A/N: Okay, I have FINALLY decided to get back to work on my story, High School Days. This is the second part to that, so enjoy!
I do not own CSI or any of its characters.
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Sara sighed, doodling on her math homework. It was Friday night, and although the dance had ended over three hours ago, Sara could still feel her heart pumping at a higher-than usual rate. Closing her eyes to better re-visualize the kiss, Sara flopped onto her bed, grinning. Grissom had danced with her all night, with Sara resting her head against his shoulders and breathing in every scent. There was only one kiss, though, something that Sara regretted, but would treasure for a long time. Restless, Sara dumped her binder onto her bed to organize it. A tower of schoolwork fell out, and a small note with her name on it. Confused, Sara unfolded it and read it.
Sara-I was in Social Studies with everyone and I happened to see a crumbled ball of papers near the garbage. Now, usually I'm not nosy, but something inside me told me to pick it up and I did. Sara, whenever you get this note- we need to talk. It's not fair of him to do this to you. So, pull me aside during lunch so we can have a chat about what to do with Grissom.
Keep holding on!
Cath
Sara grinned. Grissom didn't hurt her anymore; that night had been better than any she could ever remember. Grissom had finally shown a spark of emotion towards her. She smiled again, hugging her arms around herself. Suddenly, the phone rang. Sara jumped, still hugging herself and imagining Grissom. Grissom. She jumped up quickly and answered it anxiously.
"Hello, this is Sara Sidle."
"Sara! Hey babe!"
"Grissom?"
"Are you kidding me? It's Veronica!" Sara laughed, relaxing and spreading out on her bed.
"Hey, Veronica. What's up?"
"Well, you never really gave me an answer about my little road trip with my bro. Can you come or not?" Sara sighed.
"Veronica, Grissom FINALLY does something and you want me to leave for the weekend? Are you crazy?"
"Yeah… I guess you'd want to stay with him. Hey, listen, we leave tomorrow. I'll call you when we get there… unless I see you before 10 am.
"Veronica, at the rate I'm going, I probably won't even get to sleep until then!"
"Alright then, sweetie. Have a great weekend! I'll call you when I get to Santa Monica!"
"Bye, Veronica." Sara hung up, a little disappointed, yet excited. Tomorrow, she could stop by Grissoms' house and see if he wanted to see a movie or maybe just a walk in the park. Sara smiled, imagining them sitting on the benches like the other couples, hypnotized by each other. She yawned. Still smiling, she crawled into bed and quickly fell asleep.
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Grissom sat outside on the sidewalk. The only sources of illumination were the moon, stars, and the flickering light post above his head. Consumed by his thoughts, Grissom didn't even notice when several people walked close to him and stopped. Sighing, Grissom stood, only to be grabbed by the shoulders from behind. Turning quickly, Grissom saw Catherine's smiling face. Behind her were Nick, Greg, and Warrick.
"Hey Griss, why the long face? Aren't you happy?"
"Yes," Grissom responded, smiling slightly as he remembered how he had felt when Saras' soft lips had touched his. "And no. I don't know how I can act around her, Catherine. I thought that trying to be with her would make everything better, but it already seems a whole lot worse." Catherine patted his back empathetically.
"We thought so. We've come to rescue you from yourself. Come out to the coffee house with us!"
"Catherine- it's two in the morning."
"Grissom- it's the weekend. Your mother won't mind if we go now."
"You mean she won't know."
"What's the difference?" Grinning mischievously, Catherine yanked Grissom into the group.
"Is Sara coming?"
"Nope, we're going to rescue her later. We figured she'd be up all night anyway, day-dreaming and remembering…" Catherine winked at Grissom, who blushed slightly.
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They soon got to the coffee house and Grissom almost lost control as he entered. The karaoke machine where Sara had poured her heart out just yesterday was on the stage, and Grissom remembered how much hurt had been in her song, her eyes, her broken-down spirit. When he had seen this, he had vowed to himself that he would never hurt her again. He had shown weakness then; a single tear had slipped down his face, making him realize what he had gotten himself into; Sara could truly hurt him. If he gave everything he could to her, she could take it all away and leave Grissom to suffer on his own. All of this nagged him as he walked towards the stage slowly. They were the only people in the coffee house besides the staff. Grissom felt as though someone had possessed his body as he walked up the stairs to the machine. He took the microphone as his friends stared. Unbeknownst to him, Catherine had pulled out a video camera, with a tape already half full. Grissom selected his song, still feeling apart from himself. The music started and Grissom snag quietly into the mike, more to himself and her than his friend watching him.
I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
Grissom sang with a blank expression on his face, letting his emotions well up inside of him, twisting his stomach into knots. He had heard the song once before, but knew all the notes and words perfectly.
I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That's why I need you to hear
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You,
And the reason is you
And the reason is you
And the reason is you…
Looking up, still singing quietly, Grissom could almost feel Saras' grief still lingering on the stage. He took it all in mentally and let his words vibrate off the ceiling and back to him.
I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you
Suddenly, Grissom felt better. He knew that he and Sara could not be together; he wasn't emotionally ready. But he could be the greatest friend she had ever had, and Sara would have to be content with that. Grissom ignored the fact that he was feeling awful and went to sit with his friends. Catherine had already hidden her camera and everyone was smiling supportively at Grissom. He sipped on the tea that Nick had ordered him and closed his eyes, smiling sadly into his cup where no one could see.
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A/N: Smokey Pokey! When I began I had no idea what to do with this, but now so much STUFF is coming back. It's short because I might re-do this chapter cause I'm kind of heistant about it... Please tell me what you think before I explode from excitement!