Disclaimer: This is not mine, I am just using other people's characters as puppets.
A/N This is my first fic, constructive criticism is welcome.
Sara's mind was in turmoil. She knew that the only thing she could do for the girl's parents was to be strong and provide them closure by finding the man who had brutally raped and strangled the child. She decided that the best thing to do would be to get a coworker to take over speaking to the parents for her. She knew that she was always more sensitive in these types of cases than others, especially considering her background. She reminded herself that this case was no different from any other case, or at least that's what Grissom would have her believe. She sometimes wished she could be more like Grissom, totally disconnected from the victims and emotionless, steadfast, even in the most gruesome, horrifying crimes. In fact, come to think of it, Grissom was not only a role model, but something else. The truth was that Sara had been trying to get his attention since they met in California, but Sara was having a hard time admitting that to herself. Growing up in a family with an alcoholic father and a mother who turned her back on what Sara's father did to her when she was young left a lasting mark on Sara, and now she was totally disconnected from her parents, and still had a lot to learn when it came to her emotions.
Gil Grissom, Sara's role model and supervisor, among other things, was sitting, thinking in his office. Anyone walking past would have simply thought he was deep in thought about his case, when in fact, his mind was wandering. He was thinking about Sara, and how to approach her, and if she even wanted to be with him. He had been brought up too with a father who he hardly knew, and a depressed mother who was deaf. He was teased at school, for being smart, and for being interested in bugs, but most of all because of his mother.
In many aspects, they were the same. They were both shy, both attached to their work, and both hiding the fact that they liked each other in more than the standard working-relationship way.
Perusing the case files for what felt like the hundredth time, Sara was subsisting on a doughnut she picked up in the morning, and caffeine. When she couldn't hold her eyes open any more, she fell asleep on her desk.
Grissom, passing the desk Sara was sitting at, noticed that she was asleep. He walked in quietly and admired her for a few seconds. He couldn't look at her longer, lest she wake up. He knew he had to wake her up. He touched her shoulder and said her name. Sara sat up and stretched, then looked over. As if she hadn't seen him in the room before, she said as if surprised, "Grissom. Is that you?" at the same time blushing slightly.
Not being able to think coherently, let alone drive, Sara knew that Grissom would have to take her home. It was an unspoken agreement.
In Grissom's car, they didn't talk at all. They seemed to be at ease with silence, until they pulled up at Sara's apartment building.
Sara knew that this might be her last chance to express her feelings to Grissom, so she steeled herself for his rejection and said, "Grissom?"
"Yes?"
"I...I think that maybe we should go out for dinner."
Grissom, although it would be much easier and simpler to just reject her and say no, knew that this was his last chance, and to Sara's surprise, said "Yes."
Sara was speechless. Grissom had finally admitted his feelings, and come out of his shell. They got out of the car. Looking at each other, they silently agreed that Grissom would walk Sara to her apartment. After they climbed the stairs, they looked at each other. They each saw what was in the other's eyes.
Their lips met. Although it seemed like an eternity, it lasted all of five seconds. Nevertheless, it was the most perfect, meaningful kiss either had ever had.
