Remembering Forward
Chapter 2
A/N: Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed the first chapter! Those comments meant a lot to me. I hope you all like chapter 2.
By the way, pergamine paper is used for "temporary storage of Lepidoptera and other insects" (from an entomology website). I also found out it is used in other assorted experiments.
Sara just emerged from the bathroom as she was finishing getting ready for work that evening. She put on her watch and made her way out to the kitchen to pack her lunch.
Grissom was already in kitchen preparing his food. She smiled at him as she opened the refrigerator door contemplating what to have. As she was going through the contents she smelled it: that slimy, meaty smell. Hot dogs.
She turned around, looked over his shoulder, and sure enough he was making hot dogs for himself. The food would always have a special, yet disgusting meaning for her.
Sara looked at him and said "You better not be putting chili and onions with that."
Sara enjoyed the breakfasts and dinners she shared with Grissom during the past few weeks. Getting to know him on a more personal level was exhilarating because he never revealed anything to her previously.
But the meals were getting somewhat boring because they hadn't ventured out beyond restaurants yet. So she was thrilled when he asked her to go to a baseball game with him. She wasn't a big sports fan, but she couldn't wait to see him in a more relaxed and casual setting.
He had a 10 game ticket set to the Las Vegas 51s, Nevada's minor league baseball team. His seat was field level along the first base line, and he told Sara that he had an extra ticket for her.
The game was scheduled at 7:05pm, and they both had the evening off. She was nervously waiting for him to pick her up. He was supposed to pick her up at 5:30, but it was now nearing 6.
At 5:53 there was a knock on her door, and she jumped to answer it. When she opened the door, she was greeted to the sight of Grissom she'd never seen before.
He wore tennis shoes and blue jeans. His shirt was a nice shade of royal blue that matched his ball cap. The blue brought out his eyes, making them sparkle.
Sara giggled silently at the cap; the blue hat had a gray alien stitched on the front. She knew the cap for the Las Vegas 51s as they were named after Area 51.
"Sorry I'm late. I had to pick up some essentials for the game," he said as he gestured to the small duffle bag he was carrying.
"Essentials? And those would be…"
"Peanuts, popcorn, and Cracker Jacks," he smiled.
She chuckled a little at that and shook her head.
"You ready to go?" he asked.
"Yeah, let's head out." He stepped aside to let her out, and she locked the door; then they were off to Cashman Field.
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Grissom always showed what great manners he had whenever they went out. Tonight was no exception. He opened the passenger car door, waited until she was in her seat, and then closed it.
The end of their dates also showed his class; whenever he dropped her off, he walked her to her front door. He never made any attempts to get invited inside.
And no matter what, he always gave her a kiss on the cheek before saying good bye. Truthfully, Sara wanted to know how those velvety lips would feel against her own. She knew though, that he did things in his own time, and she didn't want to push him or scare him off. If it took too long getting to their first real kiss, he would get a little nudging.
The evening was warm enough to be without a jacket, and the stadium wasn't very crowded. The couple got to their seats with ease; they settled to watch the game.
Remembering their conversation at the hockey rink so many years ago Sara turned to him, and said "All right where is the beauty in this?"
Grissom looked at with that endearing quizzical expression, "You don't see it?"
"I see a group of steroid-pumped, overpaid men mentally equivalent to fourth graders hitting a ball with a stick."
Putting his arm gently around her shoulders to direct her attention, he said "Look at the diamond."
She found it a little difficult to observe when his arm touched her shoulder, but she found her concentration somehow. It looked like a diamond.
Sara shrugged her shoulders. "I still don't see it."
"Look at the foul lines. They're perfectly straight, dividing the diamond equally. Balance in a chaotic game."
She turned her eyes to the field again and she could see it this time. The white lines standing out against the dark brown earth. The emerald green shimmering under the brilliant lights.
"I see it," she answered in a hushed voice. She felt his eyes lingering on her before they turned back to the field.
"So you see the symmetry?"
"No. It's the colors."
He seemed perplexed for a moment before turning to the field again. She watched him out of the corner of her eye; he studied it like he was studying a new species of beetle. Familiar, but unique.
He smiled at her and asked, "Would you like to help me keep score?"
As the game started Grissom patiently explained all the numbers and symbols used in the book. He showed her how to record outs, hits, and strikes. His smooth voice never talked down to her. It was those traits that made him an excellent teacher
By the fourth inning, she became quite proficient with the numbers, and told him she could handle scoring while he went to grab some food.
That was another great aspect of baseball: the food. Sure it was insanely over-priced, but baseball was just one of those sports that went well with all that greasy food.
Sara politely asked him to get her some nachos, and just as he was about to head up the steps, she called his name.
"You know, you can get a hot dog or a burger or something else if you want."
He smiled at her, then went up to the concession stands. Just because she didn't eat meat, didn't mean he had to also. It'd taken several dates for her to convince him it wouldn't be a problem if he had meat with his meal. She just didn't want to see it raw. Besides, she suspected that he loved a hot dog with his baseball.
A few minutes later he appeared, loaded down with food. He handed her the nachos and she noticed he had gotten himself a chili dog, topped with cheese and onions, and barbeque chips on the side.
She laughed to herself again. It was a good thing he didn't take her seriously.
"I got this for you too" he said as he handed her the infamous alien hat. She was surprised and touched that he had gotten this souvenir.
"Thank you," she murmured, rewarding him with another bright smile.
The two of them enjoyed the rest of the game. Sara was surprised when she heard him whistle and cheer the 51s on to a win. He was obviously having fun and being carefree; she knew right then she wanted to see this side of him more often.
There was no climatic ending to the game as the Las Vegas 51s were able to win easily with a score of 8-2. Grissom packed the leftover snacks and the score book in his bag, and the two headed out. He surprised her again when he grabbed her hand as they walked out of the stadium and didn't let go.
Her smaller hand fit nicely into his larger one. His fingers were callused from years on the job so they felt a little rough, but she loved the action anyway. A warm feeling passed through her as they continued to the car.
They drove back to her apartment in a compatible silence. It had been a wonderful evening and she hoped to share many more.
He walked her to the front door, and she waited for her usual goodbye kiss on the cheek.
However, he took a step closer. His eyes looked different, but maybe that was because she had never seen them this close before. He smelled like grass, peanuts, baseball, and Grissom. She heard her heart thundering away as he leaned in closer to claim her lips.
Sara never experienced any kiss like this; his lips were soft, and he was incredibly gentle. Her brain melted at the simple, brief touch.
Grissom pulled back after a moment, and smiled. "Good night," he whispered.
This time, she was not going to let him off that easy.
They touched lips again and her tongue tried to seek a way into his mouth. He complied, and she couldn't wait to figure out how he tasted. For some reason, she had always thought he would taste like vanilla…when she suddenly pulled back.
Sara had forgotten about the chili dog. With onions. Combined with the popcorn and barbeque chips. He tasted…he tasted…well, not like vanilla.
He must have tasted something similar in her mouth because he had the same look of politely suppressed disgust. It was then she realized her breath wasn't that good either. She didn't pop any mints to cover up the nachos and the other salty snacks she indulged in because she never expected him to kiss her on the lips tonight.
They both chuckled at this predicament. This definitely was not how she imagined her first kiss with Grissom. Although she had to admit he looked rather cute fighting against his embarrassment.
She felt all the blood traveling to her face; she had to be bright red by now. Using what last bit of strength she had, and there wasn't much, she kissed him quickly on the cheek, told him goodnight, and entered her apartment.
Once she closed the door, she started to laugh. It had been a lovely night and now this was how it ended. She just hoped this was a minor set back and he would not be afraid to kiss her again.
Sara knew that wasn't going to the case as she heard him chuckling on the other side of her door.
She made a mental note to have Altoids with her at the next game.
Grissom certainly wasn't afraid of kissing her after that night. In fact, they shared a great many kisses to date. Good night kisses, good morning kisses, good bye kisses, stolen kisses…
But that still didn't mean Sara enjoyed the smell of hot dogs.
She looked at her fiancé as he kept working with the food before him. He turned around, and gave her a firm, but sweet kiss.
"Why? You didn't seem to mind it the first time…"