Disclaimer: Nope don't own them or anything like it.
Spoilers: It's set Post Grave Danger so spoilers for Season 5 & 6
Author's Note: It's a darker story than others I've posted, no one beta'd so any errors our mine own. R&R let me know what you think. We're almost to the end thanks for joining me on this journey.
"Sara. Honey I need you to talk to me. We have to wait for the all clear from the bomb squad and then we're going to get you out of there and warm you up. Also I was thinking when this is all over you might like to go out to dinner?"
Sara's mind was fuzzy, tired and unable to decide if the she was really seeing Grissom and really heard him say that or if she was hallucinating. 'This can't be real I must be hallucinating,' she told herself 'because I think he just asked me out.' It seemed so out of character for the reclusive entomologist. That it had to be something her brain created from fantasy.
For years she'd wanted Grissom to invite her out to dinner. After two years at the lab she'd taken the initiative, asked him and was rejected. Now her final minutes would be hallucinating that a glass wall separated them and he finally was taking a step forward. It wasn't fair. If her brain was going to indulge in fantasy why not a better one like him kissing her or making love to him. She didn't bother wiping away the tear rolling down her cheek to join the water that continued to pour into the cell.
"Sweetie I need to know if you can hear me. Sara nod your head if you can hear me."
"Noott reeall halllucccinattion." Hypothermia was making her stutter because it was hard to talk with the violent teeth chattering she was experiencing from the cold without risking biting her tongue. The ironies of her situation weren't lost on Sara. Any attempt at over talking would be physical painful. While she'd grown up near the ocean, she'd drown in the desert. Years of trying to get Grissom to talk to her and now it would be too late to act on it. More tears followed the path the last one had taken. She was cold, tired and sad.
"Sara I'm not a figment of your imagination. We can sort all that out after the bomb squad gets you out."
"Doo yooou rea-lly thiiink heee leffft a bommmmb?" Sara asked.
Grissom had thought knowing where Sara was would eliminate some of the tension, but in reality it had only gotten worse. His head pounded and stomach still churned even though he knew where she was. His heart ached because she still wasn't safe and it was harder seeing her through the plexiglass than it had been on the computer screen. Except now he could see the chattering of teeth, her violent shaking and the blue tint to her skin. He was so close, but still too far away. It frustrated him that he couldn't wrap his arms around her and carry her away from this nightmare to some place safe and warm.
"I really don't know. I mean he said Gordon deviated from the plan, but we don't know if the plan originally included a pressure release bomb."
Sara nodded and closed her eyes. "This is our third explosion." Neither had been seriously injured in their previous encounters with explosives. They had each only gotten small cuts when they were near the bombing epicenter; hers from the lab explosion, while his were from when Walter Gordon blew himself up. They had both tried to process evidence too close to bombs in the Durbin case, but were lucky. This would be their third explosion at a crime scene and she wondered if their luck would hold.
Turning his cell back on he called Brass. "Jim what's the eta on the bomb squad and ambulance?" He noticed that she wasn't shaking and chattering as much which was a bad sign. Sara needed to get to Desert Palms as quickly as possible. Hanging up the phone he started re-examining her cell looking for anything that might indicate if there was a bomb and where it would be.
"You need to go." She pleaded with him. He shook his head firmly he wasn't going anywhere without her. "What if there really is a bomb?"
"Then we'll face it together."
"No I don't want you to die." She hated the wheedling tone in her voice, but the idea of something happening to him broke her heart. Looking into her eyes he saw her eyes filled with unshed tears. "Please Gil just go."
"We need to find a way to get you out of there. There will be an ambulance parked just a few feet away prepared to whisk you off to the hospital for treatment once we get you free."
"Gil." He watched as her tears began again. "Why won't you go and save yourself? If I wasn't worth risking your career, then why should I be worth risking your life?" This time the tears fell, streaking down her face.
"Have you ever watched Stargate SG-1?" Sara shook her head as she continued to tread water. He was surprised to find she didn't watch the science fiction show about exploring the universe through worm holes, but then she'd probably find physics and scientific errors unbearably annoying. "They had a similar situation were General O'Neill wouldn't leave his subordinate the beautiful astrophysist Sam even though it meant both their deaths. When questioned by an advanced alien lie detector he admitted he couldn't leave her because he cared about her a lot more than he was supposed too." She waited for him to continue. "I'm not leaving because like O'Neill I'd rather die myself than lose you."
"I'd feel the same way."
Neither knew what to say as they waited for the bomb squad, but the silence wasn't entirely uncomfortable as they both accepted and became more comfortable with their admissions. Going around to the backside of the desk he noticed that the computer screens offered the option of draining the tank and raising the plexiglass. So now that he had a way to get her out of the tank he continued walking around the room he searched for a trigger or detonator. When his phone rang he answered it.
"Grissom. You read the other case file and seen the video? Then you know he used pressure switches as a booby trap. Yes I agree it was a trap designed to take out as many cops and CSIs as possible. The room's pretty empty a desk, computer, and camera. You come down some steps. I agree. Okay. Put Brass back on the phone. Jim we don't have time to be cautious. Sara's not shivering anymore so her condition is getting risky. We need to find a way to get her out and up the stairs asap. Yeah that might work. Okay."
Sara listened to his side of the conversation. She felt odd almost like she was drunk and confused. He hung up the phone and faced her again. "Sara I'm going to use the computer program to drain the water and get you out of here. Okay?"
"What about the bomb?"
"Brass is clearing the area and we'll just have to wait and see."
Pressing the keys he waited for the explosion that never came. For long minutes he stared at the tank waiting for some sign that the water was stopping and start draining. Finally with a small gurgle the water began to seep away. Like a tub slowly draining the water began to recede. Pulling out his phone he called Brass back. "Jim the water's draining so its time to work on securing the line."
Stepping over to the tank he smiled at Sara who was smiling as the water got lower and lower. Pushing her wet hair back from her temples Grissom was sure he'd never seen anything so beautiful. The door above the stairs opened. "Gil?"
Leaving her he headed over to where Jim was leaning in through the doorway. "Hey Jim."
"How are you guys doing?"
"Better."
"Good. Here's the repelling line and harness. Once you secure it down there we'll haul Sara up and then you." Grissom nodded as he caught the equipment Jim tossed down.
"Make sure that ambulance is ready Jim."
"I will."
By the time the line was secured, the water had completely drained. Turning back to the tank he found Sara collasped in a small puddle. She was shivering again. Taking off his coat he wrapped her in it, knowing it wasn't enough, but at least it was a start. "Sara." He whispered as he pulled her into his arms. "We're going to get you out of here."
As he scooped her up, Sara stretched an arm up to wrap around his neck, pressing her face against his neck. Feeling the warmth of his body around hers and smelling his familiar scent helped Sara believe this wasn't a dream. The tears started as she realized how close she'd come to dying.
"Shh. It's okay you're safe now. Let's get you out of here."
"Griss."
"I'll be right behind you I promise. After the hospital we'll get that hot meal I promised."
"Kay. I'd like that."
Setting her down he pulled the harness up around her waist and buckled her in. "Jim pull her up now." He yelled up the stairs. then softer to Sara "I'll see you soon." Before kissing her on the forehead.
