Chapter two

Sara shifted uncomfortable in her seat, they had been driving for twenty minutes and she was in need of a different position and go to the toilet. Slowly the blaring lights of police cars came into view and Sara glanced at Greg to find the look of puzzlement across his own face. She assumed that neither knew why there was so many police cars present and as they pulled up to the log styled house there was at least a dozen or more cops mulling around running back a forth.

Greg finally pulled to a stop and spotted captain Brass talking to a young police office. He and Sara climbed out of the car; Brass took note of them but didn't go directly to them instead finish given his orders to the officer. Greg and Sara had enough time to get their kits out and grab their vest and slipped them on.

Brass gave them a harsh smile, not directed at them but at the scene he had just left.

"You made it in better time then some of my officers, but then again you are CSI's" Brass told them gaining a smile from both. He glanced at Sara and frowned taking her pale complexion "Sidle you look pale, you ok" Brass asked but Sara ducked her head as though making out to search for something. Greg threw her a look and noted that she look pale but Sara shook her head and looked at Brass "fine… I'm fine, just a cold" Sara lied and Brass nodded. Then looked over his shoulder if he had believed her or not was unclear but he allowed it to slip "right, body inside… she was moved by the paramedic's. I've got officers searching the surrounding woods but we haven't located the husband yet. We need to question him" Brass then glanced towards a police car and sighed "the little girl is there" Brass told them as both nodded before looking at each "body or girl Sanders" Sara asked lightly when she saw the concern in his eyes. Greg smiled lightly and raised an eyebrow "do I get a choice" Greg questioned only half convinced that Sara was ok. Sara pointed towards the girl and smiled at him "hope you have some sweets on you Greg, I don't think your charm will work on kids" Sara declared lightly before she pulled a serious face and followed Brass who was relieved to hear the light banter between the two CSI's.

Greg groaned lightly and turned headed towards the car, throwing a glance over his shoulder to see Brass and Sara already discussing the case. The only reason he was this concerned with Sara was because this case hit close to home. That was all, he was friend concerned with a friend.

Sara was glad to be getting down to work, if she focused her mind on work then she could forget that her Teynol was wearing off and slight twinges that had been hitting a little at a time during the drive. Brass spoke to a few more officers before he came to a stop and brought Sara with him, he had seen something before looking at her "your professional right Sara" Brass questioned. Sara blinked back the tears, she wished she could have blamed it all on her hormones but the truth was she was a little hurt by his question. So she simply nodded. Brass looked behind him and sighed then carried on walking, frowning at his question she looked at what could possibly make him ask and then she saw it.

Hank stood leaning against the wall talking to a female officer, any other day she would have just got on with her job without a second thought to any thing- especially to a guy who cheated on her. But today she didn't need, so she captured Brass's arm and sighed, he looked back at her and she saw the reason why he asked her about being professional. He no doubt had heard what happened and she couldn't help but smile at his concern there was one a time when he thought CSI's were annoyance.

"You can always swap, get Sanders back up here" Brass asked and Sara smiled shaking her head "no, I better see the body. Get this over and done with" Sara declared Brass gave her a pat then headed towards the paramedic followed by Sara.

"Have we got a name" Sara asked trying her best to look resolved, Brass nodded then looked at her "yeah, DB's name is Georgina Keats" the name brought Sara to a dead stop. Brass stopped a few steps before her, glancing at her with puzzlement until he saw that any traces of colour she had now had completely drained from her face… in fact she looked like a shell of her self, as though someone had knocked all the air out of her.

"Sara" he questioned as he stepped towards her but Sara was repeating the name again and again first under her breath then slowly she got louder. It couldn't be the same one… it couldn't be. Sara didn't realise tears had sprung to her eyes; this wasn't her hormones… that name.

"Georgina Keats" Sara repeated and Brass nodded, neither noticing that they had gain an audience, including Hank. Sara felt her breath coming out in short shots before she dropped her kit and raced pushing passed the officers leaving them in shock.

It had taken Sara a few moments to collect her bearings noting that most of the officers were hovering close to one room. Sara raced straight for that room, it was the family room, it would have been like thousands of others with toys scattered here and there had it not also been for the smashed glass and furniture. The TV had been tossed half way across the room and the table was splintered. And there laying behind the tipped sofa was the body-the person she didn't want to see. Blood pooled underneath the slim auburn haired body, her green eyes were shut but a look of fear was etched across her still face. Sara stumbled a few steps around and saw her body fully. She had been wearing a flowing brown skirt that had fanned out when she fell; her crisp white shirt with small sparkling gold studs was stained crimson from a gapping hole where her heart was. Sara could feel the hot tears streak there way down her cheeks, burning as they rolled down.

Georgina was always beautiful; she held an elfin air around her. Her hair naturally curling around her shoulders. And even now, with her chin coated in blood she was beautiful. Sara broke and went to rush towards the body but two strong arms wrapped around her and nearly lifted her off her feet "no" she screamed and kicked and struggled against those arms.

She knew these arms; Hank was holding her tightly against him. She tore at the arms, wanting to go to the body. She couldn't and wouldn't accept that she was dead, she had to wake her up, even in the back of her mind she knew this was how most friends of victims react and she knew Hank was right to hold her back but she didn't want to be held back. It took a few minutes before the sobs racked throughout her and her struggles eased. Her knees gave way and she was on the ground, she pushed Hank away and she felt him tense then let go making sure she wouldn't go again.

"Sara," Hank sighed then stood "just didn't want you to ruin everything by messing up the scene" Hank told her before he walked away. Sara just sat looking at the body, her elfin friend. She didn't know how long she sat their before Brass bent down beside her and placed a gentle hand on her arm. She looked at him the tears had stopped falling; taking his hand she allowed her self to be pulled to her feet and took staggering breaths holding herself.

"I've called Grissom; he said he could spare Nick. You have to step back Sara you know you do" Brass ordered expecting an argument but he received none. She simply nodded and was allowed to be guided out by Brass. She didn't even notice Hank stiffing when she walked out, her kit had been placed by Greg's car and that's when she remembered. Stopping she spun towards Brass who looked at her with down cast eyes "the little girl" Sara bit off before she walked towards the car, the direction Greg had taken off towards before hand. Stealing her breath expecting the worst.

Greg was nearly done; he had heard something of a commotion but didn't stop talking to Lotte. Greg looked at the six year old and smiled brightly at her. Charlotte Keats stated firmly she liked the name Lotte and that was her name. Greg questioned her gently, not wanting to scare her. Once or twice he wondered why Catherine had not gotten this assignment- she had Lindsey then he guessed that he needed to learn everything including dealing with children. He had just finished taking all the notes when he realised that he wasn't getting much more from the little girl and that she had hid as soon as her father returned to the house and began to beat up his wife. It was a story Greg had read and thousand times before hand, the familiar routine victims of abuse kept to.

He noticed Sara walking over to them and guessed she too was done when he saw she had been crying and that she looked white as a ghost. He was about to jump up when Lotte too noticed Sara and leap from her seat and charged at her. Sara stopped and flung her arms open to capture the young girl, stroking her hair and kissing her head. Sara sank to the ground and held the girl tightly to her.

Greg stood frowning, his puzzlement was lifted when he saw Brass coming to them, not yelling or scolding Sara for her behaviour. Greg was even more confused when Nick's car came to a stop and he climbed out, he scanned the area and then fixed on them. He rushed quickly towards them and spoke to Brass who nodded a few things then sighed before he walked to Sara and spoke in a low voice to her. Nick headed over to Greg and gave him a tight smile "hey man, you ok" Nick asked as Greg frowned but nodded. What the hell was going on, Greg looked at Nick "what's going on" he asked and Nicky glanced to Sara who was now rocking the girl back and forth "um, your going to be working this case with me now man" Nicky informed him as Greg felt his head spinning, he was confused.

"Nick" Greg started and Nick let out a low whistle "the DB, from what I can gather Sara knows her…don't know how but she does and she has to be removed from the case" Nick stated before he sighed and looked around "look, I'm going to head back to the house, get started you ok to make sure everything is clear here… you might have to go with the girl and no doubt Sara" Nick ordered as Greg nodded cramming the notes he had taken in to his vest and raced back to the car. He grabbed his kit and marched over to Sara who showed no sign of movement. Brass looked at Greg and nodded, pulling him aside "their going to take her to the hospital, Sara wants to go… I can't leave and Nick just got" "it's fine, I'll go. I'll take my car and follow them" Greg stated as Brass nodded and bent beside Sara once more. He spoke to her and Greg felt somehow different when Sara stared at him. It wasn't among the normal looks she gave him, it was different… it was as though she was judging him for the first time… seeing if she trusted him with such a precious thing… the kid, she wanted to know if she could trust him with her then just as suddenly her expression changed, like she had finished and he had some how been given the ok. At this point he walked over to Sara and bent beside her, her eyes never left him "I'm going to follow in the car, you go with Lotte" he ordered as Sara watched him. She slowly nodded and looked at him with a new look, pleading. Then Greg understood dropping his bag and helped Sara and Lotte to their feet. Sara scooped the girl up and gave a tight smile towards Greg who could help smile back brushing a loose strand from her forehead, her skin feeling like ice beneath his finger tips.

Then she was gone heading to the ambulance with Lotte in her arms, Greg sighed and turned nodding to Brass after he grabbed his bag and headed to his car.