A/N: Thanks to everyone for the wonderful response to my story! I appreciate it. Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out but I think my muse joined the writers' strike. Thanks goes out to my beta Amanda Hawthorn.
Disclaimer: I don't own CSI. I'm just borrowing them until we get some new shows AND Sara comes back!
Chapter 6
Gil pulled the car up under the carport of the Mirage at the ballroom entrance. They sat in a nervous, hesitant silence. This was it. Once they stepped out of the car, there was no going back.
The closer to the hotel they had gotten, the more and more anxious Sara became. Her nervousness had her picking at the fringe beading along the edge of her wrap. The closer they got, the more she picked.
Gil turned sideways in his seat towards her and laid a hand on top of hers stilling them with his soothing touch. She stared at his hand. It was funny this effect he had on her. The touch of his hand calmed her frazzled nerves yet now, as always, she never felt more alive than when he touched her. She sighed deeply. Pulling her left hand free, she started lightly tracing a vein running across the back of his hand with the tip of her finger.
"You know," he spoke calmly and softly, "we don't have to do this. I can just as easily turn this car around and head back home." Gil was nervous, too. He was just doing a better job of hiding it. He had always been able to hide his feelings better than she could. Besides, if Sara knew how worried he was, that would only make her more anxious. He had to appear calm and confident for her if for no other reason.
She looked up at him then. She stopped her idle tracing and cupped his cheek. She rested her head back against the headrest. "No, I'm ready for this," she said softly. She cleared her throat giving him a small tense smile. "Just, you know, nervous. This could change everything."
"Not everything. This doesn't change us," he assured her.
"No, not us," Sara agreed. A few seconds and a calming breath later she added, "In this together, forever."
"Forever."
For years, they had hidden how they felt about each other. Well, he had to admit he had ignored his feelings while Sara struggled to hide hers. Then, when he couldn't ignore his feelings any longer and they had finally started dating, they both had been afraid that their fledgling relationship couldn't withstand the office gossip and the politics of the job. So they agreed to keep their relationship and their love hidden from the world. Tonight, they were finally opening themselves and their relationship up to all the outside influences of the world.
He knew that in some ways it would be easier now. But at the same time, things would be much more difficult for them and their relationship. They were both very private people who didn't trust others easily. Now everyone was going to know their business. He was glad they had taken their time to solidify their relationship before taking this step. Now they were confident in each other. Now they each knew that the other one would always be there no matter what. That was something that had been lacking at the start.
They had found sanctuary in each other and that safe haven had been more precious because it was an escape from their jobs. Unfortunately, after tonight, their refuge in each other and in their relationship would no longer be private and it was more likely now that their work would encroach on that. But he was ready to fight for their relationship if it should come to that, even to the point of giving up his job and career. Now that he had experienced the joy of being with Sara, he wasn't about to let anything take that away from him. Nothing was as important Sara. Nothing.
They gazed into each other's eyes gathering strength and courage from one another. Sara turned the hand in her lap palm upward and squeezed his hand. He smiled then turned his cheek into the hand that was cupping it and feathered a soft kiss across her palm. A little shiver raced along her arm and down her spine. He smiled at her involuntary response always amazed by the effect he had on her.
Turning, he opened the car door and stepped out. Walking around the front of the car, Sara drank in the sight of her man. She had been right. The black jacket definitely looked better. He was the epitome of sexy with his closely trimmed beard dressed all in black with the red silk tie and a white satin handkerchief peeking out of his suit jacket pocket. She smirked as he pulled her door open.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"I was just thinking that I'll have to beat the ladies off you tonight if I want to keep you to myself."
He quirked a puzzled eyebrow at her.
"You look very sexy and dangerous tonight, kind of a like a gangster. Like an Al Capone-type gangster."
He offered her his hand to help her out of the car. "You probably don't want to say that too loud considering the company we're keeping."
She placed her right hand in his and swung her right leg out. As she did so, the fabric of her dress clung to the leather seat while her leg slipped out of the long slit running up the right side of her skirt to reveal a firm, smooth thigh. She heard him swallow hard and looked up.
He was staring at her leg. He swallowed again then croaked, "Is that a garter?"
Glancing down, she saw the band of silk and lace that had caught his attention. Looking up at him, she smiled coyly. "Why, sir, I don't believe that is the kind of question a gentleman should ask a lady."
"Then we had better get out of here before I do something decidedly ungentlemanly," he growled.
She slid out of the car teasing him a little by deliberately making sure a little more leg was exposed than was necessary.
"What are you trying to do? Kill me?"
She stood up and the dress fell into place wrapping around her legs. Maybe taking Gil's advice was a wise thing. He had always told her she needed a diversion. Well, tonight she needed a little diversion to help calm her nerves. Toying with her lover and getting him all hot and bothered would definitely be a distraction, and she'd be having some fun while she was at it. Sneaking a peek at him out of the corner of her eye, she smiled a little. Although she'd have to have mercy on his poor soul once they got home.
But while Sara was thinking of home and their king-size bed, Gil was thinking of her smooth, silky thigh and the suite he had reserved here at the Mirage as a special surprise. He appreciated the fact that for once he had had enough forethought to think that far ahead. He didn't know if he would be able to make it home in his current state. He didn't even know if he could make it through the party! He was still a little on edge from their bubble bath this afternoon. Seeing her in that dress and now that lacy garter was not helping matters.
He held his bent arm out and she slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow. He handed the car keys to the valet and they walked towards the door. Crossing the lobby heading towards the Grand Ballroom, they were greeted by a number of people that they knew through the LVPD, the sheriff's office and even the lab. Most greeted Grissom immediately but did a double-take when they realized that the beautiful brunette on his arm was one Miss Sara Sidle. But more so than that, it was the fact that the two were there together that put the question into people's eyes and tones. The questioning glances and curiosity only increased once Gil possessively anchored his arm around Sara's waist after one idiot tried hitting on her. By the time they reached the ballroom, a small buzz was already making its way around the lobby.
"Ready?" he asked as they stood on the threshold of the ballroom.
Taking a deep breath, she nodded slightly. "Ready."
He held out his arm and once again, she placed her hand in the crook. They stepped through the doors and took a few steps into the ballroom.
Sara gasped in awe at the beautifully decorated ballroom. Billows of white satiny fabric were draped from the ceiling of the ballroom along with glittery, dancing snowflakes. Soft blue and lavender lights played off the fabric and snowflakes creating a dreamy winter atmosphere. Groupings of evergreens flocked in white were scattered randomly along the walls and in a few strategic places throughout the ballroom. "It's like a winter wonderland," Sara breathed in awe.
As a waiter passed by with a tray of white wine, Gil snagged a couple of glasses handing one to Sara. They sipped at their wine and glanced around the ballroom looking for familiar faces. They knew most everyone there. Some they worked with on a regular basis while others they knew only by sight, but they still hadn't spotted anyone from the lab's night shift crew.
"Do you see them?" Sara asked in a hushed whisper.
"No, not yet."
As Sara continued looking around for their friends, she noticed someone making a beeline straight for them. She leaned over slightly and whispered in Gil's ear, "Trouble. Ten o'clock." She then quickly gulped down the remaining contents of her glass and grabbed a second glass from another passing waiter. She was going to need all the fortitude she could find to get through this one.
Seeing Sara's reaction, he quickly looked to his left. Ecklie. Great. He had to be one of the first ones to spot them. Well, best get this over with so they could enjoy the rest of their evening. That is if Ecklie didn't ruin everything. He'd have to just remain calm. That had always been the most effective way to handle the weasel.
"Gil," Ecklie greeted him snidely as he came up to them. "I see you decided to join us this year. Guess even you can only spend so much time with your experiments and bugs."
"Conrad," he greeted him coolly. "Nice to see you as well. Where's your lovely wife?" He had met Ecklie's wife only a few times but felt sorry for her for being married to such a jackass. She had seemed like a very lovely and kind-hearted woman.
"She wasn't feeling well so she stayed home."
It was then that he recalled that he had heard a rumor a few months back that Ecklie was getting divorced. Although he normally didn't listen to office gossip, he hadn't been surprised. Ecklie could only be handled in small doses.
"But who is your lovely date, Gil?" he asked with a sickly sweet tone turning his attention to Sara. He gathered her hand in both of his in greeting but froze when he realized exactly whose hand he was holding. The shock visibly shook his body. "Miss Sidle," he said very coldly and very harshly. He dropped her hand abruptly like it was a hot coal.
At Ecklie's tone and actions, Gil wrapped his arm around Sara's waist offering his support and protection. She leaned in closer to his side presenting a united front to Ecklie.
Ecklie's eyes practically bugged out then narrowed to thin little slits. "What's going on here? How long has this been going on?"
Gil shrugged nonchalantly. "A while now," he replied vaguely.
Grissom's ambiguous answer only angered him. "You realize this is against department policy, don't you? There is to be no fraternization among team members, especially between a supervisor and a subordinate. You should know better, Gil." His voice kept rising and rising and was starting to draw the attention of the people around them. Then suddenly, he felt like a kid who on Christmas morning had received the best Christmas present ever. A conniving grin broke out. He finally had something on both Grissom and Sidle – the two people he hated the most. He could almost taste the sweet victory. He finally had the perfect opportunity to get them both out of his lab.
Unbeknownst to him, his tirade was also drawing the attention of the sheriff. Upon seeing that it was Ecklie and Grissom who were getting into it, he made his excuses to the people he was visiting with and made his way over to the trio. Even the sheriff knew that Grissom and Ecklie barely tolerated each other and he didn't want the party ruined when it had barely started. After all, it was coming upon an election year and a ruined Christmas party was not worth the risk of losing any single precious vote. He had been fed up with Grissom's refusal to play politics on a number of occasions but he also knew that Ecklie deliberately provoked Grissom every chance he got. The least he could do was get Ecklie off his back for the evening.
"Gil. Conrad." The sheriff greeted as he joined them. "Happy holidays." Turning to Gil's date and seeing that it was Sara Sidle and that Grissom had his arm wrapped around Sidle's waist, he surmised why Ecklie was so animated. He was sure Conrad, as the assistant lab director, would use this new knowledge to work even harder against both Grissom and Sidle. However, both were invaluable resources to the department. Grissom had catapulted the Las Vegas crime lab to the second best crime lab in the nation right behind the FBI and had the highest solve rate in the lab, while Sidle had the second best solve rate. He'd gladly play politics on their behalf if it meant keeping them happy and at the lab. Losing them would mean the solve rate would drop. If the solve rate dropped and more crimes went unsolved, then more constituents would be dissatisfied with his work and wouldn't be voting for him in the next election.
"Miss Sidle, may I say you look lovely this evening."
"Thank you, Sheriff," she replied modestly and with a little surprise. She hadn't expected the sheriff's low-keyed response after Ecklie's agitated reaction. She was sure Ecklie would have fired them on the spot if he could have whereas the sheriff appeared to be hardly reacting at all.
"I take it that this is more than just two co-workers accompanying each other for the evening?" the sheriff questioned.
Sara could feel Gil's arm around her tense as his fingers began to dig into her side.
"It is," he replied a bit defensively.
"I see." The sheriff slowly nodded his head in contemplation. "This has been going on a while then?"
"Yes," replied Gil as he drew Sara a little closer to his side.
"I see, I see," he replied while continuing to slowly nod his head.
Meanwhile, Ecklie was getting angrier by the second. Even his face was starting to turn red. He could not believe the sheriff's non-reaction to this blatant disregard for the personnel policy. "This calls for immediate disciplinary action," he finally spluttered to the sheriff. "They have blatantly disregarded the personnel policies. I always knew that he was protecting Sidle." Turning towards Gil and Sara, he sneered, "Now I know why!"
"Conrad!" the sheriff rebuked sharply. "Now is neither the time nor place to get into this. I'm sure Gil and Miss Sidle would like to enjoy their evening without your threats hanging over their heads."
Ecklie turned an even deeper shade of red and seethed trying to find any words to express his anger. Finally giving up, he turned on his heel and stomped away.
Sara couldn't help herself and giggled a little. She quickly covered her mouth but a few more giggles slipped out. She saw the twinkle in Gil's eyes and realized that he was fighting hard not to grin and laugh himself.
"Don't worry about him," the sheriff told them. "He's a pompous ass." He smiled as Grissom and Sara could no longer control themselves as a couple chuckles slipped out. "Unfortunately, he's right. This is against department policy and there will have to be some changes. I'm assuming you both would like to remain on the same shift?" When he saw each give a slight nod in agreement, he continued. "Perhaps we can find someone else to handle Miss Sidle's personnel reviews and such. Don't worry about it. You two have both gone above and beyond the call of duty several times. I'm sure we can find some kind of solution to satisfy everybody."
They both were pleasantly surprised at the sheriff's offer. This was much better than what they had hoped for.
"Thank you," Grissom responded sincerely as he removed his arm from around Sara's waist and held his hand out to the sheriff.
"Not a problem," the sheriff said as he shook Grissom's hand. "Are you both in the office right after the New Year?"
"Yes," Sara replied.
"Alright, just call my office sometime and set up an appointment for after the first of the year. Come in and sit down and we'll discuss this further." Noticing someone of significance trying to get his attention, the sheriff quickly bade them a good evening and left.
Sara grinned happily as she looked at Gil. "That went much better than I expected."
Gil was relieved that the sheriff was on their side and had, for at least the evening, put Ecklie in his place. "Sounds like we at least have the sheriff on our side."
"After Ecklie's outburst, I was sure the sheriff was going to come down hard on us."
"Well, I don't think we have to worry about Ecklie or the sheriff anymore this evening. So let's just put it behind us for now and enjoy ourselves."
Just then someone came over greeting Sara. The couple mingled for a while with various officers and other personnel with whom they were acquainted.
Meanwhile, most of the night shift CSIs and their dates were gathered around a large banquet table at the opposite end of the ballroom. Nick was engaged in conversation with Warrick and his wife Tina who were seated on his left. His girlfriend Denise was visiting with Catherine and her date Eric who were seated to her right. Catherine and Eric had been on a couple dates before but there hadn't been much of a spark between them. However, he agreed to escort her to the party tonight in exchange for being his date to his office's Christmas party the previous weekend. It was a mutual agreement that had satisfied them both.
Greg was at the party as well but they were having a hard time keeping track of the hyperactive ex-lab rat. Since he came stag, he kept popping in and out as the lure of one beautiful woman or another kept drawing him away from the table.
The night shift lab techs had laid claim to the table next to the CSIs. As a result, there was a lot of good-natured ribbing between the two tables. Nearly all the lab rats were there with their significant other or a date. Even Hodges was there although he ended up coming stag. He claimed he had a date but that she had gotten sick at the last minute. No one believed that tale.
Even though Catherine and her date had been the last ones to arrive, she had somehow finagled it so that she was seated facing the door. She was making sure that she would see Grissom and his girlfriend and Sara and her date the instant that they showed up. Ever since she found out nearly two weeks ago that Grissom had a girlfriend, she had been going stark raving mad trying to get any dirt on this alleged girlfriend. So far, all she knew was that it must be pretty serious and that was based solely on deduction rather than evidence. He did occasionally go on dates like maybe once or twice a year and even that had slacked off in recent years. But in all the years she had known him, he had never had a girlfriend. After Sara joined their team and she saw the sparks between the two, she thought that maybe the two geeks would become an item. But they never had and now it looked like Grissom had moved on. And since Sara had a date for tonight's party, she must have realized that Grissom was never going to commit to her and was finally moving on, too. Either that or she was trying to make Grissom jealous. He had certainly been jealous when Sara had been dating that EMT Hank, although he never would have admitted it. Instead, he just punished her for having a life. Whatever did happen, she just hoped that her two socially-inept friends would finally find some happiness, whether it was together or apart.
The conversation around the table flowed as freely as the alcohol did. When the conversation lulled momentarily, Catherine whined for the umpteenth time to no one in particular, "Why didn't you get a table closer to the door? We can't see what's going on up by the entrance sitting way back here."
"Ah, come on, Catherine," Warrick teased. "Just admit it that you're watching and waiting for Grissom and Sara to arrive with their dates. It's killing you because you didn't know that either one was involved and that you couldn't get any info out of them."
Catherine's just glared at Warrick.
While the CSIs were filling their dates in on the complicated Grissom-Sara relationship, Nick happened to glance over to the doors. What he saw astounded him. It wasn't that Grissom had just arrived with his date. Rather, it was Grissom's date that astounded him. She was stunning. No, stunning wasn't the word. She was hot! He let out a low whistle slapping Warrick in the chest with the back of his hand to get his friend's attention. Pointing to the doorway, he exclaimed, "Check out Grissom's date, man!"
Everyone's head swiveled towards the entrance. Even the lab techs had overheard Nick and turned to look as well. They were all surprised by Grissom's date. Comments and speculation flew all around and between the tables.
But Catherine didn't hear any of it. She had always figured that if Grissom ever hooked up with someone, she would be some geek, kind of like he was. Like Sara was. That was one of the reasons the two had always seemed perfect for each other. They were both geeks. Not to say Sara that wasn't nice looking. It was just that she never paid much attention to fashion or put a lot of extra effort into her appearance. But Grissom's date couldn't be called a geek by any stretch of the imagination. She had to admit that she was a little bit jealous. Not only was this woman beautiful but she also was a fair bit younger than she was. Even from across the room, she could see that his date was at least ten years younger than him. And if she was dating Grissom, she must have brains as well. There was no way that Grissom would tolerate some simpering airhead. This woman obviously had the whole package.
Catherine slowly became aware of the conversation flowing around her. The comments and speculations about Grissom and his date were flying. She then noticed Ecklie approaching the couple. "This doesn't look good," she said to the table in general. "Ecklie's headed straight for Grissom."
"Geez, can't that asshole lay off for even one minute," Warrick groaned. "He's always on Grissom's case."
They observed that the conversation between Ecklie and Grissom and his date appeared to be getting heated.
"Is it just me," Nick inquired, "or does it look like Ecklie knows Grissom's date?"
"It sure looks that way," Warrick replied. "Wonder how he knows her? I doubt Grissom would've told him anything about her if he didn't tell us."
"No way," Nick exclaimed. "Gris can't tolerate Ecklie. There's no way he'd say anything to him. He must know her some other way. He sure looks pissed off."
Catherine turned to the guys. "Did you just see how Grissom pulled her closer to him?" she said in awe. "That is so unlike him."
"Yeah, well, you think that's interesting?" Nick said. "Look who's joining them now."
Everyone turned back just in time to see the sheriff joining the little group.
"OK, that's just plain weird," Nick said. "Doesn't it look like the sheriff knows her as well? Who is this mystery date of Gris's anyways?"
"Good luck figuring that one out, Nicky," Catherine huffed. "I've been trying to get something out of Grissom for the last couple weeks already and nothing. He's as close-lipped as ever, maybe even worse."
"Yeah, you know how Gris is," Warrick interjected. "You won't know anything unless he wants you to know it. And that rarely happens."
Nick had a funny feeling that he knew the mystery woman but he couldn't put his finger on it. "Maybe I'm just imagining it, but isn't there something familiar about her? I can't place it. It's like something about her actions are familiar."
"I noticed that, too," Warrick told his friend.
Suddenly Catherine realized that she had been so distracted with Grissom and his date that she hadn't been keeping an eye out for Sara. She quickly looked around the room but didn't see her tall brunette co-worker. "Hey, has anyone seen Sara yet?"
"No, I haven't," Warrick replied. Standing up and using his height advantage, he scanned the room but couldn't find her. "No, I don't see her. If she is here, she's hidden away somewhere."
"Maybe it's just as well," Catherine muttered.
"Why's that?" Nick asked.
"Can you imagine what's going to happen once Sara sees Grissom's date? She's going to get all defensive and moody. Or for that part, what Grissom is going to do once he sees Sara with her date. Remember how he was when he found out Sara was dating Hank? He was so jealous he treated her like dirt."
"Oh, that's going to make for a great party mood," Warrick replied sarcastically.
They continued observing Grissom and his date. The conversation turned to other topics but every once in a while someone would make some comment about the couple. They all noticed how the couple kept in constant contact. Either she would be holding onto his arm or they'd be holding hands or his hand would lie on her back. They all knew that Grissom was never one to openly show affection so they were all a bit surprised at his behavior.
At one point, Grissom's date was engaged in a conversation with another woman. While the two women were chatting, he looked around the ballroom. When Catherine noticed his gaze swinging around to where the team was seated, she rose a little ways off her seat and waved her arm to get his attention. Snagging his attention, she saw Grissom raise his arm in acknowledgment and then once again immediately lay his hand at the back of his date's waist.
"Well," Catherine stated, "I got his attention so they should be heading over this way." With an eager grin, she continued gleefully. "We'll finally get to meet this mystery girlfriend of his!"
But Catherine and the rest of the team would have to simply wait a little while longer.
TBC
Yeah, I know . . . I'm cruel. But if you kill me now, you won't get to see the team's reaction:)