10

Catherine arrived at exactly six and, with a lot of coaching from Grissom, Sara had the meal all ready. After dinner, Grissom tried to help clear the table, but Sara quickly ushered him to the couch. She disappeared into the bathroom then the kitchen. She came over to him a few minutes later with an ice pack, a glass of water and some ibuprofen. "You relax. Catherine and I will clean up and I'll bring coffee in."

The women cleared the table, put on the coffee and loaded the dishwasher. "So, can I ask a question?"

Sara was afraid this was coming, "I think you just did."

"How long has this been going on?"

"Um…"

"Sara."

Knowing that Catherine had no idea about their relationship in San Francisco, she went with answering honestly about their new development, "Since about a week after we left work."

"So, let me get this straight. This whole thing just started and you guys are sleeping with each other already? I gotta hand it to you Sara, you move fast."

"We are NOT sleeping together…well…technically, we have slept together. But we haven't…Catherine, maybe we should be talking about this in front of Grissom."

"Sorry. I just saw his bag sitting out there and I figured we could have a little girl talk."

"Well, he has spent the night. We did sleep together, but we didn't make love. We have kissed; but that's it."

"Thanks! Now I'm ready for coffee!" Catherine sauntered out of the kitchen and left Sara speechless in the kitchen. Had she really just told her all of that? She pulled herself together and carried hers and Grissom's coffee into the living room. Catherine took her seat on the chair, so Sara carefully sat beside Grissom.

"So, Catherine. Do you have something for us?"

"You're always business, Gil."

"Not always." Catherine went and got the papers out of her purse and handed them to him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Actually, I can save you some reading. Basically, all it says is that a married couple can't work on the same shift. There is a dating clause in there where it says a person cannot date their direct supervisor, but I think anyone could get around that. Other than that, you guys are okay."

"But it says here that an employee can't date their direct supervisor."

"Yeah, I just said that."

"I'm her direct supervisor, Catherine."

"And, like I said, you should be able to work around that."

"How?"

"Politic, Grissom! I know you're not good at that, but this is when it can work in your favor. The lab needs both of you. Ecklie might not want to say that out loud, but he knows it. I'm pretty sure, that if you both threaten to quit if this isn't looked over, he'll side with you. The only thing that you're going to have to worry about is when you get married. I'm assuming that won't be for a while, but at the rate you guys are moving…"

"Thank you, Catherine. But, as you said, I'm not good at politics. I also won't put Sara in the position where she might lose her job. What if we were to go to Ecklie, like you said, and he laughed in our faces? I'd never forgive myself."

The two women spoke at the same time. From Sara, "Do I get a say in this?"

And Catherine, "So what are you planning on doing?"

"Sara, of course you get a say in this. I just know there are some things I can do, and some things I can't. Politicking is one of those things I can't do. And to answer your question, Catherine, I don't know what we're going to do. But I'm sure between the two of we can figure it out."

"I'm sure you will. And if you keep cooking, Gil, Sara might actually gain some weight."

"Ah, yes, we already have a breakfast deal."

"Of course you do! Well, anyway! I am going to see myself out. One of us has to work around here!"

"Thank you for coming Catherine. And thank you for the info."

"No problem, Gil. Thank you both for dinner. It was delicious."

"Good night, Catherine."

"Night Cath."

"Good night, guys."

It wasn't until Catherine left that Grissom finally spoke, "Sara?"

"Yeah?"

"Will you help me unpack?"

"Are you sure you aren't too tired?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I'd just like to get my clothes out of the suitcase. I'm glad Catherine didn't mind me in my sweats."

"You were hit by a car, Grissom! No one expects anything from you. We just want you to get better. Come on, let's get you unpacked."

Sara carried one bag and Grissom managed the lighter bag with his good arm. He started to walk toward the guest room, but Sara turned the other way toward her room. "Sara? I thought you were going to help me unpack?"

"I am."

He stood there for moment and waited for her to come back, but when she didn't, he walked into her room. He saw an empty open drawer in the dresser and she was in the closet pushing the hangers toward one end. When she finally turned, she smiled at him. "I figured since you were sleeping in here, you might as well put your clothes in here."

"Uh…okay."

"Is this all right, Grissom?"

After letting out a deep breath, he finally spoke, "Yes, this is definitely all right."

"Good. If you want to unpack your bathroom stuff, I'll put your clothes away."

"Okay."

After he finished in the bathroom, he found Sara zipping up his suitcase. "If you want to take your shower, I'll put this is the guest room closet and wash up our coffee cups. Will you, uh, be ready for bed when you're done?"

"Yes, I'm pretty beat."

"Yeah, by a car."

She got in the shower when he was finished. The bathroom was hot and steamy. She couldn't open the door fast enough after she put her robe on. She walked out of the bathroom to find Grissom lost in thought, gazing into space.

"Grissom?"

As if he was still lost in his thoughts, he answered, "Mmm?"

"You okay?"

"Just thinking."

"About what?"

"Silly really. I guess it's from my close encounter today."

Sara walked back into the bathroom to towel-dry her hair then brush it. Through the open door, she heard Grissom continue, "I don't know. Most people want to die in their sleep I suppose; never know that it's happening. Like a crime scene; surprise, you're dead. I'd prefer to know in advance that I was gonna die. I'd like to be diagnosed with cancer, actually, have some time to prepare. (Sigh) Go back to the rainforest one more time, reread Moby Dick. Possibly enter an international chess tournament. At least have enough time to say good-bye to the people I love."

Sara walked out of the bathroom and knelt on the floor in front of him. "I'm not ready to say good-bye."

For a moment, he just stared at her. He loved her so much. "Good, neither am I. Come on, let's go to bed."

Without a word, she took off her robe and started to get into bed. He stopped her with, "You look cute."

"Thanks." She'd chosen a pair of cotton shorts with a matching top. They were her favorite. She cuddled up next to him, "Good night. I love you."

"I love you, too, Sara. Good night."