Disclaimer: C.S.I. still not owned by me (now that IS criminal). Characters borrowed and returned reasonably intact.
Author's note: Nearly done now. This is so much fun it's probably illegal. Thank you for your reviews, email, and encouragement. Huge thanks to Billy and Jorja for bringing the characters to life - and for not suing me!! Lordy, I'd just die if I thought they read stuff on the net:)
The Holiday Assignment (7)
"Hey Gil, wait up!"
Grissom halted in the doorway of his office at the sound of Catherine's voice.
He turned around and saw the vivacious blonde hurrying towards him. He had only just arrived at work and had yet to stow his briefcase in his office or sort out the assignments for tonight. He was not late, but not as early as he had wanted to be this evening.
"Problem?"
Catherine looked him over and thought that the week off appeared to have done him some good. She, like Warrick and Nick, had known that Grissom had been looking after Sara during her sick leave, but no one else knew. It had been agreed that all concerned should act as if Grissom being on holiday and Sara being off sick had been two coincidental but separate incidents.
"No, just wanted to catch up with you, fill you in on this last week here. Y'know, bring you up to speed."
"Come on in."
Grissom put his briefcase down and glanced briefly at the mail on his desk before moving it to one side and sitting in his desk chair.
Catherine had followed Grissom into his office and closed the door behind her. She took a chair and looked at him.
"How is Sara?"
'Trust Catherine to cut to the chase.' Grissom thought, allowing some of his amusement to show.
"Fine. She'll be in shortly, they had some paperwork for her downstairs."
Catherine was pleased to see that Grissom didn't flinch or close up at the mention of Sara's name. Obviously the week together had enabled them to straighten out some of their issues. She had been worried that Gil's uncharacteristic behaviour towards Sara in the hospital might have been a temporary aberration and that they'd be back to square one upon their return to work.
Catherine grinned widely at Grissom but didn't say anything.
"What?"
Grissom tried for baffled innocence but Catherine wasn't buying it, she'd known him too long.
She lowered her voice.
"C'mon, 'fess up. How did it go last week?"
Grissom wasn't surprised that Catherine had asked so directly. He had not forgotten her role in the Florida holiday set up, and as a direct consequence, the situation that he now found himself in.
He and Sara had discussed on Saturday what they would tell Catherine, Nick and Warrick.
"It was interesting."
Catherine sat up from her comfortable slouch and looked at him.
"What? What's that supposed to mean?"
Grissom grinned at her expression.
"What do you think it means?"
Catherine was taken aback at the positively playful tone of Grissom's voice.
"I'm not certain, but I think I'm going to like it."
Her tone was wary, as if she thought that this might be a trap.
"Relax, I'm not going to kill you."
The emphasis that Grissom placed on the sentence implied that someone else might want to do the job.
"Oh, funny. So you guys moving in together? Got engaged? Got married? Any of the above?"
Grissom smirked.
"None of the above. But - " Grissom continued before Catherine could interject, "we have decided to give it a go."
Catherine looked blank.
"Give what a go? You just ruled out everything!"
Grissom gave her a pseudo pity look.
"We're going to date."
There was possibly twenty seconds of complete silence before Catherine started to laugh. Every time she looked at Grissom's face she laughed harder, until there were tears running down her face.
Grissom let the laughter run its course and moved his box of tissues closer to Catherine's side of the desk. The corner of his mouth quirked upwards.
She took a tissue from the box and wiped her eyes as her laughter finally subsided.
"I'm sorry, that was just so funny. My God, you really mean it, don't you?"
"Yes, I do. Having Sara over for a week was a salutary lesson that neither of us will forget, so we're going to..." here he smiled unexpectedly "...get used to the idea gradually."
Catherine would have given a lot to have been a fly on that wall last week.
"Well, good for you. This is amazing. Good luck to you both. I promise not to breathe a word. Are you going to tell Nicky and Warrick?"
"Just you three for now. The less that know for sure, the less that have to cover themselves. I'm not comfortable with that aspect of this, as you know. But, we're looking at a bigger picture."
He glanced at his watch and picked up their assignment sheets. He'd sort them on the way.
Catherine smiled at Grissom, genuinely happy for him. They both stood up prior to leaving for the break room.
"Congrats, it's about time."
She gave him a hug, one of the few people who could get away with it.
They left Grissom's office and both turned in the direction of the break room, Catherine bringing Grissom up to speed as she had promised.
As they turned in to the main corridor Sara rounded the corner at the other end.
Her glance met Grissom's and their eyes locked. For Grissom time suddenly seemed to drop into slow motion as he watched her walking towards him.
He was instantly back at his dining table on Saturday afternoon, seated beside Sara, both of them waiting while her watch counted down the seconds.
She had turned to him and said, "Time's up."
They had both stared at each other, neither one knowing which of them was going to go and look at the test result.
Grissom licked his dry lips.
"You want me to go?"
Sara shook her head.
"You want to go?"
Sara shook her head again.
"Well, one of has to go sooner or later."
Grissom stood up and took Sara's other hand as well. He gently pulled her upright.
"We'll go together. Moral support."
Sara nodded, but before she moved she looked at him.
"Gil, I gotta tell you now, before we go in there. If it is positive, I know in my heart that it's the wrong time for us to be parents..."
Grissom's heart sank. He didn't want to think what she might be implying, but it had to be her decision. He had to be there for her, no matter what.
"...but I won't terminate this pregnancy, even if I have to go it alone."
Sara looked both sick and defiant; as if worried that she'd have a fight on her hands.
Grissom smile gently, his obvious relief reassuring her as much as his words.
"Don't worry, whatever you decide, you won't be alone."
"Okay then. Let's go."
Sara squared her shoulders, as if for battle.
They crossed the room together and entered the bathroom. Their reflections walked towards them in the mirror and it looked like four people converging on the test stick on the back of the sink.
Sara picked it up and quickly handed it straight to Grissom without looking at it.
He looked at the test window and then double-checked the instructions that he had brought with him.
He looked at Sara, his eyes wide with shock.
"Hi, Mommy."
"What?"
Grissom snapped back to the present at Catherine's startled exclamation.
"What?" He prayed that he hadn't said 'Hi, Mommy' aloud.
Catherine looked at him, not sure enough of what she'd heard - or thought she'd heard.
"You just say something?"
Grissom looked at her with his 'baffled boffin' look.
"No I didn't. You alright?"
Quick counterattack - always throws them off.
Catherine looked searchingly at him again, but let it drop. She preceded Grissom in to the break room and missed his little smirk to Sara, who had just caught up with them.
Grissom stepped aside from the doorway, and once the others turned and saw Sara as well, there were a few minutes of welcome and teasing commiseration for both of them returning to work.
"Okay people, before we start."
Grissom had their attention.
"At the end of shift tonight there will be a very short meeting in my office. I won't keep you very long, but I'd appreciate it if you would be there."
Both Warrick and Nick noticed that neither of the women seemed surprised about the meeting. Warrick met Catherine's gaze but she gave nothing away. Sara was looking down at her hands in her lap, having only briefly glanced at Grissom during his announcement.
"Okay. Catherine and Warrick, you have a DB found at the bottle recycling plant. Nick, you are solo tonight with a break in at a Japanese restaurant - apparently someone who dislikes sushi decided to liberate all the fish in the tank."
"Cool."
Grissom handed the two slips out, leaving himself with one.
"Sara, you're with me. We have a hold up with a difference at a convenience store."
Sara didn't know whether to be pleased at finally being partnered with Grissom, or miffed that she didn't get the DB.
"A difference?"
"Store owner swears it was a monkey."
^^^^^^
When everyone dispersed for his or her various assignments, Grissom walked back to his office to collect his kit.
Five minutes later Sara stuck her head inside Grissom's office. She was amused to see that he had resisted the urge put up any Christmas decorations.
"Ready when you are."
Grissom looked up from where he was seated in his desk. His eyes crinkled slightly as he looked at Sara and smiled.
"Come in, I won't be a minute, just finishing this off."
Sara stepped fully into the office, closing the door without shutting it completely and seated herself in the chair closest to Grissom.
He followed her with his gaze.
"You okay?"
Sara grinned at him, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"Depends who's asking."
Her throaty whisper sent shivers down Grissom's spine and his lips hooked up at one side in appreciation. He thought for a very brief moment about reminding her of their agreed upon rule about 'not at work', but it was only a very brief moment.
"What are my options?"
"Supervisor Grissom, Mr. Jones or Gil."
Grissom appeared to contemplate his choices a while longer.
"Mmm, tough one. Supervisor Grissom."
He looked at her to see her reaction.
She wondered if it was a subtle warning.
"I'm fine thank you, Grissom."
"Mr. Jones?"
Sara leaned across towards him and lowered her voice.
"I haven't seen you in ages, but since you ask, I'm well."
Grissom allowed a small smile to escape.
"And for Gil?"
Sara smirked as she stood up and picked up her case.
"Ah, well, when I see Gil I'll tell him myself."
"I'm sure he'd appreciate that. If I see him I'll let you know."
"You do that...Grissom."
Grissom also stood up and collected his crime scene kit. He was reassured that Sara knew the boundaries that should be in place at work. He was pleased that the ease that they had discovered on holiday appeared to have returned to them in the workplace. They would have to take the non-workplace matters one day at a time.
They left his office and headed out to their SUV.
They had to see a man about a monkey.
^^^^^^
Warrick drove the Tahoe with his customary caution and Catherine double-checked her seatbelt as they swung around a corner and straightened out on the main road to the bottle recycling plant.
"So what's the heads up on this meeting at the end of shift?"
Catherine didn't answer immediately. She figured that Gil wouldn't mind if she paved the way. It wasn't as if Warrick hadn't been in on it almost from the beginning.
"He and Sara are together."
Warrick looked at Catherine for a long second then returned his gaze to the road.
"Cool. So the plan worked. I'm assuming that it will be unofficial?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. He's only going to tell Nicky, you and me. Although there is nothing on paper about relationships at work between Supervisors and lower grades, Grissom isn't comfortable with the idea. He figures that if they fewer people know the better, not for his sake but for Sara's."
Warrick nodded.
"Yeah, I get that. I hope it works out."
"Me too. It'll be hard for the both of them."
"You got that right."
Warrick glanced at Catherine and saw that she was looking out of the passenger window. They were not in the same tricky position as Sara and Grissom.
'One thing at a time.' He thought.
Anything worth having was worth waiting for.
^^^^^^
Two hours later Sara and Grissom were on their way back to base. They had viewed and collected the CCTV footage of the robbery and to their surprise the storeowner had been telling the truth. A monkey had committed the hold up.
Sara was still smiling.
"I confess even for Vegas I find that odd."
Grissom looked quickly at her before returning his concentration to the road.
"The chimpanzee or its tutu?"
Sara looked at his profile with a grin.
"Oh, both definitely."
"I suspect it's from a circus. We might be able to track down the owner. We've got DNA to identify the chimp."
"Can the chimp be arrested?"
"No, but the owner can if he trained the chimp to steal."
Sara looked at Grissom.
"Can we prove that?"
"Possibly not. But we can backtrack the circus/owner and find out if this has happened before."
"I'll get right on it as soon as we get back."
Grissom drove in silence for a few minutes. When he next glanced at Sara he thought she looked pale but it was difficult to tell with the little light that was available.
"You okay? You're quiet."
Sara turned the air vent towards her face.
"It's probably psychosomatic, but ever since Saturday I've felt a little 'off'. I just need some air."
Grissom shot her a look of concern.
"I can pull over if you need to stop."
"Nah, I'll be fine in a minute."
Grissom wondered if she had sorted out a doctor yet.
"Have you chosen an OB/GYN yet?"
Sara swung round to face Grissom in surprise. Had he been reading up?
"No, I'll do it later, when I get in."
"Make sure that you do."
Sara could hear the smile in his voice.
"Yessir!"
Sara grinned as she responded. She was getting used to Gil's gentle fussing. He kept it light enough to make her feel cherished rather than claustrophobic.
Grissom thought about Sara going back to her place. He was still not happy about it even though they had discussed it after they had recovered from the initial shock of the test's result.
He didn't think that he would ever forget the expression on her face when he had said 'Hi Mommy'. Having said that, he would have been interested in seeing his own reaction. The word 'mixed' came to mind.
Sara's face had been incredulous and she had snatched the stick out of his hand, checking the result for herself.
"But that's impossible."
Now her face mirrored her disbelief.
"I'm willing to bet that's one of the top three responses to a positive pregnancy test."
"How can you joke about such a thing?"
Grissom realised that he'd been tactless, but he was still in shock himself and had spoken without thinking.
"I wasn't joking. But I didn't say it to upset you."
Sara sat down on the edge of the bath. She looked again at the stick in the vain hope that it had changed in the few seconds since she had looked at it.
"This is a disaster."
Grissom may have privately agreed with her in some small part but he was still hurt that she'd said it aloud and it showed on his face.
He sat down on the closed lid of the toilet and sighed. Before he could speak Sara looked at him and touched his arm.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean the baby was a disaster, I meant that the timing of it was."
Grissom could hear the sincerity in her voice and he appreciated the fact that she'd clarified her comment.
"Thank you." He looked her over and took her free hand in his.
"Now that we know for sure, what do you want to do?"
Sara's head snapped up.
"I meant what I said out there."
"I didn't doubt it then, I don't doubt it now. I asked you what you wanted to do."
"Lord, I don't know. I've never been in this position before."
"Me neither."
At his rueful tone Sara had to smile.
"I'm glad to hear it."
Grissom searched her face.
"Do you still want to go back to your place?"
Sara looked back at him.
"My reasons still stand, perhaps even more so now. You need this."
"Will you at least stay tonight? I want you to be here with me."
In truth Sara didn't want to go at all but if she and Gil were going to be together in the long run, she had to let him go first. She would start tomorrow.
"Yes. I want to be with you too. In every sense of the word."
Grissom looked a little startled at the switch of subject.
"Excuse me?"
"Well, look on the bright side. We don't have to worry about me getting pregnant."
He didn't have an answer for that.
Sara had kept to her word and he had taken her back to her place on the Sunday evening. He had been torn. He wanted to be alone but he had not wanted her to leave.
Sunday night alone in his bed for the first time in a week, he found himself reaching out for her in the night and waking when he realised that she was not there.
Lying awake at three in the morning he discovered that he missed having her in his arms. It had been a revelation.
"Grissom?"
He turned to look at Sara in the passenger seat.
"Yes?"
"You were miles away. You okay?"
"Fine."
He noted where they were and it looked like he had driven for at least a couple of miles without being as aware as he should have been. They still had a few minutes yet before their arrival at work.
"How do you feel about Saturday's news?"
Sara looked at him in surprise. So that's where he had been.
"In what respect?"
Grissom shrugged.
"Any respect. You've had a couple of days to think about it."
Sara gave the question some serious thought.
"Still shocked. Guilty because the pill failed. Unprepared because I hadn't planned for this eventuality at this stage in my life. Stunned because a lot of women wonder if they can conceive at all. And a sense of relief, I guess."
Grissom looked at her quickly.
"Why relief?"
Sara looked at him.
"Because if it had to happen at all, then I'm glad that it was with you."
Grissom didn't know what to say. Yet again she had made him feel so special. His lips twitched into a smile without conscious thought.
Sara turned in her seat to face him.
"How do you feel about the pregnancy?"
"Shocked...guilty, unprepared, stunned but mostly relieved."
Sara had started to smile as Grissom went through the list until she was grinning.
"Relieved because?"
Grissom smirked.
"If it had to happen with anyone, then I'm glad that it was with you."
Sara laughed aloud, swatting his right arm without force.
"Oh, how original. That's so sweet."
Grissom tried - and failed - to look modest.
"Thank you. I try."
"Yeah, very trying!" Sara retorted, laughing.
Grissom pulled into the CSI parking lot and found a space. He turned the engine off and released his seatbelt at the same time as Sara.
They looked at each other, just sharing a moment.
"We'd better go before someone wonders what we're doing sitting in here."
"Yes boss."
Sara hopped out of the SUV and went around to collect her case from the back. Grissom collected his and locked the vehicle.
They turned as one and went in to the building.
^^^^^^
Nick had showered twice already and still could not get rid of the fishy smell. His disappearing sushi case looked like being a rivalry thing and he had some good solid leads.
He combed his hair and added some more deodorant to his chest in the vain hope of at least partially covering the odour. If he didn't hurry he would miss Grissom's pow-wow.
He threw everything back in his locker and shut the door. He shouldered into a clean T-shirt and left the locker room.
He headed for Grissom's office and found that everyone was there already.
Grissom looked up.
"Nick. Glad you could join us."
Nick paused momentarily in the doorway, wondering if Grissom was being sarcastic. He wasn't sure so he gave the man the benefit of the doubt.
"Yeah, sorry about that. Had to shower again."
Catherine's nose crinkled.
"You've showered?"
Her tone indicated profound disbelief.
Nick frowned as he looked around the office. Everyone looked discomforted to some extent except of course Grissom. Sara actually looked white.
"Yeah. Twice."
Nick sat down and his tone indicated that the discussion was closed.
"Try lemons."
Grissom had their attention again.
He wondered briefly if he should have had this meeting in a more informal setting but it was too late to worry now.
"The reason I have asked you here is to pass on some information first hand rather than wait for the rumour mill to catch up. I'd appreciate it if you treat this as private and keep it to yourselves."
Grissom paused, knowing what he wanted to say went against his principles and he was having difficulty getting it out until he looked at Sara and it became easy again.
He opened his mouth to speak but never got chance.
Catherine tutted loudly.
"What he's trying to say is that he and Sara are an item."
She looked at everyone and no one looked surprised except Sara and Grissom. Catherine was amused that they had even thought for a moment that the rest of them hadn't figured it out already. Even Greg and Brass had.
"Okay, we're fine with that. Anything else?"
Grissom shook his head, looking bemused.
Sara shook her head.
Catherine beamed, reaching under her chair.
"Great. Bearing in mind we're all driving, I have a little bottle of fizz to mark the occasion. Sorry there's no crystal, but hey, given no notice!!"
She produced a bottle of champagne and five plastic cups as everyone laughed.
Catherine poured out the drinks for a toast and Nick picked up one to hand to Sara. She leaned over to take the cup and got a nose full of the smell of rotting fish.
She clasped her hand over her nose and mouth in a belated attempt to stop the smell getting to her but it was too late. She hurriedly took a sip of her drink to push the nausea back down. Sweat beaded on her forehead and her top lip.
Nick looked at her in dismay.
"Gee, sorry Sara, I didn't realise that it was that bad."
Sara gave him the big fake smile that she normally used to prevent her gag reflex but it didn't work as well as usual.
"No problem."
Which might have been more believable if she had not immediately hurried out of the room with her hand over her mouth.
Grissom looked at the door and Sara's fleeing figure while the others looked at Nick. He looked apologetic.
"Really, I had no idea it was that bad."
Grissom put down his drink and started for the door.
Catherine stopped him.
"I'll go. The day shift have started arriving and I don't think they'd be too happy with you in the Ladies."
Grissom saw the wisdom of her advice but wanted to help Sara. He hesitated, and Catherine took it as his acquiescence.
She turned to Warrick and Nick and acknowledged them with her drink.
"If I'm not back shortly, I'll see you guys tomorrow night. Gil, later."
Grissom nodded and reluctantly seated himself back at his desk.
Sara made it to the toilets without running into anyone from the dayshift. Getting away from Nick had helped but not in time to stop her from losing her last meal.
Catherine found her a few minutes later at the 'dry heaves' stage.
"Sara, it's me." She noted that only one cubicle was in use. "Can I get you anything?"
There was a long pause before Sara replied.
"No, s'okay."
Catherine checked that all the other stalls to make sure that they were alone.
She heard the sound of the toilet flushing and Sara appeared, smoothing her hair behind her ears. She smiled in Catherine's direction but avoided eye contact as she rinsed out her mouth and washed her hands.
"Grissom was all set to follow you in here."
Catherine sounded amused.
Sara grimaced down at her hands.
"Just taking his 'boyfriend duties' seriously I guess."
Catherine stood with her hands on her hips and looked at Sara's reflection in the mirror.
"Does he know?"
Sara involuntarily met the other woman's gaze in the mirror.
"Excuse me?"
Catherine snorted in a most unladylike manner.
"Don't try to kid a kidder. Have you told him that you're pregnant?"
Sara's shoulders slumped in defeat. She saw no point in denying it, they'd figure it out soon enough. They only had to look at her bust for a start.
"Actually no. He told me."
She looked a little sheepish.
Catherine grinned.
"That I would have loved to see. How did he take it?"
"Better than I did."
"I'll bet. What are you going to do?"
Sara wiped her hands slowly.
"Have it. Worry later, when I've got used to the idea."
"Been there." Catherine blew air out in sympathy. "If you need to talk you know where I am. You okay for now?"
Sara nodded and threw her paper towel in the trash.
Catherine looked at her and nodded.
"Your colour is better. Get some saltines on the way home, keep them handy. They'll help with the nausea."
"Okay."
As they turned to leave Catherine halted Sara with a hand on her arm.
"Just so you know, Eckle confronted Gil after you threw up that Chinese meal. Remember there was that woman who saw you? Eckle told him that you were pregnant and tore him off a strip for not reporting you himself. So, I'm afraid the cat's out of the bag already."
"What?! Oh, great. Does everyone know?
"They suspect. It was Nicky that told us about the gossip, though to be fair neither he nor Warrick believed the rumour."
Catherine smiled at the memory of Eckle's face.
"That's how the coffee pot got smashed again. Gil knocked it out of his hands on his way to knocking his face."
Sara smiled despite her dismay. Gil went up to bat for her. Gotta love that guy.
"Well, I'm not going to confirm or deny. They can wait and see."
She looked down at her herself and then back at Catherine.
"I guess they won't have to wait long."
Back in Grissom's office the loss of the women had flattened the atmosphere slightly. No one seemed to want to refer to Sara's flight.
Grissom kept looking at the door whilst trying not to look like he was anxious.
Warrick shifted in his seat to look at Nick. Time for a diversion.
"So Bro, how's it goin' with Helena?"
Nick smiled his bashful gee-shucks grin.
"Makin' progress. You can't rush these things."
Warrick huffed in amused disbelief.
"Yeah, right."
Grissom watched the two of them bantering with some amusement.
The name Helena was familiar. Oh yes, the woman at the hospital with the sharp eyes.
"Let's hope she likes fish."
His voice was dry and Warrick's grin widened.
"Yeah man, try the lemons first. Don't want to make her sick. She turned you down before when you smelled okay!"
Nick waved away Warrick's comment.
"She mistakenly thought that I might be a pretty boy out for a good time."
Grissom smiled and Warrick laughed outright.
"Mr. Revolving door has been busted."
"No, this one is different. She's not like the others."
Both of the other men looked at him with surprise. He had sounded quite serious.
Nick turned to Warrick with a sly grin.
"Sometimes it just sparks across a room. Other times it kinda sneaks up on you with someone you've known for ages. Y'know what I mean?"
Warrick shifted in his seat again, this time uneasily. He had not discussed his feelings for Catherine with anyone but now he wondered if he had been as obvious as Grissom had been about Sara.
Grissom looked from Nick to Warrick and back. Had he been so caught up in his own situation that he had failed to notice anyone else's? Like Catherine had said, you work this close with people and you become part of an extended family.
Nick was obviously not hinting about Sara so in their immediate group that only left Catherine. Grissom found himself thinking back over the last few months, and gathering clues as he went. If he hadn't have been so distracted by Sara he would probably have figured it out sooner.
Catherine could do a lot worse. Warrick was a change from her usual type, but in his opinion that was no bad thing. He had his faults, but didn't they all?
His musings were interrupted by the return of Catherine and Sara. Sara looked a lot better though still pale. Catherine gave him a very searching look as she entered the office and he wondered what they had talked about. As if he didn't know.
Nick looked at Sara with apology but didn't try to get anywhere near her.
"I'll get some lemons on the way home. Sorry Sara."
Sara smiled to show that there were no hard feelings.
"It's okay, it's not your fault."
Grissom figured a distraction was called for. He picked up his plastic cup.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you a toast."
The others picked up their cups, too.
"To new beginnings."
The two younger men grinned and the two women assumed that he referred to Sara and himself.
"New beginnings!" they all chorused.
^^^^^^
Grissom and Sara walked to their cars together. Until they left the building they were careful to only talk about work and work related matters. Once they got outside and moved away from the building they relaxed but didn't move into either of their personal space as they walked.
"You want to come over?"
Sara thought that it was only fair that she invited him over to hers occasionally.
Grissom glanced at her in his usual fashion. No one watching them without hearing them would have thought that it was a private conversation.
"I'd like that. What time?"
"Whenever suits you. I'll wait breakfast until you arrive."
Grissom smiled briefly.
"I take it it's my turn to cook?"
Sara smirked.
"Oh yeah." She unlocked her car door. "I'll even let you wear a towel."
Grissom grinned as he unlocked his car with the remote. He turned to face Sara across the hood of her SUV.
"An hour?"
"Sure."
"I'll be there."
Grissom started to turn away.
"Hey, Grissom."
He turned back to Sara. She had a big grin on her face.
With her body shielding them from the building they had just left she used ASL for 'I love you'.
It took Grissom a moment to put it all together. Sara had learned at least some ASL and had used the romantic sense of 'I love you'. He realised that she was telling him in her own way that she would cope with whatever otosclerosis would throw at them and their child. His heart swelled with love and his eyes stung. He blinked rapidly.
Without even bothering to look behind Sara he repeated the gesture back to her. He added 'see you soon' and, impossibly, her grin got even bigger as she moved to the driver's door.
They got in their vehicles and drove off just as they would any other day.
^^^^^^
When Grissom got home to his townhouse he dropped his keys on the dining table as usual and looked around the large airy room. It seemed different somehow and he could not put his finger on why. He should have been feeling back to normal now that he was home alone but everything seemed slightly 'off'.
He walked over to the kitchen and put some coffee on to percolate whilst he was in the shower. Anticipation about seeing Sara was beginning to thrum through him and it didn't cross his mind to think that he had seen her only twenty minutes ago.
Fifteen minutes later he was wiping steam off the bathroom mirror so that he could shave properly. He had an electric razor somewhere but nothing beat a wet shave. He worked carefully until he'd completed a once around. As he turned his head left and right to check that he'd not missed anywhere and that he'd rinsed off all the shaving foam, he wondered what Sara would think if he grew a beard.
A few minutes later, dressed and with a coffee in his hand, he went to check his e-
mails. He skipped most of them for reading later and was pleased to see one from his mother. He opened that one and scanned through it quickly.
'...and on the way back I thought I'd drop in to see you and catch up. If you'll be in on Friday the twelfth let me know that it will be convenient, love Mom.'
Grissom glanced at the date on his computer. December ninth. Mom would be over this Friday. He sent a reply back confirming that Friday was fine. He found that he was smiling as he typed. He had an early Christmas present for her.
Which also reminded him that he had to get something special for Sara for their first Christmas together as a couple.
He found it extraordinary to think of the two of them as a couple after all this time. He waited for the uneasy feeling to go through him at the thought of such a commitment.
It didn't happen.
Grissom sat back in his chair in surprise. He suddenly realised what was 'off' with the townhouse - it was too quiet. Although he didn't know it, he was having a similar moment to the one that Sara had experienced the day that she had the holiday photographs processed.
He looked at his watch. He had to make a quick stop on the way to Sara's and if he left now he would have time. Galvanised, he shut down his computer and rinsed out his coffee mug. It was still dripping by the time Grissom left the townhouse.
Sara had a quick tidy through her place as soon as she got home, although she had hardly been here in the last ten days so it didn't need much. She opened a window to let the place air for a while. It was still relatively cool outside and the air smelled good.
She boiled the kettle for ginger herbal tea. Gil had told her that ginger settled the stomach and might help when she was feeling sick. At this point she was willing to try anything. It was laughable calling it 'morning' sickness.
Taking her tea with her, Sara entered the bathroom and started the shower running. She stripped off down to her underwear and stood in front of the mirror. She tried to see if there was any difference in her appearance yet. Her bra definitely seemed more full than she remembered. She moved the strap on her shoulder and frowned at the red mark left there. That didn't normally happen. She turned sideways to the mirror and was surprised to see a definite roundness to her belly that she was sure hadn't been there two weeks ago. She ran her hand over the skin trying to imagine what was going on inside her body.
Sara wished that she didn't have such mixed feelings about the pregnancy. In the past whenever she had thought about having a family it had been a distant event for the remote future. Even when she hit thirty it hadn't made her think about a family. At that time Gil - the only man she had any thought about being with - did not have a clue about the two of them.
She looked at herself again. It suddenly dawned on her that she was already a third of the way through this pregnancy. In about six months, give or take, she would have someone other than herself to be responsible for.
"I am so not ready for this."
She squared her shoulders and glared at herself in the mirror.
"Then me and your Daddy are gonna have to get ready, aren't we?"
She checked that the water was okay and finished stripping off. As she stepped under the shower she added,
"Damn straight."
Twenty minutes later Sara's hair was nearly dry when the doorbell went.
She glanced at her watch and grinned. Right on time.
She switched off the hairdryer and went to open the door.
Gil was standing outside with one hand in his pants pocket. He was wearing a black V-neck T shirt under a dark grey suit and he looked fabulous.
"Gee, if I'd known you were gonna dress up I would have made an effort."
Grissom smiled as he stepped in to the apartment. He looked Sara and her silk kimono up and down and instead of going past her he put his arms around her and pulled her into a devastating kiss right there in the doorway.
Sara was so surprised at his behaviour that she didn't respond at first. Then she got so caught up in the kiss that she wasn't thinking at all.
His warm pliant lips were creating chaos within her. Her hands crawled up his front and clutched his shirt.
When Gil finally ended the kiss Sara felt bereft. She opened her eyes and realised where she was. It took her a moment to find her voice.
"Okay, what have you done with the real Gil Grissom?"
Grissom ran a hand along Sara's arm, feeling the silk quickly warm under his touch.
"I'm here. I just needed time, like you said."
Sara looked at him and wondered if it could be that easy. She'd find out soon enough.
"Well, come on in, the neighbours have seen enough I think."
Grissom managed to look carefree and unconcerned.
He turned and closed the door. When he turned back Sara was still standing beside him.
"Not that I care what the neighbours think, you understand."
Grissom smiled.
"What neighbours?"
Sara grinned, then pointed to his outfit.
"Gorgeous or not it's still your turn to cook and those fancy duds will get ruined."
Grissom smirked as he slid off the jacket and hung it on the back of a chair.
"It's okay, I'll be the one wearing the towel."
He pulled Sara towards him by the belt of her kimono, then undid it and found to his delight that she was naked underneath.
By the time he was down to his boxers breakfast was clearly not at the forefront of his mind.
Sara's grin got bigger as she hooked a finger in his waistband.
"I'm assuming that you mean 'later'?"
"Oh yes."
"Oh good."
It wasn't until much later that Grissom remembered his gift for Sara.
They were lying in bed, drowsy from their lovemaking.
Grissom was slightly propped up on a couple of pillows and Sara lay against his side, her head resting on her left hand. She could feel Grissom's hand stroking her arm lazily as her right hand rested on his chest.
"I missed you."
Sara looked at his face, so close to her own.
"You were only gone an hour."
Grissom smiled.
"No, I missed you Sunday night. I woke up because you weren't in bed with me."
"Missed me kicking you and stealing the quilt?"
Sara was trying to make light of what Gil was saying so that she didn't get her hopes up just yet.
"You only kicked me the once and it was cramp, so I forgave you very nicely if I remember correctly."
Sara chuckled reminiscently.
"Yeah, you did. Certainly took my mind off the cramp."
"I have my uses."
"That you do."
Grissom realised that Sara had effectively steered him away from the conversation about missing her. He didn't blame her for having reservations about his readiness to move on to the next stage. Heaven knows he'd had them himself long enough.
He shifted in Sara's embrace.
"Where are you going?"
Grissom leaned back and gave her a quick kiss as he slid out of the bed.
"I've got something for you."
Sara watched as he walked naked around the bed to the door.
"You certainly have." She murmured under her breath.
"I heard that!"
She grinned as he came back into the bedroom carrying a small jeweller's box.
For a split second Sara felt a little panicked at the thought of an engagement ring. It was too soon to be thinking of such a thing. She still hadn't dealt with the pregnancy, let alone Gil's side of things.
Then she relaxed. Gil wouldn't do that to them yet. It would be quite out of character and way too soon.
Grissom got back into bed and they took up their embrace as if he'd never left.
He handed Sara the box.
"This is not a Christmas present, this is a gift from me to you. It's something I want you to have and I hope that you will keep it with you and use it often."
Sara was intrigued. She looked at the box, then at Gil's face.
"What is it?"
Grissom's lips twitched with amusement.
"Some investigator you are. Open it."
Sara opened the hinged lid of the box. Lying on a bed of crushed velvet was a key. Tied to it was a small neatly folded note.
Sara sat up in bed and let the quilt fall to her waist. Grissom made a valiant effort not to be distracted by Sara's body. He did want to see her reaction. She picked up the key and carefully opened the note.
She recognised Gil's handwriting.
'Sara, with you beside me I am willing to explore life outside my comfort zone. It's not that I can't live without you, it's just that I don't want to. All my love, Gil.'
It was a copy of the front door key to his townhouse. Sara couldn't speak through the lump in her throat. She just looked at him with shimmering eyes.
Grissom looked uncertain for a moment, unsure if this silence was good or bad news.
Sara's heart went out to him. She knew what it must have cost him to make the decision to give her access to his space.
"Oh, Gil."
Sara went in to his arms and her tears flowed unchecked.
Grissom's arms tightened around her and he felt a cautious joy begin to bloom inside. He was smiling as he looked down at the top of Sara's head.
"I'm assuming these are happy tears?"
He felt her nod on his chest and felt no trepidation, only relief at her answer.
^^^^^^
When they eventually surfaced for breakfast, Grissom asked Sara what she fancied.
At her pert retort he reminded her that she'd already had that, and more than once, and he was actually talking about food. She chose pancakes and fruit, which would be her favourite breakfast from now on.
At least, it would be when she could keep it down.
^^^^^^
Tuesday night at work Grissom - with Sara's permission - told Catherine that he had given Sara a key to his townhouse.
Her amused reply had been a very dry 'my baby's all growd up'.
It wasn't until later he realised that she hadn't been surprised.
The following night at work Catherine informed everyone on the night shift that she was having a small impromptu party at her place on Saturday night just for the hell of it. If anyone thought that it might look like a non-engagement party for Sara and Grissom they were smart enough not to mention it.
Sara and Grissom continued to drive to and from work in two vehicles, but if anyone had bothered to follow them they would have found both vehicles parked in the spaces allocated to Grissom at his place.
The first time that Sara went home before Grissom and let herself into the townhouse felt strange but 'right'. It was Friday morning and Grissom had some last minute paperwork to do to ensure that he was clear to have Saturday off to take Sara to Catherine's party.
Sara went into the bedroom with every intention of just changing out of her work clothes. She sat down on the edge of the bed to remove her shoes - her sense of balance was off - but then lay back. It was sinfully comfortable and smelled deliciously just like Gil. She turned over onto her side to put her face to his pillow and with hardly a moments pause she was fast asleep.
When Grissom arrived home half an hour later than Sara did, he wondered where she had got to when she didn't appear as soon as he opened the front door.
He put down his jacket and his briefcase on the couch, then checked the bathroom.
When she wasn't there, he went to the bedroom and found her fast asleep on the bed. He smiled at the picture she made. He gently pulled the quilt up over her then shut the blinds and drapes at the window.
He undressed quietly and slipped under the quilt beside Sara. Within minutes she unconsciously became aware of him and turned towards him in her sleep, draping an arm possessively across his chest. He smiled again. He was home.
Breakfast could wait.
.
.
.
.
TBC.
.
.
For those of you who like your happy endings nice and simple, you should stop here. For those of you who think happy endings should also include a box of tissues and serious chocolate poisoning, tune in to chapter eight. You have been warned!!
Author's note: Nearly done now. This is so much fun it's probably illegal. Thank you for your reviews, email, and encouragement. Huge thanks to Billy and Jorja for bringing the characters to life - and for not suing me!! Lordy, I'd just die if I thought they read stuff on the net:)
The Holiday Assignment (7)
"Hey Gil, wait up!"
Grissom halted in the doorway of his office at the sound of Catherine's voice.
He turned around and saw the vivacious blonde hurrying towards him. He had only just arrived at work and had yet to stow his briefcase in his office or sort out the assignments for tonight. He was not late, but not as early as he had wanted to be this evening.
"Problem?"
Catherine looked him over and thought that the week off appeared to have done him some good. She, like Warrick and Nick, had known that Grissom had been looking after Sara during her sick leave, but no one else knew. It had been agreed that all concerned should act as if Grissom being on holiday and Sara being off sick had been two coincidental but separate incidents.
"No, just wanted to catch up with you, fill you in on this last week here. Y'know, bring you up to speed."
"Come on in."
Grissom put his briefcase down and glanced briefly at the mail on his desk before moving it to one side and sitting in his desk chair.
Catherine had followed Grissom into his office and closed the door behind her. She took a chair and looked at him.
"How is Sara?"
'Trust Catherine to cut to the chase.' Grissom thought, allowing some of his amusement to show.
"Fine. She'll be in shortly, they had some paperwork for her downstairs."
Catherine was pleased to see that Grissom didn't flinch or close up at the mention of Sara's name. Obviously the week together had enabled them to straighten out some of their issues. She had been worried that Gil's uncharacteristic behaviour towards Sara in the hospital might have been a temporary aberration and that they'd be back to square one upon their return to work.
Catherine grinned widely at Grissom but didn't say anything.
"What?"
Grissom tried for baffled innocence but Catherine wasn't buying it, she'd known him too long.
She lowered her voice.
"C'mon, 'fess up. How did it go last week?"
Grissom wasn't surprised that Catherine had asked so directly. He had not forgotten her role in the Florida holiday set up, and as a direct consequence, the situation that he now found himself in.
He and Sara had discussed on Saturday what they would tell Catherine, Nick and Warrick.
"It was interesting."
Catherine sat up from her comfortable slouch and looked at him.
"What? What's that supposed to mean?"
Grissom grinned at her expression.
"What do you think it means?"
Catherine was taken aback at the positively playful tone of Grissom's voice.
"I'm not certain, but I think I'm going to like it."
Her tone was wary, as if she thought that this might be a trap.
"Relax, I'm not going to kill you."
The emphasis that Grissom placed on the sentence implied that someone else might want to do the job.
"Oh, funny. So you guys moving in together? Got engaged? Got married? Any of the above?"
Grissom smirked.
"None of the above. But - " Grissom continued before Catherine could interject, "we have decided to give it a go."
Catherine looked blank.
"Give what a go? You just ruled out everything!"
Grissom gave her a pseudo pity look.
"We're going to date."
There was possibly twenty seconds of complete silence before Catherine started to laugh. Every time she looked at Grissom's face she laughed harder, until there were tears running down her face.
Grissom let the laughter run its course and moved his box of tissues closer to Catherine's side of the desk. The corner of his mouth quirked upwards.
She took a tissue from the box and wiped her eyes as her laughter finally subsided.
"I'm sorry, that was just so funny. My God, you really mean it, don't you?"
"Yes, I do. Having Sara over for a week was a salutary lesson that neither of us will forget, so we're going to..." here he smiled unexpectedly "...get used to the idea gradually."
Catherine would have given a lot to have been a fly on that wall last week.
"Well, good for you. This is amazing. Good luck to you both. I promise not to breathe a word. Are you going to tell Nicky and Warrick?"
"Just you three for now. The less that know for sure, the less that have to cover themselves. I'm not comfortable with that aspect of this, as you know. But, we're looking at a bigger picture."
He glanced at his watch and picked up their assignment sheets. He'd sort them on the way.
Catherine smiled at Grissom, genuinely happy for him. They both stood up prior to leaving for the break room.
"Congrats, it's about time."
She gave him a hug, one of the few people who could get away with it.
They left Grissom's office and both turned in the direction of the break room, Catherine bringing Grissom up to speed as she had promised.
As they turned in to the main corridor Sara rounded the corner at the other end.
Her glance met Grissom's and their eyes locked. For Grissom time suddenly seemed to drop into slow motion as he watched her walking towards him.
He was instantly back at his dining table on Saturday afternoon, seated beside Sara, both of them waiting while her watch counted down the seconds.
She had turned to him and said, "Time's up."
They had both stared at each other, neither one knowing which of them was going to go and look at the test result.
Grissom licked his dry lips.
"You want me to go?"
Sara shook her head.
"You want to go?"
Sara shook her head again.
"Well, one of has to go sooner or later."
Grissom stood up and took Sara's other hand as well. He gently pulled her upright.
"We'll go together. Moral support."
Sara nodded, but before she moved she looked at him.
"Gil, I gotta tell you now, before we go in there. If it is positive, I know in my heart that it's the wrong time for us to be parents..."
Grissom's heart sank. He didn't want to think what she might be implying, but it had to be her decision. He had to be there for her, no matter what.
"...but I won't terminate this pregnancy, even if I have to go it alone."
Sara looked both sick and defiant; as if worried that she'd have a fight on her hands.
Grissom smile gently, his obvious relief reassuring her as much as his words.
"Don't worry, whatever you decide, you won't be alone."
"Okay then. Let's go."
Sara squared her shoulders, as if for battle.
They crossed the room together and entered the bathroom. Their reflections walked towards them in the mirror and it looked like four people converging on the test stick on the back of the sink.
Sara picked it up and quickly handed it straight to Grissom without looking at it.
He looked at the test window and then double-checked the instructions that he had brought with him.
He looked at Sara, his eyes wide with shock.
"Hi, Mommy."
"What?"
Grissom snapped back to the present at Catherine's startled exclamation.
"What?" He prayed that he hadn't said 'Hi, Mommy' aloud.
Catherine looked at him, not sure enough of what she'd heard - or thought she'd heard.
"You just say something?"
Grissom looked at her with his 'baffled boffin' look.
"No I didn't. You alright?"
Quick counterattack - always throws them off.
Catherine looked searchingly at him again, but let it drop. She preceded Grissom in to the break room and missed his little smirk to Sara, who had just caught up with them.
Grissom stepped aside from the doorway, and once the others turned and saw Sara as well, there were a few minutes of welcome and teasing commiseration for both of them returning to work.
"Okay people, before we start."
Grissom had their attention.
"At the end of shift tonight there will be a very short meeting in my office. I won't keep you very long, but I'd appreciate it if you would be there."
Both Warrick and Nick noticed that neither of the women seemed surprised about the meeting. Warrick met Catherine's gaze but she gave nothing away. Sara was looking down at her hands in her lap, having only briefly glanced at Grissom during his announcement.
"Okay. Catherine and Warrick, you have a DB found at the bottle recycling plant. Nick, you are solo tonight with a break in at a Japanese restaurant - apparently someone who dislikes sushi decided to liberate all the fish in the tank."
"Cool."
Grissom handed the two slips out, leaving himself with one.
"Sara, you're with me. We have a hold up with a difference at a convenience store."
Sara didn't know whether to be pleased at finally being partnered with Grissom, or miffed that she didn't get the DB.
"A difference?"
"Store owner swears it was a monkey."
^^^^^^
When everyone dispersed for his or her various assignments, Grissom walked back to his office to collect his kit.
Five minutes later Sara stuck her head inside Grissom's office. She was amused to see that he had resisted the urge put up any Christmas decorations.
"Ready when you are."
Grissom looked up from where he was seated in his desk. His eyes crinkled slightly as he looked at Sara and smiled.
"Come in, I won't be a minute, just finishing this off."
Sara stepped fully into the office, closing the door without shutting it completely and seated herself in the chair closest to Grissom.
He followed her with his gaze.
"You okay?"
Sara grinned at him, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"Depends who's asking."
Her throaty whisper sent shivers down Grissom's spine and his lips hooked up at one side in appreciation. He thought for a very brief moment about reminding her of their agreed upon rule about 'not at work', but it was only a very brief moment.
"What are my options?"
"Supervisor Grissom, Mr. Jones or Gil."
Grissom appeared to contemplate his choices a while longer.
"Mmm, tough one. Supervisor Grissom."
He looked at her to see her reaction.
She wondered if it was a subtle warning.
"I'm fine thank you, Grissom."
"Mr. Jones?"
Sara leaned across towards him and lowered her voice.
"I haven't seen you in ages, but since you ask, I'm well."
Grissom allowed a small smile to escape.
"And for Gil?"
Sara smirked as she stood up and picked up her case.
"Ah, well, when I see Gil I'll tell him myself."
"I'm sure he'd appreciate that. If I see him I'll let you know."
"You do that...Grissom."
Grissom also stood up and collected his crime scene kit. He was reassured that Sara knew the boundaries that should be in place at work. He was pleased that the ease that they had discovered on holiday appeared to have returned to them in the workplace. They would have to take the non-workplace matters one day at a time.
They left his office and headed out to their SUV.
They had to see a man about a monkey.
^^^^^^
Warrick drove the Tahoe with his customary caution and Catherine double-checked her seatbelt as they swung around a corner and straightened out on the main road to the bottle recycling plant.
"So what's the heads up on this meeting at the end of shift?"
Catherine didn't answer immediately. She figured that Gil wouldn't mind if she paved the way. It wasn't as if Warrick hadn't been in on it almost from the beginning.
"He and Sara are together."
Warrick looked at Catherine for a long second then returned his gaze to the road.
"Cool. So the plan worked. I'm assuming that it will be unofficial?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. He's only going to tell Nicky, you and me. Although there is nothing on paper about relationships at work between Supervisors and lower grades, Grissom isn't comfortable with the idea. He figures that if they fewer people know the better, not for his sake but for Sara's."
Warrick nodded.
"Yeah, I get that. I hope it works out."
"Me too. It'll be hard for the both of them."
"You got that right."
Warrick glanced at Catherine and saw that she was looking out of the passenger window. They were not in the same tricky position as Sara and Grissom.
'One thing at a time.' He thought.
Anything worth having was worth waiting for.
^^^^^^
Two hours later Sara and Grissom were on their way back to base. They had viewed and collected the CCTV footage of the robbery and to their surprise the storeowner had been telling the truth. A monkey had committed the hold up.
Sara was still smiling.
"I confess even for Vegas I find that odd."
Grissom looked quickly at her before returning his concentration to the road.
"The chimpanzee or its tutu?"
Sara looked at his profile with a grin.
"Oh, both definitely."
"I suspect it's from a circus. We might be able to track down the owner. We've got DNA to identify the chimp."
"Can the chimp be arrested?"
"No, but the owner can if he trained the chimp to steal."
Sara looked at Grissom.
"Can we prove that?"
"Possibly not. But we can backtrack the circus/owner and find out if this has happened before."
"I'll get right on it as soon as we get back."
Grissom drove in silence for a few minutes. When he next glanced at Sara he thought she looked pale but it was difficult to tell with the little light that was available.
"You okay? You're quiet."
Sara turned the air vent towards her face.
"It's probably psychosomatic, but ever since Saturday I've felt a little 'off'. I just need some air."
Grissom shot her a look of concern.
"I can pull over if you need to stop."
"Nah, I'll be fine in a minute."
Grissom wondered if she had sorted out a doctor yet.
"Have you chosen an OB/GYN yet?"
Sara swung round to face Grissom in surprise. Had he been reading up?
"No, I'll do it later, when I get in."
"Make sure that you do."
Sara could hear the smile in his voice.
"Yessir!"
Sara grinned as she responded. She was getting used to Gil's gentle fussing. He kept it light enough to make her feel cherished rather than claustrophobic.
Grissom thought about Sara going back to her place. He was still not happy about it even though they had discussed it after they had recovered from the initial shock of the test's result.
He didn't think that he would ever forget the expression on her face when he had said 'Hi Mommy'. Having said that, he would have been interested in seeing his own reaction. The word 'mixed' came to mind.
Sara's face had been incredulous and she had snatched the stick out of his hand, checking the result for herself.
"But that's impossible."
Now her face mirrored her disbelief.
"I'm willing to bet that's one of the top three responses to a positive pregnancy test."
"How can you joke about such a thing?"
Grissom realised that he'd been tactless, but he was still in shock himself and had spoken without thinking.
"I wasn't joking. But I didn't say it to upset you."
Sara sat down on the edge of the bath. She looked again at the stick in the vain hope that it had changed in the few seconds since she had looked at it.
"This is a disaster."
Grissom may have privately agreed with her in some small part but he was still hurt that she'd said it aloud and it showed on his face.
He sat down on the closed lid of the toilet and sighed. Before he could speak Sara looked at him and touched his arm.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean the baby was a disaster, I meant that the timing of it was."
Grissom could hear the sincerity in her voice and he appreciated the fact that she'd clarified her comment.
"Thank you." He looked her over and took her free hand in his.
"Now that we know for sure, what do you want to do?"
Sara's head snapped up.
"I meant what I said out there."
"I didn't doubt it then, I don't doubt it now. I asked you what you wanted to do."
"Lord, I don't know. I've never been in this position before."
"Me neither."
At his rueful tone Sara had to smile.
"I'm glad to hear it."
Grissom searched her face.
"Do you still want to go back to your place?"
Sara looked back at him.
"My reasons still stand, perhaps even more so now. You need this."
"Will you at least stay tonight? I want you to be here with me."
In truth Sara didn't want to go at all but if she and Gil were going to be together in the long run, she had to let him go first. She would start tomorrow.
"Yes. I want to be with you too. In every sense of the word."
Grissom looked a little startled at the switch of subject.
"Excuse me?"
"Well, look on the bright side. We don't have to worry about me getting pregnant."
He didn't have an answer for that.
Sara had kept to her word and he had taken her back to her place on the Sunday evening. He had been torn. He wanted to be alone but he had not wanted her to leave.
Sunday night alone in his bed for the first time in a week, he found himself reaching out for her in the night and waking when he realised that she was not there.
Lying awake at three in the morning he discovered that he missed having her in his arms. It had been a revelation.
"Grissom?"
He turned to look at Sara in the passenger seat.
"Yes?"
"You were miles away. You okay?"
"Fine."
He noted where they were and it looked like he had driven for at least a couple of miles without being as aware as he should have been. They still had a few minutes yet before their arrival at work.
"How do you feel about Saturday's news?"
Sara looked at him in surprise. So that's where he had been.
"In what respect?"
Grissom shrugged.
"Any respect. You've had a couple of days to think about it."
Sara gave the question some serious thought.
"Still shocked. Guilty because the pill failed. Unprepared because I hadn't planned for this eventuality at this stage in my life. Stunned because a lot of women wonder if they can conceive at all. And a sense of relief, I guess."
Grissom looked at her quickly.
"Why relief?"
Sara looked at him.
"Because if it had to happen at all, then I'm glad that it was with you."
Grissom didn't know what to say. Yet again she had made him feel so special. His lips twitched into a smile without conscious thought.
Sara turned in her seat to face him.
"How do you feel about the pregnancy?"
"Shocked...guilty, unprepared, stunned but mostly relieved."
Sara had started to smile as Grissom went through the list until she was grinning.
"Relieved because?"
Grissom smirked.
"If it had to happen with anyone, then I'm glad that it was with you."
Sara laughed aloud, swatting his right arm without force.
"Oh, how original. That's so sweet."
Grissom tried - and failed - to look modest.
"Thank you. I try."
"Yeah, very trying!" Sara retorted, laughing.
Grissom pulled into the CSI parking lot and found a space. He turned the engine off and released his seatbelt at the same time as Sara.
They looked at each other, just sharing a moment.
"We'd better go before someone wonders what we're doing sitting in here."
"Yes boss."
Sara hopped out of the SUV and went around to collect her case from the back. Grissom collected his and locked the vehicle.
They turned as one and went in to the building.
^^^^^^
Nick had showered twice already and still could not get rid of the fishy smell. His disappearing sushi case looked like being a rivalry thing and he had some good solid leads.
He combed his hair and added some more deodorant to his chest in the vain hope of at least partially covering the odour. If he didn't hurry he would miss Grissom's pow-wow.
He threw everything back in his locker and shut the door. He shouldered into a clean T-shirt and left the locker room.
He headed for Grissom's office and found that everyone was there already.
Grissom looked up.
"Nick. Glad you could join us."
Nick paused momentarily in the doorway, wondering if Grissom was being sarcastic. He wasn't sure so he gave the man the benefit of the doubt.
"Yeah, sorry about that. Had to shower again."
Catherine's nose crinkled.
"You've showered?"
Her tone indicated profound disbelief.
Nick frowned as he looked around the office. Everyone looked discomforted to some extent except of course Grissom. Sara actually looked white.
"Yeah. Twice."
Nick sat down and his tone indicated that the discussion was closed.
"Try lemons."
Grissom had their attention again.
He wondered briefly if he should have had this meeting in a more informal setting but it was too late to worry now.
"The reason I have asked you here is to pass on some information first hand rather than wait for the rumour mill to catch up. I'd appreciate it if you treat this as private and keep it to yourselves."
Grissom paused, knowing what he wanted to say went against his principles and he was having difficulty getting it out until he looked at Sara and it became easy again.
He opened his mouth to speak but never got chance.
Catherine tutted loudly.
"What he's trying to say is that he and Sara are an item."
She looked at everyone and no one looked surprised except Sara and Grissom. Catherine was amused that they had even thought for a moment that the rest of them hadn't figured it out already. Even Greg and Brass had.
"Okay, we're fine with that. Anything else?"
Grissom shook his head, looking bemused.
Sara shook her head.
Catherine beamed, reaching under her chair.
"Great. Bearing in mind we're all driving, I have a little bottle of fizz to mark the occasion. Sorry there's no crystal, but hey, given no notice!!"
She produced a bottle of champagne and five plastic cups as everyone laughed.
Catherine poured out the drinks for a toast and Nick picked up one to hand to Sara. She leaned over to take the cup and got a nose full of the smell of rotting fish.
She clasped her hand over her nose and mouth in a belated attempt to stop the smell getting to her but it was too late. She hurriedly took a sip of her drink to push the nausea back down. Sweat beaded on her forehead and her top lip.
Nick looked at her in dismay.
"Gee, sorry Sara, I didn't realise that it was that bad."
Sara gave him the big fake smile that she normally used to prevent her gag reflex but it didn't work as well as usual.
"No problem."
Which might have been more believable if she had not immediately hurried out of the room with her hand over her mouth.
Grissom looked at the door and Sara's fleeing figure while the others looked at Nick. He looked apologetic.
"Really, I had no idea it was that bad."
Grissom put down his drink and started for the door.
Catherine stopped him.
"I'll go. The day shift have started arriving and I don't think they'd be too happy with you in the Ladies."
Grissom saw the wisdom of her advice but wanted to help Sara. He hesitated, and Catherine took it as his acquiescence.
She turned to Warrick and Nick and acknowledged them with her drink.
"If I'm not back shortly, I'll see you guys tomorrow night. Gil, later."
Grissom nodded and reluctantly seated himself back at his desk.
Sara made it to the toilets without running into anyone from the dayshift. Getting away from Nick had helped but not in time to stop her from losing her last meal.
Catherine found her a few minutes later at the 'dry heaves' stage.
"Sara, it's me." She noted that only one cubicle was in use. "Can I get you anything?"
There was a long pause before Sara replied.
"No, s'okay."
Catherine checked that all the other stalls to make sure that they were alone.
She heard the sound of the toilet flushing and Sara appeared, smoothing her hair behind her ears. She smiled in Catherine's direction but avoided eye contact as she rinsed out her mouth and washed her hands.
"Grissom was all set to follow you in here."
Catherine sounded amused.
Sara grimaced down at her hands.
"Just taking his 'boyfriend duties' seriously I guess."
Catherine stood with her hands on her hips and looked at Sara's reflection in the mirror.
"Does he know?"
Sara involuntarily met the other woman's gaze in the mirror.
"Excuse me?"
Catherine snorted in a most unladylike manner.
"Don't try to kid a kidder. Have you told him that you're pregnant?"
Sara's shoulders slumped in defeat. She saw no point in denying it, they'd figure it out soon enough. They only had to look at her bust for a start.
"Actually no. He told me."
She looked a little sheepish.
Catherine grinned.
"That I would have loved to see. How did he take it?"
"Better than I did."
"I'll bet. What are you going to do?"
Sara wiped her hands slowly.
"Have it. Worry later, when I've got used to the idea."
"Been there." Catherine blew air out in sympathy. "If you need to talk you know where I am. You okay for now?"
Sara nodded and threw her paper towel in the trash.
Catherine looked at her and nodded.
"Your colour is better. Get some saltines on the way home, keep them handy. They'll help with the nausea."
"Okay."
As they turned to leave Catherine halted Sara with a hand on her arm.
"Just so you know, Eckle confronted Gil after you threw up that Chinese meal. Remember there was that woman who saw you? Eckle told him that you were pregnant and tore him off a strip for not reporting you himself. So, I'm afraid the cat's out of the bag already."
"What?! Oh, great. Does everyone know?
"They suspect. It was Nicky that told us about the gossip, though to be fair neither he nor Warrick believed the rumour."
Catherine smiled at the memory of Eckle's face.
"That's how the coffee pot got smashed again. Gil knocked it out of his hands on his way to knocking his face."
Sara smiled despite her dismay. Gil went up to bat for her. Gotta love that guy.
"Well, I'm not going to confirm or deny. They can wait and see."
She looked down at her herself and then back at Catherine.
"I guess they won't have to wait long."
Back in Grissom's office the loss of the women had flattened the atmosphere slightly. No one seemed to want to refer to Sara's flight.
Grissom kept looking at the door whilst trying not to look like he was anxious.
Warrick shifted in his seat to look at Nick. Time for a diversion.
"So Bro, how's it goin' with Helena?"
Nick smiled his bashful gee-shucks grin.
"Makin' progress. You can't rush these things."
Warrick huffed in amused disbelief.
"Yeah, right."
Grissom watched the two of them bantering with some amusement.
The name Helena was familiar. Oh yes, the woman at the hospital with the sharp eyes.
"Let's hope she likes fish."
His voice was dry and Warrick's grin widened.
"Yeah man, try the lemons first. Don't want to make her sick. She turned you down before when you smelled okay!"
Nick waved away Warrick's comment.
"She mistakenly thought that I might be a pretty boy out for a good time."
Grissom smiled and Warrick laughed outright.
"Mr. Revolving door has been busted."
"No, this one is different. She's not like the others."
Both of the other men looked at him with surprise. He had sounded quite serious.
Nick turned to Warrick with a sly grin.
"Sometimes it just sparks across a room. Other times it kinda sneaks up on you with someone you've known for ages. Y'know what I mean?"
Warrick shifted in his seat again, this time uneasily. He had not discussed his feelings for Catherine with anyone but now he wondered if he had been as obvious as Grissom had been about Sara.
Grissom looked from Nick to Warrick and back. Had he been so caught up in his own situation that he had failed to notice anyone else's? Like Catherine had said, you work this close with people and you become part of an extended family.
Nick was obviously not hinting about Sara so in their immediate group that only left Catherine. Grissom found himself thinking back over the last few months, and gathering clues as he went. If he hadn't have been so distracted by Sara he would probably have figured it out sooner.
Catherine could do a lot worse. Warrick was a change from her usual type, but in his opinion that was no bad thing. He had his faults, but didn't they all?
His musings were interrupted by the return of Catherine and Sara. Sara looked a lot better though still pale. Catherine gave him a very searching look as she entered the office and he wondered what they had talked about. As if he didn't know.
Nick looked at Sara with apology but didn't try to get anywhere near her.
"I'll get some lemons on the way home. Sorry Sara."
Sara smiled to show that there were no hard feelings.
"It's okay, it's not your fault."
Grissom figured a distraction was called for. He picked up his plastic cup.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you a toast."
The others picked up their cups, too.
"To new beginnings."
The two younger men grinned and the two women assumed that he referred to Sara and himself.
"New beginnings!" they all chorused.
^^^^^^
Grissom and Sara walked to their cars together. Until they left the building they were careful to only talk about work and work related matters. Once they got outside and moved away from the building they relaxed but didn't move into either of their personal space as they walked.
"You want to come over?"
Sara thought that it was only fair that she invited him over to hers occasionally.
Grissom glanced at her in his usual fashion. No one watching them without hearing them would have thought that it was a private conversation.
"I'd like that. What time?"
"Whenever suits you. I'll wait breakfast until you arrive."
Grissom smiled briefly.
"I take it it's my turn to cook?"
Sara smirked.
"Oh yeah." She unlocked her car door. "I'll even let you wear a towel."
Grissom grinned as he unlocked his car with the remote. He turned to face Sara across the hood of her SUV.
"An hour?"
"Sure."
"I'll be there."
Grissom started to turn away.
"Hey, Grissom."
He turned back to Sara. She had a big grin on her face.
With her body shielding them from the building they had just left she used ASL for 'I love you'.
It took Grissom a moment to put it all together. Sara had learned at least some ASL and had used the romantic sense of 'I love you'. He realised that she was telling him in her own way that she would cope with whatever otosclerosis would throw at them and their child. His heart swelled with love and his eyes stung. He blinked rapidly.
Without even bothering to look behind Sara he repeated the gesture back to her. He added 'see you soon' and, impossibly, her grin got even bigger as she moved to the driver's door.
They got in their vehicles and drove off just as they would any other day.
^^^^^^
When Grissom got home to his townhouse he dropped his keys on the dining table as usual and looked around the large airy room. It seemed different somehow and he could not put his finger on why. He should have been feeling back to normal now that he was home alone but everything seemed slightly 'off'.
He walked over to the kitchen and put some coffee on to percolate whilst he was in the shower. Anticipation about seeing Sara was beginning to thrum through him and it didn't cross his mind to think that he had seen her only twenty minutes ago.
Fifteen minutes later he was wiping steam off the bathroom mirror so that he could shave properly. He had an electric razor somewhere but nothing beat a wet shave. He worked carefully until he'd completed a once around. As he turned his head left and right to check that he'd not missed anywhere and that he'd rinsed off all the shaving foam, he wondered what Sara would think if he grew a beard.
A few minutes later, dressed and with a coffee in his hand, he went to check his e-
mails. He skipped most of them for reading later and was pleased to see one from his mother. He opened that one and scanned through it quickly.
'...and on the way back I thought I'd drop in to see you and catch up. If you'll be in on Friday the twelfth let me know that it will be convenient, love Mom.'
Grissom glanced at the date on his computer. December ninth. Mom would be over this Friday. He sent a reply back confirming that Friday was fine. He found that he was smiling as he typed. He had an early Christmas present for her.
Which also reminded him that he had to get something special for Sara for their first Christmas together as a couple.
He found it extraordinary to think of the two of them as a couple after all this time. He waited for the uneasy feeling to go through him at the thought of such a commitment.
It didn't happen.
Grissom sat back in his chair in surprise. He suddenly realised what was 'off' with the townhouse - it was too quiet. Although he didn't know it, he was having a similar moment to the one that Sara had experienced the day that she had the holiday photographs processed.
He looked at his watch. He had to make a quick stop on the way to Sara's and if he left now he would have time. Galvanised, he shut down his computer and rinsed out his coffee mug. It was still dripping by the time Grissom left the townhouse.
Sara had a quick tidy through her place as soon as she got home, although she had hardly been here in the last ten days so it didn't need much. She opened a window to let the place air for a while. It was still relatively cool outside and the air smelled good.
She boiled the kettle for ginger herbal tea. Gil had told her that ginger settled the stomach and might help when she was feeling sick. At this point she was willing to try anything. It was laughable calling it 'morning' sickness.
Taking her tea with her, Sara entered the bathroom and started the shower running. She stripped off down to her underwear and stood in front of the mirror. She tried to see if there was any difference in her appearance yet. Her bra definitely seemed more full than she remembered. She moved the strap on her shoulder and frowned at the red mark left there. That didn't normally happen. She turned sideways to the mirror and was surprised to see a definite roundness to her belly that she was sure hadn't been there two weeks ago. She ran her hand over the skin trying to imagine what was going on inside her body.
Sara wished that she didn't have such mixed feelings about the pregnancy. In the past whenever she had thought about having a family it had been a distant event for the remote future. Even when she hit thirty it hadn't made her think about a family. At that time Gil - the only man she had any thought about being with - did not have a clue about the two of them.
She looked at herself again. It suddenly dawned on her that she was already a third of the way through this pregnancy. In about six months, give or take, she would have someone other than herself to be responsible for.
"I am so not ready for this."
She squared her shoulders and glared at herself in the mirror.
"Then me and your Daddy are gonna have to get ready, aren't we?"
She checked that the water was okay and finished stripping off. As she stepped under the shower she added,
"Damn straight."
Twenty minutes later Sara's hair was nearly dry when the doorbell went.
She glanced at her watch and grinned. Right on time.
She switched off the hairdryer and went to open the door.
Gil was standing outside with one hand in his pants pocket. He was wearing a black V-neck T shirt under a dark grey suit and he looked fabulous.
"Gee, if I'd known you were gonna dress up I would have made an effort."
Grissom smiled as he stepped in to the apartment. He looked Sara and her silk kimono up and down and instead of going past her he put his arms around her and pulled her into a devastating kiss right there in the doorway.
Sara was so surprised at his behaviour that she didn't respond at first. Then she got so caught up in the kiss that she wasn't thinking at all.
His warm pliant lips were creating chaos within her. Her hands crawled up his front and clutched his shirt.
When Gil finally ended the kiss Sara felt bereft. She opened her eyes and realised where she was. It took her a moment to find her voice.
"Okay, what have you done with the real Gil Grissom?"
Grissom ran a hand along Sara's arm, feeling the silk quickly warm under his touch.
"I'm here. I just needed time, like you said."
Sara looked at him and wondered if it could be that easy. She'd find out soon enough.
"Well, come on in, the neighbours have seen enough I think."
Grissom managed to look carefree and unconcerned.
He turned and closed the door. When he turned back Sara was still standing beside him.
"Not that I care what the neighbours think, you understand."
Grissom smiled.
"What neighbours?"
Sara grinned, then pointed to his outfit.
"Gorgeous or not it's still your turn to cook and those fancy duds will get ruined."
Grissom smirked as he slid off the jacket and hung it on the back of a chair.
"It's okay, I'll be the one wearing the towel."
He pulled Sara towards him by the belt of her kimono, then undid it and found to his delight that she was naked underneath.
By the time he was down to his boxers breakfast was clearly not at the forefront of his mind.
Sara's grin got bigger as she hooked a finger in his waistband.
"I'm assuming that you mean 'later'?"
"Oh yes."
"Oh good."
It wasn't until much later that Grissom remembered his gift for Sara.
They were lying in bed, drowsy from their lovemaking.
Grissom was slightly propped up on a couple of pillows and Sara lay against his side, her head resting on her left hand. She could feel Grissom's hand stroking her arm lazily as her right hand rested on his chest.
"I missed you."
Sara looked at his face, so close to her own.
"You were only gone an hour."
Grissom smiled.
"No, I missed you Sunday night. I woke up because you weren't in bed with me."
"Missed me kicking you and stealing the quilt?"
Sara was trying to make light of what Gil was saying so that she didn't get her hopes up just yet.
"You only kicked me the once and it was cramp, so I forgave you very nicely if I remember correctly."
Sara chuckled reminiscently.
"Yeah, you did. Certainly took my mind off the cramp."
"I have my uses."
"That you do."
Grissom realised that Sara had effectively steered him away from the conversation about missing her. He didn't blame her for having reservations about his readiness to move on to the next stage. Heaven knows he'd had them himself long enough.
He shifted in Sara's embrace.
"Where are you going?"
Grissom leaned back and gave her a quick kiss as he slid out of the bed.
"I've got something for you."
Sara watched as he walked naked around the bed to the door.
"You certainly have." She murmured under her breath.
"I heard that!"
She grinned as he came back into the bedroom carrying a small jeweller's box.
For a split second Sara felt a little panicked at the thought of an engagement ring. It was too soon to be thinking of such a thing. She still hadn't dealt with the pregnancy, let alone Gil's side of things.
Then she relaxed. Gil wouldn't do that to them yet. It would be quite out of character and way too soon.
Grissom got back into bed and they took up their embrace as if he'd never left.
He handed Sara the box.
"This is not a Christmas present, this is a gift from me to you. It's something I want you to have and I hope that you will keep it with you and use it often."
Sara was intrigued. She looked at the box, then at Gil's face.
"What is it?"
Grissom's lips twitched with amusement.
"Some investigator you are. Open it."
Sara opened the hinged lid of the box. Lying on a bed of crushed velvet was a key. Tied to it was a small neatly folded note.
Sara sat up in bed and let the quilt fall to her waist. Grissom made a valiant effort not to be distracted by Sara's body. He did want to see her reaction. She picked up the key and carefully opened the note.
She recognised Gil's handwriting.
'Sara, with you beside me I am willing to explore life outside my comfort zone. It's not that I can't live without you, it's just that I don't want to. All my love, Gil.'
It was a copy of the front door key to his townhouse. Sara couldn't speak through the lump in her throat. She just looked at him with shimmering eyes.
Grissom looked uncertain for a moment, unsure if this silence was good or bad news.
Sara's heart went out to him. She knew what it must have cost him to make the decision to give her access to his space.
"Oh, Gil."
Sara went in to his arms and her tears flowed unchecked.
Grissom's arms tightened around her and he felt a cautious joy begin to bloom inside. He was smiling as he looked down at the top of Sara's head.
"I'm assuming these are happy tears?"
He felt her nod on his chest and felt no trepidation, only relief at her answer.
^^^^^^
When they eventually surfaced for breakfast, Grissom asked Sara what she fancied.
At her pert retort he reminded her that she'd already had that, and more than once, and he was actually talking about food. She chose pancakes and fruit, which would be her favourite breakfast from now on.
At least, it would be when she could keep it down.
^^^^^^
Tuesday night at work Grissom - with Sara's permission - told Catherine that he had given Sara a key to his townhouse.
Her amused reply had been a very dry 'my baby's all growd up'.
It wasn't until later he realised that she hadn't been surprised.
The following night at work Catherine informed everyone on the night shift that she was having a small impromptu party at her place on Saturday night just for the hell of it. If anyone thought that it might look like a non-engagement party for Sara and Grissom they were smart enough not to mention it.
Sara and Grissom continued to drive to and from work in two vehicles, but if anyone had bothered to follow them they would have found both vehicles parked in the spaces allocated to Grissom at his place.
The first time that Sara went home before Grissom and let herself into the townhouse felt strange but 'right'. It was Friday morning and Grissom had some last minute paperwork to do to ensure that he was clear to have Saturday off to take Sara to Catherine's party.
Sara went into the bedroom with every intention of just changing out of her work clothes. She sat down on the edge of the bed to remove her shoes - her sense of balance was off - but then lay back. It was sinfully comfortable and smelled deliciously just like Gil. She turned over onto her side to put her face to his pillow and with hardly a moments pause she was fast asleep.
When Grissom arrived home half an hour later than Sara did, he wondered where she had got to when she didn't appear as soon as he opened the front door.
He put down his jacket and his briefcase on the couch, then checked the bathroom.
When she wasn't there, he went to the bedroom and found her fast asleep on the bed. He smiled at the picture she made. He gently pulled the quilt up over her then shut the blinds and drapes at the window.
He undressed quietly and slipped under the quilt beside Sara. Within minutes she unconsciously became aware of him and turned towards him in her sleep, draping an arm possessively across his chest. He smiled again. He was home.
Breakfast could wait.
.
.
.
.
TBC.
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For those of you who like your happy endings nice and simple, you should stop here. For those of you who think happy endings should also include a box of tissues and serious chocolate poisoning, tune in to chapter eight. You have been warned!!
