A/N: Well, I didn't intend originally to write an epilogue but sassysarasidle suggested I should. That got my mind going on the topic and here we are. What was first meant to have one chapter has three. Now, I'm warning you this chapter may be considered quite OOC. It kind of has to be to get them together, you know? Also, major cheese warning, I can't seem to help it. So, with all that said, I hope you enjoy and would appreciate any reviews. Thanks.
P.S. When season 6 aired I slipped back here and gave Warrick his wife. The story is otherwise unchanged even though my impulse was to re-write the whole thing. Looking back I see the true cheesiness of it, oh well.
Disclaimer: I'm such a procrastinator… I still don't own CSI… I'm starting to think I never will. SIGH. So, I'm afraid all grammatical errors, character flaws, and general cheese are my own fault. I don't have any money so don't bother suing.
Epilogue
They were walking down the path, side by side. Breakfast had been a huge success. They had eaten at a little café where the food was good and the coffee was even better. When they had finished and Grissom had paid he realized he wasn't ready to say goodbye to Sara just yet and had suggested a stroll in 'their' park. Sara had readily agreed, so now with coffee-to-go in hand they were walking along in peace.
They talked and walked there for the better part of an hour before parting with the promise of meeting again soon.
Several dinner dates followed along with several more breakfast dates. It was the breakfast dates that they always enjoyed the most. Maybe it was because neither of them liked having to dress up like they had to for a dinner date; maybe it was because the little café they went to for breakfast was quieter than the fancier restaurants. Sara was inclined to believe it was because they always went for a walk after breakfast. That didn't happen after dinner because shift was starting soon and they needed to change into more sensible clothing.
It wasn't long until they found a certain park bench which they unofficially claimed as their own since it seemed to have a magnetic draw. Their feet always ended up propelling them to that same spot. It was in the shade of a large tree and looked out on the little pond where ducks paddled leisurely about. Watching the ducks swim and fight for crumbs thrown by smiling children was very therapeutic after a long night of dealing with people on the worst day of their lives.
They made no secret of their relationship, but they didn't widely broadcast it either since they were both such private people. Their friends were informed but asked not to make a big deal of it. After they had gone on their first date; Greg, Nick and Warrick had peppered Sara with questions about it, but she had brushed them all off with a smile. Catherine had cornered Grissom and asked how it went.
"It went just fine, thank you, Catherine," was his vague response.
Catherine was not to be put off so easily and persisted.
"What did you do?"
"We had breakfast, went for a walk and we talked," he said with a sigh knowing Catherine wouldn't give up until she had something.
"What about?" came her predictable question.
Grissom had an answer ready which he borrowed from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland.
"Of many things. Of shoes and ships and sealing-wax, and cabbages and kings."
Catherine could get nothing more out of him and everyone soon learned not to ask, just to be happy for them.
As far as work went, Grissom was no longer able to write Sara's evaluations, but nothing else changed. Some people may have tried to make trouble for them but were prevented because both of their solve rates actually went up. This was due to the fact that they often consulted each other on their cases even when they weren't working them together. Their minds were great together.
1 Month Later
It was their second month as a couple. They were sitting on their bench, not talking, but just enjoying each other's company. When they first sat down there had been a conservative half foot space between them. Somehow over the course of half an hour that space had shrunk considerably to less than an inch. Grissom's arm soon found its way around Sara's shoulders and she leaned into him like it was the most natural thing in the world… because it was. On the way back to their vehicles he held her hand. Not to comfort her like when he had held her hands before, but just because he wanted to... just because he could.
2 Weeks Later
It was the toughest case they'd had in a while. A young woman and her four-year-old daughter; both found raped and brutally murdered. This case had everyone on edge, especially Grissom. It was only a matter of time until someone got snapped at. Unfortunately, it was Sara who delivered some very bad news at the wrong moment and got the full blast. She took his tirade silently, knowing it wasn't really her he was upset at, but feeling hurt none the less.
Everyone worked their hardest, barely resting until they found some concrete evidence against the jealous ex-boyfriend who they all knew was guilty as sin. DNA evidence was still pending, but they had enough to hold the guy for the time being and the entire night-shift was banished from the lab for the next 24 hours to get some sleep. The swing and day shifts could cover for them, they were assured; they needed rest.
Sara decided to stop for a quick "supper" though it was almost 1:00 a.m. before she headed home. She grabbed a quick bite but somehow instead of heading home she found herself headed for the park. She was reasonably still a little upset at Grissom and hadn't even stopped at his office to say goodnight. So, feeling slightly overwhelmed with the case and personal matters, she looked for comfort in the place where her happiest hours of late had been spent. She soon found herself meandering down the darkened path toward a little clearing where the stars could be seen.
She paused under the halo of light that marked Grissom's star-gazing spot. She suddenly realized that she had yet to be here with him to watch the stars. She walked off the path and onto the grass, sitting down just outside the circle of light afforded by the lamp. She pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, gazing at the clear sky. Soon, she began to feel cold and the exhaustion of the past few days weighed heavily on her. She was just about to stand and go when a familiar voice sounded from behind her, making her jump a little.
"I hoped you might be here," said Grissom.
She turned and saw him standing, bundled in a jacket; thermos in hand.
"Sara, I'm so sorry about losing it and snapping at you," he said taking a seat beside her on the ground, "I know it wasn't your fault that the evidence said something other than I wanted it to. Forgive me?"
She smiled and leaned into him slightly, "It's forgotten," she said; and it was.
He put his right arm around her and pulled her shivering frame to him. He removed his jacket and put it around her shoulders before placing his arm around her again. He held the thermos out to her.
"Coffee, or in Latin- peace offering," he joked and she laughed, as she took the thermos and began to open it.
"I'm afraid I was in a hurry and forgot to get cups," he said, apologetically. "I was a little worried when you weren't in your apartment, and though I thought you'd be here, I was rather anxious to find out for sure."
"Well, the lid is a cup and we can share it," she said with a smile.
They shared the coffee and sat watching the skies.
"You know," he said at last, "this is a fantasy come true for me. I've always wanted to go star-gazing with you."
She looked up at him and gave him a squeeze with her left arm which was around his waist. His right arm was still draped over her shoulders and as they looked into each others eyes it hit both of them… they'd never kissed. After that thought ran through their heads another immediately followed… why hadn't they ever kissed? Since Grissom could think of no reason he had not kissed this woman, he decided to remedy the situation at once. He leaned in slowly until his lips hovered a breath away from hers, then he paused to give her the opportunity to draw back if she wanted to. She made no move to pull away so he gently brushed his lips over hers. He pulled away slowly only to realize he wasn't ready to end their kiss and so he placed his lips back on hers with a little more pressure. Her hand traveled from his waist up to the back of his neck and she wasn't about to let him draw back so soon this time. She returned the pressure with her lips and hesitantly ran her tongue over his bottom lip; an invitation to deepen the kiss. Grissom didn't need to be asked twice. His hands now in her hair, he kissed her with all the love he felt for her. When they reluctantly broke apart, they were both a little breathless and both blushing like teenagers on a first date. Sara grinned and shifted so her head rested on his chest and both Grissom's arms went around her, holding her closely to him as they watched the stars.
8 Months Later
It was a little after two in the afternoon and the sun was smiling warmly. The two CSI's were lying on a blanket in the shade of an obliging tree. They had enjoyed a picnic lunch and a stroll, but were now content to simply lie side by side.
Sara was on her stomach with her head resting on her folded arms; her eyes closed, feeling warm and happy. Grissom was on his left side, propped up on his elbow and facing Sara. His right arm was draped over her back and was gently tracing patterns on her shirt. It was their day off, and it was perfect.
"Sara?"
"Mm-hmm?" came her groggy reply.
"I love you."
She smiled, though her eyes remained closed, "I love you too, Gil."
Silenced reigned for several minutes.
"I'm not sure the name 'Sara Sidle' suits you," he said at last.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, raising her head and looking at him, one eyebrow cocked.
"I mean, I don't think the name 'Sara Sidle' is the right name for you."
"Okay then, Mr. 'Name Expert,' what should my name be?" she asked, laughingly reaching up and leaving a kiss on his nose.
"Sara Grissom," came his steady reply.
"What?" was Sara's startled question.
"Well, Sara Sidle," he said as he retrieved a small box from his pocket, "I'm asking if you would let me change your name."
As he said this he opened the box revealing a diamond solitaire set in white gold.
"So… will you marry me, Sara, and be Sara Grissom?"
She lay still for a second with a look of utter shock on her face before lunging at Grissom with such force she knocked him over onto his back. Her arms were tightly around his neck and she was almost completely on top of him. He was laughing lightly as she brought her lips close to his. Just before their lips touched she whispered:
"I suppose so… just this once."
His laugh was silenced by her kiss and he held her tightly to him before flipping them over so he was looming over her. His arms still cradled her gently and took most of his weight.
"Well then, I suppose you'll want to wear this?"
He moved one of his arms from her back and pulled her left arm from around his neck, placing the ring on her appropriate finger.
"You bet I…" her sentence was cut off by his lips, but she didn't complain.
10 Years Later
They sat facing the pond; both of them had their eyes warily trained on the two little beings who were throwing crumbs to the greedy ducks.
Lucy Grissom was eight-years-old and Liam Grissom had turned six, just last month.
Gil's arm was around his lovely wife and while he watched his children play, he thought back over his married life. So many things had changed in ten year's time.
Their engagement had been a very short two months. Just enough time to organize a simple ceremony. Sara had worn an ankle-length white dress and Grissom, a tux. They had no wedding attendants, but all their closest friends and family came to watch them joined forever.
Soon after they were married, Grissom published a book on forensic entomology which gained him even greater respect and fame in his field. The book was now a mandatory read in most forensic entomology courses as well as many just forensic courses. Requests for speeches and papers came pouring in, but Grissom paid little heed to them and continued on as night shift supervisor for a while. Then, Sara felt she should transfer to dayshift since despite how careful they were about favoritism, Grissom was getting criticized for having his wife under him and she knew he couldn't give her any promotions even if she deserved them.
She made the transfer which was difficult since, thanks to their different shifts, it meant she rarely had time to spend with just Gil. Meanwhile, he was writing another book and writing the occasional paper too. He missed Sara more than he could say and started seriously considering retirement.
After his second book was well received he did indeed retire from the Las Vegas crime lab. They were more than a little reluctant to let him go, however, he agreed to remain open for consultations several times a week if he was needed, and they had no choice but to accept his resignation. Now he would be free to take the hours he chose and spend time with his wife. He wasn't worried about finances because his savings was quite impressive and he received royalties on his books, not to mention that consulting paid better than normal work. Sara could quit if she wanted, and he could write papers, or teach classes now and then, and they'd live quite comfortably. However, Sara wasn't ready to quit, she loved her job too much to do nothing.
Two years after their marriage, Sara discovered; much to her and Gil's joy, that she was pregnant. Lucy was born and the Grissoms couldn't imagine life without her.
Over the next few years Liam was born to them and Sara became supervisor of the day shift. She did a wonderful job of balancing work and motherhood.
Catherine Willows had become head of the crime lab after Ecklie had decided to run for sheriff and won several years before. Warrick Brown had taken a job teaching forensic courses at a university in Los Angeles since his wife had never approved of his job; it turned out he had a real gift for teaching and he was never sure why, but most of his class was usually female. Nick Stokes' father had passed away and he had gone back to visit his family, only to realize how much he missed being near them. After much consideration he transferred back to Texas but still kept in close contact with his friends in Vegas. He married a local girl and helped elevate the crime lab to number six in the country as well as producing a healthy batch of young Stokes to populate the world with. As for Greg Sanders, he had become a CSI level three and was being seriously considered for head CSI of night shift. He was engaged to nice girl named Caitlin who had been brought in to replace Archie in the A/V lab when Archie had become a CSI level one under Sara.
"Yes," thought Gil, "so much has changed."
However, he wouldn't go back to his old life for anything, he had never been as happy as he was now.
Sara sighed in the arms of her husband as she watched the children he had given her. Liam wanted to be just like his daddy, although, with big brown eyes, a wide smile, and dark hair, his looks were definitely his mother's. He already had an impressive collection of insects which he insisted on keeping and his mother allowed, so long as they stayed in the glass aquarium his father had provided.
Lucy on the other hand was a pleasant mix of both her parents and Sara was overjoyed that she had her father's eyes. She was a beauty and would be a "real heartbreaker" as Jim Brass had said with a certain amount of pride. He had a real soft spot for Lucy who was allowed to call him "Uncle Jimmy" and she quite adored him. She was given to quiet reflection and reading rather than running around chasing bugs as her brother was prone to do. However, she had "spunk" as her Uncle Jimmy said which got her into a few scraps on the school yard.
"Mom! Dad!" Liam called as he ran up to the contemplative pair with Lucy following behind at a more sensible pace.
"Yes, Baby?" asked Sara.
"We want to go for a walk. Will you and Dad take us?"
Sara glanced at Gil who nodded and stood to his feet, offering his hand to assist his wife.
"Can we go to the place where Dad asked you to marry him?" asked Lucy, looking at her mother and father.
"Sick! No!" protested Liam, but Gil was already nodding at his daughter.
He took Sara's hand and they started down the path; the kids racing ahead, and then waiting for their parents to catch up only to race ahead again.
"By the way Mrs. Grissom, have I told you lately that I love you?" he asked, kissing her hand.
"The feeling is quite mutual, I assure you, Mr. Grissom," she said, moving in for a kiss which lasted much longer than their kids wanted.
"Do you have to do that in public?" asked their daughter who was smiling despite her words.
"Of course I do," answered her father, "this is the woman I love."
The End
Please let me know what you think. I know it was cheesy, but it wouldn't come out any other way. Thanks for reading!