Feasibility Study
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT

"Shocking!"

July 28, 2005 (Day 97)
Las Vegas Crime Lab
Jim Brass's Office
3:27 p.m.

Brass was sitting at his desk milling over purchase requisitions when his cell phone rang. Much to his delight, it was a certain lady. "Are all your needy little boys at recess?" He answered before breaking into a grin.

"Yes, what about all your needy children?"

Before he could answer, he saw Grissom and Sara knocking on his closed door. "Unfortunately, two of mine, acquaintances of yours actually, just showed up in my office so I will have to go." He held up his index finger, signaling for them to give him a moment. "But let's continue this," He said as he turned his chair to face the wall.

"The call?"

"Yes…among other things."

"You have my number."

"I guess that makes me armed and dangerous." He laughed. "Okay, before this gets out of control, let's get back to controlling our worlds. The needy await."

"And I will be waiting for your call."

When he heard the click, he closed his phone and turned his chair around to face the couple hanging out in his doorway and motioned for them to enter. Once inside, he exclaimed, "Look who's here…Bug Boy and Boom Boom." He pointed to his side chairs, prompting them to take seats. "Welcome home. Did you bring back any souvenirs from the freak show?"

As Grissom and Sara navigated his office, Brass noticed the tense expressions on their faces. "What's going on? And why are you here so early?" Their arms tightly folded across their chests, they looked like they were facing a firing squad as they sat in the chairs in front of him. "Are the two of you having a problem?"

"Yes." Sara replied. "A big one."

"I screwed up." Grissom somberly admitted.

"Shocking!" Brass retorted without thinking of the insensitivity of his remark considering the dour looks on their faces. "Sorry…I shouldn't be joking." Recalling the accidental text message he received from Grissom, the course of true love never did run smooth, he realized something must have happened.

Without looking at Grissom, Sara announced, "I can't work for him anymore, Jim."

"What?" Brass didn't want it to be his business, but they were here so they were obviously reaching out for help. "Uh…" Then he remembered what he saw at their house…the baby books. Was it the baby thing? Grissom did sound less than enthusiastic when they spoke about it on the phone. Had Sara gone to Colorado and given him an ultimatum? Obviously it didn't end up going as planned. "Come on guys, you can work it out, right?"

"Not a chance." Grissom firmly replied. "What's done is done and there's no going back."

Sara huffed. "Got that right."

Standing up, Brass walked around and sat on the edge of his desk facing the two. Lowering his voice to a sympathetic tone, he asked, "What the hell could have happened in the last twenty-four hours to change everything?"

Averting her eyes, Sara started shaking, "You won't believe it."

For the first time since they entered his office, Brass saw Grissom and Sara glance at each other and when they did, the second their eyes locked, smiles flared and he realized Sara was trembling with laughter.

"Okay, what the hell is going on!" Brass demanded, never one to enjoy not having the upper hand.

A second later, Grissom and Sara, grinning like children on Christmas morning, revealed their left hands and the matching platinum bands on their respective ring fingers.

Brass's mouth dropped open. "Now that is shocking."

Sara repeated her earlier statement with one small addition. "I can't work for him any more because I'm his wife."

Grissom followed. "See…I screwed up…violated department policy."

"Hey, I did too," Sara reminded her partner in crime.

"But, as your supervisor, I'm ultimately accountable."

"Hold up!" Brass stopped the newlyweds' debate. "Do you have any idea how much this messes up things around here and makes my life more difficult? Weren't you guys thinking of me when you did this?"

"Uh…" Sara laughed. "Actually no, I wasn't." She turned to Grissom. "How about you, Honey?"

"Sorry, Jim." He shrugged.

Miffed, Brass slid off the edge of his desk and paced the room. "Wait a minute." Coming up behind the couple he chuckled. "You're yanking my chain…a little pay back for all the crap I've been giving you. You almost had me too. People don't leave Vegas to get hitched in Colorado Springs. You can't even get married there in a day." He slapped Grissom on the back. "Nice try for a couple of amateurs but you're no good at lying."

Sara looked at Grissom. "I told you he wouldn't believe it."

"I think he needs more evidence than the rings."

"Yeah." Brass returned to his desk chair to relax. "Knowing the two of you and your strange habits, you bought rings to pretend you're married for a while to see how it feels…conducting some kind warped pre-matrimonial experiment to see if it's feasible."

That line got a laugh from the couple while Sara reached into her purse. "The rings are Exhibit A." Grinning wildly, she placed the paper on his desk. "This…is Exhibit B."

Picking up the certificate, Jim shook his head. "Vegas? You got married in Vegas earlier today."

Grissom proudly nodded. "Bug Boy and Boom Boom are now Mr. and Mrs. Just Got Hitched."

Sara beamed with delight. "Actually, Mr. and Mrs. Grissom…unless we're at work then it's Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle…unless of course an occasion calls for a little more formality, then we're Dr. Grissom and Dr. Sidle."

"Nice try, but you'll always be Boom Boom to me." Brass dropped the certificate on his desk and heaved a heavy sigh. "Unbelievable. You surprised me. I didn't think this was something the two of you needed."

"Well…turns out we're a little more conventional than we thought," Grissom answered, "and all joking aside, we realize this causes problems for the department and for you. We would have planned ahead but it was spontaneous."

Brass choked on the concept. "Spontaneous? The two of you?" He held up his hands. "Okay…before I get to firing you or whatever the hell it is I'm going to do about this. Tell me, did Elvis officiate? Tell me the whole story."

Sara and Grissom exchanged glances and simultaneously said, "No." Because it wasn't something they wanted to share. It was their secret story…

Six hours earlier

On the way home from the airport, Grissom, since he had been away from the office for days, announced he wanted to put in a few hours at work before going home.

Since Sara's car was still at the station from her night out with the boys, they drove there. After stealing a kiss, they both exited his car, Sara climbing into hers and Grissom heading for the building.

Once at home, Sara breezed through the house making the usual sweep…flick on some lights, head to the kitchen, listen to voicemail while popping open the fridge. The only messages were from the landscaper and Grissom's ENT office, calling to remind him of his appointment, the reschedule of the reschedule.

Tossing her purse on the counter, she opened it to pull out her wallet but noticed the Sara Grissom nametag she had stuffed in there yesterday. Retrieving it she sighed. Her discussion with Grissom was still on her mind, along with the fact that they hadn't mentioned it since they left the mountain park. Not that it bugged her. They had a fun night out followed by a wonderful night in their hotel room. Everything was fine and now that the issues were out in the open things would eventually be addressed…as always…in due time.

Leaving the nametag on the counter, she took her apple and a bottle of water and padded to the bedroom.

Airline travel always left her dehydrated and the heat of a July day in the desert didn't help matters. While chomping on her apple, she ran the bath, opting for Vanilla Bean Noel scented bubbles which, as the bottle advertised, smelled like sugar cookies pulled straight from the oven. The sales clerk at Bath and Body works had assured her it drives men crazy and sure enough, the first time she used it back in January, Grissom exclaimed, you smell fantastic and couldn't get enough of her.

Once in the tub she realized it was a work night and now she'd smell like sugar cookies which would be highly distracting in the field. Oh well…she decided to indulge in the bath and then take a shower to eradicate the powerful man-toppling fragrance.

A half hour had passed before she emerged from the tub to don her favorite pink robe.

As she moved into the bedroom, much to her surprise, she heard someone walking into the room. Still on the jumpy side from the attack a couple of weeks ago, she shrieked a few times before realizing it was Grissom. "I thought you were at work!" Panting she struggled to catch her breath.

"Sorry, Honey." He hurried over to hold her. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"What are you doing home?" She clung to him waiting for her heart rate to slow.

His nose filling with the aroma of fresh baked cookies, he growled, "You smell fantastic!" He was grateful her hair was piled on top of her head, giving him a clear shot at nuzzling her neck. "I love this stuff."

"Did you smell it all the way from the lab and rush home? Nice show of priorities." She laughed. "Speaking of priorities, before I forget, your ENT's office called to remind you that you're twice re-scheduled check-up is tomorrow. You aren't going to cancel again, right? They're just going to check and tell you everything is fine."

Pulling away from the enticing smell of her damp skin, he chuckled. "You sound like a nagging wife." That's when he displayed the nametag he had found minutes before on the kitchen counter. "Is that what you're doing, Mrs. Grissom? Are you nagging me?" Her timing couldn't have been more perfect.

Finding it rather odd for him to be playful about the issue considering yesterday he was at the height of discomfort regarding it, she snatched the nametag. "We made progress so let's not start getting confused again." Smiling, she stuffed it in the pocket of her robe. "So why are you here?"

Slipping his hand in the pocket, he pulled out the nametag while whispering, "I'm here to un-confuse you about the nametag." Holding it up, he said, "You asked me yesterday, do I want people to know who you are. My answer is yes."

While studying the peculiar look in his eyes she wondered, what is that I see? A swirl of confidence and excitement? "Why are you here exactly?"

"I'm here to discuss geometry." He cryptically replied while trying to contain his excitement.

"Geometry?"

"Symmetry specifically." After tucking the controversial nametag back in her robe, he reached into his pants pocket, producing a gold velvet box. "Open it. I think you'll find the contents very un-confusing."

"Um…" Stunned by the scene she believed to be unfolding before her eyes; she took the box and cracked it.

"How's that for symmetry?" He adored the look of surprise on her face as she studied the matching platinum wedding bands. "Those aren't rings I want us to slip on when we're home and take off before we go to work. My intention, if you agree, is to wear them twenty-four seven."

"Are you saying…"

His voice deepened as he continued. "I'm saying that while the vows we exchanged in this room sealed us together in a marriage of true minds, and in my heart they will always be the ones that mean everything to me, I want us to exchange a few more." Taking her hand he lovingly asked, "Sara, will you legally marry me? My name, like my heart and my soul, is yours if you want it."

Throwing her arms around his neck, she ineloquently gave her reply. "I can't believe…yes…of course…YES…but how can we…what about work…what made you decide…when…"

Thrilled to hear a yes in there somewhere and anxious to end the barrage of questions, he cut off her words with a passionate kiss.

Breathless from the kiss and the shock, she gasped, "You really mean it!"

"Yes!" He took the ring box from her and returned it to his pocket.

"But what about work?"

Certain of his decision, he said, "Work has always been the priority in my life, it's time for my personal life to take a front seat."

"I don't mind moving to another position."

"Or I can." He smiled. "We'll let Jim figure it out."

"Nice avoidance!"

"I've had plenty of practice."

"When do you want to…" A smile blazed across her face as the reality hit her. "…get married."

"Viva Las Vegas, Baby. How about right now? A quick stop at 200 South Third Street and fifty-five bucks later we'll have a license. Then it's off to the chapel of your choice."

"What!" Her hands flew to her head. "Your spontaneity is killing me."

"It's like our song said…Heaven and Earth know the moment's right so why don't you come be with me. See…I was multi-tasking last night, dancing, listening and thinking. I told you I figured it out, but you didn't believe me and by the time the song ended, I chickened out." Taking her by the hand, he led her to her closet. "Do you have a white shirt?"

"You want us to do this right now!" The scene was getting more surreal by the moment. "What made you get your nerve back?"

"When I went into the lab I saw Nick through the window. I remembered what you told me he said, why wait when you know with 100 certainty what you want for the rest of your life. After our talk yesterday, I understand what you need and what I want so I didn't want to wait a minute longer. Consequently, I turned around and went shopping for the rings." Noting her overwhelmed expression he said, "But if you'd rather wait…"

"Are you kidding!" Lunging into her walk-in closet she surveyed her white blouses and selected the only feminine-looking one. "I'm not passing up this chance because who knows what would happen to change your mind tomorrow. That's the thing about you …you stink at making personal decisions, but once you commit and it's finalized, you're fine."

Watching her dash about the room getting ready for the occasion filled his heart with joy. "So where do you want to get hitched, Honey?" Following her lead, he went to his closet and picked a fresh black shirt.

"No Elvis, no aliens, no drive-thrus, no Liberace glitz, no themes of any kind!"

"That narrows it down to about three chapels."

"Oh my god…we're really doing this!" She exclaimed while frantically buttoning her blouse. "No one is going to believe we're doing this."

"Do you want anyone there?" He remembered they would need one witness. "We could call…"

"No way!" She released her hair from its clip. "I don't trust anyone to not pick on us about this. Just like the vows we exchanged in this room, these will only be between you and me."

"And two strangers…an appointed witness and a minister."

"We'll never see them again because I don't plan on heading to the chapel twice." Grabbing his hand, she ecstatically announced, "Let's go, Honey."

"Uh…Sweetie…you're not wearing pants."

"It would make for an interesting wedding photo." She rushed back to the closet. "Do you realize we don't have a photo together?"

"I never thought about it but yes, you're right."

"We'll need this photo to show our future child." She came out of the closet wearing black pants and sandals along with her billowy white blouse. "This is the most utterly spontaneous, wonderfully romantic, and professionally irresponsible thing I've ever done."

"Me too." He gushed.

"I'm so excited!"

"Me too!"

"That's excellent symmetry."

He took her hand. "Ready?"

"Without a doubt."

Jim Brass's Office
3:35 p.m.

Glancing down at the information on the certificate, Jim remarked, "Little Chapel of the Flowers, huh? How did you pick that one?"

"Process of elimination," Grissom replied between smiles.

"Come on, toss me a scrap." Brass laughed. "What package did you get? Did Elvis walk you down the aisle, Sara?"

"Elvis was nowhere in the building!" She assured him. "And it was called The Wonderful Weekday Wedding Package, if you must know."

"And was it wonderful?" Brass needled. "Look at you two…I'm getting a cavity. Judging from those sugary smiles on your faces I'd say it was wonderful or at a minimum, sickeningly sweet."

Four hours earlier…

License in her hand, Sara sat in the car trying to grasp the reality of the situation while Grissom drove to Little Chapel of the Flowers. "When you were filling out your application, was it weird for you to include…"

He knew exactly what she was thinking. "My parents' information?"

"Yeah…I really didn't expect to think about them right before…" Her voice faded.

"I know it's not the most optimistic reminder of the sanctity of marriage, but then I remembered our discussion in the park yesterday. We're not doomed to make the same mistakes."

"That's right." Smiling again, she said, "Do you think we'll have to wait for our turn?"

"When I spoke with the chapel while we were waiting for our license, they said we were the only ones on the schedule until five." Glancing over, he teasingly asked, "Are you getting cold feet? You're not going to leave me at the altar, are you?"

"Right." The idea amused her into a fit of laughter. "I spent how many years waiting for you? Yes, this was my ultimate plan…get you to the altar and say…never mind. Too bad you figured it out right before I executed the last step."

As they laughed, they parked the car in the chapel's parking lot. When Grissom turned to talk to Sara, all he saw was an empty seat and the passenger-side door slamming shut.

Getting out of the car, he called over to her, "You do realize you need to wait for me, right?" Taking her hand they walked into the chapel office and, once inside, the matrimonial imagery overpowered them.

Squeezing each other's hands a little tighter, they huddled next to the counter.

After filling out the required paperwork, the chapel coordinator, a sweet silver-haired woman, directed them into the waiting area where they took seats next to each other but practically sat on top of each other. Finally Grissom broke the silence with a joke. "Feel like talking Wallner lines?"

Nervous laughter ensued until Sara said, "I know we already made our commitment to one another but this seems…"

"We're ready for you," the coordinator announced.

Inhaling in unison, they readied themselves for the moment and then hand in hand followed the coordinator to the Victorian chapel.

Having opted for no music, no flowers and no walk down the aisle, they proceeded directly to the front where the official was waiting to greet them.

"Welcome, Gil and Sara," The minister in the black suit and tie greeted.

Their hand holds now a vice-grip, they acknowledged the minister with nods.

"Before we begin, I always ask my couples to think back to when they first became acquainted with one another, to that special time when all was wonderful and love seemed simple and unshakeable…a time when everything clicked."

Grinning uncontrollably, Grissom and Sara did as requested, while thinking if this guy only knew.

"Realize that love, while beautiful, will not always be as simple as those early days and as you forge ahead in your life together, draw upon the commitment you are about to make today to meet and overcome any challenges you may face." Briefly he chuckled, "Normally I'd ask you to face each other and hold hands, but you're ahead of me."

Their eyes spoke volumes as they both realized that, although this started out as a legal step to validate their spiritual union, it was rapidly becoming more.

The minister, quite certain the couple in front of him were more than ready to proceed, began the ceremony. "Gil, do you agree to receive Sara as your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love and respect her, to honor and cherish her, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?"

Sara watched Grissom open his mouth. When no words came she didn't panic, it seemed like old times and it brought her comfort because she knew the words were there waiting to be spoken. With her eyes she nudged him.

"I do." He answered while gripping her hands tighter. Once the words were out, he inhaled sharply, eager to hear them in return.

"Sara, do you agree to receive Gil as your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love and respect him, to honor and cherish him, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." She gleefully replied without hesitation. "Absolutely," She added for good measure.

The happiness flowed between them and they were so lost in the moment they didn't even notice the coordinator present the ring box to the minister. "Gil…please take Sara's ring and hold her left hand." When he got no response, he tapped the groom on the shoulder. "The ring."

"Oh." He plucked Sara's ring out of the box.

"Please repeat after me, and then slip the ring on her finger. Sara, I give this ring to you as a token and promise of our constant faith and abiding love."

His hand shaking, Grissom held the shiny band in one hand and Sara's trembling hand in the other. Sara…I give this ring to you as a token and promise of our constant faith and abiding love." Then he slid it on her ring finger and cradled her hand in his.

"Sara…please take Gil's ring."

Separating momentarily, Sara reached out for the remaining ring in the box. Once she was holding the platinum circle, she was overcome with emotion.

The minister proceeded. "Please repeat after me, and then slip the ring on his finger. Gil, I give this ring to you as a token and promise of our constant faith and abiding love."

Her eyes welling and her voice wavering, she clutched his hand. "Gil Grissom…I give this ring to you…as a token and promise of our constant faith and…abiding love." And when she glided the ring on his finger, a tear of happiness streamed down her face.

Reaching out with his left hand, he wiped away the drop, lingering his palm on her cheek, "I love you."

Placing her hand over his, she nodded.

"For as much as Gil and Sara have consented together into wedlock as witnessed here today, I now pronounce you husband and wife according to the laws of the State of Nevada."

Throwing their arms around one another, they sealed their new vows with a celebratory kiss.

The minister chuckled, "Gil, you may kiss your bride."

Jim Brass's Office
3:40 p.m.

Having fun with the happy duo, Brass reminded Sara, "You know if you haven't consummated the marriage, it's not too late for an annulment. It would save me a lot of paperwork."

"Too late." Grissom proudly blurted.

Brass checked his watch. "Damn you people work fast. You only flew into town this morning and you already got a marriage license, went to the chapel and hit the sheets? I hope you showered before you came to see me."

Two hours ago…

Lying under the sheets, basking in the afterglow, Grissom and Sara held up their left hands to once again appreciate their matching rings.

Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed the ring on her finger. "Mrs. Grissom, I never even asked you if you like the bands I picked."

"Honey, they could have been cigar bands and I wouldn't have cared." Turning her head she planted a kiss on his cheek. "But I love the ones you picked. And I love you…and I love this day." Oozing with bliss, she announced, "We actually have a certificate with a date! Now when people ask us how long we've been married, we'll have a legitimate answer. We're normal!" Her voice dropped. "Well…relatively speaking."

The totality of the situation sinking in, he said, "I think we'll be answering a lot of questions once this gets out. And I'm not just talking about questions from the team, although I expect a lion's share of harassment about this. Not that I'll mind."

"That's right." Falling back against the sheets, Sara remembered that most of the people at the lab didn't even know they were a couple. "Not to mention, we're scheduled to work tonight and I'm not allowed to work for you anymore."

The weight of responsibility finally catching up, he sighed. "We need to talk to Jim as soon as possible."

"He'll never believe us."

"He deserves a surprise after all the crap he's been giving us."

"Hey…" Sara sat up in bed. "That's not a bad idea. We'll walk in there and pull a joke on him for once! It will ease the tension before he kills us for causing problems."

"What do you have in mind?"

Jim Brass's Office
3:43 p.m.

Reclining in his chair, Brass sighed, "Okay enough with the small talk. Now I have to decide what I'm going to do about this. Long-term I'll come up with something that works for both of you."

"Thanks, Jim," Grissom nodded.

"Yeah, but first I'm punishing you for being impulsive little children!" Opening his file cabinet, he reached for the necessary paperwork. "Temporarily you leave me no choice…Sara, effective immediately you're reporting to Nick and working Days. To keep the shifts balanced, Sofia Curtis will work Nights. Actually, this is a good thing. I think it will help Days to have a little change. Sara, you'll be good for them. And maybe after Sofia spends a little time working with Catherine, she'll be grateful to return to her spot under Nick."

Grissom and Sara exchanged forlorn glances.

Brass didn't miss a beat. "Awww…you'll still see each other five hours a day, plenty of time to play …and you can always overlap doubles for a little more quality time together. Serves you right for not planning ahead."

Sara had to laugh. "That's not something I've been accused of before."

"Oh really, Boom Boom? So the limo show was planned?" Brass started penning the paperwork. "Another thing…I believe you know that Nick has a few days off starting tomorrow."

They nodded.

"Well Sara…" Brass looked up from his form. "You'll be acting Days Supervisor while he's gone because if I put any one of those power-hungry animals in charge they'll eat each other alive."

"What?" She stiffened. "But I've never even been the acting supervisor of Nights."

Glaring at Grissom, Brass informed Sara, "That had nothing to do with your ability. Your supervisor was holding you back. Probably afraid you would do a better job than him. Which I happen to think you will."

Staring at her stunned husband, Sara grinned. "Looks like you and I will be professional equals for the next few days. How's that for symmetry, Honey?"

Before Grissom could answer, Nick showed up in the doorway. "Hey, it's Boom Boom and Bug Boy!" He strolled into the room laughing.

Brass jumped on the opportunity. "Actually, it's Mr. and Mrs. Bug Boy as of four hours ago."

"Excuse me?" Nick fell silent.

Sara flashed her ring. "Sorry, you know how competitive I am. I had to beat you to the punch."

"No way!" Nick saw Grissom had a matching ring. "Congratulations, you guys."

"Thanks, Nick." Grissom appreciated the non smart-ass reaction.

"The Little Chapel of the Flowers," Brass groaned. "Can you believe it? These two are just hapless victims in another Vegas love story."

"Any pictures?" Nick was still having a hard time believing it was true.

Sara stood up. "Yes, but they won't be ready until tomorrow and you're never seeing them, because you and the other misfits, would make copies and put captions and draw missing parts on them."

"Hey." Nick rubbed his hands together. "I worked a case at a chapel once. They video everything and some of them archive it online so people who couldn't attend the ceremony can watch on the computer."

"Nice try." Grissom stood up next to Nick. "We purposely checked that off as a 'no' on the selection sheet."

Brass, already at the computer accessing the chapel website, slammed his fist on the desk. "Damn!"

"Guess who I'm working for temporarily?" Sara asked.

"Me?" Nick didn't hide his excitement. "A familiar face in a sea of people who want to drown me. That's going to be nice. Dang, I hope things keep going my way right through Saturday night."

"And guess who is swapping with Sara?" Brass couldn't wait to share the good news. "Sofia."

"Someone pinch me!" He shrieked. "This is all too good to be true."

Grissom patted Nick on the back. "Yeah, I've been feeling the same way today."

"Oh!" Nick clapped his hands. "I just remembered I have fifty bucks riding on the two of you tying the knot within a year of getting together."

"Our marriage is fodder for a bet?" Sara gawked at him.

"Hell yeah."

Brass pulled out his wallet. "Here's your fifty, Stokes. But I've got a hundred that says she'll have a bun in the oven by Thanksgiving."

"You're on."

"Hello?" Sara waved her arms. "I'm standing right here while you're making bets about my uterus."

Grissom couldn't help himself from whispering in her ear. "They have faith in the troops, Honey."

"Come on," Nick held up his winnings. "My shift is over and I'm taking the two of you out for a drink. Non-alcoholic for you Gris, since you're working tonight but the little woman can have some champagne with me. "

"Actually, I'm not drinking in case I'm…"

Brass didn't miss a beat. "Is that gun shot residue I smell?"

"No!" Sara snipped. "It wasn't a shotgun wedding!"

Nick groaned, "Damn…I think I just lost a hundred bucks."

Next Episode: Night and Day

Teaser: Sara and Grissom go public while Nick takes Carrie on the trip that only comes once in a lifetime.