Disclaimer: ALL characters belong to CBS. No infringement is intended, as this story is written for fun only. Any additional characters will be mine or I may borrow a few from some of my fellow fanfic writers.
Summary: This story details Conrad Ecklie's plan to destroy Dr. Gil Grissom's life. He secures the services of Ms. Sophia Curtis to systematically destroy Dr. Grissom, beginning of course with his relationship with CSI3 Sara Sidle (I gave our Sweet Sara a promotion).
Author: Christiangirl (AKA Sharon)
Spoilers: Mea Culpa (Sort of), Unbearable and a little Let the Seller Beware
Rating: PG-13
Chapter Four—Sara's Newfound Freedom/Grissom's DilemmaAs Sara sat on the bench in the locker room at the end of her shift, she heard the unmistakable voice of CSI-3 Nick Stokes.
"Hey, Sidle," Nick shouted out in a faux official voice. "What's this, sleeping on CSI's time?"
"By the way," Sara began in reply, "my shift's ended and I was NOT sleeping on CSI's time. After Sara's comment, both she and Nick broke out in heavy laughter. Nick was glad to see the new attitude that Sara was sporting.
"What are your plans tonight, Sara?" Nick asked.
"Jason asked me to go to dinner with him." Sara replied smiling, truly glad that someone felt that she was worth the risk. Just then, Sara glanced down at her watch and realized that if she didn't get a move on, she would be running late for their dinner.
"Oh, Nicky, I'd better get going or I'll be late for me and Jason's night on the town," Sara replied. "You have a great night, okay? Is Warrick on tonight?"
"No, Warrick's off tonight," Nick began, "it's Cath and me tonight. I don't want to hold you up, scoot! Oh, and have a great night out, you deserve it."
"Gee, thanks, Nicky," Sara began, thinking that Grissom had suggested the same thing a few months ago, though wording it differently. With that, Sara gave Nick a weak smile as he made her way out of the locker room.
As Sara made her way into the lab's corridor, she looked at her watch and gave a sigh of relief. She was glad that she worked the dayshift. She was able to avoid one Dr. Gil Grissom, as his shift wasn't due to start for another two hours. She was also able to avoid the annoying Sophia Curtis. Just as she was rejoicing over the fact that she wouldn't see Grissom for another two hours, it was very short lived. Just as she was heading home, she happened to past the break room, she saw Grissom sipping on some coffee and concentrating on a crossword puzzle. Sara hoped that Grissom was too caught up his puzzle and she hoped he didn't notice her as she zipped past the break room. However, her hopes were dashed as she heard his voice, which was thick with hurt.
"So, that's how is going to be, Sara," Grissom began sadly, "so you're just gonna leave without so much as a 'hello', is that right?"
"Hello, and now goodbye, Grissom!" Sara spat out her response.
"Sara, please wait," Grissom pleaded with Sara. "Don't leave, we really need to talk, that's why I came two hours before shift. We have to settle this 'thing' between us."
"Grissom," Sara began, "I really appreciate the fact that you want to settle things between us, but don't you think it's a little too late for that?"
"Too late?" Grissom replied stunned. "I don't understand what you're saying, Sara. What do mean it's too late?"
"Well, Grissom," Sara began smiling at him with sad eyes. "It seems to me you've already made your decision when you took Sophia on a dinner date. And God knows what else happened between you two. So, I'm tired of running after you and trying to figure you out. It's time for us to move on, Griss. I've done it and so can you." Sara lied.
"So, I guess I can't talk you into going out to an all night diner with me tonight, huh?" Grissom asked Sara with the saddest expression she'd ever seen in anyone's eyes.
"It looks that way," Sara replied. "Now, Griss, I really need to get going, okay?" With that, Sara practically ran from Grissom's presence before she broke down.
Jason Willoughby's Wise ObservationAs Jason and Sara sat at the restaurant in the Ocean Tide, Sara couldn't help but be grateful that Jason chose a restaurant in Pahrump Valley, which brought some thoughts from the past. She didn't want or need to chance one of her coworkers, especially Grissom stopping by while she was on her date with Jason.
Sara and Grissom's Conversation in the Past
"Night," Sara said to Grissom as she stood in the doorway to his office.
"Goodnight, Sara," Grissom began, "hey, nice work on the high school case." After a long, awkward moment, Sara decided to continue their brief conversation.
"I'm sorry I missed your page," Sara began apologetically. "It's just that you tell me to get a life, then I do. Then you expect me to be there at a moment's notice. It's…um…confusing."
"How long have you've been in love with him?" Jason asked, jolting Sara out of her thoughts.
"Him? Him who?" Sara asked, eyes wide.
"Your boss, Grissom," Jason replied gently. "How long have you've been in love with him?"
"What made you ask me that question, of all questions to ask?" Sara asked.
"Well," Jason began gently; "I kind of figured it out during the time we were working on that serial murder case."
"Well, yes I am," Sara began, smiling wistfully.
"I knew this was too good to be true." Jason replied sadly.
"You don't have to worry about that, Jason," Sara replied, sensing the sad gleam in Jason's eyes. "I'm working on getting over Dr. Gilbert Grissom. I know it'll be a hard thing for me to do, but I've got to do it."
"You know, Sara," Jason began apologetically, "I don't want to rush you into anything. I know how deeply you care for Dr. Grissom, but I also can see the love he has for you."
"If you believe that Grissom loves me," Sara began, "then I've got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. Besides, he's never even said it to my face and he seems to never be able to say anything to me. He made his decision to see one Sophia Curtis. So it left me no other choice but to move on with my life"
"You mean the blonde bimbo from dayshift?" Jason began, his mouth twisted in disgust. "She's what we guys call a cheap trick. From what I heard it was just a business dinner. Sophia was looking to quit CSI, so Grissom may have been trying to convince her to stay on."
"What source did you get your info from?" Sara asked.
"I overheard Captain Jim Brass talking with my boss, Special Agent Winston Hartley." Jason replied.
"Hey, whatever happened to Special Agent Rick Culpepper?" Sara asked attempting to change the subject. The last thing she wanted to do was talk about Grissom with a man she was attempting to start a relationship with.
"Well, in answer to your question," Jason began, knowing what Sara was trying to do. "Special Agent Culpepper was transferred to FBI in Alaska. Now, back to our original subject." Jason would have continued, but Sara interrupted him.
"Look, I realize you want to help me," Sara began warily, "but me talking about Grissom isn't going to help me get over him. I want to put all that happened between Grissom and me behind me, okay? I need to move on with my life, surely he has. I deserve that much."
"Okay," Jason replied reluctantly. "You're right, Sara, you do deserve to move on." Just then, their waiter arrived with their dinner. The waiter looked upon Sara's natural beauty and stared at her a bit longer than was necessary.
"Boy, did you see the way the waiter looked at you, Sara?" Jason asked. "It looked as though you were a meal on the menu."
"Are you mad?" Sara asked, remembering the days when she and Grissom went to a restaurant while she was a graduate at Harvard University. She remembered the waiter ogling her boldly and the uncharacteristic way Grissom threw their menus back at the waiter.
"Well, no, not really," Jason began, "it just shows me I've got great taste if someone else was interested in you. But, more importantly, I have you and he doesn't."
Sara was taken aback by the confidence that Jason had in himself. It was refreshing not to have to always watch whom she was talking with or whom she allowed in her personal space. Whenever she and Grissom worked on a case together and if any young man merely extended greetings to her, Grissom had a fit.
As they left the restaurant, Sara invited Jason to her apartment. She wanted Jason to hold her. She was lonely and she wanted to be held by someone who thought she was worth the risk.
"Hey, Jason," Sara began, "how about a nightcap?"
"Sara," Jason began sadly, "I would love to share a nightcap with you. Heck, I want to make love to you, but you're not ready." Jason would have continued, but Sara angrily interrupted him.
"How dare you tell me what I'm not ready for!" Sara replied. "You know what, forget that I even asked you that." Sara would have continued, but Jason gently interrupted her.
"Look, Sara," Jason began soothingly, "I didn't mean to hurt you, nor am I attempting to tell you what to do or feel. It's just that I can tell that you haven't really settled your feelings for Dr. Grissom. I don't want to rush you into another relationship, knowing that you still have feelings for Dr. Grissom. I'm not for one-night stands, Sara. When I get involved with a woman, it'll be for the long haul. I'm not going anywhere, or at least I don't plan to. We can take our time to get to know each other. We need to be sure that what we're feeling is the real thing."
"Okay, Jason," Sara began apologetically, we'll do it your way. We'll take it one day at a time. I'm sorry about snapping at you."
"No problem, Sara," Jason began smiling sadly. "Well, I'd better get going, I have a very early shift tomorrow and I don't want to go nodding at my desk. That wouldn't bode well for me."
"And it wouldn't be a great career boosting move, huh?" Sara added, offering Jason a small smile. With that, Jason watched as Sara exited his car and headed towards her apartment building. Once he was sure she entered safely, he drove off.
2am – Sara's Apartment
Sara heard a consistent knocking sound. At first she thought she merely dreamt she heard the sound, but quickly realized that someone was actually knocking on her door. She hesitantly got out of her bed and threw on her robe and kicked her Scooby Doo slippers on her feet.
'Who could be at my door at this time of night?' Sara wondered angrily to herself. As she looked through the peephole, she groaned inwardly upon seeing the person on the other side of her door. She threw the door open, revealing a Dr. Gil Grissom smiling tentatively.
"What are you doing here, Grissom?" Sara asked in exhausted exasperation. "Didn't I tell you that I didn't want to go out to dinner with you?"
"Well, yeah, you did," Grissom began nervously, "that's why I brought dinner to you. I hope you don't mind."
"No," Sara sighed, feeling her resolve breaking down, "come on in. Is that Moo Goo Gai Pan that I smell?"
"Yep, it is, Sara," Grissom smiled, knowing all too well that Moo Goo Gai Pan was Sara's favorite Chinese dish. "It's vegetarian style."
"Thanks, Grissom," Sara replied. "What brings you over here at this hour? And don't tell me you merely wanted to share a meal with me either."
"Well, Sara," Grissom began blushing profusely, "I just wanted to be with you. I missed the good times we had in the past. I guess I was selfishly hoping that we could try to work things out, be friends again. I'm not going to try to get back to the way we were at Harvard and later in San Francisco, though that would be nice."
Silence descended on Grissom and Sara like a blanket, but it was the comfortable silence they experienced in the past. As they finished their meal, Sara led Grissom to the couch where they watched Cold Case Files on A&E.
As they sat on the couch, Grissom looked over at Sara with longing eyes. He then wondered how they got to where they could barely tolerate one another's company. He thought about ways to regain what they had in the past.
Grissom immediately thought about the first time that he ever had an intimate relationship with a woman. He was 35 years old at the time. It was a great night for him that extended to a year.
The First Time's A Charm (Grissom and Sara's past)Grissom and Sara left the tiny little diner down the street from Sara's apartment. As they walked the down the street, Grissom entwined his hand in Sara's. The moment their hands touched, they could both feel waves of what felt like electricity flowing through their entire being. They continued to walk in comfortable silence, which was broken by Sara asking Grissom a question.
"Gil, did you ever make love to a woman before?" Sara asked, causing Grissom to be stunned.
"W-w-why would you…um…ask that question?" Grissom stammered, therefore giving Sara an answer to her question.
"Well, because," Sara began blushing slightly, "I've never heard you talk about previous girlfriends and stuff like that. Most of the guys I've dated always seemed to want to brag about their sexual prowess in bed."
"Um…well, Sara," Grissom began, mildly irritated, "that's sort of personal. I don't wish to speak about that."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you, Gil," Sara began and, sensing Grissom's reluctance to speak about his past, she decided to change the subject. What about those Boston Red Sox?"
"Sara, I'm a virgin," Grissom began blushing in embarrassment. "I'm 35 years old and I haven't had an intimate relationship with a woman. Does that satisfy your morbid curiosity?"
"Gil, there's no reason to get upset with me." Sara replied, obviously hurt by Grissom's harsh tone. "It's sort of refreshing to find a guy who hasn't been around the block more often than not." Just then, Sara positioned herself in front of Grissom and placed a chaste kiss upon his lips. "I've wanted to do that the first day I laid eyes on you, Gil." With that, Grissom growled into their kiss, as he could no longer contain himself. He seized control of her lips and kissed her with a passion he didn't realize he was capable of.
"Sara," Grissom began, "we can't do this. You're my student and you're much too young for me." Grissom would have continued, but Sara gently interrupted him.
"Yes, Gil, I am your student," Sara began, "and that can change, but this feeling I have for you can NOT be changed. And before you say it, this is NOT just some school girl crush I have on my teacher. This feeling is real and Dr. Grissom, in case you hadn't noticed, I'm over 18 years old and I do know what I want. In fact, I'll be 21 years old in a few short months."
"Yeah, in September, correct? Grissom asked.
"Yeah, that's right, Bugman." Sara replied smiling her trademark gap tooth grin. She was so pleased that Grissom remembered her birthday. "You remembered!
"Of course I did," Grissom began smiling, "how could you ever doubt me. Bugman? I like that nick-name, but only you can call me that."
"Well, Gil," Sara began, "are you going stay with me tonight?"
"Sara, let's wait," Grissom began. He would have continued, but Sara interrupted him.
"Wait for what, Dr. Grissom?" Sara asked in exasperation. "You want me and I want you, so I don't see a problem, do you?"
"Sara, you're 20 and I'm 35," Grissom began, "I'm 15 years older than you."
"So that's it? It's my age that bothering you, Dr. Grissom?" Sara asked in heated exasperation. "Well, Dr. Grissom, I thought you'd want to spend your last night with me. Well, I guess I was mistaken. Goodbye, Dr. Grissom." With that, Sara snatched her hand from Grissom's grasp and headed for her apartment, slamming her door hard.
Grissom just stared after her, wishing he had the courage to go after what he truly wanted. He sighed and walked to the local Cab Company and went back to his hotel room and packed for his trip back to Las Vegas.
One Month LaterGrissom was called to the lab at CSI-San Francisco to consult on a case of a body found in the Chinatown section of the city. The case called for an entomologist.
As Grissom entered the lab, he was greeted by one of his former professors, Dr. William Beasley, director of the lab at CSI-San Francisco.
"Hey, Gil," Dr. Beasley began in greeting, "how was your flight?"
"I really couldn't tell you, Bill," Grissom began, "I slept through most of it."
"Did you get a chance to check into your suite?" Grissom nodded an affirmative answer to Dr. Beasley's question. "Is it comfortable? If not, Gil we can get a better room for you." Dr. Beasley would have rambled on, but Grissom cut him off, laughing lightly.
"Hey, Bill, calm down," Grissom began, "the room is fine. In fact, it's great." With that, Dr. Beasley led Grissom to his office to discuss the dynamics of the case.
A few minutes later, Dr. Beasley introduced Dr. Grissom to the team that was working the case. There were two men and two women on the team. After they exchanged pleasantries, Dr. Beasley and Dr. Grissom took their leave.
As Dr. Beasley and Dr. Grissom were walking down the hall, Grissom heard someone calling his name. It took some time to recognize the voice as that of one Sara Sidle. Grissom quickly turned around and when he saw Sara, he immediately forgot where he was and ran towards Sara, lifting her up and swinging her around.
"Wow!" Sara exclaimed happily. "That was some greeting."
"Sara, I didn't know you worked for CSI-San Francisco." Grissom replied in excitement.
"You should've known, Dr. Grissom." Sara began, "because after all, you were the one that recommended me for this position."
"Well, Sara," Grissom began, "you did apply for more than one lab position. How was I supposed to know which one would come through?" The last comment earned Grissom a good-natured jab in his side from Sara.
"Watch it, Buster!" Sara exclaimed in mock anger. "Or I'll be forced to bring you in."
"Sara, you're criminalist, not a cop." Grissom replied smugly. "So, I guess you won't be brining me anywhere."
"Hey, Dr. Grissom," Sara began, "how long will you be in town?"
"I'll be working on this case for at least three days," Grissom began, but I took an extra two weeks for vacation. Why do you ask?"
"No reason," Sara began, "just curious I guess."
"Hey, Gil," Dr. Beasley began, bringing an end to the impromptu reunion between Dr. Gil Grissom and CSI Sara Sidle. "We've got to get to study the insects."
"Yeah, right," Grissom replied blushing slightly, as he realized he must have looked like a teenager in love. "Sara, see you later?"
"I'll be here until at least 5pm tonight." Sara replied. "Nice seeing you again, Dr. Grissom. With that, Dr. Beasley and Dr. Grissom got into Dr. Beasley's Hummer and left for the scene.
Later that day, Sara rang Grissom's hotel room. The phone range four times.
"Dr. Grissom." Grissom responded into the phone's receiver.
"Hey, Dr. Grissom," Sara began tentatively.
"Hey, Sara," Grissom began, "what's with this Dr. Grissom stuff? My name is Gil when we're not at the lab. I'm glad you called. How would you like to go out to dinner with me tonight?"
"Sure, Gil," Sara began happily. "Where, and what time should we meet?"
"Well, I was thinking that I could pick you up, if you don't mind." Gil replied, hoping that Sara would allow him to pick her up from her apartment. After a long moment, Sara spoke again.
"Yeah, sure, Gil," Sara began, "that'll be great." With that, Sara gave Grissom directions to her apartment and disconnected their call.
A Beautiful Gift for Both Grissom and SaraNearly two weeks later, Sara sat in her living room reading an interesting article in one of the forensic journal. As she continued reading there was a knock on the door of her apartment. As Sara opened the door, she noticed an older man holding in his hand a large bouquet of flowers.
"Does a Ms. Sara Sidle live here?" The deliveryman asked.
"Yes," Sara replied, taking a deep breath, "I'm Sara Sidle."
"Sign here, please, Miss," the delivery man replied, handing his clipboard and a pen to Sara. "Who ever sent these flowers must really love you."
Sara smiled as she handed the man his clip board and pen back to him. She gave him a generous tip, which brought a big smile from the man to Sara.
"God bless you, Miss," the man smiled at her, "and may Heaven smile upon you."
"Thank you, sir." Sara replied as the man left the break room. With that, Sara decided to check the card attached to the beautiful floral arrangement to see who her secret admirer was.
"Happy 21st birthday, Sara
Love,
Gil Grissom
Sara couldn't believe that Grissom remembered her birthday. She was pleasantly surprised.
Later that evening, Grissom took Sara to an exclusive restaurant at the hotel he was staying at. They enjoyed dinner and light after dinner conversation. Grissom and Sara had a little too much to drink. Grissom decided to let Sara stay in his room, he would bring her home early the next morning.
Grissom just couldn't take his eyes off Sara. Sara walked up to Grissom and gave him a thank you kiss for their night out on the town. Although the kiss was chaste, Grissom seized the moment and Sara's lips and ravaged her hungrily. He finally realized that he could no longer hold back his strong feelings from her. He scooped Sara up in his strong arms and carried her to the bedroom of his hotel room. He and Sara made love into the wee hours of the morning. Grissom was no longer a virgin. Sara completed him.
Grissom and Sara continued their relationship for a year, as Grissom visited San Francisco quite a few times. True love was brewing between the two science geeks.
Grissom was finally shaken from his thoughts, as Sara called his name.
"Grissom?" Sara began in question. "Earth to Grissom, come in Dr. Grissom."
"Oh, sorry, Sara," Grissom began blushing in embarrassment. "What were you saying, Sara?"
"Oh, never mind," Sara began incredulously, "I can't believe you didn't hear one word I said. Well, that figures."
"I'm sorry, Sara," Grissom began as he closed the distance between himself and Sara.
"That's okay, Grissom," Sara replied breathlessly as she noticed that Grissom was standing in her personal space.
At that precise moment, Sara tried to put extra space between herself and Grissom, but he was just a tad bit too quick for her. He grabbed her by her waist and pulled her close to his body. She could feel his breath tickling her cheek. He began kissing her with such a passion that it nearly knocked her out.
"Sara, I want you and I want you now!" Grissom cried out. "I've been waiting far too long, been fearing intimacy with you far too long and I can't take it any longer."
"What about work," Sara moaned as Grissom kissed her neck deeply. "Don't you have to go back to work soon?"
"Warrick is working over time," Grissom began, "and I asked him to cover for me in case I wasn't able to make it back in time."
"So you had this rendezvous of yours planned out, didn't you?" Sara asked, surprised that Grissom would pull something like this, but she liked it.
Just then, Sara led Grissom to her bedroom, where they made passionate love into the mid morning hours.
After Grissom left to go home, Sara realized that Jason was correct in his observation. Sara was still in love with Dr. Gil Grissom. And although she enjoyed making love with Grissom, Sara realized that it was time to move on. She needed to cut Dr. Grissom loose or she would be forever caught in the one step forward, two steps back game that Grissom played.
As Sara sat in her living room, sipping on some chamomile tea, her cell phone began ringing. She answered it on the third ring.
"Sidle here." Sara responded into the receiver.
"Hi, Sara," Jason Willoughby began, "how's everything going?"
"Everything's going well, Jason," Sara began, "thanks for asking. How's everything with you?"
"Everything's good, Sara," Jason began, "I put in for a promotion with the FBI. It looks really good for us."
"For us?" Sara asked confused.
"Yeah, Sara, for us," Jason began, "I was thinking about it, and I want to try 'us' out. Is that all right with you?"
"Yeah, I'd like that very much," Sara replied, realizing that she had to put Grissom behind her and start anew and afresh.
"Say, Sara, how would you like to go out to dinner with me tonight?" Jason asked. "That would be our way to kick off a new season as a couple."
"Yes, Jason, I'd love to," Sara replied. Just then, her other line on her cell phone decided to ring. "Jason, I have another call, I'll be right back."
"Sidle here." Sara replied into the receiver.
"Hey, Beautiful," Grissom began, his voice filled with joy.
"Grissom?" Sara asked shocked.
"Yeah, Baby, it's me," Grissom began, "Sara, I'm calling to see if you'd like to have dinner with me tonight."
"Oh, Griss," Sara began, her stomach in knots, "I have other plans tonight, I'm truly sorry."
"Oh, all right," Grissom began sadly, "perhaps some other time?"
"Yeah, perhaps." Sara replied sadly. "Griss, I have someone on my other line, may I call you back?"
"Yeah, sure," Grissom began, "take your time, I'll be in for the rest of the day."
"Okay, bye, Griss," Sara replied.
"Later, Sara," Grissom responded sadly. With that, they disconnected their call and Sara clicked back to Jason.
As Grissom laid on the couch in his living room, he got the sinking feeling that something wasn't right, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
'Sara didn't sound at all like herself,' Grissom thought to himself. 'I hope she's all right. Maybe I'll stop by her house later and see what's up.' With that, Grissom turned to the Discovery Channel to watch a special on butterflies.
Later that day
Sara's cell phone ringing startled her out of a peaceful nap. She answered it on the fifth ring.
"CSI Sidle here." Sara responded into the receiver.
"Hey, Sara," Jason began with sad tone in his voice, "I won't be able to make our dinner date. One of the men called out sick and he was working on a high profile FBI case. I was called in. Can we take a rain check for dinner?"
"Yeah, no problem, Jason," Sara began in understanding. "We'll make it another day. Believe me, I know the hassles of working for law enforcement. Been there, done that and I have the tee shirt to prove it."
"Sara, thanks for being so understanding," Jason began, "I'll see if I can call you on my break, okay?"
"Sure thing, Jason." Sara replied. With that, they disconnected their call.
Just then, Sara heard someone knocking at her door. She looked through the peephole to see Grissom standing outside her door.
"Hey, Beautiful," Grissom began as Sara opened the door to him. "I was wondering if you'd like to go to Lake Mead with me. They're having a Renaissance Festival that I think you'll like. I know you have plans tonight, so I won't keep you out late."
"Well, Grissom," Sara began, "I'd love to go. Just let me get my purse. By the way, my plans have been changed, so we could stay out a little longer. What's with the picnic basket?"
"Well," Grissom began blushing slightly, "I thought we'd have a picnic at the same time."
"Sounds nice," Sara replied reluctantly. "Okay, I got my purse. Let's go."
Grissom and Sara sat on the heavy quilt blanket during the Renaissance festivities. It was quite enjoyable and relaxing. As they sat together on the blanket, Grissom leaned in and gave Sara a chaste kiss on her lips. He caressed her arms in a very sensual way. Sara watched Grissom from the corner of her eyes. He was staring at her boldly; his eyes held a strange glint in them.
As Grissom continued to stare at Sara, she thought about her decision, no her need to move on in her life. How was she going to tell Grissom about her decision to move on?
"Honey, is everything okay?" Grissom asked Sara, startling her out of her reverie. "Why don't you come to my townhouse for dinner tonight? I make a mean Calamari."
"Why not?" Sara sighed. "Before we go to your townhouse, let's get some dessert for after dinner. That wouldn't be a problem Grissom, would it?"
"No, of course not, Sara," Grissom replied, thoroughly pleased that he was going to get to spend some time with Sara.
"You want to pick up a cheesecake, don't you Grissom?" Sara replied smiling, as she knew that cheesecake was one of Grissom's weaknesses.
"Of course, what else would I want?" Grissom asked smiling affectionately at Sara.
At Grissom's Townhouse
As Grissom cooked dinner, Sara looked through Grissom's CD collection. Her mind was taken back to the conversation she had with FBI Agent Jason Willoughby.
Jason and Sara's past conversation
"How long have you've been in love with him?" Jason asked, jolting Sara out of her thoughts.
"Him? Him who?" Sara asked, eyes wide.
"Your boss, Grissom," Jason replied gently. "How long have you've been in love with him?"
"Well, yes I am," Sara began, smiling wistfully.
"I knew this was too good to be true." Jason replied sadly.
"You don't have to worry about that, Jason," Sara replied, sensing the sad gleam in Jason's eyes. "I'm working on getting over Dr. Gilbert Grissom. I know it'll be a hard thing for me to do, but I've got to do it."
Back to the Present
"Sara, dinner's ready," Grissom said, startling Sara out of her thoughts. "Are you okay, you seemed far away just now."
"Oh, I'm fine, Grissom," Sara replied, "I guess I'm just a little tired."
"You could lay down after dinner, if you'd like," Grissom began. "I could sleep on the couch."
"No, Griss, I wouldn't want to put you out or anything." Sara replied. "I could take a cab home."
"Sara, I could take you home after dinner," Grissom began a little crestfallen. "It's just that I want, no I need to spend a little time with you alone. No interruptions, no cell phones and no calls for DB cases."
"Okay, Griss," Sara sighed, knowing that she had to tell Grissom about her plans to move on with her life. There will be no more wishful thinking about a serious relationship with Grissom.
After they had finished dinner and dessert, Grissom snuggled close to Sara, breathing in her scent. He passionately kissed her neck, pulling her closer to him.
"Sara," Grissom whispered, his breathing ragged, "I want to make love to you. Are you game?"
"No, Grissom," Sara began in exasperation, "I am NOT game."
"Sara…" Grissom moaned. "Please, Sara."
Just then, Sara gave in to Grissom's desires. She let Grissom have his way with her. She used Grissom because she was lonely and wanted someone to hold her. Grissom was ready, willing and able to satisfy her needs.
At that moment, Grissom totally gave himself over to Sara. His heart belonged to her. After they made love, Grissom was finally able to open up to the love of his life.
"Sara, Baby," Grissom began huskily, "I'm yours, Baby, totally and unconditionally yours. I want to try 'us' out."
"Grissom," Sara began, "don't you think you're rushing this a bit?"
"Rushing, Sara, I don't understand," Grissom began as confusion crossed his handsome features. Grissom would have continued, but Sara interrupted him.
"Grissom," Sara began, "Just a few short days ago, we couldn't stand to be at the same crime scene together, let alone the planet."
"I thought this was what we both wanted," a confused Gil Grissom began. "What happened to change your mind?"
"Well, Grissom," Sara began smiling sadly, "you took Sophia Curtis out to dinner and you always assigned her to work crime scenes with you. You either had me solo or partnered Greg with me. Whether you realize it or not, you've made your choice."
"My dinner with Sophia was a business dinner and not a date," Grissom replied. "She was planning to leave the lab, so I took her out to dinner to get her to change her mind. I wouldn't have taken Sophia out had I known that it would destroy what little tolerance you had left for me."
"I wish you would have told me that a long time ago," Sara began smiling sadly, "we could have avoided a lot of wasted time."
"Are you saying it's too late, Sara?" Grissom asked afraid to hear Sara's response.
"Yes, Grissom, I'm afraid so." Sara began looking down at her hands. "I've already made up my mind to move on with my life."
"What?" Grissom asked incredulously. "When were you going to tell me, huh, Sara? When our children were adults?"
"What are you talking about Grissom?" Sara asked in confusion.
"About 'us', Sara, that's what." Grissom spat out in anger. "I gave myself to you and this is how you treat me? What am I, just another notch on your belt, like Hank Peddigrew?"
"Grissom, you've got some nerve," Sara began in exhausted exasperated anger. "I've been waiting so many years for you to make your move, but you never did. In fact, you did just the opposite. You told me that I needed to get a life, which I did. And then when I start going out and enjoying myself, you expect me to be at your beck and call. You sent mixed signals. If anyone's the blame for this mess, it's you my friend." Sara's voice had now grown cold and it sent chills down Grissom's spine. He knew he was the reason for many of Sara's problems and he wanted to badly to make it up to her, but he knew that Sara had already given up on him and on their 'relationship'.
With that, both Sara and Grissom decided to call it a night. Grissom slept on the sofa, while Sara slept in his bed. He desperately wanted to curl up next to Sara on his king-sized bed, but he knew she wasn't having it. Finally facing defeat, Grissom drifted off to sleep.
The next morning when Grissom woke from his sleep, he walked to his bedroom. He noticed that Sara was gone. He sat down on his bed and put his head in his hands.
"I've lost her for good," Grissom sobbed out loud. "How could I have been so stupid?" With that, he showed, dressed and headed out the door to go to the lab.
Dr. Robert Carvallo's OfficeAs Dr. Carvallo looked up, he noticed a somewhat disheveled looking Dr. Gil Grissom standing in his doorway.
"Gil, you're here real early," Dr. Carvallo began, somewhat good-natured, "what can I do for you?"
"Robert," Grissom began, handing Dr. Carvallo his LOA slip. "I need to take some time off."
"Hey, Gil," Robert began, "why don't you take some time to think about it? Don't make any hasty decisions." Dr. Carvallo realized that if Gil were to leave, it would mean the end of the lab at CSI-Las Vegas being the 2nd best lab in the country. He also knew that Dr. Gil Grissom was the reason for the lab's current status.
"Okay, I'll wait at least a month." Grissom replied. With that, Grissom left the lab and went back to his townhouse.
One Week LaterSophia happened to take a message from Agent Jason Willoughby. He was calling Sara to remind her of their dinner date at the Pahrump Valley Restaurant. This was their private little getaway that none of the other CSIs knew about. After she hung up the phone, Sophia felt like she hit pay dirt.
'This will be my chance to break up whatever relationship Grissom had with Sara,' Sophia thought to herself. "Now maybe Grissom will finally wake up and smell the coffee.'
Pahrump Valley RestaurantSophia talked Grissom into taking her out to a casual business dinner, stating that she noticed that he needed to take a break. But Sophia Curtis had an ulterior motive. She knew that Sara was dining the Pahrump Valley Restaurant with a date, she also knew what Gil Grissom's reaction would be upon seeing Sara with any man other than himself.
Grissom walked into the restaurant leaving Sophia behind. He really didn't want to be there in the first place, neither did he want to be with Sophia. He had no feelings for her.
As the hostess sat them at their table, Grissom happened to look across the crowded restaurant, where he saw Sara enjoying the company of some young stud. As he continued to stare, his face reddened with hot anger. Sophia lifted up her glass of water to her mouth to hide the wicked grin forming on her lips.
'I could just feel victory,' Sophia thought to herself, 'Gil looks like he's a broken man, but I'll be there to pick up the pieces.' Little did Sophia Curtis know that this was going to be the last time she'd ever be on tolerable terms with one Dr. Gil Grissom.
"I think I'll pay the little love birds a visit," Grissom spoke through gritted teeth. He tried to hide his disdain with Sara and her date.
While Jason and Sara were enjoying an after dinner cup of coffee, she looked and saw Grissom standing at their table.
"Grissom," Sara began, "what are you doing here?"
"I was just about to ask you the same thing." Grissom replied.
"Well, what does it look like, Grissom?" Sara asked in exasperation. "I'm having dinner with a date. I see you brought Sophia with you. Hi, Sophia, I hope you're enjoying Grissom's company." Sophia stood nervously shifting from one foot to the other.
"I can see that, Sara," Grissom began. Grissom would have continued, but Sara cut him off and cut to the chase.
"Agent Jason Willoughby," Sara began in introduction, "this is Dr. Gil Grissom, my supervisor and his date, Sophia Curtis. Dr. Gil Grissom and Sophia Curtis, Agent Jason Willoughby."
"I'm more than just her supervisor, a lot more," Grissom replied through gritted teeth.
"Nothing more, nothing less than a supervisor." Sara replied in resignation, causing Grissom to shudder slightly at the cold tone in Sara's voice.
"I didn't think anyone knew about this restaurant, but me and Sara," Jason began, "it just opened about a month ago."
"I remember you from the strip strangler case," Grissom began, as he recognized the young man.
As silence descended on the two couples, recognition dawned on Jason.
"Sophia, is it?" Jason asked trying to confirm that it was her voice on the phone when he called to confirm his date with Sara.
"Yeah, why?" Sophia asked, a nervous feeling coursing through her entire being.
"I spoke to you and left a message for Sara," Jason began, "I guess you decided to talk Dr. Grissom into bringing you here, huh?"
Grissom glared at Sophia, finally realizing what was truly happening.
"YOU SET ME UP, YOU WITCH!" Grissom began shouting at Sophia. "YOU KNEW SARA WOULD BE HERE WITH HER DATE! I HATE YOU!" With that, Grissom left the restaurant, jumped into his Denali and sped off, leaving three stunned people in his wake.
Back in Dr. Carvallo's Office"Robert, I need to take some personal time ASAP!" Grissom began exasperated.
"Gil, the nightshift is short-handed enough as it is," Dr. Carvallo began, "I can't afford to give you any time off. I'm really sorry, Gil."
"Then, here is my resignation!" Grissom replied. "I'll have my stuff cleared out of my office within two hours."
"You can't be serious, Gil, can you?" Dr. Carvallo asked, realizing that he was grasping at straws. He also couldn't figure out what was going on with Grissom. Something wasn't right and he was darned sure he would get to the bottom of it before it was too late.
"I am dead serious, Robert," Dr. Grissom replied, glaring at the older man. "If I can't get a LOA, I'll have no other choice than to quit."
"Okay, okay, Gil," Dr. Carvallo began reluctantly. "You've got it. How much time will you need?"
"Three months to indefinite." Grissom replied resolutely.
"That's a long time, Gil," Robert began incredulously. "We won't be able to cover your shift."
"Sara's a good choice to cover for me," Grissom began sadly. He would have continued, but Robert cut him off.
"Are you sure you can trust Ms. Sidle?" Robert asked.
"I trust Sara with my life," Grissom said out loud to Dr. Carvallo, but to himself he replied, 'it's just my heart I can't trust her with.'
"Isn't Ms. Sidle on days?" Dr. Carvallo asked.
"Yeah, but I'm sure she won't mind," Grissom began, "she's always up for a challenge. This would be a great learning experience for her. If she has any problems handling things, she can always call Catherine Willows."
"Are you sure?" Dr. Carvallo asked skeptically, as he remembered the run in between Sara and Catherine. "Will they be able to set their differences aside.?"
"Robert, they've already worked out any problems they may have had in the past."
"Good," Dr. Carvallo began, "well, Gil, it looks like I won't see you in at least three months. Are you sure you won't reconsider?"
"It doesn't look that way, Robert." Grissom replied with sadness in his heart. With that, he left the lab and headed to his townhouse.
As everything started to dawn on him what had happened at the restaurant, Grissom began to sob uncontrollably. He started throwing clothes into a duffel bag. He made up his mind to go to Santa Monica, California, home to his Mom. He felt he couldn't take the pressure of Vegas and the lab, especially with Sara being there. He couldn't bear the thought of living his life without Sara being there for him and him alone. He didn't want to share her love with anyone, especially some young, hotshot FBI agent.
As he attempted to get in his car, his neighbor, Mrs. Polly Wagner, greeted him.
"Oh, hi, Gil," Mrs. Wagner began, "are we going on a trip?"
"Yeah, sort of," Grissom began."
"Is it work or pleasure?" Mrs. Wagner asked. "Please tell me it's for pleasure. You always seem to be working, you never take time to smell the roses."
"Mrs. Wagner," Grissom began, looking at the older woman. "I'm going to California to see my parents."
"Oh," Mrs. Wagner began, "are you driving or flying?"
"I'm driving, why?" Grissom asked slightly exasperated.
"You shouldn't be driving in your condition." Mrs. Wagner replied.
"And what condition do you think I'm in, Mrs. Wagner?" Grissom replied slightly agitated.
"You're very upset, I can see it clearly," Mrs. Wagner began, "though you're trying desperately to hide your true feelings."
"I'm fine, Mrs. Wagner, really I am," Grissom lied. He would have continued, but a very concerned Mrs. Wagner interrupted him.
"Well then, why don't you have a cup of tea with me?" Mrs. Wagner asked. "I'll even throw in some of my famous English scones if you're a good little boy." Mrs. Wagner decided to use a different strategy to Grissom to wait until after he had his feelings together before venturing out on the highway for the long drive to Southern California. With that, Mrs. Wagner and Grissom had tea and English scones for their evening meal.
A few hours later found Dr. Gil Grissom calling his friend, Captain Jim Brass for a ride to the airport. After Mrs. Wagner shared her concerns regarding Grissom's emotions being unstable for the long ride to California, he opted to fly.
As Dr. Gil Grissom sat on the plane, he thought about all the events of his life. He was starting to experience a full-blown case of deep depression. As he sat staring into space, he couldn't help but ask himself. 'How did I get to this place in my life?' Sighing, Gil lapsed into a Sara-filled dream-sleep.
Santa Monica, CaliforniaGrissom's parents, Gilbert Grissom Sr. and his mother Vera Grissom along with his aunt, Lucille Windamere, greeted him at the baggage claim of LAX airport.
"Son," Grissom's mom began in sign language, "what's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing, Mom, just tired I guess." Grissom replied in sign language.
"Are you sure, Son?" Grissom's Mom asked in sign language. "I hope you're not holding anything back from me."
"No, Mom," Grissom sighed heavily as he replied in sign language.
A/N: Please be aware that Dr. Gil Grissom will be suffering in this fanfic for at least one, maybe two chapters. He's being punished for that 'UNBEARABLE' dinner invitation he extended to Sporkfia (Sophia Curtis, everybody's favorite, MWU HAHAHAHA). Whether it was business or pleaure, he's still going to pay, and PAY HE WILL (EVIL GRIN/EVIL LAUGH HEE HEE HEE HEE HEE!). So, get prepared for Grissom's suffering! Enjoy. If I have any mistakes, I apologize.