Title: Everything I Need, chapter 2
Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine, all are property of the writers of CBS and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
"You're leaving?" Sara asked, obviously miffed at Grissom. Grissom had handed out assignments earlier that morning and made the announcement that he was going on sabbatical.
"Temporarily. I've been asked to teach a seminar at Brown," Grissom replied.
"New Hampshire. And you're telling me this now?" Sara retorted.
"Was I supposed to tell you some other time?" Grissom asked, oblivious.
"A 'heads-up' would have been nice. I thought things between us were going to work once we finally hooked up. But it's like there's nothing going on between us," Sara said.
"What exactly is going on between us, Sara?" Grissom asked.
"You need me to spell it out for you? If you need to ask me that, then obviously there's nothing going on, nothing much more than a couple one-night stands," Sara stammered.
"Sara, keep your voice down..." Grissom started.
"Why, am I some office secret? Something you need to hide? I thought I meant something to you," Sara said angrily.
"You do, you always have, Sara. I'm just not good at this. I'm still not sure what to do with this," Grissom explained.
"You'd still rather have the pumpkin all to yourself? Less complicated that way?" Sara asked sarcastically.
"If you're looking for an honest answer, then yes. It is less complicated that way. It doesn't necessarily mean that's what I want," Grissom said softly.
"What do you want, Gil?" Sara asked. She received no answer.
"I'll tell you this much, you can have your pumpkin. I want out. I'm done trying to figure out how to make you happy. I'm through with trading snarky remarks with you instead of terms of endearment. We're through. Goodbye, Grissom. Have a nice trip," Sara said as she walked out.
Grissom stared after her for a moment. Greg appeared in the doorway, noticing Sara looking unhappy as she stormed down the hall, but saying nothing. He was supposed to work a crime scene with Grissom that day. "Ready to go, boss?" Greg smiled.
"Actually Greg, you go ahead and take Sara with you. I'm going to supervise on this one," Grissom said, eyes buried in his paperwork.
"Me and Sara, are you sure?" Greg asked.
"You sound surprised," Grissom said, looking up. "It's not like you haven't worked together before."
"Yeah, I know, but...okay, if you say so," Greg said.
"I say so," Grissom said, burying his head in paperwork again.
Greg left Grissom's office and found Sara in the break room. He stole up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. "Hey," he whispered.
"Hey," Sara smiled.
"Looks like we'll be working together today. Grissom told me to go with you to the crime scene," Greg said.
"Okay, great. Guess we'd better head out then," Sara said.
"You okay? I saw you storm out of Grissom's office looking rather miffed," Greg said.
"Yeah, I was just surprised that he's leaving, that's all," Sara explained.
"Are you sure that's it? I thought you said it was over between you two when we, uh, you know..."
"Oh, it is. Believe me it is. I made that abundantly clear," Sara said.
"Today?" Greg asked.
"Yeah, why?" Sara asked.
"Sara, you told me you guys were done weeks ago. You're just making it official now?" Greg asked incredulously.
"The opportunity hadn't presented itself," Sara explained.
"How much longer were you going to wait? Or were you just stringing me along like Grissom was with you? I thought I meant something to you," Greg said gravely.
Sara's words to Grissom came back to haunt her in that moment. She realized how much she had hurt Greg by delaying her breakup with Grissom. She didn't know why she had put it off, the time just never seemed right until now. Now in a flash she was at the same crossroads as Grissom and she had a decision to make. Greg was just about to turn around and walk out of the room when Sara grabbed him.
"No you don't," she said firmly. She took his face in her hands. "I'm not going to make the same mistake Grissom did. I'm not going to let you walk away." She kissed him firmly, wrapping her arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tightly, lowering his head to rest on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry I doubted you," Greg whispered.
Sara burst into tears. "I'm sorry too. I should have broke it off with him sooner. I don't know why I waited. It wasn't because I was unsure of how I felt, I knew I wanted to be with you. I just..."
"You just didn't know how to tell him. You were afraid of hurting him," Greg said, taking her hands.
"And he just let me go. He didn't try to stop me. He just let me walk away," Sara said tearfully.
"Maybe he just wanted you to be happy and he knew he couldn't be the guy to make you happy," Greg said. 'Besides, he's leaving, albeit temporarily. Maybe it was the right time after all–for both of you to move on."
"Maybe you're right," Sara said.
"I'm just thankful you didn't let me walk away like he did with you," Greg said softly, pressing his forehead against hers. They both laughed and gently kissed, then they gathered their equipment and headed off to their crime scene. Grissom watched them walk down the hall together and sighed.
"That was a heavy sigh," a familiar voice behind him said. Grissom grimmaced, then turned around and saw that it was Catherine. "Sara and Greg working the crime scene together? I thought you were going."
"I think they'll be fine. They make a good team," Grissom said, walking away. Catherine stood staring after him with a puzzled look on her face, then turned and headed out.