Chapter 14
Sunday August 27th, 2005
11:59 p.m.
LV Crime Lab Break Room
"Alright Greg, what are you doing reading those gossip filled trash?"
"Well Nick, some of us like to keep up with what our friends are doing," replied Greg dryly.
"What does that mean?" Warrick asked confused as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
"And since when do you have any friends that would make a piece of trash like that?" questioned Nick.
"You know, it's a good thing Sara isn't here to hear you say that," Greg mused as he closed the tabloid. "Besides, I'll have you know these can come in very handy, just ask Grissom," he continued as he stood.
"What does Sara have to do with this?" asked Nick in confusion
Warrick took a moment to look over Greg's shoulder before shaking his head. "Enough so that she would kill you if she had heard you speaking about her friend like that," he mused as he looked up at Nick with a smirk.
"Would one of you mind telling me exactly what it is you're talking about here?"
Greg shrugged as he glanced at Warrick before laying the magazine on the table for Nick to see. Glancing down Nick's mouth dropped open when he saw a picture of Jessica dressed in one hell of an amazing black sleeveless ball gown on the arm of a man in a black tux. The caption read 'Harrison Heiress Returns To Society with a Splash at Foundation Gala'.
"That's Jessica?" asked Nick in shock. "I guess that explains Sara's comment about Jessica buying you guys a house not putting her in the poor house. Does it say how much she's worth?"
"Estimates well over a million," Greg replied with a shake of his head, still trying to grasp that concept. "Think she would mind adopting a son her age?" he continued with a smile as Warrick rolled his eyes.
"I think she'd adopt Sara first Greggo," he continued as he sat on the couch.
"Who's worth well over a million and who in their right mind would want to adopt you Greg?" asked Catherine as she joined the others
"Who'd be adopting Sara before they adopt Greg?" Warrick replied with a smile watching as the wheels turned in his wife's head. "And beats me on the last part, I know I don't want to."
"Hey!" Greg exclaimed pouting. "I'm lovable enough."
"Wait a minute...Jessica's worth over a million?" questioned Catherine as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "That explains the house I guess."
"Very," Warrick agreed with a nod. "So we can still kill her for giving us such an amazing gift, but she can live on the putting herself in the poor house department," he continued with a smile before looking over at Greg. "Oh and Greggo, so is a puppy. But I'm not going to legally adopt one so it would be my heir."
"How did we end up talking about how much Jessica's worth in the first place?" wondered Catherine as she sat down next to Warrick.
"Nick was picking on Greg for reading tabloids," Warrick answered as he squeezed her hand gently before going back to the case file he had just opened.
"Stop picking on him, I'll have you know if it weren't for those things we never would have solved the case from hell thanks to Phillips," Catherine ordered with a glare at Nick before looking over at Greg. "How did we go from tabloids to Jessica?" she continued still confused.
"She's on the cover," Greg answered as he handed her the magazine. Catherine looked at it for a moment before grinning. "Bye," she continued before disappearing out of the room in two seconds flat.
"Hey!" Greg exclaimed. "That was my magazine!" he yelled after her before turning to Warrick.
"Hey, that was my wife your magazine just stole," Warrick countered with a smirk before going back to his file.
"Good point," Greg mumbled as Nick sunk into a chair still shocked.
Meanwhile Catherine was breezing into Grissom's office waving the magazine with a smile from ear to ear.
Grissom blinked at her in surprise before smirking. "Did you get the sonogram and hide it in the tabloid so Warrick wouldn't see it?"
"No," Catherine replied rolling her eyes. "Smart alec," she continued as she sat down across from him. "This is something Sara is going to kill for," she continued with a smile.
"Really?" Grissom asked looking between her and the back of the magazine she was flipping in her hands, purposely keeping the front from him no doubt. "Catherine, when did they start publishing tabloids in Braille?" he continued with a frown as he leaned back in his chair.
"Oh," Catherine muttered as she came down about ten notches in her happiness. "Well, in that case you are going to have to read and describe everything. Because she's still going to kill for this," she continued perking up.
"What are you talking about Catherine?" Grissom asked completely confused now.
Sliding the magazine across his desk she waited for his expression before standing. "Well, my work is done. Oh and see that gets back to Greg when she's done," she continued before leaving. Just before she turned the corner she looked back to find Grissom still staring at the article in shock.
Turning she returned to the break room and smiled as the three men looked up at her.
"Hey, where's my mag?" Greg asked with a frown.
Before Catherine had a chance to answer after she rejoined Warrick on the couch, Grissom appeared in the doorway with a perplexed look. "Just how am I suppose to describe the pictures to her oh queen of gossip?" he asked before Catherine broke out in peals of laughter and Warrick snickered behind his coffee mug.
Monday August 28th, 2005
8:31 a.m.
Grissom/Sidle Townhouse
"Gil?" Sara called softly when she heard the key in the lock. Reaching down she brushed Sahidi's head as she waited for his response.
"Yeah it's me," came Grissom's answer before she heard him moving into the kitchen and turned towards him so she could wrap her arms around him when his encircled her waist.
"Good morning," Sara smiled as she reached up to remove his sunglasses. "And how was your night?" she continued as she reached back to set them on the counter.
"Long, yours?" he countered with a smile.
"Normal. Sahidi and I are enjoying having the place to ourselves," she teased softly.
"I see, well perhaps I should let you two be," Grissom teased back before being pushed aside by the head of the Saint Bernard. "Hi Sahidi," he continued rolling his eyes as Sara laughed. "Good morning to you too."
The dog looked up at him before dropping to his back and rolling over on their feet for someone to rub his stomach.
"You better scratch his stomach. Otherwise I'll never get feeling back in my feet," Sara spoke with a smile. Shaking his head Gil bent down to scratch the dog's stomach before straightening. Immediately the dog rolled back over and stood up, butting his head against Sara's hip lightly so she reached down to scratch his ear. Content, the dog padded over to his bed in the kitchen and curled up, keeping an eye on them. Turning his attention back to Sara, Grissom shook his head softly. "Got something for you to see. Catherine sent it for you."
"Oh?" Sara asked with a smile as she turned in his arms to pick up the plate of bagels and container of cream cheese. "Can you get the jelly and drinks and you can show me over breakfast?" she asked looking up at him.
"Sounds good," he agreed moving so she could walk by. Sahidi stood and followed her into the living room before taking his place at her feet by the couch, between it and the coffee table where she had propped her feet. Joining her on the couch Gil handed her her glass of orange juice as she passed him a bagel and the cream cheese. Trading back and forth they quickly got their bagels made, his with cream cheese, her's with cream cheese and jelly. Once done she looked up at him expectantly, "So? You had to show me something?"
"Tabloid," Grissom began. "More like I have to read it to you. Jess is on the cover," he explained as he took a drink of his juice.
"Really?" she asked not surprised and he turned to regard her for a moment. "You know, you keep looking at me like that and you're eyes are going to fall out of your head," she teased as she looked up at him.
"You know, there are times when it is down right 'freaky' how well you can read me."
"I've been doing it for years Gil. I've just perfected the ability in the last year," she teased with a smile. "So, what did the tabloid have to say about my Jyn?"
Shaking his head Grissom turned his attention back to the magazine as he picked it up and flipped to the right page. "Headline is that she's returned to society with a 'splash' at the foundation opening gala'," he began and she looked over at him one eyebrow quirked.
"Foundation opening?"
"Yes," he began before turning his full attention to the article as he began to read.
"Jessica Harrison, daughter of Victoria and Sebastian Harrison of Heaven's Paradise, has returned to society with a splash at the opening of the new Harrison-Sidle Foundation. The foundation was established to assist those who have fallen victim to sexual abuse and/or attack, including the victims of rape. The foundation is named in honor of her mother Victoria, who was brutally raped before her murder when Jessica was merely seven-years-old, and her long time friend Sara Sidle, who has also been a victim of long time sexual abuse."
"The Harrison family is a well known and highly respected family in society, both for their exceptional wines and exceptional horses, many of which have won racing's Triple Crown and a few that have gone on to Olympic glory in the fields of Show Jumping, Dressage and Three-Day Eventing. Victoria and Sebastian were both brutally murdered in their home twenty years ago and many have wondered if their only daughter was a witness to the tragic events."
"Jessica disappeared from society over ten-years-ago after graduating from high school and has remained quiet on what she has been doing and what it was that has brought her out of hiding at this time. One can only guess that the young man on her arm had something to do with it. It appears that society's most eligible and mysterious young lady has managed to snag society's most eligible bachelor if the, what looks like a 10 karat diamond, on her finger is anything to go by. Wedding bells will soon be ringing for Jessica Harrison and Roberto Sutton, bringing both their families wealth and property together, making them one of the richest couples in California society, if not the rest of the world."
"Hmm, she started a foundation," Sara began before sighing softly. "Anyone up to placing a law-suit against the tabloid for using my name without permission?" she continued glancing at Grissom with a frown.
"Well, I suppose we could," Grissom mused. "But that can't be the only thing you're thinking about right now," he continued watching her curious.
"Well, let's see what else might I be thinking about," Sara began thinking over the article. "I've always suspected that there was more to the night her parents died than she told. Finding out society thought the same thing is no big surprise. They are a bunch of busybodies after all. The fact that she started a foundation, well it makes sense now that I think about it. What better way to help people then through that," she continued with a shrug. "As for her engagement, well I think it hasn't hit me yet, my brain's still trying to process that she's got a ten-carat diamond ring that I will never see."
Grissom couldn't help but chuckle at the look of frustrated indignation on her face. When she turned to him with a knowing smirk he coughed to mask his laughter before taking a sip of his drink. "Well, you can sue the magazine later, but as for the engagement...why don't you go see her?"
"Are you out of your mind?" Sara asked staring at him like he'd grown another head. "I can't just go see her..."
"Why not?" he challenged lightly.
"Gil, how am I going to get there? I can't exactly drive a car. What am I going to tell her? And does she even want to see me?" she counted off raising her three fingers and pinkie as she ticked them off.
"Well, we drive, you tell her what you feel, and you're her sister. Of course she wants to see you," he argued right back
"We?" Sara asked looking at him floored.
"We," Grissom answered with a smile as he reached out to stroke her cheek. "I'm off for Labor Day as it is, so why don't I arrange a few more days off, and we go up for the week. Give you a chance to meet Mr. Sutton and talk with Jessica. And it would be fun to get out of Sin City for a few days. Our first road trip," he trailed off with a shrug before she threw herself at him.
"Gil Grissom, have I told you how much I love you?" she asked as she leaned back far enough to cup his face in her hands. "Cause I do."
"Not as much as I love you," he whispered before kissing her gently. "Come on Ms. Sidle. Let's get some sleep so I can be awake enough to tell Atwater I'm going on vacation. And manage to keep everyone from hurting themselves when they collapse from shock."
"Good, cause I don't want to hear that someone got hurt," Sara began with a smile as she leaned back to get off his lap. "Oh and tell Greg his magazine is long gone. I can't see anything, but I'm making you cut that article out so I can put it in my scrapbook," she continued with a smirk.
Grissom laughed as he stood before helping her off the couch. "Come on Sahidi, we're going to bed," he told the dog who rose and padded ahead of them towards the bedroom. Taking her hand they followed the animal that had proceeded to plop down on the bed in the room for him.
Sunday September 3rd, 2005
12:06 p.m.
Heaven's Paradise
"May I help you?" asked James as he opened the door. "Miss Sidle, what may I do for you?"
"Hello James," Sara began with a smile turning her head towards the man. "Is Jessica here?" she continued glancing over at Grissom. "And James, may I introduce Dr. Grissom. Gil, this is James, he's an old friend," she explained before turning back to James as Grissom removed his dark sunglasses.
"If you'll just wait here," James said ushering the two into the foyer, "I will inform Miss Harrison of your arrival," he finished closing the door behind them before turning and walking towards the salon.
"Excuse me Miss," James said as he entered the salon, closing the door behind him. "Miss Sidle is here to see you along with a Mr. Grissom."
"Send them away James," replied Jessica from her position on a stool in the middle of the room, a seamstress on her knees before her. "I don't want to see them."
"Yes Miss," replied James with a small bow before turning and leaving the salon, returning to where Sara and Grissom were waiting in the foyer. "I'm sorry Miss Sidle but Miss Harrison refuses to see you."
"I see," Sara began with a nod. "Well, for once I'm going to not listen to her," she continued letting go of Grissom's arm and pushing past James as she started down the path he had just retraced, sure of her steps. Stopping in front of the salon doors she smirked as she heard music from the other side of the door, ensuring she was at the right place before turning the handle and walking inside. Just as James reached her to try and stop her, Grissom on his heels.
"Forgive me Miss, I did inform them..."
"It's alright James," sighed Jessica before turning her attention to the seamstress. "Leave us," she instructed and as the seamstress made her way from the room, Jessica stepped down off the stool and indicated for James to leave them as well.
James did as his Mistress requested and closed the door once the seamstress had left the room, leaving Jessica alone in the room with Sara and Grissom.
"Why are you here?"
"Lovely way to greet the best friend you haven't seen in months," Sara replied as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Why wouldn't I be here Jyn? You're getting married. You opened a foundation. You're in magazines. But most importantly I haven't seen or talked to you in months," she continued with a sigh.
"And that gives you every right to just show up on my doorstep unannounced and then barge into my home when I turn you away," snapped Jessica. "And I'm sure if you ask Grissom here he can tell you that now is not the best of times to be barging into my house!"
Sara tilted her head to regard Jessica for a number of minutes, remaining silent as she stared at Jessica from behind her dark glasses. "You're in your wedding dress," she began finally with a shrug. "And we used to try dresses on together when we were teenagers so this would make a difference now why?" she continued as she raised her head.
"How the hell...You know what, I don't care how you know what I'm wearing because it really doesn't matter. You're not welcome here Sara so why don't you just leave," ordered Jessica on the verge of tears as she turned her back on Sara and stalked over to the French Doors that led to the terrace, her train dragging out behind her.
"You're rustling when you move," Sara began softly as she followed Jessica over to the French Doors, but staying inside the building. "I recognize the smell of seamstress chalk thanks to my mother...you're being fitted for something. And considering most of your clothes when among society are designer made, that would leave only a few articles of clothing you'd be having made at home. Seeing as I don't sense Grissom blushing thirty shades of red, that would rule out a number of items, which leaves me to figure, considering other factors I've recently learned that you're being fitted for your wedding dress," she continued softly as she reached behind her to find the jamb of the door and lean back against it. "I'll go love. But I want you to know, congratulations. On the engagement, on the Foundation...on finding your place in life," she paused for a moment. "If you need me, just call. I'll kidnap Greg and make him drive me and Sahidi up here. But regardless, be happy Jyn. Don't just live life because it's expected, and to escape what happened. It's not really a life. And I wouldn't want you to live through that like I did."
"What was her reaction?" asked Jessica quietly.
"Her?" Sara questioned confused.
"Catherine," replied Jessica. "How badly do they want to kill me?"
"Oh," Sara began shaking her head. "She's thrilled. So is Warrick. They just want to ring your neck for doing something so big. They haven't quite figured out what they ever did to deserve such a thing," Sara replied with a shrug.
"But she doesn't want to kill you," Grissom added softly. "You should have seen her when she saw the nursery. She cried," he continued with a smile.
"They deserve a new start for a new life," commented Jessica. "Catherine and Warrick, Catherine especially, were always very kind to me. I wanted to do something to help them get their life together started. I can at least make sure that my friends are happy."
"They'd be happier if they saw you. Could thank you in person, let alone figure out where you were to send a card. But they understand that you don't want to come back to Vegas, Catherine actually thinks it is the best decision you made. From what I hear, she was seriously considering killing someone the night you left," Sara trailed off with a sigh. "I think we all were."
"I can't go back Sara. It's hard enough seeing the two of you here. If I went back...there really would be nothing left of me."
"Which is why none of us expect you to come back," Sara answered. "If you still want us to go we will Jess..." she offered.
"I just...I don't know what to do Sara. I hurt all the time. Don't get me wrong, I care about Roberto very much but..."
"But you don't love him," Sara whispered.
Jessica shook her head as a few tears finally escaped. "How can I when I can't feel anything anymore Sara. I left a huge part of me in Vegas and there is nothing I can do to get it back."
"Oh Sweetie," Sara whispered as she straightened and carefully made her way towards where she sensed Jessica to be. Reaching out she brushed her fingers along Jessica's arm and stopped not wanting to push anymore.
"The one guy I gave everything to doesn't want me. This was the only way I could think of to try to get on with my life. My other life doesn't exist to me anymore and hasn't since I left and seeing the two of you...it's brought everything back. I want Nick so bad that I can barely breathe but he made it quite clear that he doesn't feel the same way. I feel like such a fool Sara."
"Oh Jyn," Sara sighed as she brushed her fingers across the other woman's arms. "I wish I knew what to say. But I don't think there is anything that can be said. All..." she trailed off with another sigh.
"Amada?" called Roberto as he entered the salon, catching the others off guard as he stalked through the room.
"Roberto?" asked Jessica, wiping her tears as she turned to face her fiancé. "What are you doing here?"
"James called me. He was concerned when some guests refused to leave," explained Roberto as he reached Jessica, who had reentered the room when she heard him call her. "Amada, why are you crying? Have they done something?" he asked in concern as he pulled Jessica into his arms.
"I'm fine Roberto and no they haven't done anything. Actually this is my friend Sara Sidle and a colleague from Vegas, Gil Grissom."
"She's the one you named the foundation for," commented Roberto in recognition of the name.
"She is the Sidle, yes," replied Jessica as she pulled back from Roberto. "You're not supposed to see me like this," she suddenly whined. "Griss would you mind giving me a hand with the buttons?"
Grissom blinked once before nodding. "Certainly," he replied as he moved over towards the three gathered across the room.
Jessica led Grissom behind a privacy screen in the corner of the room so that he could assist her with the buttons down the back of her gown so that she could change back into what she had been wearing that morning.
Meanwhile Sara had moved towards a chair and sat down watching where Roberto stood, trying to read him. Unfortunately she wasn't getting much. Turning back to look at her hands she sighed under her breath.
"Is there a problem Miss Sidle?" questioned Roberto warily.
Glancing back at him she could feel the blush spread over her skin as she shook her head. "I'm sorry Mr. Sutton, I didn't mean to stare."
"Miss Sidle, if you don't mind me saying, it wasn't like you were staring. You seemed to be trying to read me, which is quite the ability for a blind person."
Sara laughed softly as she reached up to touch her glasses. "Do you mind? Most people are freaked out by a blind person looking at them. So if you do, it's okay..." she trailed off.
"How ever you feel more comfortable Miss Sidle," offered Roberto as he sat down opposite her.
Sara nodded before taking off her glasses and folding them as she sat them on her lap. Looking back towards Roberto she smiled softly. "I suppose it can be unnerving for someone to have me stare at them for a while. And I do apologize. I'm not sure how much Jessica has shared with you, but I haven't always been blind. And I did have a remarkable talent at reading people; I had to thanks to my job. I'm sure you've noticed Jessica has the same ability..." she trailed off glancing towards the general area she had heard Grissom and Jessica go. She could sense Gil returning so knew he must be done unbuttoning Jessica's dress.
Looking back towards Roberto she gave another half smile. "I've been taught to use my other senses to make up for the loss of my sight. And surprisingly, you can still judge people. By the way they carry themselves, their voice, other factors. I was trying to see if I could sense anything about you, other than the fact that you care about Jessica a great deal. And to be honest, I have a very small percentage of my sight, small being the operative word...and I was trying to see if I could get any idea of what you must look like. Especially seeing as I do believe I know your father and mother and can base a few of my assumptions there," she finished with a smile as Grissom joined them.
"You do know my mother and father, and you do know me to a certain extent from when you and Jessica would come to my family's estate as children. I take it Jessica has not spoken of me given your reaction," commented Roberto.
"Yes well, I do remember you now that I think back. But we both know fifteen or so years can make a difference in how one looks. Jyn and I are certainly not the girls we were nineteen years ago. The same must certainly be true of you," she teased slightly as Grissom sat next to her. "And no, Jess hasn't spoken about you, but even if she had I would still have watched you to try to read you. Sorry to admit that, but it's true. You can ask Gil or any of my friends back in Vegas, they are close to killing me because they are always finding me staring at them. Although a few are starting to get use to it," she mused to herself.
"I think I'm the only one who actually falls in that category Acushla," Grissom spoke softly and she turned to smile at him before turning her attention back to Roberto.
"Perhaps the two of you would like to join Jessica and I for dinner," offered Roberto, not seeing Jessica hesitate suddenly on her way back from the privacy screen. "My family is throwing an engagement party and I'm sure you'd be more than welcome to join given that you are Jessica's oldest friend."
Sara looked up past him to where she could hear Jessica's steps. "Perhaps..." she trailed off. "It's up to Jyn. That and... would your family mind having a two-hundred pound dog running around?" she continued giving Jessica a reason out.
"I'm sure Roberto's nieces and nephews would love to have another dog to play with," commented Jessica, swallowing nervously. "Besides Alejandro and Alicia would be very upset if they found out you were here and you didn't come visit them."
Sara tilted her head as she looked at Jessica before nodding once. "If you're sure..."
"Of course I'm sure. Why wouldn't I be?"
"No reason," Sara began with a shrug. "Just wasn't sure if you would want to show up with a surprise guest at your own engagement party," Sara smiled. "But I'm not wearing a bow on my head and claiming to be an engagement present," she added with a wink
"Well then, shall we go?" Roberto said standing and offering a hand to Jessica.
Sara nodded as Grissom rose and offered his hand to help her up. "We'll follow you then?" he suggested looking over at Roberto and Jessica.
With a nod, Roberto wrapped Jessica's arm around his and led them all through the salon and foyer and out onto the front steps where he helped Jessica into his car before getting in on the driver's side. He waited until Sara and Grissom where both in Grissom's car, after retrieving the large dog, before starting the engine and pulling out of the long drive and leading them to Las Nubes, his family's home.
Once they arrived, Grissom let out a low whistle when he looked at the vineyard and home to which Sara just laughed. "Big place I know," she teased as she stepped out of the car and opened the back seat for Sahidi to exit, before taking the bar on his back as Grissom came around the car to take her other arm.
After helping Jessica from the car, Roberto led them into his family's home and through the main floor towards the dining room. When they entered they noticed that the doors leading out onto the terrace had been opened and there were people both on the terrace and in the dining room.
"Roberto honey, there you are. You raced out of here so quickly earlier without a word as to where you were going," scolded Alicia lightly. "Ah Jessica my dear, how are you?" she asked taking the younger woman into an embrace.
"I'm fine Alicia," replied Jessica pulling back slightly. "I don't know if you remember my friend Sara Sidle," she said indicating Sara behind her. "This is her friend Gil Grissom and her dog Sahidi."
"Of course I remember Sara," chided Alicia. "How are you dear?"
"I'm fine Alicia," Sara smiled. "How are you? It's been quite some time, hasn't it."
"Too long, Sara Dear. You are always welcome here; you know that. Mr. Grissom, it's a pleasure to meet you and you are always welcome in our home as well. Jessica is family and any friends of hers are family too," Alicia informed him.
"Thank you Mrs. Sutton. It's a pleasure to meet you as well," Grissom replied taking her hand for a moment before slipping his fingers back in Sara's.
"Sara dear is everything alright?" questioned Alicia, noticing the harness on the dog and the fact that Grissom had purposely retaken her hand.
Sara gave a half smile before sighing. "Everything's fine Alicia. I lost my sight a few months ago," she explained briefly.
"Oh you poor dear. Well you know that if you should ever need anything you just need ask," reminded Alicia
"Of course Alicia," Sara replied with a smile.
"Auntie Jess! Auntie Jess!" cried a young girl that came streaking across the room towards the new arrivals. She was no more than five-years-old and had chocolate brown eyes that matched her chocolate brown hair and tan skin.
"Hey Catalina baby," replied Jessica as she knelt down and caught the little girl in her arms. "How are you baby?"
"Wanna show you something," replied Catalina as she started tugging on Jessica's hand after being released from the hug.
"It's okay Jessica, go ahead," commented Roberto when Jessica turned to him.
"Okay Catalina, I'm coming," laughed Jessica as she was pulled across the room by a determined five-year-old.
"How is she Roberto? Really," questioned Alicia as she pulled Roberto aside once Jessica was far enough away so as not to hear.
"She's dying," replied Roberto sadly.
Sara's head turned so fast towards where Roberto and his mother's voices where that Grissom actually heard it crack and looked at her in concern before she turned and pulled him along as she made her way towards them at a fast clip. "Alright, what do you know that I don't? And please dear God, tell me you are talking figuratively and emotionally," she whispered in a rush when she stopped next to the two Suttons.
"Unfortunately Sara I am not speaking figuratively," replied Roberto sadly. "She is not dying physically but spiritually. As each day passes another small part of who she is dies. She may have been born into this life, but it is not her and yet it is not this life that is killing her. She does not speak of the one that has torn her heart in two but she does not need to as she keeps a picture of him on her bedside table. I don't know what it was exactly that he has done to her, all I know is whatever it is...was… it is tearing her apart piece by piece."
Sara let her head fall to her chest in defeat before sighing heavily. "We can't change that it seems. Although I've tried to kill the man once..." she trailed off with another sigh.
"Actually you just yelled at him and are no longer talking. Catherine was the one who was getting Warrick to give her an alibi for when his body turned up," Grissom countered softly as he ran a hand across her back soothingly.
"If I thought it would do any good, I would speak to the man myself. Let him know what he's doing to her. This is not her life," commented Roberto as he turned his gaze back to Jessica, who was currently playing with young Catalina. "She must have cared for him a great deal for this to happen. Only that could have driven her to return to the life she walked away from over 10 years ago. Jessica's parents wanted to ensure their daughter would always be taken care of, Jessica is fulfilling that wish, even though her heart belongs to another."
"Unfortunately, I don't think telling him would make a difference," Sara began as she formed a plan in the back of her mind. "That and...if you were to see him...you might not get the chance to talk to him. He doesn't exactly think lately, and I can just picture everyone trying to keep you from killing him for his trying to kill you. Not that I would blame you of course," Sara added with a half smile.
"Yes but I wouldn't exactly want to have to cover anyone on his murder so...let's not and say we did have that knock-down drag-out as Warrick would say," Grissom continued with a half smile.
"Hey," commented Jessica as she rejoined everyone, Catalina balanced on her hip. "What are you all talking about? Oh and Alicia, Catalina here was wondering when we would be sitting down to dinner," Jessica told Alicia as she tickled Catalina's tummy making her giggle.
"Actually, I believe it's time for everyone to sit down at the table," replied Alicia looking between Roberto, Sara and Grissom.
"What's going on?" questioned Jessica nervously as she too looked between the four gathered.
"Oh nothing. We're discussing your foundation. I'm dying for information on how you started it and decided to bug them for the moment," Sara replied with a smile. "Well that and Grissom opened his mouth about how I was wondering if I could sue the tabloid for using my name without my permission in their article."
"Oh God Sara. I'm sorry. I didn't even think about that when I issued the press release," commented Jessica as she carried Catalina towards the table and set her in her booster seat.
"Blah, it's not your fault Love," Sara waved a hand as Grissom pulled out a chair for her where Alicia directed.
"It is all right that I named the foundation partly after you isn't it?" asked Jessica uncertainly as she took the chair next to Catalina, Roberto sitting down her other side.
"Of course love," Sara smiled softly. "Besides, I think it's a great idea," she continued with a shrug.
Saturday September 9th, 2005
12:25 p.m.
Heaven's Paradise
It had been five days since Sara and Grissom had shown up unannounced on Jessica's doorstep and she had been doing everything in her power to avoid both of them, even though she had insisted they stay with her, as she had been unable to turn her lifelong friend away. Jessica had spent her days hiding out at the stables, helping with the training and daily care of the young horses, only venturing up to the house for meals and to pass out in bed at night. After five days of avoiding it, Jessica found herself approaching the stairs leading up to the terrace. As she put her foot on the bottom step her nerve gave out causing her to start to turn away.
"Hello?" Sara asked looking up from the book she was reading, not quite recognizing the footsteps as Sahidi raised his head and looked towards Jessica.
"Hey," replied Jessica quietly as she turned back around.
"Hey Jyn girl," Sara smiled softly.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb your reading so...I'll just go," commented Jessica nervously
"It's okay, you aren't disturbing me," Sara countered carefully.
"Are you enjoying your stay?" asked Jessica as she slowly made her way up onto the terrace, wrapping her arms around her waist as she leant back on one of the pillars that supported the upper balcony.
Sara smiled softly as she looked out around the terrace before closing her book. "I'd forgotten how lovely it was here. So it's been good," she trailed off with a slight shrug.
"And Griss? How has he enjoyed it?"
"He's loved it," Sara answered honestly. "I think he and Roberto are touring the vineyards right now, I think one of the servants begged Roberto to get him away from me to stop the bug talk," she continued with a grin.
"I can see that," commented Jessica with a small smile."
"So how have you been the last few days?" Sara asked softly.
"Busy actually. We have a new edition to the family."
"Oh?" Sara asked leaning towards Jessica excitedly.
"Heaven's Desire just foaled," replied Jessica. "A filly, Heaven's Wisdom. She's definitely a combination of her parents. She's solid black in color with a small white sock and a stripe down her nose. She has the biggest brown eyes."
"Oh, she sounds beautiful," sighed Sara as she sat back. "Congratulations."
"Thanks," replied Jessica, biting her lip, wondering if she should ask what was on her mind.
"You okay?" Sara asked sensing a change in the tension in the area.
"How is everyone?" asked Jessica quietly, not meeting Sara's intense gaze. The woman may be blind but she could stare extremely well.
"They're well I suppose," Sara began with a sigh. "I can't tell you about him though," she trailed off. "We aren't exactly talking..."
"Sara...you shouldn't throw your relationship with him...with Nick away because of me," argued Jessica
"No, I wouldn't throw it away because of you. We aren't talking because of him," Sara argued right back shaking her head.
"Because of what happened between him and me," Jessica argued back. "Granted Nick was an idiot and way out of line in what he said but I'm also an idiot by making a massive mistake where he was concerned."
"Jyn, this isn't because of you. All right so in part it's related to you. But Nick was the one who brought this on himself. And who says you were an idiot? I don't. You let your guard down. Last I checked, I pushed you towards him, so..." Sara trailed off with a shrug. "This isn't your fault, and you weren't an idiot. If anyone was an idiot...it was Nick," she added carefully.
"I let more than my guard down Sara. I let the walls start to come down. I was going to tell him you know. Tell him everything..."
"I know love," Sara whispered.
"Jessica," greeted Roberto in mild shock as he and Grissom made their way up onto the terrace. "Is everything all right?"
"Everything's fine Roberto. We have a new edition is all, Heaven's Desire foaled a beautiful filly and I thought I'd come let Sara know since I know how much she loves the horses," explained Jessica as Roberto kissed her cheek. "Did you enjoy your tour of the vineyard Grissom?"
"They're amazing Jess, and congratulations on the new edition," Grissom replied with a smile as he walked over and leaned down to look at the book in Sara's lap. "Good choice Acushla," he teased as he sat up and she rolled her eyes.
"What is she reading?" asked Roberto in curiosity as he wrapped an arm around Jessica's waist
"Book on Beetles," Sara replied with a smirk. "This one decided we needed a book we could read together when I made him help me practice my Braille. So he goes and gets me a bunch of books on bugs."
"They're very interesting," Grissom argued as Sara rolled her eyes.
"Well considering you hold a Ph.D. in Entomology, you would say that," commented Jessica in mild sarcasm.
"Very true, besides, it's only interesting for us Griss," Sara continued.
"I've always wondered about what exactly it was the three of you did for a living," commented Roberto. "Jessica only ever says she was a lab rat."
"We're lab rats," Sara replied with a shrug. "Well Jyn and I were, and Grissom still is," she added as an afterthought.
"Lovely way of describing our work. And here I thought we were a bunch of 'Geeks'," Grissom rolled his eyes while smiling.
"What exactly do you mean by lab rat?" asked Roberto curiously.
"Well Griss is one of maybe fifteen men in the country who can tell you anything about bugs, and figure out a time line based on bugs," Sara began with a shrug. "And I was a physics expert," she trailed off with another shrug, not sure how much Jessica wanted him knowing about her other life.
"What about you Amada? What was your specialty?" asked Roberto, giving her a squeeze.
"Ballistics," replied Jessica only to have a look of confusion cross his face. "Firearms Roberto. Guns and bullets."
"Remind me never to make you angry then," Roberto teased.
Sara giggled softly after hearing him before glancing up at Grissom.
"Hey, I already know not to make you angry," Grissom smiled. "You can dispose of a body with no evidence well enough to fool the number one lab in the country," he added with a hint of pride in his voice.
"And that's the God honest truth," Sara laughed softly. "Then again I'd get help from the rest of the team if you ever do piss me off that much."
"Hence the reason I never will," Grissom countered before glancing up at Roberto and Jessica. "And I think we're scaring the nice man who just met us."
"Not in the slightest," laughed Roberto. "It's nice to get a glimpse into Jessica's life when she was away from home for so many years."
Frowning slightly, Grissom realized that if ever Sara would have given for her sight, it would have been now. It was obvious to any that could see, that Jessica tensed at the mention of 'home'. Unfortunately, that knowledge would prove useless to Sara until he had a chance to mention it to her. "Ah well, at least we aren't scaring the native," he spoke with a shrug.
"Excuse me Mistress," said Elsie as she stepped out onto the terrace. "Would you prefer lunch in the dinning room or out here?"
"Out here would be perfect Elsie," replied Jessica as she straightened and pulled away from the pillar, and Roberto.
"Of course Mistress. Lunch will be served momentarily," explained Elsie before turning and entering the house.
"Silly question," Sara began with a smile.
"Uh oh," sighed Jessica with a slight tease. "What's your silly question Sara?"
"Well I do have a few hundred stored up," Sara began with a grin. "Such as why did Greg cross the hallway, I blame Nicky for that one," she added with a wink. "But the one now would be...am I anywhere near the table?"
"Actually the table is about two feet behind your chair at the moment," offered Jessica as she gave Grissom an inquiring look as to Sara's comment about Greg and Nick.
"You know how Nick and the boys can get," Grissom began with a shake of his head. "They decided to come up with new versions of the 'why did the chicken cross the road' joke. Nick came up with Why did Greg cross the Hallway. I believe one of the answers was to rescue his poor coffee from the big bad CSIs."
While he was explaining, Sara rose and repositioned herself at the table, Sahidi sinking back to the ground next to her.
"One would think he'd be a little more careful about where he leaves his coffee after the day that Catherine blew up the lab," commented Jessica as she made her way over towards the table as Elsie started bringing lunch out.
"I think everyone is more careful about what they do since that day," Sara spoke after a moment. "So what is for lunch that smells so wonderful?"
"That would be sandwiches, potato salad, and fresh fruit," Grissom answered with a smile leaning towards her to whisper the locations in her ear. "And it looks like you have egg salad my dear. Poor thing, you really have no idea what you're missing when you pass up meat," he continued picking up his own turkey sandwich.
"Ha! I'll stick with my egg salad thank you. No one had to die for me to eat, thank you very much," Sara countered before spearing a piece of cantaloupe.
"This turkey died for a good cause," Grissom countered. "Besides, do we really want to discuss where the eggs for your sandwich came from," he continued with a grin before Sara reached over and smacked his arm.
"So not going there, Gil." Shaking their heads at the antics of the two Jessica and Roberto wisely remained from commenting before turning to their own food. The rest of lunch was spent discussing the wine business, and the horses rather than anything more personal.
Just over twenty-four hours later, Sara and Grissom were just about ready to go as Sara got Sahidi settled in the backseat.
Standing to the side of the car, Jessica watched as Sara got the Saint Bernard in the vehicle and Grissom placed the last bag in the trunk. Shutting the trunk he came around to stand next to Sara as she took his arm and shut the door. Turning she looked at Jessica with a soft smile. "Take care of yourself Chica. Call me, anytime," she continued softly.
"Of course," replied Jessica quietly before turning and walking back into the house.
Smiling sadly Sara looked at Grissom to let him know she was ready to go. Once she was seated in the car, Grissom shut the door before walking around the car. Glancing one last time at the area, he started the engine. They had a long drive home, and he had to work the next night.
Tuesday September 13th, 2004
8:25 a.m.
Local Diner
/-/Fruit and whole wheat?/-/ thought Nick in confusion as he looked down at the plate the waitress had just put down in front of him. "I did not order this," he commented under his breath
"Umm," the waitress, Debbie, began as she fumbled with her notepad and flipped through it. Looking up and down the aisle of booths she glanced back at her notepad before looking at him. "I am so sorry. She has your meal, if you give me a second," she continued pointing to a booth down the aisle before turning and crashing into the bus boy.
Nick groaned inwardly when he recognized the woman the waitress had pointed out. "Don't worry about it, I'll take care of it," he said as he rose from his booth, picking up his plate and walking over towards the poor woman who was picking uncertainly at the plate in front of her. "I believe you have my steak and eggs and the fruit and whole wheat belongs to you," he said putting the plate down on the table near Sara's elbow.
Sara looked up at him in surprise before smiling slightly. "Oh that explains it. I thought I was losing my mind when my toast was smelling like meat."
"Well if it's alright with you, I'll just take my breakfast and leave you in peace," commented Nick as he reached out to take the plate from in front of Sara.
"Nick?" Sara began uncertainly as she looked back down towards the plate, placing her hands in her lap. "Would you...that is...will you stay?"
"If you want me to Sara then of course I'll stay," replied Nick a little hesitantly. "I just figured that you would prefer it if I kept my distance after everything that's happened between us recently."
"Honestly, this is a surprise to me as well," Sara answered honestly. "But a good friend told me that I can't let my friendship with you be destroyed by the decisions you made. And I think I'm actually going to listen," Sara answered softly as she looked up at him. "Besides, I need someone to tell me where the hell my food is on my plate or I might make a fool of myself by trying to eat my toast with a fork and pick my fruit up with my fingers," she continued with a grin.
"Well, we can't have that now can we," teased Nick with a slight sigh of relief as he took the seat opposite Sara. "Besides if that were to happen I would hate to see Grissom's reaction."
"If I know him, he'd merely shake his head and try not to laugh cause he knows I'd hit him for laughing," Sara countered with a smile. "So, mind sharing where everything is on the clock that is my plate?"
"Well the corner of your toast is at 3 o'clock and your bowl of fruit is between 9 and 10 o'clock," explained Nick before leaning back in his seat, only to come face to face with a rather large dog nose poking him in the thigh.
"Thank you," Sara smiled as she expertly speared a piece of fruit. "So, how's your eggs and...I believe that was a T-bone by the feel of it?" she asked before taking a bite.
"Excellent, or as good as this place ever makes," joked Nick as he dug into his breakfast. "Uh Sara, why is your dog looking at me like he wants to devour me?"
"Sahidi!" Sara exclaimed and the dog turned to look at her. "No. Down," she instructed before the dog stood and turned in a circle, smacking Nick's legs with his tail before laying back down under the table by their feet. "Silly dog. You can blame Griss for that, he's a sucker, gives the big baby scraps when he thinks I'm not looking," she explained with a smile. "But he won't hurt you," she added with a wink. "Which reminds me, you've never met my kid."
"You're kid?" asked Nick in mild surprise.
"My brother Scor raises Saints. He calls all the puppies his kids. Sahidi here has grown up being call kid. Sort of just transferred to me," she explained with a shrug. "But to make up for my oversight, Nick meet Sahidi. Sahidi, the man you just tried to steal a T-bone from is Nick," she continued with a grin as she reached one had under the table to scratch the dog's head. "He'll meet you better when we aren't here," she added with a wink as she brought her hand back to her lap.
"I can hardly wait," commented Nick sarcastically.
"You'd be surprised. Everyone falls in love with him. Just wait a while," Sara teased
"So did you and Griss enjoy your vacation? I think this is the first time that Griss has taken a vacation and left instructions not to be contacted for any reason other than the lab burning down," mused Nick.
Sara looked up at him so fast he thought her head had to be on a spring before she looked back down at her plate. "It was...interesting," she answered after a moment.
"Interesting? Come on Sara it had to be more than just interesting," pushed Nick, not realizing what he was getting himself into
"Well then, the scenery was lovely. I met up with some old acquaintances I haven't seen in years. Tried to make peace with an old friend. And learned a few things that are going to change the way I look at the world. At least my own world," she added as an afterthought as she pushed her fruit back and forth in the bowl.
"And what might these life altering things be?"
Sara glanced at him before looking back at her plate. "Nick...point blank. I saw Jyn," she explained before looking up at him.
"I see," replied Nick flatly. "And how are things in the life of one of America's most wealthiest and famous socialites?" he asked bitterly, his voice laced with numerous emotions.
Sara's lips pursed together as she glared at him. "Nick, do us both a favor," she began. "Stop judging the situation before you have all the evidence. We're just now trying to get back to what we had. I don't want to lose the only brother I have actually living near me anytime soon...again."
"Sara I'm sorry I don't want to ruin what we are trying to get back either but you have to understand where I'm coming from as well," argued Nick.
Sara sighed softly. "I know Nick. But at least listen to the evidence before you make your decision. At least about Jyn's background and family."
"Fine," agreed Nick reluctantly. "Even though she's the one that should be telling me, I'll listen to what you have to say."
"Technically she is the one who should be telling you. But she doesn't exactly have the chance to tell you Nick," Sara reminded him softly. "Do you know what California's Napa Valley is famous for?"
"Wine of course," answered Nick. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"If you were to go online, hell go to the winery guide for the year, one of the top ten wineries since 1965 would be Heaven's Paradise. Heaven's Paradise started as one of the smallest wineries in the late forties. Richard Harrison managed to turn the area into a thriving vineyard by the time his son was in high school. Around that same time, thanks to his wife's love of horses, he bought his first horse. Eventually his son Sebastian took over the family business during the mid-seventies. By then the vineyard was rather famous, and one horse had become twenty. Sebastian had one child, a daughter. In 1982, Sebastian and his wife, Victoria were both murdered. Everything was left to their only child. Jessica," Sara explained as she set her fork down and sat back in her booth. "Jess was raised by the caretakers of the vineyard, or the housekeeper and butler. They had been around since her grandfather ran the place. Jess could never bring herself to enter the house again, and truthfully as soon as she was of age, she left that life behind, leaving the vineyard and the stable in the care of the lawyers who were in charge of her trust. She never had a desire to go back, or even be a part of that life. Until she left Vegas," Sara finished looking up at him pointedly.
"So what you're saying is that I drove her back to a life she'd walked away from," questioned Nick.
"Honestly?" Sara asked giving him the choice to back away from her answer.
"Yes Sara, honestly. If I want to have any kind of chance to possibly salvage some kind of relationship with Jessica then I need the God's honest truth," replied Nick in honest desperation.
Sara regarded him for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, you drove her back," she spoke softly. "She's hurt Nick, really hurt. She's gone back to that life because in her mind it's the only thing that she has left to do. She's living the life her parents dreamed for her, because her dreams are all dead."
"Does she love him?" asked Nick quietly
"She's only loved one man in her life Nick," Sara countered softly. "He loves her though, would do anything for her..." she trailed off with a one-shoulder shrug.
"And I've gone and ripped her heart out," commented Nick sadly. "How could I be such an idiot? She's the best thing that's ever happened to me and I've gone and destroyed it."
"I hate to say it Nick," Sara began softly. "But yeah, you did. Question is what are you going to do now that you know what you know?"
"I need to see her, talk to her...apologize and beg for her forgiveness, not that I expect it but that won't stop me from trying," replied Nick. "But first I need to talk to Grissom and in order to do that I gotta get back to the lab. Can I give you a lift anywhere?" asked Nick as he took care of their bills.
"I'm heading to the lab too," Sara replied as she rose and followed him from the restaurant. "Nick," she began stopping him in the parking lot. "Look, I'm the first to say go for it. But Nicky, don't go jumping off the handle. Seriously think about what you're doing. If you aren't completely sure that this is what you want. Don't go after her Nick. She can't be hurt again. She won't survive a second rejection."
"I promise to give it serious thought Sara but I need some time away from everything to do that so I still need to talk to Grissom about possibly taking some time off," commented Nick as he helped Sara and Sahidi into his truck.
"Sounds good to me," Sara agreed with a smile. "Let me know after you've made a decision. If it's the one I think you might make, you're going to need to... accidentally see my address book," she continued with a wink.
"I'll keep that in mind," chuckled Nick as he started the truck and pulled out of the diner.