Introduction: This story takes place…well…somewhere right before the start of CSI: Vegas. With so much time to work with, it could really go anywhere. I can't take all the credit for this story though, a friend helped me think this one out. But any errors or typos are all mine. So, enjoy a date night out with the Grissom's…oh…and an angsty flashback. :)

Music Choice: "Wonderful Tonight" - Matt Johnson. Yes - I know this is an Eric Clapton song and believe me, his version is my absolute favorite of all time love songs. BUT, I really enjoyed the melody of Matt's version, so give it a listen when you finish the story.


It's already 5:35…

Grissom stood in their living room fastening his watch to his wrist, taking note of the time. He leaned to look down the hall and noticed that the light from the small bathroom was still on. He shook his head knowing that at this point, the likelihood of making the reservation on time was low.

"Hey, Sara…"

"hmmm?"

"What time is the reservation?"

Grissom stood in silence, his mouth opened and his eyes searching the air waiting to catch her response. In the bathroom, Sara scrunched her eyebrows wondering why he was asking her; he was the one who had made the reservation. She rolled her eyes and picked up her phone out of instinct to check the time.

"Gil, it's at- shit…we're going to be late!"

Grissom closed his mouth and smiled. His head nodded slightly as he headed to the door and slipped on his sanuks. The wonderful part of dinner on the dock, slip on shoes were acceptable. He could hear Sara clinking her make up back shut and shuffling stuff around the counter as she made her way out.

He was standing at the door holding the keys when Sara jogged to him running her hand through her hair one last time. Grissom looked her up and down, admiring the V-Neck sleeveless dress that stopped just a few inches above her knees. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his khakis as he tilted his head and his eyes wandered down her legs. He could never tire of looking at her. Each time feeling a sense of pride. Not a pride that she was his, but more so that he was hers. That this…beautiful being…would choose him. With a blush on her cheek, Sara returned the sentiment, her gapped smile made Grissom's heart flutter every time.

"Do I look alright?"

Grissom closed his eyes and opened them slowly as he answered her.

"Stunning as always."

Sara handed him his phone, prompting him to put it in his pocket.

"Here…in case we have to take a detour, you'll want the GPS on the maps."

Grissom took the phone from her hand and wiggled it between his fingers before it disappeared into his pocket.

"Sara, I don't know how to use this thing."

Sara smirked and stepped forward towards Grissom as he opened the door and held it for her. His hand found the small of her back as he walked out behind her.

Recently they'd been taking advantage of being on land, enjoying the fresh options that surrounded them when it came to food. A local restaurant called "Mark's" that sat on the far end of the marina had become Grissom's favorite. He loved a dinner out with Sara. He had worried early on about being one of those married couples sitting at the table with nothing to talk about. But that had never been the case with her. There was always a topic, she was always willing to listen. Even when they did choose the silence, it wasn't one that ever felt awkward, but somehow comforting.

The restaurant was busier than normal and Grissom was glad they accepted their 5 minute tardiness for their reservation. He hadn't realized there was an event going on when he made it. A local band had set up on the outdoor patio of the restaurant and was playing some old hits while the guests ate. Grissom was initially annoyed, as he had anticipated a nice quiet dinner with Sara. But when he saw her sway in her seat and hum to herself, he realized he was annoyed for nothing. Nothing could beat the view of Sara letting herself feel the music while the waves crashed behind her on the beach below.

The waiter set the bill holder on the linen next to Grissom. He quickly shifted in his seat to retrieve his wallet from his back pocket to put his card back. Sara sat back in her chair, her legs crossed and her hands resting on her knee. She smiled as she watched him pull his glasses to the tip of his nose while he filled out the empty lines on the ticket. Despite their aging, he still made her stomach flutter and her heart beat quicken. Sara's eyes fixated on his sun-kissed hands as he held the book. The sun light bounced off the metal ring that circled his finger and Sara took a deep breath and felt herself sit up a little more straight. A wave of pride rolled over her. Not that he was hers. But that he finally…after all the years of trying…he finally chose her. His ring not just a symbol of their love, but of everything it took to get there. Each small ding and scratch lost in the metal representing everything they had overcome together. Grissom dipped his head to find her eyes and Sara broke her gaze to look up to him.

"Are you ready?"

Sara nodded and gathered her purse. Grissom stood first, pushing his chair back, and walked over to Sara's to scoot hers out for her. He wrapped his arm around her waist, his hand resting softly above her hip and escorted her down the walkway out of the restaurant. Grissom could feel the eyes occasionally look up, a grin flashed here and there, subtle attempts to look her over, he even caught a jaw drop. But he kept his face stern on the exit, his shoulders back, his chest out, and a smile so wide in his heart that it would hurt his lips if he dare tried to replicate it. He could remember a time when he sat in a bar alone and saw a couple such as them walk out and he thought to himself:

I want that…

And now, here he was. Enjoying a simple dinner with the woman he called his wife and somehow feeling on top of the world. There was nothing special to this evening, no celebration, no anniversary, no milestone achieved…except for maybe his own. Perhaps the milestone that mattered the most, happiness. He could feel the thoughts of those around him reiterate what he had desired all those years ago, a desire to have what truly makes one happy. And as the glances faded behind them and he gestured towards the dock for a walk, he couldn't help but realize.

I have that.

Grissom and Sara walked down to the edge of the dock, he had shifted his hand off her waist and ran it down her arm till his fingers found hers and they locked. The worn wooden planks beneath their feet were illuminated by quaint strands of Edison-bulbed patio lights. As the wind started to blow in off the seas, the strands swayed, dipping and rocking the light as they extended out onto the ocean. The only thing left of the sun was a small sliver of orange that clung to the edge of the horizon. The clouds of the incoming storm were outlined with the bright colors that bounced off the sun and water. When they reached the end of the dock, Sara let go of Grissom's hand and leaned her elbows on the rough ledge. Grissom had lost count of the number of sunsets he had shared with her. Yet in this view, he could feel his heart fill with the warmth of the moment from each and every one. Grissom took a step back and pulled his phone from his pocket. Holding it up, he did his best to capture it all. The sun, the clouds, the wind blowing through her hair, the freckles on her nose, the sun warming her cheeks, he wanted it all. He never wanted to forget this feeling right here.

Sara heard the pseudo-mechanical sound emanate from Grissom's phone and spun to face him. He pulled the phone close to his chest before he snuck it back into his pocket. Sara pursed her lips and he gave his best boyish grin back to her. Grissom continued to step back and Sara turned to lean her back against the railing, watching him.

"So you DO know how to use your phone…"

Grissom raised an eyebrow and tilted his head to his shoulder as he leaned forward grabbing her hand to pull her to him.

"Shhhh….dance with me."

Sara let her lips drop open, shocked at his public proposal. She watched his flirtatious grin consume his cheeks, it was then that she noticed the flush of pink that tinted them. Sara let out a soft chuckle, remembering the half hour prior when Grissom told the waiter he didn't need the second drink, but she insisted anyway. He could be such a lightweight and she loved that about him. She loved the extra sweetness that came from him when he let his guard down just a little more than usual. Sara stepped towards him, letting herself drift into his arms and she could feel the whimsical sway of his body with hers. The music from the band at the top of the dock was floating down to them in waves across the wind that blew. Grissom spun her slightly to keep the breeze from blowing her hair into her face. He kept his cheek pressed to hers and held her hand in his against his chest. As the notes bounced off the strings, strumming the beautiful melody, Sara could feel Grissom's voice play against her skin.

"I feel wonderful, because I see the love light in your eyes

and the wonder…of it all…

is that you… just. don't… realize…

how much…I love you…"

A small tear welled in the corner of Sara's eye as she felt herself melt into his shoulder. The crisp linen of his shirt caught her tear and consumed it as if it never existed. As the song came to an end and the crowd gave their applaud, Grissom hummed another chorus against her hair. The hand that Sara had on his back was pulling him closer, desperate to feel his body in line with her own. Sara could feel his smile before he kissed her temple. He left his lips lingering just above her skin.

"Oh my darlin'…you look wonderful tonight."

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Sara placed a hand on Grissom's shoulder as he helped her step out of her shoes. He kicked off his own and rolled up the hem of his khakis before he tucked both pairs of shoes behind the stairs in the sand. Neither of them ready for the night to end, they had decided on a stroll across the sand. Sara had her arm hooked between his and his side while he kept his hands shoved in his pockets. Sara watched the few people left on the beach pack their things and make their way back while Grissom focused his eyes out over the water. Grissom found himself still humming the song from earlier while Sara let the low raspy tone of his voice wash over her.

About half way between the two docks, Grissom saw a large branch of driftwood discarded on the beach, One that had hosted many of couples before them to look out onto the water. He gestured to Sara and they decided to sit down and add their date to it's history. Grissom looked out over the water, his eyes closed and his neck stretched up, he breathed in the salty air and listened to the waves coming in. Sara leaned her head into her hand and watched him. The flirtatious smile was gone and a look of pain had replaced it.

"Are you alright?"

"Hmmm?"

Grissom slowly opened his eyes to look at hers. Barely visible in the night's light, but he could see the worry in her eyes.

"I asked if you're alright."

"Oh. Yeah. I'm fine. Just a little headache."

Sara looked down, her fingers fidgeting as her arms rested on her knees.

"You miss it, don't you? Being out there."

It was Grissom's turn to look down and stare at his own hands. He rubbed them together as if they'd somehow produce the answer he needed. But when he pulled them apart and looked into his palms, they were empty. Forcing him to find the words on his own.

"I do. The sea is calming to me… It's quiet, not complicated…just me and you."

Grissom looked to her and saw the half-smile Sara attempted before she ran her hand across his back. Being in San Diego this long hadn't been the plan. But as much as Grissom longed for the water, he couldn't ignore the blaring truth that Sara was more comfortable on solid ground.

Sara rubbed his shoulder gently before she retracted her arm to pull it in tight around her stomach. Grissom watched her shrug off a shiver and noticed the goosebumps rise on her arms. He could already hear her resistance in his head if he were to say they should go because she's cold. Looking to the clouds instead, he noted the chill in the air as the storm works its way inland.

"We should head back before the rain comes."

Sara nodded in agreement, realizing that was likely all the conversation she was going to get out of him about the boat. She began to stand when she saw Grissom's hand extended in front of her, offering to help her up. She took his hand and he squeezed it tightly within his own, pulling her to him.

"Hey. As long as I'm with you, the rest doesn't matter."

Sara raised an eyebrow.

"You really believe that?"

Grissom looked to the water and back to her before he cracked a smile.

"Most days."

They both chuckled together and Grissom felt the warmth of Sara's smile in his chest.

"Well, at least that's honest."

Grissom kissed her forehead and wiggled her hand in his his before he whispered in her ear.

"Let's go."

When they got back to the stairs, Grissom grabbed their shoes and carried them in his hand. Letting the last of the sand fall off their feet as they made their way up. When they neared the car, Sara looked at him to see that he was pinching the bridge of his nose and squinting his eyes, still trying to shove the pain of his headache away. They'd been coming and going a lot more recently, sometimes sparking out of nowhere. But he kept assuring her that he was fine. He leaned forward to open the passenger door for her and she stood in front of him instead. Searching his eyes, she smiled watching the confusion surface to his face. She kissed his lips, feeling his part to let her in. Meanwhile Sara snuck her hand into his pocket and pulled the keys out with the tips of her fingers. Grissom shuttered when he felt her hand against his leg in his pocket. Sara dangled the keys and smirked as she pulled away from their kiss.

"I'm driving."

Grissom tilted his head and scoffed.

"huh, I don't think so…"

Grissom attempted to grab the keys from Sara's raised hand, but she pulled her hand behind her back before he could reach. Sara pursed her lips and waited for him to realize he wasn't going to win this one. Grissom puckered his lips and looked to the passenger seat and back to her before he gave up.

"Fine. But let's try to keep the traffic violations to a minimum."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

As they both entered the car, Sara reset her mirrors and seat while Grissom watched her.

"I got a pleasant email from the property manager about how someone in the subdivision has been unnecessarily flipping Mr. Brooks off every morning…"

"I won't apologize for that. Gil, he almost ran me over on my run. That man should not be behind the wheel of a motor vehicle."

Grissom raised the right corner of his cheek along with his eyebrow as he looked from Sara to the steering wheel in front of her.

"Hey! I'm a great driver."

Grissom pinched his lips to keep his smirk hidden when he reached his hand to rub her neck.

"Of course, dear."

Sara had only gotten a block away from the restaurant when the traffic backed up, putting them at a stand-still. She looked to Grissom who had his head against the headrest and was staring out the window. Sara placed her hand on the inside of his thigh and within a few seconds he had brought his hand to rest on top of hers. Grissom ran his thumb across the top of her hand, his rough skin soothed by the soft nature of hers. Amid the playful banter with Sara on the beach, he had meant what he said. However long they'd be in San Diego, he didn't know. But despite how much he missed the seas, the thought of being on them without her wasn't worth it. She was his all or nothing. As the rain started to gently patter against the glass and the clouds moved their way in further, Grissom lost himself in the familiarity of it all. His mind drifted to a stormy day at sea, the day Sara really came back to him.