SPOILERS: None.
A/N: Again, your reviews are truly appreciated! Special thanks to indiegurl2008, my new beta. This story is taking on a life of it's own and I think it is going to be longer than orginally planned. I will try and continue to update quickly...
During the taxi ride to McCarran airport Grissom made a mental note to get Catherine a gift for her willingness to cover his shifts for the next two days. She had seemed surprised at his request, especially since Sara was still on leave. He had expected her to press him for more particulars but she didn't ask why and he was grateful for her restraint.
As he thought about the phone call that had prompted his impulsive decision, his pulse quickened. He had never heard Sara sound so desperate, and – afraid. He was so relieved that she was willing to reach out to him for help when she apparently needed it the most. I won't disappoint you Sara, I promise.
The journey from Las Vegas to San Francisco was less than two hours, but seemed like a lifetime. When the plane finally landed, it took every ounce of patience Gil had not to mow people down as he dashed through the airport. He decided to call Sara while waiting in line to rent a car.
"Hello?" Sara answered the phone on the first ring, hoping it was Grissom.
"Sara, it's me. I'm glad you took your cell phone with you, I didn't want to have to explain to your mother who I was."
"She knows who you are. I didn't tell her or Dylan that I talked to you, but I suppose I should." Sara sat on her bed and took a deep breath.
"Well, I'm at the airport now so maybe you should give them a head's up."
"Yeah, I will. Do you need me to pick you up?"
"No, I'm getting a rental car right now. I will probably have to go back to Vegas before you do and I didn't want you to have to worry about driving me around."
"Okay. Um, Gris, I didn't expect this you know? I was really upset when I called you yesterday and I'm sorry -
"Sara, you have nothing to apologize for. I just want to help you." Panic suddenly struck Grissom as he thought that perhaps she didn't want him there.
"I'm looking forward to seeing you, thanks." Sara sounded genuinely appreciative and Grissom let out a sigh of relief.
"I booked a motel a few miles from your mother's house."
"Why? Grissom, that's ridiculous, you can stay here. There's plenty of room."
"I didn't want to assume and I thought it might be...awkward."
"Please, cancel the motel. You are more than welcome, trust me."
"Ok, I'll see you soon."
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Sara and her brother hadn't talked much since the previous day's revelation. Sara had avoided him and her mother. It was just too painful to talk about their current predicament. Sara had taken a long walk on the beach and drove into town to visit a bookstore she had frequented as a child. She returned late and missed dinner so she went straight to bed. She lay awake for hours and when sleep finally came, it was filled with troubled dreams. She awoke several times, often with her face wet with tears she shed in her dreams. Sara was not looking forward to her family's reaction to the news that Grissom was arriving soon and staying at the house. But a part of Sara was still so angry for their deception that she didn't care what they thought. She needed Grissom's advice and support and they were going to have to accept that.
After hanging up with Grissom, Sara went downstairs, she saw Dylan on the phone in the kitchen. Her mother was reading in the living room. She looked up at Sara with the eyes of someone who had endured too much in one lifetime.
"We missed you yesterday. Where did you go?"
"Nowhere really, I just walked down the beach."
"Did you at least get some dinner?"
"No, I wasn't very hungry. I spent some time at Ella's Books."
"Well, we have no shortage of food in this house. The Browns from across the street stopped by yesterday and brought even more. What would you like?"
"I'll take a look in a minute. Who's Dylan talking to?"
"The Examiner, they needed the final obituary."
Sara nodded as she remembered the phone call she never made.
"Mom, I have a friend arriving today."
"Who?"
"Gil Grissom."
Diana's eyes widened and she sat up straighter. Sara could almost see the wheels turning in her head as she considered how he could complicate her carefully weaved plan.
"I don't think that is a good idea Sara."
"I'm sure you don't." Sara leaned back in the recliner and waited for her mother to continue to plead her case.
"I know he is your friend, but he's your boss Sara and he works for the police. What have you told him?" Diana was standing now and her volume was increasing.
"Nothing yet. I just need some advice mother. Someone with an unbiased perspective that isn't emotionally involved in what is happening here."
"That's absurd Sara. This is a family matter and it should stay that way! Dylan!"
Sara rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Dylan had been standing in the hallway. He entered the living room and looked pointedly at Sara. She knew he must have heard the entire exchange.
"Sit down mom, please." Dylan was amazingly subdued as he sat on the couch.
"It seems we are about to have a new guest. Did you hear what your sister did!?"
"Yes and I think she has every right to confide in a friend if she needs to."
"This is not just any friend, Gil Grissom is – "
"I know who he is mother and I know what he means to Sara, if she wants him here then, so be it."
Diana threw her hands up and looked at her son like he had just grown another head. She couldn't believe he was siding with Sara. Knowing that any further discussion was futile, she left the room.
Sara looked at her brother and offered a small smile of thanks. Dylan nodded and smiled sadly. "I look forward to meeting him. I only wish it was under better circumstances. Maybe one day, it will be."
"What does that mean?" Sara asked.
Without a word, Dylan went back to the kitchen.
TBC