Caving Under Pressure – Part 4

August 3, 2005 (Day 103)
Crime Lab
9:58 p.m.

While stowing their personal items in their lockers, Catherine and Warrick continued their heated discussion from the car on the way to work.

"Cath, come on, I'm not taking either side," Warrick reiterated for what he believed to be the fiftieth time. "All I'm saying is…I think you do assume the worst about Lindsay based on your past behavior, and it's going to turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy or worse, she's going to try to outdo you."

After shutting her locker a little more forcefully than required, she snipped, "So you think I should let her go on that orgy disguised as a camping trip!"

"No." His hand gripped the side of his face. "I told you, and I told her, that I don't think the camping trip is cool."

"Now I really don't know whose side you're on!"

"Fine, you know what…I'm on both sides." He tossed his hands in the air. "I agree with her that you need to give her a chance to prove to you that she's not you. I agree with you that she shouldn't go camping. Now you'll both be pissed at me."

Stuffing her hands on her hips, she huffed in exasperation. "I think she's using you as leverage against me. It was easier when you weren't there."

"What are you saying?" Leaning against the lockers, he considered her callous words. "You want me out?" It hurt that she could be so flippant about the arrangement.

"What?" She couldn't believe he'd think that. "No! I meant it was easier when you weren't there to be the voice of the reason and make me think."

"Oh." He checked her eyes for the truth and decided she was telling it.

"You think I would kick you out just like that?" How could he think that, she wondered?

He shrugged. "Guest status feeds insecurity."

"Is that what you consider yourself, a guest?"

Before Warrick could answer, Vartann walked into the room. "You guys seen Grissom yet?"

"No." Catherine answered. "Did you page him?"

"Yeah, but he's not responding. I called his cell too. He's always here early for shift." Laughing, he said, "Well, he was before he was married. Maybe now he has a reason to be late, especially with Sara working Days."

Yanking her cell off her belt she said, "I'll try his home phone.

"I'm getting some coffee." Warrick announced, happy for the opportunity to escape the discussion he was having with Catherine.

The Grissoms'
10:04 p.m.

Curled up on the couch, Greg heard a distant ringing and fought for consciousness. "Wh…" Noting his surroundings, he remembered he wasn't at home in bed but at Grissom's. Then he saw the baby book on the floor next to the couch and remembered why. A series of groans and stretches followed while he wondered how long he had been asleep.

Checking his watch, he saw that it was after ten. "Oh shit." He jumped off the couch and headed to the kitchen to find the phone that was ringing moments ago. A quick check of the caller ID showed that it was Catherine who called from her cell.

Grabbing the cordless phone, he returned the call. "Hey, I…"

"Gil, stop boinking your wife to make a baby and get your ass in here."

His voice was thick with sleep and he figured that's why she didn't recognize the difference. "Uh…Catherine. It's Greg."

"What the hell are you doing there? You're supposed to be here."

Walking out of the kitchen he answered, "I had lunch here and ended up crashing on the couch."

"Where's your boss?"

"I'm guessing still asleep." He hurried down the hall. "I'll check."

"Make a lot of noise, because newlyweds are like rabbits, especially these two…they're still making up for a lot of lost time."

When he saw the open bedroom door, he coughed loudly to alert them of his presence, but got no response.

"Well?" Catherine snipped through the phone.

"Hold on." Nervously, he peered into the room. "They're sound asleep."

"Our perfect boss is sleeping through his shift!"

Catherine's loud laugh caused Greg to pull the phone from his ear. "What should I do?"

"Here's a radical idea…wake him. Wait!"

Just as he was about to knock on the door, he stopped. "What?"

"How do they look sleeping together? I mean, for crying out loud, they've been together for almost a year and we've never even seen them hold hands or kiss! That's bizarre, don't you think? It has to be weird to see them in bed." Her voice turned curious. "So tell me, how do they look together?"

"Kinda cute actually," He said in a surprised tone. "They're spooning."

"Spooning, really? I wouldn't have pegged them as spooners." She chuckled. "Are they wearing jammies?"

"On top, she's wearing a tank, he's got nothing, and I'm not looking under the blanket. You know…this is getting squicky, even for us. The next thing you're going to ask is do I have a camera?"

"Do you?" Her laughter rang through the phone. "Like the National Enquirer, I'd pay for photos."

"That's it, I'm knocking. Goodbye, perv." Three forceful raps to the door frame and then he said, "You're late for work, boss," before jumping back out into the hall.

Sara's voice rang out. "Honey, wake up! It's 10:15! You're supposed to be at work. Greg?"

"Yeah." He stood against the wall in the hall listening to the scurrying coming from the bedroom. "Catherine called your house phone that's how I woke up. Sara, can I have my keys back? And, Gris, is it okay if I stop at home for a five minute shower and a change of clothes?"

Grissom's voice boomed. "Make it a two minute shower and the answer is yes."

Sara showed up at the door wiping the sleep out of her eyes. "You doing any better? Here are your keys."

Grabbing his keys, he said, "The shock has worn off, but now the reality has set in so…no."

Sara smiled supportively and since Grissom would be in the shower for a few minutes, she offered, "I'll walk you to the door."

Side by side they walked down the hall.

After a full yawn, he said, "That book you gave me to read scared the crap out of me."

"And you're not even the one that has to gestate!" Her voice jittered. "Think how I felt reading it."

"So I know you're trying because you blurted it out during my melt down in the lab. From my conversation with Catherine a minute ago, I take it she knows too."

"What did she say?"

Imitating Catherine, he shrilled, "Gil, stop boinking your wife to make a baby and get your ass in here."

"Yeah, that would give you a clue."

"Since it's not working for you guys yet, I hope I didn't upset you with all this talk about Tawny's pregnancy."

"We only started trying and I need to chill out." Opening the front door, she chuckled and told him the fake reason for her desperation. "I'm a perfectionist, so it's hard for me not to get things right the first time."

"Gotcha." When he hit the landing he said, "Tell Grissom I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Have a good shift, Greg. Hopefully you'll get a cool case that can occupy your mind for ten hours."

When she shut the door, she trotted to the bedroom, hoping to snag a few kisses from her husband before he ran out the door.

When she returned, she heard him in his closet and said, "We're out of the habit of setting the alarm clock." Since she switched shifts it wasn't necessary because Grissom, if he didn't wake on his own, slept until she woke him upon returning home.

"I turned off the ringer on the phone after Brass disturbed me earlier." He emerged from the closet buttoning his beige short-sleeve shirt. "My cell is in my office with my pager."

"I'll grab them for you while you get socks and shoes."

"Wait." He hurried over and threw his arms around her, cradling her in a hug. "Thank you for working through the roller coaster thing with me after it all came out. I feel great this morning. Like something huge is off my chest. I think that's why I slept like a rock."

"I'm so happy to hear that." Her hands ran up his back and she nuzzled into his embrace. "It felt good being the one there for you for a change."

Remembering what Catherine advised when he said Sara wanted to be an equal partner in the relationship…partnership is a two-way street. Show her you need her intellectually and emotionally and she'll be thrilled, he said, "Honey, did it give you the partnership feeling you've wanted?"

"Definitely," she sighed as she ran her fingertips through his wet hair. "For once, I helped you through an issue."

Whispering in her ear, he said, "Oh, I'm sure I'll have more issues in the future so you'll get to flex that muscle again. With my 49th birthday coming up, it's a guarantee actually."

"Right now your issue is getting to work before Greg or you'll never hear the end of it."

"First time in decades I've been late." Pulling back slightly he said, "Just as I always suspected, having a personal life interferes with work performance."

"I'll see you in the morning, but first…." Her lips brushed over his as she spoke. "Give me a kiss that will satiate me for the next twenty hours."

Enticed by the challenge, he pressed his lips to hers, caressing her to a slow burn, while coaxing her body against the bedroom wall. Once she was trapped, he upped the intensity with deep, hungry kisses, and he knew he was on the right track when she emitted a series of pleasure-drenched sounds into his mouth. Still uncertain he hit the twenty hour mark, he took her wrists in his hands, pinning her arms against the wall, and threw his whole body into the act until finally they were both left gasping for air.

With an outrageous grin, she pushed him off her. "Okay, I'm good for the next twenty hours."

"Now I don't want to go to work," He panted. "That was a really stupid idea."

"Sorry, you have to go." Snickering, she sauntered across the room. "Because after your shift, you get to be the big boss because Jim is on vacation." At the door, she winked and nostalgically asked, "Are you frustrated, Honey?"

"Enough to last twenty hours," He groaned while marching off to retrieve his shoes.

Greg's Car
10:28 p.m.

Since Tawny's shift at Tweeter's started at eleven, Greg thought he'd check in on her on the way to work. Let the obligations begin, he thought as he punched in her number.

"Hello."

"Hey, Sweetie." Greg greeted in an upbeat tone. "How are you doing?" He hoped beyond reason she'd say, great! I just got my period, must have been a false alarm.

"Not too good. There are so many things I thought of after we talked. Like, I don't have health insurance and I won't be able to strip in a couple of months so how am I going to cover my rent?"

"We'll work it all out, I promise." He heard her sniffling through the phone. "How are you going to work tonight?"

"I'll manage 'cause I need the money. Hopefully Vinnie will let me work the VIP room so I can clean up on lap dances with the guys from that car dealership convention in town. They're big spenders."

Cringing at the thought of the mother of his baby gyrating for cash on some pervert's thighs he tried to sound supportive. "Um…call me if you need to, okay."

"Okay, Greggy. Bye."

When he hung up, he slammed the steering wheel with his hand. I can't let her keep stripping when she's carrying my baby! That's disgusting. I have to financially support her, even if I run the risk of looking like a fool in nine months. Hell, I'd rather be a fool for helping her than a deadbeat dad. But…ugh…what should I do?

The Grissoms'
11:31 p.m.

While tidying the kitchen, Sara paused to grab the cordless phone and punched in Grissom's cell phone code.

After just two rings she heard him drone, "Yes, I am still frustrated."

"Understandable. Only one hour has elapsed." Loading plates in the dishwasher, she chuckled, "My kiss satiation level is holding strong…nice job."

"Good to know."

"Honey, I'm calling for a reason actually." Standing at the counter, her tone turned serious. "I'm thinking about adding another exclusionary rule for the kitchen along with no meat and wanted to run it by you."

"What now?"

Picking up the bottle sitting on the counter, she replied, "Vodka…and other variants." The message was clear and she knew he wouldn't require any additional information.

His moment of silence was finally followed by, "Whatever you want to do is fine with me, Honey."

"Thanks." Opening the lid, she started pouring the contents in the sink. "You can always keep a bottle of scotch in the bug room along with your meat stash." She heard him lightly gasp. "Yeah…I know all your secrets, pal."

"Even why I like roller coasters."

"Speaking of which…I want to ride one with you before I get pregnant, which will be next month because I'm going hard core." Grinning, she said, "It's about time we turned to science to get the job done."

"Ah…ovulation prediction."

"You know it." As she spoke, she cleared out the remaining liquor bottles in the pantry. "I just downloaded some ovulation tracking information on the computer. It's going to happen. I can feel it. Two lab rats like us…we'll be fine once we bring science into the equation."

"I'll put the troops on standby."

"Speaking of troops. Don't you have a job to do?" She started pouring the contents of each bottle down the sink. "How can you be on the phone talking to me while you're at work?"

"It's unusually quiet. I picked a good night to be late for the first time ever."

"Lucky break."

"I'll take it."

With longing in her voice, she said, "I'll see you around six, Honey."

"I'll still be frustrated."

"I think my kiss satiation level will still be holding strong because you did one hell of a job." Reluctantly she said, "See you later."

"Bye."

McCarran Airport
Flight 6626 - Canadair
11:45 p.m.

With his carryon bag on his shoulder, and school-boy grin plastered on his face, Jim Brass waltzed into the First Class section of the airplane. Even though he had the right, as a premiere paying passenger, to board early, he waited, and blended with the last of the coach customers.

When he reached row two, he saw the window seat was already occupied and said, "Excuse me, Lady. Is this seat taken?"

"It will be if you sit in it," Heather replied. "And you are?"

"Jim Brass." Taking the open seat, he extended his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"I'm sure it is." Seductively she slipped her silky hand in his. "I'm Heather Duvall. Are you going to Vancouver or flying on to parts unknown, Mr. Brass?"

He tossed his bag at his feet and relaxed in his seat. "Vancouver. But when I get there, I'd like to explore a few unknown parts."

Leaning into the conversation, the red silk of her billowy blouse slipped off her shoulder. "Business or pleasure?"

"The business of having pleasure, actually." He rested his elbow on the armrest of the seat, so their bare forearms were touching. "What about you. What's on your agenda during your stay in Vancouver?"

"So many things." Crossing her legs, she let her foot slip out of her sandal and come to rest against her travel companion's leg. "Where are you staying in Vancouver, Mr. Brass?"

"The Sutton Place Hotel."

"What a coincidence." Her face exploded into a smile. "Me too."

In his best 'aw shucks' voice, he asked, "I hope you won't think this too forward of me but…I don't know anyone in Vancouver so, would you maybe be interested in having a drink in the hotel bar when we arrive? You know…a welcome to the city and toast to our respective trips."

After coyly pondering the offer, she said, "Well…I don't know you but, since we'll be in a public place, I suppose it would be okay."

"Great." He pulled the in flight magazine out of the seat pocket in front of him. "I look forward to it, Ms. Duvall."

"As do I, Mr. Brass." From her purse, she retrieved her copy of the Da Vinci Code and cracked it open.

Behind their respective pieces of reading material, they grinned uncontrollably thinking, let the games begin…strangers on a plane was the theme for this outing, and it was going to be one long, wonderful ride over the next three days.

August 4, 2005 (Day 104)
Crime Lab
3:44 a.m

Three to four a.m., when most people took their main break, was the quietest time during Graveyard, and Grissom seized the opportunity to check on Greg, who was painstakingly analyzing blanket fibers while quietly suffering.

"How's it going?" He made the question ambiguous so Greg could choose the topic.

Without looking up, he blandly answered, "Well…I'm doing a kick-ass job on this fiber analysis, but my personal life is still spiraling out of control."

"Do you need me for anything?" Again it was purposely vague…not prying, but letting him know he was available in any capacity.

Setting down his tweezers, Greg unfurled a heavy sigh and his latest burdens. "I don't love her and I can't imagine marrying her."

"That's perfectly normal, Greg, it's only been a few weeks and it's not something you can force if it isn't there." Since it would be a personal conversation, he pulled up a stool. "You shouldn't feel guilty about it. And you don't know what will develop over time."

"But shouldn't I already know if it will be a possibility?" He shrugged. "Nick swears he knew he would marry Carrie the first night they met."

"Okay, Nick knew, and maybe some people do, but those stories aren't typical."

Unsure if his question was appropriate, he asked it anyway. "What did you think about Sara when you first met her?"

"Ah…" Running his hand over his beard, he wondered how or if he should answer. "I won't tell you what I was thinking when I first met her, but I will say it wasn't marriage. I felt strongly about Sara for a long time, but marriage wasn't something I considered until recently. I didn't consider it until I knew it would have a strong chance of working, because it's something I only want to do once in a lifetime."

Vexed by the many options swirling in his head, he fired a string of questions. "If I find out Tawny's baby is mine, do you think it's wrong to marry her if I don't love her? I mean, what would be best for the child? Doesn't the child deserve two parents if it's possible?"

"Well…" Reflecting on personal experience, he answered, "If the parents don't hate each other I believe that's true but, if it's a marriage of convenience, and the husband and wife build an animosity toward each other that the child has to experience daily, I'd say no, the child is better off with living with one parent and the other can be involved and be financially supportive. Greg, the most important thing you can do is make sure the child never feels like he or she is the reason for your unhappiness. That's a burden no child should have to tow."

"Right." Nodding he pondered the insightful words. "I can't blame the child for creating the situation."

Suddenly, Grissom projected an optimistic tone. "But who is to say, nine months from now, if the baby is yours, that you'll be unhappy? What if going through this process together brings you and Tawny closer, and the feelings that are lacking now develop as a result?" For a moment he turned introspective. "I can only imagine the joy two people must feel when they hold their baby for the first time. It has to be a powerful bond to know you created that life together. A truly extraordinary experience." Turning his eyes back to Greg, and his thoughts outward, he said, "Maybe seeing Tawny as the mother of your child will change everything."

"I've always had this ideal for a wife and well…" Feeling guilty, he said it anyway. "This will sound horribly shallow, but since we're being honest. She's a stripper who only has her GED."

Unphased by the lackluster profile, he pointed out the obvious. "You know someone else who fit that description once, and she's a pretty spectacular lady now."

"Catherine." He raised a brow. "But Tawny's not anything like Catherine."

"You didn't know Catherine then, so how can you say that?" After standing, he placed his hand on Greg's shoulder. "I'm sure Tawny has a story that put her where she is today. Everyone has a story, Greg. I doubt many girls dream of her life. She's at a place a girl ends up when dreams don't pan out. If given the right circumstances and a few breaks from someone who cares, Tawny may be capable of much more than you know."

Appreciative of the advice, Greg nodded. "Thanks."

"Anytime." Switching to work mode, he ordered, "Now tell me what you've got on those fibers."

Vancouver, BC
The Sutton Place Hotel
4:07 a.m.

Standing outside the closed restaurant/bar, Brass sadly remarked, "I guess this town doesn't stay open all night like Las Vegas."

"It would appear not," Heather sighed. "Well…maybe we can meet for our drink tomorrow."

"Until then." He bolted for the elevator.

"Wait." She pursued him. "I'm sure there's a mini-bar in my suite." Batting her eyelashes, she propositioned him. "And I always find the caps on those tiny bottles difficult to handle. Do you think you could handle me…I mean them?"

"Only one way to find out." He pressed the elevator button. "Which floor?"

"The bedroom floor." She purred as she stepped through the opening doors. "Oh…I mean twelve."

Her performance almost made him slip into a fit of laughter as he pressed the correct button. "Going up."

Grissom's Office
4:31 a.m.

Holding his cell phone, Grissom debated calling Sara. He didn't want to wake her if she was sleeping, but considering she had napped this afternoon and knowing her inability to sleep more than seven hours in a day, he decided to go for it.

"Are you calling to tell me you're still frustrated?" She answered in a perky tone.

"Good…I didn't wake you." He was grateful for the slow night at the lab because he felt compelled to talk to her. "Where are you?"

"Ahh…you remember the order of questions." The lilt of her voice was playful. "I'm lying in bed reading."

"And you're wearing?" He played the game even though it was far from his reason for calling.

"Actually the same comfy clothes I've had on for the last fourteen hours so I'm not exactly fresh as a daisy." She gave a hearty laugh into the phone. "Pretty sexy, huh? I should have lied."

"At least I have a good mental picture of you." Deciding he would try to outsmart her at her own game, he lowered his voice to a suggestive whisper. "Not to mention a good feel for you, since six hours ago I was running my hands all over that soft grey tank shirt, and those smooth black velour pants. Well…except when I was winding my fingers through your hair and pressing your hands against the wall so I could smother you with long, deep kisses, which is exactly what I'd be doing now if I were home."

"Whoa."

"Are you frustrated?"

"Hell yeah! When did you get so good at that?"

He laughed as he eased back in his chair. "I guess seeing you only three quality hours a day, pumps the imagination."

"It takes a sensitive man to describe pants as smooth black velour."

"No." He quickly corrected her. "It takes an observant CSI with an intimate knowledge of materials."

"True!"

"My reason for calling…" Looking up he checked the hallways to see if anyone was on their way to barge in and when it was all clear, he said, "I ordered you something that will be delivered Fed Ex tomorrow."

"Hmm…I'm curious."

Without warning, his tone softened. "A state of the art ovulation predictor kit, because if you're going to get scientific, you should have the best equipment available to you."

"That's much better than flowers!"

"I've always felt science materials are better than flowers." As customary, he cited an example to back his statement. "Why do you think I gave you that Entomology text instead of roses?"

"Because flowers would have symbolized the romantic feelings you weren't ready to express, so instead you chose to torture me with an ambiguous gift of a book with no card, which you knew would only leave me more confused regarding your feelings for me. As a bonus, you knew the book would remind me of you every time I saw it or read it, thereby increasing my level of frustration about our twisted non-existent relationship."

With a hearty laugh, he explained, "Okay, but that was all subconscious. I swear, I thought it was a really great book and I wanted to share my passion for bugs with you."

"Hey, it lasted a hell of lot longer than a bunch of stinking roses, and made me smarter, so I'm not complaining!"

The happiness in her voice made his spirits soar. "Honey, I know I've been pretty low key about you getting pregnant but it's only because I don't want you getting your hopes up too fast."

Tenderly, she replied, "I know, and I promise to try and relax about it."

"I was talking to Greg earlier and it suddenly hit me." Turning his chair, he faced the wall so passersby wouldn't read the emotion on his face. "I had this vision of us together…you holding our beautiful baby, and me standing next to the bed watching the two of you meet for the first time. It blew me away. Maybe it's because I unlocked a huge piece of my past with you, but all of a sudden I have a clearer vision of the future. I can really see a family happening for us. I can't wait for it to happen. I used to have nothing to look forward to in my personal life and now I have everything…because I have you."

"I miss you so much right now." Her voice crackled with emotion. "I need a different job. I don't want to live like this. We waited so long for this life, we can't waste this much time apart. Life's too short."

"I know. I'm meeting with Brass to discuss options as soon as he returns. We'll work it out, Sweetheart. No matter what it takes. Okay?"

"Okay." She sniffled. "I'll see you in at five-thirty, because suddenly I want to come in even earlier than usual."

"I can't wait to see you."

"We really are gushy newlyweds, aren't we? Bye."

"Yes, we are. Bye."

Clicking off his phone, he filled his lungs with air and tried as he might not to be a sap, he couldn't help but think, this next hour is going to be the longest of my life.