Playing for Keeps
By Tres Mechante

Summary: A playful moment holds the promise of much more. Unbound improv challenge. [G/S] -- REVISED to add EPILOGUE.

Disclaimer: CSI, their characters and universe do not belong to me in any way, shape or form. I am not stealing the characters. They will be returned none the worse for wear. The only profit derived from this story is the fun my muse had while writing it.

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"It was an itsty bitsy teeny weeny yellow polkadot bikini..." Nick started singing when Sara entered the break room.

Sara just smiled sweetly and smacked the back of Greg's head as she walked by.

"Hey! What did you do that for?" yelped Greg. "I'm not the one singing."

"I'm guessing Nick's music choice was inspired by a little gossip from you," she replied.

"That wasn't gossip. That was sharing good news," said Nick, coming to Greg's defense. "I for one am now really looking forward to next week's pool party."

Sara just rolled her eyes and poured herself a coffee. She had known there would be some kind of comment tonight. Sara and her friend Janis had gone swimsuit shopping. She had come out of the change room to show off the suit to Janis. Instead, she came face to face with Greg, who did not say anything, just took in the sight of a nearly naked Sara. She hid her grin at the memory of Greg looking like he might pass out.

She did her best to ignore the chatter of Greg and Nick as they begged for details on which swimsuit she actually bought and what she would wear to the party. Warrick and Catherine came in during the horseplay and happily chimed in – Catherine to give fashion advice, and Warrick to give Nick and Greg a hard time about their behavior.

Grissom stood at the door and watched the goings on. His first instinct was to step in and protect Sara from any embarrassment, but she seemed able to take care of herself. He allowed himself a moment to imagine Sara in the swimsuit Greg described and decided he would attend the party after all. Even if she didn't wear it, Grissom wanted to see Sara, to be near her. If she was going, so was he. They were getting along better at work, but there was still much to be done to heal the personal rift.

Clearing his throat, Grissom walked into the break room to hand out assignments. Looking at the papers in his hand, he mentally reassigned the cases. "It's not too busy yet. Catherine, Warrick you have an assault at the Dancing Peacock. Brass is already there. Nick and Greg, since you are so fascinated with bathing beauties this evening, there's a floater waiting for you. The family discovered the body in their pool when they got back from vacation. See Detective Vartann."

As Catherine, Warrick, Nick and Greg headed out, Grissom turned to Sara. "Sara, you're with me. We get to relive our childhood."

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"I had no idea toys could cost so much money," said Sara as she eyed the chaos inside the exclusive boutique. She and Grissom were collecting evidence in the theft of several very rare collectible toys.

"The ones back here are not meant to be played with," said Grissom. "These are for serious collectors."

"Huh. What good is a toy if it's not being played with," she commented. "They might as well be condemned to the Island of Forgotten Toys."

"Misfit Toys."

"What?"

"Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. The island is called the Island of Misfit Toys."

Sara raised an eyebrow at that. "Well, a toy that isn't supposed to be played with would certainly qualify as a misfit." Before she could quiz him on his knowledge of Christmas animation, Grissom wandered out of the collectibles room.

"Not much was touched in the main area. Whoever broke in knew where to look for the expensive stuff." Grissom looked around, speculating the mess was more for show than a sign of searching. "No real damage out here, just some stuffed animals and a few toys tossed around. How are you doing?" He continued to wander the aisles, looking for a pattern in the chaos, something to indicate the perpetrator's movements through the shop.

"Pretty much done here. A few prints inside the display case – partials mostly. A couple of fibers caught on the broken latch and..." she was cut off by Grissom yelling in the next room followed by the sound of something heavy falling. Sara sprinted into the main shop area. "Grissom?" She scanned the room, but couldn't see anyone.

"Over here," came a muffled voice.

Sara was astonished to see Grissom sprawled on the floor. Her lips twitched at the sight of the usually dignified Grissom covered with fuzzy teddy bears and bunnies and surrounded by marbles of every description. She couldn't help but laugh at his aggrieved expression.

Looking around as he sat up, Grissom grinned slightly at the picture he must have made. He reached out a hand toward Sara. "If you can contain your amusement, I could use a little help here."

"Did you lose your marbles?" she asked innocently, helping him to stand. She was startled when the momentum brought his body briefly into contact with hers.

"Actually, I think I may have found them," he replied slowly, looking at her in a way he hadn't in far too long. Sara tried to step back, but he would not let go her hand.

They stood inches apart simply looking at each other. The air between them became increasingly charged with emotion until Sara couldn't take any more. She needed to know that she was correctly interpreting the unspoken message glittering in Grissom's eyes.

Her voice was hushed yet sure as she spoke. This time, there would be no walking away or hiding, no innuendo – only the truth, straight up. It was now or never she decided. "Grissom?"



-Fin- [except for the Epilogue]

Additional Note: If you prefer to let your imagination finish the story, read no further. If you really need resolution of some sort, then the next chapter is for you.