**A/N**

Thanks again to everyone reading and reviewing! The Mariott Marquis is a real hotel in San Francisco. I haven't been there but the pictures on their website are gorgeous! Also, the restaurants mentioned in the story are also real places – again I haven't been there but the food looks great. Happy Reading!

Chapter 10

San Francisco, California

Sara

After Doug left with the promise to pick her up for dinner in a few hours, Sara began to unpack her things. The room was spacious and actually very beautiful, unlike the many hotel rooms she had had to process over the years.

The carpet was soft white, thick enough for her bare toes to sink into as she walked from the bed to the closet. The framed photographs on the walls were originals by local artists instead of mass produced images of famous paintings. And the bed. She could hardly wait to crawl beneath the downy comforter, rest her head on the feather pillows, and feel herself sink into the memory foam mattress.

Having finished unpacking, Sara gathered together a change of clothes and a paperback mystery she had brought along and walked into the bathroom. The bathroom alone had been worth the added expense of staying at the Marquis.

The counter was tan and white speckled granite and ran the length of the room. A large glass bowl sat atop the counter, a very modern style sink but elegant. Next to the sink was a tray containing complimentary hand soap, lotion, and mouthwash. Behind that was a basket filled with handmade shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and poof.

Sara laid her clothes on the counter and ran her fingers over the towels hanging next to the shower. They were made with the soft Egyptian cotton, similar to the sheets on the bed. The room had a whirlpool bathtub and a separate shower stall. This room had been one of the biggest draws of the hotel.

She began filling the bathtub with water and threw in several lilac scented bath beads. Sara pinned her hair up and began to undress. After brushing her teeth she filled grabbed a bottle of water out of the mini-fridge and placed it along with her book, washcloth, and hand towel next to the tub. She turned off the faucet and slowly stepped into the hot bath water.

Sara closed her eyes as she sunk down into the water and sighed in contentment. Despite the reason for her return to San Francisco Sara was glad to have some time away from Las Vegas. There were too many memories and reminders of Gil and she needed to have some time to herself in a neutral setting. Leaning her head back, Sara tried to clear her mind and just concentrate on the feeling of the hot water, the relaxing scent of lilac in the air, and letting her muscles release the tension that seemed to always be with her.

As usual, however, her mind refused to remain clear and her thoughts kept drifting back to Gil. She missed him like mad. His soft, curly hair; the ways his glasses always slipped to the end of his nose when he was concentrating; the warmth and love in his eyes when he looked at her. When he used to look at her, she mentally corrected herself.

Obviously, she was unable to relax without thinking about her…ex-husband. It was still so painful to use that term. Sara reached over the side of the bathtub and picked up her book. She had only read a few chapters but so far it was holding her interest and seemed to be a good distraction from her thoughts.

More than an hour later Sara emerged from the bathroom, clean and refreshed from her trip and more than a little hungry. After dressing she booted up her laptop and checked her personal and work email. There was a message from Nick wishing her good luck at the Brinks hearing and directions to relax and try to have some fun while in 'Frisco. She smiled and sent him back a short reply.

She responded to a couple of work related emails and deleted over a dozen junk emails. There was a message from Diane Haggerty checking in with her. Not really feeling like talking, Sara decided to reply to the email instead of calling Diane to let her know she was there in San Francisco. She confirmed they were still going to meet for breakfast early the following morning, knowing they both wanted to prepare for the hearing as well as catch up with each other. After sending off the email she shut down the computer and closed the lid just as there was a knock on her door.

Sara glanced at the clock on the desk thinking that if it were Doug, he was at least an hour early. She walked to the door and looked through the peephole. She was right – he was definitely early. Smiling she opened the door and invited him in. "You're early."

He walked in and turned to her, smiling, "I know. I'm hungry and I know you don't take very long to get ready. I thought you might be ready to go." He gestured at her clothing, "See. I was right."

She shook her head and picked up her purse, "Well, I'm hungry too. And I can hardly wait to get to the Golden Era."

He gestured toward the door, "Shall we, then?" With a nod, Sara preceded him through the door and into the hall. Soon they were walking through the lobby and onto the street.

*CSI*CSI*CSI*

Nearly three hours later at nine o'clock they were walking back into the Marriott Marquis, relaxed and laughing. Sara was surprised at how much fun she had had. She and Doug had always had a strong chemistry and their intellects complimented each other. She had found herself falling back into their easy banter and she wasn't uncomfortable at all. The weirdness she had experienced when they had met in December was virtually gone.

Despite his suggestion of seeing her back to her door, Sara insisted on saying goodnight in the lobby and promised to meet him and Diane in the morning for breakfast. He took her hands and looked at her, searching her face for any indication of what she wanted. Finally, he smiled and kissed her on the cheek. Releasing her hands he turned and walked back into the night. Sara watched him go and then went back to her room.

She felt as though she had reconnected with a lifelong friend. Not to say there was no sexual tension. Doug was just as handsome as ever and his sense of humor and intelligence just increased his attractiveness. He was definitely good for her ego. He gave her his undivided attention and smiled at her like she was the only woman in the room.

Sara knew he wanted more than just the friendship he promised, despite his stated willingness to accept her decision if she only wanted to remain friends. She found herself comparing Doug to Gil and in many ways she found her former husband seriously lacking.

Early in their relationship, Sara had thought Gil to be aloof or uncaring. As they grew closer she realized the opposite was true, he sometimes cared so much it scared him. So he overcompensated by taking extreme lengths to protect himself against such strong emotions. Knowing this had helped her to be patient with the emotional distance he tried to keep between himself and everyone else. Even her.

How could she prove to him that she would not betray him if would not or could not trust her with his heart? It pained her, knowing he had never really been able to trust her completely. She had recognized the signs of him pulling away from her but was unable to stop him. She was helpless in the face of his refusal to believe she loved him. That she would always love him. It was a terrible feeling.

It had been different with Doug, would be different with him if she could ever enter into another relationship. He was always open with her and very affectionate. Never afraid of showing her how he felt or what he wanted. With Doug life would be simpler than it had been with Gil. But it would be lacking because Gil Grissom wouldn't be a part of it, and it was with him where her heart truly belonged.

Sara walked through her room, dressing for bed and deep in thought. Sighing, she climbed into the big bed. While Doug was certainly good for her bruised ego, getting involved with him while she still could not go two minutes without thinking of Gil would be unfair and wrong of her. Besides, Sara was not a woman who had to have a man in her life to function. She was strong and independent.

Sara needed to be on her own for a while. The events on her birthday had proved seeking comfort from one man while thinking of another could only cause her more trouble. Also, she did not want to hurt Doug. He was a good man and a good friend. He deserved better than being used in order for her to try and get over Gil.

TBC…