Sessions

Grissom stopped by the bookstore and looked for some new books. After he headed to the music store. Sara was a few minutes late meeting Grissom due to inscribing the bracelet she finally settled on. He was seated in the food court reading. He didn't notice her approaching. She took the opportunity to shift her surprises: The red silk nightgown, the perfume, and the bracelet to the bottom of her parcels so he couldn’t see them. He turned to see Sara. "Oh hey. What did you want to eat?"

Sara momentarily looked like a child who had been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. "They do make some really good salads here."

"I could eat a salad. Want me to order for you?

“The vegetarian Caesar salad."

He left and soon returned with two salads and two drinks. "So what did you buy?" He asked chewing some salad.

"Just some maintenance stuff...a new toothbrush, shampoo.... you know." Sara said as she took a bite.

"Oh. I should do that too before we go." He could barely contain his excitement. I'm going away with Sara Sidle.

"You should. 'Cause I'm not sharing," she said coyly. Why did I say that?

"It’s settled then." He chewed some more. "I will but my own. But for the record, I'm not sharing either."

That sobered Sara into silence. She couldn't help feeling slapped in the face. She continued eating. Grissom finished his salad and the last few sips of his drink. He got up to put them in the trash can. Sara didn't look up. He continued reading his book until she was finished. Softly, she said, " I'll take you home."

"I thought we were going to the grocery store. I need something for dinner tonight."

"Oh. Okay." Sara picked up her parcels and lead the way back to the parking lot."

Did I do something wrong? He mentally replayed the day in his head as they walked to the truck. He passed her the keys. Wordlessly, she opened the driver side door and started the ignition, wondering if she was trying to push too much with the insistence on flirting.

"So Sara, do you have plans for tonight?" He asked as he got situated in his seat. I wonder if she will join me for dinner?

"Nothing much." Just another pity party with ice cream and a bathrobe...maybe a long walk

"Wanna have dinner with me. I can cook something for us."

Her eyebrow went up. "Sure."

"Any requests for dinner? We can pick it up at the market."

"Let's just see what's there," Sara said, seriously whipping back any further ideas of a romantic dinner. Just give him his present.

"All right."

Sara pulled up in front of Grissom's corner marketplace. Grissom got out and headed into familiar territory. Sara hung back. He went about the store picking up fresh produce. He knew she liked salad and waited for her to come in to see what else she fancied to eat. Don't be a spoil sport, Sidle. Just because he doesn't want romance, doesn't mean you can't enjoy his company. Sara unwittingly sighed as she reached Grissom's side.

"What do you want to eat. I got some stuff for salad. I have an amazing recipe for spinach salad with mandarin oranges and poppy seed dressing."

"That does sound good," Sara admitted.

"What else? We can't just eat salad."

Ah man, am I tempted to say wine. : "Well, it's your birthday, Griss. Any special requests?" she found herself asking.

"I didn't even realize." He admitted. "Usually Catherine reminds me at work. I usually prefer to ignore it. I guess we can celebrate....if you want." He figured if she had mentioned it must have been on her mind.

"Course I want to celebrate, Grissom."

"Ok, what do we need for a celebration?" He was smiling.

"Cake. Need a cake." Bread with the salad.." Sara started making a mental list as she walked up and down the aisle like a mad woman.

"Is a cake really necessary..." He paused to look at her. "I mean are two of us going to eat a whole cake?”

"Well...we can always include cake in our list of things to eat. Worse comes to worse, I'll eat it."

He laughed lightly. "What else do we need?"

"On second thought, maybe we should just do cupcakes," Sara murmured to herself.

"What about wine? Should we do wine? I have some, but what type do you like?"

Did he just say wine? "Nothing too sweet," Sara managed.

"I have some chardonnay."

"That'll be good."

"What else?" His excitement was growing.

"Ice cream?"

"Butterscotch Ripple?" He asked looking for her reaction.

"Sure." Of course he knows my favourite ice cream...he's only known me for eight years plus there was earlier. As she put the ice cream in the cart, he pictured in his mind the traces he had licked off of her lips. It was so sweet, so sensual. For Sara's part, she didn't have the heart to tell him she only had butterscotch ripple on an eating binge. Sara ran the cart into his foot and he snapped out of his daydream. Being aware of hitting something, Sara snapped out of her thoughts. She looked sheepishly at Grissom. "You okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm sure it was my fault. I was elsewhere." He mentally chuckled.

You and me both. Sara's smile was curiously sad. "Check out line's this way, right?"

"Yup." Was all he could answer.

Sara took deep deliberate breaths as she began unloading groceries onto the conveyor belt. I'll stay for a few hours, I'll give him his present, and then I'll leave. Simple.

The checker rang up the total and Grissom dug his Gold card out of his wallet. No one has ever wanted to spend my birthday with me except for mom, but that doesn’t count. A smile crept to his face at the thought of spending the evening with Sara. Sara tried to take her mind off her selfish attraction by making a tally.

Entertainment? Wonder if we should get something else...Grissom took the bags and headed for the truck. "Did you want to do anything like play Scrabble?"

"If you want. I like scrabble." I'd rather play in the sheets with you.

"Why I suggested it, bab.....Doc."

He laughed again. "We could play other games too, if you like." I could think of a few appropriate ones.

Sara bit her lip against the response that was on the tip of her tongue. "Let's go."

"Where are you getting a cake?"

"There's a bakery that I noticed a block away from your townhouse. What I was thinking of doing was just getting half a dozen or so cupcakes."

His interest was peaked. "Cupcakes?"

"I used to do it sometimes at Harvard."

He thought back to Sara at Harvard. She hadn't changed much, she was still beautiful and she still had a hold of his heart. "Ok."

Trust me, Doc, I'm not going to poison you." Sara emitted a throaty laugh.

I'm sure you would find a better way to dispose of me.

Yeah, I've got a few ideas....but you're not ready for those yet.

Sara allowed herself to briefly touch Grissom's arm. "You coming in?"

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"Don't wanna pick the wrong flavour."

He got out to join her. The hairs on Sara's arms stood up when she felt him beside her. She smelled his scent. She tried to discreetly lick her lips, but she was sure Grissom saw this. Casually, she put her sunglasses on top of her head, and tried to pretend like nothing happened even though she was still aware of her heart in her ears. He reached for her and put his hand on the small of her back. He wanted to touch her. Sara didn't squirm away, but she didn't make eye contact either. She simply slowed her pace a little as she approached the front counter.

"What kind do you like?" He asked as he leaned close to her ear. He could smell her hair. It was driving him mad.

"Well, I've always been a bit of a chocolate fiend."

"Funny, so have I. I'm always partial to chocolate."

"And I'm partial to y...strawberry shortcake," Sara hastily corrected herself.

His interest was perked. "That would be good too. There are too many choices."

"I'm leaning toward y...Chocolate."

"We could stay here all day if you want to Sara?" He was teasing her.

Sara blushed furiously and finally pulled away. She approached the clerk. "Six chocolate cupcakes, please." Grissom was happy with her decision. He just wanted to take her home.

Finally, it was time. They drove back to Grissom's townhouse. Sara needed to get his present out of her bag, so she made the excuse of needing to make a phone call. He went to work putting the things away and he started to prepare the salad. Sara waited with bated breath until he was in the house before rifling through her bags to find his present. She casually glanced at the nightgown, still debating...she didn't know that Grissom had come back outside again and was standing directly over her shoulder.

"What are you doing?" He inquired.

She jumped. "God! Grissom, you scared me!"

"You weren't coming...I got worried."

She saw his eyes catch a glimpse of red satin material and knew it was too late. "What is that you got there?" he asked pointing to the faint piece of red fabric he saw.

"It's a nightgown."

"Did you buy it today?"

"Yes."

"Are you planning on wearing it tonight?" If you do it won't be for long.

"To be honest. I’m not sure." I want to one night when we're ready to go to that stage.

"Could I maybe persuade you?"

"To wear it you mean?"

"Or not wear it, you don't have to wear it...you. Never mind."

Sara stepped forward to soothe him. One hand caressed his face as she said softly. "Are you ready for that?"

“Its my birthday. Of course I'm ready. "Yes." He said softly.

Sara softly kissed his lips. "Okay."

"So you'll wear it for me?"

"Yes."

"Will you dance for me in it?"

“Only because it's you."

He laughed. "I guess I'm glad I’m me. Are you coming in the house?"

Sara arched an eyebrow. "What do you think?"

"I'll go back in and finish fixing the salad." Keep your cool.

Sara transferred the nightgown into the bag that held her newly purchased toiletries, allowing Grissom a slightly better view of the red satin nightgown. His heart raced. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "I'll see you in the house." he turned to walk in the house.

Sara was right on his heels. She set the bag down by the door. "Need any help?"

"Only if you want."

She slid his present across the counter. "Did you want this now or later?"

"What is it? Is it for me?"

"Happy birthday."

"You didn’t have to do that Sara."

"Yes, I did," Sara, said softly.

He got right beside her. "What is it?"

"Open it and see," she said starting to smile.

He took the package and tore it open. As he looked inside there were tears welling up in his eyes. "This is so sweet." He leaned in to kiss her. "You really didn't have to do this."

"Did you see the inscription on the inside?"

"No. What does it say?"

“‘From your Sara forever.”

He loved the sentiment and kisses her again. "Thanks." He whispered to her.

"I never stopped loving you either, Griss," Sara whispered back before she tried to regain composure.

"Will you help me put this on?" He asked.

Sara vainly wiped at her eyes, almost ashamed that she was crying in front of Grissom. She took the bracelet from its box and put it around his wrist. He admired it for a few minutes before he pulled her into his chest. "You know I love you, right?"

"Yes."

"I want you , can I have you?." He asked to be polite. He didn't want to break their embrace. He wanted to hold her all night.

Sara kissed his chin. "We got all the time in the world for this, baby," she whispered before letting him go.

"You called me baby?" He was touched by her sentiment.

"Guess I did." Sara was smiling.

"Want some salad? I made the dressing myself." He was smiling proudly.

"I'd love some."

He dished up two plates and drizzled salad dressing over it. He cut off two pieces of bread and sat down beside Sara. "Want some wine too?"

"Absolutely. We need to drink a birthday toast, you know. Protocol."

He poured them each a glass of wine and resumed his seat beside her. Sara was suddenly flooded with all the thoughts and sentiments that she had thought over the last eight years...that Grissom changed her life.... that he was the most amazing man she had ever met....that he was inspiring......that he made her feel complete.

"Are you going to toast, Sara?"

"Here's to a year of new beginnings," she finally said as she raised her glass.

The glasses clanged together. "Here. Here." He smiled at her.

Sara found herself staring into Grissom's eyes as she drank.....she couldn't help herself. Realizing he'd caught her she quickly smiled and glanced away. "Want the radio or TV on?"

"No, I'd rather not." He lifted his brow. "Unless you will dance with me, then I would like some music."

"I'll dance with you," Sara told him.

"What do you want to listen to?" He asked approaching the stereo.

"Got anything with jazz?" Sara approached the stereo, finding the song "I Swear" by All for One. She knew it wasn't jazz, but she was in a sappy mood.

"Did you find something you like?" He asked.

"Maybe." Sara put the song on the CD player.

“What is it?"

It's called "I Swear".. Then the lyrics started.

I swear, by the moon and the stars in the sky
And I swear like the shadow that's by your side

He moved gracefully around the room with her in his arms. He didn't want the song to end. Sara sank her head against his chest, closing her eyes. He slowly trailed his hand up her back feeling the soft skin under his touch. Sara shivered under his hand. "Nice song." he whispered in her ear.

"That’s how I feel about you, Griss."

He was touched. "I feel the same way about you."

“ I'll be there, for better or worse, till death do us part. I'll love you with every beat of my heart, I swear. They shared a very passionate kiss. Sara's eyes were still closed when the kiss broke.

"Will you model for me now, Sara?" He asked nibbling on her earlobe.

Sara rested her forehead against Grissom's. "In a minute. Just want you to hold me." Now that she was in his arms, she didn't want to leave.

"I'll put another song on. Do you have a preference for this one?"

"No."

He went over and put a new song on. It was The Reason by Hoobastank
"This is one of my favourites," Sara admitted.

"I kinda like it too." He said pulling her closer to him. The lyrics began.

I'm not a perfect person as many things I wish I didn't do but I continue learning I never meant to do those things to you and so I have to say before I go that I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me to change who I used to be a reason to start over new and the reason is you

I'm sorry that I hurt you it's something I must live with everyday and all the pain I put you through I wish that I could take it all away and be the one who catches all your tears that's why I need you to hear

I've found a reason for me to change who I used to be a reason to start over new and the reason is you and the reason is you and the reason is you and the reason is you

I'm not a perfect person I never meant to do those things to you and so I have to say before I go that I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me to change who I used to be a reason to start over new and the reason is you

I've found a reason to show a side of me you didn't know a reason for all that I do and the reason is you

Sara softly began kissing Grissom's neck when she felt him trembling. "It's okay. We're going to be okay."

"How can we be sure?"

She looked him in the eye. "I'm sure." He knew she wasn't lying to him. The brow eyes only told the truth. "I love you."

"I love you too."