Chapter Six:
Yes, Grissom, there is a Santa Claus
For the first time in a long while Gil Grissom wanted to go home.
He watched the clock as his anticipation grew with each hour that passed.
Brass could not help but chuckle at his friend.
"Think the turkey will be edible?" asked Brass.
"I don't care," replied Grissom.
"Looking forward to dessert?" chuckled Brass.
"I'm just looking forward to her smile," he admitted.
As soon as shift ended, he rushed home.
"Come over in a few hours," called Grissom.
Grissom did not wait for a reply.
He just wanted to be home.
He stepped through the door and breathed in.
"Turkey on already?" he asked.
"I couldn't sleep," she said as she met him at the door.
"Did you sleep at all?" he asked.
"Nope….too excited," she grinned.
He went to the kitchen and snickered when he found a note on the fridge.
Grissom,
There is a Santa Clause…
He chuckled holding up the note.
"Santa came last night," she announced.
"Really?"
She nodded.
"Brass will be over in a few hours," he said.
"I thought he was coming with you?" she asked.
"I thought he needed some sleep," he lied.
She grinned.
Something caught his eye.
"What's…"
He came around the counter and gawked at the train set arranged around the Christmas tree.
"That's…uhm…that's a Lionel train…how did you know?" he asked.
"Santa just knows these things," she said grinning.
"This just isn't any train set!" he said admiring the workmanship on the small replica.
"Thank you," he said with a huge smile.
"I uhm got you something else," she said.
He noticed the wrapped present under the tree.
He quickly pulled it out, tearing the wrapping paper to shreds as Bruno watched.
"Don't get any ideas," she said to the dog.
Grissom held up the Ipod.
"It already contains your favorite music…I sort of went through your collection…some I remember hearing in your office. I thought it would be nice when you want to drown out Greg's…"
He stood taking her into her arms.
"Thank you," he murmured.
"I uhm wanted to thank you for the gifts…I sort of opened them last night when I went to my apartment to get yours."
"Did you like them?" he asked.
She nodded. "I'm uhm wearing one of them now."
"Which one?" He asked without thinking.
"I'll show you later," she teased.
He gulped at the thought of seeing her in the bright red Victoria Secret set.
"Gil?"
"Hmmm?"
"You're about to drool," she teased.
"I suppose I am," he chuckled.
He pulled her down into the floor. "Let's play."
Bruno watched as the train made its way around the tree over and over while the two sat there in each other's arms.
"This is the best Christmas I've ever had," whispered Sara.
"Me too," replied Grissom. "It's going to be hard to beat next year."
"I'm up to the challenge," said Sara.
"Me too," he added.
They spent the morning sharing stories, cuddled beneath the tree.
He yawned and she forced him to lie down.
He protested but she insisted that he go alone.
When the house became quiet, she slipped into the bedroom and found him sound asleep with Bruno by his side.
She stood there in the doorway and watched him.
He looked different.
His face was relaxed.
The worry lines were gone.
This was Gil Grissom with his guard down.
She breathed in deeply.
She loved his scent.
Sara slowly backed away retreating to the kitchen.
Hours passed and she was quite pleased with her progress.
The dressing was done as well as the casserole.
The turkey was almost done as she glanced at her watch.
He'd been sleeping for quite some time.
There was a soft tap at the door.
She was unsure whether to open it.
She crept to the door and was relieved to see Brass.
She opened the door and smiled.
"I couldn't resist coming over early," he said.
"Griss is still sleeping," she whispered.
"Good, we can talk," he smiled.
He handed her a few packages to sit under the tree.
He eyed the train set and was envious.
"I take it Grissom has been good this year," said Brass. "I mean a Lionel train and even a turkey...for a vegetarian, I didn't think..."
"The turkey was for you," she grinned. "and besides, he sort of redeemed himself."
"Liked what he got you for Christmas?" asked Brass.
"All I ever wanted was…Grissom," she said.
"You know he did this…all on his own. I have to admit I was ready to throttle him when Lady Heather kept making appearances," he said with a grin.
"They're just friends…she even helped him," explained Sara.
"I'd be happy if I never saw her again," said Brass.
They sat around the tree with cups of coffee.
Grissom appeared soon and he ignored Brass's chuckle as he leaned down and kissed Sara.
"Dinner smells wonderful," said Grissom.
"Can I play with your train?" asked Brass.
"No…you might break it," retorted Grissom.
Brass frowned.
"You could open your gift," said Sara. "You might find something to play with."
Brass tore into his present and chuckled when he held up a similar train set.
"It's not as big but…"
He leaned over and kissed Sara.
"We can put it together after dinner," said Grissom.
"Hey did you see the trains run simultaneously?" asked Brass.
"I used to crash them," announced Grissom. "That is until they threw me out of the toy store."
Brass chuckled. "Wait till Doc hears about this."
Sara sat back and watched them talk excessively about the trains.
They looked down and noticed she had dozed off.
"We should let her sleep," said Brass.
"At least for another hour," added Grissom.
Brass and Grissom exchanged glances.
"Want to play again?" asked Brass.
"Let's crash them," beamed Grissom.
"Right after they cross the bridge," added Brass.
"Want to call Doc…let him hear the crash?" chuckled Grissom.
"You're cold…let's do it," said Brass.
Bruno sat there wagging his tail.
Trains crashed again and again as the guys celebrated each catastrophe.
The timer in the kitchen woke her.
She jumped off the couch just in time to see the latest crash.
She chuckled when the two grown men slapped their hands together in a mighty high five.
They were startled when they realized she had seen the exploits.
"Nice crash boys," she said as she headed to the kitchen.
They silently slapped their hands together once more, resetting the trains to crash again.
Dinner seemed extra special as Sara watched for the men's reaction to her cooking.
Nothing was said as the two ate.
"Well?" asked Sara.
"This is great," said Brass.
"I didn't know you could cook," exclaimed Grissom.
"I used to help out in the inn," explained Sara.
Once dinner was over, they returned to the living room.
The doorbell rang.
Sara glanced nervously at Grissom.
"It's fine," he assured her.
He opened the door to find Doc.
"You got a train?" asked Doc.
"Come and see," said Grissom sounding giddy.
Sara sat there on the couch with Bruno in her lap as the three men set up crash after crash.
"My wife got me a new lawnmower," huffed Doc. "I would have preferred one of these babies."
Grissom and Brass chuckled.
"Say Sara, what do I have to do to get one of these from Santa?" asked Doc with a wink.
"You have to believe," replied Sara as she smiled at Grissom and Brass.
As the evening grew late, Doc was forced to return home.
Brass stood as he glanced at his watch.
"I better go if I plan to be awake during shift tonight. Thanks kiddo for a wonderful Christmas," Brass said.
Suddenly the house was quiet.
"I should go as well," said Sara as she reached for her jacket.
"You're uhm not going to stay?" he asked sounding disappointed.
Sara chuckled. "Strange isn't it? These reverse roles. You asking me…me saying no."
"As I recall, you used to get angry when I said no."
"Yes, I did."
"You could say yes," he said softly.
"Yes, I could."
She turned toward the door.
She heard him sigh.
Sara slowly locked the front door.
Grissom watched her every move.
She turned slipping off her jacket.
"I'd uhm love to stay," she whispered.
His hand slipped into hers and he gently led her back to the living room.
They sat there by the fireplace.
His hand remained firmly with hers.
"I had a wonderful day," he whispered.
"Me too," she replied with a huge smile.
It was her Sidle smile and he quickly kissed her lips.
"I've missed your smile," he said sadly.
"I've smiled," she chided.
"Not like that," he admitted. "I think it was my fault."
Sara ignored the comment as she breathed in deeply. "I love the smell of fresh pine."
He smiled slightly as he tugged on her hand.
She turned and looked at him.
"I'm sorry I've made you sad," he said.
"Let's not…do this," she said.
"I need to…explain," he urged.
"No…you don't," she replied as she struggled to get up but his hand would not release hers.
"Yes...I do," he insisted.
"Let's not spoil this day…let's just focus on…"
With one tug, she found herself in his lap.
She looked shocked.
She tried to squirm from his lap but his arms locked her in place.
It actually felt nice and warm and secure and for the first time, Sara Sidle felt safe.
She no longer resisted but snuggled into his arms.
She was his.
He'd always been hers even when she didn't know it.
Her touch was gentle, her skin soft.
"I'm sorry I told you to get a life…without me," he said quietly.
"I wanted to be part of your life but instead I became part of your work," she said.
"You let the lab become your life. I let your life become the lab," he said with a sigh. "I analyzed you…study your habits…saw your weaknesses…examined your pain…I was usually the cause of that pain…but then when the shift ended, I let you leave…alone."
"You're here now…you've let me into your life," she whispered.
"It doesn't negate the hurt I've caused," he replied.
His thumb rubbed the palm of her hand. "I never want to hurt you again."
She sniffled.
"This seems odd…me in your lap," she murmured.
"If I were Santa, what would you have wanted for Christmas?" he asked.
She grinned. "I think I got enough….more than enough."
"We're talking about Santa…not me," he said with a twinkle.
"I uhm wanted this game called Twister," she said sheepishly.
He gawked at her.
"You've never heard of it," she whined.
"I was never good at it," he admitted. "I was usually the first person to fall."
"You played it?" she asked incredulously.
"There was this girl next door…I sort of liked her…I played…just so I could…" he stopped, "never mind."
She grinned. "What would you have asked for?"
"The Lionel train of course," he replied.
"What else?" she asked.
He grinned. "I used to have a deck of cards…not just any cards…magician's cards…I lost them…some years ago. I never could find them again," he said.
"I guess we can always hope for next year," she smiled.
"Something to look forward to then," he added. "I think we should ask off next year…let the others cover for once."
"I don't mind…as long as I'm with you," she said.
He leaned over and kissed her then.
It was soft and gentle but then she felt the kiss change to urgency.
She felt herself lowered to the floor as he hovered above her.
"Red or black?" he whispered.
She looked confused.
"The undergarments," he explained.
She smiled, "Red."
His smile was huge.
"May I?" he asked as his hands rested on the buttons of her blouse.
Sara pulled his head down beside hers. "You may."
There were no further words as his hands slowly examined every inch of her body.
One minute they cupped her face as he deepened his kiss but then they were suddenly caressing her thigh as they soon found their bodies molded together.
It was a perfect fit.
There was nothing awkward.
It was sheer ecstasy as they let go of the pain from the past year and focused on each other's needs and desires.
He slowly made love to her by the fire.
Bruno stretched out beneath the tree.
Hours later, they woke to a soft whine.
"I think Bruno needs to go out," said Grissom as he glanced up at the dog staring down at him.
Sara moaned as she curled up closer to Grissom.
He grinned. "I could take him…you stay here."
"My dog…my responsibility," she said as she sat up.
She glanced at the tree and then back at Grissom.
She frowned. "How did you…I didn't feel you get up."
"I didn't," he said as he joined her.
"There are two presents under the tree," she announced.
He grinned. "I already believed in Santa, Sara….you were the one…"
"I didn't leave those there," she insisted.
They looked at one another.
Sara scrambled to her feet and grabbed the presents.
"There's one addressed to me…and one for you," she said.
They each opened their present quickly.
Sara held up the Twister game.
Grissom held up the Mr. Magician's cards.
They both looked baffled.
"Did yours have a card?" he asked.
She shook her head.
"How about yours?" she asked.
"No."
"It was Jim," explained Grissom.
"Of course. It was Jim…but then he was here while we…" Sara stopped and glanced around.
They chose not to discuss it further.
They walked Bruno and then returned.
Grissom started to open the fridge when he found a note:
Merry Christmas Sara and Gil
See you next year.
Santa
They stared at the letter.
They each looked baffled.
"I believe," replied Sara.
"I believe," replied Grissom.
He grabbed her hand as he led her upstairs.
"Let's use the bed this time," he said with a boyish grin.
"Then we can play a game of Twister," added Sara.
"Promise me you'll wear the black gown," he called out.
"Did you pick that out?" she asked.
He turned and she was shocked by his devious grin.
"I look good in it," she said smugly.
"I bet you'll look better without it," he called out as they hurried up the stairs.
Note from author:
Was it Brass…or Santa?
I believe…
Thanks for reading along. I will be posting a final chapter so, yes, there is a Christmas bonus. Merry Christmas!
Take care,
Penny