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Chapter Eight

Local Diner…

"Is she a bad mother?" Attorney Andrew Graham questioned Grissom.

"No. I mean, I've only been around Sara with the children for less than a week, but I have no doubt of her commitment and love for Gil and Gillian. She's wonderful with them."

"Is she a drug addict or an alcoholic?"

"No."

"Promiscuous?"

"No, of course not."

"Not of course not, Gil. I need more to go on. We need to find her weaknesses."

Grissom frowned. "I don't like this."

"Is she a thief? A fire starter? Runs with scissors or likes to play with matches?"

"This is ridiculous! What does this have to do with custody?"

Andrew sat back and studied his client. Perhaps, this did not have to be a nasty one. He'd had too many of those cases lately. "What exactly do you want to happen?" He changed tactics.

"I want joint custody of my children and I want them here in Vegas."

"Didn't Sara tell you that they were moving here permanently?"

"Damn it! Their grandmother's leaving with them on tomorrow." Grissom was irritated and feeling desperate. He could almost feel the children slipping away and it scared him.

"Okay, calm down. I'll file an injunction, but the courts tend to get testy with these things. I doubt it would help your case since their mother secured employment and has a home in Vegas. Reason leads to believe that her intentions are to move the children here. The joint custody, however, shouldn't be a problem.

Gil, I know this may be uncomfortable for you, but I need to know why Sara left all those years ago."

"Why?"

"To determine if her disappearance could reoccur."

Grissom pondered the question. "There was someone else." He shared with a shrug.

"Do you know who it was?"

"No. A younger guy. I didn't need to know anything else and neither do you."

"Have you considered the possibility that these may not be your children? We may want to order a paternity test before we go any further-"

"I don't need a damned paternity test." Grissom leaned forward as his indignation rang through loud and clear.

"Whoa! Just asking. If you are satisfied that Sara is telling the truth…"

Grissom scowled, then hastily retrieved two school photos of each child and slammed them on top of the table.

The younger man could not stop the blush that rose as he studied the photographs.

"Okay. Guess I can cross that off of my list. Moving on…"

CSI Lab…

"Has anyone seen Grissom?" Catherine called into the break room where Nick, Warrick and Greg where playing a video football game.

"Gone." Warrick tossed over his shoulder without breaking his concentration.

"Gone? Gone where? There's still another half an hour of shift left. Did he get called out on a case?"

"Boys!" She yelled when her inquiries went unanswered.

"Ma'am?" They chorused.

"Where the hell is Grissom?"

"I don't know." Warrick shrugged. "I think he was meeting someone for breakfast."

"Ooooohhh. Grissom ditched work to go on a date." Greg teased.

Catherine rolled her eyes. The boys where not helpful. She was heading back to Grissom's office when she spotted Sara and the Director in an intense conversation. She stared openly while the exchange continued and ended several minutes later with Sara walking away miffed.

In the locker room…

"Sara? Everything okay?" Catherine had waited ten minutes before following Sara, allowing the younger woman to regain her composure. Curiosity would not permit her to wait a minute longer.

"Uh, yes. Why do you ask?" Sara returned suspiciously.

It's not like they were bosom buddies or anything. Though, to be fair, Catherine had not interfered with her tenuous relationship with Grissom either. No one had…until now.

"I saw you with Carvello. You seemed…upset."

"Oh, no. Not upset." More like nauseated. "I'm fine."

Catherine's brow furrowed. She learned something new today - Sara was a terrible liar.

"Unless you royally screwed up in some way that I am not aware of, annual review is the only reason we get sent to the Director's Office."

Sara knew Catherine was not so subtly fishing. She didn't want to outright lie; there was enough of that already, so she did the next best thing.

"No review. But he was inquiring into how well I'm adapting." She told a half truth.

Catherine couldn't tell if Sara was being upfront but her coworker's answer did not sit well with her. Meeting Sara's gaze, Catherine continued on. "You and Grissom seem to be getting along."

"Um, hmm." Up until today. "The children love spending time with their father."

"How are the twins?" Everyone had mutually decided to give the new family a little space. "Lindsey's been asking after them constantly. Maybe we can arrange a play date?"

"Actually, they're leaving tomorrow."

"Leaving where?"

"Las Vegas. They have to go back to school on Monday."

"Does Grissom know?" Catherine sputtered in disbelief.

"Of course, Grissom knows." Sara was starting to get irritated. She already felt guilty from breaking the same news to Grissom earlier. "I would never just leave without Grissom knowing."

The words were out of Sara's mouth before she could stop them. She was surprised Catherine didn't laugh in her face instead; the blond raised an arched eyebrow that clearly read 'you did it before.'

"All right Sara. Give the kids a hug for me and maybe they can call Lindsey sometimes."

That was it? Sara expected more than that Grissom's best friend. A few sharp words or at least a disapproving glare - but nothing. Nothing but acceptance from both Grissom and Catherine. This only fueled Sara's increasing anxiety and paranoia.

"They'll be back for good when school gets out." Sara threw out, almost desperate for a less passive response.

"I'm sure Grissom well be pleased."

Catherine exited the locker room on a mission.

Local Diner…

Andrew leaned back to study his client and longtime friend of the family. He had taken over as Grissom's attorney when his father retired several years before. "Dad says to tell you hello."

"How is your father doing? I haven't been a good friend these days." Grissom inquired, happy for the distraction from discussing his personal life. "The postcard was interesting."

"He's doing as well as can be expected for his age." Andrew chuckled.

It was an ongoing joke for anyone that knew Harold Graham. The eighty four year old had recently remarried and was currently traveling the globe with his new bride. Harry had taught several basic law courses Grissom took during his undergraduate years. They had been friends ever since.

"Let me be honest, Gil." Andrew's voice brought Grissom back from his temporary mental reprieve. "Sara sounds legitimate. I could go ahead and file, keep the kids in state, but - it would be ugly. I'm advising that you hold off on that sort of legal action. There's no judge in the world that would deny you joint custody.

For now, go home to your children, say goodbye - for now, and let them finish school. You said Sara took a permanent position, she'll bring them back."

, go home to your children, say goodbye - , and let them finish school. You said Sara took a permanent position, she'll bring them back."

"You hold a great deal of confidence in a woman you've never met. Are you sure?"

"She's gone through great pains to ensure it. When you get past the anger, you'll see it too."

"And if she proves us wrong?" Grissom posed.

"Dr. Grissom, I live for the ugly battles." His voice turned low and fierce. "I prepared the paperwork for this matter after our initial conversation. I'll do what it takes to guarantee our success."

Andrew's sudden change in demeanor sent a chill down Grissom's spine. This was not what he had in mind.