Hope you like it!
Back to what you all want really want :P (Sandle goodness that is!)
Next chapter will be the last!
Thank you all for the reviews so far it means a lot, be sure to let me know what you think of this!
Harmless Liaisons: Chapter Ten
The team made their way back to the break room for a well deserving cup of coffee. Their heads were spinning from the events of that day, but there was a sense of satisfaction that they had managed to bring someone home not in a body bag.
Andrea was at the hospital being checked out, but from what the doctors had told them initially with rest she should be as good as new. Zack Berry had thanked them and rushed to see her as soon as they released him. The team felt a slightly inkling of hope that what they did could help the living as well as the dead.
xxx
Grissom sat in the break room a cup of tea steaming away in his hands, Judy had told him that the team were bound to be back any time soon, they had just finished up a case from what she had heard from PD.
"They're going to love you." Grissom said looking up at Carrie. She stopped pacing and turned to him not being able to remove the worried expression from her face.
"Are you sure? I feel like I'm intruding." She said nervously, her thoughtful nature had been something that drawn Grissom to her.
"Yes, I'm sure." He gave her a warm smile that made her heart skip a beat. She walked around the table so she was standing by Grissom and leant down and placed a kiss on his lips.
It was a cough from the door that stopped them. Grissom turned and smiled at the bemused and slightly shocked faces of his old co-workers.
"Hello everyone." he said waiting for someone to say something.
"You going to tell us what's going on or do we have to work it out for ourselves?" Catherine shot back at him.
"I want to introduce you all to someone." He turned to Carrie, giving her a look that says it's going to be fine. "Everyone I want you to meet Carrie, my...partner." Grissom informed everyone not knowing how to tell everyone about his new relationship. Carrie reached out her hand taking Grissom's in order to stop her nerves getting the better of her.
"Oh." was Catherine's response as she surveyed the beautiful woman in front of her.
"It's nice to meet you." Nick piped up, a nervous smile playing on his face as it sunk in how awkward the situation was.
"Hi." Greg said but there was a frown on his face and with a slight sense of territorialism took Sara's hand in his own; who stood silently observing everyone else's reactions.
"We were wondering if you all would like to join us for dinner." Grissom asked.
There was an awkward silence, until finally Nick accepted the invitation on behalf of all of them.
"We'd love to Grissom."
xxx
"She's attractive...don't you think?" Nick asked the team while they picked up their things from the locker room.
"Yeah." Catherine responded, not a single word from Sara or Greg.
She was very attractive, just like the sort of woman Sara always imagined Grissom would find. And as much as it shouldn't have mattered...it hurt just a tiny bit.
xxx
Sara stood looking at herself in the full length mirror there was something not right she noted. She turned to Greg who was sitting on the bed flicking through a magazine with little interest.
"What do you think?" Sara said turning to him straightening out her dress for the tenth time. Sara had been through her wardrobe attempting to find something that looked good enough. Carrie was beautiful and without having to say a word Sara's insecurities had become obvious.
"It's fine." Greg responded barely looking up. Sara sighed not knowing what to think about Greg's lack of response.
"We should get going soon." She said. Greg stood up and tossed the magazine aside and gave Sara a bored look.
"Do we have to go." he pouted, wrapping his arms around Sara, he tugged at the zip on the back of her dress and began kissing her neck.
"Yes, and we're late as it is Greg." She pulled away from his grasp.
"Fine." He responded through gritted teeth as he grabbed his car keys.
They drove to the restaurant Grissom had chosen in silence neither one of them sharing their thoughts or feelings. Sara wanted desperately to ask Greg what was wrong but she couldn't bring herself to hear another outburst like she had done not so long ago. The words that had spilt out of his mouth recently that been more than hurtful. Greg parked and without a word to Sara climbed out of the driver's seat.
xxx
Nick, Catherine, Greg, Sara, Grissom and Carrie sat around the dinner table taking slow sips from their wine. No one really knew where to start the conversation but it was clear from Catherine's expression that she had a few questions for Grissom.
"So Carrie, what do you do?" Nick asked attempting to be polite.
"I'm a forensics advisor like Gil." She responded. "Must be a lot of work being a CSI in Vegas, I imagine there is a lot of crime here." hoping her comment would be enough to spark a conversation.
"Yeah, like a lot of major cities." Nick replied waiting for someone else to chip in.
"Where did you meet?" Catherine asked, not being able to hide the sharp edge to her voice.
"On a flight." Carrie smiled placing her hand on Grissom's. "We went out for lunch afterwards, really hit it off...it took him almost three weeks to call me back..." she laughed slightly.
"Three weeks eh? Better than over five years." Greg said with a smirk, turning to Sara. Taking a sip of her wine she ignored him.
"It is." Carrie agreed a bemused look on her face as attempted to figure out what Greg had said that had make everyone frown.
There was silence as everyone attempted to ignore the atmosphere drinking their wine and eating their meals trying not to make eye contact. Carrie's phone started ringing causing everyone to finally look up.
"I better get this." She muttered as she stood up from the table.
"Greg can I speak to you?" Sara asked taking this opportunity to confront him; the wine had provided a little courage- taken off the edge.
"Sure." He said turning to her with glazed over eyes.
"In private." Sara stood up without waiting for him to start a fuss about how anything she had to say could be said in front of everyone. Almost obediently he followed her to dark side of the bar.
"What is wrong with you?" She asked sharply.
"Nothing." he responded placing his hands in his pockets and staring at his feet.
"Don't lie to me Greg." Sara spat at him through gritted teeth.
"How many dresses did you try on before you came today Sara? How long have you been wearing that same pained expression? How many times has the thought wow, she's beautiful come into your head?" Greg stepped closer to her as he spoke.
It was true, Sara felt inadequate next to Grissom's new lover.
But as she looked up into Greg's eyes she realised...it didn't matter.