Post Meet Market 7x14

Sara has made sure that Ecklie is aware of everything regarding the previous chapter. She also has her informants in place and Warrick, who is loyal to Grissom despite his care and concern for Catherine. Greg is also behind Sara and Grissom, so the only wild card is Nick.

I do believe Catherine realized her mistake as she alienated her friends and colleagues. I felt like during the episode, she had a better handle on the team and Keepler. Like she knew her wrong and was trying to make it right again. Right being earning their trust back.

Grabbing on her jacket out of her locker, Sara pulled in on simply after having spent a good five minutes changing out her shoes. Greg and Warrick had watched her go to war with her shoes but had enough self-preservation to keep quiet. After having finished the case in time for it being two weeks before Grissom was due back, she was heading north to Williams at no expense to her PTO and on authorization from Ecklie. Catherine had gone to Ecklie and being backed up by both Keppler and Brass, the assistant director had signed off. Especially after he'd called McKeen and the Undersheriff reluctantly confirmed he'd made the statement.

"So, you going to surprise him and have a babymoon?" Warrick asked Sara.

The brunette smiled as she glanced over at her friend. "That's the idea. Just do me a favor and keep an eye on the lab."

"No need to ask me, girl." He moved to hug her and she embraced him.

"Good. I'm not supposed to tell you but you're his choice for future succession." Sara told him before pulling back to meet Warrick's eyes, "you know what I'm talking about even if nothing is said."

Warrick nodded. "Understood."

"Also, keep an eye on baby boy here." She moved to Greg and pulled him into a hug. "Keep safe, Greg."

The youngest CSI grinned as they parted. "I fear what you'll do if I'm not. I mean, you and Sofie teaming up against me, my nightmare come reality."

"Good."

A knock on the door made Sara look up to see Catherine holding a small envelope. "Good, I caught you."

"You missed the war." Greg told her, "baby won."

Catherine looked at Greg before turning to Sara. "Should I ask?"

"Shoes." It was the only word Sara said the redhead immediately understood.

"Been through that war." She held out the envelope she had in hand. "Consider it a babymoon gift from all of us."

Sara glanced at the boys; Nick had shown up in the doorway as she'd accepted the envelope. Opening it, she withdrew a card that read 'Congratulations on the New Baby' across the front of the card. The inside held a Visa gift card and a few words from each member of the team, Brass, Sofia, Wendy, and Casey. The words written on the main interior page in Sofia's handwriting made her smile.

We Can't Wait to Meet You

In 4 Months!

Love, Your Family

"You guys didn't have to do this."

"Oh we know." Warrick told her, "but we wanted to."

Catherine pointed at her. "Don't think this gets you out of a baby shower, though. The girls and I are working on getting that together, but we're waiting to know if it's a girl or boy first."

"Almost everyone is betting on it being a girl." Nick told her, "only a handful of people have said boy."

"We'll know in two weeks." She put the card back in the envelope. "I'm pretty sure it's a girl though. It's a feeling I have."

Nick chuckled, "I kind of pictured you as a boy-mom Sara."

"I'm with Nick on that one. When I picture you with a kid, it's a little boy you're holding." Warrick told her as Sara pulled her bag over her shoulder.

Sara chuckled, "if anyone has a problem with the baby's sex, take it up with my husband. It'd be his fault for busting images and pictures. I can only give an X-chromosome."

"Well we won't let you miss your flight." Nick told her, "I already called your sitter and she's aware I'll be picking Hank up after shift."

"Thanks for watching him."

The Texan waved her off. "He and Kahlua love playing together. Keeps the damage down due to having someone to play with instead of chewing on things."

The Walden Pond Research Center was a non-profit project to preserve Walden Pond. The project also gave biological and environmental students from Harvard University a place to learn and test their theories in regard to their projects or theses. What surprised her was that an English class that studied Thoreau visited occasionally to get a physical sense of his works. When Grissom had told her that during one of their various video chat sessions, she'd asked a ton of questions.

However, the seminar that Grissom was teaching was actually based out of Williams College in Williamsburg. Harvard was hosting the seminar due to the need to be located closer to Walden Pond than the two hour daily trip students would be forced to make. It was one of the various STEM projects that Williams and Harvard hosted and worked together on. So, when Sara stepped foot onto the Harvard campus for the first time in almost twenty years, memories bubbled up. Making her way to the lecture hall where the registrar pointed her to, Sara silently took in everything around her. The buildings hadn't changed but the air had and seeing young students doing what she'd done almost two decades before, Sara felt her age for the first time.

Finding the lecture hall, she opened the door quietly and entered to see the hall packed to the brim. She knew he'd told her he was teaching a seminar of close to a hundred students but it was one thing to hear and another to see. Slipping into an empty seat at the back of the hall as his back was turned to explain something on the board, Sara removed her beany and untied the belt of her peacoat, shrugging her arms out of the sleeves before pulling it from under her body.

"I have an extra." The girl next to her spoke and Sara turned her head to see the girl holding out a packet. "I'm guessing you forgot yours at home."

Sara smiled and accepted the packet. "Thanks."

"No problem." The girl was no older than twenty and if the books in her bag on the seat between them were anything to go by, she was an environmental science major.

Glancing at the packet, Sara flipped through the pages to see it contained notes for how insects and the environment worked on symbiosis. It was the talk for the day if the heading at the top of the white board was correct. The packets were given out the previous course to be studied and notes to be made on. The topics of the research project for the following week were outlined. It was a Friday after all.

"…will that cause complete collapse of the ecosystem?" A student was asking about bees and if they were lost.

"There is some evidence to support colony collapse and thus the collapse of the ecosystem. However, as we haven't seen anything other than various studies from various countries, no formal study has been taken by governments." Grissom told the young man.

A girl a few rows ahead put her hand up. "What would it take for the government or even the UN to make studies a priority?"

"If I had to guess," he looked in thought for a second and that made Sara smile. She'd missed him terribly. "Decline of pollination, food production, worldwide hunger on a scale no one has seen before. To be frank, it isn't a priority to governments until it involves human lives."

"So, we'd have to die before the government cares?" A man who looked a few years younger than Sara asked. "Typical governmental answers to everything."

Grissom took off his glasses and stood at the podium. "Mr. Cotton, as someone that works for a state entity, I understand your frustration. However, before you try to topple the regime, I suggest attempting to provide your local government with data. Perhaps with persuasion, a younger body could voice a concern us older individuals can't."

"You bet we will." Mr. Cotton said in return.

"Alright, books up. We're going to see if you've been paying attention to the lectures this week." Grissom picked up a stack of papers from the podium and walked to the first seat at the front, holding them out to the student there. "As you know, pass to the back and then the student at the back will bring them up. Easy and simple if you've paid attention. Fifteen minutes to take the test, starting in five minutes."

The papers made their way to the very back and Sara found herself glancing at the test. She fished a pen from her messenger bag and took the test. She didn't have to but she figured he'd enjoy finding her answers among the dozens of students he had to grade. The questions were easy, information she'd learned over the years or already knew from reading books. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the girl fly through the written questions but pause and look at the multiple choice, as if unsure of her answers.

"Just go with the first choice that comes to mind." Sara whispered to the girl. "Your subconscious choice is usually the correct choice."

The girl nodded. "Thanks, I guess."

The test was over quickly and Sara watched Grissom look up. "Okay, can one of my back students bring the tests down once they're passed over." No one stood up so Sara stood, figuring it would be a nice surprise. She collected the tests from the end of each row and walked down to the front with the tests.

"Dude." A student spoke to his friend next to him, Sara looked up at him when he was speaking. He smirked at her, "hot girl alert."

Sara smiled tightly, not wanting to say anything as she accepted the tests from his row. His friend, the guy whose last name was Cotton, nodded. "Leave her to me. She's far too old for you."

"MILF vibes." The first boy said. "She's pregnant."

Cotton shrugged. "Who cares." Sara stayed silent as she listened to the conversation. She'd heard worse from suspects and college students were sometimes just as bad.

He was bent over the podium trying to shut down the computer so he didn't see her. With the tests in hand, she spoke softly. "There's a face I haven't seen in a while." She used the same phrase Catherine did when he'd shaved his beard. This time, however, it was because she both missed him and he'd grown his beard.

As expected, his head shot up and he looked straight at her. "Sara?"

"It's a long story, why and how I'm here." She held out the tests and he took them. "Been a while since I've seen you in the classroom. I didn't know I'd miss it."

He placed the tests on a nearby table and moved to her, pulling her into a hug. Sara closed her eyes for a moment as she held him and heard him whisper. "I've missed you my darling."

They pulled apart and Sara chuckled. "So, I'm here in whatever capacity you need me until your return to the lab. The only requirement needed is proof of attendance for yearly credentials. That comes from Catherine."

"I guess I should introduce you to the students."

"Considering some of them have said some rather suggestive things, that's probably best." She put up a finger, "shut down that thought process now because I'm not giving you names. College kids are college kids, they haven't matured enough to think beyond certain topics."

"Fair enough." He moved from behind the podium and turned to the students in the room. "Can I have your attention please. I'd like to introduce you to one of my former students and a fellow CSI at the Las Vegas Crime Lab. She's arrived rather late to the seminar due to only needing a week-long course audit and because crime never stops in Vegas." The class chuckled softly, "I'll let her introduce herself." He motioned to the class while glancing at Sara.

Sara took a step towards the class and smiled. "As Dr. Grissom said, I have arrived rather late for the course. I apologize but if I told you why I was late, you'd never return to the class. As he also said, I'm a CSI Level III at the Las Vegas Crime Lab. I also have a bachelor in physics and master's in forensic science."

"What's your name?" It was the first of the two guys who said something suggestive about her earlier when she'd been collecting papers.

Sara smiled. "Sorry, I forgot that. My name is Sara Sidle-Grissom, I'm Dr. Grissom's wife." She watched both of the men sit a little lower in their chairs, knowing she'd heard them. "I'm here auditing the course for my yearly credentials, but I'm also here as a resource for you all. If you have questions and Dr. Grissom is busy, don't be afraid to ask me. I'm about ninety-nine percent sure I can answer them correctly." That got a chuckle from the class.

Grissom took a step forward. "Remember that there are extra spots available for weekend volunteering at Walden Pond. That's extra time for you to learn information for the coming semester. If not this weekend, remember that Mondays we meet at Walden at nine. Have a good weekend."

The lecture hall emptied and Sara turned to see her husband packing the papers into his briefcase. His coat sat nearby on the empty chair. She grabbed it and held it up as he turned to grab it. Taking the hint, he let her help him put it on. As he finished, she shut down the computer and turned to see him watching her. "You have no idea how much I've missed you."

"I think I have an idea." Sara stated as they walked towards the exit.

"Where is your coat?" He inquired while his eyes swiped up and down her body, no doubt seeing how pregnant she was.

Sara glanced at him, "back row, I left it there with my bag. I got given your office location when I inquired about the classroom location. You have a bad habit of leaving your office unlocked here also. I put my suitcase in there before heading this way."

As they reached the back row, Sara pulled her peacoat off the chair and pulled it on, noticing that Grissom picked up her messenger bag. "Have you eaten since before your flight?"

"I bought a bag of peanuts and two bags of dried fruit to eat on the plane." Sara told him as she tied the belt of the peacoat and pulled her beanie on. "Tapering them kept me from getting hungry."

"There is a café around the corner from the Inn that I'm staying in. We'll drop off your stuff and then we'll head to the café."

Sara found the Inn charming; the old Victorian had been renovated and the rooms were spacious. Sitting down on the bed after setting her bags down, she considered laying down for a nap. The door to the small ensuite bathroom opened after the sound of the toilet and the sink were heard. Grissom took one look at Sara from across the room and walked over to stand beside the bed. She took a breath and stood up. "You promised me food."

"Tired?" He asked her softly.

"I jumped time zones and your child is jumping around like I'm a bounce house."

Grissom put his hand on her belly and waited. "It's probably too soon for me to feel them."

"Even if you can't feel, trust me when I tell you this one has enough energy to rival Greg."

"An ominous thought."

Sara reached a hand up and cupped his cheek, leaning in to kiss him. One kiss turned into two and then three. Eventually they pulled apart and she smiled softly at him. "You're no longer tired. I can see it in your eyes that you're not feeling as burdened as you have been lately."

"Hmm, let's get you fed so you can get some sleep."

"Yes, food is a great idea. I'm starving and while technically not true in the literal sense, I am eating for two. OB has me eating not one extra meal, but two. I'm burning through food right now like you wouldn't believe. She isn't concerned though, as I'm still within my target range."

The café was the one where he ate breakfast and got coffee every morning so when he walked in, the hostess smiled at him. She was probably close to his mother's age, or so Sara observed. She glanced around and found herself shocked that it was one of the many she would find refuge in during her school days. She always went to older cafes to avoid the modern, newest trend cafes that her school mates would go to. It made her stick out for sure but back then everything made her stick out.

"Hi Dr. Grissom, lunch?" The elderly woman asked.

"Yes, thank you May." He put his hand on Sara's back, "you're intrigued by something. What is it?"

Sara met his eyes as they were shown to a table. "I think I've been here before."

"Everyone has been here once or twice." May stated and smiled. "Are you a student?"

"I was once." Sara glanced at the waitress. "I just flew in to surprise my husband."

Grissom chuckled under his breath. "I'm certainly surprised."

"Oh, you're Sara." May put her hand on Sara's shoulder, not realizing it raised Sara's guard. "Dr. Grissom gushed all about you last week when Debbie asked if he was single or not. That girl, head in the clouds." The woman grinned, "you'd think you two were newlyweds the way he went on about you."

"Technically we are newlyweds." Sara stated, "we just got married a few months ago. Although we've known each other a long time and dated for over a year." She ran her hand over her belly, "now we're expecting a little one."

May's smile softened. "Girl or boy?"

"Unsure, we'll known in a few weeks." Sara told her. "I think it's a girl though."

"Mothers know these things. I was right about all five of mine." The woman stated, "what can I get you two to drink and eat?"

Grissom saw Sara glance at the nearby menu. "Give us a few minutes for food. Orange juice and water will be fine."

"Coming right up."

Only once food had been ordered did Sara get up from the table. Grissom watched her walk over to a wall nearby where photos and photos hung on the wall. Some were polaroid while others were developed from film. Gazing at the photos, she reached up and selected one, pulling it off the wall from where it was tacked up by a thumbtack. She returned to the table and set the picture down, turning it towards him. "I was right, I have been here."

Grissom picked up the photo and glanced at it then up at her. He did it twice before chuckling, eyes on a teenage Sara. "How old were you in this photo?"

Glancing at the photo of her at a table with dozens of books, notebooks, and pens, her face a deer in the headlights. "Uh, I can only really tell by what I was taking at the time." She turned the photo a fraction in his hand to see if she could see a book. "Biochem, so sophomore year. Eighteen, nineteen probably."

"I always wondered what you looked like before we met." His eyes went back to the photo.

"I don't have photos, not after I went into foster care. The only photo I tolerated was the yearly photo they had to take for my file. Foster families tried but after years of photo aversion due to my home life, I never really felt comfortable with them. I feel comfortable with the team because they're family, so I don't shy away from photos with them. Other than that, I don't think it's escaped you that I stay behind the lens."

Grissom nodded. "I hope that changes because I plan on taking a lot of photos of you with our children."

"Same." Sara smiled at him. "As I said, family are the only ones I feel comfortable with."

May came over with a jug of water to refill Sara's glass. "Oh, you found a photo of someone."

"Me, my sophomore year here." Sara supplied, "seventeen years ago."

The woman paused after refilling her water glass. "You went to Harvard or MIT?"

"Harvard, I graduated with the degree in physics."

Grissom held up the photo. "I'm taking this. I apologize but I don't have a single childhood photo of my lovely wife." He looked over at Sara, "to show our child one day."

"Take it, please." May smiled at them. "Food will be by in a few."

Sleep was something that settled over Sara rather quickly once she was in pajamas and curled up under the covers. Grissom sat beside her on the bed, legs out straight and grading tests. Every so often, he'd reach over and brush back Sara's hair from where it'd fall in her face. The tests were just a way for the students to gauge their knowledge of the course. Their identification of their insect collections was the real test.

He chuckled softly as one paper turned up towards the bottom of the page. Grading Sara's work, he decided to be strict on her answers since she knew more than the kids he was teaching. Even with grading as strict as he would if he was teaching graduates, she still scored ninety-five percent. He realized what she meant when she said she would just fill out paperwork during his seminars because she could do the work in her sleep. His students, at least some of them, should be lucky the tests weren't a real grade.

Let me know what you think of this chapter.

The next two are just filler chapters before we head back to 7x15 Law of Gravity (and find out about Baby Grissom - although we know Sara is right).