Chapter 25:
"Beep, beep, beep."
"Beep, beep, beep."
"Beep, beep, beep."
Sara woke to the sound of her watch alarm. Still wrapped in Gil's arms, she glanced up to see that he too was half asleep and disoriented.
"Good morning," she greeted him, "I guess it's time to leave."
"Must we? I like it here." He leaned down to kiss her.
"As far as I'm concerned, we could stay forever, but I think you're boss might not like the idea."
Reluctantly, stiffly, they shifted to their knees and began crawling towards the cave entrance. Gil hesitated for a moment, and then reached back for the teddy bear. They walked carefully back up the slope. While Sara checked to make sure they hadn't left any food behind, Gil retrieved and folded the blanket, placing it and the teddy bear in the empty backpack. Sara took the lead and they headed back to the car. Holding hands where possible, they spoke very little while walking. Reaching the car, they loaded the backpacks in the trunk and climbed in. Sara drove again, reversing the path that brought them to the woods.
Their trip back was as quiet as their walk – emotions running too high, neither seemed to know what to say. They drove straight to the airport. Traffic was light, so they made good time, arriving at 5:30pm. They returned the rental car; Gil grabbed his suitcase, his briefcase, and a small carry on duffle bag. Sara grabbed the two backpacks. They found a shuttle to the terminal and Gil checked in his suitcase.
"It looks like we have some time," Gil spoke, "Would you like to have dinner before you head home?"
Sara nodded, "I'd like that. I'm not looking forward to my empty apartment." Gil steered her to what looked like a real restaurant, not an airport snack bar, and they found a booth. They ordered quickly, and then focused their attention on each other. Grissom dug around in his briefcase, and pulled out a CD case.
"Would you like my seminar notes and images? I burned them on a CD for you last night," Grissom offered.
Sara looked surprised, "You knew I'd be applying for CSI?"
"Yes," Gil grinned, "I was fairly confident you would."
"Thanks! I can combine them with my notes and review everything."
"Good. I have a book in my office that I'd like to send you as well, if, um, I could have your address," asked Grissom.
Sara smiled, "I'll even throw in my phone number, in case you feel like calling sometime." She wrote her address and phone number on a napkin and handed it to him. He placed it in his shirt pocket.
"I'll program it for speed dial. Here's my address, e-mail, and phone, both home and cell," he handed her a business card, with handwritten numbers on the back, "I'm serious about keeping in touch."
"Thanks, I am too." Their food arrived and they ate quietly.
"I'm sorry I'm so quiet," Sara apologized, "I'm trying not to start crying." Gil reached across the table and held her hand. Gazing into her eyes, he saw the tears build and overflow down her cheeks. He gently brushed the tears away, only to find more falling. He signaled for the check and paid.
"Let's find someplace to talk," he suggested. They grabbed their stuff and headed toward the gate for his flight. Finding the gate, they headed for a corner away from the crowds. Setting their bags down, they fell naturally into a close hug. Sara's tears dampened Gil's shirt as he held her, stroking her hair. The loudspeakers called Grissom's flight number. He took her chin in his hand and lifted it, so that he could see her eyes. He kissed one then the other, tasting her salty tears. He kissed her on the lips.
"Sara, I'll call as soon as I get to Vegas. Please believe me, this is not goodbye."
Sara smiled bravely, "My mind understands that, but my heart is a little slow sometimes." Grissom's flight number was called for final boarding. He kissed her one last time.
"Trust me, I'll call!" he promised her. He picked up his belongings, pulled out his ticket and jogged towards the gate. Sara watched as they closed the boarding ramp behind him, and the plane pushed back to taxi towards the runway. She then walked outside the baggage claim area and flagged down a taxi. Her vision still blurred, she was glad she didn't have to drive.
Back at her apartment, she put the left over food away, and then dropped the backpacks on the floor. She'd deal with them later. She found her portable phone and headed for her bedroom. She dressed for bed, turned off the lights, and climbed in, still clutching the phone.
Grissom stowed his luggage and found his seat as the plane pulled back from the ramp. The man sitting in the next seat introduced himself.
"First time traveling without your wife?" he asked.
"What?" Grissom asked.
The man explained, "I noticed the two of you in the corner. You both seemed pretty upset."
"Oh, um, yes, it was difficult saying goodbye." Grissom hoped his seat mate wouldn't be talkative the whole flight. He pulled out one of his entomology journals to read. The man took the hint, and turned back to his own book. Grissom stared at the page without focusing his eyes. He had never been so emotionally alive in his life. His nerves seemed almost raw – so much for a nice relaxing seminar to prepare him to return to work. Grissom set his magazine down, leaned back into the seat and closed his eyes. An uncommon tear escaped his eye and fled down his cheek. It was a short flight, but he would be running on fumes by the end of shift, even a short nap would help.