Grissom found himself staring at his paperwork rather than doing it. He looked at his watch quickly. Sara was on her way to the doctor's right now. She was alone. He didn't want to be here, he wanted to be with her. It didn't make sense that they were apart. He was off and his paperwork could wait. She was on sick leave and going for a checkup. Yet he was too stubborn to get up and go. The way he understood their last conversation, Sara didn't want him to go with her. What he didn't know was that Sara was thinking just the opposite. She thought that he wanted to do paperwork rather than be with her. Miscommunication seemed to be getting the best of them and so was this entire situation. Instead of talking about what happened, they closed each other off and ignored it.
Billy the Bass started to sing and Grissom snapped back to reality. "Hey boss." Nick said smiling. "I thought the batteries were dead on Billy."
"I replaced them."
"Great." Nick said sarcastically. "Don't you have today off?"
"Yeah, I was just trying to get some paperwork done."
Nick pointed to the stack of papers on his desk. "How hard are you trying?"
Grissom removed his glasses. "Not very hard. What can I do for you Nick?"
"Nothing, I just saw you in here and thought you might need a human to break the monotony."
"Thanks Nicky. It's nice to see a human once in a while."
He knew for a fact that if Sara was here she would be with Grissom talking about a case. He knew that Grissom relied on their banter as an outlet. With Sara on sick leave, he saw the immediate change in behavior. It was that and the eruptive fight before the attack between Sara and Grissom that had everyone a little worried that things were wrong. Nick hoped to serve as an outlet until Sara got back or they made up. Everyone needed a little human contact; even Gil Grissom. "Bugs are sad company compared to Sara." Nick said knowingly.
While Nick was just being friendly, Grissom went into a panic. He thought Nick knew about his relationship with Sara. The last thing they needed was for everyone to find out about his relationship with Sara. Ecklie wouldn't ignore that and neither would Mobley. "What did you say?" He said carefully trying to act natural.
"Sara. I said that she is much better company than your bugs." Nick restated.
"Why would you say that?"
He chuckled. "Because it's true."
Grissom changed the subject to get Nick off track before he gave away everything. "Have you spoken to her?"
"Briefly. I wanted to take her to dinner tonight but she said she had plans to rest."
"Oh." He tried to play dumb. "How is your case going?"
"Good. Warrick is with Greg getting the lab results." He came to stand closer to the desk. Nick saw what was bothering Grissom and decided that directness was the best policy. "Grissom I know. We all do."
What? How was it possible? The fighting with Sara he thought would deflect attention, not draw it. How long have they known? Were they okay with it? Grissom's head was spinning. How soon until Mobley called in McFadden?
Nick spoke again. "We want you to know that it's wrong. Whoever that McFadden guy is he has nothing on you. We are behind you one hundred and ten percent. All of us."
"McFadden?" He said confused then it dawned on him. Relief washed over him but it didn't last long. Nick was looking at him like he was crazy. He tried to recover. "How did you find out?"
"Judy told Catherine what she overheard. We put the rest together."
"Well Nick my job security is nothing new." He leaned forward on his desk. "Do you think I am a good supervisor?"
He smiled. "The best and it wasn't your fault."
Some of the edge seemed to ebb away. "Thanks. Hey when you talked to Sara, how did she sound?" Any clue from anyone about how she was feeling was better than none.
"Tired. I could tell something was bothering her but you know how Sara is. She pushes it all off as nothing."
Grissom sighed. "Yeah I know how Sara is. Thanks Nick." He tossed Nick a piece of candy from his desk and leaned back into his chair. "You should get back to work."
Nick looked down at the piece of candy then at Grissom. A slow smile spread across his lips. "Right Gris. Work."
Grissom put his glasses back on and went back to the stack of papers. Nick took another glimpse at him as he pushed his pen across the papers. What the hell was that all about, he wondered? Grissom must have really needed a break.
~ * ~
"Well Miss Sidle you're almost completely healed. The bruising wasn't major to begin with but I bet it's easier to breathe now."
"It is." She confirmed. It was all very good news but she wasn't exactly in a good mood. Things were left badly with Grissom. She wanted to apologize. Again. She hated fighting with him. Things were so much easier without bickering back and forth, especially now. She was beginning to think that he thought this was a mistake. They both wanted it for so long and now that it was here they were worried it was just a dream.
She didn't expect him to change. She loved who he was but being with someone was just hard. She hadn't been in a relationship for a long time and guessed that he wasn't in one lately either. Two out of practice reserved people would make most people give up. She couldn't blame him if he wanted a break from them. It really wasn't working out as they hoped and this possible investigation wasn't helping anything. She pushed the bad thought out of her mind. She wasn't going to let him go without a fight. All good things are worth the struggle.
"I am shocked to see how nicely your ribs are healing." The older doctor said listening to her chest. Once satisfied he moved to the front of her. "Your wrist is doing well also; no infection. Have you been changing the bandages?"
"Yes sir." She replied without feeling.
"Good. How are the other bruises doing?"
"They still ache but nothing I can't handle."
"The cut on your head is looking nice. Looks like no scar. Have you had any headaches? Lapses of memory? Blackouts?"
Sara shook her head. "Not at all."
"That's all good to hear. Any other complaints, comments, questions?"
She jumped at the chance. "When can I go back to work?"
The doctor smiled brightly. Even as a doctor who only once a year for the annual exam, he knew she was very ambitious and had a lot of energy. "Whenever the feeling hits you." He said to her.
"Great." Maybe through work things can get back to normal between her and Grissom. She cherished the thought of working a scene with him again.
"Now I need you to take your pain medicine if the stitches start to hurt."
"Should they?" She asked concerned.
"It's common for the stitches to get caught on the gauze and get agitated. The result is more pain and bruising. If it swells or the stitches come loose then come see me so we can re-sew them. Okay?"
"All right. When can I take the gauze off?"
"It's good for air to get to them but I wouldn't push it. Often times when the wrapping is removed you forget that they are in and you end up pulling them. Your next visit, two weeks from now, should allow enough time but I don't recommend taking it off any sooner."
"So that's it?"
"Yes ma'am. Get plenty of rest and don't push yourself too hard. You can sign at the front desk."
"Thank you Peter." Sara said turning to face him. He was by far the nicest doctor she had ever had. "Tell Hillary I said hello."
"I sure will. You say hey to Dr. Grissom for me."
She smiled at the thought. Grissom actually had a friend outside of work. She had no idea until Grissom just started up a random conversation with Peter when he picked her up from an exam a year ago. Grissom said they played chess together. Grissom, she thought. She made a decision to call him later to talk. They needed to talk about a lot of things.
~ * ~
Grissom was wading through his paperwork. He had a nice break because of Nick but that was two hours ago. His mind wondered to Sara. He was beginning to doubt that Sara wanted him anymore. All they did was bicker about the slightest thing since the attack. Both of them were on edge. Then this thing with Ecklie to top it off made him want to run for the nearest exit. She probably feels the same way he thought ruefully. "No." He said aloud. No one was around to question the outburst but it needed to be heard as well as said. He was not going to lose her because of his social inadequacies. She meant too much to him, not to try. He pushed himself from the desk and grabbed his car keys. He had to see her. They needed to talk about a lot of things.
He arrived at her place in record time but she wasn't home so he waited in the on the dimly lit staircase leading to the next floor. He wasn't going to go without seeing her. He never felt this way about someone and he needed to tell her that. She came up the stairs slowly. When he saw her he wanted to go. Maybe she wasn't ready for him to tell her how he felt. Maybe he wasn't ready. She was wearing a stunning purple shirt that hugged her slender form beautifully. He spoke before he realized it. It was almost involuntary. "Sara."
She jumped back from her door ready to strike, until she saw Grissom stand up from a sitting position from the steps to her right. "Grissom!" She breathed. She held her chest to calm her thumping heart. He scared the living crap out of her. "What are you doing lurking in shadows? I could have hurt you!"
He smiled at her. No doubt she could have hurt him. She was breathing a little harder than normal and didn't realize he scared her so badly. "Sorry." He said sheepishly.
"Never sneak up on me like that!" She was still yelling. She calmed somewhat and looked at him. "What are you doing here?" She didn't want to sound like she wanted him to go but she couldn't hide her shock. She thought she would have to call and invite him before him came near her again.
She looks beautiful he thought. Even in the poor lighting she looked beautiful. He couldn't find the words that he rehearsed of what exactly brought him here. He wanted to talk but he was never good with words. He memorized points to discuss but again they seemed to be lost at the sight of her. He closed the distance between them and kissed her with all the passion he had for her. Sara was surprised by the kiss but she welcomed it with all her being. Every kiss they shared was just as good as the first one after their first date. His tongue danced across hers as he kissed her harder. He finally broke away to catch his breath.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you." He said in a rush of air.
She responded by another passionate kiss as he read her mind. Her arms found their way to his salt and pepper curls; the sensation sending chills down his back. He slid his hands under the back of her shirt. The feel of her hot skin was encouraging.
"Excuse me?"
Grissom and Sara jumped apart and faced the owner of that voice. "Mrs. Clement." Sara said smoothing her shirt. Grissom stood two feet back from Sara with rosy cheeks of embarrassment.
The old lady scowled. "I do not believe the hallway is the proper place for such...indecency."
"I'm sorry Mrs. Clement. It won't happen again."
Mrs. Clement shook a finger. "See that it doesn't. I don't like seeing that when I come back from checking my mail." She disappeared back into her apartment with a loud shut of the door. Sara and Grissom exchanged glances.
"Sorry." Grissom said softly.
Sara smiled and closed the distance again to kiss him. He was reluctant because of the interruption by Mrs. Clement but Sara's tongue changed his mind. "Stay with me." She whispered as she broke the kiss to see his eyes.
He knew what she was asking. It would be a big step for the both of them. Her eyes were raging with desire and passion. His were the same. "Okay." He whispered.
A Cheshire cat grin graced her lips as she got her keys to unlock her door. She pushed the door open with force then grabbed his hand to pull him into the dark apartment.
tbc...