May 2008
Grissom breathed in the warm air as he rode along in a golf cart through the studio lot, Brass by his side. The two were called out to LA to investigate the homicide of a stand-in actress in connection with the homicide they'd been working in Vegas. He was in a much better mood then he'd been in the previous months after Sara's departure—a fact not lost on his detective friend.
The two worked the case together closely for the next few hours until final they wrapped it up—having figured out it was the producer and co-star of the show who'd committed both murders. But a lack of physical evidence made the DA filling charges unlikely. A fact that would have put in damper in Grissom's mood for any other case, but for this one, the CSI seemed a little indifferent.
"What's up with you?" Brass asked Grissom as they rode back to LAX in a cab.
"What do you mean?"
"You seem happy."
"Oh."
"What I mean is... you would typically be upset after a case outcome like this. You're playing out of character, as these hollywooders would say."
Grissom smiled to his friend but didn't say much. The two went through security and walked through the airport to their Gate. Grissom stopped walking at Gate A7 which caused Brass to stop. He looked down at his ticket and then back up to Grissom.
"This isn't our gate, Gil. We're at B3."
"This is my gate." Grissom amended.
Brass looked up at the ticker against the wall to see that the next flight out of gate A7 was to San Fransisco. His features softened and a wide smile replaced his confused features.
"Good for you buddy." Brass put a strong, supporting hand on Grissom's shoulder and patted him a few times, "Tell her I say hello, will you?"
"Of course. Have a safe flight."
With that Brass continued to walk down the airport corridor to find the Gate for his departure back to Vegas. Grissom took a seat and waited patiently for his flight to begin boarding. He couldn't tell if the pit in his stomach was nerves or excitement. It had been seven months since he'd last seen Sara, he realized. Seven months since he held her, kissed her. Seven months since he'd felt whole.
A few short hours later he stood at baggage claim and picked up his small suitcase, then b-lined for the taxi line.
"Where to?"
Grissom looked at his watch. He hadn't thought this through properly, he realized.
"The San Fransisco Crime Lab. 30970 Huntwood Ave."
The cabbie peeled out of the airport pickup lot and took Grissom to his requested destination. The trip only taking about 30 or so minutes. He exited the cab, tipped the driver an walked through the familiar double doors to the lab.
"Dr. Grissom?" The receptionist spoke. "It's nice to see you again. Are you here for Dave?"
"Hello, I am."
"You're in luck, he just got back from a scene. I'll let him know you're here."
Grissom took a seat in the waiting area that the receptionist motioned to as she picked up her phone. The same chair he sat in when he'd been there in 1999 and had seen Sara for the second time. The same chair he sat in just several months earlier waiting to talk to Dave about proposing to Sara. He felt a bit uncomfortable in its familiarity now.
"Grissom?"
He looked up to see Dave approaching and quickly stood, shaking the gentleman's hand.
"Well this is a surprise." Dave continued through a smile. "Sara didn't mention you'd be in town."
"She doesn't know." He said honestly, "I was working a scene in L.A., so I thought I'd swing by."
"An hour flight isn't swinging by." Crow smiled knowingly.
"Do you think she's in a good state for a surprise?" Grissom asked hopefully, knowing that Crow would be a better judge of Sara's current mental state at this time.
"Absolutely." He grinned widely and looked down at his watch, "It's about 1 p.m. now, you can probably find her at Fort Point. She goes there a few times a week around this time. I don't really get why, it's such a tourist trap, but she loves looking at the Golden Gate." He paused, "You know where that is?"
"I do." He smiled widely, knowing exactly why Sara would spend so much time there. "Thank you." Grissom shook his hand again to depart, "I'm sure I'll see you later."
Dave nodded, "Take care."
Grissom got out of the cab at Fort Point. Purposefully asking the cabbie to let him out just a little ways down the road. The park area wasn't too crowded being an afternoon on a week day, and he easily spotted her sitting atop a picnic table, a book laid open, face down beside her. Her soft brown hair blowing back as she sat indian-style, staring out at the water and bridge.
He breathed in deeply, taking in this image and committing it to memory. She had been standing close to where he stood now when she'd asked him 'isn't it beautiful?' all those years ago. His response had been breath taking. And while the view had been spectacular, it was her he had been referring to. She was just as breath taking now.
He approached slowly, treasuring this view just a moment longer. She looked so at peace.
"Is anyone sitting here?" He spoke while still slightly behind her. He watched as she quickly whipped her head around to see him. Her eyes wide with surprise.
"Oh my god. Gil." She whispered, frozen in shock.
"I was in the area..."
She finally regained her mobility and leapt to her feat, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. He closed his eyes, feeling her warm body press against his, her soft locks curling against his cheek, her scent filling his core.
She leaned back in his embrace to look into his eyes, deep blue and soft. He smiled at her and gently kissed her lips.
"Hello, dear."
"Hi." She breathed through a sidle-famous grin. "What are you doing here?" Happy surprise laced her voice.
"I was working a homicide in L.A."
"L.A. is not down the street." She smiled teasingly.
"I needed to see you." He paused, hesitating, "I hope it's okay..."
"This is a wonderful surprise, Gil." She kissed him again, a little deeper now, "I've missed you." The two sat down on the picnic table together now. Grissom wrapped an arm around Sara's shoulders and she easily leaned her head against him. She was always amazed at how natural it felt to be with him.
They talked for a bit about where she is emotionally, a few interesting cases the team had worked in her absence, what she had been doing to fill her time. He learned that she'd been helping an old physics professor of hers from Berkley with some research and experiments as well as volunteering her time at different charities across the city.
They spent the rest of the daylight walking through the national park, through the city. Enjoying the time they had together.
"How long can you stay?" She finally asked. She had wanted to earlier in the day, but she was afraid the answer may upset her.
"For two days, if you'll have me."
She smiled widely, "Of course." She thought a moment, "Does Dave know you're here?"
"That's how I found you." He teased, "Though he didn't know I was coming." As if like clockwork Sara's phone began to ring, the caller ID showed Dave Crow. She answered,
"Hi Dave."
"Did you get your surprise?"
"I did." She laughed softly. "Thank you."
"I let Susan know he's in town. She'd like to have him over for dinner if that's okay with you two."
Sara quickly glanced at Grissom, "That sounds wonderful. We'll see you then."
Later that night, Sara took Grissom to the Crow's house and introduced him to Susan and Harry who was back from Harvard on summer break. They enjoyed Susan's home cooked meal as they kept the conversation light. Grissom learned more about The Crow family and watched as Sara easily interacted with them. She was so at ease here, so comfortable. He watched as she and Harry playful exchanged some sibling-like charged fire at each other, teasingly.
"So what are you studying at Harvard?" Grissom turned his attention to Harry who was spooning another helping of mashed potatoes to his plate.
"Biophysics."
"For now." Dave chimed in and playful jabbed Harrys arm. "He entered as a chem major before switching to bio and then biophysics. What's next Har, physics?"
"I think I'll stick to Biophysics for now, best of both worlds." He smiled.
"Think you'll follow in your dad's footsteps and join a crime lab?"
"No way." He paused briefly, "No offense, guys."
"None taken," Grissom, Sara and Dave said almost simultaneously.
"I think i'll stick to the field research side."
Grissom nodded, impressed with the boy's intelligence. The conversation continued on an and the five of them had spent hours talking, getting to know Grissom better. Eventually the night winded down and stifling a yawn, Grissom suggested he best be going.
"Where are you staying?" Crow asked as he walked Grissom to the door.
"The Marriot, not too far from here."
Sara returned from upstairs with a quickly packed, small overnight bag. She kissed Crow on the check and waved goodbye to Susan, "I'll see you tomorrow. I need to stop by the lab."
"Sounds good. Have a good night." He smiled at the two as they left, watching as Grissom placed his hand at the small of her back and leaned in to kiss the top of her head softly.
Sara walked into the hotel room and dropped her overnight bag to the floor. Grissom entered after her, closing the door behind them. Within less than a countable moment, he had her in his arms and kissed her deeply, passionately. Seven months of built of sexual tension, of missing her, of needing her. Hands roaming, she lifted his shirt up over his head, only breaking the kiss to pull it over his face and leave it in a heap on the floor.
Grissom lifted her and brought her to the bed, laying her down gently as he worked her shirt off now, exposing milky white skin and lace clad breasts. Her engagement ring hanging from a long necklace chain, resting in the valley of her breasts. He continued to kiss her deeply, passionately. He could feel her moan against his lips as he pressed his own body to hers. Heat emanating from his core, the weight of his arousal evident. She worked quickly to unhinge his belt, unbutton and unzip his jeans before pushing them off him.
He stared deep into her eyes as he entered, watching her brown orbs turn near black with intensity and wanting as she sucked in a sharp breath. He watched her mouth go agape, arching her back to him further. Her hand were in his hair now, tangling their way through his short curls, roaming to his back, hanging onto him tightly.
"Gil." She breathed into his ear as they moved together. He kissed her lips, her cheek, her ear, her neck. Trailing along to her collar bone. Her moan deepening and growing husky.
He looked deep into her eyes now, foreheads mere centimeters apart. He placed a hand on the side of her face, pushing her hair back, holding her there as they moved together.
"Sara." His voice was a soft whisper as she looked into his eyes again, feeling he was on the verge. "I love you." the words danced off his tongue and kissed her ear causing her to shutter slightly. She could feel a moan rumble from deep within his through as the movement stopped. They held each other tightly, as if the moment would end should they let go.