SPOILERS: None.
A/N: I'm so glad you liked the last chapter – I really found my groove with that one. Thanks again for your awesome reviews!
Diana Sidle stood at the front door of The Silent Cove saying final goodbyes to her sister Ruth and her family. It had been a draining afternoon and she was grateful everyone was gone, well nearly everyone. Gil Grissom was still a guest in her house and his influence on her children was unwelcome. As she entered the living room, Dylan and Sara stopped talking rather suddenly. Diana gave them a puzzled look before settling in an armchair.
"Where's your friend? Packing?" Diana asked avoiding Sara's eyes.
Sara bit her tongue and reminded herself that Dylan was about to tell their mother some bad news so she should cut her some slack. "As a matter of fact mother, he is."
Diana was noticeably surprised and made a feeble attempt to hide how pleased she was. Sara just ignored her mother'sreaction and waited for Dylan to start talking.
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Grissom packed his overnight bag slowly, trying to ignore the arguing going on one-story below him. His door was open a little and he occasionally caught his name being shouted. Out of context it was rather unsettling, but he heard Sara defending him more than once and he couldn't help but smile at her tenacity.
He had been surprised when Sara agreed that he should return to Vegas on a late flight so he could get some sleep and go in early for tomorrow's shift. She knew Catherine and the guys must have been working hard to cover for both of them and she didn't like to burden them. Grissom had told her it was okay for him to stay if she needed him to, but she insisted that she felt strong enough to handle the next few days. She planned to return to Vegas after Dylan was arraigned and a plea bargain was worked out. She had friends at SFPD who would be willing to help and she was confident things would go smoothly.
They hadn't talked about the kiss they shared in the greenhouse but it wasn't necessary. They seemed to have an unspoken understanding that their relationship had changed forever. There was no going back and Grissom wouldn't want to. The past few days had only reinforced his belief that he had wasted enough time. Carpe diem. He was relieved that Sara had responded to his advances, but he also realized that she was in a highly emotional state at the time. This fact spawned a niggling voice in his head that made him wary of how things would unfold once they were back in Vegas. He was determined to be positive and grateful that, deserved or not, she had seemingly given him another chance.
The shouting had stopped some time ago and Grissom heard footsteps outside his door. Sara knocked lightly before pushing the door open.
"Come in." Grissom closed his bag and placed it on the floor.
Sara closed the door behind her and gave Grissom a pitiful smile before collapsing on the bed.
"So, that went well." Grissom said facetiously.
Sara relied with a mirthless laugh. She lay on her back staring at the ceiling, her dress lifting up slightly exposing her thigh. Grissom attempted to be subtle as he memorized every curve from her bare feet to the brown locks elegantly twisted on her head.
Sara's voice woke him from his daydream. "Do you mind if I just lay here for the rest of day?"
"Of course not." Grissom tried not to sound too eager while he sat on the edge of the bed.
"You know, I can't blame her for feeling the way she does. Her mind tells her it's the right thing to do; her husband deserves justice. But her heart just wants to protect her son."
"It's an impossible situation." Grissom agreed.
Sara sat up slowly and leaned against Grissom as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Grissom couldn't help but grin and he put his arm around her waist.
"What time is your flight?"
"11:15. Sara, are you sure you want me to go?"
"It's not that I want you to go, it's that you need to go and I understand. I'll be fine, really." Sara said sincerely.
Grissom frowned for a moment before conceding. "Alright."
"Dylan told us that he resigned from his job and put all his financial affairs in order while he was in the city yesterday. It's amazing how organized he is despite everything that must be going through his mind right now."
"That must be a Sidle family trait."
Sara gave a Grissom a dubious half-smile. "Is that your subtle way of saying that I'm a control freak?"
Grissom chuckled and planted a kiss on Sara's temple. "I didn't think I was that subtle."
Sara elbowed Grissom in the ribs before standing up and crossing her arms in a vain attempt to appear hurt. She glared down at his smirking face but she couldn't suppress a laugh. It amazed her that he could make her forget all her worries, at least for an instant, with a simple look. It had been a long time since that had been the case. He had been the cause of stress and anxiety she felt for so long that it was an incredible relief he was now the respite from it.
"How about we go out for an early dinner before my flight?" Grissom suggested.
"Sure. I don't think my mother wants to see us right now anyway. Dylan insisted it wasn't our fault that he's doing this but she can be very…stubborn." Sara thought for a moment. "There's a great Italian place in Point Reyes. I could see if they could take us at 5:30?
"Sounds perfect."
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La Dolce Vita was a cozy seaside Italian bistro with live music and singing waiters. Sara had been to Max's Opera House in San Francisco where the waiters also sang, but she preferred the food at La Dolce Vita. It was also more romantic, but she was unwilling to admit to herself that that factored into her decision. The hostess seated them immediately at a quaint candlelit table against the wall, directly to the left of the small stage. Since it was early, the restaurant was only half full and the singing didn't appear to have started yet. Grissom was pleased to have Sara all to himself on his last night in Tamales Bay. He wished they had more time and that their purpose for being in town had been a happy occasion, but he was quickly becoming a believer in the proverb that said 'every cloud has a silver lining.' Although their friendship seemed to be getting back on track lately, he was so glad to have had the opportunity to show her he wanted more than just a friendship. Sara seemed more at ease with him than ever before and he hoped it would last when they returned to their lives in Vegas.
Sara admired the changes in décor the restaurant had made since she was last a patron. Mustard-colored faux painting on the walls complemented the rich burgundy tones of the tablecloths and window treatments. Ivy vines made of silk scaled down the walls from high shelves that housed countless wine bottles. Wine sounds really good. Sara had been hesitant to drink around Grissom, even though she knew she didn't have a problem with it and had told him so. When the waiter brought the wine list, she hoped he would speak up first to assure her that he trusted her.
"So, does anything in particular sound good to you or do you want me to choose a bottle?" Grissom asked while perusing the list.
Sara smiled and chided herself for having doubted him. "Whatever you choose is fine as long as it's red."
"Of course." Grissom looked up from the list and smiled back.
The service at La Dolce Vita was excellent and in no time at all Sara was devouring her cheese and spinach filled manicotti. Grissom seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his lasagna. He had asked her if watching him eat meat lasagna would bother her. She was so impressed by his consideration all she could do was shake her head 'no' in response.
The pianist took the stage and singing began around 6:30. Sara was pleased to see their waiter taking the stage. He was short, thin and looked young and she had been skeptical about his talent when she first saw him. He opened with "'O Solo Mio" and sang it with such incredible enthusiasm Sara and Grissom sat looking stunned. He had an incredible voice and when he returned to their table and refilled their wine glasses they told him so. Several more waiters and waitresses took the stage singing a variety of Italian love songs, show tunes and even some modern opera, which was surprisingly good. Unfortunately, it all just made time pass too quickly.
"I hate to say it – but I need to go." Grissom said glancing at his watch.
"I know. It's fine, I'm too full for dessert anyway." Sara replied.
Grissom paid the bill and retrieved their coats from the cloakroom.
On the drive back to the house they chatted about work and Grissom relayed the message from Catherine. They grew quiet as they neared the house and Sara realized she was afraid to say goodbye to Grissom. So much had changed between them in a short amount of timethat she was worried he would crawl back into his shell the moment he boarded the plane. Grissom worried that Sara would decide he didn't deserve another chance once she was away from the emotional atmosphere of her childhood home. Perhaps he had served his purpose and she would cut him off and throw herself into her work. They were so preoccupied with their insecurities that they sat for several minutes not moving or speaking after Grissom parked the car.
"Well, I should get my bags. I want to say goodbye to your brother and thank your mother for her hospitality." Grissom said finally.
Sara looked at Grissom and snorted. Her mother had not exactly been hospitable. Grissom knew exactly what Sara was thinking.
"Nevertheless." He said with shrug.
"O.k." Sara reluctantly opened the car door and followed Grissom across the street to the house.
Grissom went upstairs to get his bag while Sara looked for her family. She found Dylan in the living room tapping away on his laptop. Dylan put his laptop down on the table as Sara sat next to him on the couch.
"So, how was dinner?"
"Good. I took him La Dolce Vita."
"Hmm…romantic." Dylan observed.
Sara rolled her eyes and gave him a playful punch in the arm. It had been helpful for her to have Dylan to confide in about Grissom all the years since college. She couldn't help but wonder how often they would actually get to talk if he ended up with a prison sentence.
"Where's mom? Grissom wants to say goodbye."
"In her room, but I think she's still awake. I'll go get her." Dylan offered.
Dylan passed Grissom on the stairs and told him he would be right back. Grissom placed his bags by the front door and joined Sara in the living room. A few minutes later Dylan re-entered the room with his mother trailing closely behind.
"Gil, I want thank you for coming here and staying for the funeral. I know your presence was very helpful to Sara and I'm glad I had a chance to meet you." Dylan said earnestly as he shook Grissom's hand.
"Well you're welcome and I want you to know I would do anything for your sister. I hope…I just hope you find peace." Grissom said awkwardly. It was hard for anyone to find the right thing to say in a situation like this, especially Grissom.
"Mrs. Sidle, I want to thank you for your hospitality and offer my condolences again for your loss."
"I'm glad your room was comfortable. Have a good flight Mr. Grissom." Diana replied dryly. "Please excuse me, it's late and I'm very tired."
After her mother left Sara let out a deep breath. Her mother could be unpredictable lately and the last thing she wanted was a sudden outburst at Grissom's expense.
"I'll walk you out." Sara said and she headed for the door.
The temperature had dropped considerably and Sara shivered while standing beside Grissom's car without her coat on. Grissom threw his bags on the back seat and shut the door. He walked up to Sara and on an impulse wrapped her up with him in his coat. Sara's initial reaction was to tense up, but she swiftly pushed it aside and let herself relax into the heat his body was emanating.
"Thank you so much. You saved me." Sara said softly onto his cheek.
"We saved each other." Grissom said, tightening his grip.
Sara pulled back and looked into his eyes with an intensity that he hadn't seen before.
"What?"
"Nothing." Sara looked down and started to pull her arms away. Grissom stopped her and reached out to lift her head up.
"Sara, I know that we have a lot to talk about and there is so much I want to tell you. It shouldn't have taken this tragedy in your life to force my hand. I was a coward and I believed it was too late for us. I don't feel that way anymore. If everything does go smoothly with your brother, maybe you'll have some time to think about us. What I'm trying to say is, whenever you are ready, I'll be waiting."
Grissom felt like his heart was beating out of his chest as he watched Sara's expressions as she considered his words. Suddenly, she reached up and placed her hands on his cheeks and tugged him into a soft kiss. Grissom barely had time to react before she pulled away and started to walk towards the house. Halfway across the street she turned around. A Sidle smile danced on her lips as she spoke.
"I miss you already."
TBC
A/N 2: If you ever visit Point Reyes, don't expect to find La Dolce Vita - I made it up. Max's Opera house in Frisco is very real and I have been served by waitestaff with excellent voices. Anyway, I am soon off to Las Vegas, for real! My husband and I are spending 4 days in Sin City for our anniversary. Fingers crossed CSI is shooting on location this week ;). So, I won't be updating again for at least a week but I suspect I will be totally inspired to finish this story off upon my return. One, maybe two more chapters to go! Thanks for reading!