A/N. I loved writing this chapter, and I had so much fun writing it. piccolina789 did an outstanding beta on this I thought. Im currently working on the next chapter, but I'm not sure when it will be ready to post, so I apologise in advance. It's my daughter's birthday on Friday, and then we are going away for the weekend as part of her birthday treats. Again, many thanks for the amazing reviews - especially Torcan and Nancy1 - they inspire me to try and make the next chapter better the last. I hope you love this chapter as much as I do.
Ecklie sighed heavily as he went over the report for what seemed like the one hundredth time. In the week and a half since his investigation into Grissom and Sara's professional conduct, he had yet to find one shred of evidence that they had acted inappropriately while at work.
If he'd learned anything at all, it was that everyone on the grave shift regarded Grissom with a high level of respect. That was something Ecklie had never quite been able to achieve as day shift supervisor.
He shuffled the papers of his report and let his eyes drift to the statement on top of the pile. It was Nick's.
As with all the others, Nick had made it clear that he never suspected that anything inappropriate was going on. He sighed again, running a hand through what hair remained, recalling Catherine's warning that his investigation wouldn't find anything. He'd have done well to listen to her.
Since there was clearly no evidence to be found, he saw little point in continuing the investigation. He leaned back in his chair as he considered what his next move would be.
It was no secret that he wasn't the biggest fan of Gil Grissom. On the very rare occasions he'd managed to get one over on him, he'd relished every second of it.
But that didn't change the fact that Grissom was highly regarded and respected in his field and his reputation had helped elevate the Las Vegas Crime Lab. His decision now would directly affect both Grissom and Sara's private and professional lives, as well as the lab's reputation. It was a heavy burden to bear.
Making his decision at last, Ecklie reached for the phone.
Sara stirred her food around the plate aimlessly. Her appetite was almost non-existent. She puffed out her cheeks, feeling the familiar wave of nausea twist in her stomach. In the week-and-a-half since learning of the pregnancy, today was easily becoming the worst she'd felt.
It certainly wasn't helping that they'd arranged to visit Grissom's mother, with the intention of telling her their news. Grissom had wanted to postpone the trip, but she'd insisted on going ahead, knowing that he'd been looking forward to seeing his mother.
Betty Grissom placed her hand on Sara's arm to gain her attention. When Sara looked up to face her, Betty smiled sadly.
"If you can't eat it, its fine dear," she signed. "I can see that you're a little under the weather, and I won't be offended if you're not very hungry."
Sara's smile was wan, as she nodded her head in understanding.
"I am feeling a little off," she signed back, before quickly looking in Grissom's direction across the table from her, who was watching the exchange between them. "I'm sorry that I wasn't able to enjoy such a lovely meal."
Betty shook her head, decisively.
"Nonsense dear. If you're not feeling well, it's understandable. Perhaps the next time you and Gilbert visit, you'll be feeling much better."
Sara nodded, as she smiled weakly.
"I'm sure that I'll feel much better by then. I'm sorry that we've had to leave it so long between visits this time. I think after I've had a little air, I'll be fine."
Rising to her feet she walked past Grissom, who put down his knife and fork and grasped her hand as she walked by.
"You're sure you're going be ok?" he asked, his eyes filled with concern as he looked up at her, his thumb rubbing the back of her hand.
Sara nodded, squeezing his shoulder, reassuringly.
"Stop worrying, I'll be fine," she promised him.
"Maybe we should cut the visit short…" he began to suggest, but Sara shook her head.
"Baby, there's no need," she assured him with a small smile. "I'll be okay, after some air."
She kissed his forehead briefly as she left. Grissom still looked doubtful, watching her leave the kitchen and head outside into the garden.
Betty waited until Sara was out of sight before she caught Grissom's attention.
"You look troubled, Gilbert," she signed, her face filled with concern for her son. "Is everything alright between you and Sara? She seems a little sad."
Grissom sighed, chewing his lip as he glanced down at his plate, before pushing it away.
"We're doing fine, Mom," he signed, with a smile of reassurance. "We…had some news, and it's taken a little time to get used to."
After a brief pause, he continued "On top of that, Sara and I have been suspended from the lab, because of our personal relationship."
"Being in a relationship is hardly a crime, Gilbert. How long are you suspended for?"
"It's more complicated than that. I'm Sara's boss. We've willingly violated lab policy. Until the investigation into our misconduct is over, we won't know for sure."
Together, they cleared away the dirty dishes, with Grissom washing up and Betty drying. Watching him from the corner of her eye, she could sense that he had more to tell. Even as a child, she'd been able to read him like a book.
When the dishes were finished and they took a seat in the living room, she broached the subject again.
"Something is still bothering you, Gilbert."
With a sigh, Grissom nodded at his mother's astuteness. He had never been able to hide anything from her.
"There is something else," he admitted. Deciding on getting straight to the point and the reason behind their visit, he signed. "Sara is pregnant."
Betty took a moment to let the news sink in.
"I am surprised, Gilbert. I've given up hope of ever having grandchildren. Whenever I brought the subject up, you always said you didn't want children."
"They were never a top priority, no," he agreed. "But with Sara, it's different."
"You're happy about this?"
Without hesitation, Grissom signed, "Yes. It's taken some getting used to," he admitted. "It was an unexpected surprise, but we're both happy about the baby."
Betty paused, taking in what Grissom had said. She loved Sara as a daughter and knew that she truly loved her son. From the moment she'd first learned the name of Sara Sidle, something deep within her told her that Sara was different from the other women that had all too infrequently captured her son's heart. And when they had finally met for the first time, she had known it with certainty.
Deep down, she knew what the answer to the question she was about to ask him would be. But she wanted to be sure that he believed it too, beyond any doubt.
"Do you think that Sara may have deliberately gotten pregnant to trap you?"
Immediately he shook his head, frowning.
"No," he responded, and Betty could tell he was angry at the thought. "I trust her with my life. She has no reason to deceive me. I thought you liked her? It upsets me to think that you would think she'd do something like that."
"I do like her, Gilbert," Betty signed back. "I love her like a daughter. I know she wouldn't deceive you. I just needed to be sure. You're my son Gilbert, and I just want you to be happy."
"I am happy," was his quick response. "I couldn't be any happier."
After a little while longer, Sara came in from the garden to join them. She looked marginally better, but her face was still pale.
After brief exchanges as to how she was feeling, it was mutually decided to end the visit.
As they exchanged their goodbyes, Betty asked for a private word with Sara. Although curious, Grissom didn't push the matter and after kissing his mother's cheek and a brief glance at Sara, left to wait by the car.
"You needn't look so worried," Betty signed to Sara once they alone.
Suddenly she hugged Sara tightly to her. When Betty released her, her face aglow with happiness, she signed a simple "Thank you."
"I don't understand," Sara signed back. "Why are you thanking me?"
"For many things, Sara. But most of all for loving my son. When he told me about that baby, I couldn't been any happier. I'd almost given up hope of ever becoming a grandmother."
Betty gave Sara one more hug goodbye and then watched by the window as Sara met Grissom by the car. From the expression on his face, Betty could tell he was both worried and curious as to why she'd wanted to chat privately with Sara.
As she continued to watch, Sara stood on tiptoe and kissed him full on the mouth, her hands resting on the back of his neck. As he leaned into the kiss, his hands came to rest on her hips, pulling her close.
Later that night, Grissom sat on the edge of the bed he shared with Sara, placing the tray on the bedside table. Sara, her face ashen, was curled up on his side of the bed, hugging his pillow.
"You've hardly eaten anything all day," Grissom said sounding worried. "That can't be good for you and the baby. Are you sure won't try some soup?"
"I really couldn't," she apologised, her eyes closing briefly. Along with the nausea, she was starting to feel tired. The drive back from Betty's two hours before had taken what remaining strength she had.
Grissom watched her as she snuggled deeper into his pillow, inhaling in his scent. His stomach clenched, wishing there was something he could do to ease her discomfort. His only consolation, was the thought that once she reached the second trimester, her symptoms would lessen.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, reaching to brush her hair with his fingers, his thumb caressing her cheek.
"For what?" she asked, her expression puzzled.
He shrugged, pursing his lips.
"For getting you in this condition."
Despite how awful she was feeling, Sara laughed lightly. With a weak smile she reached out to him, cupping the side of his head. With a happy sigh she said, "I loveyou, Gilbert Grissom. But you can't take all the credit, for this. I helped a little too."
His eyes twinkled, a smirk on his face as he leaned forward and kissed her softly. Her hands snaked around his neck, pulling him closer and his eyes closed as the kiss deepened.
She moaned softly as heat began to build, and he drew back, breaking the kiss before things got too heated. She pouted.
"Do you have any idea what you do to me?" he asked, his breathing slightly uneven, his eyes darkened by desire.
Sara nodded, reaching for him again.
"I do. Because you do the same to me."
Needing no encouragement, he captured her lips with his again, just as his phone rang.
With difficulty he broke the kiss, glaring at the interruption and ready to throw the blasted phone against the wall.
That's when realised the name on the I.D display read "Ecklie."