A/N: I do not own CSI or any of it's characters.
I just wanted everyone to know that I have decided what to do about the whole Brass thing: After the dance, this part of the story is ending. Later, I'll start a continuation of the story, and Brass will be in that. Also, Lady Heather and Veronica will become more crucial characters to the Grissom/Sara relationship. Once again, thanks to everyone who reads!
Jamie L.: I know! Nick is such a hottie! Anyway… I don't like Brass because he's just SUCH a jerk in the first season, but he gets better later. Thanks for all the compliments!
leothelion04: Thanks a lot. Warrick has the same schedule as you? Weird…
berta101: Well, I don't want anyone to be alone at the dance, so I'm going to go ahead with my original idea, but don't worry! I'll stick him in there soon!
NeoAthena: Wow! I'm really flattered! Thank you so much!
Thelxiepi: Thanks, and I will!
SmOgLuVeR: I know that you have reason to hate Sara/Grissom… I am temporarily mad at Grissom for breaking her heart so many times, they just have so many moments that just make you feel all warm inside and you just have to go "Ah!" because it's so darn cute. Aren't Cath and Nick great together? CBS should just listen to the CW/NS shippers already! Thanks for reading!
ur sista: Chill out! Greggo was in it a little bit, but the main focus of this story is Sara/Grissom, so CHILL! Dude, you can't have it all. You're lucky I even let you hook up with Greg! Love you too…
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"Class is over." Sara tossed her book back to the middle of the table, grinning. Not only had the class been great, but also Grissom and Warrick had been cheerful the whole time, which made Sara happier. On top of all that, Sara had been successful in keeping Grissom's attention away from Heather nearly the whole class.
"What do you guys have next?"
"Social Studies," the boys said in unison. Sara frowned and told them that she had P.E.
"At least someone you know is in your class. Otherwise, you'd be miserable," Grissom told her, still smiling. Sara noticed that as he kept smiling through the day, it became less and less forced. Sara smiled back, glad of Grissom's change in attitude. She waved goodbye to the two boys and walked into the gym. Greg was sitting on the benched, his head covered by a large hood. There was no one near him, but he was laughing at something. Curious, Sara walked quietly up to him and yanked off his hood. He looked up at her in shock.
"Veronica, I'll talk to you after school, okay? Yeah, bye!" He cheerfully snapped his cell phone shut. Sara laughed and shook her head.
"You haven't even known about her for a full day and you're already calling her in the middle of classes!"
"Is there a crime in that?"
"Just don't get caught, and don't get her in trouble."
"Can do."
Sara smiled and turned away.
"So, I saw Catherine and Nick in the hall on the way here. They were holding hands." Sara turned back.
"What?"
"Yeah. It seems like they're going out, or something."
"But Catherine begged me to ask Nick to the dance."
"And she's already going with Grissom. Maybe she wants someone who won't mind Nick being… er… preoccupied with someone else."
"She said she had a plan…"
"Knowing what I know about Catherine, that's probably not good."
Sara sat contemplating this.
"Look, don't worry about stupid things like that, Sara. Let's play ball." Smiling, Sara stood and grabbed a basketball.
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Grissom looked over at Catherine and Nick, who were just sitting and smiling at each other. Scowling, he turned to look at Warrick, who was doodling in his social studies textbook.
"Man, this bites!"Warrick said suddenly, snapping his book shut.
"Calm down Warrick, the teacher will hear you!"
"Hey, Grissom!" Suddenly out of her trance, Catherine was looking at Grissom with a serious look on her face. Trying not to cringe at the furiousness of her glare, Grissom looked at her.
"You owe me for saving you from that class, right?"
"I suppose…"
"I thought of something you can do for me… as a matter of fact, you'd probably benefit more from it than I will."
"What is it?"
"Ask Sara on a date after school today."
Grissom, caught off guard, promptly fell off his chair. Warrick scrambled to help him up and Grissom just sat on the floor with a terrified look on his face.
"Catherine, I can't! Are you serious?" Catherine grinned.
"Alright then, let's all have a big group date after school today! We can all go to each others' activities, and then go get pizza or something." Before he could speak, she cut him off.
"Come on Gil. Please?" Grissom looked at Nick and Warrick. They both looked expectant. Grissom sighed.
"Thank you!" Catherine yelped, jumping up and hugging a laughing Nick. Grissom allowed himself a small wistful smile, and then opened his own book.
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Sara nearly jumped when the bell rang. She had been laughing the whole class period at Greg's jokes and it seemed like she had hardly been in class at all. She walked to her locker with Greg, unconsciously holding his hand and swinging it in her happiness. She reached her locker and Greg leaned against the one next to hers, still cracking jokes.
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"Go on, Grissom!" Nick rooted as they approached Sara's locker. Grissom had been assigned to tell Sara about the group date, and Catherine was laughing giddily as Grissom walked slowly towards Sara's locker. Greg was with her and she was laughing out loud as he chuckled. It seems like anyone but me can make her laugh, Grissom realized, recalling earlier in the lunchroom when Nick had been making her face light up in the way Grissom had already come to know and love. Clearing his throat to announce his arrival, Grissom stepped towards Sara. She turned towards him, still laughing.
"Oh, hey Grissom! How was class?"
"Fine… Sara… we're all going on a group outing-"
"You mean a group date?"
"Um… yes. Greg, you're invited too, of course. We're all just going around town tonight and each person gets to pick something we get to go do… sound like fun?"
"Yeah, count me in! How about you Greg?"
"I've already got the perfect thing in mind. Can we bring Veronica?"
"Greg- you haven't even met her!"
"So, here's my chance!"
"Griss?"
"That should be fine.
"Yes!"
"Chill, Greg." Sara laughed again and pushed her locker shut. "Are we starting now?"
"Do you have to check with your parents?"
"No," Sara blurted quickly. Grissom thought she looked sad, even frightened, for a moment, but when he looked again, she looked fine, so he decided to ignore it for the time. Sara ran down the hall to hug Catherine.
"So, I hear you and Nicky are an item now?"
"I guess you could say that…" Catherine looked up adoringly at Nick, who grinned and gently kissed her forehead. Sara felt her eyes start to water, but she blinked them clear.
"So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
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Sara laughed. They had already picked up Veronica about half an hour ago, who had said a quick hello to Sara and then had went straight to Greg. They hadn't stopped holding hands since then. Sara smiled at Veronica, who mouthed "Oh my God!" to Sara. Shaking her head, Sara confronted the group.
"Alright, so who gets to pick the first activity?"
"How about… Nick?"
"Wow, Catherine, why'd you pick Nick?
"Shut up, Greg…"
"Alright Nick, what do you want to do?" Grissom asked, cutting Catherine off. Nick thought for a moment.
"How about we all go over Dodger Stadium and watch some baseball?"
Everyone nodded except for Grissom.
"What's wrong, Griss?" Sara touched his shoulder and he looked up at her.
"I've never seen baseball." Nick laughed.
"Trust me, you'll love it!" Grissom allowed himself to be dragged into the stadium. Nick bought everyone tickets and they took their seats.
"Hey Veronica, can I get you a hotdog or something?"
"Can you grab me some peanuts?"
"Sure, babe." Sara scoffed at Greg.
"What's up with the quick relationship, Veronica?" Veronica just grinned and looked upwards.
"I think I'm in love." Automatically, Sara stole a glance at Grissom, which brought Veronica into a loud shriek of "Ooh!" Sara elbowed her and sat back into her seat. Greg brought back Veronica's peanuts and she smiled at him.
"Look Sara!" Grissom tapped her gently on the shoulder. Sara turned in time to see the bat hit the ball with a loud crack. The player dashed across the bases and she looked at Grissom. His face was lit up in a boyish grin and his cheeks were flushed with excitement.
"Griss… it's just baseball."
"I've never done anything like this…" Sara smiled at him. He turned his head and smiled back. Sara felt her heart hammer in her chest.
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An hour later, the group of seven walked towards the library to drop Warrick off.
"I have to do a lot of studying," he apologized to the grumbling group. He waved at them before stepping into the library. Catherine, not to be discouraged, turned to the rest of them and grinned.
"Who next?"
"How about Grissom?" Sara suggested. Catherine wiggled her eyebrows at Sara who scowled at her.
"What do you want to do, Grissom?"
Grissom racked his brain, thinking of something that everyone could enjoy. He looked at Sara, who was smiling supportively and an idea came to him.
"Follow me."
"Where are we going, Griss?"
"You'll see."
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Sara was filled with awe as they walked into a large indoor garden. Thousands of butterflies flew around the mystified group. Sara's heart felt like it was melting. Grissom smiled at her.
"Do you like it, Sara?"
"Did you do this for me?" Grissom nodded. "How did you know I loved butterflies?"
Grissom reached up and gently touched a clip that was in Sara's hair. It was decorated with a butterfly. Sara, heart-touched, couldn't stop smiling. Nick and Catherine, who were holding each other on the other end of the garden, and Greg and Veronica, who were running around trying to catch the butterflies, seemed to melt into the background. Sara kept looking at Grissom, who's gentle smile seemed to affect her in ways that she had never known. A blue butterfly landed on Sara's nose. She looked at it cross-eyed in shock. Grissom walked up slowly, and then reached out to stroke the butterfly. In a split second, the butterfly flew away and the back of his hand ran slowly across Sara's cheek. Sara felt her breath catch in her throat. Grissom jerked back awkwardly. Sara smiled helplessly at him, praying that what had just happened wouldn't spoil the rest of the night. Grissom, however, seemed completely unaffected by it, while Sara could still feel her heart dancing around in her chest. Catherine and Nick had let the sereneness of the butterflies strike something within their hearts. They were gently kissing each other while Sara and Grissom looked on. Sara looked around for Veronica, who was sitting by a pond while Greg held her face in his hands. Torn between being happy for her friends and jealous, she looked over at Grissom, who was also watching the two couples with a longing kind of look on his face. Sara watched him for a moment, and then stared up at the bright colors of the butterflies.
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A/N: I loved those moments! Sorry I don't have Warrick in there that much, I just want to focus on the couples for a while. Tell me what you think; I am having SO much fun with this! Also, I need ideas for what Veronica and Greg will pick. Don't worry, they choose together. I already know what Catherine and Sara are doing, so any ideas for Greg would be great!
Love you all!