Nick, Warrick and Greg drove straight to the lab. When they got there, Greg chickened out and went to the break room. Grissom still made him nervous on occasion. Nick knocked on the door.
"Hey, Grissom, have you got a second?"
"Sure guys, what's up?"
"We're still off the clock, right?" Nick asked.
"Yes."
"Good, because if you ever hurt Sara again, I will kick your ass. No one will recognize you without your dental records."
"I'll help." Warrick chimed in.
"She told you about today I take it?" Grissom asked the obvious question.
"She's been my surrogate sister for years. I return the favor. When she called me, I was hanging with Warrick over at Greg's place. He knows too."
"I see. What do you suggest I do to show her how serious I am?" They knew her very well, so that's the only reason he was interested in their opinions.
"She said that you said you've felt this way for years. Prove it to her. Let her read your journal or something. It's got to be something good." Nick said.
"I agree. I've never seen Sara look like that. I wanted to beat the hell out you tonight, but she said we couldn't touch you."
"I get the message. I don't want to hurt her anymore."
"Then don't; pick a road and stay on it with her. Either be her friend or be something more because it's driving all of us crazy watching you not decide." Grissom knew that Nick was serious.
"I…uh…it's time to finish the meeting that was interrupted this morning. We're on the clock now fellas." Grissom effectively ended the conversation. He was a little angry with Sara for telling Nick, Greg and Warrick, but then that would make him a hypocrite for talking with Brass and Catherine about the situation. They were right; he needed to do something to show he was serious. He grabbed his files and went to join his team.
Sara was not at all surprised to be paired with Grissom that night. She said nothing, wanting to see if he would initiate anything.
"So, your friends came to see me this evening." He started off casually while they were driving to the scene.
"I know."
"Thank you for sparing me physical harm."
"You're welcome."
"Have you thought any more about bowling?" he asked, glad that he had to focus on driving and not looking at her.
"I have."
"Have you reached a conclusion?"
"Almost." The short answers she was giving were starting to unnerve him.
"May I hold your hand?"
"Not while we're on the clock." So saying, she put her hands together in her lap. Does that mean if we weren't on the clock, she would have said yes? He wondered.
"Good point, I apologize."
"Accepted…what do you remember about the day we met?" she asked.
"You had a ponytail. I loved the shorts and sandals. Your toenails were painted blue and you had a matching blue shirt with some saying about physics. You were insightful and I had long internal debate about whether or not I should ask you out. I thought you were out of my league; I still think that." Sara had to privately admit that she was impressed he remembered that much about the day they met.
"Yet, you've managed to wrangle the courage to ask me out. Most girls wouldn't wait ten years for an invitation." she said instead.
"You aren't most girls. I'm glad you waited. I don't deserve this many chances." Sara listened to his words and sat quietly for a minute.
"I'll go bowling with you." Grissom smiled.
"I'll pick you up at six."
"I'll be ready."
"Care to make a wager?" He challenged.
"I'm listening."
"If I win, then you have to show me one picture." Sara flushed with embarrassment, thankful that he couldn't see her face.
"What if I win?"
"I…what would you like?"
"If I win, I want to know something private." she said.
"Like what?"
"A story, read your journal, see your porn stash, something you wouldn't share with anyone." Grissom thought about it and then recalled the words from Nick and Warrick.
"I can do that. I trust you."
"Then we have a bet." They shook on it at the next stop light. Sara knew she was a good bowler; she was just out of practice. Her unknown variable was Grissom. She turned to him.
"Are you a good bowler?"
"I can hold my own."
"What's your average?" she asked.
"It's been a while, but it used to be about 230."
"Ok, I haven't bowled in years either; since before I met you."
"What was your average?" Grissom asked.
"280." His eyebrows rose.
"So, you've bowled a perfect game before?"
"A few times, actually. You?"
"285 is the closest I've ever gotten."
"Then it will be a good game." she said. Grissom pulled up to the crime scene a few minutes later. Neither one was thrilled to see Brass standing there with a smile on his face. It faded when it wasn't returned.
"Rough day?"
"I'd rather not talk about it." Sara snapped.
"Is the scene clear?" Grissom asked.
"Sure, go ahead."
"Sara, go on ahead and start the interior. I'm going to take a look at the perimeter." Sara walked away without another word.
"What happened?" Brass walked with Grissom and asked his question as soon as Sara stepped inside the house.
"She did not welcome my advances with open arms."
"I guess you didn't get laid, then."
"That is correct. She was pretty mad and asked me to take her home."
"Tell me everything." Brass demanded.
"Not here, ok? We'll talk in my office later."
"I'll be there." Grissom nodded and continued his search. Brass walked back toward his car and pulled out his cell phone.
"Willows."
"He bombed."
"How? She's loved him since time began."
"I know, I know. My guess is he poured it on too strong. I'll find out more later. He did tell me that she was mad and asked him to take her home."
"Ouch."
"I only hope that he tries again."
"Me too; I thought it was a sure thing now that he's pulled his head out of his ass."
"I'm right there with you but I need to go. I'll call you later." Brass hung up. He only did it because he saw Grissom heading back toward him on his walk to finish the perimeter. An upset Grissom was not a pretty sight.
Sara was inside with the body when she felt the air shift. To her, it meant only one thing; Grissom was nearby. She forced herself to remain casual and relaxed.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"What have you done?" he asked.
"I'm almost finished with the body. I haven't been anywhere else."
"Ok."
"Did you find anything outside?"
"Shoeprints leading away from a window."
"Ok."
"Am I making you nervous?" he asked.
"Why would you think that?"
"You aren't over-talking."
"I'm focused." she defended.
"Would you like to come to my house for breakfast after shift?"
"We'll see. It depends on when I eat the leftovers you gave me."
"I'd love to join you for lunch whenever you decided to eat it." he said.
"Why don't we see how bowling goes before we start sharing every meal together." Sara suggested.
"I'm pushing too hard, aren't I?"
"A little bit, but that just shows me you're serious." She smiled at him and labeled her newest bindle.
"I am serious."
"I believe you, but I'm still adjusting, ok?"
"That's fair." Sara nodded and left the conversation there. They only spoke when they needed to and kept the conversations related to the case at hand. They arrived back at the lab an hour before shift ended.
At another scene, Nick overheard Catherine's side of the phone call.
"Hey, Cath, were you just referring to Grissom and Sara?"
"Were you listening?"
"Not on purpose; I'm sure if you wanted privacy, you would have left the room."
"Good point; Brass just called to update me."
"Grissom bombed out." Nick said factually.
"How did you know?"
"Your phone call." he covered his tracks.
"You looked away from me; what else do you know?"
"Everything. Sara called me after Grissom dropped her off at home."
"What happened?"
"He told her what Ecklie said.
"Idiot." Catherine muttered.
"She asked and he told her. He also came on too strong."
"How so?" Catherine was curious to see how far Nick was willing to share.
"Dinner at his place; flowers, candles, the whole nine yards. He also kept flirting. It was too much change too fast. Sara's pissed because he's only acting on his feelings because Ecklie gave him permission. Warrick wanted to beat him up, but Sara said we couldn't touch him. We threatened him and then told him not to give up."
"Wow."
"Yeah." Nick agreed. Catherine had the same reaction that he, Warrick and Greg all had when Sara told them.
"Grissom is talking with Brass later. He's going to tell me. I'll get to see if both second hand stories match up."
"Let me know how it goes." Nick asked.
"You got it, now get back to work."
GSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSGRSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSR
A/N: So, what did you think? Reviews are wanted and appreciated. I will answer any questions you might have as long as they aren't about spoilers. I know I usually don't mind sharing them with anyone who asks, but this time, I'm going to keep them to myself. It's not because I'm being mean, I just want to keep you all on your toes.
Have a great day everyone! Kelly