Separation Anxiety

Chapter 10

(Interior, Morgue)

David Phillips, Assistant Coroner, was wiping down and sterilizing the morgue's flat surfaces and drawers as Doctor Albert Robbins caught up on his case reports on a computer. David was in a chatty mood, and though he wasn't a gossip by any means, Doc Robbins was interested in how his old friend Gil Grissom was doing.

"Sorry you missed the get-together at Sara's house. There were some interesting conversations between Grissom and the guys. Nick started out polite, telling him about Little Stevie, the lost tarantula, which finally turned up. And he told Grissom he was starting to master the forensic entomology, like he was taught, and started bragging a little."

"Grissom turned the conversation to that case with the carrion beetles that cleaned an entire skeleton in hours, eating themselves to death. Apparently Catherine and Grissom were in touch when she was working her last case. Nick described how the genetically altered beetles behaved, but was stunned when Grissom asked if he kept any alive, and if he had preserved samples, or dissected and took notes…Nick got all flustered and had to confess that he had not, the beetles had all been destroyed and disposed of. Grissom gave him that look that makes you feel like the bad student that has disappointed the professor. Nick looked like a scolded puppy." The older man chuckled at David.

"So then Grissom started talking about a new research project he's going to head up. Nick was ticked off so he ignored that and started talking about Sara's ordeals, Ronald Basderic, and what's she's been through in his long absence. Grissom just listened, not saying anything, until he stuttered to a halt.

Greg jumped in then, and described how hurt Sara was by the breakup. How happy she had been when she first came back from Paris to be a CSI, how she glowed when she talked about Grissom, but as time passed without any mention of his return, that glow dimmed again. Greg said that Sara has always loved him, always will, despite her hurt and how badly she has been treated. He said Sara made a home for him and supported everything he did. He said Sara would have left this life to be with him again but was never invited." Robbins sighed. David put his cleaning supplies aside and continued.

"Greg said he knew a little of Grissom's faulty reasoning, that if Sara was unhappy with their arrangement, she was better off without him. But Sara is a grown woman and has the right to decide what makes her happy without that choice being taken away from her. He brought up Grissom's mother, and her deathbed wish for them to reconcile, that he had witnessed." Doc Robbins gave up all pretense of working and was listening intently.

"Grissom just stood there, listening. Finally Greg said, 'What does the evidence tell you, Grissom?' And Grissom's eyes widened. Greg ticked off the reasons. 'One. Sara loves you and wants to be married to you, for better or worse. Two. Your mother. Three. Me and Nick and everyone you worked with, everyone who is Sara's friend, wants to see Sara happy. Four. Whatever disgusting lies Basderic or Hodges or anyone told you, Sara never cheated on you and never would. Who do you believe, your wife, your great love, who has never lied to you, or some psychopath stalker you never met? Sounds to me like the only one who thinks Sara is better off alone is you, Grissom, and your reasoning is wrong, and all the evidence is pointing in the other direction.' There was a silence then, and we all seemed to be holding our breath to hear what Grissom would say. 'You've given me a lot to think about.' That was it."

Dr. Robbins nodded thoughtfully. "Guess I'm not the only one who suspected his wife of having an affair. And if I was able to reconcile with Judy after how badly I hurt her, maybe I can give Grissom some advice. I'll ask them to dinner," Robbins decided out loud.

(End Scene)

(Cut To)

(Interior, Denali, night. Finn is driving and Sara is in the passenger seat.)

"So it's been 3 weeks, how are things?" Finn asked.

"Things are…" Sara paused, thinking. "Better. We're talking. We're working through stuff."

"That's great!" Finn said enthusiastically. "It's good to see you smile again. Do you really think you can patch things up?"

"' Things that break, be they bones, hearts, promises—can be put back together but will never really be whole,'" Sara quoted. "It's an old proverb. I can't—we can't get back to where we were before, to how solid and strong our relationship was. This was a serious break. Gil's broken my heart before but this time…I was so afraid I'd never see him again… " her face creased in pain. "If I let my pride get in the way and refuse to forgive him, again, I will end up bitter and alone. Been there. Hated it. Or I can try to forgive him, and realize our miscommunication and avoidance tactics—on both sides—broke both our hearts. I can tell him I'm sorry as well. And we can forgive each other and move forward."

"You sound mature about the whole thing. So. How are the…sleeping arrangements?" Finn asked slyly.

Sara giggled. "Cozy. Good. Amazing, in fact." They grinned at each other. "He's been very…apologetic. And loving. I started out comforting him. Before I knew it we were back—and it's intense—and really really good. That's always been a strong part of our relationship."

"I'm happy for you, Sara. Really! But. Is he leaving again? Are you going with him? Or is he…Have you asked him to stay?"

"We're…yes. We've come up with a plan. I think it may just work out."

(End Scene)