Healing and Beginnings

Chapter 2

Thanks to my Beta Rica and Suzi! Any mistakes in this Fic are mine!

Slight Season 5 Spoilers

"Boss, you're here!" Nicky exclaimed as Grissom walked into the break room.

Grissom looked around t he room before his gaze stopped at Sara. His eyes were cutting hole in Sara's face. In his mind he could hear her say, 'What's your pulse at now?' He was sure if he checked it would be well over 100. He had to calm down, he had to remain professional.

"Thank God you two are back, it's about time," everyone looked around to see Catherine strolling in the break room. "Gil, you know I love playing boss, but it's all yours. We are wiped out, and let's just say I'll never make fun of you when you complain about politics again!"

The room was filled with laughter as everyone took their seats around the table. Grissom took the table head with Catherine and Nick on his left and right, respectively, Sara and Warrick at their sides. Greg took the day off, seems he was working a lot of double shifts in the lab as well as gaining field experience.

As the laughter calmed, Grissom took a minute to look around the room. Sitting in front of him were his friends, friends he hoped would forgive him for his behavior of late. Grissom lifted his head and spoke, "What is everyone currently working on?"

Catherine was the first to speak, although she spoke for them all, as usual "Well, we have all been solo since you both were out. I've been working a DB at the Mandalay Bay Spa, seemed a woman drowned after taking sleep pills, looks like a suicide. Nick and Warrick just finished up 2 B & E's, so they are free."

"We only have one new case, it's a trick roll at the MGM, Nick it's all yours." As Grissom spoke, he looked at Nick. Nick was the epitome of a professional. He just nodded in agreement to his assignment.

"Warrick, see if you can help Catherine to close with her case." Looking around Grissom saw the eagerness of his team as they looked up at him. His team made the Lab #2 in the country. The team he led, even though for quite some time he hasn't been a good leader.

"Starting this morning, I'm also starting a new weekly breakfast meeting. For one, it will get us to work less OT, for two; maybe it will help ease all the stress and pressure of our jobs. I'm buying this morning, but don't get use to it!" Grissom winked and started to walk out the door.

"Ah, Grissom, what about me-"

Sara, how could he forget Sara? "I'm sorry Sara, you and I have a meeting with Cavallo in 15 minutes in my office, see you then."

Before Sara could reply, Grissom turned and walked out of the room. He managed to stay in control, even though he could not keep his eyes off of Sara. She looked great, she even had a tan, and her hair was curly, the way he liked it.

The gang all took turns looking at each other in confusion. Nick was the first to speak, "Ok, what did that man do with Grissom?" They all laughed and parted ways.

As Catherine was walking out of the room, she turned to look at Sara. "It is great to have you back kiddo. We have really missed you, I hope you are felling better, you look good."

Sara smiled and said thanks. "Catherine, was Grissom off when I was off too?"

Catherine stepped back into the room before answering, "yes he took the last 3 weeks off seems he needed a break too."

Sara just looked at Catherine with a questioned look.

"Don't worry Sara, everything is ok, we were slow, and since Grissom insisted you take some vacation time to relax and take a break, he decided he needed it too." With that, Catherine walked into the hall down to Trace where Warrick was waiting for her.

Sara didn't bother getting up, since she had a few minutes before she was due in Grissom's office. Ok, I've got to calm down, they wouldn't fire me now, would they? I haven't even had the chance to tell them I've changed. I'm not drinking, I feel refreshed.

Sara slowly got up and made her way to Grissom's office. She got to the doorway to hear Grissom on the phone. She stood there looking at the man who consumed all of her thoughts and dreams. He looked different today, and she couldn't pin point what it was. He had on a blue polo shirt, and black dress slacks. He looked more casual than he did before. His eyes looked so blue today between the blue shirt and the bronze glow of his skin. Sara, stop thinking about him this way again, it will only hurt you. This might be the man who is about to fire you.

Waving her in, Grissom pointed at the chair in front of his desk for her to sit down. At this point, seeing Sara sitting in front of him, he couldn't even hear the other person on the phone. He muttered a few yes, no's, and ah Hum's, and told the caller he would think about it, and get back to them.

After what seemed like an eternity, Grissom looked up and shocked Sara for the second time today. Sticking his hand out and standing up, he said to her, "Hi, I'm Gil Grissom, your new supervisor, but you can call me Gil." He paused before continuing, "Sara, I really want to start over with you, I think we need a fresh start."

Sara stood there dumb-founded, but shook his hand anyway. "Hi, I'm Sara Sidle." Sara did not know what to think of his behavior. Don't let him suck you in again Sidle. Play it cool.

Before she could think anymore, Grissom sat back down and started speaking. "Sara, before Cavallo gets here, I wanted to assure you that your job is ok. For now, only a handful of people know about your almost DUI, and everyone is ok with it. They were happy you were taking some time off. It seems that everyone here besides me was aware that you were in serious need of some time away and a break. So, I'm sorry that I wasn't a better supervisor or friend, insisting you takes time off. One thing I can promise you is that it won't happen again." Ok, that was easy, he said it. He had hoped she didn't see the beads of sweat forming over his brow, she would sure wonder why they had formed.

Sara absorbed what he was saying, and decided to only speak to him regarding her drinking, for now.

"Griss, I wanted to make sure you know I'm not drinking anymore, and haven't since that night. I should have known better and realized I was running myself in the ground. Now that I am back, I will work less overtime than before, so I hope that doesn't hurt my chances at obtaining any career advancements. I am still going to my P.E.A.P counselors. I know I am a top notch CSI, and deserve to move ahead." Sara carefully thought about how to come out with the next statement, but before she could, Robert Cavallo barged into Grissom's office.

"Hello Ms. Sidle, it is great to see you back. I trust your time off was restful."

"Yes, thank you Robert, it was very good. Sometimes you need to step back from your life to put it in perspective."

Robert hesitated, and decided to ask it. "Is your life in perspective now?"

Sara, before even thinking, let out "yes, life is good, I'm ready to come back and kick ass." Shit, was that too much? I want them to know the old Sara Sidle is back!

Grissom sat back in his chair and was in awe of the woman sitting before him. He knew a vacation could relax someone, but Sara almost seemed like she was transformed back to the Sara Sidle who walked into his lab 4 years before. Without even knowing, he let out a sigh. This was the same Sara that he beat down over the past 4 years, and whatever he did in life, he wouldn't do that to her again, not professionally or personally.

Grissom eyes shot up when Cavallo spoke, "Good to hear that Sara, it's exactly the attitude I wanted to hear. Sara, while you were away, a new position became available. The position reports to me, but for your day to day work, you will still report to Gil. The position is 'Supervisor of Training and Development.' You will still continue to hold your current job, but this will be an added function. You will not be required to work overtime, as your staff will do the more mundane parts of your current position."

"My staff?" Sara almost couldn't believe her ears.

"Yes, for now, you will be in charge of training Greg Sanders, get him field ready. Greg will follow your every more. You and Greg will work with Grissom the most, but will rotate to all members of the nightshift. Each person on the nightshift has an expertise, and Greg will learn from them all."

Sara couldn't believe her ears. This is NOT what she expected at all, but then she started to get worried. "Robert, why me? Shouldn't everyone apply for the position?"

Without hesitation, Robert spoke, "Sara, right now you have the #1 solve rate for all CSI for all shifts. Your technical skills are excellent, and you have what it takes to train new staff to be great CSI's. I already have recommendations from Grissom and Brass. So, it is up to you, you have until tomorrow night to let me know."

He then turned to Grissom to speak, although he continued to address Sara. "Why you weren't nominated for the Lead CSI position is still a mystery to me." With that, he walked out of Grissom's office only after he told Grissom to clean up the mess in his office.

Sara sat for a minute trying to absorb what happened the past ½ hour. She looked to see Grissom staring at her. "Griss, I don't know what to think. Is this a good thing?"

"Yes Sara, it is. It is about time I and others here realize what we have, before it's too late." Grissom silently hoped Sara realized he wasn't just speaking about work.

"Griss, do the others know about this yet?" She wasn't sure how they would react to this sudden news. Hell, she didn't even know if they knew why she had taken the time off.

"No, I wanted to discuss it with you, I spoke to Robert about it before I went on vacation, but wasn't sure how quickly it would happen. Sara, you deserve this, you are an excellent CSI." He paused before continuing, "I'm just sorry if I forgot to tell you that, I mean, If I failed to be a good supervisor."

Sara felt her face blush, and looked down. After composing herself, she wanted to tell Grissom about her time off, and how she found her diversion.

"Griss, I hope that Robert was serious about not working a lot of overtime, because I need to leave a few times a week on time. I've joined the Las Vegas "Big Sister" program. I've been assigned a 6 Yr. old girl. Her father is in Jail for abusing her Mother. I'm going to try and help her out. I've been seeing a counselor, and we've decided I need to feel like I'm helping someone, rather than just solving crimes. I start on Saturday, and I'm looking forward to it." Phew, that was out, and she felt better, and looked up to gauge his reaction.

Grissom face had a look of pure adoration on it as he looked at Sara. Five weeks and she seemed to have had an action plan on her life. Little did she know he too had an action plan, and he hoped his was getting off on the right foot also?

"Sara, I think its great, just tell me what days you are going to be busy so I can schedule our group breakfast around it. I was serious before, I would really like to start over."

Sara rose from her chair, feeling satisfied with their conversation. "I'm going to go and see if Catherine needs any help, I'll see you later." Sara walked out of the room, but popped her head back in Grissom's office, "It was nice to meet you Gil."

Grissom was in utter shock at her statement; things were definitely looking up.

TBC