Just What I Needed
Chapter 3
I don't own CSI but I do love to play with them! It's the sincerest form of flattery!
Thank you for all of your continued support and kind words. :o)
GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR
It was morning before they knew it.
They were both accustomed to working the night shift, so trying to change their sleep schedule in order to accommodate the activities of the day was challenging.
Before the sun rose, they were out of the room and onto the trails. They had stopped by the gift shop (conveniently open 24 hours a day) for some pre-wrapped muffins and plastic bottles of orange juice. Neatly tucked in to Sara's backpack, along with the GPS, a bug specimen jar (or two, or three) a blanket, a camera and not much else, they were off to watch the sun rise over the canyon.
Walking the trail, Grissom grabbed and held Sara's hand tightly. Walking in Vegas, they were usually unable to display their affection publically.
Too many eyes.
Because Sara and Grissom worked together, and because Grissom was her immediate supervisor, they were unable to share their happiness with their friends. Especially since most of their friends worked with them.
Grissom hated breaking rules. But he had slowly come to understand that his relationship with Sara took precedence over everything else. And if it meant he would have to give up his position, he would gladly to it. He had waited far too long to accept his feelings for the beautiful woman. She had been far too patient to deny her what she so deserved.
But here they could be the loving couple that they wanted to be. No one turned their heads to look. Well maybe some people – the ones who noticed the significant age difference – but for the most part, they were just another couple on a romantic rendezvous.
They walked at a comfortable pace, talking about everything and nothing. Sara told Grissom about the seminar she wanted to attend and Grissom pointed out the bugs that he saw on the path and in nearby bushes.
When they reached the perfect spot, they laid out the blanket and stretched out. Sara leaned herself up against Gil, trying to capture some of the warmth of his body. It didn't take her long to get comfortable in his arms.
They watched the sun rise and enjoyed their breakfast.
"Do you want to go in to town?" Grissom asked.
"Yes, I really want to go look at the antique stores and see if we can find a desk that I can put in the condo so I can read and work while I'm there."
He took a deep breath and dove into the deep water.
"Maybe we should just move in together?" he asked.
"Grissom," she answered, a huge grin crossing her face, "How in the world would we pull that off?"
"We are two fairly intelligent people," he answered, "I'm sure we can figure something out!"
She leaned over and kissed him. It was a sweet, gentle kiss that answered his question better than any words she could ever say.
GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR
The walk back had been uneventful. The sky was crystal clear and the temperature was just right for hiking.
Once back to the resort, they changed into jeans and then drove downtown.
The town was small, only a few businesses on the small street.
The antique store was the largest building on the block. Sara had heard that they often had turn of the century furniture and she had really wanted a roll top desk. Not one of those fancy new ones, but a traditional desk with the cubby holes and the real rolling top.
They parked out front and walked in to the store.
The bell over the threshold rang to announce their arrival.
"Why hello folks!" the lady behind the counter said cheerfully, "Welcome to Tanners. Let me know if you need anything!"
"Thanks," Sara replied, "I'm actually looking for a desk."
"Well, young lady," the shop owner replied, "You are in luck because we just got a new shipment in from an estate sale and there is a lovely desk in that lot."
"Great," Sara replied, "Can I see it?"
"Sure thing," the lady answered, "And by the way, my name is Lisa Tanner, this is my shop."
"Sara," Sara answered, and pointing at her boyfriend, "This is Gil."
"Well, its nice to meet you Sara and Gil," Lisa shook their hands enthusiastically, "Follow me and I'll show you the desk."
They followed Lisa to the back of the store and past a bed sheet curtain that had been hung up between the store and the warehouse portions of the building. The warehouse was neatly organized and the desk was easy to see.
Sara immediately fell in love with it. She loved the dark wood, the handcrafted drawers, the roll top and all of the little cubby holes that were built in to the frame of the desk. It was clearly sturdy and well made.
"How much is it?" Sara asked, trying hard not to let her excitement show in fear that she would drive up the price.
"I'm not sure, my husband usually handles the furniture and I handle the jewelry!" Lisa said, using her hand to indicate a large glass showcase littered with jewelry that clearly had not yet been sorted. "Let me go check with the Major and I'll get him to give you a good price."
While Lisa was gone, Grissom began to look at the jewelry in the case. His mother loved unique pieces, causing him to develop a good eye for fine jewelry.
One piece stood out.
A silver necklace with a large piece of turquoise inset in an ornate silver frame caught his eye.
Sitting among the ornate broaches and rings, it didn't seem to fit. But it was beautiful. Unusual. Creative. Clearly Native American crafted, it seemed to call out to him. Buy me.
Lisa returned to the room with the phone in her hand.
"Yes, the roll top that came in yesterday."
Sara looked at Grissom, hoping for the best.
"Oh, ok, I'll let them know," Lisa clicked off the line with her husband and smiled. "Well, I've got good news and bad news."
"Well, I'm a bad news first kinda girl," Sara answered, "That way its out of the way!"
"It hasn't been checked out yet, so he can't guarantee anything in terms of the validity of the age or the workmanship," Lisa advised. "However, it did come from the Faisano estate, so I'm pretty sure it's top of the line."
"That doesn't sound too bad!" Sara said, starting to get a little excited. "Who is Faisano?"
"Vinnie Faisano, he's a guy who relocated here in one of the biggest houses in the county. They say he was in the mob, but I don't know. Anyhow, he died recently and his daughter Stephanie sold the contents of the house that she didn't want."
"I wonder why his daughter wouldn't want all this lovely furniture?" Sara asked.
"She's a big-time attorney in New York or Chicago or somewhere, so she didn't want to move it. Story is that they were estranged over the mother's death, but again, that's just rumors."
"Well, how much do you want for the desk?" Grissom asked.
"He's willing to sell it for $2500, and since I assume you two don't live around here, you would have to pay for shipping which could be a little bit more."
Sara's smile dropped. She hadn't planned to spend so much.
Grissom walked over to the desk and ran his hands over the wood. He noticed the ornate carving and the hand cut dove tail joints in the drawers.
At that moment, Sara's phone rang.
"Oh shoot, I'm sorry, I forgot to turn it off!" she looked down at the display and saw it was Catherine. She excused herself to take the call.
Grissom turned to Lisa and stuck out his hand. "It's a sale," he said, "And I would also like the turquoise necklace and the emerald broach that are in the showcase over there. Quietly though, please, I don't want her to know about those."
Lisa gave him a wink and said "Of course, honey, I can take care of that for you! But you have to understand that I haven't had the jewelry checked yet. I mean I can look at them and value them, but as far as check the prongs, latches and pins, stuff like that, I usually go to a professional with the good stuff."
"I understand," Grissom answered, "My mother has a good jeweler in the city, so I will take both pieces there to be checked."
He heard Sara coming back into the room.
"It was the lab," she said, "Apparently I forgot to sign something. Cath wanted to fax it to me but I told her there was no fax machine here."
"Oh honey," Lisa said, "You can use my fax machine here if you'd like."
Sara smiled at the kind offer, "No thank you Lisa, I don't ever forget to sign anything and my friends are being nosy."
Lisa laughed. "I understand. When the Major and I began dating, all of my friends were dying to find out about us because, well, its just that there is a pretty significant age difference," she winked at Grissom, "And since we were in the same unit, well, let's just say it got interesting!"
They shared a comfortable laugh.
"Ok well enough about me," Lisa said, "Let me get the paperwork together for you. Would you like a drink while you are waiting?"
"No, thank you," Grissom answered, "We will just go browse the front of the store."
"Give me about 10 minutes," Lisa said, showing them out of the back.
"Papers?" Sara asked.
"Yes, dear," Grissom answered, "They will ship the desk to Vegas for you."
"But Grissom," Sara said, "I can't afford that much for a desk!"
"You can't," he answered, "But I can. And if it makes you happy, that's all that matters."
"Gil," she protested, "That's just too much money!'
"Sara," he countered, "I'm not worried about money. Honestly, I know we never talked about this, but between the job, the book royalties and speaking fees, I'm in a solid position financially. We really don't have to worry about money."
"We?" she said, stunned by this statement.
"We." He answered, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and gently kissing her on the top of her head. "You and me. Us."
"But Grissom…" she said, confused by his admission and stunned by the total honesty. "I can't…"
"You can, dear," he said, "And you will. I insist. You make me happy for the first time in my life. I haven't had a lot to spend money on so it's about time to enjoy some of the fruits of my labor. I want us to both have a sense of security and comfort. I want to make you as happy as you make me. "
"Thank you," she said, getting ready to tell him that he was sweet but that would not be dependant upon a man for her future, would never be in the same circumstances as her mother and father, but she was interrupted by Lisa's voice calling to tell them that the forms were ready.
"Can we talk more later?" she asked Grissom.
"We can talk," he answered, "But you won't change my mind."
"I love you Gil, but we'll see about that."
GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR GSR
A/N Hmmmm…. I wonder where this is going?