13

Friday morning they drew names at breakfast. Sara drew Catherine's name but Grissom wouldn't tell her whose name he got. They separated that day for the first time since Grissom's accident. "Be careful, okay?"

"I will, Sara. Don't worry. I'll see you back home in a while."

After a kiss, they each got into their cars and drove in different directions. Since it was still only seven o'clock, Sara decided she'd make her first stop Wal-Mart to buy wrapping paper, bows and tags. Then she went to her apartment to wrap the presents she'd already gotten. By ten o'clock, she had everything wrapped and loaded into the car. Her next stop was the Hilton Hotel and Spa where she purchased the 'Simplicity' package for Catherine. It included a 50-minute massage and some kind of scrub. The receptionist ensured her that it was a perfect gift. After that, she headed to the dreaded mall to buy Grissom's watch. She'd also seen a nice chess set in one of the store's windows she'd like to get him. By one o'clock, she was headed home.

Grissom was at the travel agent's office by seven thirty, just in time to make his appointment. "Mr. Grissom, thank you for coming."

"Thank you for seeing me so early."

"This is no problem. Now, when we spoke on the phone, you said you were interested in a cruise. Is that still the case?"

"Yes, to the Bahamas in early January."

"Okay. I have printed out a few of your choices here. Do you know how many nights you'd like to stay?"

"Well, what are my choices?"

"Well, the most common ones range from three to fourteen nights."

"Three is too short, fourteen is too long. Were does that get us?"

"How about a price range?"

"You know those commercials that say 'something $20, something $30, something priceless'?"

"Yes. Mastercard I believe."

"Well, this falls in that last category."

"Oh, I understand. So, I think if three nights is too short, than four might be also?"

"Yes. I'd like to be gone around a week. Do they have five or six night cruises?"

"Yes. Carnival has a five night cruise on the 'Celebration' ship leaving Jacksonville on the 13th of January. They also have one leaving on the 6th from Port Canaveral on the 'Elation'."

"Well, the one on the sixth sounds better just because of the date. But are the amenities any different?"

"I think we might be able to narrow this with your room choice."

"Room choice?"

"Yes. There are three different types of rooms; interior, ocean view and suites."

"Not interior. What's the difference between suite and ocean view?"

"Ocean view is a regular room with a small window or a porthole. A suite is top of the line. Some have butler services, minibars, robes and in-room dining."

"Suite."

"I thought you'd say that. That helps with your cruise selection. It looks like the one on the 13th is sold out of suites. So we'll go with the one on the 6th."

"Good."

After a few more selections, Grissom paid for his purchase and whistled while he walked to his car. He decided he would wrap up the cruise line's magazine with the printed out itinerary to put under the tree. He'd drawn Sara's name at breakfast that morning, which was absolutely perfect. He had to put a rush on her gift to be able to pick it up on Monday, which cost a little more than he'd expected, but he decided not to put a price on Christmas.

At eleven o'clock he pulled into the parking lot at the crime lab. Again, he was right on time for his appointment. "Morning Conrad."

"Morning, Gil. What can I do for you?"

"Well I asked to meet with you today because I'd like to step down as Shift Supervisor."

"Hah! You're kidding, right?"

"No, I'm not."

"Why?"

"I have my reasons."

"You have to do better than that, Gil."

"It's personal."

"Personal? Are you dying? Moving? Found another job?"

"No."

"So?"

"I told you; it's personal."

"Well, without a reason, I'm going to deny you're request."

"Fine. I quit then. I'd like the rest of my vacation turned in. Have a nice life, Conrad."

Grissom stood and walked toward the door. "Wait! Come back here and sit down."

Grissom turned, but didn't move toward the chair. "What?"

"Grissom, the lab needs you."

"You know, Conrad, I've used that line myself. It didn't work for me, and it's not going to work for you."

"Fine. Would you please sit down?" After he sat, Conrad continued, "Okay, the deal is, is if I lose you, I look bad. I don't like to look bad. So, if I have to let you step down to keep you, then fine. You can step down pending you find your own replacement."

"Done. Catherine can just continue to be supervisor when I come back."

"That would have been my choice."

"So, we're good here?"

"Yes. We'll announce this on your first day back."

"Thank you." With that, Grissom walked out and silently thanked Catherine for her bit of advice. He couldn't believe he'd actually pulled it off. His first try at politicking and it went just as planned.

Next stop, the mall. Now that he had all of Sara's sizes, he'd buy her what she needed for the cruise. He only saw her once at the mall and he managed to stay out of her sight. She was carrying a small bag and was making a beeline to her next purchase. He laughed as he walked into the dress shop. By two o'clock, Grissom was in line at the gift-wrapping center in the mall. He'd had everything put into boxes, but there was still a lot of wrapping to do. The attendant said it would be about an hour before his things were ready, so he made a call to Sara to see if she wanted to meet for lunch.

"Hi!"

"Hi, Hon., I was wondering if you wanted to meet me for lunch. I miss you."

"I miss you, too. That would be great. Where are you?"

"I'm at the mall. Do you want to meet at Einstein Brothers Bagels?"

"Sounds good. Be there in about twenty minutes."

"Okay, love you."

"Love you, too."

From behind him, he heard, "Love you?"

Grissom turned to see Conrad standing behind him, "Why, hello, Conrad."

"Hi, Gil. Is this part of that personal reason you had for stepping down?"

"What are you doing here, Conrad? Did you follow me?"

"God, no. Do you think I have time for that? I came here to pick up a Christmas gift for my wife."

"Well, I'll just let you shop, then. I have somewhere I need to be."

"I heard. So, you're not going to tell me anything?"

"No." With that, he walked away to go meet Sara, hoping Conrad wasn't following.