Geeky Kind of Christmas 2/8
The crew finished decorating the break room which now looked like a Winter Wonderland. To everyone's surprise they actually noticed a change in the attitudes at the lab. Each person who walked into the break room smiled and gasped at the sight before them. Hell, even Ecklie cracked a smile when he grabbed a cup of coffee.
The rest of the shift flew by. Everyone had been assigned their own cases. Gotta love the holiday crime season. Nick, Greg, Catherine and Sara were walking in the parking lot after shift laughing at a story Nick was telling when they reached their group of cars.
"Catherine I know your busy getting Lindsey to school, but guys you wanna grab some breakfast?" Sara asked.
"Can't Sara sorry. The girlfriend's got French toast waiting for me," Greg said rubbing his stomach.
"Gotta pack Sar, sorry," Nick frowned.
"No problem guys. I'll catch ya later," she smiled.
"See ya tomorrow Sara," Greg said as he and Nick hopped in their cars and drove off.
"I still can't believe you didn't tell me you were spending Christmas by yourself." Catherine said.
"I really didn't think it was that big of a deal. I have been doing it this way for years. It's really okay Catherine," she smiled
"You're still more than welcome to come with Linds and I," she smiled.
"I'll be fine. Speaking of Lindsey, you better get going if you're ever going to get her to school on time," Sara said climbing into her car.
"You heading home then?" Catherine asked.
"Yeah, I got some stuff at home for breakfast. I'll see ya later Cath."
"Okay, be careful honey," she said closing Sara's car door for her.
Catherine waved as she drove away. As she was about to climb into her car, Grissom came running out to her.
"Hey Catherine did Sara leave yet?" he asked.
"Yeah that was her. She just left."
"Damn. I needed to catch her before she left."
"Something wrong?" Catherine asked
"Kinda. I just got a call from the director and Sara's got ten days of paid vacation that she has to take by the 30th. We've already lost one day by coming in tonight. I don't want her to lose anymore," he said.
"Wait, what do you mean 'we've'? As in Sara and I?" Catherine said getting excited.
"No, as in Sara and I. And with everything that has gone on with her this year the director made it mandatory. As for me, well, if I can get Sara to take me up on my offer to spend the holiday with me, I wanna spend all that time with her."
"You really love her don't you?" she asked.
"Yes I do," he replied quickly, " I love Sara Sidle," he repeated more officially.
"Feels good to say it out loud doesn't it?" Catherine asked.
"It really does," he smiled.
"Well then go get her killer! I guess that leaves me in charge till I leave right?"
"Yeah, thanks Cath," he said.
"The things I do for love," she replied.
Grissom kissed her cheek before rushing to his car to make is way to Sara's house.
Sara's Apartment
When Sara got home she immediately changed out of the confines of her work clothes. She was much more relaxed in her blue pajama pants that were decorated with white snowflakes and a plain white spaghetti strapped shirt. She padded barefoot to her kitchen until she reached the cold tile floor. She walked back to the bedroom turning up the heat on the thermostat as she went.
She grabbed a pair of socks from the drawer and placed them on her feet. It had been a long day and she was a little wired from her shift. The last thing she wanted to do was head straight home by herself. But everyone was busy and she really didn't want to burden anyone by trying to force the issue of hanging out with her.
Truth be told the last thing she wanted this time of year was to be alone. It was her own fault really. She had been invited to everyone's holiday plans. Everyone except Grissom that is. 'Probably because he thinks I'll assume he wants something more from me than just friendship' she thought. It was better this way anyway. She hated being the third wheel.
On her way back to the kitchen she flipped on the TV for a little background noise while she made breakfast. She settled on the news while she pulled a pan out of her cupboard. She had just opened the fridge when she heard a knock at the door.
"Coming!" she yelled heading to the door.
She looked through the peephole and smiled as she opened the door.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey," came Grissom's reply.
They stood there for a few moments. He was still in his work clothes, while he thought she looked adorable in her snowflake pants.
"Can I come in?" he asked.
"Oh … yeah … I'm sorry Grissom. Come on in," she said stepping aside allowing him to enter her apartment.
"What brings you here?" she asked shutting the door.
"I actually wanted to talk to you," he said becoming nervous.
"Sure. I was just making some breakfast. You want some?" she smiled at him.
"Whatcha makin?" he said taking a seat at a bar stool so he could watch her move in the kitchen.
"Hash browns and a omelet with cheese, mushrooms and green peppers."
"Sounds perfect. If you don't mind that is," he said.
"Not for you," she smiled "So, what did you wanna talk to me about?" she said chopping some mushrooms.
"Oh um … " he started
"I'm sorry, did you want something to drink? I've got some orange juice. Extra pulpy," she smiled acting as if extra pulpy was the greatest thing on earth.
"Sure," he laughed.
"What's so funny?" she asked pouring him a glass.
"You."
"What did I do?" she said placing the glass in front of him.
"You're just to cute," he said looking into her eyes.
When she didn't respond, Grissom thought he ruined it all. Just when he was going to apologize he felt Sara's hand cover his. He felt her thumb brush over the top of his wrist but as quickly as he felt it, the feeling was gone as Sara went back to chopping the veggies.
"You needed to talk to me about something?" she said breaking the silence.
"Yeah, um … you have ten vacation days that you haven't used."
"So."
"You need to use them by the 30th or you will lose them. You already lost one today by coming in. So, technically you have nine."
"Give them to someone else. I don't want them," she said.
"I wish I could, but the director said he is making it mandatory for you. He talked with your counselor and they both agreed that this would be good for you."
"I don't believe this!" she said setting the knife down.
"I'm sorry Sara, but until the 30th you cannot come into work."
"What the hell am I supposed to all by myself till the 30th! It's bad enough I have to spend Christmas alone, they go and throw another week into the equation! Happy Holidays to Sara Sidle," she said on the verge of tears.
Grissom stood from his seat and made his way into the kitchen.
"I'm in the same boat Sara. They are making me take my days too," he said standing in front of her.
"Okay, but at least you're not spending Christmas alone!"
"No ... I'm not."
She scoffed and rolled her eyes. Grissom took one of her hands in his, while his other hand took a place under her chin lifting her head to meet his gaze.
"I'm spending it with you," he said.
"But Grissom your mom ... "
"Is in Tahoe with her boyfriend. Well, soon to be fiancé I guess you could say. Anyway, there is nothing I want more than to spend every waking moment of our time off , that's including Christmas, with you."
"Really?" she asked as a tear found its way down her cheek.
"Really," he said with is eyes never leaving hers.
Grissom leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss. It was the first kiss that Sara had waited for for so many years now and it was finally happening. She was about to deepen the kiss when Grissom pulled away.
"I believe that I was offered breakfast," he smiled.
"I can think of much better things you can do with your mouth besides eating," she leaned up trying to kiss him again.
"Plenty of time for that later," he replied.
"Easy for you to say," she pouted.
"No Sara ... it's not," he whispered in her ear, "Now," he said placing his hands on her shoulders and turning her around to face the stove, "Breakfast woman! I'm hungry!" he kissed her neck before letting her go making his way to the couch to watch some TV.