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Chapter 10
Greg sat on his bed in the hotel room. The room that he had the distinct privilege of sharing with Gil Grissom. He grabbed the tv remote and surfed through the channels. He stopped on MTV and settled in for the night. His mind kept wandering back to how he saw Grissom and some young brunette in that passionate embrace in the park. He had heard rumors around the lab about Grissom and a hickey, but the CSI's kept him out of the loop, usually only giving information when they needed something from him. Well, the jokes on them this time! He had information that he knew that the night shift would salivate over.
Gil Grissom with a woman. A younger woman. That was the last thing Greg had expected when Grissom told him he was having dinner with a friend. "I wonder how long they have been seeing one another? Is this just a convention hook up deal? Or was it serious?"
Greg's thoughts were interrupted by Grissom's return. Greg quickly changed the channel to Animal Planet, pretending to be interested in Animal Cops.
"Hey, Greg." Grissom kicked off his shoes and put his keys and phone on the table next to his bed.
"Oh, Hey, Grissom. How was your dinner with your friend?" He chuckled.
Grissom just stared at him. "It was nice, Greg. What did you do?"
He smiled and glanced over at Grissom, who was now grabbing clothes from his suitcase. "Well, I went to the mall, had a burger and took a walk. This is a nice QUIET city. Nothing like Vegas!"
"Yeah, nice to get away every now and then, isn't it?" Grissom gathered his things and began to go into the bathroom, but Greg's comment made him stop dead in his tracks.
"Yeah, in Vegas people making out in public is no biggie, but here...well, you can't help but notice it." He smiled and pretended to watch the television.
Grissom turned around and walked over next to Greg's bed, looming above him. Greg swallowed hard and turned up the volume on the TV.
"Greg. What did you see?" His voice was controlled anger, Greg knew that voice all too well. Grissom grabbed the remote and turned the television off.
"Look, Grissom, I won't say anything. I know that people sometimes hook up when they are at these things, a couple times a year. It's no big deal. You're human!" He hoped the fear he was feeling wasn't evident in his voice.
"Greg." Grissom began to pace the room. "I would appreciate your discretion. And she's not just some 'hook up', she IS a friend. A good friend. A fellow scientist."
"Ok, Grissom." Greg turned the TV back on. Grissom entered the bathroom and closed the door. He exited five minutes later, pulled back the covers on his bed and crawled in with a sigh.
"So, who is she?" Greg cautiously inquired, hoping he wouldn't regret it.
"No one for you to be concerned with Greg." He rolled over facing away from Greg and the television. "Can you turn that thing off and sleep? I have to get up early."
"Sure." He turned the television off and crawled under the covers. Greg leaned over and turned off the bedside lamp. "You know, if you didn't spend the night in your bed, I wouldn't say anything."
"GOOD NIGHT, GREG!"
"Fine." He sighed and rolled over. "I'm just saying..."
The next morning Grissom was up at 6am. Greg was still asleep, snoring loudly. He made his way into the bathroom and showered. When he exited 20 minutes later, Greg was still fast asleep. He decided to leave him alone and made his way to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. The conventions always had food for breakfast, but it was usually fruit and bagels. He was used to his daily oatmeal. He just hoped they had some at the restaurant.
Sara was up and ready to go by 6:45am. She had a hard time sleeping. Thoughts of Gil Grissom kept her awake. She had hoped he would spend the night with her, but he had politely said good night at the elevator and retreated to his room. She decided to get some breakfast. She needed coffee and some oatmeal, her ritual first meal of the day. She just hoped the restaurant had some.
Grissom smiled as he took a huge glob of oatmeal and shoved it into his mouth. He scanned the room, watching the patrons that decided to dine at the same time as he. He took another bite of his oatmeal, chewing on a raisin. He took a sip of his coffee and stopped with his cup mid air, and smiled as Sara walked into the establishment. She scanned the room and her eyes landed on Grissom. She smiled. He smiled back at her, put his cup down and waved her over to his booth.
"Hey, there"
"Hey, Grissom. I wondered if you'd be here." She took the seat across from him. Grissom waved for the waitress to take Sara's order.
"Grissom? Oatmeal?" She stared in disbelief.
"What's wrong with oatmeal?" He shoved a spoonful into his mouth.
"Nothing. It's just. That's what I was going to order." She smiled at the thought of how many similarities they shared.
"Really? Hmmmm." He smiled as he took another bite.
The waitress poured Sara a cup of coffee and took her order. Sara leaned back, sipping her coffee. She crossed her legs under the table, nervously swinging her top leg up and down.
She made contact with something hard and noticed Grissom's face.
"Oh, my god, Grissom. I'm so sorry!"
He reached under the table, rubbing his shin. "No biggie. I'll live." He smiled at her.
"So, um, are you planning on attending my lecture this afternoon?"
"Well, of course, Dr. Grissom. Wouldn't miss it." Her voice was low and suggestive. Grissom flashed her a grin.
"I had a really good time last night, Sara. Think you might want to join me for dinner again tonight?" He reached across the table and took her hand that was sitting idly on the table.
Sara smiled at him and squeezed his hand in return. "I thought that was a given." She pursed her lips at him then grinned. His eyes shone a brighter blue as he stared at her, the hold on her hand getting tighter. Sara had an idea. She slowly moved her foot forward under the table, making contact with his leg. His eyes grew wide. She ran her foot ever so slowly up his leg, moving her foot slowly up his thigh. His eyes grew even wider.
"Here you go! Oatmeal, no raisins." The waitress plopped the bowl down in front of Sara. She pulled her foot back quickly. She pulled her hand away from Grissom's and delved into her oatmeal.
"Maybe tonight we can share dessert. I hear they have room service here. I don't have a room mate." She raised her eyebrow and smiled seductively at him.
Grissom swallowed hard. He wasn't used to this. She was so sure of herself and what she wanted. Maybe this was all going too fast. They should be friends for a while. But the thought of Sara naked, writhing under him, changed his mind quickly.
"Well, um. Guess we'll have to see what's on the menu, before we decide." He grinned at her.
"Sure your roomie won't miss you?"
"Oh, about that. Apparently Greg saw us last night. In the park." Grissom turned a nice shade of red at the mention of the park. Sara smiled at him. He was so cute!
"And how do you feel about that?" She was afraid this was where he would run, not looking back.
"Well, he hasn't been involved in much of the work gossip and he promised to not feed the rumor mill. He doesn't really KNOW who you are and that you are the one responsible for..." He lowered his voice. "The hickey."
Sara snickered. "Gris, even if he did, so what? We are both adults. You gotta get over this."
"Well, he did say that he wouldn't say anything if I didn't sleep, um, well, if I hadn't been , well, if I had decided to NOT stay in our room." He was blushing again.
"Well, then. Problem solved." She smiled and took the last bite of her oatmeal. "We need to get going. The first lectures begin in about 20 minutes."
"Yeah, right. I told Greg I would meet up with him" He looked at his watch "in about 5 minutes."
"Ok, well. How bout I meet you there?"
"Sure." He smiled and got up from the booth. He stood there for a moment looking into her eyes. He looked around the restaurant then bent down a placed a quick kiss on her lips. "See you soon, Sara Sidle."
Ten minutes later Grissom and Greg were walking into the conference room. Grissom scanned the room for Sara. She was sitting in the second row of tables sipping coffee.
"I'm gonna get a bagel and some java." Greg sped off towards the food table.
"GIL GRISSOM!" A large man with a southern accent slapped Grissom on the shoulder and led him towards a group of fellow roach racers. "Got your guys in top shape, Gil? Ready to lose again?" He laughed heartily.
"I think you got it wrong, Sam. You better be up to the challenge this time. My guys are in top form." He smiled wide at the man. The group laughed at their exchange.
"Well, Gil, Sam, I think my guys are gonna give you a run for your money this year." This from a small, balding man named Jeff.
"Wanna put your money where your mouth is, little man?" Sam stared him down, waiting for a reaction.
"Yeah. How bout 20 says my guys beat yours?" They shook on it. "Gil, you in?"
"Sure. 20 says Jeff beats you, Sam." He smiled at them and shook their hands.
"Well, we better get our seats, gentlemen." They parted, each wandering off to their tables. Grissom looked around the room for Greg. He was no longer at the food table. He scanned the tables and found him...sitting next to Sara!
Grissom approached the table hesitantly. Sara was laughing at what Greg had just said. Greg smiled at her and casually put his hand on her arm. Grissom grunted and continued to the table sitting next to Greg.
"Oh, hey Grissom!" He smiled coyly at him.
"Hello, Greg. I see you met Sara." His face was tight, the same way he looked when he talked to Ecklie. Greg recognized that look. Why was he so upset?
"Hey, Grissom." Sara smiled at him. "Is this your roomie?"
"Yes, this is Greg. He's the DNA tech I told you about." Greg's eyes got big and he sat up straight in his seat, hands in his lap.
"Oh, uh, so this is uh..." Greg stumbled over his words, never quite finding them.
"Grissom and I met in San Francisco a couple months ago at the Forensic Academy Conference."
"Oh" Was all Greg could get out. He glanced at Grissom. He didn't look happy.
"Good Morning everyone, if you could take your seats, we can begin." The lecturer began his two hour long discussion.
Greg couldn't believe his dumb luck. Here he thought he had found the only hot girl at this boring conference, and she was Grissom's mystery woman! He looked from Sara to Grissom and noticed the sideways glances and coy smiles. He felt trapped sitting in between them. He leaned over to Grissom and whispered into his ear. "Wanna switch spots?"
Grissom just glared at Greg. He couldn't believe his dumb luck. Here he thought that among this older, less outgoing crowd, he wouldn't have to worry about anyone hitting on Sara, or catching her eye. He hadn't figured Greg into that equation. She had looked to happy talking to him. Maybe this entire thing was a mistake. They should probably keep their relationship to friendship. She would rather be with someone closer to her own age. He glanced over at Sara, she caught his gaze and twisted her lips into a half smile. He smiled back then looked up at the front. She chuckled out loud. He smiled. Maybe. Maybe they could make it work. He caught Greg looking from her to him, and he frowned. Maybe not.