Sara Sidle looked at herself in the bathroom mirror as she finished her hair for court. Grissom was still asleep as she had to be up during the day but he had the night shift. After finishing her hair, she collected her rectangle necklace from the jewelry stand that was on the top of the dresser. A bigger one had been bought when she moved in so it had two sets of drawers instead of one and the closet had been split. A surprise from Grissom after she'd moved in had been a jewelry stand which her necklaces hung from. Her top dresser drawer had a jewelry box that her remaining necklaces laid in.

With her necklace on, Sara knelt down beside the bed and pulled her slip on dress shoes from under the bed. With them slipped on, Sara walked around the bed and bent down to kiss Grissom's head and rubbed her fingers through his hair before leaving the bedroom. Hank was on his bed by the kitchen counter and he stayed until Sara signaled him to move by snapping her fingers. She fed him and rubbed his head before collecting her purse and keys from the table by the door.

Getting to the courthouse, she found Sinclair speaking with Susan Lester's attorney. It didn't look like a positive conversation and Sara knew from observation that Sinclair was trying to walk away but the defense attorney kept trying to demand speaking to him. Sara made the decision to walk over and help the ADA. "Mr. Sinclair, can I speak with you for a moment?" Sara looked to the defense attorney. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Miss Sidle, what can I do for you?" Sinclair asked as the defense attorney walked away. Once out of earshot, he took a breath. "Thank you, Sara."

Sara nodded, "I saw you were five seconds from folding. What are they wanting?"

"They want her tried as a juvenile but the DA won't allow it, given the brutality of the crime." Sinclair shook his head. "Every day her attorney is in my office demanding she be tried as an juvenile. I thought given today, he'd get the hint but he's relentless."

Folding her arms, Sara glanced up to see the defense attorney speaking with Susan Lester and her father just a few feet away. "I didn't realize she was out on bail."

"The judge overruled us; said she wasn't a flight risk. We managed to convince her to order electronic monitoring."

"If she was tried as a juvenile, what are they willing to give?"

Sinclair huffed. "Full confession and guilty plea. We already have her confession on tape, so the not guilty plea she's put forth at arraignment is a stupid move on her attorney's point."

Sara reached up and rubbed her necklace. "This a slam dunk, why does he think she's not going to do anything but the minimum."

"The DA wants her tried as an adult but he's trying to be compassionate. Life with possibility of parole in 20 years. He's willing to agree to immediate release in 20 years, no contest to parole. It's the best we can give her because the law is the law."

"Despite the crime meeting first degree to the letter, could he lower it to second?" Sara inquired him, "her brain is still developing. She had the capability and the knowledge but the morality, did she understand? Maybe knocking it down will cause them to back off."

Sinclair looked over at the Lesters, "personally Sara, I agree with you but I have to follow what the DA wants. He just got elected and he's flexing his muscles."

"So, a child suffers?" Sara asked. "Yes, she's a killer but she's still a child."

"I think after the West case, he's wary of letting this one go." Sinclair shook his head. "Hannah West played us all Sara and despite a slam dunk with nothing to muddy the waters on this one, he's making demands."

Sara nodded. "Fair enough." She looked down at her watch. "Time to get in there."

It was the third day of trial and with Catherine giving her testimony the day before, Sara's testimony mainly consisted of evidence, interviews she did and her knowledge of how falls happened. Doc Robbins was unable to attend the day before due to a situation with David being out sick and the secondary coroner being at conference, so he was set to give his testimony before her. She listened at the defense attorney attempted to confuse the jury.

"Dr. Robbins, please answer the question." The defense attorney demanded.

"I'm trying but you're cutting me off every time I attempt to explain."

Sinclair stood up. "Judge, Mr. Tillman is preventing Dr. Robbins from answering the question. Every time he starts to answer, he's cut off."

The judge nodded. "Sustained. Mr. Tillman, you will let the witness answer the question in full before interrupting." He looked to Doc Robbins. "Go ahead Doctor."

"Becky Lester sustained several five lacerations to her head. She preceded to bleed out from these lacerations. Originally we didn't understand why there weren't fractures but the reason for this is due to the defendant not having the strength to do so."

Tillman nodded. "Okay Dr. Robbins, is it possible these occurred to falling down the stairs?"

"Lacerations can occur when falling down the stairs but you'd expect fractures or breaks on various limbs, especially the wrists as the victim attempts to brace the fall."

"Okay, let me ask you this. Can an intoxicated person be inebriated enough they wouldn't have the strength to create fractures when hitting a victim?"

Doc Robbins looked at the man. "It's certainly possible but not probable."

"Thank you, Dr. Robbins, that's all the questions I have." Tillman walked over to the table to sit beside Susan Lester.

The judge looked to the coroner. "Doctor, you're dismissed."

Robbins walked down from the box and moved to sit beside Sara, she smiled at him and he reached over to grip her hand for a second before pulling away. Sinclair stood up and looked at the judge.

"We now call to the stand Miss Sara Sidle."

The judge looked over as Sara stood. "Miss Sidle, please approach the stand to be sworn in."

Sara walked to the stand and raised her hand as she was asked if she'd tell the truth. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?"

"I do."

The judge nodded, "you may be seated."

As soon as Sara was on the stand, Sinclair looked at her. "Miss Sidle, you're a CSI for the Las Vegas Crime Lab, correct?"

"That's correct."

"What is your specialization?"

Sara looked straight at him. "I'm specialized in Material and Elemental Analysis, or Trace as we call it. I also specialize in physical analysis."

"Physical analysis. What is that?"

"Anything related to the field of physics. For example, in this case I performed quick calculations regarding a fall down a pair of stairs. I was able to conclude within a matter of minutes that Becky Lester didn't fall down the stairs because the physics didn't add up."

Sinclair nodded. "You have a degree in physics, correct?"

"Yes, I have a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a M.S. in Forensic Science."

The ADA nodded. "So, you have a history of performing these quick analyses? No need for paper or pen or even a calculator?"

"That's correct."

"Then how are you able to justify your calculations for court evidence?" Sinclair asked as he approached the stand.

Sara looked to him. "I may make the quick calculations but for my reports, I do the math manually and also create a computer model as a secondary source."

"So, you can't be accused of making false calculations?"

"No."

Sinclair walked over to the table. "Okay, I have evidence number 34 to present to the jury." He pulled a paper from a folder and held it up. "Calculations like these?" He showed the paper to the jury slowly as he walked by the jury box. "Complex physics calculation. Now personally, I'd never be able to do this even with pencil and a calculator." Sinclair looked at the paper. "This can only mean you are the real deal. A CSI who at the scene looked at the way Becky Lester laid on the stairs and knew from math that she didn't fall."

Sara nodded. "That's correct."

Through various questions regarding her interviews and evidence collection, Sara stayed on the stand. She knew it was going on two hours when the judge called a two hour recess for lunch. However, it meant after lunch she'd be back on the stand being questioned on the defense.

Sitting outside for her two hours, Sara ate her small salad that the courthouse cafeteria sold and thought about the evidence. Going over everything in her head, she was reassured her answers were correct. From the way the defense attorney was going at various witnesses, she knew he could pull anything out of his pocket so she made sure to prepare herself for any curveballs that could be pitched her way. A check of her phone told her that Grissom was still asleep and she was thankful for that, one of them needed sleep. He was going on day three of his psychic murder and she knew that evening it would probably be closed. She'd already reprimanded Greg about how he lied to Grissom and the youngest CSI had been cowed more effectively than he had when Grissom had warned him.

"Sara." She looked up to see Sinclair. "You ready for cross?"

Sara stood up and reached over to throw away her salad container. "As much as possible. I've been going through everything in my head and I'm sure of my answers. My only concern is if Tillman goes outside of scope."

"He's trying to pin it on the husband, which is useless. I'm surprised that the father is going along with it."

"He wants to protect is daughter." Sara stated as they walked into the courthouse. "I can't fault him for that."

Returning to the stand after being sworn in again, Sara watched as Tillman walked over to her. "Miss Sidle, clearly you're an intelligent woman so tell me, do you really believe a child could perform the brutality present?"

"I believe anyone is capable of murder, child or adult."

"I figured that." He turned and walked over to the table to pick up a folder. "You'd do anything to protect a father wouldn't you? Even throwing a child in jail to serve your own moral compass, correct?"

Sara narrowed her eyes. "I don't understand the question."

"Let me put it this way," he looked up at her. "Your father was murdered, wasn't he? And you witnessed it when you were twelve." Sara swallowed hard. "So, because you couldn't save your father, you'd throwing a child under the bus to save another father."

"Objection." Sinclair stood up. "The defense has no right to dig through Miss Sidle's history."

"I didn't have to dig your honor." Tillman looked at the judge. "It was in the newspapers." He held up a photocopy of a newspaper article, "right here in the San Francisco Chronicle." He motioned to Sara. "It's probative, if you will your honor."

The judge nodded. "Overruled, you may continue but tread carefully counselor."

"So, Miss Sidle. Yes or no, you'd throw a child under the bus to save a father when you couldn't save yours?"

"No." Sara told him after swallowing hard.

Tillman nodded. "Okay, let me ask you this question. You related to Mrs. Lester when it was found she was having an affair with her boss, didn't you? Since you're having an inappropriate relationship with your own boss."

"That's false."

"So you aren't having an inappropriate relationship with your boss?" He walked towards the stand. "Remember you're under oath."

Sara looked straight at the jury and avoided Tillman. "My relationship is neither inappropriate nor related to this case." She looked to Tillman finally. "You can ask my director and supervisor and they will only say that my boyfriend and I work together. As for relating to Mrs. Lester, the only relation I have with her is being a woman living in this city. Susan Lester killed her stepmother according to the evidence and no amount of muddying the waters with my personal information will change that."

Tillman opened his mouth to ask a question and Sinclair stood up. "Objection, your honor he has asked Miss Sidle questions that have no relation to the case. He'd waved her personal information without care of how it affects her. I'd like these questions stopped immediately."

The judge leaned over a fraction. "Counselor that's enough. Miss Sidle, you're dismissed with my deepest apologies."

Sara nodded and walked to her seat, as she sat down Doc Robbins reached over and grasped her hand. She whispered 'thank you' to him and he nodded.

Court being dismissed for the day was everything Sara needed because she just wanted to get home. She put her purse and keys down by the door as she entered the townhouse, rubbing Hank as she was greeted at the door. Heading towards the bedroom, she found Grissom still asleep and smiled from the doorframe. Walking to her side of the bed, she slipped off her shoes and pushed them under the bed before turning to hang up her necklace. Pulling clothes from the dresser, Sara headed to the bathroom preparing to take a shower.

She leaned her head back in the shower, allowing the hot water to run down her back and body to wash away the day. With her eyes closed under the spray Sara reached up to run fingers through her hair. It would curl but she was okay with it, wanting nothing more than to curl up under the covers and sleep. Turning to grab her shampoo, she heard the shower door open and felt hands settled on her waist as the door closed.

Leaning back, Sara closed her eyes as lips were placed on her shoulder. "I didn't wake you, did I?" She asked turning to see Grissom with sleep in his eyes.

"No." He brushed back a wet strand of hair that rested on her forehead. "Turn around, I'll wash your hair for you."

Sara turned and after squeezing shampoo into his hand, let him work on washing her hair. The brunette sighed, "Tillman dug into my past. He found the newspaper article regarding my father's murder. Accused me of pointing the finger at Susan to save Ray Lester since I couldn't save my own father."

"Did Sinclair step in?"

"Yes, but not soon enough. I was then accused of relating to Becky Lester because I too was having an inappropriate relationship with my boss. Eventually the judge stopped it all and said the I had the court's apologies."

Grissom touched her shoulder. "Turn." Sara turned and leaned her head back, running her fingers through her hair as she rinsed it. "Was any of the team there?"

Once her hair was completely rinsed, Sara ran her fingers across her eyes and looked at him. "Just Doc Robbins. He won't say anything."

"I can stay home with you tonight."

"No." Sara took a half step and put a hand against his neck and cheek before leaning in towards him to kiss him. Once their lips met, she felt his arm around her waist pull her closer. Pulling back, she smiled as her nose rubbed his. "I'm just going to relax and nap so I'm ready for shift tomorrow night."

"Alright." He cupped her cheek and pulled it down a fraction to kiss her forehead.

Sitting in bed watching Forensic Files, a bowl of cold corn soup in her hands, Sara was relaxed. Hank lay beside her as one leg was extended and the other bent underneath it. Grissom walked in ready for work and grabbed his phone and badge from the beside table.

"You make it hard to leave."

Sara looked over at him. "What do you mean?" She asked as she ate a spoonful of soup.

"I could stand by this bed watching you all night." He walked around the bed and leaned over, grasping her chin as he kissed her.

The brunette chuckled and shook her head. "Go to work. I'll be here when you get home."

"I'd hope so, you live here."

Sara pointed to the door. "Go." He left while she laughed softly.

The fact that Sara's history was kept so far under wraps especially given the defense lawyers she would be questioned by, I found it kind of surprising. I wanted to explore how this could play out in Sara's life. In court and in lab to come.