Chapter Four – Eight Easy Steps
Grissom and Sara had driven home in relative silence at the end of the shift, both lost in their own thoughts of the case. Grissom felt the frustration over the lack of movement in the case stem off Sara in almost physical waves. Her drive to solve this case was admirable but it was also dangerous. It could and would consume her. He had seen it happen more then once in the past. He knew what she needed. A distraction. A big one. He waited until they had gotten in the door, and on his way to his room he dropped the bomb shell.
"Get changed Sidle. We're going out. Oh and get your dirty laundry together."
He closed his bedroom door and hoped that by the time he had gotten changed that Sara had listened to him. He heard Charlie padding around in the kitchen and after a second of thought decided that she could come with them. She was due for a walk. When he finally exited his room, now dressed in a pair of jeans and a plain white t-shirt, a bag of dirty slung over his shoulder, he found Sara standing near the doorway dressed in a flowing black skirt that fell to just above her knees and a red t-shirt. She looked beautiful. Tired but beautiful nonetheless.
"And I'm going to guess that laundry is on the list of things to do, which I know is dead exciting but all I really want to do is sleep."
Sara tried her best to make Grissom change his mind about going out, but knew she had failed when he started hooking Charlie up to her lead, all ready for a walk. She put her bag of clothing into the back seat and then waited as Grissom loaded Charlie. They drove silently into town and it wasn't until the car was parked that Grissom spoke.
"No talking about work from here on in. These are the few hours we have to be somewhat normal. Ok?"
Sara nodded and hoped out of the car, a little startled by this livelier Grissom. She had never met him before. This should be interesting. Sara followed Grissom and Charlie in to a brightly coloured laundromat called Pennies. Grissom gave the man behind the counter a quick smile before moving with purpose to a machine near the back of the building, Charlie's nails making a steady clicking as she followed Grissom obediently. Grissom placed both bags down in front of the two machines and then turned to change some dollar bills before coming to stand in front of Sara.
"Hold out your hand."
Sara did as she was told and Grissom dropped several pennies in her hand before beginning to load his chosen machine. It wasn't like Sara had never done laundry before. It was part of her life as much as it was in the next person's. But the idea of sorting out her colours and her delicates in front of Grissom was unnerving. Forbidden and somewhat sexy sure, but not the most comfortable situation.
"Sara stop thinking and start doing your laundry. We have a lot of things to get done today."
Sara shrugged and started loading the washer with her t-shirts, pants and a couple of skirts.
"Hey Sara, what do ya think? Lavender or original?"
Grissom was beside her again holding out two samples of laundry powder. One was in a horribly purple box the other was in a white. Sara leaned forward and sniffed the lavender lightly, her nose curling at the intense smell. Too over powering. The white box however was what Sara recognised as the one Grissom currently used. It was mild and light with just enough smell to make it clean.
"The white box. You'll smell like a girl if you use Lavender."
Sara watched as Grissom nodded and poured a measured amount into the machine before handing it too Sara.
"You're not the lavender type either."
He turned back to his machine, turned it on and then proceeded to load another machine with the last of the washing. Sara followed suit, quickly pushing her panties, bras, her silk pyjamas and socks into another load before sitting in one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs. Charlie had gotten bored and was now laying slumped out on the floor watching the people go past the large window at the front of the store. Before long Grissom had sat beside Sara on a chair and let out a sigh.
"While we're waiting for the machines do you want to know what happened in the interview with the father?"
Sara offered Grissom a small smile.
"I thought we were not allowed to talk about work."
Grissom shrugged.
"The great thing about being boss is that I can change the rules. That and I knew that you would be dying to know"
Sara smiled.
"Yeah ok you got me. So spill. How did it go?"
Grissom stretched his legs out in front of him.
"Peter's father thinks that his wife is having an affair. I don't find that in the least bit surprising really. He also thinks that his wife is somehow involved in Elizabeth's death. I don't know how he came to that conclusion but that's what he thinks. He claims that Peter is innocent and that he is just a confused kid who has been pressured by his mother to think things and make snap judgements. That I believe. All in all it was a bit of a waste of time. Nothing came of it. What about Elizabeth's diary? Anything come of that?"
Sara shrugged, playing with the frilled hem of her skirt.
"Not a lot. I went to see Melissa again and that brought about a big fat nothing. The diary told me when she had had sex with Peter and even the date that she found out she was pregnant. Do you know what happened with the interviews that other guys did?"
"I read a little of the report's they gave back but thus far we have nothing."
Sara gave a little sigh and watched the people walking past the large window of the laundry matt. She felt so weighed down by this case. And so obligated to solve it. Grissom's soft voice broke into her thoughts.
"You don't need to feel obligated you know."
Sara shook her head, her eyes still focused on the people passing by.
"It's our job to feel obligated Grissom. It's just that this case makes it more real."
Sara felt Grissom's hand on her elbow, the skin to skin contact a silent demand for attention. Sara turned head slowly to meet Grissom's soft blue gaze.
"I know how I felt with the Debbie Marlon case. Do you remember that one?"
Sara nodded. It had been pretty hard to shake that image of Debbie Marlon on the slab when she looked so much like Sara herself. Grissom continued to speak, his hand still lightly resting on her elbow.
"I could not believe it when I saw her laying there. It was you. Did Catherine tell you how possessed I became about that case?"
Sara shook her head. Catherine had said nothing to them about Grissom not being at the office.
"I stayed at that house for three days. I didn't sleep and I only ate what Catherine found in the fridge. I was running purely on the fact that she looked like you. It did me no good what so ever. I had nightmares for weeks after that and I had to keep looking at you to remind myself that you were still there."
Sara shifted slightly so that she was facing Grissom more, his hand slipping down to her wrist in the movement. Sara waited a beat before taking his hand in hers. His hand was softer then she had expected it to be after years in the field, his fingers round and strong. She kept her grip loose, allowing him the chance to slip away if he wanted. Grissom said nothing, just glanced at their joint hands quickly before turning his eyes back to Sara.
"I've done some things in the past that I am not very proud of. We all have. You just need to stay focused ok and don't let this case get the better of you. I don't want to see you destroy yourself"
Sara tightened her grip on his hand, before running the free hand over his cheek lightly.
"I'll be careful. I have you to make sure I don't slip too far."
Grissom nodded, his own hand squeezing Sara's. The sharp beeping of the washing machines drew the pair's attention and Sara gave a soft smile.
"We had better sort out the machines. We have a lot to do today."
Grissom pulled her gently out of her seat and went to his washing machine where in silence they proceeded to unload the clothing. In twenty minutes the washing was done and loaded in the back of the car. In absolute silence he led her across the road towards a bookstore called Spinal Tap, Charlie still close on their heels. Sara had always liked books. Loved the way they smelled and how you could go on a trip without ever leaving the house. Spinal Tap was a booklovers paradise. It was dim enough to give it a nice peaceful feel but bright enough to sit and read in on of the over stuffed chairs and beanbags that Sara could spot from the main entry way. Grissom moved past Sara to start rifling excitedly through a box of books laying on the counter, extracting each book carefully, running a finger down the spine before placing it gently on the counters glass surface.
"Oh Gil, I see you've found the new shipment."
A round elderly man appeared from around a corner of book shelves leaning heavily on an intricately designed cane. Sara could see the twisted wood and delicate art work that peppered the length of wood.
"I see you've brought a friend. I'm William by the way."
Sara shook the hand that the elderly man offered, a small smile playing on her lips. He looked a lot like Gandolf off the Lord of The Rings. His hair and his beard were long and white as were the clothes he was wearing.
"I'm Sara. Has anyone told you that you look like Gandolf off The Lord of The Rings?"
William nodded a deep chuckle emanating somewhere in his stomach before reaching Sara's ears.
"All the time young lady, all the time. So Gil, find anything interesting?"
Grissom held up a thick volume that he held in his right hand, a large smile on his face.
"As always William, you have just what I was looking for. Do you mind if we have a wonder round?"
William held up his hands, making a grand sweep of his surroundings.
"My home is your home. Come on Charlie, I have some of those treats you like in the back."
Charlie was off following William, the promise of treats making her tail swing. Grissom led Sara into the Entomology section, stopping at books for beginners. He handed Sara the book he had taken from the box earlier, searching the ones on the shelves as he explained.
"It's Travis's birthday next week and because he keeps borrowing my books, I figured I would start him on his own collection. The book you have in your hot little hand is the one that he's borrowed over a dozen times and now I want some that can give him more information on his bug of choice, butterflies."
Sara smiled as she fingered some of the volumes she had spotted at Grissom's house.
"Oh he loves butterflies too. It was sweet of him to give you that Monarch that he found."
Grissom nodded as he added to the small pile now in Sara's arms.
"Yeah it was. I feel bad taking it though. Maybe I should get it cased then give it back to him as a gift."
Sara shook her head, which she realised was a waste. Grissom had his face turned to more books.
"Don't do that. It was properly hard enough for him to give it to you. Just accept it as a gift from one scientist to another."
She saw Grissom nod slightly, and she realised just how many books he had piled on her when her arms began to ache. Just when she thought she could take no more, Grissom led her back to the front of the shop and helped unload the books onto the counter, where William was waiting, a wide smile on his face.
"And once again Grissom, you have become my biggest buyer this week. Another chunk out of my bug book selection I see."
Grissom gave a small shrug as he pulled out his credit card. He passed a quick look over Sara before he gave a little frown.
"Didn't you find anything you wanted?"
Sara shook her head.
"I have more then enough books at home. You can take me to the CD store though. I need to bulk up my CD selection."
Grissom gave her a small smile before turning back to William who was busy putting all the books into a small box, stacking them carefully before taking the credit card off Grissom.
"Will you be back again next week for the new shipment?"
Grissom nodded, smiling widely.
"Of course. Come on Charlie we have a music store to hit. Seeya William, give me a call if the shipment comes early. Bye."
Sara gave William a quick wave and followed Grissom to the truck to unload his haul of goodies before he turned back to Sara.
"So the CD store is it? Right this way Miss Sidle."
Grissom offered her his arm and she linked her arm through. It was comfortable and intimate gesture.
"Will this store do? It's not very big but they have some good stuff."
Sara ran a quick eye over the store, taking in the walls covered in the latest hits, the middle of the store taken up by the older music.
"Perfect. I'm going to find my CD, you can cruise."
Sara moved to the latest singles rack and smiled when she found the new Nickleback CD she wanted, before spotting a few more that were on her list. She watched as Grissom cruised the CDs carefully, flipping through them with studious ease, pausing every once and awhile taking one in his hands and looking at the back before either adding it too his small pile or putting it back in the rack. Sara found herself wondering what kind of music he listened to. She knew that he had a taste for classical but he wasn't in the classical selection, he was in the old rock area, the likes of BeeGee's and the Beetles. Sara wondered over to his side.
"Find anything that struck your fancy?"
Grissom raised his hand that held three CD's slightly as he continued his search.
"A few. Did you get what you wanted?"
Sara lifted her hand, glancing at the six CD's.
"Yeah. What did you get?"
Sara took the pile of CD's from his hand before he could protest. Beach Boys, Elvis Presley and Dr. Hook.
"I would never have pinned you as a Dr. Hook fan. You know, you're beginning to surprise me. First Charlie, then Travis and now this. Next thing you'll be telling me you have a tattoo."
Grissom was smiling again, his fingers laying over hers as he claimed back his CD's.
"Rest assured, I don't have a tattoo. We do have to pay for these CD's though so that we can go and do some shopping before we can get some sleep before tonight's shift."
Sara gave Grissom a small smile and followed him to the cash register, for once loving the idea of doing her grocery shopping.
Sara never would have thought that the biggest argument that she would have with Grissom would involve buying food but here it was. They had playfully bantered through the entire store, pretending to argue over everything. Then they had gotten to the check out and it all turned to custard. Grissom had wanted to pay for the entire shop, stating that even if she left he would still eat it all. Sara wanted to pay for at least half of it; it was a large shop after all. They stayed there for a good fifteen minutes locking horns until Grissom finally caved, agreeing to go halves on the food. Sara felt a glow of satisfaction as she handed over the cash, happy to have one a small battle at least. Then she saw the look on Grissom's face and realized that she had over stepped the mark again. Only this time she had no idea why. She waited until they were out of the store before speaking.
"What did I do?"
Grissom paused mid-stride and looked at her.
"You are my guest. I do not mind paying for food that we are both going to eat"
"If we are both going to eat it then what is the big deal if I want to pay half?"
"You are my guest Sara."
"And it would make me feel much more comfortable if you would let me do something for you. I don't expect you to look after me all the time"
"I know you don't but I just don't you to feel as if I expect you to do something because I don't. You have enough on your plate without worrying about every silly little thing."
"Food is not silly Grissom, a person has to eat."
"Let's drop it ok? All I want to do is get home and have some lunch"
Sara followed him to the truck with their trolley and waited for him to pull open the boot before being to load in the bags. The ride home was silent, the happiness of the day going just as quickly as it had come. The mood only began to lift again as they drove up Grissom's long driveway. They unloaded the bags and took them inside. It took ten minutes to put the food away and when that was done, Sara set about making some sandwiches for lunch. It was creepy to her just how quickly she had settled in. It didn't take much for her to feel at home, she just needed a friendly face and a comfortable and she was pretty much set. This was an entirely different situation. She was living with Grissom. It wasn't like it was with Nick, Greg and Warrick. She could joke around those guys, relax and didn't need to impress them. Grissom was a different story. She wanted to impress him, even though after years of knowing him it was a little pointless. If he wasn't impressed now he never will be. She felt like a girl with a high school crush around him and she found it extremely irritating.