Please forgive my prolonged neglect to this story – life got in the way.

Disclaimer: I do not own in any capacity any part of CSI or the characters much to my dismay. If I did, Grissom would be shacking up with Sara every night. I do admit to having an active imagination…

The Real Estate Giveaway

Chapter 16

Grissom headed to the morgue, report about the Johnson case in hand. He had a few questions for Al Robbins concerning the findings on a murdered Denny's waitress who had "bought the farm" in a chicken coup still dressed in her uniform from work.

He found the coroner wrist-deep in a dead man's chest, a few extra pieces lying on side table. Al was in full body-protection mode, complete with face shield and was talking to a recorder as he removed a length of intestine. As he held it up for inspection, he caught movement in his peripheral vision. Turning his head, Dr. Robbins caught sight of Grissom standing patiently just inside the morgue door.

Sighing, Dr. Robbins turned his attention back to his hand, and said, "Give me just a moment and I'll be with you."

"Don't stop on my account." Grissom approached the table, but chose to stand a safe distance back as Dr. Robbins picked up a pair of scissors and severed the connective tissue holding the intestine. He placed the length on a try, returned the scissors to his instrument tray and pushed the shield up with the back of his hand.

"I need a break." Peeling off gloves and pulling off the shield, Dr. Robbins laid his protection across a bench and reached for the ties on his smock. "This is my third body since shift began and I'm about ready for a good stretch and cup of coffee. Care to join me?"

"Yes, I would."

The two gentlemen settled down, Dr. Robbins at his desk and Grissom in the adjoining guest chair. Grissom opened his folder and took a sip of coffee.

"Gee, I knew you didn't stop by just to see how I was doing today. What can I do for you?"

And so they went over the defensive marks and multiple traumas suffered by a woman who may have served them breakfast on occasion to Grissom's satisfaction.

"You know, I don't remember getting an invitation." Dr. Robbins told Grissom as they stood.

"Excuse me?"

Al Robbins smiled and cocked his head a little to the right. He weighed the words he chose to speak. "It's not often that two of our CSIs are out house-hunting together."

Grissom looked down and the edge of his mouth curled upward just a touch. "I see you've been reading police reports."

The two men stood in silence as a smile spread across Dr. Robbins' face. "I'm proud for you, Grissom. She's a wonderful woman and it has been obvious that you had a thing for her since the say she arrived. I have just one question. When?"

"Six months ago yesterday."

Dr. Robbins sighed and then held out his hand. Grissom did the same and the two men shook hands. "Al, I'd consider it a favor if you didn't spread this revelation around."

"WHAT? Are you nuts? I'm thinking about renting the billboard across the road." Dr. Robbins burst into laughter at the look of Grissom's shocked and horrified expression. "Relax, I'm just kidding."

"We're having a little party to make the announcement on Saturday. Perhaps you received a note about that?"

"Ah, I wondered who was throwing a secretive party and why. Jot me – and the missus – down as expected. I'm relieved it is for this as my imagination had taken a completely different path."