Title: Wash Away Part Four
Note: A short chapter, next one will be soon. I'm overwhelmed by the reviews. Thanks to each and every one of you!
March, 2006
Sara watched as the last box was packed safely into the moving van.
Once she decided to concentrate on her future, a plan had formulated in her mind. She faxed a six month leave of absence to Sheriff Atwater, called a moving truck, and began the tedious ordeal of packing. With each book she removed from a shelf and placed into a box, she felt her resolve strengthening. All of the years of overtime, no vacations, wise investments and she had a tidy little nest egg that she planned to use in her quest for some peace of mind.
No one from the lab had tried to call her or come by her apartment. Looking at the clock, she knew it was a matter of time before Nick, Warrick, or Greg showed up demanding an explanation or encouraging her to talk. She knew that she would have to tell them that she would be gone for at least six months, if not longer. Packing another book she paused as the title caught her eye. "Entomology for the beginner." Sara read aloud before placing the text book in the box. She remembered buying that book ten years ago after she had met Gil Grissom at the seminar where he was lecturing on the subject. She had read the book from cover to cover so many times she had memorized each paragraph.
She pulled the book back out of the box and walked over to the kitchen counter where she placed it gently on the smooth surface. In similar moves she added three more entomology titles to the pile and held a fifth text in her unsteady hands. This particular book was a gift from Grissom. She placed it in the box and continued to pack the rest of her belongings when the doorbell rang.
"Nick, Warrick." Sara stepped back to allow the two men entry. She waited for the exclamations as they saw the boxes and put the evidence together.
"You can't leave because of this, Sar." Nick insisted. His chest clenched tight with the realization that his friend of the past six years was moving away from them. "I'm sorry that I didn't come see you two months ago or even a month ago. Shit." He stood there and shook his head in dismay. He knew that she had had a thing for Grissom, that they had a thing for each other, but who would have ever thought they would act on it?
Taking pity on him, Sara leaned forward and gave him a brief hug. "It's okay, Nick. I've been inaccessible lately." She turned to Warrick. "I hope that I haven't made it very difficult for Grissom at the lab. I didn't intend to break the news in that way."
Warrick folded his arms over his chest. "I could care less what Grissom thinks right about now." He let his gaze sweep over Sara from head to toe. She was wearing a tight blue t-shirt and low riding jeans. "I think that we have all been blind for awhile."
Noticing his gaze pause on her abdomen, she caught his eyes and silently pleaded with him. "I can manage, Warrick. I have plans to take a long vacation on the West Coast. I've missed the beach." The fact was that she owned a small cottage on a beach, inheritated from a great aunt on her dads side. Although she had never visited the place in person, she had seen photos of it and had hired a company to keep it in shape over the past four years.
Warrick nodded and unfolded his arms. "Will you come back here?" He motioned to the boxes of books. "When you find what you are looking for?"
"I don't know. I won't return to this apartment, I do know that much." said Sara, and then added with a chuckle. "I thought Greg would be with you." She made a show of searching behind their backs in a lighthearted attempt to ease the tension.
"He was heartbroken," Nick replied. "He is going to be crushed when he knows that you have moved."
"Give him a hug for me Nick." Sara teased, trying her best to keep up a brave front. "At least tell him I said bye."
"You will email and call, right Sara?" Nick asked with geniune concern.
"Of course," Sara said. "That is, if you both help me finish packing."
For the next five hours they had packed up the rest of Sara's belongings and ordered two large vegetarian pizzas. "You have any beer?" Nick asked as he picked up his second slice of pizza.
"In the fridge." Sara responded. When he offered her one, she shook her head and said. "I would like for you and Warrick to take those when you leave. I don't want to travel with food or beverages." She planned to fly out to California on the first flight after the movers picked up her stuff. Sara felt a tear well up in her eyes as she studied these two men who had become as close to her as brothers. "I appreciate you guys so much."
"This is not goodbye, Sara." Warrick said with a frown. "You know that I have a vacation coming up in a few months. I'm sure Tina would love a little vacation to the beach."
"I'll think about it, Warrick. Thanks."
They all hugged again and Sara wondered if she would have the courage to call either of them.
That was an hour ago, and now Sara watched as the last box was placed carefully into the moving van.
TBC
