Chapter 3
"So, what was he like? Did he have like a pet snake on his shoulder? Pet tarantula? Hissing Cockroaches for those races?" Sara looked at Jason like he was mad. "I looked up cockroach racing, they are those huge ones from Africa."
Sara raised an eyebrow and stared at her friend while they waited for their order. Talking about her favorite Thai place made her hungry and, even though she really didn't have the time, she called Jason and asked if he wanted to grab something to eat.
"He, actually... well, he is older. But he's not, like, old. Actually, he's kinda cute. Alright, he's really cut--"
"What?" Jason's question was soon answered as Sara waved at a man standing behind him. "Oh."
"Dr. Grissom. Nice to see you. Glad you took me up on my advice. Would you like to take a seat with us, we just ordered and could have your food held while we wait for you." Sara's face had flushed and Jason eyed the man with measured parts of interest and suspicion.
"I don't want to intrude. Is this your boyfriend?"
"No. He's just my good friend. Jason, this is Dr. Grissom. Dr. Grissom, this is my best friend, Jason." They shook hands and Dr. Grissom noticed the look on Jason's face.
"Something the matter, Jason?" he asked.
"Oh, no" Jason realized what he must look like, "I just, Sara was telling me about the coolers and we were speculating as to what was in there." Jason winked at Sara for two reasons. First, because he felt he had just saved himself quite a bit of embarrassment and second, because Sara had just finished telling him that she didn't want to think about what could be kept in the coolers.
Sara kicked him under the booth and he grunted. Dr. Grissom noticed but just asked, "Do you really not mind me joining you two?"
"Not at all, have a seat" Sara said. She motioned for him to sit next to Jason, because she had her purse and Jason and her jackets on the bench next to her. Instead, Dr. Grissom picked up the pile and moved it next to Jason who scowled at Sara for offering. He didn't get to see her hardly at all this week, and now she's inviting someone else in?
Sara gave him a warning look and handed Dr. Grissom a menu. "The noodles are good, and so is the beef. I think Jason got the sour pork, though," she said pointedly at Jason while Dr. Grissom looked over the menu.
The food eventually arrived and Jason began to watch Dr. Grissom's every move. Sara didn't understand why he was acting so childish and kept looking at him at regular intervals to give him the "look."
"Excuse me. I'll be right back. The restroom is where?" Grissom asked.
"Back right corner, left of aquarium." Sara was relieved to have a moment alone with Jason. He needed a bit of chastising. "What the hell is your problem?"
"He's just so...well...you said he isn't married?"
"Yeah"
"And he's successful?"
"Yeah?"
"And he's very attractive?"
"Yeah?"
"And he's over forty?"
Sara, loosing her patience and time alone with Jason, "Yes, so what?"
"Well, either he's got serious issues or he's gay." Jason finished as Sara's mouth dropped open. "If he's got problems, then he's yours. And if he's gay, he's mine. He is way too good looking to—Hello Dr. Grissom!"
Sara blushed and hoped that he hadn't overheard Jason talking. He didn't give any signs that he heard the conversation, but he sat down and smiled a bit awkwardly.
"Dr. Grissom, what do you do when you're not lecturing or working?" Sara was fishing for some topic that would be received well, one that would start a conversation about something else to fill the silence.
"I play chess. I like to ride roller coasters. I really like that. I like to race my cockroaches." Grissom slowly listed off the answer. "What I really need to do more is ask women out for dates." He said this a bit too directly and both Jason and Sara blushed, "Even though I don't have any serious issues that I know about, but I just can't seem to get a date real often."
"Oh." Sara and Jason said at the same time.
"Well, I go on lots of dates, but if work calls—which it always does—I have to leave to cover the crime. Dates don't like it much when you leave them." Grissom talked to his napkin and looked up playfully at his dinner partners, smirking. "Don't worry about it, it's not the first time both things have been said."
"I'm so sorry. We wouldn't have said anything, we didn't know you could hear us." Sara began wildly.
"I didn't hear you, I can read lips. Sorry for lip-dropping."
"If dinner is nearly done, then I guess this is where we make our no-so-graceful exit and bit you adieu." Jason was the one trying to make amends now.
"That sounds fine." Grissom smiled genially, seeming to get a kick out of Jason's reaction. Jason, utterly beet red and fumbling, reached for his jacket as he got up.
"Well, thank you for a...well. For putting up with us. Sorry. Again." Sara made to get up but Grissom stayed put. "You have my phone number and my email if you have an questions, so I'll see you on Monday if not sooner?"
"No I don't. I only have your number, not your email. You didn't send me an email yet, so I don't have it yet."
"Oh. Right. um...paper?" Sara looked around in vain and took the pen from signing the bill and picked up Grissom's hand. "Here you go, That should do it."
"Right," Grissom got up and grabbed Sara's purse and jacked only to cover he shoulders and hand her the black bag. "See you Monday if not before."
"Right. Sorry. I...uh...email if you need anything. I'm only working on my thesis this weekend, so that means I won't be doing much until Monday. Bye."
"By Dr. Grissom. Sorry." Jason began.
"Don't keep calling me that. My first name is Gilbert. Gil is fine."
"Kay, bye Gil." Jason said.
"Bye Dr. Grissom." Sara said turning around.
"Adieu! 'tis love's last greeting, The parting hour is come" Grissom said back. The other two turned abruptly and stared, smiled, and continued on out.
"He's so weird." Jason said, almost before the door had closed.
"But he's brilliant and he knows Beranger and he didn't treat us like shit because we messed up so bad." Sara reasoned back.
"I didn't say being weird was a bad thing." Jason said resentfully. "Lets go to your place, we'll throw on pajamas, grab a movie, and sack out."
Grissom looked on out the window as they talked and began down the street, smiling after them.
