I stood by the car waiting for Nick to come out and leave. As I looked around growing impatient Grissom walked out with Sophia preparing to ride out to their crime scene. I leaned against the Tahoe watching them with curiosity.
It seemed that Sophia had a gift of bringing Grissom out of himself. I felt a twinge of my old jealously as I watched the spectacle unfolding. Sensing they were being watched they turned looking over at me.
"I meet you in the car." Sophia said, taking his case with her.
Grissom walked over towards me as I raised my arm looking at my wrist watch.
"Shouldn't you be on your way?" He asked
"I am waiting for Nick."
He looked at his watch then at me.
"Hurry up."
I sighed nodding as he walked back. As he walked away I watched him from behind then I shook my head to stop fantasizing about him.
Nick ran out looking at me running past to get into the vehicle. As we drove Nick looked over at me as I looked out the window.
"So how's your dating life?" He asked
I looked at him annoyed he would bring the subject up.
"Nonexistent." I said
"Well then, I know someone."
"Nick please!" I said "I am very happy being by myself."
He sighed looking at the road.
"Grissom is never going to come around, you know?" He said
I looked at him.
"I only say this because I care about you. He is never going to change."
I said nothing as I went back to looking out the window. He and I went over the crime scene and drove back after a few hours. I was walking out to leave when Nick blocked my path at the front desk.
"I have someone for you to meet." He said
"I am going to kill you!" I said, feeling him yank me over to a man standing in a black suit by the front door.
"Paul Wiggins, this is Sara Sidle." Nick said
I looked at the man before me struck at how good-looking he was. He took my hand shaking it as I just stood there staring.
"Nice to meet you." He said
"Likewise." I said
"Um….Nick said you like a diner a few miles down the street. Would you like to get something to eat?"
"I think she would like to." Nick said
"Yeah." I said
"Great, I'll drive." He said, going out.
I stood still staring at the spot he had once been standing.
"Where did you find him?" I asked
"College. He is CEO of a big computer network company in New York. He is worth billions."
I felt him pushing me to the front door.
"Go, he is waiting."
I went out looking over seeing him standing by his rental car. He smiled watching me walk over. I got into his car watching him get in. He turned the motor on driving out of the parking lot.
"So Nick said you are really into this forensic stuff."
"Yeah, I am."
"That's great." He said
I smiled looking out the window.
"He told me you are CEO of a computer company?" I asked
"It's just security mostly. Now a day's security is important."
"I agree." I said
"I was thinking about branching out here, but I haven't made up my mind." He said
"Vegas needs security." I said
"True." He said, parking into a parking space. "Well here we are."
He got out helping me out then we went inside. He told me stories about his life and I listened while admiring his handsome features. When we came back to the lab Grissom had just walked out with a coat and his briefcase. He looked over seeing a strange man standing on the sidewalk with me talking quietly. He stared at us watching the man kiss my cheek then walked back to his car. I waved as he drove out then I sighed turning seeing Grissom standing looking at me.
"Who was that?" He asked
"A friend of Nick's." I said "He took me out to dinner."
Grissom nodded observing my dazed state.
"Going home?" I asked
"Yes."
"Goodnight then." I said, walking to my car. He watched me go then he shook his head walking to his car.
Paul came back the next night finding me in the break room. He smiled as I smiled walking over.
"I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye." He said
"You're leaving?" I asked
"Yeah, I need to get back for a meeting. Why don't you come by my hotel and we can have a late dinner."
"Well I could." I said
"Great, I am in the penthouse at the Mirage." He said
"Penthouse." I said
"Well I like to stay in the best rooms." He said "You know what I mean?"
"Yes, I like it to."
He chuckled walking out.
After work I went home changed into a slinky black dress making my way to the hotel. I went up to the penthouse hearing soft jazz music.
"Paul?" I called, looking around the large living room area. By the balcony doors was a table with lit candles and plates with food. I walked over looking at the beautiful table as he came out putting a blue coat on.
"Hey." He said, walking over.
"Hello." I said
"I hope you're hungry." He said, smiling pulling out my seat.
I smiled sitting down.
"You look breathtaking." He said, sitting on his side.
"I am not used to these compliments." I said
"I don't see how." He said "Wine?"
"Yes, thank you."
He poured some white wine for me.
"Nick told me you are a vegetarian."
"Yes, I am."
I ate some spaghetti off my plate.
"This is really good." I said
"Glad you like it."
We ate and drank almost all the bottle of wine. I could feel the alcohol affecting me as he pulled me to him dancing slowly to the music.
"I should go." I said
"It's still early, besides I don't want you to drive home in your state."
"I could take a taxi."
"Later." He said, kissing me.
I kissed him back feeling his hand slid down my back. He lowered my shoulder strap kissing my skin. I put my hand on the back of his head moving my head back as he breathed hot air on my skin.
Somehow after that we ended up in his bed. I was so caught up in the sensations as he hurried along.
I woke naked in his bed tangled in sheets alone. My head was hurting as I sat up holding the satin sheet over my chest.
"Paul?" I called, winching at my voice.
A note on the pillow beside me told me he went out for an early morning run. I touched my messy hair seeing my dress was spread out on the floor. I got up seeing my other things around the room. I walked around to collect them hearing the elevator.
"Paul?" I called, running out to the living room stopping as I gasped seeing Brass.
"Sara?" He said "What are you doing here?"
"I…." I said, looking down at myself wearing a sheet. "I had dinner with Paul. What are you doing here?"
"Investigating a murder." He said
"What?!" I said
The elevator rang again and the doors opened allowing two day shift crime scene investigators out. They all looked at me as I stared at them in shock.
"Get dressed." Brass said "I am taking you to the station."
I backed up running back in the bedroom.
Brass walked with me to the interrogation room in the building. I sat down in my dress in shock still. He sat down across from me.
"What happened?" I asked
"Paul Wiggins was gunned down as he was taking a run in a park. Three bullets lodged into his chest. Witnesses say it was a black dodge with tinted windows."
I sighed closing my eyes.
"I had dinner with him last night. He said something about going back home for a meeting." I said "That is all I know."
"What time did he go for his run?" He asked
"I don't know." I said
"Did he mention anything about angering someone here. Did he mention a business deal going wrong?"
"No, nothing. He was very upbeat last night."
I rubbed my head hearing the door open. Grissom came in looking at me then at Brass.
"I heard what happened." He said
Brass stood up looking at me.
"Sara, we are done. If I need to talk to you I know where to find you."
"Yeah." I said
Brass walked out leaving Grissom and I. I looked at the table as he stood by the door staring at me.
"Are you okay?" He asked
I shook my head.
He sighed sitting down where Brass had been. I stood walking over to the door.
"Sara, if you need to talk to someone."
"I'll let you know." I said, walking out.
I went home changing lying in bed. When shift started I walked down the hallway in silence. The news was obsessed with reporting on his murder. I turned off the break room TV not able to watch it. I sat down on the couch as Nick came in. He sat down beside me putting his arm around my shoulders.
"How are you?" He asked
"Not good." I said
"Me neither." He said "It just proves that you can't take life for granted."
"Yeah." I said
He squeezed my shoulder looking down as I did. After work I walked to the locker room opening my locker putting stuff inside. Closing it, I put my head against the cool metal closing my eyes. Someone came in as I sat down on the bench behind me looking down. A locker closed as two strong hands started to rub my shoulders.
"You look tired." Nick said, behind me.
"I am." I said, lowering my head.
"Want to come to my place and I'll make you something?"
"No, I should go home."
He nodded rubbing a spot making me moan. The door opened as Grissom came in stopping seeing us. I lifted my head looking over at him as Nick let me go.
"Well I'll be going then." He said, leaving. I stood making my way over.
"Hey." He said
"Hey." I said, flatly.
He grabbed my arm making me face him.
"How are you?"
"Okay I guess. I still feel numb."
"I understand." He said
He let me go to open his locker. I walked over leaning against one by his open one.
"Grissom, has anything like this ever happened to you?"
He looked at me then he shut his locker.
"Sara, no one can ever be prepared when this happens."
"I know. I keep thinking about last night." I said, standing.
He reached over touching my hand.
"He was really nice." I said "Just the sort of person I could have been with."
I walked past him to the door.
"Sara?"
"Yeah?" I said, turning to look at him.
"Try to get some sleep."
"You to." I said, leaving.
He watched the door close as he sighed looking down.
I went home to lay on my couch. Within two hours of falling asleep I had a nightmare. I got up and changed going for a run.
Grissom yawned moving a hand through his messed hair as he walked over to the front door opening it seeing me.
"Sara?"
"Hey, I hoped you'd be up." I said
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just went for a run and decided to stop in." I said
"You ran all this way?"
"It didn't seem all that far away."
"Come in." He said, allowing me inside. He shut the door looking at me.
"So…um you want to watch a movie?" I asked
"I was asleep." He said
"Oh, I'm sorry." I said "I can go."
I walked to the closed door to go.
"You're here already. I can make some coffee." He said
I watched him go into the kitchen. As he did that I walked over standing at his counter watching him. He heard one of the stools being pulled out then I sat down.
"So what was the nightmare about?"
I looked at him in surprise as he turned leaning against the counter.
"I know your habits." He said
"That's creepy." I said, as I moved my hand up to hold my head as I ran my finger over the tile on his counter. "I was in bed with Paul and he was shot."
"Mmm." He said
"I got up and decided to take a run."
"You are running to somewhere safe." He said
"Meaning you?"
"Well it makes sense. You have always come to me when you were upset. I am your safety net." He said, as he got two cups from the cabinet behind him.
I sighed shaking my head.
"I am messed up."
He chuckled pouring coffee.
"Sara, you are not messed up. You just have a connection with me."
"I can't just come to you for safety every time something happens."
"Why not?" He said, handing me a cup. "I don't mind."
"I do. It's like I am coming to daddy to fix things." I said, getting up leaving the room. Grissom followed watching me sit on the couch.
"I would not put it like that. You have a mental fixation on me as a pillar."
I watched him sit in the chair beside the couch. I put my cup down on the coffee table sitting back on the couch.
"Sara, I don't mind if you want to come to me when you are troubled. I understand what makes you tick and if you feel like you are unable to cope then you should come to me." He said
"I woke you up."
"That's okay."
I smiled faintly at him then I stood.
"Thank's for the coffee and the talk."
He put his cup down standing.
"Where are you going?"
"Back home. You need sleep and I need to think."
"You can stay here." He said
"That's okay."
I went to the door with him following.
"At least let me drive you."
"I know the way."
He opened the door watching me stand still looking out. I looked at him before leaving. He shut the door standing still thinking.
I went home and took a long hot bath.
At work Grissom walked over to the lab room I was in seeing Nick with me talking. He very sweetly kissed my cheek then walked out nodding to Grissom. I looked over as he came in closing the door.
"Did you sleep?"
"No, I was afraid of having more nightmares."
"Oh." He said, walking over.
"Aren't you working a case with Sophia?" I asked, looking at a shirt.
"We are, I just wanted to check on you." He said
"I'm fine." I said
"I can see that." He said
He walked to the door going out. I watched him leave before going back to work.
Brass brought one of the suspects in for questioning involved in Paul's shooting. I came in early to watch the interrogation.
I worked finishing the case I was working on feeling relieved it was over. Over the next few days I was on standby. Grissom walked over seeing me trying to kick the snack machine in the hallway to get some Cheetos out. I shook the machine cursing its name.
"Allow me." Grissom said, hitting the side hard causing the bag to fall down. I got it out looking at him. "There's a spot on the side."
"Thank's."
"Something the matter?" He asked
"No." I said, before eating a Cheeto.
"It seemed you were taking something out on the machine."
"No more than usual." I said
I offered him some and he reached in taking one.
"Kind of stale." He said
"I like them that way."
He watched me eat more.
"Are you interested in helping me with paperwork?"
I groaned knowing what that meant.
"Come on it will be fun." He said
"All I do is sit beside you and put papers you hand me on a pile. How is that fun?"
"Okay, it's not fun, but I still need someone to help. It's you or just me. I need company."
"Fine." I said
He smiled letting me go first. As before I sat beside him putting papers he handed me in a neat pile. He stopped sitting back in his chair stretching.
"I need a break." He said
"I see why you avoid doing this."
"I don't avoid it. I just have other things to do."
"Right." I said
He smiled faintly.
"Hungry?"
"Yeah."
"We can order in."
I nodded as he got his phone out calling a restaurant. He hung up putting his phone on his desk looking at the pile awaiting him.
"I guess I should get back to work."
"Or we could sit here and do nothing." I said
"To much to do." He said, moving back under his desk taking a paper reading it.
I watched him a moment. He handed me a paper looking at me. I took it putting it on the pile.
"Grissom, why aren't you in a relationship?"
He stopped looking at me. I sat back watching him fidget.
"I'm just curious."
"Sara, can we just work?"
"Yeah."
He cleared his throat looking at a paper.
"It just seems to me that you have been avoiding a relationship."
"Sara." He said, still looking at the paper he held.
"I know you have had dates, but have you ever had a long term relationship?"
He handed me a paper.
"I don't want to get into this." He said "I have had dates, that's all."
"Are you afraid to love someone?"
He sighed sitting back in his chair looking at me.
"This is not going to end, is it?"
"No." I said
"Fine, I have loved someone, but it ended when she left town."
"Who?"
"That's not important."
"Why did she leave?"
"A job."
"So no one else?"
"No." He said, getting back to work.
I nodded looking at him.
"Have you?" He asked
"I was in love with someone."
"And?"
"And nothing."
"Why not?" He asked, handing me a paper.
"It just never evolved into anything."
"Are you still in love with this person?"
I didn't answer. He handed me another paper looking at me.
"You didn't answer."
"Can we get back to work?" I asked
"No, you started this conversation." He said, smiling faintly.
I looked down then at him.
"I do still love this person."
"I see." He said, getting back to his pile.
"Why didn't it become a relationship?"
"He never noticed I existed."
"I am sure he did." He said, scribbling his signature on a paper.
"How do you know?" I said, taking the paper from him.
"Because if he didn't then he must be blind." He said, looking at me.
I looked at him. We gazed at each other in silence then I looked away from him.
"Anyway, it's over."
"I'm sorry."
I shrugged my shoulders.
"He didn't exactly come around."
He stared at me then went back to work. I said nothing more as I stared at the pile of papers thinking.