Sara Sidle didn't actually have a well thought out plan but she wasn't going to let Grissom get crucified for doing his job. He was the best CSI and the best man she ever got the pleasure of knowing. She loved him too much to see him become a victim of the system he defended. They agreed to take separate cars to CSI so they didn't look suspicious, but both of their thoughts were still with each other.
"Hey Sara." Nick called when he saw her step through the doors. It was nice to see her after all this time. She looked good despite the small limp she had from the collapse Catherine told him and Warrick about.
"Hey Nick. Warrick. So where's Grissom and Catherine?"
"Right behind you." Grissom replied dryly. He came to stand beside her just to be near the woman he loved. He hoped no one noticed their close proximity.
"How are you feeling Sara?" Catherine asked.
"Sore from the running. Sorry if I scared you Catherine. Time just got away from me."
"That happens too often." Grissom whispered and let his knuckles brush hers.
She cocked an eyebrow at him but didn't retaliate. She turned to the guys. "So what is this McFadden guy like?"
"Sara you can't ask them that."
She turned once again to Grissom. The lines on his face grew deeper. Her heart broke when she saw him like this. She wanted to somehow reassure him. "Grissom..." She started to say but a voice interrupted her.
"Sara Sidle?"
She and everyone else turned to meet Preston McFadden's gaze. For the end of the day he looked refreshed, which scared Grissom.
"Yes." She answered extending her hand.
"Preston McFadden. I am sorry if this interview wasn't at the best time. I was told that you weren't doing very well because of a running accident."
"Overall I am much better Mr. McFadden. Thank you."
Grissom watched the exchange with weary eyes. He didn't know what to make of McFadden or Sara for that matter. She seemed in control, not nervous or upset. For the first time he felt more emotional. He blinked slowly. Please don't do something stupid Sara, he silently pleaded. He didn't want to lose her. A job was something he could gain back. He wasn't so sure that was the case with her.
"If you are ready, I'd like to start the questioning early."
She glanced at her watch. "Actually I am not ready so I'll meet you in seven minutes in interrogation room one."
McFadden stared at her blankly. Was he in charge or was she? "Suit yourself Miss Sidle. Five sharp in interrogation room one." He turned on his heels and walked away leaving the nightshift to stare after him with contempt simply because he was doing his job.
"Go Sara." Warrick cheered. "I told the bastard to back off and he almost had me fired too."
"It's her charm." Catherine smiled.
"Must be. He grilled me for almost forty minutes. He made me walk through an entire crime scene that I worked with Gris." Nick chimed in.
Grissom just stood numb. She was planning something very stupid. Sara was never that charming and bossy at the same time. "If you'll excuse us." He grabbed Sara's arm and pulled her towards his office away from three very dumbfounded CSI's.
Once safely inside with the door closed, but not locked, he went into a tirade of words. "Sara you tell me right now what you are going to say in there."
She smiled. "Grissom, I am going to tell him what he wants to know."
"If that were the case you wouldn't be grinning like that. No there is something going on in that head of yours."
"Do you trust me?" She blurted out.
"It is that type of question that scares the hell out of me."
She walked over to him and stood dangerously close. "Do you trust me?"
He sighed and felt himself give into her as the words fell from his mouth. "Yes. Of course I do, but I don't want you to do something you will regret. Maybe I am not cut out to be a supervisor. I never wanted this job to begin with. And my questioning was horrible. He thinks I neglected you and the team."
"It went better than you think."
He brushed her attempt of comfort away. "My hearing will come up eventually Sara, you know that. Maybe this is just how it was meant to be. I can't be a very good CSI if I can't hear."
"We have an appointment with your doctor by the end of this month to discuss surgery." She reached for his hand.
He sighed. "If I do quit, it might be for the best." It pained him to say it, but maybe this was how it was meant to be.
"The best for who exactly?" She squeezed his hand when he remained silent. "You know the lab needs you."
He smiled and squeezed her hand back. "The lab huh?"
"Well I need you more but the lab always needs a good CSI with your abilities." Her smile widened unable to keep the serious tone. "I will send you a plant if you stay."
He laughed this time; a real laugh that made her world stop.
"Yeah you owe me one." He said between chuckles. "I can even help you with the card. 'From Sara'."
"Hey I kept that card! It said everything I needed to hear." She began to chuckle along with him.
It was hard to believe that they had come so far in a real relationship. The two of them actually managed to get passed the fighting, the misunderstanding, the awkwardness, and the fumbles. There will be more but nothing they won't be able to handle. They both enjoyed the dance they had, but this quickly filled the void. They were complete. It was before that they had an unresolved tension that kept them apart, yet it was that tension that finally brought them together.
"Seriously Grissom," She said clearing her throat. "We all need you to get through this. We all need you."
He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I love you Sara."
She stood in shock. "Do you realize you just said that out loud? At the office? Where someone could have heard you?"
"Yes." He leaned in and kissed her slowly and deeply. The world gave way as two hearts beat as one. When he pulled away, she was left flushed and stunned. Grissom just kissed her with the blinds open. What if someone saw them? But suddenly that didn't matter at all.
"Oh Gil, I lo..."
There was a knock at the door and Nick poked his head in. The two of them separated faster than the handsome CSI could notice. "Hey Sara, Preston asked for you. You are two minutes late. I told him you were in the bathroom."
"Thanks Nick." She turned back to Grissom then walked away, with unsaid words.
He dropped his head heavily unable to reach her or hear her words.
"Hey you!" She said leaning in. She quickly formed 'I love you' with her hand, before walking away. It felt unreal like one of his dreams. Finally it wasn't a dream and he wasn't going to wake up alone. He would always have her. Always. No matter what happened.
tbc...