Title: Where Memories Are Made Of Science, Secrets and Sun
Summary: When Grissom goes on an entomology conference to Florida and decides to take Sara and Nick with him, tension ensues and confessions follow.
Rating: M (for the whole story)
Disclaimer: The characters are not mine, never were, probably never will be...
Author's Notes: This a story that CSIgal (akaSweetPea9070) and I are writing together. Grissom, Nick and Sara are going away together, but how will they handle each other's company so far away from home? Guess, we're trying to find out. This is work in progress, so bear with us, and feedback is greatly appreciated!
-------------------------------------
"Yes, of course, I'll be there!"
Grissom laughed into the phone.
"Karen, I do appreciate the call. Did you really think I was gonna miss it?"
The person on the other end of the phone started explaining and Grissom listened, small smile playing in the corners of his lips.
He was really looking forward to it. Hell, he's been planning this trip for months now and nothing was going to spoil it.
He'd booked the week off and Catherine has agreed to look after everything during his absence.
"The lab's not going to fall apart without you, Gil" Catherine told him several weeks ago, during a particularly hard case. "Despite what you might think."
Grissom shot her a glance.
"Everyone's doing what they can and more and you know it. " she stated, seeing his face crease with worry.
"You know that and I know that, so can please, just stop worrying, ok?"
He eyed her, unconvinced.
"Gil..." she warned.
"Yes, Catherine, you're right, as always." he admitted, somewhat reluctantly.
She glanced at him, as if he only just admitted the most obvious thing in the world!
"Of course, I'm right. " she almost laughed, seeing his serious look.
"Gil, admit it. You just don't like things to be outside of your control, do you?" She prodded him gently.
"Come on, relax. We'll be fine." She added, giving his arm a reassuring squeeze.
"Besides... " Catherine paused in the doorway. "I'll bet you can't wait to go. I mean, the beach, drinks, pretty girls..."
Grissom raised his eyebrows.
"Ok, boys, then!" Cath deadpanned.
"Catherine, it's a conference. " Grissom patiently explained. "I probably won't have any spare time anyway."
"Sure, Gil. That's why you're going alone, is it?"
With a smirk, Willows left his office, not giving him a chance to reply.
"Yes, I've made arrangements. Hang on a second..."
Grissom held the phone to his ear, while trying to find a thick file on his desk, where he'd kept all the conference details.
"I'm sure it's here somewhere..." he started, but was yet again interrupted by the long monologue of Karen Ashcroft on the other end of the line.
Grissom liked Karen. She'd been one of closest friends, and certainly in the Society, which is where he met her, when, as a student of Philip Gerard, 11 years ago, he'd made his first appearance at the convention.
Karen Ashcroft, 12 years his senior, immediately took him under her wing. She'd become the Honorary Member of the ESA last year and Grissom was only too proud and happy, to accompany his friend and mentor to the registration ball.
"Whoa, hang on a second? Are you going to be the keynote speaker? Karen, that's wonderful!"
Grissom' s face literally lit up. This day just kept getting better.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier? Oh, of course! Yes, my paper is ready. What? Oh, definitely. Karen... I would love to take you to dinner, you know that!"
Grissom listened, as Karen remembered why she had called in the first place. As a long serving member of the Entomological Society of America, she's been offered two extra spaces at the conference and thought that Grissom might want to take someone with him to Florida.
"Karen, I'm not sure if I can spare anyone. We're pretty busy at the moment. Business even more then usual, actually."
Grissom took off his glasses and rubbed his forehead.
"I'll need to think about it. Yes, I know it's in two weeks."
He got up and walked over to a cabinet next to his desk. He stared at his moth collection for a few moments, before shifting his glance outside, where Warrick was talking to Greg. He fixed his gaze on them for a second, before a little smile crept on his lips.
"Actually, Karen... I will take those two places. No, no, I won't tell you! But I'll see you in two weeks, ok? Take care now! Yes... No, I will call this time!"
Grissom put down the phone and looked at the files in front of him. He needed to speak to Catherine. He picked up the phone.