Title: Thinking Back

Fandom: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Characters: Gil Grissom, Greg Sanders
Prompt: #87. Genius
Word Count: 714
Rating: PG
Summary: His first view of the boy was just.. he's YOUNG.
Author's Notes: Grissom's Story. Unfortunately also my first try with Grissom. This whole thing is full of firsts so if the characters are in any way OOC (which they are bound to be) then I apologize and do tell me what's wrong so I can... learn from it? Yeah. That's it. Also, XP I kinda leave the ending sort of open-ended... All to your desire what you'd like to happen.

His first view of the boy was just.. he's YOUNG. Granted, Grissom supposed he shouldn't be one to judge. After all, he must've been younger than this Greg Sanders was when he received his first job. However, Gil could admit that despite his first instinct, the boy had extremely good grades and hightly praising references.

The boy himself, however, looked fairly nervous to be in the chair in front of him. He squirmed repeatedly, keeping his mouth shut.

Above his glasses, Gil eyed the boy, taking in what exactly he could. He didn't seem professional. Although for a recent graduate, he did clean up quite well. His hair was spiked up with its tips being a faint blonde but the rest a dark brown. He took off his glasses and blinked repeatedly. His clothes seemed fairly tame, though he wasn't used to applicants wearing a plain black t-shirt but nice pants at the same time. Greg sat tight-lipped, not certain of what he could do.

Gil nodded to himself, as though his study was well enough and told Greg that he was hired with pleasure and that the lab was right across from Grissom's own office. Greg, in return, thanked Grissom profusely before starting to get up and head to his home. Grissom stopped him when he reached the door and told the boy that they'd need some of his blood. Looking at his new boss awkwardly, Greg just nodded, apparently not trusting his voice to ask why.

He watched the new tech walk into his domain, smiling. He wasn't sure what made him think this, but he was certain that this new hire would be interesting in the years to come (if he lasted through the first week of hazing, that is).

His mind reeled as he brought himself back to present time. About 7 years after Greg was hired and here Grissom was thinking back to the time when he first hired the boy. Grissom sighed, before placing his glasses back on his face after a long moment of wiping them clean of lord knew what. He had been sitting in his office since he heard the news and refused to leave until he heard further news.

It hadn't been the same as with Holly Gribbs. Sure, she had been a part of CSI, but she was fairly new. He hadn't grieved as hard. With Greg Sanders, it was definitely different. The boy was a legacy of his own. He had been who Grissom had hoped would elevate to even Grissom's level, possibly further.

For such a young man, Gil had to admit that he was a genius. He had the capacity to learn more and still retain all he had learnt before. It was why Gil was more than happy to let Greg become a CSI. He knew that Greg would be able to take the job whole-heartedly and become a greater person with it. He just didn't understand why this had to happen to him.

There were always problems in the workplace. After all, hadn't that been how Holly died? But this time, it wasn't the same. Why? Because it hadn't occured in the workplace. It had happened while he was off duty. While he was driving home, after solving a particularly hard case. After Grissom himself had sent him home, knowing he was in dire need of sleep after pulling many hours. And he got into a car accident because of some drunk.

Grissom pounded his fists against the desk. It was his fault. If he hadn't sent him home. If he HAD sent him home but earlier to get some rest. If he had offered to give him a ride home like he had thought he should. He didn't understand what was going on. This was GREG SANDERS. He wasn't just anybody anymore. After many years working together, he guessed the boy had warmed up to his heart... Who knew?

Looking up, Grissom saw a figure open the door and enter. He stared, trying to keep his emotions in check as the person spoke, it barely registered who it was exactly. He only hoped for good news.