This story takes place after 4x11 "Eleven Angry Jurors" and into 4x12 "Butterflied". You know, sometimes, the downside to watching this series over and over again is knowing what's to come.

Musical Note: I've created a playlist to categorize the songs I listen to while I write. A lot of the time, the energy that comes with a specific story is amplified from a specific song. So I'll be adding that playlist in and the specific song where I can. For this one:

Where It Stays - Charlotte OC

This case was fun…

The back and forth of it all was a fun reminder for Grissom why he enjoyed the job the way he did. Grissom was in his office wrapping up his paperwork and filling out Nick's recommendation when Sara walked by. Although, he hadn't noticed the tall figure standing by his doorway. Had he, he would have told her good work on the case. He had enjoyed getting to work with her for this one. Things has been a little awkward since he pinned her to the wall in the layout room. Of course no one's fault but his own. Normally controlling himself around here didn't take much effort. He knew the line and he knew not to cross it. But that day, that day was different.

As Sara made her way down the hall, she stopped by his office only for a brief second. Questioning whether or not she should stop in to say bye. Maybe even ask if he'd want to grab a coffee or some food. But despite knowing she only wanted his time, he'd see it as something more and would undoubtedly say no anyway.

Save yourself the heartache, Sara.

If I could just get his time away from the lab, he'd see…he'd see there's more here.

He'll just say no.

But what if he says yes…

He won't.

Look up, Gil…

She hoped the words that floated through her mind would somehow make their way into the forefront of his thoughts and she'd see him look up her way. She waited for a moment before she squeezed her lips together and walked away. His mind too focused on the work in front of him likely meant he'd say no anyway. Sara hooked her thumb over the strap of her bag across her chest and walked out of the lab. Another case solved and yet no one to celebrate with.

The clock slowly ticked away, Grissom's eyes tired as he stared across the reports requiring his attention. Exhausted, he looked up to the clock and back to the mounds of files that weren't likely to lessen more at this point. He decided to throw in the towel and pack it up. He was only an hour and a half past when he should have left. He put a few files into his bag and threw it over his shoulder when his phone rang in his hand.

He took a deep breath and rolled his eyes. Waiting to hear Jim's voice ask if he might still be available and what lame excuse he'd be unable to bring himself to deliver.

"Grissom."

He raises an eyebrow when he realizes that it isn't Jim at all. He smiled and nodded his head softly.

"I'll be there soon."

He closed the phone, biting his lower lip as he walked out of his office, locking it behind him.

All the parking spots in front of her building were taken. He drove around the corner before he found a spot to park. Quickly, he exited his SUV and shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked down the sidewalk, hurriedly. When Grissom entered the building, it sent off the bell that hung above the door. The wooden floorboards creaked beneath his weight as he made his way to the counter. When he saw the clerk, he smiled politely and dipped his chin as if to say hello.

"Dr. Grissom you're here!" A middle-aged dirty-blonde slender woman stood behind the counter and called out to him.

"Well, You called me. You have something for me?"

The woman pulled out a small box from behind the counter and started to scan it and ring it up. Grissom had ordered this book a few weeks ago and had been waiting for it to come in.

"You know, you're the second person who ordered this book…."

"Oh?"

Grissom's phone began to ring and he pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the name. His mother. His thumb jabbed at the side button, dismissing it for now. He could easily call her back when he got to the Denali.

"Yeah..actually…the other person, she's uhh…she's a good lookin' lady…"

The clerk smiled wryly at Grissom, prompting him to raise an eyebrow at her boldness. Although it shouldn't surprise him. Ever since she found out he was single, she'd been trying to set him up with just about anybody. He set his phone on the counter and reached into his back pocket to pull out his wallet and thumb through the bills inside.

"…You know, now that I think of it, I swear I just saw her walk in about 30 minutes ago…I bet she's in the back."

The clerk pointed her thumb over her shoulder as if she were about to turn around and go find her herself. But Grissom set his cash on the counter and waved her down before she turned away.

"Thank you, but I'll just be taking the book today."

"Alright, suit yourself…"

She handed him his change followed by his new book. He turned to walk away and the clerk couldn't help but check him out as he made his adorable bow-legged walk towards the front door.

"…Don't you forget, my offer still stands too!"

Grissom smirked and winked at her as his hands signed 'Thank you' before pulling the door open to exit. He pulled his sunglasses from the curls of his hair and nestled the book under the crook of his arm as he past by the windows walking back to his vehicle. He could still feel her watching him as he walked along.

"Damn, that man should not be that fine. Oof."

The clerk shook her head and went back to the books on the counter, scanning codes and entering them into the system before placing them on the cart to be put on shelves.

Sara rolled her eyes, the leather creaked underneath her as she pulled herself back up from the chair. She had slumped down as far as she could when she heard the clerk call out his name.

Grissom had recommended the bookstore to her a few weeks ago and while she had been in there quite often since then, she had yet to actually see him in there. She wasn't sure why she felt it necessary to hide, he was the one who told her about the place. It wasn't as if she hadn't seen him just hours ago. He didn't own the bookstore, she was free to be there. And yet she felt as if she had somehow invaded his space. Leave it to Grissom to not say a word at all and still somehow make her feel out of place.

This place she had found some comfort in suddenly felt forbidden. Sara closed her book and shoved it back into her bag. deciding it was best to probably leave and head home. She took a final sip of her coffee and headed towards the counter. As she set the cup down, she shared a smile with the clerk. The clerk was oblivious to Sara's small tinge of jealousy. Jealous of the woman who could flirt shamelessly with him without repercussion.

"Oh, you were still here!"

Sara furrowed her eyebrows, confused as to what she meant. Sara tilted her head up as if waiting for her to explain. The clerk leaned forward into the counter and started speaking low.

"There's this guy that comes in here, y'all read the same stuff… And he's…"

She paused, her eyes getting big as she looked around to see who was listening before continuing.

"…He's good looking too. Maybe a little older…"

She looked off into the air…her focus away from Sara as she reimagined him standing there in front of the counter.

"…I mean..if you're into older guys…wait…are you single?"

Sara still feeling like she's missing half of the conversation just stared at her with a blank look and smiled.

For the love of god, please stop talking.

Sara stared at the clerk wondering if this is what he goes for. Yet the clerk was distracted herself, playing out a first date with Grissom in her mind. The bell above the door sounded off, breaking both of their blank stares as it's ring penetrated through the air to their ears. The clerk couldn't fight the tinge of rosey-red coming to her cheeks as the door opened again.

Sara noted the look on the clerk's face before she turned around to see Grissom walking through the door pulling his sunglasses into his hand, his face still staring at the wooden planks below his feet. He looked up, and paused in his tracks when he saw her standing tall at the counter.

"Sara…"