Chapter 5
Pulling up in front the hotel, Sara and Grissom climbed out and retrieved their cases. As they headed toward the entrance Grissom placed his hand at the small of Sara's back. Brass saw them coming out of the elevator and waved them over. Grissom kept his hand on Sara, in an unconsciously possessive gesture, while Brass went over the details of the case. As the two walked away Brass was puzzled. What was with the touching? Usually they are at each other's throats about something.
Grissom and Sara were processing the body when Catherine and Warrick arrived about half an hour later. The temperature in the room seemed to drop by twenty degrees as soon as the pair walked through the door. Grissom looked up and said, "Sara, I'll be right back. Warrick, would you start dusting for prints? Catherine, can I speak to you in the hall please?"
Catherine nodded and headed out the door with Grissom following. Leading her away from the officers gathered just outside the door, Grissom said, "Cath, I was wrong and I'm sorry. What can I do to make it up to you?"
"Gil, I'll be okay. However, apologizing to me isn't going to change anything. I hope you apologized to Sara too." Catherine stood with her hands on her hips; head cocked to one side and waited on Grissom's answer.
"I just want to make sure that we're still friends. And, for your information, I did apologize to Sara too." Grissom smiled at the shock on Catherine's face. "What? I know when I'm wrong. Come on, we've got a scene to process."
"You didn't send her another plant, did you?" Catherine asked.
"No, I didn't send her another plant. It was a little more personal this time." With that he walked away without noticing the bemused expression on Catherine's face.
Brass stopped Grissom just outside the door. "Is everything okay?" He couldn't remember ever seeing Grissom stop processing a scene for, what appeared to be, a personal conversation.
"Yeah, what could be wrong?" Grissom seemed truly puzzled by the other man's question.
As the two CSI's entered the room, Brass turned to David and said, "What's going on around here? Is it just me or are they all acting a little weird?"
David, who, having determined approximate time of death was waiting for Grissom's crew to finish; shrugged and said, "Beats me. They're always a little weird." He then followed them into the hotel room to find out when he could take the body.
After finishing up, the four CSI's took the elevator down together. The sun was coming up when the four parted in front of the building. As soon as Sara and Grissom were in the car she asked about his conversation with Catherine. "Is everything okay? Did you apologize?"
Grissom snorted (in a very un-Grissom-like manner) and said, "You two are amazingly alike sometimes."
"Who? Catherine and me? No, I don't think so." Sara's tone was defensive. After all, the two women had had their share of disagreements. The tide could turn either way depending on the day of the week.
"Yes, you and Catherine. She wants me to apologize to you. You want me to apologize to her. You can both stop worrying. Okay?" Grissom reached over and touched Sara's hair. His voice was soft when he said, "There are worse things than being compared to Catherine."
"I know, Gris. I didn't mean anything by it. It's just…" Sara shrugged helplessly.
Warrick waited until they had followed Grissom away from the casino before asking Catherine if everything was okay. At her nod, he smiled. "Good. You had me worried. I don't think I've ever seen you cry before. I didn't like it very much."
"Thanks. I don't know why he got to me today. Sorry if you were worried." Catherine smiled at him. "Wait, did you see that?" Catherine said, pointing out the windshield.
"See what?" Warrick asked looking at the vehicle in front of theirs.
"Nothing, I must be imagining things." Catherine shook her head a smile playing around her lips. No way did she see Gil run his hand over Sara's hair on 'company' time. It wasn't even a possibility.
After making sure that all their evidence was secured Sara stopped by Grissom's office. Standing in her usual position she cleared her throat to get his attention. "I'm going home now. You do realize shift is over, right?"
"Yeah, I know. I just have a couple of reports to finish and sign. I'll probably be another hour." Grissom's blue eyes held her gaze as a smile parted his lips. "I'll call you when I get home. Okay?"
"Okay. I'll talk to you later." With a wave Sara turned and headed to the locker room. Once she had gathered her things she headed out to get in her car. Seeing Catherine in the parking lot she called her name. "Hey. Are you okay? I understand that our fearless leader gave you a rough time this morning."
"Yeah, I'm okay. I…uh…I just want you to know that I'm happy for you." Catherine reached out and grasped Sara's hand. "Just please don't hurt him. He's very vulnerable right now and you could crush him."
Sara laughed mirthlessly. "I could crush him? You've got to be kidding. After everything I've put up with, you question my intentions?" Her voice was clipped and her eyes angry.
"No, Sara, that's not what I meant. Believe me we have all seen what you have been through. It's just that Gil isn't one to let anybody in. I don't want either of you hurt any more." Sincerity dripped from Catherine. "Look, maybe I should go. I can't seem to get anything right today. I'll see you tonight." With that, she turned, got into her car and drove away.
Sara walked over to her car and headed for home. She stopped on the way to get a few things at the grocery store. When she reached her apartment she changed into her pajamas and headed back to the kitchen to put things away. Just as she finished stowing the last of her groceries her cell phone rang. Smiling, she answered it. "Hey bug man."
"Hey, Sara, what are you doing?" Grissom asked.
"I was putting away some groceries. How about you?" Sara's voice was soft.
"I'm just thinking about getting a kiss from my favorite girl." Grissom teased.
"Oh really. Do I know this girl?" Sara said laughing.
"Yeah, I think you do. She works with me you know?" Grissom chuckled.
"I heard that. Are you sure that's a good idea? What will people think?" Sara said, her voice suddenly turning serious.
"Tell you what, open your door and I'll show what I think about other people." Grissom said quietly.
"What? Where are you?" Sara asked walking to the door and pulling it open. A smile lit up her face as she asked, "Come in." They both closed their phones as she stood back to let Grissom pass and closed the door behind him. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see you." His simple statement had Sara's heart melting.
"I'm glad. I wanted to see you too." Sara said. She gestured toward the living room and asked, "Do you want to sit down?"
"No. I really can't stay that long. I'm afraid that if I sit down I won't want to leave." Grissom said. "It seems that I'm finding it harder and harder to be away from you." He reached out and stroked a finger down her cheek. "I just needed to see you before I head home."
"That turn down is the sweetest I've ever heard." Sara stepped closer to Grissom. "Okay, you've seen me, now what?"
Grissom closed the gap between them and took her into his arms. He pulled her to his chest and held her. Burying his face in her hair he inhaled deeply. "Ummm, you smell good. It drives me crazy sometimes." He nuzzled her ear and whispered, "You feel so good."
Sara wrapped her arms around Grissom's waistand snuggled into his chest. She felt cherished, protected and, somehow, safe. She knew that she would never willingly let go of this feeling. Raising her head she placed a kiss on Grissom's neck just below his jaw line. She brought one hand up and laid it over his heart. Tilting her head back she smiled up at Grissom. "Are you sure you have to leave?"
"Sara," Grissom groaned, "I can't tell you how much I want to stay. But if I don't go now I won't be able to. We agreed to go slow. I don't want to mess this up." His smile was tender and his eyes clear. The look on his face stole her breath.
"Okay. No pressure, I promised. If you can't stay then kiss me so I can get some sleep." Sara brought her hand up behind his neck and tried to pull him down to her.
Grissom stopped just above her lips and said, "Not can't, Sara, won't. There's a difference, you know?" With that he covered her lips with his. Sara wound her fingers through his hair and, as the kiss deepened, he ran his hands up and down her back in a sensual caress. Finally, he slid his hands down to grip her ass and pull her against his growing erection. His move elicited a moan from both of them.
Releasing her lips, Grissom eased Sara away from him and smiled at her. "I really have to go now. Sleep well. I'll see you tonight." With that he turned, opened the door and walked out into the sunlight.