Chapter 34

She swung their hands between them, "Sure, why not?" Her answer was light and casual. "A bunch of us are going to a movie tomorrow after work."

He dropped her hand and turned her to him. Narrowing his eyes he made himself as plain as he could risk. "I'm not interested in socializing with…"

She interrupted. "I'm sure everyone would enjoy a little time with the Assistant Director of the lab."

Ah.

"Acting."

She leaned in close and felt the space between them electrify. "Let me know when the play is over."

XXX

When they returned to the wedding some folks were still dancing but Warrick looked ready to go. "You riding with me Sara?"

"If you don't mind dropping me home."

He didn't, much to Grissom's dismay.

He drove directly to the lab and made his way to his office, waving off questions about the wedding or what he was doing in on his night off. Gil Grissom was a man with a mission that he hoped it wasn't too late to accomplish.

He checked his interoffice outbox and found the envelope addressed to the Sheriff right where he had left it. Sliding it in the slot he exhaled and pushed the green button to start the shredder.

Grissom always knew it would come down to a choice; it was good to have made his decision.

An hour later he felt the release in his muscles as the Manhattan Express plunged the first deep hill, speeding toward a series of loops and corkscrews that always calmed his mind.

It felt somehow correct to take this ride, to clear away the past few months, years even. This would finish what he started on that coaster ride all those years ago with Selina, cleanse him of what residue of the past still clung to him in his moments of doubt.

Exiting the car he realized what lay ahead had the potential to be the most frightening and exhilarating ride of his life.

XXX

Lighting candles Sara caught herself humming. She settled onto her sofa, pulling her journal into her lap. Dr. Case was right to insist she keep one; it was a valuable tool. Writing without prejudice she scrawled whatever came to her mind, page after page and when she had purged all she could she shut the book.

Tucking her finger under the thin strap of her dress as she removed it she remembered Grissom's hand on her skin. He had said the words to Nick; she hadn't made this up in her head. He wanted the courage to be vulnerable, and when he spoke the need, he had leaned on her.

When he had begun to tell her he hadn't wanted to socialize with the others there had been fear in his eyes. Her mind boggled that he still worried she might reject him outright but she was satisfied that she had made the right move in cooling his heels while he was still, in fact her supervisor. He hadn't allowed her to be reckless when she was not yet capable of seeing her folly. It was her turn to protect him from stumbling headlong into a situation before his ducks were neatly in a row.

XXX

Walking down the strip away from New York, New York Grissom dialed his phone.

"Hello Gil, how was the wedding?"

"It was fine Sheriff. I'd like to discuss relieving me of my duties as Acting Lab Assistant."

"Have you been drinking, Gil? It's 11:30pm on a Saturday."

"I realize that Sheriff, but I'm going to have to insist."

"Is there something wrong I should know about?"

"No."

"Can we discuss this Monday morning like civilized people?"

"I'd prefer to finish this now. You can remove me as acting Assistant Director, or have my resignation from the lab entirely, your call."

"Calm down Grissom, there's no reason to talk resignation here. Are you sure you wouldn't want to wait until Monday, exorcize some of the spirits from the reception?"

"I've done all the thinking I need to do. What will it be?"

"As you wish."

Sara may not have heard the quacking, but while she drifted off to sleep with her head sliding down the sofa cushion Grissom's last duck fell in with the rank and file.