip a beat when things like this happen. They finally let go of each other then, to my surprise Catherine looked in my direction, I just shrugged. Jim told me to take the stairs. I threw him a look. He said it's part of his plan. Ok it's worth the walk from 9th floor then. The evidences dangling in my hands as I pass the 4th floor. My feet on heels are killing me, I shoulda choose the right shoes. I mentally noted to kill Jim if I see him. Then I felt a hand in some of the evidence bags and when I looked, it was Eric. Kill Jim? No, I'm going to treat him breakfast. "Oh thanks."
"Welcome. So you're up to something huh? About the CSI supervisor and his lead?"
"Uh is that obvious?"
"No it isn't. I just easily observe you. Either than that, it won't be obvious unless you've got a sign hanging on your back saying "Hey! I'm being a matchmaker to my boss and his best friend!"
I laughed. "So you observe me? Huh?"
"Yeah. You've got my attention always." His face has facing mine. He was leaning towards me when…
"Get a room will ya? It's hard to walk down while some people are doing that you know!"
I blushed. Urgh, I hate situations like these. Forget breakfast; I am really going to kill Jim. We finally loaded the SUV with the evidences. "Thanks Eric."
"Don't mention it." He smiled. He made my heart melt. "See ya!" Then he gave me a wink and walked away.
I watched the elevator intently to see what Jim's plan is. I saw the numbers that indicate where the elevator is was stuck. I saw Jim calling me in the security office. Ahh…the camera in the elevator and the stuck in elevator scene. I ran coz I was eager to watch them in the elevator.
First it was all talking then he moved closely to her to whisper something. She giggled. I smiled as Jim said "flirting with each other huh? Close your eyes kid. What I'm gonna do is going to be PG. It'll make your parents well…. I saw his point and his evil grin. "I don't bother that at all uncle." Jim turned off the lights and everything was dark. Then Jim turned on the night vision to let us see what's happening. I couldn't believe my eyes. He was talking; facing in her direction as if he is seeing her. Then Jim opened the lights in the elevator and the elevator was moving. Jim dragged me outside to meet them at the ground floor. "Ah, cutting through the good stuff to make their desires stronger. Not bad. How'd ya make the security…?"
"I pulled some strings…" He winked at me when they arrived looking….are they blushing?
"I got them right where I wanted them to be." Jim chuckled as he left. "See ya guys in the lab."
I plastered on a big smile. I tried to hide it but they were good CSIs, they'd notice.
"What's with the grin sweetie? A HUGE grin. If I may say so myself." Catherine tried to act as if nothing happened. "Nothing mother, just saw how you and dad got out of the elevator…" I thought of a reason to cover the real one. "Were you scared? I saw the elevator stuck."
"No I wasn't sweetie but your father scared me."
"Did I? I wasn't sure in what I did either. Well let's get this to the lab."
"Ok dad lead the way."
"Wow my sweetie is already a lady. Is it because of your little boyfriend?"
"Excuse me?"
"Jim let us take the elevator so that you and…eherm have some time alone."
Ah! So that's how he did it. "Mom please remind me later to kill Uncle Jim?"
"You and me both dear." Grissom was serious. I think he knew what Jim did.
"Now what did I say about killing people dears?"
"Oh…killing is for criminals, kicking of butt is us."
"You know your mother really well Marian."
Catherine slapped Grissom not so lightly on his arm.
"Ouch… Easy on it will ya?"
"You like pissing me off do you?"
"Very much." Catherine stared at him as I snickered.
"Are you drunk or …how much coffee did you drink tonight?"
"None. Maybe it's just because I'm near you."
With that statement from Grissom, I was shocked. Really shocked. It's not part of my plan but it was better. I got all the evidence I could then hastily walk out of the SUV headed to the lab. There I left them alone having another "what's with you" discussion.
Grissom can't believe it either. He looked at Catherine embarrassed as she blushed. "Can't believe you did it. The point is she might believe our little "best-friend jokes."
"I slipped and enjoyed your game, I guess."
"It's ok. It looks like she's easy to talk to anyway. But is she hiding something she's doing?"
"Talk to her then."
"Yes honey." As she left him with a peck on the cheek leaving him shocked.
I walked to the lab and bumped into Sara and Nick arguing.
"Beware of the dog" I snickered.
"What?" Sara turned to me.
"Nothing…" I smiled at them.
"Ah…looks like the newbie has something to share."
"My friend you have no idea. "
"Oh come on! Tell us! Or maybe it's just one of your practical jokes."
"Well ok. Suit yourselves. Got to give these to Greg."
"No wait! We were just kidding." Sara said as they followed me inside the lab. She was eager for news.
"Oh hi MJ! Nice executing of plans huh! Jim told me. Now Doc is doing his job."
"Here Greg, results, I'll wait. Doc? Humh…oh! Jim's plan was perfecto!"
"Huh?"
I filled them out as Greg was doing his job (again taking years). Greg was flirting with me again (according to Sara). He always annoys me with something (especially when I talk). Knowing Greg, he does this to all the girls in the building. Specially with Sara (before she became Nick's girlfriend) and Catherine. I'm thinking of giving Greg the killer me. I took off my glasses and let down my hair and closed the distance between me and him.
"Are you flirting with me?" I went even closer letting him feel my breathing on his lab coat.
"I…You…I mean…" He stuttered.
"Just what I thought. It does not please me Greg." I took one more step towards him and gave him a flirty smile. Then I spoke "Page me when the results are done Greg." I backed up and faced Sara and Nick who can't believe I did that (or is it how I look?), gave them a silent giggle.
"You have free time Marian?"
"We'll see." I left them there bewildered.
"She's hotter with those glasses of and that ponytail down."
"She got you Greg, did she partner?"
"Dream on Greg"
"Every lover is demented" Sara and Nick laughed as Greg held his chest acting like a lunatic.
Suddenly I bumped into Catherine. She looked at me quizzically.
"I… never thought you're that hot dear!" she said as she looked at me head to heel.
"Mother, I was just faking a flirt with Greg."
"Ah...so, uh Marian can I talk with you?"
"Sure mom." We walked into the empty locker room.
"About the things that happened at the crime scene…"
"All ears here Cath, go on"
"Can you not mention it to the others?"
"I see and believe. Cath, it's still not clear to me and please explain this. How can you describe Sir Grissom?"
"Ah…he's a good friend; he's a person of wit or genius; a brilliant mind, a good-natured fellow, nice and handsome."
"I knew it at first sight! You like him?" I said excitedly.
"So you won't tell?" she continued.
"Of course not. I don't intend to. May I say this?"
"Sure, what is it honey?"(back to that game again I see).
"Mom, does dad know what you feel?"
"I'm not sure. I hope by the way he's acting he does. I just can't play best friends anymore. I…I think I love him. And the worst part is I don't know if he does too."
Someone spoils the chat. It was my Greggy. "Knock knock beautiful ladies, I couldn't find my pager in the paperwork so I thought I'd give this to you personally MJ." He's blushing. I turned to Catherine who smiled and gave me the "go girl" stare. I giggled them turned to him.(with a hair toss of course). "I thought you just wanted to see me personally Greg." I touched his cheeks then got the results from his hand. He was obviously not out of his reverie. Poor guy. He should look for someone who will care for him… I have an idea. Later with that idea, we have a suspect as well as a motive in these results. I showed Cath the results and we showed our "not to bother how big our grin is". I turned back to Greg who was smiling. "You know Greg I could kiss you, but I can't." Warrick entered looking angry at Greg and was really surprised in what I look like.
"Have a date MJ?" I smiled. "Greg my results please?"
"Oh, in the lab. See ya Marian." Greg left. Warrick asked me before he left, "Greg? Are you serious?" I answered as if it was obvious thing in the world, "No, but I have a plan for him."
"You're becoming to be a professional match-maker Marian Jasmine!"
"Oh…I'm touched. Thanks. See ya." Warrick left. I think Warrick had a slip of the tongue. Catherine is there with me. What if she… I turned to her and gratefully talking to someone on the cell phone. "Ok, I'll meet you there in the reception area. Bye!"
"It was Nancy, my sister. She brought Lindsey here before she goes to school."
"Oh." I checked on my watch. It was almost end of the shift.
"I'm going to Grissom and give him these results, let us give him the hard work."
"Interrogation and paperwork I believe?"
"Yeah. Maybe when you get your promotion you get to do it."
"No thanks." I laughed with her but deep inside I was hurting. I wish it was me who would get a promotion. Catherine left and I was alone until the guys came in with Doc.
"So what's up doc?" I closed my eyes on that bad joke. "Nick, find a new punch line…"
Sara and Nick sat beside me. Doc stood with Warrick and Greg, well, he's standing in front of me. I felt bad about what I did. I made him think…I better call the solution of my problem.
"Marian, I never thought you look like that…uh…"
"that hot." Greg finish Doc's sentence. I smiled. "Thanks."
"So how was your plan doc?"
"It went swell." Doc's eyes were twinkling as we listened.
"I just dropped some tools in the floor they went down and reach for the same tool…."
"Ah, the old accidental drop I see. " Warrick said as Doc finished his story.
"Nice going doc. So who's next?" I questioned the couple beside me.
"Us both. A rooftop date tomorrow after shift.
"Ooh sounds dreamy." I joked.
"I got to go, more DBs for the day shift you know."
"Does everybody sleep in here?" I wondered.
"Depends on who you sleep with." Greg said with a grin. I rolled my eyes as the boys were making ooh sounds. Me and the guys agreed to eat breakfast before going home. As we passed by Sir Grissom's office we saw Catherine talking to him and Lindsey running around then hugged him.
"Aw… what a cute family." I said as Sir Grissom held Lindsey and tickled her. Is sir really that close to Lindsey?"
"Yeah. Rather attached to the child." Sara gave me a warm smile.
"Uh mind me asking MJ, but what's with the sir stuff?"
I looked at Warrick to see if he'll taunt me about it, when I saw he was serious then answered his question "I dunno. I guess I'll stop calling him sir if he says its ok to call him Grissom. Maybe a sign of he'd warm up to me. To see if he's comfortable with me or somethin'. I'm really not sure."
Jim joined us in the hallway as the guys argue where to eat. Sara was annoyed with the guys' arms hovering in front of her and slapped all of the guys in the shoulder(really hard. All guys except Jim. A pity. Joking…). They all fell silent as we reached the parking lot. Now I knew why they didn't ask me where I wanted to eat. They set me up. Guess I'm not the only one who's a professional match maker.
"Hi Jasmine. I was just wondering if you were free but your friends insist you are so here I am, uh…sorry I'm blabbering."
"You were." Greg said sternly.
"It's ok. So where do we eat?" I asked as I looked at Greg as he moved over Jim's back. "You choose the place. My wheels."
"Ok then. Guys, I promise next shift I'm going to kill you all. Specially you Jim. Here Greg take this note."
Greg was mad at me because of Eric so I thanked Cath for the advice. A note. I watch them back away and Jim muttered "Remind me to take a day off tomorrow." Greg was reading my note. He smiled. It was enough reason for me to go home. I gestured Eric for us to leave.
Written in my note was:
Greg,
So sorry with the misunderstanding we had. I was just playing with your game. I didn't expect you to like me so sooooooooo sorry ok? I planned something to make it up to you and promise you'll like it. So I hope you're not mad or anything. See ya next shift greggy.
Marian :)
While we were on our way to a restaurant somebody called Eric on the phone. I tried to listen as he smiled at me. He said one last "Yes, ok I will bye."
"Who was that may I ask?"
"The swing shift supervisor and the supervisor themselves."
"Huh? Why would Sir Griss and Cath call you?"
"They said the team and them are going to kill and kick my butt if I don't take care of you."
"Really? Wow."
"By the way Jas, you look really great." I knew in that sentence everything is going to be great.
TBC(--) ------- () ------- \(o)/