4

They chose a small Chinese restaurant and dinner went quite smoothly. They made the rule to not talk about work and instead, they talked about favorite books and movies. After dinner, which after a small argument, he paid for, they walked back to his car.

He hesitated before opening her door. "Sara, would you like to go see a movie or take a walk maybe?"

"I have seen about a billion sappy movies in the past week, I'd rather go for a walk. Are you sure you're ready for that?"

"What?"

"A lot of people might see us."

"Uh, that's okay."

"Good."

For the next week or so, their 'fun' consisted of walks and meals together. It wasn't until Thursday night that Grissom surprised her by asking if she'd mind coming to his place for dinner. She agreed and showed up at six like he asked. When she knocked, he yelled to come in. She'd only been in his townhouse a couple times while trying to solve the 'Strip Strangler' case. White walls with only a few pictures, mostly black and dark brown furniture, a very messy desk and books everywhere made up the whole ensemble. She found him in the kitchen mashing potatoes. The kitchen smelled delicious.

"Hello! I hope you're hungry."

"Starved! I brought wine. Anything I can do to help."

"The glasses are in the cupboard to the left of the sink and there's a salad and cranberry sauce in the fridge. I set the table in the dining area. I'll be out in just a minute."

"Okay." She took the wine and glasses to the table. She was surprised to find candles lit on the table and soft music playing in the background. Also, instead of his usual jeans and a t-shirt, Grissom had on a pair of Khakis and a polo shirt. She was glad she'd chosen slacks and dressier top. When she went back to get the salad and cranberry sauce, he also asked if she could carry in the basket of rolls on the counter. She managed to balance everything and went to the table. He joined her a few minutes later with a bowl of stuffing and a bowl of mashed potatoes. After going back to get another platter and a bowl of gravy he sat across from her.

"Happy Thanksgiving."

"I…uh…I totally forgot today was Thanksgiving. Thank you for this. It's, ah, been a long time since anyone's made me dinner. Even longer since I've had a nice Thanksgiving dinner."

"Well, you're welcome." Pointing to the platter, "This is vegetarian turkey. I got the recipe off the Internet. I hope you like it."

"You're going to eat it too?"

"Yes."

With a huge grin on her face, "Thank you, again."

"You're welcome again." They started filling their plates, "anyway, I owed you."

"For what?"

"Because I've had a great time this past week. Besides, I thought we could use a change. We've gone out to eat every night."

"Expensive? You know, I can pay for my own meals."

"The money has nothing to do with it. And I know how much you make and that you can afford it. That's not the point."

"What is the point then?"

"Um…the point is that I enjoy paying for you. I mean…your meals." They both chuckled. "I'm just not good at this. I know I'm not supposed to apologize, but…"

"So don't."

"Okay, well then, what I meant to say was, I enjoy…taking care of you."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. So what did you do today?"

"I," she thought about making something up, but decided to go with the truth, "didn't do anything."

"Anything?"

"Well, I read a book."

"That's something."

"I read all the time, so it doesn't seem eventful." She didn't want to tell him that she had to reread pages because her mind would wander to him. Then she spent over an hour getting ready to come to his place.

"Oh…well…what are you planning on doing tomorrow?"

"I don't know, why?"

"Uh…well…because…I have an idea."

"Okay. What is it?"

"Well, before I left the lab, Nick and Warrick both invited me to their Friday morning breakfasts."

"Uh…that's usually around five am."

"Yes, but I'd like to go."

"Okay…"

"And…I'd like you to go with me."

"Oh! Are you sure?"

"Yes. I went last week," after a second, he added, "alone. And I know everyone would love to see you. And there's nothing unusual about you being there. I mean, it's not like we didn't do it all the time when we were working. I don't see why anyone…"

Sara interrupted him, "Grissom! You're rambling! And you don't have to. I'd love to go. I just wanted to make sure you were okay showing up there with me."

"Oh…yes. So you'll go?"

"Yes."

"Good. I, uh, also wondered if you'd spend the day with me."

"You know, I don't think I've ever heard you say 'uh' so many times."

"Well, you make me nervous."

"I do?"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

He gave her a puzzled look, "For what?"

"That was the nicest compliment you've ever given me."

"Oh."

"And, I'd love to."

"Love to what?"

"Spend the day with you."

"Oh! Great!"

They finished dinner and cleaned up together in the kitchen. Grissom put on a pot of coffee and took a cheesecake out of the fridge. Sara almost jumped when he touched the small of her back to guide her into the living room. "Would you like to play a game of chess?"

"I will if you won't just let me win."

"Why would I do that?"

"To make me feel good."

"Fine. I won't just let you win." They played a very short game that Grissom won without even blinking then he went to get the coffee and dessert while she replaced all the pieces.

"Would you like to move to the sofa?"

"Sure." After they sat down, Sara asked, "So, about tomorrow…"

"Oh, yes. I'd like to sort of surprise you. Is that okay?"

She smiled. He lived for that smile. "Yes, it's perfect. But I just need to know what to wear, and if I need to bring anything."

"Hmm. Well, to breakfast, it doesn't matter what you wear. But for the rest of the day you'll need long pants or jeans and a sweater."

"Okay. Well, if we're gonna be at breakfast at five, I'd better go home and pack for tomorrow so I get some sleep tonight."

She started to get up, but was stopped by his hand on her arm, "Do you have to go?"

She stared at his hand and wondered whether the burn was real or just the warmth from his coffee cup, "Are you…asking me to stay?"

"Uh…yes. I am."

"Grissom…"

"I just don't want you to leave. I'm not asking for anything…else. We could, maybe watch a little television here on the couch, and then we could go to bed. To sleep. Separately. I mean…you could use the guest room."

"Grissom? Are you okay?"

"Yes, I think."

"Well, it just so happens that I keep a change of clothes in my trunk, in case something happens at work, or I need to pull a double. So I'd just need to go back to my apartment after breakfast to grab a sweater."

"Okay."

"And…I need to take a shower and something to sleep in."

"Okay."

"Then I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?"

"To my car to get my clothes."

"Oh! Okay, I'll clean up these dishes then get you something to change into."

When she came back, he was still in the kitchen. "I'll show you to the guest room." He showed her where she'd be sleeping. She dropped her clothes on the foot of the bed and followed him to the bathroom. "The bathroom out here only has a stand-up shower and it's not stocked, so it would probably be better if you used mine. You'd, uh, have to go through my bedroom, though."

"Whatever you say."

He took her into the bathroom and she could tell from his walk that he was very nervous. "There are towels there and everything you need should already be in the shower. Uh…let me get you something to wear." He came back a few seconds later with one of his t-shirts and a pair of cotton shorts. "There's also my bathrobe on the back of this door. Oh, and if you need one, there are disposable razors in the second drawer down of the vanity."

"Okay, I'll be out in just a little bit."

Grissom left and Sara sighed. This was strange. They'd gone from basically ignoring each other a little over a week ago, and now she was spending the night at his townhouse. Let alone the fact that she was about to take a shower where he took his showers, and then wear his clothes. She was definitely back on her roller coaster ride. She shivered as she stepped into the shower. The water felt hot on her skin and the water pressure was very massaging. When she picked up the loofa sponge and body wash, she fantasized about him using the same sponge. What would it be like to shower with him: to have him scrub her back and wash her hair? Deciding she definitely needed cold water, she adjusted the temperature before she washed her hair then got out. He had big, fluffy towels waiting for her that smelled freshly laundered. When she put on his robe, she wrapped it loosely around her and buried her face in the lapels. He hadn't washed it since the last time he wore it. It smelled deliciously like him. No cologne or aftershave, just Grissom. So many memories…

She hung her towel back were the robe had been and went into the living room to find Grissom watching poker on television. The lights were dim, the candles in the table were blown out and he'd opened a window to let a breeze in. "I'm done. You next?"

He stared at her silently for what seemed like eternity, but must have only been seconds. "Uh…yes…will you still be awake when I come back?"

"Do you want me to be?"

"Yes."

"Then I will."

"Good."

Grissom walked into the bathroom where Sara had just been and felt like he was lost in a fantasy. He found the shorts he'd given her still on the vanity. That meant all that was between her and his robe was his t-shirt. Breaking his thoughts, he went to grab a pair of lounging pants and a fresh towel. He took the quickest, coldest shower he could manage and went out to find Sara curled up on his sofa drinking another cup of coffee.

She stared at him as he walked toward her and tried desperately to break away. The drool was very close to dripping down her chin.

"Sara, are you okay?"

"You're, uh, not wearing a shirt."

"Oh, would you like me to go put one on?"

After another huge smile, she replied, "That's a definite no. I, uh, hope you don't mind, I got another cup of coffee."

"My home is your home. Huh, I never thought I'd say that to anyone."

"Me neither. It's very nice, though. Would you like me to get you a cup?"

"I can get it." He started to walk toward the kitchen.

"No! Please, let me get it. Sit down. You've done enough."

Sara went to get his coffee and he sat down on the couch. He noticed that Sara had not changed the channel. When she came back, she handed him his coffee and sat at the opposite end of the couch. "You know, you are the first person that has ever spent the night here."

"Then why do you have a guest room with a bed in it?"

"Well, that's my old bed. I bought my new one and didn't want to get rid of the old one. That room used to have my computer, desk and books in it. The only thing was, I never used my computer, because I don't like that room. It makes me feel detached, and I don't like the lighting. So, I made it into a guest room and moved everything else out here. But you are the first person, besides me, to sleep in that bed."

"Thanks for that image."

"What?"

"Never mind. Hasn't your mother even stayed here?"

"No. It's easier for me to visit her."

"So why has no one ever stayed here."

"I've never asked anyone. I'm really not comfortable with people in my home. But, you make me comfortable."

"That's two great compliments in one day."

"Sara…this is all…I want you to know that if I do anything…I'm not supposed to do or something you don't like, I just need you to let me know."

"Grissom, you're not doing anything wrong. I have to admit, that your invitation tonight stunned me and you walking out here with no shirt blew me away, but neither one of those things are bad. Can I ask you a question, though?"

"Of course."

"Why tonight? Where did this change come from?"

"That's two questions."

"Always a scientist."

"Yes, but that's why you………anyway. Tonight, because, I'm not rationalizing. For the first time in a long time, I'm just going with what I feel. I'm not thinking about consequences, and I guess that's what scares me. I am trying not to be afraid of how I feel, but I am afraid that I'll do something wrong because I'm not thinking. And I didn't change. You just made me find myself. You make me, me. Does that make any sense?"

A tear trickled down Sara's cheek; she couldn't help it. "Compliment three. And yes, it makes perfect sense."

"Are you crying?"

"No."

"Yes you are." Grissom set his coffee down and moved to her end of the couch. He reached up with one hand and brushed her tear away with his thumb. "Why are you crying?"

"It's a happy tear, Grissom, don't worry. Uh, maybe we should get some sleep."

"Yeah…of course. I'll take care of this." He took her cup and they both stood. She walked away from him to the bedroom. He set the coffee cups back down, "Sara?"

She turned toward him, "Yeah?"

He walked toward her, quickly cupped her face in his hands and feathered a kiss over her lips. Then he turned, walked quickly to his bedroom and closed the door, leaving the coffee cups on the table, the television on and Sara stunned in silence.