Chapter 28
Kendra shoveled an enormous lettuce leaf into her mouth and wiped the dressing from her chin with the back of her hand. "I know you miss your guys, but it's been nice having you on days for awhile."
Sara took her lunch from the microwave, "Yeah, it's hard getting used to functioning in daylight, I think Vlad the Impaler might be a long lost relative, but this hasn't been too bad."
"You thinking about coming over to the light side permanently?"
Sara shrugged. "It might be time. I've been in the dark too long."
"I wish you would. I know you're close to the swing shift but I like having you around."
"I've been thinking about it. Change is my middle name lately." She stopped eating and smiled at her friend, "I kind of like being around."
XXX
"Acting Assistant? I don't think so." Grissom continued his brisk pace down the hall.
Sheriff Atwater stood still, "Gil." The sheriff looked exhausted. Grissom stopped and turned to face him. "Can we talk in private without my chasing you?"
The conference room was handy, and empty. "There isn't much to talk about."
"I know you and Conrad don't see eye to eye. I know you disagreed with his elevation to Lab Director last month but I need you to help me out here."
"I've been helping out. I've been here nearly round the clock, sheriff, but being Conrad's assistant is out of the question."
"Gil, have a seat. I've watched you over the past year, and I know how you feel about administrative duties, but I think you make an excellent balance to Conrad's style. I've been considering this move for you for some time."
"I'm a scientist. I have no interest in politics and press."
"Or time sheets or team evaluations. I get it. That's what makes you the perfect counterpoint to Ecklie."
Grissom rubbed his forehead, wincing at the pain from a small red mark, the remnant of a drunken stumble two nights ago. It seemed like weeks ago. He hadn't seen Sara more than a half hour since then. He'd sent her and Catherine to help cover the day shift, giving him a break from the estrogen carrying sex for a few weeks. He was still processing the things Selina had left him with, gleaning for all of the lessons his letters had hidden in them.
"Two weeks."
"Sorry?"
"I'll be acting A.D. for two weeks while you figure something more permanent. After that I'm going back to swing."
XXX
In his office Grissom stared at his computer screen. His email inbox was overflowing and apparently sending messages back to their originators. He heard a weary sigh and realized it came from him.
He deleted a few messages without opening them. His penis size hadn't received any complaints thank you very much. Granted there weren't many people who had had the opportunity to judge, but he thought he'd pass on the offers to enlarge it just the same.
He glanced up at his door, sensing a shadow there. Nothing.
Subject: LOOKING FOR GOOD TIME FRIEND
Delete.
Subject: New regulations regarding the lab refrigerators. (this means you gil)
Delete.
Again, the feeling that someone was hovering in his door frame. Again there was no one.
Subject: fw:Redneck video games
Delete.
He walked to the door and looked down the hall. Warrick was passing with his face in a folder. "You lost Gris?"
"Did you see anyone hanging around here?"
"Naw. You're probably just missing Sara, isn't this her spot?" Warrick snarked with a smile and kept moving.
The new acting Assistant Director shook his head and returned to his email.
The clearance of the few had made way for more.
NEW MAIL
From: S.Sidle
Subject: Schedule change
He clicked on Sara's email, and checked the timestamp. She had sent it only moments ago from her home account.
Hey Gris-
Give me a call tonight if you get a second.
Sara
Telepathically hovering at his door? Somehow the vaguely worded request made him uneasy. He picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hi, It's Grissom."
She wondered at the introduction. Did he honestly believe she wouldn't recognize his voice?
"That was fast. Cleaning out your inbox?"
His eyes smiled. "Getting ready for my new duties."
"New duties?"
"Assistant lab director."
"WHAT? Ecklie's assistant? This has to be some kind of a joke."
Her response, predictable and supportive, gratified him. The cadence of her voice reminded him how much he missed her. In his mind he pictured her, draped across the chair in his office, smiling and glowing.
"It's temporary. I'm doing the sheriff a favor. What can I do for you?" He drew his top lip into his mouth and bit it softly, chastising himself automatically for making a quick list in his head of what he wished he could do for her.
"I…I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. I'm working on changing my life, y'know? Clearing out the demons? Anyway, day shift, it feels like a fresh start and I was wondering how you would feel about letting me stay with them."
"Permanently?"
"Maybe. Yeah."
He was silent. She hadn't wanted to do this on the phone but knew she didn't want to see his face when she told him she wanted to leave his shift.
"Gris?"
"Did I do something? Or not do something? I realize that things have been disjointed lately…" his voice trailed off.
She closed her eyes and leaned back in her bed, "It isn't about you. I know I've been reactionary in the past but this isn't a punishment. I've been doing good work with my psychologist, I'll never be able to thank you enough for sending me to her, but I think for a little while I need to live in the light. Can you understand that?" her voice was soft, not chiding.
"I'm happy for you Sara. I've noticed the change. If this is what you honestly want I'll sign the paperwork tonight."
There was something sad in his voice when he told her he was happy. He sounded like a child being left behind as his siblings were taken on a vacation to Disney World.
"I want you to know, I'm not running from (she paused searching for the word to say what she meant without laying it out too plainly) THIS. Its just time for me to try new things."
His fingers caressed the desk in front of him. 'This' The word had become dense with meaning since that evening in his door frame. He responded the only way he could at the moment. "Thank you. Don't worry, I'll take care of this."
He hung up the phone leaving her to wonder exactly which "this" he was referring to.