Disclaimer: Don't own them
A/N: Thanks Cybro for they great beta job.
Chapter Eight: The Party
Sara sat on the plane in between Grissom and Kevin. She was nervous about going back to Vegas, but they decided that it would be easier for them to get married in Vegas that it would be San Francisco. So there she sat in between the two men who loved her and loathed each other. "Who are you going to ask to stand up with you, Warrick or Brass maybe?" She turned to look at Grissom.
"I think maybe Jim, he and I have been friends for ages now. What about you?" Grissom turned to Sara.
"Oh, uh... I never really thought about it... maybe Nick, I don't know..." Her mind wasn't all there. Kevin nudged her on the arm and she tried to ignore it. Kevin had been different lately. She wanted Kevin up there with her, but at the same time she wanted one of her friends to be there; she thought back to what had happened months before, but shook it off. "I'll get back to you." Sara just stared across Grissom, out of the window. It would only be a few more minutes until they land; maybe then she would be able to think straight.
He could see her mind wasn't there fully. He knew it had to be hard for her; but he knew everyone was eager to see her. The team wasn't the same without her, Vegas wasn't the same without her. He took her and rested his head next to her ear. "You know, I think Greg would like to standup with you. I think he would look best in a dress as well, don't you think?"
"What? Oh... I... no..." Sara cleared her throat, "Sorry, heh... it would have to be Catherine...I mean, sure, we aren't the best of friends, but she has been there for me when I needed her. Like when Hank.." Sara didn't want to talk about Hank, so she changed the subject, "Wait, have you thought of a place for our honeymoon yet?" Sara gave Grissom a wide grin.
"Well Jim has something planned. He says it's a surprise and is a gift from him and the team."
"Oh," Sara put her hand on her stomach, which was doing flips.
Grissom could see she wasn't really listening to him. "He said they were going to send us to Antarctica, where we will stay in an igloo."
"That's nice, I heard the weather was good this time of year," Sara simply stated.
Kevin rolled his eyes and took Sara's other hand. He knew she was scared to go back. He had seen that look a million times over. "It will be alright Sara, I'll be right there with you."
Soon, they felt the familiar feeling in the pits of their stomachs; they were landing. Sara was thankful. She felt a little sick and thought that if they had to stay up any longer, she would have had to lock herself into the small closet of a bathroom for the remainder of the flight. The sound of the wheels of the plane woke Sara from her thoughts. When she jumped, Grissom was there to hold her hand. For the first time in a long while, Sara noted she was happy.
Brass was waiting for them as the three left the baggage claim area. He hugged Sara tight in his arms. "So I hear you're stealing Gil from us." Letting go of her he looked into her eye. "California has been good to you Sara. You are positively glowing." He pulled her into a hug once again. "So I take it he is your brother?" He let go of her and extending his hand to Kevin.
Kevin gave Brass a firm handshake. Brass looked him in the eye. 'Kevin doesn't seem as bad as Grissom described...' Brass thought. Grissom had told Brass the reason he had a bruise on his face when he came back. He told him about the argument that lead to it, and what he had done after it. Grissom broke Brass's train of thought, "Well, I guess I need to start getting my office packed up, ya know?" They left the airport.
"Right, well, I will go stay a hotel. Just point me in the direction." Kevin turned to Sara and starred in her eyes. "I will stay away, just let me know when the wedding is." He was still upset about the two getting married. He felt as if his little sister was settling on someone who truly didn't love her. He knew he had to really start to attempt to get along with Grissom now. After all the man was going to be his brother in a matter of days; but no matter what, he is the father of his niece or nephew.
"Kevin, you shouldn't have to st--"
Kevin interrupted her. "Sara, I want to... plus... I've never been to Vegas- Well, that once... but ya know how that went. I want to explore a little, and... I know you two need your time alone, so... I might as well.." Sara knew that Kevin was right. She was kind of happy that Kevin was going to stay in a hotel. He could enjoy himself and Grissom wouldn't be near him. Sara didn't want anything to interrupt this wedding, even if it was her own flesh and blood. No, she had waited too long.
Grissom and Sara entered his town house shortly after dropping Kevin off. "I must get to the lab and start to pack."
"I can pack here if you like." She looked around the nearly empty house.
"Sara, I think the others would like to see you." He placed his hands on her shoulders.
"I don't know, Gil."
"Hey, I promise it will be fine. They all want to see you." He turned her to look at him. "What do you say you come help me pack, and then we go to get something to eat?"
"Sure, sounds great." Sara smiled at him then she pulled his lips to hers.
When they pulled apart, they stood staring at each other. It was a change of pace for Sara. Chasing just to end up in the lead. It felt good; she thought of it as a new freedom. One she could reach out him for at any time. As long as her and Grissom could keep this up, she was free. Sara could kiss him when she felt like it, she could embrace him, touch him, be with him, and she could smile again. That was one thing she missed from before: smiling.
The drive to the lab seemed to take longer than the flight, and just like on the flight, her stomach tightened. She had her hand over her mouth trying to push down the sickness. She leaned forward, turning on the air. She leaned her head back against the head rest as she closed her eyes. When she felt the car come to a stop she opened her eyes. The lab was straight ahead, that made her feel even worse. She knew she had to go in, because the sickness was taking its toll, and it was a matter of time before she wouldn't be able to control it.
"Are you ready? I think that they are waiting." Grissom stated simply. Oh, sure, it was easy for him. Grissom gave her hand a gentle squeeze, hoping to cheer her up in any way that he could. He knew it wasn't easy for her, but the team would have to see her again eventually. Might as well get it over with. Grissom got out of the car, walked around to the other side, and opened her door for her.
Sara got as far as the door before she stopped. "I don't think I can do this." She took a few steps back, while starring at the door. She didn't know if it was the nerves or the hormones stopping her. "I just don't know." She walked back to the car and leaned against it. She stood there for a few moments with Grissom by her side. "Do you think I'm being stupid, because I'm scared what people will say? I mean I've never cared before, but now…" She placed her and on her stomach. "Can we not tell them about her just yet?"
"Whatever you want, honey..." He put a hand on her back, "Sara, they really do want to see you. You can take as long as you want, but eventually, even if it isn't until the wedding, you will have to see them... I mean, you might as well get it over with." Sara knew Grissom was right so she inhaled deeply before nodding and walking forward. It had to be done.
They walked through the doors and it was unusually quiet. The halls and the labs were empty. Grissom gave Sara an odd look as thought he was wondering what had happened to everyone. He could see her start to tense up. "You feeling alright? We can stop at the restroom if you'd like." He knew it was almost time for the morning sickness, this was really late afternoon sickness kicking in.
"Um, no it is okay." She told him even though she felt a lot like locking herself away in the bathroom. She felt a sense of home being back, but felt uneasy at the same time. No one was there, it seemed. That was probably the only reason why she felt uncomfortable. She remembered a time when she practically lived her days away in the lab. It looked and felt so different now.
"Grissom." Ecklie came around the corner and starred that him. "Could you follow me please." It wasn't really a question or a request but more like a demand. He turned around and started to walk away. "Oh." He quickly turned back to them. "Miss Sidle, you should see this as well, since you're the reason he is leaving." He led the couple down the hall and to the Break Room.
Grissom and Sara stopped dead in their tracks when they saw what was before them. Surprises and congratulations were being shouted into the air as they entered. There was a surprisingly large cake on the table, and what seemed like the whole lab gathered around it. Grissom's eyes widened. "Hey guys!" Catherine was the first to go over to them. She gave them both bear hugs, Grissom first of course. Nick followed, then Greg, and finally Warrick. Ecklie decided against any physical contact and stood back watching.
"Sar." Warrick took her hands. He didn't know what to say to her. He wanted to tell her he was sorry for everything, but he knew they all had to move on. He could see something different in her eyes. "Did you do something different?" He smiled when she shook her head. "It's just you so look so much more beautiful than I remember." He pulled her into another hug then released her. "Come on girl, lets get you a drink." He pulled her away from Grissom.
Catherine approached Grissom once again. "Gil, something is different about Sara. She doesn't seem as enthusiastic as usual." Grissom just watched Sara. He didn't want to reveal to Catherine that Sara was pregnant. He also didn't want her to think that Sara wasn't happy, because he knew she really was. Even happier than before they were together. Catherine walked away without acknowledging her leave.
Catherine went and stood next to Nick. "What's wrong?" Catherine looked at Nick, while she questioned him.
"Is Sara acting funny to you? I mean, she isn't herself." Nick could see something different about her but couldn't pinpoint it.
"I agree, there is something different."
"Maybe it's because of what happened," he shrugged
"No that's not it. Well, not all of it. There is something else."
"Yeah I guess."
"I'm sure we will find out before they leave."
"Maybe, I think I will go and talk to her," Nick sighed. "You know when my sisters acted weird like this, they were pregnant." He walked away not really realizing what he said.
The surprise party went on for a couple hours, and Sara felt the morning sickness settle in. Catherine was watching her curiously and she knew something was wrong when Sara whispered something to Grissom and briskly walked out of the room in the general direction of the bathroom. Catherine felt guilty for following Sara, but she just had to. Her curiosity got the best of her. She knew what was going on as soon as she entered the bathroom.
