Disclaimer: All rights reserved for CBS.
A/n: I hope this is a satisfactory ending to the story. It's short and hopefully sweet. Thanks to those who've read and reviewed. It really means a lot to me. A very special thanks to Aussie for all her help, and to Chelles who has been a wonderful teacher. You guys are the best. :D:D
Chapter 20
The thud of the door closing behind her made Sara snap out of the frozen state she'd been in as she'd hurried through the house. Her ears opened to the sounds around her, the chirping of the birds, and the rush of traffic down the street. Life opened up again, and only one thought ran through her mind. 'It's time to go home.'
Sara fairly skipped down the sidewalk to her car, her heart feeling lighter than it had in months, maybe years. She'd thought her stay at the Inn had been peaceful, but now she realized that she'd been holding her breath and only now was she able to fully appreciate how dark that time had been. Now, life seemed bright and without limit. Fear and anger were gone, and the future seemed open and full of possibilities.
She slid into the car and glanced in the mirror, surprised at seeing the smile on her face, she hadn't realized that she'd been smiling.
Sara pulled the car into a free space a couple of houses up from Michele's and hopped out. She hurried up the sidewalk and up the front steps intent on making it to her room to get her stuff and get out.
She was surprised to find the door unlocked and even more surprised when she stepped in and smelled the spicy scent of food being cooked. She followed her nose to the back of the house and stopped short in the kitchen doorway.
Standing at the sink was a tall man, dressed in jeans and a tee shirt, dancing to a song coming from a radio that was sitting on the counter.
Sara must have made a noise because the man suddenly turned and shrieked.
"Oh my God! You scared the shit out of me!" He clutched his chest and tried to calm down his racing heart.
"I'm sorry," said Sara, "But I'm surprised myself, Michele didn't mention that anyone would be here."
For a moment the man froze, and then he doubled over in laughter. The laughter lasted for several minutes, but finally he straightened and tried to control it. "I-I'm sorry, but I thought you knew."
"Knew what?" Sara asked, confused.
"I am Michele, only right now I'm Michael." He walked forward and held out his hand. "I'm sorry, once again, I thought you knew."
Sara squinted at him and could see traces of the beautiful woman she'd seen earlier. "Oh, my! I'm sorry, I must have been distracted. Well, okay, um, so, um, what are you doing home? Didn't you say you worked until late, and then went to your second job?" Sara's mind leapt to the first thing that came to mind.
Michael sighed. "You're right, I was supposed to be performing as normal tonight, but there was a bit of excitement at the club. One of the other performers was found dead on stage. They sent us all home and told us not to go anywhere until they could question us in more detail."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Were you close to the…" Sara trailed off, not sure what to say.
"Not really. He was new and none of us knew him very well yet, but I am shaken up a bit. None of us really know how he even died yet. They won't tell us anything, but I do know I don't think it could be natural. Joe was in great health, or so he said. And I don't see why he'd lie about something like that. Anyway, I got home and decided to take the rest of the day off, called in sick to my day job and decided to let my hair down, as it were, and make us dinner. We're having veggie tacos. Rona told me you were a vegetarian, and though I like my share of meat, I'm good with the veggie stuff too. Dinner should be ready in about thirty minutes, so you have time to freshen up if you want to."
Sara decided that a nice dinner would be great and she might as well get a good night's sleep before she headed home. "Okay, I'll run up and change and then I'll come back down and help you finish up."
Dinner was delicious and the conversation was good. Michael was a funny guy and had lots of great stories to tell about his time performing.
"So there he was, gyrating on stage, completely unaware that the entire time he was up there his dress was tucked into the back of his hose. We were all rolling around with laughter backstage, and when he came off stage no one could tell him why we were laughing without convulsing into giggles again. Finally, he looked behind him in a mirror and he ran and hid in the bathroom." Michael picked up his glass of wine and took a sip.
"What happened after that?" Sara leaned forward and poured herself another glass.
"Well, my dear, he did what all great performers do; he used it in his act. Never let a situation get the best of you, everything can be turned to your advantage." He tipped his glass at her.
Sara sat silently for a moment. "That's a great way to look at life, one I think I'll adopt."
"Good for you." Michael smiled and stood. "I think I'll head to bed. I'm sure tomorrow will be busy with police questioning and whatnot." He stuck out his hand. "Just in case I don't see you before you leave, it was great getting to know you. I hope you come and visit again sometime, and maybe next time you'll bring that delicious guy of yours. Rona says he's quite the dish."
Sara smiled at the turn of phrase. "Thanks, I might take you up on that." She stood also. "It was nice meeting you as well… if, um if you ever need any help with, with anything, just give me a call. I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing from now on, I don't know that I want to go back to work at the lab, but I'll always be there for friends who need me." She shook his hand and he pulled her into a hug.
"That's very sweet, but my life's a bowl of cherries, it's full, and though it has it's pits, I can usually take care of myself. So, what WILL you do when you get home?"
"There's only one thing I want to do."
Sara leaned in the window and paid the cab driver. "Thanks," she said before stepping away from the cab and turning to look at the condo.
She walked to the front door and unlocked it. The door opened quietly, the house was dark. It was two in the afternoon so she knew that Gil must be up those stairs and sleeping soundly. She heard a whine and turned to find Hank looking at her from the couch. Sara sighed. "You know you're not supposed to be on the couch," she said in a stern whisper.
Hank covered his face with his paw, peeking out at her from underneath.
"Oh, damn, you big lug," she sobbed and hurried over to the couch, bending down to bury her face in his neck. "I missed you so much." She held the dog for long minutes until he decided he'd had enough and turned his head, licking her chin.
Sara laughed softly. "It's good to see you too." She leaned back and looked around. "Is daddy in the bedroom?" she asked, silently standing and walking up the steps to the bedroom door.
Sara took Hank's soft whimper as an affirmative answer and tip toed through the door.
Gil was sleeping quietly.
Sara walked quietly over to the bed and looked down at him. He was sleeping so soundly that Sara felt bad about wanting to wake him up, but not that bad. She sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out to brush a hand through his hair.
He murmured in his sleep and turned his head toward the touch.
Sara leaned down and pressed her lips to his, and was surprised when his arms gripped her and flipped her, pinning her down on the bed. She stared up into his piercing blue eyes, her breath coming in quick rasps. Without warning, his head lowered and he took her mouth in a savage kiss.
After a stunned second, Sara returned the kiss veraciously. Within moments their clothes had disappeared and his lips were clamped on her sensitive breasts, his beard feeling gloriously familiar against her skin.
Not one to be left out, she ran her hands down his body, caressing and stroking anything within reach.
Finally her hand found his straining staff and his head reared back. Their eyes met, and as one, each body reached to join the other, finally home at last.
It seemed years had passed since Christmas, and their bodies strained for completion. Minutes later they were transported through the universe, their bodies bound to earth, but their minds soaring through the stars.
Hearts pounding, they're eyes melded to the other; they drifted down from the heavens. Grissom slid gentle fingers over her face, wiping away tears she hadn't known she'd shed. "Welcome home," he whispered. And they slept.
The End
A/n 2: This may be the end of Sara's Journey, but it's not the end of Sara's story. Check out Masquerade for more on her return.