Author's note: This is very different territory for me. Those who know my work know I do not touch smut because, well, I kind of suck at it. But over the years I have read some wonderful stories, and I've always wanted to challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone and learn to write something different.

This is way out of my comfort zone. But thanks to the support of friends, including the most wonderful beta and writer Chauncey (MSCSIFANGSR), I have completed this fic. Even though it is different, I hope you enjoy it. There are very mature scenes ahead.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season. I am most thankful for good friends, including the awesome people I have met in this community. Peace - JBCC


Out of Character

by JellybeanChiChi


I saw her first.

She stood in the corner of the party as inconspicuous as possible. No one really seemed to notice her, which would seem to suit her fine except a portion of her expression and body language betrayed her.

She looked like she felt she didn't belong. Her introversion was out of necessity, not just a mechanism of not being slightly familiar with any other party-goers, but of a true necessity brought on by what I couldn't fathom.

But when I saw her she seemed so familiar. I couldn't tell Sara yet. I felt conflicted to do so. Would I really want to reveal someone who would remind her of her past? I had no doubt what her reaction would be when she saw the woman. And I wondered... would it make me jealous?

As I stared at this woman at this party, I was transported to several years prior when I found out about Sara's friend, Tracy — a discovery that opened my eyes to another dimension of my loving wife. We were still dating, in love, living together, not yet dealing with the complications of what would come from our careers, when I found Sara one day sitting on the couch, legs crossed Indian style. Her face was transfixed upon the worn photo album in her lap. She had a smile on her face, but I could see heartbreak in her eyes.

"Sara?" I asked I approached her. "What's wrong?"

And that's when she'd told me about Tracy. They were friends completing their masters' degrees together, and had plans to finish their doctorates together. After such a monstrous childhood and a young adulthood full of loneliness and pushing feelings aside, Tracy taught Sara to open up.

"She was the first person I remember giving my love and receiving love back," Sara said. "She was a true friend."

Their relationship was a close friendship, and for a short period of time, romantic. This was not an easy thing for Sara to reveal to me, and yet, as she spoke the words, it felt like she was revealing the most natural experience of her young life. All I could do was wonder why Tracy and Sara were no longer together.

"She died in a car accident," Sara said. She removed a photo from the album of the two of them together. The date on the back read April 1997. "We always wondered where we would be when we were in our 30s or 40s. I thought I might still be with her."

"Would you be?" I asked, not sure why those words escaped my mouth.

Sara just smiled. "I'm not sure. I truly did love her, but I don't know if we were meant to be together for the long run."

I just nodded. Sara looked up at me and our eyes met. She stared at me while I stood there in silence. She knew me, which is why she beckoned me to the couch, put her album aside and held me in her arms. "I've never been with another woman, Gil."

The words comforted me. Male pride, I suppose. I almost wished I didn't ask the next question. "Why not?"

Sara looked at me in surprise. Her statement should have been the end of the conversation and there I was lobbing that lofty question in our midst. But Sara is a woman of grace and she said simply, "I suppose Tracy ruined me for other women."

Sara laughed and I joined her, in spite of myself. But I couldn't stop thinking about Tracy. I wanted to know everything about her. I looked at Sara's album and the few video tapes of vacation spots and thesis experiments the duo made in college endless times. Tracy's looks, expressions and body type were tattooed on my brain. I don't know why. Like I said, male pride. I wanted to know what Tracy had to make my Sara feel so complete.

And now I found myself staring at this woman standing in the corner of a party in a Vegas hotel. Her appearance is so much like Sara's former lover. Like Tracy, she was a bit plain, but she had soft, hazel eyes, thick hair and a good chest; curvy with meat on her bones.

I wondered if this woman had a sense of humor like the one Sara described of her former lover, Tracy. Whenever I saw a photo of Tracy and Sara together, they were both smiling and many times it seemed like Sara was laughing so hard she was in tears.

Could this woman make my Sara laugh like that again? Pondering that thought, I pointed out the woman in the corner to Sara.

"Oh my God," Sara said. "I can't believe it."

Before I could say a reply, Sara walked toward the woman, and I a step behind her. I hastened to introduce the two of us as Sara simply looked at the woman who was an absolute doppelganger for Tracy.

"I'm Gil Grissom and this is my wife, Sara," I said extending my hand, which she immediately took. "We saw you standing here alone and just wanted to say hello."

The woman looked me in the eyes and shook my hand a little longer than normal, but I didn't mind since it meant she wasn't going to run away. When she realized she was still shaking my hand and saying nothing, she gave a blushed shake of her head and introduced herself.

"I sorry. I'm Gabrielle Flemming, and apparently I'm not aware that you probably want your hand back."

Sara's smile lit up the room, and Gabrielle looked at her and just smiled herself. With the ice broken, Sara and Gabrielle started a conversation. I put my arm around Sara and asked if I could get them drinks. Sara immediately asked for a wine.

"And what about you, Gabrielle, my dear?"

- ... -


His eyes were like a drug. Pools of cerulean blue that spoke of intelligence and passion. His eyes stirred emotions within me. I hadn't had a man affect me like that in... a very long time.

I don't know why they approached me, but when I saw her come with him closely behind, I could feel anticipation start to build. I had seen him earlier in the party. I came to the party as an out-of-towner who was invited by the family of a client. Attending a party in a posh Las Vegas hotel where we stayed was not my idea of a fun time. Talk about out of my element. But my boss demanded my presence and quickly abandoned me to hob-knob with some of the upper-crust of Vegas. I didn't mind being alone at the party if it meant my boss was otherwise occupied. I had the option to go back to my hotel room whenever I chose.

I'm not good at mingling, so I people-watched, and boy was he someone to watch. I've always loved an older man with distinguished looks. When I was a kid, my friends used to say I had "graydar." But this man... this man who I now know to be "Gil Grissom"... he was something else. Between his arms and hands and eyes and hair, I was lost. I wasn't people watching; I was Gil Grissom-watching.

So when he came over and introduced himself, I just couldn't help myself. I don't have many moments like this in my life. I didn't want to let his hand go. I just wanted to stare into the depths of his eyes...

… As I stood right next to his wife. His thin, beautiful wife, so gorgeous with a gap-toothed smile. She could pass for a young, even more attractive Lauren Hutton. They stood together in perfect harmony, oddly in sync at all times. They spoke to one another with words and gazes. He was straight lines; she was soft curves. I could imagine them dancing with one another, sensually, rhythmically. An erotic pulse would ignite them and they would become entangled with one another, their moves and moans equally harmonic and hypnotic.

Oh God, Gabby. Are you crazy? What are you doing? Get that out of your head!

Finally I shook my head to gather my senses. Making jokes is just my way of relieving tension and thank God his wife, Sara, was such a good sport with a good sense of humor. I wondered if we might hit it off and be able to chat for the evening. It would be nice to meet someone new. I definitely don't do that often.

Then he said those words: "And what about you, Gabrielle, my dear?" The words were like melted milk chocolate.

I swear I was putty in his hands. I would have done anything for this man. "A drink? Sure! Why not?"

"That's the spirit!" Sara said, lightly tapping my arm.

"I'll have what she's having," I joked and again I looked in his eyes and felt lost in the gaze. I told myself to snap out of it, and then he just gave me this smile.

God. I was like putty in his married hands.

- ... -


I couldn't believe how much she looked like Tracy. And she was funny, too.

"Gabby. Just call me Gabby," she said to me after her first drink, which quickly turned into two and three. Gabby kept making up stories of what she thought people were talking about. We just would laugh and then move to another corner and find other people and just laugh.

And Gil, sweet Gil, he just followed along. I thought he would want to leave but he didn't seem to mind spending time with Gabby. And I didn't either. It was just... I don't know... I knew she wasn't Tracy but for just one night I felt like... I felt like I did when I was with her... like I was with a wonderful woman who saw wonder in me.

"What is it?" she asked. She caught me staring at her. "Did I spill something on myself. Oh God, is there something in my teeth?"

"No. No. I'm sorry." I blushed instinctively. And noticeably.

Gabby gave me this skeptical look and it was as if she was looking through me. "Are you sure? Just kind of feel like..." Gil came behind me and peppered light kisses upon my neck. Gabby's voice just trailed off, she swallowed and looked at her shuffling feet. I'm not sure why. Maybe Gil was making her uncomfortable. I hoped not. I didn't want her to leave. And if I didn't say something...

"You look like a friend of mine." I blurted it out, quickly and, Jesus...it just sounded so desperate.She was going to leave...What an idiot Iam...

But she didn't. With a straight face she said, "That's it? Sara, honey, don't you know all white women look alike?"

Gil burst out laughing and the two of them shared another look with one another that brought such light, natural smiles to both their faces. Gil kissed my neck again and squeezed my shoulders, giving me the love and support he could in his small gestures.

"While you two finish your drinks, I'll go get us another round."

We both nodded and Gabby and I stood next to one another and watched Gil leave.

"Your husband is a good man," Gabby said.

"He is." I agreed.

"He's got a nice ass," Gabby added, looking at me with this slightly intoxicated, yet shy smile. Which, of course, reminded me of Gil for a moment.

"I agree, my friend." We clicked our glasses and downed the rest, giggling as we did.

- ... -


"Two glasses of Malbec and a scotch on the rocks, please."

As I waited for the drinks, I drank in the sight of Sara and Gabby. She was a nice woman. Smart. Witty. Shy, yet friendly. I wondered if she was as much like Tracy in personality as she was in looks.

At that moment, I thought to myself, "What was I doing? I need to get Sara out of here, not get her another drink." Yes, I thought that because of my male pride, but I also I had to think about Sara. What happens when the party is over? Would she be lost in grief because this woman would dredge up all these deep feelings?

I looked at the two of them again. Standing close and whispering things to one another like two school girls engaged in some sort of gossip. Sara made that face where she was holding in her laughter because Gabby was saying something. I knew that face. It wouldn't be long until she would break into a full laugh. Come on, Gabby, make her break. I want to see that laugh...

And it happened. Sara doubled over and as she she stood up straight, she wiped a stray tear from her eye. Then she jokingly punched her new friend's arm and all I could do was stand and smile.

"Your drinks, sir."

I took my drink and downed it in one swift gulp. Then I tipped the bartender and made my way to the ladies.

Male pride be damned. They were beautiful to watch. And as long as Sara wanted the night to last, I would make sure it would last.

"For you, my love," he said giving the drink to Sara. Then he looked at me and said, "And for you, my dear."

- ... -


Whole. Lee. Fuck. Did I say he looked at me? Jesus, the man practically looked through me. Say something, Gabby. He's giving you a drink. Staring right at you. Look past the eyes. Look past the eyes. Say thank you in an adult voice. Think Lauren Bacall...

"Thanks, dude."

Oh, good. You channeled Lucille Ball and Keanu Reeves. Perfect. Perfect. Well done, you idiot.

"You're welcome," he said. "Dudette."

He snickered and Sara did a spit take. It was like the three of us were the only people at this high-class gathering. The two of them were beautiful. You could see the love he had for her, and she was such a beautiful person it seemed — inside and out. I wish I had her hair, so shiny and silky. And here I was foolishly wishing he was flirting with me.

Well, at the very least I can enjoy the evening, enjoy the view and enjoy some company. I'm sure the night will be over soon. Might as well enjoy it while I can.

- ... -


We were finishing our fourth glass of wine (or was I on my fifth?) and we had made it into a kitchen area of the party. There was no one around and I saw this devilish smile on Gabby's face.

"Hey! Guess what I have in my purse?" She fake-whispered to me as she leaned into me. She smelled like orange and ginger body wash.

"What?"

"Mentos."

She waggled her eyebrows at me and I burst into laughter. We were both doubled over and I leaned on her while I said to Gil, in my own fake whisper. "Go look for a two-liter bottle of Diet Coke."

Gil quickly went the refrigerator. (What a concept! Drinks in the fridge? Here I was thinking he'd have to leave the party for to a Quickie Mart to find some soda. That's why I love this man. So smart. God, I'm so buzzed).

"What are you two up to?" he asked with that boyish grin of his. Gabby put her hands on the two-liter in Gil's hands but he refused to let go, again giving Gabby that grin. The two of them got into a little tug of war, which made me feel so warm inside. Just watching them at that moment I felt like we were the only three people at the party... hell, in the world.

Gabby was getting no where fast. She was just looking at Gil and he wasn't conceding. That is, until I put my hand on his crotch. He let go of the two-liter really fast and Gabby just burst out. "Way to go, Sar!" she said, and I just winked.

"I could have held on, you know, if you didn't do that," Gil said, still all smiles. And I couldn't resist. I kissed him square on the mouth, and despite being in the midst of another person, he deepened the kiss and moaned. God, I love his moan.

"I got the soda, but it looks like you won," Gabby said when we broke apart. The two still looked at each another, and I put my arm into the crook of hers and coaxed her to the sink. She tapped her own hip against mine in a friendly gesture and we made out way to the sink for our experiment.

"OK, Mr. and Mrs. Scientist," her voice was slightly affected with a cute, intoxicated slur, "how we going to drop these babies in the bottle? Cause I don't think I could drop more than four effectively in it."

"We need a funnel," Gil said, his voice was husky.

I found a roll of paper towels and grabbed a couple to make a funnel. Then I said in my not-so-whispery-whisper, "Gather round. Gather round. Stand behind me."

The two of them did as they were told. I was in front of the sink, with a funnel in the bottle of Diet Coke and Gabby's roll of Mentos in my hand. Just behind me on the right was Gil. He was turned on. I mean, really turned on because I could feel his erection against my hip which surprised me. But after the kiss we shared a moment ago, I couldn't blame him. That, plus I did grab his crotch a couple of seconds before that.

And on my left Gabby stood just behind me. At first she leaned in and looked over my shoulder, then I heard Gil say, "Get a closer look, Gabby." He must have nudged her closer to me and I could feel one of her breasts pressed against my back. Her nipple was hard. And now, I was really turned on, too.

I was lost in a feeling of unexpected bliss. The duality of the two sensations became tremendously erotic. I closed my eyes for a moment, to savor it, then I heard Gil.

"Ready whenever you are, my love."

My breath hitched and I dropped the Mentos down the neck of the bottle.

And it erupted with Diet Coke shooting to the ceiling. The kitchen was a sticky, caramel-colored mess, with the evidence of the Mentos sinking to the bottom of the two-thirds empty bottle.

"Holy shit!" Gabby said half-nervous, half-laughing and looking around to see if anyone else had witnessed our explosion. Seeing some of the other party-goers glance in our direction, she continued in a mock stage whisper, "We should really leave now!"

Gil grabbed my hand and I grabbed Gabby's, and the three of us made a mad dash out of the kitchen, then slowed just slightly through a hallway to get to the front door.

Once outside in the hallway, Gil picked up the pace again and led us to the elevator, which quickly opened. Before we knew it we were inside, still holding each other's hands, huffing from sprinting, but also chuckling.

All I could think about was we were alone again. And once again that erotic sensation hit me. Fully aroused, I initiated an erotic embrace and kiss.

But this time not with Gil.

TBC...

A/N: Reviews and critiques are most welcome. Anonymous reviews accepted. Thank you for reading.