GRISSOM VS. THE DOMINATRIX
CHAPTER NINE
Without Catherine's disrespectful attitude and caustic comments, the team regained its professionalism at least and worked the scene in harmony. They seemed subdued, Grissom thought, and he wondered if how much of their renewed respect was solely due to fear of the boss.
It burned and stung to crouch, kneel, stretch, and go through the motions of processing a scene as Grissom's whip marks reopened and bled. He bit back the sounds of pain and did his best to act normal. It's all I need for them to notice those wounds! The shame laid heavily on his heart.
Once in a while he felt them glance at him, wondering about his sexual preferences no doubt, and each felt like a sting of disapproval. In turn he stole glances at Sara. She seemed to be avoiding eye contact and conversation beyond the bare necessities of their tasks. He wondered how to address the subject of Lady Heather. Or if it was better buried. Wondered how to regain her respect, and more, her trust.
Nick, well, that hero worship he had was bound to erode at some point. Greg seemed to find amusement in the whole situation, but he was careful not to make his wisecracks within hearing. And the others didn't seem to find them funny, so eventually he gave up. Warrick was probably the most tolerant of this portion of the team. That was confirmed when they were documenting blood spatter and doing a crime scene sketch, respectively, and the others were busy elsewhere.
"Hey, Gris," Warrick said quietly.
"Yeah?" Grissom straightened to look at him, hearing the shift in his voice from work to personal.
"Cath was way out of line. She's one to talk, you know?"
A corner of Gil's lip twisted up. He nodded.
"I get it, I really do. You're a man...a man has needs...and however you choose to fulfill those needs...between consenting adults, of course...is cool."
Grissom nodded again. "Thanks, Warrick." The tension in the room eased and he felt better than he had all night.
They wrapped up the scene after long hours and returned to the lab in two vehicles, reassembling in the conference room to decide the next steps. The tension remained between Sara and Grissom, a heaviness and a bad taste in their mouths. Grissom sent Warrick and Greg with Nick to follow up evidence in different labs. When Sara stood up as well, he cleared his throat. He was just about to speak when Ecklie made an unwelcome entrance.
"Gil! I understand you suspended Willows?" he demanded without preamble.
Grissom rolled his eyes at Sara, who smirked back and pretended to study the file in front of her. This should be good.
"That's right, Conrad." He gave an exaggerated sigh.
"And why was that?"
"She was disrespectful and insubordinate, and needs some time to adjust her attitude," Grissom told the lab director, consciously echoing Ecklie's stated reasons for suspending Sara on the Melton case. Sara recognized the reference and hid another smirk, which made Grissom's heart lighten.
"Care to elaborate?"
"I do not."
Ecklie waited, but when the silence stretched out, he bustled out, saying over his shoulder, "Well, it's about time you grew a spine in regards to CSI Willows."
Grissom and Sara shared a surprised look. Encouraged, he was about to speak, to attempt to clear the air (though he still had no clue how to) when she stood, gathered her papers, made some nervous comment about getting back to work, and exited before he made a peep. Grissom shook his head. I wish she'd quit doing that. Leave before I can say a word. It's too soon, anyway, he rationalized. Too raw. Like my ass and thighs!
He went back to work.
TBC