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. Any of the lyrics from Rent you see are not mine. Jonathan Larson wrote them beautifully. Don't sue.

A/N – Ok, Ok, kids. So the stage version I did was not an exact replication of the original Broadway version. Mainly, because this is not the Broadway production. This is a community theater where the stage is different and they would have blocked it a little different to make it fit on their stage! So chill! LOL. I actually haven't seen it on Broadway in a long time, and I lost my songbook : (, so I had to use the movie lyrics that I did have. Nevertheless, I hope the emotions and the feelings of the stage performance were portrayed in a meaningful way. Now on with the show:

Chapter 10

The heels of Sara's boots clacked on the pavement as she quickly walked to her car. She didn't expect the team to be there. How did they find out I was doing this? Sara thought to herself. I can't believe they all saw me do that! And Grissom was there! Oh what am I going to do now?

"Sara, Wait!" James panted as he ran after her. "Where are you going?" he asked as he finally reached her and grabbed her elbow to spin her around. "You were amazing on stage! Come back and celebrate with the cast".

"I can't" Sara said quietly, her eyes filling with salty tears.

"Why not?" James questioned, pulling her into a soft hug.

"All my coworkers just saw me bear my soul on stage through Mimi. I just wanted to keep my work life and creative life separate. They were not supposed to be here. Are you sure you didn't tell them?" she questioned one more time.

"No, Sara. I did not tell them because you asked me not to. But why are you keeping your coworkers out of this amazing part of your life. I thought they were your friends" James said as he pulled back to look into her eyes.

"They are. I don't know" Sara muttered, covering her face with her hands. "I'm just freaking out because I really did not expect them to be here".

"You mean him" James simply stated.

Sara's head shot up out of her hands "Him?"

"Grissom. I'm surprised you did not see him staring at you until the curtain call. You should have seen the look on his face during "Out Tonight"".

"You knew he was there?" Sara asked.

"I noticed him after "Light My Candle". Man you should have seen the look he was giving me from the audience. If looks could kill, I would be dead" he chuckled.

"Shut up" Sara glared at him.

"Well come back in and celebrate with all of us. Come on Sara. Let's…go" James trailed off as he spotted something over Sara's shoulder.

Sara looked behind her and saw the whole crew, including Grissom, walking towards her.

Oh, Shit! Sara grabbed James' arm and started back to run back towards the theater when she heard Nick shout "Oh no you don't Sara Sidle!"

Sara stopped dead in her tracks and slowly turned around. She was promptly picked up off the ground in a huge hug from Nick.

"Sara, you were amazing! I loved every minute of it!" he shouted as he put her back down.

Warrick was next as he pulled her into a hug and said "I knew you could sing. But I had no idea how amazing and powerful that voice of yours is. You were so great!"

Tina spoke up behind Warrick "Yeah Sara you were really awesome. Your performance was so powerful!"

Catherine was next to pull her into a hug "Wow Sara. Those moves you did across the stage could put mine to shame. Great Job"

"Thanks" a blushing Sara quietly muttered.

Greg finally got his bearings and walked up to Sara and managed to stutter "Sara… Wow… Great… Beautiful… Yeah"

Sara chucked "Thanks. I'll take that as a compliment, but next time use full sentences Greggo."

Grissom just stood there staring at her. Sara quickly glanced over at him and their eyes locked yet again.

Grissom walked up to her and pulled her into a forceful, yet gentle kiss. Sara lost herself in the sensation of his lips on hers. His lips were warm and wet on hers, and his beard rubbed across her cheeks. She could not get enough of the warm sensation that filled her heart and soul.

When the kiss finally broke, their eyes stayed locked, not noticing the audience around them.

Catherine cleared her throat, and motioned to the rest of the group. "We should go" she recommended to the team. They all took her hint and started backing away from Grissom and Sara.

"I'll see you later" called out James as he walked back to the theater.

Sara finally came back to reality and took one step back from Grissom. "This doesn't fix anything Griss".

"I know" he said quietly as he took another step closer to her. He yearned to feel his lips upon hers again.

"Why now?" Sara questioned, the fear clearly displayed in her eyes.

"Forget regret, or life is yours to miss, Sara. I realize that I have been missing out on life. Work is work, but you are my life Sara. I know what to do about this".

"I'm glad that you do. But, I need some time to think this over Grissom," Sara watched as his expression dropped.

"Everything is just so jumbled up in my life right now Grissom. I'm not rejecting you at all, but I just need sometime to sort everything out. Actually that is the reason I did this play. I needed something else in my life besides work. I was spinning out of control. Now my life is getting more balanced, but I have to think things over before I let you back in." Sara stated as she looked down to the ground.

Grissom placed his finger under her chin and lifted her face to his. "Hey, I understand completely Sara. You have waited around for me to lift my head out of the microscope for 6 years. Take all the time you need Sara. But know this" Grissom quoted "I Should Tell You I Should Tell You. I Have Always Loved You. You Can See It In My Eyes". With that Grissom planted another soft kiss on her cheek, and turned and walked to his Tahoe.

Sara softly touched her cheek, still feeling the tingle of where his beard and lips softly grazed her skin. She sighed and smiled to herself as she turned on her heel and walked back to the theater.

TBC… You know the drill Read and Review… Cause I love reviews… They make me feel warm and fuzzy inside… And thanks to all that have reviewed! I appreciate all your kind words!