Author: hazeleyes57
Title: Last Chance (16)
Rating: R
Author's note: Sorry for delay, pesky virus of the cyber not biological sort. Haven't seen any of season five yet, but already not too keen on Sof/phia from just what I've heard.
Last Chance: Chapter 16
Sara looked out of the plane and down at the buildings below her. As the aircraft circled for its final approach into Miami Airport she could make out the famous Art Deco buildings, their soft pastel colours reminding her of candy.
In her pocket she had the email reply from Grissom's opposite number in the Miami lab, Horatio Caine. Sara wondered briefly where Caine had inherited his first name. It all seemed a little nautical, Horatio Hornblower and the Caine mutiny. Maybe they had come from a long line of sailors. One side of Sara's mouth twitched upwards with amusement as she continued to take in the view. Plenty of water around here.
The email had stated that someone from the lab would come out to meet her and take her to the accommodation provided for her stay, then later on after she was settled in, she would be taken out for a meal and shown some of the night life.
Sara had managed to sleep a little on the plane, but was still tired. She hoped that the Miami crowd didn't want to party hard all night.
Catherine had given her the little information that she recalled from her visit, but it wasn't much.
Sara's stomach dropped as the plane began its descent and she hardly noticed the changed note of the engines as they compensated for the altered demand on them.
She wondered what Grissom was doing right this minute. She looked at her watch. Probably having something to eat. He like to cook for her company, he liked to cook for himself, so he probably was still at home. Sara closed her eyes and remembered how Grissom had looked in the townhouse, cooking eggs for breakfast. She hoped that it wouldn't be the last time that he –
Sara's eyes flew open in alarm as she was suddenly thrust down hard in her seat. The high pitched scream of straining engines was all too apparent as the plane abruptly tried to alter its angle of flight from nose down to nose up.
There were cries of surprise and shock from some of the passengers as they all tried to figure out what was happening.
Like others around her, Sara hung on to her armrests as if sheer strength of will would help the pilots.
She closed her eyes and thought of the baby and Gill.
As quickly as the crisis began it was over. The plane levelled out and began to bank into a turn. The passenger address system chimed for everyone's attention a minute or so later. There was a deathly silence.
" Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Captain speaking. We'd like to apologise for the recent shake up. We had to make the decision to abort the landing due to unforeseen circumstances on the ground. We are currently turning to make our approach on an alternate runway. Please remain in your seats with your seatbelts on until we land. Thank you."
The cheering and cries of relief from the passengers nearly drowned the last words out. Sara felt faint with relief and if she had had to get up and walk at that moment, she doubted that it would have been possible.
She looked out of her window and tried to see what the problem had been with the original runway. There was a plane on the ground and it had the bright yellow inflatable emergency chutes deployed. The fire trucks were in attendance, gathered around the front of the plane, but there was no evidence of a fire visible to her.
She guessed that she would find out later on one of the news channels.
By the time the plane actually landed Sara had recovered sufficiently from the shock and her legs were capable of carrying her through the terminal.
She was still thinking about Gill and their baby as she collected her case. She had to resist the strong urge to get a flight straight back to Vegas…and her husband.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Grissom seated himself down on his brown leather sofa and placed his coffee on the table in front of him. He looked at the assorted papers and 'stuff' on the table and moved them slightly to avoid getting any drips on them.
He leaned back and closed his eyes, sighing heavily. He had slept today, but had woken up feeling both sick and groggy. Crackers had sorted the sickness out to some extent, but the lethargy persisted.
Grissom opened his eyes briefly to check what time it was and calculated that Sara must have arrived by now. He wondered if she would telephone to let anyone – okay, specifically him - know that she had arrived safely.
He would give her an hour and if he hadn't heard he would telephone her.
Husbands did that sort of thing.
Grissom's eyes flew open.
He was Sara's husband.
For the first time it actually felt real.
Grissom was worried about her and for her. Sara was on his mind all the time. She intruded into all aspects of his thoughts, private and ordinary alike. There was no peace from her.
But no peace without her.
He had not even spent one night at work with her gone yet and already he was wishing that she were back.
No doubt she would be laughing right now if she had any clue as to his state of mind.
Or perhaps not.
He looked at his watch.
Only another fifty-eight self imposed minutes to go.
Grissom left his coffee cooling on the table and got up, going over to his sound system. He looked through his eclectic assortment of CDs for a few minutes, then picked a couple out for random play. Robbie Robertson was always popular with him and never far from the player. As for the second choice, an instrumental collection that usually made him feel quite mellow.
He hoped that it worked today.
The music filled the townhouse with its mellifluous tones and Grissom did begin to feel a little more relaxed.
He returned to the sofa and picked up his coffee, taking a few sips of the still hot liquid. When his stomach didn't make too much fuss, he settled back in his seat.
Time to decide what – if anything - to do about the 'Warrick' side of things.
He ought not to have been surprised when the other man had offered up his dryly-
amused congratulations about Sara.
The night shift team was in his opinion the best team around; he would have been disappointed with them for not figuring it out.
Grissom smiled to himself a little grimly. They didn't know the half of it.
He had neither accepted nor refused Warrick's congratulations at the airport, he had merely smiled enigmatically.
Warrick knew as well as he did the old adage 'silence gives assent'.
Now that Grissom had more time to think over that moment, he realised without much surprise that he had enjoyed being identified as the baby's father. Alone now in his home, his lips twisted into a small grin as he recalled the flash of pride that someone – however indirectly – had realised that he and Sara were together.
His smile slipped fractionally.
Or, at least, had been together long enough to get her pregnant.
Grissom moved to sit side on to the sofa's arm, bringing his sock-clad feet up onto the other end of the seat. He shifted about until he was comfortable, then retrieved his coffee.
As he sipped his drink, Grissom thought about how he felt about his forgotten wedding and his beautiful wife. She would have been a stunning bride, he was sure of it. He made a mental note to ask Sara if there were any photographs.
His initial reaction to run for the hills waving divorce papers had been tempered by the simple fact that he still wanted Sara. His only motive for wanting to free her had been that he thought that it was what she wanted. Now he was not so sure about that or the purity of his motives.
Perhaps he was trying to release her so that she wouldn't be the one who decided to leave.
Not for the first time he wondered what had made him finally give in and allow himself to be with Sara.
What had made him overcome his fear?
There had been many moments of introspection since he had met and grown to know Sara Sidle. While she had brought him joy and a new appreciation for life she had also indirectly made him aware of how much that same life was missing. She confounded him, confused him, frustrated him – in more than one sense – and drove him mad.
But what a pleasurable insanity.
He would rather have an hour with her than a lifetime without.
Grissom placed his now empty mug back on the table and yawned suddenly. The music playing softly in the background hardly intruded into his consciousness. He looked at his watch and decided to have a short catnap in the time remaining before he called his wife in Miami.
Another small smile played around Grissom's lips as his eyes closed.
He managed to doze off before the dread 'L' word surfaced in his brain - this time he was lucky.
It seemed to Grissom that only a few minutes had passed when he was woken by the sound of his phone. When he checked the time he was surprised to see that an hour had passed. He hurried to answer the cell, finally managing to get it to his ear.
"Grissom."
The sound of Catherine's voice was unexpected – he had been almost certain that it would be Sara calling.
"You might want to turn on to the news channel if you haven't already. There's some excitement in Miami. Call me if you need anything."
The line went dead as Grissom looked at the cell with incomprehension. What?
The penny dropped and he hurriedly found the remote control and switched on the television. It was already set to a news channel and the first thing that he saw was a jet with its emergency chutes deployed. The female reporter's voiceover was replaced by her live image, showing the plane behind her. Icy fingers of fear clutched Grissom as he turned up the volume.
'…as you can plainly see the undercarriage at the front of the plane has collapsed either just before or during touchdown, causing significant damage to both the plane and the runway. Other planes were diverted as soon as airtraffic staff realised what had happened, and several hundred people had a very lucky escape on the flight due to land immediately after this one. The pilot managed to abort the landing and divert to a secondary runway, where no serious injuries were reported. Miraculously only a handful of people – including a pregnant woman - were injured sufficiently to be admitted to hospital; they appear to be suffering from injuries sustained during the evacuation of the plane and not the initial incident.'
The woman went on with further details including the flight numbers involved but by then Grissom had taken a note of the telephone number for people who were concerned to ring. He had his cell out in a moment and dialled the number.
It was busy.
Grissom spent an agonising twenty minutes trying to get through, his mind conjuring up terrible fates that could have befallen Sara. Just when he thought that he would burst he finally managed to get a ring tone. By this time he was pacing back and forth in agitation. Finally someone picked up.
Grissom gave the man on the phone Sara's flight number, her name, and his relationship to her after which the voice asked him to hold for a moment while he checked the passenger list.
A few interminable moments later the man returned.
" Sara Sidle doesn't appear to be on any of our lists. Are you sure that she was on that flight?"
"Yes, I saw her board with my own eyes."
Grissom thought hard for a minute. An idea popped in out of the blue. Would she?
She might have.
"Would you check again please, this time for Sara Grissom."
"It is unusual - "
A terse Grissom interrupted him.
"We haven't been married long, I wasn't sure which name she was using."
"Sorry Sir, I'll get right back to you."
More silence and Grissom sat down on the couch, his stomach churning.
The man was quicker this time.
"Yes, we have Sara Grissom listed. She did not require medical treatment and was collected from the airport. I should think that you'll be hearing from her quite soon."
Grissom nodded even though he could not be seen. He was choked with relief.
Eventually he found his voice.
"Yes. Thank you."
"You're welcome. I'm pleased that it's good news. You have a nice day."
The man hung up before Grissom could reply. He obviously knew that many people would be attempting to phone in. Grissom hung up blindly.
He rubbed his face with both hands, pressing hard as if to offset the pain of reaction and relief. Thank God Sara was safe. He felt shaky and nauseous.
Very nauseous.
He only just made it to the bathroom. As he braced one arm on the edge of the bowl, he lost his last meal and the coffee. When he had finally stopped retching, he wet and rung out his face cloth, using it to wipe his streaming eyes.
Grissom leaned back against the side of the bathtub with both his hands holding the facecloth to his forehead and his arms resting on his bent knees.
He was astonished at the strength of his reaction, his profound relief that he had not lost the woman that he…that he…
He looked up and closed his eyes in supplication.
"Okay, you win."
He smiled, then started laughing quietly, shaking his head with the irony of it all.
Sitting on the floor of his bathroom was the last place Grissom thought he'd be when he finally admitted to himself that he loved Sara.
He felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders and a peace settled over him. The thing that he had been so concerned about was not so bad after all. In fact, it felt pretty damn good.
Why the hell had he waited so long?
Grissom's cell interrupted his thoughts as he got to his feet and he hurried into the main room to answer it.
"Sara?"
"It's me, Warrick. Sara just called me to call you and tell you to hang up. She's trying to get through and both your phones are apparently busy."
Warrick was seated in front of his own TV watching the news unfold. He was smiling to himself over the original unedited message that Sara had left with him before she hung up.
'Tell the old man to get the hell off the cell and fix his housephone. They're both busy!'
Grissom knew that Warrick would be able to hear the relief in his voice, but he didn't care.
"Thanks, I'll check it. The landline must have been knocked off the cradle."
He moved across the room to his house phone and righted the handset.
"Yes, it was off. Good call."
"Hey, man it's no problem. Anytime. Good luck."
Warrick sounded amused. They both knew what Sara was like when she was ticked.
"Thank you."
Grissom's voice was dry as he ended the call and hung up.
He had only got as far as the kitchen bar before his cellphone rang.
He snatched it up and opened it impatiently.
"Sara?"
"Gee, Gris, anyone would think that ya missed me."
Grissom held the phone to his bowed head and allowed Sara's amused voice to wash over him. It was reassuring to hear her and he had never been so grateful as he was at this moment that he had had his operation.
"You still there?"
Sara's question wasn't so amused now, and Grissom heard the concern.
"I did. I do."
"What?"
"Never mind. You okay?"
"A little shook up is all, I'm fine."
"You're sure?"
Even miles away across the country Sara heard his real question.
"The baby is fine too."
Sara paused briefly, then added,
"How are you holding up?"
"Better. I'm…better."
Grissom knew that his answer had sounded lame, but he suddenly realised that he couldn't tell Sara how he felt over the phone. He wanted to tell her in person and see her face, see her real response. Unfortunately this also meant that he would probably have to wait until she returned from Miami.
One month suddenly seemed a long time.
" I forgot to ask, where are you staying? I understand that you were collected at the airport."
Miles away, Sara puzzled a little over the abrupt change in Grissom's tone. She really wished that she could see his face. Instead she looked around the room that she was in.
"Actually, I'm staying with the person who collected me. Calleigh Duquesne. Smart and blond. You'd like her."
Sara had liked her from the first at the airport. It had been quite unlike her first meeting with Catherine.
"So long as you're okay. Will you…um, would you telephone me and let me know how you get on in the lab?"
Sara frowned at Grissom's request. Was he attempting to keep in regular contact?
Whatever it was, it got her blessing.
"Ah, sure. Sure, I'll call you tomorrow. You want I should call you at work?"
Grissom hesitated, absently moving a small bowl on the worktop, then moving it back again to its original place.
"It'd be better at home, less interruptions."
Sara smirked, but was careful not to sound too keen.
" 'kay, at home. Have you got a pen? This is the direct number for the lab in case you, y'know, need anything."
She gave him the telephone number and listened to him read it back.
Sara was about to say her goodbyes, when Grissom surprised her again.
"If the invitation is still open I'd like to come with you for your ultrasound."
Sara clapped her hand to her mouth to stop her shout of excitement from escaping.
After a long moment - that seemed an aeon to Grissom – Sara replied carefully, but with approval.
"That would be great. I'd like that."
"Good."
Grissom didn't know what else to add that wouldn't give the game away. What would the 'old' Grissom have said?
"Bye Sara."
"Bye…"
Sara heard him hang up and she smiled as she added,
"…Honey."
Sara was still looking down at her cellphone when Calleigh knocked and popped her head around the bedroom door.
"All done?"
Sara nodded, putting her cell away. Calleigh smiled sweetly.
"Well okay then. The guys at work have got a little 'hello' lined up, so if you're ready we'll go. There may be cake."
"Cool, I always have time for cake."
Calleigh looked Sara up and down with a grin.
"You'd never know it honey. And don't worry, there won't be any alcohol."
Sara raised one eyebrow.
"Because they're at work?"
Calleigh smile unrepentantly.
"That too, but mainly because I told them that you're a mama to be."
"You noticed." Sara observed. "I didn't realise that it was that obvious."
"It isn't particularly. But when you came through the terminal to collect your cases after that unorthodox landing, you had both hands in front, like so. Protecting something precious."
Sara couldn't take offence at Calleigh's matter of fact manner, and she wasn't concerned about them knowing that she was pregnant.
"I'm impressed."
The two women moved through the house and out to the blond CSI's car.
"So how has the papa taken it that you're here and he's in Vegas?"
"As well as can be expected."
"Don't worry, he'll be appreciatin' you all the more when you get back."
"I hope so."
Calleigh unlocked her car by remote.
Sara admired the sleek vehicle all over again. At the airport she had admired the car out loud. Calleigh had made her grin when she drawled,
"Honey, I just love a good ride."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Two weeks later.
Sara tried not to allow the dismay that she was feeling to show on her face.
Horatio Caine was adept enough in human nature and reading expressions that she needn't have bothered.
"I'm sorry, Sara, but it's just not possible until next week. We are still short of staff with two unwell."
Sara nodded jerkily.
"I understand. Thanks for trying, anyhow."
Sara left Caine's office and returned to the lab. Although she had been here two weeks now, the modern construction usually never failed to amaze her, but today she was distracted and just seated herself at the workstation and got back to work.
She had hoped that she could arrange her shift to allow a long weekend off to return to Vegas for the weekend, but now that was impossible.
She looked at her watch and calculated Vegas time. She had been hoping to surprise Grissom with a flying visit. Over the last two weeks they had talked on the telephone every few days, and Sara had the distinct impression that 'things' were what her dad would have called 'developing'.
Sara sighed and shifted on her seat. Her lab coat pulled across her belly and she shifted again to release it with a tug. Their 'relationship' wasn't the only thing developing. She had moved beyond 'is she having weight issues' to 'definitely pregnant'.
She was less than thrilled with the fact that complete strangers now thought that her pregnancy was public property and asked questions that she considered to be none of their business. Thankfully no one at work had made that mistake.
Sara made a mental note of the time that she should call Grissom then returned to her work.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On her way out of the building to go home at the end of shift, Catherine realised that Grissom had not left yet. She stood unnoticed in the doorway of his office and looked him over. His colour was improving but he still looked tired. He was frowning again. She sighed silently. Time for another proverbial shove in the right direction.
"Hey, Gris."
As she announced her presence, Grissom looked up.
"Hey."
If that response had been her daughter she would have interpreted it as 'grumpy'.
As it was Grissom, she would have to say…grumpy. She hid a smile.
"C'mon, spill."
Grissom gave her a blank look. As far as he understood Catherine didn't know that Sara wasn't coming back yet. He had only found out the day before yesterday.
Catherine snorted and put her free hand on her hip.
"You have been up and down like a bear with a yo-yo for the last two weeks. None of us know where we are with you. I've figured it out even if you haven't."
"Catherine…"
Grissom's warning growl fell on deaf ears.
She waved a hand in the air for emphasis.
"I don't believe you! Wake up and smell the roses! For God sake put the rest of us out of our misery. Go get her, bring her back. You miss her. It's obvious what's happening."
"What are you - "
Catherine glared as she interrupted him a second time. She didn't seem fazed by the fact that her voice was raised or that the door was ajar.
"DON'T give me that innocent crap! You know it, I know it, the whole night shift knows it, hell, the janitor who works in the next building probably knows it."
Grissom put down his pen carefully and looked back up to Catherine. His gaze flicked very briefly to a point behind her but she didn't notice.
" 'It'?"
Grissom's enquiry was surprisingly mild considering that he was wondering if Catherine was referring to Sara's pregnancy.
"God, do I have to spell it out for you?"
Grissom leaned back in his seat in a very relaxed fashion.
"Please do. I'm all ears."
Catherine gave him a double take. Was he amused?
She recovered quickly.
"I've known you for a long time and I never thought you stupid until now. Sara loves you and always will. If you don't do something about it now, you're throwing away something that most men only dream about. You love her. Have done for ages. You can't try to hide it forever."
Grissom didn't agree or disagree, just looked at her with a tiny smirk. It wasn't so much him who wouldn't be able to hide 'it'.
He folded his arms, tipped his head slightly and looked thoughtful.
"Let me get this straight. You are encouraging me to foster a relationship between myself and another member of staff, a younger person with a less senior grade?"
"I guess that I am."
"You think that there is no problem with two work colleagues getting together?"
"Nope."
"So even though I have told you in the past that it's not a good idea, you think that it would work?"
"Yes. Under the right circumstances. And these are the right ones. Jeez, Gil, four years of foreplay is enough for any woman."
Grissom smiled as he stood up and moved around his desk. The words 'barn door', 'horse' and 'bolted' came to mind.
"Thank you Dr Ruth. I'll take that information under advisement."
Grissom nodded towards the office door.
"In the meanwhile, you might want to discuss the finer points of that subject with your colleague."
Catherine's head jerked around and her gaze landed squarely on Warrick standing just inside the doorway.
He looked resolute.
He wasn't going anywhere until he and Catherine had talked. Really talked.
Warrick had spent the last week or so deciding whether or not to approach Catherine. When he had first heard her raised voice coming from Grissom's office he had naturally paused, prepared to assist if needed.
Now Grissom had dropped the ball into his hands and it was time to run with it or quit.
His Grandma didn't raise no quitter.
"Warrick?"
Catherine sounded just the smallest bit uncertain and in such a confident woman, it was all the encouragement that he needed. He stepped further into the office.
Neither of them noticed Grissom leave and quietly close the door behind him.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As Grissom drove home he thought about Catherine's comments. She was a perspicacious woman, if she said that 'everyone' knew about this 'thing' between him and Sara, then there was no point being concerned about discovery. Some people had the impression that he was 'shy' because he was quiet when considered in comparison with other people in his position. He wasn't shy at all, merely private. His marriage was no ones business but his own.
And Sara's, of course.
The powers that be at work couldn't do anything to either of them now that they were married. If they tried to make things difficult for Sara, well, then he would leave. He had never been keen to play the political role that the Supervisor's post required of him. He could take up teaching and consultancy work.
Grissom pulled up in his parking space and turned off the Denali's engine.
Entering his townhouse, Grissom crossed to the table and emptied his pockets of loose change, bits of paper, billfold, individual packets of crackers and keys.
While he wasn't requiring his full attention on what he was doing, he thought about the look on Catherine's face when she had seen Warrick standing in the doorway. She had instantly recapped their conversation and realised that he – Gil – had paved the way for the two of them. That combination of hope and fear had been a familiar look on Sara's face too. He hoped that the situation between Warrick and Catherine worked out. Warrick needed someone strong to help him stay on the straight and narrow with his gambling, and Catherine needed someone genuine and kind.
About time too.
Going through his mental 'to do' list he checked his emails. There were several, including one from his mother. He realised with a guilty start that he had better tell her about Sara and their marriage.
And the fact that she was going to be a Grandma soon.
Grissom spent several minutes trying to find a suitable way of presenting his mother with the salient facts about his marriage, only to give up in the end. As he was not due back in work for three days he could do it later. For the first time ever the time stretched endlessly out in front of him. It was a pity that Sara would not be back for a visit, he had hoped…
Half an hour later, Grissom was in the shower. He lathered himself over his chest and had just started down one arm when he froze.
He was an idiot.
He hurriedly finished washing and rinsed off. He towelled himself dry and slung the damp towel around his shoulders to dry his hair as he strode naked through his house to the table with his pocket's detritus.
Grissom dug out his credit card and looked up a number in the telephone book for the Vegas area.
He returned to the bedroom and seated himself on the edge of the bed, picked up the telephone and dialled.
If he had half a brain he would be gifted.
"Yes, hello. When is the next available flight to Miami?"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Horatio Caine stepped out into the glass walled atrium near his office and turned to greet the man waiting there. He smiled pleasantly as they shook hands and exchanged greetings.
"Thank you for allowing us to borrow your colleague at this time. She's hard working and has been a credit to your department. We'll be sorry to see her go."
Grissom didn't doubt Caine's sincerity but it took him a long moment to overcome his urge to declare that Sara wasn't staying, no matter what.
Instead he inclined his head in agreement.
Behind him the elevator doors opened unnoticed and Sara stepped out.
Even from the back view Sara recognised Grissom. Her heart jolted in excitement as she headed towards the two men.
Beyond Grissom's shoulder, Caine saw the flash of joy on Sara's face.
So that was the way it is, he mused. An imp of mischief made him enquire.
" So what brings you out this way?"
Before Grissom had chance to answer, Sara came up behind him and placed a hand on his arm.
"Hey, Grissom."
Grissom turned to include her. He smiled in greeting, his gaze automatically taking in her altered appearance with an unexpected flash of male pride. He savoured the warmth of her hand on his arm and the knowledge that for now, at least, she was his.
As he was hers.
He turned back to face Caine.
"Actually I'm here to see my wife."
Grissom felt the hand jerk on his arm. He looked at Sara's stunned expression with amusement.
Caine looked from one to the other and privately wondered what was going on. No wonder that she had wanted to go home for a long weekend.
However, it was none of his business.
"I see. I'm sorry, I didn't realise. Congratulations. On both counts."
He turned a suspiciously innocent expression to the both of them, then looked at Sara.
"I'll tell Calleigh that you don't need a ride tonight."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The drive to the hotel that Grissom had booked into was both short and quiet.
Sara was torn between her desire to know what was going on and her reluctance to have her expectations shot down again. The fact that Grissom was here at all was more than she had ever hoped.
Grissom didn't want to start the ball rolling until he could follow the ball to the end of the road.
As soon as the door of the room had closed behind them, Sara turned to Grissom to ask her first question. She was taken aback by the smile he gave her.
It was Gil's.
Grissom saw her face light up as she closed the gap between them.
"You've remembered?"
He shook his head, but still took hold of her hands, his thumbs massaging the backs of them. He felt her shiver and hoped that it was with excitement.
He took a long moment to absorb her features. How could he have forgotten this?
"Grissom?"
He shook himself and placed a gentle finger on Sara's lips.
"A deeply religious man sits on the roof of his house, floodwaters rising around him. He is unafraid because he knows that God will save him. After a while, a small boat arrives at the roof, but the man refuses their help, saying that God will save him. The water rises and a helicopter arrives. Again the man refuses to be rescued, telling them that God will save him. They leave, the water rises and the man drowns."
Sara watched Grissom without speaking. She was not sure where he was going with the joke. If that's what it was.
"The man arrives in Heaven and he's standing before God. 'Why didn't you save me?' he asks, and God replies, ' I sent a boat and a helicopter, what more did you want?'"
Sara smiled in uncertain puzzlement. She had heard the joke before, so why tell it now?
Her heart skipped a beat as the implications sank in. She tried to keep her expression neutral – she didn't want to scare him off.
Grissom could see that further explanation was required. Unusual for her.
He moved closer to Sara and put a hand to her hair. Quite without conscious thought her head leaned into his touch and her eyelids drifted closed.
They opened again when he spoke.
"It's about recognising the gift that you are given. I've been blessed with another chance and I'm not about to let that gift go a second time. I may never recall all of my memories, and although that pains me deeply, particularly the loss of our wedding, I hope that we can create some new memories that are just as wonderful. I'm hoping that it wasn't my last chance at happiness, because I have finally recognised the gift that I had all along."
Grissom looked into Sara's eyes. What he saw there encouraged him to continue.
"I'm not perfect, and at some point I'll let you down because I can get lost in the work. I might not have the words to put it right but I'll expect you to just know."
Sara smiled tremulously and it was her turn to place a finger on Grissom's lips. He could see the shimmer of tears in her eyes and hear the effort in her voice.
"It seems to me that you're doing just fine. I have something to say too…"
She stepped forward and Grissom's arms closed around her as her hands slid up to link up behind his neck. One of his eyebrows went up in enquiry.
"…shut up and kiss me."
Grissom's other eyebrow went up in apparent surprise.
"Is it safe to do that?"
Sara growled under her breath but loud enough for Grissom to hear.
"You wanna see how unsafe it's gonna be for you if you don't?"
Grissom smirked as he eyed Sara's lips.
"Promises promises."
"You should be - "
Sara's response was cut off mid sentence by Grissom's lips on her own.
At long last was her immediate thought as she revelled in the familiar and oh so welcome sensations rushing through her body.
For Grissom the kiss was a glorious adjunct to the ones he shared in Sara's apartment when he had pinned her to the wall with his body. The soft and pliant lips moulded to his as if made just for them. As he moved against her he marvelled at the response she had drawn from him with just a simple kiss.
He realised too late that there was no such thing as a simple kiss with Sara. The briefest touch lit a flame throughout his body that commanded his attention and demanded a reaction.
The chemistry between them was the same as before: instant heat, explosive need. His mouth became hard and greedy.
Sara's skin flushed as her blood heated and her skin tingled all over. She forgot about everything else except this driving need to possess.
Grissom barely heard Sara's soft moans over the roaring in his ears. His arms pulled her even closer, crushing her body to his even as she pulled him to hers. Sara's mouth opened under his and their tongues met and teased, tested and tormented.
Grissom's body began to ache and swell, reacting to the press of Sara's hands over and against him. He couldn't seem to get close enough to her and he vividly remembered feeling the same way at her apartment. This time there was more between them – literally – and a tiny almost unheard voice reigned him in slightly and stopped him from unleashing the full force of his passion.
But there was passion enough as Grissom's lips left Sara's and travelled to her neck. Her head tilted back to give him better access and he took full advantage.
Sara's hands hesitated in the gathering of fistfuls of Grissom's shirt as she was distracted by the little kissing nips on her throat. Her legs felt weak and incapable of supporting her weight. She clung onto him and squirmed up against his arousal.
Grissom was barely supporting himself let alone Sara, so he held back a little until she had surfaced sufficiently to be aware of his intentions.
As soon as he had her conscious attention he bent slightly and swung her up into his arms. She hung on and grinned as he carried her over to the big double bed.
Almost reverentially he lowered Sara onto the bed and her smile stayed in place even when he didn't join her, but straightened up instead.
He stood for a moment looking down at her and the evidence of their child, almost as if he couldn't believe his eyes or his temerity.
"You are every dream of beauty that I ever had."
Sara resisted the impulse to say that he should get out more. She knew from the time that they had together at his cabin that she used the knee-jerk humour response when she was so touched that she had no other answer. This time, she smiled in acceptance and reached out for one of his hands.
"You make me feel beautiful, whatever I look like."
Grissom smiled gently and moved to the foot of the bed. He removed Sara's shoes and socks and put them aside. He removed his own footwear too, then climbed on the bed beside Sara.
He lay on his left side, facing Sara; his head propped on his left fist. He reached out with his right hand to touch her face, his fingers tracing an eyebrow, then down to her parted lips.
"I want to do this right, but I'm not sure that I have the control required not to rush this."
Grissom's low voice sent shivers of delight down Sara's spine.
She smirked.
Rushing was fine by her.
"If you had any idea how hard it is for me to lay here and not pounce on you and rip your clothes off, you wouldn't be concerned. Go ahead – rush me!"
Grissom needed no further encouragement. Sara saw the smile break out briefly before his head descended to hers.
This time his kiss was a full-bodied assault on her senses, taking over her body and her mind.
Grissom leaned into the kiss, pushing Sara onto her back and following her down. He felt her arms come up around his neck.
He proceeded to show her exactly what she meant to him in the only way that he could, with his body but not the words.
The reached the peak almost simultaneously, Grissom ensuring Sara's pleasure before his own.Finally they lay spent in each other's arms.
Grissom raised himself up on his left elbow and looked down at Sara with an expression that combined concern, amazement and tenderness.
"You okay? I mean, I didn't hurt you, or - "
Sara reached up and pressed a finger to Grissom's lips. She felt languid and boneless.
" Shh. I'm fine. So very fine that I'm wallowing in bliss. Give me a moment to stop seeing stars."
Grissom gave a bashful/smug smirk and took Sara's left hand in his right, intertwining their fingers. He kissed her fingers one by one, then leaned forward and kissed her, the kiss lazy and indulgent. He gave an idle thrust inside her, still half hard despite his climax. There was so much lost time to make up and he was willing if Sara was.
He lifted his head to see how she felt about it.
He was rewarded with a lazy grin.
Grissom thrust again, becoming more aroused.
Sara gasped.
"I see you still have trouble locating your 'off' switch."
Grissom, straight-faced, pulled back as if to withdraw.
Sara grabbed him around the neck with her right hand and tugged him back down to her. Just before their lips met she grinned.
"I didn't say that I minded!"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Do you want me to come out to the airport?"
Sara's question was a rude awakening to a reality that Grissom would rather have not returned to. His two-day escape had come to an end all too quickly.
He kept his lips closed over his plea for her to return home with him.
His silence appeared to Sara to be answer enough, but she waited for the words to come.
Grissom looked across the small café table and took hold of one of Sara's hands in his own.
He examined her palm and gently traced across it with a finger. He felt her shiver and inwardly smiled, knowing for certain this time that it was excitement.
"Grissom?"
The side of his mouth quirked upwards.
"Procrastination is not the sole province of women you know."
Sara rolled her eyes as if in exasperation, but did not try to remove her hand from his. Anything that delayed his departure was fine by her.
"You would only have to come back here by taxi again, and while Caine has been generous enough to allow you have two days off, you should be back in the lab this morning, not at the airport with me."
Sara smirked, but her eyes shone with unshed tears.
"I can't believe I'm saying it, but I don't care. I want to be with you. Every last moment that I can."
Grissom squeezed her hand, and felt her squeeze back.
"I know. But it's only for one week, then we'll be together as much as you want."
As Grissom listened to Sara's reluctant acquiescence, he was mentally adding the rest of his sentence.
'but not as much as I want.'
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Grissom had taken Sara back to his hotel, where they made love with a desperation that shocked them both with its fervency.
Afterwards, he took Sara back to Calleigh's place. He carried Sara's overnight case back to her room for her, and turned to say good bye.
Sara stepped into his arms and gave him a kiss that still had the power to curl his toes – as well as straighten other parts - even though they had been together only an hour earlier.
When they finally came up for air, Sara backed deliberately out of his arms and Grissom could see the effort it cost her to smile.
"That's a reminder. So don't go banging your head this time."
"I'll try not to."
Grissom raised his right hand to Sara's head, running it gently over her silky hair. He searched her face as if trying to memorise every inch of it.
He trailed the fingers down her face, until the ball of his thumb pulled at Sara's kiss-
swollen bottom lip. Regret made his voice thick.
"I have to go." I want to stay.
"Call me when you get in?" Take me with you.
"Of course." You have to ask?
"Safe journey." Please don't go!
They had walked to Calleigh's front door and Grissom opened it to bright sunshine. He shaded his eyes and looked at Sara.
"One week - no time at all."
It was not clear whom he was attempting to reassure.
Sara just smiled at him, not willing to let their last conversation for the moment end in disagreement.
It was all she could do not to tell him how much she loved him. She rested one hand on her belly, unconsciously seeking the comfort of another's presence.
Without hesitation Grissom put his hand on top of hers.
He leaned forward and kissed Sara hard on the lips.
Reluctantly, he turned and walked to the waiting taxi. He gave Sara a single wave before getting in.
Sara watched as the vehicle pulled away, unaware that both she and Grissom shared the same thought.
It would seem like an eternity.
Despite the incredible two days he had spent with Sara, Grissom's expression was bleak as he was taken to the airport. He had not said all that he needed to say, but he thought that he had made it clear to Sara how he felt about her.
But not once during the last two days had Sara told him that she loved him.
TBC