Chapter Two:
He said nothing as he made sandwiches while she sat curled up on the couch with a blanket wrapped around her. She had been quiet the entire trip to his place and said nothing when he offered her the bed but she chose the couch instead.
She yawned.
"Just a quick snack," he said.
They sat there now eating the snack. He glanced once or twice and wanted to ask so many questions but he didn't. He finished his off quickly but she sat there and nibbled.
"Don't like it? I can fix you something else?" he offered.
She glanced at him. "Crackers?"
He searched and found a box of saltines. He took a pack and brought them to her.
He was quiet for a moment before asking, "Better?"
She nodded.
"Sara?"
She looked at him.
"You know you can talk with me about anything…I'm a good listener…I won't tell anyone."
"Not now," she whispered.
"You sure you don't want the bed?" he asked.
She shook her head.
He left her alone.
She lay there now letting the tears fall as she tried to make sense of the mess she had gotten herself into. She would have to leave. It was the best thing to do. She could return to San Francisco and perhaps get a job with her old boss. He had been angry when she left. She hoped after all these years, he would not hold a grudge. She did not know her tears had turned to sobs until he was there flicking on the small lamp and pulling her into his arms. She accepted the kindness.
"You two fight?" he asked.
She said nothing.
"Sara...how far along are you?" he asked. He felt her body become stiff and he rubbed her back.
"I have sisters…I know the signs…the tiredness, the moodiness, the unsteady hands, nausea near food or aromas."
He felt her sobs return and he held her.
"Does he know?"
"No. I uhm tried to tell him but then he left."
"You have to tell him."
"I tried."
"Try harder."
"We haven't been getting along. He said I was suffocating him so I gave him some space. The next thing I know he's leaving. I think I should do the same….resign…go back to San Francisco."
"You can't do that," he said. "You have friends here. What's in San Francisco?"
No one…
That's not exactly true…
There's Thomas and Ben…
I loved Thomas like a father but he never forgave me for leaving…
Ben loved me…
I didn't want Ben…
I just wanted Grissom…
He doesn't want me…
Her silence told him the answer.
"He's coming back," he said.
"You don't know that."
Nick scowled. He had always looked up to the man until now. Right now, he wanted to throttle him.
"Love sucks," he said pulling her back with him onto the couch.
She looked at him.
"I thought you and Mandy…"
"We split up. She got cold feet when I took her to meet my parents. She's been burned before…I think she doesn't want a commitment. You know years ago if you asked me if I wanted to settle down I would have laughed. I never saw myself settling down until now…I wanted to settle down with Mandy but she wanted no part of it."
"I'm sorry…I know how much it hurts to be rejected…" she began to cry again. He pulled her tighter and kissed her on the forehead.
"Let's try to get some sleep. We'll see what we can salvage from your apartment before shift," he said.
He was surprised when he woke to find that she was already gone. She left a note thanking him but had called a cab and gone back to the lab to get her car and work on her apartment. He cursed as he hurried to shower and dress.
He tapped at the door to find several boxes sitting outside the door. He practically ran into her carrying a box.
"Stop!" he yelled.
"I've got to get this done…the mildew will ruin it if I don't." she said.
"Fine…then let us help," he said.
"Us?"
"I called Greg and Warrick. They're on their way," he said.
She smiled. "Thanks Nick. I didn't realize how much stuff I had until I began boxing it up."
"No lifting. We'll do that," he said.
She nodded.
They cleared the apartment slowly. Greg grabbed the phone and unplugged it before he realized it had been flashing. He glanced at her but did not bother to tell her. He knew the message would be erased but figured the person would call back.
They spent the next several hours clearing out the apartment.
"Superintendant says the water damage is extensive and the drywall will have to be replaced. It will be months before you can move back in. Looks like your stay just got extended," he said with a smile.
"I can get a hotel room until…"
"You can stay with me," offered Greg with a huge smile.
"She's staying with me," said Nick.
Greg frowned.
The last of her things were placed in storage and now they sat there in the diner.
"Thanks guys," she said yawning.
"Did you get any sleep?" asked Nick.
"Some,"
she said. She gripped the table the moment the food was placed in
front of them. She made a hasty retreat to the bathroom.
"What's
wrong with her?" asked Greg.
"She just had her apartment waterlogged losing most of her things and we have Catherine for a boss until Grissom decides if he's coming back. Do you have to ask?" said Nick.
"See what you mean. I would have been pissed if I lost as much as she did," he said.
Nick stared at Greg and wondered if there was more to his statement than what he was letting on.
She returned shortly and picked up the toast.
"Call in sick," he said.
"Oh that would go over well with the new boss…first night and I don't show up," said Sara.
"Catherine's not going to be so bad," said Warrick.
"That's because you like her," said Greg.
Warrick frowned but said nothing.
"Look, you have a legitimate excuse. Your apartment is a swamp right now," he said.
"Thanks for reminding me, Nicky."
She worked anyway needing the diversion. Hours turned into days followed by weeks and she remained at Nick's. They had fallen into a routine. They took turns with dinner. Sara took over the duties of housecleaning. It was a task he gladly gave up. Laundry was still a joint affair. Neither mentioned Grissom. No one had heard from him. Nick had even tried to pump information from Brass but he had remained adamant that he had not heard from the man either. If it bothered her, she said nothing focusing on getting through the morning sickness and trying to decide what plan of action she should take.
"My things are already packed," she said one day after shift.
"Your apartment is not going to be ready for several more weeks," said Nick.
"Nick, I think I'm going to call and see if there's anything available in San Francisco."
"Wait…wait until the six weeks are up…his leave request was for six weeks."
"He's not coming back," she said.
"You don't know that," he said.
She stared down at her lap knowing that her secret could not be hidden forever.
"I'm going to be showing soon," she said. "People will talk…they'll put two and two together…I think I should leave."
"Give it a few more weeks."
She did.
She felt herself hoping he would return but when the six weeks came and went, she spiraled into a depression.
It was finished.
They were finished.
He had broken her heart.
Catherine yelled at the poor reception.
"Grissom…where the hell are you?"
"I'm in the commons area…too many students," he yelled.
"You're overdue," she said.
"There's been a problem...gotten in a mess…never should have gotten involved with her…not coming back….I'm stuck…Catherine?"
The line went dead and she fumed.
Grissom tried again but knew the reception was poor. He had already packed his things and was ready to come home when his friend and colleague had invited him over for dinner and drinks. He thought it was to say goodbye but then he sat there and listened as his friend told him about his affair with a student and how his wife had walked out. His marriage was in shambles and he needed to go back east to try to work things out and persuade her to come back.
He wanted no part of the sordid mess but then his friend had broken down in tears and told him he stood to lose his tenure if he did not find a suitable replacement while he was away. He agreed. He agreed for a few more weeks. It was what he was trying to tell Catherine. He hoped he had gotten the message across as he ran his fingers through his hair.
He missed her.
He had missed her with every ounce of his being.
He had wanted nothing more than to come home to her.
He knew she was still angry.
He had called and tried to explain things but she had never returned his call.
He had tried to write but he could not find the words to express how much he loved her.
He feared she no longer loved him.
They sat there in the break room when Catherine stepped inside.
"Listen, Grissom called," she said.
Nick glanced at Sara.
"When's the boss man coming back?" asked Warrick.
"He's not."
Sara felt the walls closing in around her. His hand gently squeezed hers under the table.
"Why the hell not?" yelled Nick.
"Something about getting involved with someone and it was a mistake. I think he was referring to Lady Heather. I can't think of anyone else he would get involved with," said Catherine as she turned and headed toward the door. "I'm going to personnel…if you need anything, I'll be with Ecklie."
Sara quickly got up and headed toward the locker room. He quickly grabbed her hand.
"Sara…"
"Don't, Nick. I knew it…I just hoped…" she swiped at her eyes.
"What are you going to do?" he asked.
"I'm resigning," she said.
Note from author:
It's good to see reviews in my inbox again. I am such a junky. I've really enjoyed your comments as always. Some have asked how long and once again I have to say, I have no clue since by posting this I am forced to write an ending! It seems I love to write the stories but can't seem to bring myself to finish any of them until I post. LOL Anyway, sit back and enjoy. As soon as the reviews are posted, I will release another chapter. I have already written thirty chapters so I hope this gives you an idea of how long it is. I plan to release two chapters per day so send the reviews quickly so we can move along!
Take care,
Penny
