My Best Enemy
Chapter Six
"Sara-."
"Just give me a minute, okay?" Sara didn't wait for an answer.
"Shit!" Dana swore as the bathroom door slammed closed.
Staring at the reflection in the mirror, Sara did not recognize the woman she saw there. Gone was the carefree and vibrant scientist that could barely sleep from restless energy. Her energy was zapped on most occasions as sleep did not come easily these last years. It had less to with anticipation and more about the demons that chased her into slumber. Each afternoon, she frequently woke feeling more lost, unstable and desperate. It made her want to cry.
Time had taken it's toll, She realized as she moved closer to the mirror. Stress lines and dark rings around the eyes, marred her once youthful appearance. Right now, she didn't feel beautiful or remotely worthy of Grissom or Dana's affection. She was a mess.
What happened? Was this a mid life crisis of some sort?
This time yesterday, Sara had a plan. Grissom.
Now, when she was so close to succeeding in her mission, she screws it up? Just like that. After a couple of beers, she's giving her body to another? Willing to ruin the friendship with her best friend and ready to destroy the tenuous relationship she'd spent the last ten years building?
Perhaps, Grissom was wise in his reluctance to commit.
Per his interview room confession, he feared that once they became involved, she would tire of him and seek the next thrill elsewhere. After tonight, the idea no longer seemed so far -fetched. Maybe Grissom could see what she couldn't, what she wasn't willing to see in herself.
Sara had pursued her mentor with vigor - well a decade wasn't exactly vigor. None the less, she had been thoroughly dedicated to the cause. Not unlike any other goal she strived to achieve. Always trying to master the impossible. She could pinpoint this behavior back to childhood.
Early on, it was ice-skating, surfing and the tallest tree, later Tae Bo and sex. Once she got the hang of it, it no longer held great interest for her. Well, maybe the sex. Probably why she chose Physics as a major - science was infinite. Would she move on once she conquered the toughest challenge in her life? One Gil Grissom.
She was close. His walls were cracking and she was steadfastly penetrating every crevice. Was this just a sick game that she'd been playing? Oh God.
She was Debbie Marlin.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Sara admonished to the image, then smashed the mirror with her fist in disgust.
That evening…
Warrick's grandmother taught him many things. Like always be a gentleman and open doors for women and the elderly. She taught him how to play the piano and impressed upon him that a good education can get you far in life. Never sell your soul to the devil, was his favorite but most importantly, she told him to know when to mind your own business.
Which was why Warrick didn't understand why he was parked in front of his supervisor/mentor's front door - uninvited.
Actually, he did know why. The day before, Catherine cornered Warrick in the break room. Seems, Sara was finally fed up with Grissom and was ready to see other people. (Why would she think that she deserved to have a life? None of the rest of the team did.) Catherine also tried to get Grissom to admit feelings to Sara but he wouldn't. (No surprise there.)
This was typical everyday news as far as he was concerned. Personally, Warrick wanted drop them on some deserted island or lock the two in the supply closet together. But why give up a good job?. Besides, it was their business.
It's what he explained to Catherine.
Oh no. Catherine argued. They had a responsibility as friends to help…and Warrick couldn't remember anything after that because Catherine inched up close to him. So close that he could smell her body powder.
One minute he was defending Sara and Grissom's right to privacy, then a tossing of the hair and a few batted eyelashes later, he was agreeing to talk some sense into their boss.
Warrick was removing the keys from the ignition when his cellular phone rang.
"Brown."
"Hey War, I thought you were bringing beer and watching the game over here." Nick sounded disappointed.
"No can do. Tape it and I'll come over in the morning."
"Cool. Hot date?"
Warrick laughed out loud. "Yeah…with Grissom."
"With Grissom?" Nick choked in the telephone. A thought popped up. "War, tell me Catherine didn't send you over there."
"She did." Warrick admitted, questioning his own sanity now.
"Man, you are such a sucker for her! Just so you'll know I'm taking everything."
"What?"
"When you get fired, which will happen the minute you get all up in Grissom's business, I'm stealing all of your new brushes, print powders and lift tapes!"
Warrick disconnected the call, then reached into the back seat and snagged a six pack of beer. If he was going down, he might as well go all out!
Sara's Apartment…
"Sara! Sara, are you okay?" Dana was pounding on the door. "Answer me damn it or I swear, I will kick this door in! Sara!"
Sara opened the door in a daze.
"What did you do? Jesus, Sara!" Dana grabbed a clean towel from the shelf and her wrapped her bleeding hand. "Shit! I'm so sorry, Sara. Why'd you do this?"
Sara stared in fascination as droplets of blood began to congeal on the vanity. She wasn't sure why she did it. Maybe, she was having a nervous breakdown because suddenly, nothing made sense anymore. She was confused and questioning her purpose in life.
"The cuts, they all look superficial. Don't think you'll need stitches. Where is your First Aid kit?" She began to rummage through the cupboards when Sara did not respond. "Look, I fucked up. I should have realized…I should have know that you weren't serious…" Dana held Sara's hand still as she cleaned the cuts. "I accept responsibility for my actions - but you've been leading me on for weeks, Sara." She capped the antiseptic and began to apply bandages. "I know you've got a thing for Grissom…I can't compete with that…but I'm here and I think we have something special. I felt it and I know you feel it too."
Sara kept her gaze down, refusing to acknowledge Dana's words.
"You know what, Sara?" Finished and pissed that her heartfelt admissions where being ignored, Dana slammed the supplies back into the kit. "This isn't fair and I don't deserve your silent treatment. When you're done being a bitch, you know where to find me."
Sara listened as the bathroom, then her front door slammed in succession.
Inside Grissom's townhouse…
Grissom was mulling over Catherine's earlier words when the doorbell rang. Surprised, Grissom stepped aside to let in Warrick.
"Hey Griss."
"Warrick? Everything okay?" He wasn't use to anyone but Catherine showing up at his home without an invitation and he rarely extended them.
People are building a family around you with or without your permission.
Another wise statement from his dear, meddling friend. He studied Warrick's posture. Something was…off. The younger man seemed to be troubled. Maybe he needed to talk or just some company. Well, probably both since he had a six pack in his hand.
"Uh, sorry to barge in."
"It's no problem. Have a seat."
"Thanks." Warrick sat down after handing his offering to Grissom.
Grissom accepted the beverages then slipped two of the cans from the plastic rings. He handed one to his guest, kept one for himself and placed the remaining four into the fridge.
"You had dinner yet, Warrick?"
"No, actually I haven't. What do you have?"
"I could throw some steaks in the oven." Grissom suggested, now pleased to have company.
"What ever happen to that grill you bought last year?"
"Never used it. I think it's in the garage."
"How about, I go dig it out and make us dinner?" The younger CSI offered.
"You are my guest. I can prepare dinner, Warrick."
"It would mean a lot to me if I could cook for you, Griss."
That did it. Suddenly the moment was overwhelmingly sentimental leaving both men feeling emotionally vulnerable. Warrick felt momentarily guilty for coming over with a hidden agenda but he meant what he said. Grissom had made a huge impact in his life and he was grateful. Grissom was Warrick's only male role model and he loved the man like a father.
"I'd like that." Grissom agreed finally and took a hefty swig of his beer.
Warrick 'discovered' Grissom's new gas grill - new as in 'still in the box' new. He insisted on making dinner solo. It gave him time to work up the courage for the conversation that brought him there in the first place.
Dinner, which consisted of grilled salmon, roasted vegetables and potatoes, was eaten in companionable silence, each man lost in thought.
"Warrick, dinner was great." Grissom praised, a while later.
"Thanks. Are you in love with Sara?" No sense in beating around the bush.
Grissom's hand stopped midway to his drink.
"I don't think that's any of your business."
"So, you're not in love with Sara?"
"Warrick-."
"Good, cause I was thinking of asking her out."
Grissom couldn't hide his shock. It wasn't like he didn't realize that other men were attracted to Sara- he just didn't think that Warrick was one of them. Grissom leaned back in his chair deflated - thirst forgotten.
Sara, Warrick and Nick had always gotten along well and bantered constantly, but Grissom assumed it was more of a sibling rivalry type situation or so he thought.
He eyed Warrick wearily. Warrick was young, very attractive and truly a nice guy. He would do right by Sara. If Warrick was seriously considering courting Sara, Grissom would never be able to compete. He had waited too long. Grissom sighed out loud once again in defeat.
Warrick watched as Grissom mentally withdrew. "Grissom?"
"Are you serious, Warrick?"
"No, but not because I've never thought about it."
"What kind of game are you playing here?" Grissom demanded. "Sara deserves to be happy. She needs someone who will love, honor, cherish and appreciate her. Sara's beautiful, honest…look, if you're seriously interested in dating Sara-."
"Slow down, Gris. I said that I wasn't."
"Why not? There's no one else like Sara. She's-."
"Gris. Grissom, stop." Warrick waved a hand to stop his boss' angry ranting. "There's nothing wrong with Sara but it will never happen. One, because I'm not her type. Two, I'm into someone else already. And three, she's already in love with someone."
"What do you mean, you're not her type? If you're talking about race-."
"I think you know me better than that, Griss and Sara too for that matter. I meant that Sara's obviously into older men."
"Obviously?" Grissom cocked his head to one side in confusion.
"Figures." Warrick rolled his eyes at Grissom's oblivion. "Yes, Sara's into men in their late forties, definitely on the shy side and seriously into bugs."
Warrick waited for acknowledgement to sink in. It didn't.
"Christ Grissom! Sara is in love with you!"
"I- I think you're mistaken." Grissom stammered, suddenly feeling the urge to make busy with his hands.
"I got it." Warrick said standing to gather their plates. "And I'm not mistaken."
Grissom didn't know what to think. He knew that he was in love with Sara, that was a given. However, Sara hadn't shown any concrete signs of returning his feeling for a long while now. Sure, they used to flirt and touch here and there. But that was before Hank, before the lab explosion, before the dinner invitation. He recently thought maybe he still had a chance, but lately she'd been going out, seeing other people. Her flirting wasn't mutually exclusive amongst them as Grissom once thought. "I think you've got it wrong."
"Okay. Let's pretend that Sara's not in love with you, even though we know that she is but just say that she isn't, though we know that's not true." Warrick suggested after placing the dishes in the sink and returning with two cups of coffee.
"Warrick." Grissom warned.
"Why did Sara come to Vegas?"
"You know why. To investigate Holly's murder."
"And to investigate me, twice. I know that part, but that is not my point."
"And your point would be?"
"Wasn't Sara employed? Didn't she have family, friends or an apartment in San Francisco?"
"I suppose."
"You suppose? Grissom, man really. Sara dropped everything to come here."
"I needed someone I could trust."
"Uh hmm. And there was no one in Clark County or the state of Nevada, for that matter, that you could trust?"
"I don't see what this has to do with anything." Grissom complained, uncomfortable with his friend's line of questioning.
"You never do. I'm just saying, Sara gave up a lot to come here because you needed her. What have you given up for her? Sara wants to be with you. Do you want to be with her?"
Worn down by years of denial, the lack of sleep and his colleague's persistent interrogations and probing into his personal feelings, Grissom surrendered. "More than you can imagine." He finally admitted, "I would do anything for Sara."
"That's good to know, but I'm not the one that needs convincing."