A/N: Again, I must get in a shout-out to the PwF chatters for their invaluable advice and support, not to mention ideas for this chapter. You guys rock!
Sara slipped on her sunglasses as she and Gil approached the ticket booth. It was a lovely sunny spring afternoon, perfect weather for the County Fair. All around, it seemed to Sara, were children. Children holding their mothers' hands. Children on their fathers' shoulders. Children bounding ahead of their parents. Happy families as far as the eye could see. Sara couldn't help but wonder how all of these people managed to make families and relationships look so easy. She silently wondered if Gil would want children someday. At their age it would have to be someday soon.
As their turn at the window arrived, Sara moved past Gil, pulling the money out of her purse. "Two, please. Rides, too."
"I'll get it, Sara," Grissom protested.
"Nope," she insisted. "I invited you. It's on me."
Grissom prepared a more persuasive protest, but quickly abandoned it, realizing that this was a fight he would not win. Knowing when to argue and when to give in was one of the many skills he had developed while learning how to relate to Sara Sidle over the past several weeks.
"I never took you for a State Fair kind of person," Gil observed as they entered the gate.
Sara shrugged, "Why not? It's really very interesting from a sociologic perspective." Noting Grissom's raised eyebrow, she elaborated, "It's a fabulous place to watch people. The sights, the sounds…the families interacting. Not to mention the candy apples!" Spotting her quarry, she whipped out her wallet and purchased the caramel covered treat. "You want one?"
"No, but I'll take some cotton candy," Gil responded playfully.
They savored their candies as they toured the large exhibit hall and admired the award-winning foliage on display. Sara paused in front of a brilliant orchid, gingerly fingering the leaves.
"Something special about that one?" Grissom inquired.
"You don't remember?"
"Should I?"
"This looks just like the one you sent me a couple of years ago."
"Oh. Yeah." Grissom cursed himself, unsure whether or not he should confess that he had not actually seen the plant. He hadn't even specified the type of plant, leaving that detail up to the florist. He didn't have to wonder for long, as Sara read him like a book.
"You didn't see it, did you?"
"No, er, not exactly."
Though she tried to appear angry, her grin betrayed her. "It's all right, Grissom. Gil. I'll let you off the hook…again." She laughed, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Just share your cotton candy and we'll call it even."
The pair moved on to the animal barn. They spent a great deal of time there, largely because Sara had a habit of stopping frequently to reach through the bars of the cages and pet the rabbits, goats and cattle.
"You're not going to pet this one?" Gil asked dryly as they paused before a particularly large Angus bull. Sara gave him a dirty look and walked ahead to the next pen. Located on the other side of the barn was the midway, with its games and rides.
"Ferris wheel?" Grissom suggested.
"Certainly."
They boarded the double Ferris wheel, settling in close to one another despite the wide seat. The lights of city appeared below as they slowly rotated to the top of the wheel.
"Oh my God, what a view! It's almost as good as the top of the Strat," Sara enthused. After two more rotations, the wheel ground to a stop with the two CSIs once again at the top. "Must be loading," Sara surmised.
Grissom stared at the base of the wheel, seeing the ride's operator frantically motioning for a maintenance worker. "I don't think so," he told her grimly. "I think we're stuck for a while."
"Oh, you've got to be kidding," she leaned her head over the side of the car and watched the maintenance crew scurry about the engine.
"Relax," Gil slipped an arm around her. "We'll be fine."
Sara's demeanor changed as she pondered the situation. A sly smile crept across her face. "I suppose we could find something to do to pass the time."
"Like what?" Gil mocked.
Sara laughed, "I spy with my little eye…"
She was silenced by Gil's lips on hers. Though neither could remember who deepened the kiss, it deepened quickly. She became aware on a primal level of Gil's hand slowly moving up the inside of her blouse, and responded by leaning in to him and placing her own hands and his chest.
Grissom couldn't believe he was doing this. He had never been the most adventurous man when it came to these matters, but somehow Sara seemed to bring it out in him. Was he really groping her at the top if a Ferris wheel? The sensation created by her bare skin against his hands was exquisite. He was jarred back to reality when the wheel began to move again.
He pulled away from her and smoothed her blouse back down. He grinned when he noticed the slight flush to her cheeks. "Are we done with the fair?" he asked suggestively.
"I, um," Sara fought to regain her faculties. "I think I'm ready to go…elsewhere."
*^*^*^*^*^*
They said little on the drive to Grissom's townhouse, nervous anticipation building in both of them. Grissom opened the door and allowed her to enter first. He shut the door behind them. Almost before he could turn around, she was kissing him. They gradually worked their way to his bedroom, shedding clothing along the way.
The lovemaking was intense and passionate, yet tender and loving. Sara had always believed that he would be like that; after all, there was not an aspect of life that he didn't give his entire concentration. Everything he did, he did well.
Afterward, she lay in his arms, enjoying the feel of skin against skin. She had never felt so connected to another human being. It was as if he was the other part of her. Gil was feeling the same emotions. He didn't know that it was truly possible to be one with another person; he had always thought it was a myth made up by romance novelists, poets and greeting card manufacturers. She would make a wonderful mother, he told himself.
His stomach growled as he climbed out of bed.
"Where are you going?" Sara asked.
"To make us some food," he winked. "We haven't eaten anything but cotton candy.'
"I ate an apple." With a mischievous grin, she added, "And of course, that other thing."
"Well, now you're going to have more. You just burned up a lot of calories."
Gil pulled on a pair of sweatpants and made his way to the kitchen. He didn't know what the future held for him, but he knew he was happy with the direction his life was headed now. It truly surprised him to realize how much he loved her. He couldn't imagine how he lived all of those years without her in his arms. And now, thanks to Sara, he would never be alone again.
The End
