Post-Butterflied
Disclaimer: I still don't own CSI and get no profit from writing these stories…yadda yadda yadda.
Chapter Eight
Sara was forced to take two weeks of paid medical leave. She was not very happy at having to take so much time off work. It was sort of ironic though because only days before she was ready to quit. She had to find ways to entertain herself for 14 days. Grissom helped her to get settled into her apartment and made sure she would be able to get around on her crutches.
"I think I'm getting used to these," Sara turned around once more, "but remind me not to break my foot again. I can't believe they are making me take two weeks off."
"Well, no offense, hon, but you won't be of much help in your condition," Grissom explained.
"I now, but still, I don't know what I'm going to do with myself for two whole weeks," Sara sighed, "wait, did you just call me hon?"
"Uh, yes I believe I did, why?" Grissom asked, "is that okay?"
"It's fine," Sara flashed him a smile, "it's just that I'm not used to it. I like it though."
"Are you still going to want to go on our date Friday?" Grissom asked, "because if you don't want to go I understand…"
"Gris, stop, I still want to go," Sara grabbed his arm and squeezed it, "just calm down."
"I can't help it, I'm nervous," Grissom shrugged his shoulders.
"Don't be nervous, it's just you, me and a dinner, nothing to be afraid of," Sara stroked his arm gently.
Grissom lowered his head briefly, "You're right. I don't know why I'm so nervous."
"Is it because you think people might see us?" Sara asked.
"Maybe," Grissom said slowly, "I don't really think so. But that does remind me, what are we going to do at work? Should we tell everyone that we are dating?"
"Are you kidding?" Sara laughed, "they already know."
"Right, the rumor mill, how could I forget," Grissom rolled his eyes.
"Is there a policy against it?" Sara asked suddenly.
"Not exactly, but I'm sure they will frown upon it," Grissom said, "maybe I should go to Cavallo before he has a chance to come to me."
"If you think that's a good idea," Sara raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know, I'll have all day to think about it though," Grissom said.
"Whatever you decide to do, let me know how it goes," Sara said.
"You'll be the first to know," Grissom smiled at her.
Sara decided at this point to try to sit down. It was a big mistake as she tried to gracefully sit down and place her crutches next to the couch. Instead, she dropped a crutch on her still sore foot, causing her to gasp in pain. Grissom reached forward and steadied her a she nearly fell over and helped onto the couch.
"Well that was smooth," Sara blushed when she was situated.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone that happened," Grissom winked.
"Thanks," Sara laughed.
"You'll get more used to it after a few days. And your foot will probably stop hurting after a while and you'll forget why there's a cast on your foot at all," Grissom said.
"I hope you are right, but I don't think I'll ever forget getting my foot crushed in a rock slide," Sara shook her head.
"You're lucky that's all that happened," Grissom said.
"I know, I feel really lucky. If Cath hadn't yelled at me to move, I might not be here. If one of those things hit me in the head…" she trailed off.
"Try not to think about that," he replied softly, "I don't know what I'd do if that happened."
They fell silent and Grissom placed an arm gently around her shoulders. She leaned into him and enjoyed the comfortable warmth of his body. She focused on the up and down movement of his chest with his breathing. The combination of the night's events and the pain killers she was on caught up with her and she fell asleep within a few minutes.
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Grissom knocked on Director Cavallo's door the next shift, unsure of just what he was going to say.
"Come in," Cavallo called out.
"Hello," Grissom greeted him in a business tone.
"Gil Grissom, you must have read my mind. I wanted to talk to you," Cavallo sat his pen down.
"What did you want to talk about?" Grissom asked.
"I should ask you the very same question, you did come to my office," Cavallo raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, but you go first, I'm sure whatever you have is more important," Grissom sat down.
"All right. I want to talk to you about CSI Sidle," Cavallo began.
"Okay," Grissom returned, "what do you want to say?"
"I understand she was involved in an accident last night," Cavallo stated, "and you put her in for two weeks medical leave?"
"Yes I did. The doctors told her she would have to use crutches for a few weeks and I figured she would not be able to work with crutches," Grissom explained.
"Fair enough," Cavallo placed his hands on the desk, "but that's not what I really want to talk to you about. I know that there are a lot of rumors that swirl around and I don't know which ones are true and which ones are made up."
"If you heard a rumor that Sara and I are going to be dating, it's true, that's why I came here," Grissom cut him off.
"Yes, that is what I was going to get at," Cavallo said, "I know there's not exactly a policy against it, but I don't think it's a very good idea, Gil."
"I know, you're worried that people will think that I'm giving Sara preferential treatment because I'm the supervisor, but I promise you, we will remain 100 percent professional on the job," Grissom said.
"Sure, you say that now, but in the future, suppose you two are left alone at a crime scene, who knows what might happen," Cavallo tented his fingers.
Grissom sighed, "I have more respect for Sara than to allow something to happen at work, especially at a crime scene."
"I'm sure you do, Gil, but you never know until you're under those circumstances," Cavallo countered.
"I know myself and I know Sara. I know that neither of us will let things get out of hand at work," Grissom argued, "besides, what do you propose? If you want me to step down as supervisor, I'm willing to do that."
Cavallo was slightly taken aback, "I don't think we need to any drastic actions here, Gil. I just don't want to have problems. You certainly don't need to resign your position. I just mean that if I hear complaints about your situation, I might be forced to take disciplinary actions."
"You won't be hearing any complaints, at least not from my team. Conrad, on the other hand, is a different story, but you can't believe all that you hear from him," Grissom leaned back in his chair.
"Okay, well I hope that Sidle recovers from her injuries," Cavallo said, "I'll be seeing you around, Gil."
"Yes," Grissom stood and left. As he walked away from the director's office, he had a hard time believing the conversation that had just taken place. His heart was beating fast and he was amazed that he had been so assertive about this. He knew that this meant he and Sara were really doing the right thing. This was going to be good for both of them. He quickly dialed Sara's number on his cell phone and told her the good news.
A/N: Thanks as always for the reviews. I always enjoy reading your reviews. I hope you all enjoy reading my story. The good news is, I didn't manage to break my toe. The other night, I dropped a big board on my toe. Somehow the corner of it caught only one toe, I couldn't have done a better job of it had I aimed. Lol. Anyway, my toe is bruised very badly, but otherwise seems to be okay.
