After the awards and meal, the dancing ensued, along with more mingling. Catherine had grabbed Warrick and led him off to the dance floor. Nick had made his way over to the table with the punch and was making conversation with a young blond from LVPD. Sara leaned over to Billy and started whispering to him. He then took his cue and asked Jorja to dance.
Grissom and Sara found themselves alone. She took her chance to slide her hand along his thigh as he had done earlier. He made no move to stop her, but he watched intently with his eyes. He brought his gaze up to her eyes to see that she was fixedly searching his face.
"Have I told you how wonderful you look tonight?" he asked.
"Mmm. Yes, but I never tire of hearing you say it... You look stunning. I love seeing you in a tux," she cooed.
"Where'd you find this wonderful date of yours?" he inquired with the musings of a smile.
"He's my next door neighbor's son. He brings in groceries for the lady. He calls me sometimes when he can't get over very often and asks me to check on her. So, he owed me a few favors," she explained mechanically.
Their gaze burned into each other. Desire was clearly evident as they stared into the depths of each other's eyes. Grissom glanced at her lips, wanting nothing more than to touch them, caress them, kiss them. Sara squeezed his thigh, consequentially bringing him back to reality and his eyes back up to hers.
"Uh-huh... What was it you told Billy to make him take her to the dance floor? Won't that make Nick a little mad?" He was toying with her.
"Nah. He saw them looking at each other, too. He's already moved on to that newest transfer into LVPD." She gestured towards the other side of the room with her eyes. "Seems if we'd have talked to Catherine we wouldn't have had to make other date arrangements."
"But then Billy wouldn't be having a wonderful time with Jorja. How is that going to work for people to get home?" His hand covered her hand, which was still resting on his thigh.
"I suppose I'll have to bum a ride off of some stranger." She winked playfully at Grissom.
"Would you like to dance?" he found himself asking abruptly.
"Thought you'd never ask." She smiled broadly with a slight blush on her face.
Grissom stood, holding her hand and led her to the dance floor. They stopped at the edge waiting for the next song to begin. Hearing a change in music, Grissom smiled and pulled her onto the dance floor.
He placed his hands on the top of her hips as she placed her hands on the ends of his shoulders. It was incredibly romantic, and neither one thought of what people would be thinking with them holding each other in such a way. Sara rested her head on his shoulder and smiled into his neck.
Grissom recognized the song at once. He smiled as the words started pouring out of the speakers. "Sara Smile" by Boys II Men filled the room, and he hugged her body closer to him. It was amazing how perfectly they fit together.
He placed his lips next to her ear and whispered, "I love your smile."
"Did you plan this?" she whispered back.
"No, but our timing is impeccable... so perfect... just like you."
"I'm partial the Hall & Oates version of the song, but this one is pretty good, too. They did it justice."
"I have that one at home. I used to listen to it, and I'd feel like you were there with me."
They said nothing else as they made there way, dancing in a circle, oblivious to anyone else on the dance floor. When the song began its descent, they both resisted the urge to break contact. Lost on the dance floor, relishing the closeness, they stood holding each other.
Another slow song began, saving them from pulling away. Throwing caution to the wind, Grissom put his arms completely around her waist and intertwined his fingers, pulling her more firmly against him. His hands were resting in the small of her back enjoying the feel of her soft, cool skin. "All Time Love" by Will Young flowed from the speakers this time, wrapping them in a timeless bond.
"Gris?" Her voice was barely a whisper. The song was almost over.
"Hmm?"
"I love you," she breathed against his neck. The silence between them hung in the air thickly. Sara began to panic, her body tensing. "I'm sorry... I know that's probably not the right time... or if there is a right time... or if you even want to hear it..."
"Shhh... I love you, too," he murmured. Hearing his words, Sara completely relaxed against him.
The song completely ended, and the DJ was talking. Neither Sara nor Grissom heard his words as he led her over to the hotel balcony. Thankful they were alone out there, Grissom closed the door for some added privacy.
He pulled her roughly against him and kissed her passionately. Sara returned his kiss with equal enthusiasm and ran her hands through his hair. Finally pulling away, they searched each other's eyes.
Finally able to find words, Sara said, "I am sorry about the timing. I know we agreed we wouldn't do this is public, but I just..."
"I felt it, too. If you hadn't said it... I would have. I really wanted to kiss you out there on the dance floor. I hate having to hide how I feel. And, yet, I don't want anyone to know. Not because I think it's a dirty secret, but because I just like my private life. I don't like people knowingly speculating on what I do in my personal time. And, then, I hate having to hide you because you're the best thing in my life, and I want nothing more than to hold you and make up for all the years I've neglected to... This is all so new for me, Sara."
"It's new for me, too. We know what we have to do for right now. No one can know, and I'm okay with that. I don't like people knowing that much about me either. There's nothing wrong with wanting to hide it for a while. Everything will change once it's in the open. Given time, people will know, and we'll deal with it then."
"That makes me love you even more." He kissed her tenderly. "Let's get back inside before people miss us."
And miss them, some people did. Catherine made a point of watching them dancing, leaving the dance floor, and walking back inside from the balcony. She was a little nervous when Grissom ushered Sara through the door and walked away from her. Sara had just made her way to the table while Grissom went to get a drink.
Nick plopped himself down in Grissom's seat, turning to face her. "Hey, Sar."
"Hey, you." She smiled at him.
"Looks like we got dumped."
"It sure does appear that way. So, is my date taking your date home?"
"I dunno. It's not like he asked my permission," Nick joked.
"Hey, I don't know why you're complaining. You have no lack of fine women by your side. I saw you talking to that blond for a while over there."
"I saw you on the dance floor falling all over Grissom." Nick watched Sara fidget nervously with the napkin on the table.
"I wasn't falling all over him." Sara rushed her explanation, purposefully avoiding Nick's eyes. "He asked me to dance, I danced. That was it."
"That was some dancing, Sara. You were holding on for dear life." He started laughing at her.
"I don't like dancing. Never have... Never will. And it was more awkward dancing with my boss." A blush had crept onto her face.
Nick ignored her protests. He saw the look in her eyes, even if she would not admit it to him. "You coulda asked me to dance."
Happy at the switch in conversation, Sara looked back up at him. She smiled mischievously. "Now, you're flirting with me. No, you were having a fine time with your new friend, and I did my duty. I just need to find a ride to work."
"You're going to work?" Nick looked stunned.
"You're surprised at that? Why, Nick, I thought you knew me better than that. And, besides, people don't stop dying just because the police throw a party. Grissom and I are on call tonight, and Greg's all alone with some other fresh CSIs from the other shifts. I can't ditch him."
"You need a ride?" Nick asked.
"No, but thanks." Sara saw LVPD girl walking up to them. "Looks like you have other priorities to take care of." Sara indicated he look behind him.
Nick turned around, eying the blond approaching. Briefly he turned around to Sara with an apologetic look on his face. "Do you mind if I..."
"Go, have fun. I'll talk to your date for you." She shooed him away with the flick of her wrist.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Catherine walked up to Grissom. She clasped his shoulder tightly, catching him off-guard. He swung around with an arched eyebrow as to who was touching him.
"Gil, what the hell happened?" she demanded.
The arched eyebrow stayed in place. "What are you referring to?"
"You know very well what I'm talking about. You out on the dance floor, and everything was good. Then, you went outside, and you came back in... different." Her accusatory tone conveyed the seriousness with which she was going to approach the subject. "What did you do?"
"Catherine, I'm in no mood to talk about this, but what you saw will never happen again, I assure you." His voice held a note of trepidation mixed with irritation.
"Which part? The dancing, the contentedness, or the apparent lack conscious thought?"
"What?" He squinted his eyes.
"I don't know which one of you hurt the other one, but you need to move on. You two have been killing each other for years." She grabbed his arm. "Come outside with me for a minute." When he hesitated, Catherine commanded, "Now, Gil. This isn't a request."