Chapter 11
Sara met Greg at the car. Handing him the keys, she climbed in on the passenger's side. She was so distracted that she didn't see the shocked expression on his face. Greg's voice didn't penetrate her thoughts at first.
"Sara," Greg said loudly.
"Huh? What Greg?" Sara said with obvious irritation.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Sarcasm fairly dripped from her voice.
"You know Catherine will find out what is going on. Grissom couldn't have done anything too bad. I'm sure this will be straight in a couple of days." Greg's normally cheerful demeanor was subdued.
"Greg, I appreciate the thought, but I'm not sure that Catherine can fix this. I think this is something I may have to take care of." Sara said with a quiver in her voice. She turned her head quickly to the window so Greg couldn't see the tears in her eyes. My God, what is wrong with me? I never cry and that's all I've done today.
Greg thought it wise to keep his questions to himself. After all, the wrath of Sara could be scary and he didn't want it turned on him. When they arrived at the scene Sara seemed to snap out of her fog. She answered Greg's questions and guided him when necessary. The only way anyone could tell something was wrong was the absence of their usual banter.
When they reached the lab Sara left Greg to log in the evidence they had collected and went into the locker room to call Grissom again. She got his voice mail and left another message asking him to call her back. Now, she was not only worried, she was getting angry. She knew he had his phone so why wouldn't he answer it? He's probably not taking my calls again. Sitting disconsolately on the bench, lost in her own thoughts, Sara didn't hear the door open.
"Sara?" Catherine called out.
Sara jumped and pressed a hand over her heart. "God, Cath, you scared me half to death." Sara's voice was breathless and her eyes wide.
"Sorry. I thought you heard the door. Are you okay?" Catherine posed the question in a compassion filled voice.
Sara's eyes filled with tears that she angrily wiped away. "I don't know. I can't get Grissom to answer me. I'm not sure what is going on with him. And all I want to do is cry." Sara thought for a minute and continued, "I guess that means I'm not okay, huh?"
Catherine came over and took a seat next to Sara. "You know this is all going to work out, right? Ecklie doesn't have a leg to stand on. He's just blowing smoke."
"What exactly is he alleging? I don't even know, for sure, why Gris is suspended much less what Ecklie is standing on." Sara's words were sharp her eyes wary.
"I think you've figured it out." At Sara's pointed glare, Catherine snapped, "He saw the two of you in the parking lot this morning. He is claiming that you traded sexual favors for your job. He is going to try to fire Gil for sexual harassment. Is that what you wanted to hear?"
Catherine watched the tears spill over Sara's bottom lashes and felt guilty for being so harsh. Reaching out she wrapped her arm around the younger woman and said, "I'm sorry. This has everyone upset. I just feel helpless and I hate that feeling."
"You know this is what he was afraid of for all those years. I practically forced him into this relationship and look what happened," Sara's tear choked voice broke and she buried her face in her hands.
Catherine stroked her hair and whispered nonsense to her as she cried as if her heart would break. After several minutes Sara pulled away from Catherine and sat up. "Thanks. I needed that," Sara said with a bleak smile. "What am I going to do? He won't even answer my calls. I'm sure he's sitting at home reminding himself of why it wasn't a good idea to get involved with me."
Catherine didn't tell Sara that Gil was doing just that. Instead she said, "Why don't you go? Go to him."
Sara shook her head. "No, I've got a case to work and…"
Catherine interrupted. "Greg can handle it. If not, I'll be here. Go to him, Sara. He needs you."
Sara's head snapped around and she stared incredulously into Catherine's eyes. "Thank you." At Catherine's puzzled expression she elaborated. "Thank you for saying that even if he doesn't believe it."
"Go," Catherine said as she stood up. When she reached to door, Catherine turned and said, "Don't believe everything he might say tonight. He's hurt and angry but he loves you. Let me know if I can do anything." With that she left the locker room in search of Greg.
Sara slowly gathered her things and left the lab. The drive to Grissom's was the longest she had ever made. Her mind was tumbling, moving faster than the speed of sound. Every moment of her time with him played like a motion picture behind her eyes. Every kiss, every touch and every glance were running through her head. There was a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach and her hands trembled. How was she going to face him? He must hate her. She had put everything he had ever worked for in jeopardy because she couldn't take no for an answer. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face blurring the street signs and traffic lights. As she turned into the driveway and hit the remote for the garage Sara noticed that Grissom's house was completely dark. Parking her car, she left herself into the house.
As she closed the door behind her she called out his name. Flipping on a light she went in search of Grissom. She found him in the living room, sitting in the dark, staring at nothing. "Gris?" she asked in a tentative voice. "Are you okay?"
"Why are you here, Sara?" Grissom's weary tone made Sara's heart melt.
"I couldn't stay away. I need to know that you're alright." Sara walked over to the couch and perched on the edge of a cushion. She didn't touch him for fear he would reject her.
"Do you think I'm alright? I have been suspended or haven't you heard?" Grissom said calmly.
"Yeah, I've heard. You know this won't stick Gris. Ecklie is full of shit," Sara said emphatically.
"Is he now? Which part did he get wrong, Sara? The part about me kissing you? The part about me asking you to pick up something for dinner?" Grissom raised his voice to match hers. "If my memory serves he got nothing wrong. This is exactly what I was afraid of."
His last words were like hammer blows on her soul. "I'm sorry. I never meant for this to happen," Sara said around the lump in her throat. "I'll go if you want me to."
Grissom sat for a moment before turning to look at her. "I think that would be best under the circumstances."
Sara sat there stunned. This was the same man who had made love to her less than eighteen hours earlier. The same man who had washed her and dried her and held her. This was the same man who had wiped away her tears. "Okay," she whispered. Rising from the couch she walked slowly through the kitchen and out into the night.
As the door closed with a deafening click, the first tear slid slowly down Grissom's cheek.