Chapter 28

Over the next few weeks, Sara and Grissom fell into an awkward rhythm. Sara was still weak and Gil would not allow her to get up to Julian during the night. She didn't have it in her to argue. Each morning Gil brought their son and breakfast to her bedroom. He rarely stayed to eat with, instead he disappeared into the study and emerged later in the morning to take Sara's
breakfast dishes.

One night she couldn't sleep and decided to check on Julian. Grissom's voice sounded gentle and kind in the night.

"Have I ever told you how I met your mother? It was fall, nearly winter and she had on this red turtleneck and it was tight. I probably shouldn't say things like that about your mother but you won't remember this. At least I hope you won't."

Sara covered her mouth and stifled a grin.

"She had on this tight red turtleneck and she was walking with her friend across Harvard's campus. Your mom is one smart woman, much smarter than me but don't tell her I said that. Anyway I don't remember what her friend looked like. I think she was blonde."

Sara smiled. Her friends name was Kayla and she was runway gorgeous. Men acted like Sara wasn't in the room when Kayla was around, but not Grissom, not her Grissom. Gil continued.

"And this beautiful young woman smiled at me. Now you are probably going to be better looking than your old Dad, at least I hope you will be."

He should only be so lucky as to look like you Gil.

"Here I was, this regular nerdy guy, and she was smiling at me. I told myself I was mistaken but you know what? I wasn't. She was smiling at your old man. When she showed up in my seminar I couldn't stop starring."

Sara had thought he was staring at Kayla.

"I tired to keep her close to me. Mentored her, kept in touch with her, it was never enough. I guess you know that huh. Where else would you have come from?"

Sara tiptoed down the hall as Gil started singing an aria from Carmen.

Sara waited for Gil near the front of the bookstore. He had been thrilled to learn that one of his favourite authors was reading from her new book. Three month old Julian had a play date with Beth. This would be there first foray out without the baby. Sara didn't know how much playing a three month old and two month old could do but Chris insisted. He said that they needed to develop social skills.

Sara was leafing through a biography on Sally Hemmings when she caught sight of the tall blond man staring at her. In Sara's mind the only man that had ever stared at her was Gil and maybe Nick though Nick barely registered as male on the radar. As a new mother, she was surprised that anyone considered her attractive.

Sara found herself smiling at him for not particular reason. It was nice to have a man look at you like that. Hell it was nice to have a man look at you period.

His large hand shot from his body. "Hi, my name is Benjamin. Are you here for the reading?"

He has some interest in literature so he can't be just a muscle head. What the hell are you doing? You are supposed to be a married woman and your pretend husband will be here any minute. Hey I'm just talking. There nothing wrong with talking.

"Hello my name Sara. Actually I am here for the reading." Stop grinning like a fool.

He was grinning back. "Maybe we can catch some coffee in the café after."

Gil's voice shot through Sara like a current. The blond man took a step back as Gil took up position behind her.

Gil proffered a steely hand. "Benjamin is it?" The young man's pale skin was a clownish pink from Grissom's grip.

How long has he been standing there?

Benjamin took his hand back quickly. "Yes."

"I'm Gil, Sara's husband and she won't have time to get to know you tonight or any other night. Enjoy the reading."

Sara was speechless as Gil pressed a firm hand into Sara's back and moved her towards the section set aside for the reading. Sara almost did not here Gil speak. "What the hell are you doing?"

Sara was awestruck. "What the hell am I doing? I was talking."

"No you were drooling over muscle boy."

Muscle boy?

"Why do you care?"

Benjamin watched in amusement as the curvy brunette faced off with her husband. He hoped never to be on the receiving end of anything that man had to offer.

"We are married." He held up his ring finger. Sara glared at him. She couldn't have this argument with him in public. Gil patted the seat next to him. "Sit down the reading is about to start dear. We don't want to miss it." Reluctantly Sara sat next to her 'husband'.

HE IS ACTING LIKE A LUNATIC

BY HE I ASSUME YOU MEAN GRISS NOT JULES

Sara and Grissom sat in silence as he drove their car to Chris and Ross'.

YES

WHAT DID HE DO?

SCARED OFF A CUTE BOY TYPE PERSON AT THE BOOKSTORE

YIKES

I AM GOING TO THROTTLE HIM

DO PEOPLE STILL DO THAT ANYMORE? MAYBE JAR AND I
SHOULD TRY IT

OKAY NOW I AM NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT IMAGE
OUT OF MY HEAD

HA

THE MAN IS PSYCHO

THE MAN IS IN LOVE

Sara stared at the screen and then turned her face to Grissom's hands gripping the wheel. His knuckles were white. What right did he have to be angry with her? He was the reason they were in this situation.

I DON'T THINK SO JUST WANTS SHAG

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?

Leigh knew it was desperate move but she had to do something to move Grissom and Sara back towards one another.

Sara didn't reply as her eyes traveled to Grissom's crotch. What was wrong with that indeed?