I own nothing except for an active mind and a love for GSR.
Gil Grissom sat at his desk attempting to finish the paperwork on his most recent case. He had spent most of his shift sitting in this exact spot in the attempt of conquering the mounds of paperwork before him. All he had left to do was finish this one and then he could go home and crawl into bed for some long over due sleep. He strained his eyes focusing on the papers in his hand and continued writing.
Conrad Ecklie made his way down the hall towards the break room. He stopped just outside the door motioning for Catherine to join him in the hall.
"Did you finalize our plans, Conrad?"
"It's all set. Here is the package for Sidle. I am leaving her to you. I will go see Gil. The Sherriff is more than pleased. I just hope our plan works."
Conrad said goodbye and headed for Grissom's office. He made sure to put on the (I am a dick Ecklie face) as he has heard so many people call it, before entering.
"Gil, I have been trying to reach you for hours. When I page you I expect to receive a return call." He turned to close the door behind him and made his way to one of the empty seats in front of Grissom's desk.
Grissom removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. 'What could I have possible done to deserve this,' he thought. "I have been trying to get through some of this paperwork and close this case, Conrad. What did you need that was so important?"
"The Sherriff has been calling me. He is concerned about your seminar hours. You are way behind and we are getting close to the fiscal end. He has scheduled you for a seminar and asked me to deliver the information to you." He handed Grissom the package before continuing.
"The lab needs me Conrad; I can't just up and leave everyone in a lurch."
"You will have to take that up with him. I am just the messenger. Your flight plans and reservations are all mapped out in the package I gave you. Your flight to Naples, Fl. leaves at 8pm tonight. That should give you plenty of time to get packed and get some sleep. I will expect a full report on the seminar when you return." Conrad abruptly stood and scurried out of the office.
Grissom opened the package and began scouring its contents. His brows knitting in confusion, he dialed his phone and waited for the answer.
"Atwater."
"Sherriff, its Gil Grissom."
"I figured I would be hearing from you Gil. You have questions about your trip?"
"Yes, I am just confused as to why I am booked off for two weeks when the seminar is only lasting five days."
"Our yearly audit will be coming up soon, so I have been going over the books. You have 18 weeks vacation on the books Gil. You don't seem inclined to arrange for your own vacation so I have taken the liberty of doing it for you. This is mandatory, no negotiating Gil. Take the time and enjoy yourself. I have made the adequate arrangements to cover the night shift for this trip. I suggest you turn your phone off, or better yet leave it at home. Enjoy the seminar and the time off, I am sure you could use the rest."
"Your right, I could use the rest. I guess I can take my clubs and go golfing."
"That's the spirit. Give me a call when you get back, I wouldn't mind hearing about all the hot babes in bikinis." Atwater laughed.
Gil responded with a deep laugh. "It's the season for them, I will be sure to give you a full report. Talk to you soon."
Hanging up the phone Rory Atwater couldn't help but laugh. 'Hell the only bikini clad babe he would be seeing was the beautiful long legged brunette he was helplessly in love with.' His mind drew him back to the Annual Sherriff's Gala.
He sat at the table with his wife and the entire night shift staff. Greg was cutting the rug with Mia, Nick had asked Sara to dance and Grissom and Warrick had gone to the bar to refill their drinks. His wife the observant outspoken doll that she is had commented about the sexual tension radiating off a certain Entomologist and the beautiful brunette bombshell.
"I am telling you if those two don't get it on soon they are going to internally combust. How long have they been like that Cat?" Amanda Atwater asked while fanning her flushed face.
"Oh, I would say it has been building for about ten years now. They met at a seminar in Frisco. Gil was 36 and had just transferred to Vegas. Sara was 21; she was on her sixth month as a CSI level 1 in the Frisco office. She attended his seminar, they became friends and he called her to come to Vegas three years later. She has been here seven years and he still can't seem to get his head out of his ass."
"So what seems to be the problem? Two minutes with them and I could tell how much they love each other."
"Gil is afraid. His job has been his life. He is her supervisor, he worries that he will lose his job or she will lose hers. The difference in their age bothers him. He thinks she deserves someone younger, but anytime she flirts or dates someone he goes off the deep end. But Sara loves him and refuses to settle for anyone else."
"I think they need our help. Don't you Rory. It would be a shame to see a love like that wasted."
"I would have to say I agree. There are no rules against them being in a relationship. But for the sake of the lab I think we could work out something."
"I have a few suggestions if you would like to hear them."
"I am all ears Cat, what did you have in mind."
Catherine, Amanda, and Rory hatched a plan that night. Rory called Ecklie the next day to fill him in, and to the surprise of everyone he was more than eager to help the two.
Sara couldn't believe that she would be spending the next two weeks in Florida. Her emotions were going haywire. She was excited about spending part of the summer months in Naples. She had heard it was beautiful. She hated that she would be gone from work for so long and thus away from the only man she would ever love. Hell she spent most of her nights off at the lab because she couldn't bare to be away from him.
'The hell with it, I have to go so I may as well enjoy myself.' As she left the lab she decided a shopping spree was in order. 'Why not splurge, she thought.' She needed a whole new wardrobe, summer clothes, sandals, a bikini or two, sunglasses, some jewelry, and some new underwear for good measure. Three hours and a few thousand dollars later she headed home to pack and sleep before her trip.
Sara climbed out of bed and showered. She decided to forgo straitening her hair, opting instead to let it dry and curl as it would. She dressed in one of her new outfits. She had chosen a matching thong and bra in a pale peach lace. The blouse she had chosen was a lovely form fitting peach satin that left her midriff bare. The tiny dragonfly piercing left exposed at her naval. Her skirt was a knee length satin with swirls of peach, yellow, and reds. She decided against stockings as she slipped her feet into a pair of sandals that matched her shirt.
At 6pm she loaded her bags into the cab and made the short trip to the airport. After checking her bags, she purchased a bottle of water and found a seat at the departure gate. She fished out her latest Forensic Journal and began reading.
Grissom walked toward the departure gate but stopped in his tracks when an all too familiar sensation overcame him. The tingling hair on the back of his neck, the pull in his groin, the rapid pulse, only one thing caused these sensations. He had been experiencing these feelings for years, but only when he was near Sara. He scanned the seating area at the gate and found her within minutes. He was momentarily shocked by the realization that she would be going to Florida. They had become closer in the past few months, bridging the gap that he had caused in their friendship. He wanted to be with her but he wasn't rushing things. It had taken him long enough to figure out what to do, he didn't want to screw it up. 'Maybe this vacation will be the key,' he thought as he approached her.
"Fancy meeting you here, I guess Atwater got to you to huh." He smiled
"Grissom! Catherine didn't tell me you were going too." 'Oh my god, two weeks with Grissom in Florida. Maybe this will be good for us,' she thought as she gave him her famous Sidle smile.
"Yeah, well Eklie also failed to tell me that I would have a traveling companion. I can honestly say that it pleases me. I was not looking forward to this trip."
"I agree, I had to go power shopping just to psych myself up. I think I may have bought out the entire mall. At least with you there I won't feel so alone. I am really not good at meeting new people."
"We are two of a kind when it comes to things like that. I was resigned to spend my entire trip indoors to avoid the hassle of socializing. With you there I may have to test out my adventurous side."
"Turning over a new leaf are you?" She had noticed the efforts he had made to open up to the team. The after shift meals, several parties, and an unusual amount of talking. Not to mention the fact that he had been pairing up with her on most of the cases for the past few months. They had slipped easily back into their friendly banter and flirting. Part of her was still a little leery after being pushed and pulled for so long, but a bigger part of her hoped that this all meant something. She hoped for her hearts sake that it did.
He grasped her hand in his and smiled his blue eyes twinkling. "I am trying Sara. I have finally figured out that although my work is important, there are other things that are more important."
She almost jumped at his touch. She could feel her body responding to the heat of their touching skin. "Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. The whole team has been commenting on the new Grissom. It makes me happy to see you happy."
The boarding announcement interrupted their conversation.
"That would be us Ms. Sidle." He stood and offered her his arm. "Shall we begin our adventure?"
"I am more than ready Bugman." She smiled and placed her hand on his arm.
They spent most of their flight talking about anything and everything except for work. They shared little bits of their past and present. They talked of places they had been and places they wanted to go. Sara told him about her three month tour of Paris with her two best friends. Grissom told her about his month long excursion to the Rain Forest. Sara told him of her desire to visit Ireland. Grissom told her that a friend of his moved their several years back and sent him pictures constantly trying to get him to visit. They were both pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to talk to the other. They laughed and joked. He even let her help him with his sacred crossword puzzle.
They arrived in Naples at 3am and headed to their hotel. It took 15 minutes for the cab to get them their and the concierge took their luggage to the desk as they checked in.
The man behind the counter smiled at the. "Welcome to La Playa Beach and Golf Resort. You are checking in I assume."
"Yes we have reservations for Sara Sidle and Gil Grissom."
"I see you here. You are booked in the Sea Side bungalow. You will be pleased; it is one of the nicest we have. You have your own private beach that is very secluded. There is a hot tub and a steam room located on your private deck. We also have a pool, five separate bars, three restaurants, two full day spas, and a wonderful golf course. There are pamphlets in the bungalow that list all of our attractions and services. I will have Tony take your bags to your bungalow. If you and your lovely lady will follow him he will see to it that you get settled."
Grissom and Sara just looked at each other. "I… we… how many um rooms are in this bungalow?" Grissom stuttered as he looked at the shocked expression on Sara's face knowing that his was a mirror image of hers.
"There are two separate sleeping quarters with king size beds. That is what was requested, I hope that is satisfactory. Oh, and I almost forgot I have notes that I am supposed to give to each of you." He reached under the counter and retrieved two small envelopes, handing one to Grissom and the other to Sara.