Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own anything to do with CSI.

Rated: K

Summary: Grissom gets help with his Secret Santa for Sara from an unexpected source.

This is a response to the fanfic Xmas challenge at csiforeveronline. The challenge is Secret Santa at the lab. Prompts are 1.) Sara gets Grissom or Grissom gets Sara. 2.) Mistletoe must be involved in some way. 3.) One character must say Ho Ho Ho.

A/N: as always this story is not beta'd so any and all mistakes are mine.

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From the Heart

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"Jewelry?...Nah she'd suspect me right away…A book? Gift certificate? Figurine?"

Grissom peeked in the store windows as he and Bruno strolled down the sidewalk.

"What in the world am I going to get her?"

"Shopping for a special lady?"

"Huh?" Grissom looked around for the source of the voice.

"I said shopping for a special lady?"

A few feet in front of them was Santa Claus…well a man dressed up like Santa Claus, standing next to a collection bucket and ringing a bell.

"Uh..yeah. My wife Sara. I drew her name for Secret Santa at work. I don't know if I should get her one big item or get her a series of gifts."

"Well from my experience with the tradition, I'd go with a series of gifts. It's more fun trying to figure out who got you instead of just waiting for the big day and reading the name on the tag." Suggested the older gentleman.

Grissom thought for a moment. This man was right. But he'd have to be careful. He'd have to give gifts anyone on the team could give. If he got too personal Sara would know it was him.

"That sounds like a good idea. Any suggestions…?"

"Oh, George. The name's George."

"Gil Grissom."

"Nice to meet you Gil Grissom."

"So any suggestions George?"

Without pausing to think George replied, "Think from the heart, not the wallet."

"Think from the heart, not the wallet" Grissom repeated back.

"Think of things that she loves, not things that are flashy and pricy".

Grissom nodded. He understood what George was trying to say. The gifts should have meaning, not cost a lot of money. Besides anything too expensive would also point the finger at him cause no one else at the lab would spend a lot of money on another co-worker. Maybe Greg back in the day when he had a crush on Sara, but not now. He would have to go home and think on this for awhile.

"Well thanks for your help Geo.."

"HO HO HO! Help the poor! Spare a dime for the needy! HO HO HO!" George hollered, ringing his bell.

Grissom smiled and headed for home with Bruno.

"Think from the heart, not the wallet." Grissom muttered to himself for what seemed like the umpteenth time as he and Bruno stepped into the house. The words had become like a mantra to him as the pair walked back to the house. He had the night off and Sara had already left for work, leaving Gil and Bruno alone for the evening. This was good because it would give Grissom time to think while Sara was out.

"What could I give her that's inexpensive but had some kind of meaning?" Grissom sat down on the couch.

They didn't have to be huge either. Most people gave small items, at least at first, and then one bigger item at the end. The lab was having their annual Christmas party on Christmas Eve and that's when the Secret Santas would be revealed.

But what could Gil give his wife that was small, inexpensive, meaningful, and wouldn't immediately point the finger at him as her Secret Santa? Suspecting him would be ok, it just couldn't be obvious. It had to be something anyone would think of.

"Any suggestions buddy?" Grissom glanced down at Bruno on his large bed.

Bruno blinked a couple times before grabbing his favorite plush bunny toy and carried it to the couch, placing it next to Grissom, and then sitting at his master's feet.

"I'm sure your mother would appreciate the gesture pal" Grissom chuckled, "but don't you think this might be a little obvious who gave it to her? Nice try boy." Grissom scratched the boxer's head and gave him back his toy. He then sat back against the couch and thought. Suddenly he sat up straight.

"AH HA! I've got it!"

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TBC…

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A/N: Well I hope you liked the beginning. Stay tuned for more. I hope to have this finished by Christmas night. Reviews are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

~Neelloc12~