Chapter 2

Sage walked through the halls of the crime lab, glad to be back in regular clothes. For once she was glad that she kept up the habit of keeping spares in her locker. It was a job hazard that was never mentioned in the field training. It was more like part of the learn as you go or on the job training. Plus it was plain common sense and she recalled the field school internship she did while completing her degrees.

The scene had been processed and they had brought everything back to the lab. She had asked Brass about the patient at Desert Palms and he told her that he was in surgery. Apparently he had suffered an abdominal bullet injury and was in critical condition. She then asked if anything cropped up from when she gave her statement about what he said. Nothing so far.

It had Sage contemplating on what they were going to do. All they had was her suspicions and a statement. The doll that she and Nick found could point in the right direction but it could have been something that the guy picked up and held onto. Yet there was something about the way he said it. He was looking for help and thought that she would be able to give it.

"Sage, wait up."

Sage paused to see Greg come running towards her with a cup of coffee. He handed it to her and she smiled, "Thanks Greg."

"No problem. I know you do your best when you get jumpstarted on coffee," Greg countered, "And I wanted to know how the big date went."

"It wasn't a date. I was at service," Sage replied taking a sip. It was the house blend but it was better made. Apparently someone had been getting the message about proportions and there had been some improvements.

"Not that. I mean with Warrick."

"I know what you meant. That was not a date," Sage pointed out. She pointed with her finger for emphasis. "It was the result of a bet. I lost."

Greg made a slight face that clearly said he didn't believe that. "Right." He then continued in a sing song tone, "Then I guess that conversation when you were working on the DNA for your case was just nothing." He looked at Sage with a look that begged her to spill. He turned on the full charm and added, "Please."

"You really have nothing better to do all day don't you?" Sage narrowed her eyes playfully at the lab tech that made her days seem brighter. "I really have to give you more to do in terms of practicing for field work."

"Please Sage."

"It wasn't a date. It was debt collected," Sage replied. "I owed Warrick a favor and he asked me out. End of story and no we aren't serious. We are tight." She cut off Greg before he could pester her more. She started walking towards homeroom since that was where the debriefing was. "Besides you're still my brother and we're still on for our weekly night. Game night right?"

Greg smiled, "Yeah. You mind if we play teams?" He paused by the door to his lab.

Sage stopped and turned around. She looked at the lab technician and noted the expression. He was up to something. She walked up to him and asked, "And may I ask who will be invited?"

Greg studied Sage. He could hold out on this one and make it a surprise. The last time they did teams, he got the lab rats in and they had a good time and there were a few pictures still floating around which he had safely locked up with his porn. She was persistent and like an older sibling, she could bully him into doing what she wanted. "How about we save it as a surprise?"

"Lab rats?"

"Not saying anything," Greg replied and looked at Sage with an equally firm look like hers.

It was a staring contest to see who would fold first. They didn't pay attention to anyone else even though they were occasionally glanced at. Sage studied her tech and finally smiled, "Alright. Keep me in suspense Greggo. Thursday."

Greg was surprised that he won but that could mean that she was up to something. With Sage, you always were on your toes. He could see why Nick liked interacting with her. "Thursday it is."

Sage smiled and ruffled Greg's messy mop to give it better character. "See ya around then." She turned and walked to homeroom leaving Greg smiling as he ran a hand through his hair. He was on cloud nine.

Sage walked into homeroom where Catherine and Sara were already waiting. The past few months had gotten her comfortable with them and they seemed to like the fact that the girl side was evened out. She liked working with them too. One case she worked on with Catherine gave her insight to her previous profession as a stripper and they had interesting conversations. Sara was like having a competitor in school. They had the drive to see a case through and Sage thought she could detect someone that wanted to have her feelings known but wasn't sure how to express it. All in all they got along well. Sage walked in and said, "Hey Catherine. How's Lindsey?"

"Great. She brought home a form asking permission to teach sex ed."

Sage raised her brow in surprise as she took a seat next to the older woman, "Really? They teaching puberty that young?"

"Yep and as if I didn't have enough problems," Catherine replied.

"Then I must have been in the Stone Age since you didn't hear about that until your wedding night," Sage replied taking a sip from her cup. "So are you signing off?"

"Don't know."

"Well at least she has a good source," Sage replied with a slight smile. "Better she come to you than go off with virtual strangers."

"Speaking of which, how was that night?" Sara piped in with a slight grin on her face.

"What night? I mean tonight was rough considering…" Sage was grinning as she took another sip of her coffee knowing exactly what Sara was asking.

"What are you two talking about?"

Sara shrugged her shoulders slightly, "Oh something about music, nightclub and a tall CSI by the name of Warrick Brown." She smiled innocently at Sage.

"Really?" Catherine pretended to look exasperated. "You got Warrick to go to a nightclub. Goth?"

"Seems like the grapevine is in full force," Sage replied in careful singsong. She looked at the two and said, "We are just friends and Warrick was showing me a sight. I'm still the new kid here." She smiled to show that she wasn't annoyed with the grapevine. Most were harmless stuff and it was particularly funny that people still thought she and Greg were an item.

Catherine didn't quite buy it since Sage and Warrick got along pretty well and some of their actions were quite serious. "Uh huh."

"I'm serious Cath," Sage replied knowing where that was going. "We're just friends."

Before Catherine could say anything else Warrick and Nick filed in with Grissom in tow. She wasn't going to discuss this in front of everyone else since it was private and for the most part it was harmless stuff since they never were serious. She raised a brow as Nick took a seat next to Sage and shot a look at her. The silent exchange was rather impressive until Nick muttered, "Brown nose."

"Maybe you should try harder," Sage whispered back.

At that point everyone was there and Grissom gave the rundown on assignments. Warrick and Nick were going to stick to the accident they were called to, Sara was with Grissom on a home invasion and robbery and Catherine was on 415, assault and battery. Everyone was going leaving Sage with Grissom. She stood up and sighed, asking, "Lab work today?"

Grissom looked at Sage as she waited for her assignment. He had it in his hand but he wasn't sure if it was right in giving her this one. However given the circumstances and technically she was three months into her probationary hire. She would need a senior CSI to go with. He mulled it over as he looked at her and noticed she seemed a little plain faced but she was eager to work. "I was considering it since Greg is still complaining of backlog and for some reason it disappears when you show up."

"My fault I think," Sage replied apologetically. "He only does it when he knows I get a doozy for a case. Harmless."

"Glad to hear of it," Grissom replied. He knew that Sage and Greg worked like a machine in the lab and they still managed to do something that brought laughs and organized chaos. "I do have something for you but I'm not sure I should give it to you given the circumstances."

Sage figured out what it was. "That guy that I called in… the 421. It's in my statement what he said. It could be rambling and I've seen victims mix up events when traumatized."

"But you relayed your suspicions to Nick."

"It could be nothing and I have nothing to go on except a gut feeling and someone's word and that's not very scientific," Sage replied pointing out that they were scientists. It wasn't that she didn't want the assignment. She was just laying out the potential problems.

Grissom studied the young woman and knew that she wasn't trying to get out of an assignment. She was merely pointing out his own rules and rules she followed. He handed her the slip, "He was asking for you."

"Me? But I didn't tell him my name or anything," Sage countered confused as she took the slip.

"More specifically he asked for the woman with the short hair and lovely singing voice," Grissom replied with that boyish smile he gave. "The EMTs stated that you were the only one helping at the time so naturally I assumed it was you."

Sage looked at the assignment slip. It would be a good opportunity to see if the guy was okay and if her hunch was right. "Run it as a separate case?"

"In close proximity to Warrick's. Assume nothing," Grissom replied, giving the gentle warning.

"Right because this guy could be a suspect," Sage replied. She held up the slip and twirled it in her fingers. "Am I running solo on this? I know I'm still on probation."

"Take Nick," Grissom said as he started out the door. "But your guy won't talk to him. He said wasn't going to talk to anybody but you but you still need supervision. Besides you two always seem to find something." He turned and went to go join Sara on their case.

Sage was left standing there making a face that was more of wondering what just happened. She knew that she and Nick often looked like they were bickering sometimes but they got the job done and often with favorable results. This was one of the few times Grissom actively acknowledged that and she wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

Deciding not to waste daylight (joke), she sighed and made a slight face. Looks like she was off to Desert Palms and she was going to have company. She walked out and started to grab her field kit along with her jacket. It was the chocolate suede that she wore her first day and it sort of was a good luck charm which was why she kept it in her locker. She met Nick who was trying to look like he wasn't waiting and said, "You're too obvious Stokes. I know Grissom told you."

"Hey you're the probie," Nick shot back with a grin as he grabbed his kit. He glanced back at Warrick who shook his head and went about to log in his evidence.

Sage wrinkled her nose as she stepped foot into Desert Palms. She had been in hospitals before but it was the smell that she just didn't like. It was strange since she had her fair share of smells that most people would end up gagging on. Then there was autopsy which should be smelling like a medicine cabinet but it didn't. There was just something about hospitals that just rubbed the wrong way.

"What's the matter? Can't handle the smell?"

Sage glanced at Nick with a wry look, "They smell different." It was all she could say as she proceeded to the room that belonged to Robert, just Robert. "And shut up."

Nick chuckled to himself as he followed Sage. He learned that decomps didn't bother her but certain medicine smells did. It was funny and occasionally would tease her about it but he was astute to know that there was a story behind it and he wasn't going to press. He just gave a gentle smack to her shoulder to indicate he was teasing as they walked past the nurse's station. A detective was already there and looking frustrated. It was Lockwood and he was trying maintain a professional front even though he looked like their guy was just yanking his chain.

Detective Lockwood looked up to see the pair of CSIs walking in. It was unusual but he was certain there was a reason to it. He said, "Please tell me you're the ones he's been asking for."

Sage spoke up, "That would be me Detective Lockwood."

Lockwood looked at the pair and said, "Name's Robert and he's nineteen. One shot to the abdomen. Doctor says he's going to be okay."

"We're gonna need the bullet," Nick said.

"Already let the doc know," Lockwood replied as he watched Sage peek into the room to look at the kid. "Kid hasn't said anything except to say that he won't talk to anyone except the one who helped him. A 'woman with short hair and a pretty voice'." He looked at his notes to read what the kid had said. He looked up at Sage while she was peeking in and asked while motioning with his hands, "So I take it that it is you?"

"Yeah," Sage replied as she looked in at the boy on the bed. He looked different from when he grabbed a hold of her. It had her wondering what happened that he was in that car and who it was that he was referring to. "Has he said anything?"

"Hasn't said a word."

"Is that her? I'm not talking to anyone but her."

Sage turned to look at Nick with a slight expression and took a breath. She looked at Lockwood and said, "It would probably be a good idea if you wait out here detective."

"No problem."

Sage led the way in and Nick followed. The kid Robert was in his bed being checked out by the nurse doing routine stuff. She said, "Robert? Hi. I'm CSI Parker and this is Nick Stokes…"

"I said only you," Robert interrupted. He looked agitated at the whole thing.

Sage blinked a moment at that. She was used to being interrupted at times but this just had her off for a moment. She replied, "And you will get to talk to me. He's just here to help me with evidence collection. You won't have to talk to him. Understand?"

Nick noted the tone of voice Sage used. It reminded him of when his own mother used to scold him for something he shouldn't have done. He knew Sage was a nice person and tried to be nice with everyone but she was coldly polite if they were rude or whatever. This was different and it made him wonder if this was how she managed to boss the lab rats.

Robert looked at the pair of CSIs. The woman he would talk to. She had a nice voice and she listened to him. The other he could sort of like. He wasn't that bad. In fact it looked like they got along pretty well. "Just as long as I talk to you. It's okay," he finally replied.

Sage gave a slight smile and a brief nod to Nick. She set her kit down and opened it. From what they could get, the kid didn't have an ID. However she could take a ten card and print him. They might get lucky if he attended a school with a school safety program. She approached the bed and said, "Alright, aside from Robert can you give me a last name or something?"

"Just Robert," Robert replied. After a moment's thought he added, "You can call me Robbie." He watched as she studied everything.

"Okay, Robbie. Can you tell me how you got these?" She pointed at the ligature marks on his wrists. They hadn't been noticeable before but now that she had a clear look, she wondered of something more was going on that led to the car accident.

"I didn't do as I was told."

Sage looked over at Nick who motioned with his eyes to keep the kid talking. No doubt he would get Lockwood to take notes since the door was open. "Didn't do as you were told?" She picked up her camera to document the marks and what looked like bruising on his wrists.

"We're not supposed to leave anything on our plates."

This was not sounding good to Sage's ears. "And you didn't finish?"

"I did but Jordan didn't." Robert looked off into space.

Sage finished her pictures and picked up the ten card. She started doing prints. She filled in the blanks and watched his expression, "So you took the punishment for him, didn't you?"

"Jordan is my brother. You're supposed to look after your brother." Robert looked at Sage with a firm expression. He looked like he was going to get visibly angry.

Nick noticed but he knew that if Sage were feeling any sense of distress she would let him know. Besides he knew that she could take care of herself and hold off an attack until backup arrived. That gang banger case said as much. He motioned behind him to keep Lockwood from coming in. Everything was fine at the moment and he was there just in case.

"So what happened afterwards?" Sage continued on as if that little outburst didn't happen. She continued printing the kid until she was finished.

"We got out. The three of us but he wouldn't let us go. He shot at us." Robert put a hand to his hair.

Sage studied the abrasions and the bruises. Some came from the impact of the body to the pavement. Others she wasn't too sure. That he might have been a victim of abuse sounded plausible and he may have been trying to escape but at this point she was going to let the evidence speak for itself. "So you got away and you drove by and decided to jump out for help?" She gave a puzzled frown at that.

"We had to get away. Brian was going to take us back. We thought he was our friend."

"Alright," Sage replied as she put away the ten card after labeling it like she was supposed to. She noticed that Nick had bagged and tagged the clothes. One less thing to do. "So you had to get away. Robbie, I need to ask you…"

"You have a pretty voice."

That was out of left field. Sage could see why Lockwood was impatient with the kid. He was nineteen but something about how he said it threw her off. She was not a doctor but… She picked up her penlight and replied, "I haven't heard that one before."

"Does he tell you that?"

Sage looked over at Nick who was busy and hoped that this wouldn't be fodder for jokes. She turned on her light and held it up. She reached with her gloved hand to hold Robert by the head while she held the light with the other and shone it into his eyes. The pupil size was normal but the blinking started.

"Turn it off," Robert said.

"Just a moment," Sage replied.

"I said turn it off!" Robert flung his arm out and knocked the light away. He then started saying, "You need to find her."

At that moment the nurses came in and Nick was pulling Sage away and creating a barrier between her and the patient. Sage managed to say, "Stop, it's okay."

"Parker," Nick said in a warning tone and looked at her.

Sage acknowledged it but gave a slight shake of her head. She said, "Don't restrain him. It was my fault. I should have noticed the sensitivity to light." She went to the doctor who had come in and asked, "Has he been screened for a concussion?"

"Scans came back negative," the doctor replied.

Sage looked at Robert who had calmed down the moment the nurses backed off. She then looked back at the doctor, "I think he might be suffering from post-concussive syndrome. The lack of focus when I questioned him and the sensitivity to light." She looked at Robert, "I think something happened before he got out of that car."

Nick was upset that Sage was put through that but he knew that when she wanted to keep going she did and the best he could do was to watch her back. He stood back after picking up her light and making sure any evidence hadn't been compromised. "Parker?"

"It's alright Stokes," Sage replied in a whisper. Louder she asked, "Doctor, can you have everyone clear the room or at least step back?"

The doctor thought she was crazy but Nick backed her up on this. Even he backed up slightly to give the impression that it was just her and Robert. "We're good," he whispered.

Sage made a slight movement as she looked at Robert. He had calmed down enough and his gown had shifted. She could make out bruising that was not consistent with jumping out of a moving vehicle. She then said, "Robbie, I'm not mad about the light. Now I need you to remember what you told me after you jumped out of the car."

Robert was focused this time and looked at Sage. It didn't matter that her partner was there. He could see that she wasn't mad at him. He relaxed and did as he was told. He could see the house, the sand and he could hear the gun. The shouts and Jordan jumping out. He looked at her and said, "He has her."

"Who?"

"Rachel."

A/N: Looks like Parker has an interesting case and one that may prove to be disturbing. Keep watching for more Desert Secrets...