Title: Forever
Author: Moggie
Pairing: G/S Category: Angst, Romance Rating: PG-13 Summary: Sara's brother's girlfriend dies and asks a favour of her while he gets his life back together. Will she cope with the favour? Spoilers: None Disclaimer: I do not under any circumstances own CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 1
Sara walked through the lab in a daze. 'This was not happening. How is she going to do this? She's just got back on her feet with everyone, with him and now her brother, Christopher Sidle has asked her to look after 'someone'. This isn't good.'
She shook her head and cringed at the thought of who was waiting at home for her. She rounded the corner of the corridor and stopped when she saw Grissom walk from the break room to his office. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. 'Now or never' She psyched herself up and continued down the corridor and stopped outside her supervisor's door. He sat behind his desk and reached over to the pile of paperwork to his right. As he slipped a single sheet from an envelope, Sara watched and leaned against the doorframe, waiting for the time to give an explanation in person.
Grissom pulled on his glasses to read and re-read the sheet. She watched his eyes widen and when he went to remove his glasses to rub his eyes, he saw her. Sara looked at the paper and motioned to it with her head. "It's not a permanent leave, just some time to help my brother." She explained.
"That's not what it says here Sara." He lifted the paper and read it aloud. 'I request a temporary leave of absence for an unknown amount of time. Some personal business is requiring my attention to attend to urgently.'" This time his glasses dropped to the table in disbelief. "What's going on?"
Sara entered the office and sat down hesitantly. "I'm not going to leave Grissom. I just need to help my family right now."
Grissom snorted. "Last time you mentioned your family, you weren't on good terms. What's changed?"
Scowling at him, she stood and turned to leave. As she crossed into the corridor, she looked over her shoulder. "'That' was a long time ago Grissom and since that time, I've spoken to only one member and right now he needs my help, so I don't care what you think, but my leave has already been accepted." She sighed. "I just wanted to tell you in person."
Grissom watched her disappear and inwardly cursed himself for being so stupid and cold. She had every right to take time off if she needed to help her family. He groaned and dropped his head to his hands. "Damn."
"Damn what?"
"Nothing." He groaned again at the sound of Catherine's meddling tone.
"Sara's looking tired and she just ignored me when I asked about you, and assignments." Catherine added as she walked into the room and looked over his shelves. "What happened?"
Grissom raised his eyebrows at the accusation, but dropped his eyes to his desk as he answered. "She's taking time off. I." He shrugged. "Said something I shouldn't."
Catherine eyed his curiously, then nodded. "Did you apologise?" Grissom shook his head, which made her sigh. "Oh Gil, you really know how to dig a hole don't you?"
He snorted. "Yeah, I use a digger not a spade like normal people."
"Why's she taking time off?"
Grissom leaned forward to look over the paper again, not to read it, but to convince him it was actually there. "Family business."
Catherine moved towards the door and nodded. "How long?"
"Don't know." He replied honestly.
"You need to say sorry." She muttered before vanishing towards to break room.
Grissom sat there and stared at nothing in particular. 'The words can wait, but to work first.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sara waved to Warrick and pulled out of the car park. She didn't see or hear Grissom calling from beside his car as she headed home. 'Home? Let's see, store first, chemist second.' She pulled out a list her brother gave her and sighed. 'This is going to be tough. I do need help, but there's no one.' Stuffing the paper into her pocket, she turned down the street towards the store. 'Oh fun. I've always loved shopping.' She smirked at the strangeness and pulled into the car park of the store.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Grissom licked his lips nervously. 'It might be a good a idea if I apologise before she leaves and I don't see her for god knows how long.' He drove down the main street towards Sara's and kept pressing the break with each questionable thought. 'Maybe she doesn't want to see me. Maybe she is still angry with me. I didn't work with her this shift and I didn't see her either, yep...' He sighed. 'She'll be angry.' Looking up at the apartment, he noticed a car parked beside hers. A guest, maybe it's a friend or the family business she said needed sorting. Biting his bottom lip in thought, he stared at the second car. 'I knock and apologise or I wait until she comes back to work.' Groaning, he rubbed his face, moving his glasses out of the way with his fingers. 'This is a mess.'
Just as Grissom reached for the ignition, the apartment door swung open and Sara appeared with an older man. They hugged and said their goodbyes. The man continued to shout instructions as he walked to his car. Grissom strained to hear and wined the window down slightly.
"Warm it Sara, not too hot, not too cold. Test it like I showed you." The man demonstrated something with his hand and Sara rolled her eyes and shouted that she wasn't an idiot. "No TV before bedtime." He grinned, making Sara laugh.
Sara sobered and looked at him seriously. "Don't go for too long Chris. I'm not good at this. You should have asked someone else."
Chris shook his head. "You're perfect. You know what to do and I'm only a call away. I appreciate you taking time from work Sara and I'm sorry about not beating the crap out of that guy for you."
"CHRIS!" Sara warned.
He shrugged. "If he hurts you again, you tell me and I'll break his legs." He waved and drove off.
Grissom watched the car drive away, then turned back to see those chocolate brown eyes staring at him intently. He looked down at his hand and pulled the keys from the car before getting out and walking towards her.
"Stalking me now." She snorted and shook her head. "Couldn't be. Stalkers have to actually have an obsession or at least like the person." Sara said flatly and added. "Or hate them." She saw him stop a few metres from her and sighed. "Something you want Grissom?"
Just as he opened his mouth, he heard a sound he hadn't heard in a long time. He looked at Sara questionably and watched as she turned from him quickly and ran inside. "Sara?" He followed her and closed the door after him, only to stop in the middle of the living room out of shock.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 2
"Sssh. hey. It's ok." Sara lifted the small bundle from its crib by the couch arm and cradled it closely. "What would your daddy say with you crying huh?"
Grissom gaped at what he was seeing. 'What was she doing with a baby?' He swallowed loudly and took a sleep closer. Sara reached for a bottle on the table, but couldn't reach. Automatically, Grissom picked the bottle up and handed it to her. Sara took it silently, nervously before turning her attention back to the little child who was cooing at the sight of Sara and the bottle. He found his voice as he cleared his throat. "This is why you asked for a leave of absence?" Sara nodded, but didn't look up. He moved closer to see the child and noticed the straight brown hair and the green eyes. 'Cute baby, give you that.' "Yours?" He choked out.
Sara smirked and looked at him. "Oh yeah. I was pregnant the whole time and you never noticed. I took 4 months off maternity and then took more time off to look after her. Grissom, are you really that oblivious to the things around you or is it just me you don't want to see?" Her last words made them lock eyes as a challenge, but it was Sara who looked away this time, not Grissom. He wasn't hiding in his locker or by the door, he was standing in the open of her living room and she was the one brave enough to counter him with sarcasm for his stupid question.
He scanned the room and noticed half-unpacked grocery bags and numerous items around the room. "I'm sorry." He mumbled.
"I didn't hear you. What did you say?" She raised a cheeky eyebrow and he blushed, followed by a small smile.
"I'm sorry. I never meant to be rude at work and I didn't mean to ask the stupid question." He looked down at the baby as she hiccuped. He watched as Sara adjusted her arms. Stopping to look at Grissom and hand him the bottle. She blinked a few times at him as if trying to understand why he was getting closer. She lifted the baby to her chest and rubbed her back gently. Grissom looked at the display with such affection he didn't realise. 'She's really good. I couldn't do it.' His eyes shone bright blue as he stared at the two. His hand placed the bottle on the table. "You know what you're doing?" He asked honestly.
Sara sighed and grimaced. "Not completely. Chris is stupid if he thinks I can look after a child." She turned around fully, still gently rubbing the baby's back. Her eyes drifted from the small head to Grissom's amused eyes. She nodded in agreement to his silent questions. "I know Grissom. I haven't a clue about babies, but he needed my help. Chris is my oldest brother. His girlfriend just died and he's not doing too well. He asked me to look after his kid for a while." Noticing that the baby was slowly slipping into sleep, Sara walked towards her spare room. "Back in a minute. Put some coffee on or something please."
Grissom turned to the kitchen as she closed the spare room door. He walked around the kitchen and looked into cupboards and the fridge. He turned the coffee maker on and looked through her groceries. He chuckled as he pulled out a collection of books. 'Baby's first months to two years' 'How to care for a baby' 'Parenting for family members' 'Adapting a baby to your working life.' Grissom piled the books on the breakfast bar and continued to pull items from the bags. 'Milk, baby milk, baby powder, nappies, baby food, dummies, salad, bread, soup, coffee, juice, cheese, eggs, wine, and a few things more.' Slowly, he put the baby items to one side and began to put the food away in cupboards and the fridge.
Sara leaned against the kitchen doorjamb and watched Grissom putting the last of her shopping into the fridge. He closed the door and turned, which brought Sara into his view and making him visibly jump. "Jesus Sara." He covered his heart and rubbed the beating away.
She smiled and moved past him to the baby items. "Sorry." She looked at the nappies and powder. Picking up the baby foods and putting them away. She left the other things and turned to Grissom who was staring at her. "Something wrong Grissom?"
He cocked his head to one side and smiled. Sara narrowed her eyes and leaned against the counter. "I didn't say that you couldn't look after a child Sara. I wouldn't have thought about it if I didn't see that just now." He motioned to the living room with his hand. "Also. I'm sorry for your loss. I shouldn't have said those things. I was out of line."
Sara nodded in agreement, but then sighed and shook her head. She turned and pulled one of the books towards her. "I've not got a clue what to do? I should have said no. I'm not mother material." She trailed off as she scanned the cover of the book and traced the picture of the baby in their mother's arms.
Grissom approached her slowly, almost afraid. He stopped next to her and looked down as she continued to trace the picture. "Do you want children?" Sara hesitantly looked at him. Grissom noticed the closeness he'd put himself and licked his lips nervously.
Sara watched him as he leaned against the counter and waited for her to reply. She nodded. "Maybe, in the future." She shrugged and looked back at the book as he took it in his hands.
"I wouldn't have minded a child, but I." He stammered and chuckled. "I never found time. Time seems to vanish when. you want to slow down and look about for the right person." His eyes glanced at hers then at the book again.
Taking the book from him. Her fingers grazing his, she shook her head in disagreement. "Time didn't vanish Grissom. Work is only one part of our lives and there is another part that we have to make time for. A life." Sara poured to cups of coffee, as the coffee machine bleeped to say it was ready. "I take it your staying?" She asked handing him one cup.
"Yes." He answered without hesitation.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
They just sat down on the couch. Sara had her feet curled under her and Grissom had his shoes off and feet popped up on the coffee table. They were talking about people who knew about children and the first name that Grissom sprouted made Sara tense.
"Why not?" He asked.
"Because she hasn't spoken to me in weeks and probably never will." Sara answered matter of factly and sipped her coffee.
Grissom drank his own coffee and thought about any other help. "If not Catherine, then I'll help."
Sara stared at him blankly. 'What?' She flabbergasted silently. "No." She said bluntly.
"Okay." She watched his eyes drop to his coffee and groaned. His eyes returned to her and watched as she squirmed.
"Why do you have to do that?" She whined.
Grissom grinned. "What?"
She pointed at him and groaned again in frustration. "Those eyes. God, if you were a puppy I'd be hugging you right now." Grissom opened his mouth in shock at her words. 'I want to be a puppy.' He looked up at the ceiling and chuckled. 'I wish I was a puppy.' Sara smiled at his reaction and laughed. "Sorry. I shouldn't be saying things like that."
"Why?" He asked looking her in the eye.
"Because it's not right. You're my supervisor." Looking down at her cup, she said quietly. "Not like that matters."
Grissom strained to hear her and just barely caught the words. "I'm your friend Sara. I know I've not been a good friend the last few months, but I've always been your friend."
"Doesn't matter." She finished her coffee and placed her cup on the table.
"I'd better get going. It's late and I've got work tomorrow night." He pushed his feet into his shoes and pulled on his jacket. "I'm here if you need help Sara." He offered as she opened the front door for him. Their eyes locked. "Call me ok?" She just nodded and watched him walk away. As he opened his car door, Grissom laughed and turned back to Sara. "Hey Sara?"
"Yeah?"
"What's her name?" He shrugged. "Just wanted to know."
Sara smile. "Molly."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Author: Moggie
Pairing: G/S Category: Angst, Romance Rating: PG-13 Summary: Sara's brother's girlfriend dies and asks a favour of her while he gets his life back together. Will she cope with the favour? Spoilers: None Disclaimer: I do not under any circumstances own CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 1
Sara walked through the lab in a daze. 'This was not happening. How is she going to do this? She's just got back on her feet with everyone, with him and now her brother, Christopher Sidle has asked her to look after 'someone'. This isn't good.'
She shook her head and cringed at the thought of who was waiting at home for her. She rounded the corner of the corridor and stopped when she saw Grissom walk from the break room to his office. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. 'Now or never' She psyched herself up and continued down the corridor and stopped outside her supervisor's door. He sat behind his desk and reached over to the pile of paperwork to his right. As he slipped a single sheet from an envelope, Sara watched and leaned against the doorframe, waiting for the time to give an explanation in person.
Grissom pulled on his glasses to read and re-read the sheet. She watched his eyes widen and when he went to remove his glasses to rub his eyes, he saw her. Sara looked at the paper and motioned to it with her head. "It's not a permanent leave, just some time to help my brother." She explained.
"That's not what it says here Sara." He lifted the paper and read it aloud. 'I request a temporary leave of absence for an unknown amount of time. Some personal business is requiring my attention to attend to urgently.'" This time his glasses dropped to the table in disbelief. "What's going on?"
Sara entered the office and sat down hesitantly. "I'm not going to leave Grissom. I just need to help my family right now."
Grissom snorted. "Last time you mentioned your family, you weren't on good terms. What's changed?"
Scowling at him, she stood and turned to leave. As she crossed into the corridor, she looked over her shoulder. "'That' was a long time ago Grissom and since that time, I've spoken to only one member and right now he needs my help, so I don't care what you think, but my leave has already been accepted." She sighed. "I just wanted to tell you in person."
Grissom watched her disappear and inwardly cursed himself for being so stupid and cold. She had every right to take time off if she needed to help her family. He groaned and dropped his head to his hands. "Damn."
"Damn what?"
"Nothing." He groaned again at the sound of Catherine's meddling tone.
"Sara's looking tired and she just ignored me when I asked about you, and assignments." Catherine added as she walked into the room and looked over his shelves. "What happened?"
Grissom raised his eyebrows at the accusation, but dropped his eyes to his desk as he answered. "She's taking time off. I." He shrugged. "Said something I shouldn't."
Catherine eyed his curiously, then nodded. "Did you apologise?" Grissom shook his head, which made her sigh. "Oh Gil, you really know how to dig a hole don't you?"
He snorted. "Yeah, I use a digger not a spade like normal people."
"Why's she taking time off?"
Grissom leaned forward to look over the paper again, not to read it, but to convince him it was actually there. "Family business."
Catherine moved towards the door and nodded. "How long?"
"Don't know." He replied honestly.
"You need to say sorry." She muttered before vanishing towards to break room.
Grissom sat there and stared at nothing in particular. 'The words can wait, but to work first.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sara waved to Warrick and pulled out of the car park. She didn't see or hear Grissom calling from beside his car as she headed home. 'Home? Let's see, store first, chemist second.' She pulled out a list her brother gave her and sighed. 'This is going to be tough. I do need help, but there's no one.' Stuffing the paper into her pocket, she turned down the street towards the store. 'Oh fun. I've always loved shopping.' She smirked at the strangeness and pulled into the car park of the store.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Grissom licked his lips nervously. 'It might be a good a idea if I apologise before she leaves and I don't see her for god knows how long.' He drove down the main street towards Sara's and kept pressing the break with each questionable thought. 'Maybe she doesn't want to see me. Maybe she is still angry with me. I didn't work with her this shift and I didn't see her either, yep...' He sighed. 'She'll be angry.' Looking up at the apartment, he noticed a car parked beside hers. A guest, maybe it's a friend or the family business she said needed sorting. Biting his bottom lip in thought, he stared at the second car. 'I knock and apologise or I wait until she comes back to work.' Groaning, he rubbed his face, moving his glasses out of the way with his fingers. 'This is a mess.'
Just as Grissom reached for the ignition, the apartment door swung open and Sara appeared with an older man. They hugged and said their goodbyes. The man continued to shout instructions as he walked to his car. Grissom strained to hear and wined the window down slightly.
"Warm it Sara, not too hot, not too cold. Test it like I showed you." The man demonstrated something with his hand and Sara rolled her eyes and shouted that she wasn't an idiot. "No TV before bedtime." He grinned, making Sara laugh.
Sara sobered and looked at him seriously. "Don't go for too long Chris. I'm not good at this. You should have asked someone else."
Chris shook his head. "You're perfect. You know what to do and I'm only a call away. I appreciate you taking time from work Sara and I'm sorry about not beating the crap out of that guy for you."
"CHRIS!" Sara warned.
He shrugged. "If he hurts you again, you tell me and I'll break his legs." He waved and drove off.
Grissom watched the car drive away, then turned back to see those chocolate brown eyes staring at him intently. He looked down at his hand and pulled the keys from the car before getting out and walking towards her.
"Stalking me now." She snorted and shook her head. "Couldn't be. Stalkers have to actually have an obsession or at least like the person." Sara said flatly and added. "Or hate them." She saw him stop a few metres from her and sighed. "Something you want Grissom?"
Just as he opened his mouth, he heard a sound he hadn't heard in a long time. He looked at Sara questionably and watched as she turned from him quickly and ran inside. "Sara?" He followed her and closed the door after him, only to stop in the middle of the living room out of shock.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 2
"Sssh. hey. It's ok." Sara lifted the small bundle from its crib by the couch arm and cradled it closely. "What would your daddy say with you crying huh?"
Grissom gaped at what he was seeing. 'What was she doing with a baby?' He swallowed loudly and took a sleep closer. Sara reached for a bottle on the table, but couldn't reach. Automatically, Grissom picked the bottle up and handed it to her. Sara took it silently, nervously before turning her attention back to the little child who was cooing at the sight of Sara and the bottle. He found his voice as he cleared his throat. "This is why you asked for a leave of absence?" Sara nodded, but didn't look up. He moved closer to see the child and noticed the straight brown hair and the green eyes. 'Cute baby, give you that.' "Yours?" He choked out.
Sara smirked and looked at him. "Oh yeah. I was pregnant the whole time and you never noticed. I took 4 months off maternity and then took more time off to look after her. Grissom, are you really that oblivious to the things around you or is it just me you don't want to see?" Her last words made them lock eyes as a challenge, but it was Sara who looked away this time, not Grissom. He wasn't hiding in his locker or by the door, he was standing in the open of her living room and she was the one brave enough to counter him with sarcasm for his stupid question.
He scanned the room and noticed half-unpacked grocery bags and numerous items around the room. "I'm sorry." He mumbled.
"I didn't hear you. What did you say?" She raised a cheeky eyebrow and he blushed, followed by a small smile.
"I'm sorry. I never meant to be rude at work and I didn't mean to ask the stupid question." He looked down at the baby as she hiccuped. He watched as Sara adjusted her arms. Stopping to look at Grissom and hand him the bottle. She blinked a few times at him as if trying to understand why he was getting closer. She lifted the baby to her chest and rubbed her back gently. Grissom looked at the display with such affection he didn't realise. 'She's really good. I couldn't do it.' His eyes shone bright blue as he stared at the two. His hand placed the bottle on the table. "You know what you're doing?" He asked honestly.
Sara sighed and grimaced. "Not completely. Chris is stupid if he thinks I can look after a child." She turned around fully, still gently rubbing the baby's back. Her eyes drifted from the small head to Grissom's amused eyes. She nodded in agreement to his silent questions. "I know Grissom. I haven't a clue about babies, but he needed my help. Chris is my oldest brother. His girlfriend just died and he's not doing too well. He asked me to look after his kid for a while." Noticing that the baby was slowly slipping into sleep, Sara walked towards her spare room. "Back in a minute. Put some coffee on or something please."
Grissom turned to the kitchen as she closed the spare room door. He walked around the kitchen and looked into cupboards and the fridge. He turned the coffee maker on and looked through her groceries. He chuckled as he pulled out a collection of books. 'Baby's first months to two years' 'How to care for a baby' 'Parenting for family members' 'Adapting a baby to your working life.' Grissom piled the books on the breakfast bar and continued to pull items from the bags. 'Milk, baby milk, baby powder, nappies, baby food, dummies, salad, bread, soup, coffee, juice, cheese, eggs, wine, and a few things more.' Slowly, he put the baby items to one side and began to put the food away in cupboards and the fridge.
Sara leaned against the kitchen doorjamb and watched Grissom putting the last of her shopping into the fridge. He closed the door and turned, which brought Sara into his view and making him visibly jump. "Jesus Sara." He covered his heart and rubbed the beating away.
She smiled and moved past him to the baby items. "Sorry." She looked at the nappies and powder. Picking up the baby foods and putting them away. She left the other things and turned to Grissom who was staring at her. "Something wrong Grissom?"
He cocked his head to one side and smiled. Sara narrowed her eyes and leaned against the counter. "I didn't say that you couldn't look after a child Sara. I wouldn't have thought about it if I didn't see that just now." He motioned to the living room with his hand. "Also. I'm sorry for your loss. I shouldn't have said those things. I was out of line."
Sara nodded in agreement, but then sighed and shook her head. She turned and pulled one of the books towards her. "I've not got a clue what to do? I should have said no. I'm not mother material." She trailed off as she scanned the cover of the book and traced the picture of the baby in their mother's arms.
Grissom approached her slowly, almost afraid. He stopped next to her and looked down as she continued to trace the picture. "Do you want children?" Sara hesitantly looked at him. Grissom noticed the closeness he'd put himself and licked his lips nervously.
Sara watched him as he leaned against the counter and waited for her to reply. She nodded. "Maybe, in the future." She shrugged and looked back at the book as he took it in his hands.
"I wouldn't have minded a child, but I." He stammered and chuckled. "I never found time. Time seems to vanish when. you want to slow down and look about for the right person." His eyes glanced at hers then at the book again.
Taking the book from him. Her fingers grazing his, she shook her head in disagreement. "Time didn't vanish Grissom. Work is only one part of our lives and there is another part that we have to make time for. A life." Sara poured to cups of coffee, as the coffee machine bleeped to say it was ready. "I take it your staying?" She asked handing him one cup.
"Yes." He answered without hesitation.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
They just sat down on the couch. Sara had her feet curled under her and Grissom had his shoes off and feet popped up on the coffee table. They were talking about people who knew about children and the first name that Grissom sprouted made Sara tense.
"Why not?" He asked.
"Because she hasn't spoken to me in weeks and probably never will." Sara answered matter of factly and sipped her coffee.
Grissom drank his own coffee and thought about any other help. "If not Catherine, then I'll help."
Sara stared at him blankly. 'What?' She flabbergasted silently. "No." She said bluntly.
"Okay." She watched his eyes drop to his coffee and groaned. His eyes returned to her and watched as she squirmed.
"Why do you have to do that?" She whined.
Grissom grinned. "What?"
She pointed at him and groaned again in frustration. "Those eyes. God, if you were a puppy I'd be hugging you right now." Grissom opened his mouth in shock at her words. 'I want to be a puppy.' He looked up at the ceiling and chuckled. 'I wish I was a puppy.' Sara smiled at his reaction and laughed. "Sorry. I shouldn't be saying things like that."
"Why?" He asked looking her in the eye.
"Because it's not right. You're my supervisor." Looking down at her cup, she said quietly. "Not like that matters."
Grissom strained to hear her and just barely caught the words. "I'm your friend Sara. I know I've not been a good friend the last few months, but I've always been your friend."
"Doesn't matter." She finished her coffee and placed her cup on the table.
"I'd better get going. It's late and I've got work tomorrow night." He pushed his feet into his shoes and pulled on his jacket. "I'm here if you need help Sara." He offered as she opened the front door for him. Their eyes locked. "Call me ok?" She just nodded and watched him walk away. As he opened his car door, Grissom laughed and turned back to Sara. "Hey Sara?"
"Yeah?"
"What's her name?" He shrugged. "Just wanted to know."
Sara smile. "Molly."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*