Title: My Turn
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Grissom reluctantly attends one of Catherine's parties, and Catherine tries to stir up something between the Geeks in subtle ways.
Disclaimer: Nope. I don't own any of it. Anything CSI is owned by CBS. The songs belong to Elton John, The Friends of Distinction, and everyone from Annie, Get Your Gun.
A/N: I can't help it. Usually, I write either emotional fics or angsty fics, but with this one....yeah, I just couldn't help myself. It's fluffy!!
I can't believe I'm doing this.
Catherine will be paying me back her whole life.
The door opened.
"Gil! Glad you could come."
"Glad I could make it."
I've known Catherine for a while, right? I wonder if she noticed I was lying.
Grissom cautiously stepped through Catherine's doorway and made a left into her living room, where the rest of the team stood, chattering endlessly. He was greeted with a smile from Nick ("Ah, you actually made it, huh Grissom?"), a light pat on the back from Warrick ("Don't worry, boss, it won't be that bad."), and a few comments from Greg, Brass, and Doc Robbins. He noticed that they were all akin to saying, "I can't believe you showed up."
Grissom looked around the room to see who else had come. He was fascinated to find that Catherine had invited the lab techs, besides Greg, the detectives, beside Brass, and even the assistant coroner, David Phillips. David was in deep conversation with the fingerprint lab tech, Jacqui, holding a can of Dr. Pepper in one hand and using the other to illustrate a no doubt interesting story. Detective Vartan and Detective Conroy sat on the couch, talking about their latest cases. Grissom grinned a little to see to Hodges seemed to be butting into Nick and Warrick's conversation, pulling a few annoyed looks from the CSIs.
However, he couldn't find the one person he initially came to this party for.
Where is Sara?
As if to answer his question, she appeared by the food table, pouring herself a cup of fruit punch. She took a sip, turned and suddenly their gazes were locked on each other. Grissom offered her a half smile, one he was convinced always got some sort of reaction out of her, and she gravely nodded to acknowledge his presence. She then disappeared to join Brass and Catherine's conversation.
With a sigh, Grissom moved to Sara's vacated position and surveyed the foods that were available. He had to hand it to Catherine --- she had a pretty good stock of food. On the very end of the table, to his left, were bowls of the usual party junk food: puffy Cheetos, Cooler Ranch Doritos, regular greasy, salty potato chips, a plate of assorted vegetables accompanied with dip (she must have taken Sara's vegetarian ways into consideration), and a bowl of pretzels. As Grissom helped himself to a few of the twisted pieces of sourdough, he looked down at the other end. He saw the punch bowl, a pyramid of soda cans, a few homemade dishes, like Catherine's famed macaroni salad, and on the floor sat a tub filled with ice and a healthy amount of beer. .
When Grissom finished his pretzels, he moved to take a bottle of Corona Light. He used the device on the counter to open it; it fizzled, and he gulped part of it down.
Grissom knew the strategy at parties he didn't really want to go to: either stand near the food table and pig out all night, or find a quiet corner and make yourself invisible. Since Grissom knew he really didn't need the extra weight, he moved to a vacant area away from the noise and watched his colleagues enjoy themselves.
Hodges had left Nick and Warrick alone with their football talk and was now moving in on the conversing between Greg, Doc Robbins, and David, who had left Jacqui so she could get something to drink. The two detectives on the couch hadn't moved. Catherine, Warrick, and Sara seemed to have the liveliest talk. Catherine and Brass, who were both holding beer bottles, were apparently laughing at something (or someone; maybe it was Ecklie), and Sara was grinning widely towards Brass. Brass was a good friend of Grissom, of course, but Grissom couldn't help but envy the homicide captain who was now the recipient of the smile that was usually reserved for Grissom.
Grissom now found his eyes traveling down Sara's thin figure. He started with her face, with the toothy grin and beautiful brown eyes, and went downward. He forced himself from staring at her chest, and instead watched her waist, where one of her long-fingered, elegant hands was resting, nervously tapping against the fuchsia fabric of her shirt.
"Hey, Griss!"
Grissom was knocked out of his daydream as he saw one of his younger co- workers, Nick, coming towards him.
"You having a 'Grissom' moment, there, boss?" Nick said with an innocent smile.
Grissom shrugged lightly. Nick took a spot next to Grissom and mimicked his posture, leaning against the wall.
"Seeing you standing in the corner over here makes me think you're not having a good time."
"I just got here, Nick. Give it time. Maybe."
Nick shook his head and smiled, sipping his Bud Light. The pungent smell of Nick's beer mixed with Grissom's and wafted across Grissom's face.
"What were you looking at?"
"I was just, um...looking around at the guests."
"Or maybe one in particular."
Grissom gulped air and tried to ignore Nick's comment.
He couldn't be talking about...her, could he?
Catherine suddenly caught the attention of both men when she moved into the middle of the room and tapped her beer bottle with a spoon.
"People, people! Settle down a minute!...Yes, that means you, Greg."
A few laughs circulated around the room.
"I just want to thank you all for coming...and, um, especially Grissom over there, he was one hell of a person to convince."
Another laugh, a louder one, went around. Grissom smiled nervously.
"Okay, and, uh, I think we're all drunk enough to start the games, huh?"
Nick clapped his hands together and whooped. Warrick followed the expression.
"Yeah, and our resident lab rat is very eager for a little karaoke, so anyone brave enough to sing their heart out, get on over here."
The older guest like the good Doc Robbins and Brass kept talking on and on, but Nick, Warrick, and surprisingly enough, Sara all went over to see Catherine about starting their amateur singing. Grissom gravitated closer to the crowd, but kept his distance.
The last thing I want to do tonight is sing in front of Sara.
But she's brave enough to sing in front of me.
The commotion grew, and Catherine threw her arms up to cease the chatter. Catherine held out a closed fist, and Grissom heard her say the word "straws".
How funny. They're going to pick straws.
Each person picked a straw from Catherine's hand, and a shout went out. Grissom leaned in a little closer, and his heart thumped when he realized that Sara was the first to go. He had heard her sing just once before, years ago, and although it was soft and could barely be heard, he thought it was the most beautiful voice he had ever encountered. And she said she hated her voice.
Sara stepped into a space in front of a window, where a microphone had been set up, attached to a computer in Catherine's living room by a long, black cord. A list of song names appeared on the screen. Catherine went over and clicked on one halfway down the list, and the music began in a matter of seconds.
He instantly recognized the song. It was one of those Elton John songs, the one used in The Lion King.
What was it? Oh, right --- Can You Feel The Love Tonight.
Oh, God, why did she pick that song?
Sara brought the mike to her mouth, took a deep breath, and began to sing.
"There's a calm surrender
To the rush of day
When the heat of the rolling world
Can be turned away..."
She really did have a beautiful voice.
"An enchanted moment
And it sees me through
It's enough for this restless warrior
Just to be with you
And can you feel the love tonight?
It is where we are
It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far..."
He silently wished that voice would sing to him and only him one day.
"And can you feel the love tonight
How it's laid to rest?
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best..."
Did...did she just wink at him?
"There's a time for everyone
If they only learn
That the twisting kaleidoscope
Moves us all in turn
There's a rhyme and reason
To the wild outdoors
When the heart of this star-crossed voyager
Beats in time with yours..."
He was sure of it now. She had winked at him.
"And can you feel the love tonight?
It is where we are
It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far
And can you feel the love tonight
How it's laid to rest?
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best..."
The speed began to slow as the song came to a finish.
"It's enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best."
Every person in the room, including Grissom, clapped furiously. Sara smiled and her cheeks turned red, taking a step away from the window. Catherine took her place and pointed to Nick to click on her song.
"Sure is mellow grazin' in the grass..."
Grissom approached Sara at the food table. She grabbed another plastic cup and poured some punch in it to cool her throat.
"What a trip just watchin' as the world goes past..."
He was at her side and staring at her before she knew it.
Sara turned her head slowly and met his gaze. "Catherine's, um...Catherine's pretty good, isn't she?"
Grissom nodded. "So are you."
The heat came to Sara's face again. "Yeah, thanks. I, um...I really don't like my voice..."
"I think you have a beautiful voice, Sara."
Sara blinked and cleared her throat. Other than that, she didn't respond.
Grissom leaned against the table. "Are you having fun?"
Sara bit her lip and looked at Catherine. Greg had gotten up behind her and started dancing like a maniac, causing everyone to laugh uncontrollably. Catherine broke into laughter, and the music continued as she tried to push Greg away, or at least make his dancing cease. Just as Greg went into the robot, Catherine tripped him and he fell tumbling over the wires onto the carpet. Catherine erupted into more laughter and tried to regain her place in the song.
"The sun, rainin' down between the leaves..."
Sara looked back at Grissom and smiled. He returned the gesture.
"Greg and Catherine seem to be having fun," Sara said with a chuckle. She felt uncomfortable and backed away from him just a little. Then, she turned and walked away.
Grissom frowned. Was exactly was he to her?
Catherine finished her song with a flourish, and to Grissom's surprise, Nick and Warrick were up next. Nick was the one to start the song.
Nick: "Anything you can do, I can do better
I can do any thing better than you."
Warrick: "No you can't."
"Yes I can."
"No you can't."
"Yes I can."
"No you can't."
"Yes I can, yes I can."
Grissom laughed at how well that song fit Nick and Warrick's competitive personalities. He wondered just how drunk they were.
"Anything you can be I can be greater
Sooner or later, I'm greater than you."
"No, you're not."
"Yes I am."
"No you're not."
"Yes I am."
"No you're not."
"Yes I am, yes I am."
Oh, they were drunk, alright. Very drunk.
Nick: "I can drink my liquor faster than a flicker."
Warrick: "I can do it quicker and get even sicker."
"I can live on bread and cheese."
"And only on that?"
"Yes."
"So can a rat."
Everyone laughed.
"Anything you can reach, I can go higher
I can sing anything higher than you."
"No you can't."
"Yes I can."
"No you can't."
"Yes I can."
"No you can't."
"Yes I can, yes I can!"
The two finished on a long, sour note, and the first to cheer was Catherine, laughing her head off. They both bowed comically and left the singing area. Catherine took the microphone.
"Okay, I think we've had enough singing for one night..."
"Hey, what about me?" came Greg's voice.
Catherine scoffed and dismissed him. "Anyone up for Truth or Dare?"
Grissom's stomach felt like it dropped out.
"Anyone up for it, form a circle in the middle of the floor."
Grissom grimaced. Sara, Warrick, Nick, Greg, David, Hodges, and Jacqui went to do as Catherine instructed. Grissom moved to where Catherine was standing and muttered, "Truth or Dare? A little childish, you think?"
"Oh, c'mon, Gil. It's fun for all ages. You should play."
Grissom shook his head violently. "No."
She pushed his shoulder playfully. "Oh, please!" She beckoned to the circle of CSIs, lab techs, and a coroner. "She's playing..."
Grissom went bug-eyed. "Catherine...don't go there..."
Before Grissom could say any more, Catherine grabbed his arm and dragged him to the empty spot in the circle. They sat down, and Grissom looked at Sara, who was sitting right across from him.
"Okay," Catherine said, "Who's going first?"
"I'll pick first," Nick said. He put a finger to his chin in mock thought, and said, "Hey, Greggo."
Greg grinned and put his face in his hands.
"Greg, truth or dare?"
"Truth. Try me."
Nick grinned devilishly. "Greg...exactly how many women are you crushing on?"
Greg arched an eyebrow and ticked the women off his fingers. "Pink, J.Lo., Jessica Simpson..."
"No, no, man, in the unit!"
Greg cocked his head to one side and turned to his left, where Catherine was sitting. In one swift, fluid moment, he grabbed her face and caught her in a lip-lock.
The two made everyone laugh so hard they burst out in tears. Greg pulled away and winked at Catherine. "That's who," he said, addressing the party- goers.
Catherine wiped tears of laughter from her eyes.
When the laughing had ceased, Greg said, "Warrick, you're up. Truth or dare?"
"Dare me, man."
"Okay...I dare you...to drink a beer without stopping to take a breath."
Nick moaned. "Oh, Greg, that's lame!"
Warrick stood up with a grin on his face. "I'll do it." He went over to the food table and pulled a Coors Light out of the tub. Warrick sat back down and pulled the bottle cap off with his bare hands, then looked to Greg. "Tell me when, lab rat."
Greg looked around, and then said, "Go!"
Warrick brought the opening to his mouth and tipped his head back. The amber-colored liquid started to drain. Everyone rooted Warrick on, saying, "Go, go, go!" About thirty seconds later, the last of the beer left the bottle. Greg clapped furiously.
Warrick wiped his mouth and set the bottle on the ground. "Now, if someone dare's me to streak across the front lawn, and I do it, it's Greg's fault."
All the guests chuckled.
"Nick, your turn."
Nick stopped laughing. "Dare."
"Kiss Jacqui."
Jacqui burst out laughing.
"Man!" Nick exclaimed. "This is not Spin the Bottle!"
"Do it. I double dare you."
Nick sighed and looked in Jacqui's direction. He got and went around the circle to her. Nick grabbed her shoulders, leaned in, and kissed her on the cheek.
A mild laugh escaped the guests. Nick gave Jacqui a friendly pat and reclaimed his spot.
"Alright...Catherine."
Catherine smiled. "Hit me with the truth."
"Well, we all know you were a stripper before you were a CSI. You gave lap dances, correct?"
She nodded.
"Right...how many times did the guys get...a little too close to that area...?"
Catherine grinned sheepishly. "Great question, Nick. Next case you have with me, I'm gonna make it a living hell."
Nick actually gulped.
"Twice. Once, this guy's hand wasn't where it was supposed to be, and the other time...it was Eddie."
Chuckle.
Now Catherine, the party thrower, was in control.
"Grissom, you're next."
Grissom had been sitting in silence, hoping he wouldn't be picked on.
Damn. This isn't going to be good.
Truth, and she asks me about my feelings for Sara.
Dare, and she asks me to kiss Sara.
I guess words, in this case, are less humiliating than actions.
"Truth."
Catherine grinned, a question forming in her mind. "Okay. Let's say you loved one of your co-workers..."
Grissom gulped. He knew where this was going.
A few looks were cast around the room: some were confused, and others were all-knowing.
"...and she loved you back. Would you be able to have an affair with her?"
Warrick groaned. "What kind of question is that?"
"A big one, for Grissom."
Grissom tried to think up something to say in the limited amount of time he was being given.
Okay, think, Gil. Catherine, Nick, Warrick and Sara are watching, and you see them every day. More importantly, Sara's watching.
Grissom looked straight into Sara's eyes and said, "That depends on how passionate the relationship is."
Oh, she's gonna pull me deeper into this than I want to go.
Catherine continued. "Let's say this is the most passionate, lusty relationship anyone's ever seen. Would you take her to bed?"
God, she's good.
With a nervous look around the room, Grissom took a breath, looked into Sara's eyes again...and nodded.
Surprise registered on every face, even the ones who weren't playing. Everyone grinned. Grissom attempted to grin, but it came out more of a scowl.
He felt a sudden wave of nausea and silently excused himself from the game, getting up and walking down a hallway to Catherine's bathroom.
Once Grissom was out of sight from everyone else and he couldn't hear them even if he tried, he leaned against the red wallpaper, removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He vowed to never attend another party thrown by Catherine for the rest of his life.
I can't believe I did that. I should never have come to this party. I think Catherine just put that beer out to get me drunk and say something related to how I feel about Sara in public. I won't be able to look anyone in the eyes at work tomorrow. Especially not her.
Grissom closed his eyes for a moment, and was startled when he realized he wasn't the only one in the hallway. Sara approached him warily, her chocolate brown irises fixed on his icy blue ones. She stood in front of him.
"You alright?"
Grissom looked down and shook his head.
She took a baby step closer to him. "Was it all true?"
Grissom kept his gaze on the floor. He didn't have the guts to reply.
Sara reached out and took his right hand in hers. She rubbed his knuckles soothingly. Grissom's head snapped up and he stared at her. With her left hand, Sara caressed his cheek.
Sara's mouth opened a little bit, but nothing escaped her lips.
Seeing the hurt in his eyes, she dropped her hand from his cheek. She looked down.
No. I'm not going to hurt her again.
With a shaky hand, Grissom brushed a free strand of hair behind Sara's ear and cupped her cheek. She lifted her head, and he was shocked to discover that a tear was rolling down her cheek. Grissom wiped it away, and his other hand came around to frame her face.
Grissom stroked her face with his knuckles. His forehead leaned in involuntarily, and when it touched hers, he went for her lips, but she pulled away lightly.
"Will you mean it?" she whispered.
"Yes..." he whispered back.
With that, his lips covered hers. He brushed against them gently, silently asking for a deeper kiss. When her tongue darted out and tangled with his, the kiss turned carnal. He ran his fingers through her hair and his hand cradled the back of her head. Her hands wrapped around his neck, and she ran her nails over his skin lightly, just enough to make him shiver. Grissom's left hand left her face and he groped for her hand again as she moved against him. He groaned and returned the movement.
Grissom stepped forward, away from the wall, not even breaking the kiss, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Feeling him growing beneath her, she fidgeted and pushed her chest into his, her free hand entwining her fingers in his curly hair. His hands roamed over her back, brushing over her bra. He was so bold as to run them over her rear end, and she gasped, pushed into him again.
As they kissed wildly, Grissom and Sara failed to notice the blonde hair and devilish smile poking around the corner down the hallway. Catherine let out soft, triumphant "yes", and tiptoed back to the party.
She didn't intend to let it spill to her guests what Grissom and Sara were doing that very moment. She really didn't. They deserved their privacy.
Unfortunately, she was drunk, and when Catherine was drunk...she had a hard time keeping her mouth shut.
END
A/N: Hmm, not quite sure this is the end...:D Who knows?