Disclaimers: Not mine

Spoilers: A little bit of "Playing With Fire"

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UNINTENTIONAL

(Chapter 3 – June 28, 2003, 2:30 AM)

Grissom snapped out of his deep sleep when he felt a hand on his shoulder. When he opened his eyes, he found an apologetic-looking Sara standing in front of him.

"Sorry, I didn't know if I should wake you or not...Greg told me to give this to you. He's gone home for the night." She handed him a piece of paper.

Taking it, he studied it and nodded, running his hand over his face to wake himself up, "What time is it?"

"2:30."

"You should go home."

"So should you. That chair doesn't look too comfortable."

He looked at her and sighed, getting up, "Yeah...I think I'm gonna call it a night."

"You think you could drive me home? I was gonna get Warrick to give me a ride but he's still working on his case..."

Locking the office door, Grissom glanced at Sara with caution. Ever since she had asked him out to dinner that night after the explosion in the lab, he had been very careful about his words and actions around her. He had no intention to lead her on. "Sara..."

"I just need a ride." She insisted, correctly deducing his hesitance as a result of her asking him out.

He nodded, "Alright. Um...I uh...need to make a quick call. Why don't I meet you in the parking lot in 5?"

"Ok, I have to grab my jacket from my locker anyways."

Grissom waited until Sara was well down the hall before he reached for his cell phone in his pocket. Flipping it open, he pressed the speed dial button for Catherine's number and waited patiently as the phone rang.

"Hello?" Catherine sounded tired but not groggy.

"Did I wake you?" He knew it was a stupid question but it was only polite to ask.

"No, I couldn't sleep."

"Are you ok?"

"You really like that question, don't you?"

"Catherine, if you need to talk..."

"I'm fine."

"Do you want me to come over?"

"No." She answered sternly but quickly softened her tone, "You need to get some rest."

Grissom hesitated to end the call but he knew he had no choice, "Call me if you need to talk."


There was a pause on the other end before Catherine answered, "Goodnight, Gil."


"Goodnight, Cath." He stuffed his cell phone back into his pocket and shook his head, wishing Catherine could just open up to him. He stood for a moment in deep thought in the hallway before remembering Sara was waiting for him in the parking lot.

*To be continued*