DISCLAIMERS: The characters and any other references to CSI episodes are not mine.
Spoilers: Season 5 up to Committed. Small refs to earlier Season's also possible.
A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who read Ch 1 and reviewed! I appreciate the support to continue this story. I hope to update once a week but real life may make that impossible. Again, thanks for reading - all constructive critiques are welcome!
Sara waved goodbye with as much energy as she could muster as Greg passed the open locker room door. They had been working a double homicide all night and she was exhausted. Her mother's letter had already been weighing heavy on her mind and the case took what little mental and physical energy she had remaining and then some. The thought of attempting a conversation with Grissom at this point seemed too daunting, but Sara had made a decision and wanted to let him know.
Sara rapped lightly on the doorframe while watching Grissom carefully feed his pet tarantula. He replaced the terrarium lid as Sara avoided looking directly at the creature while she entered the office.
"You got a minute?" Sara asked wearily.
Grissom nodded and suppressed a chuckle. He could always sense her feelings about his favorite pet although she had never vocalized her aversion for the large arachnids.
"You had a rough night." Grissom replied, sitting behind his desk.
"Yeah, I guess. I'm so tired I feel like I could sleep a week. But being a glutton for punishment I've decided to go visit my long lost mother instead."
Grissom offered a sad smile at Sara's attempt to make light of a difficult situation. He knew it had to be gnawing away at her all night but she hadn't let it affect her work and he admired her for that.
"You're not scheduled to work tomorrow so it seems as good a time as any." Grissom pointed out.
Sara nodded and rose slowly from the chair. " I shouldn't be more than a few days, maybe a week if I decide to drive up San Francisco and visit some friends while I'm in California."
"That sounds good. You should try and relax a little; take advantage of the time off." Grissom was sure that this trip would be anything but relaxing for her but he felt he had to say something positive.
"Yeah. Listen Gris, thanks for listening to me earlier. I really appreciate having you - " Sara paused before her habit to over talk embarrassed both of them. " I mean, I really appreciate it."
"Anytime." Grissom was disappointed Sara hadn't finished her original thought, but he liked to believe what she had said was true. Does she appreciate having me?
Sara was nearly out the door before Grissom's voice caught her attention once more.
"Sara - I hope you find what you're looking for."
"Me too." Sara replied quietly before turning the corner and disappearing down the hallway.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Grissom sighed as he shut the door of his townhouse and dropped his briefcase full of files on the floor. It had been a long night, longer than usual, because he simply couldn't concentrate. Too exhausted to eat, Grissom headed for his bedroom and stripped down to his boxers. Climbing into bed, his thoughts raced once again and he tossed and turned under his grey flannel sheets. He was worried about Sara. Not that that was unusual. Too often, she was all he thought about. But her newest revelation to him somehow brought up painful memories for him. He could only imagine what it would be like for her to face a mother that essentially rejected her. It was a complicated situation, but Sara's mother had made a conscious decision not to see her daughter anymore, and that sort of rejection at such an impressionable age was no doubt devastating. Losing her father that way was bad enough, despite what he had done to them. Her mother then essentially abandoned her and the thought of abandonment hit much too close to home for Grissom. As memories of the last few moments he spent with father flooded back, Grissom's body finally won the fight. Whether in self-defense or simply because of fatigue, Grissom's mind shut down and he welcomed the darkness of slumber.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sara sped south along Highway 1 with the top down on her rented VW convertible. The air was warm and fresh and she realized how much she missed her home state's weather. As she passed Monterey Bay she had memories of a trip to the famous aquarium. She tried to remember how old she was when her mother took her there and was somewhat surprised she had forgotten it until now. She didn't remember her father being there although he did occasionally go with them on their outings. She definitely remembered preferring it when he didn't. It was a time she and her mother could get away without him and it seemed to Sara that her mother was happiest then. I must have been about 6 or 7. That was a good day.
Sara followed the freeway signs to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Checking her watch, she realized that she was earlier than expected so she decided to make a brief detour. Walking on the beach had always been therapeutic for her in the past and she hoped that would still be the case. As she reached the end of the beach access road she spotted a small trail that led directly to the beach. After a short walk she found a quiet spot on the beach with a perfect view of the pelicans circling and diving for fish in the surf. The sound of the ocean calmed her nerves and she sat in the sand for a long time just listening to the crashing of the waves.
About an hour passed before Sara felt she was ready to finally face the women that had killed her father. The Bug roared to life while Sara fished through her bag for the map to her mother's new address. As she drove along the coastal road her thoughts turned to Grissom and she surprised herself. I actually wish he were here right now. Despite everything still unsaid between us, I could use his strength right now.
The numbers on the large white mailbox confirmed that she had found the right house and she drove through an open large wooden gate. She slowly advanced up a deceptively long winding driveway. The gravel crunched under the tires while she admired the tall Redwoods that shaded the front lawn. When she finally caught sight of the house, she gasped. It was enormous. A pale mustard-colored stucco with a design reminiscent of California's Spanish Missions loomed in front her. It had well-manicured landscaping with towering dogwood trees and rosebushes in full bloom. Sara couldn't believe her mother had a friend that would live in such a place. Most felons don't do so well 3 weeks out of prison. Sara parked close to what appeared to be a detached garage. She grabbed her suitcase from the trunk and walked leisurely to a large oak door. With a deep breath, she rang the bell and set her suitcase on the step. The door opened with a creak and for the first time in 20 years, Sara was face-to-face with Laura Sidle.
TBC
