"The Beginning of Spork Love"
Chapter 2
Summary/Spoilers (chapter 2): The first true date. The restaurant Grissom and Sophia are eating at is the one in "Pledging Mr. Johnson".
A/N: Sorry for the long wait – bad case of writer's block and real life. I'm working on the last chapter now.
A/N #2: Since they haven't mentioned it on the show, I made up Sophia's mother's first name and what unit she worked in.
A/N #3: Kudos to April from the csicurtis Yahoo group for her suggestion of Sophia's unique hobby.
About a week after the Eiger case was wrapped up, Sophia and Gil went on their first real date. The other times they had been out together in the past month were mainly for work related purposes. Tonight, in contrast, the focus was going to be on Sophia and Gil, not CSI Curtis and CSI Supervisor Grissom.
Unfortunately for the new couple, the lab couldn't be completely ignored. Sophia and Gil had agreed to arrive separately at the restaurant so if one was called in, the other wouldn't be stuck calling a cab home. It would bring up some awkward questions if both CSIs showed up at a scene. Questions that they obviously wanted to avoid, both for professional and personal reasons.
As Sophia got out of her SUV, she looked approvingly at the scenery. The restaurant overlooked Lake Mead. She loved being near the water. One of the few things she didn't like about living in Las Vegas, was the limited access to bodies of water.
Sophia had heard of this restaurant, but had never been there before tonight. Gil had raved about the calamari appetizer. She had been a little taken aback at his enthusiastic description and recommendation. Usually, she only heard that enthusiasm when he was discussing bugs or an interesting scientific finding.
As she walked up the stairs, Sophia wondered if this was a usual place where he brought his dates and questioned why she felt somewhat disturbed by that thought. She wasn't exactly sitting home alone before they started seeing each other, so why was she subconsciously expecting Gil to have been a hermit as far as other women were concerned? Then it dawned on her. She wanted their relationship to be different, to make their own unique memories.
She wasn't surprised to see Gil at the bar. Sophia had already seen Gil's Denali in the parking lot when she pulled up. "Hi, Gil," she greeted him. "I hope I haven't kept you waiting long."
Sitting his drink down, Gil shook his head. He hoped Sophia didn't believe she was late. "No," he answered genuinely, hoping to put his lovely companion at ease. "This place is popular, so I came early. I wanted to be sure we got a table with a lake view."
Sophia couldn't help but smile at how similar their thought process was. "Thank you," she said. When Gil gave her a blank look, she explained herself more clearly. "I love being by the water. I find it very relaxing."
Gil smiled modestly. He was glad Sophia approved of his choice. Tonight was a special night for both of them and he didn't want anything to mar it.
Before he could ask if Sophia wanted something to drink, the hostess approached. "Mr. Grissom, your table is ready."
The conversation between them at dinner was one of the most stimulating that Gil had in ages. Among other topics, they talked about how they came to live in Las Vegas, some of their personal interests, and their families. Gil was surprised to find out that Sophia had spent most of her life in Las Vegas. Sophia was a little envious to learn that Gil grew up near the beach in California. Gil told Sophia of his passion for roller coasters and discovered that when Sophia had the time, she liked to create her own pottery.
It took Gil by surprise to discover that Lt. Diane Curtis of the Missing Person Detail was Sophia's mother. He had worked with her before, but never made the connection between the two women. In turn, Sophia learned that Gil's mother was Deaf and ran an art gallery in his hometown.
After dinner, they went for a stroll along the lake. "This is a beautiful spot," Sophia casually, yet truthfully, remarked. Since the only lights came from the nearby restaurant and the full moon up above, they risked holding each other's hand. She continued her commentary. "I can see why you like to bring your dates here."
Bemusement crept into Gil's expression. Dates? Surely, Sophia was well aware of the rumors around the lab that claimed that he had no social life whatsoever. Gil would be the first to admit to himself that there was more than a little truth to them. However, work wasnot what he wanted to focus on tonight. He'd much rather concentrate on the pleasant time he was having with his charming and attractive companion.
Besides, he was more than a little uncomfortable discussing his deplorable relationship history. Every fiber in Gil's being was screaming to fall into its familiar pattern and change the subject. That was his near automatic reaction when faced with a disconcerting topic of conversation. However, his better nature was urging him to be more outgoing with Sophia. If this relationship was going to work out, he had to at least try to open himself some to her.
"I've never been here with anyone else," Gil replied. He stopped and turned so he was facing Sophia, his left hand still intertwined with her right one. Teasingly, he continued, "And as much as I appreciate your belief that I have a bevy of ladies at my beck and call, my last date was . . . "
The smile faded as Gil thought back. "... about three years ago. We didn't finish it. I was called in." His voice demonstrated mild regretfulness as he continued, "There wasn't a next date."
"Sorry to hear that," Sophia empathized. Being called in while she was on a date was extremely rare when she was on days, but it had happened on occasion. She also had a few relationships that withered away because the man wasn't willing to try and understand what her job entailed. "Her loss."
Gil raised Sophia's hand to his lips and affectionately kissed it. As he did so, he gazed into her arresting blue eyes and responded, "I'm not sorry. It was my gain in the long term."
The implication of those words wasn't lost on Sophia. It was her gain as well, realizing if that relationship had progressed, she probably wouldn't be standing here with Gil now. To show him that she appreciated his sentiment, she stood up on tip toe and brushed his lips with her own.
That light contact was not enough for Gil. He gracefully pulled Sophia up against him and intensified what she had started. He wasn't that inexperienced with women, but it still amazed him how two pairs of lips caressing each other could produce such pleasant sensations.
It wasn't the biological reasons that he was in such awe over. Of course, he understood those. What astonished him was how such a natural and simple act like kissing could make him feel as if there was no Crime Lab, no Ecklie, no anything else except Sophia and himself.
Similar thoughts were passing through Sophia's mind as well. No other man had ever made her feel as though she was the center of his universe like Gil did, especially when they kissed. She was also amazed that, even though she could definitely take care of herself, being in Gil's arms made her feel safe and secure. It was as if she were truly the fair lady to Gil's knight.
As Gil's lips left hers and started to tenderly forge a path down her cheek and neck, Sophia kept her eyes closed and reveled in the sensations he was stirring in her. If I'm feeling this way just from making out – ohhh – am I going to be able to handle it when we . . . ?
Sophia didn't get to finish her thought. The sound of another couple heading their way prompted her and Gil to reluctantly part from each other's embrace.
As they headed toward the parking lot, Sophia commented, "If we keep doing this in public, Ecklie will find out about us on the news." She quipped, "That is, after we've been arrested for lewd and lascivious behavior."
"Then we'll just have to take this somewhere more private," Gil responded with a half-smile.
Once inside her condo, Sophia locked her door and turned toward her knight, who was as eager as she was to continue what had been started by the lake. She took off her jacket and invited Gil to do the same.
After the jackets had been hung up carefully, Sophia guided Gil over to her couch, where they sat down. She maneuvered herself side saddle onto his lap. Gil began to run his fingers through Sophia's hair. Oh, how he loved her hair! So thick, yet so silky. It felt so cool and velvety against his slightly calloused fingers. What was left of Gil's logical mind wondered how she managed to keep it so smooth in the dry Nevada heat.
Their lips met with even more intensity than they had at the restaurant. Hands were beginning to roam, searching for the familiar spots they knew would create the best sensations.
However, the make out session was all too brief. As Sophia tilted her head to allow Gil to kiss and nibble her neck, she noticed the clock on the wall. Is it really that late?
"Gil," Sophia said grudgingly, tapping on his shoulder. "Gil!" He leaned back, a questioning, yet longing, expression directed at his fair lady.
Sophia's own expression was contrite. The last thing she wanted to do to Gil was to get his hopes up, then leave him wanting. "Sorry, I didn't realize how late it was. I have to get up early for court."
Although Gil was disappointed, both physically and emotionally, he understood. "Sure, honey." He helped Sophia get up off his lap. "Rain check?" he quipped as he gathered his jacket and headed for her door.
The smile on her face was all the answer he needed, but she nodded anyway. "That sounds good. Call me?"
Gil smiled and caressed her face. "As soon as I wake up tomorrow afternoon." He opened Sophia's door, then turned and gently kissed her lips. "Sweet dreams, my fair lady."
She returned the kiss. "Sweet dreams to you as well, my knight." Sophia closed the door behind him.
Still a little wound up from what had almost happened between her and Gil, Sophia sat down in front of her computer and began to check her e-mail. She wasn't finding anything that couldn't wait until tomorrow, until she found one from a Captain Landis from the Boulder City Police Department.
Extremely curious, she opened it and began to read.
To be continued ...