Growing Together
Part 6
Summary: Sara shares something important with Grissom.
A/N: I tried very hard to make the list IC and I hope I succeeded. Thanks to Ace for her help.
xxxxx
Sara was more than relieved when she shut her car door. Now she could finally leave the eyes behind.
No one had talked to her directly, but she could almost feel their thoughts. She just wanted everything to be normal again.
As odd as it was, because up until now that was something creating tension, Grissom's cold behavior towards her as a front for the others was the only thing that had felt normal and had given her the strength to remain calm. She definitely was not good at dealing with strained personal relationships.
Sighing, she put the car in gear and started her drive to Grissom's place.
When Grissom had hurried to work last night, she had taken the rest of the time until her own departure by packing up some things to follow him home after work.
He left work first and was probably already home. She had gotten held up in the A/V lab, finishing on some video footage a camera near the scene had provided, thus leaving work about an hour after Grissom. To prevent a repeat of yesterday, she had sent him a message, letting him know that she would be late.
A quick glance to the passenger side where her list was resting and Sara thought ahead to the plans that still had to be made. She had already started working on some points, and it felt good to know that she was moving forward.
The problem was, and that's where she was a bit reluctant, she had to take some time off to really start working through her list. A form was waiting on Grissom's desk for a signature, which was a first for her. She was actually taking a vacation. It was against her nature, but it was necessary, even if she couldn't take time off right away. Grissom had to review the schedules first, and some part of her hoped that he could arrange for some time together. That would not only make her feel better; it would also give them the chance to strengthen their relationship further.
Satisfied with her actions up until now, she felt better knowing that she was taking her life into her own hands to make some necessary changes.
xxxxx
When Sara carried her overnight bag and her backpack with the list inside, she could already smell the food.
On the phone they had agreed on something dinner-like to balance yesterday's lack of it. Grissom had opened the door and had then retreated to the kitchen again, leaving her to guess what he had cooked. Her nose told her that whatever it was, it was meatless.
She would have to talk to him about that, laying down some ground rules that would be acceptable for both of them. He didn't have to go vegetarian just because she was one. It was his choice.
She sniffed again and thought that she could detect onions and basil. She followed the scent to the kitchen and found Grissom standing over the pots, stirring some green leaf vegetable.
"Hey!" She leaned over his shoulder and pecked him on his left cheek.
"You're feeling better?"
"Mmhmmm."
"Good. Food's ready in five minutes. You can change into something more comfortable if you want."
Sometimes she still wondered where he had hidden this considerate homey guy, but she knew he was doing it just for her. This was his way of trying to make it work because he knew how much 'home' meant to her.
His effort made her realize how important the list really was.
He had opened up to her. He had tried hard to overcome the restrictions of his personality to let her in. It was only fair that she did her best to manage her life to make 'theirs' better. He had done the first step, now it was her turn.
She followed his advice to redress, and when she returned, he had already filled their plates, waiting for her.
"Dinner first, then talk?" she asked, although she would have liked to catch some sleep.
Grissom smiled and took a seat. Sara joined him, still not sure what it was exactly that Grissom had cooked. "Spinach cream sauce."
With a smile she dug in.
xxxxx
The kitchen cleaned up, they had taken a seat on the couch when he looked at her expectantly, and she knew what he wanted.
Sighing, she snuggled closer, not really wanting to leave the warmth of his arms. For a few minutes, they just remained as they were, not doing anything but being together. Both of them found comfort in the other's arms.
Finally, Sara knew it would be no use putting it off any longer and went to fetch her list. It had taken her a while to decide whether or not to share, but in the end, she decided that it would show him how important this was to her.
She sat down again next to Grissom, but held the paper away from him. His only response was a lifted eyebrow and an amused smirk as her arm stretched to keep the list out of reach. "Can I say something first?"
The other eyebrow rose to meet the first, and Sara continued. "This is a list I made about what I need to do. It's important."
She brought her hand down and held the paper so Grissom could read it.
1. Take time off to sort everything out(WIP)
2. Get help(WIP)
3. Talk to Grissom(WIP)
4. Work through all memories
5. Clear things up with Nick
6. Work on relationships
7. Plan for future
8. Redecorate apartment
While he read, Sara went over the single points in her head again. She should have done something like this years ago, but right now these goals seemed more possible than ever before.
Grissom took it all in with a serious expression. He wasn't taking this lightly; she never expected him to do that.
They both knew that it was not only important to Sara; it was also a necessary step in their relationship. Each of them had to develop individually to make for a stable partnership. Now that Grissom saw how serious Sara was about this, he knew he had to start his own process of healing.
When he was done reading, he pulled her closer to him and kissed her temple, smiling slightly. "I get the points one to seven, but what is eight about?"
Sara couldn't tell if he was trying to lift the mood, or if he really had no idea. Knowing Grissom, it was probably the latter. "It's cleansing."
Obviously, he still didn't understand. Judging from their surroundings, he hadn't done any redecoration in a long time. She could feel his eyes following her around and wondered how he perceived his own home.
She didn't need to wonder anymore because Grissom did something completely out of character. "If you're finished with yours, maybe you could help me get a new life into my house?"
His request left her stunned, not knowing what to make of it at first, but then the possibilities started floating around in her head. He wanted her in his life, so much so that he was really opening up his home for her.
This thought invited others, leading to her imagining a point in the future where they would not have to redecorate two but one home. She knew it was too early and that she had to work through most of her list first, but didn't point six include this kind of dreaming?
When Grissom moved, it brought her back from her musings. One look at his face and she knew he was taking her silence as rejection. It also told her that it was not just an empty offer.
She leaned over and pressed her lips to his. Pulling back after a deep and thorough kiss, she sought out his eyes once more and whispered, "I promise your bugs can stay."
Grissom relaxed and tightened his arm around her to pull her closer. "They will be grateful to hear that."
A small laugh escaped her, hearing some genuine relief in his voice, although she didn't know why he had doubted her. Yes, she did not like it when they pulled a body with bugs, and there were things more fun than racing roaches, but that was a part of him. She had known that he loved his bugs from the day they met, and she would never try to change that. As long as he didn't let them run around the house, she was fine. She didn't have to love them – she never would – but she could tolerate them and indulge him.
They snuggled some more before Sara began to get up.
Grissom didn't want to let her go and tugged on her arm to keep her from leaving him.
"Shower!" she whined, giving him a pleading look.
He considered her wish before letting her go.
With a smile, she kissed him again. "I really need a shower and some sleep. In that order."
Grissom nodded and stared after her as she sauntered off in the direction of his bathroom.
It wasn't long before he followed her.
TBC