DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters from 'CSI'. They're not my property.

Note: This chapter was supposed to be up much sooner but because of some problems it got delayed. Sorry about that. Thank you for your reviews :)

"You're late," Grissom greeted Sara at the entrance to the restaurant. He sounded surprised.

"Traffic," Sara replied, ending their exchange.

With her black jacket and pants, a green shirt and black shoes, Sara gave Grissom another confirmation of how simple her choice of clothes had been; simple but elegant. She had class without trying too much.

After they found the right table, Grissom and Sara both took their places. "Guess I'm not the only one being late," she said and looked around.

Sitting across from her, Grissom sensed the awkward string of tension around her. "You okay?" he asked.

She looked at him with a blank stare. "I don't look okay?"

"You look..." he paused, "You seem a little tense."

"Ah." Sara sighed. "Leftovers from work probably."

He had to smile to this answer. "You look as if we're meeting the Dalai Lama," he told her.

Sara felt an insignificant flame in her cheeks as she chuckled. "Sorry." She turned her shoulders a few times and then leaned back in her chair. The faint yellow glow, the quiet string music, the careful consideration of the guests not to raise their voices higher than the music; everything gathered together in a pleasant and, one might add, intimate atmosphere to the restaurant. "Charming place," Sara spoke softly as her eyes made a full circle before her.

"I agree."

The soft music began forming unfamiliar ballads, being respectful to anyone here who had wanted to have a normal conversation. On each wall were remarkable copies of famous renaissance paintings. Tiziano's Flora was placed on the wall behind Sara; A beautiful presentation of a young woman that managed to catch Grissom's attention.

The softness of the image and its position so close to Sara held his eyes longer on it. "Have you been to Florence?" he asked her without removing his gaze.

"No," she replied. "W-why?" Sara followed his gaze to the painting. "Oh. Wow, that's a pretty good replica."

"Extremely," he almost whispered. "Flora. They have the original in the Uffizi gallery in Florence," his voice returned to normal once Sara faced him again.

"And you're also an art lover."

"Is that unusual?" He looked at her.

"No." Sara smiled. "It's nice."

They were briefly interrupted by the waiter whom Grissom managed to get rid of politely and quickly.

"Why did you ask me if I've ever visited Florence?" Sara asked after the interruption.

"Flora inspired me," he replied and then smiled with a nod towards the painting.

"Aha. Have you ever had that opportunity to travel to good old Italy?"

"Unfortunately, no. Maybe in the future when I retire."

"Sounds like a good idea," she replied.

"Yes." He looked down at his napkin. "Hopefully I won't be by myself," Grissom said.

After a brief silence, Sara continued. "That would be a shame," she said quietly.

"Maybe I'll get a dog," he said and smirked. Just as his eyes met hers, voices were heard behind him.

"Gil!" and two hands found themselves on the edges of his shoulders.

A taller man with a white bushy beard stood above him with a wide smile on his face; thin glasses and small blue eyes. Grissom stood up and greeted him. "Jack. It's been ages."

"Oh, longer than that, my friend, longer than that," Jack stepped aside to reveal a smaller woman with her chalk-colored hair in a bun.

"Gil," her velvet voice greeted him as she smiled. Her grin must have been one of the largest Sara had ever seen, somehow magnifying the woman's kind features.

"Hey, Cynthia. Seeing you in Vegas is like seeing a butterfly in water."

Cynthia giggled. "I know. I told myself, Jack would never talk me into coming to this place but..." she sighed and tapped her husbands shoulder before hitting it hard with her fist. "His way with words is unbelievable."

"That I can agree," Grissom chuckled.

"Who's this heavenly creature?" Jack beamed and approached Sara.

"Sara. Pleased to meet you," she pulled out her hand to greet the elderly gentleman.

"This is your companion, Gil?" Jack asked feeling a little surprised.

"I'm afraid so," Grissom joked.

"Well!" Instead of taking her hand, Jack embraced Sara so tightly that it almost left the poor woman breathless. It might have surprised her more than anyone as Jack Clearcane hardly seemed the kind of man who would have that physical strength. "Very good to meet you, Sara!" he said once he finally released her.

"Aha..." Sara was forced to attempt a retreat of air; a picture which left Cynthia with a few giggles.

"He's very friendly with Gil's friends," Cynthia said and gently took Sara's hand. "I'm Cynthia."

"That's uh..." Sara cleared her throat. "Good to know," and returned the handshake. Although Jack's form of greeting was very friendly, Sara was glad that his wife did not repeat it.

Grissom and Sara were ready to sit down when Cynthia interrupted them. "Gil, Sara, I'm sorry, could one of you change places so we can both sit next to each other. I really would like to have a good look at you both as we talk."

"Sure," they agreed.

When the arrangements were finally made, the real discussions soon followed. It began with the mating habits of the Alpine grasshopper, then three other discussions later to finish with the current status of the Dusky Large Blue butterfly.

Sara found herself participating in the discussions, much to her surprise, but she also knew to keep aside when some topics were on a much higher level than she was ready to talk about. Each participant set up a challenge with every question or answer, which at times was quite an adrenaline rush. She enjoyed discussing the many habits of the species and even listening attentively when she was taking a 'break' for herself.

Sometimes, however, some topics managed to really heat up the atmosphere, especially with the men to a ridiculous level. Sara even felt herself admiring the low tone that was handled by them instead of a shouting frenzy.

After five hours of debating, all four scientists took a moment to slip into an easy silence and allow their throats to receive the deserved rest.

"That was pretty intense at times," Sara finally spoke.

Jack chuckled. "I'm sorry. We weren't too much for you, were we?"

Sara let out a chuckle of her own. "No. It was great actually."

"We're glad to hear that, Sara. Usually people leave the room after only a few minutes into the discussion," Cynthia said.

"She's pretty resilient," Grissom said with a smile.

"She is," Jack agreed. "I'm glad you decided to come," he then told Sara.

"Feeling is mutual," Sara responded. "Do you always start your conversations like this? With the bugs first and yourselves after?"

"Most of the time," Cynthia replied. "Depends on how long it has been since our last meeting."

"I see." Sara glanced at Grissom.

"Are you studying entomology as well by any chance?" Jack asked her.

"No. I'm a crime scene investigator."

"Oh, so you two work together?" Cynthia asked.

"Yes," Grissom said.

"Is that how you met?"

"No, actually it was on a seminar. Grissom was giving a lecture there and I attended."

"How romantic," Cynthia grinned.

"Wait a minute. Sara? You're her? Wait, wait... Gil did mention you! He said something about a charming girl who kept bugging him with questions," Jack said.

"You told him I was charming?" Sara asked Grissom in a playful and curious tone.

"I didn't put it in those exact words," Grissom excused himself.

"He mentioned you from time to time, but we didn't really know what to make out of you, because as we know Gil is a pretty enigmatic guy when it comes to his personal life," Cynthia said.

"Amen. And I've known you for twenty-two years, Gil," Jack added.

"But that's not to say that he doesn't have a giant heart," Cynthia told Sara. "I'm sure you know that by now, Sara."

Sara smiled as a response but said nothing.

"I don't see any rings here, so I'm guessing you're still dating?" Jack asked.

"Um, no we're not involved, we..." Sara started when she felt Grissom's hand over hers.

"Sara..." Grissom sighed and closed his eyes. He did not want her to continue. He must've anticipated his friends' reaction.

"You're not?" Cynthia stared at both of them. Her gaze saddened and she held it with Grissom's. "What a way of holding an old girl's hopes up," she said.

"I never mentioned anything like that, Cynthia," Grissom replied.

A familiar melody started playing in the background, cutting the emerging rigidity.

"Oh, great, song," Jack smiled and stood up. He stretched out his hand to Sara. "Would you do me the honor, pretty lady?"

Sara chuckled and took his hand. Jack was a very delightful man and she couldn't resist. "Sure."

"Excuse us, kids," Jack hummed and led Sara away to the dance floor.

"She's very pretty," Cynthia said as she and Grissom watched their other half get in sync with the melody.

Grissom took a sip of the wine, avoiding a proper response.

The woman turned to him. "Give yourself a break, Gil. You're nearly as old as Jack."

"Thank you, Cynthia, that's just what a man like myself wanted to hear."

"You're not seeing anyone?"

"No."

"No one in mind?"

"No," he lied.

"Why?"

"I haven't found anyone yet."

"You are such a liar!" Cynthia grinned. "I can't believe it, even after these fourteen years that I've known you; you still think you can lie?"

"I thought I was an enigmatic person."

"Oh, you are. But we can still tell when your nose starts growing... most of the times anyway. And this time, is pretty damn obvious." She leaned forward. "Sara? Is it her?"

"Why would you think that?"

"You've mentioned her often enough for me and Jack to think so."

"Cynthia, please," he asked her nicely.

"You're right, you're right. I'm sorry." She exhaled and leaned her chin on her hands. "She seems kind." Grissom looked over at her with a gaze giving out a friendly warning. "What? Just as friends, Gil, nothing else."

He turned to watch her. "Didn't know she could dance like that," he said softly.

Cynthia smiled, watching her husband and Sara out there. "You sound surprised."

"Well," he sighed, "you learn something everyday."

"That's true."

"You know, I didn't think Jack would change so much after you two met."

"What do you mean?"

"It used to be all about work before for him. I used to think he would spend his dying days studying the remaining moth species in Australia." He curled his lips and then continued. "Now, its still work but... he seems more relaxed."

"Wow."

"What?"

"Who hit you over the head with something?" Cynthia was surprised.

"Something I said?"

"You bet your boots you did! You're pretty reserved with such comments."

"Age is catching up with me." He shrugged. "But I meant what I said. He's changed. For the better."

This managed to calm her excitement down. "Yeah, I'm guessing it's all those hot passionate nights we share," Cynthia said and giggled after receiving a look from Grissom.

"Whatever you did to him, it's working." He wanted to keep their talk normal.

"I just gave him someone to care about," Cynthia said simply and took a bite of her desert.

Grissom glanced at her. That appeared to put a subtle end to their conversation. He had to admit that he was envious of this couple. They seemed to have everything that they needed between them. Secretly, Grissom wished he had something like that as well.

He then heard laughter. His gaze traveled over to the dance floor. She had such a peculiar laugh. He could imagine it being contagious if only she could laugh longer... And with him.

"No one wants to be alone in the end, Gil. And I think neither do you..." Cynthia's last sentence managed to get through.

Grissom held his breath. He chose not to answer. He did not want to reveal himself further.

Sara's hand held her bag with the piece of strawberry cake she had chosen to finish at home. The night turned out to be longer than she had planned, though she could not really complain as it was a good one.

"I do not know what the spirit of a philosopher could more wish to be than a good dancer. For the dance is his ideal," Grissom said.

"Excuse me?"

"You were pretty good out there," he said. "The dance."

"Oh, that. Thanks," she smiled.

"A hidden talent perhaps?" He teased.

"No. Just having a nice time," she replied.

Their cars greeted them a minute later at the parking lot. "You had a good evening?"

"Yeah. They're interesting people. I see why you're such good friends with them."

"They're fun to be around."

Sara chuckled. "So, thanks for inviting me," she said.

Grissom smiled tenderly. "I'm happy you could join us."

She assumed it would have been a big effort for him to convert the 'us' into a 'me', so she didn't correct it loudly. "Ah, it was either that or sitting back in my apartment, reading some boring journal."

"It was interesting hearing Jack complement you on your knowledge about the Alpine grasshopper."

"Yeah, I'm climbing the ladder higher and higher to becoming an expert in entomology," she joked.

"It wouldn't surprise me." He nodded and looked over at their choices of transportation.

"Thanks for coming with me tonight, Sara," he said; this time his voice was much softer. He looked back at her.

Sara smiled. It felt good to hear him say that. "It was a pleasure," she replied softly.

Grissom touched her arm delicately and smiled before he departed from her to reach his car. It was a pleasure for them both.