Chapter 9

On the way back to Grissom's place, Sara said very little. As they pulled up to Grissom's house her voice came in a whoosh. "Grissom?"

He turned the key into the off position. "What honey?"

Honey, did I just say that? Shit.

She seemed to have not heard him. "Would you agree to an arranged marriage?"

He turned to face her. "I don't know maybe."

His hand was on the back of her seat and he could feel her hair tickling his fingers. He felt like a teenager who had done the fake yawn and now had his arm around the girl.

"I mean think about it. We make terrible decisions when it comes to falling in love. Our initial choices are based on some very silly criterion."

"Like what"

"Attractiveness, passion, ...all of these things don't add up to a lot if we are seeking a lasting commitment."

"So being attractive to someone isn't important for a marriage?"

"Of course it is. What I said was that we make our initial selections based on some flawed criteria"

"What's the difference?"

"Think about the three people that know you best. Are at least two of them family members?

"My mom and my brother."

"I venture to say that these same people have your best interest at heart. They want you to be happy."

"Yes"

"So what if they took a hundred applications for your husband."

"Okay"

"And they selected a pool of 10 based on common interests, family background, IQ whatever…it stands to reason that you would find two or three of them attractive."

"Yeah"

"I think that is the way that Dr. Bloodworth looked at it and maybe a lot of people who revert back to that part of their culture do as well, especially if they are not locked in to anything. They figure "What have I got to loose" and from my own experiences I can honestly say that my mother and Catherine couldn't do any worse."

Sara sighed in the darkness. He watched her breast rise and fall. "When you put it like that. Maybe the team should screen one another's potential dates."

They sat quietly for a moment. "Sara…

"Yes Dr. Grissom"

"I am sorry about you and Hank. I'm sorry that he treated you badly. You deserve much more than that guy could ever give you."

Was that a catch he detected in her voice? "So I keep telling myself. You know I never expected to be one of those women that worried about her biological clock ticking."

Grissom didn't know what to say. "You'll find the right person Sara."

Boldness descended on her. "Will you?"

He waved her off with a hand. "It's too late in the day for all that."

She trapped his hand in the air and held it for a time. "You held my hand tonight."

"You felt tense. I was worried about you."

"Is that the same as being concerned?"

She saw a flash of teeth in the dark as she opened her door. "Well Dr. Grissom it has been fun but I think I better mosey on back to the Ponderosa."

"Sara"

"Yes Grissom"

"I think that we should work on this case away from the office. Before it was okay but now that everyone knows the Bloodworths look like us...I just think it would be better."

Sara's face was a question.

"From now can we just work at my house?"

Sara felt Leigh's cell phone number burning a hole in her back pocket.

"Sure. I'll see you tomorrow." She gave a shy smile as she closed the door. He watched her until she pulled away.

What the hell had he just gotten himself into?