Chapter XXIV

Fall Out

Sofia ended up driving her home. Be it by coincidence or by design, Sara was grateful. She really didn't want to talk and Sofia let her be. Occasionally the woman reached out and gave her a reassuring touch. Sofia understood that Sara would talk when and how she wanted to. They stopped at a small diner and they had both proceeded to pick at their food...content to be quiet with each other... each basking in the comfort of the other's presence.

When they arrived at her apartment, Sofia insisted on walking her to the door. It was a thoughtful, very appreciated act. When they reached her door, Sara paused, keys in hand. She looked at Sofia. Her hand, without any kind of signal or instruction from her brain, went to the other woman's cheek and wiped the smear of dirt off of her skin. "Walking me to the door, you act like this is a first..." Sofia cut her off, "Third date, Sidle, it's our third date...of sorts...so I have no problem doing this." She moved her hand up to Sara's, holding it in place against her face. Her other hand moved around Sara's waist, pulling her closer. Their lips met in a chaste, sweet kiss. It was short and utterly breathe taking. When Sofia backed away, Sara's hand went to her lips. Sofia only smiled, "I'll see you around." She walked away, with that hypnotic sway of her hips holding Sara's eyes. Sara watched until she turned the corner of the hall and then she collapsed against the sturdy wood of her door. "Yeah."


Catherine went home from the hospital... She should be happy for Warrick... Who was she to begrudge a good man happiness? She opened the door to her home to find it empty...Lindsey was with a friend...It was silent at the Willow's home. There was no warm hello for Catherine, no lover waiting in the wings to comfort her in her hour of need... Tears burned behind her eyes but she held them back...She would not cry for what she could not have. She went to her liquor cabinet and poured herself a drink, a double, and threw it back with the practiced wrist flick of a woman who spent far too much time drowning her sorrows...a woman who drank alone far too often these days...


Gilbert Grissom was in his office, opposite of him sat the Sheriff himself. "Gil...it's a damn shame what happened to Warrick...But two CSIs and a detective taking off like bats outta hell is not the answer." The political beast, the Sheriff of Clark County, tugged at his tie. "Christ they went in there, busting down gates and doors like Charlie's Frickin' Angels." Grissom sighed, "The uniform was supposed to be there. I think you're missing the point where they saved Warrick's life." The Sheriff shook his head, "And you're missing the big picture, Gil. I can't have my people running around like vigilantes. The McQueen's lawyer is already raising seven kinds of hell because he had his face busted up." Grissom arched a brow, "I have no control over Detective Curtis." The Sheriff shook his head, "That's bullshit and you know it, Grissom. With Brass down...everyone is looking to you...I'm going to overlook this...behavior this time...but Sidle and Willows are walking fine lines...I don't want to lose them either, Grissom, they're damn good investigators...but CSIs don't bust down doors, threaten uniformed officers or fly down highways like stunt-drivers." He stood. "Get your people under control, Grissom...before they hurt someone...or get the lab in deeper shit then it's already in." Grissom inclined his head. "I was under the impression that my lab just solved another high profile case...I've already talked to the DA, they will be perusing the death penalty, it looks like a slam dunk...

The Sheriff left him alone and Grissom sighed... Everyone turned to him with their problems...and now, looking back over his life time he realized that the insects he'd dedicated it to...they couldn't help him now...in his greatest hour of need.


Tina Brown, well she wouldn't be for much longer would she... Signed the final form, initialed and turned to her lawyer... "It's done, then?" He nodded. She looked at her gold wedding band, sitting there in the palm of her hand. "Goodbye Warrick."