NOTE: Sorry this took so long to update. I started working a second job and hardly have time during the week to sleep let alone write. So, hopefully another update tomorrow. Please R&R. I like to hear what you all think!
Chapter 7
Nick, Catherine, and Grissom were all in the break room, waiting for some much needed coffee to finish dripping into the carafe. Nick sat at the table eyeing Grissom and his choice of a turtleneck on such a hot day. He caught Catherine's eyes and nodded towards Grissom where he stood at the counter. They were both having a hard time containing their laughter. Grissom just stood there as if there was nothing strange about wearing a turtleneck in May.
Catherine couldn't resist. "So, Gil. What's with the turtleneck?"
"What?" He stood up straight, eyes growing wide.
"Got a cold...or something?" Catherine snorted back a laugh looking at Nick.
"Uh, well. I was cold." Grissom knew that was a lame reason. He was going to kill Brass! He promised he wouldn't tell anyone.
Nick couldn't hold it in and began laughing out loud. Catherine sat down next to him at the table and chuckled. They both stared at Grissom who just stood there, mouth open, not knowing what to do or say.
"Geez, GIL!" Jim entered the room and poured a cup of the fresh coffee. "Don't you think turtleneck in May makes it MORE obvious?" He chuckled and sat at the table.
"So, its true!" Catherine pointed at him and got up from the table, making her way towards Grissom.
"What?" Grissom just stood there, face turning redder and redder.
Catherine walked up to him and pulled down the collar of his turtleneck, revealing a nice hickey.
"My, my, my, Dr. Grissom! But you do surprise us!" Catherine smiled mischievously at him. "So, who is she? Was it that woman from Indianapolis that was hanging on you at that last conference?" She snickered, knowing that would not be the woman, but loved teasing Grissom.
"NO! God, Catherine. Definitely not her." He stormed out of the room and made his way to the locker room.
"Catherine, you know it wasn't Suzie from Indianapolis. Why do you do that to him?" Brass gave her a disapproving look.
"God, Jim, I am just trying to have a little fun with him! Do you know who she is?"
"Well, no, but I do know her name is Sara. He said her name when I pointed out the hickey in the airport. He didn't even know he had it." Jim smiled, but decided not to reveal Grissom's musings about her age. "We have work to do, people. I got assignments and we need to leave Gil alone for now."
They all mumbled agreement and Catherine took Nick with her to investigate a 419 at a motel. Warrick had the night off, so that left Grissom with the B&E at a jewelers.
"Hey, Gil." Jim walked into the locker room, finding Grissom changing out of his turtleneck into a polo shirt.
"I am not speaking with you right now." He slammed his locker door and headed out towards his office. Jim followed him, closing the door when they got to his office.
"Gil, I didn't say anything to anyone. I think Warrick or Nick might have noticed yesterday. Then you come in with a turtleneck on...what'd ya expect?" He chuckled as he finished talking.
Grissom just shuffled some things around, pretending to ignore Jim. "Look, Gil, it's not that big of a deal, really. We've all been there at one time or another. I'll make sure they drop it. Well, the guys anyway. I can't make any promises about Catherine."
"Fine. What's on the docket for tonight?" Gil was just ready to put this all behind him.
"Good. I got a B&E for ya."
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Sara went through her shift in a daze. She couldn't believe all that had transpired in the last few days. She was still disappointed at the way Grissom had basically hung up on her yesterday. She planned to call him after shift. She made her way to the trace lab, hoping to have her results.
"Hey, Sam, you got my results yet?"
"Oh, hey, Sara. I'm working on it. Well, its being processed."
"Oh, well, can you page me when you get it?"
"Sure thing, Sara. Probably be in about two hours."
"Thanks, Sam." She was making her way back to the layout room, when her phone vibrated on her hip.
"Sidle."
"Hey, its Grissom. How you doing?" He smiled to himself as she began to speak.
"Hey, there. Thought you were done talking to me the way you hung up yesterday."
"Im so sorry, Sara. That's why I called. Well, one of the reasons I called."
"Yeah? So, what gives?"
"You have to understand. I'm a very private person. I guess I just didn't want to deal with my boss asking me about you."
"He doesn't know me, does he?"
"Noooo. But that's no the point."
"What is, Grissom?" She was getting agitated.
"Look, I really like you. I think we can be good friends. But I don't want everyone here where I work knowing about my private life. It's none of their business, even if they want to make it that way."
"So, I'm just a friend?"
"Sara, I don't know how to answer that." He let out a sigh. "I do know I like spending time with you. I really would like to get to know you better."
"Well, I suppose that's a start. I really liked spending time with you too. In fact, I saw that you are lecturing at an entomology conference in two months in West Virginia."
"Yeah, I am. Are you planning on attending, Ms. Sidle?" He was teasing her now.
"Well, it is going to take some time to convince my boss I need to go. If he doesn't approve, I think I am just going to have to cash in on my 8 weeks of vacation time."
"Hmmm. That sounds like a good plan. I'm starting to look forward to what usually proves to be a boring conference. Well, except for the roach races, of course."
"Well, of course." She laughed. "Wait. Do you REALLY race roaches?"
"Yeah, of course!" He was shocked she didn't believe him.
"There's so much I don't know about you, Gil Grissom." She laughed. "But I hope to remedy that."
"Me too" He was grinning like an idiot.
"So. I'm sorry you got embarrassed about the hickey. I seriously did not intend to do that. Not that I didn't enjoy giving it to you." Her voice low and seductive.
"Sara." He didn't know what else to say.
"Are you turning red, Dr. Grissom? Am I making you uncomfortable?" She laughed.
"I told you. I'm a very private person."
"So, besides your boss, did anyone else hassle you?"
"Yeah, Catherine. She's the nosiest. And Nick, well he just laughed along. But Jim, my boss, he knows the most. I didn't really say anything to anyone else. I tried to cover it up with a turtleneck, but apparently that just made it more obvious."
"Well, it is MAY. And you live in the desert." She couldn't help but chuckle. "Are you still wearing it?"
"No, they all called me on it, so I changed. I was hot!"
"What are you working on now? Bug infestation?"
"No. Pretty routine B&E. Smash and grab at a jewelry store."
"Hey, Grissom!" Nick was calling from the door of his office.
"Hang on Sara, Nick's here." He put his hand over the mouthpiece of the phone. "How can I help you Nick?"
"Well, I got your fingerprint analysis here for you. They gave it to me when I was in there. I didn't mean to interrupt you if you're busy." He placed the papers on his desk and backed out apologetically.
"Nick, not a big deal. Thanks." Nick walked out but curiosity got the better of him, so he stood around the corner listening.
"Sorry, Sara. That was Nick. Remember the one you thought was my son?" He laughed.
"Well, he's from Texas. Slight drawl to his speech, not real tall, brown hair."
"I guess he's cute. I don't really notice that kind of thing about other men."
"Catherine? Yeah, she's married. Has a daughter. She's a great CSI, but she can be a bit nosey. I'm sure I haven't heard the end of it from her about your little love bite." He chuckled low.
Nick shook his head in disbelief. It was so odd hearing Grissom carry on a casual conversation. He wasn't ALL business, but he usually kept a certain distance from everyone on the team. He wondered who this Sara woman was. Maybe he could find out who any Sara's were that attended the conference.
Grissom was laughing again. Nick moved a little closer to hear better.
"Well, I can't wait to see you again. Really!" "I know it's a couple months, but Sara, that's the best I can do for now." "Yes, I know how to use email!" He chuckled. "Yes, I have heard of instant messaging. But I don't have it." "I might as Greg to set me up with it. He's a DNA tech. He's fairly new. Odd kid. But smart." "I'm in my 40's, Sara." "Well, I didn't think it was polite to ask a woman her age" "I don't know...I don't want to offend you." "Fine. 23?" "NO?" "Just tell me." "Wow. 15 years. That's a lot." "Well, it kinda makes a difference to me." "Well, not that much." He was laughing again.
"Nick. Are you spying on Grissom?" Catherine had snuck up on Nick. He jumped when she whispered in his ear. He grabbed her arm and lead her further down the hallway.
"He was on the phone with his woman. The one who gave him the 'love bite'. He said her name. It's Sara, and apparently, she is a LOT younger than him."
"Wow, Nick. I am impressed! I didn't think you had it in you to listen in and gossip." Catherine laughed. "What else did he say?"
"Look, I am not a gossip. I am just concerned for Grissom and want to make sure he doesn't get hurt."
"Yeah! RIGHT! Now tell me the rest."
"Well, there wasn't much more. Something about emailing and IM's and Greg. But he did see he would see her in a couple months at a conference. Wonder what one?"
"Well, I have enough to find out what I need to. I'll fill you in later." Catherine spun on her heels and headed off down the hallway. Nick just stood there, shaking his head.
