Chapter 8
Days turned to weeks and weeks to months. Sara and Grissom's relationship flourished. Before either of them realized it they were practicallyinseparable. Neither of them being the giddy type, they didn't have tickle fights in the hallways or hold hands in the break room. It was more of a quiet contentment.
They hadn't spoken of their feelings since the day that Sara ambushed Grissom outside his house. There didn't seem to be a reason to. Sara knew he loved her. She could see it in his eyes, feel it in his touch and hear it when he whispered her name in the heat of passion. He made her feel cherished. He filled a space that she didn't know had been empty. Grissom had known for years that Sara loved him but allowing her emotions free reign was better than he could have imagined. She made him feel young and virile. She brought out a playfulness that he didn't realize was inside him. Apart they were two damaged individuals. Together they were emotionally whole.
Their co-workers never asked about the change in their relationship but there were rumors flying everywhere. When Sara Sidle has a smile on her face for months on end something is definitely going on. That in itself might not be enough to start tongues wagging; however, the lack of tension (of the non-sexual variety) between her and a certain entomologist was just grist for the mill. The pair took great care to keep the others in the dark. If anyone had asked they probably wouldn't have denied anything. Fortunately, no one did. They felt comfortable with their secret, so comfortable that they became careless.
Grissom and Sara were the last two from night shift to leave the lab. Grissom had been working on the endless piles of paperwork on his desk. Sara had been called out late and didn't get back until after end of shift. When she noticed Grissom still in his office she stopped to say hello.
Looking up, Grissom said, "Hey. Did you just get back?"
"Yeah, I just got everything logged in. How much longer are you going to be?" Sara's eyes were troubled. "I have a couple of errands and thought I'd run by the grocery store."
"I can stop right now if you'd like some company. If not, I can still stop right now." Grissom smiled at her and closed the file he had been reading. Flipping off the desk lamp he stood up and walked around the desk. "Are you okay?" His voice was concerned.
"I'm okay. It's was just rough dealing with the wife's grief." She had been called to an apparent suicide. The wife had found her husband with half his head missing and she was, understandably, devastated.
Grissom's eyes caressed her face. "Come on. Let's go. You need to sleep."
The two CSI's put on their sunglasses as Grissom held the door for Sara. They walked across the parking lot to their cars which were parked side-by-side. Reaching the cars Grissom stopped at Sara's. "Do you want me to come with you?" he asked.
"No. I need to pick up some laundry and get a few things at the store. But thanks for the offer," Sara responded.
"How about I cook breakfast? I can give you about forty-five minutes and then get started." Grissom offered.
"That would be good. It shouldn't take me any longer than that," Sara assured him. "I'll see you in about an hour."
Grissom leaned down and placed a light kiss on her lips. "See you," he said. When he reached his car he turned, "Oh, Sara, could you get me a steak for dinner? I want to grill so get something for you too. Bye."
As they climbed into their respective vehicles and drove away, neither of them saw Ecklie standing across the parking lot. He had been on his way to court and paused when he saw Grissom and Sara talking by her car. No one could have imagined his excitement at catching the two of them together. He had been trying for years to get rid of Sidle and demote Gil. And like a gift from God, the answer had fallen right into his lap. Smiling, he got into his car. He couldn't be late.
Sara arrived at Grissom's place, pulled into the garage and closed the door with her remote. She grabbed the groceries and went inside. Grissom was in the kitchen waiting on the toast to pop up. He had veggie omelets topped with a little salsa warming on the stove. There were slices of cantaloupe in a bowl and strawberry jam for the toast. He had even made decaf so that they stood a chance of getting some sleep today. Bending to give her a quick kiss, he took the bags from Sara and together they quickly put things away. Sara helped bring the food to the table and they sat down to eat.
There wasn't much conversation. Sara was still preoccupied and Grissom had learned that she would open up when she was ready. When they had finished eating they carried their dirty dishes to the kitchen where Sara began loading the dishwasher. They had fallen into a routine, one cooking and one cleaning.
"Go ahead and take a shower, Gris," Sara said. "I'll be up in just a minute."
"Okay. I'll be done in a few." Grissom ran his hand over her hair and bent to place a kiss on her cheek before heading upstairs.
Sara finishedthe dishesand headed up the stairs. She was bone tired. Not physically but emotionally tired. Reaching the bedroom she heard the shower running and Grissom humming some song she couldn't pick out. She walked into the bathroom and, dropping her clothes in a heap, stepped into the shower behind him.
Grissom turned his head in surprise. "You scared me," he said. He turned to face her and pulled her forward into his arms. Sara clung to him and he suddenly felt her body trembling. "Hey, are you crying?" Grissom asked, tilting her face up to his. "What is it honey?"
"It's nothing, Gris. I'm okay," Sara said and then drew a steadying breath.
"If you're crying then it is something. Tell me, Sara, I really want to know." Grissom released her chin and ran his hands up and down her back in a soothing gesture. Grissom knew that Sara found it easier to talk when she was distracted so he released her and picked up the soap. "You talk. I'll wash." With that he began lathering her body.
Sara stood silently for a moment allowing Grissom's touch to relax her. Then she began to speak in a quiet voice. "I don't know what's wrong. I just felt so sorry for Mrs. Riley. She had a fight with her husband last night and left. She spent the night with her sister. She was coming in this morning to get ready for work and found him. He shot himself in the head. She called her sister and the sister called 911. The poor woman was inconsolable. I overheard Mrs. Riley tell her sister that the last words she said to her husband were 'I hate you'." Sara hesitated before saying, "She kept saying how sorry she was and wondering why she hadn't told him how much she loved him."
"Sara," Grissom said, "it's okay to be upset by that. Nobody likes to see someone suffering."
"I know, Gris, but it's not just that. I just started thinking about us. I never tell you how I feel about you. What if something happened and I never had another chance?" Sara's words stilled Grissom's hands.
"Oh, honey," Grissom said, tilting her chin up, "I know how you feel about me. You don't have to say it." He used his thumbs to wipe away the tears streaking her cheeks. Sara could tell the subject was making him uncomfortable. "Please don't worry about that."
"Grissom, I love you. I need to know that you know." Sara laid her hands on either side of Grissom's face and, reaching up, kissed him. Slowly separating her lips from his she whispered, "Make love to me. I need you."
With a groan, Grissom pulled Sara against him. He held her for a moment then pushed her back gently. "Let's go to bed." At her nod, he turned around and cut off the water.
Opening the shower door, Grissom stepped out and picked up a towel. When Sara stepped out he began drying her body. He moved the soft fabric over her back and arms, across her chest and abdomen and then down her legs. Lifting each foot he dried them thoroughly. Satisfied that she was dry he used the towel to quickly dry himself. Smiling down at Sara he gathered her in his arms. "Oh God, you feel so good." He disengaged himself from Sara's arms and led her into the bedroom.
They came together gently. They spent, what seemed like, hours kissing and touching, their arousal building slowly. When he finally entered her it was like coming home for both of them. The emotions were so overwhelming, her heart so full, that tears formed in Sara's eyes.
Seeing the tears, Grissom stilled his slow thrusts and said, "Are you okay? Am I hurting you?"
"No," Sara said. She brought her fingers up to touch his lips. "I have never been so happy in my life. Please don't stop." Replacing her fingers with her lips she gave Grissom the sweetest kiss either of them had ever experienced.
Grissom resumed his leisurely movements. They were wrapped around each other until neither was sure where he ended and she began. They exchanged deep, soul stirring kisses. Heknew there was nowhere else he'd rather be or anyone he'd rather be with. Sara began rocking her hips against him and moaning low in her throat. That was all the encouragement he needed. Grissom quickened his pace and Sara met him thrust for thrust.He waited until he felt her contract around him before letting himself go. As he spilled his seed inside her body he whisperedear, "I love you Sara, so much."
Grissom lay in the cradle of Sara's bodyuntil his heart slowed and his breathing returned to normal. Rolling to one side he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. A few minutes later Sara climbed out of bed and headed to the bathroom. She returned with a warm cloth and proceeded to help Grissom clean up. She climbed back into bed and snuggled into Grissom's side. They were asleep within minutes.