A/N- Thanks very much for all the reviews. And many thanks to Krystal for beta-ing- I appreciate all your help!
Disclaimer: I once had a dream, there were bunnies, flowers and all the characters of CSI were MINE!
Out of the Closet-Chapter 2
Grissom gathered his papers together as the students filed out of the auditorium. The lecture had gone amazingly well with intelligent questions being asked by the interested students. Surprising, considering how early the lecture had been scheduled.
It was better than he could have hoped for. Usually there would be a room full of students who were obligated to attend and therefore didn't concentrate. But today, the third of his lectures since arriving was popular.
He had been away from Las Vegas and the lab for three days and he could feel himself beginning to relax in his new and temporary routine. The only thing missing from this semi vacation was Sara - and he was missing her.
He picked up his briefcase from beside the podium as the last of the students left. One girl still remained and was slowly approaching his position at the front of the room.
As she neared, he recognised her vaguely. Her wavy, brown hair bounced as she walked and her dark eyes held clear admiration.
Grissom smiled warmly, ready to answer any questions she might have.
"Hi Dr Grissom. I'm Lea-Rose Sympbas." Came her distinctly southern drawl as she thrust out her hand which he took in a quick shake. "That was a great lecture. I have to say I'm intrigued by your work. It's definitely something I could see myself doing."
"You're going the right way about it by taking this class." He told her as the last of his work went into the case and he snapped it shut.
"I'm not actually registered for this class yet. I noticed your name on the bulletin board and just had to come by to listen."
Grissom felt flattered as she explained further.
"I actually went to one of the lectures you did last year at UNLV. I was there for a year but then transferred here. I was always hoping you'd come to speak here though."
"That's very nice of you to say."
She looked at her watch and nodded as if in decision. "Do you maybe want to go grab a coffee?" She blurted out.
Grissom took his, now full, case off the podium. "I'm sorry but I have to go make a phone call. Maybe some other time Miss Sympbas."
Her smile faltered slightly. "Ok sure and er...and you can call me Lea, all my friends do."
"Well I hope to see you in this class tomorrow Lea."
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Nick and Warrick were in the locker room discussing the night's cases, one of which had been solved by the discovery of a lost screw on the back seat of a battered, old Cadillac.
Nick had unsuccessfully searched for the screw all day, which had led to much teasing from his co-workers. And when Sara had eventually found it on the backseat, even more joking had occurred.
It was exactly how she would have liked Grissom to have been when they worked the case involving the rollercoaster. The flirting possibilities that day were endless yet Grissom was emotionally stunted back then and hadn't got the hint.
As Sara walked in on the boys talking she realised the joke hadn't got old yet.
"Hey Sar, I need a screw." Nick informed her with a straight face.
Giving him a look of condescension she moved to her locker and opened it. "I've already given you one today. It hurts that you don't even remember."
"It wasn't that memorable." He shot back.
With that comment their smiles eventually broke free. Warrick watched the two flirt knowing it was just the banter of two very good friends. But he couldn't help notice that Sara seemed different lately, much more content.
"I would have thought it was obvious, you need a screw-you go to the back seat of a Cadillac." Warrick suggested. "You found many screws lately Sara?"
Sara looked at him through narrowed eyes, "I really hope you're still talking about the case Warrick or you're going down on my list of people to avoid when at work."
"That must be a long list because you never talk to anyone around here." Nick said receiving a dirty look for his trouble.
"I was just thinking you seem very happy at the moment." Warrick continued. "Kind of like a new love glow."
Nick concentrated his gaze on her. "I agree with that. Come on Sara. Spill."
Sara shut her locker in an attempt to deflect attention away from her blushes. "Sometimes I wish you guys were less observant." She sulked as she slung her backpack over one shoulder and started to make her way out of the room.
Nick called to her as she left. "I guess you won't be coming out with us lonely singles any more then?"
Sara looked back, "You know I wouldn't give up that, watching you crash and burn every time."
Nick was about to come back with something undoubtedly witty when the shrill ring of a phone sounded.
Sara was quick to answer. "Sidle," She began professionally before letting her tone lighten considerably enough to be noticeable. "Oh hey."
Nick and Warrick looked at one another in agreement, that was him on the phone.
Firstly mouthing 'shut up' to them she said her goodbyes and headed for the parking lot.
Grissom on the end of the line was concerned. "You're only just leaving work?"
"Yes and before you get at me for it, I'm not the only one. The guys were here as well." Swiftly changing the subject she added, "So what are you up to?"
"Raiding the mini bar."
"That's such a lie and you know it."
"True. I really can't understand seven dollars for a soda." His tone soon turned serious. "Did you process the letter?"
"As I thought, there was nothing useful. Ronnie's running more tests though." Getting to her car she lent on the door and soaked up the warm air. "How did the lecture go today?"
He knew Sara didn't want to talk about the letter anymore so answered her question. "It was great, there wasn't an empty seat in the whole place and I think I really persuaded some of them that crime scene investigation is actually interesting."
His enthusiasm caused Sara to smile. "You're so cute, do you know that Griss?"
"Why" He asked puzzled.
"Because you sound so excited, I wish I was there so I could see your face right now."
"I wish you were here too. I know it's only been a couple of days but I really miss you Sara."
"Good." She replied through a broad grin.
"What?"
"What I meant was I miss you like crazy. But I didn't want to say it first in case I freaked you out."
"It would freak me out more if you didn't say it. Especially when I know I only have to be out of a room for a few seconds before Greg is moving in on you."
Sara collapsed further against the door in laughter, not stopping for a good few minutes.
When the sound had subsided Grissom attempted to get some sense out of her. "What is so funny about that?"
"Greg really has you worried when you should know I go for the more mature man."
"Is that just a nice way of saying I'm old?" He almost huffed.
"No, it's a nice way of saying Greg has the maturity of a nine year old."
Now they both started laughing.
"You know my bed is way too cold without you?" Sara flirted down the phone when the moment had passed.
"I didn't realise I made that much heat."
"You do and you know it baby." She cringed as she spoke but not at what she said, but because Nick and Warrick chose exactly that time to walk by her car.
She waved them along, ignoring all their jokes as they went. She decided it would be better if she continued the conversation while sat in her car. She didn't know who else might be lurking around.
Once safely inside, she turned the air conditioning on. "You better be coming back soon or I might find a replacement." She warned. "I wonder what Greg's doing today?"
"Watch it Sidle or I'll..." He trailed off trying to think of an adequate threat.
"You'll what?"
Thinking frantically he came up with the perfect idea. "I will assign you every decomp that comes in for the next year."
"You wouldn't do that."
"And why not?"
"Because every time you try to kiss me I will smell of rotten flesh."
"Maybe I don't want to kiss you."
"You know as well as I do that you can't wait to lay claim on these lips again."
"I can resist the temptation, I managed to do it for years. Question is, could you?" He challenged.
"Yes and I will prove it. Next time I see you there will be no kissing. Not even a peck on the cheek and then we'll see who caves first."
"Honey, you're going up against the master of resistance. You've seen your neck right?"
"Grissom!"
"I'm just saying that I should have a medal for all the times I refrained from kissing your neck." He suddenly adopted a deep voice. "When you'd be looking down the microscope, instead of concentrating on the evidence, I'd be staring at your neck. And I'd imagine running my tongue right from your collarbone all the way up to your ear..."
Sara twisted the dial of the air conditioning up to its highest point. It had got way too hot in the car suddenly and was set to get hotter.
"...And then I would nibble at your earlobe and..."
Sara cut in abruptly, "Grissom I think I want to retract the challenge."
"I'm sorry but a challenge is a challenge." He said very smugly. "Now what do I get when I win?"
"You're not going to win!"
"My my, that was a swift U turn."
"What can I say, I'm competitive to a fault. If you win, which you won't, I'll go on that stupid rollercoaster with you."
"The same stupid rollercoaster you said you wouldn't even go on if a gun was held to your head?"
"Yes." She spat back. "Now if I win, you have to come out the next time me and the boys go for beers."
"Ok, deal." Grissom agreed before he heard a sharp rap at his hotel room door. "Hang on, there's someone at the door." He approached it and looked through the peephole. On the other side stood Lea Rose Sympbas with a piece of paper in her hand.
He wondered how she knew where he was staying and was confused at why she would be visiting at all. He was torn between opening the door and letting her think he wasn't in.
She knocked again.
Sara spoke down the phone again. "Griss, you still there? Is something wrong?"
"It's Lea, one of my students." He whispered not wanting to be heard.
"You do know that thing in front of you is called a door and you're supposed to open it right?"
"Always the joker Miss Sidle." He opened the door and Lea smiled before realising he was on the phone.
She whispered her apologies.
Waving it away he turned his attentions to Sara again. "Sara honey, I'll speak to you tomorrow."
"Ok, and remember what I said about over eager female students. They think you're hot."
"They're not all like you and I was a lot younger in those days."
"But you're still damn sexy now."
"Nice to know. Bye Sara."
"Bye Griss."
He pushed the button to end the call and stayed in the doorway. "What can I do for you Lea?"
"Sorry to interrupt but I needed to get your signature on this before tomorrow or I won't be able to take your class. I didn't want to miss out and I overheard you were staying here. I'm sorry if I overstepped."
Eyeing the document she presented he agreed to sign. He wrote quickly. "No it's ok. I'm glad you made the decision to switch."
"How could I not?" She responded batting her eyelashes seductively.
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After a fitful sleep, Grissom was on his way to the lecture theatre. He wondered how he had found it so much easier to sleep when he had a beautiful woman lying next to him.
Before Sara, sleep had eluded him on far too many occasions and now he was away from her he couldn't sleep again. In the short month they had been sharing each other's lives they had also been sharing a bed almost every day. So her absence was incredibly noticeable.
Taking a sip from the strong coffee he held as he walked through the courtyard, he pushed thoughts of Sara from his head. She was too much of a distraction even when in a completely different state.
He was nearing the main university building when he heard a man shout "Oh my God." The quality of the voice was one he recognised as fright.
Grissom followed the direction of the sound, stopping when he saw a large figure in blue overalls slumped on the floor. He was clutching his face soberly and a bucket and mop lay at his feet.
"Sir..." Grissom called but the man didn't look up. Walking closer, he tried again. "Sir..." He spoke a little louder.
When he reached the man, Grissom knelt down beside him and addressed him softly. "Sir are you alright?" He asked noticing the name 'Joey' stitched on his overalls.
Joey looked up slightly confused. "Are you talking to me?"
"Yes Joey, is there something wrong?"
Joey answered with an agitated voice. "I was just putting my tools away. I opened the utility closet and... I think...dead." He mumbled.
Grissom jumped up and advanced to the door just behind them. He pulled the sleeve of his shirt over his hand and twisted the doorknob with his 'gloved' hand. Inside, he was confronted with a face he recognised.
He knew who it was immediately and felt a chill of realisation. It was happening again, but this time there was a difference. The pink lipstick was there and the body was in a standing position, but this time the victim was a girl.
TBC