A/N: Sorry it took so long. I also neglected to mention Joseph and Annabel's last name (got carried away, it is Tate).
Chapter 25 Sara's POV
As we walk down the long corridor; I feel my stomach knot in both anticipation and apprehension. I'm just glad that Gil's by my side. The smell here is different than in the open. I can smell chemicals, print powder, sweat, GSR from bobby's area, food, coffee and… other werewolves? I know other people don't seem to smell or notice, but it's kind of hard not to. I am still dreading the meeting between Gil, Ecklie, and myself.
"How are you doing? I know the senses can do a number on you and I just want to make sure that you're ok." Gil voice is lower than usual but I guess it's not to draw too much attention to our arrival.
"You know if you have any questions or you feel that you just need a break then please take one." I look at him and smile.
"I know how overwhelming it can be, that's all." His voice takes on a shy tone.
"It's a lot to get use to but I think I can handle it." He smiles at me and I feel his hand as it rubs my back before he drops it away again.
"So when is this big meeting with Ecklie anyway?" I take a deep breath and a wonderful smell penetrates my nose.
"What is that smell…mmmmmm… it smells delicious!" I look around and see him shaking his head. I cock my head. "What?" He chuckles.
"That, my dear, would be Greg's coffee." I open my mouth to say something and he quickly cuts me off.
"I'm serious." I put my hands on my hips.
"If you don't believe me then go to the break room and see for yourself. After you get a cup, would you bring me a cup, please? I'll be in my office getting things together for our meeting." He turns and walks towards his office. I didn't even get a chance to reply. At least he said please.
I walk into the break room and sure enough there's a fresh pot of coffee brewing. This smell should be an aphrodisiac in itself. I pour myself a cup and take a sip.
"Oh god that's good." I moan as the hot, tasty fluid flows down my throat. It burns but it's so worth it.
"Hey! Sara, your back!" Greg's voice booms from behind me. My coffee cup slips out of my hand and breaks in the sink.
"Dammit! Greg! You scared the shit out of me!" I turn around and see a happy smile cross his face.
"Don't you know it's not nice to scare people; especially one with a gun?" He just shrugs and his arms wrap me in a hug.
"Just so you know… I've missed you." I whisper and hug him back.
"You wouldn't even believe all the shit that's happened while you were gone. Grissom left on some study, Catherine and Warrick had a DB out by Lake Mead; floater, gross beyond words and that smell." He shivers. "Anyway Nick had a B&E out in Henderson. Brass had a missing person and me well; let's just say it's been a plethora of evidence. I've been up to my eyes in processing and epithelial's." He says excitedly and is practically jumping up and down.
"Greg, what do you think you're doing?"Gil's voice growls from the door. Greg jumps and lets out a little squeak.
"Grissom, hey boss man. I…I was just…getting a cup of coffee, when I ran into Sara. She's back, see? I just wanted to say hi and catch up before shift." His voice is high and there's a slight quiver to it now. I know Gil scares a lot of people, but a lot of people respect him too.
"Well I see you're all caught up now…so get back to work before I actually let you in the field on a decomp of your very own." Greg scrunched up his face, grabbed a cup of coffee and left after holding up his hand in a phone way and mouthed 'call me'. I exhale rather loudly and Gil looks at me.
"You know it's going to get worse. Nick and Warrick actually hug and kiss me, what are you going to do then, huh? You can't go all cavemen, beat them up, drag me down the hall by the hair and lock me up you know." I hold his gaze and he slowly nods.
"I know and I'm trying, really I am." He looks around and motions me to follow him. I grab another coffee cup from the cabinet, fill it and hand him his. We walk in silence down the hall towards his office. I notice some of the lab techs nodding so vaguely, that if you weren't paying attention that you would've missed it.
He opens his door and ushers me in.
"So exactly how many pack members work here?" I can tell my question caught him off guard, when he starts to choke on his coffee.
"I don't really remember. Why?" I shrug.
"Just curious… My senses are working over time. I can smell the difference plus if you are really watching and paying attention around you, you can see faint signs by the way they act." I say. He smiles and nods.
"Yeah…I notice." He chuckles.
"They're just trying to pay respect and show their submissive side, you'll get used to it. Just wait until…" A knock at the door interrupts us. "Come in!" He growls. The door opens and Ecklie comes in.
"Hey Gil…" He looks up and smiles. "Hello Sidle." He sneers. Strong pine and cedar scents penetrate the room. A menacing growl comes from Gil and Ecklie looks up quickly.
"Calm down Gil. You'd think that I'd try to stick my hand in your cookie jar." I look back and forth between the two.
"We have a lot to talk about." Ecklie turns and looks at me.
"So if you'll excuse us, Sidle. I'm sure you have better things to do than listen to us argue about paperwork." Gil snorts and Ecklie frowns.
"Conrad…it's highly unlikely that Sara will be leaving any time soon. As you know, I've got some big news to share at our monthly run." Monthly run? What the hell is he talking about? I'm going to have to ask him later. "And I do agree with you, we have a lot to talk about between now and this weekend. The run will be held at our house." Gil pauses and lets the information sink in.
Ecklie looks at me then at him.
"WH…what are you talking about here Gil? I mean weren't you… you know…ummm…" Gil cuts him off.
"As you know the elders held a ceremony about two weeks ago at Joseph and Annabel's house." Ecklie nods and Gil continues.
"She is their daughter, my mate, my wife, my betrothed." Gil points to me to me to create visual proof for Ecklie. Ecklie's face is pure confusion. I bite the inside of my mouth to stop laughing. Priceless and I love it!
"You mean to tell me that…" he points to me then to Gil. "Are married? You know personnel isn't going to like this one bit." He takes a shaky breath; Gil laughs deep and throaty. It's a turn on for me.
"That's the great thing about being the AD; you can bend the rules for us." He lean forward and clasps his finger together. He reminds me of the God Father, well I guess he could be in a way. I snort and shake my head. I draw the attention from both men and they look at me. I wave my hand in the air as a dismissal.
"Hey Gil…" The door opens and Catherine barges in.
"There's an older couple at the reception desk asking for you or Sara." She looks around the room, looking at Gil, Ecklie and me.
"Their names are Joseph and Annabel? Does that ring any bells?" I get out of my chair and move towards the door.
"Sara, wait and I'll walk with you." Gil gets up, grabs the assignment and walks around his desk.
"Are you coming Conrad? We can finish talking on the way." He doesn't wait for the answer, nudges me gently out the door and hands Cath the slips. "Catherine if you could take these and meet us in the break room I'd really appreciate it." He looks down at his watch. "We'll be there in fifteen, twenty minutes top."
As we round the corner there they are talking with Doc Robbins and David about who knows what. They all turn and smile.
"Mr. and Mrs. Tate, as always a pleasure." Ecklie greets my parents. Wow, my parents. I'm still getting used to that.
"Oh, Conrad you're always such a sweet boy." Annabel hugs him and Joseph shakes his hand. They turn their attention to Gil and me.
"Al and David were just keeping us company while we waited for you."
"So what can we do for you?" Gil's voice is smooth and calming.
"We just wanted to know what time you want us to come over. We were hoping to come a little early to visit before the run." Joe said while holding on to Annabel's hand. I can't bring myself to call them mom or dad yet. Now I feel bad.
"Sure we'd love for you to come over early. In fact anyone who wants to is welcomed to." Gil says. I feel faint pressure on my lower back. I certainly need to talk to him about all this. Doc moves first.
"Welcome to the family." Doc whispers as he hugs me and kisses my cheek. Then he shakes Gil's hand. David smiles shyly and walks over. Gil watches in amusement and shows his dominance. Just as it's been no secret around the lab of my feeling for Gil; it's also been no secret of David's crush on me.
"We can get a little loud, sometimes wild, but family's family." David gives me a quick hug and peck on the cheek. I know I'm blushing now, because I'm not used to all this attention. I take a deep breath.
"This is all lovely and I'm…I'm honored. But the truth is I am not really comfortable with all this attention, or focus solely on me." I give Joseph and Annabel a hug. "So if you'll excuse me." I don't wait for anyone to reply and I start walking towards the break room. Gil and I will be having a long talk when we get home. I want to know, just how big is the pack? I need to know more about it and there will be no more hanky-panky until I know what I need to know. I'm alpha female, dammit; I deserve to know these things.