Ties That Bind
Disclaimer: Refer To Chapter 1…
Passing DNA, Sara spotted Greg. Some force inside her propelled her into the room, interrupting his conversation with the tech. The tech indicated that someone was coming in, and Greg turned around to see Sara's smile.
"Hey, Greggo. Think I can steal you for a second?" Sara asked.
He walked out into the hall with her. "I was totally flirting with her. This better be important," he joked.
Sara pulled him into a hug and whispered in his ear, "I'm sorry about this evening. I didn't mean to go crazy in there. I've just been wound too tight lately, and I needed to unleash some of it. I shouldn't've taken it out when everyone was there."
"Leggo the Greggo, Sara! I can't work the ladies if you're hanging on me." His smile and laughter said everything she needed to hear. Sara pulled away and used her own smile to thank him.
Sara muttered to herself, "One more." There was one more person she needed to talk to before she left for the day. Where was Nick? After searching what she thought was everywhere, Sara walked almost dejectedly to Grissom's office.
"Nicky! I've been looking for you everywhere," Sara announced, leaning against the doorjamb.
When he turned around and just looked at her, Sara immediately regretted bursting happily into the room. A subdued glance from Grissom confirmed her suspicions. Sara backed off of the frame and moved into the middle of the doorway. Her body moved into intruder mode.
"Am I interrupting anything? Sorry, that's stupid. I can see that I am. I'm sorry. I—I didn't know. You guys were talking. I just ran in here without thinking. I'll just…uh, just… I'm leaving now," Sara rambled.
As she turned embarrassedly to leave, Nick stopped her. "Sara, you want to talk?"
Sara's eyes flew from Nick to Grissom and back to Nick. "Yeah, but whenever. It's not… not something that's worth interrupting you guys over. We can talk la—"
Glancing from Nick to Sara, Grissom interrupted, "I was just going over to DNA to look in on the results from my latest case. You two can talk here if you'd like."
Grissom made his way quickly to the door, never taking his eyes off of Sara. Ever so gently, he squeezed her arm on the way past. The touch was calming and gentle, and Sara was reassured by it.
As soon as Grissom was out of the room, Sara moved in and dropped herself into the chair beside Nick. An uncomfortable silence overtook the room and enveloped them. Both of them were avoiding looking at the other, trying to figure out where to start talking.
"Nick, I'm no good at this, but I just… wanted to say that I think I overreacted this morning."
"No, no, you didn't. You were about to get eaten alive." He avoided her eyes.
"That's what upsets me the most. I don't understand why people believe I could do it. And, specifically why people think I shouldn't."
"Because of your history with Grissom." His tone was soft and yet, still accusing.
"What history?" Sara huffed, "What is it people think we did?"
"C'mon, Sara." Nick turned to face her. "He invited you here, he asked you to stay, and he treats you differently. There had to be something."
"There was never anything between Grissom and me, no matter what people may imagine. Why is that so hard to believe?"
Nick looked down at his hands nervously. "Can't you see the way he treats you sometimes?"
Sara let out one single chuckle. "Yeah, I see that he can barely stand to be in the same room with me, look in my eyes, or carry on a conversation for more than two minutes, even when it's work-related. If that's what you're talking about, sure, I can see that as being different."
He shook his head in response. "And, why is it that he treats you that way? No… No… don't answer that. I don't really care why. I don't really care what you two did in your past. That's not what this is about. I'm more concerned with being accused of being hostile with you over the years—"
"Nick, you have to admit that things were a little strained for us in the beginning. And, even a few times through the years. It's been a slight undercurrent. Not to say that we're at each other's throats, but you know we've both after the same goals."
"I've always thought of you as a sister. I have enjoyed working with you. I would never intend to be hostile to you… not for six years, anyway."
"Most of what I said was directed towards two people in particular. I already apologized to Greg. This is why I was looking for you. We've been honest with each other, and I wouldn't want it any other way… I'm sorry."
Nick smiled. "Me, too. I'm sorry you've felt that way. Not really your fault Grissom picked you to work here." The smile turned a little wry. "Speaking of which, when you said that there was nothing between you and Grissom…"
Sara winced. "Oh, no!" she exclaimed, embarrassed, "Not going there. He's our boss… that'd just be crazy."
Nick noticed the flush on her face, but allowed her the idea that she was hiding how she felt about Grissom. "Cool. If you ever need to talk…" Nick stood to leave. "…just let me know. I'll be there in a heartbeat."
Sara remained in her seat, but looked over her shoulder watching Nick leave. "Thanks, Nick. I'm good for now. But, I might take you up on that. Better stay on your toes."
"You want breakfast? I know how much you like the diner." Nick flashed a devilish grin and waggled his eyebrows.
"Nah, but thanks. I've got plans for breakfast. Maybe tomorrow."
"Hot date?"
Sara found herself in a fit of laughter. "No, not a hot date. You keep assuming I've got a steamy romance in my life. It's just breakfast with a friend I haven't seen in a while. It gives me a reason to get out of the house."
"Gotcha. Have a good day, Sar."
With that, Nick was gone leaving Sara alone in Grissom's office. She sat back in her chair and threw her feet up on Grissom's desk. Completely contented for the first time in months, Sara shut her eyes and smiled. Relief flooded her as she placed her hands behind her head and stretched.
"You look comfortable," Grissom observed from the doorway.
Sara did not even bother to turn around. "Mmm."
"You ready to go home?"
"Depends," she sighed, "How'd the DNA results turn out?"
"What DNA results?" Grissom walked over to his desk and sat down.
"The ones you went to retrieve," Sara reminded him.
"I don't know," he admitted, "I suppose we can find out at our shift tonight."
Sara opened one eye to peek at him. "For someone who claims to not be very good with people…"
"I'm not completely inept at reading people, just sometimes in responding to them when I'm afraid of the result." Grissom tipped his head slightly and winked at her, a slow and small smile spreading over his lips.
"Feed me. I'm starving," Sara stated bluntly.
As Grissom opened his mouth to respond, Catherine busted into the room. Abruptly, she stopped upon seeing Sara's relaxed nature. She eyes the brunette quizzically for a few moments in an attempt to understand the situation. Grissom cleared his throat, interrupting Catherine's inspection.
"You owe me breakfast, Gil," Catherine stated bluntly.
Sara swung her legs down and rubbed her eyes. She rested her elbows on her knees and rested her head in her hands. It was an attempt to hide the awkwardness she felt at being caught in Grissom's office so at ease.
"I owe you breakfast?" he almost squeaked, "How did you reach that conclusion?"
"You promised to go to breakfast once a week. You missed the last one. So, I'm making you buy me breakfast as your apology. The entire team's going. Get your jacket, and let's go."
Sara stood to leave, purposefully not looking at Grissom. "I'll see you guys at shift tonight. I'm going home. My bed is calling."
"You have to eat, too," Catherine demanded, "You're coming with us. Meet at the diner."
Before either one could react, Catherine was gone, leaving two very confused people in her wake.
"You said you were hungry," Grissom teased her.
"That wasn't all I had on my mind. Regretfully, I have to remain professional for another hour or so. I suppose it won't kill me. I need to get in practice."
"Is everything… all right after what you told me earlier?"
"Better than ever. For the first time I can remember, I can say that my outburst actually did some good." Sara tilted her head to the door. "Let's not keep them waiting."