The alarm buzzed loudly in Sara's ear. Her arm snaked out from under the blankets and hit the snooze button. She rolled back to Grissom.
"Um...was that the alarm?" He asked without opening his eyes.
"Uh-huh." She pulled the sheet to her chin. "Sleep. Now. Tired."
He chuckled snuggling closer to her. "You tired? No way."
"My legs hurt so bad right now that maybe I won't be joining you for work after all."
"Still sore?" He smiled. He knew she was in pain and last night's fun didn't help any he was sure.
"What do you think?" She mumbled.
"Just so you know it was a real turn on that you were so worried about me."
She rolled onto her back with a noticeable intake of air; her muscles protesting every move. "I think I put that together last night."
Ten minutes later the alarm went off again in Sara's ear. Her arm snaked out from under the blankets for the second time. With one solid jerk she de-plugged it and she threw it across the room.
Grissom rolled over pulling her to him but again didn't open his eyes. "I'll buy you a new one." He said sleepily.
She moaned. "I won't be needing it."
They fell asleep again tangled in each other's arms. Every muscle in Sara's body ached and Grissom was just worn out. He kept thinking he should get up but he drifted back to sleep. Another shrill ringing cut through the dead silence. Both Sara and Grissom's head shot up.
"Didn't I..." She started.
Grissom detached from Sara and found his cell phone ringing on the nightstand. "Hello."
Sara just looked at him then closed her eyes. "I can throw that too, if you want?" She mumbled into the pillow.
"I'll be there as soon as I can. Yes thank you." He closed the phone but didn't say a word. He just stared off into space. Sara noted the silence and opened her eyes. He just sat there.
She propped herself on her elbows. "What's wrong?"
"There's an inquiry."
She jumped to a sitting position ignoring the pain in her legs and abdomen. "What? When?"
"Now. Preston McFadden came in this morning. I have to meet with him at one." He looked at her. "I have to go." He threw the blankets to the side and found his clothing scattered across the floor. He pulled his boxers and pants on in a hurry.
"Gil?" Sara said trying to get his attention.
He continued to search for his clothing. "Where is my belt?"
She got out of bed with the sheet wrapped around her naked body and removed the belt from the lamp. "Here."
He looked up. "Thanks." He ran it through the loops then sat down on the bed to lace his shoes. "You should try to get some rest today." He said without looking up.
"Gil look at me." He still ignored her. He was too worried and didn't want Sara to see it. He knew that if he took one look at her she would know.
"Hey." She came over and lifted his chin.
"Sara..." He didn't want to talk. Not now. He had to get his thoughts together.
She knew what he was thinking and simply placed a kiss on his cheek. "It's going to be okay. Call me if you need me."
He forced a smile. "I know it's going to be okay and I will. Get some rest."
"Well I guess I can now that you won't be here." She shoved his shoulder in a playful manner to lighten his mood.
But he didn't even smile. His visage conveyed only seriousness. "I love you Sara."
The words still surprised her for some reason. He always slipped them in when she didn't expect them. She was always surprised but her answer never changed. "I love you too Gil." She ran a hand through his tousled hair. "You better go."
"Yeah." He gave her a pop kiss on lips.
She watched him go then got a shower and dressed. She gave up on sleep. It wasn't going to come easily now no matter how tired she was.
~ * ~
The drive to his place was horrible. His mind swam with thoughts. First Sara and the way he left her. He didn't like to just leave but he needed to go. They agreed that talking was the best medicine for everything but he wasn't ready to talk about the end of his career. He loves what he does, and that he could not deny. Sara even knows that and that makes it even harder to hide the knot in his stomach.
Then he thought about the inquiry. They could find out about his hearing, Sara's work habits, or worse they could find out about them. If they found out that he was sleeping with a subordinate both of them could lose their job. If they find out about his hearing then he loses his job. If they find out about her work ethic, she could lose her job. His heart sank further into despair. Sara would leave him, and he would be worthless to everyone. He shuddered at the thought. It seemed that there was no way this could end on good terms.
He kept telling himself that it was just an inquiry and nothing serious but he knew better. Inquiries were only done because of protocol. You had to have an inquiry in order to run an investigation. He didn't know what he was going to do.
His mind would drift back to Sara; so beautiful and full of life. She made him feel alive in so many aspects that he couldn't dare to lose her, but if he kept her he could hurt her. He didn't know what he was going to do but he refused to hurt her.
Once he arrived at his townhouse he got a quick shower and fresh clothes. He drove into the lab with sweaty hands clutching the steering wheel, breaking the speed limit the entire way. He was relieved that it paid off. It was a twenty minutes 'til one so he had time to gather his thoughts. He rushed through the hall towards his office until a voice stopped him.
"Dr. Gil Grissom?"
An older tall lanky man approached Grissom with his hand stretched out. He wore a gray suit, white dress shirt, and blue tie. His shoes were shiny and well polished. This wasn't an average cop or CSI; probably never worked a crime scene, Grissom mused. He took his hand.
"You must be Mr. Preston McFadden."
"That I am. Nice to finally meet you Dr. Grissom."
Grissom cocked his head to the side. "Finally meet me?"
"Well the way some people talk about you around here, I couldn't wait to meet you in person. I have also read a lot about you. You're an excellent CSI and your ability to solve crimes made Vegas second best."
"Thank you." Grissom gestured towards his office and Preston followed. "I have heard a lot about you also."
Preston went around Grissom's office touching and examining the jars filled with specimens. Grissom wanted to laugh at the disgusted look on his face. He got that a lot when people came into his office. Yet the seriousness of the situation made his shoulders feel heavy.
Preston looked up. "You've probably heard all bad things." He mused. "I am notorious for my internal investigations."
Grissom flinched at the word. "You are not very popular but neither am I. I guess that makes us in the same boat."
"Well I don't know about that. You seem to be very popular here with your staff and even that goofy lab tech."
"Greg. He is good. The best lab tech we have."
He nodded. "Well as you know this isn't a formal investigation on your career. It's just an inquiry to decide whether to move forward or drop it. It will not go on your record Dr. Grissom." He smiled a crooked smile. "But you already know that."
"Yes I do."
Preston looked at his watch. "I know it's early but I would like to get started. Five minutes in interrogation room one?"
"That will be fine."
"Good." He left with a nod.
Grissom got the impression that Preston McFadden was all business. He was glad in a way because no matter what the outcome, the inquiry was non-biased and he wouldn't go fishing for his relationship with Sara. Unlike if it were Mobley or Ecklie who might make it personal. The decision would be acceptable and not seen as revenge. Then again if it was handled in-house he could always claim injustice and it might be dropped. He sighed. He couldn't believe he was thinking like this. He didn't do anything wrong to begin with. He collapsed into his chair and covered his face with his hands. He refused the urge to call Sara. He could handle this.
tbc...