Chapter Five: Knowledge is Power

"Everything I do is for him."

The words echoed in his mind, and he hated them. He hated himself for not being strong enough to tell Sara what she so desperately longed to hear. Then Sara's soft confession was replaced with Catherine's bold words.

"She won't wait on you forever."

She was right. Grissom knew that Sara would move on to someone else and leave him with nothing but a hole in his heart. He knew that life couldn't exist without her.

"God, what am I going to do," sighed Grissom into his hands.

"Do you really want to hear it?"

"Yes," stated Sara. She knew that her plan had been cut short. What other choice do I have? "But I want to be able to make any adjustments. I do have limits and I refuse to be your guinea pig. Understood?"

The excited audience nodded its understanding, and launched into a broken summary of their devious intentions. Sara listened wholeheartedly to the plan her friends had created, amazed at how detailed it was. The boys were intent on proving how much easier goals can be reached when more people are involved. It's just so detailed. When did they have the time? Why are they doing this? Everything is sketched out. Damn...It's perfect.

"I'm assuming that you all have thought this through. Are you completely sure about doing this," questioned Sara calmly. I have nothing to lose, but they'll be hurt if it doesn't turn out right.

"Well, yeah. It should work," replied Greg.

"Should work," exclaimed Nick. "It's foolproof."

But Grissom is no fool.

"You boys are dismissed," stated Catherine.

"Yes, mom," said Warrick making his way towards the door as the other guys filed out.

"I'm going to prove to you how well this plan will work. Just listen to me, and do exactly as I say. There is no room for error."

Catherine briefed Sara on her plan, explaining every word that had to be said and every movement that had to be made.

"Hey Grissom. Can I come in?"

"Sure, Catherine. Anything I can help you with," questioned Grissom. His face looked stressed and his eyes appeared over worked. His usually tidy desk was cluttered with this evening's case files and his glasses were thrown aside.

"Not on my end. I was about to head out to the field with Nick and Warrick, and I thought I would stop in. How are you?"

"Did you talk to Brass?"

"No," stated Catherine, and she took a seat in front of his desk. "What's up with you, Gil?"

"She's driving me crazy." Oh my god! I think I just said that out loud.

"And you're doing the same to her. It's time to stop before you hurt her. Let me help you."

"And how could you help? I heard what she said. Everything's she done has been for me, and I've pushed her away each time. That's ten years of hurting her. What could you possibly do?"

The end of his sentence was Sara's cue to drop in. Her knock on the door brought a glow to Grissom's face, and a smirk to Catherine's. With a manila folder in hand, she made her way to his cluttered desk. Her eyes never met his, and not a word was exchanged between the two. He just looked at her with the hope that she would speak as he took the folder from her outstretched hands. Come on. Say something. Why can't I say something?

Sara turned to leave, but knelt down by Catherine. Her CIA shirt rose to the middle of her back I doing so, and exposed her lower back.

"He said, yes, Catherine."

The words threw a look of shock on Catherine's face and question on Grissom's.

"Wait, which one? Greg?"

"Yeah. Saturday evening. Dinner at his place. He's cooking, and I'm bringing a movie."

"That's really sweet, Sar. Make sure that you don't leave the room too dark."

"Yes, mother. Though action is so much better in the dark," laughed Sara.

Catherine laughed back at her, "that better be action movies."

"Of course," she replied sarcastically, then got up to face Grissom. "We better get started on this case before the victims die again."

And she left. Silence filled the room for what seemed like forever.

"Well, you look a little jealous, Gil."

"What was that?" His voice was filled with anger and surprise. He got up to lave in a huff. "Help me out, my ass!"

TBC

I'll admit that I have the next four chapters already written, but I still have to type them up. I'm working okay. Promising chapter six by the end of the week. Thanks for reviews. Keep them coming. Oh, and in case you haven't figured it out: The italicized words are thoughts from either Grissom or Sara.