Title: Snowed In
Chapter: 4
Author: Evidence
Rating: PG-13
Author's Notes: As the mystery builds so does the romance! Enjoy.
The roads were already icing. The cab slide down narrow roads and maneuvered around parked cars hidden beneath the snow. It was hard to see anything outside the window. Grissom and Sara sat in the back in the cab swaying back and forth with its slipping movements. Grissom gave Sara a weak smile but she was use to this weather from her time at Harvard.
Finally they reached Dottie's Inn that looked like a mirage in the blanket of whiteness. Grissom gave the driver a hefty tip, thanked him and both CSIs lumbered out of the cab. The cab started off slowly like a turtle.
Grissom extended his hand to Sara. "It looks slippery." She grabbed his hand. They walked through the mound of snow to the steps that had not been shoveled. "Dottie's not making it easy, is she?" Grissom grinned.
Sara laughed and let go of his hand. "Scared? I'm race you up those stairs."
"Sara, that's foolish, you could slip, hit your head and die."
"Killjoy. Come on have a little fun, live a little."
It was a temptation Grissom couldn't resist. "Okay but if you get hurt you can't take worker's comp."
Sara laughed letting the snowflakes fall into her mouth. "I promise." She put her body into a runner's position: knees bent, weight on the tips of her toes. "Ready?"
Grissom nodded.
"On the count of three. One...two...three!" Sara took with a leap landing on the second step.
Grissom rushed behind her and felt this foot give way. He slipped backwards in what seemed like slow motion. He heard Sara yell his name and before this head hit the steps, felt a gloved hand cushion the blow. He looked up and saw Sara nearly lying on the stairs next to him.
"You're lucky I have quick reflexes," she said with a wink. "I just got my hand under your head before you lost those brains you have."
"Thanks," he paused, "See I knew someone would get hurt."
"Sorry."
"It's okay. Can you help me up?" Grissom asked and watched as Sara kneeled and brought her other arm around him. She gently helped him to a sitting position on the stairs. He was inches from her face. Only snow between them.
He saw Sara swallow. Then something caught her eye. "Grissom, look at this." She brushed the snow away and revealed a bright red blotch.
"More blood." Grissom frowned.
"Come on, let's go inside before the blood is ours. We'll walk not run."
They took their time going up the stairs and finally entered the inn. Dottie was there to greet them.
"Oh, I'm glad you two are back before the roads get bad. I have wonderful news."
Grissom and Sara exchanged a look.
Dottie clasped her hands together and with a big smile said, "You two have won the romantic dinner!"
"The what?" Grissom asked.
"Your inn doesn't serve dinner," Sara added.
"Well we do once a month when a couple wins the prize. Oh, here are your clothes." She handed over a large bag that had been behind her.
"Clothes?" Grissom asked.
"Yes, clothes for the dinner. A nice shirt for you and a dress for Sara."
"How do you know our sizes?" Sara raised both eyebrows at Grissom.
"I guessed, dear. Now go change before dinner gets cold." Dottie shoed them.
Sara took the bag and started up the inn steps. Grissom followed. When they reached their room, they finally looked inside. There rested two boxes, one adored with Sara's name and the other baring Grissom's.
"Dottie is starting to scare me." Sara took her box out and threw off her hat and gloves.
"Well, do you want to have the dinner?" Grissom's heart rate increased.
"I am hungry." Sara smiled slightly.
"Okay, then, you can change in our bathroom and I'll change here."
Sara nodded and opened her one piece of luggage and grabbed some items. Grissom pretend he was looking at the fisherman portrait but he could see her reflection in the picture's glass.
Sara opened the mysterious box once she was safety in the small bathroom. Alas there was no heart shaped tub. She pulled out the beautiful black silk dress. Something Catherine would suggest, she thought. Sara now realized like Grissom that Nick and Catherine had set them up. She would have to thank them later.
"Decent, yet?" Sara yelled to Grissom after she was.
"Yup," he replied.
She opened the door and they both stared at each other. Sara felt her mouth slowly open. Grissom's shirt was blue and matched perfectly the ocean of his eyes.
Grissom gazed upon Sara's black dress. God, he was going to have a romantic dinner with her.
Sara found her voice first. "Ready?"
"For what?" Grissom asked shyly.
"Dinner."
Dottie greeted them in the inn's main room. "Oh, you two look wonderful!" Peter was with her. "Come let me show you the dinning room."
Dottie brought them to a small room that housed a fireplace and table. The table was adorned with two candles and a rose in the middle. "Peter has agreed to play waiter. Enjoy."
Peter and Dottie left Grissom and Sara alone. Grissom pulled out one chair for Sara. "Thanks," she said. He took his seat in front of her and wiped his sweaty hands on his pants.
"So," Peter said in the kitchen, "This is Mr. Stokes' idea?"
"Yes, he told me what clothes to buy, the sizes, everything! Oh, Peter I hope those two get together."
"I have a feeling they will Gram."
Grissom and Sara enjoyed a pleasant evening. Peter brought them a bottle of wine, which they quickly drank down out of nervousness. They were both served vegetarian soup with warm French bread. They chatted about the lab, the seminar, Grissom's first bug that he had, Sara's parents' bed and breakfest. Soon the food was gone and it was time for bed. They both thanked Peter and nervously went back to the room. A note was posted to the honeymoon door.
Grissom pulled it off and read it aloud. "I found you a chair- Dottie." He could not help the tinge of sadness in his voice.
"Oh, that's...great, you have somewhere to sleep." Sara looked at her shoes and for the first time realized that she wore boots with a dress all through dinner. Dottie must had forgotten to buy her heals.
They entered slowly, Grissom letting his eyes wander from the bed to the hard, wood chair in the corner. They changed silently into their nightclothes, Sara in the bathroom, Grissom in the bedroom. Grissom wore a sweatshirt and sweat pants. Sara had on a pair of blue check P.J.s. Sara tried to avert her eyes when she left the bathroom.
"You look...nice," Grissom found himself saying.
"Thanks," Sara slowly got under the covers. God, Grissom was going to be just a few feet away, how was she going to sleep?
Grissom looked down at her in bed. "Can I have a pillow and some blankets?"
"Oh, gosh, I'm sorry." She quickly removed two blankets and handed him a pillow.
He got as confortable as possible in the chair. "Goodnight, Sara."
"Goodnight, Grissom."
Sara flicked the light switch and darkness took over the room. Time passed slowly. Sara stared at the numbers on the digital clock. Grissom tried to recite silently all of the bones in the human body. Finally Grissom couldn't take the tension anymore.
Knowing that Sara was still awake he spoke, "Sara, I'm not tired so I'm going to go for a walk."
"In this weather?"
"Yeah, I'll be back in a little bit." He moved to the bathroom and changed back into his clothes.
The light from the hallway silhouetted Sara as he left. He took a quick gander at her figure and closed the door behind him.
The wind was blowing fiercely and the snow had begun to fall faster. Grissom trudged through it hearing a smacking in the background. Behind the inn stood a shed. The latch on it appeared to be broken. Th wind was making the door whip back and forth. Grissom was about to investigate when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Sara.
"Hi," she said.
"Noreasterns come from the south you know." Bombard her with science, Gil, so you don't have to think about how beautiful she looks.
"Yup, warm air and a cold front cause major problems." She kicked some snow. "If you're too uncomfortable I can sleep downstairs."
"I'm just... have you ever made a snowball?"
"Yeah..."
"I haven't." He bent down and picked up a patch of snow with his gloved hand. "It's amazing how something wet and fluffy can turn into a more solid form." He began using his other hand to shape the snowball. "Are you going to make any?"
Sara removed her hands from her pockets. Her fingers were red. "Forgot my gloves."
Grissom dropped the snowball. He picked up Sara's right hand. "They are already getting frost bitten, I better get you inside."
They pushed through the snow together heading for the inn door. Grissom held Sara's hand. Soon they were back in the suite removing their jackets.
"Sara!"
Sara lowered her head. She hadn't taken the time to change out of her p.j.s. "Foolish of me, huh?"
"You must be freezing." He thought of his sweatshirt in the bathroom. "Here, change into these." He handed her his nightclothes.
Sara opened and closed her mouth.
"At least you'll be warm."
She took them from him without a word and adjourned to the bathroom. It felt strange to have Grissom's clothes on. Her skin touching where his did just a few minutes before. His body heat was still evident. Sara had to hold the pants in place so they wouldn't fall down to her ankles. She ventured out and found Grissom looking thoughtful.
"Here, let me warm up your hands." He took her hands in his own and rubbed them gently bringing heat to several regions.
"Thanks," she mumbled. She took her hands out of his grasp and walked back to the bed. In the bedside table she found what she was looking for: a safety pin. "Before they fall down," she explained.
Grissom nodded his head and returned to the chair.
"Are you going to stay in your clothes?" she asked.
"Um, you're wearing my nightclothes."
"True." She got back under the covers.
Time moved by slowly again. Neither of them was sleeping. Sara could hear Grissom's constant shifting in the chair. Eventually a loud bang made her spring up in bed.
"Grissom, what was that?"
"Me," He picked himself off the floor. "The chair's leg gave away. I think someone sawed it part way through."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I just lost my place to sleep."
Sara's heart raced but she impulsively said what was on her mind. "This is stupid. Why don't you sleep here with me." She could imagine the look on his face. "Look, the bed is big enough for five people."
"You're not inviting five people are you?" Grissom asked slowly.
Sara sighed. "It was merely an example. I'm only inviting you." She paused choosing her next words carefully. "We are fully dressed. We are adults. We shouldn't be scared to be close to each other."
Grissom weighed his options. To say no would end the fun he was having on this trip. To say yes was taking a step which could lead to a bigger step. Nothing had to happen and he did have no where to sleep...
"Okay...move over." His legs were like jelly as he got under the covers. He could feel Sara's breath and knew her body was just inches away. "Goodnight."
Sleep didn't come quickly for either of them. He was so close but still so far away. She dreamt that night about him and awoke to find herself in his arms.
Morning light was dancing around the room and Grissom was holding her tight to his chest. She assumed he was asleep, and that they had just ended up in that position. When she lifted her head she saw his blue eyes looking back at her.
"You're up?" Her heart race increased. He was purposely holding her.
"Yeah, I've been up for a while. I doubt we'll have the seminar today, the ground is covered with snow." He wished secretly that this moment could last forever.
"You looked out the window?"
"Yes."
Everything was beginning to dawn on Sara. "Then you got back in bed?"
"Yes."
"You put your arms around me?"
He nodded his head. "Are you mad at me?"
"God, no!" She almost shouted, "Just surprised. What does this mean Grissom?"
He looked deeply into her eyes. "It means that we need to talk but first lets get some breakfast into our stomachs. You can take your shower first."
She nearly skipped into the bathroom. It was really happening, she was forming a relationship with Grissom. Even though they had not had sex, she never felt closer to any man.
Grissom laid in bed and looked up at the ceiling. I have to remember to thank Nick and Catherine, he thought.
To be continued... Chapter 5 and the "good stuff"...
Chapter: 4
Author: Evidence
Rating: PG-13
Author's Notes: As the mystery builds so does the romance! Enjoy.
The roads were already icing. The cab slide down narrow roads and maneuvered around parked cars hidden beneath the snow. It was hard to see anything outside the window. Grissom and Sara sat in the back in the cab swaying back and forth with its slipping movements. Grissom gave Sara a weak smile but she was use to this weather from her time at Harvard.
Finally they reached Dottie's Inn that looked like a mirage in the blanket of whiteness. Grissom gave the driver a hefty tip, thanked him and both CSIs lumbered out of the cab. The cab started off slowly like a turtle.
Grissom extended his hand to Sara. "It looks slippery." She grabbed his hand. They walked through the mound of snow to the steps that had not been shoveled. "Dottie's not making it easy, is she?" Grissom grinned.
Sara laughed and let go of his hand. "Scared? I'm race you up those stairs."
"Sara, that's foolish, you could slip, hit your head and die."
"Killjoy. Come on have a little fun, live a little."
It was a temptation Grissom couldn't resist. "Okay but if you get hurt you can't take worker's comp."
Sara laughed letting the snowflakes fall into her mouth. "I promise." She put her body into a runner's position: knees bent, weight on the tips of her toes. "Ready?"
Grissom nodded.
"On the count of three. One...two...three!" Sara took with a leap landing on the second step.
Grissom rushed behind her and felt this foot give way. He slipped backwards in what seemed like slow motion. He heard Sara yell his name and before this head hit the steps, felt a gloved hand cushion the blow. He looked up and saw Sara nearly lying on the stairs next to him.
"You're lucky I have quick reflexes," she said with a wink. "I just got my hand under your head before you lost those brains you have."
"Thanks," he paused, "See I knew someone would get hurt."
"Sorry."
"It's okay. Can you help me up?" Grissom asked and watched as Sara kneeled and brought her other arm around him. She gently helped him to a sitting position on the stairs. He was inches from her face. Only snow between them.
He saw Sara swallow. Then something caught her eye. "Grissom, look at this." She brushed the snow away and revealed a bright red blotch.
"More blood." Grissom frowned.
"Come on, let's go inside before the blood is ours. We'll walk not run."
They took their time going up the stairs and finally entered the inn. Dottie was there to greet them.
"Oh, I'm glad you two are back before the roads get bad. I have wonderful news."
Grissom and Sara exchanged a look.
Dottie clasped her hands together and with a big smile said, "You two have won the romantic dinner!"
"The what?" Grissom asked.
"Your inn doesn't serve dinner," Sara added.
"Well we do once a month when a couple wins the prize. Oh, here are your clothes." She handed over a large bag that had been behind her.
"Clothes?" Grissom asked.
"Yes, clothes for the dinner. A nice shirt for you and a dress for Sara."
"How do you know our sizes?" Sara raised both eyebrows at Grissom.
"I guessed, dear. Now go change before dinner gets cold." Dottie shoed them.
Sara took the bag and started up the inn steps. Grissom followed. When they reached their room, they finally looked inside. There rested two boxes, one adored with Sara's name and the other baring Grissom's.
"Dottie is starting to scare me." Sara took her box out and threw off her hat and gloves.
"Well, do you want to have the dinner?" Grissom's heart rate increased.
"I am hungry." Sara smiled slightly.
"Okay, then, you can change in our bathroom and I'll change here."
Sara nodded and opened her one piece of luggage and grabbed some items. Grissom pretend he was looking at the fisherman portrait but he could see her reflection in the picture's glass.
Sara opened the mysterious box once she was safety in the small bathroom. Alas there was no heart shaped tub. She pulled out the beautiful black silk dress. Something Catherine would suggest, she thought. Sara now realized like Grissom that Nick and Catherine had set them up. She would have to thank them later.
"Decent, yet?" Sara yelled to Grissom after she was.
"Yup," he replied.
She opened the door and they both stared at each other. Sara felt her mouth slowly open. Grissom's shirt was blue and matched perfectly the ocean of his eyes.
Grissom gazed upon Sara's black dress. God, he was going to have a romantic dinner with her.
Sara found her voice first. "Ready?"
"For what?" Grissom asked shyly.
"Dinner."
Dottie greeted them in the inn's main room. "Oh, you two look wonderful!" Peter was with her. "Come let me show you the dinning room."
Dottie brought them to a small room that housed a fireplace and table. The table was adorned with two candles and a rose in the middle. "Peter has agreed to play waiter. Enjoy."
Peter and Dottie left Grissom and Sara alone. Grissom pulled out one chair for Sara. "Thanks," she said. He took his seat in front of her and wiped his sweaty hands on his pants.
"So," Peter said in the kitchen, "This is Mr. Stokes' idea?"
"Yes, he told me what clothes to buy, the sizes, everything! Oh, Peter I hope those two get together."
"I have a feeling they will Gram."
Grissom and Sara enjoyed a pleasant evening. Peter brought them a bottle of wine, which they quickly drank down out of nervousness. They were both served vegetarian soup with warm French bread. They chatted about the lab, the seminar, Grissom's first bug that he had, Sara's parents' bed and breakfest. Soon the food was gone and it was time for bed. They both thanked Peter and nervously went back to the room. A note was posted to the honeymoon door.
Grissom pulled it off and read it aloud. "I found you a chair- Dottie." He could not help the tinge of sadness in his voice.
"Oh, that's...great, you have somewhere to sleep." Sara looked at her shoes and for the first time realized that she wore boots with a dress all through dinner. Dottie must had forgotten to buy her heals.
They entered slowly, Grissom letting his eyes wander from the bed to the hard, wood chair in the corner. They changed silently into their nightclothes, Sara in the bathroom, Grissom in the bedroom. Grissom wore a sweatshirt and sweat pants. Sara had on a pair of blue check P.J.s. Sara tried to avert her eyes when she left the bathroom.
"You look...nice," Grissom found himself saying.
"Thanks," Sara slowly got under the covers. God, Grissom was going to be just a few feet away, how was she going to sleep?
Grissom looked down at her in bed. "Can I have a pillow and some blankets?"
"Oh, gosh, I'm sorry." She quickly removed two blankets and handed him a pillow.
He got as confortable as possible in the chair. "Goodnight, Sara."
"Goodnight, Grissom."
Sara flicked the light switch and darkness took over the room. Time passed slowly. Sara stared at the numbers on the digital clock. Grissom tried to recite silently all of the bones in the human body. Finally Grissom couldn't take the tension anymore.
Knowing that Sara was still awake he spoke, "Sara, I'm not tired so I'm going to go for a walk."
"In this weather?"
"Yeah, I'll be back in a little bit." He moved to the bathroom and changed back into his clothes.
The light from the hallway silhouetted Sara as he left. He took a quick gander at her figure and closed the door behind him.
The wind was blowing fiercely and the snow had begun to fall faster. Grissom trudged through it hearing a smacking in the background. Behind the inn stood a shed. The latch on it appeared to be broken. Th wind was making the door whip back and forth. Grissom was about to investigate when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Sara.
"Hi," she said.
"Noreasterns come from the south you know." Bombard her with science, Gil, so you don't have to think about how beautiful she looks.
"Yup, warm air and a cold front cause major problems." She kicked some snow. "If you're too uncomfortable I can sleep downstairs."
"I'm just... have you ever made a snowball?"
"Yeah..."
"I haven't." He bent down and picked up a patch of snow with his gloved hand. "It's amazing how something wet and fluffy can turn into a more solid form." He began using his other hand to shape the snowball. "Are you going to make any?"
Sara removed her hands from her pockets. Her fingers were red. "Forgot my gloves."
Grissom dropped the snowball. He picked up Sara's right hand. "They are already getting frost bitten, I better get you inside."
They pushed through the snow together heading for the inn door. Grissom held Sara's hand. Soon they were back in the suite removing their jackets.
"Sara!"
Sara lowered her head. She hadn't taken the time to change out of her p.j.s. "Foolish of me, huh?"
"You must be freezing." He thought of his sweatshirt in the bathroom. "Here, change into these." He handed her his nightclothes.
Sara opened and closed her mouth.
"At least you'll be warm."
She took them from him without a word and adjourned to the bathroom. It felt strange to have Grissom's clothes on. Her skin touching where his did just a few minutes before. His body heat was still evident. Sara had to hold the pants in place so they wouldn't fall down to her ankles. She ventured out and found Grissom looking thoughtful.
"Here, let me warm up your hands." He took her hands in his own and rubbed them gently bringing heat to several regions.
"Thanks," she mumbled. She took her hands out of his grasp and walked back to the bed. In the bedside table she found what she was looking for: a safety pin. "Before they fall down," she explained.
Grissom nodded his head and returned to the chair.
"Are you going to stay in your clothes?" she asked.
"Um, you're wearing my nightclothes."
"True." She got back under the covers.
Time moved by slowly again. Neither of them was sleeping. Sara could hear Grissom's constant shifting in the chair. Eventually a loud bang made her spring up in bed.
"Grissom, what was that?"
"Me," He picked himself off the floor. "The chair's leg gave away. I think someone sawed it part way through."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I just lost my place to sleep."
Sara's heart raced but she impulsively said what was on her mind. "This is stupid. Why don't you sleep here with me." She could imagine the look on his face. "Look, the bed is big enough for five people."
"You're not inviting five people are you?" Grissom asked slowly.
Sara sighed. "It was merely an example. I'm only inviting you." She paused choosing her next words carefully. "We are fully dressed. We are adults. We shouldn't be scared to be close to each other."
Grissom weighed his options. To say no would end the fun he was having on this trip. To say yes was taking a step which could lead to a bigger step. Nothing had to happen and he did have no where to sleep...
"Okay...move over." His legs were like jelly as he got under the covers. He could feel Sara's breath and knew her body was just inches away. "Goodnight."
Sleep didn't come quickly for either of them. He was so close but still so far away. She dreamt that night about him and awoke to find herself in his arms.
Morning light was dancing around the room and Grissom was holding her tight to his chest. She assumed he was asleep, and that they had just ended up in that position. When she lifted her head she saw his blue eyes looking back at her.
"You're up?" Her heart race increased. He was purposely holding her.
"Yeah, I've been up for a while. I doubt we'll have the seminar today, the ground is covered with snow." He wished secretly that this moment could last forever.
"You looked out the window?"
"Yes."
Everything was beginning to dawn on Sara. "Then you got back in bed?"
"Yes."
"You put your arms around me?"
He nodded his head. "Are you mad at me?"
"God, no!" She almost shouted, "Just surprised. What does this mean Grissom?"
He looked deeply into her eyes. "It means that we need to talk but first lets get some breakfast into our stomachs. You can take your shower first."
She nearly skipped into the bathroom. It was really happening, she was forming a relationship with Grissom. Even though they had not had sex, she never felt closer to any man.
Grissom laid in bed and looked up at the ceiling. I have to remember to thank Nick and Catherine, he thought.
To be continued... Chapter 5 and the "good stuff"...