Thanks, I can't believe how many have reviewed! This is (supposedly) the last chapter. So enjoy it while you can!
A week had passed yet nothing had happened. Grissom and Sara were still together; Catherine and Greg were still pretending to be together. But now the last „couple" faced some hard decisions.
„So," Greg started while they were out having lunch, „what shall we do? We have been doing this for a week now but they have not changed. I mean, they look happy."
Catherine took a sip of coffee and nodded, „Yeah, nothing is happening. We can't go on with this charade for much longer. Nothing personal, Greg."
He smirked. „I know, I know. But whan can we possibly do?"
„It's time to call for some drastic measures," she said, determined.
„Like what? I think us dating is quite drastic enough for everyone. Warrick and Nick still give those weird looks and can't believe we are actually dating. Grissom and Sara seem to have cooled off about it."
„Oh, don't worry, Greg, I have a plan that has got to work. Listen up," and she leaned in a bit closer to tell him everything.
XOXOXO
But Sara and Grissom weren't in the lightest mood after all. Grissom was always irritated and Sara seemed frustrated.
She knocked on his door and entered without him saying anything. „Grissom, we need to talk."
He looked at her, surprised, his eyebrows raising and asked, „About what?"
She sighed, „About what's happening between us."
„Okay. Sit down then."
Sara did so and for a while they sat in quietness, just looking at each other.
„I don't think it's helping when you're not saying anything," Grissom marked.
„Yeah... but I'm finding it hard to start."
„Good news, bad news?"
„Depends. Grissom, where are we headed in this relationship?"
The question seemed to surprise him. He took off his glasses and gazed away for some time. Then he looked back at her and replied, „I honestly don't know.Where would you want to be headed?"
„Well..." it was hard for her to say anything. Was she really giving up on this? Could she give up something she had wanted for so long?
He looked at her, waiting for something. He himself felt the need to escape this relationship but then again, where was he to go? He would be on his own again, Gil Grissom all alone. It was hard for him to be the first to break the sad news and he couldn't do it yet again.
Sara was also struggling and decided to leave it be, „I just want to be with you. And that's all that matters. Erm... I have to go now. See you later," and she stormed out already.
Grissom breathed, relieved that there was no need to say anything. It was a safe relationship; she admired him and he liked it. But there was a certain something missing. The 'it' factor.
He heard a knock on the door and saw Catherine standing there. Catherine. It could've been right with her. But they were merely friends and friends don't become lovers. If they do, they risk losing the friendship. And there was no way she thought of him as something more; he was just a mentor, a guide, a great friend to her. At least that's what he thought.
„Can I come in? I need to talk to you about something."
„Sure, come in."
She entered and closed the door behind her, then took the seat.
„So, what's bothering your mind?"
She seemed to hesitate a little but said, „I would like to take some time off for vacation."
His eyebrows raised in surprisement; he certainly hadn't expected that. „Oh. What are you planning on doing?
She shrugged her shoulders, smiled and said, „I want to go travelling for awhile and at the same time spend some time with the person I love."
„But how will Lindsey be released from school?"
She seemed a bit puzzled, then laughed and said, „No, you understood me wrong. I'm not going with Lindsey, I'll let her stay with Sam for some time. I'm going with Greg, actually, he'll be taking vacation as well."
That stunned him even more. „Greg? Where are you going?"
„Probably Europe, I would love to see Paris, London, I've got old friends in Berlin. Just to take some time and relax."
„But... but you've been together for a couple of days only. Isn't this soon?"
She smiled, „Grissom, at my age time is flying faster than it should." She paused, but then said, „Don't tell him I said it, but Greg just might be the right one. He just feels so perfect."
He was so shocked of that stament that he couldn't say anything.
„So, do I get the vacation?"
„Uhh.. yeah, sure. I'll handle it right away. For how long?"
„How many days do I have, unused?"
He pulled out some papers, took a look and said, „You have 75 unused days."
„Great, I'll take 14 at first. I'll let you know if I need any more." And with those words she left his office.
„So?" Greg asked, excited.
Catherine grinned. „You can start packing, dear," and laughed.
Sara walked in and took a suspicious look at them. „Where are you going?"
„Taking some time off and heading towards Europe."
She blinked. „Together?"
„Yeah," Catherine answered and wrapped her arms around Greg's neck.
Sara wanted to know more but Catherine's pager started beeping. She looked at it and said, „I need to go to a crime scene. See you later, hon." She kissed Greg and left.
„So..." Sara started. „You're going to Europe with Cath, huh?"
He smiled and nodded.
„Why?"
„Because we are trying to discover our weakest sides. When you put two people together for a long time, you'll find out what they are really like. And we want to know how we fit together."
„You are serious with her, then?"
„Why wouldn't I be? There is no one else to make me happy, is there?" he asked and looked Sara straight into the eyes, making her blush.
„I guess not."
XOXOXO
The next day they were packed with two tickets to London and were saying their good-byes.
Warrick stepped up and hugged Catherine. „As much as I don't understand it, I respect you. Have a nice trip."
He then started to shake hands with Greg, but instead hugged him as well and whispered, „You take good care of her, right?"
Nick also hugged them both and wished a safe journey.
Grissom and Sara found it the hardest for different reasons. While Grissom pulled Catherine into a warm embrace, he thought to himself Is this going to end here? Will I never be able to tell her what I really feel? But then came You're supposed to feel it for Sara, remember?
Sara was at the same time struggling to let Greg go. I can't believe he is going away with her! I should stop this! But she couldn't. It is Grissom I want, right? Right?
„Okay, guys, we'll send you a postcard some time soon. Love you!" Catherine said, picked her bags and left alongside Greg.
The rest returned back to their work. Half an hour passed and Sara couldn't handle it anymore. She stood up, walked into Grissom's office and said, „I can't do this!"
„Do what?"
„Oh, Grissom, I should've been wizer. I should've known this." She sat down and sighed.
He couldn't say anything but she didn't seem to mind. „I cannot go on in this relationshop any more."
„Why?"
„Because this is not right. I hate to admit it but Catherine is right. I don't love the real you, I never could. I see you as an idol, as an ideal man."
He looked at her, smiling, „I am not nearly ideal, Sara."
„I know! That is why this is wrong!" She stood up and started to pace. „I couldn't admit it to myself until today, until they were leaving. I don't want Greg to go away with Catherine. I would want him to be with me, to leave with me. I hate to hurt you like this but it is not right!"
Grissom looked at her in amazement and then said, „Thank God, you said it first."
He stood up and walked to her. „This relationship we have is not right, it is not working as a normal one where people are supposed to balance each other, work things true. And we are... well, I'll be brutally honest. You admire me and I liked it. But this is not how things are supposed to be going, we are supposed to love each other. I'm sorry, Sara, but love is not what I feel for you."
„You feel it for Catherine, right?"
He looked at her but saw no sign of anger or pain; instead there was freedom.
„Yes, I do. Friends?" he offered her a hand.
Sara smiled and took it. „Friends."
„But now, I think we have a plane to catch unless we want our dreams to fly away for good."
„Right. Your car, my car?"
He paused for a second. „Yours, it'll go faster."
And they headed off, hoping to be their on time, or to be precise, before the right time.
Nope, not the last chappy yet. But it will be over tomorrow, I promise (read: think). Now write something for me :)