Disclaimer: I do not own CSI or any of the characters contained in this story, which is
not for profit of any kind.
Author's Note: First story of mine. Sara's reaction to the return of Lady Heather and
Grissom's involvement in the encounter.
A Place To Go
There was no way at all that this could have turned out well.
Logically, she knew that and had known that nothing good would come of the situation. She had been prepared. Or at least that's what she had told herself.
When Sara had gotten the call that Lady Heather had nearly been murdered, she tried to calm herself down by thinking that at least this time she would help work the case. She would know what was happening without having to rely on office gossip. And she had learned something, too.
Ignorance is bliss.
She had thought she wanted to know, rather than be kept out of the loop. But she had been about ready to kill Catherine herself if she hadn't shut up. Now she knew (well suspected right along with Catherine, because how could she not) that Grissom really had slept with Lady Heather, and it was coloring all of her perceptions around him now.
Come on, that whole "she's strong" comment? Like I didn't know what you were thinking!
She wasn't a jealous person, but damn if this wasn't upsetting her, and she didn't want to admit it to herself, much less him.
Which was why she had told him to do what he had to do when she didn't really mean it. She had tried to mean it, she really had. She had even joked with him about the lipstick on the glass from the scene, had smiled at him. But then he called her and told her he would be at Heather's house talking with her for a while, because he was worried about her and had to help in some way. He was such an upstanding gentleman. She hated him. Well, not really, but part of her really hadn't wanted to know that. Yes, it was good that he called and told her, was trying to keep her in the loop, but he was her boyfriend and for once in her life she was going to let herself feel possessive.
Even if she couldn't admit it.
And that was how she had ended up here. Grissom had gone over to see Heather again after work, and she had said okay as she was leaving, and then she had gone home. But she'd only stayed there long enough to put the leash on Bruno.
Sara had decided that what she really needed right now was some alone time to work things out, but then she had altered that plan to include Bruno, because she really needed someone who needed her at the moment. And it was okay to admit that to the dog, because unless he learned human, he wasn't telling.
She knew Grissom would never think to look for her at the park, because she would not usually think to go to the park. Too busy most of the time. But she had grown up a California girl, albeit one that rarely had time to go to the beach because of school work and family problems, but she loved the water nonetheless. She had maybe forgotten that a little bit in the last few years. But this is what made her and Bruno kindred such spirits. He may follow Grissom around constantly, but Sara gave him his baths, and they both loved it.
So, what better place to spend time with him and make herself feel better at the same time than at a park right near the lake?
Bruno was splashing around in the shallow water barking at things under the surface, and she was watching him with a smile on her face. Sara couldn't remember the last time she had felt so good with the sun on her skin. But that's what working nights will do to you, that and she was probably lacking in a few essential sun-provided vitamins.
For the first time since the beginning of the Lady Heather case, she was content with Grissom not being right beside her. Yes, he was at her house, but Sara was here with their dog, having a good time. That was what made her feel the best. She was having a good time without him, even if he was with her, and not wallowing, wondering what was happening. She hadn't thought she could feel that way.
Suddenly, Sara was having an odd and slightly frightening realization. Maybe that's why Grissom needed that sabbatical so much. Maybe he needed to remember that he would be okay without her. But she hadn't done anything to cause him to think he would have to worry about that. Hell, she hadn't stayed up all night talking to Hank had she? Not that that would ever happen, but she now associated Hank with Lady Heather and misery and that particular and indefinable time in their lives when they had wanted so much to be together but weren't. Which was Grissom's fault, of course.
Well, if that was the case, maybe Sara should take a vacation of her own. Not a sabbatical, that was too drastic. But maybe she could just go away for a few days. Maybe back to San Francisco, where she could visit an old friend or two. Better yet, she could go to the beach. The real beach. She hadn't been in forever, not since she moved to Vegas. And this sun was making her miss it.
But oddly, the sun didn't feel so warm anymore.