Disclaimer: I don't own CSI, or its characters.
A/n: I know this is very short and light, but Ididn't want to get too heavy before the holidays, and the next few chapters may be really hearvy. I will not be updating Masquerade, or Sara's Journey next week, as I've scheduled myself to death. I do hope to write a Holiday fic, but I haven't decided if it will be for Christmas, or New years. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, it really means a lot to me. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, Happy Eid, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Years.
Chapter 6
Sara opened her eyes as the bus pulled into the station in San Francisco. Surprised she'd slept when she'd been sure she wouldn't, she straightened and got up to follow her fellow passengers off the bus. Stepping off, she covered her eyes with her free hand from the brightly shining sun. She started for the front of the terminal, but got no further than the benches just outside the door. She sat down, staring out into the busy street. 'What are you doing?' She thought, sighing and watching a homeless man wheeling his purloined shopping cart along the sidewalk. She knew where the next step in this journey would take her, but she wasn't sure she was ready for that step. A couple across the street caught her eye. A man and woman were holding hands and strolling at a content pace. The man was wearing a wide straw hat, and it brought to mind a very happy memory.
"What do you think?" Sara asked, posing with the novelty sunglasses, pink with two palm trees framing her face.
Gil looked up from his perusal of the table in front of him. "Yes, those are you. Make sure to wear them into work. I think Greg would get a kick out of it." Grissom watched as she grinned and exchanged them for a pair of neon green glasses with dice surrounding the rim.
"And these?" She struck a pose, one hand on her hip, the other pulling the glasses away from her face so that she could look at him over the top of them. "Aren't they just the thing to be worn by the in the know CSI this season?" She laughed, taking them off and tossing them back on the table. "Okay, enough playing around, we're here for you." She grabbed his hand and pulled him along the aisle filled with bargain items.
"Are you sure I need this?" He asked, pulling her back to him, and wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
Sara slowed her pace, settling into his arm. "Yes, you need something to protect your skin. The sunburn you got at that last crimescene was bad enough, we don't' need it happening again."
"I agree that that particular occasion was bad, but we work the night shift, we're not out in the hot sun very often. I'm just not sure why I need anything more than my department issue cap." He paused to look at a display of key chains, but moved on quickly. "And why come to a flea market?"
"First of all, we came to the flea market because it has color, it has atmosphere, and we're not likely to run into anyone we know here. I don't really relish another incident like we had at the mall last week. I practically sprained my ankle when we saw Catherine and you ushered me into that store." She looked around at the milling crowd. "Can you imagine Catherine ever coming here?"
Gil chuckled and looked around. "No, I don't think she'd step a well manicured toe in here unless it turned into a crimescene." He looked down at her and noticed the twinkle in her eye. "And if I remember correctly, you managed to fill your time quite well while I was busy talking to her."
Sara giggled. "Well that's your fault for pushing me into Spencer's Gifts. They have such a large array of… amusing merchandise." She smiled up at him. "And if I remember correctly, you got great enjoyment out of one of my purchases."
His face turned an adorable shade of red as he remembered the item in question. "Well, I always did look good in blue."
Sara nodded. "And green, and yellow, and red…" She trailed off as something caught her eye. "Oh, that's exactly what you need." She pulled him over to the table covered with straw hats. Picking one up she, studied it a moment, then placed it on his head. "What do you think?"
He looked in the mirror provided and grinned. "I'll admit, I like it. So, you think this is the one?"
She nodded. "Yeah, I think it's perfect." She pulled him over to the vendor and paid. She turned back to him and raised an eyebrow. "Well, if there's nothing else, what do you say we go back to my place and see how you look in silver?"
He laughed in answer and took her arm, leading her towards the entrance. "I think that's a great idea, and I might have a few others that might appeal to you."
Sara stood up and started for the street, the memory warming her and fortifying her for what she had to do. She needed to get this done so her life could go on. First though, she needed a shower and a change of clothes. And maybe a little pick me up from home.
TBC...