Irrefutable

By: Manigault

As always, reviews are appreciated. Thank you. Also, thank for all those who are reading this story.

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"Where are you?"

Grissom heard the uncertainty that underlied Sara's question and it made him feel sick. She knew that Heather had come to his office to see him about something and probably realized that the reason he had not returned home had something to do with that same woman.

Earlier that day, he had been warily eyeing the messages on his cell phone and trying to come to some decision on how to let Heather know that he could not return her calls without returning her calls, when she had appeared in his doorway wearing black leather from head to toe and bright red lipstick that made him cringe.

'You never returned my calls.' she had said with a measure of accusation.

'I've been busy,' he replied. He knew that sounded lame, but it was the first reason that popped into his mind.

Heather gave him the once over and smiled that knowing smile that had intrigued him at one time.

'I can see that you want to forget that I exist and pretend that we never shared a connection.'

This had suprised him and it showed on his face and when he protested. 'I barely know you, Heather. Something that was brought home the last time we met and one of the reasons I haven't returned your calls.'

'I need to talk with you about what happened.'

'Excuse me?'

'I need your help,' she repeated. 'My trial is coming up and I need someone to talk with that understands.'

He didn't understand. Grissom pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. 'I'm sure there are others that you can speak with. I don't think that it would be ethical for me to converse with you about anything that pertains to the trial since I'm the one that phoned Brass and also an ambulance.' For the man you beat within an inch of his life, even if he did deserve it.

'You didn't process that scene,' Heather said with a steady voice that belied the fact that she insisted she needed someone to talk with that understood what she had done.

She had taken a step towards him and he attempted to take a step back, bumping into his desk. 'Heather.'

'It's okay, Gil, I see the distress on your face and in your voice.' She did appear beaten down at that second and he felt a tug of sorrow for what she had allowed herself to become due to grief.

'If you will simply have breakfast with me and let me work through that night, then I won't bother you again.'

He had finally agreed to meet her for breakfast and immediately his thoughts shifted to Sara and how she would react. Knowing that he should let Sara know about this, he watited until Heather left his office and decided to tell her straight out about the situation.

'I need to take care of something this evening and wanted to let you know I'll be late coming home.' Why hadn't he told her the truth?

He waited for what felt like an insurmountable length of time before he asked. 'Sara? Did you hear what I said?' He heard the sadness in her voice when she asked him why he was going to be late. This was when he knew that he should tell her the truth. He should ask her where she was and find her and then explain. Glancing at his watch, he realized that he needed to head out now if he was going to meet Heather and get that conversation over with.

'It's not important. I wanted to let you know that I'll be late and not to wait up for me.' He would tell her when he got home.

'I see,' Sara had told him with something akin to doubt. 'Okay then, I'll see you when you get home.'

His head was beginning to pound as he stepped outside the CSI headquarters and turned back around to stare at the building that held the woman that he had built a life with over the past year and a half. After the case where he had stopped Heather from committing murder, Sara had asked him about what happened and he had simply said "It's over. Nothing.' That had been the extent of their conversation concerning Heather and he was perfectly satisfied not discussing her with Sara.

'Is everything okay, Sara? You sound funny.'

'I'll see you later, Gris.' he heard the hesitation in her voice and then her next words stunned him. 'I love you.'

They had agreed to never utter anything romantic at work and he wondered at the fact that she chose to do so now. 'Same here.' he had said as he opened his car door and slid inside. And he did. He only hoped that she would understand when he explained everything to her later on.

"I'm in my townhome," Grissom said after a long pause where he tried to push back the memories of the past few hours. "I thought that I would grab a couple of hours of sleep instead of driving home exhausted."

"Are you alone?"

Sara's question robbed him of whatever doubt he had as to what she had heard in the CSI rumor mill. "Not exactly, but honey, I swear I can explain."

Grissom rubbed his eyes and waited for Sara to break the silence. If he was the one waiting at home, alone, then he would be pissed given the same situation.

"I'm listening."

"Why don't you come here? It's on your way to work and it would be easier to explain if I can see you."

"Fine." Sara said after another long pause. "I'l be there in thirty minutes."

Grissom dropped his phone on the coffee table and slung himself back on the cushions. Shit. He hoped that Sara would believe him.

TBC