Chapter Five

Grissom and Sara were laughing as they exited the museum. Even the now-pouring rain didn't dampen their frivolity. The weather in Vegas was normally predictable and Grissom hadn't thought to check the forecast for the day. He hadn't anticipated the rain. He was grateful that he had insisted on using the member parking area as it was closer to the door. Even so, the couple was thoroughly wet by the time they had climbed into the Benz.

"I guess I should have brought my jacket," said Sara, using her hands to shake the water from her hair. "At least my hair will dry quickly."

"There's a blanket in the back. Let me get it." Grissom made to exit the car, but Sara took his arm, shaking her head.

"This is Vegas. We'll probably be dry before we get back to the lab. It's not like it's winter. We'll be fine." Grissom felt the loss when she took her hand away.

Sara's prediction of being dry when they returned was not quite accurate. But the dampness was evaporating quickly with the returning sun. As they pulled up to Sara's car in the parking lot, Grissom suddenly began to wonder about the end of this date. As well as things had gone, a kiss was not only desired, but probably expected. Assuming she had as good a time as he. It was difficult to determine by her current posture. It would be easier if he was walking her to her apartment door. But how did one do this when dropping your date off at her car? And was the lab parking lot considered work, and so off limits?

Unsure, Grissom turned off the engine and took a deep breath. "Sara, I had a wonderful time today. Possibly the best time I've ever had. I hope we can continue seeing each other."

Sara smiled. "The movie 'My Bodyguard'. Tomorrow. My Place. Remember?"

Grissom knew no plans would interfere with spending time with Sara. But he thought it was too early in their relationship to be so intent.

"Unless I'm needed here," indicting the lab with his head.

Sara nodded. "Which could be the case with me, as well. So we'll tentatively plan breakfast and a movie at my place tomorrow morning."

Grissom and Sara looked at each other for several minutes, neither sure how to proceed. Just when Grissom had decided a simple move across the seat would put him in range of Sara's lips, Sara sighed and opened the car door.

"I guess I'll see you this evening at shift." Grissom nodded his head in agreement, disappointment overwhelming him.

He watched her climb into her car and waited for her to start the engine. But instead, she reached for her jacket. Why would she want that now? The sun had already dried up the streets and, with the engine off and no air conditioning, he was feeling warm. Sara pulled her cell from the pocket of her jacket and dialed a number.

Like a school boy, Grissom listened in a vain hope that she was calling him. No sound came. Suddenly, he remembered that he had turned off his phone and pager and reached into his pocket. Waiting for the phone to power up, he saw Sara get out of her car and approach his. She had been trying to call him! His phone began to beep, indicating a voice mail.

But when he glanced at the number, it was not Sara's. He was distracted by Sara pounding on his window. With the car still off, he couldn't roll down a window so opened the door.

"I forgot I left my phone in my jacket pocket and heard it beeping when I got into the car. I had a message calling us to a multiple in Henderson. Apparently, day shift is overextended. I would have thought they would try calling you, too."

"I turned off my phone so we wouldn't be disturbed. I just powered it on and see there is a message. I guess we'd better go in and see how things have progressed."