Disclaimer: Wow...it's pretty obvious that I DO NOT own anyone besides Kris...and the doctor...and the nurse...and the lady with the alligator purse. Lol! Remember that game...? That was fun...yeah, "Paige and I used to sing songs about hand-clapping Mexicans for fun when we were young"...no offense to Mexicans. (That wasn't racist...just a long story...). Oh! And just so everyone knows, but you probably already figured, I didn't make the name "Geeklove" famous...
A/N: Aww...here we are...the final chapter...of this book. The sequel is in the works, but it will be a little while before I have it posted...maybe a few months... (Cringes and hides under desk as the objects start to fly). I figure I'll type most of it (if not all) before I post to give my beta and me a break...and then I'll be able to update weekly. I've got a few new books that I'm finishing up, and I'll be posting them along with this sequel, and the sequel to You Stay With Me (for those of you who read that book also).
I promise...the long wait will be worth it!
I want to thank everyone who has reviewed (my formal and personalized thank you is at the bottom of the chapter). So...read the last chapter and be happy; the sequel (and many more) are soon to come...I hope to have it up before the year is out!
Chapter 18:
"Here is the test to find whether your mission
On Earth is finished: if you're alive, it isn't."
-Richard Bach
Las Vegas, Nevada
CSI Crime Lab
Grissom's Office
Thursday
February 2, 2006
4:12 PM
"Come in!" Grissom called, looking up from his papers to see Kris hobble into the office, reluctantly using the crutches.
"This sucks ass." She snapped and Grissom stared at her blankly. "When can I come back to work?"
"In one more week, Kris. But you'll still be on desk duty."
She growled and gingerly sat down in the chair. "This is so unfair. This jerk shoots me and I'm the one getting punished..." She groaned and shifted her weight again.
"Kris, as soon as this gets in and out of court, and you're feeling better-"
"Well I am feeling better. We're halfway there…"
"...Then you can go back into the field. I want this guy off the streets and behind bars before I risk putting you in peril again."
"But you're willing to put the rest of the team 'in peril'?"
He slowly took off his glasses, formulating his answer. "We're always at risk for danger out in the field, Kris. You know that. But the other team members didn't shoot off...valuable parts of his male anatomy." Grissom pointed out tiredly and slid his glasses back on. She stared at him for a long moment, and pursed her lips, and then looked to the ground.
"This wasn't your fault, you know." He looked up at her, almost like a deer caught in the headlights. "No one could have predicted this…and I should have been more careful." She bit her lower lip. "This wasn't your fault." She repeated in reassurance. He sat there, looking at her numbly for what seemed like hours. Finally, she stood and grabbed her metal crutch, much like the one Doc had, but taller.
"Kris..." Grissom called, as she was about to exit the office. She turned around to look at him, hopeful that he would say something about what had happened. But he just looked at her, with those condemning blue eyes. Slowly the smile faded from her face. "I trust you attended your physical therapy meeting today?" He questioned, drying up all the hope left in her desert eyes, turning them forest green with disappointment.
She looked down and ran her tongue along the backs of her teeth, feeling a lot like Sara, pre-Grissom-love. "Yeah." She cleared her throat. "Yes." She said more firmly.
The corners of his mouth twitched and formed a smile. He looked so pleased with himself, Kris felt obligated to give him something. She offered a tense smile and turned out the door, letting it fall and showing her true emotions on her face as her face became unseen by his eyes. She sighed and hobbled into Greg's DNA lab. "So they've demoted you."
He gave her a tired smile. "Hey."
She smirked and sat on the chair, trying not to hurt herself. "I thought you were in the field?"
"No lab tech."
"Still. I thought the offers were pouring in. We are the second best crime lab in the country."
Greg sighed and shook his head. "I don't even know." He dragged a tired hand down his face. "It feels like I'll never get out of this place." Greg confessed and she scrutinized him.
"How long did you sleep last night?"
"Since when are you so interested in my sleeping habits?" He teased, but her face showed no humor. "2 or 3 hours."
"That's not healthy."
"Look who's talking. You were ordered by a doctor and your supervisor to rest and stay away from work."
She shrugged and ran a tired hand through her hair. "Rebellious nature..."
"I'm rebellious."
"...But that mostly pertains to hair products." She joked and Greg rolled his eyes. "So why didn't you sleep last night?"
He shrugged. "My brain wouldn't turn off."
She quirked a brow and pursed her lips. "Isn't that generally a good thing?"
Greg smirked and shot her a look as she slowly stood. "I'll make you a deal; you promise me you'll get at least six hours of sleep ever night and I'll go home right now and won't come back until the doctor says I'm allowed." She vowed and Greg's eyes widened.
"Six hours?" She nodded. "How will you know that I'll get six hours every night?"
"You'll tell me."
"What if I lie?"
"If you were really going to lie you wouldn't have informed me of your motives." She reasoned and Greg smirked. She was good... "Plus you'd never be able to lie to me. You don't have the guts." She ribbed, punching him lightly in the shoulder, and he didn't disagree.
"Kris, stop abusing the lab techs and go home." Warrick ordered as he walked into the room and she rolled her eyes.
"Lab tech. Singular. I've only abused one lab tech today..."
"Uh huh, so I guess that hot plate burn on Hodge's hand and Kevin's stapler incident was uh, an unfortunate occurrence...?"
Greg's eyes widened and he looked over at Kris in shock, who looked at Warrick blankly. "Yes." Warrick shot her a look and she threw her hands up in surrender, grabbed her crutch, and hobbled out. "Fine. Don't forget the bet, Greggo!" She called over her shoulder as she left and Greg shook his head.
"You think she would've mellowed after being shot in the ass..."
Warrick shrugged and sighed. "You got my results back on that piece of skull yet?"
"Yep. Bone marrow extracted from the fragment revealed it to be blood type O negative. A match to your vic's." He handed Warrick the paper and the CSI nodded slowly. "There was also a wax like substance on it, so I took a swab and sent it to Trace."
Warrick furred his brows. "Wax?"
Greg nodded. "If Kris' warning lit a fire under him at all, he should be finished..."
Las Vegas, Nevada
Tangiers
Presidential Suite
Friday
February 10, 2005
5:38 PM
Catherine finished loading the last of her and Lindsey's things into their last suitcase, and set it by the door. She surveyed the hotel room and sighed, laying the check from Sam on the counter, his last fruitless attempt to get her to reconsider her decision. After his long speech of never turning her away and wanting to start a father-daughter relationship, she had decided she just couldn't start over. They already had 43 years of a fucked up relationship...and some things you can't undo, no matter how hard you try.
She knew that was the case with Warrick.
So, after Catherine had refused his offer, he had given her 'the boot'. He tried several times to re-extend his offer, showing he really did want something better...she was just unsure at what cost it would come. There were other things she couldn't deal out or sacrifice and one of them was her self respect. She wanted her daughter to have a good life; she knew Sam could provide that.
But she was damn tired of having a man provide for her.
She was pushing 43, having been married once and through a many's share of crappy men; she was ready to drop it all and live on her own with her daughter. No matter what the cost...
"Lindsey! Let's go!" Catherine called and after a few moments Lindsey came out, sporting her pink, flower backpack and iPod.
"Mom, where are we gonna stay...? Everyone who offered thinks we're staying here."
Catherine sighed incoherently and held the door open for her daughter as she picked up one of the suitcases without having been asked. Catherine wanted to hug her. "Don't worry about that, Lindsey. Just know that tonight when you go to lay your head down; a pillow will be there."
Lindsey looked at her mother, not saying what they were both thinking; gave it a moment, and then nodded. She trusted her mother. Catherine Willows had never given up easily, and she wasn't going to start now.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Stokes/ (once again) Anderson Residence
Living Room
Friday
February 10, 2005
9:58 PM
"Oh! That had to hurt! Wow, did you see how I drove that ball down the field without even getting touched by you? Man, that has to hurt that over-inflated ego you've been harnessin'." Nick drawled, rubbing his victory in Warrick's face.
"It seems like the only over-inflated ego in here is yours, Stokes." Kris ribbed as she came from the hallway, carrying her gold, 2 inch slight platform strappy sandals in the hand opposite her patent ruched gold clutch. Both were a drastic contrast to her fire engine red, skin tight dress that came 2 inches above her knees. The back was low cut, showing the small of her back, with a single thick strap across the mid-back and criss-cross straps. The front was a V neck, twisted at the cleavage, pulling the top down more.
Gold chandelier earrings hung from her ears and a simple gold chain with her name hung around her neck, laid on her tanned chest. Her hair was in tight spiral curls and flowing freely. Her make-up was light and semi-tanned and natural, the sexy dress needing no more accentuations.
"Damn, Kris!" Warrick said in shock. "Are you supposed to be wearing heels like that?"
She shrugged. "We'll see."
"It doesn't hurt?"
"Psh, I haven't felt my feet in years."
Warrick looked her up and down again. "Wow...that is an...interesting dress."
Nick looked over briefly and continued playing the game. "Yeah, she's got a whole bunch of slutty dresses like that."
"Oh this isn't mine..." This made Nick look over. "I borrowed it from Jessica." She said simply and shrugged as she went into the kitchen to rummage through the drawers.
Warrick had to muffle his chuckle while Nick stalked over to her, upset. "My ex-girlfriend Jessica?" Kris gave him a sly look. "Anderson..."
She laughed and Warrick did so as well. "Chill, Stokes. This is mine. You think I'd ask that whore for a dress?"
"Hey she wasn't a-" Kris shot him a look and Nick sighed. "Yeah, okay." He went back to the living room to play the game.
Kris found what she was looking for, and then slid on her shoes and pulled her long black jacket over her shoulders. "What time should I expect you?"
"If I'm lucky, you won't see me at all." She chortled and both men had to laugh at that. She left with some goodbyes and left the men alone once more.
"You let her out in stuff like that?" Warrick asked and Nick looked at him confused.
"What do I care what she wears?"
"Aren't you...worried?"
"For her safety? Nah. She's a touch chick. Plus she's got mace, a knife that masquerades as a pen, and the PD on speed dial." Nick answered and Warrick chuckled, satisfied that she'd be okay. "Now that you've questioned me-"
"I asked you one question..."
"You haven't really talked since Catherine's been back." Warrick was silent. "When she left, you kind of..." Nick searched for the words. "Opened up about why she left and your..." Nick made a face. "Feelings." Warrick chuckled. "And since she's come back, you're quiet."
"So..."
"...So what the hell is going on with you?" Nick asked, finally tossing the remote and turning to look at Warrick. "You're worryin' me. You're not just quiet with me; you're quiet all around..."
Warrick sighed. "She's throwing me for a loop. I don't know why she hasn't left yet. It's been a few weeks. Kris is better...and she still hasn't gone back to Florida. Is she planning on staying, or is she just stalling? What does she want? I don't even know if she's stalling for me!"
Nick chuckled. "Of course she's stalling for you. Well, you and her friends. She wants you to go talk to her. When the suggestion was put forth that we should let everyone cool down before amends were attempted, we didn't mean wait a month!"
"Well, that's the thing..." Warrick said; his voice raw with emotion causing Nick to turn and face his friend; forgetting completely about the game. "She tried to make amends. Before she left she cornered me in one of the layout rooms and..."
"And..."
"I blew her off." Nick winced. "I was cold. I forgot I had emotions."
Nick gasped. "You pulled a 'Grissom'!"
"No...I had emotions to start with." Warrick joked and they both laughed. "I just...I was still so angry about the fight, and then the fact she was leaving. She was taking the coward's way out, and even if she did apologize, she was craven about it all."
Nick nodded. "Maybe, uh...you should talk to her about this. She'll be here for a while; I assume...it'd be the perfect opportunity to mend this."
"What if she doesn't take me back?"
"This isn't about her taking you back and getting involved again...it's about finding a friendship the two of you lost in a silly spat turned full-fledged catastrophe. Even if y'all have always had feelings for each other, you've had a good, solid friendship. Best I've seen in a long time."
Warrick thought about it, and nodded. "Yeah...but you'll always be my number 1, Baby."
Nick smiled sardonically. "Thank you, Buttercup."
Las Vegas, Nevada
Grissom Residence
Bedroom
Friday
February 10, 2005
10:23 PM
The knocking at the door drew Gil reluctantly from his lover's arms. He grumbled something incoherently as he synched his terrycloth navy blue robe tighter and sighed as he stepped onto the cold tile, remembering his slippers by the bed. He made his way slowly through the house, not used to having another inhibitor—even after all this time—and he was still getting used to the placement of things.
The small fluorescent light above the stove offered little help, and Gil was amazed when he made his way to the door unharmed. He opened it to find Catherine's fist inches away from his forehead. "I want my job back."
"Well hello to you too, Catherine." Gil said softly as she pushed her way into his town home. "Come in."
"I want my job at the lab back. Talk to Jensen or Hiller, or someone in charge that can get me back on the Night shift CSI."
Grissom yawned. "Where's Lindsey?"
"Staying at her friend Jennifer's house."
"Why aren't you sleeping?"
"Why aren't you asleep?"
"Gil what's taking so l-" Sara was cut off when she saw Catherine standing next to Gil in the living room, jaw hitting the floor as Grissom cringed and pulled his robe tighter, wishing Sara could do the same. "Long...Ca-Catherine...what are you doing here?"
Catherine looked Sara up and down. "I'd ask you the same question but," Sara tried to pull the ivory satin V neck slip down past her thighs, but was having no luck. "I'd say the answer to that is obvious." Sara turned a bright red and grabbed the fleece blanket off the couch and wrapped it around her bare shoulders. She looked between the two, gesturing with her hands; her keys jingling. "When did this happen?"
"December."
"...Brushton?" Catherine realized and turned to Gil in shock. "I can't believe you fed me all that bug BS and had me doubting my CSI skills..." Grissom shrugged. "So who all knows?"
"Besides you? Kris." Sara answered once again.
"And Greg." Gil threw in.
"Greg knows?" The girls asked in unison.
"And Brass."
"...Anyone else you wanna tell me about?" Sara asked, running her tongue along her teeth.
"No." Gil said simply while shoving his hands in the pockets of his robe. "So, Catherine," Gil began and looked over at the strawberry blonde who was still staring in shock. "Is there anything else I can do for you besides getting your job back?"
It was Sara's jaw that dropped this time. "You're moving back?" Catherine nodded and Sara sat down on the couch. "And you're getting your job back?" Once again she nodded. "Does anyone else know?"
"Just the two of you. And I would appreciate it if you kept it that way...if something doesn't work out or if situations change..."
Gil nodded. "And, the same goes for you."
Catherine rolled her eyes. "I can guarantee you, if that many people know, they're talking about it."
"So long as they're not talking about it to us or spreading rumors. You're free to talk as well, so long as it's not in the lab and you're not spilling anything we tell you." Catherine sighed and nodded.
"So, how am I supposed to do this? Do they have secret meetings or something?"
"I believe they congregate every Thursday around nine."
"Uh huh, and what is this called; G.A.W.K.; Geeklove Affiliates Whining Knowledgably?" Catherine joked and Sara frowned.
"Geeklove?"
"You're geeks that love." She shrugged. "It works."
Las Vegas, Nevada
Stokes/Anderson Residence
Hallway
Saturday
February 11, 2005
10:13 AM
Nick yawned and rubbed his eyes as he stepped into the hallway, shirtless and sporting Wylie Coyote boxers. His hair stood up in awkward places and he was pretty sure there was some drool on his cheek. Kris' door opened and Nick looked up to see a familiar man step out. Nick's eyebrows hit the ceiling. "Dr. Simmons..."
"What are you doing here?" Nick asked in shock as Kris stepped out of her room also, wearing her 'GIR' robe.
"Me." She said simply and took Xavier Simmons' hand and led him to the front door. Nick stood, a bit shocked for a moment before he walked out to the kitchen and watched them from the corner of his eye. They talked softly and with soft, innocent gestures, and a gentle kiss goodbye. Nick was full on staring in shock now, he was sure that was against some physical therapists' code...
"Okay, I'll see you Monday." He said in a slightly louder tone.
"Yep. 6:30. Just like every Monday. I'll drive her." Nick joked lamely and Xavier turned to look at Nick slightly amused while Kris shot him a dirty glare. Kris pulled on the lapels of Xavier's jacket and made him face her. She smiled and kissed him softly.
"I'll see you then." Kris said sweetly making Nick snort. Kris leaned in to kiss Xavier passionately, silencing both men. A few moments later Dr. Simmons was gone and Kris was folding her arms angrily looking at Nick. He starred at her blankly and scratched his head.
"What?"
She scoffed and shot him a dangerous look. "Oh puh-leeze." She grumbled and walked into the kitchen, ignoring him though she continued to talk to him. "That was real mature of you."
"What? I didn't do anything. I just confirmed that I'd be dropping you off for your appointment." Nick said lamely as he smeared the cream cheese on the bagel. She scoffed and pulled the small bowl of strawberries out of the fridge, popping one in her mouth before she spoke again.
"You know damn well we weren't talking about an appointment. Don't eavesdrop on my conversations. I give you privacy, I expect you to do the same." She said and hopped up on the counter.
"Would you get off the damn counter? And you do not give me privacy! Anytime I bring a girl home, you're always giving her the third degree."
"Well, someone has to! God knows you don't even know half the names of the girls trampling in and out of here every morning." She took a bite of his bagel. "And give me a break; I haven't done that in a while." He snatched the bagel from her mouth and growled angrily.
"Will you get the fuck off the counter and leave me alone!?"
"Hey, you started this conversation." She said still perched on the counter top. He grumbled something she couldn't hear. "Damn, you're testy. You need to get laid. I know some nice, available tramps that would love to be wined and dined by the infamous Nick Stokes."
"You're calling me infamous with tramps...?"
"I said nothing of the sort." She said monotone and sipped the coffee she had poured herself.
"If I'm a whore, what does that make you?" He snapped angrily and she looked at him, mouth hanging open. "And would you get off the friggin counter?!" he growled and picked her up by the waist, lifting her off the counter. She was lighter then he expected...an odd thing to be expecting, but still... He held her in mid air for a moment before he slowly set her on the ground, both of them feeling very awkward.
She looked at him oddly, picked up her coffee and strawberries, and left the kitchen, going into her bedroom to strip her sheets of her doctor.
Las Vegas, Nevada
CSI Crime Lab
Break Room
Monday
February 20, 2005
5:48 PM
"I knew it!" Greg cheered in victory and Kris walked over and leaned on the back of his chair, reading over his shoulder.
"You knew what?"
"My most identifiable Superhero is Superman." Greg said proudly, and everyone looked over, doubtful expressions on their faces.
"...Did you cheat?" Wendy asked from her position on the couch. Greg shot her a look and Kris took the magazine and skimmed over it. Nick came up behind her and took the magazine, flipping through the quizzes section.
"Oh, here's a quiz for you, Kris... 'What song should you strip to'?"
"I already know the answer, Baby." She said, snatching the magazine back.
"Back in Black, AC/DC." Greg said automatically and Kris high-fived him.
"Lemme take it anyway." She found the first question. "Okay, who would you dance for; someone you were trying to seduce, anyone who would watch, an enthusiastic crowd, someone you've been flirting with, any crowd with plenty of ten dollar bills, or the person who owns your heart?" She thought about it and marked her answer. "What would make you a good stripper; you know how to move, your freaky dance style, your smokin' bod, you're super flexible, or your hot outfit?"
"What magazine is this?" Sara asked. Warrick shook his head and shrugged.
"Oh, damn..." Kris said sadly.
"What?" Greg asked.
"I can only pick one color lucky g-string."
"Gold would bring out your eyes." Wendy suggested and Kris smiled fakely and rolled her eyes. Wendy chuckled and shook her head.
"Shouldn't you already know what your song is? Weren't you already a stripper?"
Kris gaped at her and chuckled. "For about 2 seconds...it wasn't for me."
Sara nodded and took another sip of her coffee. She slipped into a conversation with Warrick and Wendy as Nick, Kris, and Greg continued filling out the answers of the pointless quiz, until she got angry with their ridiculous answers and wandered off to sit by herself and finish the quiz. Almost fifteen minutes later, Grissom entered the room, looking almost chipper. "At attention, everyone." He summoned. Greg jumped up and stood straight, his hand straight and at his forehead like a solider. Grissom gave him an unimpressed look while everyone chuckled. "Not quite, Greg."
"Oh! Is this about the new filters?" He asked. "'Cause, ya know, my Blue Hawaiian deserves the best."
"This is a more serious topic." Grissom said firmly.
"Sorry, Greggo." Nick said sympathetically and patted his shoulder.
"Super Freak!" Kris exclaimed and everyone looked over. She blushed a little. "...It's...my strip-tease theme song..." She said quietly and cleared her throat. "So, yeah...serious business..."
"Everybody, I'd like to meet the newest member of our team." He put his hand out to the side and gestured to the short brunette twiddling her thumbs nervously. She smiled widely and nodded.
Warrick furred his brows. "She's been workin' here for a week..."
Sara looked over and shook her head. "Yeah, not a new member."
"I'm just glad I ain't the new kid on the block anymore." Kris grumbled and picked up her coffee.
"No, not Eve." Grissom said as Evelyn Katter went to sit next to Sara on the couch. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Catherine Willows." Grissom said, a mischievous smirk on his face as the blonde they all knew and loved stepped out from behind Grissom. Six jaws hit the floor and Kris spit up her coffee. Greg was torn between freaking out at Kris for spitting out his coffee or being flat out stunned. Nick sat there for a moment and then looked over at Warrick, who looked confused. It was almost as if this was some sick joke. Sara was shocked to hell Grissom hadn't told her something...and Wendy was just shocked. "Though I'm sure you've already met."
Catherine smiled. "Hey everybody. What'd I miss?"
"My stripper theme song is Super Freak by Rick James." Kris said, everyone else still frozen.
"No, I got that." Catherine chortled.
"I'm Superman." Greg offered and Catherine and Grissom raised their eyebrows.
"Alright...that I missed." Catherine admitted and looked around the room. "So who's gonna welcome me back first?" She asked expectantly and everyone remembered their manners and jumped up to hug her and welcome her home. She laughed and hugged them each saying something to them and even kissing Greg's cheek.
She stopped and looked at Warrick who was staring at her almost in a trance. Everyone stopped their talking and laughing and stared at the two, wondering what was going to happen. He gave a soft smile and a nod. "Welcome back, Catherine."
She smiled softly, almost disappointed and nodded as well. "Thanks." She extended her hand but he pulled her into a tight embrace, hanging onto her like she was his lifeline...which wasn't too far from the truth. She chuckled in surprise and slowly began to cling back. Everyone else shifted awkwardly, suddenly feeling like they were intruding.
The two pulled away and everyone stood around, feeling odd. Grissom cleared his throat. "All right, enough of this celebrating; we've got cases to solve. 'Two things I'm certain of in this world; death and taxes'."
Greg shrugged. "I'm fairly certain Kris and Nick will make stupid comments about each other all night." He said as Grissom shrugged. "And I'm pretty sure Officer What's-his-face will hit on Catherine once he finds out she's back."
Grissom handed Catherine a slip of paper. "To welcome you back; a double homicide; out at Desert Palms. Take Warrick with you." The two turned to look at each other and then turned to look at Grissom like he was insane.
"Are you serious?" Warrick asked and Grissom shrugged.
"You two are mature adults. I'm sure you won't let your personal lives and feelings get in the way of the case." Everyone's jaw dropped.
"Holy shit, Grissom talking about feelings! That I was not expecting..." Kris exclaimed and Greg nodded as Grissom handed the young man his own paper.
"Oh sweet! My first 402!" Greg exclaimed, never having had the "joy" of having to work an arson.
"Oh Greg, from lab rat to field mouse; a true Cinderella story." Kris joked and ruffled his hair.
"Take Kris and Nick with you." Grissom said.
"What?! Oh, damnit. I gotta learn to shut the hell up." She grumbled.
"Sorry you have to work with me." Greg replied snottily.
"All right, stop it." Kris said firmly. "Last time we had a conversation like this, I ended up with a bullet in my ass." She grumbled and Eve gasped, not having heard that story.
"What the..."
"I'll tell you about it later." Wendy reassured her and Eve just stared in shock; thinking they all needed mental help. Everyone read it across her face and Grissom smiled.
"That's why you're here." Grissom shrugged as Kris, Nick, and Greg began to argue, ignoring the rest of them.
Sara watched them go and then turned to Grissom. "Why do you keep putting Nick and Kris on cases together...?"
"Because they hate each other." Grissom said simply and everyone furred their brows.
"Why do they hate each other?" Eve asked, still new and having been exposed to the hate, just unsure why they hated each other and how that worked with them being on the same shift.
"...So...what, they're building character?" Warrick guessed.
"No, they can't stand each other, so the quicker they work, the quicker they can get off the case and away from each other...therefore, quicker solve rate..." Grissom gave a simple smile and gestured around him with his hands.
Sara gave him her infamous grin. "You are a genius."
He smiled smugly and shrugged. "So I've been told." He gave her a paper. "413 in Goldfield. I'm going with." Grissom said to her.
"Wow, it's like couples pairing in here tonight..." Wendy said and everyone looked at her in shock. "What? He can talk about the elephant in the room but I can't?"
Before anyone could answer, Ecklie came into the room. "Oh now it's a party." Kris grumbled in disgust, shooting him a fake grin and waving. He shot her a slimy look, and then turned to Grissom.
"How is the 'new addition' working out...?" He inquired, turning to Catherine.
"Well we were just about to go into the field and see, would you like to join us?" Grissom offered sardonically sweet and Ecklie gave him a look.
"Yeah, no thanks." He scoffed and nodded. "Well, no use standing around and talking..." He hinted and turned to leave. Everyone was silent as they watched him go before Kris sighed and shook her head.
"I swear, anytime that jerk comes near me he takes a piece of my soul..."
"Well, you heard the assho-I mean man...time to get to work..." Grissom said with a smile. "Once more into the breach."
A/N: Whew! It's done! I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed on this book and to encourage you all to stay tuned for the next one! No final date is set, but it should be posted around November. I'm not making any promises, but keep your eyes peeled. I'll write it, get it beta'd by the lovely MootheQuackingCow and then post it every week...no more of these hideously long updates.
Again, thanks to:
MyTRO2006 / Tiger / PaigeLaRea
MootheQuackingCow / MTQC is too lazy to log in (lol)
SapphireMind
odeepblue
SSfanatic
HPFreak4life
Kristafied
csi1gil1
ayesha84
telma
seren grissom
stareagle
Aemie
CSIfan3
Mandi Halliwell
bioassy
NicknGrisfan
maricejayo
iheartgsr
tashak / taskak
Manhattan SVU
AFreakInside
someone-still-loves-you
thjersyjynx33
SaraSGrissom
loveshouse
SaraLou
Izzy100193 / Liz100193 (I'm fairly certain this is the same name)
Mma63
Mrs. Touchstone
Haldir's Heart and Soul
shelly123
gsrshipper9
and, ssg
For reviewing. It means a lot to me. Join us all and more in the second installment of the Sequence Reaction Series. I love you all and thanks for sticking along for this crazy ride! I guarantee you the next book will be worth the wait!
Love,
Futuremisscsi60!