Hunters and Collectors

Disclaimer: CBS owns CSI

A/N Ok last chapter of this story, we now get to the Finale and Outcome of the court case.

Chapter 16

"The defendant didn't rape me, probably because I'd already been shot and all three of them were simply looking for escape route, and maybe I wasn't his type, I found that out when he expressed his desire for and I quote "the pretty blonde CSI", what he did was bad enough, I was lucky to survive due to the diligence of my colleagues, he left me there to die, him specifically, it was his idea to put me in a small trunk and lock it, thankfully I never used to keep it locked and a close colleague knew that."

"Thank you CSI Sidle, that will be all."

Finally the DA had come to the end of each charge except for the rape, and now it was adjourned until the morning, one last time for the DA to brief Catherine, hopefully there would be no surprises and CSI Willows was a strong person, and Claire Johnson would testify as well.

That night Catherine lay awake in bed, hating the thought of court in the morning, her body still hurt in places, the casts were due off in a week, then physical therapy would begin, she had been unable to do most things while her ribs healed and having only one good limb meant she was useless, but her mind was sharp now, she'd been reading a lot, past rape histories, online rape case files and various reasons why the perp was acquitted, not this time, she was prepared now. She dozed off with a thought in her mind. "Bring it on!"

The morning dawned bright and sunny as it does in a Vegas summer, all her colleagues were in court for support, even Nick. Everyone looked fit and healthy, which was very reassuring to her, the support made her more determined to win this battle and the DA was equally determined.

She took the stand and was told she was still under oath then the DA began his questions, they seemed easy enough, and she had to recount the events of that traumatic events, leaving out no details, she told the story almost clinically, detached and without any reservation, not even for her feelings when inside she was crying, she never showed it.

The defence attorney started his cross examination and some of the questions stung, especially bringing up her past as a dancer and stripper.

"What I did before I became a CSI has no relevance to this case, but since you were asking so nicely, I was a dancer and made a living out of it to support my child in addition to my husband at the time, who is now deceased. I then went and studied and worked hard to get my current position, if you don't believe me you can ask any of my co workers."

"Mr Ross denies he raped you, even to the point where he said you found him attractive and wanted to enjoy the thrill of what he was doing but in order to maintain your reputation, any sex between you would have to been seen to be forced and rough so his colleagues wouldn't get jealous, is this the case?"

"No it most certainly isn't the case."

"So in reality it's your word against his, isn't it?"

"No, not really, have you examined all the evidence against him on this charge?"

"If you mean have I seen the photographs then yes I have, but they don't mean anything."

Catherine was now getting quite hot under the collar now so she did her customary confrontation with him.

"Mean nothing? Do you believe a woman would consent to being taken hostage, by murderers, being bound, gagged and raped nothing?"

"They don't prove you were raped, just that you had rough sex with a man, for all we know you might have enjoyed that type of thing."

"In your fantasies maybe, no Mr Calvin, I do not enjoy that sort of thing, I do not like the defendant, and would never willingly have any relationship with him."

Calvin realized he probably wouldn't win this, then the DA asked for a redirect and had the photographs from SWAT distributed to the jury, judge and defence attorney.

"This was the final result before the medical personnel arrived, the two dead women were Mr Ross' accomplices, please note not the injuries per se, but the bindings and tape, and ask yourself, even if you did like 'rough sex' as Mr Calvin noted, or even into bondage, would you ever tie someone this way for sex? The answer is evident, it would be a very uncomfortable position, even damaging, if it was consensual then why the tape? No ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this was rape, pure and simple, the rape kit performed on CSI Willows showed clearly the damage internally and the defendents DNA was found inside her."

Catherine was given permission to leave the stand, not sure if she succeeded or not, but left the court followed closely by Sara and Sofia. Her resolve broke and she cried torrents and felt sick after all that.

Next up to the stand was Claire Johnson, she gave a heart rending description of the scene as she and her colleagues were first there, and saw CSI Willows before anyone else, Claire herself had removed the tape and rope. She also testified as to the accuracy of the photographs.

The defence counsel was stunned and didn't really know what to ask, this officer was unimpeachable, however she was a woman, and had shot a suspect. He began cautiously.

"Officer Johnson, you were one of the first on scene correct?"

"Yes Sir, along with the squad."

"When you got into the room you shot a suspect, is that correct?"

"Yes Sir, acting under orders."

"When you first saw CSI Willows apart from her other injuries caused by said suspects, did she have any other injuries?"

"Yes Sir, severe bite marks, bleeding ones, and vaginal bleeding."

"I'll remind you Officer Johnson that you are no medical expert, but can you conclusively say that CSI Willows did not enjoy this alleged rape?"

"Yes Sir I can, and although I am not a medical expert, I am an expert in another field, I am a woman, and vaginal bleeding is something women, especially rape victims are very well versed in, also as a woman, an expert in that field, unless you find me unqualified, there is no way any woman would enjoy sex in this manner. Perhaps it might have been possible if tied in a different manner, but then the damage was too great anyway."

The DA was ecstatic with the reply and George Ross looked decidedly uncomfortable now. The defence now had no case, no comeback it was now all up to the jury. Final closing arguments were made and the jury retired, the team and Officer Johnson all went to the diner next door to the court house together and had some much needed food and coffee, any celebrations would come later.

Catherine was silent during most of the meal, answering the odd question here or there, about the weather, current cases, family and other silly off topic stuff. Slowly Catherine unwound and the day seemed brighter yet not closed .

Grissom's phone sounded on his hip. It was the DA informing him that the jury was back and he had 10 minutes to get everyone back so he grabbed and paid the check and everyone hurried back to the court room. They all took their seats, the defendant included and waited for the judge. They all rose when he entered, then all sat once more.

"Has the jury reached a verdict?"

"Yes your honor, we have."

"How do you find the defendant, guilty or not guilty?"

"Guilty on all charges your honor."

"Thank you for your assistance, the jury is now dismissed with thanks. Sentencing would normally be carried out at a later date, but since I have been deliberating and it is still very early, my deliberations have been well found. Mr Ross you are hereby sentenced to death, sentence to be carried expeditiously. What's more you are to personally apologize to CSI Willows for the pain and suffering you caused her, and your entire estate shall be put at her disposal. Do you have anything to say on your behalf?"

"No your honor, and I refuse to apologize to CSI Willows, the only thing I do regret is that my girls didn't succeed when I told them to kill her."

He was dragged away in chains, it was over, finally. All that misery, pain and suffering that had been caused, over, case closed.

That night they all went out once more, but this time to really celebrate, the team was nearly whole again, Catherine should be up and around in another two weeks, back at work in four. Jim Brass took Officer Johnson under his wing and suggested that if she wanted another duty, like in homicide, it was hers for the asking. She declined as she enjoyed SWAT, but perhaps later she might take him up on it.

Life for CSI returned to normal, the graveyard shift, the inevitable assignments, and of course the secret dance of Sara and Grissom, the best kept secret 'never' told, at least not yet. Catherine found that the estate of Mr George Ross was quite considerable and after using part of it to compensate the victims of his crimes, donated the rest to a rape victim support charity.

Life and crime continued in Las Vegas and Catherine finally returned to work after a lot of physiotherapy and hard work, everyone at LVPD stayed more diligent in looking after the CSIs, vowing that this would never happen again. But as we all know, it would, and why? Hey this is Vegas where anything is possible.

Goodbye and Goodluck folks.

The End