Grissom cleared his throat and decided to make it as official as possible.

"Sara, Nick, have a seat. Oh, Nick, can you close the door, please?"

Sara's gaze shifted from Grissom to Nick, who looked as puzzled as she felt. Considering Grissom's somewhat formal greeting, Sara gathered that this must have been about more than just the case.

Closing the door behind him and slipping into the chair, next to Sara's, Nick suddenly looked uncomfortable. Grissom sensed their discomfort and decided to get the thing over with.

"Nick, Sara, I called you both in here, because it has come to my attention that neither of your files shows the required number of conference hours."

"Conference hours?"

Sara sounded baffled. That wasn't what she expected at all. Nick, on the other hand, was actually slightly bemused, but his best effort at trying to hide his smirk has not escaped Grissom's attention, but he continued, nonetheless.

"Anyway, seeing as there is a conference in two weeks, organised by the Entomological Society of America, Catherine and I decided that it would be the perfect opportunity for the two of you to get your records up to date, as well as taking the advantage and get into the circles of the most recognised experts in the field of forensic entomology."

"Entomology, huh? So, I'm guessing we won't be going alone?" Nick quipped.

Grissom smiled at his comment.

"Smart man, Nicky. Yes, I will be going, too. I try to never miss any of their annual meetings." He added proudly.

"A conference, Grissom? So, how come you've not mentioned it before?"

Grissom had expected Sara to come up with a question like that, but she caught him off guard, as always. He hoped she hadn't noticed his hesitation, when his hand, in which he's been holding a pencil, has stilled for a second.

"I decided that it would be best if the two of you didn't have know about the actual event, until absolutely necessary."

"Uh-uh!"

Sara still looked unconvinced and Grissom hoped she wouldn't suspect he had any other reason than what he'd just admitted! Whether he actually did, was another story.

"So, what, you just decided to tell us now?"

Grissom heard Sara exclaim, perhaps a bit louder that she'd intended. He could tell she wasn't too happy about it, but wasn't sure whether he did pick up a slight note of teasing in her voice. He looked at her, but her eyes stared back at him, displaying almost no emotion. Nick, meanwhile, looked a bit lost in his thoughts and Grissom quickly brought him back to reality, in his 'I'm being the boss here' mode.

"Nick, you and Sara do not need to worry about your time off or the cases you're not going to be able to complete. Catherine will look after yours, Nick, and Sara..."

Grissom hung his voice, causing her to look at him.

"Sofia will look after yours."

Sara shot him a glance, which could only be described as a 'So now you're telling me she's gonna take my place at the lab?' She definitely wasn't happy now.

"Whatever."

Nick glanced at Sara worriedly. He knew certain things were bothering her, and Grissom wasn't helping, by bringing Sofia up. He sighed, knowing full well that the trip probably wasn't gonna be a walk in the park. To be honest, he wasn't sure what to expect at all!

"So, okay then." Nick clasped his hands and looked at Grissom.

"A week off work sounds good to me. Isn't it great, Sar?"

Nick glanced in Sara's direction, but she stared at Grissom, with a defensive look on her face. She pursed her lips, looking as if she wanted to say something back to him, but stopped herself at the last moment. Both men suddenly became aware that Sara wasn't gonna make it easy for either of them.

"Is that all?"

Sara stood up, and put her hands in her coat pockets, eyeing Gil as he leaned back in his chair, holding her gaze, longer that Nick would have liked.

"Nick and I have a lot of work to do, haven't we, Nicky?"

"Yes, Griss, so when are we going, anyway?"

"We're flying out next Thursday, I'll get you the itinerary. Oh, and guys..."

His voice stopped them in the doorway.

"Don't forget to pack your swimwear. Florida is very hot this time of year."

Sara gulped loudly and Nick's hand froze on the doorknob, both turning around at the same time. Grissom gave them the most innocent look he could muster under the circumstances, before raising his eyebrows with a rather suggestive smile.

"Aren't you guys gonna work?"

Grissom turned to his files and tried to hide his smile, as Sara and Nick walked out of his office speechless, both of them contemplating the imminent trip.