Disclaimer: As much as I would like to, I do not own the characters of CSI.
This could take place anywhere really, but it makes sense for it to be shortly after season 3, as it references to the episode 'Play with Fire' from that season. Apologies for any mistakes.
Sara Sidle stood alone outside the lab, watching Greg and Grissom while they analysed some evidence from a crime scene. A crime scene she hadn't been to. She knew it was unprofessional of her, but she resented that Grissom had made sure she was assigned to a case with Nick while he worked with Catherine and Warrick. It just seemed to her that was distancing himself from her…ever since she made the mistake of assuming too much and asking him to diner. His rejection came as a shock to her; she really had believed he had feelings for her. Maybe she should have known better than to trust her own judgement of an emotional situation regarding Gilbert Grissom. She had never really seen him express emotion for anything. Through the glass, her eyes caught his for a moment. But he did what he always did and looked away.
Sara sighed and carried on down the hallway, letting her personal feelings take over her job. Bumping into Nick was the last thing she needed right now.
"Hey!" he greeted her, apparently oblivious to the saddened look on her face.
"Hi", she mumbled, trying to hide the upset in her voice.
Nick frowned slightly but chose not to question her mood. "So I was heading down to the lab to give this sample to Greg", he told her, holding a small plastic package containing an unknown white substance between a gloved finger and thumb. "You want to come? This is your case a much as it is mine."
She knew he wasn't really requesting her to come with him, just reminding her that she should snap out of whatever daze she was in and get on with her job. As much as she didn't want to face Grissom right now, she knew Nick was right and agreed to go along with him.
Luckily for her, Grissom was just leaving when they reached the lab. The three of them paused awkwardly outside the door. Grissom greeted only Nick but allowed his gaze to linger on Sara as she waked into the lab.
I don't know what to do about this. Grissom remembered his words upon Sara's request for a diner date. It was true, he didn't know what to do. But there was a lot more that she didn't know. A lot more he wasn't sure he could ever explain to her. It wasn't that he didn't have feelings for her, it was more that he was afraid of having feelings for her. She was his CSI, his co-worker. Grissom couldn't begin to imagine how anything more than friendship between them would affect their jobs. In that same moment, she turned and locked eyes with him. The hurt and love he saw in her eyes didn't make things any easier. She was just going to have to understand that nothing could ever happen between them.
Sorry it's quite short and probably not all the great right now, but it will get better. Ideas and suggestions are welcome. Thanks for reading x