Really strange A/N: I have apparently inspired myself. I am sitting here writing in...my pointe shoes. I'm dying here, people. But what's really funny is that the first part of my story turned out to be entirely accurate, even though I didn't try to dance again until after I already had 7 or 8 chapters under my belt. When I first got them on, all I could do was a few crappy looking pique turns and a really lame arabesque. I mean, I can stand around on my toes all day long, but when it comes to actually doing stuff, I am so very SOL! It's gotten better in the last day or so, though! At any rate, I am just amused by the fact that I haven't danced since my freshman year of college (7 years!), and here I am—I'll probably break an ankle before it's over with, but whatever. Oh, yeah, one more thing. The story's just starting to get interesting!
The rest of that day passed relatively uneventfully for Sara. When she left the gym after dancing, she went home and fell into bed. She was tired, but it took a while for sleep to come to her. She couldn't get Grissom off her mind. Not that that was particularly unusual, but instead of the coulda-woulda-shoulda game she usually played with herself, she kept replaying and analyzing their surprising conversation from the previous evening. 'He wants to work on it,' she thought in amazement. Every time she thought about it, her hopes went through roof—until she remembered that in typical Grissom style, he had not made it clear in the least what exactly he wanted to work on. She blew a huge sigh through her lips, wondering exactly what he wanted. 'I know what I want, Grissom. When are you going to figure out what you want?' she thought in despair. When he had turned to her and made that shocking statement, she had almost dared to believe that he was behind all the gifts and mystery cards. After all, who else could it be? But the more she thought about it, the more she realized that it simply could not be. Grissom would never make such a dramatic shift in behavior. Maybe it was Greg, after all. Sara crinkled her nose at the idea. Greg was cute, but so young...and immature. Compared to Grissom, everyone was young and immature. She rolled her eyes at herself. 'God, Sara, stop thinking it to death. You're turning into a clone of Grissom.' With a groan, she rolled over and pushed everything out of her mind until she was sound asleep.
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Shift that night was actually...boring, for once. The Clark County criminal element seemed to be taking the night off. Everyone took the opportunity to catch up on paperwork and pull out those particular cold cases that haunted them.
At 4 am, Sara poked her head into Grissom's office. "Knock, knock," she said. Looking over the top of his glasses, he beckoned her in. She walked triumphantly to his desk with an armload of paperwork. Giving him the famous Sara Sidle Smile, she unceremoniously dumped it on his desk. "Finishing paperwork is a beautiful thing," she declared. "All these puppies need is your signature, and they'll be good to go."
Pulling off his glasses, Grissom pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ugh," he muttered. "My idea of Hell is paperwork for eternity." He looked around at the stacks of files and papers on his desk as Sara giggled.
"Hey, you're the one who wanted to be a supervisor," she teased, ignoring his withering glare.
Grissom rubbed his eyes and looked at the clock. Cocking his head to the side, he said, "Hey, since tonight's your night off anyway, why don't you go ahead and get out of here. It's only a few hours early, and that way you can get some extra sleep and make the most of your night off." She looked at him curiously, and he frantically hoped he hadn't said too much. She started to argue, but he held up his hand. "Sara, think of it this way. It's a dead night, and you've got nothing to do. You know you're going to be maxed out on overtime by the end of the month anyway, so why don't you save up a few hours now so you can work more when we actually need you?" He sat back, knowing he had won. She couldn't argue with reason.
She relented; his logic was sound. "Well...ok. I guess that makes sense. Besides, I am tired," she admitted with a shy smile. "Yeah, thanks, Griss. I'll see you later, ok?"
'Yes, you will...You have no idea,' he thought to himself as he watched her walk out the door.
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Sara was secretly thrilled that Grissom suggested she go home early. She was glad she had gotten her paperwork out of the way, but she had been bored to tears during shift. In addition, she had no idea what was in store for her at 9 am, and she wanted a chance to calm her nerves and unwind before it happened. She hadn't been instructed to go anywhere--just be at her apartment and be ready to be pampered. She couldn't even begin to guess what that meant, and that made her a little nervous. She felt like she had been in control of the situation until now. But now things were going to happen on her turf. She didn't necessarily feel scared--just a little nervous. Her investigative curiosity had gotten the better of her; she had to admit that she was going to see this thing through. But in the interest of safety, she reasoned, it would be a good idea to keep her service weapon nearby.
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Sara was pacing her living room when the doorbell rang at precisely 9 am. Taking a deep breath, she walked to the door and opened it. Standing in front of her was a man dressed in a chauffeur's uniform. She looked past him at the parking lot and noticed the sleek black limousine waiting. The chauffeur cleared his throat and spoke. "Miss Sidle, I presume?" Sara nodded. The man continued. "Good morning, ma'am. I'll be taking you to your destination. You will need to bring the bottle of champagne you were given, as well as a small overnight bag with your toiletries. That is all you will need. I will be waiting by the car," he said, gesturing at the limousine behind him. Sara looked at him skeptically. With a smile and a nod of his head, the gentleman stepped back and headed toward the limousine. Closing the door, Sara blew out a big breath. As she headed toward her bedroom to get a bag, she thought, 'Yeah. Definitely going to keep the gun nearby.'
Five minutes later Sara Sidle stepped onto the sidewalk and headed toward the limousine. Holding the door open for her, the chauffeur said, "My name is Fred, Miss Sidle. If you need anything just press the intercom button. Enjoy the ride." Sara gave him a tight smile and slipped inside the car. She settled into the leather seat and took in her surroundings. There was a seat directly behind the driver's partition, facing her, and there was another seat perpendicular to that one, running along the driver's side of the limousine. On the passenger side wall was a small console, which she guessed probably held a mini-fridge and a TV. On top of the console was a single red rose and a card. Scooting forward, she picked the card up. She opened it and a smile played on her lips as she read the cryptic message.
Dearest Sara,
Today you will find the answers to your questions.
You will learn who I am and why I am doing this.
But first, I would like you to relax and feel what it is like to be treated like royalty, for that is what you are.
One last thing. I know you may be feeling a little apprehensive.
After all, you have no idea what you are getting in to.
Should you find yourself having doubts, call Catherine.
All my love.
Sara let the card fall to her lap, flabbergasted. Catherine? Catherine was in on this? All right, that was just too much. She pulled her phone off of her belt and pressed speed dial 3.
"Willows."
"Catherine? What the hell? I'm sitting here in a limous--" Catherine cut her off with a laugh.
"Hey, Sara! You having fun?"
"Catherine! No, I'm actually wondering what the hell is going on!" she practically shouted. Catherine's voice became quiet as she answered.
"Everything's kosher, Sara. It's not some crazy nutcase. Trust me."
"Catherine, who is it? Who's doing all this?"
Catherine snorted in reply and dropped her voice about an octave as she said, "Are you high, Sidle? I'm not telling you that. You'll find out soon enough. Bye!" she chirped before hanging up, leaving a stunned Sara Sidle on the other end.
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As she closed her phone, Catherine turned to Grissom and worriedly said, "Do you think I was evasive enough? You don't think she suspects, do you? Oh, God, did I screw it up?" She wrung her hands. Grissom laughed.
"Catherine, I think you're more nervous than I am." He paused and said quietly, "Although I am getting pretty nervous."
Catherine looked at him sympathetically before grabbing his hand to pull him off of his couch. "Come on, we've got to head over to the Venetian."
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Sara was in a daze as she flipped her phone closed. Ok, so Catherine had been totally weird, but what else did she expect? This whole thing had been weird, so why should it stop now? Well, at least she knew she was safe, and not delivering herself into the hands of some psycho-cannibal-Anthony-Hopkins-wannabe. She relaxed a little bit and began to observe her surroundings as they slid by. They were on the strip, not that that meant much. Everything in Vegas was on the strip, so it seemed. As they approached the Venetian, the limousine began to slow. The partition between her and the driver slid down and Fred said, "Miss Sidle, this is our stop. You'll need to go ahead and gather your things, please." Sara raised her eyebrows as she obediently wrapped her hands around her overnight bag. She unzipped it a bit and tucked her newest card, along with the rose, next to the bottle of Dom Perignon. As the limousine slid to a stop, she toyed with the strap. She was really getting antsy. Fred came around to open her door. Sliding out, she stood up and looked around. She'd been to the Venetian before, of course, but only to process crime scenes. Closing the door behind her, Fred said, "Please follow me, Miss Sidle."
Fred led her to an elevator, which they then took to the fourth floor. Sara silently pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows in surprise as she realized where they were going. Wow.
She tried but failed to suppress a small grin as they stepped through the doors of the Canyon Ranch SpaClub—the finest in Las Vegas. Fred spoke to a woman at the reception desk, introducing her as Miss Sara Sidle. He then tipped his hat to her and left. Sara turned to the woman, who smiled warmly. "Good morning, Miss Sidle. Welcome to the Venetian and Canyon Ranch. My name is Jennifer. If you'll follow me, I'll show you back." Sara gripped her bag tightly as she followed Jennifer through the luxuriously appointed space. She felt like she was moving through a dream. Jennifer escorted her into a small room. Smiling graciously, she waved toward a pedicure chair. "Miss Sidle, if you'll let me take your bag, I'll put it away for safekeeping while you receive your manicure, pedicure, and facial. Your team should be along any moment now. In the meantime, make yourself at home. May I get you something to drink?"
Sara was nearly at a loss for words. "Uhh...a glass of iced tea would be great. Thank you." As Jennifer nodded and stepped away, Sara carefully sat in the pedicure chair, looking around. There was a table with magazines on it ('I bet they don't have the latest issue of Forensic Science,' she mused), and in the corner near the ceiling, a large TV loomed. She was starting to relax as Jennifer came back in Sara's iced tea, followed by two women. They introduced themselves as Tiffany and Kate.
"Tiffany is a nail specialist, and Kate will be giving you your spa facial," Jennifer announced. "Enjoy!" she added cheerfully as she closed the door behind her.
Sara smiled at the two women as she sat back and prepared herself to be pampered. Without even realizing it, she had crossed a line in her mind. She knew that she was going to see this thing through to the end, if for no other reason than complete curiosity. And since someone was paying good money (and by the looks of things, LOTS of good money) for her to be pampered, well, by God she was going to enjoy it!
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Threehours later, Sara had received a one hour pedicure, a 30-minute manicure,a facial, and lunchat the Canyon Ranch Cafe. She felt amazing. She had no idea that letting people make a fuss over her could be so much fun. Kate escorted her back to the front desk and handed her off to Jennifer. Jennifer smiled and said, "I've already sent your bag up to your suite. I believe I am supposed to give you this," handing her a card.
Sara smiled at her, trying to look as if she had a clue what the hell Jennifer was talking about, and turned with a curt "Thank you." She was dying to rip into that card. She had to admit it—whoever was behind this had her hooked.
Opening up the card, a room key fell out. Placing it in her pocket, she eagerly read the text.
Dearest Sara,
I have taken the liberty of reserving you a suite on the 36th floor.
You will find more details there.
All my love.
Sara looked up as she felt a tap on her shoulder. Standing just to her left was a bellhop. "Miss Sidle, may I take you to your suite, please?"
She looked at him, unsure whether to be exasperated or frustrated. Shaking her head, she muttered, "Why the hell not?" The bellhop strode purposefully to an elevator with Sara on his heels. The ride to the 36th floor was quiet. Her curiosity was piqued, though. The 36th floor was the top; she was obviously getting a penthouse suite. When they reached Sara's floor, the bellhop led her to her suite. She handed him the key and he opened the door for her and led her inside. He placed the key on a table and turned to her.
"Is there anything else I can get you, Ma'am?"
Sara didn't even hear the question. Her eyes were huge, and her mouth hung limply open.
"Ma'am?"
"Er, what? No, I'm fine, thank you...Thank you," she managed. As the bellhop took his leave, her eyes wandered the room in shock. This was...beyond anything she had imagined. Sure, she had been in penthouse suites on a number of occasions—the rate at which the wealthy managed to get themselves killed was amazing, really—but she suddenly had the absurd realization that it was completely different when it was actually going to be her suite. The whole thing was suddenly so much more impressive. She stood there, slowly soaking it all in. She was standing in a foyer, with a small but luxurious half bath to her left. Ahead was a living room, with a sitting area, a dining table, and what looked to be a fully-stocked bar. She noticed the floor-to-ceiling window looking out onto the Strip. Very nice view. She wandered into the living room and through the doorway to the bedroom. In it was a luxuriously-appointed king size bed...which was covered in beautifully gift-wrapped boxes. She walked over and inspected them, noting yet another card atop the highest box. She reached for it, then decided to finish her tour of the suite before diving into the gifts. 'From the look of it, it might take a while to open it all,' she thought wryly. As she turned to her left and started toward the bathroom, she noticed her overnight bag sitting on the floor.
Walking through a doorway, she realized there was a large dressing/makeup area that separated the bedroom from the bathroom. She noted the walk-in closets as she passed into the bathroom. "Whoa," she whispered aloud as she took in the vast space. The centerpiece of the room was a huge jetted tub, but the massive shower was only slightly behind it in opulence. It was an elegant glass enclosure with double-head showers. There were separate his-and-her sinks, and an enclosed water closet to finish out the impressive room. As she turned, something caught her eye. Next to the tub was a large basket filled with bath products. There was a simple card attached, with the single word "Sara" in that flowing calligraphy. She flipped the card over; nothing. Sara was tempted to toss some bubble bath in that gorgeous tub and soak for awhile, but she was even more tempted by whatever was in those boxes on the bed. Her decision made, she walked purposefully back into the bedroom and sat down on the bed to open her gifts.
TBC...
A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update, guys. I've been having a little writer's block. I had hoped to have this new chapter up before the show came on tonight, but then I thought, "What the hell...nobody's going to be on Fanfiction until the show's over, anyway..." So here we are. Hope you enjoyed!