Getting To Know You

Grissom returned with his packages quite proud of what he bought. He was nearly ready to cry out for Sara when he noticed her napping on the couch with the baby on her chest.

He quietly put the purchases in the spare bedroom and put the crib together. After it was put together he went back out to check on Sara and Sam. Both were still asleep. He had all he could do to refrain from kissing her as she slept. She looked so amazing…so beautiful…

Things between them were strained at best. He was never good about showing or sharing his feelings. That always caused him problems.

Sara was Sara. She was special. She had always been special since he met her all those years ago in Boston. He fell for her almost immediately but he hid his feelings for all those years.

The timing was never appropriate. First he was her teacher and she was his student and he was way too old. The next time he was her boss and still too old…. Sara…

Sara got fed up with him and his constant game playing. If he called she knew she would run, she always had. He had that pull on her.

He lost his chance with Sara when she went back to University to complete her PHD. She went on to teach at UNLV. Her DUI was the tipper for her. Enough was definitely enough. She couldn’t work at the crime lab with him and not think of all the stupid things she did to try and convince him they should be together. Leaving was easier for her. She lay in all out in her resignation letter to him. She also wrote a more appropriate one for the lab. The other one was meant solely for Grissom.

If he thought hard enough he could recall every word on the paper. He read it enough times that he had it memorized.

Grissom
I’m sorry to do this but I am resigning from the lab. Things are too hard for me there. Everyone knows about the DUI. That just makes me look bad.

I once had a good reputation; one I had a hard time building. You called me, I came. I always did, probably always will. Why do you think I came to Vegas and stayed, it wasn’t for the lights?

I came all those years ago because I had feelings for you. I had since Boston. I thought it was a schoolgirl crush, I was sadly mistaken. I have feelings for you beyond the realm of thinking. You drive me insane on a good day.

I cannot stand to work in a place where I see you everyday but can never have you. It is too hard on me.

I have decided to go back to school and get my PHD. I decided that I want to teach. To teach people all the wonderful things that you taught me.

Please be happy for me.

Sara

Watching Sara hold Sam stirred some things in Grissom that he never knew he possessed. It was beginning to make him think about being a father…him a father…of all things! Not only that, it was making him think of Sara and not in an appropriate way. It was more how he could successfully seduce her, make her his own, and please her until she screamed. Very inappropriate thoughts.

The baby started to fuss and Sara woke up. She turned to see Grissom watching her.

“Enjoying the view?” She sleepily asked.

“What?” He asked as she stirred him out of his trance.

“You keep looking at me.”

“Sorry.”

Sara began to get up. “Will you take her?”

Grissom apprehensively picked up the fussing child.

“She won’t bite, Griss. She has no teeth.” Sara grinned.

“I know, but I don’t want to hurt her.”

“You will be just fine. Hold her against your chest. I’ll make her a bottle she is probably hungry.”

Grissom held her against his chest and she still fussed.

Sara returned with the bottle.

“I can’t do this.” He huffed. “She doesn’t like me.”

“She doesn’t know you. She’ll get used to you.” Sara smiled. “Do you want to feed her?”

“I…I Guess.”

“It’s ok, Griss. I’ll help you.”

Grissom cradled the baby in his arms like Sara showed him and began to feed her. She was quiet. She suckled on her bottle for a while and then she spit it out.

“What’s wrong with her?”

“She probably needs to burp.”

“Burp? As in belch?”

“Yes. Place that blanket over your shoulder and put her up there.” He waited for more instruction like an eager student. “Now pat her back gently.”

The baby spit up.

“Is this normal?”

“Yes.” Sara took the blanket and wiped the baby’s mouth. “Now see if she wants more.”

He repositioned the baby and began to feed her again.

He’ll be okay. Sara assured herself.

Sam began to cry.

“What’s wrong?” He asked in a panic.

“She probably needs her diaper changed. Do you know how to do that?”

“No.” He admitted.

“I’ll show you. Just watch.”

They changed the baby and put her down for her nap.

“Sara, where did you learn all of this?”

“Foster Care. We had a lot of temporaries.”

“Oh.”

“Why?”

“You are a natural, really.”

“Thanks, Griss. Hey listen, will you be okay?”

“Why?” There was panic in his voice.

“I need to go home and sleep. I didn’t really get a chance. I was up late writing up the exams for my class. I had just settled down to sleep when somebody woke me up.”

“Oh, Sorry.”

“It’s ok, but I have to do some work tonight and I am dead tired.”

“What do you have to do?”

“I have some students I need to help with some extra credit.”

“Could you get the night off? If not you could ask them here.” He looked away.

“Sara.”

“Yes.”

“Will you help me with her until I get used to this?”

“If that’s what you want. What about work?”

“I’m not sure. I will have to go see Ecklie.”

“You have fun with that.” She joked.

“Oh yeah! So could you take a week or two off?”

“Well right now I’m doing some exam prep. I can do that from home or from here.” She caught herself.

“After that I am done until mid-August. After that I transfer to Berkley.”

“Oh.”

“Why?”

“Would you mind…by chance…staying here with us…until I get in the swing of things?”

“Are you sure?” The butterflies started to stir in her belly resurfacing the old emotions.

“Yes I’ll pay the rent on your apartment for the summer too.”

“That’s not necessary. My lease is up soon. I’ll put my stuff in storage.”

“Nonsense. Store it in my garage.”

“I have a lot of stuff.”

“Good, I have a big empty garage.”

“Alright, sounds good. I must be going.”

“Sara.”

“What Griss?”

“Please stay. Stay in my room. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” I love you too. I’m sure of that as well. What am I getting myself into? All these old feelings are all stirred up again.

“Can I use your phone? I need to call my students.”

“Sure. Use the one in the office.”

“Thanks.”

The baby fussed. “Sara?”

“Grissom. Go pick her up and walk around with her. See if it settles her down. I’ll be right back.”

Grissom nodded and went to find the fussing child. Sara made her call.

When Sara came out of the office he was walking back and forth in the living room with her against her chest and she was calm.

“See. I told you that you could do it.”

“Yes I guess so. She still prefers you.”

“She’ll get used to you too.” Sara grinned.

“Did you get a hold of your students?”

“Yeah. They cancelled.”

He smiled. “Oh.”

“You should probably call Ecklie. I’m going to grab a bottle and take Sam in with me. I need to lay down I’m tired.”

“Alright. I’ll go deal with Conrad.”

“I’ll see you soon.”

She took the baby from him, heated a bottle and retreated to the bedroom.