Disclaimer: I don't own csi but I really wish I did :)

What Does It Take?

Careful Choices

Sara didn't breathe as the man followed her and Greg into the living room, the gun still in his hand. Their footsteps were muted by the white carpeting.

Both reached the room and turned slowly to face the attacker. His eyes bore into them before he made a move.

The man grabbed Greg's arm and pulled him away from Sara. Instantly, she felt like part of her was missing.

Still silent, the man pulled Greg beside him, the gun pointed at his head. Sara subconsciously stepped towards him, wanting to protect him.

"Stay there." The man told her angrily, obviously he had a plan for this. Greg was now in front of him, being held around the neck by the taller man. His eyes showed the hatred he had of guns.

Sara made eye contact with Greg first, hoping to seem reassuring. Then she glared at their attacker.

"The phone's on the counter. Pick it up, and call whoever has been phoning you." He said roughly, but she didn't move, she knew he had more to say. "Only one, make it quick. Tell them your fine, that your still working on the case. Do not call the cops, do not tip them off or give them hints. Or I'll kill your friend."

Sara broke her frozen position, reaching for the phone. How was she supposed to let them know what was happening, without this guy knowing? She wasn't letting Greg get hurt.

She picked up her cell phone, wondering who she needed to call. She knew who she wanted to call. She wanted to hear Grissom's voice, telling her it was okay. Focus! She scorned herself. If she phoned Nick, he'd freak out and run inside the building. If she called Catherine, she wouldn't listen long enough to realize what Sara was trying to say. Brass? Probably not a good idea if the man checked her call history.

She dialled the number of the only person she could trust to understand, and not overreact or blow this.

It rang for a few seconds before Ray picked up.

"Sara?" He said over the line. "Are you okay?"

She couldn't answer that without tipping the man off. So Ray asked her something else. "Your being held hostage aren't you? Is he watching you?"

"Yes." She answered simply.

"Okay, don't tip him off. Pretend were talking about the case." Sara was slightly surprised, Ray was really good at this.

"Okay. The victim was in the tub. Um... he was with someone else. They were probably held hostage for a long time. Probably caught by surprise." She said, glancing up at the man, who seemed to think she was, indeed speaking about the case.

"And... " She continued, sensing Ray listening intently. She made eye contact with Greg, who knew exactly what she was doing. "They had no way to defend themselves from him."

Their attacker was beginning to grow suspicious, she could sense it. So she quickly covered.

"I didn't find any fingerprints, or hairs, so we might never know who did it."

Ray sighed, probably knowing that this was pretty much all he could get out of her.

"But your okay? Your not hurt?" He said, more caring then she'd ever heard him.

"Yes, were fine. No need to send more CSIs, we've got it covered." She said casually, despite hearing Catherine and Nick's voices in the background. It sounded like they were trying to convince Ray to let them speak to her.

"Alright, I understand. Don't piss him off, were going to figure this out." He said slowly, and she could imagine the look of contemplation on his face.

"Bye." She said, wishing she could hang up already. She wanted Greg out of that guys grasps right now. The gun was still shoved against his temple, and his eyes were still scared.

"Goodbye Sara."

She flipped the phone shut, eager to get Greg out of the man's arms.

It took a few moments before he spoke. "You didn't tip them off? They're not coming up here?"

Sara shook her head. Finally the man took his arm away from Greg's neck, and shoved him forwards.

He stumbled towards Sara, and she grabbed his arm. Not to comfort him, not to help him regain his balance (even though she might have done both). No, she took his arm for herself. She wanted to know he was okay, to have him beside her, unharmed and safe. And when she met his stare, she knew he was shaken, but fine.

She relaxed slightly. But there was still one problem. How the hell were they going to get out of here now?

XXX

Ray flicked his phone shut, sighing frustratedly. Nick, Brass and Catherine looked at him expectantly.

"We cant send anybody in there. He'll kill them. We just cant." He said in his deep voice, watching as Nick became even more frustrated.

"Then what can we do?" The Texan asked, exasperated. Ray gave him an apologetic expression.

"I don't know. But we better figure it out fast." Catherine said, her eyes glancing up to the hotel windows every few seconds. Ray could tell her motherly instincts were in full motion.

Ray wasn't sure what to think. He thought of Sara and Greg like family.

Sara was the sister he'd never had. The one who gave him guidance, who helped him when he needed it. She was intuitive and smart, and she immersed herself in her work. Maybe too much, yes, but she knew when to finish. Unlike Ray. Sara poked fun at those around her, making them smile during particularly tough cases. Her spirit seemed to be ever-present, even when she, herself, was absent. Her humour was meaningful, her comments deep and significant. She was an amazing person, and Ray knew one thing for sure. She didn't deserve this.

Greg was like... well he wasn't sure. Maybe a brother, maybe a son. He was cheerful and hilarious, and he never failed to make you smile. His attitude gave him a slight appearance of being immature, but Ray knew he wasn't. When you worked the job they did, dealing with what they constantly do, you need a good laugh. Even if its at the expense of a dead person. But Greg was serious and gentle when he needed to be, and his conclusions were well thought out. He never missed a beat, and he always made the people he loved happy. And that's what's important right?

Brass spoke for the first time. "I called SWAT. They're on their way."

This shook Ray away from his thoughts, and they faded away quickly. He needed to be in the present, he reminded himself. Not his own head.

"We'll keep them out of sight. But if they hear a struggle, or gunshot, they'll go in." Brass finished.

All three CSIs nodded, knowing this was the best they could do right now. The rest was up to Sara and Greg.

Dangg. :$ whats going to happen? Review and you can find out. But seriously, pleeeeeaaasseee review! Please!