Monday morning came and Sara was prompt in her arrival at the shop. After filling out her tax forms and a form for insurance, Sara was introduced to Elise. The young woman looked to be in her twenties, had dark hair and hazel eyes that seemed to smile all the time.

Elise showed her the POS system on the computer that serves as the cash register. Later in the morning, they received a shipment and Sara was shown how to process it., entering the new items in the inventory on the computer and then pricing them and stocking the shelves. It was a busy morning with all of the tasks and helping customers.

None of it was particularly challenging but they stayed very busy. Sara enjoyed the relaxed, friendly atmosphere. The pace slowed in the afternoon with fewer customers and Sara took advantage of the time to browse the shelves and learn about the various items that were for sale. Studying the various science toys, ideas began to form in her mind for the demonstrations she would give. Five o'clock came quickly, surprising her.

She was so excited about her first day and how comfortable it all felt. Paula was sleeping she knew, but she wanted to tell someone about her day…share her excitement. Then she remembered Nick asking her to call and tell him about her new job. But he might be sleeping too… Finally she decided to risk waking him and called.

"Hey Sara," he said in a sleepy voice.

"Oh, I'm sorry Nick. I was afraid I might wake you up. I just…well, today was my first day and I wanted to share it with someone and you had said for me to let you know how it went, so I…"

"No, hey…its okay, Sara. It was time for me to wake up anyway and I do want to hear about your first day. So…was it good?"

"She could envision his smile through the telephone and somehow it made her feel like her intrusion into his sleep was a welcome one. "It was very good…" she began and then she continued, telling him about her day.

Nick listened. She sounded good, he thought…better than she had since before the kidnapping. He heard her winding down. "So you haven't killed ay kids yet?" he asked, chuckling.

"No, and I haven't locked them in the car either," she replied, referring to a joke from several years back.

They talked a few more minutes as Nick filled her in on Warrick and his progress. He told her about Catherine over-reacting on a case and a suspect catching up with her in the parking lot.

"She's alright, isn't she?" Sara asked. "He didn't hurt her did he?"

Nick regretted mentioning the episode and assured her that Catherine was fine.

"Nick, how is he?"

"You mean Grissom? He's okay, I think. He's seemed a little …not happier, but more relaxed the last few days. He misses you, Sara. We all do."

"I…appreciate that. And I am sorry I left the way I did. I just had to get away."

"Yeah…hey, did I tell you about Hodges' new game?"

"Hodges has a new game?" She asked, grateful for the change of subject.

"Yeah…" and Nick went into an explanation of the game, sharing the stories of him murdering off all the lab rats.

Sara laughed at the imagery. "Hey, does he still have a thing for Wendy?"

"Oh yeah…and I think maybe she's coming around."

They chatted for a few more minutes and then said good bye. "And thanks, Nick. You're a good friend."

"Anytime Sara. You know I'm here if you need me, right?"

"Yeah, I do."

After she hung up, she pulled out her laptop. Opening her e-mail, she found one from Gil.

Dear Sara,

Good luck on your first day. I'll be thinking about you."

Gil

She smiled as she read it. But then she was struck by his closing, or lack of it. Usually he said love, or all my love. But today he simply used his name. Something was changing and it made a hole in the pit of her stomach as she realized it.

Gil showed up to rehearsal that night. The same people were there that he had met Saturday and all seemed pleased to see him back. There was one other addition to the group. Bill introduced him to Elizabeth McDuffie, who was the business manager for the small group.

"Gil Grissom?" she repeated his name after Bill had introduced them. "Wait, I know…you are the ah…you work for the police department. I've seen you on the news."

"I'm a criminalist, forensics scientist. And yes, I work for the police department." He was nervous about the reminder of his job; he didn't want this to have anything to do with his job.

"Yeah, I remember now…you solved that miniature killer case. That was pretty twisted."

"Yes, it was," he replied. He sensed that she read his discomfort because she tilted her head and eyed him carefully. A frown creased her brow and he knew she was remembering more details of the case, which made him even more uncomfortable, shifting his weight and preparing to back away.

"It must have been very difficult for you." She let the statement hang in the air a moment before quickly changing the subject. "How do you like working with our little band of would be actors?"

"I'm enjoying it. Everyone has been very friendly."

She smirked at his comment. "I'll bet. I imagine Cindy and Rachel have been especially friendly. They are always on the lookout for fresh meat." She chuckled as she noticed his confusion. "What, they haven't attacked you yet? That must be a record."

"Perhaps I'm not their type," he smiled awkwardly. He couldn't believe he was having this conversation with her.

He studied her face and thought how her vibrant auburn hair seemed to be in contrast with the serenity he saw in the foggy depths of her grey blue eyes. A man could lose himself in those eyes, he thought.

Changing again, she asked him if he had ever done theater before. Her eyes bore into his, signaling sincere interest. Gil was nervous about what that interest might be. Does she consider me to be fresh meat too? "Ah, no. I've read Shakespeare, even learned some of the plays; but I have never been around theater before…except in the audience, of course."

"Well," she said as she glanced over at Bill and a couple of others that were standing next to the coffee pot, "we're all amateurs here; just in it for the fun. It's a quirky group…all normal, sane, responsible citizens by day and then we come here for rehearsal and turn into these other people…characters from the plays. I hope you aren't put off by our craziness."

Gil smiled at Elizabeth. "This isn't crazy. I have a young CSI who works for me that sticks pens up his nose and dances in the hallway wearing a bejeweled wig and a lab tech that follows me around trying to impress me all the time, who has invented a board game based on our jobs. Our coroner plays air guitar over dead bodies and sings in a rock band, performing at retirement homes on his nights off. Two of my other CSIs are always in competition, betting against each other on cases…and I don't mean small bets either. A police captain I work with got shot awhile back and got a tattoo on the scar to remember it by. And I play with tarantulas and race cock roaches. The most stable person on our team used to be an exotic dancer and is now being driven crazy by a teen age daughter."

She grinned at his description of his team. "And you all do those things to cope with insanity of the things you deal with in your jobs, right?" Her expression was intense and knowing.

He nodded, surprised by her insight. "And what do you do in your 'real life?" he inquired.

"I own a club. Perhaps you have heard of it…The Stable?"

"Isn't that over on Industrial? The one with the male dancers?"

"That's the one," she smiled.

Gil had heard of it. He'd overheard a conversation between some of the female lab rats and Judy, the receptionist. Apparently the women had enjoyed various evenings at the club, watching the male dancers. He remembered Mandy saying that there was one dancer that was 'so I hot when he jiggled his stuff' that she slipped a twenty in his thong. He eyes Elizabeth curiously. She didn't seem like a club owner; but he had learned over the years that things were seldom what they seemed.

She smirked as she watched his reaction. It always amused her to see people react to her choice of businesses. "You should come by some night…" she offered.

"AH…no. Um, that's not…I mean, well…I'm not really …well, into clubs."

She chuckled at his distress. "Bring a lady friend. I promise the rest of your night would get very exciting." Her eyes travelled the length of his body before returning to his face. Then she licked her lips, sending sparks through Gil. "Women really enjoy the dancers and usually leave hungry…if you know what I mean."

Gil shifted his weight and cleared his throat. He didn't trust himself to say anything at first and then for a reason beyond his understanding, he blurted out, "I'm between lady friends right now…"

"Well, you could meet lots of new friends at the club. You would be…"

"Yeah, yeah…I know; fresh meat."

"Well, I was going to say 'surprised."

"Surprised?"

"Yes. I'm always intrigued to see normally sane, reserved women turn into maniacs every night."

"If…" he swallowed. "If I came in one night, would you let me but you a drink?"

Her eyes locked onto his as a small grin crept across her face. "We'll let the club buy the drinks." Perusing his form again, she leaned over and gently but sensually, kissed his cheek. She placed her hand over his heart briefly and then turned and walked away.

He smiled as she walked away from him. Damn, her ass is almost as nice as Catherine's, he thought as he watched her go.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Sorry about the delay. What can I say? Life happens. Hope you find the wait worthwhile. Please read and review. I'm always interested to hear what you are thinking:-)