Grissom was sorting through papers at his desk at home, trying to match it up with information on the screen of his computer.
Sara walked by several times and finally peeked over his shoulder. "Can I help you?"
"I'm sorry, Sara. I know I've been preoccupied all day but this article for the Forensics Review was supposed to be turned in two weeks ago."
"Publish or perish?"
"Hardly, this was a series of articles our former Sheriff roped me into but this is the last article due and I'm almost done."
"I just wanted to let you know Dan Griffin called you last night. I left the message on the machine. Sorry for the interruption."
"Sara, did you need to ask me about something?"
"It can wait."
"Come back please, I could use a break. What was your question?"
"Gil, when Dan called it reminded me. I thought you said you went to Harvard?"
He took her hand and led her to the couch. "I did go to Harvard and then the FBI Academy. At Harvard, I knew very quickly I wasn't cut out for medicine. What we know today as Forensics and Criminology didn't really exist thirty years ago. So, when I graduated Harvard, I was still only 20. I didn't turn 21 until that August. No one would hire me."
"You are kidding me. Really?"
"I worked a summer at Woods Hole Oceanographic and sent out lots of resumes. I even applied to NASA. I got no job offers but I did get several scholarship offers from different universities including the FBI Academy. Working with the dolphins at Woods Hole, I became interested in behavioral science. You've been to the Academy's Criminalistics Lab. It will always be the number one lab in the world. So I accepted the offer to go to the FBI Academy.
"I saw your class pictures in the main hall. The young cadet that showed me around seemed to think you became a super spy for National Security or the CIA?"
"Right, me and James Bond." Grissom chuckled, "I also quickly realized I was not cut out to be an agent either. I hated guns, still do and I was always breaking the rules."
"Still do." Sara kissed him. "Then your Mom died."
"Yes but I couldn't get access to the records I needed to find any answers. When she died the commandant allowed me to graduate early to arrange for her funeral and settle her estate. As her only child I inherited her house, the gallery and some money. It was mine now but I couldn't stay in that house all alone. I probably should have sold it back then but I just couldn't let it go. When I left Nevada, I moved from university to university for nearly 15 years taking classes and teaching or lecturing. As a result I have lots of degrees."
"You do? How many degrees do you have and in what?"
"Chemistry, Entomology, Epidemiology and Evolutionary Biology and then I went back to Harvard when they offered a PHD in Entomology and later I got my PHD in Forensics. Somewhere in there I also have a degree in Forensic Practices and The Law and Behavioral Science but I never bothered to get my law degree or MD."
"Holy Shit! You are a genius."
"No just a good memory and a fast reader. It's not something I think about or worked hard to achieve. It just is, like my blue eyes. So many people treat me differently because of all my degrees and the books I've written but it's not who I am. Sara, just before I met you, while I was still lecturing. I heard about the new Forensics Lab opening up in Las Vegas. I had absolutely no experience but I was hired because of all my degrees. I was clueless. If Doc Burns hadn't taken me under his wing and taught me what a CSI really was, I'd probably still be teaching. He was old school, a doctor and pathologist. He was the one that taught me that people make lousy witnesses, crime scenes can be staged or altered but evidence can't lie. Once you understand all the evidence has to tell you, you can solve any puzzle. He died shortly before you came to Vegas. I like what I do and I'm good at it. I've been at the lab over ten years now but I am only just starting to get comfortable as a supervisor. Sara, I'm sorry, I do not want to run the lab someday. I know you have ambitions for me but it's just not something I would be good at."
"I know Gil. It's just not you."
"When we first met, I'd spent so much time with stuffy old professors I was rapidly becoming one myself. Then I saw this beautiful young girl in my class with long dark hair. You wore your hair in two ponytails back then. I was stunned when I asked you to go sailing with me and you actually said yes. By the way, I always meant to thank you for those short skirts you always wore to class. They gave me something to look forward to everyday, you have the most beautiful legs, Sara."
"And you had lots of blond curls back then, never wore socks but you always seemed so sad."
"I was tired of teaching and taking classes. I wanted to do something else.....mostly because of you. That's one of the reasons I left teaching and came to Las Vegas."
"It wouldn't have to do with the fact I was only 22 years old at the time."
"That too! I was called before the board of trustees when another teacher saw us on a picnic."
"Oh Gil, I'm sorry. I never knew you were forced to leave the university because of me. Why didn't you tell me. I thought you got bored with me and the school and just left."
"I probably could have fought the board but I had messed up your life enough already. I felt that your life would have been so different.....better if we had never gotten involved. I am sorry you quit medical school and switched majors because of me."
"Is that what you thought? Oh no, Gil! I had just finished my pediatric rotation. I had lost a little boy to cancer and a little girl to a heart defect on my service. My peer counselor said the same thing you did, that I have too much empathy for my patients. He said that I had to change careers or I'd wind up a basket case. He was the one that suggested Forensics."
"Hell! All along I thought you left medicine for me. See what happens when you jump to conclusions. God, you are good for my ego too. I feel like such an ass now." Grissom pulled her into his arms. "You help me in so many ways, Sara. I know I get too wrapped up in the science and forget the human element in situations."
"Is that why you called me to come to Vegas when Holly died?"
"Partly! I told myself it was best for the lab but I wanted to see you again. I couldn't admit even to myself back then that I needed you and wanted you in my life........you are my life, Sara."
"Well it took you long enough, Dr. Grissom. You fought me every inch of the way and I was still the one that made the first move and kissed you."
"Thank God you did! I don't think I ever could......even though I wanted to."
"I know! Gil, that first time I kissed you, you didn't respond. I thought you were going to push me away."
"I should have but I couldn't. I wanted to kiss you for so long, to be with you. I felt like I was alive again for the first time in such a long time. I doubt I could have stopped kissing you even if I wanted to, which I didn't. Sometimes, even now, I am startled when I see you in the kitchen or in bed beside me. What did I do to deserve you? Do you regret it, Sara?"
"Being with you that night? Hell no, I'd spent five years trying to get you into bed with me. Every once and a while it still startles me when I'm called, Mrs. Grissom."
"Are having second thoughts now, pregnant and married to an old man?"
"You are not old and I am exactly where I want to be. Junior is just an added bonus."
"Do you have any regrets, Gil?"
"Just one! That I waited way too long." He kissed her several times.
"I thought you said that you had an article to finish."
"Later."
"We have to finish the plans for the remodeling."
"Much later!" Sara smiled as he carried her to the bedroom, she kicked the bedroom door closed.
"Hey Cath!" Sara walked into the break room at the lab early the next afternoon.
"Hey, Sara! You're here early, what's up?"
"I got up early and just dropped by to say hi. Now that I work in the lab I never get to see you guys anymore."
"Grissom is rubbing off on you, Sara. You used to be a much better liar."
"Can I see you in your office?"
"Sure! Are you OK? Nothing wrong with the baby is there?"
"Junior is fine." Sara shut the door. "I don't really have anyone else to talk to about this. I don't mean to embarrass you but well.....when you were expecting did you ever...."
"Did I ever what? Out with it."
"I know when you're pregnant your hormones go crazy. Did your sex drive get elevated?"
Catherine laughed. "I was horny as hell the whole time. I used to attack Eddie regularly."
"It's not funny, Cath. I attacked Gil in shower. It was practically rape, I'm so embarrassed."
"Don't be, he got you pregnant. I say enjoy it while it lasts. In a few more months you'll be hitting him instead. Those last six weeks are a bitch." They both laughed. "I gave Gil a book, a present for you both. Something to help you with any further questions you may have. I'm sure he is finished reading it by now. Ask him for it. Sara, if you have questions, you ever need somebody to listen or just a shoulder to cry on, you know my door is always open."
"See you later Cath….and thanks!"
Catherine deliberately waited for Grissom to come in even though she could have gone home early. In some ways Gil was the big brother she never had and she never missed the chance to tease him.
"Hey, Grissom!"
"Hi, Catherine! Got any leftovers for me today?"
"No the board is clear. A slow day, for a change."
"Good, I can use one. I have to finish that last article for the Forensic Review."
"Ahem! Grissom you may want to button up your shirt a little more, your hickey is showing."
"My what?" Grissom went to the mirror on the wall in his office bathroom. "Oh Shit!" He was deeply blushing. "Wait a minute, how did you know?"
"Sara came by earlier."
"Catherine, I didn't know what to do. She attacked me."
"Oh honey, the fun and games have just begun. Enjoy!"
A very puzzled Grissom watched as Catherine left laughing. He took out the book from his desk that she gave him a few days ago on pregnancy but never got around to reading. He slipped the book into his briefcase, as he took out his notes for the article. Later that evening he went to the break room for some ice. In the men's room he opened his shirt and pressed ice on the bite marks. After a few minutes the door opened again. Grissom threw the ice in the sink and quickly started to button his shirt.
"Problem, Gil?"
"Oh it's you, Doc. I thought it was Greg."
"They confuse us all the time."
"Al, you have kids right?"
"Three, two boys and a girl. The youngest is sixteen now, why?"
"When your wife was pregnant did she ever get.............you know aggressive in bed."
The coroner walked over to examine the skin visible in the half way buttoned shirt, and saw three large red marks on Grissom's neck and chest.
"Sara attacked you?"
He nodded. "In the shower.....one minute she was shampooing my hair and the next.....Doc, I'm two or three inches taller and about fifty pounds heavier but I swear if I had not been willing, she would have forced herself on me. It was almost scary."
"Gil my boy, it's a good thing you like roller coasters. You have just had your first ride on the hormone express. You should know a woman's hormones go haywire during pregnancy. One minute she will be in tears over nothing, then her anger will flair. One day she is insatiable and then a few days later she can't stand the sight of you and you're sleeping on the couch. Good luck! I couldn't go through all of that again. I can't imagine what it would be like dealing with all that at your age. All I can say is to try not to take it so personally and be ready to apologize."
"For what?"
"I never did figure that one out..........probably because you got her pregnant!"
"Thanks a lot, Doc!" Grissom responded sarcastically. However, feeling a little less apprehensive, Grissom returned to his office.
Enjoying a rare very quiet night, he was able to complete the article and was soon engrossed in Catherine's book. On the last page she wrote, "Give this to Sara when you're done."
In the morning, after his shift Grissom quietly entered the house trying not to wake Sara. However, she was awake and had an elaborate breakfast made and served as he arrived.
"What are you doing up this early, Sara. You need more sleep, remember the doctor's orders."
"I made you breakfast."
"I can see that! Thank you but why? I know the smell usually make you feel sick this early."
"I wanted to apologize for yesterday." She unbuttoned his shirt and saw the red and purple marks on his neck and chest. "Oh God! I am so sorry, Gil."
"I was a little startled at first but actually it's kind of flattering that an old man like me can still get you that excited."
Sara gently kissed the marks on his necks and then his lips. Soon breakfast was forgotten as they walked to the bedroom. Later in bed, Sara gently touched the marks. "Do they hurt?"
"No, you were very gentle with me.......this time. Just can't get enough of me huh?"
"It's the hormones. You just happened to be the closest guy in my bed and shower."
"Oh really?"
"I think I've inflated your ego enough for one day. Do you want me to reheat breakfast?"
"To hell with breakfast!" He continued to kiss her everywhere.
"I think I've created a monster."
"Do you want me to stop?"
Sara shook her head no. She never made it to the UNLV orientation or the lab later that day. They sleep together all afternoon in each other's arms.
Grissom arrived later that day for his night shift and was inspecting his neck in the office mirror when Warrick walked in.
"Hey Gris! Sara called in sick, is everything OK? What the hell happened to you? OHHH!" He stopped when he realized what the marks were.
"It's Sara! She attacks me all the time. I'm an old man and rapidly aging. This is not what I expected from marriage."
Warrick walked out of Grissom's office without a word.
"Warrick, where are you going?"
"Yup! I just wanted to check that I was in the right office. I'd expect that kind of talk from Catherine, not you. It is weirding me out."
"I was hoping for some compassion, a little understanding. It wasn't that long ago you were the newlywed. Remember, welcome to the brotherhood?" Grissom wiggled his wedding ring.
"It appears I may not be a married man much longer. Tina and I are always fighting."
"I'm sorry, Rick. Can I do anything to help? Do you need some time off?"
"No but thanks, we are still talking. Now that we are both on the night shift again, me here and her at the hospital, maybe things will get better."
"Are you taking Tina to the holiday party this year? With all the new couples and weddings since last year's party, it going to be a very full table this year. Besides Sara and I, David and Ann and Tina and you, Nick is now seeing Susan and Greg is seeing Sheila. Only Mike, John and Archie will be going stag this year. Wonder who Catherine will bring this year? "