Hey guys, Sorry for the long delay in updates. Real Life sucks at times. Lack of energy and drive to write is also a set-back. I hope there are still some supporters out there. I'm already writing the next chapter so I hope it'll be up sooner.


Las Vegas.

Sara closed the fridge with more force than necessary. She sighed harshly just before the house phone began ringing. Not even hesitating to answer, she was across the room in a flat second with the phone to her ear. "Gil?"

"No match on the DNA." Grissom intoned tiredly.

"Any news from Warrick?"

"He was enroute around twenty minutes ago. Should be there by now. I'll let you know when I do." He sighed, "How are you holding up? Catherine tells me you took the day off."

Sara sunk down onto the couch. "I couldn't concentrate."

"You're going to be getting yourself riled up and frustrated."

"I know." She picked at a loose thread on one of the cushions. She sighed quietly, "I miss you."

Grissom was silent for a moment, taking in the sound of her voice. "I love you."

She frowned. "Come home."

"I can't, not yet. It's only a matter of time. The evidence has started coming in and we've got several leads. Warrick will have some information, good or bad, for me soon."

Pulling the loose thread from the cushion, she made herself comfortable by lying down and leaning her head against the armrest. "I really miss you." She told him shakily.

Hearing the underlining cause of her pleas, Grissom let out a lungful of air. "I'm scared too, honey. I think we are both in the wrong profession to have this happening to us. We know all the possibilities that could happen. I'm scared we won't find him. I'm scared…" He paused to take a shaky breath. "I'm scared I'll lose you because of it."

"I wouldn't leave you. I love you, Gil." She insisted.

He sighed. "I know that. I'm not scared you'll leave. I'm scared your grief will change you, make you pull away from me. Maybe even resent me for not finding him in time."

Sara closed her eyes tightly against what could become truth in only a matter of hours. "I wish we were still in bed and I never answered the phone. I wish…" She trailed off with a faint sob.

"Oh honey, please don't do that. Don't cry. I can't hold you. I can't comfort you over the phone like I want to. I promise to come home soon. I promise."


San Francisco Crime Lab.

An ambulance waited in the wings with two paramedics slinging carry-alls over their shoulders in anticipation of an emergency.

Warrick took one look at the building before stepping out of his car and walking up to the front door with several officers flanking and leading the way. Tightening his grip on his case, he waited for Timmons to knock.

"SFPD. Please open the door." Timmons called through the hard wood. After no reply, he pulled a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket. "We have a warrant to search the premises. Either you open the door or we break it down. Your choice. You have one minute to decide."

"Long enough to hide any evidence they have." Warrick murmured to a San Francisco Crime Lab colleague.

A shuffling behind the door indicated they had their answer. When the door opened, an elderly lady in a long pale pink wavy skirt and white blouse, stood silently in the doorway.

Timmons flashed the warrant and his badge. "Ma'am, we have a warrant to search the premises. Please tell me your name and if there is anyone else inside."

Looking behind her, one officer pushed past her with their gun drawn, two followed. The lady only stood and followed the armed policeman with her eyes. "Silvia Hutchinson." She answered quietly.

"Who else is inside, ma'am?" Timmons asked.

"My son and grandson."

"Ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you to step outside and answer some questions while we secure the building." Timmons gently took her elbow and led her away from the house.

Warrick waited outside with the others until a shout from inside indicated it was safe to enter. He turned his head to look at Josh Mulman, one of the CSI's from the SFPD Crime Lab. "According to the records, Mr. Hutchinson has one son. What are the chances he is up here looking after his sister-in-laws baby until she shows up?"

"It's conceivable." Josh agreed. "It's also very possible that Miss Goatherd will still turn up."

"Entrapment?" Warrick grinned. "I like it."

Josh nodded and stepped forward as the all clear was shouted from inside. "I'll mention it to Timmons."

One of the police officers were handcuffing a tall man looking slightly ruffled. His face was stubbly and gaunt, and his eyes were dark ringed from either lack of sleep or worry about what he was involved in.

"I had nothing to do with this. It was all her idea." He said loudly as he was being pushed out of the house.

"I'll ask you all about it later, Mr. Hutchinson." Warrick told him absently as he walked towards the main room where the two other officers were standing. Warrick looked down at the rug and smiled. "Well, hey there buddy." He knelt on the floor and gently lifted the small bundle of arms and legs. "My friend here is going to check you out, okay?"

One of the paramedics moved into the room and slowly took the baby. "Let's take him outside and examine him in the rig."

"We're going to process. Let me know when you're about to leave. I'll come with." Warrick made it clear they were not to go without him.

"Ten minutes." They left the house.

"Let's get started." Josh set his case on the floor and unhooked the latch.


Los Angeles.

"She's on the move." Deputy Paul informed them as he walked into the conference room they had vetoed as a base unit for coming and going information and inquiries. "The guys on watch are close behind."

"Car?" Brass asked.

"Yes." Paul sat down. "She rented one."

"Clever." Grissom pulled out his cell phone. "Though pretty much a stupid idea. Jim, get hard evidence that Miss Goatherd rented a vehicle. It might have some information that could help us."

"Seeing as she was advised not to leave town, I'm eager to know where she's going. I'm all over it." Brass started dialling.

Paul poured himself some coffee and waited.

Grissom held his cell phone to his ear and listened to it ring. "Anything else on the Hutchinson's?" He asked Paul.

"Not yet."

There was a click of someone picking up on the other end of the line. Grissom spoke before they could say anything. "Warrick-" The distinct sound of crying stopped him.

"Griss? You'll have to speak louder."

Covering the mouthpiece, Grissom kicked Brass' chair. "Call Catherine."

Brass leaned back and listened as Grissom turned back to the phone, his hand poised over the desk phone.

"You found him?" Grissom said a notch louder.

"DNA is being confirmed. I'm waiting on the EMTs, then I'm going to the hospital."

Grissom's heart stopped. "He's hurt? What happened? What's going on? Warrick?"

Deputy Paul grabbed his jacket and left the room.

"Calm down, Griss. Let me speak." Warrick paused. "There's nothing wrong. He's healthy." Waiting for a moment, he could tell what Grissom was thinking. "Want me to book flights from here?"

"I'll get to the airport after I've gotten an update on our suspect. Deputy Paul is just looking into it. Brass is calling Catherine. I should be able to get a flight in two hours."

"Timmons has the house under surveillance. CSI should be finished up processing any time now. Josh Mulman gave me a call and let me know everything was being pushed to the front for process. There was a murder out on the docks. Shouldn't take long to get the house evidence on the priority list though."

Grissom nodded as he stood up and collected his things while motioning for Brass, who was talking to Catherine. "Book three tickets from Frisco and one from Vegas." He ordered Brass.

"Sara coming?" Warrick asked, hearing the other conversation.

"I promised her."

"No problem."

Brass hung up his phone and started to move towards the door with Grissom following. Grissom let Brass overtake him in the walk to the front entrance. "One of us will call with the flight details."


Las Vegas.

Catherine was already buzzing around the lab collecting all the evidence together. The evidence being processed would have to be waited on. After Brass' phone call, she had a renewed energy in her step and had relayed the news to all of those involved in the case and those concerned. All that needed to be done, as per Brass' instructions, were to link their current suspects with each other or at least some kind of illegality involving a minor.

"Catherine." Bobby called from further down the hallway. Once he had her attention, he pointed in the direction of reception. "Judy just spotted Sara on her way in."

"If she's here, I doubt she's been told." She murmured to him as she walked passed.

Sara smiled at Judy, but instantly frowned when the short woman looked away timidly. "You ok Judy?" She asked, but didn't get an answer. Catherine came out from nowhere and physically turned and directed her back towards the front entrance. "Catherine- What?"

"Brass called. Grissom just got the word that-" She paused, unsure how much to tell her.

"My cell is in the car." Sara broke into a run, aware Catherine was somewhere behind. Once opening her car door and reaching for her cell phone, Sara instantly hit redial on the missed call.

"Sara! I've been trying to call your house and I just tried your cell." Brass' voice boomed down the line.

Walking a pace from the open door, Sara stuck a finger in her other ear to hear more clearly. "I was driving. I just left the car." She went quiet before asking her question with a slight shake in her voice. "Did you find him?"

"DNA hasn't come back yet." Brass sighed. "I'm booking you a flight. Gil and I will be flying out in about two hours. Yours is in four hours. Think you can make it?"

"Yes." Sara said firmly, spinning around and climbing into her car. Catherine was at the window a second later, tapping on the glass. "Give me the flight number and I'll head home to pack." She said as she lowered the window.

"Tell Brass I got the lab pushing all evidence. Cover was extended to all of you, though the director and under-sheriff weren't happy."

Sara nodded at Catherine and relayed the message as she started her car and pulled out of the parking lot, still listening to Brass. A moment later, she hung up and sped home to grab a bag of essentials.


San Francisco.

The paramedics examined the baby quickly before sending one of the officers into the house to inform Warrick that they were leaving. Letting the other CSI's in the house finish the collection, Warrick grabbed his kit and handed off any evidence he had collected. As he rode in the back of the ambulance, he watched as one of the EMTs not driving, continued to check the baby and take frequent vitals.


To Be Contined.