Chapter Five:

A Tree and a Hunk

She curled herself into a tight ball as she lay there underneath the tree in tears.

There was little comfort from the rather large bear as she cried.

Stop it Sara!

Stop feeling sorry for yourself…

It was something she had never allowed before.

For this Christmas Eve, she decided to make an exception.

You've got three whole days to do nothing but lie here under the tree…

Spend the next seventy-two hours letting yourself cry over…

She wasn't prepared to hear the click of the door as it was unlocked.

She rose quickly and glanced around the room.

She knew she would not be able to get to her gun before the intruder entered the apartment.

Just as she scrambled to her feet, Bruno knocked her down.

She sat there in confusion as the dog licked her face.

Brown eyes looked up into blue as Grissom stood there.

"I think you misunderstood," he said softly.

"Misunderstood?"

"Bruno can stay at my house…but he's still your dog. You'll have to care for him," he said trying to sound stern.

"Care for him?" she sniffled.

"He's your dog. I'll expect you to come every morning and walk him. He'll need to be fed and watered."

"I will," she said quickly. "My lease expires in eight months. I'll get another apartment that will let me keep pets. I promise!"

He smiled at her.

He stared at the tree.

"The tree is beautiful," he admired.

"Grissom, thank you," she sniffled. "I promise I won't get in the way. I'll call before I come over. I won't interfere…"

"I was hoping you would stay for breakfast," he whispered. "We could walk Bruno…together."

She sat there and stared at him.

Her silence made him unsure and he quickly backtracked. "It was just a suggestion. You don't have to…"

"I want to…but…"

"What?" he asked.

"You uhm…you mean breakfast as in friends…or uhm…of course you mean breakfast as friends because you're dating Heather."

Her eyes suddenly dropped to the floor as she continued to pet the dog.

"I'm not dating Heather," he admitted.

Her eyes shot up.

"You're not?"

He shook his head.

"But you….she…both of you…"

He chuckled lightly.

"Heather has been giving me some advice…on how to soothe a broken heart."

He knelt down beside Sara and patted the dog.

"Yours?" she gulped.

"No…yours," he whispered.

She said nothing as she swiped at her eyes not sure how to stop the steady flow of tears.

"You uhm did all of this?" she asked.

"I wanted you to believe," he smiled. "I wanted you to believe if only for a little while. I guess I failed."

She shook her head. "I believed. For the first time, I believed I was special."

"You are special…to me," he admitted.

He leaned over and wiped her cheeks as he gently kissed her.

"I didn't think you wanted me around…you gave me this year off," she sniffled.

"I want you to get a life. I still expect you to get a life…but with me," he added.

"What about…"

"To hell with rules," he cursed.

He fell backwards as she launched herself into his arms.

Her lips ravished his.

They slowly came up for air as Bruno's tail wagged back and forth.

"About dinner…" he began.

"Dinner?" she asked.

"Jim expects Christmas dinner…here. I told him I would ask if you would cook for us," he explained as he dodged Bruno's licks.

"I can cook!" she exclaimed. "I'll start today."

He was thrown off balance again as she scrambled to her feet.

"I need to make a list. Do you like pumpkin pie or pecan? I'm not sure about traditional turkey or…"

"Sara, we don't care," he chuckled as he stood.

She glanced at the presents under the tree.

"You uhm really did all of this?" she asked.

"Heather helped me pick out some things. I have to admit my taste in women's lingerie is not the best."

Sara bit her lower lip. "Did you choose the gown?"

"Yes, I did."

She smiled. "I like your taste."

He stepped forward and came just mere inches from her.

"I should go. I need to get some sleep before shift."

"I can still come in…help if you need me," she offered.

He shook his head.

"You cook," he ordered. "You can cook, right?"

"Yes! I can," she declared with arms folded.

"I guess we will find out," he grinned.

He started to leave but her hand shot out and grabbed his arm.

"Griss, thank you," she whispered.

"I thought you deserved more than another Entomology textbook," he teased.

"It's too much," she answered.

"You haven't peeked?"

She shook her head.

"Good girl," he said.

Sara slipped into his arms and kissed him.

It wasn't a soft peck on the lips but her tongue forced his lips to part and soon they were both locked fully into a searing kiss that caused each of them to step back for fear it would lead to something more.

"I better go…while I still want to," he said stepping toward the door.

The moment the door shut, Sara sprang into action.

She spent the rest of the day shopping for groceries as well as gifts.

She felt giddy as she searched for just the right gift.

She even called in a few favors from some persons she had met through cases over the years.

She pulled out the gifts she had purchased for Grissom and Brass, setting them under the tree.

It had taken her hours to locate just the right gift for both of them.

She was quite pleased with her accomplishments but now as she stood there in her apartment, she realized the apartment was a bit small for what she planned.

He answered with one ring.

"Grissom."

"Hey…I didn't wake you, did I?"

"It's two hours before shift," he replied.

"Oh, right."

"Have you slept?" he asked.

"Not yet," she admitted.

"Sleep. I don't like my turkey crisp."

"About that," she said.

"Getting worried?" he teased.

"My uhm apartment is too small to entertain with a dog running around," she said.

"Want to come here?" he asked.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Sara, come here. I have a huge kitchen…plenty of room for a big dog," he grinned.

"Are you sure I won't bother you? I mean I'll have to begin cooking when you…"

"I'll drop off a key," he said. "Come and go as you please."

"I'll give it back after dinner," she said.

"Keep it. I think it's only fair since I have a key to your apartment," he reminded her.

"Yes…you do," she admitted.

"Sara, it's just dinner," he consoled.

"It's our first dinner," she stammered.

"I don't care if you serve pizza…Jim may be disappointed but not me," he teased.

"I can do better than pizza…just wait," she assured him.

"I hope I don't disappoint you," he responded.

"Disappoint?"

"I'm not exactly a hunk," he stammered.

"You heard?"

"I hear a lot of things," he admitted.

Sara glanced around the room. "Yes, you do."

She expected to see him that afternoon but instead she received a phone call.

"I left the key under your mat," he said.

"You could come in…just for a moment," she countered.

"It's safer this way," he joked.

"Afraid to be alone with me now," she worried.

"I'm afraid of what I might do," he consoled.

"Is that so wrong?" she asked.

"It is when I need to focus on work and not…let's have this discussion later," he said.

"I'll be sure and be gone by the time you get home," she said quickly.

"I was hoping you would have breakfast waiting," he said.

"Of course," she replied trying not to sound so eager.

"Sara?"

"Yes?"

"You could stay…at my house…so you wouldn't have to rush over and begin cooking," he offered.

"Are you sure? I mean I don't want to seem like I'm suddenly invading your privacy and wear out my welcome before…"

"Sara, would you stay?"

She gulped.

She unloaded the groceries as she opened the back door and let Bruno run outside in the fenced in yard.

She managed to learn her way around the kitchen.

She spent some time preparing a pie along with a cake.

She brought the batch of cookies from her apartment and placed it on the counter.

Sara rechecked her schedule to ensure she had everything planned out.

She glanced at her watch and smiled. "Plenty of time."

She decided it was time to investigate the house.

She had been there before but this was the first time she had been given full reign of the place.

She took advantage of it.

There were books to see, exhibits of insects and lots of photos lying about.

She felt nervous as she made her way to his bedroom.

She had saved it for last.

She hesitated once or twice before entering.

It seemed warm and cozy and she was tempted to curl up on the bed.

Thoughts of Heather made her retreat.

He said she was helping him…

The others think they're romantically involved…

She took advantage of his shower and then changed into the gown.

Sara quickly returned to the living room.

She knelt down beside the Christmas tree.

It was not as large of hers but it was still beautiful.

She yawned as she pulled a pillow from the couch and lay there in the floor.

Bruno curled up beside her as she fell asleep.

Grissom unlocked the door and stepped inside.

He smiled when Bruno met him.

He breathed in deeply to the aroma.

He chuckled when he found her fast asleep under the tree.

Quietly he made his way to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of juice.

He spied the cake and lifted the lid.

"Don't touch that cake!" she warned.

"I'd settle for cake rather than breakfast," he offered.

"Breakfast! I'm sorry. I fell asleep," she said scrambling to her feet. His eyes widened as he stared at the gown.

"What is it?" she asked self consciously.

"You uhm look beautiful," he whispered.

She blushed.

Sara quickly made her way to the kitchen as she opened the fridge but his hand snaked out and pulled her to him.

"I thought I would make omelets," she managed to get out.

"I'm really not hungry," he murmured.

"But…"

He silenced her with a kiss.

She stepped back and found herself pressed against the counter.

This was different.

She was not used to retreating where Grissom was concerned.

Grissom took the initiative and she found herself unbalanced.

"Is something wrong?" he asked pulling back.

"No uhm…yes…I'm not sure," she admitted.

He stepped back releasing her abruptly.

"I'm uhm sorry," he struggled to get out as he distanced himself from her.

"Gil?"

The sound of his first name on her lips caught him off guard.

Their eyes met.

He stood there and waited.

She slowly stepped toward him.

"Do you still know what to do about 'this'?" he whispered.

"Yeah, I do," she quivered. "But, I have to know…I need to know…I need to make sure you're not going to…back off when…"

He stepped forward resting his forehead on hers.

"I'll admit this scares the hell out of me. I still don't know what we're going to do about work but I don't want to hurt you…us anymore. I'm here….right here until you tire of me," he implored.

Her arms slipped around him and he sighed.

"Were you worried I was going to say no?" she asked.

"I thought once you'd had time to think…be here…you'd changed your mind," he admitted.

"I'll admit my mind had its doubt but my heart always…wanted you."

He kissed her passionately causing her to step back once again.

"Too soon?" he asked.

He pursued her and she found herself drowning in his arms.

She gasped for air.

He did not stop.

Her hands slip inside his shirt and he groaned.

He finally stepped back.

She pursued him this time.

He slowly shook his head but she did not care.

His grin told her he did not want to stop.

"I uhm better shower," he stuttered.

"Want some company?" she asked.

"Yes…but no…I'll take a cold shower," he chuckled.

"I'll have breakfast ready in fifteen minutes," she called.

He turned and tilted his head a bit. "Waffles…not omelets."

"Okay," she agreed.

The waffles were sitting on the table when he returned.

She purposely sat at the end of the table.

He noticed the space.

"Safety in space?" he teased.

"It is," she admitted.

He took a bite. "This is good!"

"And you doubted?"

"I never knew you could cook," he said between bites.

"I don't like to cook," she replied.

"Sorry," he groaned.

"I didn't finish. I don't like to cook for myself….it's different with others. It seems kind of pointless to cook for one."

"I love to cook," he announced.

"You do?"

"Yes, I find it relaxing," he admitted.

"Good, then you can help," she said with a grin.

"Going to have turkey?"

"Yep."

"Dressing…we are having dressing, right?"

"You never gave me a menu," she joked.

"No dressing?"

"Of course there's dressing."

He seemed relieved and she laughed.

He smiled.

It was good to hear her laugh.

"How was work last night?" she asked.

"A homicide…and a suicide," he answered.

"You must be tired," she said.

"Not really."

"You don't have to help," she said as he finished the waffle.

"I'd like to spend some time with you," he insisted.

"After you've slept," she demanded.

"Okay," he relented.

He petted the dog once before heading to the bedroom.

"Sure you won't join me?" he asked.

She shook her head with a grin.

He grinned back.

It was a devilish grin.

She had not seen that grin in years.

"I better stay here."

"If you get tired…."

The invitation floated in the air.

"We wouldn't sleep," she called out.

"No, we wouldn't," he called back.

She was tempted.

She had waited years for him to admit his feelings and now he was offering…so much.

"Think cold Sara…think cold," she said out loud as she tried to ignore the frustration settling over her body.

She wanted him more than anything.

He woke a few hours later.

He had slept little but he did not seem tired.

He had waited anxiously for her to join him but when she didn't, he felt insecure.

Grissom stepped out of the bedroom and was surprised to find her sitting at the top of the stairs.

"You could have joined me," he said quietly.

"Yes, I could but then…" she bit her lower lip.

"But what?" he asked looking down at her.

"I uhm don't want to disappoint you," she whispered. "I'm uhm not Heather."

Her words took him by surprise.

"Heather is a friend…nothing more."

He took a step closer.

"I know what you said…but…"

"You want to know if I've slept with her?" he asked.

"I uhm have no right to ask…I mean it's not like we…I mean I dated Hank…"

There was a catch in her voice and she stopped not wanting to finish what she was going to say.

"I slept with Heather…once," he admitted.

"I slept with Hank."

"Heather wasn't you," he stammered.

"Hank wasn't you," she admitted.

"I slept with Heather…when I thought it was too late," he said.

"You told me to get a life," she said.

"Yes, I did…I just didn't realize how much it was going to hurt when you did…without me," he admitted.

He sat down on the step beside her.

"So what do we do about this?" he asked.

She glanced at his bedroom.

"You're really just friends?" she asked.

"I didn't have any feelings for her…she knew that. She also knew that I was hiding my feelings for someone else…you. I think it was more therapy than anything else. She helped me to understand the need to let others in…to see how much hurt I was causing by not…she helped me find Bruno."

"So that was the reason you took off work…with her?"

"Yes. We shopped for…you."

"Oh."

He took her hand. "I'm not very good at this," he said. "I'm probably going to make you mad…I sometimes forget to take notice of those around me."

"I'm not good at this either…I won't get mad…as long as you don't push me away."

She glanced again at the bedroom.

"I didn't sleep with Heather here," he said.

"I didn't sleep with Hank at my place," she said.

"Let's uhm…let's just see what happens…no pressure…okay?" he asked.

She nodded.

He leaned over and kissed her.

She tingled from head to toe.

"You're wrong…you know," she whispered.

"Wrong? Already?" he asked.

"You are a hunk…my hunk," she teased.

"I don't think I've ever been called that," he grinned.

They heard a crash and both rushed downstairs.

Bruno sat there with the platter of cookies in the floor.

He whined softly.

Grissom chuckled. "I think we have a counter surfer."

"I guess we'll be baking cookies."

They both chuckled.

She walked him to the door that evening as he readied himself for work.

"I'll see you in the morning," he said. "Jim plans to come over."

"I'll be waiting," she said.

Sara pushed him against the door as she pressed her body against his.

Her lips locked with his as her hands gripped his buttocks.

She stepped back and smirked at his shocked expression.

"Merry Christmas," she whispered. "Be safe."

He nodded as he fumbled for the door.

She laughed when it shut.

She turned and headed to the kitchen but was startled when it flew back open.

He grabbed her pulling her against the wall, pinning her arms above their head.

His lips devoured hers.

He pressed his body firmly against hers and she gasped when she felt his arousal.

He released her lips and she swallowed.

"Merry Christmas," he whispered back with a devilish grin. "I look forward to….dinner…especially dessert."

He released her abruptly leaving her breathless as he disappeared out the door.

"Cold shower," she moaned.

Note from author:

Gee....doesn't it put you in the spirit to go eat turkey....

Take care,

Penny