Take Me Out Tonight

Rating: PG 13 (for now… I might up it soon)

Disclaimer: Wish they were mine… alas they are not

Summary: Grissom told her she should get a diversion and she did. (Involves the musical Rent!) GSR

A/N – So this story has been playing around in my head for a long while. Sara uses her talents and performs on stage in a Las Vegas 1 night production of Jonathan Larson's Rent!

Disclaimer – CSI isn't mine, and neither is Rent. Sigh But I love them both. Any of the songs mentioned are not mine and come from the beautiful mind of Jonathan Larson.

Chapter 7

Rehearsals easily became a part of Sara's regular routine. She would go to work, leave on time, take a nap, go to rehearsal, and try to catch a few more hours of sleep before next shift. Grissom was also trying to do his best by giving her more respect and trying not to shut her out at crime scenes. With the play about 2 weeks away, Sara was working hard everyday, in both her job, and at rehearsals.

Sara and James were becoming closer as friends everyday. They would carpool to rehearsals and sometimes hang out with the rest of the cast afterwards. All of Sara's free time was wrapped up in the play, and the other members of the team, especially Grissom, were noticing her absence.

"Have you noticed that Sara has been awfully busy these days? I never see her anymore" stated Nick in the breakroom before shift.

"Yeah, she hasn't really been around much, and she never comes to eat breakfast with all of us anymore" Greg sighed sadly, causing Grissom to look up from his crossword puzzle.

"Well, at least she is in a better mood nowadays, unlike some other people I know" Warrick stated as he glanced over at Catherine.

"Hey, if you had a 13 year old daughter who is trying to do the opposite of everything you say, you would be in a bad mood too" Catherine glared at him.

"Well, at least we all have a day off next Friday" Nick said, trying to ease the tension in the room. "Maybe we should all do something together."

"Actually Nick" Warrick spoke up "Tina got a bunch of tickets to see a one time production of the stage version of Rent from a doctor who works on her floor. We have enough for everybody if you all are interested"

Mostly everyone seemed enthusiastic about the idea of going to see a play together and Greg spoke up "What about Sara?"

"Well I don't think she will be able to come Greg" Nick spoke up. "She is taking off the whole week before our mandatory vacation. She told me she was going away all week to visit a friend in Boston"

"Well then I guess it will just be us" Catherine piped up. "Right Grissom?" she questioned as she eyed him carefully.

"I guess" Grissom sighed.

"Great! I guess it is all set" Warrick said. "Tina will be so pleased to see you all. She just loves this play so much".

The conversation moved on to the current cases they were working until Sara rushed into the breakroom.

"Hey, sorry I was late" she gasped a little out of breath.

"Oooo, Sara Sidle 30 seconds late for shift" Greg teased, poking her playfully in the arm.

"Shut up Greg" she replied with a grin.

"Alright, assignments everyone" Grissom stated as he rose from his seat.

He was about to hand out some new cases when James ran into the room.

"Here, Sara you left this in the car" he said handing her a duffle bag.

"Wow, thanks" Sara replied "I can't believe I forgot that. You are a lifesaver."

"No problem. I have to run back to the hospital but I will see you later" James replied.

"Bye. Thanks again!" Sara called after him as he quickly walked back to the entrance of the lab.

"Sooooo" Greg said as he broke the uncomfortable silence that suddenly filled the room. "Whatcha got in the bag"

"Workout stuff" Sara replied quickly, trying to make up a believable lie. "He gave me a ride home from the gym the other day. No big deal.

"Well, make sure he does it on his own time, not the labs time" Grissom replied bitterly when he finally found his voice.

"No problem" Sara replied quietly, the hurt evident in her voice. "Here from now on"my ass she thought bitterly. "Assignments?" she asserted.

He handed her a solo case. She snatched it out of his hand and stomped out of the breakroom.

The rest of the team looked at Grissom until Catherine spoke up "They are just friends Grissom. You cannot keep pushing her away every time she makes a new male friend. Stop playing games with her Grissom, or we all might lose her"

The team nodded their heads in agreement as they all left the breakroom and Grissom to his own thoughts.

I really messed things up again he sighed as he burrowed his face into his hands.