"Damn it where is that black bikini?" Sara muttered to herself as she tried to put her things together.
It's been only three days until the trip and she just couldn't seem to get anything together. She finally found the bikini stuffed into one of the dresser drawers and threw it on the bed behind her, without looking, when she spotted a yellow one. She took it out and held it up.
'Which one should I take?' She threw it behind her back hoping it was going to land on the bed, as she picked up the schedule Grissom had given to them only today and read through it again. From what she could see, their time has been very carefully planned.
'What do you wear to things like these?' She went to her closet, pulling out a little black dress and smiled to herself, thinking of the comment Nick had given her when she had worn it to work for her court date a couple of weeks ago. She took it off the hanger and put in on the bed. Little black dress would always come in useful.
The phone rang and stumbling over her suitcase, Sara and ran to get it.
"Hello?" She said breathlessly into the phone, slightly annoyed at the interruption.
"Sar? It's Nick. What's going on?"
"Oh Nick! Hey! I was just trying to get all my things together for the trip. What's going on with you?" Sara said into the receiver, as she walked back into the bedroom, pulling out more clothes and piling them on the bed.
"Not much. Got your bikini packed? Grissom will be expecting that, you know."
"Not funny. Is there a point to this call or are you just going to harass me?"
"Yeah, I have a point. I was getting ready to go to the diner and get a bite to eat. Do you want to come?"
Sara glanced at the huge pile of clothes on her bed and then thought about being alone with Nick. She couldn't get him out of her mind in the last few weeks. He was really getting to her. Then she thought about how Grissom has been hinting around about a dinner date. Although to Grissom a dinner date would probably consist of the rest of night and swing shifts together! Sara rolled her eyes at the thought and rubbed her forehead.
"Uh...I don't know Nick. I've got a lot to do still and..."
"Come on Sara, you got three more days to worry about that. If I know you as well as I think I do, then you've got a pile of clothes on your bed that will last you for a month and you're deciding on whether or not to take the black bikini or the yellow one. I vote for the black, but hey, that's me. So what do you say?"
"Alright alright, I'll meet you in about ten minutes. I'll take a water to drink."
She hung up the phone and started to get changed.
It was Wednesday night and Nick was walking to the locker room to get his things and get home when Grissom stopped him in the hallway.
"Nick? Come and see me before you go, okay?
Nick nodded absent-mindedly and went to grab the rest of his stuff. Warrick, who was changing his clothes, nodded in Nick's direction, when he walked in.
"Heard about that bug thing Grissom is making you go to. Sorry 'bout your luck, man."
"How bad can it be? Sit through a couple of lectures and then go relax on the beach. I'd much rather be doing that than pulling a double here. At least down there I'll get to see some hot chicks in bikinis or maybe wearing less than that." Nick commented with a grin as he opened his locker.
"Now that's tight. Just don't forget condoms bro, that's all I'm going to say. I know your reputation with pretty girls..."
"Already got it covered, two boxes in the bottom of my bag"
Warrick burst out laughing. "Damn man, you won't get that lucky."
He patted Nick on the back.
"Seriously though, have a good time and bring me back one of those hot babes."
"Yeah yeah, you'll see. Those will be gone by the time I get back. Bet you 20 bucks."
"Oh, you're going down, man!" Warrick laughed, as they shook on the bet.
Nick grabbed his things and went into Grissom's office to see what else he had forgotten to tell them about the trip. His former supervisor was sitting at his desk, going over a case file and upon seeing Nick, he gestured him to have a seat. He closed the file and took off his glasses.
"Here is the complete schedule and I expect you to be there for everything."
He put emphasis on the last word and Nick almost laughed. Grissom handed him a sheet of paper and Nick looked it over quickly.
"That certainly is a busy schedule." Nick commented with a long sigh.
"Nick, stop whining. We'll be staying for the whole week so bring enough clothes and whatever else to last the duration. I've already spoken with Sara about the sleeping arrangements..."
Nick's head shot up. "Sleeping arrangements?"
"Yes. Now seeing that I'm the honorary guest this year", Nick raised his eyebrows at Grissom as the entomologist tried not to sound too proud, but with little success.
"that means that each one of us will get an individual room, with beautiful views and some excellent facilities. That's what the brochure says anyway."
"Oh man, and here I was so looking forward to be bunk mates with Sara!"
Grissom shot him a death glare, but said nothing.
"Also, as I should have probably mentioned, most of the lectures will be held at the Convention Centre, as you've probably gathered from the schedule, bur some of them will actually take place at the hotel we'll be staying at, Sheraton Falls."
Nick nodded.
"Is that everything?"
"Yes, I believe so. Be at the airport at no later than 7:30 and we'll meet in front of the baggage area. So any questions?"
"No, everything's crystal clear. I'll see you in the morning." Nick smiled and walked out of the office.
Grissom got up and started to wrap up everything, before Nick's voice caught him again, from the doorway.
"Oh, Griss? One more thing? I take it we've got the evenings off, right?" He half-joked, with hopeful look on his face.
Grissom opened his mouth in to reply, but decided against it, instead shaking his head in amusement. Trying to give Nick his most serious look, he held his gaze for several seconds, before his expression turned to wide grin, spreading across his features.
"Yes, Nick, after the lectures you're free to do whatever takes your fancy!"
"Hey, Grissom, you're always welcome to join me, you know?"
"Careful, Nicky", Grissom replied with another grin. "Might just take you up on that offer. Now go home already!"
Watching Nick leave, Grissom's decided to call it a night, too. He got up and wondered whether Sara was still around. She has always said goodnight to him before she went home, so he figured that she was probably still around.
It wouldn't surprise him in the least.
He walked down the hall, when realising that she was probably in the evidence room, most likely going through the new batch of evidence she gathered from the house in her investigation.
Getting closer, he heard music coming from the inside and quietly entered the room. Sara looking down at clothes, spread out in front of her on the table, as she filled out the labels to go on a sample for trace.
'Was she dancing?' Grissom stood and watched her for a few seconds, gentle smile playing on his lips. He must have made some sort of noise, because suddenly Sara turned around and jumped, rushing to turn off the CD player.
"Interesting choice of music you have here. Who were you listening to?" Grissom walked over to Sara, oblivious to redness in her cheeks.
Sara felt very self-conscious all of a sudden and couldn't understand why. After all, Grissom had been closer to her before, so why should now be any different?
"Oh that...that was Amerie...song called Touch. I'm sorry if it was disturbing everyone. It was kinda getting too quiet here. So...what are you doing down here anyway? I thought you'd have left by now?"
Sara turned around and tried to concentrate on her work. Grissom looked slightly amused as he noticed Sara's sudden nervousness.
" I was just gonna ask you the same thing, actually. I came to remind you to be at the airport no later than 7:30 in the morning. Nick and I would wait longer but I don't think the plane will. So you may want to be getting your case file over to Sophia and get home."
He glanced down at his watch and realized he should probably be doing the same, as it was already midnight.
"It's pretty late, Sara."
"Uh...sure...yeah I'll do that now, actually. Thanks. Goodnight, Griss."
Giving Grissom small smile, Sara rushed out of the evidence room. Once she was out in the hall, she exhaled loudly. What was wrong with her? Grissom didn't normally make her this jittery. She walked down to the breakroom and ran into Catherine.
"Are you okay Sara? You seem kinda…jumpy." Catherine said, concerned, eyeing Sara suspiciously.
"Yeah I'm fine. Just tired. Was going to hand this case over to Sophia but I can't seem to find her." Sara replied, glancing towards the evidence room, over Cath's shoulder.
"Well, I can give it to her."
Sara handed her the stack of files.
"Thanks, Cath."
Taking a sip of her coffee, Catherine eyed Sara with envy.
"So... You'll be quite busy over the next week, huh? Grissom…Nicky…what more could a girl ask for? Well, have a good time!"
Catherine laughed and walked out of the breakroom, leaving Sara staring after her in bewilderment and shaking her head.