A/N: Thank you to everyone reading!
Out There Part Two
Chapter 2
Jim Brass moved differently than he had a few months previously and anyone who knew him would be surprised at his slow meander as he walked around the small lawn of Sara's house. His wounds from the fire at Heather Kessler's house had been slow to heal and for the first time in his life, he felt his age was catching up.
Yet, today, for the first time in weeks, he was feeling good, excited to see his long-time friends. Completing his round of the yard, he leaned against his car, thinking back to the night in the hospital when Sara had slipped in to tell him of her plans.
Of course, he had known—they had all known—she loved Gil Grissom. Her decision had come as no surprise to him and he was delighted when the two got married—again. But he missed her more than he would admit. For several years, he and Sara had met several times a month to eat together, to walk in a nearby park, to have someone to talk with about work and news and life in general.
Quietly, he chuckled as he thought about the young woman who had arrived in Vegas, hand-picked by Gil Grissom to look into actions that had resulted in the death of a young crime scene investigator. Grissom had hired Sara Sidle within a few days of her arrival and it had taken Jim Brass a few more months to realize there was more between the lab supervisor and young investigator than boss and employee. Even now, he wasn't sure when romance had bloomed; perhaps their relationship had been romantic from its beginning. He had never asked.
Again, he laughed, remembering Sara's avoidance of him, how he would watch her from a distance, almost protective, as she worked. Eventually, they became friends that grew into an easy-going closeness as she returned to Vegas, married then not married, and he lived through the tragic circumstances surrounding his daughter and her mother.
Brass frowned as he thought of the time Sara had spent alone in this house. And he wasn't sure he would ever fully forgive Gil Grissom for abandoning his wife for months, then years. Now, in retrospect, he suspected Grissom's return to help Heather Kessler had served a two-fold purpose—and had ended up succeeding.
Watching the street, he saw Greg's vehicle arriving; Sara and Greg were laughing.
When Sara saw Jim Brass standing in the driveway, she felt a flood of emotion ranging from love to compassion and concern. The man who had once been robust, tough, and strong appeared frail, drained of strength.
The vehicle was still moving when Sara opened the door. A moment later, she jumped out running in his direction. In a few strides, her arms were around his neck, they were hugging each other.
Sara pulled back a few inches, looked into his face, smiling as she hugged him again, even tighter. Turning her mouth to his ear, she whispered, "I'm pregnant, Jim. We're going to have two babies!"
If her mouth had not been at his ear and her words spoken slowly and clear, Jim Brass would have thought he had misheard. In all the conversations they'd had, she had never outright said "I want to have kids" but he knew she had a desire for family—for what she'd missed in her own life.
As his eyes glazed with tears, hugging her tightly, he managed to croak out, "You're going to be a great mom."
As Greg slowed and pulled his vehicle into the driveway, Gil Grissom placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder. Before Greg could shift to 'park', Sara had opened the door and was headed to meet Jim Brass.
Quietly, Grissom said, "Give her a minute." And he and Greg watched as Sara hugged Jim.
Both men recognized a subtle metamorphic change in their friend. Jim Brass stood taller; a smile crossed his face as his lips moved in response to something Sara had said.
Greg said, "Jim's had a rough time for a while but I think Sara's news—" He laughed. "I think Sara's news is what he needed."
Grissom nodded, saying, "Let's get the bags—I could use some sleep."
Both men got out and hauled bags from the back. "There is food," said Greg. "Food, drinks, clean towels and beds."
"You did all that?" Grissom asked before giving Greg a broad grin. "I guess you've—I guess you have grown up."
Greg made a goofy face, saying, "Yeah, I've grown up—and I'm still looking for the right lady-friend."
As they headed toward the house, passing Sara and Jim as the two talked in hushed voices, Grissom asked, "What about Ecklie's daughter? Wasn't there something going on?"
Greg sighed, made a grumbling sound, and said, "For a while—but then we both realized we were friends—and she moved to Reno." He stopped to punch numbers into the key pad, turned to Grissom and said, "It's your birth-date in case you need to use it."
As they entered the house, Grissom noticed the well-tended plants, the cleanness of the air, and the fresh flowers. "You did a good job, Greg. Sara was right to leave you in charge."
Behind them, Sara and Jim entered the house, talking about sandwiches he was carrying.
"Of course, I remembered your favorite—how could I forget 'two kinds of cheese, tomato, cucumbers, olives, and bread' covered with that bean stuff you were always eating!" Jim held up a large sack. "And I got what you guys always eat—meat, meat, and more meat!"
Sara noticed the flowers, praised Greg for his thoughtfulness, and wandered around the house while the three men set the table for sandwiches, chips, and drinks. She could hear their voices, filled with laughter, as she went from room to room.
At one time, she'd thought she would always live in this house but as she checked the bedrooms, she realized her attachment to furniture and contents was almost nonexistent. Finally, she joined the men, who had not waited to begin eating.
As she unwrapped her sandwich, she said, "Suddenly, I'm so tired—happy but tired."
"Eat, then we will leave so you can sleep," said Brass. "Catherine says she'll be over later—before heading to work."
Sara asked, "How's she doing—at work?"
Greg snorted at the same moment Jim laughed; both men looked at each other.
"We should let her tell you," Greg said.
Brass laughed again, saying, "Your news is going to top what she's going to tell you—it's no secret. She's interim until a permanent person is found. Told the sheriff weeks ago that she'd stay until the county could do a search."
Sara glanced at her husband. They had shared doubts that Catherine would stay in the job.
Greg said, "We will not tell her your news—I may pick her up and drive her here so I can see her face when she hears Grissom is going to be a dad!"
Jim wagged a finger between Sara and Grissom, saying, "So who gets to tell her?"
Sara pointed at Grissom. Grissom pointed to Sara.
The four people at the table laughed, Brass coughed so hard he had to wipe his eyes, Greg choked and laughed again.
Sara was the first to speak. "Maybe we will see if she notices."
Greg laughed, saying, "She'll think you've got a beer belly!"
Sara gave him an incredulous look, raising an eyebrow and mouthed 'beer belly'.
Leaning back in his chair, Grissom said, "Sara has never had a beer belly—not much of one, anyway."
Sara flicked a chip toward him. Brass groaned.
A while later, their bags spread across the bedroom as Sara pulled out several shirts and said, "I'm taking a shower then I'll arrange things so we aren't living out of suitcases."
Grissom stepped near her, gave her a quick kiss, saying, "Get a shower—I'll put this stuff away."
It did not take further encouragement for her to head to the bathroom. A few minutes later, as hot water sprayed over her body, Sara realized how exhausted she was. She heard Grissom moving around and when she turned off the water and opened the shower door, she found clean clothes neatly folded next to her towel.
After wrapping her damp hair in a towel and pulling on a soft shirt, she returned to the bedroom, finding the suitcases and duffle had disappeared, the bed covers had been folded back.
Grissom appeared from the closet, saying, "Stretch out—get some sleep. I'll join you as soon as I shower."
Sara mumbled a soft thanks and crawled onto the bed, the faint smell of lilacs, the soft touch of fresh linens welcoming her tired body. Her eyes closed as her hand drifted to her lower abdomen; for two weeks, she had felt the fluttering nudges of life and as she grew still, her hand gently rubbing her belly, she could feel the still surprising movement of her future children.
By the time Grissom returned to the bedroom, Sara was asleep, arms over her head and ankles crossed as if she were sunbathing on a beach. As he settled into bed, he kissed her cheek, placed a hand over her belly, and smiled as he remembered the laughter at their table. His fingers caressed the growing belly bump, smiling again as he thought about his obviously pregnant wife. Slowly, he moved closer, pulling her into an embrace; Sara responded, curling against his chest, making a deep sigh as she relaxed and settled into deep sleep.
A/N: We love Sara and Grissom- re-watching CSI and CSI Vegas, the energy between Jorja Fox and Wm Petersen is a joy to watch. Thanks for reading. Thank you for your messages! More to come.