I Can't Go There
Chapter One
Grissom sat in his office at home talking to an old colleague. He shifted the phone to his other ear and leaned back in his chair.
"Listen Chuck, thanks for the offer but I just can't do it right now."
"Why not Gil? It's a free trip to Florida. You promised to come back soon and that was about nine years ago. You do remember that last time don't you? From what I remember you had a great time."
Grissom let out a sigh. "I did but like I told you I can't. I just can't right now."
"Hey, look if it's the money... I am sure you can name your price and they will pay it to get you down here. They would bend over backwards for you."
"No Chuck, its not the money. I just can't go there right now. I have to go... bye."
Grissom disconnected the call before Chuck even had a chance to say bye. He rested his head against the back of the chair and thought back to the last time he went to Florida.
A little over eight years ago
Grissom saw her standing there. As he made his way over to her he couldn't believe his eyes.
"Excuse me miss, but I think you might be a little confused. You see this is Florida and you are supposed to be in California."
"I don't even have to turn around, Gilbert Grissom." Sara spun around to face Grissom with that Sara smile.
"The one and only. So you didn't tell me you were coming to the conference." Grissom crossed his arms over his chest.
"Well it was a last minute thing. The boss was getting on me about all my vacation time that was piling up. I remember you saying something about Florida and I decided to mix business with pleasure. You know take in a lecture, check out the beach."
"So does this mean you will be attending my lecture?"
"Not sure?" Sara crossed her arms over her chest. "Do you have something to teach me Dr Grissom?"
Grissom began shaking his head back and forth with a little smirk on his face. "Oh Miss Sidle you forget that I am older and wiser. I am sure there are a few things I could teach you."
"I have no doubt about that." Sara cleared her throat. "Do you need help setting up?"
"Well I am sure I can find something to keep your hands busy."
Sara hooked her arm through Grissom's. "Well then, I am all yours."
Sara helped him set up and then sat in on his lecture and learned even more than the last time she heard it. After he was done, she helped him clean up and carry his stuff to his car.
Sara placed a box into Grissom's trunk. "That's the last of it."
Grissom leaned against the bumper of the car. "Do you have plans for the rest of the afternoon?"
"Actually I do."
Grissom stood back up. "Of course you do." He reached over and shut the trunk of his car. "Sorry for taking up your time, I will let you get back..."
Sara reached out and placed her hand on his arm. "My plans are to grab some lunch and do a little exploring. You are more than welcome to come with, if you want."
"Are you sure, you don't mind?"
"No, not at all. In fact I would love some company."
They soon found themselves driving down the highway until they came across a little restaurant. It was a small place that looked like only locals hung out in. Sara and Grissom soon found themselves at a little table on the beach. After they ate their lunch, they shared a piece of key lime pie. Sara soon heard music coming from the speakers.
"I love this song. You want to dance?"
Grissom shook his head back in forth.
Sara leaned over the table. "Oh come on... I bet you can."
"I never said that I couldn't, I just don't want to right now."
Sara sat back in her chair. "Fine, I'll let you go this time, but some day I will get you to dance."
Grissom reached for his wallet and paid the waitress. "I am sure you will."
Sara looked at Grissom. "Thanks for lunch." She turned her attention back to the ocean.
"Your welcome." Grissom looked out at the beach and the rocks in the distance. "How about we take a walk?"
Sara stood up. "I think that sounds like a good idea."
They walked back to Sara's car and left their shoes there. Once Grissom was finished rolling up his khaki pants, Sara looked up at him.
"I'll race you to the water." Sara took off running without waiting for his answer. As soon as her feet hit the water, she put her hands up in victory. "I won!"
Grissom reached down and splashed some water in her direction. "You had a head start."
Sara gave him a little smile. "Maybe just a little." She looked up and then down the beach. "Which way should we go?"
"I say we head towards the rocks over there."
They walked down the beach talking about growing up near the ocean in California. Sara told Grissom about happier times with her family. Like picnics on the beach and learning how to fly a kite. Grissom told Sara about digging up sand crabs and how he misses the ocean since he moved to Vegas. Sara walked over to something in the sand and then looked around, seeing that they were the only ones on the beach.
"Look someone must have left it." Sara bent down and picked up the bucket and shovel. "When was the last time you built a sandcastle?"
Grissom took the bucket out of Sara's hand. "I can't recall."
"So you wanna?"
"Sure, why not." Grissom reached for the shovel. "The trick to building the perfect castle is to get the right amount of sand and water."
"I'm not looking for perfection here Griss, just a castle." Sara followed him down to the water.
After the sandcastle was built, they sat there in silence, enjoying being the only ones on the beach. Soon, the wind picked up and Sara ran her hands up and down her arms in an attempt to warm up. Without a word, Grissom got up and sat down behind her, wrapping his arms around her. She leaned back into his chest and they sat there like that for a while, just listening to the sounds of the ocean. When the sun began to set, they walked back to the car hand in hand.
Grissom sat up in his chair and reached for the picture of Sara.
"I wonder if you went back to Florida."
The sound of something being dragged down the hallway caused him to set the picture back down on his desk.
A/N: This is going to be my first WIP. Chapter 2 should be up in the next week. Please let me know what you think.