Author: Moggie
Email:
Pairing: G/S
Category: Angst/Romance
Rating: R
Spoilers: none as yet in series two. Hehe… It's all backstory!
Summary: [GSR] Volume II: Gil Grissom is a Forensics Entomologist for the Las Vegas Crime Scene Investigation Unit. After his time as a Professor in Boston, he moved back to his townhouse in Vegas and put his whole life on hold to concentrate on his work, well, tried to. Soon his life would be turned up side down when a friend asks for his help.
Disclaimer: I do not under any circumstances own CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Notes: Sorry about the delay. Couldn't rush it. Same goes for the third part. It will be a while before that's finished. Please be patient. Lol.
Thank you note: to Xanti for having the time to read this and to Stumpycat for her constant support.
Troubles
Volume II
HIS ARM STRETCHED out as he woke from sleep. The room was abnormally cold and he instinctively reached out for the other occupant. Finding cold sheets and a cold chill rush across his back, he opened his eyes and rubbed them clear of sleep. Once he was able to see, he noticed instantly that she wasn't in bed and by the temperature of the sheets; she hadn't been there in a while.
"Sara?" He called, pushing himself up. As he walked through the door and into the hall, he checked the thermostat. "Sara, honey?" Moving through the flat slowly, he checked each room, but he didn't find her. She wasn't anywhere to be seen.
Moving back to the bedroom, he sank down onto the corner of the mattress and stared at the open wardrobe. -'She's gone'-
"SHIT!" GRISSOM BOLTED upright as his unconscious mind was interrupted by a loud banging on his front door. Staggering towards that sound, he swung the door open and blinked back the heavy sleep in his eyes as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Yeah?"
"You're late?"
Staring at the blonde with furrowed brows, they instantly shot up when he realised why she was standing on his doorstep in the dark. "Shit!" He said for a second time that night and staggered back towards his room to dress.
"You feeling alright, Gil?"
"Fine!" He shouted from the bedroom.
Not buying it. "Really? So, you're often late for work?"
"Catherine." He said shortly as he left the bathroom with his electric razor in his hand. "I can be late at least once in my life."
She nodded and poured some fresh coffee while he finished getting ready. "Yeah, you can be late, but this isn't the first time."
Grissom sighed and ignored her, going back to his room. -'I don't need this'- He grumbled, grabbing his watch from the nightstand and his socks from the chest of drawers. "For your information," He said as he sat down on his brown leather couch. "This is the first time I'm late for work."
"What about yesterday? And the day before that?" She questioned, setting a cup of coffee in front of his bowed head as he tied up his shoes. Watching him carefully, she sat down beside him. "Want to talk about?"
He shook his head. -'Not with you'- He took a large gulp of his hot coffee and stood. "Let's go."
SITTING IN THE break room late that night, He watched the seconds hand tick by rapidly. Never in his wildest dreams had he wanted to go home from work in the middle of shift. -'Those dreams aren't helping me'- He sighed, leaning his head into his hand.
He had managed to put everything behind him, but the last few days had played havoc with his system and his sleep. It didn't help matters that Ollie had rung him several times at work, over the past few months, asking if he'd seen Sara lately. She had obviously not realised what had happened after he left Boston. He still didn't understand where she got his number from in the first place to keep calling him.
His dreams were beginning to plague him and he knew if he didn't do something about them soon, he'd never be able to concentrate on his work and he'd lose his job.
-'That's all I need'- He groaned as the head of the crime unit walked into the room.
"Hey Gil. Got a job for you." Jim Brass announced.
"What is it?" He asked, feigning interest as he turned completely away from the clock.
Jim looked at him silently for a few seconds before chuckling lightly. "This sleeping in shit has really gotten to you hasn't it?" Waving a hand in the air, Jim grinned. "Stop worrying. Some of us get like that. It passes."
-'Really? Thanks Jim. I didn't realise you also had dreams about your true love leaving in the middle of the night'- Laughing sadly on the inside, Grissom reached out and took the file Jim was holding out to him as he pulled his glasses from his shirt pocket. "What's this?"
"A trip to Frisco for three days. That should be enough time to get your case wrapped up."
"Case?" He asked, looking over the faxed case notes.
Jim nodded and leaned against the table. "A friend of mine in the lab there has just had a run in with one of his new CSI's. They need some outside help with the investigation."
Flipping the pages quickly, Grissom narrowed his eyes. "You do realise that I'm not exactly qualified to give internal investigations, I'm not going to be any help to your friend."
"I said the same thing." Jim punched his index finger into the air with a grin. "But, you were asked for 'specifically'."
Grissom looked up with interest. "Really?"
"Yup and you're going to be on the first flight out there."
"When?" He sighed. -'Sleepless nights and now a trip out of town… Great!'-
"In the morning. You can take off now to get some sleep." Jim suggested, pushing away from the table and making his way towards the doorway. "Don't forget to be civil Gil. They are human beings, not bugs. Be politic."
Rolling his eyes, he stood. "Yeah. Politic." He grumbled to himself as he made his way towards the door. Pausing on the fresh hold, he looked back at the clock and noticed that they had been talking for almost 20minutes.
SITTING ON THE plane with a noisy businessman chatting on his cell phone and children running up and down the aisle was giving Grissom a major headache. He'd have to get some sleep before he went into the lab. -'Make a good impression and all'- He scoffed, leaning his head back against the headrest and closing his eyes to escape the light and the noise as he slipped into sleep.
As sleep claimed him, he still couldn't fathom why he had been requested to do an internal investigation. It's not like he hasn't done so before, he just hasn't had that much experience with that sort of thing.
Since he arrived back in Vegas, his work load had tripled and he was grateful for the distraction. He worked longer hours and logged in as much overtime as he was allowed, just so he couldn't go home to an empty townhouse and the silence that would only make him remember why it was so quiet.
He had spoken to Sara about eventually going back to Vegas and he actually thought it would work if they went back together, but the thought of Sara not finishing college was not an acceptable thought with him. He couldn't ask her to go away with him, go home with him, he couldn't.
Well, it didn't matter anymore, she was gone and he was alone. He still couldn't stop thinking of the circumstances that she left under. -'I pushed her away. I wanted to be there for her and help her forget, but I only pushed her away from me and now she was gone'- He still couldn't stop the strong emotions that roamed inside him.
His heart was so fragile and since that time with her, he hadn't even looked at another woman. He was a man with needs as much as any other, but after tasting love for the first time, he couldn't think of subjecting some poor woman to his broken heart.
-'I've changed. She changed me, on so many levels and now I'm lost without her'- His chest would feel tight every time he thought about what they had shared and what he had lost because of his need to find the man that pushed them apart. The man that took her away from him.
"SIR?" THE FLIGHT attendant lightly shook his shoulder for a third time. "Sir? We've landed."
Grissom slowly stirred from his sleep and looked up at the young woman looking down at him. She offered a small smile and stepped back to open the compartment above her head. She waited for him to stand before handing him his briefcase.
"Thank you." He smiled slightly and turned to follow the line of passengers that were leaving the plane.
As he exited the airport, he found a cab waiting to take him to his hotel. While he was staying, he was surprised that Jim had arranged for a decent hotel to stay in. When he arrived, he could see it was much nicer than he had expected. It would certainly do nicely for the next few days.
Taking his own advice, he dropped onto the bed immediately and stared up at the ceiling for a few minutes before closing his eyes to try and invite more sleep. He knew that it wouldn't be restful, but it would get him through the busy day ahead.
His body clock was going to be out of whack for the next few days and with his investigation starting this evening, he needed to try and get as much sleep as he could.
Sighing deeply, he flung his arm over his eyes and groaned against the light outside. He had to get up and draw the blinds before crawling back onto the bed and crashing out for two hours.
JEFF BURKE, DAYSHIFT supervisor,sat behind his desk as he signed reports. He'd been sitting at his desk the whole morning while his team rushed around finishing up on cases that were outstanding.
Sam Green knocked lightly on his supervisor's door and smirked knowingly. "You do know that you have to sleep sometime this week and besides, this IA guys isn't going to inspect your office."
Jeff chuckled and pushed another report away to pull another close. "I know. I don't want to be stuck in here on my day off."
"Ah, admit it, you miss being in the field?" Sam teased, leaning against the doorframe.
"Maybe." Jeff avoided, lowering his head to sign another report. "Anyway, haven't you got your own paperwork to be getting on with?"
Sam nodded. "Yup, just thought I'd tell you that he's here."
Jeff's head snapped up as he rushed to stand. "Why didn't the receptionist call me?" He muttered angrily.
"Perhaps you forgot that Sally's on vacation and the new girl isn't sure how that phone system works yet." Sam shared with a chuckle.
Ignoring him, Jeff grabbed his jacket and headed towards reception.
"Hey Jeff!" Sam shouted, getting his supervisors attention before he was out of sight. "He's in the lunch room."
GRISSOM STARED AT the wide screen TV that sat on the small table in the corner of the room. -'Why haven't we got a TV like that?'- He smirked.
"Perks of the job." Jeff said as he noticed him admiring the large television set.
"Well, for you perhaps, but Jim wouldn't splash out on it. Nick and Warrick wouldn't mind though." He chuckled lightly as he turned and held out his hand. "G-"
"Dr. Gil Grissom. Famous entomologist. I've heard about you." Jeff interrupted as he firmly gripped Grissom's hand and shook it. "I'm glad you could make it on such short notice."
Watching Jeff stuff his hands into his pockets and lean more on one leg that the other, he could tell that the bags under his eyes and the pale face meant he hadn't been sleeping and that he was concerned about his CSI.
"Why don't you introduce me to your CSI?" Grissom suggested.
Jeff nodded and sighed as he turned to leave the room. "I sent her home."
Grissom followed and looked around the halls as they headed for the front of the building. "What exactly happened?"
"Well," Jeff began, fishing out his keys from his pants pockets as he signed out at the front desk. "CSI Sidle was-"
"Excuse me-" Grissom choked and stopped walking. "Did you say Sidle?"
Jeff turned and nodded. "Yes. CSI Sidle is our newest CSI and she had a run in with a police office and a suspect during a crime scene search last week." Jeff stopped talking when he noticed Grissom was staring at him. "Do you know Sara?"
-'Sara'- He nodded slowly and cleared his throat. "I do. We uh, met a while back."
"Well, keep that quiet if you still want to do the investigation. I'm sure you know the laws of IA investigations better than I do, but you know that if you know the person in question, then you can't continue." Jeff explained, although he had a feeling that Grissom already knew this.
"I'm sure it won't be a factor in this case. We haven't seen each other in nearly 2 years." Grissom managed in a strangled voice that was surely noticeable.
Jeff smiled and motioned to move on. "Let's get going and get this started. I'm sure you have lots of questions."
Grissom stared a moment longer before walking the rest of the distance towards the car. -'Questions. You have no idea how many questions I have, but… what if she won't see me?'- He got into the car and shielded his eyes with his sunglasses.
As Jeff started the car, Grissom could only think about why he was here, specifically. -'She asked for me'- That thought made him smile, although he didn't want to think about all the pain she had caused for leaving him, he had to think about the pain she was going through in order to leave him in the first place.
HIS NERVOUSNESS HAD settled in long before they got to her apartment complex. His palms had started to sweat and his forehead felt slick as well. Sliding his sunglasses from his eyes to fold and place into his shirt pocket, he followed Jeff up to a large glass door.
"I hope she didn't decide to go get milk." He chuckled, reaching for the door buzzer.
Grissom's lungs forgot to inhale at the sound of click.
"Yeah?"
Jeff rolled his eyes at the stunned entomologist. He pressed on the speaker button and announced them. "You sleeping Sara? It's Jeff."
There was silence for a few seconds. Then a click.
"What are you doing here? I told you not to come here until IA-"
"He's here."
Jeff smirked at Grissom as the older man stepped up to the speaker. He listened, but looked around their surroundings.
"You going to let me up Sara? We've got some talking to do." He asked neutrally, trying desperately not to get excited at the aspect of actually seeing her again after all this time. The effort he put into keeping his voice normal was easy enough, he discovered, but he still didn't know what he was going to do when he saw her face to face.
-'Do I hug her or shake her hand?'- He struggled to answer that himself and didn't get a chance to continue his inner battle when the large glass door buzzed, signalling their ticket to enter.
"Come on up."
He sensed something in her voice, but didn't give it another thought, thinking it was only the static of the speaker.
FOLLOWING JEFF UP three flights of stairs, Grissom started to feel his stomach cramping. -'This isn't happening'- Stopping just before they reached the door, Grissom watched as Jeff knocked and called out to be let in.
-'This is too real'- He panicked and swallowed back the bile that rose up. -'I haven't seen or heard from her in two years and now she is asking for my help. How am I going to be able to be professional-'- His thoughts were interrupted when the door opened and a tall, slim, brunette appeared in dark blue jeans and a Harvard sweatshirt.
"I didn't think you'd get here so fast." She greeted, fixing her eyes on Jeff.
Grissom pushed his hands into his jacket pockets and stepped forward. "You asked for me." He paused, glancing at Jeff. "My boss sent me on the first flight out."
Jeff offered a smile and guided everyone back into the small apartment so they could get started. "Shall we get started?"
GRISSOM RAISED HIS head slightly to look across the room over the rim of his glasses to track her with his eyes as she walked towards the kitchen.
"What do you think Gil?" Jeff asked quietly.
Snapping his eyes up from the statement he was reading, he fixed Jeff with a slight stare and shrugged. "I'd have to speak with the two other's involved." He looked up as Sara walked back into the room with three glasses of ice tea. "But I don't see any reason why this shouldn't be simple enough to settle without reprimands."
Jeff nodded in agreement and sat up to receive his drink from the coffee table. "I'd still have to back the suspension though-"
"What!" Sara exclaimed, puffing out a frustrated breath. "I don't believe this." She cursed and threw herself down on her armchair.
"It wouldn't stay on your record Sara." Grissom interrupted her outburst as calmly as he could, given the circumstances of the waging emotional war deep inside him. All he wanted was Jeff to leave, right now.
Sara looked at him and sighed. "I guess that's something." She muttered.
Jeff collected up the evidence that was assisting Sara in her defence against being attacked by a suspect. "I'll tell you what," He began, stuffing the file together. "You've already done 3 days. Give it 3 more and I'll drop the suspension and wipe it from your file."
Grissom frowned at Jeff. "That would show favouritism. Not something you want to display when working an investigation involving your CSI."
"I'm being practical Gil." Jeff argued.
"It's not how the IA board will see it if Miss Sidle's file is pulled in the future."
Sara sat up and glared at both men. "That won't happen."
"You don't know that Sara." Grissom told her, shaking off the glare to look down at the statement in his hand. "If you were to, say, work for me," He looked up and looked between the two. "And you were involved in a confrontation, much like this one. Then I'd have to pull your file and consult it before I past it onto the proper people."
"You'd do that?" Sara asked quietly.
Grissom nodded. "I would follow protocol Sara, like any good supervisor would."
Jeff sighed and shifted in his seat. "I'm going to stick with my offer and expect you back at work in 3 days." He pushed himself up.
"What about the investigation?" Sara asked quickly.
"I'll let you know." Grissom clutched the statement and stood to follow Jeff to the door. "I'll call you with updates after I've spoken to the others involved."
"Ok." She sighed, walking them to the door.
Grissom stopped just outside the door. He waited for Jeff to head down the hallway before turning slowly. "If you have anymore questions, here's my card." He fished out a crisp white card with his contact details and handed it to Sara.
She took the card and gingerly turned it in her hands. "Thanks."
They both looked up slowly when he pulled his hand back. -'Say something'- He mentally kicked himself when he nodded and stepped back, leaving her standing in her doorway.
GRISSOM STARED AT his hotel phone and battled with himself on whether or not to ring her. But then the investigation would pop up to the forefront of his mind and he'd warn him that he couldn't get involved with a case. It could be questioned by IA officials and Brass would certainly be pissed off by it.
-'God Damnit!'- He cursed silently, throwing himself down on his bed.
TALKING TO THE other's involved in the investigation took hours upon hours as it was difficult to locate the police officer that was at the crime scene with Sara and the suspect they were going to question.
"Can you tell me your account of what happened?" Grissom asked as he sat down across from the officer.
They had taken up residence in the reception of the crime lab so it was easier for Grissom to be closer to the facts and to keep tabs on the suspect, who was getting agitated in the interrogation room.
"Me and Sara arrived at the crime scene 20 minutes after it was called in. I did the initial sweep and all clear so she could get to work. Sara was collecting evidence in the victims living area when Josh, the suspect, came walking to the house and started going off at Sara."
Grissom was writing notes and picking out faults in what the officer was saying. Though stories have a tendency to change each time, Grissom noticed some things that were sticking out from what was said on the officer's statement, the suspects, and Sara's.
-'This might just be a hunch, but he's lying'-
"Where were you?" Grissom asked.
The officer shifted uncomfortably. "I was at the front door."
"Ok." Grissom nodded. "So, the suspect walked straight past you?"
"No." The officer frowned, though Grissom could see a barely contained glare. "I didn't see him."
Grissom looked down at his notes and tapped his pencil on the paper. "What happened next?"
"Well, I heard noises and went into see what was going on. Sara was taking a lot of verbal abuse from Josh, so I intervened."
Taking in this information, Grissom sighed quietly. "How did you, the suspect and CSI Sidle get involved in a scrum in the middle of a crime scene?"
The officer was wringing his hands around his walkie talkie. He was obviously nervous. "Uh, like I said, I intervened. I told Josh to leave, but he didn't. He backed off from Sara and the next thing I know is that Sara and Josh are in a lock. I tried to pull them apart. You know, get them away from the crime scene."
Grissom nodded and closed his notepad. "Thank you Officer. I'll be in touch."
"No problem sir."
Watching the officer go, Grissom frowned at his notes. Definitely some inconsistencies. -'This doesn't look right'- He muttered to himself as he looked through the officer's on-scene statement. -'When is a police officer so concerned about a crime scene? And this suspect seems to be known by this officer more than he's letting on'-
"HOW'S IT GOING Gil?" Jeff inquired as he entered the small officer that Grissom was allocated so he could work in quiet on the investigation.
"I've got some questions for the officer again, but I want to hear all views." He said distractedly as he wrote on a form.
Jeff moved into the room and closed the door. "You think something's not right?"
Grissom glanced up at the dayshift supervisor. "I'm covering all bases." He went back to writing.
"Well, the suspects waiting on you."
-'Hmm, time to get the third point of view'- He thought to himself as he nodded and collected his notepad and pencil. "Lead the way."
"I NEED YOU to explain to me the events that happened, Mr. Carpenter." Grissom reiterated as he watched the suspect shift continuously in his seat. His hands were scratching away at his forearms like he was trying to scratch away at something crawling under his skin.
"I don't remember."
Trying to remain as patient as ever, Grissom sighed heavily to at least vent some of his frustration. -'He's high as a kite'- He observed for the fifth time in less than a minute.
"Let's try again shall we?" Grissom sat forward. "You attacked a CSI at a crime scene. How can you not remember that?"
Mr. Carpenter just shrugged and started biting his nails.
Grissom stood and turned to the two-way mirror. He knew Jeff was on the other side and knew his next words were for the supervisor only. "I think we should wait until he's slept off what ever he's on."
JEFF MADE HIS way towards his office. "How about you talk to Sara. She's still at home." He pushed open his door and motioned Grissom to sit down. "You can get a complete account from her while you're waiting on Carpenter."
"Maybe you're right." Grissom flipped absently through the file on his lap. "Can you answer a few questions, about Sara's case, before I talk to her again?" He looked up at Jeff.
Jeff nodded as he sat behind his desk. "How can I help?"
"Let's start with a few basic questions." Grissom asked himself as he opened Sara's file he had been given a copy of.
"How basic?" Jeff chuckled. -'This is a man who leaves no stone uncovered'-
Leaning his chin into his hand, he looked straight at the shift supervisor. "Sara's been a CSI for how long? Seven months tops, right?"
Jeff nodded.
"She knows procedure. She knows a crime scene, what about those she works with?" Grissom readied his pen.
-'Uh'- Jeff's eyes crinkled in thought for a moment, but sighed before giving his answer. "Sara's what you called, 'no social butterfly'. She's not a loner, but she likes to work alone. I'm not sure about interactions with officers, but she knows the guys on staff here pretty well."
-'Guys?'- Grissom narrowed his eyes at the notepad as he scribbled. -'She's been dating?'- He mentally kicked himself for such a thought.
"I guess you should ask her." Jeff suggested. "I know that she's well known amongst all shifts. She's working in a lot of hours while studying."
-'Studying? Harvard?'- He looked up and nodded. "I'll call in when Carpenters had enough time to sober up. If it's before I get back, could you question him?"
Jeff chuckled. "Sure." -'I wonder what's between him and Sara'-
"I'm grateful. Thank you. I thought I might check out the crime scene." Grissom stood up and pushed the handful of files in his hands, into his briefcase.
-'JUST KNOCK AND get it over with'- He chastised himself for stalling and knocked on her door. She didn't know he was coming and it was just blind luck that someone was leaving the building at the same time he was arriving.
The door opened slowly and a fresh looking Sara Sidle stood on the inside with a hot mug of coffee in one hand and the door handle in the other.
"Hi." He smiled slightly, holding up a hand. "Can I come in? I have a few questions."
She nodded and opened the door wider.
A few minutes later, they were both inside her apartment and waiting for someone to say something. Sara sat in her armchair while Grissom sat on the couch.
He cleared his throat and pulled up his briefcase that rested on the floor by his feet. "I wanted to tell you that I have spoken to both the suspect and officer, but I'm a little confused by their stories." He said without much room for a single breath.
"You want some coffee?" She asked, jumping up from the couch with her already full cup.
He looked up quickly to see her disappear into the kitchen. -'Coffee?'- He scratched nervously at his left sideburn. "Sure." He finally answered.
Sara returned with two cups of coffee, her previous coffee cup had changed from a plain blue decoration to a patched black and white décor.
Grissom took a sip and smiled as he looked up. "You remembered."
"Cream and sugar." She returned his smile, but shifted her eyes before she could get lost in them. -'He looks good'- She thought to herself as she looked from the file on the table to his hands wrapped around his coffee to his lips as they took a sip from the milky drink.
When he looked up, he caught her eyes on him and couldn't if he tried, to stop the blush reaching up his neck. He made an effort to clear his throat, but only managed to choke on his coffee.
Sara smirked shyly. "You ok?"
He nodded and covered his mouth at the same time at her placed his cup on the coffee table. "Fine." He wheezed.
After a few minutes of recovery, he picked up his drink again and sipped his cautiously before getting straight to the point of his presence. "I need you to clear some issues up concerning the investigation."
Sara nodded and sat forward. "What do you want to know that I haven't already told you?"
"Tell me again what happened." He commanded, keeping his presence professional.
"Ok." She mentally went through everything before telling him again.
"I met Officer Hendrix at the scene I was called to. I went into the house after Hendrix cleared it. He said he'd stay outside so I could get on with processing in peace." She paused for a moment. "Which I found odd, because he's always insisting he stay in the room, same with all the other officers I've worked with." She stared hard eyes at Grissom. "I'm not some rookie that needs to be watched all the time. I know my job."
Grissom looked taken back. "I didn't say that you did Sara."
Her eyes softened as she sighed. "Yeah, sorry." She shook her head and took on a look of defeat. "I've worked hard for this job. I wanted to get on with what I loved to do, but everyone was telling me to slow down." She looked into his eyes with a new gleam of light in them. "I love what I do. It's fun and challenging. I don't want to slow down."
He smiled and nodded. "I'm glad you like being a CSI, Sara. I knew you'd be good. You might even be the best with time." -'You might even be better than me one day'- He looked down at his notepad for a moment to separate the personal and professional talk for a moment. "What else happened?"
Shifting back to the crime scene, she thought back. "Um… I was dusting the coffee table for prints. I was about to dust the glass on the table because it seemed out of place."
"Out of place, how?" He asked, forgetting his line of questioning for a moment.
She shrugged. "I'm not sure how, I just did. I noticed that the vic didn't have that many glasses in his home. He was a takeout junky and a cardboard box meal kinda guy. Loads of cans, soft and alcohol. Probably all the glasses he had were two pint glasses in his bedroom and a small tumbler in the bathroom. This was a tall glass."
"So?" He prompted. "The vic had a tall glass. What's so strange about that?"
Sara raised an eyebrow. "It was clean, the only clean item in the whole of the house."
"The vic died of poisoning." Grissom mulled over thoughtfully. "The murderer cleaned the glass afterwards?" He questioned.
"I don't think so." Sara sighed. "Anyway," She turned back to her statement. "I turned at the sound of movement and saw this shaky guy standing not a few feet from me."
"Mr Carpenter." Grissom nodded.
Sara shrugged. "Whatever his name is, he was in my crime scene, so I asked him to leave. He started shouting at me. I tried to get through to him, but he wouldn't listen. I noticed how he was rubbing at his arms and my eyes left him for a fraction of a second before I sat Hendrix come in."
"How did Carpenter get in?" Grissom asked.
"Front door. The back was locked and no windows were forced let alone open. It stank." She grimaced in remembrance.
"But Hendrix states he never saw Carpenter."
Sara sighed and leaned back into the armchair with her coffee firmly in her hands. "He's lying. There was no other way he could've got on."
Grissom was silent for a minute. -'Unless Carpenter was in the house already'- His eyes shot to Sara's to catch her looking at him. She looked away quickly. He ignored it for the moment. He needed to get this investigation finished before he could battle the past and present in one go.
"Unless he was already in the house before you went inside." He suggested.
-'That would mean that Hendrix didn't clear the scene properly'- She furrowed her brow in concentration. "But how could Hendrix not see him in the first place?"
Opening his mouth to answer, he sighed and shook his head at last minute with no answer to give. "I'm not sure. It's not a good idea to put a cop's loyalty on the line, but this could be personal."
Sara was confused. "How could it be personal?"
"I'm no certain, but Officer Hendrix knows Carpenter some how. Old friends perhaps." He pursed his lips and touched his fingers to them in thought, unaware of what his actions were doing to the other occupant in the room.
-'God, I've missed his hands'- She sighed inwardly as his fingers played over his lips. -'I missed him'- She smiled and sipped her cooling coffee.
Glancing to his side, he saw her cup go up and a moment later it came down and his thoughts about the investigation were promptly forgotten.
"Sara?" He asked.
Startled by the softness of his voice, she turned her head towards him. "Yes?"
He looked back at the papers on the table for a moment before shifting to perch on the edge of the couch. Not able to sit still, he stood up and walked over to the window behind the couch.
"What is it?" She asked after nothing came.
-'Is this really the time?'- He argued with himself.
"Gil?" She moved to stand and slowly approached him. "Honey, are you ok?" She placed her hand on the small of his back.
He sighed and smiled at her reflection in the window. "I've missed you, you know that right?"
Sara nodded silently.
"Why did you call me in on this?" He asked her quietly, turning with a soft look in his eyes.
"I need someone who knew me." She answered calmly. "Someone who knew I'd never do anything as stupid as attack a suspect or compromise a scene."
He watched her eyes to see the honesty and… -'Does she still feel it? Is it still there?'- His hand moved to take hers, but stopped when his cell phone interrupted.
"You hungry?" She offered.
"A little." He smiled and reached for his cell phone that was clipped to his waist. Waiting for her to leave the room, he flipped the phone open and held it to his ear as he turned back to the window. It had suddenly started raining and the droplets were running down the window.
"Grissom." He listened to the caller for a few minutes. "Thanks Jeff. Send someone to get Officer Hendrix and I'll be in as soon as I've finished with the scene." He listened again before snapping his phone shut to returning it to his belt.
"The scene?" Sara asked suddenly appearing at his side.
Turning to her, he nodded. "I told Jeff I was going to finish my questioning and head over to the scene. But that's no longer necessary." He told her.
"Why not?" She inquired, worried that something had happened.
"Mr Carpenter's Epithelial's were on that glass you suspected wasn't supposed to be there. Officer Hendrix's DNA was on the packet of rat poison that was in Carpenters backpack we took into lockup when we brought him in for questioning. There's a good chance that's what killed your vic." He shrugged, knowing the tox tests hadn't come back yet. "The only loop left to tie up is the connection between the three. You, Miss Sidle are off the hook. You can return to work immediately."
Sara's face broke out into a wide grin as she threw her arms around his neck and held onto him. "That's Great!" She cheered into his neck. "Thank You!"
Without the hesitation he thought he might have, he wrapped his arms around her warm body and held her to him. "You're welcome." He whispered against her ear.
She pulled back slightly, her face impeccably close to his, their noses almost touching. "Thank you for coming." She looked into his eyes. "I know I didn't deserve your help-" Her voice hitched when his mouth covered hers lightly.
-'God I've missed this'- He sighed against her lips as she pulled him closer.
Slowly releasing each other from their intimate hold on one another, they stepped back. Sara smiled and turned to tend to the food she had left on the stove.
Sitting back on the couch, Grissom gathered up the file and papers in perfect order to show Jeff and IA at the end off the three days. He'd only been here for around 34 hours and his IA investigation was already closed. His boss back home would be please that's for sure.
Signing a form at the back of the large IA report, he placed it safely in the folder and closed it. He removed his glasses and sat back against the couch, resting his eyes with his head pushed back.
-'What does this mean?'- He asked himself. -'Will nothing change? I don't know if I can do that. The dreams won't go away if something isn't said or done'- He sighed and turned his head to look at the kitchen. He could see her back as she stood in front of the stove.
Standing up as he watched her push her hair out of her eyes, he moved up behind her, slowly and quietly pulling her hair back to expose her neck to him. -'What happens tomorrow if we sleep together tonight?'- He questioned as his lips feasted on her tanned skin.
Pulling her back against his chest, he trailed his lips up her neck to her jaw. He sighed loudly against her flesh when she pushed back and purposely rubbed against him.
"What's for dinner?" He asked teasingly as his teeth nipped at her ear.
Sara smiled as she stirred the pot. "Pasta bolognaise."
"Mhmm, my favourite." He hummed against her hair, his hands moving of their own accord. One held her against him while the other strayed down to rest on her thigh.
Turning serious for a minute, she turned her head to look at him. "When do you fly back to Vegas?"
He looked into her sorrowful brown eyes with sad blue ones. "Tomorrow night, or the next morning."
"Three days!?" Sara gasped. -'Please God No! I need more time!'-
Grissom nodded slowly. "Yes."
"Gil-" She turned back to the pasta and turned down the bolognaise. "That's not enough time." She whispered almost to herself.
Releasing his hold enough to turn her, he rewrapped his arms around her waist. "Enough time for what?"
"To say so many things. To apologise. To put things right." She looked pleadingly into his soulful eyes. "It's not enough time to do it all."
Taking her hand from his chest, he smiled. "You've known where I am for two years, what's stopping you coming to see me?" His smile shifted a little, but stayed. "I know where you are now. I can visit you."
"But…" She sighed and reluctantly nodded.
"You know, have known, how I feel, Sara. That still hasn't changed and I fear it never will." He leaned his forehead against hers. -'God I wish I could tell you Sara, just how much really I care'-
"Same here." She whispered. Her hands moving up to tangle in his short brown curls that were starting to grey in areas. "I'm so sorry."
"Ssh." He kissed her nose and pulled her into his tight embrace.
"I should have said something sooner. I'm sorry, Gil." She breathed in a shaky breath on the verge of tears. Her hands clutched to him, unwilling to let him go. "I've missed being in your arms so much it hurts."
"I'm here now." He moved back to look into her eyes. They gazed into each others eyes for a long time, remembering old times. Only when the pasta started to boil over did they realise where they were.
"I need to call Jeff and tell him I can't make it in tonight." Grissom pulled his cell phone from his belt and stepped out of the kitchen to let Sara finish cooking.
SARA PUSHED HER plate away and leaned back in her chair, looking across at Grissom who was pushing his food around his plate.
"What are you thinking?" She asked quietly, not wanting to startle him.
Grissom sighed heavily, pushing some more food bits around his plate. "I was thinking about you." He glanced at her briefly before continuing more softly. "I was thinking how much I missed you and how much I worried. I was thinking that now I've found you, I don't know what to do."
Standing up and walking around the table, Sara took his fork from him and pushed his plate back slightly. She reached for the napkin that sat in his lap and smiled coyly when he sucked in a deep breath as her fingers glided across his pants in one swift motion, lifting the napkin and dropping it on the discarded plate.
He shook his head. "Sara-"
"Ssh." She tilted his head up and touched her finger to his lips as she moved to sit on his legs, straddling them easily.
"We have to talk." He looked into her eyes, relishing in the feel of her body on his and her finger tracing his lips.
"We will." She promised, leaning forward to replace her lone finger with her full lips, treasuring the fact she could touch him again.
WHAT STARTED OUT in the kitchen soon moved into the bedroom, along with a disaster in its path. Clothes floated to the ground, still in the whirl wind that was two lovers making up for time lost.
Sara's hands ran up his arms, her gentle caress of his forearms and biceps making him shiver. Her eyes strayed to his body below, smiling up into his eyes when he pulled her to him and they both fell to the bed in a rustle of giggles and chuckles, enjoying the moment.
"God I've missed your body." She whispered into his ear as his lips tasted the skin of her neck.
Tearing his mouth from her, his head came up to meet her eyes in the darkness. They were still able to see each other through the light from the living room and kitchen, but only just.
Grissom gently, tenderly ran his fingertips over her face, memorizing what he had already stored in his memory banks, but wanted to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything.
Sara's eyes shone up at him as her arms wrapped around him. "Make love to me Gil, like we use to. Soft and gentle, like the first time." She pleaded, pulling him closer.
His whole body shook with pleasurable excitement. "Sara." He whispered so softly, it was barely a whispered breath before he claimed her mouth and savoured her kiss, remembering their first time together.
Skin on skin was something that always shook them both, the fact that either of them was allowed to touch each other shocked them. They both felt the difference. This was their first time in two years and it was away from Boston, away from any danger that could harm them and that fact was well etched into Sara's mind for an eternity.
Just like that first time, he looked into her eyes, holding himself up with his forearms, his fingers brushing back her hair and touching her face. -'So beautiful'-
Sara closed her eyes and sighed with a smile. "Hmm, I'll never get bored of this." She murmured.
"You'll be coming to Vegas soon then?" He asked huskily, cutting her answer off as he entered her with slowness that showed her just how much he cared and loved her. He would never hurt her physically and she knew it as much as him.
Breathless already with the emotions coursing through him, Grissom tried to raise himself to look into her eyes in the dimness, but couldn't. She held him tightly against her. He pushed his face into her neck, wrapping his arms under her body, clutching her.
His lips against her skin caused her to turn her head towards him. Hearing her panting in his ear, he moved tentatively, still aware it had been a long time for him and he hoped it had been for her too. By her response and stiff body, it had been a while for both of them.
That made Grissom feel better, something about her waiting for him, thinking of him, made his heart beat faster than it already was. Lifting his hips to push forward, he groaned against her neck, licking and sucking the flesh slowly.
"Gil." Sara breathed, running her hands down his back. She pulled him to her and sighed against his shoulder as they started moving together, building up a slow and gentle rhythm, sky rocketing her heart into orbit where it would stay there for a long time.
Slowly, reaching for her hands, he pushed them into her pillow and laced their fingers together, rocking their bodies, reaching the brink, only to bring them back down to start over again.
His body raised up a bit to see her face. "Honey, look at me." He whispered throatily, puffing out a chuckle at her dreamy look.
Sara smiled and lifted her head up to kiss the corner of his mouth, only to have him turn and kiss her in return. Passion poured out in their kiss as their movements increased with their need of fulfilment.
-'I love you so much'- Sara's mind screamed in her release, strengthening her grasp on his sweaty body, holding onto him as he reached his climax.
Stilling with a groan of delight, Grissom smiled into her open mouth, kissing away the gasps from both of them as they gathered their breaths and heart rates.
GRISSOM SHIFTED ON his arm, making it more comfortable to rest his head on as he continued to watch Sara sleep soundly. He had woken almost an hour ago and he had been watching her. He knew he needed more sleep, but the thought of waking up and discovering it had all been a dream and that she wasn't there, scared him half to death.
Replaying everything back in his head, he smiled as he lightly ran his hand over her face. -'I want to stay like this forever, with her in my arms, to protect her'- His smile faulted.
The remembrance of what happened was painful to even think about. He had tried to help and she wouldn't let him. Even when she left, he had tried to find out who attacked her. It was heartbreaking to see her close herself off from him in those short hours before she left him.
-'Why did you go Sara?'- He questioned, his eyes fixed on her face as her eyes fluttered in sleep.
Pushing the memories back for now, he pushed himself up to move closer, carefully taking her sleeping body into his arms.
"Mmm, Gil." She moaned contentedly against his chest, sliding her hand up his side to hold him.
"Hmm?" He hummed into her hair, knowing she was still sleeping.
"Don't go." She sighed, snuggling her face against his chest.
Pressing several light kisses into her hair, he smiled. "I'm not going anywhere." He had always loved the way she was perceptive to suggestion and conversation in her sleep. It made him smile when she talked about him in mostly incoherent mumblings. It was only one of the many things he'd learned about her.
FILLING OUT THE last form for his IA investigation, Grissom handed a copy to Jeff and slid two copies into his briefcase.
"I'll get this sent as soon as I get back to Vegas. I'm sure you'll be notified if there's a further investigation involving the police officer and Mr. Carpenter." Grissom informed him.
Jeff nodded and stood. He had been at work a few hours now and was starting to get to know Grissom a little more. "I hope you will report any other findings as hopefully for Sara. She's an asset to this lab already." He chuckled and held out his hand. "Thank you for coming. I'm sure Sara would say the same when I impress upon you our gratitude and that if you need anything, you only have to ask."
Grissom was momentarily stunted by the offer, but took Jeff's hand all the same and shook it firmly. "Thank you."
Moving around his desk, Jeff walked Grissom out of his office and started down the hall. "Sara called a few minutes before you arrived." He informed his new friend. "She wanted to know when she could come back to work."
Grissom chuckled. "Yes, well, that's Sara. Few can outsmart and outpace her, but there's still time."
Jeff nodded, chuckling. "I guess this is goodbye until some gruesome case pops up and your credentials are needed."
"Hoping the situation is better than that of a case, I hope to work with you sometime, and your crew. A good bunch." Grissom praised, taking a look around the place one last time as they walked by.
"I look forward to it." Jeff pushed open one side of the large heavy set doors to the outside and held it for Grissom, staying where he was when he passed through. "Have a pleasant flight Dr Grissom."
"Might as well call me Gil. I'm sure there will be another time to use it." Grissom smirked and nodded his goodbye as he turned and walked towards his rental car. He needed to go to the hotel and get his bag.
REACHING TO HIS belt for his cell phone, Grissom smiled when he saw who it was. He'd only just got to his hotel ten minutes ago and was already leaving his room. He answered as he pressed the button for the elevator.
"Hey." He said softly.
"We didn't get time to talk did we?" She stated more than asked, knowing they had been too busy with each other to talk about things.
He sighed, letting her know he didn't want to go. "Sara…" He tried to think of something.
She hummed in thought, knowing what he was thinking. "Let me pick you up and drive you to the airport."
Grissom chuckled and agreed. "I'd like that."
AFTER CHECKING OUT, he arranged for his rental car to be picked up. Standing outside the hotel, waiting for Sara wasn't a long wait. He spotted her car in the traffic and the smile crept unbidden onto his face. -'She's always going to have this effect on me'- He mused.
Sara reached across and unlocked the passenger door, smiled at him and waited for him to climb in. She watched as he tossed his bags into the back before checking her mirrors and pulling out of the hotel pit stop and into the traffic.
After a few minutes of silence, Sara reached out for his hand that was resting on his thigh. She glanced at him a moment when she felt his fingers tighten around hers. "You have my number, right? Cuz, you can ring me anytime." She assured him.
Grissom nodded, turning to look at her, a bleak look on his face all of a sudden. "I don't know if I can do this."
Sara cast a worried glance at him quickly. "What's wrong?"
He sighed and rubbed his face with his free hand, rubbing his eyes, suddenly tired. "I… I've been," He looked at her then. "I haven't been able to sleep for a long time Sara. I thought something happened to you. I did look for a while, but then it hit me."
She looked down a moment before looking back at the road. "Gil-"
"You didn't want to be found." He finished quickly. "Why?" He asked, waiting in earnest for an answer. When none came, he groaned in frustration, his body suddenly tight and bound with worry, regret and panic.
-'She has to talk to me someday'- He thought to himself.
Checking the road signs, she pulled into the airport parking lot and parked in a short distance stay space. She knew she had to tell him one day, but she didn't want to lose him, not now she had him back. -'I love him too much to tell him. It'd break his heart'-
She had long ago put what happened out of her mind and her emotions were so much better in the years since that time. The thought of telling him still made her sick, but she knew he'd have to know sometime, but now wasn't it. She had to reassure him with her love.
Unbuckling her seat belt, she turned to him. "Listen," She began gently, releasing his hand to touch his face. "What I did, I can't take back. What happened, I can't undo. But Gil, remember this," She looked straight into his eyes with honesty and openness. "Everything since then has been a struggle without you and now I've got you back, I can already feel the changes."
"Sara," He sighed. "You left and it scared the hell out of me-"
She nodded, stroking his cheek lovingly. "I know, and I'm sorry. At the time, I had my reasons and someday, I'll tell you, but until then, you need to trust me." Waiting a beat, she levelled her gaze with his questioningly. "Do you trust me-?"
"Implicitly." Grissom answered, talking over her before she could finish. Covering her hand with his, he turned his head to kiss her palm, closing his eyes, savouring her smell and touch.
"Come on, I'll walk you to your gate." She told his softly, brushing her thumb against his.
PLAYING THE MOMENT once again in his mind, Grissom couldn't help but smile. -'I'd found her'- He blinked a few times at the headrest in front of him and sighed. -'She found me. She knew where I was all along'- The very thought hurt.
Shaking the emotions that had snuck up on him, he turned his attention to the window, seeing the clouds and green landscape float below.
Again, the moment flashed before his eyes and a slow smile made it across his face.
SARA TUGGED BACK on his hand to stop him from going any further. Grissom just stared at her, wondering if she was going to leave before he even got on his plane. Instead, he was surprised when she blushed.
"What's this?" He asked softly, stepping closer to cup her cheek, rubbing his thumb over the reddening flesh.
Covering his hand with hers, she pushed her cheek into his palm, relishing in his warm touch. "Oh, nothing really. I just know what you're like with public displays of affection." She smiled as she grasped his jacket lapel and pulled him closer to give him a kiss that took his breath away.
True to her word, his face brightened more than hers, which had lessened slightly. Grissom's eyes skated around them to see too many people in one place, but thankful that they didn't seem to notice them.
"We better get you on that plane." She told him, taking his hand again and leading him towards the departure gates.
STANDING IN LINE for a few minutes, Grissom couldn't stand it any longer. He needed to say something. -'It's now or never'-
Looking around them, he grasped Sara's hand tightly and pulled her towards a quiet corner of the departure lounge.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Sara questioned, tenderly running her free hand up his arm to soothe him.
He raised his head slightly to stare at her lips before finding her eyes with his searching ones. Searching for something to keep him grounded, something to help his mind settle and his dreams to fade away.
-'What would she say? I don't blame her. I hope she doesn't think that'- He watched her eyes carefully.
"Honey, what's going on? Are you sick?" She panicked, reaching up to touch his forehead and cheek, checking temperature. "You're not burning up or anything." She told him softly, turning her hand to cup his cheek. "Tell me."
Breathing in deeply through his nose, he let it out as he spoke. "I… have… these dreams." He stammered, feeling stupid, and winced at the sound of his childish voice.
Sara's lips turned up. "About me?" She asked, watching his eyes.
-'She doesn't understand'- He nodded, but sighed. "They're always about you."
Sensing something wasn't right, Sara stepped closer to share her body heat with him and to comfort him. "About me leaving?" She questioned, knowing instantly the answer when his eyes snapped to hers and darkened with sadness.
-'God, what did I expect?'- She cursed silently. Cupping her hand behind his neck, she pressed her forehead against his. "Hun, it's ok. I get those dreams too, just about you, not me." She smiled when his eyes lightened a bit and the corners of his mouth twitched.
Turning sad again, he sighed. "Are they sad ones, like mine?"
Sara nodded, rubbing her cheek against his before hugging him close. "We'll sort things out."
"I'm worried it won't." He confessed on a distraught gasp.
"It will." She insisted. "We know where each lives now. We are there for each other. A phone call away."
Grissom held her tight for a moment longer, listening to the last calls for passengers to Las Vegas.
"If you need me, at any time, any place, call me. I'll be there at a moments notice." She looked seriously into his eyes, assuring him that she's not going anywhere; she's not going to leave him again.
REMEMBERING THE KISS that spoke of deep emotion, true feelings that still lie within them both that followed their talk, made him sigh with a smile. It was soul breaking to let go and walk through the gate, to leave her this time. But it felt different. He knew where she was. She had his address and number, including his cell, email, work contacts and pager. He wasn't going to leave any communicational tool left unused.
-'If I can only get her with me in Vegas, I'll be fine'- He thought to himself as the plane hit its approach for McCarren Airport.
With any luck, he could sleep the day away and get into work refreshed and ready for any cases that came his way.
LATER THAT EVENING on the way back from a suspicious circs, Brass called him into his office for an unofficial update on his internal investigation.
"It's being handled by their department now. It's a police matter." Grissom informed after a few descriptive details about what happened and how it came about a CSI was involved.
"So," Brass hedged. "All in all, it was the officer hiding something and the junkie was there for… what? Hiding evidence?" -'I'll never get used to cops doing the dirty and getting away with it'-
Grissom shrugged. "It seems that way. Very hard to tell at this moment. CSI Sidle was investigating what looked like a natural death at first, suicide even, which turned out to be a cover up for murder. More information will be gathered when the Frisco police get the file back from IA. I had to hand it in before they got hold of it."
Brass nodded, understanding that in some cases where the officer is involved in murder or a cover up or both, the paperwork and evidence can and sometimes does, slip through the cracks and gets left there. "I'll see that your expenses are refunded. Good job Gil."
-'It's not like I was there long'- He nodded to his supervisor and stood. "Thanks Jim."
"How did… Sara?-" He asked. "Take the news that she was going to keep her job?"
Grissom looked back at his boss, and friend, before looking away thoughtfully. "She…" He sighed, shrugged and shook his head with a small smile forming. "Happy, I guess."
-'Well, more than happy, but I doubt going into detail would be wise'- He chuckled to himself and excused himself back to work.
MONTHS PAST BY before they were able to get together again. Sara couldn't get away from Frisco, but Grissom was able to take two consecutive nights off to spend with her. After a few more months of phone calls and emails, it was starting to show that there wasn't going to be more time alone for a long time to come.
Different seasons tended to bring out the vast differences of murders and other crimes that struck both Nevada and California.
It was Grissom who struggled to return calls and emails after a period of busy cases. Sara had struggled the same at one point, but always managed to send a text or letter to keep their communication line open. One week soon turned into two and before either knew it a few months had gone by without word from either one.
Until a conference in Ohio brought them back together with surprising reactions.
"SETTLE DOWN, SETTLE down!" Grissom ordered over the talkative crowed that sat in their seats, filling the large room with CSI's of all levels and Interns in the study program to advance their knowledge in forensics.
When he had the room's attention, Grissom hedged into his lecture before rattling off his long time dormant humour that still worked to wake the room after a long explanation. Stealing his attention from his work was that of a very familiar face that sat at the back of the room with a smile and absorbing eyes.
-'Dear God!'- He didn't know how long it had been since he had last seen her, but the second his eyes landed on hers, he knew the last time they'd gotten together and the last time he'd spoken to her.
-'Had it been that long?'- He asked himself as he automatically answered questions thrown his way when he'd stopped talking to glance around the room. The intellectual part of his brain was enjoying the challenging questions, but his subconscious was struggling to control his memories as they collected and swam before his eyes in sharp remembrance.
"Dr Grissom?" A female voice caught his attention as the room's occupants filed out to take a break before the next session began.
"You don't need to call me that, Sara." He turned and smiled.
She shrugged, looking around them to see the last of the room leaving. "I didn't want anyone to hear."
-'Hear what?'- He asked himself as he frowned.
Sara looked back at him. "I see you haven't lost any of your teaching skills."
His frown turned into a small smile at the compliment. "Thank you."
She nodded, still keeping a professional tone to her face. "Still the same jokes, but I found it interesting."
Grissom's smile slipped slightly. -'What's going on?'- Stepping away from the podium, he walked down the two steps to stand before her with worried eyes.
"I guess I should get going before the next lecture starts." She past by him on her way to the door when she felt his hand on her arm, holding her back. -'I knew it was stupid to talk to him'-
"Sara." He said softly, turning her to him. "I'm sorry about not returning your calls last month. A serial killer was passing through Vegas."
She smiled a little. "That's ok. I was busy myself."
Grissom looked into her eyes and caught something there. "You want to have coffee with me?"
-'Yes!'- She inwardly screamed, but shook her head. "I've got a lecture to attend in five minutes.
"Ditch it." He said suddenly, breaking away to gather his things together before jumping off the stage to take her hand and lead her away from the lecture room and into the hall.
SITTING AT THE back of the diner, Grissom and Sara talked about the lecture, avoiding the issue of 'them' over coffee and sandwiches.
Suddenly, as if it was an opening to the issue that was unspoken, Grissom covered Sara's hand with his own when she spoke to a passing colleague.
He smiled as she faltered slightly in her brief talk. -'Maybe it's just nerves that's stopping her from talking to me'-
The minute the passer-by left, Sara turned her head and grinned.
-'That's the Sara I know'- He smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
"I was starting to worry about you." He said, picking up her hand to hold it against his rough cheek.
Sara smiled sadly. "It's been a long time Gil. You stopped calling. I guess it got to me."
Staring into her eyes, he gently caressed her hand in his and placed a tender kiss in her palm, breaking away from her eyes to close his on a sigh. "I'm sorry."
"Why are you here anyway?" She asked suddenly, returning his caress, running her fingers over his as he returned their hands to the tabletop.
"Here?" He inquired, retrieving his coffee cup.
"Ohio. I didn't think you still taught."
"Only once a year." He nodded. "It's a break away from work I guess."
Sara smiled, drinking her coffee for a moment before whispering softly so only he could hear. "I've missed you."
His eyes flickered with emotion as they locked with hers over the rim of his coffee cup. Setting the ceramic down, he sat up straighter and links his fingers with hers. "I guess it was more difficult that we thought it would be, huh? This long distance relationship." He shrugged lightly, setting a sad tone when his eyes dropped from hers slowly.
"I guess we did." Sara agreed.
"It feels like we're starting from the beginning again." He confessed with a shy smile, looking up with warm eyes.
"Is it the beginning?" She asked cautiously, almost painfully. "Or the end?"
Grissom's eyes darkened and his head turned away. -'Damnit!'- He cursed. -'Why was this so hard?'-
As if reading his mind, Sara squeezed his hand gently. "Let me make it easy for both of us." She said softly, pulling her hand from his and standing. She looked down at him with tearful eyes and a watery smile. The panic she saw in his eyes made her heart ache. -'It was bound to happen sooner or later'- She warned herself.
Moving towards him, she cupped his face and tilted it up so she could place a tender kiss on his lips. "Just, don't be a stranger. Call me if you need me." She placed a second kiss upon his lips before breaking away and leaving him sitting alone at their table.
"HOLLY GRIBBS HAS been shot." Jim Brass stood in the doorway and gave them the bad news about the rookie.
Grissom stood in complete shook horror as everything in the world seemed to stop dead. He'd only been back in Vegas two months and things were starting to get complicated and more strained. He had emailed Sara every weekend since they had bumped into each other in Ohio with the beginnings of a strong friendship building.
It was all he had to give at the moment. He couldn't give more because he wasn't sure he could. Since Boston, things had changed so much. He wasn't the same person anymore, but his feelings were still the same. The distance and their jobs kept them apart, but at least they could still be friends after all that had happened between them.
Now Holly was in hospital and more change was happening before his very eyes. How was he supposed to handle this? He was trying to get his life back together, see other people, like Sara had said in her email, though he had a feeling she was just saying it to set him free from any obligation he thought he had towards her.
-'Which was easier say than done'- He mused, though he had seen someone, or rather, was, seeing someone, but nothing was serious.
-'She's fun and exciting, but she's not Sara'- His tired brain argued again and again that nothing would replace his relationship and connection with Sara.
"IT'S ALL YOURS Gil." Jim told him with an open arm swiping out to his side, indicating the office they stood in.
"You're being transferred?" Grissom chuffed out in disbelief.
Jim shrugged. "Wouldn't you know it, instead of going up; I'm going back to where I started. Homicide."
Grissom chuckled. "Scientists versus Cops."
Sharing long time banter and friendship was somehow warming. It made the situation not as bad as it seemed.
"You're going to need to hire some help. That's your job now… and the paperwork, which I won't miss."
Surveying the room, Grissom nodded stiffly. "Guess it's all going to change from here on, huh?"
"Better believe it. After this, everyone's going to look up to you more, now you are Supervisor, Gil." Jim expressed with sympathetic eyes.
As Jim grabbed his last box of personal stuff from the desk, Grissom turned to watch him leave with one last question. "Got any advice?"
Jim looked back at him before nodding. "Yeah. Cover your ass, and hide."
SITTING BEHIND HIS new desk, Grissom listened to the ringing as he waited for an answer. After five rings, his ears picked up on the radio being turned down before a familiar voice answered.
"Sidle."
"Hey." His voice was trying to keep the serious tone, but it was getting difficult. He wanted to talk to her about so many things, but was finding it hard.
"Hey Gil." Sara's sudden attention told him she knew it wasn't a social call.
"I need you here right away." He intoned, trying to leave out the actually neediness in his request.
"Ok. I can be in Vegas in a day."
End of Volume II
Continued in Volume III