Author: Rica (aka ricker23)
Disclaimers: See Chapter 1

A/N: Thanks to Cheryl, Joy and Alicia for their invaluable assistance and encouragement. Any mistakes belong to me. Feedback is welcome. (This is written mainly from Sara's POV.)

Chapter 2

The first two days of my vacation are a blur. I'm not sure what I should do. Do I alter my sleep schedule to a more normal one, like sleeping at night and not during the daylight hours? Or would that make it harder to get back into the groove when it's time to return to work? I decide to wing it for the next few days and see what happens.

My mind keeps going back over my lengthy conversation with Grissom. I play it again and again, reveling in the memories of him holding my hand, the gentleness and warmth of his embrace, shedding tears for me and with me.

My memory then shifts to the drive to my apartment. When we had settled in the car, he reached over and took my hand again lacing his fingers with mine. Holding tight, his thumb occasionally caressed my hand. When we got to my apartment, he parked in the visitor parking and we got out of the car together. Coming around to my side, he once again took my hand. When we got to my door, he turned me into his arms and gently kissed my forehead. His beard tickled my skin and I shivered slightly. He pulled me tighter into his embrace and my arms automatically went around his waist. My eyes closed and his warmth and his scent surrounded me.

We stood there for a few minutes, just holding each other and swaying slightly. Dropping my head, I smiled into his chest, where his heart is beating a little faster, and said, "Thank you for everything, Grissom. For picking me up, for not yelling at me, for feeding me, for talking with me." Looking up, I fixed my eyes directly onto his and continued, "You have no idea what this means to me."

Finally dragging himself from me with a contented sigh, he replied, "I'm glad we talked Sara. It was long overdue. We still have a lot to talk about." With another light kiss to my forehead, he whispered, "Good night, Sara. Sleep well". He waited until I was inside and the door locked behind me and then I heard the sound of his footsteps fading down the hall. I turned off the light and headed off to sleep, where I dreamed of those soft, warm lips, only this time they were touching my lips, not my forehead.

Bringing myself out of my reverie, I pick up a new crime novel and begin reading. I only get through a chapter or two before I drifting off to asleep.

Actually, I slept more during those first two days than ever before. I suppose I need more sleep than I normally allow myself. In between naps, I do some general housekeeping chores, clean out the fridge, vacuum, dust, laundry, things that normally get put off for sometime in the future. By the end of the second day I am going stir crazy. I read all the new forensic journals that had arrived in the mail the last couple of weeks. I email my parents and a few friends from San Francisco, read several Internet newspapers and magazines, and download a few songs I have heard on the radio. I defrag my computer and run virus scans against those PESKY bugs; my computer is now as clean as my apartment. Resisting the urge to turn on the police scanner, I pick up my book once more and read a few more chapters before falling asleep again.



Meanwhile, work at the lab is very busy for Grissom and the rest of the team. Crime doesn't take a holiday, even when one of their own does. Greg is assigned to the field on an as-needed basis, mainly helping bag and tag evidence. Warrick, Nick and Catherine are enjoying tutoring Greg in the proper collection and handling of evidence. Grissom stays behind at the lab, trying to catch up on the paperwork that seems to multiply at an alarming rate. One of the many downsides of being a supervisor.

Although he wouldn't admit it, Grissom misses seeing Sara. He misses the sight of her lounging in his doorway at the end of shift to discuss the particulars of a case. Misses seeing her walking down the hallway, her focus intent on getting to one place or another. Misses seeing her bent over a microscope or sitting at the computer, looking for a missing piece of evidence that will solve a troublesome case. 'Okay', he finally admits to himself with some reluctance, 'I just miss Sara.' His statement to her not too so long ago, 'I haven't seen you in a while, have I' and her cryptic response 'You see me every day' takes on new meaning. He has taken her presence for granted, seeing but not really seeing her, a situation he hopes to rectify if she'll just give him another chance.



On the third morning, just about the time shift would be ending my cell phone rings. I note on the display that it's Grissom's cell. Smiling, I answer, "You just can't resist checking up on me, can you?"

He laughs. "I just want to see how you are getting along. Have you gotten any rest?"

"Yes, I have. In fact you'll be happy to know that I've slept more in the last few days than I have in years. But now I'm bored Grissom" I whine. "Are you sure you don't need my help at the lab?" I ask hopefully.

With a hearty chuckle, Grissom answers, "No. We've got it under control right now. It's been busy but we're managing. Believe it or not, Greg has been a big help. He just might end up making a good CSI in spite of himself!" There's a slight pause before he continues, "Sara..." he stammers, "I...umm...I was wondering if you would have dinner with me tonight?"

Astonished that Grissom is actually asking me out, I answer without hesitation, "Yes, I would like that."

"Great. How about I pick you up about 4:30? That should give us plenty of time before I have to head in to the lab...We are short-staffed you know", he joked. "We'll have an early dinner and maybe take a drive out to Lake Mead. Do you eat seafood? There's this place I know, The Grille. They have great calamari. I'm sure you can get vegetarian dishes there, but I'll check first, if that's okay with you?" He rushes the last sentences out in a hurry, nervous that she might change her mind.

"Sounds good" I say. If possible my smile grows even wider.

"Okay. I'm gonna finish up some paperwork here and head home. I'll see you at 4:30. And Sara, umm...I'm looking forward to seeing you tonight." In almost a whisper, he says shyly, "I've missed you."

Absolutely giddy now, I answer with complete honesty, "I've missed you, too, Grissom. See you later."

After hanging up, I dance around the room for a little while before telling myself to try and rest. But I just can't seem to, I'm too excited. I turn up the radio and fall onto the sofa in a daze, just willing the hours to pass quickly.

At the lab, Grissom closes his cell phone, picks up his briefcase and heads out the door. Walking down the maze of hallways towards the exit, he's grinning like there's no tomorrow. He doesn't notice the astonished and amused looks directed his way from the people he passes along the way. A smiling Gil Grissom is not an everyday occurrence around the lab. Oblivious to his surroundings, his only thoughts are on Sara and the night ahead. He can't wait to see her again.



By 3:30, I've already had my shower and am trying to decide what to wear. I know the place we're going to and it's not really dressy but I feel like dressing up. With the exception of the odd court appearances, I don't think Grissom has ever seen me in anything except work clothes so I decide it's time to break out the 'glad rags'. What I want is something feminine without being over the top. With a quick search of my closet, I find just the outfit, a silk pantsuit that my mother bought me for some occasion, one that I didn't think I'd ever wear. Ivory with black trim, the pants are wide-legged and flowing. The sleeveless V-neck top is long with slits on either side. A matching shawl completes the outfit. Looking through my few accessories, I decide on the pearl necklace and earrings my parents gave me when I graduated from Harvard. Luckily I have a pair of mid-heel black shoes. I decide to leave my hair curly and apply makeup sparingly. By 4:00, I am dressed and fidgeting nervously on the sofa, part of me waiting for him to call and cancel, afraid he will withdraw from me once again.



Simultaneously, in a townhouse not too far away, Grissom is anxiously preparing for his dinner date with Sara. Not the fashion hound, he is unsure of what to wear. Knowing that he has to go to work afterward, his first thought is casual. But he thinks better of it and pulls out a pair of charcoal gray slacks and matching sports coat. He looks through his shirts until he sees one his mother gave him for Christmas last year, which he's never worn. It is a brilliant blue chambray; sure to bring out the blue of his eyes...at least according to his mother. Deciding against a tie, he heads off to shower. After his shower, he trims his beard, wondering if he should shave it off. Shaking his head, he runs a comb through his salt and pepper hair, willing his curls to cooperate. By 3:30, he is dressed and pacing nervously.



Promptly at 4:30, there's a knock on my door. I look through the peephole and there he is, looking slightly distorted. I open the door and...wow...he looks amazing. Grissom in casual clothes is sexy, but Grissom in a suit? I know that I am staring but I can't help it. What makes it a little less embarrassing is that I realize he is staring at me with the same wonder in his eyes, as if we are seeing each other for the first time. I guess we are seeing each other for the first time through opened eyes, knowing that from this moment on nothing will be the same again. Nervously licking my suddenly dry lips, I step back to allow him to enter.



He can't take his eyes off Sara. There she stands, staring at him like he's the only man in the world. She's smiling that wide smile of hers that causes a hitch in his breath and his heart to beat faster. 'I have never seen her look more beautiful than she does at this moment' he thinks to himself. 'She always looks beautiful to me, but right now? I'm speechless. I hope I don't embarrass myself and say something stupid, or worse, not be able to say anything at all.' As luck would have it, it appears that the gods are with him as he finds himself whispering reverently, "Sara, you look ...stunning."

Smiling brightly I reply, "I could say the same to you, Grissom. You look like you belong on the cover of GQ."

He blushes and with a shy smile, asks if I'm ready to go. At my nod, he picks up the shawl that is draped over the sofa and puts it around my shoulders. As we leave my apartment, he takes my hand, not releasing it until he is ushering me inside the car. Feeling comfortable in our tentative new relationship, I reach over and take hold of his hand, locking our fingers together. 'Two can play this game', I think to myself, eager to see what the evening ahead has in store for us.

TBC