Dominion of the Butterfly
A/N: Two updates in seven, days, that's downright prolific. (Yes that is sarcasm you smell.) This chapter is for El Gringo Loco, who wondered what Sara did during the evenings, thanks for the idea. This chapter is revised thanks to some concrit about paragraphing. I hope it is easier to read. Thanks to the reader for the suggestion)
Disclaimers: I don't own them, but the way Season 6 is going, I might put them on my Santa list.
Chapter 5
Grissom looked to have shed ten years as he left Sara at the pool to get ready to climb the Everest called paperwork at his desk. While getting ready to exit the Dominion, he tried to ignore the precise clipped steps of the high-heeled boots belonging to his favorite dominatrix; however, before he was able to reach the ornate handle, he was stopped with a gentle, but deliberate throat clearing. "Gilbert", she purred, "I do hope you were not planning on leaving without saying goodbye."
That was what Grissom had planned to do, but not wanting to give Lady Heather the thought or the pleasure of the thought that he was avoiding her, Grissom turned to her with a big smile. "Actually, I am glad I ran into you Heather. I wanted to personally thank you for your kindness. Sara mentioned how wonderful everyone has been to her, and I appreciate your efforts.
Lady Heather smiled. "Sara deserves a little kindness in her life, wouldn't you agree Gilbert?" Grissom looked at Lady Heather wondering if the woman was capable of uttering a single sentence that was not rife with multiple meanings.
With his trademark smirk, Grissom arched and eyebrow, "Why Lady Heather, I would think that kindness would be bad for your business." Lady Heather gave a small smile, "Touché Gilbert." They both laughed, and Grissom continued, "This assignment is difficult for all of us, and it pleases me how well you have dealt with the situation."
At that Lady Heather broke out into the most Cheshire or Cheshire cat grins. "Well Gilbert, pleasure it my business, and Sara is indeed a pleasure to have…" She touched Grissom on the arm and held her touch for a moment longer than necessary"…at the Dominion. I can see now why you are so smitten." With that Lady Heather clicked off, her heels marking a samba beat on the marble floor, leaving Grissom in a cloud of confusion and Chanel No 5.
Grissom walked to the car. Not conscious of his turning on the engine or putting the car into gear, he drove aimlessly, wondering how close Heather and Sara were becoming. Did Sara share her secrets with a woman she's know for a few days, secrets that she held for nearly a decade before sharing with him. Just how does Lady Heather know Sara?
While puzzling this out, Grissom noticed that he was in front of the hotel where he saw Sara when she first came to Vegas, when he and Nick were throwing dummies off the wall, and he had no idea of the storm he had invited into his life. While paused at the light, he noticed two people kissing. The white dress and veil gave away that they were one of the thousands that chose Vegas as a wedding destination. When the couple parted, Grissom noted that the woman was young, slender, and tall, with dark hair that shone like a pond glowing from the first winter moon, the man she was kissing had to be about 20 years her senior.
Although Grissom usually only believed in things that could be measured, documented or cataloged, the old altar boy in him could recognize a sign, and this sign might has well be made with the brightest neon and the brightest lights that Vegas had to offer. Snapping to, Grissom parked quickly in the nearest spot. He practically flew to the Stratosphere and made reservations for the revolving restaurant for Sunday, October 30, two nights after Sara's time at the dominion ended. He was confident that they would both have the night off from work.
After Grissom left, Sara want to take a shower and get prepared for a quiet evening at the Dominion since Lurie was on call at the Hospital. Grissom had left her with some case file information on a serial rapist who attacked both his male and female victims while on the dance floor of the many dark, crowded nightclubs in Vegas. After slipping into her pj's and drying her hair, Sara padded into the kitchen for a snack, and headed to her quarters in the residential section of the Dominion. Although it was not something she would have chosen for herself, the wallpaper printed with violets and lilacs were cozy and she found everything relaxing. Sara also appreciated that this section of the dominion was soundproof, so she did not have to be treated to the sounds of Lady Heather's thriving business.
Sara was about to snuggle into the chair and a half with the lilac chenille throw when she heard her cell phone ring. It was Grissom. "Hey" Sara chirped. "Hey yourself" was Grissom's reply. Sara's smile could be heard through the phone line. "I was just about to sit down with the case file. Hopefully I'll have something for you when you stop by tomorrow." At that remark, Sara desperately wished she was closer to a wall so she could begin banging her head against it. Grissom had not told her he was returning.
Grissom laughed. "I'll be happy to stop by tomorrow, although I don't expect you to have anything for me…it will just be nice to see you." If Grissom didn't know better, he would swear that Sara could see his blush over the phone lines. He decided to continue before he lost his nerve. "I also wanted to let you know that I took the liberty of making dinner reservations for us at The Stratosphere for October 30th. It's a Sunday, which is how I was able to get the reservation so fast, supposedly you can see all of Vegas while it rotates, and they have a vegetarian menu, and don't worry you'll have off from work that night.
Sara grinned, tempted to enjoy Grissom over talking for a change, and the compassionate part of her wanting to help him out. Compassion won. "That's all fine Grissom. Dinner at the Stratosphere sounds wonderful." It was Grissom's turn to be relieved. "I'll see you tomorrow Sara." Sara smiled. "Goodnight Grissom". Grissom bade her good evening and turned to his paperwork with a smile.
Sara was also smiling as she hung up the phone. The fact that Grissom made dinner plans almost two weeks in advance had to be a good sign. While Sara had been initially hesitant about living in the Dominion, she had to admit that things were working out well. She was treated well by everyone, her quarters were nicer than almost every place she had lived, and the advice from Lady Heather had been invaluable.
Sara gave a small smile at the thought of Lady Heather. Sara reflected on the attention that she had received from Lady Heather, and how it had seemed that on several occasions that Lady Heather had been almost on the verge of kissing her. Briefly Sara wondered what it would be like to kiss Heather. Sara then laughed to herself and shook her head as if to rid herself of the thought. It wasn't that the concept of being attracted to Heather or any woman bothered her.
In college, Sara had tried dating and sleeping with a few women, wondering if the reason her relationships with men were unsatisfying and would end in the inevitable crash and burn was because she was gay. But after crashing and burning several relationships with women, she realized that whatever she was, gay was not it. It was not until that fateful seminar and coffee with Grissom that she finally understood. Sara was not straight or gay, or bi-sexual or the dreaded frigid or a-sexual that more than one man or woman had spat out at her before slamming the door on the way out of her life, it was that Sara had not met the right person. After that day, Sara realized that she was strictly Griss-sexual, and was still hoping to have the opportunity to express her Griss-sexuality fully. At least Sara thought that everything was moving in the right direction. Sighing happily, Sara snuggled in with her chenille throw and case file.
Catherine sat in the AV lab watching the tape of Sara's session with Lurie. After listening to Sara spit out, "I became a nurse because I spent so much time in the emergency room as a child after my dad got drunk that I figured I should start getting paid for it." Catherine sat up straight and nearly spit out her soy mocha latte. She thought back to Sara's reactions with the Mail Order Bride case and all the other cases involving abused women and children. With her knowledge fueling her intuition, Catherine returned the video and got into her car to head over to the Dominion….
A few minutes later she was knocking at the door. Lady Heather answered. She gave Catherine a careful once over. "So, Catherine, you saw the tape last night and figured out Sara's secret and now you're coming over to talk to her. I guess you can never underestimate the power of mother's guilt, even when it's not your child."
Catherine blanched. She wondered how Lady Heather knew this. Lady Heather seemed to sense Catherine's question. Lady Heather put her hand on Catherine's arm and looked deeply into the woman's blue eyes. "Catherine, I know you, because I am like you. We use our understanding of people to manipulate what we need. But this time, let Sara come to you. For the reason she alone knows, she chose to keep this part of her life secret. Forcing it out of her is not going to mend the bridges between you."
Catherine nodded. Lady Heather smiled. "Why don't you pay her a visit anyway and say hello. I am sure she would enjoy the company." Lady Heather pointed Catherine in the direction of the living quarters and left to attend to her customers.
Catherine walked into the living quarters. She followed the unmistakable sound of Sara's singing voice. Catherine smiled. Sara must be involved with a case if she was singing in a strange place. She recognized the lyrics from Liz's Phair's last album "I am extraordinary, if you ever get to know me…I am extraordinary…" Catherine thought that Sara was indeed extraordinary. She knocked on the door and upon Sara's approval, let herself in. Sara was happy to see Catherine.
Catherine looked at Sara, all cute snuggled up in pj's and a blanket and restrained the urge to hug her. She just smiled at Sara and said, "So, how are things" Sara smiled back. "Things are good; I am working on the disco rapist case. So far nothing, but I'm hopeful." Catherine quickly deducted that if Sara had the disco rapist case that Grissom must have come over. But ever the CSI, she wanted proof. "So, Greg bring that folder over?" Sara gave Catherine a puzzled look. "No Grissom dropped by today. It was good."
Sara debated asking Catherine about Grissom planning a date, and decided to go for it, swearing Catherine to secrecy. "So Catherine, have you ever been to dinner at the Stratosphere Restaurant." Catherine's eyes widened. "A few years ago, it's definitely a place a man takes you to impress you." Sara nodded, "Is it pretty fancy dress?"
Catherine look shocked. Sara Sidle was asking her for fashion advice. She was definitely going to by a lottery ticket on the way home. "It's a place for a cocktail dress or dressy evening suit." Sara looked pensive. Catherine heeding Lady Heather decided not to push on who was taking her. "Well Sara, if you need to shop, I know a few good places, with nice clothes and reasonable prices. They're run by some old friends of mine from when I was dancing, but they do have some items that are tasteful."
Sara nodded. "I was thinking of looking online." Catherine was aghast. "Sara, for a special evening, you are going to want to try the dress on and then get some accessories and do it all at once." Sara nodded shyly. She picked up the recent issue of Marie Claire that was on the coffee table and motioned for Catherine to sit. Flipping open the magazine Sara commented. "I saw some things in here, tell me what you think." The two women settled in talking about fashion and other non-incendiary topics until it was time for Catherine to leave for work.
As Catherine left Sara hugged her. "Cath... thanks. I know you're the reason I got that plant years ago, I know that you've tried to move him forward." Catherine returned the hug. "Well you both deserve happiness." Sara smiled, "We all do Catherine," she replied, "We all do."
TBC
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed. I find the reviews very motivating. If you like, please recommend to a friend. If you have suggestions, please send my way. If you think the story is the worst ever, you can keep it your secret.
I had many responses regarding the deep fried Oreos. I live in Central PA and if you go to the Grange Fair or other County Fairs, you will find they deep fry everything. They batter the Oreo in the same batter they make funnel cakes, beignets, or zeppoles out of and then drop it in hot oil. The chocolate cookies get moist and the creamy center gets melty, and then it contrasts with the crunchy part of the batter.