Chapter 11
"Griss?" Sara's nails scrapped down his chest making him shiver.
"Mmmm?" His mumbled reply came from somewhere by her shoulder. He turned his head and kissed it. "What wrong?"
Sara lifted his hand that lay on her stomach and played with his fingers. "Just wondering if you were awake." She kissed each fingertip and then the palm before pulling his hand to her heart.
"What are you thinking?" He asked moving to her side. His body pressed against hers as he looked down at her.
Sara closed her eyes and sighed. "You're finishing college and leaving soon aren't you?"
Grissom dropped his head. "How did you find out?"
Sara looked at his dropped head and ran her hand through his curls. "Are you?" She asked again.
He nodded but didn't look at her. "Four weeks."
She turned her head to the side and took a shallow breath. "How long?"
"I'm not sure. I've got a job at the California coroners office." His head raised and he saw she was looking straight at him.
"You were going to up and leave without telling me weren't you?" Her voice was soft, but hurt.
"I would have told you?" He stressed.
"Would you? I mean you didn't have any intention on talking to me before we came here and now we're here I had to ask you."
Grissom brushed her hair away from her shoulder. "I'd take you with me, but you've got to finish college." She nodded and turned into his hand that cupped her cheek. "I'll write and I'll visit. I won't leave you Sara."
She reached up and traced his lips. "You'd better." Grissom gave a weak smile and kissed her slowly.
"I will."
WEDNESDAY MORNING
"What happened to their tent?" Nick asked staring at what use to be Sara and Grissom's tent.
"A little accident." Albert offered.
Brian patted Albert back and agreed. "A little accident indeed."
Catherine and Jim stood at their tent and followed everyone's attentions and burst out laughing. "Oh good one." Catherine cheered.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
The day was hot once again and everyone including Brian and Grissom was swimming. Albert was talking to Sara while Nick, Greg and Brian played an adapted version of 'piggy in the middle' with a tennis ball. Catherine and Jim were watching on the sidelines and cheering Greg on who was at present the unfortunate piggy.
Grissom swam up to Albert and Sara. "CSI?" Albert asked.
"Yeah?" Sara replied. Grissom swam behind her and listened.
"You've applied for San Francisco's crime lab?" Albert asked trying to understand.
"No, a professor applied, I haven't decided."
Grissom moved closer and wrapped his arms around her. "You should take it."
Sara lowered her head and sighed. "I'm not sure."
"Why not?" Albert asked. "You're really good at it Sara, try it." He tried to encourage her, but she seemed confused in what she wanted to do next.
Grissom kissed her neck and rest his chin on her shoulder. "It's up to you, but I think you should go for it."
She turned in his arms and smiled. "Ok, but only because you think I can do it. You're the more experienced criminalist student Griss not me. So I'll think about it and sort it out when we get back."
He nodded. "I know you can do it." He kissed her cheek and hugged her tight.
Albert smiled and splashed them. "Come on. Let's see if we can drown the others." He suggested.
"Ooh, I like that idea." Sara grinned and gave Grissom a quick kiss before pulling away.
WEDNESDAY EVENING
Nick and Greg had dragged their sleeping bags out to the fire and crawled into them. Brian and Al did the same, while Catherine and Jim stayed in their tent. Sara and Grissom were sitting outside their tent discussing whether or not to join the others. Coming to a conclusion. Grissom dragged the sleeping bag out to the fire on the side with Al and Brian. Grissom opened it and climbed in. Sara handed him two pillows and slid into the bag with him. Greg and Nick were gazing at the stars and pointing out the different constellations. Brian was dozing and Al was grinning at the two lovebirds.
Sara pressed her back to Grissom's chest and his arm was wrapped around her waist, softly stroking the soft skin under her T-shirt. His other arm cradled Sara's head as his rest against hers. Sara looked up at the sky and spotted a shooting star. "Ooh, shooting star." She cooed.
Grissom smiled and leaned into her to whisper. "Make a wish."
Raising a playful eyebrow at him over her shoulder, she looked up at the sky and made her wish. "Didn't think you were into that sort of thing Griss."
Grissom shrugged the best he could in the position he was in and smiled down at her. "Only with you." He kissed her neck and looked at the others who were staring at them, all but Al. "What?" He asked feigning innocence.
Sara pulled up the sleeping bag to hide her red face. Nick and Greg exchanged confused looks while Brian turned onto his side and grinned at them. "Very sneaky guys." Nick said flatly.
Greg nodded. "How long have you to been sleeping in one sleeping bag?" His serious face turned into a full-blown grin as he waggled his eyebrows.
Grissom groaned and dropped his head into Sara's hair. "Not very observant are you Nick, Greg?" Sara's voice was muffled beneath the sleeping bag. She turned onto her back and looked up as Grissom's head raised. "And they call themselves criminalist student's." Grissom chuckled and lowered his head to kiss her slowly.
"Err guys? We're still here you know?" Brian laughed and turned up to the sky before closing his eyes.
Grissom smiled against Sara's mouth and ran his hand slowly, tenderly down her thigh. Sara's breath caught in her throat as she grasped his hand and squeezed it. Moving to his ear she whispered. "Behave, not in front of the kids." His hand caressed hers softly as he traced a line up her palm to her elbow and chuckled. Sara pulled him closer and closed her eyes against his warmth.
"Cath and Jim are so gonna freak out in the morning." Nick said into the night.
"Yeah. We knew something before either of them. It's going to be so cool teasing them." Greg added.
THURSDAY MORNING
Grissom had rolled onto his back in the night and Sara had sprawled over him. Her hands held his jumper tightly as her head lay in the crook of his neck and shoulder. Her breath was tickling his skin, but he didn't mind. The sensation was soothing.
Brian was half hanging out his sleeping bag as was Greg and Nick was curled up in a ball. Al was sitting watching the ashes burn their final light and listened to the birds and other forest animals as they begin to wake up. The sun shone down and his head turned to the two huddled together. He watched them for a few minutes, they didn't move or make a sound as they held each other close in sleep. Jim and Catherine's tent got his attention when it made a strange creaking soon and an almost silent snap, but nothing happened.
About three minutes later he heard a sneeze, then followed by two more distinct sounds, one Catherine's and the other Jim's. Al raised a curious eyebrow and sat up to watch the whole tent shake and then heard shuffling along with several more sneezes.
Sara and Grissom stirred. Grissom heard the sneezing and couldn't keep the laughter at bay. He pulled Sara to him and laughed into her shirt as her hands pushed on his shoulders. She looked up at Al and grinned. "Morning." She said wistfully and looked down at the bright blues looking up at her. She smiled and wiped the joyful tear away. "And you thought it wouldn't work."
More sneezing followed by groaning and cursing was heard and Sara giggled making Grissom chuckle at the shaking her body made against him. "I have to admit, I wasn't sure about the sneezing powder, although the little mechanism you put together was ingenious." Sara made a small bow with her head and kissed him softly.
Jim and Catherine came out of their tent sneezing constantly and padded over to the others. "Some sort of powder was in this salt pot and its contents is all over the place. Nick?" Catherine light kicked him and he looked up at her.
"What? It wasn't me whatever it was." He turned over and fell back to sleep.
Greg shook his head. "I stick to the itching powder."
Catherine and Jim looked at the others and glared. "Who was it?" Catherine demanded.
Brian ignored them and Al pursed his lips and looked to the two hiding. Catherine followed his gaze and gaped. "Gil Grissom I can't believe - SNEEZE - you'd do such a thing." She sneezed as she approached him.
Grissom gripped the edges of the bag as she tried to pull it off him. "Cath, hey, stop it." He laughed. Sara snickered as she wiggled herself down to his stomach and placed a soft kiss on it. Grissom sucked in a breath and Catherine smirked at him. "Sorry, couldn't help it." He squeaked out as he frantically groped for Sara's hand rubbing his lower regions.
"Where's - SNEEZE - Sara?" Jim asked amused as Grissom's eyes widened and he shrugged. "I see."
Catherine grinned and sat down next to Grissom. "Bit hot in there huh?" - SNEEZE -
"Why'd you say that?" He smiled.
"Oh no reason, just - SNEEZE - it's a hot day and you're going incredibly red." Catherine looked down at the bag as it started shaking and laughter muffled through the sides.
"Not hot, just. . erm. . yeah maybe hot, not sure." He fluster as Sara laid her head on his stomach and sighed. She smiled and hugged him.
Chapter 12
THURSDAY - HOME
The car journey back home was quiet. Those in the truck were sleeping while Nick drove and Grissom was staring out the jeep window watching the rain pound down. The noise was loud and the radio was barely heard so when Sara turned it off he didn't notice. She looked at him from time to time and noticed him looking off into space. She drove in silence, not wanting to bring up the inevitable and risk him never speaking to her again because he's thought about the past week and realised it was a mistake. He was going away soon and he still hadn't spoken that much about it.
Pulling up to Grissom's house two hours later. She turned the engine off and watched the others drive off and head home. Grissom didn't make a move; he just sat there looking at his hands. Sara glanced at him and climbed out into the slight drizzle of rain. She pulled out his bag and leaned against the car as he got out. He took the bag and slung it over his shoulder.
"I'll see you at college." She said quietly.
"Yeah." He reached up pushing her damp hair over her shoulder and cupping her face. "I'm really sorry."
Sara covered his hand and turned her head to place a soft kiss in his palm. "It's ok." She shrugged sadly and turned away.
Grissom watched her drive away. His heart breaking in two. He can't, he's going away, she won't wait, and she's got so much ahead of her. He couldn't hold her back. His head dropped as her car turned the corner and he let out a shaky breath to inhale a just as shaky one.
He stood in the rain on the path in front of his house staring at the empty space he just created because he was too stupid to give in and let himself be happy. Turning towards the building he left the street and settled down to sleep his pain away.
A FEW WEEKS LATER
Grissom stood at the airport waiting for his flight to be called. He was just about to board when he heard his name.
"GRISSOM!" He turned and smiled as she ran towards him. "Griss!" She stood a few feet from him breathing heavily. "Couldn't let you go without saying goodbye."
Grissom ducked his head and shook it. "I was hoping you'd come."
Sara took a step closer and smiled. Grissom pulled her to him fiercely and wrapped his arms around her. "God I'm going to miss you so much." She sobbed into his neck.
"I'll miss you too." He rubbed her back softly, feeling her heat through her shirt. "I'll write, promise."
She kissed his neck and squeezed him to her. "I don't want you to go."
"I know, but I have to." Grissom's flight was called again. He pulled back and kissed her desperately. His hands caressed her back as her fingers tangled in his curls. The last call for his flight was heard and he squeezed his eyes shut even tighter and slowed the kiss. Their breathing was heavy as they leaned their heads together. "Don't forget me."
"Never." She whispered and let him pull away slowly. Her tears poured down her cheeks as she watched him board his flight and made her way to the window to watch his flight leave the runway. Sara sat in the departure lounge well after he left and didn't leave until after the rush was over and the airport was quiet.
When she got home she found a letter on the table by the door. Opening it she smiled at the familiar handwriting.
I hope you get this Sara.
I'm going to miss you more than you know. I'm sorry for pulling away and hurting you, but I was going away. I should have told you and not let it get so fair, but I don't regret what happened between us, never will. I'll treasure our time together and when I'm feeling down or alone I will think of you and our time at the lake. I'll write and visit.
Get through college and live life, don't take crap from no one and be yourself. You're going to be a great criminalist. One of the best.
Griss
Sara folded the letter neatly and placed it back into the envelope. She held it over her heart and let a single tear fall onto the white packet. He was her friend and life long soul mate. One day, maybe in years to come, that they would find each other and just maybe start that life they both want.
THE END
(I love romance, I'm such a sucker for it. Wanna make it a trilogy? Oh go on then.)
"Griss?" Sara's nails scrapped down his chest making him shiver.
"Mmmm?" His mumbled reply came from somewhere by her shoulder. He turned his head and kissed it. "What wrong?"
Sara lifted his hand that lay on her stomach and played with his fingers. "Just wondering if you were awake." She kissed each fingertip and then the palm before pulling his hand to her heart.
"What are you thinking?" He asked moving to her side. His body pressed against hers as he looked down at her.
Sara closed her eyes and sighed. "You're finishing college and leaving soon aren't you?"
Grissom dropped his head. "How did you find out?"
Sara looked at his dropped head and ran her hand through his curls. "Are you?" She asked again.
He nodded but didn't look at her. "Four weeks."
She turned her head to the side and took a shallow breath. "How long?"
"I'm not sure. I've got a job at the California coroners office." His head raised and he saw she was looking straight at him.
"You were going to up and leave without telling me weren't you?" Her voice was soft, but hurt.
"I would have told you?" He stressed.
"Would you? I mean you didn't have any intention on talking to me before we came here and now we're here I had to ask you."
Grissom brushed her hair away from her shoulder. "I'd take you with me, but you've got to finish college." She nodded and turned into his hand that cupped her cheek. "I'll write and I'll visit. I won't leave you Sara."
She reached up and traced his lips. "You'd better." Grissom gave a weak smile and kissed her slowly.
"I will."
WEDNESDAY MORNING
"What happened to their tent?" Nick asked staring at what use to be Sara and Grissom's tent.
"A little accident." Albert offered.
Brian patted Albert back and agreed. "A little accident indeed."
Catherine and Jim stood at their tent and followed everyone's attentions and burst out laughing. "Oh good one." Catherine cheered.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
The day was hot once again and everyone including Brian and Grissom was swimming. Albert was talking to Sara while Nick, Greg and Brian played an adapted version of 'piggy in the middle' with a tennis ball. Catherine and Jim were watching on the sidelines and cheering Greg on who was at present the unfortunate piggy.
Grissom swam up to Albert and Sara. "CSI?" Albert asked.
"Yeah?" Sara replied. Grissom swam behind her and listened.
"You've applied for San Francisco's crime lab?" Albert asked trying to understand.
"No, a professor applied, I haven't decided."
Grissom moved closer and wrapped his arms around her. "You should take it."
Sara lowered her head and sighed. "I'm not sure."
"Why not?" Albert asked. "You're really good at it Sara, try it." He tried to encourage her, but she seemed confused in what she wanted to do next.
Grissom kissed her neck and rest his chin on her shoulder. "It's up to you, but I think you should go for it."
She turned in his arms and smiled. "Ok, but only because you think I can do it. You're the more experienced criminalist student Griss not me. So I'll think about it and sort it out when we get back."
He nodded. "I know you can do it." He kissed her cheek and hugged her tight.
Albert smiled and splashed them. "Come on. Let's see if we can drown the others." He suggested.
"Ooh, I like that idea." Sara grinned and gave Grissom a quick kiss before pulling away.
WEDNESDAY EVENING
Nick and Greg had dragged their sleeping bags out to the fire and crawled into them. Brian and Al did the same, while Catherine and Jim stayed in their tent. Sara and Grissom were sitting outside their tent discussing whether or not to join the others. Coming to a conclusion. Grissom dragged the sleeping bag out to the fire on the side with Al and Brian. Grissom opened it and climbed in. Sara handed him two pillows and slid into the bag with him. Greg and Nick were gazing at the stars and pointing out the different constellations. Brian was dozing and Al was grinning at the two lovebirds.
Sara pressed her back to Grissom's chest and his arm was wrapped around her waist, softly stroking the soft skin under her T-shirt. His other arm cradled Sara's head as his rest against hers. Sara looked up at the sky and spotted a shooting star. "Ooh, shooting star." She cooed.
Grissom smiled and leaned into her to whisper. "Make a wish."
Raising a playful eyebrow at him over her shoulder, she looked up at the sky and made her wish. "Didn't think you were into that sort of thing Griss."
Grissom shrugged the best he could in the position he was in and smiled down at her. "Only with you." He kissed her neck and looked at the others who were staring at them, all but Al. "What?" He asked feigning innocence.
Sara pulled up the sleeping bag to hide her red face. Nick and Greg exchanged confused looks while Brian turned onto his side and grinned at them. "Very sneaky guys." Nick said flatly.
Greg nodded. "How long have you to been sleeping in one sleeping bag?" His serious face turned into a full-blown grin as he waggled his eyebrows.
Grissom groaned and dropped his head into Sara's hair. "Not very observant are you Nick, Greg?" Sara's voice was muffled beneath the sleeping bag. She turned onto her back and looked up as Grissom's head raised. "And they call themselves criminalist student's." Grissom chuckled and lowered his head to kiss her slowly.
"Err guys? We're still here you know?" Brian laughed and turned up to the sky before closing his eyes.
Grissom smiled against Sara's mouth and ran his hand slowly, tenderly down her thigh. Sara's breath caught in her throat as she grasped his hand and squeezed it. Moving to his ear she whispered. "Behave, not in front of the kids." His hand caressed hers softly as he traced a line up her palm to her elbow and chuckled. Sara pulled him closer and closed her eyes against his warmth.
"Cath and Jim are so gonna freak out in the morning." Nick said into the night.
"Yeah. We knew something before either of them. It's going to be so cool teasing them." Greg added.
THURSDAY MORNING
Grissom had rolled onto his back in the night and Sara had sprawled over him. Her hands held his jumper tightly as her head lay in the crook of his neck and shoulder. Her breath was tickling his skin, but he didn't mind. The sensation was soothing.
Brian was half hanging out his sleeping bag as was Greg and Nick was curled up in a ball. Al was sitting watching the ashes burn their final light and listened to the birds and other forest animals as they begin to wake up. The sun shone down and his head turned to the two huddled together. He watched them for a few minutes, they didn't move or make a sound as they held each other close in sleep. Jim and Catherine's tent got his attention when it made a strange creaking soon and an almost silent snap, but nothing happened.
About three minutes later he heard a sneeze, then followed by two more distinct sounds, one Catherine's and the other Jim's. Al raised a curious eyebrow and sat up to watch the whole tent shake and then heard shuffling along with several more sneezes.
Sara and Grissom stirred. Grissom heard the sneezing and couldn't keep the laughter at bay. He pulled Sara to him and laughed into her shirt as her hands pushed on his shoulders. She looked up at Al and grinned. "Morning." She said wistfully and looked down at the bright blues looking up at her. She smiled and wiped the joyful tear away. "And you thought it wouldn't work."
More sneezing followed by groaning and cursing was heard and Sara giggled making Grissom chuckle at the shaking her body made against him. "I have to admit, I wasn't sure about the sneezing powder, although the little mechanism you put together was ingenious." Sara made a small bow with her head and kissed him softly.
Jim and Catherine came out of their tent sneezing constantly and padded over to the others. "Some sort of powder was in this salt pot and its contents is all over the place. Nick?" Catherine light kicked him and he looked up at her.
"What? It wasn't me whatever it was." He turned over and fell back to sleep.
Greg shook his head. "I stick to the itching powder."
Catherine and Jim looked at the others and glared. "Who was it?" Catherine demanded.
Brian ignored them and Al pursed his lips and looked to the two hiding. Catherine followed his gaze and gaped. "Gil Grissom I can't believe - SNEEZE - you'd do such a thing." She sneezed as she approached him.
Grissom gripped the edges of the bag as she tried to pull it off him. "Cath, hey, stop it." He laughed. Sara snickered as she wiggled herself down to his stomach and placed a soft kiss on it. Grissom sucked in a breath and Catherine smirked at him. "Sorry, couldn't help it." He squeaked out as he frantically groped for Sara's hand rubbing his lower regions.
"Where's - SNEEZE - Sara?" Jim asked amused as Grissom's eyes widened and he shrugged. "I see."
Catherine grinned and sat down next to Grissom. "Bit hot in there huh?" - SNEEZE -
"Why'd you say that?" He smiled.
"Oh no reason, just - SNEEZE - it's a hot day and you're going incredibly red." Catherine looked down at the bag as it started shaking and laughter muffled through the sides.
"Not hot, just. . erm. . yeah maybe hot, not sure." He fluster as Sara laid her head on his stomach and sighed. She smiled and hugged him.
Chapter 12
THURSDAY - HOME
The car journey back home was quiet. Those in the truck were sleeping while Nick drove and Grissom was staring out the jeep window watching the rain pound down. The noise was loud and the radio was barely heard so when Sara turned it off he didn't notice. She looked at him from time to time and noticed him looking off into space. She drove in silence, not wanting to bring up the inevitable and risk him never speaking to her again because he's thought about the past week and realised it was a mistake. He was going away soon and he still hadn't spoken that much about it.
Pulling up to Grissom's house two hours later. She turned the engine off and watched the others drive off and head home. Grissom didn't make a move; he just sat there looking at his hands. Sara glanced at him and climbed out into the slight drizzle of rain. She pulled out his bag and leaned against the car as he got out. He took the bag and slung it over his shoulder.
"I'll see you at college." She said quietly.
"Yeah." He reached up pushing her damp hair over her shoulder and cupping her face. "I'm really sorry."
Sara covered his hand and turned her head to place a soft kiss in his palm. "It's ok." She shrugged sadly and turned away.
Grissom watched her drive away. His heart breaking in two. He can't, he's going away, she won't wait, and she's got so much ahead of her. He couldn't hold her back. His head dropped as her car turned the corner and he let out a shaky breath to inhale a just as shaky one.
He stood in the rain on the path in front of his house staring at the empty space he just created because he was too stupid to give in and let himself be happy. Turning towards the building he left the street and settled down to sleep his pain away.
A FEW WEEKS LATER
Grissom stood at the airport waiting for his flight to be called. He was just about to board when he heard his name.
"GRISSOM!" He turned and smiled as she ran towards him. "Griss!" She stood a few feet from him breathing heavily. "Couldn't let you go without saying goodbye."
Grissom ducked his head and shook it. "I was hoping you'd come."
Sara took a step closer and smiled. Grissom pulled her to him fiercely and wrapped his arms around her. "God I'm going to miss you so much." She sobbed into his neck.
"I'll miss you too." He rubbed her back softly, feeling her heat through her shirt. "I'll write, promise."
She kissed his neck and squeezed him to her. "I don't want you to go."
"I know, but I have to." Grissom's flight was called again. He pulled back and kissed her desperately. His hands caressed her back as her fingers tangled in his curls. The last call for his flight was heard and he squeezed his eyes shut even tighter and slowed the kiss. Their breathing was heavy as they leaned their heads together. "Don't forget me."
"Never." She whispered and let him pull away slowly. Her tears poured down her cheeks as she watched him board his flight and made her way to the window to watch his flight leave the runway. Sara sat in the departure lounge well after he left and didn't leave until after the rush was over and the airport was quiet.
When she got home she found a letter on the table by the door. Opening it she smiled at the familiar handwriting.
I hope you get this Sara.
I'm going to miss you more than you know. I'm sorry for pulling away and hurting you, but I was going away. I should have told you and not let it get so fair, but I don't regret what happened between us, never will. I'll treasure our time together and when I'm feeling down or alone I will think of you and our time at the lake. I'll write and visit.
Get through college and live life, don't take crap from no one and be yourself. You're going to be a great criminalist. One of the best.
Griss
Sara folded the letter neatly and placed it back into the envelope. She held it over her heart and let a single tear fall onto the white packet. He was her friend and life long soul mate. One day, maybe in years to come, that they would find each other and just maybe start that life they both want.
THE END
(I love romance, I'm such a sucker for it. Wanna make it a trilogy? Oh go on then.)
