Title: Length of Love

Author: Spike Speigel

E-mail:

Rating: PG

Classification: Grissom/Sara

Disclaimer: As usual, these characters don't belong to me. Just taking them for a joyride.

Spoilers: Everything before and including Swap Meet.

Summary: Sara and Grissom finish their conversation.

Status: Finished

Sara tossed in her bed, sleep eluding her like the needle in the proverbial haystack. She turned over to her back; her arms now nestled above her head and between the headboard. Rays of sunlight continued to force their way through her blinds, the air circulation from the AC unit gently shuffling the blinds to and fro, allowing said sunlight to peek into her bedroom. She knew she should get some sleep since she was on call in a few hours, but try as she might, she couldn't fall asleep.

She frowned slightly, a sigh of frustration escaping her lips. Her head turned to its side, her eyes fixing on the phone on her night counter. Her arm moved of its own volition, the phone in her hand before she realized it was there. Sara pondered the phone in her grasp, her gaze taking in the minute features. She could see the keys on the face slightly illuminated, the plastic antennae slightly worn. Silly habit, really. She'd bite the antennae when she shuffled through her take-out menus, as though it was the most important decision of the day. If she made the wrong choice, it could be the difference between life and death.

Another sigh. Once upon a time, she'd thrown away all of those multicolored menus. But, old habits did indeed die hard, Sara falling back into her habit like a relapsed smoker. She pushed the thought away, her thumb hovering over the TALK button. She hesitated for a moment before her thumb came down, the dial tone humming softly through the earpiece. Her thumb moved to the number keys, beginning to punch in a phone number before she paused in mid dial. She shook her head slightly as though she was trying to silence the voice in her head that was screaming to her that this was a bad idea. Before she knew it, the number had been dialed. Sara brought the phone to her ear, the line continuing to ring. As she was about to hang up the phone, the other end finally answered.

"Grissom." Her voice caught in her throat, her mind finally comprehending what she had just done. "Hello?"

She exhaled softly before responding. "Hey, Grissom."

There was dead silence over the line, Sara beginning to regret calling him in the first place. She was about to make up an excuse for her call, but she never got the chance. "Hello, Sara. What can I do for you?"

Just like that. No inquiries about work. No hesitation in his voice about a call that for all intents and purposes he shouldn't even be getting at this hour. Just a normal, casual voice.

"Well, it's silly, really. But…"

"I'm sure it's not silly. Besides, you already have me. Might as well tell me why you called."

Sara shook her head, slightly perplexed at his choice of words. Refusing to obsess, Sara continued. "I can't sleep."

"And, you're hoping a conversation with me will do the job?"

Sara laughed softly, enjoying the playful nature the conversation had taken. "Well, that wasn't my initial thought, but if you think it'll help…"

Grissom returned the laugh. "So, what do you want to talk about?"

"You're sure I'm not bothering you?"

His answer was succinct. "You're never a bother." Sara smiled at his words as Grissom continued. "So, tell Doctor Grissom what ails you and he'll recommend the best course of action."

Another smile was his reward. Sara was thankful that Grissom couldn't see the effect he was having on her at the current moment. "I've just been thinking about humanity in general."

"Anything specific?"

Sara placed her free arm behind her head, gazing at the ceiling as she spoke. "Do you think there's any hope for us?"

Grissom clicked his tongue, unsure about the question. "In what sense?"

"I see a fifteen year old girl kill her stepmother over what's undoubtedly a fling and I'm left wondering, why do we even bother? It's all pretty much futile when you get right down to it. Right?"

"Sara, I never pictured you as a defeatist."

She spoke before she had a chance to compose her thoughts. "Lot of things you don't know about me."

"What?"

She covered as best she could. "Nothing. Just thinking out loud." She waited for him to push the subject, but was relieved when he didn't. "Look, maybe this was a bad idea. I'm going to go."

"I don't think it's a bad idea. In fact, we really don't talk that much outside of work." He hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Maybe this is a good time to start." Sara's hand ran through her hair as she tried to comprehend his words once again. Who was on the other end of this line? Because it certainly didn't feel like the Grissom she knew. Then again, this wasn't really a bad thing. "But, honestly, I know what you mean. There are times I wonder the same thing."

"So, what do you tell yourself when you're faced with that nagging doubt?"

His answer was honest, if anything. "If I don't speak for the victim, who will?" He could hear her laugh on the other end, somewhat perplexed by the response. "What's so funny?"

"Not funny. It's just…"

"Yeah?"

The silence remained for a moment before she filled it. "You're the only man I know who can say a line like that and actually sound sincere about it."

Grissom chuckled nervously as he spoke. "Is that a compliment, Ms. Sidle?"

"Always."

His voice was serene, gentle. "Thanks."

Her voice matched his, the intimacy clearly evident to both of them. "You're welcome, Gil." Unfortunately, the moment was lost by yet another awkward silence.

"Um, was there anything else? Because I should really try and get some sleep before shift."

"Oh, nothing. Nothing really. Thanks for taking the time to listen to me prattle on."

He smiled slightly. "Anytime. And Sara?"

"Yeah, Gil?"

"Feel free to call if you just want to, you know…talk."

Sara laughed softly, Grissom returning it in kind. "I will. Night."

"Good night, Sara." As Grissom was about to hang up the phone, he could hear Sara's voice emanating from the earpiece. Grissom pulled the phone back up to his ear. "What was that?"

"I did have a question."

"What's that?"

"Earlier, I asked you if you thought they were happy? The swingers?"

"Yeah, I remember."

"So, you never answered the question. Do you think they were happy?"

Grissom pondered the question for a moment before replying. "I think happiness is different for different people. So, yes. I think they were indeed happy with their lives given their situation."

Sara took in his answer, another question emerging. "So, if you were in that situation, would you be happy?"

"Honestly?"

"Honestly."

"Truth is, I'm not sure. I can tell you what does make me happy."

"Yeah? What's that?"

The answer was one she would have never expected. "Talking to you."

Sara's smile was now a full-blown grin, Sara trying her best to keep her composure. "You know, if a girl didn't know better, she might think you're trying to seduce her."

The playfulness was evident, but the tone was something else. Something more intimate. "Only trying?"

His reward was a hearty laugh, Sara wondering to herself the last time she'd smiled this much in her life. "Good night, Gil."

"Good night, Sara."

Before Grissom could hang up the phone, Sara spoke. "Hey, Gil?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm happy when I talk to you too. Just in case you were wondering."

Grissom grinned slightly. "Sweet dreams, Sara."

"Sweet dreams, Gil." With that, Sara hung up the phone. Well, she still couldn't sleep. But, the reason for the insomnia was different than before. Now, Sara couldn't sleep because she couldn't get the image of Grissom from her mind. Sure, it was only a phone call. But, to her, it was more than that. She couldn't really put her finger on it, but as her eyes fluttered closed, the smile was clearly evident on her face. She was indeed happy.

Fin