Disclaimer: CSI Belongs to CBS and Jerry Bruckheimer

"The Warmth Despite The Cold"
By Wijida

Grissom shut the door with a nod and the brief comment of 'Just a moment- I'll change my shirt', a
perplexed Sara standing in the hallway, waiting patiently. She'd arrived more quickly than he'd expected, the air around her lightly scented with something jasmine- more feminine than he'd normally associated with Sara Sidle.
His wife wore the same scent.
A moment passed before he was able to dial the correct number on the phone, and the feminine voice
which answered was so obviously rushed that he felt the sudden, mischievous urge to keep her on the phone
for as long as possible.
"Teri," he greeted her warmly, a sly smile spreading over his lips as the voice on the distant end became silent, and he could envision her attractive features contorting, eyebrows raised in slight irritation.
"Paul," She retorted, and Grissom's smile morphed into one of amusement as her light chuckle reached his
ears. "Gil- how's the conference?" "Cold. We've been snowed in- Sara tells me she's been trying to reach you for days and hasn't been able
to get through. I'm lucky I could now."
"Sara's been trying to get in touch with me?" There was a hint of something in her tone, a splash of emotion which he correctly interpreted, and fielded with a well-thought-out response. "She's been reading in her room, Catherine. Ten books- she's halfway through them."
"I'm sure you could convince the hotel manager to lock her in there, sweetheart." The suggestion was followed by Catherine Willows' ever-tolerant laughter. "You're a CSI Level three- and from what I gather from the news report, you're probably the highest ranking officer available. You have to be able to pull some weight."
"Not enough to get Sara Sidle out of your hair forever, honeybee."
"That'd be 'honey', wouldn't it, Gil?"
"Not to an entomologist, Catherine." Grissom responded seriously. "Don't worry...I'll keep Sara at bay, and when this is all over, I'll make sure you and I have plenty of off-time at home."
"I look forward to it." Catherine's voice faded momentarily, and she sighed. "I do miss you, Gil Grissom."
"I know. I miss you...and the warm bed at home. Silk sheets...you..."
"Feeling the warmth despite the cold?" She laughed, Grissom feeling he was warmer at that moment than a
thermal jacket could ever keep him. "I'll see you in a week, Mr.Grissom."
"The conference couldn't be over fast enough. And next time...you're coming along." He added firmly, hearing her end hang up to close the conversation.
Neither were fond of goodbyes, Catherine having refused him the verbal farewell when he'd left for the airport. A hug, a kiss, a wave through the window were all she would allow...and on the phone, none were available. The silence, however, always spoke volumes. The recent strings of endearing nicknames overwhelmed him, hand still grasping the mouthpiece as he recalled the recent words, the things he'd never once said, and now could never say enough. He loved Catherine...and to be without her, warding off Sara's often amorous advances, was sometimes far too exhausting. But the phone call had energized him, and for that he was grateful.
The earlier knocking resumed, and he opened the door to find Sara on the other side, cell phone held up to reveal a glowing, green display.
"I made it through." She reported, folding the cell phone closed and leaning against the doorframe. "But the line was busy."
"Try again later, then." Grissom replied, reaching for his jacket and stepping into the hallway, door closing behind him. "That's all you can do, Sara. Keep trying."
And as he shrugged his jacket onto his shoulders, he could already feel the warmth.

~End