Disclaimer: Lines are not mine. CSI is only mine in my dreams. The lyrics quoted in this chapter are oh-so-not mine. They were retrieved from the websites listed at the end of this fic, they are copywritten and again, they are not mine.
Rating, Beta Props, etc. – See Chapter 1. Thanks to Cybrokat and Jennie yet again!
A/N: Wow, Omigod, thank you reviewers! I had forgotten how amazing it is to get a review. Thank you everyone! No really, THANK YOU!
First and last lines of the YTDAW Improv challenge were provided, and are italicized. Microsoft Word says 1,932 words (not counting this part and the disclaimer stuff at the end).
"How did a cactus end up there?" Sara mused. She shifted her weight a little, stretching to get a better view. It was real, and it was the last thing she'd expected to see backstage at the Sailor's Dock. Then again, she could say that she herself was the last thing that should be backstage. But here she was, and she was next. The incredibly young man on stage was murdering "Incomplete", and the keyboard player in the far corner was trying very hard to keep a straight face.
Sara had to scramble to get a copy of the sheet music she needed for her song tonight. She had a copy at her apartment, but she wasn't about to call anyone in Vegas and request them to fax it. Particularly Warrick. The thought of calling Grissom never entered her mind.
After she'd signed up last night, she'd spent a few minutes scanning the hotel's copy of the San Francisco yellow pages. She'd found a couple places that might have what she needed, and after some phone calls this morning, and a long drive into the city and back, she had her music.
Warrick had eyed her strangely when she'd suggested they perform it back in Vegas, so she dropped it without a second thought. But it was a favorite of hers, and this might be the only opportunity she'd have to perform it. It wasn't like she had to practice much; she sang it so many times to herself that she knew it by heart. It was one of 'her' songs.
Mild applause was accompanied by a few whoots and wild cheers from a couple of other young boys in the far corner. Her fellow contestant had finished, and Sara's turn had come. Finally. The night had started late, at 9:30 p.m., and there were apparently many locals who got a kick out of getting up on stage. It was like a warped version of karaoke. Now, some time past midnight, only she and another young woman remained.
Sara smoothed her new skirt and ran her hand through her hair. She'd dressed the part for the area, and her sandals were doing little to keep her feet warm in the air-conditioned coolness. It was now or never. She repeated her mantra silently in her head as she strode confidently out onto the small stage.
I can do this.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Grissom was not an impulsive man. Nor was he prone to irrational decisions based on the state of his emotions. But hey, everyone has an off day now and then. When he'd informed the lab that he was taking a few days off, many eyebrows were raised. When he'd been questioned by Catherine as to where the hell he was going, his response of "Away" had not been well-received. But at least she was talking to him, and Grissom's face remained handprint-free.
He suspected they all were aware of the root of his departure. The turmoil between him and Sara was the hottest topic in the rumor mill for a week. It was unfortunate that Sara had departed so quickly. Many, many people rallied in her defense, and he'd had numerous "conversations" with his staff as well as others. No woman in the lab or on the force smiled at him now; cold stares and clipped words were their responses. Nick and Greg were close-mouthed and distant, almost bordering on disrespect. Jim ignored him entirely, as if he didn't exist.
As for Warrick, his light eyes bore into Grissom's each time they interacted. Grissom felt a small prickle of concern at their intensity. Warrick watched him as a predator would its prey. Grissom had attempted to diffuse some of the hostility between them, only to be met with silence. Warrick's attitude made Grissom think of panthers in the jungle, patiently waiting for the opportunity to pounce. It was disconcerting.
So Grissom did the only thing he could to do when Sara continuously refused to answer his calls. He called up her credit card on Archie's computer and found out where she was staying. He booked a flight, made a reservation at the bed and breakfast, and left.
He'd seen Sara yesterday, as she watched the ceremony from the parking lot. He'd followed her to the Sailor's Dock and it didn't take much brainpower to realize she'd be back here tonight. He wasn't disappointed; he'd seen her arrive hours ago, handing her paperwork to the middle-aged woman now responsible for playing the accompaniment for each singer.
He was certain she couldn't see him. How could she? He was almost flush against the wall nearest the stage. She wouldn't see him until she was on stage, and it was then that Grissom planned to place himself backstage. She'd have to speak with him then. There was only one way on and off the small black platform.
The atmosphere was casual and relaxed, the patrons mostly locals who got a kick out of watching their friends perform. Grissom knew Sara would blow them away. The young man on stage had finished, and Grissom stood quietly, leaving his bourbon and water on the small table in front of him. As Sara walked on, Grissom headed towards the rear of the restaurant. She waited for silence, and her intensity caused the crowd to quiet themselves.
A soft piano began two seconds after Sara began with a beautifully heartbreaking song Grissom had never heard before.
"What ravages of spirit
conjured this temptuous rage
created you a monster,
broken by the rules of love"
Grissom made his way quickly past the scruffy staff type who was nudging a waitress to get her attention. They walked right by him, intrigued by Sara, allowing Grissom full access to the small, cramped and stuffy area that constituted backstage. A short young woman with extremely curly hair was watching Sara intently from behind the thick curtain. The flare of competition was prevalent in her stance, and Grissom suspected Sara might not be the only siren present in this small restaurant tonight.
Cheap white Christmas lights were strung where the corners of the stage walls met the ceiling. Their glow reflected on Sara's hair, making it sparkle and gleam in bright auburn. She was so beautiful to him; it made his breath catch in his throat. Yet her song was breaking his heart.
"But I have the sense to recognize
that I don't know how to let you go…"
She had been moving slowly, but after a short interlude by the piano, she stood ramrod straight and stared at the black paint covering the wooden stage floor.
She sang:
"a glowing ember, burning hot
burning slow
deep within I'm shaken by the violence of existing
for only you
I know I can't be with you
I do what I have to do"
She continued, emptying the anguish in her soul as the song climaxed and then ended. Not one member of that audience could have missed the pain and despair in her voice, and there was a pause before the expected outbreak of applause and scratch of chairs against wood as people rose to give Sara the ovation she deserved.
Grissom watched her nod softly to the crowd and with a hint of a smile; she turned and headed his way. It was now or never.
Sara sighed as she crossed the curtain line of sight, smiling at her competitor. The other woman seemed to acknowledge Sara curtly, and Sara turned her head, probably shooting the woman a nasty look, as she walked straight into Grissom, colliding into his chest with a thud.
Okay, so maybe Grissom stepped out from behind the cactus when her head was turned.
"Oh! Excuse me!" Sara murmured in polite surprise. It took her eight seconds to realize just who she was talking to. It took another three for her to put some distance between the two of them.
"Hello, Sara," he whispered quietly. The other woman had started, and this time Grissom recognized the tune. He smiled to himself and hoped that Sara would take its words to heart, so to speak.
"You," she growled under her breath. "I should have known."
"I need to speak with you," his quiet voice rising a little in urgency.
"Shh!" she shushed him as she gestured vehemently to the stage.
He mouthed silently, "After she's finished."
Sara turned and watched the stage. Grissom stood behind her, entirely too close for comfort.
They listened, and Sara could tell that this young woman was as good as or better than she was. Her voice was clear, pure; whereas Sara's was deep and thick. The accompaniment was minimal; it was almost an acapella piece.
"Listen to your heart
when he's calling for you
Listen to your heart
there's nothing else you can do
I don't know where you're going
and I don't know why
But listen to your heart
before… you tell him goodbye"
Sara's whole being choked on the words. She knew her heart. She suspected she knew his as well. And he was here, at least four inches too close to her in fact. She could almost feel the heat from his body against her back.
The song was almost over. Sara turned to face him again.
"Let's go," she murmured. "We can talk outside."
The applause had started, and it was just as loud as when Sara performed. "What about the contest?" he asked.
"It's hers. I know when I've been outdone."
"As you wish," he replied, raising his arm to indicate that she should go before him.
She walked purposefully through the restaurant with Grissom right at her heels. They left together, a surprised hostess wondering why one of the best singers to grace their doorstep was leaving in such a hurry. She figured the darkly striking man behind her was the reason.
Sara walked past the lot and across the street to the path that led onto the pebbled beach of the bay.
"Sara," Grissom called with a tinge of annoyance. "We are not entered in a marathon."
She whirled to face him, anger and confusion etched on her face. "If you want to talk, we'll talk. But we'll do it on my terms, understand? You either follow where I lead or get lost. Are we clear?"
"There's no need for that kind of tone, Sara," he said irately.
"Yes," she stated, "there is."
Grissom quailed but followed her into the darkness. Sara walked for a long time, stopping only to remove small stones that had lodged in her sandals. Eventually they reached the remains of an outdoor pavilion of sorts, the wood faded but still sturdy. Sara sat at one of the old warped tables, and focused her attention on the slowly moving waters of the bay.
Grissom sat quietly next to her, leaving less than a foot of space between them. They sat in silence for a long time, the wind blowing softly and the only sounds were those of breeze through the long grasses and the occasional lap of the water.
"A storm is coming," Grissom said, pointing to the lightening sky and the dark clouds to the south.
"Let it come," she muttered.
"Sara, I'm sorry for what I said."
"I know," she replied, facing him. "But that doesn't solve the problem, does it?"
"No, but this might." He leaned forward and held her face gently against his palm. He lowered his lips to hers and gently kissed her.
A soft pit-pat of droplets on the roof the pavilion began as their kiss deepened. The rain started as the sun rose.
... continued next chapter ->
A/N: Aren't clichés fun? I think so! And here is the disclaimer info for 'Do What You Have To Do' and 'Listen to Your Heart'. Now seriously, what kind of 'Sara Sings' fic would this be without Sarah McLachlan's song?
'Do What You Have To Do'
Performed by: Sarah McLachlan off her 1997 album 'Surfacing'
Produced by: Pierre Marchand and is copy written to Arista.
The snippets of lyrics for this song were taken from Sarah McLachlan's website.
'Listen To Your Heart'
Performed by: Roxette (on a compilation album dated 1988)
Produced by: Per Gessle (I believe) and copywritten to EMI.
Also performed by: DHT (a remix of this song) on an American album entitled 'Listen To Your Heart' dated 2005. It is the last track of this album (unplugged), I believe, that is the version I was going for in this fic. I heard it on the radio and went bazonkers for it.
DHT version produced by: Well, in Europe, it's Hardbounze in 2003 that most likely produced it, but the US version is under the Robbins Entertainment label.
In any regard – it's not mine!
The snippets of lyrics for this song were taken from the web, they're on numerous sites. I couldn't find a specific site for either group. Although you could say they are also taken from my memory, as I know the song by heart!