An:
Gil Grissom stood in his underwear peering into his closet like it held the Dalai Lama. What was he supposed to wear? It was supposed to be a casual lunch with his mother, Sara just happened to be coming. Should he wear work clothes? He was going to work afterwards. But… he wanted this to be different. This was dinner with SARA. He looked again hoping for some inspiration. Ok casual non-work, either sweats or denim. Definitely not sweats so jeans. As he slid them over his hips and fastened the button he heard is mother's distinct voice calling him. He loved hearing her call his name, although she rarely spoke she still called his name when she needed him. He emerged from the bedroom and headed towards the Kitchen
'Where do you keep the napkins?'
'Oh… here.' he lifted some of the top shelf of the pantry.
'Why aren't you dressed yet? You have been in there for ages.'
'I'm going now!'
He stalked back off to the bedroom determined to find something to wear and be back in the kitchen wearing it within a minute. He selected a pale grey light wool sweater and blue tennis shoes. Throwing them on quickly he emerged into the kitchen just in time to hear a knock on the door.
Oh God she is early. Oh God. He went into the kitchen drawing his mother's attention to the fact that Sara was at the door.
He answered the door, to discover Sara wearing navy slacks which held her every curve and a sky blue t-shirt which again appeared to fit very well indeed. Closing his gaping mouth and clearing his throat he invited her inside,
"Come in, dinner is almost ready!" He smiled broadly
"I'm a little early, sorry."
"Don't worry…Can I get you a drink? We have non-alcoholic wine if you want some."
She huffed out a laugh and returned his smile "Isn't that just grape juice?"
"Well…yeah, just don't tell mom."
They proceeded to the kitchen where Kath rushed to greet Sara.
'My dear you look beautiful!' This time Grissom translated without fault, and Sara gave an appreciative if nervous smile and gave thanks for the complement.
'I do hope you like Mexican?' Again this was something Grissom felt it not necessary to alter.
"Oh… yeah, I like Mexican. What have you made?"
'fajitas and capsicum peppers stuffed with mushroom couscous.'
"Sounds great!" Sara gave an appreciative smile, although at the back of her mind she was panicking in case Grissom forgot that she was a vegetarian.
Grissom handed her a glass of Grape juice and his mother a glass of what appeared to be real wine.
"She doesn't have to work tonight, so not much point in subjecting her to grape juice."
"Hey, the grape juice is nice. The table looks beautiful!"
"Yeah it does" Grissom gave it a wistful glance. "All due to mom."
"Is she here it stay permanently?"
"NO, God no, she is here just for a couple of weeks, she is bored in her retirement so she came up for a visit."
"And to find you a wife, don't forget."
"Ah, yes and to find me a wife. I'm pretty sure it won't take her long to figure out that I am not marriage material though."
"Why would you think that?" As their eyes locked and the atmosphere in the room became charged they both heard the oven door slam loudly. Grissom spun around,
'Mom let me get that' He slipped on oven gloves and took the heavy dish from his mother and placed it on the table, he continued to remove all of the dishes as the ladies took their seats.
Mrs Grissom sat directly opposite Sara to make lip reading easier.
After they had all been served Mrs Grissom looked to Sara, 'Where did you grow up?'
Grissom dutifully translated for Sara as she explained
"I grew up in Tamales Bay just outside of San Francisco. Do you know it?"
'Oh yes dear. I went to college at Stanford, it is one of the most beautiful parts of the coast.' Grissom was delighted that they had something more in common than him.
'Gil's father and I even took him there on holiday when he was about four years old. He loved it.' Sara turned to Grissom,
"I didn't know that you had been to Tamales Bay."
"Neither did I!" They both shared a grin.
Mrs Grissom again drew their attention and asked Sara 'How did you spend your childhood?' Grissom again translated as he swallowed a mouthful of food.
"Griss this is silly. You don't need to translate for me ok." Sara said, then followed by signing. 'I will just sign for myself.'
Grissom stared at Sara his mouth agape, as Kath Grissom gave a delighted gasp.