Rating: M
Sweet Anger 2 Chapter Two
Kansas City was a much smaller city than Las Vegas. Sara loved it, though. She didn't realize how much she needed a change of scenery. Small town life had never really appealed to her, but when the lab offered her the position, she took it. She never thought that she would live in the Midwest, that was for sure.
Her last couple of weeks in Vegas had kept her busy. She spent a lot of time with the team, even after officially giving her notice, and resigning from her position.
Grissom tried to get her to change her mind when she first gave her two week's notice. He didn't try again. He barely spoke to her at all, even skipped out on her going away party. She understood why, and didn't hold it against him. Once her mind was made up, there was no point trying to get her to change it.
Her three bedroom condo was much larger, and a lot cheaper than what she was used to. It was in a good neighborhood, and many of her neighbors welcomed her with house warming gifts and food. She chalked it up to southern hospitality. She really missed her friends, but she was enjoying the thrill of meeting new ones.
She spent the first couple of weeks unpacking what she did have, and shopping for what she didn't. She was getting as much done as possible, trying to keep her mind off of other things. Her plan was working until there was a knock on her door, only several weeks after moving.
"Oh my God! Catherine! Hi, come in."
"Hi, Sara. It's good to see you."
After a long hug, Catherine followed her into the apartment.
"This place is great. Much better than the last place. You've worked hard. Fast too."
"I didn't have much to unpack."
"You got all new furniture?"
"Sure did. The new lab paid for all the moving expenses, so I used the money I saved on furniture."
"It's beautiful."
"Thanks."
"Show me the rest"
"Ugh..Sure. I'll show you the downstairs first. You've seen the living room. Follow me.'
They spent a lot of time going through the kitchen, discussing the tile floors and oak cabinets. Catherine had been surprised when she found the walls in Sara's office covered in butterfly specimens.
"Wow. I had no idea you like them."
"They're all from Grissom. He sent them about a week after I left."
"They were all his."
"What? Really?"
"I was there when he was packing them. He couldn't stand to look at them anymore."
"I see."
"I didn't come here to talk about him, though. Come on, show me the rest."
"Alright."
Sara's room was upstairs and she had spent a lot of time decorating it.
"This surprises me."
"You don't like it?"
"No. I love it. It's very comfortable. Country."
"I fell in love with it. You're right, though. It's very country."
After checking out the roomy bathroom, Sara headed for the stairs.
"Wait. What's this room?" She asked, pointing to the door across from Sara's room.
"Oh, I'm just using it for storage. It's a mess-"
"I have a teenage daughter. I don't mind a mess."
After opening the door, she took three small steps backwards. Her hands covered her mouth as she stood there in shock.
"It's okay, Cath. Breathe."
"That's…It's…"
"Catherine Willows speechless?"
"You're-"
"Yes I am. Go on in, take a look around."
The walls were painted a soft hue of yellow. The furniture was dark oak, matching most of the country furnishings throughout the rest of the apartment. There were hundreds of different color accessories to compliment both.
"It's perfect."
"Thank you."
"Does-"
"No. You're the one and only."
"How far along are you?"
"Fourteen weeks."
"Oh honey. That's why you were sick?"
She only nodded.
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"It would only make things harder."
"For who?"
Grissom.
"I needed him to choose on his own. I didn't want to force his hand on this, Catherine."
"He would choose you, Sara. Now and then, no force required."
"I wish I could be as sure as you are."
"There's only one way to find out."
"How can I tell him?"
"You'll figure it out."
"I can't just leave here. I haven't even started my job!"
"You'll figure that out, too."
"You won't tell him before I come back?"
"I'll let you in on a little secret."
She leaned in real close.
"Our kids will be very close."
"Lindsay is almost-"
"Not Linds."
"Then-"
"You're getting warmer"
"Sweet Jesus."
"I don't think he necessarily had anything to do with it."
"Does Warrick know?"
"I think he knew before I did."
"Everybody else?"
"Not yet. Soon."
"This is crazy. Both of us. At the same time."
"Does it make you feel any better?"
"Oddly enough, yes."
"Good. Now get your ass in gear. I'm taking you home."
"I am home, Cath."
"Then I'm taking you where you belong."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Okay, let's get back to this. Nick, Warrick…that's you two clowns," he said pointing to the two of them, "you two have a smash and grab."
"Are you kidding? This is the third-" Nick stopped suddenly.
"What?" Grissom asked, turning around.
Sara was standing in the doorway. She was back. He had no idea.
"Hi guys."
"Sara!" Greg yelped happily, almost running towards her, and lifting her off the ground in a bear hug.
"Greg! Put me down! Now, Greg."
"Sorry."
"I didn't know-" Grissom began.
"It's kind of a surprise." She smiled at Catherine. The small gesture didn't pass on Grissom, and he shot her a dirty look.
"How long are you here for?"
"I don't-"
"She's here for me. For moral support."
Sara shot her a questioning glance.
"I have an announcement, and there's no time like the present."
"Catherine, maybe we should-"
"Guys," she started, looking at everyone. Her gaze held on to Warrick's. "I'm pregnant."
Nobody moved or said anything. They stared at her like she had grown two heads.
"So am I," Sara confessed softly, turning toward Grissom. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to find out this way."
Everybody began talking all at once, the shock finally wearing off. Catherine and Sara pregnant. It was insane.
Catherine hugged Sara tightly.
"Thanks for breaking the ice."
"Hey, no problem."
"How did this happen?" Grissom finally asked.
"Do we really have to explain this to you? You're a doctor for crying out loud."
"Shut up, Catherine."
"Hey! Don't you dare take this out on her."
"I need some air. I need to think."
He took a few steps back and headed for his office.
"You better think twice before you walk out that goddamn door, Gil."
"What did you expect, Sara?"
"I expect for you to act like a man. Apparently it was wishful thinking. I shouldn't have come back. I know that now."
"So you weren't going to tell me at all?"
"No, but a friend pointed out that you had a right to choose, no matter what your choice. I didn't mean to throw it out there in front of everyone."
"Catherine can you…Never mind. Warrick, take these."
He handed them the assignment slips.
"I'm not impaired," Catherine noted.
Grissom was already grabbing Sara's hand, leading her from the room.
"I'm sorry, Catherine, but this is fucking nuts."
"I know, Greg. Trust me, I know"
"I'd say you're glowing, Cath."
"Thanks, Nicky."
"Man this one-sided. You guys are my friends. I'm the father. No congratulations for me?" Warrick asked.
"You're the father?"
"Real funny, Greggo. I just remembered why I like Nicky more than you."