Chapter 8
I am bent over the victim's clothing when Hank walks in. "Hey." I say over my shoulder. He was over quiet this morning when we ate breakfast together. Last night was a mistake and I told him I was sorry for leading him on. He was really calmer than I expected. He went to work and soon after so did I. If I would have known that work, Grissom, and Hank would take so much out of me, I would have stayed home. My head is throbbing but I can't take my pain medication because I will surely fall asleep standing up.
I turn completely around when he doesn't acknowledge my greeting. He stands shaking his head agreeing to some unknown conversation in his head. "Hey." I say again.
He looks up. "Sara we need to talk."
I look at him then at the clothes. I know what is about and I want to give him the appropriate time span. I don't want Grissom in here pushing me with evidence so that I have to rush Hank out. He deserves that much for being so good to me. I owe him my friendship. "Can it wait? I am kinda busy with work."
"No it can't wait." He sounds angry.
I raise an eyebrow and try to reconcile our disagreement. "Well, we can grab my break together..." I stop as he comes close to me getting in my personal space. I watch him close the distance to my face. I back up. "Hank what are you doing?"
He doesn't say a word. He pushes me against the layout table and firmly places his hands on each side effectively trapping me between him and the table. He comes closer. I lean back. He comes closer. I lean back. I am practically bent over the layout table now. What the hell is he doing?! "Hank?"
"Shh." He presses his lips hard against my own crushing them. I push his shoulders to stop but he lifts me to the layout table to continue. I feel his hands running the length of my thighs. Then they come up to push my face into his. That bastard! That jerk! I'll beat the shit out of him!
"Hey Sara..."
I hear the voice but the only thing that registers is that Hank releases my lips. He stopped. I draw my hand back and bring it crashing across his jaw.
"If you ever do that again, it will be the last kiss you ever have with anyone." Tears threaten my eyes but I am too angry to grant release. I hop down from the table and meet Grissom's icy glare. No. He saw us. When did he get here? Oh no, he was the voice. Why couldn't it have been Nick or well anybody but Grissom?
He stares at Hank then at me. I think I gave him a heart attack. It never works. Every time I try it gets worse. I just can't win.
"Get out." He hisses finally.
Is he talking to me?
"Now."
Hank approaches Grissom. "This is none of your business."
"What goes on in this building is my business. You just contaminated my evidence now get out before I throw you out." He spits out.
Great I don't even rank above evidence and Hank is being a jerk. Just great.
"Sara let's go. We need to talk." He looks at Grissom. "And that has nothing to do with you Mr. Grissom."
Grissom holds an arm across the doorway. "I swear if you hurt her, in anyway, you won't know what hit you."
I have never heard Grissom so cold. It sent shivers down my spine and left goosebumps on my neck. Hurt me? He cares?
"Like I said, it is none of your business." Hank says holding his ground.
Grissom meets his glare before looking at me. His eyes do not soften. He is just as upset with me. I want to scream, 'What did I do?!'.
I blink hard and stare at the two men. I hate them. I shove passed both men in frustration. Both of them are asses. I can't stand either one right now. I rush down the hall avoiding the stares.
"Sara?!" Hank yells after me. I ignore him before I lose it.
Warrick stops and grabs my arm. His eyes pierce my own when I look up. "Sara what's wrong?"
"Everything." I say and pull away from his grasp. I push through the glass doors that lead outside. Anger just radiates from my entire being. Hank forces himself on me and Grissom thinks I am this office whore. My head hurts. I am going home before I do something stupid.
I fumble with my car keys when Hank comes up to me.
"Thank God. Now we have some privacy." He says grabbing my hand to stop the keys from unlocking the door. His words are all I can take.
"Privacy?!" I shout twisting from his grasp. "Hank what the hell was that?!"
His features contort to anger. "Dammit Sara what do you think it was?! I was trying to kiss you."
"Hank you cornered me! In the lab! At work! I say no and you...you jerk!"
Two officers walk pass and give us dirty stares. I don't care. I am too angry to care. I feel violated. I feel like I did something wrong but I didn't.
"What else could I do to make you realize that I care about you?! You won't even let me touch you!"
I knit my brow in confusion. Is he really that shallow? I have never seen him this way. I lower my voice. "Is this about last night?"
"Nothing happened last night, and that is the problem!" He yells for the whole world to hear.
"Look I told you going into this that I just wanted to be friends. I am sorry if you feel something for me but it's now officially over. You can't corner someone Hank. When a woman tells you 'no' you stop."
He throws his arms in the air. "Our kiss Sara! It told me otherwise. I know you wanted it! Even in there you wanted it so bad."
I should slap him for the way he is treating me but movement by the door takes my anger and turns it into embarrassment. A collection of my friends and colleagues listen to Hank as he reveals us to the world. Embarrassment, violation, exposure, vulnerability, and then anger flood through my veins. I turn back to Hank. "Who the hell are you to tell me what I want?!"
"It seemed very passionate at the time and you certainly wanted it."
Oh hell no! "You jerk! I was upset and I told you no. You...asshole!"
"Well it's not like we are going anywhere in our relationship. I have the right to be an asshole!"
"I thought you understood me." I whisper. I can't believe this is happening.
"Sara you have to know someone to understand them. You don't know shit about me and I hardly know you!"
"So you think that sleeping with me would remedy that?!" I can't believe I just yelled that for the crowd to hear. This is a damn nightmare. I am never ever going out again. Forget it. Forensic textbooks and take-out food never bothered me before.
"It's about trust Sara. You don't even trust me enough to water your damn plants let alone sleep with you!"
I grab my throbbing temples. "Hank I told you I don't want to be more than friends." I repeat. "I can't believe you would do something like that."
"What bothers you most Sara? The fact that I kissed you or the fact that your boss saw us?"
My head shoots up. "Don't you dare bring Grissom into this. This is about us!"
"Us?!" He shouts. "Us includes him! Jesus Sara I can't talk to you without hearing about Grissom!"
I gasp. "You liar! I never talk to you about Grissom. Not once have I mentioned him."
"I am not an idiot. You mention work, and I know you mean your boss. His behavior in there told me all I needed to know."
"You ask me about work! I never volunteer to talk about work! And I am glad he threw you out. He was exactly what I needed in there because you were being a jerk!"
"Shut up Sara! Just shut up!"
I suddenly feel the urge to flee. I don't have to stand his crap any longer. I turn away from him and begin to open the door. He jumps forward and sends it smashing back to place.
"Sara...look I am sorry. I didn't mean that." His eyes soften as does his voice.
"Get the hell away from me." I hiss. No one treats me like shit. No one.
He backs away from the door shooting daggers with his eyes. "Fine. I am leaving. Don't expect a call Sara."
"I don't want one."
"Yeah maybe I can call that girl that actually enjoys having me around."
"Excuse me? What girl?"
"It's none of your damn business. It's not like we are together anymore. Or ever were."
He gets in his car and speeds off. Good. I look back to the door and everyone avoids my eyes then walks back inside. I need to get away. I feel so used. Like a complete fool and liar. Everyone knows it. It hurts. He was just a friend but it hurts to feel this way. It hurts to be treated like you are nothing by two people at the same time. First Grissom and then Hank. I quit. I quit trying to be normal and have a life. I push away the tears and drive off to my hermetically sealed apartment.
tbc...