A/N: Alright well, for you angsty-Sara-fans, we've got some more Sara-angst, along with some Geeklove-angst, along with YOBLING-angst...and Hell, how 'bout some Kegger thrown in there too!...And...the Nick-Kris-abhorrence/Kricket is back by popular demand...lol, -turns to newborn puppy (Bo) to explain- Apparently people like blood baths...but that doesn't mean it's right...-chuckles and covers Bo's ears- But it's still fun to watch/witness/read/listen to...lol.
Thank you for all the reviews. I know there aren't many case files in here...but we'll get to those later, they'll be sprinkled throughout the book...but for right now, it'll be mainly relationships and emotions.
Okay kids, this is why we have betas...Lol, I realized that I put the wrong year at the bottom of my chapter in chapter 13...it is not the year 2006, in this book, it's late 2004, soon-to-be 2005...sorry for the confusion.
AND...Upon request, we must ALL love MootheQuackingCow for beta-ing this for me...she rocks my socks!!
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em (except for Kris). They belong to Jerry Bruckheimer and Anthony Zuiker (except for Kris). I don't have any affiliation with CBS or any of the companies that represent and/or sponsor CSI and its owners. I don't get any money off of this. But if y'all wanna spot me a couple bucks, I wouldn't refuse. Lol. (BTW, that was a joke; don't sue, no need, unless you want a BIJILLION pairs of shoes...) I also don't own the Frankie Avalon song Venus.
Chapter 14: "The day breaks not, it is my heart." –John Donne
Las Vegas, Nevada
Sanders Residence
Bedroom
Wednesday
December 21, 2004
12:18 p.m.
Kris groaned and rolled over, trying to ignore the pain in her face and wrist, not to mention her throbbing headache. She moaned and sat up, gripping her head as the pounding increased. "Damn...I gotta stop drinkin' myself into a coma." Kris mumbled and a snort sounded from the doorway.
"Yeah, your body may not be able to handle it now that you're in your old age." Greg joked, causing her to snap her head up and look at him in surprise. "I'm sure your liver doesn't appreciate the binging."
"It's only binge drinking if you do it heavily once in a while...I do it heavily all the time." Kris groaned and Greg smirked.
"Good to know." He stepped into the room and extended a beer, a Tylenol, and a bottle of water. She gladly accepted it, knowing it was the best remedy for a hangover. She popped the Tylenol and chugged the water, then snapped the top off the beer. Greg scratched his neck and shuffled his feet. "Not that I'm not enjoying the view but uh..." He gestured to her bare top and she yelped and grabbed the sheets, her cheeks, neck, and breasts all turning red. Greg laughed. "Your breasts blush? That's cute."
"Shut up," She growled and held her head in embarrassment. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"It just now occurred to me." He shrugged and stepped into the room. He grabbed his jeans from off the floor and slid them on over his polka dot boxers. She smirked and shook her head as she sipped the beer.
"What happened last night?" She asked worriedly. Greg smirked and shook his head, winking at her, causing her to bit her lip in fret. He then chuckled and shook his head.
"Not that. I'm just messin' with ya." Greg replied and she breathed a sigh of relief, and then cringed, realizing that probably offended Greg. He just stood there smiling at her like he always did, too infatuated with her to be angry.
"Sorry...I didn't mean the sigh like that. I just don't want to make it a habit to sleep with a co-worker."
"Have you ever?"
She sipped the beer again. "Have I ever what?"
"Slept with a co-worker?"
She shot him a look and quirked a brow, smirking slightly. "No...but I slept with my roommate back in college."
"Really?" Greg asked, his ears perking at the thought of Kris and her roommate, who was most likely a girl.
She laughed and shook her head. "Jesus Greg, wipe the grin off your face...it wasn't a girl." She said reading his mind. Greg deflated visibly and sat on the bed next to her. "So, how far did we take it last night?"
"Just, making out...lots of making out," Greg replied and she blushed. "You're a good kisser." She blushed deeper, then growled, hating the fact that she was blushing.
"Did you undress me?"
"Partially. You sort of did a strip tease I think...you said you used to be a dancer, right? Anyways, we both undressed me first, then you..." Greg shrugged and she nodded slowly and chuckled. Yay alcohol! He thought. "Then we were too tired to do anything, so we fell asleep." Damn alcohol...
"We have to stop getting hammered."
On the contraire, I happen to have lots of fun on our 'hammered nights'. Greg thought. Out loud he said: "Yeah, but I say the next time we do, you pierce your eyebrow next."
She furred her brows as Greg stood up and began to walk from his bedroom. "What? Next? What-"
He turned halfway around and gestured to her face with a smirk. "I say next time go for the eyebrow...you got your nose pierced last night." Greg replied and Kris' eyes widened and she ran from the room with a cry of agony. Greg chuckled. "Bathroom's the first door on the right!" He shouted and grinned at the sight of Kris' naked body running through his hallway; he would have preferred that she was running to him instead of the bathroom, however.
He heard her groan from the bathroom and laughed as he walked in after her. He stared at her pierced nose through the mirror, and subtly stole a glance at her naked body, then felt bad because it was like he was taking advantage of her. If only she weren't so tempting... Greg thought and forced himself to look back up towards the back of her head. When her red hair brushed her shoulders it was only then that he noticed the tattoo on her left shoulder blade. It was a black Chinese symbol about the size of a quarter.
"Is that a tattoo?"
"Nope, it's a pimple." She replied dryly and Greg smirked.
"What's it mean?"
"I assume you're talking about the one on my shoulder?"
He squinted as he caught sight of her wrist in the mirror. "Yeah...and how about that one on your wrist?"
"What?!" She asked and looked at her wrist, shocked she hadn't noticed it earlier. It also was two Chinese symbols, except they were emerald and each the size of a nickel. "What the Hell!? What else did I do to myself last night?!" She shouted and Greg shrugged.
"I don't know...so what's it mean?"
"I don't know about this one," She said, gesturing to her wrist. "...The one on my shoulder blade means fire."
"Wait...what did you mean 'I assume you mean the one on my shoulder'...? You didn't know about the one on your wrist at the time. Do you have more tattoos?" She nodded as she continued inspecting the diamond stud through her nose. "How many?"
"Five now."
"Five?!"
She nodded. "One on my ankle that says 'trust' in Chinese, one on my inguinal that says 'lily', and then one on my neck that says 'amen'..."
Greg furred his brows. "I've seen you with your hair up and I've never seen it..." She lifted her hair and piled it on her head as Greg tried to keep his heart rate down at the exposed skin of her neck. He was severely tempted to reach out and kiss, bite, and suck the peachy-tan flesh he saw there. He focused on her hair line, and saw an expertly hidden brown tattoo, peeking out of her hairline. The Chinese symbol had long legs with simple curves and lines at the top, blending into her hair perfectly. "Are all your tattoos in Chinese?"
"Yeah."
"Why?" She looked at him through the mirror.
"Because they're kickass." He smirked and shook his head as she sighed. "Grissom is gonna kick my ass."
Greg chuckled. "Well...did you at least have a fun birthday?"
She groaned. "I don't remember!"
Las Vegas, Nevada
Grissom Residence
Master Bedroom
Wednesday
December 21, 2004
2:24 p.m.
Grissom rolled over in bed, feeling for the silky body that had fallen asleep beside him, and opened his eyes when he felt nothing. He sat up in bed and looked around his slightly, searching for Sara's exquisite form. He unsuccessfully rubbed the sleep from his eyes with one hand.
He heard the greeting from the television of late night comedies in the next room, and furred his brows. Sara despised mid-day television...
He climbed out of the cold bed to find Sara sitting in his living room, wrapped up in his robe as she flipped through the television channels, munching on Dorito chips, he knew what that meant. "You've got your period."
"It scares me how you know that." She replied, not looking away from the television.
"Well, you're always on time and as an investigator who's known you for quite some time, I've come to know your symptoms. You always have trouble sleeping and you snack on Doritos whenever you get a chance. And for you, Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey is a must..." Grissom said and Sara chuckled.
"Good job."
"Thank you," Grissom said and sat down next to her. "Want me to stock up on cantaloupe and tampons?" She looked at him in shock.
"How did you know about the cantaloupe? I never bring that to work."
"You once left your wallet at work and I dropped it off at your house, you had a huge cantaloupe on your counter. And another time you came into work smelling like cantaloupes...and I concur about you never bringing them to work. You often accompany your Dorito chip and Green Tea lunch with a bowl of home-made fruit salad...consisting mostly of apples, grapes, cantaloupes, and cherries."
"...Creepy."
"I'm observant. I also observed that you hate mid day television...which leaves me baffled as to why you are watching it now."
"I'm flipping through the channels, there's a difference."
"Oh...well, why aren't you sleeping? Another nightmare?" She didn't respond as she settled on some random television program, dull enough to put even her to sleep. Grissom sighed and looked over at her. "You can't dismiss the issue twice in one night, Sara." He stole a chip, then made a face and forced himself to swallow it, vowing not to steal another one.
"Excuse me? Firstly, do not tell me what I will and will not do. Secondly, I'm not avoiding it twice in one night...the first time you asked me was yesterday in the break room. And thirdly, don't steal my chips." She snatched the bag away from him, not seeing the face he had made at the chip he'd eaten.
"What happened, Sara?"
"Nothing important. I'm over it now. Let's move on."
"If you're still having nightmares about it...then you're obviously still plagued by it." She huffed but said nothing. "Do you get them often?" No answer, only a glare at the television, meant for him. "What triggers them?"
"Grissom, stop it." She snapped firmly and stood up from the couch. She walked back towards his room, shedding his robe on the way. She quickly dressed and grabbed her coat and keys. "I'm going back to my place to get some sleep." She informed him angrily and slammed the door as she left.
Grissom stood there, staring at the door with furred brows and a tired thought that there was something important that she wasn't telling him.
Las Vegas, Nevada
CSI Crime Lab
Break Room
Wednesday
December 21, 2004
6:10 p.m.
"Penguins fly South for Nestle Tollhouse!" Kris shouted as she jumped up in her seat, jolting awake from the gentle tap Nick had given her. She looked around frightened for a moment, before she took in her surroundings and relaxed. She remembered falling asleep at the break room table, too tired to go back to the house and deal with Nick, and too mortified to stay at Greg's.
Luckily, the lab had showers (stinky showers, but showers nonetheless) and she had a spare pair of clothes in her locker. She had showered and changed, remembering to avoid the nose ring and bandage she had placed over her tattoo, and redressed.
"What happened to your face?" Nick asked and tilted her head back by pushing on her chin slightly to look at Kris' nose ring. She swatted his hand away and frowned. "Grissom's gonna kill you." Nick said while chuckling and pulling away.
"Hey, it ain't breakin' protocol." Kris replied, her Montana twang shining through a bit. "We're allowed to have facial piercings."
"Grissom thinks facial peircings look tacky."
She shrugged. "Well, I'm not allowed to take the nose ring out for a few months, so he'll have to deal." Kris snapped and pushed herself up from the table. She steadied herself for a moment before trudging to the coffee pot to pour herself a cup, something she should have done in the first place to avoid falling asleep at all.
"I uh...I noticed you never came home last night..." Nick said and arched a brow at her back when she didn't respond. "Did you find a place to sleep...?" Nick asked, not able to keep the amusement out of his voice as he already knew the answer.
"Stokes..." She sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Now is really not the time." She warned and took a long swig of her black coffee.
"Well...DD missed you anyway..." Nick replied and went to sit down on the couch, grabbing the December edition of the Forensics Journal as he went. Kris looked over at him and arched a brow. "She had an appointment with the vet and she was disappointed when her 'mommy' never showed up." Nick replied sarcastically and Kris gasped and held her head.
"Shit...I forgot."
"I took care of it."
"...Thank you..." She shifted her footing as she turned around and leaned on the counter. "What'd the vet say?"
"It was a check-up, Anderson...which, by the way, I still cannot believe you take your dog to get check ups."
"I want to make sure she's healthy."
"That's sweet."
"It's instinct." She mumbled into her coffee and Nick snorted.
"Sweet and instinct in the same sentence when referring to you is an odd thing...I may need a moment to recover." Nick warned and she sighed.
"Is Grissom here yet?" She asked, changing the subject.
"Nope."
"Who is?"
"Just Sara and I."
Kris furred her brows. "Why is Sara here without Grissom?"
Nick looked confused. "She shouldn't be...?"
"Hey guys." Greg said as he walked into the room and interrupted their conversation. He looked over at Kris and struggled to keep from picturing her naked. She shifted and blushed under his gaze and felt the anger slowly as he slowly undressed her with his eyes. She shot him a glare and turned away from him slightly to jolt him back to his senses.
Nick looked between them and suddenly he frowned. "What's goin' on between y'all?"
"Nothing." They denied in unison, neither taking their eyes off each other. Nick looked back and forth between them, wondering what exactly had happened the night before, having a good idea since Greg was practically undressing Kris with his eyes.
"Well, what ever 'didn't happen', I suggest you don't let Grissom find out about it. He'll be mad enough that you went and got a nose ring."
"No to mention the fact you got yourself inked." Greg replied and Nick's eyes bulged and Kris shot Greg death glares.
"You got a tattoo!?" Nick shouted and Kris glared further at Greg.
"Way to go, Big Mouth." Kris grumbled and Nick smirked.
"Lemme see."
"No." Kris snapped and Nick frowned.
"Just lemme see it."
"No!" Kris objected and Nick started looking at her body, trying to think of where it would be.
"Well I know it's not on your ass, 'cause you wouldn't be sitting down comfortably, it's not on your neck, and probably not your chest...is it on your ankle like Sara's?"
"Sara has a tattoo?" Greg asked and Nick nodded while Kris rolled her eyes.
"Shut up."
"Did you see it Greg?" Nick asked and Greg shifted.
"Um...no." He lied and Nick ignored the response, knowing it was a lie.
"What is it?"
"Stokes, shut up." Kris ordered and Nick snickered.
"Not on your life, Anderson. What is it? Where is it at?" Nick asked as a Styrofoam cup flew at his head from Kris' direction.
"Drop it, Stokes. I don't want the entire lab knowing I've got a tattoo, okay? I'm in enough trouble already."
Nick sighed. "I'll drop it if you just let me see it."
"No. Why are you so Hell bent on looking at my tattoo?"
"'Cause I'm curious." Nick replied with a shrug. She rolled her eyes and pulled up her sleeve a little, then slowly removed the bandage from her wrist to reveal the emerald tattoo. He smiled and looked at it. "Riot Girl." He accused and Greg smirked.
"I didn't know you listened to Good Charlotte."
"There's a lot of stuff you don't know about me." He threw over his shoulder, and then moved closer. He took Kris's wrist in his hand to pull it closer to his face to get a better look at it and smiled. "Youth..."
"How'd you know?"
"My niece got this same tattoo in her hip...'cept hers is bright red." Nick drawled and let go of her wrist. "Cool."
"What is?" Warrick asked, walking into the room. True to his word, Nick let the subject drop.
"The weather." Nick replied and picked up a magazine. "Do you know where Griss is?"
"Nope. But Sara's asleep in the layout room." Warrick replied and Kris looked around.
"Has anyone seen Catherine yet?" She asked and Greg and Warrick nodded.
"Saw her on my way in." Greg informed her and Warrick nodded.
"She was talkin' to Ecklie when I passed her." He added detachedly. The woman in question walked through the door, looking tired and exasperated, but beautiful nonetheless. That was her trademark, no matter what situation or trial, she could always be counted on to look her best and keep her beautiful head in the game.
"Hey guys. Grissom here yet?" She questioned and everyone shook their heads. "Sara, have you seen Grissom?" She asked and everyone looked up to see Sara walk through the door as Catherine asked her question. She shook her head and went straight for the coffee pot, trying to energize herself and hide the gray smears under her eyes from lack of sleep.
She could feel everyone's eyes on her, but she chose to ignore them, knowing they were wondering how much sleep she had gotten last night, if she had another episode, and where the hell Grissom was. What, am I supposed to know everything?!? She shouted internally, crunching the cup in her hand after she had chugged the liquid. She threw it in the trashcan and left the room, not up for the interrogation at the moment. She just wanted to do her job and go home...then sleep and possibly call Grissom later to apologize.
She had her head down as she was leaving the room, and walked right into the supervisor himself, making her blush and shake her head. "Sorry! I didn't see you..."
"I kinda figured that." He said softly, his face blank.
Damnit! Show emotion so I know what to say! "I'm sorry." She repeated.
"It's okay." He said and moved passed her, still showing no emotion. He entered the break room where the team was gathered and she sighed and followed him, watching as everyone greeted him. She stepped up to the doorframe and waited as he handed out assignments. He explained where they would all be and who would accompany them, and then dismissed himself.
"You ready to go?" Warrick asked as he stepped up to her and she nodded.
"Yep. I'll meet you in the car. I have to do something." She replied ambiguously. Warrick nodded, stepped passed her, and went towards the exit. Catherine and Kris followed to get their kits and coats and make their way out to Catherine's car as well. Greg and Nick left after them, joining Grissom in the hallway.
Grissom told them he'd meet them at the scene later, he had things to do at the moment. They nodded and continued down the hall as Grissom walked up to her.
"I'm sorry." She apologized softly. "I shouldn't have snapped at you earlier."
"I understand Sara...you didn't get any sleep. You were edgy."
She furred her brows and shook her head slowly. "No, that wasn't why- Well...yes, that was part of it. But I really was irritated that you didn't let it drop. It may not seem like I'm over it...and you could be right, I may still have issues with what happened-"
"What did happen, Sara?"
She stared at him a moment before she decided to completely ignore his question. "But I'm working through it."
"I think we should talk about this later..."
She shook her head. "Grissom, I'm dealing with it in my own way."
"I want to help."
"...You can't, Grissom. It's not something you can fix-"
"Tell me what it is and I'll find a way."
Am I talking to a wall...? "Grissom, this isn't like that...I..." She sighed. "I can't really explain it, but this is something I have to handle on my own."
"Sara-"
"Grissom...I have to go to my crime scene." And you're starting to really piss me off. "I'll see you when I get back."
Henderson, Nevada
Hallows Residence
Kitchen
Wednesday
December 21, 2004
11:29 p.m.
Greg picked up the thin piece of hair between his tweezers and looked at it before he put it carefully in the bag, labeled then sealed it. "I thought Grissom said he'd be meeting us here?"
Nick snapped another picture. "He will be..." He crouched down and swabbed the blood-like substance off the phone that had once been hanging on the wall. He sealed it and placed it in the container after marking the evidence and put it back in the kit.
"Why did he stay behind?"
"Paperwork, Greg." Nick sighed in slight exasperation.
Greg was silent a moment, seeming to have gotten the idea that Nick wasn't in the mood to talk. "Do you think we'll get a new guy once Catherine's gone?"
Nick furred his brows and frowned. "No, why?"
"Well, I mean, we were shorthanded before Kris, and now that Catherine's leaving we'll be back to being shorthanded."
Nick thought about this for a moment before he answered. "No...I think we'll be fine...Grissom doesn't accept change. After hiring Kris and loosing Catherine, I think he'll be set for the next ten years..."
Las Vegas, Nevada
Local Diner
Thursday
December 22, 2004
3:43 a.m.
The shift had gone by relatively quickly, giving all the CSIs a break as they filed into the locker rooms to retrieve their things before they went out for their weekly breakfast that never really had a set day. Sara and Kris chatted idly while they waited for Greg and Warrick to finish putting their stuff in their bags so they could leave. Nick, Catherine, and Grissom were still MIA.
Sara had stuck a Post-It to the coffee pot in the break room and on the chair of Grissom's office, letting them all know that the rest of the team would be at the diner in case they wanted to meet up.
The four CSIs were just stepping into the diner when they saw the three other Tahoes pull up outside. They waited patiently for the rest of the team to join them before they decided on a large booth barely big enough to fit them all, so Nick had to pull up a chair. Grissom sat closest to the wall on his side of the table, with Sara to his left, and Catherine across from him. On Catherine's right was Greg, with Kris on his right. Warrick sat across from her, pretending not to notice Catherine on the other end of the table.
Aside from the awkward/not-awkward nature between Catherine and Warrick, the team's breakfast was a success. As always, they received better service with Grissom at their side. "I think she likes you Grissom..." Greg said waggling his eyebrows as the waitress walked away.
Catherine couldn't help but laugh at that, causing everyone else to laugh at her look of embarrassment and Grissom's look of offense/humiliation. Kris shook her head and sipped her water. "I don't think he's too interested in her anyway..." She couldn't resist making Grissom and Sara squirm under the insinuation that no one else caught.
Sara scowled and kicked Kris' leg under the table...only it wasn't Kris' leg. "Ow!" Nick yelped and gripped his shin. "What was that for?" Nick whined and Kris couldn't help but laugh as Sara blushed.
"I've been meaning to ask you Kris," Grissom began, hoping to remove the speculation from Sara. "Are you dating a rocker?"
"Huh?"
"Well, the stud in your nose is very punk, correct?" Grissom inquired, arching a brow of disapproval. Kris blushed a little, but quickly recovered hoping to diminish the childish 'oohs'.
"Well, I'm not dating a rocker...but it's on my to-do list." Everyone chuckled. "I have slept with one though." She added and quirked a brow as everyone laughed.
"Who!?" Catherine demanded and Kris smirked.
"You wouldn't know him..."
"Why?"
"Well, for one you're not into Rock, and two he never really made it to the 'big time'...we did call him Mr. Big Time, though."
"Did you sleep with Bon Jovi?!" Greg exclaimed, grabbing the attention of several customers.
She laughed. "No, I wish though. Jon Bon Jovi's fine." She said and Catherine and Sara nodded in agreement. "Why did you think I banged with Bon Jovi?"
"'Cause of his song Mr. Big Time..."
"Oh...well, no. Sorry to disappoint you, but I never screwed Bon Jovi."
"You know a lot of synonyms for 'slept with', huh?" Warrick mused and Nick scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"That's the G-rated version."
Warrick quirked a brow at the Texan. "How would you know?"
Everyone but Kris and Nick 'ooh'd immaturely while Nick rolled his eyes and Kris pretended to gag. "Anyway...who'd you sleep with?" Catherine asked and Kris sighed.
"Tad Tyner."
"Who?"
"Exactly."
"How'd you know him?"
Kris shifted. "I knew him back in Butte."
Warrick snickered. "Were you his groupie?"
Kris laughed. "Hell no, I played guitar. I'm fawned over, I don't fawn." She replied jokingly and everyone laughed.
:-:-:-:-:
After everyone had finished eating and they were all dividing the cost equally between them all, Catherine's phone began ringing. She looked at the ID and furred her brows, not recognizing the number. She flipped open the phone and pressed it to her ear. "Willows." The familiar voice on the other end of the phone made her wince and turn slightly away from the team and drop her voice. "Mr. Caine..." She chuckled softly. "Alright, Horatio, my records should be on the way..."
At the mention of the man's name, the team stopped what they were doing and turned to look at her. A few of them turned to look at Warrick, wondering what was going through his head. Catherine quickly made an excuse not to have to talk while she was with the team, and hung up the phone.
No one bothered to look away quickly, or hide the fact that they were curious. "Horatio Cane, from Miami...just confirming my transfer." She informed them all of what they already knew. As if they merely wanted to hear it from her lips, they all turned their attention to whatever had held it before...except this time they performed their tasks in sober silence.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Stokes/Anderson Residence
Bathroom
Thursday
December 22, 2004
9:12 a.m.
Kris wiped the steam off the bathroom mirror and wrapped the towel securely around her chest as she pulled the comb through her medium length hair, which had turned to a dark brown/red with the water. She flipped her head over and began to dry it, then piled it into a clip as she squirted the mint exfoliation mask into her hands and began to apply it to her face.
When she was done she opened the door to the bathroom and let the steam filter out. As she walked through the hallway, the loud sound of Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani came blasting from her room, letting her know that Hannah was calling. Kris smiled and hurried into her room to catch the voicemail her friend left her.
She tossed the phone on the bed and went towards the kitchen in search of food, since sleeping clearly wouldn't be an option with her current state of awareness. Though she had eaten a rather large breakfast only five hours before, she was still starving. "My period has gotta be coming." She mused as she bent over to inspect what was in the fridge. She sighed when she saw nothing appetizing and closed the door to write a note on the magnet note pad stuck to the door, informing herself that she needed to pick up corn chips and pineapples as well as tampons.
She stood up straight and went to the cabinet, when she heard shuffling from the hallway. A low groan of being awakened sounded, as well as a few bones popping. She didn't even bother to look over, knowing it was going to be Nick, as she sighed and reached for the pork rines.
"Can you please not walk around half naked? I don't need to see that." Nick said, gesturing to her partially exposed cheek as she reached for the food. He walked passed her, not even giving a second glance as he poured himself a big cup of coffee.
"Alright, next time I'll walk around fully naked...just for you." She replied, her words dripping with sarcasm.
"How kind of you." Nick grumbled and sipped the coffee as he popped an English Muffin into the toaster. "Oh, and when I'm trying to sleep, I'd appreciate it if you'd turn down the volume on your ridiculously loud phone." Too tired to think of a witty comeback, she rolled her eyes and shoved her fist into the bag, turning to face him for the first time. He almost chocked on his coffee as he saw her face. "Sweet Jesus, May, and Joseph, what is that?!" Nick gasped as he gestured to the green gunk as if it was the devil himself.
She rolled her eyes. "Mature, Stokes. That's really mature." She ate the snack and sat on the counter. "It's an exfoliation mask."
"Get your naked ass off the counter." Nick ordered and she scoffed.
"It's not naked. Besides, Mr. Hypocritical, there have been plenty of naked asses on this counter..." He shot her a confused look. "The walls in this place aren't sound proof." She chuckled and shook her head.
He blushed and looked away. Damn...I thought she was asleep.
"And you're partially correct, I was asleep...your kitchen antics woke me up."
Holy shit is she psychic?!
"That reminds me, would you please tell Lacy or whoever to keep her moans turned down when I'm trying to sleep?" She asked and left the kitchen. Before she reached the door she turned back around. "Or was she last week's convenient fuck?"
Nick glared and shook his head. "I'm beginning to think you moving in here wasn't such a brilliant idea."
"Well rest easy, Stokes, I'll only be here for a little while longer." Nick knitted his brows together. "I found a cheaper place a little closer to the lab." She responded, sensing he needed clarification without even looking at him.
"Were you gonna tell me or just up-and-leave?" Nick asked in monotone as he buttered the muffin.
"I was gonna tell you about it later and give you a while to find another roommate if you wanted...I wasn't going to leave you hanging, Stokes. I have more class than that."
"Well, now that I know, when do you think you'll be leaving?"
She snorted at his eagerness to get her out, not that she much blamed him. "Few weeks. The landlord still hasn't responded, but I'm pretty sure it'll be cool." She replied as she wandered back towards her room and left the door open in case Nick responded, which he did.
"I can help you move your stuff if you need." Nick offered and she laughed.
"Just can't wait to get me outta here, huh, Stokes?"
He scoffed and nodded vigorously, though she couldn't see him. "Damn straight."
Las Vegas, Nevada
Sidle Residence
Bedroom
Thursday
December 22, 2004
12:07 p.m.
The gentle hum of the fan was doing nothing along the lines of putting her to sleep. She tried focusing on the blades as a whole, but found herself seeing pictures within them, and then tried following one particular blade, but found that only made her nauseous. She sighed and rolled over on her side, bored of using the fan to put herself to sleep.
She listened for nothing in particular, hoping the silence would be enough to relax her and let her troubles scurry away so she could catch a few winks before work. As she listened to the odd sounds her apartment made, she realized the thud of her heart was exactly aligned with the slow whir of the fan.
She sighed and made another rotation onto her stomach, trying everything she could think of to put herself to sleep. At a time like this, if she had been with Grissom, he'd rub her back or quietly entertain her with his musings from the latest edition of Forensic Journal. She wanted to call him, but knew that she'd prevent him from having a good night's sleep as well if she did so.
She sighed and rolled back over to her back, resorting to counting sheep for the hundredth time that night...day...afternoon...whatever.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Willows Residence
Living Room
Saturday
December 24, 2004
6:18 p.m.
"I still can't believe you flew under our birthday radar!" Catherine exclaimed as she refilled her wine glass. Kris chuckled and shrugged.
"Technically, she didn't fly under my radar." Greg pointed out and Kris rolled her eyes.
"Yes, yes, yes. You snuck into the office and checked my file, good for you." She reached over to the plate next to her seat. "Have a cookie." She handed him a Santa shaped Christmas cookie with red and green sprinkles.
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Grissom said and everyone laughed.
"Well anyway, time for gift exchange." Sara announced excitedly and went to the designated table to get the present she brought.
"Geez Sar, you're certainly in the spirit this year." Warrick mused as she shrugged.
"I saw the size of my 'Secret Santa' present...I'm getting spoiled this year." She grinned.
"I must say, Ms. Sidle; this is a side of you I've never seen." Nick joked and she swatted his arm.
"Shut up so I can open my present." She ordered and Jackie Franco, the print tech, laughed and shook her head.
"You remind me of Alli." Jackie said, referring to her youngest daughter.
"You're lit up like a Christmas tree." Doc mused and Sara blushed.
"Why, Ms. Sara Sidle, is that a rosy pink shade to your cheeks?" Greg teased and Kris laughed and swatted her knee as if it was the funniest thing she'd ever heard as she nearly laughed herself out of her chair. Everyone looked at her in amusement and she frowned.
"...Maybe I should lay off the Vodka..."
"How many martinis have you had?" Warrick wondered.
Kris thought back, and furred her brows as she brought her finger to her chin and tapped it in deep thought. After a few moments, Grissom looked around worried. "Please tell me she's not counting."
"Wouldn't surprise me." Greg murmured and everyone chuckled, knowing she had the capacity to hold as much alcohol as a kegger.
Sara was quiet for a moment before she held up the present. "Can I open this now?"
Las Vegas, Nevada
Grissom Residence
Bedroom
Sunday
December 25, 2004
6:04 a.m.
Sara slowly opened her eyes to see the soft sunlight streaming through the white sheer curtains Grissom had bought after much persuasion from Sara. She had claimed that they would bring a soft, light feeling to the room, but against the cold steel and bland colors, it just seemed out of place. It still remained Sara's favorite feature of the house, though Grissom's impressive book collection held a close second.
She felt him shift under the upper half of her body and she lifted her head, brown mocha curls spilling over her face, to look into his awakened azure eyes. He squinted and grunted at the sun he was not accustomed to, squeezing his eyes shut and resting his head on the pillow once again. Sara smiled and rested her arm on his chest, resting her head on her fist as she watched 'The Bear' wake from his sleep.
He sighed once again and opened his eyes slowly, both of them accustomed to these types of mornings. "Morning." She whispered softly when his eyes met her own. "Merry Christmas, Morning Bear."
"Merry Christmas, Sunshine."
She quirked a brow and he shrugged. She scoffed. "At least my sickeningly sweet pet name was unique..."
"You want unique?"
"I want to swoon..." He raised both brows. "But I'll settle for unique."
"How kind of you."
"Yes, I know, I'm very generous."
"Alright...Good Morning, Venus."
She looked unimpressed. "As in Venus and Serena?"
Grissom smiled and shook his head. "As in Venus; Roman Goddess of love, and Venus; jewel of the sky. Ancient astronomers at a time knew her as the morning star, as well as the evening star. Astronomers refer to Venus as the Earth's sister planet, as they weigh virtually the same in size, mass, density, and volume. It seems as though both Earth and Venus were formed at the same time and from the same nebula."
Sara nodded slowly. "And what of the Goddess?"
"Ah, yes; who you resemble most, by far," Grissom complimented and she blushed and shook her head slowly. He smiled and continued. "Venus is the Roman Goddess of love and beauty, though she originated as a vegetation goddess and patroness to the gardens and vineyards. Under Greek influence, she was commonly associated with Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love. Venus' oldest temple dates back to 293 BCE and the festival Vinalia Rustica was held in her honor on August 18."
"Your birthday." She realized and Grissom nodded and pressed on.
"She was a popular outlet for paintings and sculptures in Europe during the Renaissance period. She was a classical figure whose nudity was a natural state. She was a goddess of sexual healing, with a certain degree of erotic beauty about everything she did. She was born of the sea and sky, and honored as mother of the Romans. It is actually the goddess Venus who instigates people to love and the commemorate rites of marriage, and also closely associated with Spring and fertility."
"She had many lovers," Sara responded and Grissom nodded. "Her husband was Vulcan; God of fire, but her true love was Mars; God of war. During a session of love making, they were caught by Vulcan, exposed to the public, and ridiculed by the other Gods of Olympus."
Grissom smirked. "You know your Roman sex scandals." Sara grinned and winked. "The saying 'love conquers all' comes from associated with the Vespucci family. The painting details Venus awake and alert across from Mars, asleep and unarmed. They had made spectacular love, and while he slept the dead sleep every man falls into after making love to a beautiful woman," He paused to let her giggle as a sly smile crept onto his handsome features. "His lance is stolen from him by tiny satyrs."
Sara grinned. "Venus is awake and triumphant."
"A pun for the trumpet bellowing into Mars' ear that does not wake him."
She smiled and took her fist from under her head and rested both arms across his chest as she pulled her body onto his fully, skin brushing skin. Oh yes, what a perfect Venus you make, Dear Sara.
"Reminds me of the 1959 song by Frankie Avalon..."
Grissom smiled and began reciting the lyrics. "Hey Venus oh Venus, Venus if you will, please send a little girl for me to thrill. A girl who wants my kisses and my arms, a girl with all the charms of you."
Sara smirked. "I believe I got my swoon..."
Grissom smiled. "A brave feat for a humble Bear." Grissom responded as she bent her head to cover him in a passionate kiss, fit for Mars and Venus themselves.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Willows Residence
Living Room
Sunday
December 25, 2004
9:18 a.m.
"Merry Christmas!" Catherine greeted Kris as she hugged the younger woman and moved over to let her into the warmth. "Merry Christmas DD." Catherine said and patted the little puppy's head. She smirked and shook her head when she saw the quirky lab tech she knew and loved wearing a Santa costume, hat and all (minus the white beard and large belly). "Merry Christmas Greggo." She laughed and hugged him as well.
They both moved into the house and Greg took off his coat (with assistance from Catherine) and set the presents he brought down by the Christmas tree. "Merry Christmas, Cath. Where's Linds?"
Catherine smiled and nodded towards the living room. "Drinking Coca in the living room and watching Rudolph."
Greg's face lit up. "I love that movie!" He hurried into the living room as Catherine and Kris laughed. Catherine synched her robe tighter around her body and shook her head.
"He's like a little kid."
Kris scoffed. "You didn't have to drive over here with him singing Christmas carols in your ear..." Kris remarked and Catherine laughed. "So how has your Christmas been?"
Catherine smiled. "Good, actually. Got a wake-up call from Sara at about six thirty." Kris looked over at her slyly, wondering if the older woman knew that Sara had placed the call from her cell while she was in Grissom's house. If she did, she was an expert at hiding it. "How has yours been?"
Kris smiled. "Good. This little early bird woke me up around five, so I started some coffee..." She looked over at Catherine. "Warrick actually stopped by, said he was gonna hang out with Stokes for a while..." Catherine quirked a brow and sighed in annoyance.
"Ask it."
"Have you talked to him yet?"
"No."
Kris sighed. "Are you planning on talking to him before you leave?"
Catherine sighed. "I tried talking to him a week ago...he wasn't too interested in speaking with me."
Kris frowned, but nodded in understanding. "Well, Greggo and I can only stay for a while; I'm his ride to the airport. He's goin' to visit his folks in California for a few days."
"Why didn't he leave last night?"
"He said he wanted to see the two of you off..." Catherine quirked a brow of confusion. "You'll be gone by the time he gets back." Kris said softly and Catherine dropped her jaw a little, partially forgetting that she was leaving in only a few days.
"Oh...well, let's go spend my last few moments with this quirky lab tech actually talking to him..." Catherine said lightly, forcing a smile. Kris knew the effort she put into the fake assurance, and smiled softly as well in appreciation.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Stokes/Anderson Residence
Living Room
Sunday
December 25, 2004
2:04 p.m.
Kris closed the door softly behind her and kept DD close to her, seeing that Warrick had fallen asleep in the Lay-Z Boy while Nick had dozed off on the couch as they had been watching a movie. Kris smirked and shook her head and placed DD in her room so that she wouldn't pounce on the sleeping men.
She wandered into the kitchen and set the bag on the counter with the ham she had picked up from the store. Luckily, it was a small ham that wouldn't take long to cook, so the three of them could have it for dinner.
After an hour or so, most of the food was ready (save the ham) by the time Warrick stirred from his slumber and wandered into the kitchen. "Hey Kris, Merry Christmas." He greeted sleepily and she looked up from the potatoes she was mashing to smile at him.
"Merry Christmas 'Rick."
"I'm gonna head home..."
"You're not gonna stay for dinner?"
"I don't wanna impose."
Kris laughed. "No imposition, it's Christmas. Spend it with those who love ya."
Warrick grinned and laughed. "Ah, I knew it. You've fallen madly in love with me." Kris laughed. "I can't help it, only warn you against my bad-boy ways...I'll love you then break your heart." She chuckled and shrugged.
"I couldn't help but fall victim to your innate Warrick-ness."
He shrugged as if he couldn't help it. "I tried and I tried to stay away so as not to break your heart...but to no avail, I see." She laughed more. "But hey, if you wanna go for a tumble in the sack, I've never been one to turn a lady down."
Kris laughed and swatted him with the tea towel slung over her shoulder. "Shut up and get your conceited ass outta my kitchen." She barked playfully and Warrick laughed and went back into the living room. "Hey, do me a favor," Kris requested and Warrick turned to face her. "Can you stir the broccoli soup while I take DD outside?"
Warrick nodded and walked over to the stove. "Does it matter which way I stir it?"
"Ha ha." Kris replied and went into her room to get DD. After a few seconds of stirring, Nick groaned from the living room and stood up while rubbing the sleep from his tired eyes.
"Rick? Man, what're you doin'?" Nick drawled and yawned as he ambled into the kitchen.
"Writing a sonnet." Nick rolled his eyes. "I'm stirring this for Kris. Girl's been workin' non-stop to make Christmas dinner."
"Oh..."
"So you better be nice." Warrick warned and Nick rolled his eyes.
"I haven't killed her yet, have I?" Warrick chuckled. "Where is she?"
"Right here." Kris answered and set DD down so she could run over and greet Nick, happy that he was awake. "I assume you were talking about me." She moved next to Warrick and took the spoon from his hand. "Thanks, Warrick." She stirred for a few seconds then set the spoon down and went to inject the Ham with more maple syrup.
"It smells good." Nick complimented and leaned on the counter. "Want some help?"
"I got it." She said and nodded for them to leave. "You men can go back to being men." She replied and Warrick chuckled.
"You sure?" He asked, knowing that Kris wasn't one to take up the 'little woman' role, but would kill them if they messed up anything in her kitchen. But that was more of an OCD response than anything else.
"I'm sure."
"Want me to set the table?" He offered and she sighed.
"Why don't you go call Grissom or Sara and annoy one of them?" She requested good-naturedly as they held up their hands in surrender and backed out of the kitchen.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Grissom Residence
Living Room
Sunday
December 25, 2004
8:58 p.m.
"Can I open my eyes yet?" Sara requested and Grissom sighed.
"Let nothing disturb thee; Let nothing dismay thee; All thing pass; God never changes. Patience attains All that it strives for. He who has God Finds he lacks nothing: God alone suffices."
"I can always tell when you quote something...who said it?" She asked, her eyes still closed, but an amused smile on her face.
"St. Teresa of Avila. And she's right."
"Saint Augustine said that 'patience is the companion of wisdom'."
"So you would be wise as to be patient." Grissom quipped and she chuckled and shifted on the pillow he had set out for her. She synched the robe he let her borrow tighter around her waist and smiled at the smell of the burnt wood of the fireplace and Grissom's musk. "Are your eyes closed?"
"Yes." She answered softly and jumped slightly when she felt the cold steel touch her neck delicately and Grissom's fingers brush the back of her neck and shoulders. Instinctively she opened her eyes and look down, releasing a startled gasp when she saw the long silver necklace draping down her chest. "Gil..." She gasped in amazement at the beauty of the diamonds.
It was a double drop diamond and sapphire pendant necklace. The longer swinging pendant had four circular sapphires with three diamonds, while the partnering 4 inch silver chain had three sapphires and three diamonds. They were attached to the chain by a small rectangular pure silver band with four diamonds on it, hanging from the 12 inch necklace.
"God...Gil..." She gasped again and fingered the necklace. "This is...wow."
She was completely at a loss for words and Grissom smiled and ran his hands across the back of her neck, causing her to lift her hair so he could fasten the clip of the necklace. "It's sapphires and diamonds..."
"Oh God, they're real."
Grissom chuckled. "Well, yeah."
"Gil...you can't...I can't accept this."
Grissom frowned and pulled back so that she could turn her head to look at him over her shoulder. "Why?"
"Gil, how much did this cost you?"
"Ten years worth of abandoned love."
"Gil-"
"Sara, if you don't want the necklace, then don't wear the necklace. If you're worried about the cost, don't. It's my money and I will spend it as I please." He shook his head and chuckled, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "God Sara, I've dreamed about spoiling you for I don't know how long...you'd deprive me of that joy?" He mocked. She chuckled softly and shook her head while looking back down at the expensive necklace hanging gracefully from her neck, shimmering in the fire's light. "If you don't like the necklace, I'll take it back and we'll find something you do love."
"No...no, I-" She looked down at the necklace and felt her heart swell and tears spring into her eyes. "I love it, Gil...I really do." She professed and looked over her shoulder at him once again.
A smile spread on his handsome bearded face. "Good." He said softly and deeply and kissed her shoulder. She smiled and leaned back into him, letting him hold her closely as they listened to the silence of the night and crackling of the fire. "I love you, Sara." He whispered into her ear, as if it was a secret and they were surrounded by nosy people, itching to know.
She smiled and leaned to the side as she turned back more, kissing him passionately as he hand went to cup the back of his head and draw him closer. She pulled away after a few moments and smiled. "I love you too, Gil..." She whispered as she looked into his passionate blue eyes and leaned up to kiss him again as he eased her back onto the little bed he had made with the pillows and soft blankets.
His hands danced down her chest and arms, flitting across her waist and abdomen as they found their way into her robe to caress the creamy skin beneath. He tugged the robe open and brushed it off her bare body as he moved to cover her with his body and loving kisses. Her hands dove into his gray curls and gripped softly as he kissed down her chest and stomach, then back up to her mouth, letting his hands love her as they had always longed to do.
"Love me, Gil. Make love to me." She requested breathlessly, though she was pretty sure that's what he had in mind. He smiled and covered her in a passionate kiss, fully intent on doing so.
A/N: Damn that last scene was my favorite to write! I love Geeklove!! I felt so inspired by Thursday's episode that this just poured out of me! Not even whatever bug I have could hold me back! Ah...so there's the new chapter, and I know; I'm evil for letting our favorite couple have their privacy. -Shrugs- It happens. Alright, on we go with couple analysis.
Geeklove: Obviously they're doing well; stay tuned for a few more surprises (the fluffy kind) that are just around the corner. I figured I torture them (and everyone else) enough, so we need a little Geeklove fluff in our lives as an anchor and safe-place.
YOBLING: Yes, yes, yes...Catherine is leaving in the next chapter...but will things go according to plan, or will a certain CSI accidentally tip the scales in the YOBLING direction?
Kegger: Ha! Kris got drunk, pierced, and inked! And Greggo got to see her naked...see, I know how to be nice. Let's just wait and see what he tells his parents about her...-wink-
Kricket: Kris is moving, who will get custody of DD??! JK, JK, Kris gets DD since Nick has no real ties to her...oh what the world is coming to. So, will this new move for Kris result in a new beau...? We'll have to wait and see...-wink-
-Futuremisscsi60