How It All Began: Chapter 3
A/N: So, this is the third attempt at writing this chapter, and I do believe third time is the charm.
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, I do really, really appreciate them.
Hope you enjoy!
Oh, also, I'm working on a new fic, one I haven't posted yet, but I need a beta for it, and someone to just talk the idea out with. If anyone's interested, please, let me know, I'd appreciate it greatly (:
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She couldn't believe her eyes. She almost refused to believe her eyes.
She knew he was a CSI, a damn good one, but she never expected teaching to come into that equation. Although, she wouldn't say she was suprised, he seemed well educated, in the two times they had met, in the times they had spoken.
They should have seen each other more than once, but he never came back to see her.
She sat and waited, for hours and hours. She refused to leave the window of her bedroom. It had been what kept her going through out the day. She had been looking forward to Grissom returning all day.
She didn't usually become so dependant on people, but she had realised that there wasn't that many people left around her, who seemed to care about her at all. He did seem to care, and she found a comfort in that.
There was something about him, something that made her feel relaxed in a way she didn't with anyone else. She could talk to him in a way that she had never been able to do before. Her parents didn't read, her brother didn't either, and she had no friends. With Grissom, she was able to talk about books she had read, that he had read. He didn't make her talk about anything that she didn't want to talk about, not like anyone else she had been talking too.
When James had been dropped off at the house, she had jumped up, excited to see him. He was the only family she had left now. And Grissom had said that he would come to see her with him. He didn't. He had told James to tell Sara that he was very sorry, that he had to work, but if he got a chance, he would come and see her.
She didn't hold out much hope from then. She left the window, and eventually, stopped glancing at the window every now and then.
She should have guessed that he wouldn't turn up. She shouldn't have expected it at all. People never held the promises they kept to her, she was beginning to get used to it.
James had stayed with her that night, they stayed up talking, and eventually she managed to fall asleep, this time not plagued by any nightmares.
When she woke up, he was gone. He came back to see her later that day, and the next day. Then there was two days between his visits. Each visit seemed to be longer and longer apart. She didn't hold out much hope for him coming more often either. He had a life, himself. Coming to visit his little nerd sister wasn't something she could see him wanting to do.
She had made a promise to her twelve year-old self that day, that she would do soemthing to get herself out of the foster care system she was in. It had worked. She worked extremely hard at school, and it paid off. She graduated from high school as valedictorian, and had attained a scholarship to attend Harvard. It was something she had only dreamed of, she couldn't believe she had been accepted to Harvard.
She worked her way through Harvard, studying physics during the day, working as a waitress at night and on the weekends. She vowed she would never spend her life doing this. Once she graduated, she then moved onto study Forensics at Berkley. She wasn't sure what had made up her mind for her, maybe that she had seen so much violence in her life time, she wanted to be able to solve it for some people, bring some justice into the world.
Now, at twenty-two years old, she was in the middle of her first year at Berkley. With her degree in physics, and the fact she was furthering her education, when she applied for the job at San Franciscos Coroner's Office, they seemed to jump at the chance to have her working there. She was only too happy to be there. The pay was enough to keep her going, and that made it so much better.
She had lived with a few friends, but once she started working, she wanted her own place, not one that she was sharing with four others. It seemed she wasn't the only one, so now she shared a small apartment with one of her closest friends, Jennifer, who just so happened to be studying Forensics Law. They made a good team. What helped one, generally helped the other.
Wait until she told Jennifer this. She had given her a brief idea as to why she had decided to go into studying forensics. She said she met a CSI when she was twelve, and he had an impact on her decision.
It was true. She felt almost inspired by him, in the short time that they had spoken. Once she began studying Forensics, she knew it was the right choice, not by him, but for her. She had always loved puzzles, and now she got to combine two of her favourite things together; solving puzzles and science. It was the prefect combination. Not to mention the fact that she would get to help clear the streets of criminals.
Now, she was faced with her beginning reason, standing before her on the podium, delivering today's lecture.
She had always been early for her lectures, wanting to get the best seat, maybe ask the lecturers about any questions she had about extra assignments she had been doing. Today, had just been one amazing start after another. she had gotten in late from work, last night, the morgue had been swamoed, they needed her. She was exhausted, but she needed to get her assignment finished for today, she had the bulk of it done, but she just needed to review it, make sure there was no mistakes. When she finally climbed into bed, she fell straight asleep. Her alarm clock never went off, it was only a grumbling Jennifer that woke her up, in shock that Sara was still in bed.
Jumping from the bed, she quickly pulled on clothes, not even getting a chance to run a brush through her hair, she hurridly scraped it up and pulled it into a ponytail.
Now, she was sitting, ten minutes late for the lecture, panting slightly after running from her apartment, listening to a grumbling stomach protesting at not being fed this morning.
And for the first time in ten years, she was face-to-face with Gil Grissom, her guest lecturer for the next month. Fantastic.
How could she possibly face him? Nobody here knew about her history. He was the only person who would know about that.
That was if he even remembered her. Maybe he wouldn't. It was pretty hopeful. It was ten years ago when she met him. He must have met hundreds of people between now and then. She was sure she looked quite different than her twelve year-old self, so maybe it was worth a shot.
After a few more moments of deliberation, she made up her mind. Once the lecture was over, she would go up to him, ask a few questions, see if he remembered her. If he did, she would ask him not to say anything, to anybody. If he didn't, she would be happy enough to leave it at that.
She had to admit, he was very, very good at what he did. She stole a glance around the room, smiling as she seen how everyone's attention was fixed on their guest speaker. They never found Forensic Anthropology that interesting when Professor Todd was here.
She focoused her eyes back on him, and opened up her notebook, beginning to scrawl down notes as he spoke. She had to keep up.
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Grissom had always gotten a thrill out of teaching. It gave him the chance to pass on the knowledge and experience he had gained over the years, to eager students. it offered him some relief, that there were still people out there, eager to learn what they could.
It kept him on his toes, the intuitive minds of students could pose many questions to him, that kept him thinking, and kept him learning. It was a good experience for both parties involved.
When he had been offered this chance, he jumped at it. He loved California, and at this time of year, there was always new rollercoasters in town.
He couldn't believe his very first class was over already. This four week programme was going to go faster than he wanted it to. Only minutes ago the bell had rang, symbolizing the end of class. He had thanked his class for their patience, and for listening, bidding them a goodbye until tomorrow. He didn't believe in setting assignments on the first day. They couldn't have possibly learnt enough information from him to do an assignment.
He had turned to the desk on the podium, and began gathering up his notes as the students who filed out from the lecture hall.
"Doctor Grissom? I have a question, on your lecture.. On the metric triats of bones, that you should look out for in osteology.."
He hadn't noticed anyone approaching, but he was more than happy to help anyone who had any questions. He put down his case, turning to face her. For just a moment, he was struck with an unbelievable familiarity. He had seen her somewhere, but he just could not think where.
"Of course, that's what I'm here for." He offered with a soft smile. "But, I have a question first." He continued without waiting for her to agree. "What's your name?" He was good with names, maybe if she put a name to her face, it would trigger his memory.
"Sara... Sara Sidle." She said a little tentatively.
He didn't have to hear anymore. He remembered everything. "Sara Sidle." He said, nodding as he rubbed his fingers together.
"You never came back that day." She said quietly, pursing her lips slightly. She hadn't meant to say that at all, to even address it. The words just seemed to spill from her mouth, like she had no control over what she had to say.
Grissom could only manage to stare at her for a moment. He found he was at a loss for words. What could he say to her? He remembered the twelve year-old Sara Sidle he had visited, left hopefully awaiting another visit. He hadn't realised that she had waited for him. He had told her brother he was working, that he couldn't go. Maybe he forgot to tell her? "I um... Sorry?" He said, looking to her with a small smile.
"It's fine." She said softly. She had let it go many years ago. She didn't hold any grudges. Well, not in this case.
She had grown up. Well, that was no suprise, he had seen her ten years ago. He knew she was intelligent, that she would go far in her life and he had been proved right. He was interested as to how she had gotten here, and what had made her decision to take this career path. He mulled over his thoughts for a moment, his eyes locked with her brown ones.
"I have a suggestion."
"Oh?" She asked, with an arched eyebrow.
"Have dinner with me tonight. Let me make it up to you for not coming to see you, and any questions you have to ask, I'll answer them."
Sara was shocked. She never thought that was his suggestion. Although, she would admit, she was happy that he did. "Alright, deal."
"Great, I'll meet you outside here at seven?"
"Um.. Eight? I finish work at seven, give me a chance to get ready." She flashed him a gap toothed smile.
"Eight, perfect." He agreed, "I'll see you later."
"Yeah, you will." She beamed as she began to walk away, picking up her bag and slinging it over her shoulder, as she left the room.
He couldn't believe he had just asked his student out to dinner. What had gotten into him? Well, in his defence, he wasn't really her teacher. And, he did know her, so it could just be dinner between two friends catching up. That was all it really was. She fascinated him, he would admit that, and his curiosity wanted to know more about her.
He only had a few more hours to wait.
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A/N: I know, I shouldn't leae y'all hanging like that, but it's just about to get good, and it does work better in the next chapter.
It'll be good though, I promise ;)
I really appreciate reviews, so take thirty seconds to let me know what you thought of the chapter.
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