Chapter Nine:
She returned the next morning once shift was over. Brass handed her the keys and yawned.
"That couch is murder…need to shoot it and put it out of its misery. It did a number on my back," he complained.
"Should have slept with Grissom," she said.
"So I take it you slept with him the other day?" he asked suddenly perky.
"Jim, nothing is going on. We're friends…that's all we're ever going to be."
"Did you like the flowers?" he asked.
"Yes. I'm glad Nick explained things to Dan."
Brass nodded. "Getting serious?"
"It could…if I let it."
"Don't."
She stared at him.
"Why not? Do you know something about him cause…"
"Sara, give Grissom a little more time."
"He's had years. Enough is enough."
"He's coming around."
"Bullshit."
"He's jealous."
"He is not."
"Yes, he is."
"Well, that's too bad! He had his chance. He'll never make a move…I was in his bed and yet he didn't make a single move."
Brass chuckled. "I thought so."
"Like I said, nothing happened. I think if I stood naked in front of him nothing would happen."
"You could try that…why don't you go right now and…"
"Bye Jim," she said as she headed to the kitchen.
"You know you're both stubborn…you both deserve each other," he said mumbling to himself.
She came and stood in the doorway.
"How's the knee?" she asked.
"Better. How was shift?" he asked.
"Kind of slow. I'm glad, we've needed a break," she said as she tried to stifle a yawn.
"Sara, you don't have to stay…"
"I'm not leaving."
"Then come to bed."
She stared at him.
"Brass had a rough time on the couch. I won't share my bed with him but you…I'll share."
She grinned as she disappeared for a moment and then returned.
"Mind if I shower?" she asked.
He shook his head as she took her overnight bag inside the bathroom. He soon heard water running. He slipped the frame out from under the table where it had fallen and glanced at the photo. It had taken him several weeks to locate the photographer and had managed to get a copy of the photo that had been snapped of them. He opened the drawer and slipped it inside.
He sat there reading a book when she opened the door and stood there in nothing but a towel.
"Griss?"
He gawked at her.
"Hmmm?"
"I could have sworn I packed some sweats but they're not in my bag. Do you have a T-shirt or something?"
"Top drawer…over there," he said pointing as he continued to gawk. She tried to hide the smirk as she rummaged through a drawer and pulled out a T-shirt.
"You think it'll be long enough?" she asked. "I'm not sure your sweats would fit."
"It'll be fine," he said hoarsely.
She disappeared into the bathroom once more and then returned sporting his T- shirt. He pretended not to notice how the shirt appeared to be thread bare and he prayed he could force his eyes from staring at the nipples which seemed visible through the shirt. The shirt barely covered her bottom and he quickly tried to think of something that he could ask her to bend over and retrieve but then felt very dirty for thinking such thoughts as she climbed into bed.
"Night," she whispered.
"Night," he said as he kept his eyes focused on the book.
"What are you reading?" she asked.
"Book on Entomology," he said.
"Oh…well, don't let the bed bugs bite," she quipped.
He glanced at her and she smirked.
She closed her eyes and soon was asleep. He rolled over slightly so that he could look at her. The covers were pulled down low and he took full advantage of the situation as he took inventory from head to waist. She was beautiful. He sighed as he placed the book down on the table and switched off the light. The room was now dark as he kept it when sleeping. He closed his own eyes.
He was awakened by the slight moans coming from her as he rolled over to listen. She rolled herself and then tossed once more. He moved closer and wished the room was brighter so that he could read her lips and try to make out what she was saying in her sleep. It was a fitful dream and she whimpered as she began to toss and turn once more. The covers slipped further down as she thrashed about. He quickly turned on the light and softly nudged her.
"Sara…you're having a dream," he said softly.
He listened as she cried and curled up in a ball. He pulled her up beside him and held her body close to his as he comforted her.
"Sssh it's okay, Sara," he whispered. "It's okay."
He reached over and clicked off the light once more and then pulled up the covers as he held her firmly against his body. The thin T-shirt was no barrier as he felt her bare skin. He caressed her arm as he heard her murmur something and he leaned down to listen. She was quiet again and so he rested his head but it shot back up once he heard her mention his name.
"Sara?"
She moaned slightly as she pulled closer to his body resting her hand on his waist as he felt her soft breast up next to him. He sucked in air feeling the torture of having her so close and yet resisting the temptation to caress her breasts and let his hands explore the rest of her body. He felt the moisture drop on his chest and he kissed her gently on the head.
"Sara?" he tried once more.
"Griss?"
"You're dreaming," he said softly.
"You have to leave tomorrow…you're going back to Vegas," she whispered.
She talks in her sleep…
"Don't want to leave you," he whispered.
"Me too," she said as she pulled herself closer.
"Sara?"
"Hmmm?"
"Do you regret we got married?" he asked.
"No…I'm cold," she whispered.
He pulled the covers up over her.
"Sleep," he whispered as he smiled.
He kissed her on the forehead and then slept himself.
He tried to slip from the bed without waking her but she was awake the moment he tried to dislodge her arm from his waist.
"You're not supposed to be up," she warned.
"Sorry, I tried to do it without waking you," he said.
He glanced down at his knee.
"The swelling has gone down," he said with a grin. He stood slowly and put some weight on it and managed to hobble to the bathroom. He turned and smiled.
"I think I can work tonight."
"No. Doc said in a couple of days," she said.
"Sara, it has been a couple of days."
"Oh," she managed to get out.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine," she said despite the pounding in her head.
"You sure?" he asked.
"I'm fine," she said again as she looked at the clock and then sighed.
"Missed your running date again?" he asked trying to hide the jealous feeling that suddenly came over him as she stood there in his t shirt with little unexposed.
She combed her finger through her hair and tried to control the nausea she suddenly felt. The knock on the door startled them both as she headed toward the door.
"Sara…"
"You're not supposed to be up…stay in bed!" she called as she opened the door and came face to face with Vartann.
"Dan?"
"I thought we could jog this morning…" he stopped as he took note of what she was wearing. They both stared at the T- shirt displaying the bold letters "Grissom" on the front. She glanced down quickly and blushed.
"I forgot my sweats," she said in defense as he started to turn and leave.
"Look, this is innocent," she said. She pulled him inside and headed to the bedroom. "Wait…I'll be back." She closed the bedroom door and leaned against it. She opened her eyes and saw Grissom staring at her.
"Doesn't look good, does it?" he said.
She ignored the comment and hurried around the room trying to find her bag and bent over to retrieve it from the floor. She felt a slight breeze and quickly stood up as their eyes met.
"The shirt looks better on you than me," he smirked, displaying his boyish grin.
"This isn't funny," she said.
"Yes…yes it is," he said.
"No! It's not," she said.
"Sara?" called Dan.
"I'm coming," she called back.
She ran into the bathroom and quickly changed. By the time she returned to the livingroom he was standing there beside the couch.
"Sorry," she said.
He watched as she made her way around the kitchen making coffee while she pulled out a container of juice and poured a glass.
"Want some?" she asked.
"No…thanks," he said as he looked around. "You seem to know your way around here."
"Brass and I have been taking turns staying with Grissom. He's not allowed on his feet…"
"Morning…it's Vartann, right?" asked Grissom as he casually walked across the room. Vartann stared at Grissom as he walked into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of juice.
He's walking…
No limp…
"I'm sorry Sara slept in. I didn't set the alarm," he said as he downed the glass of orange juice.
He smiled at Sara. "This is good. You can do the shopping again next time."
Vartann and Sara exchanged glances.
"He didn't have any food in the house so I picked up some…must keep the boss happy," she said suddenly feeling the nausea return.
"I talked with Jim last night," said Vartann.
"Really, so you two worked together," relief spreading across her face at the possibility the conversation was now being redirected.
"Yes, he said your couch did a number on his back," said Vartann as he glanced down at the couch and then back at Sara.
Crime scene….
He's looking at this as a crime scene…
No covers or pillow on the couch means I didn't sleep here…
Oh shit…\
My head hurts…
My stomach…
"Just have to get used to it," she said as she came and sat down on the couch pulling Vartann down with her.
"I didn't get a chance to tell you how much I loved the flowers," she said sliding her fingers into his hand until they merged.
"Good, I'm glad," he said. "I guess since Grissom is no longer having trouble with his knee then you'll be back at your apartment…"
"Or yours!" she added.
He smiled.
Grissom turned his back and fumed.
"I better get going. We have a deposition this morning…we can go for a run tomorrow," he said standing. She stood quickly and then walked him to the door. He glanced over at Grissom and then pulled her into his arms and kissed her letting it linger for a moment before releasing her. She stood there breathlessly as she watched him leave.
She turned when she heard the breaking of the glass.
She came and tried to help him clean it up.
"Stop…Sara stop!" he yelled.
She stood back.
He closed his eyes and tried to calm his anger.
"I think you can leave now," he said. "As you can see, I'm fine."
"Right," she said as she whirled around and headed to the bedroom. She grabbed her overnight bag and slammed the door as she left.
Good job Grissom…
You've managed to push her into someone else's arms…
And then yell at her…
Good job…
Stupid fool…
Note from author:
Poor Grissom…poor Sara. Poor Brass…you know he'll be in the middle of this throughout the entire story. Some of you are asking whether they're married or not. We find that out soon. Hang in there. Please continue with the reviews. Some have asked about the length…I'm still writing. I have gone back and added some chapters so I am clueless myself. I'll keep you posted when I'm done and move back to working on my other story. As always, I try to give you a heads up when we get down to the last ten chapters.
Take care!
Penny
