Choices - Chapter 1
Title: Choices - Chapter 1
Author: Sydne
Rating: CSI II
Summary: Grissom makes a tough decision and Catherine faces the consequences of it.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to CBS, et. al. No profit is being made.
Chapter 1
There comes a time in every man’s life when he has to make a choice. Sometimes the choice is easy to make and sometimes it’s hard. On this day Gil Grissom is going to have to make one of the most difficult choices he ever has to make.
The shift starts as usual. There is nothing to signify that this would be one of the hardest days of his life. He walks into the break room with assignment folders in his hands. Catherine is leaning against the sink, drinking a cup of coffee. Sara and Nick are arguing the merits of a specific restaurant.
“Are you guys ready to quit fooling around and get your assignments?’ His voice rings out to the group.
Catherine dumps her remaining coffee in the sink and takes a seat. Nick and Sara quit their banter and drop into the nearest chairs.
“Warrick won’t be in tonight. He had to take some personal time. This means things are a bit tight. Catherine, Sara, you have a B and E out in
“Nick. You get a DB at the Tangiers.”
“Hey! Why does he get the good case?” Sara exclaims.
“Because there is less damage at the Tangiers. The scene in
Sara lets out an exasperated sigh and gets up and leaves the room. After shooting her departing partner’s back an irritated glance, Catherine gives everyone an apologetic smile and then follows Sara out the door.
“Nick, if you think you’re going to need help take Greg.”
“Ok, boss,” the young man answers as he departs.
Standing up Grissom stretches and leaves the break room. He goes back to his office and settles down behind the desk. Looking at the stack of paperwork laying on it, he draws in a deep breath and lets it out in a sigh. “I hate paperwork,” he mutters. He grabs the first file on the top of the pile and begins reading.
Two hours later finds Grissom still reading and signing papers. The ringing of the phone breaks his concentration. Drawing in a deep breath, he reaches over he picks up the handset.
“Grissom,” he barks into the phone.
“Griss, its Brass. You need to get out to
Upon hearing the words, Grissom’s mouth goes dry, “Sara, Catherine?” he asks.
“Yes. Hurry up, damn it,’ Brass says hanging up his phone.
Standing up, Grissom rushes from his office. He runs to his Tahoe and immediately opens up the back. He puts on his vest and pulls his gun out of its lock box. He straps it on his hip. He hates wearing his gun, but in this instance, he feels it may be a required piece of equipment. Closing the rear door of the SUV he walks around to the front and gets in. He takes a moment to remember the conversations of this morning. Mentally he kicks himself for sending Sara and Catherine into that situation, but there was no way he could have predicted this turn of events. Starting the vehicle he reaches over and turns on the emergency lights. He puts the vehicle in drive and heads towards
When Grissom arrives at the scene he can immediately tell the police have evacuated the neighboring homes. Parking the SUV just out side of the barricades, he begins to search for Brass. He finally finds Brass standing beside one of the unmarked cars. Grissom walks over to him and places his hand on Brass’ shoulder.
“Talk to me, Jim,” he says roughly as Brass turns towards him.
“The house had been cleared by officers as per normal procedure. Catherine and Sara went in and began working. Our perp suddenly dropped down from a hidden compartment in the ceiling. He’s now holding Catherine and Sara as hostages.”
Looking thoughtfully at the older man, Grissom questions, “What does he want to get them out of there?”
“He hasn’t made any demands yet. Gil, you know that the
“I know Jim. I just feel responsible for sending Catherine and Sara into this mess.”
“Don’t. You were doing your job, just as they were doing theirs.”
“Yeah, but why doesn’t that make me feel any better?”
A silence falls between the men as they stare at the house. Each lost in their private thoughts.
Brass’ thoughts on how he’s going to get them out.
Grissom thinking of the guilt he feels for putting them in there in the first place.
TBC…