Chapter 2
The SFPD Lab was in many ways similar to the one in Vegas. The one difference was the size of the actual lab space. Grissom was very impressed with the layout, procedures and efficiency. He was especially impressed with one CSI. He was mesmerized by her. Sara Sidle. He couldn't help but smile when he said her name. She was very passionate about her work, it was evident in the way she spoke about the lab and the cases they were processing.
After Ecklie's speech, they had sneaked away before anyone had a chance to grab them. When they got outside Grissom realized he had no car and no idea where to go from there. Sara didn't disappoint. She hailed a cab and gave him the SFPD Lab address. That's when Grissom realized how close she was sitting. Their thighs were touching slightly and it was becoming very hard to breathe. He just sat there, silent, staring at her leg touching his, his hands clenched together sitting in his lap.
"What are you doing Sara?" Her inner voice tried to reason with her. "Tony is going to think you went insane and have word of this all over the department by nightfall. Besides, Grissom probably thinks you're just being nice since he's a speaker."
She glanced over at him and they exchanged smiles and a chuckle. "It's just a ten minute or so drive to the lab" She blurted out to break the silence. Grissom smiled at her "Ok, gives me a chance to see the city as we drive". That was a stupid thing to say Gil, get a grip! Now she thinks you are bored and don't wanna talk to her! "Not that you aren't great company and I have to look out the window to entertain myself". As soon as he said it, he realized he had said it out loud and raised his eyebrows and his eyes got wide as he looked at her.
"Umm...Ok. But I could point out a few things along the way if you want" She gave him a half smile, trying not to outright laugh, then pursed her lips together. He really liked how she did that. Hell, he liked everything about her. But what did she see in him?
Sara pointed out sites along the short drive, taking up the silence with her low tone and laughter. Grissom was glad they found something to do on the drive. It was the longest 10 minutes but also the shortest. They arrived at their destination. Sara tried to pay the cab driver, but he insisted. She just smiled at him and said "All, right. Be sure to add it to your expense report".
He followed her into the lab. Introductions started right away when they ran into one of the lab supervisors. Sara was very professional. She introduced him to key personnel, highlighted the aspects of the lab that were unique, and even spewed out facts and figures that would impress any PR Director. But she wasn't trying to promote the lab. She was proud of what she did and what she had accomplished and where she worked.
"Well, im sure it's no Vegas crime lab, but we do ok." She said as they stood in the middle of the break room waiting for a fresh pot of coffee to finish brewing. She pointed to the chair at the end of table, indicating he should sit there and sat in the one on the side of the table to his left. She turned slightly in her chair so she was facing him more directly.
"Sara, thanks so much for the tour. True, Vegas has a few more toys to work with than you do here and we have a larger staff, but this is a great lab. You do good work here." Grissom flashed his boyish grin at her as he reached out and touched her hands she had folded on the table in front of her.
"Thanks, Grissom." He loved how she just automatically felt comfortable calling him "Grissom". She held his gaze and squeezed his hand.
"Hey! There you are!" Tony came bounding into the break room, his gaze landing on the pair and their hands entwined on the table."I've been looking all over for you, Sar. We got the DNA results on the rape case!"
Sara and Grissom both withdrew their hands as soon as Tony entered. Both feeling like kids caught making out on the couch.
"That's great, Tony. I will be with you in a few minutes to go over that. I was just wrapping up a tour for Dr. Grissom and then Im going to take him over to the AD's office. So, meet you in your office in" she glanced at her watch "20 minutes?"
"Sure, yeah. I'll get the warrant going. Nice to see you again Dr. Grissom. Hope Sara was pleasant and showed you a good time." He sipped his coffee hiding a smile. Sara slapped him on the arm, nearly spilling his coffee. He just laughed and headed to his office.
"I am sorry. Tony obviously hasn't gotten past junior high in the social skills department." She got up from the table and poured two cups of fresh coffee. When she turned to take them back to the table, he was right there, narrowly escaping a coffee bath. "OH!" Was all she could say. He reached out and took one of the mugs from her, fingers just barely touching. But wow! Sara was stunned. How can just such an innocent thing make her so...HOT? She shook her head and sat back down at the table. Grissom was at the counter adding sugar, she noted. He stayed there leaning against the counter.
"So, how long have you and Tony worked together?" He asked casually
"Well, about 2 years. He has been here about 4 years, but I started here about 2 years ago. He is a great criminalist. Just lacks common sense sometimes." She chuckled.
"Yeah, I have a lab tech like that. Great DNA guy. Just young and full of energy. And a love of Marilyn Manson." Grissom rolled his eyes. This got a laugh from Sara.
"So, note to self. Don't get Grissom Marilyn Manson tickets as a present." She smiled over the top of her coffee cup at Grissom. He just smiled and set his cup down on the counter.
He sat down at the table again. "Sara, I really appreciate the tour. I'd like to repay you with dinner, but Dennis is taking me out, and Im leaving on a 5am flight."
She just stared at him, stunned at his words, but incredibly happy he said them. "That's ok, Grissom. Don't worry about it. If I'm ever in Vegas, you can give me a tour of your lab and offer me some not-so-fresh coffee."
He chuckled. "Right."
"Well, let me show you to Dennis's office." She got up abruptly and walked out of the break room. Grissom followed close behind, catching up to her in the hallway.
"Hey, Sara.." He reached for her arm to stop her. "I think that came out wrong back there. You seem upset."
She turned around and stared blankly at him. "No, im not upset."
Grissom didn't believe her. He took a step closer to her, still holding her arm in his hand. He ushered her off to the side a little, more out of view of people in the lab.
"You seem upset. And I didn't mean it like the way it seemed. If you ever get to Vegas, I would be more than happy to give you a tour of our lab. Id love to give you a tour of Vegas." His hand was now gently rubbing up and down her arm. Sara couldn't breathe; she couldn't think.
"GIL!" Dennis spotted Gil Grissom at the end of the hall deep in conversation with someone. As he approached he realized who it was. Sidle, of course. Did he just jump back from her?
"Hey, Dennis. We were just headed to your office" He extended his hand to Dennis in greeting.
"Well, did you get your tour of the lab?" Dennis looked from Sara to Gil.
"Yes, Ms. Sidle was very informative and gracious." He smiled at her, his blue eyes twinkling it seemed.
"Good, very good." Dennis looked at his watch. "Its just after 6. So, why don't I meet you at the restaurant around 8pm. Sara, why don't you join us? You and Dr. Grissom seem to be getting along fine. Im sure he wont mind."
"Uh, ummm...yeah. Yes. Thank you Dennis, I would very much like to join you." She smiled hesitantly.
"Great. Make sure he gets there on time. You know the address right? For Richard's Steakhouse?"
"Yes. Ill make sure he gets there."
"Ok, I have a meeting to run to. Budget crisis. Im sure you two can find something to amuse yourselves until dinner. See you at 8pm!" With that comment he strode off down the corridor.
Sara just stood there shuffling her feet.
"Look, if you don't want to join us for dinner. That's fine. I don't need a babysitter until then. Just give me the address and I will get a cab from the hotel."
Sara's head jerked up at his comments. He thought she was babysitting him?
"Well, I cant very well back down from a dinner invitation from my boss." she said pointedly. "But if you'd rather not have a "BABYSITTER" at dinner, then I can find an excuse."
"What?" Grissom was confused. "I didn't mean it like that! Of course I would LOVE your company! I was just trying to let you off the hook if you didn't really want to go and felt obligated."
She laughed then. His face relaxed. They both began laughing at nothing in particular.
"Wow, we make a great pair huh? I think this is the first time I've so many misunderstanding with a person in such a short of time" Sara walked up to him and grabbed his arm and moved him down the hall towards the exit.
"Why don't you get a cab back to your hotel and I will meet you there in about an hour or so. Ill drive you to the restaurant. Its just business casual there, so no tie required."
"Ok, sounds good"
Sara hailed a cab for him and as he got in he smiled at her, blue eyes shining, saying "Its been one interesting day. I cant wait to see what the night will be like with you Sara Sidle" With that he got into the cab and drove off, leaving a dumbfounded Sara on the sidewalk of the crime lab.
