Chapter 9
Sara and Grissom had gotten up about 8 o'clock. There was something very comforting about waking up next to someone. Grissom had grilled the steak that Sara had picked up for him, along with the salmon she got for herself, while she took care of things in the kitchen. The hominess of the scene wasn't lost on either of them. As they were eating dinner, Sara commented on needing to go to her place to shower and pick up clean clothes before work.
"We need to consider doing something about that," Grissom stated matter-of-factly.
Sara paused with her fork halfway to her mouth. After a moment she lowered it to her plate and said, "Excuse me?"
Grissom, seeing her stunned expression, tried to clarify. "We spend almost every day together anyway. It's just not logical for you or me to have to drive across town to change clothes. I've just been thinking about it." Seeing that she was still starring at him like he had grown a second head, he started stammering, "But if…if…uh…you don't…um…think it's…a good…um…idea then…" Grissom trailed off with a shrug.
"No, it's not that" Sara said. "I've thought about it too. I'm just not sure we're ready," she said thoughtfully and then added quickly, "I mean, living together implies a certain amount of commitment. Not to mention that we haven't 'acknowledged' our relationship to our friends. I don't want to put any pressure on you. Things are going well and I don't want to screw it up by moving too fast."
"If I weren't ready I wouldn't bring it up." Grissom stated the obvious with his eyebrow quirked and lips pursed. "You know me better than that."
"Okay, you're right. It's just that I'm shocked. Tell you what, let's talk about this tomorrow. I don't think we have time to come to an agreement today." Sara reached over and laid her hand on Grissom's thigh. "Bug man you never cease to amaze me." Her smile was radiant.
Placing a kiss on Sara's lips Grissom said, "I could say the same for you."
For the rest of the meal they talked about lighter topics. When the dishes were done, Sara gathered her things and got ready to head to her apartment. Grissom walked her to the door and kissed her goodbye. "I'll see you at work. Drive safe."
Sara got in her car and opened the garage door. Starting the engine, she gave Grissom a wave and a smile and backed out.
Grissom arrived at the lab ahead of Sara. He stopped at reception to pick up his messages. Whistling under his breath he headed down the hall to his office. He was puzzled to see the door already open and the light on. He was even more puzzled to see Conrad Ecklie standing behind his desk. "Conrad? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be somewhere sucking up?"
"I would watch my mouth if I were you." The smirk on his face looked almost painful. His only concession to the fact that he was supposed to be off work was that his tie was loosened. "I came by to tell you that you are being placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into your relationship with CSI Sidle."
"What?" Grissom's shock was evident. "What relationship are you talking about? She is my subordinate."
"Well, unless I'm mistaken, you don't kiss all of your subordinates in the parking lot. Nor do they all pick up a steak for your dinner." Ecklie did everything except rub his hands together in glee. "I have waited a long time for this, Gil, and I just want to say thank you."
"You have waited for what? Sounds to me like this is personal and has nothing to do with the lab." Grissom had walked around his desk and now had Ecklie practically pinned against it. "Who made the decision to suspend me?"
"I made the decision. That is my job after all. I am director of the lab in case you've forgotten." Ecklie's words were strong but his eyes were nervous. "Now, before you do something you will surely regret, I suggest you leave."
"Fine," Grissom spat, "but let me assure you this isn't over. I'll be appealing this first thing in the morning." With that he turned and stormed out of the office, back up the hall and out the front doors. Climbing into his car her pulled out of the parking lot. He was so caught up in his thoughts he didn't even see Sara turning in.
Sara pulled into a parking space and got out of the car. She stared in the direction Grissom had gone with a puzzled expression. Wonder what he's up to now? Maybe he forgot something. Shrugging she proceeded to clock in and drop her stuff in her locker. When she got to the break room she paused at the sight of Ecklie standing in Grissom's normal spot.
"What's going on?" she asked as she walked through the door and over to the coffee pot. "Where was Gris going?" Looking around she could tell that the rest of the team was just as confused as she was.
"Have a seat Sara," Ecklie said, "I'll explain it to everyone at the same time." When Sara had taken a seat, Ecklie cleared his throat and addressed the group. "Dr. Grissom has been placed on administrative leave." When they all started talking at once, he held up his hands for silence. Gaining their attention he continued, "Catherine will be interim supervisor. You will all report to her. Now, I have the assignments for tonight." He passed them out pairing Sara with Greg and sending Nick and Warrick out alone. Finished with that he said, "Catherine, I need to speak with you. Let's use Gil's office." Turning, he walked out of the break room as if he hadn't just dropped a bomb.
"What the hell is going on?" Sara asked. "What does he mean by administrative leave? Why? For how long?"
"Yeah," the three guys chimed in, each tying to talk over the others.
"I don't know but I intend to find out. Until I do, please just hold it together." With that Catherine left the break room and went looking for Ecklie.
Nick looked over at Sara and asked, "What's going on? And don't give me that 'I don't know' crap. We know that you and Gris are very close."
"What? What makes you think I know anything you don't?" Sara asked. She chose to ignore the implication of his words.
"Come on, Sara," Nick continued, "we all know you guys are involved. Just because you haven't said it doesn't mean that we haven't figured it out. We all got the same 'follow the evidence' speech as you."
Suddenly something clicked in Sara's mind. Up until that moment she hadn't considered the possibility that this could have anything to do with her. But what if it did? That had been Grissom's greatest fear. Oh God, how could they have been so careless this morning, kissing in the parking lot?
Warrick saw the change in Sara expression and said, "Come on, Nick, let's go. Catherine will find out what's going on. Leave Sara alone."
"Whatever," Nick said with a disgusted tone. "Let's go."
The two headed out of the break room leaving Sara and Greg behind. "Greg, meet me in the car. I need to make a phone call."
"Okay," Greg said. "Sara, everything's going to be fine." He gave her a lopsided smile and went to get his stuff.
Sara opened her cell phone and dialed Grissom. It rang several times before going to voice mail. When the beep came Sara said, "Hey. I know you're there. Please call me. I need to know what happened. I'm worried about you."
Grissom was sitting on his couch with a drink in his hand when he saw Sara's name pop up on the caller id and deliberately let the call go to his voice mail. I can't face her right now. This is exactly what I knew would happen. How could I have been so stupid?