Never To Late 3/12
Sara could tell Grissom wasn't any good at carnival games. He spent $30 alone trying to win her a little stuffed pig holding a heart. Finally, the vendor felt sorry for Grissom and gave it to him out of pity.
"You didn't have to do that Griss," she smiled taking the stuffed pig.
"Yes I did. Besides, he reminds me of you,"
"Oh thanks a lot!" she scoffed hitting him with the pig.
"Sara that's not what I meant." he said taking her hand leading her back out of the midway.
"How am I supposed to take it? You saw a pig and it reminded you of me. That's what every woman wants to hear; they remind someone of a pig."
"A couple of years ago, I was sitting outside the lab conducting an experiment on the Shelton case. Remember the pig in a blanket? You came and brought me coffee and a blanket. I didn't ask you to. I didn't tell you I was doing it, you didn't have to come, but you did. You stayed with me, keeping me company. It was that night I realized I was in big trouble." he said.
"Why?" she asked stopping them.
"I realized just how much I need you in my life." he placed his hands on the side of her face bringing his mouth closer to hers "… how much I love you," he finished placing a kiss on her lips.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling her closer to him. She parted her lips allowing his tongue access to explore her mouth. After a few moments they pulled apart breathless. He kissed her again but quickly this time.
"I'm kinda thirsty. Lets get something to drink?" he said coolly
"Sure," she said trying to regain her composure.
He felt like the luckiest man on the earth. He had the most beautiful woman in the world at his side, holding his hand. He was on cloud nine. They walked up to the concession stand. As they stood in line, Grissom put an arm around her waist as she laid her head on his shoulder.
"What can I get you guys?" the concessionist said as they reached the front of the line.
"Um ... " Sara said peering over the soda tower to look at the flavors "Oh my God! They have grape soda! I haven't had grape soda since I was like ten!" She exclaimed.
"Two medium grape sodas please." Grissom told the girl.
Sara smiled a million watt smile and he swore he saw the child in her peek out at him.
They collected their sodas and walked to a bench in the middle of the park. They sat down and Grissom placed an arm around her shoulder. She in turn snuggled into his neck and put her arms around his waist.
"Ladies and Gentleman at this time we would like to inform you that Carnivals and Coasters is now closed. If you would all please make your way to the front exit. We will open again tomorrow morning at 10am. Thank you for coming."
"Thank you Grissom for tonight … for everything," she said before giving him a kiss.
The kiss intensified as they explored each other.
"Ahem," a loud voice coughed, bringing them back to their setting.
Sara blushed slightly as she stood from the bench.
"I'm sorry sir, we were just leaving." Sara said.
"Gorgeous isn't the word for her Dr. Grissom," he said pulling him into a hug.
"Told ya she was worth it," Grissom said
"Well, this is Mark. He knows how to operate everything. He is going to hook you up tonight with anything you need. Take as long as ya like," the man said walking away.
"Thanks Chuck"
"Where to first sir?" Mark asked
"Let's start at the Mammoth." Grissom replied.
"Alright sir. I'll meet you guys there." he said running off to prep the ride.
"What was that?" Sara asked
"That was Chuck and Mark" he said
"Thank you, I think I figured that out. What's going on Griss?" she asked him as they started walking to the ride.
"About a year before you came to Vegas, their was a case with a eight year old girl. She was raped, beaten, and then raped again with a foreign object before being left to suffocate in a garbage bag. Her name was Jessica Mead and she was Chuck's daughter. I worked that case for 72 hours straight obsessed with her. She haunted me. Well, one night I came here and began riding the coasters to clear my head. Distract myself. Well, Chuck saw me here and thought I was having the time of my life instead of out finding who killed his daughter. He was furious, demanding an explanation why I hadn't caught Jessica's killer. I tried to tell him riding clears my head. Helps me take the evidence and see it with fresh eyes. The very next day Catherine and I broke the case and her killer was arrested. Chuck came to me and apologized. He told me anytime I needed to ride he would be here day or night. So here were are."
"You learn something new everyday." she smiled
"Chuck and his brother own this place, so whenever I need to come here and unwind,"he started
"Or schmooze a girl." she said leaning into his side.
"No, for that I head to the body farm."
With that statement Sara shoved him away from her.
"You took Catherine there!" she exclaimed.
"We were on a case," he said becoming more and more worried.
"Whatever."
"Sara," he said stopping them "Listen, I do not care about Catherine half as much as I do you. She's …" he started.
"Grissom, take it easy. I wasn't seriously mad at you. I was joking around."
He came closer to her and kissed her. He pulled his lips away but leaned his forehead against hers
"I just don't want to screw this up. I'm not good at relationships."
She placed a quick kiss on his lips.
"In case you haven't noticed, I'm not either," she said
"I guess we are perfect for each other," he smiled.
"I've always thought so."
"Come on lets have some fun," he said pulling her towards the coasters.
Three rides on Mammoth, four on Siren, two on Phantom Fury and six on Devils Smile they were both exhausted. Sara was tired after the first four rides they went on. But she loved seeing Grissom smile. She couldn't remember the last time he had smiled so much, she wasn't about to tear him away from it.
Sara was relieved when he had asked her if she was ready to go. He tipped Mark $40 for his extra time and service. As they walked out of the park, his arms went around her shoulders and hers went around his waist. When they reached the car, he once again, opened the door for her and she couldn't help but giggle again.
"Oh, be quiet!" he said as he kissed her and shut the door.
The drive home was peaceful. He held her hand as he drove with her head on his shoulder, placing the occasional kiss on his neck.
He pulled into her driveway and turned off the car. He felt Sara's head lift from his shoulder and he turned his head to meet hers in a kiss. It was gentle at first but soon became one of passion and hunger. It was beyond her imagination. Here she was in Grissom's car, necking like a teenager. They pulled apart for a desperate breath of air.
"Grissom ... I'm scared. I don't wanna leave this car," she whispered a lump forming in her throat.
"Why?" he asked.
"I'm afraid that the second I get out of the car, 'this' is going to be over. That tomorrow I am going to wake up and you will have no recollection that tonight ever happened. That you are going to think we made a mistake"
He hung is head and sighed.
"After three years of being here you should know that 'this' could never be over. Sara, we have only started, there is no way in hell I'm going to forget tonight. Ever. I never want to. The only mistake I ever made was pushing you away and ignoring this. Sara, I'm scared too. I love you so much and I don't want to lose you." he said almost tearful.
"I love you too Grissom," she said kissing him with all the passion she had.
They pulled apart and looked into each others eyes. They both knew it was time.
"Sara ... I know I told you to get used to chivalrous behavior but if I get out of this car and walk you to your door I don't think I could stop there." he said
She placed her hand on the side of his face.
"Who said you would have to?" she said kissing him again.
This time he pushed her away.
"I really don't want to screw this up. We are taking this slow," he kissed her quickly "Besides, I like courting you. Makes me feel young."
She laughed
"No one said you were old."
"Okay ... younger."
She smiled and kissed him softly.
"Okay Grissom, slow and steady. We've waited this long." she said reaching for the door.
"Hey Sara... "said holding her arm "Say it again."
At first she was confused, but then leaned back in and kissed him.
"I love you Grissom."
As she turned her head, her hair graced the front of his face. She walked to her door and once it was opened she turned back and waved. Grissom started the car and drove away. She let her back slide against the back of the door. As she looked at the stuffed pig in her hand she smiled and began to laugh.