The five stages of a sabbatical

Disclaimer – I do not, repeat, do not own any part of CSI. I think the world is a safer place that way! -x-

Note: This is fanfic number 2 for me and somewhat shorter than my previous one. But hope you all enjoy it all the same!

Stage One - Anger

Her face reddened in humiliation. The words stuck in her head and she took several deep breaths to control all of the thoughts and emotions that were threatening to rise to the surface.

Sabbatical…teaching…four weeks…

She had been handling the news calmly and rationally until Grissom had dropped the ultimate bombshell.

"The break will be good for me."

Grissom was leaving for four weeks and it wasn't an open invitation. It wasn't that he was asking for her opinion, he had already decided. He was leaving tomorrow. She swayed slightly on the spot and held onto the chair in front of her for support.

Grissom watched Sara anxiously. He had known that this conversation would never be easy. But watching her now, he was worried that it had hit her harder than he had ever anticipated. It had sounded so convincing and reassuring in his head; he wasn't leaving her behind, he was leaving the job behind. It was just unfortunate that the two were linked.

"Huh." She finally mumbled, making him wince. He had known Sara long enough to know that if something annoyed her or if she didn't agree, she would let someone know. But if something really got to her, upset her more than normal, then she would respond with silence.

She turned her back on him and walked to the door of the office. His breathing quickened, he had one shot to move her from silence to anger; the lesser of two evils.

"I thought you would be happy for me." He called out quietly, but audible enough that she could hear. Sara turned slowly on the spot and looked at him. He could see the fire burning in her eyes.

"You're leaving Vegas for four weeks without me. You tell me this the day before you go. Add to that the fact that you had a go at me because I didn't tell you I was going to San Francisco, and you want me to be HAPPY for you?" She replied through gritted teeth. Unfortunately Grissom's tactic worked too well, and he became annoyed by her response.

"I need some time away from work. You don't get it."

"Yes I do. I could do with a holiday. So could Nick; he still can't stand the sight of bugs or having to go underground. Greg's still haunted by the death of Demetrius James. Warrick's marriage is falling apart and Cath's still cut up about Sam. But you don't see us going off for four week holidays. Because we can't, we just get left behind to get on with it!" Her voice rose to a surprisingly high volume, causing some of the lab staff to gaze in bewilderment, from behind their computers and layout tables.

Grissom lowered his head, shaking it slowly as he did.

"Don't you dare shake your head at me like I'm some school kid that's got the answer wrong to a question! You'll never change will you? When something becomes tough or uncomfortable or difficult you shut down, just like you did all of those times to me." Grissom finally looked up, a surprised and hurt expression on his face. He regained his composure and arched his fingers together, opting for silence rather than a response. Sara threw her hands up in the air.

"See you in four weeks." She spat, slamming the office door shut behind her. Grissom put his head in his hands and sighed.

"Great."

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Ta dah! Lol, hope you enjoyed the first chapter. I know it's short, but well the whole fic is, and it seemed the most appropriate place to end it. There are references to San Francisco, which is to do with my other fanfic 'Nightmares and Dream men'. -x-