Crime Scene Investigation

Title: Upside Down

Author: Hayesfever

Pairing:G/S

Summary: Sara's life is about get turned upside down.

Spoilers: Most of season 5

Disclaimer: I don't own anything! It's so sad!

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As Sara Sidle approached the crime scene tape, and looked to the house beyond, she was struck by how normal and safe these surroundings seemed. But she knew that looks can be deceiving. She knew this from her own experiences in life.

On the surface this CSI seemed to be your average workaholic, but underneath it all she was plagued by horrible memories of a not so pleasant childhood.

Just like the brunette CSI, this house has its own secrets locked inside. Secrets that Sara was determined to uncover, for the sake of the victim and her own individual need for justice.

As she walked into the seemingly normal suburban house, she had no idea her world was about to be turned upside down.

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As she entered the living room, Sara was immediately assaulted with the sight of her supervisor's backside. Normally she would be thrilled with this, but not when she had a clear view of the bloodied corpse that Grissom was bent over.

The victim was sprawled on her side, blood pooling around her head. Most disturbing of all was the brain matter within the blood, which had been blown out of the victim's skull along with a .38mm bullet.

"I think it's safe to say that she died instantly" Grissom spoke, sensing her presence behind him.

"Ya think", she replied sarcastically. This was a common occurrence between the Night Shift CSIs, friendly banter to lighten the mood and to keep the reality of the case from hitting hard. But of late, with the hassle of staff changes and Ecklie's promotion, these jokes and comments had been few and far between, especially from Grissom.

Happy to see that their relationship was returning to normal so soon after her confession, her mood brightened and she gladly returned Grissom's sarcasm.

Sara turned as she heard cursing from her spiky haired partner as he tripped over the upturned rug as he entered the room. Luckily he was able to catch himself before he went face first into the coffee table and ended up in the hospital, if not from the fall then from the damage Grissom would inflict if he compromised the evidence.

Grissom turned to the young CSI and glared. This resulted in a fit of giggles from Sara and a shrug from Greg.

"Sorry I'm late boss, I got stuck in traffic" Greg said as Sara turned back to the corpse and began taking photographs.

As Sara was taking the last of her crime scene photos, David appeared in the doorway.

"Are you ready for me yet?" he questioned the three.

At Grissom's nod, he entered the room, body bag clutched under his arm, and with the help of an assistant, packed and transported the body to an awaiting van.

"If the two of you will finish here, I'm going to go check out the rest of the house" Grissom said before leaving and taking the police officer with him.

"So Greg, lay it out".

Armed with a flashlight he peered around the room before speaking. "Well, according to Brass, our victim, Tracey Hughes, lives here with her boyfriend Mick Reid. His RAP sheet shows that he has been in jail for heroine possession and assault in '96. So I figure, he gets home, high as a kite, she does something to piss him off. As he goes for his gun, she runs in here, tripping over the rug, where he jumps her and shoots her in the head."

He paused to think, before commenting "I'd say this is not his first assault on the victim."

Happy with his analysis of the scene, Sara turned and began closing her kit to move to another room.

"Uh, Sara…" Greg stammered.

"Your analysis was good Greg. Don't worry your doing great. And I won't tell anyone about your near accident with the carpet before" Sara teased.

She didn't even realize something was wrong until she turned and came face to face with the barrel of a gun.