Chapter Twenty Two
The Lamb is Jealous
She was angry that he had left when she had offered to let him stay with her.
It won't be any different this time…
Her demeanor was cold as she passed him in the hall that evening.
He had wanted to thank her for letting him sleep over but his hands were filled with evidence from a case Ecklie had forced him to come in and work.
It was the second bug case they'd had that month.
He'd just gotten to sleep when his phone had gone off.
Sara had not even budged but he'd managed to catch it on the first ring.
There was little time to waste since he had to complete the time line regression on the bugs which would take up most of the shift.
He was glad they were now able to go for more than twenty-four hours without having to join.
He had Catherine hand out assignments trying to finish his case.
He caught sight of Sara several hours later and called out to her.
"Sara."
She glanced at him briefly but then dismissed him to return to her lab report.
He walked up to her, pretending to be interested in the report as well.
"Sara, about…earlier…" he began.
"Don't expect the offer to stay next time," she spat.
If he were going to hurt her she certainly was going to strike first.
He stepped back letting her pass.
It angered him that she had played him for a fool, letting him think that she had warmed to their situation.
It hurt him but he quickly recovered, returning to his own case.
There would be time later to lick his wounds in private.
She kept to her desk, working on her case until the need for coffee arose.
She double checked to ensure Grissom was not in the break room before entering.
She grabbed her coffee mug and filled it full cursing under her breath at her predicament with Grissom.
Nick glanced up. "You too?"
"Me what?" she asked.
"You usually don't act this way unless you've tangled with Grissom. Hodges was just in here a minute ago whining about Grissom's wrath."
Sara took a sip of coffee not wanting to admit that it had been Grissom.
"If you ask me, Hodges should have put a rush job on Grissom's case. The man never goes off unless he's exhausted."
It was a true statement.
Grissom rarely lost his temper.
"I wish I had taken that course last year when they offered it so I could help Grissom."
"It's a bug case?" she asked.
Nick nodded. "Ecklie called him even though he's supposed to be trained to do time line regressions also. Grissom was pretty upset about it. He didn't get much sleep."
He left because he got called out?
I didn't hear the phone ring…
Nick looked up and frowned when he saw Sara sprinting out of the break room.
She searched for him for several minutes but then slowed when she heard his voice.
It was rather loud as he was confronted by Ecklie.
"Gil, the undersheriff is about to chew me to shreds. When are you going to give us a definitive time of death?"
"Conrad, I'm going as fast as I can."
"I shouldn't have to remind you that the victim was a close personal friend of the undersheriff's. He doesn't want the husband to walk on the charges."
"That's not up to me. I merely provide the evidence."
"We just need to make sure we get the guy…understand?"
"I'll let you make that call once the tests are done and I've given you my report."
Grissom stalked off to the layout room.
She slipped into the room noticing how tired he looked.
He glanced up and sighed.
"Sara…I can't leave this…right now."
"I'm not here…for that. Want some help?"
"No."
"I've been doing my own…research on time line regressions…textbook studying but…I could try," she offered.
He wiped his forehead with his sleeve.
He had no idea what kind of cruel game she was playing this time with his heart.
He'd not recovered from the last stab and now here she was offering help.
He was too wiped out to turn down help, even if it were coming from Sara.
He directed her a few times, pointing out certain cycles, clarifying things she was looking at.
He was pleased with her help.
Once they were done, he looked at the totality of the evidence.
"Ecklie is not going to like this," he muttered.
"Then let him redo it," she snorted.
"Thank you," he said softly as he gathered up his report.
He was surprised when her hand settled onto his arm.
"I didn't know you were called into work," she said.
"I tried not to wake you," he said softly.
"I did...when you left," she admitted.
"I'm sorry."
"Did you...want to stay?"
"Yes, " he replied but then his pager was going off and he grumbled.
"Ecklie."
"Talk later?" he asked.
She nodded.
Grissom grinned slightly but then headed down the hall to impart his report to Ecklie.
One glance and Ecklie threw it back at him.
"Recheck it," he demanded.
"I double checked every stage as I went. It's accurate," said Grissom.
"I don't care. Do it again."
"The report would read the same," replied Grissom.
Grissom refused to take the report from Ecklie, moving into the break room for a glass of water.
Ecklie pursued him.
"Gil, we can't afford to be sloppy on this," he gritted.
"I wasn't. If you question my methods, then do it yourself," said Grissom as he drank the water.
"Look, stop trying to rush out of here so you can go bang your employee and…"
Grissom hit him without blinking, his fist connected with Ecklie's nose.
He cursed out loud as Grissom picked up the report that had been dropped.
"I gave you the evidence. What you choose to do with it is your business."
Ecklie screamed obscenities at Grissom who walked out of the break room.
Grissom refused to look at anyone as he made his way to his office, closing the door in order to lean against it.
His legs felt like lead as he tried to make it to his couch.
Darkness overtook him as he felt himself falling.
"Have you seen Grissom?" asked Brass.
Sara looked up from her locker.
"He was going to give his report to Ecklie and then leave," stated Sara.
Nick and Brass glanced at her.
"His vehicle is still parked out back….we thought he might be in here…" Brass was interrupted by Hodges who ran into the locker room.
"Grissom punched Ecklie…gave him a bloody nose," announced Hodges.
Greg glanced at Sara as she scrambled out of the locker room.
She saw a flurry of people standing outside of Grissom's office.
She pushed her way through the crowd to find Doc hunched over Grissom.
"Give him some air!" bellowed Doc.
"Doc, what happened? What's wrong with him?" fretted Sara.
"I just got here. He's not responding," whispered Doc.
The team glared at Ecklie as he stepped out of the men's room still holding his nose.
"What? He hit me! I never laid a hand on him," he griped.
One of the techs yelled an ambulance had been called.
"Sara, he can't go to a hospital. We've got to get him conscious," Doc urged.
"Gil…Gil, you need to wake up," she urged.
He lay there lifeless.
Sara stifled a sob. "Doc…maybe we should let them…maybe…"
Her lips pressed against Grissom's forehead. "Griss…please. I need you to wake up."
His eyes opened but then closed.
"Grissom, now!" she said more forcefully.
He stared at her face.
"Someone called for an ambulance the medics are…"
Grissom struggled to get up.
Doc and Sara helped him to his couch.
He sat up while Doc checked his blood pressure.
"Grissom, you need to get that pressure under control or they are going to hall you away."
The medics walked in but Grissom held up his hand. "That's not necessary." He pointed to Doc. "He's my physician…I don't need your services."
"Sir, we're required…"
"Did you hear this man? I'm his physician…you are E.M.T.s…with no medical license."
The men stepped back. "Is there anything we can assist you with?"
"I appreciate you coming but I'm going to be fine," said Grissom.
The E.M.T.s stepped out of the office.
"The rest of you need to go about your business," yelled Doc.
The crowd slowly dispersed but the team remained huddled around the door.
"Sara, go reassure the guys…Catherine," whispered Doc.
She glanced at Grissom briefly and then left.
"What happened?" asked Doc.
"I felt tired…and then I just blacked out."
"Gil, you need to take some time off. Stay at home, in bed…and rest…nothing more….than you have to," he added.
He nodded but then admitted. "I…don't think I can…walk out of here."
"Warrick…Nick," called Doc.
They immediately came in.
"We need to get Grissom home," Doc ordered.
The men lifted Grissom, assisting him to the Denali, placing him in the back seat. Nick and Warrick jumped into the vehicle.
"We'll have you home in a few minutes," assured Warrick.
He leaned back grateful.
"Don't worry about the lab," said Nick. "We can handle things."
"Thanks Nick."
He was glad to stretch out in his own bed, murmuring his thanks as he dozed off immediately.
"You think that it's okay for us to leave him alone…like this?" whispered Nick.
Grissom's phone rang and Nick grabbed it.
"Grissom?"
"I'm sorry Ms…but Grissom is asleep. Could I take a message?" asked Nick.
"Who are you?" asked the female.
"I'm a friend. Listen, Grissom is sick. We brought him home and…"
There was a click on the other end.
Nick shrugged his shoulders. "Some female."
"I didn't think Grissom knew any females besides…the ones as work."
Nick smiled. "I bet there's a lot we don't know about Grissom."
"Well, we're off the clock. I don't mind hanging around for awhile just to make sure he's okay," said Warrick.
"Me too," added Nick.
The two men looked at one another. "You think he has food?" asked Nick.
"Better yet, what does he keep in his fridge?" asked Warrick.
The two men had almost finished their sandwiches when there was a knock on the door. Nick opened the door and stared at the dark haired woman.
"I'm here to see Grissom," stated Lady Heather.
Nick glanced back at Warrick.
Neither knew what to do.
Heather spoke up. "Grissom and I are friends. I called earlier and you stated he was brought home…he's sick."
"Yes ma' am he was but…"
She did not wait for him to finish but went straight to the bedroom.
"Ms. Kessler, wait!"
She opened the bedroom door and sat down on the bed.
She smiled when Grissom's eyes opened.
"I heard you were sick," she explained.
Her hand caressed his cheek.
He turned to look at Nick and Warrick who stood at the door.
"It's okay guys. She's a friend," he offered.
Nick and Warrick exchanged glances as they left the door cracked.
Minutes passed and yet Heather remained in Grissom's bedroom.
There was another knock and Warrick answered it this time.
"Uh Sara…shouldn't you be at home," said Warrick.
"I came…to check on Grissom. How is he?" she asked.
"He's sleeping," stated Nick. "I'll tell him you stopped by."
"I'm staying. Look guys, Grissom took care of me when I was sick…so I'm going to do the same," she stated. "Where is the bedroom?"
Warrick and Nick exchanged glances.
"Uhm…"
"Just point me in the right direction," she stated.
Sara turned and saw Heather heading to the kitchen.
She bristled.
"She came by to see Grissom," whispered Nick.
"I thought you said he was sleeping," replied Sara.
It was obvious that Sara was jealous.
Warrick looked nervous. "Sara…"
Heather glanced at them. "I was just going to fix some tea. Would anyone like some?"
Sara watched as Heather moved about the kitchen, familiar with the layout.
Sara swallowed. "How is Grissom?" she asked Heather.
"He's resting. I have some herbal tea I want to make him."
"I'm sure he'll like that."
"You must be Sara," stated Heather as she leaned on the counter.
"Yes."
"He said you would show up soon. He's quite tired, can't you wait?"
Sara had not come for that.
She wasn't sure how much Heather knew about their relationship.
"I just want to see him," stated Sara.
"I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that. He's sleeping and I won't allow him to be disturbed."
Her posture was in a territorial manner letting Sara know that she was the lady of the house.
The hair on the back of Sara's neck stood on end.
Sara started to reply but Nick's hand on her arm silenced her.
"Sara, maybe we should go…since Heather has everything under control."
She turned on her heels and left without another word.
Nick and Warrick stepped out onto the front steps and watched as Sara sped away.
"That was awkward," sighed Nick.
"Can you imagine how awkward it would have been for Grissom to wake up and find Heather on one side with Sara on the other?" chuckled Warrick.
"That is one problem I wouldn't mind having," stated Nick.
Sara threw her keys on the counter as she paced back and forth.
It had been hard watching Heather move about so freely in Grissom's home.
It was obvious she had been there before.
Sara slumped down in the chair, grabbing a pillow from the couch.
What did you expect, Sara?
He's been involved with Lady Heather for years…
Hours passed and she tried to ignore her body as she struggled against the urge.
You can fight this, Sara…
Just ignore it…
Grissom was not accustomed to having someone in his home.
He woke to find Heather sitting in a chair in his room.
It startled him at first but then he remembered talking with her just before he went to sleep.
He glanced at the clock suddenly concerned.
Where is Sara?
Already his body needed Sara. "Heather, thank you for coming but I'm fine."
"You're not supposed to be up."
"There's something I need to do. I need to see…someone…Sara."
"She was here earlier but I sent her away. Besides, I can provide you with anything you need."
"I need Sara."
I need Sara like I need air to breathe...
Where is she?
Note from author:
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