Just What I Needed
Chapter 5
I don't own CSI but I do love to play with them! It's the sincerest form of flattery!
So sorry for the delay … sometimes real life has to come first. But on with the story! I hope you enjoy.
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He sat in the darkest corner at a table, chain smoking Marlboro Reds and pounding back the red wine.
Tony Faisano was the little brother from hell. Steph had always referred to him as "Devil's Spawn" or "Rosemary's Baby" because of his mean streak and criminal tendencies. She was five years older than he; taller, smarter, wittier, and just generally much more likeable. He hated her. With a passion!
Their parents had always favored Steph. Heck, who wouldn't? But it never sat well with him that she always got the lion's share of attention, love, and money. Especially the money.
When their father died, the only substantial item left to him was Leone's Restaurant. It was enough to keep him comfortable for the rest of his life but not enough to give him the life he desperately wanted. The one Stephanie was living.
But there was one card left to be played. The truth. If he could just find where his old man kept the proof, he would finally be able to one-up his arrogant, condescending sister and earn the inheritance he felt had been denied to him.
Payback time was approaching and it was going to feel great!
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The night was still young when dinner was done. It was hard to get on a "normal" schedule after working the night shift for so long. So even though they had gotten up quite early, neither was particularly tired.
They returned to the room, whispering and sharing private jokes.
Grissom grabbed Sara around the waist and began to waltz her around the spacious room.
"Gilbert," she laughed, "I didn't know you could dance!"
"I am the only son of a single mother," he answered, "There is much about me that you may not know!"
He swung her around and, reaching an arm under her, dipped her to almost touch the floor.
As she leaned back, her eye caught the story running on the tv that she had turned on out of habit. The cameras were trained on what appeared to be the antique store they had visited. The red and blue lights were mesmerizing.
"Gil," she said, as she righted herself, "Isn't that the Tanners' shop?"
"Yes," he answered, a little concerned for the well-being of the nice lady who had been so kind to them.
Sara grabbed the remote control and raised the volume to hear what had happened.
"Police are investigating this violent attack and vow to not rest until this is solved. Meanwhile, people in the community are heartbroken. The couple had been doing business at this location for over 10 years and were well-respected within the community. They will be missed. Now back to you Terri."
Sara sat down on the bed, as if the wind had been knocked out of her. She had liked Lisa immediately and felt sickened to know she had met a violent end. Hell, she saw people on their worst day each and every day, but it was harder when it was someone you knew.
"Grissom," she said softly, "Can it be true?"
"It seems that way," he answered her, "Its hard to fathom. They seemed to be nice people."
He sat beside her and brushed away the tear that had run down her cheek. He was always amazed at how she could quickly develop empathy with people.
"We'll go by the police station tomorrow and see if we can be of any help to the investigation, but for now, I think we should turn in."
"Will you read to me Gil?" she asked.
"Of course," he answered gently, "Shakespeare?"
"Yes please."
As they prepared for bed, he watched her take off her clothing and change into her nightgown. She usually wore sweats to bed, but had packed for a weekend of romance. The teddy he had bought for her clung to her curves like it was made for her. He loved her. He loved everything about her.
She snuggled in to the oversized bed next to him after she had brushed her teeth and hair. She smelled like lavender – one of his favorite scents. He put an arm around her and did his best to make the sadness leave.
"I'm beginning to understand how short life can be Sara," he said gently, "And I don't want to miss another minute with you."
She looked up at him and smiled softly.
"Sara," he continued, "I know this is perhaps not the right time, but I'm more sure now than I have ever been. I want you to move in with me."
"Gil," she stuttered, "I'm…just…its…"
"I know," he reassured her, "You are not ready to get married yet, and I understand, but let's do this and we can try it out. Believe me, once you see how good our life will be together, you will be just as ready as I am."
"I love you Gil," she said quietly, "Please read to me. We can talk more tomorrow."
And he began to read her favorite, from the top, Romeo and Juliet, as she drifted off into a troubled sleep.
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The dreams followed her all night.
The sound of yelling coming from the kitchen downstairs and of her mother being hit and then hitting her father.
"I hate you!" she heard from the room next door to hers. Even with the radio on and the pillow over her head, she could still clearly understand what was being said.
"I am NOT drunk!" her mother's voice rang out.
"You are an alcoholic and you are a lousy wife and horrible mother!" yelled her father.
"Screw you!" her mother yelled back.
Then silence.
The silence of the dead rang in her ears. She couldn't feel anything.
She shot up in bed, sweat dripping from her brow.
"It's ok dear," the man beside her said, "It's a dream again."
She hated when he saw her like this. He valued her for her strength and her brain, and these nightmares made her feel weak and vulnerable.
"I'm ok," she answered, snuggling back in beside him, "I just wish these dreams would leave me alone."
He ran his hands down her brown curls. "No one is going to hurt you Sara," he promised in a soothing voice, "You are safe here with me."
She knew it was a promise he could not keep, but it sounded good to her. Especially this evening, it sounded really good.
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"Good," Tony said into his cellular phone, "Make sure it gets to me as soon as possible."
The voice on the other end asked a question.
"If it's there, you get the bonus, if not then the 20K is all."
He clicked the phone closed.
"Don't fuck with a Faisano!" he said angrily at the phone.
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Catherine was sitting in Jim Brass's office, updating him on the last case. One of the big casinos on the Strip had been robbed of $500,000.
Catherine explained that they had caught the thief by tracing the marked bills. One had turned up at the daycare center that the child of the thief went to.
"No one ever said criminals were smart," Brass said, sipping the last of his third coffee of the morning.
"You know, I'm afraid they might be getting smarter," Catherine answered, "I worry that we won't have the ability to keep up with everything as much as the crime rate is going up."
Jim looked down as his phone began to buzz.
"Hey, I gotta take this," he said, excusing himself and politely indicating that Catherine should leave his office.
"Sure Brass," she answered, "I'll catch up with you before the end of shift."
"Thanks kiddo."
He closed the glass door behind her and clicked the phone open.
"Hey Grissom, what's up?" he chuckled to himself at the double entendre. He knew full well what Grissom and his "friend" were up to and he was, to say the least, happy that his two favorite CSI's had finally come to terms with their feelings for each other.
"Jim," Grissom began, choosing to ignore the joke, "There was a double homicide here last night and I need to get some information."
"Fine thanks and you?" Brass said, half joking, half wanting to help his friend understand that he needed to develop more social skills.
"I'm sorry Jim," he answered, "We are doing fine here, but some people we met were murdered last night and I guess we are both just a little unnerved."
"Sorry to hear that, Gil," he said, changing to a much more sympathetic tone, "Is Sara ok?"
"She's fine," Grissom answered, "Sad, but fine."
"OK let me see what I can dig up and I'll call you back in about an hour."
"Sound good. Thanks again Jim."
He clicked the phone off and looked at his sleeping beauty. She had trouble sleeping most of the night and finally dozed off at around 2. She needed some sleep.
He had a feeling it was going to be a long day.
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A/N Can forensics save the day? And what is Tony up to? We'll just have to see about that!