20

The next day, they enjoyed activities on the boat and went to their room early to get ready for the formal party with the captain of the ship. Sara was breathtaking in her gown and Grissom had to admit that he looked good standing next to her in white. When they entered the room, he noticed a lot of people turn around to stare. She was surprised to see how well Grissom mingled with the crowd. He usually wasn't good with people. Most people thought they were married; some they corrected, and some they didn't. She showed off her ring to a few people, and everyone thought it was striking.

When they finally made it to the Captain, he asked them if they'd join him at his table. They agreed, and continued around the room until moving to the dining room for dinner. When they were seated, the Captain made a toast to them, calling them the best-looking couple on board. After the toast, he asked, "How long have you two been married?"

After exchanging looks, Grissom explained, "We're actually not married. We're engaged."

"Oh? Wow! You know, I've heard a lot of rumors about the two of you in the past day, especially at the party tonight. I heard, this was your honeymoon and that this was an anniversary present. I heard you were married a year, a week, and all different amounts of years. I even heard that you were having an affair and this was your time away from your real spouses. You guys are very popular."

"We haven't tried to be."

"Well, you both do look like a match made in heaven. You don't have to do much to draw attention to yourselves. So, you're engaged, huh? Far be it for me to interfere, but I think you should consider using that as your wedding dress, Miss."

"Please, it's Sara, and you're not interfering. It's actually a very nice compliment."

After dinner, they went to the piano bar to listen to some music and have a drink. While they were dancing, he whispered in her ear, "You know, a lot of people think we should get married."

"MmmMmm. And so do we."

"I hear a 'but' in your voice."

"But, well, we just can't right know."

They danced the rest of the song in silence and sat down. "Sara? Are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm fine. It's just that all this talk about marriage got me thinking."

"About what?"

"Marriage!"

"And?"

"Grissom. You are a very intelligent man. I can't believe you're ignoring the facts. I know you told me you weren't rationalizing, and I am trying really hard not to either, but the facts are the facts. We've bought wedding rings, Grissom! Wedding rings!"

"Why is that bad, Sara?"

"Because, Grissom, we can't get married right now."

"Why?"

"You are clueless, aren't you? Grissom, we can't be married and work together. It's in the rules. We haven't even talked about this. I know that we've been living in this fantasy world, but it's time we come back to earth if we're gonna continue this."

"Sara, calm down."

"I am calm, Grissom. I just…need to talk about this."

"Okay, okay. I guess my 'no rationalizing rule' has gotten away from me. All I know is that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I can't see any part of my future without you. The rest just doesn't matter to me."

"So you're willing to give up your work, your job, to be married to me?" After a few moments of silence, "I didn't think so. I, uh, need some air." So that it wouldn't look like they'd had a fight and she was storming away, she kissed his cheek when she stood, then walked away.

Grissom sat, stunned at how the events had just turned. He wondered if he should go after her, but knew that she probably just needed time to think. Instead, he ordered a double bourbon on the rocks and tried to figure out how to fix this mess. Everything was going so well. Just when he felt like his life was moving on the right track, the train took a detour. He was finally happy with the woman he loved, and now they were having their first argument as a couple over getting married. Amusingly enough, he was not the one arguing that they shouldn't.

But was he willing to make the sacrifices needed to get married? That was her question. Of course, he'd thought about it. He knew their jobs would be their worst obstacle; that's why he stepped down as supervisor. But he never thought he'd want to get married this fast. Quitting his job hadn't entered his mind. And he would never ask her to jeopardize her career for him. He'd been a CSI 3 for almost 30 years, now, and Sara was only 35 years old. She had a huge future ahead of her.

He was jerked form his thoughts by a familiar voice, "Excuse me? Do you remember us?"

"Yes. We met at the midnight buffet."

"Yes. Well, we just saw your pretty wife…well, she let us know you two weren't married."

"Oh?"

"What my wife is trying to tell you, Sir, is that you might want to go find her. She, uh, looked pretty upset, and she was crying."

Grissom stood, "Where did you see her?"

"At the back of the boat, by the railing."

Grissom broke into a run, nearly knocking the couple over. 'No. Not the railing.'