Chapter 7

The next day went by quickly and before Sara knew it, she was getting dressed up for the last Forensics Convention social. She had met all kinds of interesting people over the last few days and became more intrigued by the new field than she was in her current one. This was something that began to weigh heavily on her mind.

"So, you gonna dress up nice for Gil" Jason teased. He loved the fact that he made her uncomfortable and had the picture of them hugging framed for her that same morning.

"Shut up. I'm not even thinking about him right now, I can't seem to get any motivation for my thesis. If I don't get the next chapter in by the end of the semester, they're going to drop me."

"I didn't know. But isn't there something else you'd rather be doing?" Jason knew that she had toyed with the idea of becoming a coroner for the city.

"I don't know. I don't want to burn any bridges right now."

Her problems followed her to the social, and even though she looked beautiful in the dark blue evening dress with her hair tucked up into a clip, she wore an expression of confusion all night.

"Something the matter?"

"Just thinking, Grissom." Sara took the flute of champagne that he offered.

"What about?"

"My education here. I think I may give it up and become a coroner for the city. I'm just not very passionate about this physics thing."

"And you are passionate about dead people?"

"I'd be doing some good. More good should be done in the world."

"If that's what you want. Go for it."

"What about you, what's on your mind tonight?"

"I was just thinking about how its a long drive to Marina Del Rey and that you shouldn't come unless you want to."

"Well, I do think I could use the time away to think about my options, but if you're visiting family, I wouldn't want to get in the way."

"Then I have just one question... If I ask you to do something really strange, will you do it, no questions asked and never tell anyone?"

"Um, I guess so."

"Will you pretend to be my girlfriend when we get to my mom's? She thinks I'm lonely and sad and probably gay. If you come along, she'll stop worrying."

"I guess I can do that. You'll have to fill me in on some things if I'm going to play the part."

"Sounds fine. First thing you have to know, my mother is deaf, that's why I can lip read. Second, my dad died when I was a kid." They talked through the rest of the night, planning the visit so they could be convincing.

"I got my PhD in Biology. I was the youngest Coroner in LA county. I think that about covers it." Grissom stopped.

"You aren't going to tell anyone, right?" Grissom's eyes got big.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"Good. I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning. We'll leave at 7am and stay for two nights."

"Night."

"Night, thanks."