Sessions

"Ok. So we will file the appropriate paper work this week and then next week we will take off for the mountains." He scratched his head. "Where are we gonna tell them we are going? Do you want them to know we are together or do we want to make up an excuse? What do you think Sara?"

Sara's mind was still reeling with the idea that she was going away with Grissom. "We'll think of something," was all she could manage at the moment.

"One of us could take personal leave and the other vacation. As long as we drive there will be no record of us both going to the same place." He was thinking out loud.

Sara was having a difficult time fighting back the impulse to kiss Grissom. She sat down on the armchair across from Grissom and turned on the television instead to momentarily distract herself.

"We are going to have to go shopping. It is cold in Colorado this time of year."

"We will."

"Yes, we will need some winter gear. I haven't worn winter gear since I stopped doing seminars in Boston. What about you?"

"It's been a few years," Sara admitted.

"It doesn't get that cold here in Vegas. Are you up for some shopping?"

"Sure."

Then Sara reminded herself now much Grissom hated when she only gave one-word responses. "Let's finish our coffee and then we'll go."

"Sounds good. Its gonna be a busy day."

"Think you're up for that, Doc?" Sara couldn't resist teasing.

"Yes, but we should make a list so we don't forget anything."

Sara pushed a piece of paper and a pen toward Grissom. Getting tingles down her arm when her fingers brushed against his. She forced a smile as she pulled her hand away.

"Do you own a winter Jacket Sara?"

"That'll...." she had to pause to collect her thoughts, earning a raised eyebrow from Grissom. "That's on my priority list."

"I need one too." He laughed.

Grissom's laugh reverberated through Sara's body. She shivered for a moment. A month alone with Grissom? That's gonna be torture..

"What else do we need? What about boots, a hat, mittens, that sort of thing?"

His voice snapped her out of her train of thought. STOP It!!!!!!!!!! "Sounds good."

"We’ll need four weeks worth of food too." He walked over to her and pulled her in close to him. "What will we do for entertainment?"

“I'm sure we can find something." The back of Sara's neck hummed.

"Shall we go shopping now?" He took her hands pulling her out of the chair, "or do you have other plans?"

"Uh..." Sara was momentarily flustered to be so close to Grissom. "Just let me grab my keys.”

"So you are driving?"

"We can flip a coin."

"Naw, you can drive. You shop more than me, but I’m sure you have a better idea where to go than I do."

Sara bit back a response, turning around instead to head for the door. And to hide the fact that her face was beet red.

"Where should we go first? I have a gold card that is waiting to be used." He followed her out the door.

"Palm Drive Mall is always a good place to start." Sara didn't dare look over at Grissom until she was calm again. Her palms were still sweaty on the steering wheel.

"Ok, sounds good. Drive away my chauffeur." He looked all serious at her. "Would you prefer if I sit in the back?"

"You’re choice."

"Well if It's my choice I chose to sit in front with you." He arched his brow at her. "Such lovely company should never have to sit alone."

One corner of Sara's mouth turned up in a smile as she glanced only briefly at him. Then she pulled out. Grissom reached over to hold her free hand. He found it sweaty but entwined his fingers with it anyway. "Can I turn on the radio?"

"Go ahead."

He turned the knob on with his free hand and found a station playing Pink Floyd. Money came roaring out of the speakers. He began to softly sing along with it.

Money, get away.
Get a good job with good pay and you’re okay.
Money, it’s a gas.
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.
New car, caviar, four-star daydream,
Think I’ll buy me a football team.

Sara tried unsuccessfully to hide a smile. Grissom never sang to anything. The song ended as they pulled into the mall Sara took her hand away, feeling her heart hammering in her chest. There is no way I'm gonna survive this...I have to grow up...I have to....DAMN HIM! Sara bit her lip as she turned off the ignition.

"Ready?" He asked looking at her as he got out of the vehicle. A nod was his only response. "Lets go then." There was a spring in his step.

Sara deliberately took her attention off of Grissom, still not trusting herself. Instead, she headed straight for the mall map.

"Where first?" He asked.

"Well, there's a winter coat outlet on the second floor.." Sara was talking to herself more than to
Grissom.

"Which one, The Burlington Coat Factory? We may find other gear there too if it is. I hear it is good."

“Yeah, it is good." Sara started walking toward the elevator.

Grissom followed. He didn't want to get lost in the mall. He would be worse than a lost child. Sara considered this and slowed down so he could catch up with her.

"Thanks." He said as they entered the elevator. "I don't know my way around. I never come here." The elevator opened to the second floor and Sara led him to the coat factory.

"You can hold my hand if you want to." Grissom took her up on her offer. Sara gave his hand a light squeeze as with her free hand she started looking through sizes.

"I'm a 48 wide." He said as she looked through the coats. Sara took one out, a black one with a hood. "Is that for me or you?"

"It's a 48 wide, Griss. Don't insult me," Sara said teasingly.

"Oh. Sorry, I told you I don't shop much." He took the coat and tried it on.

Sara went back to looking for a coat for herself. She wound up wandering down to a different aisle. Grissom followed with his coat she picked for him in tow. "How is it?" she asked as she looked up from where she had been trying a white one.

"I like it." He looked down at it. "What about you? Did you find one?"

"You're just in time. I was about to try it on." Sara put down her purse and her jacket and put her arms through the sleeves. "Seems to fit okay." Sara played with the hood.

"Is it big enough to put a sweater under? You may need one. It’s cold up there." He didn't want to tell her she was rail thin and he was scared she would freeze to death.

"Seems to be."

"What else do we need?" She smiled in a nostalgic way as she continued looking at her jacket. "Where do they keep the boots?" He asked.

"Down the aisle that way," Sara pointed behind her as she finally backed away from the mirror.

“You coming with me?" He held out his hand.

"Yeah. Coming."

He looked down at big muck luck boots, "What type of boots do we need, these?”

Sara hid another affectionate smile at his boyish clueless ness. "Why don't you just sit down in the chair right there." He did as she requested. He was new to this and she seemed to know it. She knew how to read him. He liked it. "Do you know what size you are?" Sara asked as she put her things on the chair beside him.

"I'm a nine wide."

"Okay..." Sara trailed off as she began perusing the selection. "Do you like the muck lucks?"

"I'm not fussy, but are they necessary. What kinda snow are we talking about?"

"Well they are warm. I had a pair when I was a kid. And I'm guessing at least thigh high snow."

"So muck lucks it is." He laughed lightly. "And lots of socks."

"We'll let you pick out your own socks, I think" Sara decided as she finally found a nine wide.

"I don't care what they are as long as they are warm. I'm not used to snow." He tried on the boots. "What do you think, are they me?"

Want my truthful answer? "Yeah."

"Ok. What about you? What are you going to get?"

Sara didn't hear him. She was perusing the winter boot section after realizing they didn't have muck lucks in her size. He went to catch up with her and put the jacket she was going to purchase in the pile with his. Sara almost fell over trying on the winter proof boots she had on the floor. "You ok?" He asked rushing to her side.

"I'm okay." Sara said, looking a bit sheepish at her clumsiness. She then looked down at her feet. "Well these are certainly roomy. Could wear at least two pairs of socks."

"They will be warm that way." He laughed.

Half an hour later they were done. Sara's outfit was all white: a white jacket, white boots, a white hat, a white scarf. Grissom's was the opposite. His was all black. They looked like night and day.

"So.... your choice. Wanna look around some more or do you want to go home?"

"Do we need anything else?" He looked at her puzzled.

"We'll probably need groceries, but we don't have to do that right now."

"We can if you want, I don't mind." Anything to spend time with you. "It's too early to buy for the trip, but I do need a few things for home," Sara decided.

"Come to think of it, I should get a few things too."

"Meet you in a half hour?" Sara wanted to buy Grissom a birthday present.

“All right, give me your keys I'll take these to the car. Where do you want to meet?"

"I wouldn't mind stopping for lunch here. Didn't really have breakfast."

"I'll meet you at the food court then." He wanted to look around.

Sara watched him go with butterflies in her stomach. Part of her was uncertain if he was ready for her to go all out and do the candlelight dinner, wine, a sexy nightgown and massage, but she thought she'd prepare for it anyway.