Twelve Months Until the Final Goodbye

Chapter 2: Searching for a Sign

Grissom drove aimlessly around Vegas, letting images from his dream the day before run through his head. He had a few hours before he was due in for work, and he desperately needed to get his head around his thoughts of Sara. He was searching for a sign, that his dream last night was more than a tequila induced hallucination that his dream meant that it was time to act.

He pulled into the parking lot of Miss Adele's Antique Shop. He found the organized dusty clutter of the shop comforting, as it reminded him of his office. There in the cool dark quiet, he often found interesting books and drawings of his precious insects, and other curios of a time gone by.

He opened the door, and noticed Miss Adele dusting. He always smiled when he saw the gentle older woman, who could be any age from 60-80, with her grey bun and smiling face. She was a quiet person, as if she knew that sudden noises would disturb the quiet slumber of the items in the store.

She greeted him, calling him "Dr Grissom, sugar." Miss Adele, called everyone sugar. The Queen of England could come here to shop and Miss Adele would probably call her 'Your Majesty, sugar'.

Grissom wandered the aisles of the dusty store, picking objects up and putting them down. He saw the sunlight glimmer of part of the counter, and walked over. Under the glass of the counter, Grissom saw something that made his heart skip a beat.

Miss Adele noticed the change in expression and walked over to ask him if he was ok. Grissom nodded in agreement. She caught the look in his eye as he looked into the case, and took her key to take the object out.

"It's a ladies lapel watch, almost 100 years old. It's very clever actually. A magnet is used to hold the watch to the garment, so you don't ruin your clothing with pin marks. Its Sterling Silver, it requires a little polish, but I could fix that in a jiffy."

With a smile, she handed the watch to Grissom. He traced the pattern on the front of the watch, and opened the watch to see the same flower on the inside. He let out a breath, "Pansies"

Miss Adele smiled, "Yes pansies, you know they are a very romantic flower, they used to be called heart's ease."

Grissom was rooted to the ground. With the exception of being struck by lightning, he couldn't fathom a stronger sign. In an almost dreamlike daze, he told Miss Adele that he would take the watch. Miss Adele was surprised, since Grissom never bought jewelry, and hoped fervently that the person who was to receive this gift, would be gentle with Grissom. Miss Adele pointed to some stationery, and began polishing the watch as Grissom wrote a note. In what seemed like an instant, the watch was wrapped, and Grissom left the store full of resolve.

While seated in his office, Grissom wondered about how he would give Sara the gift. Should he sneak it into her locker? Hold her after assignments. Fortunately, he was spared planning the details, as Sara poked her head in to announce her presence and check up on him.

She was mildly surprised when Grissom asked her to come into his office and shut the door. She was even more surprised when Grissom handed her the bag.

She opened the gift, and read the card and when she looked up; Grissom was surprised to see tears in her eyes.

He cursed silently and jumped up. "Sara, don't you like it?"

Sara smiled through her tears, "It's beautiful, I love pansies, and you know they have been called…"

"Heart's ease". Grissom heart sang. It would be just like Sara to try to impress him with trivia, to try to distract him and give him an out if he was unsure. "Is still the heart's ease that the poets knew Take all the sweetness of a gift unsought, And for the pansies send me back a thought. "

Sara shot back "Sarah Doudney"

"So Sara am I too late."

Sara smiled. In all of his years of watching Sara and her smile, he knew that he would never forget this one. It was full of hope and joy, and a little mischief.

"Almost too late, but for you, an exception can always be made. So dinner on Friday night, where are we going, I need to know what to wear." Sara was trying to make light, trying to keep herself under control, so she would not knock Grissom down and cover him with kisses.

Grissom began to panic. He had not thought that far ahead. He had only known that they both had Friday off. However, an idea came to him and he smiled.

"It's a surprise. Wear something comfortable, but dressy."

Sara looked at the face of her watch. "Grissom, its time to start shift."

Grissom placed his hand on the small of her back to lead her out. She looked at him with a slightly confused look. Grissom looked back at her questioningly.

"Grissom, can I wear this in public. People are going to ask. What do you want to tell them?"

For a moment Grissom was saddened. Was this what his heart's neglect had done to his proud, brave girl? He looked at Sara tenderly and told her that she could wear it anywhere, and give any reason she wanted. He was rewarded with another full Sara smile.

Walking her to the break room, he hoped that the criminal element of Vegas would not be too busy tonight so he could plan their 1st date.