Bear Witness
Summary: Is the tension getting unbearable yet?
A/N: Another response to the Unbound Improv Challenge. (There's a link in my bio.) First and last lines are provided. Thanks to Marlou and Ann for looking over this.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I have not been under the influence while writing this story. And I can't figure out why CBS won't give me their most profitable show.

"And I don't even know what a sphincter is!"

Sara closed her eyes, although it was unnecessary in the near-total darkness of the room. So far, neither of them had said a word as they both stared directly ahead, trying to ignore their predicament. The loud statements from the neighboring room weren't helping. The merciful silence ended with the loud rendition of an irritated goosed duck, followed by howls of laughter.

"I guess his friend told him," Grissom supplied.

"I should go ask them where they found the booze. Right now? Getting drunk sounds like a good idea."

"I'm sure the power will be back on soon."

Opening her eyes, she turned her head to the side. She barely made out Grissom's form next to her. The tension in his muscles would have been obvious, though, even if her hand hadn't decided to stroke his arm reassuringly. Some part of her mind warned her this was heading to dangerous territory, but she continued her gentle caresses.

Sara felt a blush creeping over her body as Grissom grabbed her hand and lifted it away. Thoughts of spontaneous combustion danced through her mind when he brought her captured hand to his lips and wiggled his other arm around her shoulders.

At his urging, she lifted up and allowed him to pull down the comforter and sheets. Bashfully, Sara snuggled under the covers beside him. He shifted slightly, and ran his fingers down her side.

"You're not wet," he noted, groaning softly. "Your clothing is dry."

"About time you tripped over a sentence," she chuckled.

"Comfortable?"

"Are you kidding?" Sara stammered, wincing when she felt him tense again.

"I can go sleep in the tub if you'd prefer."

"I don't. Uh, let's just say that making this more comfortable now could make things very uncomfortable later," she explained, but still took the opportunity to rest her head on his shoulder. She smiled when his fingers worked their way to her hair.

"Or it could make things very comfortable later," he countered, prompting a bigger smile from Sara.

"You sure about that?"

"This wasn't how I imagined this trip would go, but I don't think either of us can lie well enough to deny what's going on," he said.

"Just what did you imagine for this trip?" Sara prompted, recalling how insistent he'd been for her to tag along.

"I hoped we'd have a nice dinner."

"Dinner?"

"If I remember correctly, that was something you weren't adverse to. I hoped it was still something you'd be interested in. I didn't imagine anything like this ever happening."

"Ever?" she teased.

"Not in these circumstances," he admitted.

"Good. 'Cause if I found out you had a furry suit, I'd be seriously weirded out."

"No furry suit. A very nice plush one, actually. The hand-stitching is excellent, but it does get a bit hot in the summer."

"Behave," Sara chuckled, running her hand over his chest.

"I'll do my beary best."

"What did you say?"

"That I'd do my very best," Grissom answered, sounding confused.

Sara squinted at him, but the glare was meaningless in the dark. She couldn't see his eyes, so she couldn't tell if he was joking, or if her hearing was playing games with her. Even if he was teasing her, she didn't mind. A smirk slowly formed as her hand traced up his torso, over his neck and up to his face. Her fingers traced lightly until she found his lips, and then she leaned forward to kiss him.

It ended up being passionately chaste, as were the ones that followed. Both of them yearned for the contact, but both were still hesitant to fully engage. Their mouths moved together in shy, short motions, but the depth of longing was conveyed clearly. Sara moaned softly when Grissom drew her closer, gradually lengthening their kisses.

She pulled back when he began making a series of odd, strangled sounds. When the sneeze he'd been vainly trying to prevent finally escaped, Sara resisted the urge to laugh. Instead, she reached out and moved her hand around until she found the box of tissues.

"Go back to sleep," she said. "You need to sleep this cold off."

"I am not sick," Grissom muttered petulantly before blowing his nose. The sound that emerged prompted their neighbors to answer with a raucous round of goose honks and giggles.

"You okay?" Sara asked softly when he remained silent for a long time.

"I've probably given you my cold."

"No big deal. If that happens, then we'll both need bed rest," she assured Grissom, turning so her back was to him and preparing to nap. Thoughts of sleep fled from her mind when he curled around her.

"I don't know how restful that would be," Grissom said in mock-seriousness.

"We'll have to find out sometime," she said, any suggestiveness lost in her deep yawn.

"Yes, we will. Now you get some sleep."

"I'll try. These bears creep me out."

"I'll protect you from the naughty bears," Grissom teased as he slipped his arm around her waist.

"You will?"

"I think that is part of the job description of a … What, exactly, am I?" he asked uncertainly.

"My bear repellent."

"Ah."

Sara smiled when he softly nuzzled her cheek. Her hand slipped down to intertwine with his. Soon, though, she was leaning back into him as his lips moved down her neck.

Then the lights came back on.

Both of them froze, their embarrassment rising as they each noticed Ursula watching from the mirrored ceiling. They had the distinct feeling she was cheering them on. Grissom, guessing the source of the trouble, reacted quickly. Grabbing the covers, he pulled the material over their heads. The action gave them privacy from their onlookers, but allowed enough light to filter through so they could make each other out.

"I'm smarter than your average bear," he said in self-satisfaction at the result.

"You did not just say that!" Sara chuckled.

Grissom smiled contentedly, and pulled her back down onto the mattress. Wrapping an arm around her, he gave her a last kiss before settling them down to sleep. "I said I'd protect you from those nasty bears. I just realized my entire job can be done by guessing."

TBC