Grissom stirred his coffee and stared out the window in his kitchen. Breakfast first, then more paperwork, then sleep. He sighed heavily at the thought of the second task on his mental list and walked to his fridge to find something edible.
Sara sat in her car staring at Grissom's front door. It's now or never. Marie's words came flooding back to her. Be aggressive, confident. No excuses. One question only, then wait. She swallowed the nervous lump in her throat and continued the internal pep talk for a few more minutes.
The knock on the door startled Grissom and he put his fork down. He slowly walked to his front door and looked through the peephole. Sara's warped profile was the last thing he expected to see. Maybe this has something to do with her behavior this morning. Intrigued, Grissom opened the door. Sara took a deep breath as the door opened. She knew she looked flushed but she hoped he would just think it was the unbearable weather.
"Hi."
"Hi, this is a surprise." Grissom smiled warmly and tried to appear casual.
"Yeah." Stick to the script Sidle. "I'm sorry to just drop by but I had a question I needed to ask you.
"Please come in." Grissom stepped aside to let Sara pass and then he closed the door. Sara quickly scanned the room. Although it had been awhile since she had been here, everything looked just as she remembered it. Grissom watched her closely for a moment then walked back to the couch where he had been eating and reviewing case files. Sara considered sitting in the chair opposite him but then thought better of it. Get in his personal space – make him uncomfortable. The more confused he is, the easier this will be. Sara followed Grissom to the couch and stunned him when she started moving his papers to the table so she could sit next to him. He just stared at her as she sat and faced him with one leg bent up Indian-style on the couch.
"I was just finishing breakfast would you like something to eat or maybe some coffee?" Grissom barely even heard the words leaving his mouth as he gaped at Sara. She removed her small jacket revealing an even smaller tank top.
"No thanks, I'm good." Grissom swallowed hard and forced himself to focus on the remaining fruit in his bowl. What is going on here? He realized it was futile to try and finish eating when he was having a hard enough time breathing. He pushed the bowl away and leaned back into the couch. With every movement he made he was conscious of Sara's gaze and he felt beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Sara watched him, keenly aware of what her behavior was doing to Grissom and it gave her the courage to take the next step.
Grissom's head turned slightly and he caught Sara's eye. "You said you wanted to ask me something."
"Yep." Sara's mouth formed a sly smile and she shifted even closer to Grissom. Grissom's eyebrows raised and his mind screamed at him to get up or move back but his body wouldn't cooperate. Before he knew what was happening, Sara had lifted her leg off the floor and deftly maneuvered so she was straddling Grissom's lap. He was so shocked that his mouth opened to speak but no words would come out. Sara sat further back so she was sitting on his knees facing him with her hands holding down both his arms.
Grissom's finally found his voice and started to speak. "Sara –
"Shh – no talking yet. I haven't asked my question. I have one question; just one and you are to answer it truthfully with a yes or no. That's it. No excuses, no other answers are allowed. Just yes or no. Those are the rules and all you have to do it follow them and I'll let you go."
Grissom opened his mouth again – but Sara's shook her head - "Wait for the question."
Sara couldn't believe she was doing this. She felt completely empowered, totally in control. Marie's voice was reverberating in her head and she knew this was the way it had to end, one way or another. Sara paused to make sure Grissom wasn't going to try to forcefully remove her from his lap. She half expected him to be furious but he actually seemed too bewildered to be angry and in his eyes she thought she even saw a playfulness that had been lacking for quite awhile.
"Do you want me or not?"
Sara forced herself to hold his gaze and her grip tightened on his arms as the intensity of the moment began to sink in. She wasn't even sure she was prepared to hear the answer to her question but it was too late to think about that now.
Grissom took a deep breath and his eyes dropped down. Sara was not going to allow that. She freed one of his arms so her hand could lift his chin up.
"Don't look away. Look at me. Don't analyze the question, just answer it truthfully - from here." Sara moved her hand from his chin and placed it on his chest.
"Do you want me or not? Yes or No."
Sara's eyes were now bright with unshed tears and her grip began to weaken on his arms. She could feel the control and power leaving her as she realized just how vulnerable she was. She had to have an answer and he had yet to say anything. There is nothing left to lose now – I might as well be totally honest.
"I think I can honestly say I have been in love with you since the day we met. So you see I've been waiting a long time for an answer to this question and I can wait all night if that's what it takes to get you to answer."
Grissom was taken aback by her words and the determination in voice. He could see the pain that stood right beside the love in Sara's eyes. Pain that he had caused and was causing. He suddenly felt amazed at the courage it must have taken for Sara to do this and he suddenly knew how to answer the question.
"Sara – "
"YES or NO."
"Just let me speak! Grissom raised his voice in exasperation and Sara nodded slowly. "I just wanted to say I was thinking 'I love you too' is the more appropriate response but since you insist on a yes or no answer. I guess I will have to say – Yes."
Sara's face registered shock and relief at the same time as a tear made it's way down her cheek. Many more followed and she released Grissom's arms to wipe them away. She tried in vain to hold back her sobs as Grissom's arms came up around her and he pulled her to him. She let him hold her for a minute and then pulled back and started to move off his lap.
"Where do you think you're going?" Grissom said with a suggestive grin. Sara looked him with surprise and started to laugh. As she leaned in for a kiss she whispered softly, "Thank you Marie."