Thanks for all the reviews;0) This chapter is quite long but as it covers a lot of ground I'm sure you won't mind.
- Enjoy!
Walking into work Sara followed her normal routine but was aware of Sofia's eyes which followed her as she walked into the break room.
"Good conference," Nick asked before handing her a coffee.
"Yeah normal stuff, saw Greg drunk," she laughed as Sofia stayed in the back. Chatting away Sara wondered why she was even in the lab until she saw Grissom.
"Okay Nick and Warwick you have a 419 in the desert, Catherine and Greg you have a rape. The woman is in Desert Palm but the attack took place at her apartment. Sara your with me there were some bones found under a house in Henderson," he said noticing Sofia. "Also Sofia Curtis is back with us but now as a detective and she will be assisting Captain Brass," he said giving her a slight nod.
With everyone off in different directions Sara watched as Sofia followed Grissom to his office and her heart beat increased. She knew Grissom hated the woman as much as she did but the way she was leaning over him was almost too much to stomach. Dumping her coffee in the sink she stood with her head held high and walked over to his office.
"Grissom is busy can't you see that," Sofia snapped back angry that they had been interrupted. "As I was saying Gil we should get dinner and catch a movie now I'm back," completely ignoring Sara standing at the door.
Looking up Grissom shook his head, "I suggest you leave now so me and Sara can go out to Henderson."
"Sorry Gill no can do I'm assigned to your case," she said walking out. "See you in 10," she smiled at him before giving Sara an ice stare walking out.
"You okay honey," he asked as they drove away from the city centre.
"Yeah I just don't like the attention she's giving you," she said staring at the road willing herself not to cry. "I just don't know why she had to be assigned back here. With you not giving her any attention or even calling her you would think she would get the hint," she said quick to wipe away a tear.
Watching as the tear fell he quickly pulled to the side of the road and pulled her into a hug. "Don't cry over her Sara. I married you, you're my life," he said before giving her a kiss.
Nodding her head she breathed in, "I'll be okay I just hope once she knows were married she will leave us alone," wondering for a second if that was possible.
"Don't worry I'll talk to Brass and see if she can be more evenly spread out," he gave her another kiss before starting up the SUV again.
Watching from a distance Sofia saw the whole episode and felt like laughing. With ammunition that something was going on between the pair would make her task that much easier. She knew Grissom would dump Sara the instant his career was in jeopardy. With her mothers influence in the department she could get anything she wanted.
The couple got to work and were busy sifting through the bones when Sofia walked in and watched Grissom licking her lips as she imagined him in her bed.
Sara who was looking at bone turned her head and groaned slightly aware Sofia was checking out her husband's backside.
In tuned with Sara he noticed her reaction and looked around shuddering when he saw her. "I think were just about done here what about you Sofia," he asked.
"Just admiring your work I'll meet you back at the lab," she said before walking out.
Both breathing a sigh of relief as she left they finished up before also heading back.
Logging the evidence into the system they decided not to pull a double but to head home and re-connect instead.
After walking Bruno they came back and fell into bed. Although tired she allowed him to undress her and they made love.
"Just always remember how much I love you," he said giving her a kiss as she fell asleep in his arms.
Sofia waited for the happy couple to leave and walked out to the car park determined to see if they left together. Narrowing her eyes she watched as they drove in separate directions. Deciding to do her own investigation she got in her car and headed over to his town house.
Knocking on the door she practiced her smile before a strange woman opened the door, "Hi is Dr Grissom here," she asked determined to make everyone him address him as such once they were together.
The woman shook her head, "sorry me and my husband bought the place two months ago," she said before Sofia nodded her head.
"Thanks sorry I bothered you," she said before walking back to her car. Unsure of what to do next she started her car and headed back to work. Sharing an office with detective Vartann she saw he was in the office and decided instead to use Jim's. Once inside she closed the blinds and started up his computer. About to check Grissom's personnel file for his new address Jim walked in.
"What the hell Sofia," he said angry at the woman's audacity.
"Sorry Brass I needed some information," she purred before thrusting out her chest.
Completely turned off by the woman he laughed, "Curtis when are you going to learn that one day your body won't get you anywhere. Oh sorry that day has come, now get out," he said pointing to the door.
"I'll leave Jim but just you remember who my mother is," she said before strutting out.
Shaking his head again he sat down well aware her mothers influence my have got her the job but would not take her any further.
Now out of the office she pouted aware she would have to wait and decided to get some sleep before work that evening.
"Its just sick," Sara said as she and Grissom looked at photos of the woman identified as the skeleton found the day before. "All because he thought she was having an affair."
Looking at his wife he ached to wrap her in his arms aware the effect of domestic abuse cases had on her. "He'll pay," he said trying to make her fell better.
"I know just not as much as she will," she said quietly before breathing out.
"Lets go home," he said leading her out of room determined she needed some time off and hoped to make an appointment with Ecklie in a few days.
Watching as they left Sofia shook her head and went to her office smiling when she saw detective Vartann was no where to be seen.
Once she found him in the database she decided to look him up in the property database. Looking at the home ownership details she almost fell off her chair when she saw who else was listed on the deeds. Thinking Sara's last name was a typo she decided to search marriage records and felt like screaming when she saw they had been married after Nick's abduction. Pacing in the room a smile suddenly formed on her face. Hitting the print button she looked at the two documents chuckling to herself. Picking up the phone she dialled his number, "Conrad I think you'll want to see what I just found," she said telling him what she was looking at.
Walking into the building that night Ecklie knew it was a wonderful day. Deciding to make an example of them in front of everyone he came back after working that day before they started. Feeling a slight tremor in his hands he located his pills and placed one under his tongue as he saw them walk through the building.
Coming into work Grissom spied Ecklie. Shaking his head he wondered if it was another one of his ideas to spy on the night shift. Opening his door he busied himself before gathering up the assignment sheets and locating his team. About to speak Ecklie walked in the door.
"Conrad is there something you want," he said noticing his sneer.
Looking at Sara then Grissom he smiled, "yes Catherine you can take over. Grissom, Sidle in my office now," he said before walking out.
Her heart jumping into her throat she knew he had found out and started to shake. About to walk after him Grissom stopped her before going to his office. Grabbing a file he had kept for their case he then tapped her on the arm and they walked towards his office.
Seated in his office Sara could not get her legs to stop shaking and tried to breath as Ecklie looked at them.
Feeling a sharp pain he stood up and walked around to the other side of his desk.
Aware of what he was going to say Grissom was preparing his speech when Ecklie's eyes went into the back of his head and he fell on the floor.
"Call Al," Grissom said to Sara as she reached for the phone.
Watching as Grissom gave him CPR she told him to come to Ecklie's office before running into the hall calling for Warrick who had medical training.
Pumping air into his lungs he backed off as Warrick continued to shock him with a defibrillator. Seeing Al walk in he stood aside. "He fell over and stopped breathing," he said aware from his medical knowledge that he was dead.
Allowing Warwick to continue a few more times Al shook his head, "time of death 12.45am," he said before standing up.
With David bringing in a gurney they wheeled him down to the morgue and after David took a look they started with the autopsy.
"What the hell is going on," Undersheriff Jeffrey McKeen shouted at no-one in particular before Catherine and Grissom walked him into the layout room.
"There doing an autopsy," Grissom said unsure of what to feel aware the man who now held Sara and his career in his hand stood in front of him.
"Ms Willows if you could give us a few minutes," he said with a smile before she walked out.
"I got an interesting email from Detective Sofia Curtis this morning Gil," he said looking him in the eye.
Nodding his head Grissom was about to speak when the undersheriff held up his hand. "I know about your marriage to Miss Sidle. Although I am upset to see you didn't inform anyone after talking to some of your colleagues I am satisfied it doesn't need to go any further," he said without breaking eye contact.
Breathing out Grissom waited for what he said next.
"With the unfortunate incident this evening I'm now officially offering you the position of assistant lab director," he said to Grissom's dismay.
Nodding his head Grissom breathed out before speaking, "I thank you for the offer but I'm not interested in politics and feel my expertise are better served in the field," not wanting to anger the man who just saved his career.
The undersheriff nodded his head, "I thought you might say that but you will have to take over until we hire a replacement," he said before holding out his hand.
Shaking hands Grissom decided it was safe to ask more questions, "can I ask about Sara it don't think its fair to move her to days if I'm staying on nights."
Nodding his head he spoke, "Mrs Grissom can stay under the supervision of Ms Willows. "I'm not willing to loose the CSI with the highest solve rates in the lab" he smiled before adding, "congratulations Gil," and walking out.
Relief flowing though his body he told Catherine the news before heading to the morgue.
"Massive coronary failure," Al informed them showing off Ecklie's diseased heart.
"Well I'm not surprised with the amount of drugs he was taking," David told them looking at Ecklie's medical history faxed from his doctor. "Apparently he was told repeatedly that he needed heart valve surgery but ignored their advice," he said before handing over the sheet to Grissom.
Nodding in agreement he then took off his gloves and headed back to his office. Once he was inside and had shut the door he heard her soft whimpering and sniffling. He walked over he found her hunched over on the sofa.
"I'm so sorry," she sobbed as he pulled her onto his lap.
"Shh, its okay sweetheart everything is okay," he said rocking her gently.
"But I killed him," she said looking in his eyes. Seeing him shake his head she moved across and sat up.
"No he had a massive heart attack. His doctor had been telling him have surgery for the past year but he ignored the advice," he said wiping her tears away.
"What about your job. I saw the undersheriff walk past," she said a new fear creeping in.
"He knows about us and said Catherine can stay as your supervisor. With Ecklie dead I have to fill in until they hire a replacement," he said.
"I'm just so relieved," she said feeling new tears and pulled him closer.
Hugging for a few more minutes Grissom pulled back slowly, "do you want me to drive you home honey," he asked aware it had been a long night.
Shaking her head she looked at herself in a mirror, "let me go and splash some water on my face then I'll go find Catherine," she said before giving him a smile and walking out.
Picking up the phone he heard Ecklie's parents were on the line and he told them the news. Walking through to see Jim he spied Sofia with puffy eyes carrying a box.
"It's been a busy night here too ha," he asked sitting down as Jim closed the door.
"Yeah she was demoted after the undersheriff discovered she had been accessing personnel files," he said as they watched her walk out. "She screamed the place down and threatened to call in her mother then quit when she realized her antics would no longer work," he said with a smile.
Smiling back they chatted again for a few more minutes before Grissom headed to Ecklie's office to sort through what needed to be done. Once inside he saw all of the work and realized hiring a replacement could not be found soon enough.