Title: When it all Comes Crashing Down
Author: Stepf/CSIphile
Notes: You asked for him, you got him last chapter. This time he makes a repeat performance as.. Heh. Anyway, more Joey, though no contact yet, what fun would that be??
Thanks: Everyone. Din, Meggie, Dev, the CSI world as I know it. Y'all inspire me. And the readers, thank you for the reviews, please, keep it up! Does a writers heart good!
He waits on the other side of the road, watching the entrance to the Las Vegas Crime Lab like a hawk. He had been there the night before, but he didn't see her and assumed she hadn't worked that night. It is three days before Christmas, and he is anxious to talk to her again, but not yet; he needs to approach slowly when others aren't around. He needs to be cautious, Joey knows he is only out because what he thinks was an error somewhere, and at some point they will figure out he is missing. Everyday that passes gives him more confidence, it has already been three weeks. Until they come looking he works extra shifts at the construction company that the half-way house placed him with, saving money for when he and Sara need to run.
Finally he sees a blue Tahoe pull into the lot and park under a broken light; he can see her profile in the window of the truck. Licking his lips, Joey watches her get out but has to squint to see her, with the light out and no moon, the area around her in covered in darkness. Add to that she is wearing all black, and Joey can only make out her face; regardless, he watches her walk around the truck and, meeting Grissom on the other side, walk away from Joey into the lab. He smiles slightly; this is a start. She still works at the same place, but his Sara is still seeing that man, the one that seems to think she loves him.
'She can't love him, she only loves me,' he thinks and pulls away, planning how to make his presence known.
"This is the first Christmas tree I have had in years, he says, and watches the lights flicker in the darkness of the room.
"Well, since next year there will be a kid, I think its about time that we did the things that normal people do around the holidays."
She moves closer to him on the couch, settling her head in the crook of his shoulder. There is something about the tree and the smell of pine cones and presents under the tree that brings back happier memories for Sara of her childhood. Christmas was one of the rare holidays that her family chose to celebrate, her parents had said something about the holiday symbolizing peace and prosperity for humanity.
"Since when do we do things normally?"
"Since now. I don't want this kid growing up a hermit, socially clueless like us. It's not fair."
"I'm not clueless, I just prefer science to people."
Raising her head she lifts an eyebrow. "Yeah, that's a great example for a toddler. I want him to like science and not be afraid of what we do, but at the same time be what I wasn't: friendly, outgoing, graceful, and capable of conversing with LIVE people without scaring them off or thinking he's crazy."
"He'll be fine, that's what we have Warrick, Nick and Cath for." He smiles at her and wraps one arm around her shoulders.
Biting her lower lip Sara stares at the neatly wrapped packages, she has been patient up to this point, but her ability to hide her excitement is quickly waning. She has never been this excited for Christmas before, Grissom makes her that way.
"You want your gift?" he asks after noticing her look.
"Am I that obvious?" She sits up and looks at him.
"Only to me.All right, but let's go for a ride first." At her confused look he gets up and holds out a hand to her. As she takes it, and pulls herself up he continues, "Just humor me, Sara. Go to the bathroom now and grab a coat."
"Ohhhkay." She draws out and heads to the bathroom, stopping once to look over her shoulder. Grissom takes the opportunity to decide that pregnancy agrees with her, something Grissom never though he would bear witness to. Watching her from behind, you can't even tell she is pregnant, Sara has gained twenty-five pounds already, but it's not noticeable, some is replacing what she lost, the rest is all baby weight. But if she wasn't showing, you would never know. When she emerges from the bathroom Grissom realizes it not just the weight she gained, her features have softened some, giving her tall thin body more curves than usual. He knows it's trite and overused, but she really does have a glow about her. Grissom has always been attracted to Sara on more than just the physical level, but something about her carrying his baby is irresistible to him.
Smiling as she approaches him, he places a hand on her back and guides her to the truck, trying not to let his excitement show.
Twenty minutes from his townhouse Grissom turns into a neighborhood. Sara makes note of the name carved on a plaque at the entrance, Cranbrook.
"Gris, why are we here?" Sara looks around confused as he purposefully navigates the streets of the neighborhood, obviously familiar with them. She didn't think anyone from the team lived out this way.
"Nick told me about some lights at this house we should see."
Sara looks at him dubiously but nods in agreement; something else is going on, she can tell, but she isn't sure what. Two left turns later, Grissom pulls into the driveway of a house that appears is empty, but there are indeed Christmas lights surrounding the outside windows, doorways and frame the two car garage. Grissom gets out of the car and indicates for her to follow. Hesitantly she gets out of the car and walks up the driveway, pulling her coat tightly around her; even in Vegas, December at night is cold.
Following him up to the covered porch she stops next to him and looks around.
"Grissom, is this a good idea? Someone could see us and this isn't our house."
Unexpectedly, Grissom unlocks the front door and ushers her in; he can see she is shivering.
"Grissom! What.."
"I love you Sara, and I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty." Pausing for effect he quickly continues when she opens her mouth. "This IS our house."
"Excuse me?" She looks at him with disbelief.
"Merry Christmas." He indicates house with one arm, the other still on her arm.
"You bought. a house.for Christmas? You're kidding." Looking around she finally realizes he is serious. "Oh God, your not kidding." She stands stunned for a moment, looking around. Slowly she starts moving, making a large circle in the living room.
"You.wow. I don't know what to say."
"Are you ok with this? I mean, you weren't involved in the process."
"Oh, yes. This is the best gift ever. You are an amazing man." Walking back to him she flings her arms around his neck. "I love you so much. You can still surprise me Gil Grissom."
"I try, Sara." He smiles back as she lets out a small squeal and begins searching the house; the look on her face was worth it all.
Author: Stepf/CSIphile
Notes: You asked for him, you got him last chapter. This time he makes a repeat performance as.. Heh. Anyway, more Joey, though no contact yet, what fun would that be??
Thanks: Everyone. Din, Meggie, Dev, the CSI world as I know it. Y'all inspire me. And the readers, thank you for the reviews, please, keep it up! Does a writers heart good!
He waits on the other side of the road, watching the entrance to the Las Vegas Crime Lab like a hawk. He had been there the night before, but he didn't see her and assumed she hadn't worked that night. It is three days before Christmas, and he is anxious to talk to her again, but not yet; he needs to approach slowly when others aren't around. He needs to be cautious, Joey knows he is only out because what he thinks was an error somewhere, and at some point they will figure out he is missing. Everyday that passes gives him more confidence, it has already been three weeks. Until they come looking he works extra shifts at the construction company that the half-way house placed him with, saving money for when he and Sara need to run.
Finally he sees a blue Tahoe pull into the lot and park under a broken light; he can see her profile in the window of the truck. Licking his lips, Joey watches her get out but has to squint to see her, with the light out and no moon, the area around her in covered in darkness. Add to that she is wearing all black, and Joey can only make out her face; regardless, he watches her walk around the truck and, meeting Grissom on the other side, walk away from Joey into the lab. He smiles slightly; this is a start. She still works at the same place, but his Sara is still seeing that man, the one that seems to think she loves him.
'She can't love him, she only loves me,' he thinks and pulls away, planning how to make his presence known.
"This is the first Christmas tree I have had in years, he says, and watches the lights flicker in the darkness of the room.
"Well, since next year there will be a kid, I think its about time that we did the things that normal people do around the holidays."
She moves closer to him on the couch, settling her head in the crook of his shoulder. There is something about the tree and the smell of pine cones and presents under the tree that brings back happier memories for Sara of her childhood. Christmas was one of the rare holidays that her family chose to celebrate, her parents had said something about the holiday symbolizing peace and prosperity for humanity.
"Since when do we do things normally?"
"Since now. I don't want this kid growing up a hermit, socially clueless like us. It's not fair."
"I'm not clueless, I just prefer science to people."
Raising her head she lifts an eyebrow. "Yeah, that's a great example for a toddler. I want him to like science and not be afraid of what we do, but at the same time be what I wasn't: friendly, outgoing, graceful, and capable of conversing with LIVE people without scaring them off or thinking he's crazy."
"He'll be fine, that's what we have Warrick, Nick and Cath for." He smiles at her and wraps one arm around her shoulders.
Biting her lower lip Sara stares at the neatly wrapped packages, she has been patient up to this point, but her ability to hide her excitement is quickly waning. She has never been this excited for Christmas before, Grissom makes her that way.
"You want your gift?" he asks after noticing her look.
"Am I that obvious?" She sits up and looks at him.
"Only to me.All right, but let's go for a ride first." At her confused look he gets up and holds out a hand to her. As she takes it, and pulls herself up he continues, "Just humor me, Sara. Go to the bathroom now and grab a coat."
"Ohhhkay." She draws out and heads to the bathroom, stopping once to look over her shoulder. Grissom takes the opportunity to decide that pregnancy agrees with her, something Grissom never though he would bear witness to. Watching her from behind, you can't even tell she is pregnant, Sara has gained twenty-five pounds already, but it's not noticeable, some is replacing what she lost, the rest is all baby weight. But if she wasn't showing, you would never know. When she emerges from the bathroom Grissom realizes it not just the weight she gained, her features have softened some, giving her tall thin body more curves than usual. He knows it's trite and overused, but she really does have a glow about her. Grissom has always been attracted to Sara on more than just the physical level, but something about her carrying his baby is irresistible to him.
Smiling as she approaches him, he places a hand on her back and guides her to the truck, trying not to let his excitement show.
Twenty minutes from his townhouse Grissom turns into a neighborhood. Sara makes note of the name carved on a plaque at the entrance, Cranbrook.
"Gris, why are we here?" Sara looks around confused as he purposefully navigates the streets of the neighborhood, obviously familiar with them. She didn't think anyone from the team lived out this way.
"Nick told me about some lights at this house we should see."
Sara looks at him dubiously but nods in agreement; something else is going on, she can tell, but she isn't sure what. Two left turns later, Grissom pulls into the driveway of a house that appears is empty, but there are indeed Christmas lights surrounding the outside windows, doorways and frame the two car garage. Grissom gets out of the car and indicates for her to follow. Hesitantly she gets out of the car and walks up the driveway, pulling her coat tightly around her; even in Vegas, December at night is cold.
Following him up to the covered porch she stops next to him and looks around.
"Grissom, is this a good idea? Someone could see us and this isn't our house."
Unexpectedly, Grissom unlocks the front door and ushers her in; he can see she is shivering.
"Grissom! What.."
"I love you Sara, and I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty." Pausing for effect he quickly continues when she opens her mouth. "This IS our house."
"Excuse me?" She looks at him with disbelief.
"Merry Christmas." He indicates house with one arm, the other still on her arm.
"You bought. a house.for Christmas? You're kidding." Looking around she finally realizes he is serious. "Oh God, your not kidding." She stands stunned for a moment, looking around. Slowly she starts moving, making a large circle in the living room.
"You.wow. I don't know what to say."
"Are you ok with this? I mean, you weren't involved in the process."
"Oh, yes. This is the best gift ever. You are an amazing man." Walking back to him she flings her arms around his neck. "I love you so much. You can still surprise me Gil Grissom."
"I try, Sara." He smiles back as she lets out a small squeal and begins searching the house; the look on her face was worth it all.