Chapter 26

The next few nights was a repeat for Sara. Nobody wanted to talk to her or wanted her help. Warrick hadn't been by for that promised talk.

On the positive side Sara had gotten a few tips on possible job opportunities. Though nothing really caught her interest, but it was nice to know she was wanted and had options.

The shift was bad enough, but Thursday morning Sara had to meet Ecklie. There had been a message when she had signed in Wednesday night, to meet him after shift.

She wasn't sure what the Lab Director wanted, but thought it might give Ecklie a chance to gloat now that she was on the way out.

rrrr

Sara hadn't expected Ecklie to want her to use her accumulated vacation time for the rest of her employment.

Ecklie hadn't wanted to let Sara off that easy, he had been looking forward to getting as much out of the CSI as he could now that she had finally resigned.

The Under Sherif was more concerned about his budget. With CSI Sidle's overtime and vacation time saved up the department would have to part with a lump sum of money. Something he wasn't willing to do if he could in anyway help it.

That was the reason Ecklie had been ordered to put Sara on vacation.

Sara wasn't told any reason for her sudden freedom from work. Not that she cared for the reason, she was just glad to get out of there.

Ecklie had been very specific on a few points. Sara was to clear out her locker and workspace. He was aware that the CSI's usually had a place in the lab only for them. Sara was to hand in her ID and work issued firearm.

Ecklie would make sure that Sara's last paycheck would be mailed to her. He was very insistent that there would be no reason what so ever that Sara would need to come into the crime lab building after today.

The meeting with Ecklie hadn't taken long, but it was late enough that most of the night shift would have gone home by the time Sara got back to the lab.

Sara would have liked the opportunity to talk to the others and explain. With the last three nights in mind Sara wasn't sure they would even listen if any of them were still at the lab.

Sara didn't see any of the night shift only day shift. They didn't ignore her or pay much attention to Sara, but was willing to help when Sara asked.

Sara talked the computer specialist into making a print of her contact list before Sara had to hand in her phone and pager. She would have liked the list to be transferred to her private cell phone, but it had run out of battery just before Sara left from home. So Sara had left her phone to recharge not thinking too much about it. Most people called her work number anyway.

It had taken some time to go through her crime scene kit to sort out what was her own property and what belonged to the County. Some of the more special equipment Sara had bought herself along with the case she carried everything around in. The rest she packed up in a box and left it on Grissom's desk.

Sara left the crime lab building for the last time with her scene kit and a box of her belongings. It felt strange not to have her cell phone, ID and pager strapped to her waist. Even more strange was it knowing that she would never get to work at the crime lab again.

Sara had wanted to leave a note for Catherine, but hadn't known what to write, especially after the older woman hadn't wanted to talk to her since Tuesday morning.

rrrr

Grissom didn't explain why Sara didn't show up for her next shift, after Ecklie had Sara use vacation time for the rest of her employment.

The night shift had been surprised when Sara had resigned, feeling angry that Sara hadn't said anything herself. Sara had been collectively ignored, but they had all expected another week to speak to Sara and get things cleared up.

The night shift CSI's and Greg had all planned to talk to Sara and get things settled before the brunette's last day.

When Sara didn't show up, and didn't leave any of them a message, most reacted with renewed anger.

Greg knew Sara better than the others, and he knew there was a reason. That didn't mean he understood why Sara hadn't talked to him. He was disappointed Sara hadn't felt she could talk to him, and he too had avoided his friend because his feelings were hurt. Greg knew he needed to explain and apologize to Sara, but he needed more time before he could do that.

Nick's anger hadn't cooled when Sara had stopped showing up for work. In his anger he took it as an insult that Sara hadn't told him anything. Telling himself that Sara had never been a friend, and in his anger he believed that Sara was the one to blame.

Warrick had mostly been surprised that Sara had actually left the lab and Grissom, but also that Grissom hadn't found someway to persuade Sara to stay. He didn't think Sara had chosen to leave without a word with no good reason. He believed Sara would contact them when ready.

Catherine had been hurt when Sara hadn't said anything. When she found out that Nancy had known and was defending Sara, Catherine became jealous. Hurt and jealousy wasn't emotions Catherine handled well. Whenever Catherine felt vulnerable she resorted to anger. It was easier to be angry at Sara than to admit what Sara's friendship meant.

Catherine was usually confrontational when she wasn't happy about something. This time was different, Catherine did her best to avoid Sara at all cost. Ignoring calls and dropping Lindsey at the curb whenever she saw Sara's car at Nancy's. Instead of yelling at Sara, Catherine took her anger out on her colleagues. Making it missable for everybody to be in the lab.

It didn't help with Sara no longer there, the nightshift was a CSI short. Grissom's promise of help had been sparse. Ecklie wouldn't allow Grissom to hire a new CSI right away. To stay within budget the Lab Director needed to keep the position vacant for three months.

Brass and Dr. Robbins hadn't stopped talking to Sara after the CSI had resigned. They had both suspected something was wrong long before Sara quiet. They hadn't pressured Sara but had tried to be supportive. That had been a difficult task for both of them, seeing as Sara mostly didn't handle homicide cases or cases that needed the ME.

Being short one CSI and with mostly no help from the other shifts, had all night shifts CSI's working more hours than normal. That made them realize just how much time Sara had put in when they had to take over the brunette's workload.

Any training Greg would have gotten from Sara or the other CSI's was stopped for the time being.

rrrr

Emily was ecstatic that her mama didn't have to work during the nights, and even more so that Sara actually used the vacation time without working.

Sara was still looking for employment, but spent most of her time with Emily and friends. She had even brought the young blonde to replenish her scene kit. Even though she knew she wouldn't be a criminalist in the near future, Sara wanted to keep up to date on new developments and maintain her skills.

The fingerprint powder had given the entertainment for several afternoons. Not only for Emily but also for Jeremy and Lindsey.

With everything Nancy had done to help her, Sara had offered to take Jeremy and Lindsey during Nancy's work hours.

Nancy worked part time to supplement her husbands income, and Nancy liked working. During the school year she mostly worked when Jeremy was at school, but during the summer it was always harder matching her work schedule with finding somebody to watch Jeremy. Usually Jeremy would spend the days with friends.

Jeremy, like all the other children Nancy had seen Sara with, had taken to the brunette. Sara had a way to capture the attention of children and keep it.

The one day they had spent at Cam's Garage had been all Jeremy talked about for the rest of the week. So much so that his dad had been jealous of the things Jeremy had gotten to try.

No matter how they spent the day, Sara made sure there was something for both Emily and Jeremy to do. Everything could be turned into some sort of learning experience, without either child was always small things and not all of them school relevant, but they always managed to pique Emily and Jeremy's curiosity. Something Nancy and her husband, Peter, had had trouble doing lately.

rrrr

Nancy was glad that both Emily and Sara still regularly joined her family for meals. Catherine hadn't been too thrilled about it, or Nancy for that matter. Keeping herself and Lindsey away for some days.

Nancy knew Catherine needed time to cool off. But it would only be so long before her sister came back.

Catherine temper had always been easy to flare, but she always cooled down and talked to Nancy again. The advantage of being sisters. Besides Lindsey couldn't keep sleeping over at friends houses.

That Nancy had become friends with Sara, was what had kept Catherine away for longer than usual. Nancy's easy report with Sara, had bothered Catherine, because Catherine herself had found it difficult to talk to Sara.

Catherine had had her feelings hurt when Sara hadn't told about the trouble at work, just as she had thought they become friends. That Sara hadn't said anything about resigning before she heard it from Nick, had hurt her again. Handling hurt by being angry had always been what Catherine did.

Catherine hadn't wanted to hear any explanation from Sara. Choosing not to answer when the brunette called, and never returned any of the calls even after the several messages Sara had left on her voice mail.

A week later, Catherine still hadn't talked to Sara, but she was letting Lindsey back in Nancy's home. Avoiding it herself if there was any chance of Sara being there.

rrrr

A week before school started, Sara heard from Brian, a friend she had first meet at a conference.

He had heard from contacts that Sara was looking for work. That had gotten him to call sooner than he had planned.

Sara had agreed to meet, so he could tell her about the offer.

It turned out her friend had made the move to Las Vegas 6 months earlier, to help the Las Vegas University get a high ranked Criminal Justice program.

Brian had been hired to improve the criminalistic part of the program. When he had started it hadn't been anything that attracted that many new students. The university wanted to take advantage of the popularity TV-show were generating.

Brian had been making some changes, most of them would first be implemented with the start of the fall semester. The summer courses he had helped put together had gotten some attention from the students already. The courses that was being offered that fall was well over their minimum participants, and there was still a good two weeks until the semester started.

He had from the beginning planned on trying to recruit Sara, he just hadn't expected it would be this soon.

Brian had always thought Sara would be a great teacher, hoping when he got the chance to lure her to join him.

Now that he knew Sara was looking for a new job, he had gotten the opportunity sooner than he had expected. But he wasn't going to miss out of a chance like that.

Brian was hoping he could persuade Sara to come teach at the University. It would be a great help to his dream for making this the best Criminal Justice program. He was willing to go a long way to convince her.

rrrr

Sara looked forward to talking to a friend she hadn't seen in a long time, but she wasn't expecting the job offer to pique her interest and curiosity.

Sara hadn't thought her talk with Brian would take long and had told Cam she would be back early in the afternoon.

Brian wanted to offer courses in the practical work one could encounter as a criminalist. That was where Sara came in. The more Brian talked about the possibilities the more interested Sara became. It started looking as a real opportunity.

If she chose to take the teaching job, Sara would get free hands with the syllabus. Brian would like there to be two to four different courses, not right away, but in time.

Giving future CSIs and law personnel the chance to learn some of the practical skills before being thrown into it like he had been and knew Sara had as well.

Brian hadn't thought teaching would be enough to lure Sara to the position, so a part of the offer was to give the opportunity to do experiments and relating research and publishing of articles.

When Sara was getting a tour of the Campus, Cam called.

Cam had an appointment mid afternoon and Sara hadn't thought to find someone else, fully expecting to by back by then.

Cam was going to a meeting, and couldn't take Emily with her. Knowing Sara was at a job interview, Cam had tried Nancy first, but Nancy had been working.

Cam didn't have enough time to wait for Sara to get back and then drive to her meeting, but the University was close to where she was going. Leaving Sara with no other options than having Cam drop of Emily at the University.

Brian had been surprised to discover Sara had a daughter, and even more to find out the girl was about to start the 1st grade. He had never heard Sara mention any children or family.

He hadn't minded having Emily join them on the tour, it gave him the possibility to show Sara the daycare and tell her about the offers to employees with children.

By the time Sara had been shown around and gotten answers to her questions and Emily's, Brian was getting a very good feeling. He was sure Sara was giving his job offer serious thought.

Sara promised to give Brian her answer in a few days before they left.

rrrr

A teaching position wasn't something Sara had ever thought would be for her.

On the way home from the University, Emily had been talking non stop, not giving Sara any opportunity to think about the job offer.

Emily jumped from one topic to another, like she always did when in a good mood.

Sara got one of her questions answered without having to ask. Emily talked about the playground and daycare that Brian had shown them. Sara had been introduced to the daycare leader, who had been in that day to prepare for the start of the semester.

rrrr

It wasn't until Emily had been tucked in that Sara had the time to consider Brian's offer. She liked the possibilities, and even had a few ideas for what would be the first course, but before she made a decision Sara needed to talk to someone more objective.

That was why Caroline got a call. Caroline hardly got a word in, Sara had so many things she wanted to say. Sounding as an exited kid. By the time Sara was all talked out, Caroline had no doubt that Sara would take the job. Sara needed to put her thoughts into words more than she needed actual advice. It was always nice to hear Caroline's opinion. Something Sara knew would be with her best interest in mind. Sara like having someone on her side.

Caroline wouldn't tell Sara what to choose, much to Sara's annoyance but it was expected. All Sara got out of the older woman on the subject was to listen to herself. That was a standard answer when a choice had already been made.

That Sara talked for more than two hours just about the possibilities she would have teaching and the facilities of the daycare, to Caroline that said it all.

After the phone call with Caroline, Sara went right to her desk and started a list of what she would like to have known before she started as a CSI and another list of how each point could best be achieved. Sara finally noticed she was tired a few hours before she would have to get up.

rrrrr

Sara hadn't needed the two days to consider Brian's offer, she had called and accepted the morning after.

That gave Sara just under two weeks to get ready before the semester started. Not a lot of time, but both Sara and Brian was determined to have at least a rough sketch of what the course would contain before the semester started. There was also the problem of getting enough students to attend the course this close to the semester start.

Brian left the planning up to Sara, and he used his time to advertise the new course.

Not only had he gotten the teacher he had only hoped for, the practically oriented courses he had always wanted was starting up sooner than he had even dreamed of.