CHAPTER 12: PICNIC

Sara wrapped her floater case on Tuesday. It had been an unfortunate accidental death which had pulled her away from Nicky's party on Sunday. Her solve rate remained the highest on the team. Grissom sent her into the field with Warrick on a double homicide. She was beginning to think that he may be jealous of pairing her with Greg, but she knew this was Greg's chance to work with the day shift team on loan until Nick returned. She did not see Grissom all night. Her case had kept them out until 10 am Wednesday.

Sara knew that Gil liked to get to sleep by early. She took a chance and called his cell phone at 11.

"Hi baby," she said.

A very sleepy Grissom whispered hello back at Sara. She apologized for waking him. He asked if she was home safe and she said yes. She reminded him about their date and let him fall back to sleep.

Sara on the other hand was energized. She pulled all the supplies needed for her hike and picnic together and laid them out on the coffee table. Thermos, boots, blanket, tablecloth, cooler, snacks, and her camera. She loaded the non perishable gear in her car before grabbing three hours of sleep.

At three p.m., she was up and in the shower again, getting ready for their date. She had found an escape about six months after she moved to Las Vegas. It was known as Red Rock Canyon. She was sure that Grissom had been there before, but she wanted to get him out of the house. It would take about 40 minutes to get from his house and the park closed at 8 p.m. They wouldn't have much time, but it would still be worth every minute.

At quarter to five, Sara was knocking on the door to Grissom's townhouse. He pulled her in and placed his arms on her waist, holding her at a distance. He looked in to her eyes and took in her beauty before pulling her into a deep kiss. Sara just never knew what to expect with this man. He was showing a side that he had kept hidden for so long, that no one even believed it could exist.

"Not that I don't love every minute in your arms," she said, "but are you ready to go?"

"Sure, honey," he replied, "do I need to bring anything?"

Gil was wearing blue jeans and a polo shirt. Sara told him that he might want a light jacket and a hat. He grabbed his favorite quirky straw hat and windbreaker and they were off.

"Are you going to share where this date is headed?" he asked.

"Patience, Dr. Grissom....just sit down and hold on."

Grissom was already belted into his seat, so he reached over and took Sara's free hand in his. He rubbed her palm and asked her about her case while they drove out of the city. Within twenty minutes, the traffic disappeared and the outline of the red mountains came into view. Grissom smiled to himself when he realized where Sara's getaway was taking them. He had been here before, for cases involving missing persons, and for casual hikes to study the native creatures, but he had never been here on a date. He knew the park closed at eight this time of year, but he was sure that Sara had everything planned. He leaned back in his seat and relaxed.

Sara had an annual pass to access the park. She headed up the one-way scenic road at a leisurely pace, watching out for the numerous wild burros that roamed freely near the roadside. She looked over at Grissom.

"A long time ago, you told me to get a diversion," she started.

"I remember," he said.

"I found this park and started exploring all it had to offer....the trails, the visitor center, the burros. It was hard to get out here during daylight hours, due to our schedule, but I made it a point to visit once a month. It helped me realize that there was more to Vegas than neon."

About two thirds of the way up the scenic road, Sara turned off into the Willow Springs Picnic Area. She found a parking spot and they each grabbed an armload of food and supplies. It was quiet and the sun was starting to set. Sara placed a tablecloth on one of the cement picnic tables and set out plates of food. Grilled chicken, pasta salad, Greek salad, fresh fruit, rolls, bottled water, brownies, and a thermos of coffee filled the table. They sat next to each other at the table, taking in the natural beauty of the canyon. They ate and talked and laughed and got lost in each other's company.

Sara loaded the gear back in the trunk of her car. When she returned to the table, she held out her hand to Grissom. He joined her on a short hike up a ridge trail where they could watch the sun set. Grissom stood behind her with his arms wrapped tightly around her body as the sun dropped out of sight. The wind was picking up and the temperature was dropping. They headed back to the car to finish the drive out of the park before the gates closed. Red Rock Canyon could be an intimidating place at night.

When she arrived at the main road, Grissom suggested that she turn left and drive to Red Rock Overlook. Sara pulled off to a secluded spot, where they could watch the stars come up over the neon glow from the distant city.

Grissom was thoroughly enjoying this time with Sara. He enjoyed being outdoors and the hike was not too much for his recovering ankle. He doubted that they would run in to anyone they knew, this far out of town on a weeknight. He pulled Sara close to him and kissed her mouth. He was careful not to leave any beard burn on her skin, but he plied her mouth and shoulders with soft kisses which she eagerly returned. He had never had dates like this. As he rubbed her breast under her shirt, Sara shuddered. She was kissing his neck and stroking his leg until the sound of an approaching car broke their concentration. They sat upright and reached for the steaming mugs of coffee that Sara had placed on the dashboard. Two cars pulled in full of tourists. They hopped out of their cars and snapped a couple of pictures and then headed back towards civilization.

Sara looked at Grissom with a grin. "We should probably take this somewhere more private," she said.

Grissom nodded. They had a few hours until they both had to be at work. As much as Sara was looking forward to their weekend, she really couldn't keep her body on hold for so long. Gil's slightest touch made her shiver with excitement. She headed the car back towards his townhouse.

He was quiet.

"Sara, I have a prior commitment."

"Could you please be more specific?" she asked.

"I have a poker game tomorrow after the shift is over, so I won't be able to call you."

Sara was visibly confused. "You are worried about this why?"

Grissom told her that he did not want to make love to her and then not call in the morning. Sara just shook her head and grinned.

"You are probably going to see me at some point during our shift tonight," she replied. "I will be fine, really."

"I think I will just keep you in the lab tonight, so that I can see you all night long," he replied.

"You may not have that luxury, but I will tolerate it if I have to..." Sara's voice trailed off.

She pulled into the townhouse driveway and Grissom asked her to wait just a moment. He stepped out of her car and was around to open her door before she knew it. They walked up to the front door molded into each other, partly due to the fierce wind and partly due to their raging teenage hormones.

Once inside, the controlled frenzy came unwound. Grissom's hand was on Sara's cheek while his other hand headed down to her jeans. Sara held both palms against Gil's chest while she kissed him hard. Her tongue explored his mouth. Gil coaxed her body to turn around giving him full access to her breasts with one hand while the other slid along the buttons of her jeans. Sara leaned into him and Gil braced himself against the wall in his foyer. Sara maneuvered her hand behind her and began to stroke Gil through his jeans. She could feel his body harden and she slowly worked to unbutton his jeans. Gil slid two fingers into Sara and she moaned into his neck. She tried to concentrate, but the passion knocked her back against Gil. He took her to the brink and then wrapped his arm around her and led her to his couch.

Gil spread a throw blanket across the couch while Sara stripped off her clothing. She had to wear most of it to work tonight, so she took a few moments to hang it on a dining room chair. Gil had gone into the bedroom. He came back out with the box of condoms in his left hand and a pillow in his right hand. His jeans had been left behind in the bedroom and Sara could see his bulging erection through his boxers. She took the lead (it was her date) by snatching one of the condoms from the box. Once she rolled the condom on, she pulled him to the couch and covered his body with her own. Sara used her hands and her body to show Gil how much she loved him. When she collapsed against his body, he wrapped the blanket over them and held her tightly. A few minutes later, Sara's cell phone went off. She reached across the coffee table to grab it.

"Sidle."

"Sara, can you come in early?" asked Catherine. "We have a case that will cross both shifts and I need your help".

"Sure, Cath, I will be there in less than an hour," Sara said. She hung up the phone and looked at Gil.

"You are an amazing man, but I have to go to work. Thanks for the date".

His grin said it all as he pulled Sara close for one last kiss before releasing her for a quick shower.