Those who read Grissom's Getaway will recognize chapter one. I had intended to leave it as a one shot but when the news broke that Petersen/Grissom was leaving, my devious little mind went to work. So I took the original story off the page and began to rumminat over it. That was several months ago. My thoughts have slowly been coming together and while I have a rough idea of how this plays out, there are still some fuzzy places. Your comments might help me bring it into better focus, so they will be very welcome. It galls me to think of Grissom going off in search of Sara after she walked out on him twice instead of hanging in to work things through. Her actions say to me that there is no trust there and he deserves her trust. She just needed to first, talk to him when things were going bad in the first place and then give him time to process everything before leaving the last time. I want a different ending for him! So here's a little AU story that I've come up with. Hope you enjoy.

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Late 2003

Gil Grissom sat in a booth in a small cafe around the corner from the hotel. He almost always enjoyed these conferences, as much for the break from cases as for the information and exchange of ideas that he collected. The breaks in his routine were energizing, keeping him fresh and excited about his career…his life. But the evenings at these things were always social in nature and Grissom rarely attended. So here he was enjoying a quiet meal in a quiet place, a book open and ready for his analysis. Sometimes he wondered about that side of his nature. Did he need and enjoy the quiet because he grew up in a quiet house owing to his mother's deafness? Or was the need just simply a part of his make-up; a segment of his geekiness. Probably some of both. Fundamentally he wasn't quite as reticent as he behaved as Gil Grissom, CSI. He wouldn't say he was outgoing or especially social, but he possessed the skills and used them as needed. His extreme taciturnity was a shield for him. It helped him to distance himself from the cruelty he encountered in his job. Catherine and the others often accused him of being a robot; he was anything but that. What he saw each day chewed him up inside. Brass had been the first to recognize his behavior as a defense mechanism. Catherine caught on early but still gave him grief over it. Generally he liked people; he just didn't like what they do to each other.

He was emerging from his thoughts when he noticed a woman sitting at a table across from him. She seemed to be studying him. He understood; he liked to study people as well. Pulling his book closer, he pretended to be reading as he observed her under his eyelids. She seemed to be in her late thirties or early forties; reddish-brown hair and bright blue eyes. Her features were classic; high cheek bones, nose and mouth were not small but not large on her face either. She had a strong jaw line and a gentle mouth. Little lines at the corners of her eyes and mouth indicated frequent laughter. Her body wouldn't win a modeling contest but she was put together nicely; curves in all the right places. In short, he took notice as any man would.

He glanced up and was surprised by her blatant appraisal of him. She smiled at him and winked. Self-conscious, Gil looked away but found that he had no control over his eyes as they rolled back to her. He smiled back. Her smile grew larger as she indicated an empty chair at her table. Gil had a decision to make. Should he ignore the invitation or should he explore it? Glancing back at his book contemplating, its dryness and then glancing back at her, he decided to be bold.. Quickly he gathered his food and his book and moved to her table.

Settling in the chair, he introduced himself. "I'm Gil Grissom." he said, employing a little charm.

She grinned and replied, "Jenny Bayliss. I'm here for a trade show but bailed on the party tonight. Too many people."

"Crowds bother you?"

'Normally I'm okay with them but after being around so many people at the show, I needed a break. But now things seem almost too quiet. I thought just a little quiet one on one with someone pleasant might be a nice compromise."

"I understand. I'm here for a Forensics conference and the noise...and people assault...get to me. But I'll admit that I wasn't too excited about spending the evening with a dry book either."

She chuckled. Then her expression changed to one of curiosity. "Forensics...like in dead people?"

"Well, that's part of it sometimes. But it is really more about evidence. What's your trade show?"

"The show is all about children. I own two educational toy stores. I'm here to find new products."

"Educational toys? Like chemistry sets and rockets and stuff?" His face lit, his interest peeked.

Laughing she answered, "Some, but most of my stuff is for younger kids; toys that develop cognitive skills and then early reading and math toys, lots of puzzles and games...manipulatives...that sort of thing."

"Puzzles? I love puzzles. Really, that's what forensics is all about. Puzzle solving. Every case presents a new one. Some are easier than others but its all puzzle solving."

"Sounds interesting. What's the weirdest case you ever had?"

Gil really didn't want to talk cases. He was here to get away from them and his job was usually what got in the way of any social life anyway. Besides, he worked in Vegas. Define weird. "Well, I work in Vegas, so they all are pretty weird. Some are routine, but Vegas seems to attract oddities."

She laughed out loud then. "Vegas? Sin City. And you seem like such a nice, clean cut sort of guy. Should I sitting here with you?" She sensed his reluctance to talk about his work...unusual for a guy.

Grinning now he answered, "I guess I am a little out of place in Vegas; geek meets the really abnormal."

"Geek? I don't get geek vibes. But then I haven't known you very long. On the other hand, I left all those labels behind long ago. My only categories are 'I want to know them' and 'I don't want to know them.' Makes life easier. Besides, nobody ever really fits the labels anyway...there's always grey areas."

Relieved, he began to relax more. He was obviously in the 'want to know' category. "Yeah, I see it all the time; ordinarily good people caught in extraordinary circumstances and make bad decisions. Sometimes I even see the reverse."

"Wow, that has to make your day; when a bad guy does something good."

"Yeah. But I suppose labels are a concern in your business too. I mean, kids are being diagnosed with so many disorders and disabilities so early now."

"It helps on the one hand but hurts on another. They get labeled ADHD, dyslexic, or the fast growing one, autism and get the help they need. But then the label follows them all through school. Teachers and others always see that tag on them and treat them differently. The kid never gets to know what is normal...not that normal really exists. I could go on and on about that though. It's one of my favorite soapboxes."

"So, where are these two stores?"

"East Tennessee. One is in Knoxville and the other is in Bristol, right on the Virginia border."

"Appalachians?"

"Yes. We're still trying to catch up in education. The government fed lots of money into the area for years trying to help the situation. But the geography of the area doesn't help. The mountains act as a natural barrier, keeping the locals isolated. Around the cities it isn't much different than anyplace else. Knoxville and the Oak Ridge area are quite progressive because of UT and the science community around Oak Ridge. But you get back in the hills and it's a whole different culture. I wouldn't say it's backward like many do. They have a lot of good values that we city folk seem to have lost. But their children are trapped because the jobs are leaving the area and they don't have the education and skills to move or to attract high tech or other more modern industry. It's getting better but there's still a lot to be done."

"Sounds like your mission in life."

"Maybe; more like a living. I'm doing well providing products that I have some knowledge of. Mostly I moved there because of the scenery...and the pace of life. After spending most of my life in Northern Virginia, around DC, I needed a break and it is so beautiful in those mountains. "

They had finished their food and had two coffee refills. The waitress's actions were clues that she wanted her table back. "I suppose we should let her earn some more tips," he said.

Jenny smiled and nodded in agreement. As they paid and walked out, Gil turned to her. "I'm really not ready to go back to the chaos at the hotel. I've heard that the River Walk in San Antonio is something I should see. Would you like to walk it with me?"

"Love to. Which way?"

They found the walk and Gil led the way down the steps. As they began their way down the walk, she slipped her hand in his. Normally he didn't like too much contact, especially when it was unexpected. But her touch felt good to him. They passed through a crowd gathered in front of one of the clubs and he slipped his hand from hers and around her waist, to hold her close and not lose her in the crowd. He felt the shudder that travelled her spine at this more intimate contact. She glanced at him and he caught the excitement in her expression. Soon they were passing under one of the arches for the overhead roads. She took advantage of the relative privacy to turn and find his lips. Her kiss was gentle, asking permission.

Gil was surprised by her action, but defiantly stimulated. Returning her kiss, he opened himself both emotionally and physically to her. Their contact intensified, each losing themselves in the fire that was growing. Oblivious to their surroundings, they were confused when a loud cheer and clapping was heard from a passing boat. Laughing, they parted. "Maybe we should find a place with a little more privacy? That is, if you're interested," she suggested. "But Gil, I want you to know, this isn't usually me. I mean...I don't go around to shows picking up guys. There's just something about you that... well, I thought...But if you don't…"

He interrupted her. "I know. This isn't me either...I mean I don't... well, like you. But, seeing you tonight, you make me feel…different…ah ..." he sighed. "Your place or mine?"

"Where you staying?"

"Hilton"

"Defiantly your place then..." she laughed.

"It's this way." he indicated the opposite direction. "But...um, I'll have to make a stop first."

She looked at him quizzically. "A stop?"

"For, um...well, I wasn't expecting ..."

She caught his drift. "You have any strange diseases I should know about?"

"What? Ah, well...no. But you don't really know me and well, you shouldn't have to worry about ...well, anything."

"No diseases? You look trustworthy, so I believe you and I don't have any either. And as for other concerns, it's taken care of. Besides, I'm a bit of a naturalist. Don't like things between me and the real experience."

Gil hated these conversations. He understood the need for protection and knew that if the use of condoms wasn't standard procedure, it should be. But he really didn't like to use them either. "Well, if you're sure your okay without me using protection..."

She reached her hand up the back of his jacket. "Oh, I'm very sure," she smiled salaciously. Something about her made Gil shake his normally cautious nature and drop his defenses.

By the time they made it to his room both were so aroused by continuous kissing, caressing and blatant necking that hallway sex was a real possibility. He fought with the door as his hand shook with desire. Finally on the inside, clothes began to fall off. By the time they made it to the bed, both were naked. His hands were searching her body, exploring every nuance of her. She too was busy. Their lips never parted, of course. He eased her down, his body following. He positioned himself over her, taking in the promise of her body. Her breasts were provocative, the copper color of her peaks a strong contrast to the white of her mounds. His eyes travelled down her torso past her abdomen to her tantalizing genital region.

She was taking him in also. She guessed that as a younger man he had been much tighter. He was still a feast however, for her eyes. His pecs were well defined and he had just enough love handle to suit her needs later, when things got more intense. And his cock, well...there was defiantly much pleasure to be derived form that particular body part. Her hands reached behind him to explore his ass. And oh yes, it would get her attention too.

Her little ass grab had sent him into a new frenzy. Used to being venerated for his mind, he enjoyed her appreciation of his body and he wanted to explore her more. He began to nibble and nuzzle her neck, sending her head back as she moaned at his touch. Her hands had left his ass and travelled up his back. The feel of his skin beneath her fingers sending new waves of excitement through her. She teased lightly at first, but as he continued his neck work, her touch became more eager, her fingers digging deeper. She slid her hands to his sides and ran them down and around to his ass again, where she began to rub. The end of each stroke encouraged him into her.

As she pressed his cock into her thigh electrifying flares shot up his spine. He knew he wouldn't last long like this. He pulled away and began to tease her breasts, first with his hands and then his tongue, delighting in her response to his touch as her nipples grew into hard pinpoints. He took her right nipple between his finger and thumb and began to play and rolled and twisted his fingers gently pulling at her tip. Moans of pleasure and wantonness escaped her. Soon he found his way to her hot box. He paused to let the aura of her sensuality settle over him. Her wetness was evident as her hairs glistened in the pale lighting. Slowly he teased his way into her folds, his finger finding her hot spot. He witnessed the tension in her lower extremities that his attention caused. All of her energy seemed directed to her response to his touch. And how she responded!

Her hand worked its way around to find his cock. Her finger circled his head eliciting soft moans from him. Soon she had wrapped her hand around his shaft, causing him to swell and harden even more. It had been a long time since a woman had touched him in that way and he had almost forgotten the sensation. He wanted inside her but tried to hold back.

Juices were flowing from her now and he stroked the length of her folds. Her hips rose to meet his action as her grip on his rod tightened. He felt his throb. "Gil, now," she moaned. "Fuck me now.'

He positioned his cock over her and gently slid into her wetness, His tip found her opening and he gently entered. He had his head in when her hands gripped his ass and pushed him deeper. "More...go deeper," she groaned.

He followed her tunnel, relishing the wet, hot sensations of her walls. Once he was all the way in, he paused, his cock throbbing wildly. Her muscles responded to his throbs as they twitched and squeezed, her fluids gushing over him. He fought to hold on. Once his throbs subsided he began to travel back out, stopping when his tip rested once again in her entrance. Her fingers had a firm hold on a good portion of his ass and she was flinching them, wanting to press him in again but understanding that he wouldn't last if she did. Once he had cooled a little he began his motion. She raised her hips to match his stroke and almost immediately he was compelled to go quicker and quicker, pumping harder and harder until they exploded in an unbelievably satisfying release. They rode the after shocks down until they were exhausted. Lying in the bed, snuggling and warm, he traced the lines of her body with his fingers

After a few minutes she stirred. 'I suppose I should get going. Don't want to wear out my welcome."

Wearing his 'pouty face' as Catherine called it, he whispered. "I was hoping we could have breakfast together, before my plane leaves."

"Breakfast? Yeah, but where do I sleep?"

"Who said anything about sleep," he grinned roguishly.

Gil's plane landed just before the graveyard shift began. He wasn't scheduled but decided to swing by anyway. He found Catherine and Jim in the break room sipping coffee. "Hey Gil. How was the conference?" Jim asked. Catherine was giving him a funny look.

"Ah...good. Lots of good information and meetings. It was a nice get-away for the week." He smirked.

"Okay, so who was she?" Jim asked.

Gil shot him a look of mock surprise. "Who said there was a she? There was, however, a really good lecture on forensics and national security issues. Fascinating stuff. Of course, the FBI handles most of that but it was still enlightening." He headed to his office to check on his tarantula.

"Okay, Jim, how'd you know there was a woman?" asked Catherine.

"Easy, he was looking way too relaxed. Also, he didn't launch into a long boring explanation of anything he learned there. Besides, he just had a guilty look about him. Yeah, he scored."

Bemused, Catherine commented. "One surprise after another with him." They sipped their coffee as they tried to picture his get away girl.

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As I said earlier, your comments are welcome and desired. I realize that this was very out of character for Grissom but I hope I was able to capture something of what made him step outside of himslef. Thanks for reading, Please review.