Author: geekyfrog
Rating: Mature, for the whole story, though this chapter is pretty tame

Pairing: Grissom/Sara
Spoilers: general through the end of Season Six
Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with CBS and don't have any claim to these characters.
Author's Notes: Nomadic Soul, thanks for your continued excellence as beta.

Comments are, always, greatly appreciated.

Chapter Four: Vernal Equinox

Grissom rang the doorbell to Sara's apartment. Shifting nervously from foot to foot, he tucked the flowers behind his back and mentally rehearsed the little speech he had practiced. The door opened promptly, and he got his first glimpse of her.

Words died in his throat. She wore a delicate sweater in a rich burgundy hue. The long sleeves accentuated her slender wrists, and one side wrapped across the other, tying at the side and exposing a perfect vee of milky skin. Paired with loosely flowing black silk pants and black strappy sandals, the effect was stylishly graceful. A heavy silver rope chain with a garnet cabochon pendant was her only adornment.

She tipped her head to the side and smiled the crooked grin he knew so well. Seeing that smirk in the midst of her elegant perfection… ohSara. So lovely.

"Grissom? Um, did you want to come in?" There was laughter in her voice, but warmth and kindness in her face. Still unable to speak, he handed her the flowers. Eyes widening, she took them, making a soft "Oh…" of delight.

"What a unique combination!" Inhaling deeply, she soaked in the scent of roses and calla lilies. Laying them on the counter, she rummaged under the sink for a vase.

As she busied herself arranging the blooms, he took the opportunity to steady his breathing. All his thoughts and plans about playing it cool had fled. He felt apprehensive, abraded, exposed - barely sixteen and every minute of fifty. And gloriously, gloriously happy.

With the newly arranged bouquet in her hands, she beamed at him. "Thank you so much! They're incredible. I've never – you didn't need to do this." Crossing the room, she set the vase in the middle of the table and turned back to him, joy in her smile. "But I'm glad you did."

Say something, Gil. She's going to think you're an idiot.

"Cat got your tongue?" Her tone was light and teasing, but he saw concern intensify the shadows fatigue and sorrow had etched under her eyes.

The silence stretched out awkwardly. She smiled a little at his discomfiture. He held his hands out, palms up, juggling them a little in an expression of uncertainty. He noted with detachment that they were shaking a little. "Sara… I… I don't know how to do this."

All humor and amusement left her face. Her brown eyes locked on his blue ones, and he swallowed at the intensity he saw there. She caught one of his hands in hers, lifting it to her lips. Slowly, deliberately, she pressed a kiss to his palm, curled his fingers back to cover it, and wrapped his closed hand in both of hers. "I do."

She stood without moving, not looking away or releasing his hand, just letting the moment spin out, endlessly. "You're okay, Griss. We're okay." As she caressed his thumb with hers, he saw no reproach in her clear, direct gaze. Gradually, ever so slowly, he felt the panic recede.

"Sorry about that little moment of aphasia." He shook his head, embarrassed. "Guess I've ruined my chance to be debonair tonight, huh?"

"Oh, Griss. I don't need pretense. I just need you."

What did I do to earn this incredible reward? Whatever it was, I'm grateful, so grateful.

"Sara, you – you humble me."

Needing to lighten the mood, she pulled away. "Look, I know we have a lot to talk about, last night being highest on the list. But just for tonight – let's relax and enjoy each other. No deep conversations tonight, just – fun. A gift to ourselves." She reached up tentatively, touching his cheek softly. "Okay?"

And suddenly, it was. "Okay, honey. Okay."

"Griss?" Sara asked, as she watched him put the key in the ignition of his vintage Mercedes. "Did I tell you that you look incredible tonight?"

Thanks for the shirt, Mom. "Not even close to you, honey. You look… incandescent."

A pleased glow suffused her face. "That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me."

Nothing interrupted the gentle purr of the engine as he eased the car out of its parking spot and onto the road. "Do you usually drive in silence?" she asked with a quizzical look on her face.

"What do you mean?"

"You don't have any music on."

"Oh. Well, I like the thinking time."

"Mmm. That fits you." She curled to face him, tucking one foot up, comfortable. "Do you like music at all?"

"Of course I do. Jazz, classical, big band…"

"What do you like best?"

He considered for a moment. "Well, my mother played a lot of big band music when I was growing up, so that's probably what I've liked the longest. Even after she started to lose her hearing, she would hold her hands on the speakers to feel the vibrations. And jazz is so audacious and free. But I guess if I had to choose I would say classical."

"Why?"

"I suppose because it speaks to me on an elemental level. It gives… shape and voice to things I don't know how to express."

"I know exactly what you mean. I've always thought that one of the odd blessings of the night shift is that when I come home, my neighbors are all at work, and I can turn the music up as loud as I need to. Sometimes I just need a little catharsis."

Oh, Sara. I want to be the one who binds your wounds. "So… what do you choose after a tough case?"

"Well, I guess it depends whether or not I want to wallow in depression. If I do," she gave him a rueful shrug, "then maybe Good Feeling by the Violent Femmes, or something by The Smiths."

"And if you don't?"

"Hmm, I don't know. Pete Townshend, if I'm in a decent mood, or anything Celtic. If I'm angry, Alanis Morrisette or Pink Floyd. I have a pretty wide variety in my collection." She glanced at him playfully. "Ever heard of any of them?"

"Everyone knows Pink Floyd. And Pete Townshend's from The Who, right?"

"Yeah, but I like his solo stuff better."

"Would you play some for me sometime?"

"I'd be delighted to."

He glanced away from the road long enough to give her a warm smile. "Sara?"

"Mmm?"

"I really like this. Having you here in my car. Having this conversation with you."

"I know. Me, too. I just – I want to soak it all in."

"Do you know what today is?" She shook her head. "Today is our vernal equinox."

Instantly comprehending his meaning, she smiled. "The start of our spring." She laid her hand palm up on his thigh in an unspoken invitation.

Answering her, he laced his right hand with hers, squeezing gently. They drove the rest of the way in companionable silence.