A/N: Big thanks to all our faithful readers! Here's the next chapter detailing more of the fun they have while experiencing vegas in a new light. Please let us know what you think and if there's anything you'd like to see in a future chapter :)
Grissom fastned the last few buttons on his dress shirt before searching for Sara. He quickly found her in their suite's living room indulging in some snacks from the mini bar.
"Now we don't want you to spoil your dinner," he said in a mock stern voice.
Sara stuck her tongue out before they both started laughing.
"Gil, you have to try these chocolate covered espresso beans, they're delicious," she said, handing him the bag.
"So now you've been pumped full of both caffeine and sugar. How ever will I get you to bed this evening?" He said, raising an eyebrow with a smirk on his face.
"Oh I can think of a few ways you could wear me out," she said with a wink.
Gil chuckled before returning the chocolates to the mini bar.
"Are you ready to go?" He asked.
"Yes, let me just grab my purse."
They made their way downstairs and through the bustling hotel, hand in hand and out into the warm evening air.
Their destination was the New York, New York Casino Hotel and it was only a 15 minute walk down the strip.
Sara looked down at their joined hands and smiled. This is something they never got to do before. While she wouldn't trade those first few years for anything, she had often wondered what it would have been like if they'd gotten the chance to be like a normal couple every once and awhile. There was always the threat of exposing themselves that had hung over their heads. This had kept their activities mostly confined to their home or outings far from the strip.
Gil looked down at their joined hands before looking into Sara's eyes, seeming to read her mind.
His thumb caressed the back of her hand as he spoke in a soft voice.
"You've always deserved so much more than I could ever give you," he said so quietly, Sara almost didn't hear him.
"Hey," Sara said forcefully, getting Gil's full attention.
"I do not regret a minute of what we had back then. Those memories got me through some really dark times. You gave me love, you gave me a home. Gil I never had any of those things before I met you. I thought I wasn't worthy of being loved but you taught me differently."
Both Sara and Gil got a bit teary eyed before Sara decided to lighten the mood.
"Besides, if we had done all this stuff back then, what would we do for the next week?" she asked, sending him her trademark smile.
Her smile was infectious and Gil smiled back as Sara squeezed his hand and they continued toward the hotel.
Gil had made them reservations at Il Fornaio, an Italian restaurant within the hotel serving homemade pasta dishes. But before dinner he'd gotten them tickets to ride The Big Apple Coaster, an experience he felt best took place before dinner.
The Big Apple Coaster was not the most thrilling coaster that Gil Grissom had ever been on but it was fast and fun and had a great view of the strip. Plus his coaster partner made the view even more spectacular.
"So tell me about this ride as I'm assuming you've been on it before," Sara said as they queued up on the line awaiting their turn.
"Well it's had 3 different names since opening in '97. It was originally titled the Manhattan Express. It is also the first roller coaster in the world to feature a 180 degree "heartline" twist as it is called before leading to a 203 foot drop. The coaster also tops speeds of 67 mph.."
As Gil chatted about the coaster Sara watched his eyes light up and fell even more in love with him. He was like a kid on christmas morning and she adored his boyish enthusiasm.
"And a coaster this size is safe perched on top of the casino roof here?"
"Of course. It was already shut down years ago because of safety issues and only reopened once Clark County deemed they'd made the necessary repairs to bring it up to code."
While that thought did nothing to comfort Sara as she heard the heart stopping screams of its latest riders, she kept those thoughts to herself. This was an activity close to Gil's heart and she wanted to share that with him. By the time it was their turn, Sara was squealing with delight as the coaster did its first inverted turn.
"That was great! Can we go again?" Sara pleaded.
Gil laughed before responding.
"I think I've created a monster. It's nearly time for our dinner reservations but we can always come back another time if you want."
Sara gave Gil a fake pout before taking his hand and heading for the elevator leading off the roof.
They arrived for their reservation and were led to a booth in the middle of the restaurant.
"This is the perfect spot!" Sara said with a smile.
Gil smiled back as he raised an inquisitive eyebrow, imploring her to explain further.
"For people watching. Greg and I would sometimes play this game when we'd grab a bite at the diner. You have to guess what date people are on. For instance, is it a first date? If so, is it a blind date? Do they look like they want to be there?"
"Ok so let's see that couple two tables back by the window. I say first date," Gil said as he motioned with a tilt of his head toward the table.
Sara smiled as she discreetly turned to observe the table.
"Ok, what's your evidence?" She fired back.
"Well he's nervous. You can tell because he keeps running his fingers through his hair or fiddling with his napkin. She's also looking anywhere but at her date and when she does look at him she begins to blush."
"Very observant of you Dr. Grissom. I can see you have not lost your attention to detail," Sara said with a smirk.
"Now my turn. Okay see the couple that was seated a few minutes ago. Definitely a first date and I'd say a blind date setup by friends."
"There's no way you can tell all that just by looking at them." Gil challenged her.
"Do you question my keen powers of observation? Well look they've yet to order and already they both look like they want to bolt. Her face definitely says 'why am I here?' indicating it must be a blind date, which are usually arranged by friends. She's now discreetly texting under the table, probably sending a rescue me text to her friend, while he's downing water like there's fire."
"Rescue me text?" Gil raised an eyebrow at the use of the phrase.
"Yeah it's where you ask a friend to call your phone and make up an excuse so you can bail."
"Ah, I'm glad I never warranted such a text," Gil said with a smile.
Sara returned his smile before responding, "I waited 7 years for a first date! There was no way I was going to bail… if anything I thought you were going to bail," she said lowering her voice at the last part.
"Well I'll be honest you did scare me back then. Such beauty, how could I ever measure up to that?" He said honestly.
Sara blushed before responding, "I don't know Dr. Grissom you've always had this as the French say, je ne sais quoi, you know that little certain something that gets all the ladies hearts racing," Sara said with a wink and a large gapped toothed smile.
Gil blushed. Sara loved how it didn't start on his cheeks but rather the tips of his ears would turn pink first.
Much to Grissom's relief their waiter chose that moment to arrive to take their drink orders.
They each ordered a glass of wine while studying their menus.
For an appetizer Sara ordered Cavolfiori Tricolore,
A roasted tricolor cauliflower garnished with roasted garlic & rosemary olive oil, while Gil ordered Cavini Al Grana Padano, crispy brussels sprouts drizzled with spicy peperoncino sauce.
"This is amazing," Sara said as she took her last bite.
Grissom nodded his head in agreement.
For dinner they both had freshly made pasta dishes. Sara opted for a ravioli dish while Gil went for the Lasagna.
Their waiter came by with a dessert menu but Gil said he had other plans for their dessert. Sara was curious but had thoroughly enjoyed the night's surprises thus far and didn't push her husband for more information.
They walked hand in hand out of the restaurant as Gil led them through the casino crowds to the other side of the hotel to the Chocolate Bar.
The bar was famous for dessert infused cocktails, especially dessert themed martinis.
Sara chose the "Death by Chocolate" martini and Gil chose the "Hershey's Kiss" martini.
"Death by chocolate huh?" Gil asked with a twinkle in his eye as they sipped their drinks.
"Yes, a decadent way to go don't you think?" Sara said with a smile.
"Wanna try a sip?" She asked, extending her glass to him.
"Sure," Grissom said, sampling her drink.
She frowned when he didn't offer a sip of his own.
"You know sharing is caring," she said with a laugh.
"Yes but what do I get in return?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I gave you a sip of mine already."
"Yes but to I get a kiss for letting you taste my kiss?"
Sara couldn't help but laugh at Gil's horrible joke. God how she loved this man.
She pecked him on the lips before reaching for his drink.
"Uh-uh. That wasn't a kiss," he said with a twinkle in his eyes before capturing her lips passionately.
When the kiss ended, Sara stared at him for a moment wondering who this strange man was in front of her. While she noticed he might be a bit tipsy she noticed something else. He was happy, deliriously so and his happiness was infectious.
"What has gotten into you Dr. Grissom?" Sara asked with a wide smile.
He just shrugged before responding,
"I'm happy."
Sara took another sip of her martini before responding.
"So am I." She said, giving him another kiss.
After finishing their drinks they decided to head back to their hotel. They were both a little tipsy and euphoric as they strolled back arm in arm.
When they reached the elevator leading to their floor, Sara sighed as her head leaned against the elevator wall.
"Tired?" Gil asked her.
Sara kept her eyes closed as she smiled. Opening then she answered in a seductive voice,
"With all the excitement of the night and that caffeine from earlier I think I may need to share with you some of those ways I was thinking you could wear me out."
"Well if you really think you're going to have trouble falling asleep I think there's some chamomile tea in the room," he said innocently.
Sara looked at him incredulously but he didn't waiver.
"Tea?! You want me to drink tea?"
"Well it has been shown to be effective in helping people enter a relaxed state conducive to sleep," he said, opening the door to their suite.
Sara stood in the door not believing Gil, especially after he'd been so amourous at the bar.
"Of course, if tea isn't really your taste then a hot bath has been known to work wonders."
Sara looked up in time to see Gil's wink as he removed his shirt tossing it in her direction.
"You coming?" He said as he disappeared into the ridiculously large bathroom.
Sara smiled, shaking her head before joining him.
"Coming dear!"
