Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with CSI, except my DVD's, and PC games.

A/n: Greens restaurant is an actual restaurant, and the items ordered in this story do exist. And the flashback takes place between the 6th and 7th seasons, and for those of you who know when Sara's birthday is, you will know when they went.

Chapter 8

Sara sighed and reached her arm across the bed, searching for the familiar form that should be there. She groaned at finding only the cold sheet.. She opened her eyes and blinked away from the bright sun coming through a crack in the curtains. Propping herself on one arm, she surveyed the room. There was a single dresser against the wall directly in front of her, a mirror behind it reflecting back her tousled hair and sleep creased face. On one end of the dresser a TV had been mounted, and secured so that it couldn't be stolen. Directly next to it was an oak desk with a chair in front of it. "Definitely not home sweet home." She murmured.

She flopped back down and dragged the extra pillow into her arms, but it was a poor substitute for the feel of her man in her arms. Her eyes began to prickle, and she sniffed, and forced back the tears. It had been her decision to leave, and she had to deal with the consequences. She rolled over and pulled herself into a sitting position on the edge of the bed. The day stretched ahead of her and she thought with dread of the path she had to travel. She'd felt so much lighter yesterday after visiting her father's grave, and she wasn't ready to lose that feeling.

She stood and paced. She wasn't ready to… her heart pounded at the mere thought of seeing her mother. She stopped suddenly and stomped her foot. "The last week, no, make that the last six months have been hell, and it won't hurt if I take one more day before facing the dragon." She walked to the window and looked out. Whatever else could be said about this hotel, it did have a spectacular view. It was located near the water, and now she gazed out at the boats coming in with the early morning catch. She smiled as she remembered the time when she and Grissom had snuck in a quick trip to her hometown for her birthday.

"I can't believe we have two whole days to ourselves where we don't have to pretend, or watch what we say." Sara sighed as she stood with Grissom on the pier watching the gulls swooping over the water. She reached out and took his hand in hers. "Look, I can even touch you without being afraid of what eyes may be watching." She grinned up at him.

Grissom pulled her hand up to his lips and pressed a kiss to her fingers. "Two days of being able to look at you and touch you," he lifted his free hand and caressed her face, "and kiss you." He leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers.

"And I can stroke your beard, and run my fingers through your hair." She accompanied each statement with the appropriate action. "And of course kiss you with no thought to who might be watching." Their lips met again and this time she flicked her tongue against his lips, and he immediately allowed her entrance.

Several minutes later they broke apart, their breath mingling as they worked to steady themselves. "Hmm, as much as I'd love to stand here all day and make out with you, we did come down here for a reason, and that was so I could show you all my favorite places." She turned and linked her arm in his, guiding him into the stream of people swarming around them. "And now we're heading for my favorite restaurant. Greens restaurant is the best vegetarian restaurant in the city, and it has the best views."

Grissom smiled down at her, content to follow whatever path she wanted to take. He found it hard to believe sometimes that she was with him, and when he thought of all those years of resistance he could kick himself. He'd never been so content, finally at ease with his life. Sure their relationship came with its pitfalls. If anyone at the lab found out about them their careers could be in jeopardy, and so they were constantly looking over their shoulders, making sure that no one saw them, watching how they acted at work, which got hard when they would have a particularly difficult case and all he wanted to do was talk to her and hold her to sooth whatever stress the case was causing, but he wasn't able to do that. They would generally end up spending their time together at home, his or hers, watching movies, playing games, but mostly making love. He would never have guessed that he would be so insatiable, but being with Sara had awakened a sleeping sexual monster.

They entered the restaurant and Sara glanced at her watch. "Good, we're in time for brunch." She glanced at him. "They used to make the best frittata, and though the menu changes every day, I hope that we'll get lucky and they'll have it today."

She turned and smiled at the approaching hostess, asking her for a table by the windows so that they'd have a view of the harbor. They took their seats, and indeed the view was breathtaking. They placed their drink orders and talked while they waited for their waitress. "So, where to after we eat?" Grissom asked, reaching across the table and taking her hand.

Sara smiled as he rubbed his thumb along her knuckles. "Well, I WAS thinking of doing some typical touristy things, but I might be persuaded to explore our hotel room a little more."

"Really, well I'll just have to see what I can pull out of the bag." He smiled, and nudged her ankle with his sock clad foot.

Sara's eyes grew large and she whispered. "You wouldn't?!"

"My dear, you DO inspire me." His foot slid up her calf, but before it could get too distracting their waitress came up.

"Welcome to Green's, today's special is our Pappardelle made with fresh asparagus and snap, snow and English peas along with other fresh vegetables bought at the market this morning, and served with levain bread." She handed them each a menu. "And here are the other selections available for brunch today. I'll give you a few minutes to look it over and I'll be right back with your drink."

She walked away, glancing back at the grinning couple every few steps. The woman seemed familiar, but she couldn't quite place her. Shaking her head, she started to prepare their drinks.

"Oh goody, they do have the Frittata Mexicana! No more thinking for me, I know exactly what I want. How about you?" Sara leaned forward, grinning at the look of concentration on his face. She reached over and soothed the furrow between his eyes. "It's a brunch order, not the evidence that could break a case. Why don't you get the Pan de Mei French toast?

"He looked up at her in surprise. "You'll let me have French toast?

"Well, we ARE on vacation, I figure we can splurge a bit, and it's not like back home at Frank's, slathered in butter and syrup, and nothing nutritional about it. Theirs has fresh fruits and, Mmmm, cinnamon mascarpone cheese and maple syrup. You know you're going to give me some of that, don't you?" She laughed at the look on his face. "Don't worry; I'll give you some of mine too."

She looked up when the waitress sat their coffee down in front of them. "Okay, we're ready. I would like the frittata Mexicana and he'll have the French toast." She smiled as she handed the menus to the waitress, who gasped.

"Sara? Sara Sidle? Oh my God, I can't believe it's you." The waitress beamed down at Sara

Sara shook her head, confused. "I'm sorry, do I know you?" Sara stared at her, trying to remember where she might know her from.

"It's Julie, Julie Wilson, from Tamales Bay. We went to school together." The waitress expanded.

Sara suddenly inhaled, long dormant memories rising from the dark recesses of her mind. "Ah, Julie, how have you been?" She asked the hint of bitterness in her voice only noticed by Grissom.

"Good, can't complain." Julie propped a hand on the table and sank down to her knees. "So, how have you been? I mean I haven't seen you since they took you away…" She trailed off, looking at Grissom. "Oh, she wasn't arrested or anything, but her poor mom had to…"

"No, we haven't seen each other for quite some time." Sara broke in. "I'm a forensic investigator for the Las Vegas Crime lab now, actually we both work there. Oh, where are my manners? Julie Wilson, this is Dr. Gil Grissom, Gil this is an old school mate of mine, Julie."

Grissom smiled at Julie, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. He could tell this woman hadn't been a real friend to Sara. "Nice to meet you." He murmured.

Sara smiled at him then turned to Julie. "So, what have you been doing?"

"Oh, well you know, or maybe you don't, but I married Aaron Brubaker right after graduation, and well that didn't work out, but I got four beautiful kids out of it, and I make pretty good money here, and it gives me time to spend time with my kids, and take in the cultural events held in the fort." She smiled and shifted her weight. "So, what does a forensic investigator do?"

Grissom answered this one. "A forensic investigator is a scientist that goes into a crimescene and analyzes the evidence left behind to find proof of who committed the crime, and how. The Las Vegas crime lab is the number 2 lab in the country, second only behind the federal lab at Langley, and they're lucky to have an investigator the likes of Sara. She's one of the best." He punctured this statement with the glide of his foot up the inside of her leg. "Not only is she the smartest woman I know, she's the most beautiful."

He smiled at Sara and she smiled back. "And you my dear are the smartest and most handsome." Sara teased, taking matters into her own hands, so to speak, and gliding her own foot up his leg. "We certainly both know how to get our man."

Julie cleared her throat, and stood up. "Well, I'll go put in your order. It's been nice seeing you again." She turned and left, her face burning from the look in their eyes when they looked at each other. She had fairly felt the sizzle in the air from the heat of their gazes.

Sara smiled. "Thank you."

"I could see she wasn't someone you wanted to talk to, and you ARE the smartest and most beautiful woman I know." He smiled as he raised his foot higher. She followed suit. "Ahem, so… how DID you know her?"

Sara sighed. "She was a friend in grade school, but by the time we got to middle school she'd become a supreme bitch, and made it known that I wasn't good enough for her crowd."

He reached over and soothed his fingers over her frown. "Well I'm in no position to judge, but I think you came out on top of that, and I am the luckiest man in the world that you deign to mingle in my crowd, because I'm sure I'm not good enough."

The got a chuckle out of her. "Gil Grissom you know better than that." She slid her foot up further, nuzzling his growing arousal. "I'm very happy with our cozy crowd of two, and if the food doesn't come very soon, we'll just have to chalk it up as a loss, because they're not going to let us get out of here without paying, and I can't wait much longer to have you pressed against me.

Grissom stared at her for a moment before standing up in a rush and reaching for his wallet. He threw some twenties down and grabbed her hand, pulling her up. Without hesitation she followed him out of the door.

Sara continued to stroll down the pier, as her mind raced through the memories of that weekend. They had ended up spending the rest of their time in the hotel room, except for a short excursion to Fisherman's Wharf, where they'd had their picture taken. A picture that now sat on a bookshelf in Gil's study. Sara reached the end of the pier and stared at the whitecaps as they rolled into each other. It had been much warmer when they'd been here, and she shivered as the wind coming off the ocean chilled her. As she stood there her mind returned to that meeting with Julie. She had no desire to see her again, but thinking of her brought to mind a real friend that she wouldn't mind a visit with. She turned and walked back up the pier. She would look up her best friend Angela, the only person, other than Gil, who might understand what she had gone through. She had also been there on that terrible night, and maybe she could offer another perspective to it. Smiling, she headed off to do a little research.

TBC…