~*^*Chapter 4*^*~
Although he was tired and in dire need of a good nights sleep, he couldn't stop thinking about Sara sleeping on the couch. -She can't be comfortable, not with her height and a couch that was half her length. This is ridiculous-
Pushing the covers back, he sat on the edge and looked across the room. The large partition cutting the living area and bedroom in two was a folding heavy wooden door. From where he sat on the edge of the bed, he could make out the lamplight and Sara's slumped form. -She doesn't look comfortable. Damnit-
Grissom quietly walked across the room in his shirt and boxers. His eyes were fixed on his colleague while he turned the lamplight out. "Sara." He whispered as he shook her arm lightly. "Come on Sara, you can't sleep out here."
"I'm fine." She mumbled and folded herself up into the corner of the couch.
-Ouch, that looks painful- He winced as watched her tall frame cramp into a small space. "Okay Sidle. I'm not letting you injury yourself on our honeymoon." He playfully chided as he slipped his arms under her.
"Grissom!" She slurred sleepily.
"No." He said curtly as he carried her to the large bed. "There's plenty of room."
Sara sighed heavily and rolled over immediately after he laid her down. "You pointed out that there was one bed." She grumbled.
Shaking his head at her back, he pulled the covers over her and sighed. -She'll be the death of me one of these days-
~*^*^*~
Sitting up in bed the next morning with the case file spread out once again, Sara sighed as she looked over the profiles for the missing couples.
First time marriages, on their honeymoons and no obvious financial troubles. They worked hard and were respected in their field of work.
-Where's the connection?- She mused with a shake of the head. Movement caught her attention and sent her senses alert when the man sleeping beside her whispered her name. -He said my name- At this little discovery, she smiled and looked on bemused as he turned onto his side, facing her. His hand splayed out over the mattress before clenching lightly as he moaned.
"What are you dreaming?" She asked gently as she watched him briefly. Sensing him slipping back in deep REM sleep, she sighed and slipped from the bed. Packing the files away, she decided a shower would be refreshing and a walk around the hotel would be nice.
As she turned the water on and tested the temperature, she shredded her t- shirt and sweats in almost motion to get herself into the large shower.
Grissom's was woken by the sound of a door closing. He stretched out gingerly and yawned the sleep from his body with his hands rubbing at his eyes. Feeling the need to start the busy day clean and refreshed, he threw the covers back. That was when he noticed Sara was missing.
-She did say she was going to look around this morning, but I didn't think she'd go this early- He sighed and plodded towards the bathroom.
Pulling the door open, his whole body was suddenly wide away and his eyes were not listening to his brain as it screamed for him to turn and leave. Instead, his mouth hung open and his eyes roamed over every inch of the body before him. -Oh Dear Lord- He exclaimed silently. -What an as-- Shaking his head, he derailed that thought and blinked for the first time in several minutes, trying to rid the images from his mind.
-It's not working- He almost screamed as he backed out slowly to quietly close the door. As he moved away, the back of his legs hit the arm of the couch and his body tilted backwards until he fell across the couch. Covering his eyes immediately to push the pictures away, he couldn't stop the hum of appreciation escape his lips. "Beautiful."
"Griss?"
Snapping out of his steamy thoughts, his hands dropped slowly to see her standing in the doorway of the bathroom with a small smile on her face. "You ok?"
He nodded and offered a shy smile as he pushed himself up and quickly slipped by her, brushing against her as he past her.
~*^*^*~
Their first full day was now on the record as they went about putting on the show for the FBI and the CSI crime lab. So far the case has been progressing quite well, the science and investigation section of the case was going fine, however the human element was letting the side down. No- matter how hard they'd tried they couldn't feel comfortable with each other and Sara was afraid that it was beginning to show to the others around them, so she took a big risk and talked to Grissom.
"Grissom, um I think we need to talk," She said nervously, looking over at him as they walked down the hall towards the back of the hotel indoor swimming pools.
"Okay, about what" He asked confused, -She wants to talk to me, this may not be good-
Sara sighed and looked ahead of them. "Well, it's just that, we're not, um, how do I put this.we're not believable, we don't fit in, I mean we're on 'honeymoon' but we barely speak and we definitely don't act as though we're madly in love." She explained cringing inwardly at the tender word she used to describe the way they should act.
-Maybe this is some sign, saying that love just wasn't present for him, maybe it wasn't in her either- Listening to her thoughts, a wave of sadness filled her heart.
Seeing the look on her face, he couldn't help shouting to himself. -I'm trying. I just don't know how-
"I was thinking maybe we could be a little more convincing?" She added with a glance towards him and watched his eyebrow raise. -He's so cute when he does that- She thought with a softening of her heavy heart.
"Convincing how, exactly?" He queried. -Don't act dumb Gil, she'll eat you for breakfast- Smirking at the thought, he turned his head away and continued his silent monologue. -Breakfast, bed, Sara, naked. I think I'm drooling- He absently ran his index and middle finger across his lips as he tried to focus on the conversation at hand.
-Does he have no imagination?- Sara exclaimed to herself as the silence grew longer.
After a moment, she explained to him like she was talking to a child. "Here, let me help you. Yo said you'd need help remembering. Here's a list." She counted them off on her fingers in a stubborn teacher's voice. "Hold hands, smile at each other, and pretend we actually want to be here." She chanced a look at him and saw his eyes penetrating hers. "You ok?" She asked as a look of what she guessed as fear, crossed his face.
-I don't know if I can do this- He thought to himself. -Once I start, I don't think I'll be able to stop-
"Sara, I. This. Are you sure this is necessary.?" Grissom started, clearing his throat nervously.
"It's okay," Sara jumped in noticing he had become uncomfortable. "I'm not saying we have to kiss and cuddle all the time." -Like that would ever happen. Oh god, I'd love that to happen- "Just, try to act like we could be married."
-He's not convinced- She thought and offered a smile to reassure him.
-She's killing me here- Grissom screamed to himself. -She must know I can't resist that smile-
"Okay, I suppose it would help portray the image of marriage." He finally agreed, but still unsure.
"Well, I'm kind hungry," Sara said trying to keep the conversation alive, it was possibly the best and longest one they had had in a long time. Forgetting about nosing around the place, she figured it was as good as any to head back and get lunch. "You want to come with me?" She asked kindly.
Grissom nodded and smiled. "Sure"
"Honey." He added quickly with a sly grin. He'd wanted the opportunity to call her that again for so long, yet now the 'again' was here, he was slightly apprehensive.
His fears were banished as Sara turned her head, smiled and replied with her own remark to show her part in this make believe life. "Now that's better," The smile she gave him turned his knees to jelly as she added, "Dear."
-Wow! Did that just happen?- Sara thought as they headed towards the lobby.
Their relationship was far from being repaired, but the stitches were holding, for now, that is, but that conversation seemed to have set them on track, Grissom thought.
-Only time will tell- He mused as he followed her, realising that if today was tense, tomorrow would be torture. No matter how close they became during their time together, as soon as they returned to the lab, their hotel room and their own actions for this case, would again be a world apart.
-Not if I can help it- He dreamed.
~*^*^*~
They had spotted the suspect on the way towards the restaurant; he was talking to a young couple. He seemed to listen more than talk to the pair, but after a few minutes of watching them, Grissom and Sara could tell the couple was relaxed around him.
Sara looked up at Grissom as he turned his head and offered his arm to her. She hooked her arm into his and leaned against him gradually as they walked. She didn't intend to lean, it just seemed natural.
-I am so going to regret this case if he runs twice as far- She thought sadly. It was one thing working with Grissom, but the consequences could have more damage on her personal life than her professional one.
The couple walked away laughing and as Grissom and Sara pass them, they bumped against each other.
"Oh god! I'm so sorry." The woman apologised quickly and sincerely as she knocks Grissom against Sara and Sara into the door. "Sean, you cluts."
"I'm sorry dear, I wasn't looking." The man looked on at the other pair with concerned eyes as Grissom turned to Sara.
"You ok?" He asked quietly. -What the hell?- Turning when she nodded, he pinned a glare at the younger man. "Watch it, you could have hurt her." He snapped.
Sara stepped in front of Grissom and placed her hands on his chest to stop his further outbursts. "Hey, I'm fine."
"He could have hurt you." He said in frustration and worry.
She watched his eyes darting back and forth in panic. -He really is worried-
"It's ok Gil." She whispered gently, watching his eyes soften.
-Gil? She called me Gil-
Sara turned and reached one hand behind to find his and the other to the couple. "I'm sorry, he can be overprotective at times." She offered them a smile and introduced herself. "I'm Sara and this is my husband Gil."
The others nodded in understanding and shook her hand. "You'll have to excuse Sean, he's never looking where's he's going. I'm Allison." She shook Sara's hand and looked over to Grissom. "He doesn't do it on purpose-"
Grissom finally found his voice and sighed. "I shouldn't have jumped down your throat. I am sorry. It seems we both weren't looking." He looked at each face and motioned to the restaurant. "Care to join us?"
Sara smiled and nodded to encourage them. "Yes, join us."
Sean and Allison shared a smile and nodded. "Don't see why not." Sean shrugged.
"Good." Grissom squeezed Sara's hand and led the way into the busy lunchtime restaurant.
Although he was tired and in dire need of a good nights sleep, he couldn't stop thinking about Sara sleeping on the couch. -She can't be comfortable, not with her height and a couch that was half her length. This is ridiculous-
Pushing the covers back, he sat on the edge and looked across the room. The large partition cutting the living area and bedroom in two was a folding heavy wooden door. From where he sat on the edge of the bed, he could make out the lamplight and Sara's slumped form. -She doesn't look comfortable. Damnit-
Grissom quietly walked across the room in his shirt and boxers. His eyes were fixed on his colleague while he turned the lamplight out. "Sara." He whispered as he shook her arm lightly. "Come on Sara, you can't sleep out here."
"I'm fine." She mumbled and folded herself up into the corner of the couch.
-Ouch, that looks painful- He winced as watched her tall frame cramp into a small space. "Okay Sidle. I'm not letting you injury yourself on our honeymoon." He playfully chided as he slipped his arms under her.
"Grissom!" She slurred sleepily.
"No." He said curtly as he carried her to the large bed. "There's plenty of room."
Sara sighed heavily and rolled over immediately after he laid her down. "You pointed out that there was one bed." She grumbled.
Shaking his head at her back, he pulled the covers over her and sighed. -She'll be the death of me one of these days-
~*^*^*~
Sitting up in bed the next morning with the case file spread out once again, Sara sighed as she looked over the profiles for the missing couples.
First time marriages, on their honeymoons and no obvious financial troubles. They worked hard and were respected in their field of work.
-Where's the connection?- She mused with a shake of the head. Movement caught her attention and sent her senses alert when the man sleeping beside her whispered her name. -He said my name- At this little discovery, she smiled and looked on bemused as he turned onto his side, facing her. His hand splayed out over the mattress before clenching lightly as he moaned.
"What are you dreaming?" She asked gently as she watched him briefly. Sensing him slipping back in deep REM sleep, she sighed and slipped from the bed. Packing the files away, she decided a shower would be refreshing and a walk around the hotel would be nice.
As she turned the water on and tested the temperature, she shredded her t- shirt and sweats in almost motion to get herself into the large shower.
Grissom's was woken by the sound of a door closing. He stretched out gingerly and yawned the sleep from his body with his hands rubbing at his eyes. Feeling the need to start the busy day clean and refreshed, he threw the covers back. That was when he noticed Sara was missing.
-She did say she was going to look around this morning, but I didn't think she'd go this early- He sighed and plodded towards the bathroom.
Pulling the door open, his whole body was suddenly wide away and his eyes were not listening to his brain as it screamed for him to turn and leave. Instead, his mouth hung open and his eyes roamed over every inch of the body before him. -Oh Dear Lord- He exclaimed silently. -What an as-- Shaking his head, he derailed that thought and blinked for the first time in several minutes, trying to rid the images from his mind.
-It's not working- He almost screamed as he backed out slowly to quietly close the door. As he moved away, the back of his legs hit the arm of the couch and his body tilted backwards until he fell across the couch. Covering his eyes immediately to push the pictures away, he couldn't stop the hum of appreciation escape his lips. "Beautiful."
"Griss?"
Snapping out of his steamy thoughts, his hands dropped slowly to see her standing in the doorway of the bathroom with a small smile on her face. "You ok?"
He nodded and offered a shy smile as he pushed himself up and quickly slipped by her, brushing against her as he past her.
~*^*^*~
Their first full day was now on the record as they went about putting on the show for the FBI and the CSI crime lab. So far the case has been progressing quite well, the science and investigation section of the case was going fine, however the human element was letting the side down. No- matter how hard they'd tried they couldn't feel comfortable with each other and Sara was afraid that it was beginning to show to the others around them, so she took a big risk and talked to Grissom.
"Grissom, um I think we need to talk," She said nervously, looking over at him as they walked down the hall towards the back of the hotel indoor swimming pools.
"Okay, about what" He asked confused, -She wants to talk to me, this may not be good-
Sara sighed and looked ahead of them. "Well, it's just that, we're not, um, how do I put this.we're not believable, we don't fit in, I mean we're on 'honeymoon' but we barely speak and we definitely don't act as though we're madly in love." She explained cringing inwardly at the tender word she used to describe the way they should act.
-Maybe this is some sign, saying that love just wasn't present for him, maybe it wasn't in her either- Listening to her thoughts, a wave of sadness filled her heart.
Seeing the look on her face, he couldn't help shouting to himself. -I'm trying. I just don't know how-
"I was thinking maybe we could be a little more convincing?" She added with a glance towards him and watched his eyebrow raise. -He's so cute when he does that- She thought with a softening of her heavy heart.
"Convincing how, exactly?" He queried. -Don't act dumb Gil, she'll eat you for breakfast- Smirking at the thought, he turned his head away and continued his silent monologue. -Breakfast, bed, Sara, naked. I think I'm drooling- He absently ran his index and middle finger across his lips as he tried to focus on the conversation at hand.
-Does he have no imagination?- Sara exclaimed to herself as the silence grew longer.
After a moment, she explained to him like she was talking to a child. "Here, let me help you. Yo said you'd need help remembering. Here's a list." She counted them off on her fingers in a stubborn teacher's voice. "Hold hands, smile at each other, and pretend we actually want to be here." She chanced a look at him and saw his eyes penetrating hers. "You ok?" She asked as a look of what she guessed as fear, crossed his face.
-I don't know if I can do this- He thought to himself. -Once I start, I don't think I'll be able to stop-
"Sara, I. This. Are you sure this is necessary.?" Grissom started, clearing his throat nervously.
"It's okay," Sara jumped in noticing he had become uncomfortable. "I'm not saying we have to kiss and cuddle all the time." -Like that would ever happen. Oh god, I'd love that to happen- "Just, try to act like we could be married."
-He's not convinced- She thought and offered a smile to reassure him.
-She's killing me here- Grissom screamed to himself. -She must know I can't resist that smile-
"Okay, I suppose it would help portray the image of marriage." He finally agreed, but still unsure.
"Well, I'm kind hungry," Sara said trying to keep the conversation alive, it was possibly the best and longest one they had had in a long time. Forgetting about nosing around the place, she figured it was as good as any to head back and get lunch. "You want to come with me?" She asked kindly.
Grissom nodded and smiled. "Sure"
"Honey." He added quickly with a sly grin. He'd wanted the opportunity to call her that again for so long, yet now the 'again' was here, he was slightly apprehensive.
His fears were banished as Sara turned her head, smiled and replied with her own remark to show her part in this make believe life. "Now that's better," The smile she gave him turned his knees to jelly as she added, "Dear."
-Wow! Did that just happen?- Sara thought as they headed towards the lobby.
Their relationship was far from being repaired, but the stitches were holding, for now, that is, but that conversation seemed to have set them on track, Grissom thought.
-Only time will tell- He mused as he followed her, realising that if today was tense, tomorrow would be torture. No matter how close they became during their time together, as soon as they returned to the lab, their hotel room and their own actions for this case, would again be a world apart.
-Not if I can help it- He dreamed.
~*^*^*~
They had spotted the suspect on the way towards the restaurant; he was talking to a young couple. He seemed to listen more than talk to the pair, but after a few minutes of watching them, Grissom and Sara could tell the couple was relaxed around him.
Sara looked up at Grissom as he turned his head and offered his arm to her. She hooked her arm into his and leaned against him gradually as they walked. She didn't intend to lean, it just seemed natural.
-I am so going to regret this case if he runs twice as far- She thought sadly. It was one thing working with Grissom, but the consequences could have more damage on her personal life than her professional one.
The couple walked away laughing and as Grissom and Sara pass them, they bumped against each other.
"Oh god! I'm so sorry." The woman apologised quickly and sincerely as she knocks Grissom against Sara and Sara into the door. "Sean, you cluts."
"I'm sorry dear, I wasn't looking." The man looked on at the other pair with concerned eyes as Grissom turned to Sara.
"You ok?" He asked quietly. -What the hell?- Turning when she nodded, he pinned a glare at the younger man. "Watch it, you could have hurt her." He snapped.
Sara stepped in front of Grissom and placed her hands on his chest to stop his further outbursts. "Hey, I'm fine."
"He could have hurt you." He said in frustration and worry.
She watched his eyes darting back and forth in panic. -He really is worried-
"It's ok Gil." She whispered gently, watching his eyes soften.
-Gil? She called me Gil-
Sara turned and reached one hand behind to find his and the other to the couple. "I'm sorry, he can be overprotective at times." She offered them a smile and introduced herself. "I'm Sara and this is my husband Gil."
The others nodded in understanding and shook her hand. "You'll have to excuse Sean, he's never looking where's he's going. I'm Allison." She shook Sara's hand and looked over to Grissom. "He doesn't do it on purpose-"
Grissom finally found his voice and sighed. "I shouldn't have jumped down your throat. I am sorry. It seems we both weren't looking." He looked at each face and motioned to the restaurant. "Care to join us?"
Sara smiled and nodded to encourage them. "Yes, join us."
Sean and Allison shared a smile and nodded. "Don't see why not." Sean shrugged.
"Good." Grissom squeezed Sara's hand and led the way into the busy lunchtime restaurant.