Chapter Nine

On the other side of the Strip at the Hills Hotel, Grissom and his team had just finished processing the hotel room. Grissom was thinking of Sara when Sofia came up behind him, rather closely. They were outside of the hotel, standing on the front sidewalk.

"Grissom," Sofia whispered in his ear. "Can I talk to you?" Without waiting for an answer, she took his hand and led him away from Nick, Greg, and the rest of the spectators who had gathered outside.

Grissom was very aware of Sofia's hand within his. It felt awkward, big, as if it didn't fit. He thought of Sara's hands, how nice and beautiful they were. Even though she wore latex gloves a lot, they were always so smooth, and silky. But what he loved most about Sara's hands was that they fit within his. There was no awkwardness, nor had there ever been. They had always been like that.

This is wrong, he thought.He tried to pull his hand from her grasp, but she held on tight. Of course she has a firm grip. She's a freaking cop!

Sofia stopped abruptly, and Grissom nearly walked into her. But he caught his balance, knowing any unnecessary body contact was bad. "So, Grissom," she said, letting go of his hand and turning around to look at him. "Sara and I had a conversation after the meeting last night, and I learned a few things."

Grissom swallowed nervously. No. They did not talk about us. Sara would not say anything. She was in complete agreement that we wouldn't tell anyone until we were both ready. And I'm not ready.

Biting back his fears, he said, "Really? What did you learn?"

"You know, I know, Sara knows – we all know – that people are saying some… interesting things about the two of you. That you're dating. Sleeping together, even. I was curious about the rumours. So I confronted Sara. As you may recall, I attempted to talk to you as well, but you ran out after her."

Grissom nodded. "Yes. I went after Sara. She was crying; obviously upset."

Sofia stared at him. "Why couldn't she wait two minutes? Why couldn't you wait two minutes?"

"Because, Sofia," Grissom said, getting tired of their conversation and her poking into his personal life, "Sara can get a bit… self destructive when she's upset. I wanted to make sure she wouldn't do anything stupid, and to see if she was alright."

"Why?"

He sighed. He had thought that Sofia was a smart woman, but for some reason, she had decided to let her selfish – and stupid – side out tonight. "Because I care about her, and her well being."

He turned away from her to walk back to the front of the hotel, but she grabbed his arm. "Don't leave. Sara said that you weren't dating anyone. That you were single, not involved with anyone... especially not her. So do you want to have dinner with me sometime?"

Grissom stopped short. They were almost the exact same words that Sara had said to him over four years ago. Then, he'd had to say no. And again, he would have to say no. But this time, it wouldn't hurt. He wouldn't go on with his life heartbroken, and he wouldn't lean on Catherine to pick up the pieces. This time, he wouldn't go home to an empty house, but to one with a beautiful woman in it, a woman who had always loved him.

He stared at her. "No thanks, Sofia. I've already got someone to have dinner with."

Sofia stood rooted to the spot, shocked. "But I thought…"

Grissom talked over her. "Back to the lab, okay? We need to get this case solved."

"Uh… I'll be back in a little bit. I'm just going to take… a walk." The blonde cop turned from Grissom and started to walk away.

"Okay. I want you back at the lab soon though!" he called after her retreating form. She nodded slowly before disappearing into the crowd of people who had gathered outside the hotel.