Picture Perfect (2/2)

By Ria

www.csichaostheory.co.uk

Even watching from the doorway, her eyes were drawn to the picture. She had seen it earlier; Greg had waved it in front of her nose when he had first printed it off, using the lab resources of course. She had no idea that Greg had been lurking near by, had snapped the picture, capturing a moment when they had been in serious discussion about some point on a case or other. A perfectly innocent photo, she had thought with relief, knowing what the gossip mongers would say otherwise. They looked absorbed in work. The photo hid the fact that Warrick's hand lay on her thigh, that after they had closed the case, they had left together, the looks turning far less serious.

She couldn't understand, therefore, why he had been standing there for so long looking at it. What did he see in it that had captured his attention for so long? A while back, Sara would have hoped that it was her. She had given up on that dream a long time ago.

Without warning, Grissom suddenly reached out, ripping the photo from its pin, staring at it for a moment longer before he tore it in two.

Sara was shocked at the sudden violence at the movement, unprepared as he spun around, stopping short when he saw her standing at the doorway.

For a moment, they were both silent, looking at each other. At one time, Sara had thought she could see everything in Grissom's eyes. Now they held no clue as to the sudden burst of anger.

'It's just a picture.' She tried, keeping her tone light, trying to make a joke about it.

He didn't smile. 'Just a picture.' He echoed, the offending pieces now smashed in his fist.

Sara sighed, stepping into the room, closing the door behind her. 'You have no right to be angry.' She said, feeling her own anger rise. Of course Grissom would see it. Grissom knew her well, after all.

'Don't I? You should have told me.'

'Why Grissom? Why should I have told you anything?'

If she was surprised at what he had deduced from the picture, she didn't show it. Then again, they had always been able to read each other. Grissom saw the picture in his mind eye again, felt the jealousy rise up again. 'I thought…'

'What, Grissom, that we had something? That I would wait around for you forever? I did tell you.'

Even in her anger, Grissom thought she was beautiful. He would always think of her as beautiful. 'I didn't realise that it had an expiry date.' He tried for his own humour, trying to lighten the situation.

It failed.

She turned on her heel, her hand going for the door handle.

'Wait, Sara. Can't we talk about this?'

It got her to stop at the door. It even got her to turn around. He wasn't expecting the small smile she had as she looked up at him. 'That's all I've ever wanted to do.' She said, smiling at the irony of the situation.

'What if… what if…I told you I liked you?'

The smile almost turned into a stunned laugh. It faded quickly, the look turning serious. 'It doesn't mean anything. Not from you. Not anymore.'

He tried to interrupt, but she talked over him. 'You had every chance, and you didn't want it. You think you want it now because suddenly you realise that you can't have it. You made the choice, Gris, a long time ago.'

He was shaking his head. Sara looked at him in disbelief. 'I waited, Gris. I waited longer than I should have. I loved you, but that's it. Loved; it's in the past. I said I wouldn't wait forever, and I meant it. I don't love you anymore, I haven't for a long time. It just took a while to realise it. I love someone else, someone who loves me back, that actually wants to be with me. And if you don't like it? Tough. You chose your career over me. This is how it is.'

'I'm sorry.' He tried.

'Sorry for what? I'm not. I'm happy, Gris, don't take that away from me.'

'I'm sorry I could never be what you wanted me to be.'

'You were who I wanted. It was me that wasn't what you wanted; you made that perfectly clear.'

'But I did, want you. I just couldn't-'

'It doesn't matter anymore.' She interrupted. 'It's in the past, or at least it is for me. Warrick's good for me, he makes me happy. And I love him. Maybe more than I loved you because I don't have to wonder all the time what he feels for me. I've got to go.' She turned to leave yet again.

Grissom seeing his final chance leaving shouted for her. 'Wait, Sara.'

She turned once again, but Grissom knew that it would be the last time. But he had to know.

'One question.'

She didn't turn to leave so he carried on.

'Could it have been different? If I hadn't waited?'

'No, Gris.' She answered, finality in her voice, a sad smile on her lips. 'Because you would have always waited.' She slowly turned, opened the door, shutting it behind her with a quiet bang.

And as he watched her leave, Grissom knew that she was right. He looked down at the two pieces of photo in his hand, smoothing them out. He knew she was right, that it was better this way. But as he looked down at the two halves at the photo, he couldn't help wishing that it wasn't.