Disclaimer: I don't own CSI or these characters.
Chapter Ten: Start Spreadin' the News
The next morning, the wedding party was gathering for breakfast when the newlyweds appeared. Obligatory jokes and teasing were thrown their way, and Gil and Sara took it all in stride.
After a sumptuous breakfast, they headed out to the Sidle SUV to return to San Francisco. Brass would fly to Vegas from there, and Sara and Gil stayed behind for a formal honeymoon. Again, hugs and handshakes were passed around, as the good byes were hard to deliver. Brass pulled Grissom aside, "Hey, you know, while you're hiding away in paradise, I'm going back to the Spanish inquisition."
"Huh," was Grissom's response.
"You think I'm the only one who's noticed how little you've been around." He looked around to make sure Sara wasn't in earshot, "Who do you think they're going to grill over what's happening with you while you're hanging out here with your gorgeous new bride?"
Grissom grimaced, and Brass went on, "You know Sara's got that post stress trauma attached thing…,"
Grissom interrupted, "Adult attachment disorder exacerbated by post traumatic stress syndrome."
"Isn't that what I said?" Brass shook his head, "Anyway, what's your excuse for keeping this all secret from your coworkers?" He paused while that sunk in a bit, "You know, people there care an awful lot about you two, four people in particular really deserve to know what's going on."
Grissom understood exactly what Brass was saying. Sara had been unable to confide in the team in the past; he merely chose not to. Also, they had fallout from the job over their relationship as a very valid excuse, but now, there was none.
"Touché'," Grissom shrugged, "I'm very private, what can I say. Besides, I wanted to get married in Vegas and invite them all, remember?" After a pause, "I'm so glad nobody listened to me on that one." His voice drifting off, "I could never have dreamed up anything more beautiful than this."
Brass rolled his eyes, "Talk to her, you need to tell them, I can't keep covering this up."
"I know," he nodded in understanding, "I'll talk to her, and we'll figure out the best way to do it." Brass turned to climb in the Suburban next to Laura, "And, Brass, Thanks for being there for me." Brass nodded and grinned his trademark smirk.
Gil and Sara made the most of their days on the coast. Sara had been enjoying the new connections to Gil she was able to make with her therapy, but had not envisioned the connected feeling marriage would bring. Despite completely sharing a life for two years, being together as a married couple was inexplicably more comforting. She was more relaxed being away with him that weekend than she had ever felt in her whole entire life.
They walked trails up the bluffs, picnicked by the ocean, explored art galleries, and savored being beholden to each other. Even at the end of their stay, they were contented to return home knowing they were pledged to be together for the rest of their lives.
The time they spent there was relaxing and blissful. During the long, uninterrupted conversations they were able to make plans and decisions. Their lives had always been so simple in so many ways, but now had become exponentially more complex. Sara confided that while she missed the challenges work had provided, she didn't miss the misery she witnessed. She wanted to stay home with their infant for a while, continuing her recovery. Gil was more than happy to support her in doing that. They had to rethink finances. Neither had ever spent a lot of money, and with two incomes it was never an issue. But, now with a baby, an eventual need for a bigger home, and one income, things needed to be planned out. By the time they were ready to return home, they had made a plan for all of it. Communication between them had never been better. Even Gil was benefiting indirectly from Sara's therapy.
Driving back to Vegas, Gil broached the subject of telling the team. While he was content to live in thier secret world; he knew that was no longer realistic. In addition to that reality, there was a small part of Grissom, previously never heard from; that was so proud and happy to be Sara's husband, and a father to be, he found he actually wanted to share that. As he had been basking in Sara's openess the past few weeks, it was hard to imagine she wasn't more ready to interact with the team than she had indicated, despite Carla's warnings to the contrary.
"I have thought a lot about that," Sara confessed, "but, honestly, even with all the progress I've made, I'm not sure I'm up to facing them." When she saw the sadness on Gil's face, she clarified her sentiments, "I mean I could face them, but I don't think I could confide in them."
"How about, I announce our elopement, when you're ready of course, and let just our team come over after shift for breakfast. We don't have to mention the pregnancy just yet, you're not showing unless you wear the wrong outfit," he laughed, "and that way, you could visit, but don't really need to share."
She thought a minute before agreeing, "Ok, but, just the team, and nothing about my therapy or my family or the pregnancy just yet."
"No problem. That'd be great, thanks, honey."
When they were home, Gil went back to work almost immediately, and as Brass had foretold, it was the Spanish inquisition all right. Gil evaded questions until Sara was settled into her routine. She was diligent with her therapy, and even when not in Dr. Reese's office, she was working on an assignment the doctor had given her. It usually involved Gil or her family, and always involved communicating something meaningful. She also tracked her pregnancy, read, and exercised. After a week at home, she agreed it was time to tell the team.
Grissom went into work that night a little nervous over the whole thing, even though he knew the time had come. They were so content in their own little world, and although there weren't ramifications from violating lab policies, he had an ominous feeling about opening their relationship up to the lab. When he went into the break room with the assignments that night, he let them know that first he had an announcement to make. Everyone held their breath. "I know you all have noticed me leaving after shift a little sooner, and taking some time off." His eyes wandered about the floor, he folded, and refolded the assignment slips. "I'm happy to say that it is because Sara is back."
Everyone's face lit up as they rushed over to hug him. He wasn't prepared for such a reaction. Once the excitement died down a bit, he reached into his pocket for his wedding ring and placed it on his finger to the utter shock of the team.
"That's right," he grinned, "and, we're married."
Instead of quieting the questions, even more flew at him. "Hey, hey, now," he said raising his hands in protest, "We have work to do tonight, but Sara and I would like you all to come by for breakfast in the morning."
The team was totally shocked by the announcement. Nobody could quite comprehend it all just yet. They went about their assignments, but nobody was about to work a double and be late for the breakfast invite.
Sara got everything ready for the gathering, and she was feeling surprisingly confident over it. I've made huge strides, surely I can handle this. The first one there was Greg. When the door opened and he took in the sight of her, he could scarcely believe his eyes, "My God, Sara, you look fantastic." He grabbed her up in a hug so tight she could barely breathe, "And, I'm just so happy for you and Grissom."
Before he could make it into the townhouse, he was tossed aside by Nick and Warrick who were wrestling into position to get the first hug. Warrick won out, and only let go once Nick's threats escalated to bodily harm. Nick grabbed her up, and began to get choked up. He released her and went inside to keep Greg and Warrick from seeing his emotional reaction.
"The goodies are in here, guys." Sara called to them, as she made her way into the open kitchen of the townhouse. "Who wants coffee, orange juice?"
"What? No Mimosas? I thought we were celebrating at this breakfast," Greg playfully asked.
Just then Catherine arrived, "Sara!" she exclaimed, with her mouth gaping, "You look positively radiant," she marveled, as she pulled her into a tight hug. "I mean, really, what ever you're doing is definitely agreeing with you."
"By the way," Nick wondered, "What are you doing?"
"Not a lot, really," she answered evasively.
"No really, Sara," Greg now started in, "How are you passing the time?"
"Yeah," Warrick even joined in, "I can't picture you as a housewife, married or not." They all laughed.
Sara now shifted uncomfortably. She wasn't ready to talk about her mental illness, her therapy, her pregnancy, her ex-con murderess mother who she had reconnected with, or her reformed drug addict brother. "I'm just catching my breath for now, and reconnecting with Gil." She shrugged, "I haven't really figured out what I'm going to do just yet."
Catherine had been on the sidelines, but now was getting in the game, "C'mon Sara, you expect us to believe a workaholic like you is just 'catching your breath.'"
Sara stared down at the spread she had put out. Muffins, bagels, whipped butter, jelly, fresh fruit, and special assorted pastries. She had no answer. "Do any of you know where Gil is?" she asked flatly.
"We were all walking out together when Ecklie nabbed him," Greg managed despite a mouthful of food.
Nick was laughing, "Oh, yeah, he so tried to dodge it, but Ecklie had him dead to rights over some administrative BS."
"So, back to you," Warrick started up, "what are you doing these days?"
Sara was frozen. Inside she was a mess. I love these people, why am I like this?! "You already have the highlight, otherwise, it's boring with me," she lied, "I need some dirt from the lab. Grissom is a very unreliable gossip."
They all laughed knowingly, but she wasn't off the hook. "Sara, you're always reading something interesting," Catherine continued to prod.
"Nope," Sara shook her head, "No page turners anyway."
Mercifully, the front door flew open, and Gil came in, grinning from ear to ear. He was expecting unbridled happiness at the breakfast reunion. Instead, one look at Sara and he saw the tormented woman who had once withdrawn from him.
"Hey, boss!"
"We're tryin' go get your wife here to fill us in on what's she's been up to."
Grissom knew instantly that Sara had recoiled from those questions, and he could see she was quite uncomfortable. "Hey, she's trying out a sabbatical," he shrugged, "I've been known to do that from time to time."
"What kind of sabbatical, Sara?" Catherine piped in.
All eyes were on Sara, and all she could do was shrug and shake her head. Grissom tried to save the situation, "I think self-discovery would sum it up." Sara glared at him while the others looked confused.
"Humph," Catherine grunted, "Self-discovery doesn't pay a lot of bills!"
By now everyone had observed that the glow Sara had when they arrived was replaced by an uneasy tension. "I'm, ah,…" she started, "Um, I don't feel up to talking about it."
The room went silent. Truth is, that in itself was a monumental step for Sara, but she was clearly reeling. The mood quickly calmed down. Grissom's stomach was knotted up seeing the wall Sara had put up.
The remaining conversation was rather superficial while they devoured nearly everything Sara had prepared. Good byes were said, and the team all left together. Once outside Nick commented, "Has Sara put on a few pounds?"
Catherine jumped in, "I thought so, definitely, and I'm not sure that glow was all wedded bliss."
Warrick chimed in incredulously, "You guys are not saying you think she's pregnant, are you?"
Greg just blew out, "Oh, boy."
"Well, you know there's always more to the story where those two are concerned," Catherine added, "and Sara was clearly evasive about something."
"All I know is, if ya'll are right, that is one secret they won't be able to keep for long," Nick drawled.
Meanwhile, back inside, Sara excused herself and went to lie down. Gil was frozen in fear of what he had seen. He finally followed her into the bedroom to try and comfort her, "Honey, they miss you so, and they're naturally concerned and curious about you."
"Gil, you're not helping right now."
Those words were like a punch in the stomach. That's how she pushed me away just before she left!
He left her alone as she requested. She just lay on the bed, trying to make sense out of what just happened. The anxiety, the isolation, it was back like before, and it scared her.
Gil went outside and called Dr. Reese, "Donna, I really need to speak with her soon, it's an emergency, really."
Dr. Reese called back at precisely the top of the hour as Donna said she would. Gil went on a rambling recital of the mornings events. Carla finally had to just cut him off, "Gil, hold on, relax," she reassured him, "It's not at all surprising to have a set back like this. What's surprising is that Sara's gone so long and made so much progress without one!"
Gil was starting to breathe easier. "It won't last too long, we'll go back to square one, but she'll get back to her former plateau before you know it. It will come back to her much quicker than it took the first time. And when it does, we have a perfect direction for her to embark in when she's ready to progress again."
"You're going to have her talk to the team?"
"Yes, but one at a time, and only when she's caught up again."
"Carla?" Gil asked, "What do I do in the meantime? She doesn't seem to want to be around me right now."
"Oh, yes she does," Carla softly laughed, "She just can't tell you she does. Go home and be there when she's ready to approach you. It will happen sooner than you think."