Chapter 12

April 29th, 2005
3:16 p.m.
Sidle Residence

Sighing softly Sara made her way down the hallway. If she was lucky, she might be able to disappear for a few minutes and steal Grissom's bedroom. Everyone that was invited to her little get together was there, and Grissom's place was by no means...a large place for a large gathering. And at the moment, claustrophobia was the least of her problems, she'd almost fallen over her own feet a few dozen times. Trailing one hand along the wall, she stopped when she found a door. Leaning close to listen she smiled when she heard the familiar sounds of a very familiar movie. Which meant only one person could be in there watching it.

"There you are," she began as she opened the door and stepped in, the scene from Chicago so much louder now that she was in the room. "So what is Richard Gere up to Jyn girl?" she asked as she made her way over to the spare bed in Grissom's spare room, figuring that was where the woman was seated.

"He's doing the press conference claiming both went for the gun," Jessica informed her quietly.

"Ah good scene," Sara smiled as she reached out to brush a hand along the bed to judge where she was sitting. Finding an empty area she sat down before looking over at Jessica. "So, how are you?"

"I'm fine. Just needed some breathing room is all," replied Jessica.

"Ah smart woman. Know exactly what that's like. Why I'm here too," she confided with a smile. "So how are things at work? Been a while since we chit chatted hasn't it..." she trailed off with a shrug.

"Work is fine. Grissom offered me a job."

"He did?" she asked managing to sound surprised. "What do you think?"

"I told him I'd think about it. It's a great team and a great lab but..."

"But?" Sara prompted.

"I don't know if I can. I can barely stand to be in the same room as Nick these days and I don't know if it's worth taking a job if I can't at least be his friend," explained Jessica.

"Ah I see," Sara began with a frown. "I don't know Jyn..." she began before the door opened to admit two laughing people. Turning she raised an eyebrow at the couple, instantly recognizing the laughter of Catherine and Warrick.

"Oops, looks like someone else had the same idea we did," Catherine smiled when she spotted the two. "You two looking for a break from the insanity out there too?

"Well, one might assume that is the only reason they're here," Warrick pointed out.

"Oh my God, who put Chicago on?" Catherine asked after spotting the movie and moving over to sit on the bed on Sara's other side. "Whoever it was, you are a gift from Heaven," she continued with a content sigh.

"That would be me," replied Jessica.

"Ah well, I see this as my chance to beg Warrick to give me an escort," Sara began as she rose and carefully started across the room, smiling when Warrick came to meet her and let her take his arm. "I'll let you two Richard Gere lovers enjoy him in peace for a few minutes," she continued with a grin before Warrick led her from the room.

"So, Richard Gere fanatic?" Catherine asked looking at Jessica.

"Need you ask?" commented Jessica raising one eyebrow. "I love his latest movie though. I love watching that man dance."

"Well girl, I think we just discovered something we have in common. At least something other than our love of science, being CSIs, and numerous other things already of course," she added with a wink.

"Of course," agreed Jessica. "Catherine, can I ask you something?" she asked a few minutes later.

"Of course," Catherine smiled as she glanced away from Richard.

"How would you feel about me taking Sara's place at the lab?"

Catherine blinked once before smiling. "I don't think you can ever take Sara's place. You're not her and she's not you. But I'd love having you on the team as long as you want to stay with us. Besides, we need more women to balance out those insane men we work with…well no, we need more women to keep Greg in check," she teased softly.

"Thanks Catherine," replied Jessica with a small sad smile. "I'll keep that in mind when I make my decision."

"Sounds good to me," Catherine answered. "So, up to a Richard Gere movie fest another day?"

"Sounds like a plan. You bring Pretty Woman, I'll get Chicago off Sara and I'll bring An Officer and a Gentleman," suggested Jessica.

"Sounds good. I'll grab Runaway Bride too. I have so many wedding ideas from that woman now," Catherine agreed with a grin. "Oh and we'll make Warrick go get all the snacks we want before we start."

"Sounds good," agreed Jessica. "Make sure he remembers the cheese puffs."

"Oh definitely. And I'll even bribe him into getting Godiva truffles," Catherine sighed with a look of pure bliss.

Jessica groaned in agreement as she collapsed sideways on the bed next to Catherine.

"Okay, I'm getting some serious vibes in here that are close to orgasmic. What type of chocolate are you talking about?" Sara asked as she walked in. "Cause it has to be chocolate seeing as I took the gorgeous hunk with me," she added with a knowing smirk as Warrick snorted.

"Godiva truffles," whimpered Jessica from somewhere in the vicinity of Catherine's hip.

"Oh God," Sara murmured as her knees came out and she slumped against Warrick who caught her quickly.

"Do I ask?" Grissom asked from behind the two as he took in the women in the room, seeing Jessica's feet peeking out on the side of the bed opposite where Catherine's head was.

"Godiva," Catherine moaned with pleasure.

"Lady or chocolate?" questioned Grissom looking between his three favorite women.

"Chocolate," Sara replied with a whimper.

"Truffles," Jessica continued with a sigh.

"I think we're the only people who care about Lady Godiva," Warrick continued looking at Grissom.

Seeing the glare leveled Warrick's way by Catherine and Sara, Grissom chuckled softly. "Ná glac pioc comhairle gan comhairle ban," he commented as he took Sara off Warrick's hands.

"Huh?" Warrick asked confused.

"Never take advice without a woman's guidance," Sara replied with a smirk. "I think in your case he meant never speak before realizing there are women here who might object," she continued with a wink before turning to the two women. "I shall return, save Richard Gere talk for me. I have to go mingle I suspect. Why did I decide to do this in the first place?" she asked turning to look at Grissom.

"Because you were tired of the phone calls about your health and decided to get everyone together in one setting and take care of it that way," he replied as he led her from the room.

"Anyone else trying to remember the days when those two were driving us insane with the tension tango they had going around the lab as Greg calls it?" Catherine asked with a sigh. "Oh and Rick, you are so dead."

"Yes Ms. Willows," Warrick grumbled good naturedly as he made his way over to the bed and ducked out of her swat. "So what exactly are you going to do that will be the end of me?" he challenged slightly.

"Oh I don't know, I'm thinking that I'll just announce to the group out there about your recent changes in life and let them take care of you for me," Catherine replied with a sweet smile.

"Wicked woman," Warrick muttered shaking his head before turning to Jessica. "So, for future reference, what type of truffles are your favorite?"

"Rum," replied Jessica, who was still laying on the bed next to Catherine looking up at Warrick

"Hmm, good choice," Warrick grinned. "I like the espresso ones actually," he continued with a nod. "And I already know what type she likes."

"Yup, Cappuccino or Extra Dark Chocolate," Catherine agreed with a sigh.

"Yup, and then there's Sara who loves the Strawberry and Raspberry with white chocolate," Warrick added. "Oh and the Pumpkin Spice but those are only available at Halloween," he mused. "I wonder if she missed them this year."

"Who knows, we'll have to ask her sometime. Personally I can't see how she likes them. I love pumpkin pie, but pumpkin and chocolate truffles," Catherine shuddered. "What do you think Jess? Pumpkin Truffles?" she asked curious as she looked down at the woman lying next to her. "Do we declare Sara off her rocker?"

"You know, they aren't half bad," Warrick spoke up before shaking his head as Catherine waved him off.

"Definitely. I can't stand anything pumpkin," commented Jessica shuddering in disgust.

"Not even pumpkin pie?" Warrick asked astounded.

"Yuck," replied Jessica.

"Man, note of warning, don't eat Sara's pie she brings to holiday parties. You might not like her casserole either then..." Warrick mused. "Sweet Potatoes your thing?"

"Never had them," commented Jessica, turning her head to the side to think. "At least I don't think I have."

"Hmm, well most times I'm happy without Sweet Potatoes. But Sara makes this killer casserole, Sweet Potatoes, coconut...if she does it for the holidays; you'll have to try. She refuses to give the recipe," Warrick shrugged

"Maybe we can recruit you to be our little spy and get it," Catherine teased. "Or else I say we tie Grissom up and use him as blackmail for it," she considered.

"Never taunt Sara with anything," warned Jessica. "Believe me the outcome...not pretty."

"Sadly, we know that. Greg learned that lesson a long time ago," Catherine sighed. "You know that boy actually didn't leave his lab for two days for fear of running into her," she continued with a smirk.

"Yeah that sounds like Sara alright," agreed Jessica.

"What about you milady? Are you as...spiteful as Sara can be? So should we never risk taunting you?" Warrick asked with a smile.

"Well...I did threaten to castrate one of my coworkers once. Does that count?" Jessica asked innocently.

Warrick swallowed before nodding his head. "Oh yeah, that counts."

"Hmm, any thoughts on using that against Hodges?" Catherine mused with an evil smirk.

"Well...I'm sure we could come up with a reason," suggested Jessica. "I threatened Michael with it for making a pass at me my first day on the job. Hodges must have done something to warrant the same threat."

"And unfortunately he doesn't seem to notice anything that is female. His head is too far up the asses of anyone in charge. Grissom, Atwater, Eckley..." Catherine sighed.

"You know, maybe that's what we should give him for the holidays. A new container of chap stick," Warrick mused.

Jessica could not help the giggles that escaped at Warrick's comment and she soon found herself on the floor, having fallen off the bed.

"Hmm, dangerous to be around that one. At least when she's laughing," Catherine laughed before she fell of the bed as well. Warrick bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing as Catherine looked up at him, hands on her hip. "Laugh buster and you are so not getting any for the rest of the month," she announced as he held his hands up in surrender.

"Hey, I'm not laughing at you honest. I've just never seen Jessica laugh so hard she fell off the bed, let alone anything else," he tried before Catherine rolled her eyes.

"Better be," she told him before turning to Jessica. "So, you okay?" she asked with a smile.

Jessica shook her head as her laughter soon started turning to tears.

Catherine looked up at Warrick who quickly made his way out of the room as she reached over to grab a box of Kleenex and offer some to Jessica. Moments later Sara and Grissom came in and Sara took Catherine's place on the floor before Catherine and Warrick left and Grissom moved to stand on the other side of the closed door.

"Hey Jyn girl," Sara whispered as she offered another tissue. "Want a hug?" she asked softly as she reached out to find Jessica's knee and follow it up to her arm.

As soon as Jessica felt Sara's hand on her arm she quickly leaned over, wrapping her arms around Sara tightly.

"Oh Chica... it's okay," Sara whispered as she wrapped her arms around Jessica's shaking form reaching up to brush her hand on Jess' hair and back.

"I don't...don't know how much...much more I can handle...handle Sara..." pleaded Jessica through her tears.

"Oh Sweets," Sara sighed softly as she rubbed soothing circles on Jessica's back. "Talk to me. Get it out."

"I want...want to stay...I really do...but...but I...I don't...don't know if it's...if it's worth it."

"Oh Sweetheart," Sara sighed once more. "Okay, this is the sign I've been around Grissom too long, cause I have a saying for you," she began pulling back so Jessica could look at her.

"What's that?" questioned Jessica, wiping away tears

"Is maith an scáthán súil charad."

"Huh?" Jessica asked in complete confusion

"A true friend's eye is a good mirror," Sara began with a smile. "I can't do much to take away what you're feeling. But I can be here. And this much I know to be true. No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you. But don't stay and risk losing yourself as a result. Maybe it's not worth it, maybe it is. Perhaps you should take a break and come back, try this thing with Nick again. Don't stay just because you were asked. Do what's right for you. And that is probably about as helpful as Greg would be right now isn't it," she continued shaking her head.

"I think I need to go home," commented Jessica quietly. "I need to be alone for awhile."

"Sounds like an okay plan. Call me in a day or so?" Sara asked softly as she reached behind her for her cane.

Jessica nodded as she rose from her spot on the floor, wiping her eyes in the process before heading for the door. Grissom moved aside to let Jessica pass, watching her in concern as she hesitated by the door, looking over to where Nick was talking to Dr. Robbins and David, before turning back and continuing on out the door.

After the door shut behind her, Grissom turned and made his way into the room to find Sara leaning against the bed on the floor. Kneeling down next to her he reached out to cup her cheek as she turned her head towards him and brushed away the tears that had slipped past her defenses. "You okay?"

"I don't know anymore. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the idea to you about her staying in Vegas...this thing with Nick is killing her. And I'm afraid that she's going to lose it all before she finds her way again," Sara admitted with a sigh.

"Acushla, she's not you," he reminded her softly.

"No, which is why I think that after she loses it the first time it will be the end of the woman I know and love. I bottomed out numerous times before I finally found happiness with you after all. I can't see her surviving that," she answered as she turned back to the end credits of Chicago.

"Then she's going to need you even more to be the sister she loves, so she has a hand to pull her up," Grissom countered softly.

"What if I'm not strong enough?" Sara whispered

"Then I'll give you the strength you need," he promised softly before she turned and wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you."

"Always," he whispered in her ear before rising and letting her get her footing after she squealed slightly. "By the way, I'm sorry," he continued a few moments later as she grasped her cane.

"For?"

"For being an idiot for all these years."

"I forgave you a long time ago Gil," Sara replied softly before he pulled her into a tight hug.

"Ní dhíolann dearmad fiacha," he whispered in her ear. "Or forgiven," he added before she pulled back slightly to raise her free hand to his cheek.

"Whoever said it was a debt unpaid? I think you've paid for it more than enough?" Sara argued softly. "And I am working on forgetting it so that's true as well."

"Whatever you say Acushla," Grissom countered softly. "Come on, let's get you out among the little people so we can get rid of them before midnight."

"That will happen when pigs fly," Sara laughed as she stepped out of his embrace to take his arm before they moved from the room. Grissom stopping long enough to turn off the TV.

May 3rd, 2005
5:29 a.m.
CSI Lab

"Hey Jess, how you doing?" Greg asked as he bounced into Trace Lab One where Jessica was going over a case.

"Normal," Jessica replied with a non-committal shrug.

"Ah I see. Saw you left the party early the other day. You missed out on the fun."

"Did I?" she asked glancing up at him.

"Yup, Catherine is getting married. Pregnant too. Can you guess who the fiancé and dad to be is?" he whispered after glancing around to make sure no one was listening.

Jessica looked up at him with a knowing smile. "Actually yes, and he'd kick your butt from here to the morgue and back again if he heard you talking about it," she continued, smirking at the mental picture of Warrick doing just that.

"Good point," Greg mused for a moment as he glanced around to ensure the person in question was not there. "So how did you know?"

"I'm a CSI, it's my job to see things others don't," Jessica answered with a shrug.

"I see," Greg spoke with a nod and a look as if considering the greatest of problems as he rubbed his chin. "By the way, your results came in, negative."

"Damn." Jessica muttered. "Thanks Greg," she continued looking up at him before she gathered up the papers. Greg nodded before leaving her be. Once done she sat back to consider her next move in the case. Yes, she needed to reconstruct the scene. Warrick and Catherine were out on a scene of their own and Grissom was paper logged...Seeing no other option she figured she might as well bite the bullet and see if Nick would be willing to help. At the same time, maybe they could get a chance to talk...

"Nick, can I talk to you?" asked Jessica as she entered the layout room.

"Yeah sure Sara, just give me a few minutes to finish this," replied Nick, never once taking his eyes off his task.

"Never mind," commented Jessica as she left the room.

"Okay, what can I…" Nick's words trailed off as he looked up and found himself alone in the room.

After leaving Nick in the layout room, Jessica found herself wandering the halls, not really paying much attention to where she was going, which probably explained why she never saw the person she walked into moments later until she hit the ground.

"Oh God, Jess are you okay?" asked Archie in concern as he helped Jessica to her feet.

"I'm fine Archie, at least physically anyway. Nothing seems to be broken at any rate," Jessica joked, her voice lacking any sense of humor, or any emotion for that matter.

"What do you say we go get some breakfast?" suggested Archie. "And if you want to talk, I'm here to listen and even if you don't, that's cool too. No pressure, I promise and it's my treat."

"That sounds nice Archie," replied Jessica. "Let me just go grab my purse."

"Of course. I'll meet you in the parking lot," Archie said before they went their separate ways, meeting up a few minutes later by Archie's car. "Ready?"

"Ready," agreed Jessica as she climbed into the passenger seat. Jessica stayed silent the entire trip to the diner and Archie kept his word and did not press for information. "Archie, what do you see when you look at me?" questioned Jessica quietly after their orders had arrived.

"What are you asking me Jess?" asked Archie in reply. He had an inkling of what Jessica was asking but he wanted to be sure before he answered.

"When you look at me, do you see Jessica or…"

"Or do I see Sara," Archie finished for her. "I see Jessica Harrison, CSI extraordinaire," he teased. "Seriously though, I see Jessica.

"Thanks Archie."

"You're welcome. So you going to tell me what brought this question on?" asked Archie in curious concern. "I take it, it has something to do with Sara's return."

"That's when it started and it only seems to be getting worse," sighed Jessica as she started pushing her food around her plate. "When Grissom first brought everyone into his office, sure they saw me…at least until they saw Sara sitting next to me. The minute they saw her, I might as well have vanished into thin air. Did you know I managed to get up and walk out of the office with only Sara ever noticing and the only reason she even noticed was because she knows me so well and she was sitting right next to me at the time."

"And now?" pressed Archie lightly, sensing that Jessica needed to talk about this.

"Now? I'm not Jessica to them anymore. I'm Sara. I don't think they even realize they're doing it but everyone of them, with the exception of maybe Grissom, has a tendency to call me Sara if we're talking and they aren't actually looking at me. Nick did it just before I walked into you. I think it hurts the most when he does it," replied Jessica sadly with a shrug.

"I'd noticed you two had seemed a lot closer after returning from Dallas," Archie observed.

"I thought so too but now I'm not too sure. I've told him things that very few other people even know and he's seen me in a way that even Sara has never really seen. I want to believe that Nick cares for me but having him of all the team call me Sara makes me wonder if it's even me he was with all those times or if, in his head, it was Sara he was comforting."

"It sounds like the two of you need some time alone together away from work and from everyone else to figure out what exactly there is between the two of you," suggested Archie.

"But how do I go about doing that Archie?" asked Jess in frustration. "I can barely get him to even notice me, even without Sara in the room."

"Well, was there anything that the two of you did while in Dallas?"

"Well…Dallas was really hard on me emotionally and after the first night of me waking him with my nightmares we always ordered hot fudge sundaes from room service with extra chocolate sauce," mused Jessica with a sad smile.

"Jess, you're in Vegas. We have more hotel rooms per capita than any other city in the country. Why not take advantage?" Archie urged.

"I don't know Archie," worried Jessica. "What if it backfires on me?"

"What if it doesn't? Look Jess, you're never going to know unless you try. Is Nick worth it?" Archie pressed.

"Will you come with me?" asked Jessica nervously. "I may chicken out otherwise."

"Sure. Come on," agreed Archie as he took Jessica's hand to help her from the booth before escorting her from the diner, his hand on her lower back, neither one noticing the rest of the team seated further down.

May 3rd, 2005
7:41 p.m.
CSI Lab

/-/It's now or never girl,/-/ thought Jessica as she spied Nick in the break room before shift the next night. "Nick?" she called out to him as she entered the room.

"What do you want Jessica?" asked Nick, turning to face her.

There was a coldness to Nick's voice that Jessica had never heard before, at least never directed at her before and that caused her to take a step away from him. "I just…I thought…" her words trailed off when her thoughts became jumbled at seeing the same coldness in Nick's eyes as was evident in his voice.

"You thought what Jessica?" Nick demanded impatiently.

"I thought…look…I'm sorry alright? I…I don't know what I'm doing. I…I've never done…done this before," snapped Jessica, her increasing nervousness causing her to trip over her words.

"Alright. Fine. What is it then?"

"Nick, why are you being so cold to me? Have I done something to upset you? Because if I did…"

"Archie," interrupted Nick. "And let's not forget good ol' Greg."

"What do Archie and Greg have to do with this?" questioned Jessica in confusion.

"Don't play dumb Jessica, it doesn't suit you," sneered Nick in response. "I saw the two of you leave here together this morning and I saw the cozy little breakfast the two of you had. We all were at the same diner Jessica," explained Nick when a confused look had crossed Jessica's face. "The whole team saw you two together. Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was for me? Never mind the fact that you had the nerve to dance and flirt with Greg right in front of me at Catherine's dinner."

"No, I guess I don't Nick," replied Jessica sarcastically. "Archie was simply being my friend…"

"And what kind of friend is that?"

"A good one Nick. He was trying to help me come up with a way to try and fix whatever it is that seems to have gone wrong between us. And as for Greg, you practically told me to dance with him and nothing happened between us that night or any other night. You know what? I'm beginning to question whether it's even worth trying because ever since we got back from Dallas you've been different. You don't see me anymore Nick."

"Maybe I do see you Jessica. The real you and that's the problem," snapped Nick. "All I see is a shallow, spoiled brat who is used to getting everything and everyone she wants, handed to her on a silver platter and the minute someone starts to get to know you all they get is half truths and lies."

"What are you talking about Nick? When have I ever given you a half truth or lied to you?" demanded Jessica.

"How about every time you breathe Jessica," replied Nick icily.

"Nick, I don't understand, I…"

"What else are you hiding from me Jessica?" demanded Nick. "And don't tell me nothing because I do know you well enough to know that you are hiding something from me. Hell you so much as told me yourself back in Dallas."

"Is that what this is about?" asked Jessica in pained disbelief. "I told you Nick. I told you that there were things about my past that I couldn't talk about. That I haven't even told to your precious Sara. But if you are so damn determined to know what I couldn't even tell to my best friend, then fine. You want to know everything about the night my parents were murdered? Fine. I'll tell you. I saw it Nick. I saw everything. I was seven and I watched as my father was tortured. I watched as they took turns raping my mother before deciding to team up and rape her together. I watched as they shot first my mother, making my father watch before shooting him as well, execution style. I was seven, Nick and the men that tortured, raped and killed my parents got away because the police refused to listen to me let alone believe that I had witnessed the entire scene from my perch at the top of the stairs. I have lived with this secret...I have had these demons buried for over twenty years and I hate you for forcing me to reveal this to you like this," spat Jessica before spinning and storming from the break room, nearly running Catherine over in the process.

"Everything alright in here Nick?" asked Catherine after she watched Jessica storm off down the hall.

May 3rd, 2005
8:05 p.m.
Grissom's Office

"Grissom, can I talk you for a moment?" asked Jessica a few minutes later, her voice tight as she tried to suppress the pain she was feeling.

"Of course Jessica, have a seat," offered Grissom as he waved her into his office. "Your transfer came through earlier today. All that's left is for you to sign on the dotted line," he said as he held the paperwork out towards Jessica.

"That's actually why I wanted to talk to you," commented Jessica.

"Oh?"

"Look Griss, you have a…a great team and the best lab in the country but…"

"But what Jessica?"

"As much as I'm honored that you would want me as part of your team, I don't think I can accept the transfer," replied Jessica.

"Might this have anything to do with Nick?" questioned Grissom, having a feeling that Nick was at the heart of Jessica's sudden change of mind.

"Partly but recent events have forced some long buried demons to resurface that I need to deal with and I can't do that here."

Grissom nodded slowly as he considered everything that was being said and what wasn't. Which seeing as this was Jessica, it wasn't much, she was as good at hiding things as he and Sara, unless it was Sara or himself who was reading between the lines of each other. But this was Jessica, and only Sara could read between her lines. "Have you talked with Sara yet? Let her know that you're going back to Frisco?" he asked softly. "And it's okay, you weren't honor bound to stay or something," he continued with a slight smile. "We're going to miss you around here. But we can't deny the life that you left behind, as long as you're happy, that's all that matters."

"If anyone is going to miss me at all it will be you and Sara, I doubt the others will even notice I'm gone," replied Jessica. "I should go, my flight leaves in just over an hour. Thanks again Grissom and do me a favor?"

"Anything."

"Take care of Sara for me. She's the only family I have left," Jessica told him as she rose from her seat.

"Always Jess, always," Grissom answered as he rose as well. "You take care of yourself. And trust me, everyone's going to notice you're gone," he added softly. "Have a good flight and let us know when you get there safe."

"Of course," agreed Jessica before exiting the room.

"Harrison Residence."

"Elsie, is that you?" asked Jessica as she made her way towards Sara's apartment a short while later.

"Yes. May I ask who's calling please?"

"It's Jessica."

"Miss Jessica. What a pleasant surprise it is to hear your voice. Now what can I do for you today Miss Jessica?"

"I'm coming home Elsie," replied Jessica as she fought to get the key in the apartment door.

"You're returning to San Francisco then Miss?"

"No Elsie. I'm coming home, to the Estate. I need you to prepare my room for me in the family wing and have Matthew meet me at San Francisco International. My flight lands around 10:00pm," explained Jessica.

"Of course Miss Jessica. I'll inform Mathew immediately and make sure a room is ready for you."

"Thank you Elsie. I'll see you in a couple hours."

"Goodbye Miss."

"Goodbye Elsie," Jessica said as she hung up and immediately dialed another number, sitting down heavily on the sofa while the phone rang on the other end of the line.

"Crime Lab," came a gruff voice on the other end a moment later.

"Mac? It's Jess."

"Hey Jess. Congrat…"

"I didn't take it Mac," interrupted Jessica. "I'm coming back to San Francisco."

"Okay. Jess is everything alright?" asked Mac in concern, not liking the sound of Jessica's voice.

"Listen Mac, you know all those vacation days I have on the books? The ones you keep bugging me to take?"

"Of course I do Jess. You want to take some of it?"

"I want to take all of it Mac. I just…I need some time away," explained Jessica.

"Jess, that's perfectly understandable. You've been through hell with everything that's happened. Come in after you get back to the city and I'll have the paperwork ready and waiting for when you get here. When does your flight land?"

"10:00pm," replied Jessica

"I'll see you when you arrive then Jess. Safe trip."

"Thanks Mac," finished Jessica before hanging up the phone and heading into the bedroom.

/-/This isn't me anymore,/-/ thought Jessica as she stood in Sara's bedroom, her clothes strewn around her. "If I'm going back then I'm going back," she argued with herself aloud as she grabbed her keys and her purse and walked out of Sara's apartment, leaving everything, her cell phone included, behind.

On her way to the airport Jessica stopped in at the Venetian and checked out of the room she had rented for her and Nick and bought herself a new outfit at one of the hotel's boutiques before continuing on to the airport and her flight home.

May 3rd 2005
10:08 p.m.
San Francisco International Airport

"She's hot," mused Michael as he watched a young brunette making her way in their direction.

Michael was standing in San Francisco International Airport with Peter, waiting for Jessica's flight to land. Mac had sent the two of them to meet her and bring her into the lab so she did not have to try to deal with getting a taxi. Mac had not liked what he had heard in Jessica's voice and decided it would be best to make things as easy as possible for her.

"I wouldn't let Jess hear you say that Michael. Not unless you want her to carry through on her threat to castrate you," mused Peter.

"Peter, Jess hasn't even arrived yet so she can't do anything to me, and what can I say but this chick is hot," Michael pointed out as the young brunette continued on her path towards them. "Speaking of Jess, where is she? Shouldn't her flight of landed by now?" he griped as he reluctantly dragged his attention away from the brunette and started looking around trying to find their colleague.

"Peter? Michael? What are you guys doing here?" asked Jessica as she stopped by her colleagues causing Michael to spin around and come face to face with his dark haired goddess.

"Jess? Is that really you?" asked Michael as he took in the woman before him. "You look…different."

"Thanks...I think," commented Jessica.

"You can't blame us Jessica," argued Peter lightly. "We've never seen you in anything other than leather and denim. This…outfit looks like it cost more than I make in a week," he pointed out as he stepped back to take in Jessica's new appearance.

Jessica, instead of her usual attire of jeans, a dress shirt and a leather jacket, was dressed in a white pantsuit by Dolce that had a knee length coat. White suede heels could be seen peeking out from under the hem of her pants and she had a pair of sunglasses sitting on top of her head, holding her hair back from her face.

"You guys still haven't answered my question. Why are you here?" Jessica questioned, ignoring the guys comments about her appearance as she started walking towards the exit, the guys falling into step with her.

"Mac sent us," offered Michael.

"And why would he do that?"

"He wanted to make sure you had an easy trip into the lab," explained Peter. "He didn't want you to have to fight with a cab or anything like that.

"Does that," Jessica said indicating the limousine at the curb, "Look like a cab to you?"

Michael and Peter stopped in their tracks when they took in the car before them and could not believe their eyes when they saw Jessica walk up to it, embrace the gentleman standing beside it and then get in when he opened the door for her before getting in himself and driving off.

May 3rd, 2005
10:39 p.m.
San Francisco CSI

Mac looked up from his paperwork when he heard a knock on his door. "Jess, Welcome back. Why don't you take a seat and we'll get this paperwork out of the way for you and you can be off."

"Sounds like a plan Mac," agreed Jessica as she took a seat across the desk from her supervisor.

"All that's needed is your signature on the bottom," explained Mac as he handed the pages across the desk to Jessica.

Jessica took the papers offered and quickly read them over. "Uh Mac? This isn't what we talked about."

"I know. I thought a leave of absence might be a better option than using your vacation days," offered Mac. "It's for an undetermined amount of time Jess so you can take as much time as you need to deal with whatever it is that's haunting you."

"Mac, there's nothing…"

"Don't Jess. I know there is something that's bothering you. I heard it in your voice on the phone and I see it in eyes right now. It's all right Jess. We all have ghosts that we have to deal with at some point in our lives so take the leave and come back when you're ready," Mac argued.

Jessica sighed, she knew he was right and she really did not know how long she would need to deal with her past, or her present. She was not even sure if she really wanted to continue working as a CSI anymore so she signed the bottom of the page and handed the pages back to Mac before standing and walking towards the door.

"Good luck Jess."

"Thanks Mac."

"Oh Jess, one more thing. Where are Peter and Michael?"

"I don't know Mac. Last I saw them they were standing at the airport with their mouths hanging open. If they've come to their senses they should be on their way back here by now. Good night Mac," finished Jessica as she left the office.

Mac stood at his window and watched as Jessica left the building, getting into a limousine and pulling away. Praying that whatever was haunting her would soon be laid to rest.

An hour and a half later the limousine pulled onto a long tree covered drive that lead up to the Manor house of Heaven's Paradise Vineyards and pulled to a stop in front of the main doors to the Manor house in the circular drive. Mathew got out and opened the door for Jessica, who made her way up the stairs to the front door that was opened by James and Elsie, who had been waiting for their Mistress' arrival ever since receiving her call. Jessica greeted the butler and maid who had been in her family's service ever since she was a child but had become head of the household when her guardians passed.

This was the first time Jessica had set foot inside the Manor House itself since the night of her parents' murder. Her guardians had lived in a small house elsewhere on the grounds and whenever she had come to visit and check in on the businesses; that is where she stayed. Jessica walked through the main foyer and over to a table against the back wall in the shadow of the circular stairwell. "I miss you both so much," she said quietly as she ran a finger down a picture of her parents.