Disclaimer: Some might find it strange that I dream for CSI to be mine, because it never actually will. But--"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly." Langston Hughes.
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18
Before he knew it the first of March had arrived and his procrastination was getting the better of him. His mother's birthday was Saturday and he was going to see her for the weekend just like he did every year. This year, though, he wanted Sara to go with him. But every time he tried to ask her, something got in the way. They'd worked several long shifts and hadn't had a night off together since Valentine's Day. Even while at work together, they never seemed to work the same cases since Catherine had taken some vacation time, which made him use Sara as the primary on hot cases rather than having her help him with his. He tried not to talk about anything personal at work, but tonight he was going to break that rule.
Walking in to the break room, he handed out assignments. "All right guys and gals, we've got a slow night tonight. I've got one assignment, a DB in Henderson. Cath, since you're fresh back from vacation, it's all yours. Nick, Warrick, you guys wrap up that double homicide from last week. Sara, you're with me."
After leaving the break room, she caught up with him in the hall, "What exactly are we doing?"
"Going to my office."
"Am I in trouble?"
After entering the dark room filled with his experiments, he shut the door and with a raised eyebrow, "Would you like to be?"
"Maybe."
His eyes sparkled, "Well, you're not…yet." He smiled then continued, "Listen, I know we agreed we wouldn't talk about 'us' at work, but I need to ask you something."
A knock on the door interrupted him, and he swore under his breath. Was fate against him? Nick walked in, without being asked, "Hey! Sorry to interrupt, but this case just came in. Police officer found an abandoned car in a parking garage, says there's blood on the steering wheel."
A little annoyed, Grissom replied, "And?"
"And…I just wanted to know if I should run with it."
"Sure, fine. Take Warrick if he wants out of the lab for a while."
"Great. See ya'll later."
After the door shut, he started again, "Sorry about that. Where was I? Oh, yes. I just wanted to ask you something and I'll admit that I've been procrastinating."
Another knock and the swish of his door opening caused another profanity to escape his mouth. He calmed a little bit when he looked up to see Jim standing there. "Whatever it is, Jim, it's gonna have to wait just a couple minutes. You can stay if you want, but only if you close the door and promise not to let it open again until I'm finished."
With a smile, he did as he was told, "You got it."
"Okay. Jeez, this is like pulling teeth. So, I've been procrastinating. I don't know if you've looked at the vacation board, but I'm taking this weekend off."
"I did notice. It's your mother's birthday. You go every year."
For a moment, he stared at her, stunned at the words that had just come from her mouth, "How'd you know that?"
"You told me back in college that you went to see your mother every year at her birthday and I remember you were going there after a lecture you gave during the first week of March. Ever since then, you've gone away for the first or second weekend in March."
"I forget sometimes that you are an amazing CSI and you never miss a beat."
"Thanks."
Shaking his head, "Anyway, what I wanted to ask was if you'd go with me?"
Now it was her turn to be shocked, "You want to take me to meet your mother?"
"Yes. I've told her a lot about you and I'd like the two of you to meet. It's important to me."
As usual, she turned their serious conversation around, "Well, I'm not sure if I can get the time off. I have this really stubborn supervisor and he really doesn't like me much."
After a purse of his lips and a look over his glasses, "Is that a yes?"
"Sure. If it's important to you, then I'll go with you."
"Great!"
"So, am I done guarding the door now? Cause I only stopped by to see if you'd gotten off your ass and invited her yet."
With her mouth hung open, "He knew?"
Matter-of-factly, "Yeah."
"Well then, I'll see you two lovebirds later."
After his exit, "What else does he know?"
A short pause followed as he assessed her question, then, as if a light came on, "Not that! I do not kiss and tell."
"Damn. I might have gotten some honest feedback with a little friendly torture." After a smirk, "So, what the heck are we working on tonight? Because I have no active cases."
"I know. I just wanted to talk with you. Now, you can help me with paperwork, my favorite job."
"Oh, no! I am not doing your paperwork. I hate paperwork as much as you do."
"Don't you feel sorry for me?"
She stood, as if to leave, "No."
"If you loved me, you'd feel sorry for me and help so I didn't have to do all this alone. But…" After she sat back down, he said to himself, 'Works every time.'
"You don't play fair."