November 2009
Sara sat with her team in the bowling alley, laughing along and taking swigs of her beer. She smiled against the phone as she talked to langston, checking on his status as she threw her ball down the lane, turning before she saw its outcome. Spare.
Nick and Greg bowled strikes.
There was joking and laughing, clinking of beers and high fives. Sara felt good. She was surrounded by her team, her family, the people she loved. Finally letting loose for a change rather than pulling another double. she took a seat and watched as Doc. Robbins bowled. Clapping along in encouragement when her phone buzzed again, She didn't even look at the caller ID—something she rarely did.
"Ray where'd you go?"
"Hi, It's me."
"Gil?" Sara stood quickly and walked a little ways away from the team. "It's nearly 2 a.m. by you. Is everything okay?"
"Oh yeah. I'm fine. What are you up to?" He spoke casually.
"Actually, I'm out bowling with the team and some of the lab." She paused briefly, "Are you sure everything's okay?"
"Can you step outside to talk for a moment?"
"Yeah, sure. Give me one second." Sara's feet quickly took her to exit the bowling alley, feeling a terrible pit in her stomach that something must be wrong. It had been two months since they'd last seen each other, and while they did talk on the phone at least every other day, he'd never call out of the blue like this—especially not at 2 a.m. his time.
"Okay, I'm outside." She spoke, "Gil, what is it?"
"Turn around."
"Excuse me?"
"Just do it." Suddenly she realized the voice on the other end seemed to echo. She spun on her heels and registered a figure several feet away from her. Walking toward her.
"Hi." He spoke closing his phone and placing it back in his pocket.
"Gil!?" She rushed toward him and into his arms.
"Hi dear."
"Gil! What are you doing here?"
"Fall break. The university is closed for a week. I thought I'd come and surprise you."
Her hands now on either side of his face, playing with his soft curls and rubbing gentle circles into his cheek. She then pulled him into a deep, passionate kiss. Breaking the kiss, Grissom pressed his forehead against hers.
"Hey!" A voice yelled from the building, causing both to turn in its direction, "Hey! You can't take those shoes with you!" Sara looked down to see she was still wearing the rented bowling shoes.
"I'll be right back in." She called back. The figure at the door stood there with his arms crossed angrily.
"Any chance your up for seeing the team?"
Grissom thought for a moment. He really hadn't planned on it, the though gave him a small amount of anxiety. It had been so long since he'd seen everyone, and the last time he did, well he wasn't quite himself.
"Okay." He agreed hesitantly. The two walked back into the building, passing the man with crossed arms.
"You aren't supposed to take the shoes off property." He scolded.
Greg was the first to spot them, spinning around after bowling a strike . His face dropped and Catherine turned around to see what Greg's ghostly face was staring at. At that moment, Catherine's expressions quickly mimicked Greg's. Grissom and Sara continued to walk toward them.
"Boss!" Greg exclaimed, moving toward him and wrapping both arms around him. Grissom was passed around each team member, being wrapped in tight arms, late congratulations on the marriage and "I've missed you's."
"I feel like I've just seen a ghost." Catherine laughed hugging her good friend. "This is quite a surprise." She shot a somewhat stern look at Sara who subsequently through her hands up to prove innocence,
"I was just as surprised." She laughed.
The team sat together and shared a few drinks, reminiscing over old cases, recent milestones, catching up for lost time. Eventually the team began to filter out one by one until only Nick, Catherine, Greg, Sara and Grissom were left.
"Do you ever miss it?" Greg asked Grissom once sara left to go close out her tab. "The puzzles, the thrill of the chase?"
Grissom smiled softly, "No." he spoke simply, "Not anymore."
"So you're not planning to make a miraculous return to CSI like Sara?" Greg asked somewhat hopeful.
"Don't hold your breath, Greg." Catherine jumped in. "So," She turned to Grissom, "What's the status of this research grant you two are waiting on?"
"This in process. It could be another six months before we find out if it'll go through."
"Sweet." Greg smiled, getting curious looks from his co-workers, "What? I don't want Sara to leave again."
Grissom nodded in small notions before looking back to see Sara signing the check. It was like as if he'd blinked and suddenly life in Vegas was back to the way it was three years ago, before anyone had dreamt up the miniature killer—as if everyone was back to normal, and he was the one left behind, on the outside. He watched her as she walked back, pushing a stray hair behind her ear as she gave him a suggestive look.
"I think we'd better be headed out." She spoke toward the team giving them a small wave. Grissom stood and made promises of coffee or breakfast before leaving to head back to Paris.
Catherine stood and gave Sara a side hug as she walked her toward the exit, "Take a few days off."
"Catherine, that's okay—"
"We've got you covered, Sara. Go spend some time with your husband." She grinned and Sara nodded.
"Thanks, Cath."
Grissom and sara made their way to her car. He slipped into the passenger seat of her car and watched as the familiar landmarks and roads passed by them.
"That wasn't so bad, was it?" She glanced his way smiling.
"No, dear." He spoke tiredly.
"You must be exhausted."
"I am." He nodded and leaned his head back against the passenger seat head rest while extending his arm out and placing a gentle touch to her thigh.
Sara finished getting washed up and walked into the bedroom to find Grissom sound asleep. She quietly turned off the lights and slipped into bed beside him, curling herself around his body, resting her head on his warm, bare chest. She breathed in deeply, taking in his scent, his presence. Feeling his weight around her. Her mind couldn't seem to quiet. She was so happy to have him there with her, so content. It felt so normal for them to be in Vegas together—something she realized she hadn't been able to really feel since 2007.
She listened to the sound of his steady breath in her ear. Feeling his chest rise and fall rhythmically.
Her mind began to think to the conversation they'd had two months ago when they'd last seen each other. About the full human experience. She smiled at the phrase, it having been very Grissom-like to frame it that way.
Where would they raise a child? She wondered, Vegas? Paris? Some remote village where'd they'd spend their days conducting research? The latter made her smile, the latter felt most right. Maybe they didn't have to wait until after the research grant is done. She mused. Their research in northern France—should they be approved—could last for a year or more. She breathed in deeply, coming to terms with the idea of having a child.
The idea of having a child was nerve-racking, terrifying, unpleasant even. But the idea of having a child with Grissom was exhilarating, exciting, filled her heart. These two competing thoughts gave her much dilemma. She turned to look at his rested, sleeping face and it all dissipated. She knew right then, that as long as she had Grissom, everything would be alright.
Sara stirred awake to the feeling of light, feathery kissing being trailed up her neck. Her eyes began to flutter opened, the haze of sleep beginning to fade.
"Mmm. Good morning," She smiled softly as his face came into focus.
"Good morning." He continued to trail light kisses along her neck, her collar bone, her shoulders. "I made breakfast."
The time difference between Vegas and Paris turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Her grave shift schedule ended up perfectly aligning with his schedule.
"You did?" She played, sitting up a bit.
"Just eggs and fruit. You know you have nothing in that fridge?" He scolded, "Old habits die hard?" He mused.
"You know how it goes."
The two made their way to the kitchen and sat across the island from one another as they shared the simple breakfast he made. Grissom began to fill her in on his lecture seminar, on the side research project he'd started with Pierre, on the university in general. Sara told Grissom about some of the more interesting cases she'd been working, on late night drinks with Greg and Nick, on how Catherine's daughter had grown.
Grissom took a look around the loft, not much had changed except the boxes piled high of thing that were in his office. Sara caught him looking at them.
"We could unpack them today if you'd like? No sense in just letting your stuff sit there."
He nodded, "I'd like that. I've been trying to find a specific book on epigenetics that I haven't been able to locate. Perhaps its among one of these boxes." He paused hesitantly, "Would you have any interest in visiting my mother?"
"Betty?" She spoke as if she needed clarification, "Is she in town?"
"No, but it's only a four hour drive to Santa Monic. I realized this morning that I haven't seen her since we saw her together at Gilbert University."
"Of course. I just have to clear the time with Catherine—"
"She actually called this morning."
"Catherine?" Sara furrowed her brows.
"She wants to make sure you don't come in this week."
Sara laughed softly, "Typically Catherine." She smiled, "Lets go tomorrow."
Grissom flashed her a boyish grin, "Okay."