Stalker, Adult, CSI, (Greg/Sara) 2/11, 11/7/06

[Ravenheart]

Title: Stalker
Author: Marleena
Summary: Sara is stalked and is ordered to move in with Greg for safety.
Rating: NC-17
Category: Romance



Chapter one



Sara stared at the note in disbelief. It was the fifth letter this week and the first one sent to her work. They were all the same, typed and unsigned. They all said the same thing: “I’m watching you.”

She had thought of telling Grissom or even Brass, but she believed she could handle it. They were only letters after all. Nothing further had happened.

Still, she was worried and growing more fearful with each letter.

He’s not going to keep sending notes, she thought. He’s going to try something soon.

Sara sighed and folded the note. She put it in her jeans’ pocket and focused on the case.

A teenage girl had been found murdered in her own bedroom. She had been strangled with a telephone cord. The killer had worn gloves, which meant no prints or DNA. Greg had found a print on a music box and they had taken plenty of pictures.

She looked at those photos now, hoping something would catch her attention. They were at a dead end and she was frustrated. The father had an air tight alibi as did the mother. They were both out when the murder had taken place.

“How’s it going?” Greg asked from the doorway.

She looked up from the pictures and offered him a slight smile. For some strange reason she wanted to tell him about the notes. He would offer her comfort and want to tell Brass. Of course, since nothing threatening had happened they could do nothing.

She sighed, “Slow. Maybe you can see something.”

Greg smiled and strode over to her. He sat beside her and looked over the crime scene photos. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, taking him in.

It was strange, the moment he arrived and sat beside her, she became calm. It amazed her how his nearness comforted her. She almost laughed if she wasn’t so confused.

“Here,” Greg said, bringing her out of her thoughts. “This is out of place.”

Sara looked at the picture he pointed to. She narrowed her eyes then they widened. It was such a slight thing she hadn’t seen it before.

“Of course,” she said as she looked at Greg. “I didn’t notice it.”

Greg shrugged and smiled slightly at her. It was a shy smile, making him even more attractive.

“You would have seen it eventually.”

Sara shook her head and picked up the photo. She smiled again before leaving the room. The note was completely forgotten as a break in the case took over.

Greg watched her go, glad he was able to help. He sighed and glanced at the remaining pictures. His thoughts weren’t on them, though.

He had thought over time his crush on Sara would have faded. More than once she had shown she wasn’t interested in him. She had stayed his friend, even mentoring him toward being a CSI.

It was during that time, he realized his crush had become something more. He kept it to himself, though, not wanting to ruin the close friendship they shared. Sometimes, he dreamed of going beyond their friendship.

Greg sighed and gathered up the pictures. He wasn’t going to get much work done like this.

Might as well check on that print, he thought as he placed the photos in a folder.

He left the evidence room and headed toward the print lab.

“How’s it coming?” Greg asked as he stepped into the lab.

“I just started on your print,” she said with a smile.

“Then it shouldn’t take long at all,” he said as he leaned against the wall, his arms folded.

Jacqui spun around and stared at the computer screen. After several minutes, Greg began to tape his foot. She shook her head and handed him the results. She smiled at him as he raised an eyebrow.

“I wanted to see you squirm,” she remarked. “I had this done thirty minutes ago.”

“Thanks,” Greg said, taking the results. He looked at them and smiled.

“Sara’s going to love this,” he said as he left the room.

Greg found her coming out of Grissom’s office. He called her name and she turned around.

“I have the results of the print I found.”

Sara’s eyebrows rose as he came up to her. He smiled at her expression.

“Belongs to the mother. Lucky for us the school fingerprints the teachers as well.”

She smiled, actually beamed at him. His heart skipped a beat and he nearly forgot to breathe.

“Let’s get Brass,” she said, excited.

“After you.”


~*~


Greg and Sara arrived at the high school and met Brass on the steps to the school. He nodded to them as they climbed the steps.

“I called ahead and told them what’s up,” he said as he led them inside. “She’s waiting in the principal’s office.”

“Is she sticking with her alibi?” Greg asked as they walked down the hall.

“She’s not saying anything.”

The three entered the office and saw their suspect sitting in a chair against the wall. She stared ahead as if she hadn’t heard them enter.

“Mrs. Conner?” Brass asked, standing in front of her.

She didn’t look at him and Brass tried again.

“We have evidence that you might have been in your daughter’s room when she was murdered.”

“You moved the music box, didn’t you?” Sara asked, stepping closer.

Mrs. Conner stared at her then, a glint in her eyes. Sara shivered and subconsciously stepped closer to Greg.

“How did you know?”

“Dust,” Greg answered as Sara reclaimed her composure.

She never understood how a parent could kill their children. She had seen it enough times, but it still surprised her.

“Her desk was covered in dust, except for an area that told us something went there. It took me awhile to realize that her music box went there instead of where it was found. You placed it there, because it had fallen in the struggle.”

Mrs. Conner looked away, not saying anything.

“She never cleaned her room,” she said finally. “I don’t know how many times I’ve told her.”

Sara stared at Greg, who shrugged. Clearly, he didn’t understand it either.

“Let’s go,” Brass said as he helped Mrs. Conner stand.

“Lunch?” Greg asked as they made their way out.

Sara smiled. Only Greg could think of eating after such a case. Maybe it was his way of coping.

It couldn’t hurt, she thought as they climbed into the SUV.

“Where?” Sara asked as she started the car.

“Hard Rock?”

Sara shook her head and headed in the direction. She didn’t notice the car that pulled out of the parking lot and followed them.

TBC

[Island Breeze]

Okay, that last line sounded ominous! Great start!

[Ravenheart]

Chapter Two





Greg and Sara took a booth up against the wall and gave the waitress their drink order.

“I wanted to thank you for catching the music box,” Sara said as she scanned the menu.

Greg looked at her in surprise. It was a rarity when she thanked anyone, let alone for helping in a case. He didn’t know what to say.

“You’re welcome,” he said softly.

They gave their orders and he glanced at her over the rim of his glass. She looked over her shoulder twice since they had ordered. He wondered if she was waiting for someone.

“Is there someone else coming?” Greg asked, startling her.

She stared at him in surprise then it vanished. She smiled slightly and took a sip of her drink. He knew she was stalling, trying to think of something to tell him.

“I’m not expecting anyone,” Sara said as she set her glass down.

“Then why do you keep looking over your shoulder?”

Their meals arrived saving Sara from having to answer. She dug into her meal and he raised an eyebrow at her.

Yep, stalling, he thought as he ate his own meal.

“Well?” Greg asked when she swallowed.

She stared at him and he sighed. Obviously she didn’t want to tell him. If that was the case then he wouldn’t get it out of her anytime soon. It irritated him, but he wasn’t one to pry. He had a secret of his own.

“It’s nothing,” Sara said. “Don’t worry about it.”

Greg shrugged and continued eating. After awhile the silence grew uncomfortable. He looked at her as he contemplated on what to say to her. He let his gaze roam over her face and down her arms. He forgot where he was for the moment as thoughts filled with images of her. Images a friend shouldn’t have.

“Greg, you’re staring,” Sara’s voice brought him out of his thoughts.

He blinked and stared at her in surprise.

“What?”

Sara shook her head, smiling.

“You were miles away, Greg. Something on your mind?”

Greg cleared his throat and hoped he didn’t blush.

“Just trying to find a way to start a conversation.”

“By staring at me?” Sara laughed, sending flames of desire coursing through him. He loved her laugh and would do anything to hear it.

“You could talk about the case,” she suggested.

Greg smiled, shaking his head.

“Anything, but shop. I think we deserve it.”

Sara nodded in agreement. She sighed as she pushed the food around on her plate. Something was on her mind as well, but he doubted it was him.

“What’s wrong?” Greg asked softly.

“The case,” she answered, pushing her plate away. “I can’t believe she would kill her daughter like that.”

Greg nodded. He couldn’t believe it either. It made him ill to think there were people like that out in the world. Not dwelling on it was the only way he could cope. Not to mention thinking of Sara.

“Will you be okay?” He asked.

“Sure,” Sara said, smiling. “I should learn not to let these things get to me.”

“Then you wouldn’t be Sara.”

She laughed and shook her head.

“You sure know how to cheer a girl up.”

“I try.”


~*~


Sara was exhausted when she arrived home at five in the morning. She took off her jacket and dropped it on the sofa. She went over to her phone and looked at the answering machine. There was only one message and she hit “play.”

“Sara Sidle,” the voice was low, a deep whisper. It was definitely male. It sent shivers up her spine.

“I’m watching you, Sara. You’ll be mine soon.”

Her knees gave out and she sank to the floor. She put her head in her hands as the shivers racked her body.

How could this be happening to her? Who would do this and why?

She thought she could ignore it, but he wasn’t going away. He went from notes to calling her. She had to tell someone and stop him before it became worse.

She picked up her phone and dialed Brass’s number. She listened to it ring as she paced back and forth, her heart racing.

How does this guy know my phone number? Sara thought as the phone on the other end was picked up.

She took a breath to say something when she realized the answering machine had picked up. She closed her eyes as the exhaustion of the day came slamming back down. She hung up the phone and ran a hand through her hair.

No sense bothering him. He’s probably on a case, she thought as she sighed.

Sara stood and went into the bathroom. She turned on the water and splashed some on her face. She stared into the mirror, surprise at what she saw. Her eyes were red and swollen, evidence she had been crying. She shook her head and started the shower. A warm shower should calm her nerves.

I’ll feel better afterwards, she thought as she undressed and stepped into the shower.

Several minutes later, Sara climbed into bed, more exhausted than before. She was asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

TBC

[Island Breeze]

Why do I think something is going to happen!? This would have been good Halloween stuff!