TITLE: Another One
AUTHOR: jenbachand
PAIRING: Grissom/Sara
RATING: Teen
SUMMARY: Grissom has a question for Sara.
DISCLAIMER: I made no money from the writing of this fic.
NOTES: Thanks to the lovely scullyseviltwin for the beta. Belated birthday ficlet for partly bouncy. This is set in my geek kid series. It is set after Alien Invasion and before Blue.

The morning had been spent cooing over Nick's son; a bouncing baby boy, who had obviously been awaiting his father's arrival from work. The baby had emerged into the world within five minutes of Nick's arrival at the hospital and the Stokes family hadn't been the same since. Nick's wife had been a sweaty mess, but upon seeing her boys, as well as the entire team, had smiled indulgently, and allowed them all in the room. Sara thought Nick's wife was a saint. After Betsy's birth she had only wanted was to sleep. Well, that and cuddle with her family.

Grissom had arrived with Betsy who looked groggy and rather put out to be awake before the sun was up. She was promptly swept up into Greg's arms and escorted to the cafeteria for breakfast.

"No doughnuts Greg," Sara called out hearing her daughter giggle. Greg really was too indulgent of her daughter's whims. Heaven help him if he ever had a daughter of his own.

Grissom had congratulated the Stokes and taken possession of the baby. He sat in the rocking chair in the hospital room, smiling indulgently at Nick's progeny and whispering seriously to the baby. Nick caught Sara's eye at the mention of bugs and gave her a huge smile and a wink. When she noticed the new mother nodding off, she scooped the baby out of Grissom's hands, deposited him in his father's arms, and-tugging Gil's hands-headed in search of their daughter.

She only hoped Greg hadn't let her slip into a bout of sugar induced hyperactive behavior, and if he had, he'd be pulling the worst duty she could talk Catherine into assigning him tonight.

It was a few days after the arrival of the newest Stokes to the world, when Grissom's voice interrupted her evening routine.

"Do you ever think of having another one?"

Sara stopped brushing her teeth and looked into the mirror to see Grissom standing in the doorway. He had taken bedtime duty while she got ready for work. Putting the dog out one last time, tucking in Betsy, and then letting the dog back in, before he joined his wife in the bathroom.

"Another one what?" She asked, truly curious as to where his thoughts would lead.

"Another kid? I was just curious," he said, shuffling in the doorway. He had a slight blush to his cheeks that belied his usual calm appearance. Sara found it rather adorable.

"I haven't in a while, but I used to. Why, she's not enough for you to handle?" Sara asked and winked at him in the mirror. When she noticed the discomfort in his reflected image, she finished her teeth to give him a minute to organize his thoughts.

"But you have, in the past?" At her nod, he continued, "I've been doing some reading, and it would be a good time. Betsy's development wouldn't be hindered, and well," he paused, "I miss baby smells."

She didn't think he meant dirty diapers or spit-up, but she thought she knew what he meant.

That sweet scent of clean baby. The soft aroma of love that you inhaled when you held them close. Baby powder and lotion and innocence.

His face was bright red by now. Sara took pity on her husband and turned around to give him a dazzling smile. She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a squeeze.

"I haven't thought about it in a few years. It's not like we were spring chickens when we had Betsy," she said. His hands ghosted up her back, the light touch igniting a fire in her blood. A couple of busy days at work and a precocious daughter waiting on her when she got home meant a serious lack in quality time spent with her spouse.

"Can you be late?" he whispered in her ear. The husky tone made heat pool in her belly. His nipping kisses along her neck made her think calling sick, yet alone late, a good idea. She was toying with the buttons of Gil's shirt when she heard it.

The distinct sniffle of her little girl.

She craned her neck to see the littlest Grissom standing in the hall, teddy bear in hand and tears on her face.

"I had a bad dream," the sad little voice declared. Sara hurried over and bent down in front of her daughter.

"What did you dream about?" she asked as she gently wiped the tears from Betsy's face.

"I dreamed that Bruno died," she sobbed and launched herself into her mother's arms. While their boxer was getting older, Dr. Shelby had assured them that he had three or four good years left in him thanks to arthritis medicine and a good diet.

Sara gave her husband a pleading look. His knees creaked as he knelt down to encircle his family in his arms.

"You heard what the vet said sweetie, he's in good health, and will be with us for a good long while still." He hadn't thought what the veterinarian had said was all that upsetting, but to a five year old who had never lost anyone in her life, the thought of her beloved pet not being curled up at the foot of her bed was probably very frightening. As he thought back over the interaction between girl and dog over the last few days, there had been a noticeable difference in her treatment of the canine.

Once their daughter was tucked in and assured that her companion wasn't going anywhere for a good long while, they returned to their bedroom so Sara could finish getting ready for work. Grissom sat on the bed and watched her finish her evening routine. He was still slightly dazzled by how beautiful Sara was. Time was settling well on her, and it delighted him. She still had a natural beauty that could excite him with one glance from her. She was applying the little bit of make-up she wore when she caught his eye in the mirror.

"I have an appointment next week. Do you want me to talk to Dr. Irwin about our options?" Sara inquired after applying her lipstick. His shy smile and twinkling eyes answered her question. At his nod, she winked at him in the mirror. Another baby wasn't something she had thought about in a long while, but it wasn't something she didn't think about from time to time. And if Grissom was on board with it, it wouldn't hurt to dream a little about a new baby with his eyes and her smile.