Title: Personal Attachments

Author: Bj Jones

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Drama

Disclaimer: I dont own the characters from CSI, they belong to CBS and Bruckheimer - lucky guy he also owns Jack Sparrow. Im just borrowing them for a moment, will return them to the lab in a few short hours.

Summary: A serial rapist is attacking college students. An FBI profiler is called in, but what is her connection to Gil Grissom.

Authors Note: My first serious CSI fic. I'm working hard on the technical side along with the personal side of the characters.

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Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from CSI, they belong to CBS and Bruckheimer - lucky guy he also owns Jack Sparrow. I'm not making any money, just borrowing them for a moment, will return them to the lab in a few short hours.

Beta: Thank You Calypso I can't thank you enough

Timeline: Up to beginning of season four

~*~

~University Nevada - Las Vegas~

The first thing Gil Grissom noticed as he stepped out of the Tahoe, was the night air; it was still, no sounds, no movements, not even a small breeze, just the settling of dread in the pit of his stomach. As he took a deep breath he closed the passenger door; getting his focus. Looking around the surrounding area he observed every detail before heading to the back of the Tahoe to grab his gear.

He glanced towards Sara, who was grabbing her own gear. The two had been distant since the 'the incident', or what the DUI had been dubbed around the lab. He had always had a good working relationship with Sara, and didn't understand what had caused her to distance herself away from him. He figured it had something to do with him turning down her dinner invitation. He had thought he had made it clear he only saw her as a friend and colleague, but now sees he wasn't clear enough. Since he felt guilty for hurting her, he kept his distance, failing to see her burning out. The phone call was a shock to the system, but if he was honest with himself, he had seen the signs but ignored it. Lately he had been working more cases with her, to try to get that old chemistry back, but he wasn't sure if it was working. He turned to ask her how her day was, when Brass walked up to the two CSI's, interrupting his train of thought.

"The victim's name is Amy Neal, twenty-two year old student, an English major," Brass gave them a quick update as they walked towards the crime scene. "Campus security found her."

"A little late," Sara stated, as they walked up to the crime scene. David, the coroner, glanced their way, but continued examining the body.

"I would say she was raped first then had her throat slit. The wound goes from the right to the left, indicating her attacker was facing her." He explained using his pen to show the movement of the knife." There is a large amount of blood on the front, the wounds deep; she probably bled out in less than a minute. I'll give you a full detail once I get the body back to the morgue."

Grissom looked over the body, his eyes searching for any type of clue, while Sara pulled out her penlight searching the surrounding area; a black strap caught her eye a few feet away from the body. She walked over, squatting down next to it. "Looks like we've got a camera," Sara said as she looked back over at Grissom, who was staying at the body. There was no indication that he had heard her.

Grissom blinked, and then gave a quick shake to his head. "I'm sorry, Sara, you were saying?" He looked over to her, an apologetic look on his face.

She held up the camera by its strap, "do you think she got any pictures of her assailant?"

Grissom eyed the swinging camera, "get it to Nick see what he can pull off the negative."

Grissom turned back towards Brass. "Can we find out who the last person out of the photo lab was?"

"Right on it," Brass grabbed a few uniforms and headed inside the building.

Grissom watched as they zipped up the bag over Amy Neal's face. "She's the third victim this month."

"Serial rapist?" Sara paused while taking pictures of the surrounding area.

"Same MO, college student, red hair, throat slit, left nude on campus. We won't know for sure till Greg runs the tests and see if we come up with any similarities."

~Crime Lab~

Grissom was heading back to his office, when he heard Nick call out to him. Grissom stopped and turned to wait for Nick to catch up to him. Grissom watched the young CSI, remembering back to when he first arrived in Vegas. He had come a long way from that green CSI level one.

Nick smiled, "Grissom, I've got an update on the Cushing case," Nick handed Grissom the file folder he was carrying and then waited for his reaction.

"Same weapon?" Grissom looked up at Nick.

Nick nodded, his smile turning series; "I talked to Doc Robbins. He discovered while examining the latest victim a pattern on the left hand side of the neck. Following a hunch he pulled up the autopsy reports on the other two victims, both had the same pattern. He had written it down, but didn't take notice until now."

Grissom eyes narrowed, it proved their suspicion "Looks like we have a serial rapist on our hands. Grab the rest of the team, and meet me in the break room." Nick nodded as he headed down the hall.

Grissom set the files down on the table, and then walked over to the coffee pot to get a cup of coffee. He set the cup down on the table and slumped into the chair, pulled his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. The team walked in taking their seats around the table, waiting for Grissom to begin.

"These cases have moved to top priority. We have a serial rapist on our hands, and we need to stop him as soon as possible." Grissom looked at his team, each with their own weakness and strengths. He had come to rely on them these past five years, their skills and insights. "We have to focus on the evidence, let it tell us the story. Once the press gets a hold of the story, there will be a lot of pressure from the community, higher ups, and the victim's family to solve the case. The main key is to stay focused or we could let something slip. If we rush, we make mistakes."

He looked at the faces of his team, he knew they were good at their jobs, professionals, well trained, but he could see the under lining emotion in their faces, some not so deep. Nick and Sara were his two most emotional CSI's. Nick feels for the families of the victims, sympathizing with them, making himself available to them. His main weakness was crimes against children, at least on this case he will be less likely to get attached to the case, while Sara had always associated herself to the victims, specifically crime against women. He knew this case, would be especially hard on her. He looked towards Catherine, his second in command. Her resolve was set, he knew she could handle Nick if need be, but he was more worried about Sara. He could tell she was already getting agitated with the case, just sitting for a meeting made her antsy. He could always count on Warrick to handle himself as a professional, also to keep Sara on her toes and keep her busy enough to not think about the situation. He grinned slightly; they were a truly balanced team.

"Grissom?" Nick's voice broke through his thoughts.

Grissom looked over at him, "What do we have so far?"

"Greg is now comparing fibers that were found on your latest victim Amy Neal and also the second victim Tanya Cushing." Nick informed him.

"Let me know what he finds. Have you had a chance to look at the camera?" Grissom asked.

Nick shook his head no, "not yet, I'll get on it right away, and let you know what I find."

"Prelim on Neal shows that like the other two cases, no semen was present." Catherine added to the conversation.

"He's either using a condom, or getting off after the fact." Warrick's forehead was knit in concentration. "It will make it more difficult to link him between all three cases."

Grissom shook his head, "serial killers will have one common element in each of their slayings, for our guy, it's the knife."

"We find the knife, we find him." Sara stated.

"I doubt that we will find the knife until we find him." Nick spoke his thoughts out loud.

"Well we don't have much else to work with," Sara's voice was becoming agitated. "Three women are dead and we have nothing."

"Not true, we know the knife is the common element. We know he at least knows enough information about forensics, by the lack of evidence. No semen, no fingerprints, no hairs, nothing. He takes their clothes, leaving no trace of him behind. Look at the evidence, read it." Grissom tapped the folders making his point, "now everyone back to work." Grissom stood up pulling together his notes and files.

Warrick and Catherine headed towards the Morgue to talk to Doc Robbins. As Grissom followed them out, Sara stopped him.

"How can you not be fazed by all of this?" Sara asked. She never understood how Grissom could stay un-emotional, so unattached. "Three women are dead, and there will probably be others if we can't catch him."

Grissom paused, masking the strong emotions that lay underneath. Emotions he had been fighting all evening. This case was hitting close to home, dredging up old memories. Ones he preferred stayed in the recesses of his mind. "Getting emotional will not solve the case any quicker, we have to keep a calm and rational mind. Look at the evidence, follow the leads. That is all we can do."

"Is being emotional a weakness to you?" Sara pushed him, to see what lay underneath the cool exterior. All she wanted was for him to show some emotion, if she was honest with herself, show some emotion to her.

Grissom stiffened; his eyes bore into hers, "Don't assume you know me." He left a shocked Sara in the break room.

"You went too far Sara." Nick stated from the back of the room, a shocked Sara spun on her heel to face the Texan. "We all deal with these cases differently. You give me crap about showing my emotions, or giving my sympathies to the victim's family, yet you snap at Grissom for his lack of emotion, you can't have it both ways. Whatever your issue is with him, deal with it and move on." He stepped past her and headed toward the lab, to see if Greg had any news.




~CSI - Grissom's Office~

Grissom continued onto his office, now even more tired. All he wanted was to sit in his dark office, put on some Mozart, and close his eyes. He was feeling a headache coming on, and wanted to quiet his mind for an hour. He opened his door only to stop short. Sheriff Atwater was sitting at his desk looking over the case files on each of three dead college girls. "Can I help you?"

"We have a serial rapist on our hands," Atwater commented. "How is the investigation going?"

"Warrick and Catherine were called to the first case..." Grissom shut his door; setting the files he was carrying on the bookcase.

Atwater interrupted, "Nancy Hanes, found behind the library?"

"Yes, that was September first, two weeks later Nick and Sara were called back to the campus for the second victim, Tanya Cushing. She was found near the Psych buildings. Tonight, Sara and I were called to the third scene, Amy Neal, found just outside the Art Buildings, specifically the photo labs."

"Bold leaving the bodies in plane sight," Atwater speculated. "I've gotten a call from the FBI, an Agent Culpepper. You've worked with him before?"

Grissom's eyes narrowed at the thought of Culpepper invading his territory, again. "Yes, and it wasn't pleasant, he manhandled my case and my CSI's."

Atwater stood up, "This isn't a time to let personal grudges get in the way of solving this case." He opened the office door and looked back. "It's going to get worse before it gets better. Oh, and Grissom, keep me informed." He exited the office closing the door behind him.

Grissom slumped into his chair, tossing his glasses onto the desk and rubbed his tired eyes. The badly concealed emotions were beginning to run out of control; he shook his head as if trying to shake them out. He knew they all thought he didn't feel any emotion, when in truth he felt them too much. There were reasons behind is persistence in keeping focused on the evidence, and not the victim. They can't save them all. If you tried even the best CSI would burn out.

The year before his surgery he had purposely distanced himself away from his team, afraid of them knowing his weakness. Then with the lab explosion, he had shut down completely. Seeing Greg sprawled out on the floor, covered in glass and blood tore at him. When Sara had asked him to dinner, he refused. He was too caught-up in the after effects of the explosion, and his own hearing loss that he didn't want or need an emotional entanglement; his mistake was not explaining this to Sara.

When he got back from surgery and they had gone back to the way they were, he figured there was no hard feelings. But now he saw that may not be so, it was so much easier with Catherine. They had their disagreements, but overall Catherine was his best friend, and they had a silent communication. She understood him; he didn't have to explain his reasoning. She was the only one on the team he had confided in about his hearing.

With the promotion subsequently going to Nick, even if the promotion was pulled due to lack of funds; Sara had not understood his reasoning, and became even more withdrawn leading to the DUI. He had taken her home, ordered her to take some time off. When she had returned back to work, she was ordered to see the department therapist. He wasn't sure if it was helping, but talking with Jim he hasn't seen any signs of her drinking. But lately, she had started to become more testy and trying to push his buttons to get a reaction out of him.

This case was high profile; it was going to get ugly. The press, the public outcry, who ever works the case is going to be under a microscope, and now Culpepper was involved. He had decided to let Nick be lead on the case. He deserved a case like this after loosing the position to a robot for the lab, and Sara wasn't going to be happy about it.
He sighed, then picked up the phone, and began to dial; a knock on the door interrupted him.

He set the phone down, as Nick's walked into the door, a grin on his face. The one Grissom associated with a cat that just eyed the canary. "I take Greg found something?"

"The black fibers found at two of the scenes matched, a black synthetic." Nick handed Grissom the printout.

"Looks like the cases are weaving together," Grissom cocked his head eyebrow raised towards Nick. "Now we just need to unravel the mystery."

~Sheriff Atwater's Office~

"A series of rapes have plagued the campus of University of Nevada, Las Vegas. This station has discovered that there have been three victims found raped with their throats slit. When Sheriff Atwater was question he informed the press that he had his top detectives working on it, and the crime lab was working overtime to bring the criminal to justice. All calls to the Crime lab have been answered with a series of no comments. In a recent development, Agent Culpepper of the FBI, told the press earlier today that he was bringing in a top-notch profiler to help with the case. Our own Ashley Gains was able to get a few seconds with lead investigator Gil Grissom. When asked if they were close to naming a suspect he informed her that he will let the evidence do the talking, and walked into the crime lab...."

Atwater hit the mute button, and threw down the remote onto his desk. His eyes flashed in anger, turning towards Agent Culpepper. "You bastard, no warning you just inform the press that you're bringing in one of your agents."

"Inter-agency cooperation, Sheriff," Culpepper sneered. "I'm just helping your team out to catch this sick son of a bitch."

"We don't need your help, my team is on it. We already have a few leads and working them." Grissom commented from the sidewall, where he and Brass were standing. "I will not let one of your men into my labs."

Culpepper smiled, "you have no choice. Unless you want to explain to the press why you turned down federal assistance."

"Our labs are second in the nation," Grissom informed him.

Culpepper's eyes locked with Grissom, a battle of wills. "The agent is a profiler. Highly recommended by the DC branch. I suggest you take advantage of our generosity."

Grissom stepped forward, Brass's hand on his shoulder. Atwater's voice interrupted the two, "A profiler would help, Gil. We should accept the FBI's help..." Culpepper smirked at Grissom, "but on our terms." Culpepper's head snapped towards Atwater's who just continued on. "I will allow your agent to help on the case, but they will report to Grissom and follow his lead."

"Sheriff..." Grissom looked at Atwater.

"And here I thought you would want to work with me again." A feminine voice entered the conversation. Four heads turned to the now open door, one shocked expression, one neutral, and two very confused.

"Abby?" Grissom's voice and expression showed his shock.

She smiled, her hazel eyes shining with mirth. "Sheriff Atwater, it's a pleasure to meet you." She walked up to the Sheriff hand out, shaking his hand and then turned towards the confused FBI Agent. "Agent Culpepper? I'm Agent Abigail Thornheart. You talked to my boss Agent Cornwall. I'm your profiler."

Culpepper stood up, and shook her hand. "Welcome to Vegas."

"It's good to be home, sir." Abby inwardly grinned at Culpepper's expression. "I'm originally from Las Vegas."

Culpepper recovered quickly, "Oh, well that should help in the case."

"That is if Mr. Grissom will let me near his pristine labs?" Abby turned back to the two men. She smiled at Brass, "Detective Brass, I'm not sure if you remember me."

"How could I forget, you and Catherine tormented all us detectives. It was a shame to see you go." Brass smiled.

"So Mr. Grissom, am I aloud back in your labs?" Her grin widened, Grissom was rarely caught off guard.

Grissom recovered from his shock, then smiled, "Welcome home."

Abby smiled back, "It's good to be back."

"I'll update you on the case." He opened the door for her and slipped out behind her. Brass followed suit, ignoring the shocked Atwater and confused Culpepper.

"How come I have a feeling I'm missing something?" Culpepper contemplated.

"Cause you probably are, now get out of my office." Atwater pointed at the door, sending a glare in Culpepper's direction.

~Crime Lab~

"Agent Culpepper told the press earlier today that he was bringing in a top-notch agent to help with the case. Our own Ashley Gains was able to get a few seconds with lead investigator Gil Grissom, when asked if they were close to figuring a suspect he informed her that he will let the evidence o the talking, and walked into the crime lab. Agent Abigail Thornheart has been called from Washington to help with the investigation. She is one of the top profilers in the Bureau..."

Catherine hit the mute button, staring at the picture of Agent Thornheart. Catherine smiled and then laughed, shocking the rest of the room's occupants. "Culpepper you're an idiot."

"Well we know that, but what's so funny?" Nick asked, looking at the grinning Catherine.

"Agent Thornheart..."

"Is present and accounted for," Abigail answered as she and Grissom entered the room.

Catherine smiled, and jumped out of her chair, and hugged Abby to her. "I've missed you." She stepped back giving her a once over. "You're looking good."

"Not nearly as good as you." Abby smiled, hugging her again. "I've missed you, how's Lindsey?"

"Pre-teen." Catherine rolled her eyes, pulling Abby farther into the room.

"I know you two would like to catch up, but we have a case to work on." Grissom commented from the doorway. "Abby, let me introduce you to the rest of the team." Abby turned her attention back to Grissom, giving him a slight smile. "Nick Stokes."

Nick smiled, "Welcome aboard," His accent slipping into the conversation.

Grissom continued down the table. "Next to him is Sara Sidle."

"Nice to meet you." Her tone was tight, not open or friendly.

"Next is Warrick Brown, a fellow Las Vegas homebody." Grissom finished out the introductions. "Everyone this is Agent Abigail Thornheart, on loan from DC."

"What high school?" Abby turned towards Warrick.

"Durango," a smile appeared on Warrick's face.

"Silverado," she answered with a grin.

"Rivals," Warrick laughed. "When did you graduate?"

"Eighty-eight, you? Sports?"

"Eighty-seven. Sports weren't my pass time." Warrick grinned, remembering all the odd jobs growing up.

Abby grinned back knowing her own vices she had participated in Vegas. "Later we will have to talk about common hangouts."

"Nice to talk to a fellow Vegas kid, these guys just don't understand the benefits of growing up here." He nods his head towards the others.

A throat cleared, interrupting their discussion. Abby turned, giving Grissom a sheepish look "sorry."

"Shall we?" Grissom sat down at the end of the table. "Do you know anything about the case?"

"I was handed the case file as I walked on the plane." Abby pulled out the file out of her bag. "What can you tell me about it. There's one thing to read a report, and another to hear your accounts. Who was at the first scene?"

"That would be Warrick and me." Catherine answered, getting down to business.

"What was your first impression of the scene?" Abby turned towards the two CSI's, her tone now sharp, and business.

Grissom watched her at work; she had developed into a fine CSI. He had kept up with her career over the years, proud of her accomplishments. She made a name for herself as a profiler, but her true roots were in forensics. It was an interesting balance between the two fields. She once told him it was like looking at the ingredients to make cookies, and figuring out who made them.

His thoughts were interrupted when Sara interrupted Abby, "What does that matter?" Grissom looked up, trying to figure out what they were discussing.

"All I have to look at is pictures taken at the scene, making it difficult to get a feel for what the rapist may be thinking." Abby explained her rationale.

"Why do we care what he's thinking, he's a sick bastard. All we need is to find the evidence to catch him before he does it again." Sara's tone didn't hide her animosity.

"As a profiler, my job is to get into his head, figure out what he will do next." Abby's tone began to harden.

Sara didn't let up, "We know what he will do next, rape and kill."

"A pattern, a simple pattern can help us figure out who, where, and why. Once we have that, we can stop him before he gets a hold of his next victim. If we alter his pattern, then he gets careless and makes mistakes, leaving behind evidence. Making him easy to find and capture." Abby then turned back towards Catherine. "Just give me a general impression of what you saw."

Catherine glanced at Grissom, who was studying Sara. "It wasn't random."

"While getting my degree I frequented that library just about everyday, all times of the day. It stays open for students till past midnight, students constantly going in and out. The victim was discovered at Eleven pm. He didn't wait for closing, when most of the students are gone, no possible witnesses."

Abby leaned back in her chair, "the first victim was Nancy Holmes?" Catherine nodded her head, "Who was called to the second scene?"

"That would have been Sara and I," Nick answered. "Tanya Cushing, found behind the psych buildings."

"After hours?"

"Nope, a professor walking the last student out to her car, discovered the body." Nick informed her.

"How did the scene look to you?" She locked eyes with Nick.

"Clean," he had a look of concentration on his face as if trying to put a few things together. "To clean, actually."

"Grissom, you were on the latest victim?" Abby turned toward Grissom.

"Amy Neal," He paused "She was found outside the Art buildings, specifically the photo lab."

Abby looked him in the eyes, "You're impression?"

"Calculating," Grissom answered. "Once we identified that the cases weren't random, I sent Brass to pull the girls transcripts, to see if there are any similarities. Once Brass gets back I'll have Nick give them to you."

Abby nodded in acknowledgement, Grissom was always one step ahead. "Is there a place I can unpack my laptop and files?"

"Pick a corner," he gestured around the room.

"Thanks," Abby sarcastically replied, turning to Catherine, "you have a minute to update me on where everything is at?"

"Gladly, let's go." Catherine and Abby walked out of the break room.

"Grissom why are you trusting her?" Sara asked. "She works with Culpepper and we know what he's capable of."

"Did she used to work here?" Nick asked, cutting off Sara, who sent him a murderous glare.

Grissom smiled, at Nick's astute question. "She left eight years ago to join the Bureau. Warrick here, was her replacement."

"Still doesn't mean we should trust her with all of our information." Sara commented, not liking the fact Nick upped her in front of Grissom.

Nick shrugged, looking over at Sara. "She can't do her job unless she's informed," he pointed out. "Besides, if Cath and Gris trust her, why shouldn't we?"

"Of course, you would say that, you've always been too trusting, Stokes." Sara snapped, at Nick.

Nick's jaw tightened his eyes narrowing at her, "I'm going to go check to see if Brass is back with those transcripts, and get them to Agent Thornheart." He got up and walked out, leaving behind a cold room.

"What is up with you, girl?" Warrick asked shaking his head, as he followed Nick out of the break room.

"Grissom?" Sara turned, question in her voice.

"Sara, I trust Abby with my life." Grissom stood and left the room leaving a shocked Sara behind, twice in the past thirty-six hours. 
 

~Crime Lab - DNA Lab~

Opening the door to the DNA lab Catherine let Abby walk into the room first. The sight that greeted her was of a young man, with spiky blonde hair, bouncing with beat of the music blaring through the headphones he was wearing. He hadn't heard the door open, fully concentrating on the lab work in front of him, and the music blaring in his ears. Abby looked over at Catherine a smirk on her face.

"Meet Greg, our DNA tech, and future CSI, once he finds a lab replacement. The irony is he doesn't like any of the applicants, says none of them were good enough for his 'lab'." Catherine smiled as she waved her hand towards the oblivious tech.

"Is he always this hyper?" Abby asked, watching him bounce between microscopes and printers.

Catherine shrugged, "He's actually a bit calm today." She stepped in front of him, raising her voice. "Greg!"

Greg looked up, startled when he saw Catherine, across the table from him. Taking off the headphones, "hey Catherine, how can I help you?" He smiled at her, as he leaned on the table.

"Greg, I want you to meet a friend of mine." Catherine motioned towards Abby, who was still standing in the doorway.

Greg's eyes went wide; he pulled back from the table, straightened his lab coat, and held out his hand. "Any friend of Catherine's is a friend of mine."

Catherine rolled her eyes at his antics, "Greg this is Agent Abigail Thornheart, she's helping us with the campus rape case. Abby this is Greg Sanders, lab tech."

"Don't forget DNA extraordinaire." Greg took her hand and kissed the back of it, then stepped back and looked over his shoulder at Catherine. "Grissom actually let an FBI agent into the labs?"

Abby pulled her hand out of Greg's now lose grip. "I trained here as a CSI level one, before I became FBI." She smiled, instantly liking the hyper lab tech.

"Really?" Greg intrigued by the woman standing in front of him. He stepped closer grinning, a conspirator gleam in his eyes. "Are all FBI agents as pretty as you?"

Abby gave a sly smile, and leaned towards Greg whispering "Are all lab techs as cute as you?" Abby took a quick step to the right, winked at Catherine as Greg stumbled a bit.

Greg turned towards the two women, "Catherine your friend is a tease, but welcome in my lab any time."

"Thank you, Greg." Abby smiled. "The lab has changed a lot since I've been here. It will take me a while to find my way around again."

Greg stepped up, "Greg Sanders, personal guide."

"I'll remember that, when I get lost between the break room and the DNA lab." Abby shook her head. "It was nice meeting you, Greg. I have a feeling I'll be seeing more of you."

"I'll wait till the end of the earth to be graced by your presence," Greg flourished.

Catherine grabbed Abby's arm, pulling her out the door. "Greg, I'm still waiting for those fiber samples."

"I'm working on it," He yelled as the door shut. He waved as the two women walked past the lab. Abby laughed, but waved back. "I'm in love."

"I wouldn't fall too hard." Greg turned startled, twice in less than thirty minutes, a new record. "She was trained by Grissom, before she went to FBI." Nick laughed at Greg's horrified expression.

Greg sat down in front of the samples he was working on for Catherine. "So if I want to keep going out into the field..."

"I would only think of pure thoughts when you're around Agent Thornheart," Nick finished his thought for him.

"Is there something I can do for you?" Greg asked, getting down to business.

"Where you able to identify the substance we found on the camera lens?" Nick asked.

"I'm running it now." The printer started up, Greg grabbing it before Nick could. "Rubbing Alcohol."

Nick pulled the paper from Greg's hands. "He wiped the camera clean, so it is possible that she got a picture of him. But then if he wiped the camera clean why not take the camera?"

"Not enough time?" Greg asked.

"Or he's toying with us," Grissom's voice entered the lab. "Did you get anything off the film, Nick?"

Nick looked over at Grissom; "I got Archie to scan in the photo's and digitally enhance them to see if we can pull anything off the two exposed frames. The rest of the film was blank."

"Brass just got back with the transcripts." Grissom held out the files to Nick, who grabbed them, taking a quick look through them as he followed Grissom out the door, sending a quick nod towards Greg. "Abby, is setting up in the break room, I want you to lead and Sara to work with you on this case. Warrick, Catherine and I will be working any other cases that come in."

Nick stopped just outside the break room, looking at Grissom. "Sara and I? Are you sure about this?"

Grissom could understand Nick's hesitation. The two CSI work well together, but since the 'promotion', it was a bit strained between the two. Plus a case like this would be difficult with emotions so high. Let alone added stress of the FBI, the Sheriff, and the unknown factor of Abby. "You're both good at what you do, and this case will take a lot of single minded attention."

"That's a nice way of putting, we're too damn stubborn to know when to give up." Nick graced Grissom with a rare true smile; one Grissom hadn't seen a lot of lately.

Grissom's lips turned upward slightly, "I want to be kept in the loop." Nick nodded, turning to go into the break room. "Oh, and Nick..." He paused and turned back towards Grissom. "...Remember nothing is too small, and trust your instincts. I've got a feeling this case will need it."

Nick watched as Grissom walked away. In three hours he watched Grissom storm out of his office to a meeting with the sheriff, to come back with a smile on his face. He looked through the glass to see Abby setting up. He took the opportunity to study her, and wonder about the effect she had on Grissom. She stood at five-seven, auburn hair pulled up into a twist on the back of her head, strands curling around the top and down the sides. Her sharp green eyes were piercing, when Grissom introduced her she had looked each of them in the eyes, he felt like she was searching for some hidden answers. She was wearing a crisp dark gray suit, with a cream colored silk shirt. Her make-up was light, and minimal jewelry, actually the only pieces he could see was a simple set of earrings, and a chain around her neck. He looked back up to see her watching him, smiling. He blushed, as he opened the door and walked into the room.

"So did I pass, inspection?" She asked, with an all-knowing smile.

"Just tryin' to figure out who you are," Nick's accent thickening, a sign when he's nervous or embarrassed.

"I'm just a kid from Vegas, who has a weird fascination with criminals and what makes them do what they do." She cocked her head, eyes dancing with mirth.

Nick set the folders down on the table, asking the million-dollar question. "So what's your connection with Grissom?"

She laughed; Nick noticed that it was a soft shy laugh. "Now there's a man that any psychologist would love to figure out what makes him tick. Unfortunately in the fourteen years I've known him, I still haven't figured it out."

Nick absorbed the information, Abby knew Grissom before Catherine. Just about the time he had arrived in Vegas, from Los Angeles. "I brought those transcripts," he said getting down to business.

"Good, now lets take a look and start making a chart." She wheeled a dry erase board closer to the table, and picked up a black marker. "Okay, who's the first victim?"

"Nancy Holmes, twenty-one, found September first, behind the library." Nick answered picking up the victim's transcripts. He watched as Abby wrote down the information.

"Second victim?" She looked over her shoulder.

"Tanya Cushing, twenty, found September fifteenth, outside the Pysch buildings." Setting the second victims transcripts next to the first. "You ready for the third?" She nodded keeping her eyes on the board. "Amy Neal, twenty-two, September twenty-ninth, found outside the art building."

After writing all of them up on the board, she stepped back next to Nick and studied them. "What's the connection?" Abby asked to no one in particular.

"You started without me?" Sara's voice came from behind them.

"Just getting the preliminary data onto the board." Nick answered, not looking back.

"So what does it tell us?" Sara stepped up next to Nick.

"Let's look at their transcripts, see what classes, clubs, programs, anything they would have in common." Abby picked up Amy Neal's and handed it to Sara, Tanya Cushing to Nick and herself took Nancy Holmes.

Nick took up the pen, "Neal was taking Children's Lit, an English Special Project, Fiction Writing, and Photography. We know her last class was photography, she was coming from developing a project she was working on when she was attacked."

"Children's Lit?" Sara asked, looking up at Nick. "Cushing was taking Children's Lit, along with Ancient Society, Human Mind, and Art History. How about Holmes?"

"Stats, Civil War, Cultural Anthropology, and Psychology. She was a History major, wouldn't be in an English classes." Abby commented as Nick wrote the info on the board. "Places of residence? Holmes lived at home with her parents."

"Neal was married," Nick said.

"Sorority House," Sara added.

"Damn, is there any connection between the three?" Nick asked stepping back from the board. "We have a History major, Sociology major and an English major."

"Maybe there is a connection that isn't school related?" Sara questioned. Both turned to Abby, noticing she was quiet, contemplating.

"Agent Thornheart?" Nick tried to get her attention.

"Call me Abby," Abby moved forward concentrating. "It's the dates."

"What?" Sara asked.

"September first, fifteenth, and twenty-ninth, fourteen days apart. Once is a coincidence, twice is a pattern, third time is a signature. What is today's date?"

Nick looked at the calendar on the wall, "October second."

"So if this pattern holds, we will find the next victim on the thirteenth. We have eleven days to find another pattern."

"All three victims had red hair, or dyed red. All around the same age, and height, all students."

"We know the knife is the same between the three. The same black fibers between Cushing and Neal." Sara thought out loud.

"No semen found?" Abby asked.

Nick answered, "Not a drop, no fibers, no blood, the bodies were clean."

"He's toying with us." Abby kept staring at the board. "He's leaving just enough evidence so we know he's out there, but not enough to find him." She turned to the two CSI's, "The hunt is afoot."

Chapter 4 - Breakfast at Tiffany's

Abby walked through the mall towards her destination, her heels clicking on the marble floors, echoing through the empty corridors. The crowds were thin, too early to actually be up and shopping. Only a few tourists roaming around taking pictures of gaudy motifs and statues of Zeus and other Greek god like figures. Most of the shops were high end stores; designer clothes, jewelry and expensive gadgets. She stopped for a second eyeing a trendy black suit in the window of Jones New York, then kept on her way, she had a breakfast date to keep.

She stopped, for a few minutes, and watched the man waiting for her, absorbing his presence. It had been to long since she had seen him last. Abby walked up to the table, set her satchel down and took the seat across from her breakfast date. She sighed with relief when she noticed the venti starbucks coffee sitting in front of her.

"Please tell me it's bold Columbian or something close to it, I really need a caffeine fix." She lifted the lid off the cup and inhaled the strong aroma.

"You and Greg would really get along, he has a stash of some expensive Hawaiian coffee around the labs." Grissom shook his head at the look of pure bliss on Abby's face.

"Really? I'll have to hunt him down, and make him tell me where it is at." She took a sip of the coffee, sighed with content as she set it back on the table. "Food?"

He produced a bag full of various muffins and pastries from a local bakery. "Molly's Bakery, your favorite."

"God, I love you!" Abby snatched the bag and started digging through it, pulling out a cheese danish, and banana nut muffin. She handed the bag back to Grissom, while nibbling on the danish.

"How's Grant?" Grissom asked pulling out a muffin for himself.

"Would love to hear from you, he's got a science project due next week, and of course he wants to study bugs. So he can be just like his godfather." Abby sipped her coffee, sending a mock glare at Grissom.

"Well it's my job to help mold him into a stable part of society." Grissom off handedly remarked, "I'll give him a call later today."

"I still haven't forgiven you for the pet tarantula." Abby shook her cheese danish at him. "You know I hate spiders."

"It was a pet, to teach him how to be responsible." His monotone voice was ruined with the twitching of his lips. "Besides I hear you're the main suspect in its death."

"There was no evidence to prove that theory," she sipped her coffee, looking like the cat that ate the canary.

"How are you doing?" Grissom leaned back in his chair, blue eyes piercing. "And I don't mean in general, I mean about the case?"

"Sure know how to ruin a good meal." She threw down the danish, and sat back. "I'm fine... Honestly I'm fine. It was a long time ago, and it isn't like I haven't worked rape cases before."

"Yeah, but none of them were on the campus, where yours took place." Grissom's voice was calm, yet filled with concern.

"I'm a trained CSI, with a degree in Psychology, I've dealt with it, and I'm fine Gil." Abby picked up her coffee and took a few sips.

Grissom nodded, and then said, "My door is always open."

"Good, because I need a place to stay." She grinned, "You walked right into that one."

"Yeah, I did. FBI not putting you up in a hotel?" Grissom sipped at his own coffee.

"At the cheapest hotel they can find. I don't even want to know what organisms might be living in that hotel, let alone in the sheets." Abby shivered at the thought. "Especially since I happen to know this great guy, who happens to have an extra bedroom, yes I admit it has bugs on the wall, but at least they're not in the sheets."

Grissom laughed, putting his coffee down, before he spilled it. "You're always welcome at my house."

Abby shrugged, "That's good because my bags are already there."

"How's the mapping going?" Grissom asked, getting more serous.

"Good, Nick and Sara were still combing over the victims transcripts trying to find any more connections. So far we have only the dates to go by." Abby pulled up her satchel going through it looking for something in particular. "Fourteen days between each attack, so if we don't figure out who the rapist is, we will have another victim in eleven days."

Grissom sighed, "Any ideas?"

She looked up from her search, eyebrow raised. "You're asking me for an educated guess?"

"No, I'm asking a profiler their opinion." Grissom pointed out.

"He's toying with us, ahhah." She yelled, and then pulled out a leather bound journal. "He knows by not leaving clues, he's leaving clues. He wants us to chase him. What I don't know is if he's doing this because he has an issue with young college students with red hair, or if his issues lies towards the police, maybe even CSI."

"What's with the journal?" Grissom pointed at the book in her hands.

"My personal notes, on the case, my feelings or others. I've found that if I write it down it helps not to get my thoughts and the evidence mixed up." She opened the book and wrote a few things down.

Grissom watched as she chewed on her pen, writing a few things down. "I'm glad your back. I've missed you."

Abby looked up, a shy smile on her face. "I've missed you to, Gil. To bad it took three women dying to get me back in Vegas. It will be hard to leave when the case is solved."

"Who says you have to leave?" Grissom's look showed his sincerity.

Abby's shock showed on her face. "Let's catch the asshole first, and then we will talk job opportunities. Besides if I recall the last time you asked if I wanted to work for you I was in labor."

"Distraction method, it worked." Grissom grinned, "You took the job."

"Never regretted it." Abby laughed, "well most of the time."

"What do you think of the team?" Grissom asked.

"Catherine has really come along way. She's confident in herself and her abilities. She's found a nice mix between being sensitive to the victims and families and following the evidence, a balance between being a mom and an investigator. She called me after Eddie died you know. She's doing well, considering everything she's been dealt with this past year." Abby set the book down on the table. "As for the rest of your team. I've only got to know them a little, can't give you a full profile on each of them."

Grissom looked down, like being caught with his hand in cookie jar. "First Impression?"

"Sara is dedicated to her job, almost married to it, reminds me of someone." Abby sent him a knowing look, "Her single-minded dedication is also a hindrance. She doesn't know when to let go and walk away. She is not very trusting of strangers. That was obvious the moment we were introduced. She sees me as a threat. She's determined to prove to you she can be trusted."

"I've tried talking to her, but she's just been pushing my buttons lately," Grissom sighed.
.
"Classic child trying to get dad's attention. She just needs to find her center again." Abby explained.

"Warrick?" Grissom asked. "My other problem child."

Abby smiled, "Warrick, my first impression is that he is complete professionalism, maybe even a perfectionist. All his energy he spent gambling is now reflected back on his job." Abby stilled for a minute thinking. "He's hard to read actually, since I talked to him for only a few minutes, I can't really say exactly what makes him tick. But from what you've told me over the years, he's loyal. You've stuck by him, when others wouldn't; it is what him strive to be the best. To prove to others that your faith in him was not misplaced."

Abby paused and studied Grissom carefully "If you recall, his need to prove his loyalty was strong after Holly was killed. He pushed your buttons to get you to respond, to make you see he was capable, to let go of the leash. Sara is doing much the same thing. You're her mentor and she misplaced her feelings of admiration, even fatherly love for romantic love. When you turned her down, she retreated into herself and her work lead to her burning out. She was humiliated, and now needs to prove to you and herself that she is a good CSI."

Grissom gave her a contemplative look, listening to her observations. " What about Nick? Ironically, considering he's my least problem child, I'm worried about him; he's been acting a lot less like 'Nick' these past few months. The tension between him and Sara has been thick."

Abby sat back in her chair, "Nick is coming into his own. Learning to be the CSI he wants to be, not what he thinks you want him to be or his family. The promotion was a sign of moving up in your career, to prove to his family that he's going somewhere. He realized that the promotion didn't matter; he was there for his reasons, not his families or yours. His relationship with Sara was damaged, and I think he doesn't know what to do about it causing some of the tension. He's afraid of doing something to upset her."

Abby paused then smiled. "I don't know how, but considering his job, and events that has taken place in his life, it's hard to imagine that he still believes in the good of mankind." Abby grinned, "You can't help but be caught up in his optimism. He's now comfortable with himself and his abilities. He reminds me of Catherine, trying to find that balance between instinct and evidence, emotion and reason. Yet he still has an underlining need to please others, he's looking for acceptance, specifically from you." She looked up at Grissom, giving him a knowing look. "The Nick you knew is still there, just a bit more matured."

He nodded, "Did you meet Greg?" Grissom asked.

"The hyper lab rat, trying to break out of the maze and get into the field?" Abby commented.

"Yeah, him." Grissom watched as the mall began to fill with more people as the morning progressed. "You got him peg pretty well."

"He's trying to find his nitch, he knows he's good at what he does. He just wants to try new things. He's trying to impress all of you, to show he's more than a rat." Abby downed the last of her coffee. "All of your team members have a common element. The need to please you." Abby looked him in the eyes, "They just want you to say good job." Feeling his uneasiness, Abby let him off the hook and changed the subject. "You know they are all curious about our history. Nick even flat out asked must have of learned his 'get straight to the point' technique from you."

"What did you say?" Grissom asked, concerned. There were few people he couldn't hide from: Abby, Catherine, and Lady Heather. He knew just because Abby dropped the subject didn't mean she forgot it. She was a psychologist, a criminalist, stubborn, and observant, he trained her, he should know. His team was his family, and at times he didn't know how to say 'good job'. There are only a few people that he could open up to; consequently they were the same few he couldn't hide from.

"That in the fourteen years I've known you, even I don't know you." Abby motioned with her hands, absent-mindedly. "Of course he latched onto the whole fourteen years part, got yourself a good CSI there, observant. What do you want me to tell them?"

"I don't know." Grissom shrugged, his eyes clouded with concentration. "I don't think we should mention that we met because I was investigating your rape case."

"Or that you got personally involved and let your emotions cloud your judgment." Abby added.

"I don't regret it." Grissom said with sincerity. "You and Grant are my family. I just don't like my personal life talked about at work."

"I know, look they know I used to work with you. That you trained me, they don't have to know how we met." Abby got up out of her chair and kissed him on the cheek. "You saved me, and gave me a chance for a better life."

"No, you saved yourself. I held the net to make sure you didn't fall." Grissom brushed a piece of hair back behind her ears.

"I'm exhausted, can we go so I can get some sleep before I face shift tonight?" Abby stood back, picking up her satchel.

"Let's go, besides I need to give Grant a call, to talk bugs." Grissom grinned as Abby rolled her eyes at him.

"By the way, why did you ask me to meet you here?" Abby motioned around.

"I always wanted to have Breakfast at Tiffany's." Grissom held out his arm for her to take it.

Abby looked up at the Tiffany's window, "You're much better looking than George Peppard."

"Why thank you, Miss Hepburn." Grissom took Abby's arm and walked back through the mall, now filling with tourists and shoppers.

~Crime Lab - Break Room~

Nick walked into the building around six pm. Abby had called him about a possible lead she found in the victims employment records at the campus. He was to meet her and Sara in the break room a couple of hours before shift. The past few days had been frustrating, getting the records from the campus were taking longer than expected.

The University was afraid of lawsuits, and getting information out of them was slow. At one point he thought Sara or Abby was going to reach across the chancellor's desk and strangle him. Each of the girls had been involved in various clubs and organizations. It was taking time to compile all the rosters from all the clubs to see if there were cross members that new all three victims. Last he had checked, before crashing after a double shift, was that a few of the clubs still hadn't handed over their lists.

There seemed to be no connection between the three girls. A thorough search of each of the residences hadn't pulled up anything. They were involved in very different social circles, none of them coming into contact with the other. So far the only connection they had with each other was being a victim. Their case was at a stand still until they found some active leads. He and Sara both were working separate cases, while working with Abby, who seemed to get more frustrated by the day.

As he turned the corner he could hear raised voices coming from the break room. By the time he reached the door, it was an all out screaming match between Abby and Culpepper. He stopped outside the door, not sure if he should interfere.

"Well you can just shove your progress reports up your ass!" Abby stood nose to nose with Culpepper.

"As your supervisor I demand to be brought up to date on this case," Culpepper gave back as much as he got.

Abby stepped back; hands on her hips, eyes burning, "Considering you're not my supervisor you could demand all you want, doesn't mean you're going to get anything."

"I'm in charge of this investigation." Culpepper took a step forward, "And you will follow my orders Agent Thornheart."

"First off, Grissom is in charge of this investigation. Second of all, I'm on loan from DC, as a profiler. I'm not one of your agents. Third of all Sheriff Atwater made it quite clear that I was to report to Grissom only." Abby's voice lowered into a low growl.

"I can have your badge," Culpepper said making his threat clear.

Abby smirked, "and I can work freelance," making her position known.

"Agent Culpepper you're disturbing my labs and CSI's, I suggest you take this argument somewhere else. Actually why don't you just leave?" Grissom entered the break room, Nick a few steps behind him.

Culpepper turned on his heel, his anger now focused on the CSI Supervisor. "Grissom, just the man I was looking for, what is the status of this case."

"My CSI's are working on a few leads." Grissom stood his ground, arms crossed in front of him. "Until further evidence can be analyzed, that is all anyone is going to get."

Culpepper snapped his head back towards Abby, "I'll be calling your supervisor," then stormed out of the break room, shoving Sara aside as she walked in.

"Tell him I said hello," Abby yelled out after him. "Bastard!"

Grissom now turned his intense stare towards her, "Abby?"

"Don't you start on me. I was minding my own business, going over these employment records, when he stormed in knocking things off the table demanding an update. I told him we were working the evidence and would get back to him when we had something conclusive." Abby sat down at the table sorting through the scattered files. "He didn't like my answer, and well one thing led to another. Next minute I know he's threatening to call DC and have me removed from the case."

"Can he do that?" Nick asked, picking up files off the floor.

"No, he's doesn't have jurisdiction over me, plus I'm on loan from DC branch, not Vegas." Abby looked over at Nick and grinned, "I would love to be a fly on the wall when he calls DC."

"Culpepper can still make problems." Sara stated sitting down at the table. "He's railroaded our cases before."

"Abby, can he cause problems with your supervisor?" Grissom asked a bit concerned.

"I'm going to say this once; there is no way Culpepper can get me pulled off this case or any case..."

"Why?" Sara quipped, "Are you that good?"

Abby smiled, "I was involved in the sniper case, even had dinner at the white house for my work. So who do you think they are going to side with?"

"The sniper, as in the one who was shooting people randomly throughout Virginia and Maryland?" Nick asked a bit awed.

"The one in the same, of course I also bribed the lab techs that the one whoever found me a linking piece of evidence; I would pay for them to go to the Bahamas." Abby grinned, and then looked up to see a wide eyed Greg. "No, don't even think about it, I'm not sending you to the Bahamas, unless of course that report in your hand tells me who the rapist is?"

Greg looks at the report, frowns, "No, but it does tell Grissom who his killer is, does that count for something?"

"No," Grissom grabs the report, seeing Abby raise her eyebrow at him, "but good job Greg." Leaving a shocked lab tech at the door, he turns and looks at Abby. "Abby, we will discuss this later, in my office." Greg walked back to his lab on cloud nine.

Abby watched through the windows as Grissom went to go find Warrick. "I'm in trouble aren't I?"

"Probably," Nick grinned. "What did you find in the employment records?"

"A connection, finally," Abby pulled up one of the files. "At one point they all worked at the college bookstore." Pausing for dramatic affect, "and worked under the same supervisor, who interestingly enough was fired for sexual harassment."

"Brass picking him up?" Sara asked, a smile forming on her face. She was beyond frustrated over the pace of the case. They had nothing until now; she was giddy with excitement.

"Should be bringing him in now, Sara I want you to do the interview. I had the campus fax over the complaints made against him. From what I can tell from the reports, he doesn't like strong willed women. " Abby paused, Sarah's grin just got wider. "The biggest complaint was that he would always preach that women should be at home making sure dinner is on the table for her man, taking care of the kids, and keeping her husband happy in the bedroom." Abby looked up at Sara, smiling.

"He'll just love you," Nick grinned at Sara, who grinned back.

"I'll just watch from behind the mirror, see his responses and mannerisms." Abby handed her the report as they headed out of the break room.

"Anything specific I should I do?" Sara asked, looking over the complaints quickly.

Abby shrugged, "Just be you, it will be enough to set him off."

"Was that a compliment or insult?" Sara stopped looking at Abby.

"Depends on how you want to take it," Abby walked off leaving Sara gaping.

"The more I work with her, the more I see Grissom's training." Nick commented; a huff from Sara was her only response. "What exactly do you have against her?"

Sara just glared at him, "We have to get to the station." She turned on her heel and followed Abby down the hall.

Nick sighed, and followed the two women out into the parking lot. He fished out the keys to his Tahoe, unlocking the doors to let the girls in, when he heard the door open, and Grissom stepped out of the labs and jogged up to Nick.

"Nick, whatever you do, do not let Abby drive." Grissom stated with extreme seriousness.

"What?" Nick asked shocked.

"WHAT!" Abby yelled indignant.

Grissom looked Nick directly in the eyes. "You heard me, Nick, Abby doesn't drive." Grissom then turned towards Abby, "And you know why," Grissom turned and walked back into the lab.

Nick turned to Abby eyebrows raised in a question. "So?"

"Shut up and drive." Abby grumbled getting into the backseat of the Tahoe. Her eyes narrowed at Sara's smirk.


~Interrogation Room - Police Station~

Sara sat across from one Thomas Philips, thirty-two, single, and balding. He was belligerent in his answers and only spoke to Brass when he answered Sara's questions. Abby watched through the two-way mirror, watching carefully for any indication of violence.

"You don't like woman, much do you? Mr. Philips." Brass asked, sitting across the table from the suspect.

"Only woman that don't know their place," Philip pointedly glared at Sara.

"Is that why the woman at the bookstore filed charges against you?" Sara asked.

Philips leaned forward, "Those woman, were know-it-all little bitches, couldn't get a man if they paid one." He finished his statement by sitting back in his chair, smiling at Brass.
"Is that why you raped and killed them?" Sara threw a picture of Amy Neal. "She was married, and she didn't pay him."

"I didn't rape or kill no one." Philip pushed the photo away from him in disgust.

"Mr. Philips, where were you on the night of September first?" Sara asked, cocking her head to the side staring at him intently.

"Working, like I do every night at the construction yard." He answered, and then looked over at Brass. "Why aren't you asking the questions? She your supervisor or something?"

"Or something," Brass shrugged.

Sara interrupted, "Now Mr. Philips, do you have any witness to the fact you were at the construction yard?"

"Are you married, miss?" Philips glanced at Sara.

"Do you or do you not have proof you were at the construction yard?" Sara asked, her voice becoming tight with frustration.

"Obviously not, no man would put up with a bitch like you." Philips sneered in her direction, then turned to Brass. "Check my time cards man, and ask my crew. I work the graveyard shift, clock in at eight pm and clock out at eight am, my lunch break is at one am."

"We will do that Mr. Philips, and if I find one discrepancy I'm hauling you in, personally." Sara stood and left the room.

~Behind the Mirror~

"So, why can't you drive?" Nick asked, as they watched the interrogation.

She looked over at him, trying not to succumb to his grin, "that's between me, Grissom, and the DMV."

"Oh really, maybe I should make a call," Nick was in full grin.

Abby focused in on Mr. Philips, watching his reaction to the photo. "You do, and I'll tie you up in the lab..."

"Kinky..." Nick looked over at Abby's eyes dancing.

"...With Gil's spider." Abby smirked.

"That's just wrong," Nick turned back to the interrogation. "What do you think?" Nick gestured towards the man being interrogated.

"He's not our guy. He's a chauvinistic pig, who obviously can't get a date if he paid them." The door opened as Brass and Sara walked in.

"I already have them checking out his time cards and asking his co-workers, but I have a feeling they will support what he's telling us." Brass commented as he closed the door behind him.

"He's a jerk, but not a killer." Sara sighed looking back through the mirror at Mr. Philips. "Now what?"

"Back to the records," Abby shook her head. "There's got to be something we are missing."

~Break Room - Crime Labs: 2 days later~

Nick barely missed the thrown file folder as he opened the door. Abby looked beyond frustrated. She sat down at the desk and stared at the board.

"Nothing?" Nick asked

"No, notta, zip, zero, zilch..." Abby waved her hands around exuberantly.

"Got it," Nick sat across from her, handing her a cup of coffee from Starbucks. "Grissom told me about your ah, addiction, just don't let Greg see it. He'll think your cheating on him."

"Thanks," Abby sipped the coffee. "How's the other case going?"

"Good, we found a match to the DNA and fingerprints, Warrick is with O'Reilly booking the suspect." Nick answered, picking up some loose papers. "What is this?"

"I finally got the all the clubs to send me the roster lists." Abby rolled her eyes. "I gave Sara a copy earlier; she's running the names through the system to see if we get a connection."

"How many days left?" Nick asked, flipping through the papers.

"Five, until he strikes again." Abby stood up and looked at the board frowning. "I know I'm missing something. Something important, something he knows I should know, but won't tell me. The only thing we have is the number fourteen. It could mean anything, date, victims, age he lost his virginity, months in the service, jail; the list is endless."

"You look frustrated," Catherine walked in with a sympathetic look.

"Well you would be to if your phone rang every five minutes. Culpepper is riding me, I now got the Sheriff hounding me, DC called asking my estimated return time, and now the damn reporters keep calling. I'm sorely tempted to turn my cell phone off, but then Grissom would yell at me again, or worse make me do a shoe print comparison on his case." Abby smirked, and then yawned.

"How long you've been up?" Catherine eyed the venti starbucks.

Abby blinked, looked at her watch, then calendar. "What time is it?"

Nick shook his head, "4am."

Abby spun in her chair and looked at Catherine. "Then I've been up for twenty hours."

"Well I'm heading out, you should go home and get some sleep." Catherine headed for the door. "Why don't you come over before shift, I'll cook dinner. Lindsey would love to see you."

Abby smiled, "Thanks Cath, I would love to."

"See you around six?" Catherine called out as she headed out the door.

"Catherine's right you should go, get some rest. If you want I'll drive you out to your hotel, since it seems the state of Nevada won't let you drive." Nick grinned, and then laughed at Abby's glare.

"For your information Mr. Stokes, I can drive in the state of Nevada. It's just that Grissom doesn't trust me with the Tahoe's," Abby's glare was ruined by a mouth splitting yawn.

"Do you need a ride home?" Nick asked concerned.

Abby gave a tired smile, "I'm just waiting for Gil; he's my ride and my hotel."

"You're staying at Grissom's?" Nick asked.

"Anytime I'm in Vegas I stay there, it's like a second home." Abby picked up another folder and started going through it.

"You and Grissom are close?" Nick tried to easy into the conversation, hoping to get more information out of the redhead.

Abby looked up at the Texan and smirked, "He helped me through a rough time in my life. When my parents died I was sixteen and I had no one. Grissom became my family, a second father in a sense."
Nick looked up, hearing the emotion in her voice. It made sense to him, watching the two interact. Grissom treated her like his kid; he was protective of her, and always quick to smile at her antics. Nick was curious; it was the CSI in him. He wanted to know how the two meet, what situation made the two become so close, and in truth he wanted to know more about Abby. He opened his mouth to ask more questions, when the theme song from the A-Team interrupted him. He looked at Abby, who smiled sheepishly and picked up her phone.

"Thornheart," Her voice was professional, though her face showed her irritation. Nick watched in amazement as her face softened and lit up in joy. "Hi, honey. How are you...I'm fine, yes Gil is taking care of me...No, I'm not drinking coffee..." Nick watched as she pushed her cup of coffee away from her. "No, I'm not lying to you... By the way what are you doing up? It's four in the morning... Oh yeah time difference. Did you get your homework done?" Nick looked up in surprise. "I'm fine... Yes, I'm eating...did you finish your project? Yes, I'm changing the subject... I'm your mother; it's my job to change the subject." She looks up to see a surprised Nick looking back at her. "Honey...I'm not answering that...one of Gil's CSI's is from Texas...went to A&M...I'm not sure... Why don't you ask him?" Abby grinned then handed the phone over to Nick.

Nick took the phone without thinking, gave a puzzled look to a smirking Abby, who sat back sipping her coffee. "Hello? This is Nick Stokes...Yeah, I'm from Texas...Didn't play for A&M but played in high school, but I do know the quarterback...He's a friend of the family...Next time I'll talk to him I'll get an autograph, who should I have it signed for? Grant Grissom Thornheart." Nick raised his eyebrows at Abby she coughed and looked down. "Yes, she's drinking coffee...Oh really, I'll write that down." Nick pulled out a paper and pen, "No coffee after 3am got it... Really? Call the local Starbucks." Abby huffed from her side of the table her hands gesturing for the phone. Nick grinned and leaned back in his chair. "Must have three meals a day or gets crabby...Yes, I noticed that...Thanks for the tip I'll make sure to remember that...Well it looks like your mom is going to try to rip the phone out of my hand so I'll talk with you later... My cell number? It's..." Nick stated his number then handed back the phone to Abby smirking.

"Grant honey, what did you tell him?" Abby glared at the phone. "Don't give me that young man. Of course, now you have to go. I love you too." She closed the phone and looked over at Nick.

"A-Team theme song?" Nick grinned at her.

"You're just getting tons of information out of me this morning aren't you?" Abby smiled, as she reached for her coffee.

Nick was one step ahead of her and grabbed it before she did. "Grant, said no coffee after three am, and its now four-fifteen."

Abby eyes narrowed at the Texan, "Give me my coffee."
"Nope, and he also stated that if you argued with me, I should tell Grissom that you're drinking to much coffee." Nick stood up walking over to the sink to dump the coffee.

Abby jumped up to stop him, "Now Nick, we can work out some arrangement right?"

Nick held the cup over the sink. Abby lunged for it; Nick grabbed her by the waist pulling her way while dumping the liquid down the sink. Abby groaned at the loss of the blessed caffeine.

"Is there something going on here?" Grissom stood at the break room door. He had heard laughter from the break room, and had decided to investigate. He walked up to see Nick and Abby laughing, Nick holding Abby around her waist, while she was reaching past him trying to get to the cup in his hand. He wasn't sure what to feel about the cozy moment he witnessed.

"Grissom, your CSI just poured my perfectly good coffee down the drain." Abby stood there hands on her hips glaring at the Texan, who didn't look at all ashamed.

"I was ordered to get rid of it," Nick pointed out.

Grissom looked over at his CSI, "By whom?"

"Grant Grissom Thornheart," Nick looked Grissom directly in the eyes.

Grissom paused, looked over at Abby who shrugged, "The two of them had a chat."

"And exactly how did they end up chatting?" Grissom asked, his answer coming from Abby's eye shift and quick movement to sit back down. "Distracting Grant from asking questions so you handed him off to Nick?"

Abby looked over at Nick, "You know he should be a CSI."

Nick laughed as he sat back down at the table. "So Grissom..."

"Don't you have a case to work on?" Grissom cut him off.

"Warrick and I wrapped the last one; I was going to go over these club records with Abby." Nick took the hint and dropped the subject matter. Grissom nodded then turned and left the break room.

Nick looked over at the board and tried to focus on finding any connection. Abby pulled up more folders and began sifting through them, writing down thoughts or notes into a journal that sat next to her. 'The only thing we have is the number fourteen. It could mean anything, date, victims, age he lost his virginity, months in the service, jail; the list is endless.' Nick stood up and headed for the door. Abby jerked at his sudden movements following him with her eyes to the door.

"I have a hunch I want to follow. I'll let you know if it pans out." He walked out the door and down the hall. She watched him head to the back of the labs, but lost sight of him as he turned the corner. She then looked around, got up walked over to the cabinet, opened the second to the left and reached into the back of the cabinet. Grabbing her prize, she pulled out Greg's secret stash and made a fresh pot of coffee.

Nick sat down at the computer and pulled up the Crime Lab's database on past cases. He typed in the number fourteen to see if it would pull up anything. He slowly began a methodical search, using the number fourteen in every possible search field - date, victim, age, year. What if it was personal? What if he is saying something to CSI? Nick sat back; it was going to be a long day, now he wished he hadn't dumped the Starbucks coffee.

~CSI Lab's - October 13th~

Nick watched from the hallway as Abby paced back and forth inside the break room. Fourteen days since the last victim, Amy Neal. Abby was beyond frustrated, she was agitated, irritable, and down right pissed. They had one other lead that had come from Sara compiling the list from the clubs. One name came up, Paul Jackson; he was a member in over ten clubs, three of the clubs had the victims as members. It was their first major lead, considering the clubs were a wide variety of social groups; to be a member of all three was suspicious.

That lead failed, just like Thomas Philips. Jackson had an alibi for each of the nights. He was a Sociology major doing his thesis on social groups and how they interacted. Abby stormed out of the precinct, frustrated. Nick had watched as Grissom gently lead her to the car, and then took off. Brass ended up giving Sara and him a ride back to the Lab. The whole time Sara fumed in the back at being left behind.

An hour later Abby walked back into the lab with Grissom, a venti starbucks in her hand. Nick smirked, as she shield her coffee away from him. He smiled as he handed her a small box, stating Grant said they would help. Her squeal of delight in seeing the box of Rum Nougats from Sees Candy was worth the effort to get them, that and the kiss on the cheek.

That was two days ago, and now Nick stood silently in the hallway, watching Grissom try to calm Abby down. He wasn't sure if it was working. He watched in fascination to see a more emotional side of Grissom. He seemed open and approachable, as a matter of fact, Nick couldn't remember a time he had seen Grissom like this. Sara stepped up behind him, watching the scene play out, a mixture of emotions on her face.

"What is the history between those two?" She asked, her tone sharp.

"You would have to ask them that." Nick shrugged gripping the file he had in his hands tighter.

"It just seems odd. We've never heard of her, and she just shows up and Grissom just welcomes her with open arms." Sara said, never taking her eyes off the two.

"It's not our place to ask." Nick looked over at the now frowning Sara. He looked back over to the break room. Grissom had pulled Abby into his arms, Nick could tell by her shoulders shaking that she was crying. He turned to see Sara head for the door. "Sara give them a few..." He frowned as Sara entered the room.

"It seems someone doesn't like it when dad pays attention to the other children." Catherine's voice came from behind him, startling him slightly.

Nick turned, to look at the older woman. "Sara's feeling a bit insecure about her place with Grissom."

Warrick walked up to the pair, "I know how she feels." He looked into the break room to see Abby move away from Grissom, and head for the door.

Abby walked by the three, heading for the bathroom, Catherine excused herself and followed. Nick and Warrick watched as Grissom and Sara went head deep into an argument.

"It's not my place, but have you tried talking with her?" Nick asked Warrick, "I mean out of all of us, you understand the situation best."

"I tried, but she shot me down." Warrick shrugged. "The difference is that I know I have an addiction, and I fight it every day, every case gone bad. It took a while but I put it behind me, stopped trying to show Grissom I can do my job, and just did it."

"Why is it that three grown adults, secure in what they do, vie for his attention and acceptance?" Nick asked.

"I have no idea, man." Warrick patted Nick on the shoulder and head down the hall.

Nick took a deep breath and walked into the break room. "Gris, I have..." He hoped he could defuse the situation, but he was wrong.

"Sara, this isn't the time or place for this. What ever your problem is, get over it and get back to work." Grissom commanded, then turned and walked out the door, not even acknowledging Nick.

Nick looked over at Sara, who was fuming. Not sure exactly what to say or do, he just set the folder on the counter, and poured some coffee.

"WHAT is his problem!?" Sara fumed; she started pacing around the room. "I just asked a simple question, and he goes ballistic."

"That depends...." Nick turned coffee cup in hand, leaning on the counter

Sara continued, not even hearing Nick's answer. "I mean, don't you think we have the right to know their history?"

He watched her pace, "Actually..."

"Exactly!" Nick just looked at her. "We should be able to trust our team members, and yet Grissom and her are hiding something!"

"Sara, how many nieces and nephews do I have?" Nick asked out of the blue.

Sara turned and looked at him, like he had just asked for the formula for nuclear fusion. "What?"

"The point I'm making is, we no little about each other. Do you even know how many sisters and brothers I have? How about where Catherine is from? Warrick's grandma's name? What Greg did before he came to Vegas? You don't know the answers. So how can you expect Grissom to tell you deep personal history when you didn't even know his mother was deaf?" Nick looked at her expectantly.

Sara stood there dumb founded, then turned angry. "I supposed you could answer the questions."

"I have five sisters and one brother." He smirked slightly, but continued on at her annoyed glance. "Catherine is from Montana, Warrick's grandmothers name is Hannah, and Greg worked at the San Francisco lab before coming here. And I know you grew up at a Bed and Breakfast, just outside San Francisco. Sara, the point I'm making is you have to open up to others, if you expect them to open up to you." Nick's voice was soft, but firm.

Sara just stood there, looking at him. He smiled softly, "Trust goes both ways." He picked up the folder and headed out the door towards Grissom's office.

Nick left a gaping Sara in the break room. "When the hell did he become so..."

"Grown-Up?" Catherine finished. "Nick's always been grown-up, he just hide's it behind the good ole Texan boy."

Sara sighed and slumped in one of the chairs. "How could I've screwed my life up this much?"

"Easy, people do it all the time. It's called being human," Catherine sat down across from her. "We screw up, we deal with the consequences, and we move on. You need to stop beating yourself up, and think your doing penance. Grissom trusts you, like he trusted me after the lab explosion, like he trusted Warrick after Holly was killed, and Nick after Kristy's murder."

"I feel I've let him down." Sara voice dropped, showing the emotion pent up. "I let the job get to me, my emotions got the better of me and I couldn't cope."

"We all get that way. How do you think Warrick started gambling? Sara, you have friends here that have been there, talk to us, we can help." Catherine took the younger woman's hand and smiled.

"Just tell me this? What is up between Abby and Grissom?" Sara asked.

Catherine laughed, "You're like a dog with a bone." Catherine laughed even more by Sara's indigent expression. "That's for them to tell you. They're close, always have been since I've known them."

Nick was ready to step into Grissom's office, when Grissom came out in a rush. He stopped before heading head long into Nick.

"Sorry, Nick." Grissom apologized, then paused. "We got a call, get your gear and Sara. I'll get Abby."

Nick closed his eyes, and sighed. "Damn, part of me was hoping she was wrong."

Grissom smiled, slightly "If there's one thing I've learned, it's to trust Abby's instincts." He paused once again then looked at Nick, "As I've learned to trust yours." He turned and headed down the hallway searching for Abby.

Nick stood there for a second, shocked 'Grissom really needs to stop doing that,' he thought as he turned quickly and headed back to the break room. Poking his head in, he called out to Sara. "Sara, we got a call, another victim."

"Damn!" She stood up pushing her chair back forcefully. "What about Abby?"

Nick raised his eyebrow, "Grissom went to get her."

The two grabbed their gear, and headed out to the Tahoe. Grissom and Abby were already waiting by the car. Abby was glaring at Grissom, who ignored her completely. He threw the keys to Nick as he walked up and climbed into the passenger seat. Abby rolled her eyes, and got into the back seat followed by Sara. Nick laughed gently, and got behind the wheel.

"Not one word," Abby warned.

Nick tried to hide his grin, as he pulled out of the parking lot, "Fine."


~UNLV - Outside Gym~

Grissom walked up to the scene in trepidation. He looked over at Abby who had pulled out her camera, and notebook. "Abby you can't collect any evidence."

"I know, doesn't mean I can't study the scene." She commented as she snapped a few pictures. Stepping aside to let Nick and Sara into the scene, to begin collecting. She hung the camera on her shoulder and began writing notes. Not moving to keep from disturbing any evidence, she looked around the scene. "Gil, notice anything different?"

Sara looked up at Abby, pure annoyance on her face. She was ready to comment when Gris from the other side of the scene, "Definitely."

Sara and Nick both looked up from their spots. "Look at the whole scene not just the section you're working on," Grissom explained.

Nick stood up and took a step back, eyeing the scene carefully. He smiled, and looked over at Sara, who was grinning. "It's not neat," He looked over at Grissom who was snapping pictures.

Sara kneeled next to the body, smiling over at David. "Same MO, throat slit left to right. Looks like similar bruise appearing on the left side," He informed her.

Sara studied the body, looking at her hands. "Gris, we got defensive wounds." Sara looked up holding up the victim's hand. Grissom kneeled down to take a closer look.

"Warnings were going around the campus, especially with the news reports." Nick theorized, "She probably was watching her surroundings a bit more than the others."

"Hopefully there's DNA under her nails." Sara set the hand down gently.

"Then hopefully he's in Codis." Nick comments, noticing a small impression near the head. "Sara, shine your light left of the head." Sara looked over to where he was pointing.

"Is that a shoe impression?" She looked closely.

"Partial," Nick smiles at her.

"Her fighting through him off his pattern." Abby comments from the side, "He was used to them not fighting."

"The victim is Melissa Henrys and she just finished up with her kickboxing lesson, not more than two hours ago." Brass's informed them as he stepped up to the scene. "He picked the wrong girl."

"I would say," Nick pulled out his gear to get an impression of the partial print.

"I've already got my men waking up the dean to get her transcripts." Brass informed Abby before she could ask. She just smiled, and wrote more notes.

The body was removed from the scene, just in time to make the early morning news. "I hate working under the media spot lights." Abby growled.

"Yeah, but sometimes their bright lights help us find evidence." Nick smiled as he pulled up a black thread wedged between the sidewalk and dirt. "Looks like the others, but I'll have Greg analyze it."

"Good eye, Nick." Grissom commented as he walked up to Abby, who was smiling at him. "What is your impression?"

"He's upset, he screwed up and he knows it. She fought, hard. He still took the clothes and I bet there is no semen, but he didn't swipe under her nails. If he knew this much about forensic he should know we could get DNA from her nails. So either he doesn't care that we know now who he is, or he knows he's not in the system." She looked at the scene, then back to Grissom. "Either way we look at it, unless that DNA produces miracles, and gives us his name and where he's at, he will strike again in fourteen days. This won't stop him."

~Crime Lab - Break Room~

"Any new clues?" Nick asked handing her a cup from Starbucks. "I just want you to know Greg isn't speaking to me, he thinks I'm cheating on him now."

She sipped it, quickly swallowing then glared at him. "Okay, how many times have you talked with my son?"

Nick looked at the board, trying to look innocent. "Problem?"

"This is 'calm' tea, not coffee," She accused.

"Just following orders," He grinned. "You got yourself a good kid there." He watched her face beam with pride.

"Yeah, I do, one who's going to get an earful when I talk to him next." She set the tea down, and looked at the board. "I got the transcripts, and filled in the blanks. She fits the physical profile, Auburn hair, five foot six inches; she's the youngest of the group at nineteen. But that's all that fits the rest of the victims. Chemistry major that lived in the dorms, none of the classes she was taking match the other three, nor the clubs. She wasn't in any of them, and she didn't work at the store. She was on student council, and active for better security."

"So basically, no leads." Nick stated looking over the board. "How about DNA?"

"Greg's running it now, Doc Robbins confirmed same knife, and no semen." Sara stated as she walked into the room. "We're back to square one."

"No, we have the DNA and shoe print, we at least made it to square two." Nick shrugged, "Let's just hope it matches with something. I have Warrick running the print. He wasn't happy with me, matter of fact I owe him big," Nick sighed as he sat down.

"Yes, you do." Warrick commented as he entered the room. "Men's ten shoe, Nike running sneakers, you really don't want to know how many were sold in Vegas alone."

"Thanks, Warrick." Abby commented, turning from the board. Grissom and Catherine entered the break room followed by Greg.

"DNA, confirms it's male, but no matches in Codas." Greg informs the group sitting down at the end of the table. "Unless I have something to compare it to, can't help you much."

"So what do we have?" Grissom asked the group.

"The fiber Nick found at the scene, matches the other two." Catherine stated, sitting down next to Warrick.

"Same knife, no semen." Sara added, her voice tired and frustrated.

"Shoe was a men's size ten, Nike running shoe." Warrick looked toward Grissom.

Nick looked down at the file in his hands, then back up at Grissom. He knew this could just blow up in his face, but something told him the file was important. "I might have found an old connection." He hesitated as he put the folder down in front of Grissom. "It fits the number fourteen. To be exact, the crime was fourteen years ago this Halloween."

Abby froze in her seat, turning to look at Nick then Grissom. Grissom opened the case folder recognizing it instantaneously. "It's not relevant, he's was caught and is serving jail time."

"I matched the transcripts, the classes match three of the victims, and the latest lived in the dorms. All red heads, college students, around the early twenties." Nick put forth his theory.

"It's a connection," Catherine shrugged. "Who was the victim, maybe we could talk with her, see if there's any further connections."

"Are we sure he's still in jail?" Warrick asked. "If the case if fourteen years old, he could be out on parole."

"No, he's not out on parole, I've made sure of it." Grissom commented, as he looked up to Abby.

"Why would you make sure of it?" Sara asked, confused by Grissom's behavior and Nick's worried expression.

"He made sure of it, for me." Abby commented from the side, as she turned to face everyone, giving a reassuring smile to Nick. "I was the victim fourteen years ago."

~CSI - Break Room~

The room went silent. Abby could see the calculations running through Catherine's head, her blue eyes had gone wide, then to understanding; Grant had just turned thirteen in July. Sara sat looking between Abby and Grissom, shock prevalent on her face. Warrick leaned back in his chair absorbing the information. While Nick watched Grissom carefully, not sure of his reaction, he had read the file and now understood not only Abby's and his relationship, but also his determination to keep the cases impersonal.

"Like I said earlier, it's irrelevant, because Robert Williams is serving a twenty-year sentence." Grissom's voice was calm, but hard. His emotions lying close the surface.

Abby stood up and looked at the board, then walked over to Grissom, grabbing the chart. Following Nick's instinct she mapped out the connections. "Gil, there's two many matches here. Once is a coincidence, twice is a pattern, and three is a signature, are we sure he's in jail?" Abby's voice hitched, "I mean they would call me if he was out, right?"

"Wouldn't he have to register as a sex-offender?" Warrick asked.

"Why wasn't this brought up before?" Sara demanded, staring accusingly at Abby.

"Because, he's in jail." Grissom glared at Sara.

Nick spoke up, "I had Brass check to make sure."

Abby slouched back down in her chair, eyes fixed on the ceiling. Grissom stood, making his way over to her, kneeling next to the chair. She felt his hand on her knee, tears threatening to spill down her face. She took a deep breath, "Okay we don't know for sure, but if it is, then well, we..." Her voice cracked, her worst nightmare was coming true. She had always known he would get out sooner or later, part of her hoped he would just go away.

"Honey, they would have called us. It's stipulated in his files, that we are called about any changes in his status, for every parole hearing." Grissom's voice was soft, reassuring. "But, it could be a lead, maybe someone who knows him, out to humiliate CSI..." He paused, as Brass walked into the room.

Everyone looked at him, his gruff expression tight with frustration. "I called the department of Prisons," He looked at Abby and Grissom. "Robert Williams was released six months ago."

Grissom stared at Brass in shock, "What?!"

"His family got him a new lawyer, why this late in the game I don't know. But the appeals judge decided that he had been sentenced too harshly, and he was released for time served." Brass walked into the room, closing the door behind him.

"WHY! the hell wasn't I notified?" Grissom voice rose in agitation, Catherine put a hand on his arm to calm him.

"The new warden felt that it wasn't necessary, Williams wasn't a threat to society anymore." Brass's venom in his voice showed how much he believed the statement.

Abby stood abruptly, and before anyone could blink she had reached into Grissom's pockets and pulled out his keys. She grabbed her purse and was out the door, Nick jumped up the moment she reached the door, and followed her out. He ran after her down the hall and into the parking lot. He barely made it into the Tahoe before she peeled out of the parking lot.

Grissom stormed out of the break room, slamming the door into the wall. The lab watched in stunned silence as he stalked down the hall to his office. It was a rare moment to see Grissom loose his cool.

Everyone sat there in stunned silence. Catherine blinked, sitting back down at the table. "Okay, so now we have a new lead. Warrick find out where Mr. Williams is at." She was working hard to pull her emotions in check. She had known Abby for ten years, never once had this come up. She had never talked about Grant's father, but she had never suspected that he was a product of a rape. Abby and Grissom both adored Grant, loved him unconditionally. Abby always looked at Grant with nothing but love and awe, never did she show a flicker of any type of negative emotion when it came to him.

Warrick nodded, and headed out the door, Brass following behind him. Catherine looked at a stunned Greg, "If he was charged with rape he would be in the system." He looked up at Catherine.

"Fourteen years ago, we didn't have the DNA advances, let alone codis." Catherine commented.

"What about Abby's old case? Do we keep evidence that long?" Greg asked, speculating on how to match the cases.

Catherine looked at him and smiled, "You'll make a good CSI, once Grissom's calmed down a bit, I'll find more about the case and the evidence used in the trial."

"And in the mean time?" Greg asked, looking out toward Grissom's office.

"There are other cases that need to be processed." Catherine watched as Greg nodded, then headed back to his lab.

"Sara?" Catherine asked the still shocked CSI.

"Did you know?" Sara turned towards Catherine.

Catherine studied Sara's face, it was mixture of emotions, frowning she wasn't sure how to answer. The truth was, she knew Grissom and Abby were close, but not why. She also knew that if Sara didn't get in check with her emotions, she was likely going to do something rash. "I told you they were close, I had no idea what had made them so close."

"I don't understand, did he know her before she was raped? She couldn't have been CSI at the time." Sara asked, her mind working out scenarios.

"It's between them..." Catherine began, but was cut off by Sara's exclamation.

"Not if it's relevant to the case!" Sara stood up and headed for Grissom's office.

Catherine sighed, lowering her head till it hit the table. The day had official gone straight to hell, and the forecast didn't look good.

~Open Highway - Grissom's Tahoe~

"Going anywhere in particular?" Nick asked, glancing over at the distraught woman.

Abby shrugged. "You didn't have to get into the car."

"I didn't think it was wise to leave you alone," he turned towards her, his back leaning up against the passenger door. "I'm sorry."

"Why? It's not your fault there's a sick son of a bitch out there trying to get his frustration out against me on innocent woman," Abby growled out.

Nick could feel the Tahoe speed up, resisting looking at the speedometer. "I'm sorry I brought up painful memories." He caught her look as she glanced his way. "And it's not your fault. Like you said he's a sick son of a bitch. He raped you, and now he's doing it again. We will catch him, and this time he will get a needle in his arm."

"It's not that simple," Abby turned onto a side street, and headed out farther into the desert. She seemed to know where they were going.

"It can be, you can't blame yourself for this," Nick reassured her or at least he tried.

"The whole time, it was me he was sending the message to..."

"You sure about that?" Nick asked.

Abby glanced over, a look of confusion on her face. "What do you mean?"

"He's been out for six months, long enough to know you weren't in Vegas anymore," Nick began to explain.

"And?" Abby pushed.

"He knew forensics, you weren't a CSI when he attacked you. I read the file Abby." Nick paused, feeling the car stop. "Think like the profiler you are, read the evidence."

Abby turned off the engine, leaning back in the seat. "He was sending a message to Grissom."

"It only became personal, when the FBI announced...." Nick continued.

"That I was assigned to the case," Abby finished. She looked out the window, Nick followed her gaze, they were at the Las Vegas Race tracks, "When things got too tough, I would come out here, and think." Her voice became quiet and reflective. She opened the door and jumped out, Nick following her lead, as she climbed onto the hood of the Tahoe.

"Grant?" Nick asked, looking over in time to see the flinch. "Sorry, it really isn't any of my business."

"No, it's okay," she turned her face and smiled. "He knows, when he got old enough to truly understand I told him the truth. He's a good kid, and I love him more than life, but..."

"There are times you wonder?" Nick finished for her.

"Yeah, but then I look into his beautiful green eyes, and can't think of these past fourteen years with out him." She smiled, thinking about her son. "You've made quite impression on him, he talks about you all the time now. Can't wait to meet you."

"Well we have a lot in common," Nick shrugged.

"Football? Love for Texas," Abby grinned.

"Among other things," Nick sat up head resting on his now raised knees. "You have no idea how much I admire you."

Abby sat up next to him, "Me?"

He looked over at her, "You didn't let Williams win. You stood up, made your stand and told him to go to hell. You raised a good kid, in-spite the odds, on your own. Yet still managed to finish your education, and became a top notch CSI - Profiler."

Abby blushed, "Thanks."

"I meant every word of it," He put his arm around her and pulled her close to him, both quiet in their own reflections.

~CSI Labs - Grissom's Office~

Sara walked into the office, closing the door behind her. Grissom watched her as she paced in front of his desk. His emotions were too close to the surface to deal with Sara.

He pulled off his glasses throwing them down on his desk, "Sara either say what you're here to say or get out and let me do my job."

She stopped and glared at him, "You have the nerve to yell at me about being emotionally involved, yet..."

"My situation with Abby is the reason I tell everyone not to get emotionally involved." Grissom stood leaning over his desk towards her. "You want the story, Sara? The one you've been snipping about for the past few weeks. Abby was one of my first high profile cases when I got Vegas."

Sara stopped stunned, "what happened?"

"We almost lost the damn case! The defense put just enough doubt in the jury's mind, that I railroaded some innocent bystander because Abby and I had a personal relationship." Grissom paused sitting back down. "Not in the sense he was eluding to. Abby had become like a daughter to me. Her strength to get through the ordeal she had been faced with was amazing. She had no one, and I opened up, a rare incident." He smiled, caught up in the memories.

"Obviously, you won the case," Sara snipped as she sat down on the couch.

"Only because Abby was hit with another blow." Grissom paused, "She became pregnant. The defense's full case rested on one thing. They never denied that Abby had been raped, the photos and evidence was enough for that. What they denied was it was Williams. They main line of defense was that he was innocent, I was railroading him. Kind of hard to deny plausibility that Williams never laid eyes on Abby, if she was pregnant with his child."

"Pregnant?" Sara asked, shocked.

Grissom leaned back in his chair. "Grant, her son. Sara, I almost lost the case, and my reputation because I got involved. I wouldn't change a thing; Abby and Grant became the family I thought I would never have. But, it could have turned out worse. I know the consequence's Sara; it's why we can't get emotional. Think, if all the cases were like this, I couldn't handle it, neither could you or anyone else."

He looked over at Sara; he could see she was thinking. He sighed, deciding to push the issues that lay between them, "You want to know why I recommended Nick?"

Sara looked up at him confused by the turn in the conversation. "Yes!" Even though she told Nick he deserved it, he was a good CSI, but she had always felt he was too soft, not dedicated like she was.

"You saw this as a stepping stone in your career, as did he, but somewhere along the line, he realized something you haven't yet." Grissom leaned forward making sure she followed his line of thinking. "He didn't care if he got the promotion, because in the end he was here for the victims and that was what was important."

"I'm here for the victims!" Sara replied indignant, pissed that Grissom would think otherwise. Hell, half the time she was there too much for the victims.

"Are you?" Grissom pushed, "Was the drinking because cases were getting too personal, or because your own life was becoming too personal?"

Sara paused stunned, "The job became to much." Even though it wasn't the full truth. She could pin point the moment things in her life became to personal.

"Yet, you're still here." Grissom pointed out, knowing the truth, even if she wouldn't say it.

"Why did you turn my dinner invitation down?" Finally asking the question that had been on her mind for a year.

"Because you're a friend, nothing more." Grissom answered, "And I'm sorry I wasn't clear to you on that."

"What about the Debbie Marlin case, I heard you." Sara watched the confused expression cross Grissom's face. "You said that he was brave to take the chance given to him, that you weren't, your career had come first."

Grissom closed his eyes, remembering the moment. "Sara, I wished you had said something. I've put aside all personal relationships for my career. Only two have ever stayed with me, Catherine and Abby."

Sara looked down studying the floor, finally looking inside; to find the truth about why she was acting the way she has these past few months. "I'm a fool."

"No, I don't communicate well. Ask Catherine, hell ask Abby. She's thrown things at me because of it." Grissom sighed, hoping to get a smile out of Sara. "You've made mistakes, I've made them, hell Sara everyone here has. It's time to stop trying to impress me, and do your job."

"You know I think this has been the longest conversation we have ever had." Sara stood up as she headed for the door.

"Get Warrick, Catherine, and Greg and meet me in the break room. We have a case to solve." Grissom began pulling out folders from his filing cabinet.

Sara looked at him, and smiled. It was finally clicking, it wasn't her, it was just Grissom being Grissom. She headed out the door looking for the rest of the team. She still had a lot to deal with, but she was on the right path, at last.
 
~Grissom's Tahoe - Las Vegas Race Track~

"I was walking back from the library," Nick barely heard the soft-spoken words. His arm tightened around her, encouraging her. "I had a paper due in my Cultural Anthropology class, I was studying the dynamics of kinship in the South. It's actually a really fascinating subject." She glanced up, trying to read his neutral expression. "It was just after midnight, I clearly remember this because the Librarian had kicked me out of the Library."

"You don't have to tell me this," Nick offered, tipping her chin to look at him.

Abby sighed, "No, I need to."

"You were walking alone? What about campus security?" Nick asked, trying to keep her emotions from taking over.

"He never showed up. Well he did, but he wasn't there to keep me from harm," Abby snorted.

Nick's voice showed his surprise, "He was campus security?"

Abby shook her head, "Yeah. It was Grissom that found the connection."

"Makes sense, he would know the campus inside and out," Nick contemplated.

"I lived on the opposite side of the campus, a resident dorm advisor." Abby took a deep breath. "I could have lived off campus, but I enjoyed living in the dorms. Felt like a family, one I didn't have. Did I tell you how my parents died when I was sixteen?"

"No, you didn't?" Nick asked.

Abby whispered, "I'll tell you a little secret." She grinned, eyes dancing with humor. Nick couldn't help but be caught up in them.

"Oh really, and what would that be?" Nick raised his eyebrow in question, playing along with her diversion.

"The reason Grissom won't let me drive." She knew that would catch his attention. The psychologist inside her knew she was stalling.

Nick turned and looked at her, "the secret of all secrets."

She laughed then closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. It was never easy to talk about her parents; she found it ironic that at times it was easier to talk about the rape, then the day her parents died. "My parents were killed by a street race gone bad. One of the racers lost control, and veered into on coming traffic, hit them head on, going ninety. Being the very angry sixteen-year-old that I was, I started racing. I told myself, it was to find my parent's killers, but in truth I was just acting out in my anger. I didn't quit until I nearly killed a family. Barely missed them, the car next to me bumped my car, more like slammed it into oncoming traffic. Only quick thinking got me out of the way, I was going ninety at least. It was a too familiar scene."

"So you stopped racing?" Nick asked, a bit surprised.

"Street racing yes," Abby shrugged. "At one of the races, the owner of the Vegas Race Track had come to watch, he had heard about my skills. When he found out I retired from the street he offered me a job racing stock cars."

Nick wasn't sure to be in awe or upset at the unnecessary risks she was taking. "You still race?"

"I quit, well I had to quit. I had Grant to think of," Abby looked over at Nick. "Doesn't mean I don't go out and take a few laps when I get really frustrated. I wouldn't be surprised if Grissom knew exactly where I was."

Nick looked over at the track, "So he doesn't let you near the Tahoe's, why?"

"Because, on my first assignment, he gave me the keys..." Abby smiled at the memory, a small laugh escaping.

"Cause, we all know he hates to drive," Nick commented.

"Exactly, well the scene was across town, I got there in I think ten minutes. It's normally thirty." Nick's laughter became contagious as Abby herself began laughing. "He never let me drive after that."

~CSI - Break Room~

Grissom walked in and set down a box full of folders and notes on the table. The three CSI's and one in training looked up at their boss. "These are all the notes, and files from Abby's case. I want us to go through them, and see if we can pick up on another pattern."

"Gris, I know I'm diving into personal territory here, but I mean shouldn't you at least tell us what is going on." Catherine sat up leaning onto the table looking at Grissom.

He sighed, picking up the box and setting it down on the ground. "I was working here about a year, the lab was in shambles." He looked up at the group, "I'm not kidding, lab equipment out of date, CSI's that just didn't really care, and did I mention the rats living in the supply closet?"

"Rats in the supply closet?" Catherine cringed, looking around the now clean pristine lab. "Good job on cleaning it up."

Grissom just looked at her, "The first year, our solve rate was slowly getting better. I pushed for new equipment and staff. Our reputation was starting to improve. Things were looking good for the lab when I had gotten the call. Rape victim on the UNLV Campus."

~Grissom's Tahoe - Las Vegas Race Track~

"I was only 100 yards from the entrance to the dorms, when he grabbed me," Abby began slowly. "I've have always been alert to my surroundings, mainly due from the racing. In truth I never thought I would be a victim, but it only took one simple act, to drop my guard and he took the advantage." She paused, taking a deep breath, "I dropped my keys, and as I bent over to pick them up he grabbed me."

Nick slipped his arm back around her, pulling her close. "Shhh, take a deep breath, we've got time."

Abby leaned her head on his shoulder, "I tried to swing around, get him in front of me, but he held onto my backpack wrenching my arms behind me. He pulled me into the small grove of trees near the dorms." She lifted her head to look up at Nick. "The funny thing, not once did I scream. I struggled, lashed out, but didn't scream. I couldn't find my voice."

"Not uncommon, the fear paralyzed your voice box. Your survivor instinct kicked in and fought, but you were running on pure adrenaline," Nick theorized.

"He ripped my backpack off my back and then threw me to the ground. I was dazed for a few minutes, I think, because I don't remember him ripping my shirt. Once I was able to focus, I felt his hands on my hips pulling off my jeans." She looked over at the racetrack, the sounds of cars filtered towards the two CSI's. "I kicked out, but he pinned my hips down by leaning on them. It was that moment I knew I wasn't going to get out, that he was going to rape me."

Nick closed his eyes, trying not to imagine or think what had happened to her. He knew it had been fourteen years ago, but it didn't make the memories less painful. All he could do is sit there and listen, it was the least he could do.

"I was a virgin, emphasis on the word was." Abby voice was strained. She heard Nick's exclamations even if he tried to conceal them under his breath. "I just concentrated on getting out of the situation alive. I could learn to deal with the rape, but I had to be alive to do it."

"Was his intentions to kill you?" Nick asked, quietly.

"I had no idea at the time, just as he was finishing up a noise alerted him to people coming. A group of students were coming back from a Halloween Party. He backhanded me hard, I blacked out from the force of the blow. I don't know exactly what happened, when I came to a bunny rabbit was telling me that an ambulance was on their way and not to worry, that I was going to be alright." Abby smiled for the first time, while telling the story. "I have a weird attachments to bunnies now, they actually make me feel secure."

She could feel Nick trying not to laugh, "It's okay, and even now I laugh over it. If you can't find humor where you can, life just gets too much to handle."

Nick's laughter spilled out, "I'm sorry. That night was hell for you and the only image I have is this bunny rabbit super hero."

"He stayed with me through the whole thing, we're still friends to this day," Abby said with a smile.

~CSI - Break Room~

Grissom leaned back in his chair, eyes down cast. "Detective Nelson had met me at the parking lot, when I pulled up to the campus. He had informed me that a young woman walking back from the library had been attacked and raped. She was found by a group of students heading back from a Halloween party. They had stated that they heard something in the trees, and when they called out a man took off running. It wasn't until they got closer did they see the woman, clothes shredded and unconscious." He paused for a second, and then continued. "The scene was in shambles, between the students, paramedics, and cops there were a dozen footprints, and everything was scattered."

"Where you the only one on the case?" Warrick asked sensing Grissom was having a difficult time talking about it.

"Yes, the staff was quite small then, actually we had only three CSI's." Grissom looked over to Warrick, "It didn't take long to process the actually scene. Thinking back to that case I'm amazed at the advancements made, in not only DNA, but also just collecting evidence. I got molds of the shoe prints, bagged her backpack, and the articles of clothing that was left behind." Grissom stopped, caught up in the memory.

Catherine watched in silent fascination, as long as she had known Grissom she had only seen this side of him twice. The first being when Lindsey was born, his look of complete awe holding the infant was amazing. The second was when Abby left Vegas.

Catherine startled, when Grissom suddenly began talking, "After finishing up the scene, I proceeded to the hospital where the vic... Abby had been taken."

~Flashback~

Grissom walked into the hospital and was greeted, by a large bunny talking to one of the doctors. When he got closer, he could hear them discussing, the victim.

"Excuse me," Grissom interrupted. "I'm Gil Grissom with the crime lab, I'm looking for Abigail Thornheart, she was brought in here earlier."

"Mr. Grissom, she's in room four," the doctor pointed towards the end of the hall. "She's been irritable, because I haven't let her wash up." Grissom seemed a bit surprised at the doctor's statement, "I attended a seminar a while back on the advancements of DNA work and knew that the littlest thing could help a criminal case."

"Advanced thinking, could actually do that, thank you Doctor," Grissom walked down the hall towards the room. A pink furry hand stopped him; he turned to look at a young man in the bunny suit.

"Mr. Grissom, is there a chance in catching the bastard? I didn't get a really good look, but I would like to help," the bunny was sincere in his statements.

"Mr.?" Grissom asked, he was starting to get used to Vegas. Talking to a rabbit in the hospital was really not that surprising as it should have been.

"Sorry, Wayne Connors, Abby is the resident advisor for my sister's dorm. She's a good person, and I want to see the bastard behind bars. Besides the fact he's still loose and my sister walk those same paths. It worries me," Wayne admitted.

"I'll do my best, Mr. Connors," Grissom walked past and into the hospital room.

Abby turned and looked at the person walking into her room. She just watched him as he crossed the room and set his kit down on the table. Not once did she take her eyes off of him, a bit unnerving for Grissom.

"Miss Thornheart, I'm Gil Grissom with the crime lab. I'm going to see if there's any evidence left behind on you." Grissom's voice was neutral calming. She just nodded and he preceded to exam her.

Abby just watched as he cleaned out from under her nails. Then watched as he pulled out a comb and started going through her hair. "What are you looking for?" Her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Debris to match to the crime scene, and if we find the same debris with your assailant then it puts him there also," Grissom answered.

"But, I didn't get a good look at the guy, he had a mask on." Abby informed him, as she watched him label the envelope.

"There are ways of identify someone without seeing their face," Grissom closed up his case. "You can clean up now."

"Oh, thank God!" Abby sat up then winced, she stopped and looked at the bathroom.

Grissom could hear her try to control her emotions. "If you want I can have a nurse come in and help you."

"No, I'm okay, I just need to clean up..." She hesitated, "I just don't want to look in the mirror."

"Miss Thornheart..."

"Abby, please I...." Abby interrupted, looking over at him.

Grissom watched as she tried to compose herself, "is there someone the nurses can call for you?"

The sob of pain startled Grissom; he barely reached her before she crumbled onto the floor. He barely made out the words no and alone, but it was enough to understand that she had no one. He wasn't sure how long he stayed there, and he was surprised he didn't care that he was breaking every rule about not getting involved. He just held her until the sobs stopped and she was asleep. He called the nurse in who helped him get her back into the bed. As he left he looked back, she looked so peaceful while sleeping.

~CSI - Break Room~

"You broke your own rule," Catherine pointed out.

"I know, Catherine." Grissom gave her a look, which plainly asked why she was stating something so obvious.

"Solving a rape case without DNA isn't easy. All I had to go on was the shoe prints, debris from the scene, and blood type. My big break came when I went back at the crime scene, and Abby showed up out of nowhere." Grissom began to explain.

~Flashback~

"Mr. Grissom." Grissom jumped slightly at the sudden intrusion of his space. He turned to see Abby standing slightly behind him. "I thought it was you." His look of confusion was evident on his face. "I was up in my room, and I saw you looking around." She pointed up to the top floor, a window on the corner.

"You live there?" Grissom looked up at the dorms. The thought that she had to see the crime scene every time she looked at the window, "That must be difficult."

"In a way it makes me deal with it, I can't hide from it," She shrugged. She was wearing bagging jeans and a UNLV sweatshirt. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail. She looked like a normal college kid, except for the large bruise fading on her cheek. "Is there anything I can help with?"

Grissom shook his head no, but stopped and turned towards her. "How about walking me through the crime."

She paled at the thought, he was about to tell her to forget about it, but she nodded her head yes. "From the beginning?"

He could see her hands shaking, "You don't have to, I'm sorry to have brought it up." Grissom later would analyze exactly what was causing him to be so open.

"No, it's okay. It will be good for me, or at least my therapist would think so," She shrugged walking up to the sidewalk. "I was walking back, when my keys dropped. I bent over to pick them up, and when I stood up ... "

"He came from behind, did you hear anything?" Grissom asked, trying to get her concentrate on outside details not on the attacker.

She turned to look at him, "No, I didn't. Then he dragged me over there." She points to the grove of trees.

"You don't have to go any further. You didn't see where he went when the students scared him off?" Grissom asked, watching her face panic as she looked towards the grove.

"No, he backhanded me good, I think I heard leaves crunching but I'm not sure." Her eyes were glued to the area. "Is there a chance of finding him?"

"All I can do is follow the evidence, it never lies." Grissom stated, with a firm conviction. As he walked towards the actual crime scene, he noticed that she was a few steps behind him. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Sorry, I don't mean to intrude, just curious..." Abby paused words faltering.

"Curious?" Grissom asked, while he squatted down eyeing the ground then looked up towards the trees.

"What do you see?" She asked watching him.

"Where does this path go?" Grissom stood up, pointing through the trees.

"I really don't know," She followed his gaze. "I always thought it was a bit dangerous and stupid to walk through the groves when you didn't know what could be lurking in there."

Grissom could hear the sarcasm in her voice, "How about a walk through the woods."

"What if there is a wolf?" Abby looked up her eyes catching his.

"I'll protect you," and Grissom realized he meant it.

~CSI - Break Room~

"I can't explain it, but we connected." Grissom shrugged, "Not on a romantic level that later Williams' defense attorney and family would try to use against Abby, but just one of those things. She broke through a lot of my defenses by just being her."

"How did you figure Williams?" Sara asked, a new respect for Abby settling in.

"At the end of the trees, was a parking lot, at the end of the parking lot was the security offices. While walking through I noticed similar shoe prints from the one at the crime scene. I had told Abby to stay put, and went to get my camera and kit."

"You left a traumatized rape victim in the middle of a grove of trees, where her rapist might be prowling from?" Catherine looked at Grissom in horror, now that was the Grissom she knew.

"She hit me when I got back," Grissom smiled. "She later told me she wasn't sure if that ten minutes helped or gave her an un-rational fear of squirrels, something about them running and chatting the whole time scaring the crap out of her."

Warrick snickered, then sobered. "So the shoeprint?"

"I took the pictures, and molds, but from quick examination they matched one from the crime scene, and since all witnesses stated that the assailant had ran into the groves it was a logical step that they were his." Grissom answered Warrick. "I just kept following the trail, ended up at the security offices."

"Abby was still with you?" Sara asked, shocked at Grissom's behavior.

"Yeah, in truth I had forgotten she was there." Grissom answered self-consciousness.

"Now that's the Grissom we know," Catherine commented out loud.

Grissom shot her a look, but kept on with the story. "While I talked to the head of security, Abby wandered around. Most of the officers were out patrolling, knowing that the rapist was still at large. While he checked the logs from his officers, I saw Abby came back into the lobby pale, tears streaking down her eyes. She was shaking and scared. I pulled her aside; she fell into my arms crying. As I got her to calm down, she told me she saw an open locker in the back, shoes full of mud and leaves, I tried to say that can be anything, but she stopped me in my tracks when she stated, she saw a black ski mask on the top shelf."

"She didn't touch anything did she?" Warrick asked. He couldn't imagine what had been going through Abby's mind.

"No, as she so well put it, 'Mr. Grissom, I've known you for a few days and already know that to touch anything and contaminate your crime scene would be a very bad idea.'" Grissom had to pause as Catherine laughed, and then just sighed as Warrick and Sara joined in. "That was one of the things that drew me to her, was her undying sense of humor. Through everything, she could always find a way to laugh."

"Did you get a warrant?" Catherine asked as she composed herself.

"Didn't need to. The head of security let me search the place, he was adamant that if it was one of his guys, he would personally see to their prosecution. You know he's still head of security; I talked to him last week about the new cases. He's going to be pissed when he finds out its Williams, if it's Williams. Inside Williams locker was the ski mask, shoes, and black pants full of mud."

"Did he confess to the rape?" Warrick asked. "I mean twenty years is a good sentence without DNA proof."

"No, as a matter of fact he denied ever being near Abby. The trial was a joke; they almost ripped my reputation to shreds claiming I was fabricating evidence, because it was obvious I was personally involved with Abby. They tried to state Abby planted the evidence in the locker while I distracted the head of security. The only thing they didn't dispute was her being raped."

"It all makes sense now," Warrick commented looking over at Grissom.

"We all have those few cases, that will forever be with us. Ones that change our lives that our actions during the case might not be for the best, but the effects afterwards are more important in the long run." Catherine commented. "It's just rare to see this side of your Grissom."

"Obviously you won the case, though." Warrick pointed out. "How?"

"Grant?" Catherine asked Grissom, who nodded his head yes.

"Grant?" Warrick asked, looking between the two CSI's.

"Abby's son, the preliminary trials had begun, when she showed up at the lab." Grissom answered. "I knew something was wrong, it was the first time I had really seen her look defeated. After a few minutes of coaching I finally heard the quite whisper, but it was such a loud statement, she was pregnant."

Warrick leaned back in his chair, "That's just a slap in the face."

"But in the end, it convicted him. Kind of hard to say you've never seen her before, when she's pregnant with your child, and sense they never denied she was raped. The jury easily connected all the dots and convicted him. I was surprised at the sentence myself, but the judge was tough on sexual crimes." Grissom continued, "Grant's just turned thirteen, a good kid."

"Wow, to keep the child, that's determination." Greg spoke up for the first time; it was a lot to take in.

"It helps that Grant is a lot like his mother." Grissom commented obviously proud of him.

"Well lets get looking over those files, oh and Grissom, Greg mentioned pulling DNA off of Abby's old clothes maybe connecting the two crimes?" Catherine nodded towards Greg.

Grissom looked over at Greg, cocking his head as if he was thinking. "Good thinking Greg, I'll check into it. Everyone sift through these files, as far as I'm concerned this becomes priority we are all working on it."

"Should we be concerned about where Abby and Nick are?" Sara asked just noticing it had been hours since Abby had taken off.

"I know where she is, and I'm sure Nick is keeping an eye on her." Grissom commented as he got up and headed for the door. He had a prison warden to call and yell at.

They watched him leave and walk towards his office. "So where do you think they are at?"

Catherine grinned, "Probably just driving around."

~Las Vegas Race Track~

Abby shifted down going into the turn, trying not to laugh at Nick's yelps of surprise as she neared the wall. Maybe next time she'll let him drive or better yet, challenge him to a race. As she shifted out of the turn, slamming the gas peddle down she felt the tension leave her body as she flew by the stands going over a hundred plus miles per hour. She knew as soon as she stepped out of this car, it would be back to the real world of rape, murder, and evils of mankind, but right now she just concentrated on the track. As she looked over at Nick quickly, as they came out of another turn, she saw him smiling at her. Okay, maybe not all of mankind was evil.

~CSI - Break Room~

Nick walked into the break room, feeling human once again. After a good sleep, shower, and some food, he was ready to get back onto the case. They had nine days to go before the next victim would be found. He watched as Abby pored over her old case file, writing notes on the board and in her own note book. After their talk in the desert, then subsequent drive around the track, she was calmer. He could see the profiler at work, but knew underneath was a young woman who's life had been changed.

"You look rested," Her voice broke through his thoughts. "Is that what I think it is in your hand?"

He smiled, handed her the coffee and sat down next to her. "Sleep helps, you did get some right?"

"Yes, Grissom made sure of it. I swear he drugged my tea," Abby sipped the coffee and set it down. "You know it's a bit scary you know exactly how I like my coffee."

He just shrugged, "Anything?"

"Just the final pieces to the puzzle, everything clicks. If it's not Robert then it's someone familiar with my case." Abby looked over at the board.

Nick could see the connecting points. Each of the victims had a class similar to the ones Abby had been taking the semester she was attacked. The latest victim had lived in the dorms.

"Did Grissom have any luck getting your old case out of the Archive?" Nick asked, reading through Grissom's old notes.

"I haven't seen him all evening," Abby answered.

"So what happens if we prove it is Williams?" Nick asked, concern on his face.

"We arrest the bastard and stick a needle in his arm," Abby had just enough venom in her voice to worry Nick. She looked over at his concerned expression. "Don't worry I won't do anything stupid, like shoot him. I just want to make sure justice is served, preferably very painful justice, but I can live with a simple needle. I mean it was one thing to rape me, okay got it, but to kill and rape those women for revenge, well that's just..."

"It's not your fault, and we will catch him, or who ever it is doing this." Nick forced her to look at him. "And don't feel guilty for being angry. He already messed with your life once, now he's trying it again. You have the right to be pissed, I would be."

"Thanks, nothing more we can do except wait for Grissom," Abby leaned back in her chair, trying to relax for a few minutes.

~Grissom's Office~

"Thank you, no I understand," Grissom said as he hung up the phone. He sighed in frustration as he leaned back in his chair.

"I take it, that wasn't good news," Catherine asked from the doorway of his office.

"No, the Archive has already dumped the evidence. It had a ten year hold, and was destroyed a few years ago." Grissom said without looking up. "Which means we can't compare DNA from her case to the Henrys case."

"Actually, I think we can, we forgot a very important piece of evidence," Catherine moved into the office.

Grissom sat up and elbows on the desk, "Just spit it out?"

"Grant," She paused trying to gauge his reaction. "Match his DNA to the sample we got from the Henrys case. If they have seven matching markers then it links Williams to Henrys, which links him to the rest via the knife wounds." Catherine said, watching Grissom's expression.

"I'll get Abby," He stood up and left his office.

~CSI - Break Room~

Abby looked up when Grissom walked into the room, "What?" She knew that look, and she wasn't going to like what he was going to say.

"The evidence from your case was destroyed a few years back," Grissom said. He sat down across from her, looking her directly in the eyes.

"Oh God, what?" Abby now new for sure something was up.

"There is a way we can match the evidence," Grissom hesitated.

Abby's eyes narrowed, "Grant?"

"If seven markers match, then..."

"We link him to the Henrys case, and by default all of them," Nick finished.

Abby knew both men were watching her for a reaction. She didn't know how to react. She looked between the two, her mind trying to focus on the issue. "I don't want Grant associated with that bastard," she snarled.

Grissom was a bit taken back at her words, "Abby..."

"No! You don't get it. It's a fine line I walk...we walk dealing with who his father is. I have to assure him, that he is nothing like that bastard. To even remotely show biological evidence, it just re-enforces the fact to Grant that he is a part of the man that raped me." Abby slumped father into her chair, "I don't know if I can really explain it to you."

"Abby, but wouldn't Grant want to do anything to make sure Williams is put away?" Nick ventured. "Look at this way, because of Grant he was put away for twenty years, and now he can put him away for good."

Grissom at that moment thanked God for Nick's ability to handle people. Even after all these years of dealing with Abby and Grant, he still wasn't very good at handling people's emotions. He watched as Nick soothed Abby, and try to get her to see a different side. He watched the touches, and calm voice as he talked with her. He realized that Abby completely trusted Nick, and that was something to think about.

"I'll call a friend to get the blood work, she'll process it and send it here," Abby conceded. Before Grissom could protest, "She works as a DNA specialist for the NCIS, well trained and qualified. Besides any evidence coming from our lab or my own lab back in DC could be considered tainted, and I will not let any defense attorney drag my son through a trial and more lab work."

"Who should I call?" Grissom asked.

"Her name is, Abby Sciuto, we met at a conference a few years back. She actually sought me out, because our names matched, something about fate meant for us to be friends. By looking at her you wouldn't think scientist, but she knows her stuff, and Grant knows her personally. I'll give her and Special Agent Gibbs a call to clear it with him, he's her boss over at NCIS, or at least he seems to think he is." Abby said as she pulled out her cell phone.

"Hey, Abby, its Abby." Abby smiled at the joke, "Oh, God, I'm sorry I forgot the time difference, wait you're a night owl what are you complaining about...Gibbs working you too hard? Oh I see it's Gibbs and DiNizzo's bantering....I didn't call for gossip actually I called for a favor....Where am I? Vegas. Yes, as in casinos and the mafia. No, I'm on a case, it's been in the news, a series of rapes on the campus here... Actually that's why I'm calling. I need you to take a blood sample from Grant and do a DNA profile, then send it to the Las Vegas Crime Lab attention Gil Grissom." Abby paused at the silence at the other end. "I promise to explain everything later... over drinks...No, you don't need to come out here and hurt someone. It's not Navy or Marine related so you don't have to wake Gibbs. I need to call Grant, can you pick him up tomorrow, and make sure DiNozzo doesn't use him to pick up girls... Let's not got there...I know about your speculations about them, no... AH man you had to go there, yes I think you're right but getting them to admit it...I'm not helping you in any scheme you might have worked out....Ducky is involved, count me out!...I'm hanging up now." With that Abby hung up and rolled her eyes. "You know I thought Greg would be perfect for her, but I just realized she would drive him nuts. Now, if you two would excuse me I need to wake my son up and tell him I'm using him to catch a killer."

Grissom watched as Abby left the room, his eyes followed her to his office where she entered and closed the door. "I have no idea what she's going through."

"None of us can," Nick answered, as he watched Grissom. "She knows you care, and have her feelings in mind. She also knows your dedication to the case."

Grissom just looked at the Texan, "You've been very supportive of her, through all of this. I thank you for that," Nick looked up in surprise. "She trusts you and that says more than you know."

~CSI - DNA Lab Two Days Later~

Grissom handed Greg the FedEx package from DC, "I want this compared, now." Greg nodded, and set to work. He tried hard not to get irritated by Grissom standing quietly in the corner, impatiently waiting for the results.

"I can page you," Greg commented looking over at Grissom.

"I'll wait," Grissom crossed his arms, an act that he wasn't leaving any time soon.

"Grissom, I need your help," Abby asked as she walked into the lab. "I'm trying to predict his next victim, by using my old schedule and the class schedules for this semester. I also got the entire student ID's of women between the ages of nineteen and twenty-one, red hair or variation of, but it's a lot of material. Sara and Nick are going cross-eyes and Catherine just got called out to a scene. Warrick is still following Williams trail since he left jail so that leaves you." Abby answered before Grissom could ask. "Greg will page you when it's ready." Grissom sighed but headed out the door.

"Thanks," Greg said as Abby walked out of the lab.

~CSI - Break Room~

"Did Greg put you up to this?" Grissom asked as they entered the break room.

"No, I just know you that well," Abby handed him a stack of papers. "Those are the women that are taking similar course to either my old schedule, or the same as the previous victims."

The four of them sat sifting through all the files and notes, any girl that might fit the profile was set aside, to be looked at closely. After a few hours had gone by, they had compiled a list of over fifty girls that could be the next victim. As they discussed what to do about informing the young women, Greg walked into the lab with the DNA results.

"The DNA found under Henrys nails has seven common markings with Grant Thornheart," Greg presented with little flourish or excitement.

"What did I miss?" Catherine asked as she walked into the break room followed by Warrick.

"Robert Williams is our rapist," Nick answered.

"It took me a while, but the only consistent address ever used by Williams inside and out of jail, was his mother's house. I checked and she still lives there, with her daughter and grandson." Warrick informed the rest of the team. "Brass has an unmarked car out there now, to see if Williams shows up, but so far nothing."

"He set up surveillance before we had the DNA proof?" Sara asked.

Warrick smiled, "His exact words 'it's him. I know it and I'm not Grissom, so I can go on a hunch'."

"Catherine get on the phone I want a warrant by morning. Warrick, I want you and Abby to head over to the campus and talk to Al Collins, he's head of security there and let him know what's going on. Also, get Brass on the phone, we need to make sure there is an all points bulletin out on Williams." Grissom stood up and headed for the door. "Nick, Sara I want you with me when we go to the house."

~Morning - Williams Residence~

For Grissom it was like stepping back fourteen years, it hadn't changed a bit. It looked run down, falling apart, broken toys in the front yard; it was such a stereotype.

"It just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside doesn't it?" Nick turned to the other two CSI's.

"It's got that Wal-mart feel to it," Sara responded back, grinning at Nick. Enjoying the relaxed yet tense atmosphere. Nick just smiled at her as they went up the walkway.

"Would you believe it looks the same as it did fourteen years ago?" Grissom commented as he knocked on the door.

"Yeah," Nick answered, looking around the desolate yard.

"What?!" A loud obnoxious voice sounded through the ripped screen door. "Wait! I know you! You're that cop who framed my Bobby!"

The screen door opened to reveal an older woman, wearing jeans and a Vegas t-shirt. Her white hair was pulled back in a ponytail, thick red lipstick on her lips, a cigarette dangling out of her mouth. "Get off my land before I call the cops on you!"

"Ma'am I have a warrant to check the premises," Grissom held up the warrant to show her. "And these officers behind me will escort you and anyone else in the house outside until we are through with our investigation."

"I'm calling my lawyer, you can't do this Robert is a free man. No thanks to you and that whore!" Mrs. Williams got up in Grissom's face.

Nick took a deep breath and was about to get into her face when Sara's voice cut in. "Ma'am I suggest you step back before I have these men arrest you for harassing an officer of the law. Now you might not want to admit that your precious little Bobby is a criminal but we have a warrant, so step aside."

"Where is that little whore anyway? I heard she became some FBI big shot. Using her government connections to hurt my poor Bobby," She looked around almost hoping to see Abby by the police cars.

Sara stepped past Grissom and got into Mrs. Williams' space, "Abigail Thornheart is an upstanding citizen of this community which is more that I can say about you or your family. Now step aside," Sara growled out.

"I'm calling my lawyer, you just see, you'll be sorry." She yelled as the police officers escorted her off the porch.

"The nerve of that woman, 'poor innocent Bobby' my ass!" Sara exclaimed walking into the house. She stopped when seeing the filth and dirt. "I hate these type of houses."

Nick walked up from behind and leaned over her shoulder, whispering in her ear, "Welcome back."

Sara smiled, and blushed as she picked up her kit and screamed dibs on the living room. There was no way she wanted to see the bedroom, bathroom or kitchen.

~CSI - Break Room~

"Nothing, notta, zip, zilch. He is no where to be found!" Sara exclaimed as she slumped onto the couch.

"Unless we find him in the next three days, he will attack again," Abby said from her spot next to Nick at the table. "The difference is he knows that we know it's him. So he won't be so cautious in what evidence he does or doesn't leave behind."

"Security is patrolling, flyers went out to the campus, let's just hope girls are aware of the danger and take heed of the warnings to not walk alone." Catherine commented from her side of the table.

"In most cases, it won't matter, he'll find away to keep up with his pattern," Abby points out.

"And when he does, we will be there. He will make a mistake, and we will find him," Grissom looked over his team. "He can't hide forever."

~University Campus - Grove outside Dorms~

Abby wasn't sure what she should be feeling, she was just numb. They got the call a little after one in the morning, fifth victim found. It hadn't shocked Abby, what had shocked her was the fact the woman had been left in the very same spot; she was raped fourteen years earlier.

Nick closed his eyes, walking away from the scene to get his emotions under control. He had seen the photos from Abby's case, and the similarities were just too much, but what set his pulse racing was the fact the victim's hair had been dyed red. Nick took a few deep breaths trying to calm down; un-rational fear along with guilt flooded him.

"Nick, are you okay?" Catherine came up to the Texan, concerned at his reaction. Grissom had noticed that he walked off, and motioned for her to follow, he had his hands full of a frozen Abby.

"I can't believe this, I feel so selfish Cath," Nick stuttered out.

"Why?" Catherine looked back at the scene, then at Nick.

"I saw that her hair was dyed red, and I flipped to Jane Galloway, and the irrational fear that Crane was around." Nick looked over at the older CSI, "I mean this is Abby's worst nightmare and I feel like a big baby, getting paranoid over a stalker I know is in jail."

"Nick, you shouldn't feel guilty, Crane screwed with your life and your head. It's not a surprise that something like this would bring up old memories and feelings. I can see how easily it would remind you of that case, same scenario." Catherine rubbed his shoulders, "take a few minutes and lets get to work."

Nick nodded, then looked up at the dorms. Students were looking out at the scene, watching them. He took one last deep breath, and went back to the scene. Warrick looked at him with some concern, but he just smiled to assure him he was okay. Grissom had taken Abby away from the scene, and let the others process. He knew he was too close to this one.

Abby and Grissom leaned up against Tahoe watching the rest of the team work the scene. David had left with the body an hour before.

"The victims name is Karen Thompson, twenty-one, studying in pre-law. She was the dorms resident advisor," Brass nodded towards the familiar dorms. He paused, "Friends state she was studying for her criminology test in the library."

Abby closed her eyes, "no escort?"

"The librarian stated that she had left with a man in a security uniform," Brass informed them. "But she didn't good a clear look at him."

"Damn it! I should have seen that coming. He knew we were onto him. He's rubbing it in my face." Abby yelled out, causing the team of CSI's to look back at her and Grissom.

"Abby, you couldn't have predicted this," Grissom tried to sooth her.

"Yes! I could have. I missed it, don't you see, Grissom. Resident dorm Advisor, the last victim just lived in the dorms, she was an advisor. Karen Thompson fits the last piece, except he had to dye her hair to match." Abby started pacing back and forth, obviously irritated. Grissom was tempted to call Nick over he was better and calming Abby down.

"AGENT THORNHEART!" Abby jumped at the yell from across the parking lot. Agent Culpepper was heading straight towards them, the Sheriff right behind him.

"Shit, just what I need," Abby stood her ground and faced the irate FBI Agent. "Yes, Agent Culpepper, what brings you out to the crime scene."

Grissom was impressed not a hint of malice in her voice. "Sheriff Atwater," Grissom greeted.

"There is a media circus going on Grissom," Sheriff began. "I've got reports calling me, asking about your and Abby's connection to the Campus Rapist."

Grissom held the Sheriff's eyes, "We just discovered that a few days ago, hence we aren't processing the scene."

"You do realize, that anything your team collects could be considered tainted," Sheriff looked over to see the team finishing up and heading their way.

"My team are professionals, and will not let their personal feelings jeopardize the case," Grissom's voice was calm.

"Like you didn't fourteen year ago," Culpepper's voice was vindictive.

The resounding slap could be heard over the now quite crime scene. "You ever insult Grissom professionalism in my presence again I'll have your badge." Abby's voice was deadly quiet. Culpepper's eyes were wide with shock then narrowed in anger, but he was cut off by Abby turning towards the Sheriff. "Sheriff, I apologize for the previous lack of professionalism I just showed. In truth we didn't realize there was a personal attachment to these cases until a few days ago. Unfortunately, Robert Williams is out to make a statement, and doing it quite well. We know it's him, we have evidence to connect the cases, we just need to find him."

"I should pull you and Grissom off this case," Sheriff Atwater began. "But, you're a top notch profiler and you know how this guys thinks. I want an air tight case, Grissom." He turned and glared at the older CSI.

"I wouldn't give you anything less," Grissom nodded. He pulled Abby towards the Tahoe, leaving a still fuming Culpepper behind.

Atwater pulled Culpepper back towards their waiting cars, "Just let it go."

"I'll have her badge," Culpepper growled out as he stepped into the car.

Nick watched as the two had left the campus, he looked over at the rest of the team all clearly shocked that Abby had slapped Culpepper.

"She can get into a lot of trouble for that," Sara commented. "But, it was a good show."

Nick looked over at Abby and Grissom, both standing near the Tahoe trying unsuccessfully not to laugh. "It's not like none of us wanted to do it."

"Remind me not to piss her off," Warrick smiled at the rest of them.

"Let's get the two rebels, and head back to the lab," Catherine walked towards the two smiling CSI's, both somehow plastered an innocent look on their face, one no one was believing for a minute.

~Morning - CSI Labs - Break Room~

Abby sat contemplating at the break room table. She had just gotten off the phone with her supervisor. Even though he personally agreed with her assessment of one Agent Culpepper he had to write her up for misconduct though he assured her it would be hidden in her file underneath her commendations from the White House, Senate, and the Director of the FBI. It was now seven in the morning, and the day just didn't look like it was going to get any better.

"How did it go with your supervisor?" Grissom asked, as he walked into the quiet break room.

"I got written up, but besides that no actions will be taken. They labeled it a slip on character under extreme stress." Abby's shrugged, her mannerism and tone showed how tired she was. "I just want to go home, and see my son, take him out to Gettysburg and walk around enjoy the fall colors."

"I'm sorry," Grissom sat next to her. "I wish I could take this nightmare away."

"I know, you couldn't then, and you can't now." Abby leaned across the table taking his hand, "but you're here and that means a lot."

Nick walked in, followed by Warrick both with pained expressions. "You might want to turn the news on." Warrick said as he walked over to the TV and flipped on the news.

"Channel ten news has gotten new information concerning the Campus Rapist. It seems that top notch high profiler from DC was a victim herself fourteen years ago. From an anonymous tip we were able to discover facts concerning not only Agent Thornheart's case, but also controversy surrounding the trial. It seems the Crime Labs Gil Grissom was assigned her case back in 1990, and was accused during the trial of altering evidence. Mr. Williams's attorney, Mr. Matthew Hansen had this to stay.

'Mr. Grissom has a history of harassing Mr. Williams. For all we know the supposed child that Agent Thornheart had given birth too that linked my client to her rape, could be Mr. Grissom's. I would like to see a second paternity test done, to prove once and for all that Mr. Grissom altered the test to railroad my client. Then I ask, should I trust a crime lab that obviously well do anything to get a conviction, to keep their high rating in the nation.'

The child Mr. Hansen was referring to Agent Thornheart's thirteen-year-old son. He was born nine months after the rape. The paternity test at the time of the trial proved that Mr. Williams was the father, concluding that he had been the rapist. In counter, Sheriff Atwater, made a short statement to the press, earlier.

'Mr. Grissom is highly respected in his field and has never once tampered with evidence. Agent Thornheart along with the CSI's have conducted a through investigation into these crimes, and have followed the evidence provided. If Mr. Williams's lawyer wants to talk to the press, yelling accusations about tampering, then I offer this solution. Bring your client to one of our precincts where a DNA sample can be taken, we will even offer to have a second sample sent to a neutral lab.'

The FBI offices have refused to answer any of our questions concerning Agent Thornheart's record with the agency. All calls to Mr. Grissom and Agent Thornheart have not been answered. In the mean time there have been five women who have been raped and killed. This news caster only hopes that the killer is brought to justice and the campus is once again safe for students."

Abby stood and ran out of the break room. Grissom got up to go after her, but stopped when Nick followed her out.

"I really hate lawyers," Grissom sighed sinking into his chair. "Just for the record. This is why I stress not to get personally involved."

"Do you regret it?" Warrick asked, turning off the TV.

Grissom stood up, "No." He walked out the door to his office, closing it silently.

~Woman's Bathroom~

Nick closed the door behind him, after making sure no one was in the bathroom. He could hear Abby throwing up in one of the stalls, sobs wracking through her body. He leaned down next to her, pulling her hair out of her face, while he rubbed soothing circles along her lower back. Abby leaned back, tears running down her face. Nick got up and wetted some towels wiping her face and hands. He pulled her up and helped her sit down against the far wall. He flushed the toilet, and then sat next to her.

"You know this is the woman's bathroom, right?" Abby looked over at him.

"Yeah, I made sure we won't be disturbed, Catherine's guarding the hallway." Nick answered, putting his arm around her and pulling her close.

"I really hate lawyers, and I hate the news, and I truly hate Williams." Abby sighed leaning into his embrace. "What no one seems to realizes is that Grissom saved me."

"What do you mean?" Nick asked.

"He would explain all the procedures to me, it kept me from dwelling. Each time he would show me a new technique in forensics or a new advancement in DNA or in finger printing; the rape would just get one-step father behind me. Yes, he got personally involved, but it saved me and I can't thank him enough. If he wasn't there to hold me when I told him I was pregnant I don't know what I would have done. It was his silent strength that helped me through morning sickness, he held my hand during the doctor appointments." Abby paused, emotion thick in her voice. "I was twenty years old, alone, no family, raped and pregnant, and still trying to take my damn finals."

Abby wiped the tears from her eyes. "Grissom encouraged me to keep with school, helped me find a sitter, and when I went into labor, he offered me an entry lab tech job at the Lab." Abby smiled at the memory.

"While in labor?" Nick looked over at her.

"Yeah, he said it was taking advantage of the distraction to get me to say yes, without thinking too much on it," Abby shrugged. "I took it and never looked back. I'm proud of my accomplishments, my relationship with Gil Grissom, and my son."

"You beat tremendous odds, you should be proud," Nick assured her. "Not all of us deal well with these types of situations, you were lucky to have Grissom."

Abby picked up the tone in his voice, and looked over at him. His eyes had a slight far away look, "how old were you?"

"What?" Nick looked back at her confused.

"How old were you?" Abby asked again, watching his face carefully.

Nick looked back at her, fear in his eyes. It wasn't something he talked about, only Catherine knew. He looked down at his feet, "Nine."

"You never told?" Abby lifted his chin up for him to look at her. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, you, like me are a victim to someone else's sick need. We deal with it, and move on. It effects us, yes, but doesn't control us."

"It did for me, at least until my Captain forced me into therapy," Nick said. "I was a rookie on the force, almost took out a pedophile. He didn't force me to tell him what was going on, but demanded I see the department shrink. It took me a while, but I got through it, but I never told my family."

"I remember the moment when the emotions hit hard. I was so pissed at the girl, who had done that to me. I wanted to hunt her down, and kill her." Nick focused on his hands.

"I know that feeling, it was in the middle of the trial, I was five months pregnant, when I reached that stage. I couldn't even sit in the courthouse, without the temptation to grab the bailiffs gun and shoot the guys balls off." Abby grinned over at him, "Since I couldn't go racing, or to the shooting range. I had no way to release the pent up frustration."

"I went bull riding," Nick stated, grinning.

"Bull riding?" Abby looked over at him in shock, "As in a bull with horns?"

"Yep, one and only time. I rode rodeo before, roping, even bronco busting. First time on a bull, and the last time." Nick grinned with pride. "Stayed on it for the full eight seconds, was sore for the weekend afterwards, but it helped."

"Grissom solved my dilemma. He took me into his garage where a table was set up, with walls around the edges. I remember looking at him like he was insane, but then he dumped all these ugly, ugly, bugs into the table, and handed me a shoe." Abby smiled at the memory. "I killed bugs for hours, Grissom sat quietly in the corner trying not to get upset at the mass destruction I was reeking on his precious bugs."

Nick looked at her, blinked, and then started laughing, Abby soon joined in. It was how Catherine found them five minutes later, leaning against each other tears streaming down the face, still chuckling quietly. Looking relaxed, and refreshed.



~CSI - Break Room~

Everyone gathered around the table, discussing the next move in the investigation. Grissom was watching Abby carefully, he wasn't sure what Nick had said, but she seemed calmer.

"There is a solid 'no comment' policy about anything going on in this lab," Grissom began the meeting. "Ignore anything Mr. Hansen might have to say, we know the truth and he's just trying to vie public opinion."

"Jumping the gun a bit isn't he?" Greg asked, "I mean to start screaming tampering before his client is arrested, to me as GQ Public screams guilty, but that's just me." Greg shrugged.

Abby smiled at him, "lets just hope the jury thinks like you do."

"Twelve people all on Greg's wave length, now that can't be good." Nick teased the lab tech.

"I'm not speaking to you, Mr. Starbucks." Greg snubbed him, turning his back on the Texan.

Grissom watched the antics, letting it go; they all needed to relieve some stress. "Actually Greg, I think he's been buying them for Abby."

Abby stared at Grissom, "why you little traitor!" Who just gave her a shrug 'who me?'

Greg turned to Abby, bottom lip whimpering, and "I thought we had something special."

"Sorry Greg, but Starbuck and I go way back," Abby looked down trying not to laugh.

"Back to business," Grissom looked across the room, noticing they were all now a bit relaxed. "Abby, will any of this affect your relationship with the FBI?"

"No, I've already contacted them. Agent Cromwell, my boss, laughed when he heard Mr. Hansen's threat, then offered to try Williams in a federal court and see if Mr. Hansen could survive the FBI labs." Abby grinned; she really had a good boss. "What Mr. Hansen doesn't realize is that by lashing out, he's made a media announcement that we suspect Williams as a suspect, warning everyone that he's loose and dangerous."

"So it could be used to our advantage," Sara stated, thinking.

"The biggest thing we need to do is put warning out to the campus," Warrick commented. "It's obvious now, that he will attack any girl, and mold them into his image."

"He won't go after anyone else, he's made his statement. He's hurt Grissom, by smearing his name, and now he's going to finish it," Abby stated.

"What do you mean?" Catherine asked.

"The next victim," Abby looked over at Grissom. "Will be me."

The silence that followed that statement was deafening to Abby's ears. She looked at the table not daring to look into Grissom or Nick's face. She didn't want to bring it up in the first place, because she knew what their reactions would be. The fact that Halloween was only a few days away, proved her point. Nick was right, it started off being about Grissom, but then it became to be about her. The ultimate revenge, rape and killing her on Halloween.

"And when were you planning on telling us this?" Grissom calming asked.

"I just did," Abby looked up at him.

"You do not go anywhere without someone with you!" Grissom looked around, "the same for all of you, I wouldn't put it past him to do something."

"How about police escort?" Brass asked from the door. "I mean, Mr. Hansen basically threatened you and Abby, we could make sure of round the clock surveillance."

Abby tuned out the arguing between the group; they didn't understand that it wouldn't stop him. Williams was beyond caring and would go through whomever to seek his revenge. He already killed five women, what are a few cops and CSI's? Her thoughts were interrupted when her cell phone rang. Startled she looked around as everyone looked back at her.

"Thornheart," She sniped into the phone. She turned in her seat a bit, and smiled. "Hey, honey, how are you doing?" She paused a frown forming. "No, everything is fine here... you don't need to worry, I'm not in any danger...What? No, you tell Agent DiNozzo that he doesn't need to drag Gibbs out here, and take care of things properly. Grant, I have to go we are in a meeting..." Abby's face paled a bit, "News? Whatever you heard, ignore it...trust me nothing is going to happen...I love you." She clicked off the phone and shrugged. Catherine just smiled at her, understanding completely.

"I was informed that campus security has patrols set up, and a few un-marked cars are roaming around..." Brass began to explain, when Grissom's phone went off.

Abby looked over at him, eyebrow raised. He picked up his phone, and sighed when he looked at the caller ID, "Grant, nice try, I was in the room when you called your mother." He paused glaring at a snickering Catherine, who was mouthing something to Warrick who was also snickering. "Everything is fine here. I won't let anything happen...Listen to your mom, and get to school." He clicked off his phone, and just gave a death glare towards Catherine.

"I'm sorry Jim, you were saying?" Grissom waved his hand, as he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his forehead.

Brass looked around the room, "any other phone calls..." Nick's phone rang on cue.

He sat there, hoping to ignore it. "You might as well answer it," Grissom gestured towards the phone.

Nick picked his phone up, "You do realize I'm in a lot of trouble right now." Which got the whole room laughing. "Just trust me, I won't let anything happen to her." Nick hung the phone up and smiled sheepishly at Brass.

"Does he know anyone else's phone number?" Brass asked Abby.

Abby had a thoughtful look on her face, "Knowing him, probably everyone's. Grant is very protective," Glances at Grissom. "He would call the President of the United States if he felt it would help." She looks around, "I'm not kidding. He has the number."

"Future FBI?" Warrick asked grinning.

"I'm betting CIA," Abby smiled back. "He has way oo many connections for a thirteen-year-old."

"Much like is mother," Grissom looked over at her. "Until Williams is caught, we work in pairs. There will be check in..."

"This also means you," Catherine looked over at Grissom. "And don't give me that 'what' look. You know what I'm talking about. You're notorious for going and talking to serial killers, weaponless I might add."

Grissom looked at everyone looking at him, "I just wanted to ask a few questions."

~Halloween - Grissom's House~

Abby stared out of the living room window, listening to the music coming in from the kitchen, as Grissom made dinner. Considering the day and the situation at hand, she felt at peace. She turned around to see a nervous Nick sitting on the leather couch not quite sure what to do or say. Grissom had invited him over for dinner, to quote 'help him keep an eye on Abby'.

"You can relax, Nick. The bugs won't jump off the wall and bite you," Abby chuckled at the startled look that came across his face.

"Are you sure? There's bug in here I never heard of," Nick laughed at his own nervousness.

"She makes me take the scary ones down when I have company." Grissom commented as he walked into the living room.

"Okay, I know y'all are making fun of me, so just stop." Nick laughed; blushing knowing his accent came out thick.

"Grant mentioned that he has going to a Halloween Party tonight?" Grissom asked Abby, as she sat on the couch next to Nick.

"He's a teenager now, with a teenager schedule." Abby sobbed and leaned on Nick's shoulder, while Nick was snickering. "I told him, I would call home exactly eleven o'clock his time, and if he doesn't answer it, he's in trouble."

"Who stays with him when you're away?" Nick asked.

"I have a nanny that has been watching him since he was seven, she stays when I'm on extended cases or work late." Abby sighed, "I miss him."

"When will you go back to DC?" Nick tried to hide the concern in his voice.

"Actually, I was just talking to Abby about that," Grissom interrupted, watching the two interact with each other.

"We were?" Abby looked over at him, a questioning look on her face.

"Yes, remember, over breakfast," Grissom looked over at her.

Abby had a mix expression of confusion and concentration on her face, "At Tiffany's?"

"Yeah," Grissom got up when the timer dinged. "I said you didn't have to leave."

Abby looked over at Nick and laughed, "So that was a job offer? What exactly are you offering me?"

"For you to come home and be with your family?" Grissom yelled from the kitchen.

"Me?" Nick whispered, his eyes searching hers.

Abby smiled at him, her eyes never leaving his, as she yelled over to Grissom, "Get me relocation and you got yourself a profiler."

"Already did, and matched your salary." Grissom walked out of the kitchen, beaming with pride. "The Sheriff was drooling. Just thought of stealing a profiler from the FBI was enough for him to say yes to just about anything I demanded."

Nick smiled at her, "So now that you're moving back to Vegas..." His phone interrupted him mid-sentence, "That better not be Grant." He stated, picking up the phone, glaring at a laughing Abby. "Stokes. Yeah, man, really I'll be right there." He snapped the phone shut, "That was Warrick he's got a lead, I'm going in early so I'll see you at the lab." Nick hesitated, but got up off the couch and headed towards the door.

"Call before you do anything," Grissom gave him a hard look. "We will be in at the start of shift."

Abby closed the door behind Nick. She turned to see Grissom eyeing her, "What?"

"Nothing, dinner's ready." Grissom walked back into the kitchen, smiling.

~UNLV - Campus~

Sara got out of the Tahoe, and looked around the parking lot behind the grove of trees. If she remembered correctly, this was where Williams had escaped from, after raping Abby. She closed the door, and walked towards the grove. Using her flashlight she scanned the area, referring to the campus map she had pulled out. While sitting at home, an idea formed in her head, about the location of the crime scenes. She printed off a campus map off their Internet sight and marked each location, each scene was in close proximity of this particular grove of trees. Like Abby had stated, once was a coincidence, twice a pattern, third time a signature.

She stepped into the grove, checking between the map and the surrounding area. When she figured to be mid point between all of the scenes, she began searching the area methodologically. Her light caught a reflection off to the side, and as she turned to check it a blow came from behind knocking her unconscious.

Robert pulled the phone out of the CSI's pocket. Scrolling through the numbers, smiled and hit dial.

~Grissom's House~

Abby curled up against the couch, thinking back over Nick's comment, trying to figure out what exactly was happening between them. Grissom had been called into a meeting with the Sheriff, soon after Nick left. With a strict warning not to do anything stupid, he left and would meet her at the lab in two hours. Warrick's lead turned out to be, an old college buddy of Williams'. He stated that Williams had been by asking for money. Nick was now questioning the college buddy, while Warrick was checking schedules of flights, and buses.

Her cell phone pulled her out of her thoughts; she looked at the display and was a bit surprised to see Sara's name and number, "Sara?" The two might have come to an understanding, but they weren't on friendly terms.

"Happy Anniversary," Robert's voice filtered through the phone. "Meet me in our spot, or the CSI will understand your suffering." The phone clicked off in her ear.

Abby froze, fear entering her body and mind. She took a few deep breaths, trying to get control over her own body. Once she was able to focus, she got up found a pen and paper, wrote Grissom a note, grabbed her keys and left. Leaving the note under her phone on the table, 'It all comes to end this hallows eve night'.

~CSI - Break Room~

"Where's Sara and Abby?" Catherine asked as she walked into the break room. "I wanted to show them some pictures of Lindsey in her costume," The proud mom beamed with pride.

"Abby is at my house, but should be here within the hour, Sara should be around here," Grissom looked up contemplating. "Nick have you seen her?"

"No, I haven't. I'll give her cell a call." Nick answered, pulling out his cell phone. He dialed the number, a busy signal answering back. He dialed again, getting the same signal. "Now, that's odd."

"What?" Catherine asked, the young Texan.

"The line's busy," Nick looked over at the two CSI's. The implication heavy in the air

"It shouldn't be, we all have call waiting, and if some reason both lines are busy it's forwarded to the front desk," Grissom stated, concern entering his voice. It wasn't like Sara to stay out of contact.

"Does anyone know what she was doing before work?" Catherine asked. "Please tell me she didn't pull a Grissom?"

"All CSI's are supposed to report at the lab, before going anywhere," Grissom gave Catherine an indignant look. "Nick, get on the GPS Tracking System, all our phones have GPS, see where she is located."

Nick left the break room, Grissom watched him go, concern clear on his face. He picked his own phone up and dialed Abby's line. When he reached her voice mail, he left a short abrupt message before, hanging it up.

"Gris?" Catherine questioned, fear evident on her face and in her voice.

"If Abby was right, tonight is when he'll make his move. Something just doesn't feel right, and I sure as hell don't want to get a call, telling me to go back to the campus or worse my own home." Grissom breathed slowly and deeply.

Nick walked back into the break room. Grissom didn't like his look. "According to the GPS, she's at the campus."

Grissom jumped out of his chair, yelling at Catherine as he headed for the door. "Catherine call Brass, tell him to meet you and Warrick at my house, make sure Abby is there. Nick and I are going to the campus." Catherine watched as Nick and Grissom ran down the hall, and then ran off to find Warrick, calling Brass as she ran.

~UNLV - Campus~

Abby pulled up next to Sara's Tahoe, cursing the woman. 'I told Grissom she was just like him.' Abby stared at the groves for a few minutes, memories assaulting her mind. She refused to let Robert win. She stepped into the groves, and headed towards the one spot on earth she hated most. She focused on her surroundings, refusing to be caught unaware. She stopped a few yard before the edge of the groves, Robert was standing over an unconscious Sara.

Abby looked over at Sara, then up to Robert. He answered her unanswered question, "She's not a redhead."

"Didn't stop you the last time, dyed her hair. Did you do that before or after you killed her?" Abby asked, watching him carefully. She could see the glint of the knife held in his hand.

"Before, broke into her dorm room. Did you know she had the same one you did?" Abby shook her head no, "I forced her by knife point to dye her hair, then dragged her down stairs, where I recreated our time together. In the end she had to die, just like the others." Robert's eyes shifted between Sara and Abby.

"So you killed them all for what? T torment Grissom; show him you're better than he is? Or was it to seek revenge against me, because I refused to cower and hide? Or maybe it was because of your hatred towards your older sister?" Abby knew she struck a cord when he growled and stepped towards her. "I will not be your victim, I haven't been for years, and tonight will not change that."

"I always admired you. Did you know I watched you race?" Robert took another step forward, Abby stepped back luring Robert away from Sara.

"No, I didn't. What else do you know?" Abby asked keeping him occupied, focused on her.

"My son Grant is fine looking boy," Robert sneered. "Has your red hair."

~Grissom's House~

Warrick and Catherine barged into the house, guns drawn. Warrick searched the main living area, as Catherine checked the backyard and garage.

A glint off the coffee table caught his attention, "Brass, Catherine!" He yelled for the detective and CSI. Both ran in guns drawn. He showed them the phone, and attached note. He looked over at a growling Catherine, "Catherine call Grissom, Abby's headed for the campus."

Brass picked up his phone cursing the FBI Agent, "I'll get back-up over there, now."

The three headed out towards the waiting Tahoe, and for once they let whatever Warrick needed to do, to get them there fast.

~Grissom's Tahoe~

"DAMN! HER!" Grissom screamed as he threw the phone onto the seat, anger seething through him.

"I take it she isn't at your place, but instead at the campus facing that mad man?" Nick's tone was hard and sarcastic. "Are you sure, she isn't yours?"

"Just get us there, if something happens to her or Sara, I'll kill him." Grissom states as he tried to calm himself down. The last thing he needed was to go in, thinking with his heart instead of his head. He was terrified and angry. There have only been two people in this world he ever wanted to kill, and Eddie was already dead.

"They will be fine. Both are strong women, who can handle tough situations." Nick wasn't sure who he was trying to persuade, himself or Grissom

~UNLV - Campus~

Abby glared, growling, "You go near MY son, and I'll kill you!"

"Once you're gone, I can claim him as my own," Robert smiled at her. "I will tell him the truth, make him forget all those lies you told him about me." Robert began yelling at her "And don't think that scientist will be around either. He's next, but I want to cause him all the pain he's caused me, by taking you away from him."

"Don't think you will get away with any of this. We have proof you killed those girls, and I'm sure the cops are already on their way here." Even as the fear rushed through her, Abby took control of her emotions. She needed to think like a profiler, keeping herself calm would keep the attacker calm. She ignored the fear pooling in her stomach. If she could hold out long enough, she was sure the Calvary was on its way.

"Do you think the Texan will save you?" Robert sneered, as he lunged for her.

Abby ducked to her right, as Robert lunged for her. She kicked out with her foot connecting with his knee, sending him crashing into the ground. She straightened back up quickly, putting distance between them and Sara. If she could keep Robert preoccupied on her, then at least Sara would be safe. She barely avoided the second lunge, his hand catching her leg, slamming her into a tree. She was able to pull away, and dodge behind the tree, barely avoiding the swing of the knife as it splintered the bark.

'You really should have thought about bringing your gun, Abby. Your FBI instructor is going to kill you if you survive.' She thought as she dodges between trees, 'Oh God, Grissom is contagious.' She froze a split second not sure where Robert was; she felt the breeze of his hand and ducked, barely dodging the swinging knife. 'Come on Nick, get here and be my hero.'

Nick slammed the Tahoe into park, and jumped out of the vehicle. He barely noticed Grissom a few steps behind him, as they ran towards the trees. When they reached the clearing, the first thing they noticed was Sara unconscious on the ground, Nick bent down next to her, checking for a pulse. He nodded towards Grissom, indicating she was alive with a steady pulse. Both men pulled their guns, and walked further into the groves, following the distant sounds of a struggle.

Nick tensed when he heard Abby scream, then broke out into a run. As the two of them, came around the trees they ran into a small clearing guns raised.

"Let her go, Robert!" Grissom commanded, gun pointing at the two struggling.

Robert turned, grabbing Abby by her hair pulling her in front of him. The knife rested directly under her chin. "Look, honey, it's the scientist," Robert whispered into Abby's ear.

Nick crept closer to the two, gun pointed towards Robert's head. "Any closer cowboy and I'll slice her throat." Robert sneered turning slightly to keep Abby between him and the two CSI's, eyes shifting between the two threats.

"Let her go, it's finished," Nick stated, gun not wavering.

"No, the bitch has to die." Robert snarled the blade digging into her flesh, a drop of blood forming on her neck.

"You can walk away from this alive," Grissom moved opposite of Nick. Robert couldn't keep her between both of them if they came from opposite ends, giving one of them a clear shot.

"I can walk away now," Robert took a step back, but Abby didn't. Her eyes went calm, a look of determination sparkled deep inside them. Nick felt a flash a fear run through him, unsure what Abby would do, to finally end this nightmare. His eyes darted to Grissom, whose body language shouted tension, but face appeared calm.

Fighting against the bite of pain on her neck Abby took the advantage, and slammed her head back knocking into Roberts chin. Distracted, she elbowed him in the stomach, and then twisted away from the knife. As he lunged for her she pulled away. She screamed out when the knife sliced her arm, but she kept twisting. As the two pulled and tugged, Nick made his move. Not getting a clear shot, he physically tackled Robert, pulling him away from Abby. When Abby broke free, the force of it slammed Robert into Nick, sending the two men to the ground.

Abby fell to the floor, and rolled away from the two men. Grissom grabbed her arm, pulling her behind him. Grissom quickly turned away from Abby, and crept closer to the two fighting men, waiting for a clear shot. He watched as Nick slammed his fist into Robert's face, barely dodging the knife. He quickly grabbed Robert's knife hand and twisted, except his hand slipped giving Robert just enough movement to slam his arm down, imbedding the knife into Nick's thigh. With a scream of pain, Nick let go. Robert took the advantage and threw Nick into Grissom sending the two men into the ground, knife still imbedded into Nick's leg.

Robert growled and turned towards Abby eyes wild with hatred and revenge. He stopped short, Abby stood before him, with Nick's gun in her hand. The world stood still and the only sound was of silence. It had come down to the two of them. Abby's face only showed an eerie a sense of calmness. Robert growled and lunged, Abby fired a shot slightly over his shoulder. Her eyes never left his, her stance spoke of strength, she knew how to handle a gun, and wasn't afraid to use it.

"I didn't go through six weeks of training at Quantico and come out not knowing how to shoot," Abby stated calmly.

"You won't shoot me," Robert sneered at her. "You're too much like him," He nodded towards Grissom, who was pulling off his jacket to stop the bleeding. "You prefer justice of the courts, not by the gun."

"You want to take that chance?" Abby asked, "Do you think I would go to jail? I wouldn't even go to trial. You killed five woman, attacked one CSI, wounded another, and to top it off you threatened the life of an FBI Agent. So really, do you think anyone would care if I dumped this full clip into your chest?"

Robert's confidence faltered, "Go ahead kill me. Just remember, that when you look into my son's eyes, you will always see me."

Abby took a step forward, "No, when I look in my son's eyes, I see my father!" She pulled the gun back, and then slammed it, along with her fist into his jaw, knocking him out cold.

"You thought I was going to kill him, didn't you?" Abby looked over at Grissom, who was attending to a bleeding Nick, putting pressure onto the wound. At the same time making sure the knife wasn't touched, after all it was evidence.

"I honestly wasn't sure, but you were right." Grissom looked up at her, "No one would have cared."

"I would have," Abby stated, turning towards the sound of approaching people.

She looked up to see Brass and Warrick running towards them, with the police and FBI right behind them. Warrick kneeled down next to Nick, taking over for Grissom. Grissom watched as Culpepper order his agents to collect Robert Williams and then walked off, not even looking at Abby. Brass was glaring at her, but she just handed him the gun and walked away.

Grissom moved to follow, but Brass stopped him. "She needs a few." Grissom followed her with his eyes, and then turned back to Brass. He answered, before Grissom could ask, "Sara's awake and being attended to by the paramedics, Catherine is with her."

Grissom nodded, turned and walked towards the growing number of police and medical personal. "Jim," He turned back around looking at the detective. "You will have to call in the day shift; my team can't process the scene."

Jim smiled; it was typical Grissom thinking, "Already called them."

Grissom walked down the path, thoughts and feelings in turmoil. He stood on the sidewalk in front of the dorms, ignoring the onlookers, and press, just watching everything play out.

~*~

Warrick kept by Nick's side as they wheeled him towards an awaiting ambulance. "Nick, man, there are other ways of collecting evidence." Warrick teased, hiding his fear behind the sarcastic comment.

Nick chuckled, drugs already taking effect, "But we have it." Warrick just shook his head as he climbed in behind the paramedics as they raced off to the hospital.

~*~

Sara sat on the back of the second ambulance, holding an ice pack to the back of her head. Catherine stood in front of her, arms crossed looking extremely pissed.

"I can't believe you pulled a GRISSOM!" Catherine yelled, then looked sheepishly at Sara's wince. "Sorry, didn't mean to yell that loud. You scared the hell out of us! I mean you went after a serial rapist by yourself. What the hell were you thinking? And if you say 'I just wanted to talk with him', I'll smack you."

Sara smiled, "I had a gun at least." She tried to reason with the angry blonde.

"And it did you a whole lot of good," Catherine hands gestured towards the ice pack. "You get so caught up in what you're looking for, you don't look around."

Sara blinked, and it hit her. Everything just fell into place. 'Maybe the knock to the head was a good thing.' She looked up at Catherine, "I'm just like him."

"Yeah, and I can only deal with one Gil Grissom!" Catherine pointed towards Grissom, who watching Abby. She stood alone staring at the ground, her thoughts and feelings in turmoil.

"All this time, my love of him, was just admiration for the man. I wanted him because he was familiar. I didn't have to deal with any complications because I knew what to expect." Sara rested her head on her other hand, dropping the ice bag onto the ambulance floor.

"I'm sorry, Sara, but you must know he will never see you as anything but a friend, colleague, maybe a daughter." Catherine voice softened.

"I do now," Sara looked up and watched Grissom walk up to Abby and put his arm around her. "I almost ruined two completely good friendships, because I saw what I wanted to see."

"Nick and Gris are very forgiving men," Catherine smiled at Sara's shocked look at the guess of the second. "We all have noticed the distance between the two of you. Nick cares for you, looks after you as a sister. He also knew you would have to come to him, not the other way around."

Sara nodded, then moaned. "Okay, note to self, don't do that again."

"No, you better not!" Catherine put her hands on her hips. "I'll just have to get Warrick to baby sit you," smiled at Sara's indignant grunt. "I got my hands tied with Grissom." Looks over to Abby and Grissom, "And looks like Abby has a similar trait, so Nick's got his hands full. God, let's just hope Greg turns out to be smart enough not to go after serial killers, I'm out of baby sitters."

Sara laughed, "Ouch, don't make me laugh." Catherine sat next to her, patting her on the knee. "Thanks, Cath."

"You're welcome," Catherine just sat there, as the two watched another emotional scene play out.


~*~

Grissom just held Abby, as she stood staring at a scene that took place fourteen years ago. Tears were streaming down her face, as she let go of the emotions that had been building up over the past few weeks.

She leaned into Grissom's embrace, "I thought it was over, all those years ago, when the jury said guilty. But, it's not is it? It will never really be over. No matter, if he gets jail time, or the death penalty. He will always be a part of who I am."

"No, his actions led you to the path you're on, they didn't make you the person you are, you did that" Grissom held her tight, "You could have given up, aborted the baby, or moved out of town and never come back, but you didn't. Yes, he impacted your life, but you made it yours."

Abby just leaned further in for the comfort, "How's Nick?"

"Warrick's with him. Looks like the knife hit mostly flesh and muscle. He'll be limping for a while. His main concern was that no one would touch the knife, screaming it was evidence." Grissom smiled into her hair, enjoying her laughing.

"Oh, God, Grant I have to call him." Abby pulled away, looking for her cell phone.

Grissom put his arm back around her, pulling her next to him. "He's fine, I called earlier."

"Sara?" Abby looked over her shoulder to see Catherine sitting with her.

"She'll be fine, I think in more ways than just physically," Grissom followed her gaze to the two women.

"She's a good CSI," Abby stated, turning back to look at the groves. "I wanted to kill him."

"I know, but you didn't." Grissom said softly.

"Would you, have?" She asked, not looking at him.

"Honestly, I don't know." He pulled her away from the groves towards the ambulances. "Let's get that arm checked and get you back home."

"Yes, dad," Abby laughed at the beaming smiling he was wearing.

~Police Precinct - Parking Lot~

Abby stood next to Grissom, sunglasses hiding her tired eyes. Nick leaned up against the near by cop car, resting his bandaged leg, cane next to him. He smiled at her, reassuring her he was all right.

Abby grinned, "Worse than the bull?" She nodded towards his leg.

Nick laughed, "Let me get back to you on that." Shifting slightly to relieve the pressure on it.

"Bull?" Sara asked from Nick's side.

"Didn't he tell you he's been bull riding?" Abby grinned at the mock glare Nick was giving her.

"You rode a bull?" Warrick asked, not sure if he should be impressed or commit Nick into the nearest asylum.

"A bull, as in horns?" Catherine asked, eyeing the Texan.

"Yes, Catherine bulls have horns," Grissom commented from his spot. "Now, Nick what would possess you to get on a 800 pound animal and ride it?"

"Youth?" Nick answered, not indulging the real reason.

"Are there pictures?" Greg asked from his spot perched on top of the cop car.

"I'm not telling," Nick crossed his arms grinning.

"Did you at least stay on it?" Warrick asked, leaning against the car.

"Yes, the full eight seconds. Hell, longest eight seconds of my life," Nick smiled, proud of his accomplishment.

"You are such a cowboy," Sara commented, shaking her head.

"Yep, I am," Nick beamed. Catherine laughed, as she walked up and gave him a hug. He just blushed, "Ah, Catherine don't get all mushy on me."

"You can give me a hug, Catherine," Greg called out arms open wide.

"When you ride a bull, you can have one," She smiled and winked at him, then went and stood next to Grissom.

"Don't even think about it Greg, I need my CSI's with their bones intact." Grissom smiled as he heard Greg's gasp and almost stumble off the car.

Warrick and Sara laughed as they grabbed his legs to keep him from falling. "Really, I'm a CSI now?"

The laughter was contagious, and most all of them were laughing at Greg's antics. Grissom looked over at the young man, "Yes, Greg, you're a real boy now. It went through this morning, you're a level one, and a replacement for the lab has all ready been found."

The small group of friends, stood off to the side waiting to see the conclusion of the hellish few weeks. Grissom, looked over at Abby, happy to have her back in Vegas. He glanced over at Nick, who was smiling at something she wasn't telling him, he would be good for her, and Grant. He caught Sara's warm smile and smiled back. Warrick was teasing Greg, who took every ribbing with grace. Catherine leaned into his side, grinning at him then over to the others, "So dad, for a non-family man you sure have a lot of kids."

Grissom opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by a taxi pulling up. They all turned to watch as a thirteen-year-old boy with red hair, and piercing green eyes stepped out of the cab smiling.

"Grant?" Abby's mouth dropped open, and then quickly shut. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Hi, mom," Grant walked up and hugged her. She held onto him tight, tears in her eyes. He pulled back and looked at his mom, "You needed me." Abby wiped the tears from her eyes, hugging him once again.

"How did you get here?" Grissom asked, as shocked as Abby.

"I took the money out of my savings, bought a plane ticket..." He pulled back but kept his arm around Abby, and began explaining.

"How did you get a ticket without a parent?" Nick asked, concerned. Impressed he would go to great lengths for his mother, but worried he was able to travel across the country alone, and no one noticed.

"I ordered it online, using my account to pay for it." Grant beamed, he was quite proud of his accomplishment, and the fact he surprised his mom. "Then picked up the ticket using one of the e-terminals, and told the stewardess I was traveling to see my mother, that my uncle had just dropped me off."

They all looked at him, in shock. "I think you're right Abby, definitely CIA." Warrick commented from the side.

Abby smiled, then turned to Grissom, "Isn't my son great?" Grissom looked at her eyebrow raised. She put her arm around Grant, "And he's so grounded till he's twenty!"

"Mom!" Grant complained, "I was doing it for you."

"Do you know what could have happened?!" She yelled back, and then softened at his big eyes. "Don't give me that look, you're still grounded. Just till your sixteen."

Grant grinned, as he kissed her cheek. He then turned towards Nick holding out his hand. "Grant Grissom Thornheart, it's nice to finally meet you."

Nick smiled as he took his hand, "Nick Stokes, same here buddy."

"Grissom Thornheart?" Greg called out.

"How did he get that name?" Sara asked smirking at Grissom.

"Let alone Grant? Not a common first name?" Catherine asked. Abby looked at her, "Hey, I've always wanted to know."

"Grant because mom admires Ulysses S. Grant of the Union Army. Grissom because Uncle Gil is my godfather." Grant answered, everyone's question.

"Godfather?" Warrick asked, "Does he teach you all about bugs."

"Yeah, it's so cool!" Grant answered, grinning widely.

"I'm sorry," Catherine looked over at Abby, who shrugged.

The doors opening to the precinct and scurrying of the reporters alerted them to the moment they were all waiting for; Grant followed his mother's gaze. Brass walked out with Culpepper, followed by two FBI agents flanking Robert Williams.

Williams looked over at the group of CSI, his eye catching on Grant. He smirked, sending a nod in his son's direction. What surprised him was Grant's reaction. Grant took a step in front his mother, a show of protection. His eyes went cold as he looked at his mother's rapist. He lifted his head, straightened his shoulders, and flipped him off. Turned his back on him, grabbed his mom's hand and walked away.

Abby put her arm around her son, "I'll let that go this time."

Grant smiled, "Love ya', mom."

"Love you too," Abby kissed the top of his head.

The rest of the CSI's followed suit, as they each turned and followed Abby and Grant. Grissom walked next to Abby, as Nick limped next to Grant.

Abby smiled at her son, "So what do you think about moving back home to Vegas?"

Grant glanced over at her, "Cool."

~THE END~

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