Chapter Twenty
Warrick and Nick sat across the table from Greg and Sara at a local country bar. The team took turns on who would decide where to let loose. It was Nick's turn to choose, and they ended up at one of his favorite Saloons. The country music blared from the speakers as they tried to talk. Greg smiled from under the brim of a black cowboy hat at Sara.
"You like the hat, Sara?" Greg tipped the brim of his hat.
"It's cute." She smiled at him. "But I like Nick's hat better."
Nick smiled wide at Greg. "I told you, Greggo. The hat has power!" He tipped back the brim of his white Stetson grinning.
"Yeah, well..."
"I just prefer the white one, Greg. But I do like how hats look on you guys."
"Even Grissom's stupid straw hat?" Warrick chuckled.
"Yeah." She smiled, remembering when she bought it for him. "Even the straw hat."
"Well, you will NEVER see me in a straw hat or cowboy hat." Warrick stated.
"Well, that's why you continue to have to pay the cover charge, Buddy!" Nick slapped Warrick on the back.
"We could just stop coming here."
"No way!" Nick protested.
"I like it here too. We go to your jazz clubs!" Sara smiled at him.
"Hey! How come we never go to the techno places?" Greg thought for a moment.
"I don't know, Greg." Sara smiled and Nick and Warrick chuckled. Sara had a way of influencing Greg, and they took advantage of that when it was Greg's turn to choose.
They sat listening to the band play a lively two step, watching the couples down on the wood planked floor. Nick wandered over to the dance floor and found a dance partner. He never had trouble finding someone to dance with. Warrick sat back sipping his drink and people watched.
Greg leaned forward in his seat toward Sara. "What kind of place do you suppose Grissom would choose?"
"What?"
"If he ever decided to come along, he could choose, since he never comes."
"Like that will happen." Warrick snickered from his seat.
"If he did, where do you think he would choose?"
"I don't know. Do they have Opera bars?" Warrick suggested through his laughter.
"Oh, come on, guys. I'm sure Grissom likes other music than opera and classical. I mean, he was in high school in the early 70's, right? Maybe he likes classic rock."
"Well, yeah. But there's no club for that." Greg pointed out.
"I'll be damned!" Warrick sat up straight and was staring across the room. "You can ask him yourself, Greg!"
"WHAT?" Sara and Greg sounded in unison, turning to the entrance to see Gil Grissom in his straw hat, plaid shirt and jeans approaching them. Sara snickered and tried to hide her smile. He looked so cute and out of place. She had no idea he was serious when he said he'd throw on his hat and join them.
Greg stood up and waved at Grissom. Greg had a huge smile plastered on his face. "Wait until Nick gets a look at this, huh?"
"Yeah, can't wait to see the look on his face." Sara knew Nick hated the straw hat, so this could be interesting.
Gil Grissom took a deep breath and walked towards the table where Greg had waved to him. He focused on Sara's smile as he approached. She had a somewhat surprised look on her face. She hadn't believed him when he said he was joining them. She was wearing the jeans he loved on her and some cowboy boots. The red sleeveless shirt she wore mad the outfit sexy.
"Hey, Griss!" Warrick greeted him with a handshake.
Greg got up and stood next to Grissom. He held out his camera phone in front of them and snapped a photo. "The evidence never lies!" Greg laughed.
"Greg," Grissom warned, taking his seat next to Sara. Greg frowned. "Okay." He pulled out the seat Nick had vacated.
"So, you're here." Sara smiled at him.
"It seems so." He returned her smile. "So, where's Nick?"
"Oh, he's down there dancing." Greg pointed over his shoulder towards the dance floor."I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees you!"
"Really?" Grissom teased Greg. "Why? Will he be surprised?"
"Oh, come on, Griss. I mean...you are here. In jeans! And a cowb...well a straw hat!"
As if on cue Nick approached the table. He noticed Greg took his spot and was about to yell at him to move, when he noticed there was a man sitting in Greg's spot. He smiled to himself. Probably some cowboy trying to get Sara to dance. He shook his head and laughed then stopped abruptly when he recognized the hat. "NO! It can't be!"
Suddenly Greg was beside him. "Yes. It be!"
"Don't sneak up on me like that, man!"
"Sorry. I wasn't intentionally being sneaky."
"Yeah, ok. Ok. So, what's going on? Why is he here?"
"Well, I always invite him along. But he always turns me down! So, Sara asked him this time. Guess she got through to him."
"Hmmmm. Yeah." Nick approached the table, grabbing a chair from an empty adjoining table and sat down at the end.
"Hi, Nick! You're quite the dancer out there." Grissom smiled under his hat at Nick. Nick just smiled at him, trying to hide his embarrassment at being with some one wearing - THAT!
"Uh, yeah. Thanks." He chuckled and then stared at Grissom again. "You know, Griss, that is NOT a cowboy hat. It's a straw hat."
"I know." Grissom took a sip off of Sara's beer and then put it back grinning at her. "Does that bother you, Nick?"
"Well, yeah. It does a little!" Everyone snickered at his honesty. "What? Oh, come on! I am not the only one who hates that straw hat."
"I actually think its great." Sara smiled at Grissom.
"Thank you, Sara." He grinned triumphantly at Nick.
"Fine. No one upset the Bossman." Nick just sat back in defeat.
"Well, I'm out of beer. I know Sara is now." Warrick winked at her. She gave him a curious look and furrowed her brow at him.
"So, beers all around?" They all agreed so Warrick went up to the bar to get the round of drinks.
Nick and Greg sat discussing the couples dancing and how hot the women at the bar were and how well the band played. Sara took the opportunity to move her seat closer to Gil's. She slipped her hand onto his leg under the table and gave him a reassuring squeeze and a smile. Gil placed his hand on hers and laced his fingers with hers. Nick and Greg were too engrossed in a discussion of belt buckles to notice their subtle gesture.
"I've always loved that hat on you, Gil." Sara whispered into his ear, earning her a wide seductive smile. She gave his hand a final squeeze and let go suddenly.
"Here we go!" Warrick approached, hands full of beer bottles. They each took one from his grasp and sat in silence sipping their brew. Warrick noticed that Sara seemed to be sitting closer to Grissom. Did he move or did she? Hmmm. The hat really was rediculous. But neither Grissom or Sara seemed to care what others thought. I wonder what the story is behind that hat?
"Come on, Sara! I actually know this song! Let's go embarrass ourselves!" Greg pulled on Sara's arm and forced her towards the dance floor. She smiled at him and laughed as they approached the crowd. They tried their best to Line Dance, and Greg ended up tripping over his own feet several times. Sara was laughing and smiling and having a good time. Gil watched her and smiled. He wished he had the nerve to let loose like Greg and Sara. A slow ballad started and the couple headed back to the table for a break.
"You know, I bet Sara wouldn't mind dancing with you." Warrick whispered across the table to Grissom. "Here she comes."
He just gave Warrick a stern look and sipped his beer. Greg plopped down into a chair and pulled his hat off to wipe the sweat from his brow. Nick laughed at his hat head. Sara took her place next to Grissom and smiled sweetly at him. Warrick sat and watched the interaction of the couple. Grissom kept taking sips of her beer and she would give him fake angry looks and then smile at him.
Nick decided to approach a redhead he had been making eyes with for the better part of a half hour. They watched as he led her to join him in a two-step. Sara sat tapping her foot to the music. Gil took note and decided he should just dance with her. He wiped his hands on his jeans and turned towards Sara.
"Excuse me, Miss? Care to dance?" A tall thin and young man stood behind Sara. Sara turned to the man, catching Gil's glare.
"Oh, uh, thanks, but, no." She smiled apologetically at him.
"Oh, come on." He smiled at her pleading evident in his voice.
Gil stood up next the man. He was a head taller than he was, but he didn't care. "She said no." He held out his hand to Sara. "Besides. She promised me the next dance."
"Fine. Sorry." The man turned and disappeared into the crowd.
"Griss, you didn't have to do that. I can handle myself." She hated the attention. The guys all sat staring at the little scene that just happened and were waiting to see how the rest would unfold.
"I know. But, I thought you might want to dance." He smiled at her.
"Oh." Sara was taken aback at his boldness. It was a side of Gil Grissom she had never seen and frankly, it was sexy as hell. She put her hand into his and let him lead her out onto the dance floor. Gissom put his hand on her hip and held out his other hand for her to take, but she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself close.
"Sara." She smiled at him and he pulled her closer, but ever conscious of the eyes that were watching. "The guys are watching us. Lets not blow it."
She threw her head back and laughed at him. He smiled at her and they continued to sway to the music, their eyes never leaving the others. Nick noticed them dancing and moved so he could see them better. They were dancing awfully close. Sara was laughing and smiling. It was good to see them getting along. Better than the anxiety and tension that existed for so long between them.
Grissom nodded at Nick and smiled. Nick tipped his hat at him.
"Let's get out of here, Gil. You are driving me crazy in that hat."
"Yeah? You like the look?" He smiled at her.
"You KNOW I do."
"What is it with you and hats?" She just waggled her eyebrows at him and laughed.
The song ended so they made their way back over to Greg and Warrick. Grissom excused himself to the men's room. Sara took her seat. She picked up her beer but it was empty. She just chuckled and shook her head.
"Need another beer?" Warrick smiled at her.
"What? Oh. I probably shouldn't. I think this is number 4."
"Yeah, but, uh, Sara. Griss has been drinking most of your beer."
"Yeah. I noticed that." She grinned.
"What's that all about?"
"What's what all about?" Grissom was standing behind Warrick with his hands filled with fresh bottles of beer for everyone.
"Oh, uh. Nothing." Warrick lied and took a beer from Grissom. He sat one in front of Sara and winked at her. Greg grabbed one from him and downed most of it in one gulp.
"You know. I think I'm beginning to like this place!" Greg beamed as he made eye contact with a blonde at the bar. He got up and sauntered over to her, using his best imitation of Nick's drawl to impress her.
Grissom went to take a drink of his beer and turned it upside down. He was empty already. He rarely drank this much, but he was actually having a good time with the guys and his Sara. When Sara was turned looking at Greg, Grissom reached over and switched his empty bottle for her nearly full one.
Warrick again watched out of the corner of his eye with curiousity. He had never seen Grissom act this way or drink this much. Sara turned back to the table, commenting on Greg and reached for her beer. She huffed when she found it empty. She turned to Gil and smacked him on the arm. Hard!
"Oww! What the hell, Sara?"
"You took my beer! Now give it back!" Warrick was trying to hold back his laughter but failing miserably.
"No, I did not take your beer. You already drank all of yours." He smiled coyly at her and took a sip from the beer in front of him.
"Stop drinking my beer."
"It's mine. You are mistaken." He smiled at her, thoroughly enjoying the banter. "You want it, you got to come get it."
"You don't think I will. But I will!" She reached for the beer but he pulled it away at the last second. She was smiling wide and laughing loudly. Greg glanced over at his friends and noticed Grissom teasing Sara. He stopped mid sentence to watch them. They repeated the action several times. Sara would go to grab the beer and Grissom would pull it away at last second. Sara gave it one more try and this time she caught him, wrapping her hands around his grasp on the bottle. They both smiled at one another and sat staring for a long moment with their hands joined, laughing.
"Uhh Hummm." Warrick cleared his throat. Sara jumped back in her seat but not without grabbing her beer. She sat back and took a long, triumphant swallow. Gil just smiled at her.
"It's getting late. I should go." Grissom got up and waved to Greg. "You wanna share a cab, Sara?"
"What? Oh, uh. I drove."
"Oh."
"But I could drive you. I'm already dropping off Warrick."
"Oh. Yeah. Ok." The three said their goodbyes to Greg and Nick and headed for Sara's vehicle. Grissom made sure he took the front seat. Grissom's townhouse was the closest, so Sara was forced to drop him off first without giving some lame excuse to Warrick. She hated this, but they weren't ready yet to reveal their relationship. Sara pulled up in front of his townhouse and put the car in gear. Grissom reached for the door handle to get out. He gave her an apologetic look and got out. Sara watched as he headed for his door. Warrick got out and took the seat in front, just as Sara opened her door and chased after Grissom.
"Wait! Grissom!" She ran and caught him at the door. "I uh..."
"Sara, what are you doing?" He looked over to see a concerned Warrick watching them.
"Oh, uh. Can I use your bathroom?" She asked loudly, so Warrick could overhear.
"Yeah. Sure." She followed him into the house and waited until he shut the door. She smiled at him and threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. She pressed her lips to his and nearly sucked the air out of his lungs.
"Now I can go." She smiled at him and took off out the door before he could respond. She bounced down the steps and out to her car. Warrick just gave her a goofy grin.
"You ok, Sar?"
"I'm fine, Warrick. How are you doing?"
"I'm good." He chuckled at her. "Just tired and want to go home. You ready to go?"
"Yeah." Sara started the engine and drove the 15 minutes to Warrick's apartment. As he got out he leaned back down and smiled at Sara. "Need to use my bathroom too? Or are good night kissed just for Grissom?"
"What?" Sara's eyes grew wide.
"You heard me." He grinned at her. "Ok, go ahead and deny it. But you gotta remember something."
"Yeah, what's that, Warrick?" The sarcasm evident in her words.
"The truth can't hide forever." He chuckled and left a confused Sara to drive home alone.
A/N: sorry I have not been able to update in so long. I had some health issues to deal with and was in the hospital. But I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I had to put something about Grissom and his hat into a chapter. Hehehee. Please read and review! Let me know what you think! I have another chapter coming within the next week. Stay tuned! Wendy