Disclaimer – I don't own any part of CSI. I know the secret Santa isn't very secret, but I had loads of ideas for the presents they were gonna get each other and wanted to have their reactions to them.
Chapter 14 – Coming to terms
"Do you know what you're gonna do for Christmas?" She asked.
"Originally I was gonna spend it with Dana, but that's over. One of my college buddies had his third kid last month. They've invited me over, go and see my godson. But I haven't definitely decided yet."
"You know, they do Christmas dinners all up and down the strip if you fancy being with people but not, if you know what I mean." She gave a laugh and he nodded.
"Yeah I do. I'll see how I feel. What about you Sara, what are you gonna do for Christmas?" She was silent for a few seconds.
"I've not really thought about it."
"Not spending it with your partner?" She looked puzzled but amused.
"What makes you think I have a partner to spend Christmas with?"
"Well that gentleman up there has been watching you ever since you started talking to me." She subtly glanced to her right and saw Grissom's gaze. She smiled at Charlie.
"I assume he'll spend it with his mother."
He stood up and she followed.
"Miss Sidle, I've made a lot of assumptions in my life and look where it's got me. Don't make the same mistake." He smiled as fresh tears began to fall.
"Please pass on my thanks to Mr Stokes and thank you again Miss Sidle, it was nice to meet you. If only it had been in better circumstances." He put his hand over his mouth. Sara put her hand on his back comfortingly as her eyes began to well up as well. He took a deep breath, put his hand up as a goodbye and walked down the hall.
Her shoulders slumped forwards and used her fingers to try and brush away the fast falling tears.
--
Grissom sat up in his chair and shifted about, trying to get a better look at her.
Nick laughed.
"Wow a 'my first autopsy lab playset'. Gee thanks Doc!" He handed his small gift to Catherine.
"Don't go overboard or nothing Nicky." She opened it up and gasped. She turned the mug around which had a photo of Lindsey printed on one side and laughed.
"'Number 1 ex-supervisor. Rub it in my face why don't 'cha?" She joked. Nick smiled and looked to see where Sara had got to. He squinted into the distance and noticed her sitting alone, bent over.
"Hey, where you going Nick?"
"I left my Christmas CD in my locker. I'm just gonna go get it. Start this party properly." He laughed and walked out into the corridor.
Grissom's gaze followed Nick as he walked up to Sara and crouched in front of her.
--
"Hey, you ok?" He smiled but as she lifted her head, he looked concerned.
"What's wrong?"
She looked at him, her eyes slightly red and teary.
"Sometimes I hate this part of the job." She looked away to cover the upset and emotion bubbling underneath. Nick joined her on the bench and gently put his hand on her arm.
"You saw Mr Jenkins?"
She nodded.
"He, he wanted to thank us for finding out that Ivy murdered Holly." She paused and took a few slow breaths.
"It's just so unfair; he has lost everyone that he cares about. He was just focused on being grateful to us for doing our jobs." She lowered her head again, letting a few tears escape and drop to the floor.
"I don't know what to say to help you Sara."
"I mean, I know that our job ends when the evidence points us to the truth, Grissom's said it enough times. And I know that if I become too personally involved in my cases that eventually I'll burn out. But saying something doesn't make it any easier to do." She brushed her hair out of her eyes and fresh tears began to fall. She sobbed quietly.
Nick watched her sadly and then gently put his arm around her.
--
"You should go and talk to her." Grissom jumped slightly and turned to see Catherine once again watching over his shoulder.
"Nick's with her. She'll be fine. What makes you think I'll be any help anyway?" She rolled her eyes, which he didn't notice.
"Because you know, if she has a problem she normally talks to you about it."
"Not really."
"Maybe she talks and you just don't listen."
"What?" He asked half heartedly, his back turned again.
"Precisely."
--
"You and Charlie Jenkins are two different people Sara. He might be alone. But you're not." She looked at him.
"Hey, you know Greg's got your back!" She laughed and nodded.
"We all have." He stood up and stretched.
"I think we'd better get back to this party. You organised this secret Santa and you're missing it all. Doc Robbins got a festive leg from David!"
She smiled and put her arm on Nick's shoulder.
"Thanks Nick." He smiled.
"I've gotta grab my CD before Cath snaps Greg's in half."
"I'm gonna go and freshen up. I'll be there in a minute."
He gave a nod, ran into the locker room and jogged back to the party.
----------
Best place to finish the chapter, the next bit's quite long. And funny!