Disclaimer: I don't own csi but I really wish I did :)
What Does It Take?
Slowing The Pace.
Catherine ran out of her car, barely trying to close her door. Her dress shoes clicked on the pavement as she jogged towards Brass, Nick and Ray.
She reached them and received hesitant expressions from all three.
"Whats going on?" She asked, out of breath and nervous as hell. They took a few moments before Brass plucked up the courage.
"We don't know." He muttered, staring up at the hotel windows. He was jumpy, and Catherine tried to ignore her surprise.
"You don't know? Nicky calls me and tells me that he left Sara and Greg in the room, then twenty minutes later, 911 gets a silent call from them, and you don't know whats going on?" She said, exasperated. This was not happening. No, she couldn't lose anymore members of her team. Of her family. "Come on Jim, I'm not losing them because you hesitated! Get your guys in there!"
Brass looked conflicted, but he nodded and turned away to radio some men. She turned towards Nick and Ray, trying to seem less terrified than she was. That was her family in there.
Sure, she didn't always get along with Sara, but that didn't mean she didn't love her. The entire team loved her. To Cath, she was like the completely different and slightly annoying sister she never had. Sara was feisty, hard working and caring. She solved every case she was assigned to, and who knew how many people, including team members, she had saved?
And Greg...He was Greg. The funny, extroverted and goofy member of the team. But he was also smart, caring, intuitive and it seemed at times that he could sense every thought you were having. Catherine had been worried about him ever since he graduated to a level one CSI. She had good reason, look at his first solo case, he was beaten to near death. And now look what had happened! Greggo was the son she always wanted, and now that he was in danger... she didn't know what to do.
All this hit her at once, and she felt worthless just standing there. She walked briskly towards Brass, ignoring Ray's fierce gaze.
"I'm going in with you." She told him boldly. His eyes were stressed.
"No, your not." He said quickly, his command firm. She stared at him with slight disbelief.
"Yes I am Jim." Her voice was shaking.
"No. I'm the police chief, I'm in charge. Your. Not. Coming. In." Catherine's shoulders sagged in defeat, wishing he would change his mind. But she knew he wouldn't.
XXX
Greg tilted his ear towards the wall as he heard the sirens. As a child he had found them annoying, but right now, it was the best sound in the world.
Sara lifted her head from his shoulder, looking him in the eyes. Her expression shifted from hopeful, to worried as they both heard their attackers footsteps.
In an instant they were standing, Greg protectively in front of Sara. He knew she wanted it the other way, but she didn't argue.
The metallic click of the padlock sounded and the man shoved the door open, looking scared out of his mind. Both Greg and Sara instinctively backed up.
"Who called the cops? Which one of you did it!" He yelled, hysterical. Neither answered.
The man pulled the gun out of his pocket and pointed it at them. Greg's breath was becoming faster.
"Who did it!" He yelled once more, moving the guns aim from Greg to Sara, back and forth.
Finally, Sara spoke. "Nobody did. People have been calling my phone haven't they?" She asked calmly. Greg had noticed her phone lying on the counter back in the hallway, but hadn't picked it up.
The man looked at her, seemingly debating whether to answer. After several tense seconds he nodded.
"See? I always pick up my phone." She said, and Greg found it slightly amusing how big of a lie that was. "They're just looking for me. If you let me pick up my phone,"
"No!" The man interrupted, acting smarter than Greg had expected. "Nobody's picking up the phone."
"Listen sir, if we don't pick it up, they're going to send cops up here. You don't want that." Greg said, once again shocked he was handling this well.
"No! You'll tell them I'm here! You will!" The man rambled on, completely unaware of Sara edging forwards. Greg wanted to reach out and stop her, but he remained frozen.
"No we wont. I promise we wont. We don't want to die. So I promise, we wont." Sara said, an edge only a friend could distinguish in her voice.
The man looked at the ground, trying to decide. Greg hoped he would allow it, if the cops came up here right now, they'd all die. But if they didn't come at all, well, they'd die. They had to let the team know, without this man catching on.
The silence was thick, and rapidly becoming uncomfortable. The gun was still pointed at them, so there was no chance of escape. Sara had backed up into his reach, so Greg moved his arm glacially slow, until his had was on her arm. She didn't turn around, but her could see her shoulders relax slightly.
"Okay." The man said finally, slicing the unbearable silence. "Fine. But one hint as to whats going on, and you die."
Like? I thought Catherine would freak, she's so overprotective :) Lemme know if you liked it! More on the way!