Chapter 35

Sara was the last person from her shift to leave on Monday afternoon. Almost everyone else had streamed through the doors by seven minutes past five but Sara finally walked to her car at quarter to six.

A piece of white computer paper was tucked under her windshield wiper on the driver's side. Looking around she saw no flyers on the other cars in the lot. She considered grabbing gloves out of her bag before she picked it up but pushed away the paranoia.

Unfolding it in her hands she read the interoffice memo:

To: All Department Heads

Re: Assistant Lab Director Position

This is to inform you that Gil Grissom is no longer the Acting Assistant Director of the lab. Gil has gone above and beyond in his willingness to help the department out at such a difficult time but has asked to be removed from these duties. I feel certain that a permanent choice for this position will be made within the next two weeks.

Sheriff Atwater

Underneath there was one handwritten word.

Dinner?

Sara grinned and pushed her sunglasses on top of her head. She glanced around and saw Gil, standing by his car, watching her. When she caught his eye he approached.

He lifted his eyebrows, "So?"

"Are you sure about giving up this opportunity Gris?"

"You know that job isn't for me. I'm where I'm supposed to be."

She couldn't argue with that. They stood in silence for a moment and for once, it was Grissom that broke it.

"What do you say, let's have dinner, see what happens?" a wry smile played at the edges of his mouth.

"I can't. A bunch of us are starting a yoga class tonight, I promised to have dinner with the girls after class."

He looked away. Grissom's lips pursed, his head tilted, it was such a familiar tic. He didn't look at her when he spoke. "Have fun. I'll see you." And turned on his heel to leave.

She got in her car and sat for a moment. What had she done? She did have plans with her friends, and she wasn't going to cancel them just because a guy asked her out, but this was Grissom.

No. It didn't matter. She needed to not let her feelings for him control her.

Still, she could have let him know that not tonight didn't mean not ever. He had covered it well but she knew he was stung. Not willing to risk his complete retreat she dug her cell phone from her pocket and hit #2 on her speed dial.

"Grissom."

"How about breakfast?"

His world turned on a dime. "Breakfast?"

"Before your shift, tonight, well, tomorrow technically I guess."

"You should be sleeping by then."

"So I'll cat nap after dinner with the girls. It's not like we haven't pulled all niters before- I'll be fine."

He closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the seat. He was parked a row behind her and she could watch him in the rear view mirror. His eyes were closed. "Breakfast would be great."

"I'll meet you at Pete's, around12:30?"

"Not Pete's. Too many cops. I know a place, I'll pick you up."

"Gil, are we hiding?"
"No. I wouldn't say we were advertising, but we're not hiding. I just don't want a bunch of cops assuming we on a break and hanging out with us."

"Mmmm. Good call. Okay, I'm late, I'll see you tonight."