Title – Lucky
Disclaimer – I don't own CSI :(. But I am sure if we all pull our money together we can buy Sara and Grissom to make their own CSI together haha.
Summary – Grissom comes face to face with his worst fears. WARNING major Sara angst.
Rating – T
Author's Note – This story takes place sometime around the fifth season.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
It was early in the morning when Grissom's phone went ringing. After years of being interrupted after only a couple of hours of sleep he was a pro at grabbing his phone and speaking coherently. Most people would grumble out words most people wouldn't understand in a dream state. But the CSI's were always attentive.
"Grissom."
"Gil, It's Cath. Sorry to bug you but Ecklie just cancelled overtime for extra small cases. Gil it's closed, Brass and I ruled it as suicide attempt. No other leads … I'm sorry. Just… take that vacation and make her happy."
"I will, thank you Catherine." He yawned into the phone and shut it, setting it down. He knew they would find nothing. Sara was acting too embarrassed to be a victim. She is upset at herself, not anyone else like a normal victim.
He rubbed his eyes and sat up looking at the clock, almost 7AM. He pulled his sheets off and took a quick shower freshening up. He had to admit as he was lathering up his hair that having Sara here was a new experience. He couldn't stroll around the house naked like he usually does on hot days, or sit in his office all day and just work on paperwork. It was enjoyable having her stay though.
He rinsed off and started to towel off walking into his bedroom. Since he had the master bedroom he had his bathroom connected. Once he picked a clean outfit to wear he started a pot of coffee and went to wake Sara up.
He knocked and once again received no answer. He opened her door and found her bed empty. For a moment his heart skipped a beat, but he heard the shower running in the hallway bathroom and sighed in relief. Well… if she is feeling well enough for her personal hygiene that is always a good sign.
He left her room, he'd make her breakfast and tell her the news then. He made eggs, hash browns and toast. She must have been hungry because she appeared dressed and toweling off her hair.
He turned around and smiled, "Good morning." She only nodded her greeting and sat down.
He set down their food and placed a cup of orange juice in front of her. She muttered thank you and slowly but surely began picking at her food.
"Sara… what do you say to going somewhere for awhile?"
She looked up and coked an eyebrow, "you're sending me away?" She didn't blame him… he couldn't take care of her. She was too old for that, but she really didn't want to be in a hospital.
"No dear, with me." He looked at her face and saw surprise. That sparkle that appeared in her eyes when he handed her a new case, or told her good job.
"Where?"
He smiled like a child. Perhaps this could work, it had to. He messed up pretty bad and not only messed with an already sick person but added to it. He would make this right, he had too… Sara needed someone. He stood up and walked fast to his bedroom and pulled out the brochure and set it down in front of her.
Lush green trees covered the laminated add, rain sprinkled off of the leaves leaving drops of water sparkling in the sunlight. Puddles of mud occupied the forest floors. On the title it read Get Natural with Rainforests.
She looked up, "A rainforest?"
"I thought a place away from civilization would do well with you. I picked Queensland Australia. It's a rainforest and has a tiny population, just the village people and the tourists. Which this time of year is nobody since it rains almost everyday." He wanted so bad for Sara's approval but her lips were straight and her eyes gave nothing away.
"Griss… I can't… it's too much. A trip like this would cost hundreds." But her fingers kept turning the pages. Tropical birds, to snakes, bugs, land marks and even rivers and rafting.
"Sara," He set his hand on top of the brochure and smiled when her eyes met him, "I want to. I've already set it up with my travel agent. All we have to do is pack and meet up at the air port. It will be a learning experience for the both of us!"
She leaned her head down and smiled. But when he saw the tear drops he frowned and was by her side in an instant. He crouched down and kept his hand on the table, the other lay on his thigh.
"Sara?" He didn't want to get too close to her, she needs her space, he will let her come to him, "When you are ready I will listen to you, we will talk about what happened but you are not ready. Let's leave, leave everything behind and I swear to you Sara I will not ignore you or run away. I'm… I'm not very good with words but I'll try for you, believe me when I say that you are my best friend."
Her head shot up and her eyes were wide. She looked innocently gorgeous with tears pooling on the rims of her eyes. Grissom laughed, "Yes Sara I know I don't act like it, but you are my best friend. You listen to me even when I don't give you my time, you are always there when I need back up and never expect something in return… you never judge me like the rest."
"You don't have to do this." She whispered.
Grissom smiled, "But I want to. I asked you to come to Vegas… and to show my gratitude I pushed you away. Let's just forget our lives and start something new by researching the rainforest. Nobody knows what happened over in Australia Sara… no one can judge you."
Her bitter laugh hurt him, but she nodded her head giving him approval of his decision. His smile grew and he helped her up, "Come my dear we must pack for weeks! I will buy you new clothes if you need any."
"But I could just grab more things at home."
Gil stopped in the hallway and frowned, "Not now Sara. You are not ready. You have most of your clothes… just let me know if you need anything." He stepped away and into his own room pulling out a few suitcases.
Sara's things were already packed, she never got around to unpacking so she just sat in the room. She has never been to a rainforest and was rather excited to be leaving away from everyone and everything. She was still embarrassed to be in front of Grissom but his words touched her. "You never judge me… my best friend."
How could she? He was her mentor, her idol. She looked up to him and wanted nothing more then his praise. Her whole life she wanted someone to praise her, to want, or except her. In college she got smiles and 'well done!' from teachers but they were never fulfilling. Boys wanted her, lusted after her, sex with them was never satisfying. It was adding to the itch. That was until she met him. He was older, wiser, charming, handsome, and funny. He gave her the praise she needed. His words were genuine and touched her like nothing else. He told her how brilliant she was, told her how far she could go, even let her ask every single one of her questions instead of becoming intimidated by her. She has needed this fulfillment her whole life. Once she got the release she needed more of his admiration. He began to grow further and further once she moved to Las Vegas and Sara was falling back into her hole of darkness.
Sara has always needed a mother or even a father. Someone who taught her the ways of life, the right way. Growing up with kindness having it imprinted on your soul, not having to learn it. She needed a friend, a companion, a teacher, or someone who is just there for her. She never had someone to hold her when she was scared, or tell her it was going to be alright and kiss the pain away when she cut herself or received bruises. Parents weren't supposed to give the cuts and bruises. She always needed to hear the love and praise from her parents but they weren't ever heard. It was why Sara craved attention and wanted to be the star pupil.
Grissom has admitted to the things she has needed to hear her whole life, "You are my best friend." And he really meant it. So he hasn't admitted to wanting to jump her bones, but it was a start… she's heard that line before… but one knows when it's just a flavor of the week or a true friend. Gil Grissom really meant his words.
Because in all honestly, she would rather have his friendship then his … sex. Though that would be a plus! She was just tumbling down a bad spiral her whole life, and he was the one person that actually shed some light. Even with her eyes shut tight his light still shown through. That was why his denials and ignorance affected her so much. He was special, even if the jerk didn't know it.
Grissom packed everything he basically had, they would go shopping in Australia once they got a feel for the weather. He paid his bills for this month and the next, made sure everything was turned off and in its place. He went to find Sara and found her bags already by the door. She was on the couch.
He smiled that smile she only sees when he is offered to go to the body farm or a unique case, "I do believe we are just in time to make it to the air port. I called a cab, should be down stairs."
Since they would be staying for almost a month Sara had four bags and Grissom had five bags. How could a man have more clothes then her? Maybe he had other stuff. Grissom's five bags were stuffed in the trunk while Sara's were stuffed in the back with her. Grissom took the front seat. The drive to McCarron was short since it was still relatively early in Vegas, the city comes alive at night. Grissom checked their bags and handed the flight attendant their tickets. He even let her have the window seat. She couldn't help but just forget everything she's done.
As they sat there reading their books, or Sara at least pretending to read her book and looking out the window to see the tiny buildings of Las Vegas. Good bye life, I will be back shortly. She thought bitterly.
She tried to read her book, but something about the elevation got to her. Grissom hasn't said much of anything except they were going to Queensland to the rainforest. She wasn't going to lie, she was excited. She felt stupid, he was doing this to keep her occupied. She was being praised for being stupid.
She must have fallen asleep because the next thing she knew Grissom was gently shaking her awake.
"Hey, we're here. Come on you're going to love this…. I hope." He stood up and she did too noticing they were nearly the last ones to exit the plane.
After an hour of waiting to get their bags they went to eat at a small café for lunch and then outside to wait for a taxi cab. As soon as Sara walked outside the first thing she felt was an intense humidity. She looked at her watch and saw they have only been on the plane for around five hours.
"Grissom where are we?" She asked looking around and not recognizing anything.
"Florida."
"Florida? Why are we here?" She asked and blushed when a taxi driver pulled up and winked at her.
Grissom just laughed and started picking up his bags when the taxi driver opened the trunk. He must not have noticed the sultry looks, "It's a surprise Sara, if I told you it wouldn't be a surprise."
"Alright… I trust you …"
After thirty minutes of being unbearably eye fucked Sara scrambled out of the cab and wondered just how Grissom didn't notice! He just kept talking about landmarks and places he's read in books while the sleezy cab driver kept nodding and saying yes while his eyes traveled hungrily down Sara's well how ever far he could go. Pervert.
"The coast line?" Sara asked Grissom standing next to him viewing the vast ocean with small and large boats. Docks and people scrambled about trying to catch their last minute cruises. She looked at the cab driver pulling their bags out and once again his eyes traveled over her body, she silently gave him her middle finger.
"Yeah, isn't it great? We're taking the rest of the way on a boat. Not exactly a cruise… I didn't want you to be situated around too many people right now… if you don't mind. So I got us a spot as volunteers on a research boat, pretty big but no where near a cruise size. Plus these guys are a bunch of science nerds."
Sara smiled, he knew her so well, was so thoughtful, and incredibly intelligent but damn he was thick as hell, especially with the cab driver sticking his tongue out and making obscene gestures towards her as he set the bags down behind Grissom.
"I like the idea, I really do Grissom. Thank you." She said sweetly and actually smiled, and when his back was turned to gather up the suitcases Sara picked up a rock and chucked it at the pervert's head and gave him her finger once again.
"Ouch!" He rubbed his head where an angry welt was forming.
Grissom turned around, "You okay?"
"No She…" But Sara's death glare stopped him dead in his tracks, "A bird… nasty buggers. Hit me in the head."
Grissom shrugged and looked up towards the sky where only seagulls vacated, "Well I'll be sure to buy us some hats on our journey."
"I mean you're right, this is an experience, and I don't want to be around too many people. Especially taxi drivers." She muttered the last part imperceptibly.
"I'm going to get these bags on board, here's some money for the driver." He said handing her more then enough for the fare. Sara smiled evilly. Now he wouldn't get a tip.
Once he walked away Sara smirked at the guy and he frowned he knew what that meant.
"Aw come on sweety I was just having some fun." He had a rich Hispanic accent laced with southern. A unique combination.
"Yeah, me too. Here." She handed him the exact amount and picked up her bags.
"No tip baby?" A vein popped on her forehead. 'baby… what a schmuck.' She thought.
With all four bags in her hand she miraculously turned around and grabbed his car keys before he noticed and tossed them into the shoreline, "Right there…. Baby." And as quickly as she could ran to catch up with Grissom ignoring his shouts and obscene words.
When she reached him at the loading dock she smiled a shinning gap tooth grin at him. He smiled back truly happy to see her smiling truly.
They walked up the ramp and met up with a middle aged man holding a clip board.
"Dr. Gilbert Grissom and Sara Sidle I presume?" He asked smiling softly. His light hair contrasted nicely with his grey eyes.
"That's us, I'm the entomologist and Sara is the materials and elements specialist. We'll do anything to help." Grissom shook the man's hand and smiled.
"Nice to meet you both, I'm Daniel Hanes. I worked as a professor for years on marine biology, finally retired and joined these guys, great ship to learn and train on that's for sure. You are in for one hell of a few days to Australia. Get your sea legs on."
Sara smiled. This wasn't the average way to get from here to there, but this is how she would have always wanted it. A journey, an experience from traveling from one place to the next set her senses on over drive.
As the two walked away Daniel called back to them, "One more thing! We had two more volunteers, since we were already booked I denied them, but he seemed most insistent that he come… so I really hope you do not mind but we combined your two rooms to one cabin. I took the liberty of putting you into the biggest room we have though!"
"It's okay, thank you. Where would it be?" Sara asked.
"Oh! Here, see this map? You will be right here where the living corridors are."
"Thank you Daniel." Grissom said picking up his bags once more and taking off to their room.
Sara stole a glance back at the shoreline knowing she wouldn't be able to see land for awhile. The sight was enough to make her day, the cab driver searching knee deep in cold water for his missing keys.
They reached their cabin and opened the steel door. They set their bags down and began their inspection of the room.
"Two beds… this won't be so bad." Sara said walking over to a tiny port hole out looking the vast ocean.
"It's not first class, but"
"It's perfect." She cut him off when she spun around to answer. The two tiny beds were separated by a tiny nightstand, and on the adjoining wall was the smallest of desks. Just beyond that was a small, yet clean bathroom. "We are getting away, learning and researching… Grissom this is perfect."
All he could do was smile and sit on his now presumed bed, "I'm glad. When we get to Australia you will have your own room."
Sara laughed and sat on her bed also. How did this man know just what she needed, yet cause her so much grief for so long? She told herself not to dwell on the past, since it put her in a bad predicament and just focus on the present and future. She would do just that.
Well here we are another chapter! Our two geeks are out to sea for adventure! Send out ideas if you have been out on sea on something similar like this or just send your thoughts anyways, I love hearing you guys. it makes me write faster! :D