Behind The Scenes

By: supercsi4

Chapter 27 – Leaving Las Vegas

SARA:

Nick told me today in the locker room about a discussion he had with Catherine today in the car on the way to their crime scene.

"Sabbatical's usually a euphemism for "sayonara." I don't think Grissom's coming back." Nick said to Catherine.

"Why wouldn't he?"

"I don't know. He shaved his beard, he's lost a little weight, he's been leaving when shift is over. I think he even took a day off last week."

"Maybe he's got himself a girlfriend." Maybe he's getting laid.

"That's what I'm saying…"

Oh my god. So they have noticed the change in Grissom. Nick then asked what I thought was going on with Grissom and I just played it off like I had no idea.

And that's just how the day began. After Nick and my talk, I'm in the locker room, taking my jacket off, getting ready for work, when Grissom walks in. We had talked briefly about this teaching opportunity, but Grissom never seemed serious about it until he sprung it all on me this morning over breakfast. Giving me absolutely no time to prepare or argue or congratulate him, or anything. We are a couple now, right? Shouldn't we discuss things like him leaving me for four whole weeks?

"Hey." Grissom greeted me. I look up at him, I'm still furious.

"My cab's here."

"So, you're going."

"Yeah."

"I'll see you when you get back."

Let me at least be civil about this and not let him leave with us mad at each other. I turned back to my locker. Don't cry at work, don't cry at work. I will not be angry with him, I will not be angry with him. He's not saying anything. God, say something Grissom. He turns and looks down the hallway, then looks back at me. He steps into the room a little more. Say something that will make all this better. Surprise me Grissom.

"I'll miss you."

I just nod. He's leaving me for four weeks and that's all he has to say to me. He's treating me like just another fellow coworker, not like his girlfriend he just made love to this morning in their shared apartment. Fine, then I have nothing to say. After a moment, Grissom leaves the room.

"I'll miss you too," I whisper into the empty locker room.

GRISSOM:

I find Sara in the locker room, taking her jacket off, I realize I won't be seeing that for four weeks. I know she's mad at me for deciding to do all this without discussing it with her. But really, it was kinda a last minute decision and something I really need to do, in order to prove to myself that I am still a good teacher. I cautiously step into the locker room.

"Hey," I say and she looks up at me with hurt in her beautiful eyes. Oh, she's mad. She's mad like, 'This isn't about the hamburger thing' mad.

"My cab's here," I say

"So, you're going," she seems surprised.

"Yeah," is all I can say. Please don't let this turn into a fight. I want to leave on a good note.

"I'll see you when you get back," she says nicely, but her voice holds a deeper meaning. She turns back to her locker and I stall a bit longer to be in her presence a bit longer. What can I say to make all this better? What can I do? I turn to look down the hallway to see if anyone else is around. I want to run to her and hug her and kiss her goodbye, but we are at work and I missed my opportunity this morning at home by pissing her off. I take one step closer and she looks up at me. I don't know what to do.

"I'll miss you." Very creative, yes, I know. But Sara only nods. She doesn't say anything, which hurts me more then if she had walked over and slapped me across the face. I couldn't stand there any longer, so I just left.

Author's note: I just want to thank everyone for their wonderful reviews, you all make me so happy and push me to write more, and trust me I'm trying. It takes me a long time to post a chapter because I have to review and edit it a hundred times. But thank you everyone for your patience and support. My goal is to have this whole season posted before the new season starts, but I'm not gonna make any promises. Thanks again!