Acquired Knowledge

Day 2 San Francisco 1999.

Grissom arrived at the Science Department building. He made his way up the two flights of stairs to lecture hall one. He had an excitement in his stride that wasn‘t there the day before. He was looking forward to today. Even though this was the last day of the seminar, he was hopeful that he might get to spend some more time with Sara.

Time was ticking by, as he looked through his reviewed notes for that day. He hadn’t intended on changing anything, but he found himself wanting to impress her and hopefully invoke more questions.

The students had started to arrive. Grissom was right the numbers had dropped. He had expected it after the Slide show in yesterday’s afternoon class. The pictures were graphic and disturbing. He smiled to himself remembering the excitement in her eyes as he took the class through the investigation step by step.

9am and still no Sara. He was more than disappointed. He thought she had enjoyed the lecture. She had told him as much in the questions and answers session after the class had ended.

He started to second guess everything that he had said to her, the way she acted around him. Did his flirting upset her? Did he make her uncomfortable?

9:15am, it was getting late, Grissom resigned himself to the fact that she wasn’t coming. As disappointed as he was he had to get on with the job at hand.

He walked to the door and had started to close it when he heard a noise coming from the stairwell entrance. He looked out just in time to see pens flying across the corridor, sheets of papers floating down like snowflakes, coming to rest on the floor.

“Shit, Damn it!” Sara’s unmistakeable voice rang out.

Grissom walked to the doorway and saw her. Sara was sitting on the top stair nursing her knee, the contents of her folder scattered around in front of her. His heart swelled with the sight of her.

“She came.” he thought with a renewed giddiness. He corrected himself and rushed to her side.

“Hey, are you alright?” Grissom said as he kneeled down beside her.

“I’m fine… I’m sorry I’m late. I was working late last night and I got held up.”

He was helping her up when he noticed the tears well up in her eyes.

“Hey, are you sure you’re alright? Do you need a medic?” Grissom's voice full of concern.

“No … I’m fine. Really can we just go inside?” Sara spoke as she tried to stand. Sara was trying to hide the complete humiliation she felt, stumbling like a five year on the stairs, and just to add to the embarrassment, He had seen it. God she wanted to die.

She began to pick up her scattered notes, swallowing the lump that had taken up residency in her throat. Grissom wanted to make her feel better and had noticed her embarrassment, and her wet hair.

“You know, you’ll catch your death running around like that.” He was trying to lighten the mood.

“What? “ Sara said giving him a stunned look. She folded her arms across her torso trying to cover herself, the blush that seemed to be permanently on her face around him arrived as if on cue.

“I’m just saying you’ll catch your death. Are you just trying to give the San Francisco Crime lab more work to do” He repeated pointing to her hair.

“Oh… “Sara finally catching on.

“I know, I just… grabbed a quick shower and ran. No time to dry it.” She touched the wet tendrils of hair that were dripping onto her bare shoulders.

His efforts at cheering her up had worked; Sara rewarded his efforts with the same beautiful smile she had shared last night. It had the same affect on him. Sara had started his day as she had ended the one before, with that smile.

The heat that coursed its way through his body was almost uncontrollable. She was having an affect on him that he never bargained for. As he helped her pick up the contents of her folder he found himself thinking of ways to win another of her dazzling smiles.

They had just about picked up all the sheets when Sara felt as if she was being watched. She looked up and caught Grissom staring at her; she cleared her throat and stood up indicating that she was done.

It was Grissom’s turn to be embarrassed now. She had caught him looking at her, well looking down her top to be exact. Grissom held out the sheets of paper he’d picked up. As Sara took them from him, her fingers grazed his and it sent a charge through her. It caused a rush of arousal that was unlike any she had felt. He only touched her hand for pities sake.

Her eyes locked with his for what seemed like an eternity. He too had felt the spark between them. He had never felt anything even close to this before; sure he’d been with women, lots in fact, his cockiness invading his train of thought. This feeling was different though, it was exciting and sickening at the same time.

Grissom lead Sara into the hall placing his hand on the small of her back as she passed through the door way. Both were blushing furiously and felt as if everyone in the room noticed. No one did as they settled into their seats, awaiting the lecture to start.

Sara took the same seat as the day before. As Grissom took his place at the top of the hall, he let his eyes rest on her for a minute. He watched as she sorted through her folder, rearranging the papers that had fallen out.

She was wearing a bright red tank top that brought out the colour of her cheeks wonderfully. He wondered if she was wearing lipstick, as her lips were almost as red as her top. He found himself wondering what it would feel like to kiss them.

Her hair had started to form into small ringlets as it was drying; he was desperately trying to regain control of his thoughts as they drifted to an image of her in the shower. He turned to the projector and began to push buttons hoping to banish these images from his mind.

“Okay, people. Let’s get started. We have a lot to get through today.” Grissom said.
He hoped he didn’t sound as muddled as he felt.

They day passed quickly and even though she had the affect on him that she did, he was even more impressed by her inquisitiveness. Sara had bombarded him, again and again with her questions and theories. He found himself becoming frustrated and aroused at the same time.

With the last question answered he thanked everyone for their attention and there commitment in the last two days. He did the usual pleasantries of thanking Professor Walsh for his hospitality and the university for inviting him to speak the students started to pack up there belongings.

“If anyone has any questions regarding today’s session I’ll be here for an hour or so.” Grissom said, catching Sara’s eye. Sara knew he was only directing his comments to her, she nodded and stopped packing up her notes and with that done he ended the seminar. After the other students had left Sara made her way to the desk at the top of the hall.

“I wanted to thank you, Dr Grissom. I really found your lecture interesting and useful.” she said

Sara was trying to hide her nerves but around him everything she said sounded clumsy and awkward. She found herself on constant overdrive, stumbling and over talking, trying to sound somewhat capable of holding a normal conversation.

“Thank you Sara. I thought we’d agreed it was Doc?” Grissom said packing away his papers.

“Sorry, Doc.” She said, correcting herself.

“I won’t keep you too long today. I know you probably have a flight to catch. Vegas wasn’t it? She said running her fingers along the edge of the desk, avoiding his eye contact.

“Yes, I work in Las Vegas, but it’s no problem, I’m not due back until Monday.” He said wondering if she really needed to know that.

“Oh… Great…” Sara said a little louder than was necessary.

“Great Sara he thinks your an idiot!” She thought as she wrapped her arms tightly around her folder.

“Do you have some questions for me?” Grissom knew she was becoming uneasy again and as she seemed to relax when she was talking about the session.

“Yes, I do” Sara said snapping back into student mode.

“Well I will take great pleasure in answering them, but first, I need some coffee.” Grissom said hoping she would want to join him.

“Oh, of course. I can wait, or I could call back later?” Sara was sure she was coming across as some sort of science groupie.

“No, that’s not necessary. Why don’t you join me? We can work and drink” Grissom nearly choked on his own words.

He did it. He asked her. It was out of his hands now.

“I’d like that, thank you, if you’re sure you don’t mind “she answered. Sara was smiling and blushing again.

“Not at all would it be a real pleasure.” Grissom said as he lifted his books and slides.

The butterflies in her stomach were on overdrive. Sara was trying to clam herself as he lead her from the room and out onto the campus grounds.

“Alright this is your town, were can we get good coffee.” Grissom playfully asked.

Sara thought for a minute and then spoke.

“There’s a diner a block from my place it has great coffee.” she said.

“Great, lead on.” Grissom said

As they walked they talked, Sara asking questions, Grissom answering. They reached the diner in no time at all, choosing a booth at the back.

As it had been the night before they talked easily. Sharing theories, and ideas. Grissom had two cups of coffee, while Sara had tea. The time passed quickly. Coffee turned to dinner and before they knew it, it was 9 o clock. When the waitress brought the bill Sara took it from her grasp.

“I got this” she said “Consider it a thank you for having to put up with me for two days” she paid the bill as she spoke.

Grissom knew they would be parting company soon and that bothered him. He was trying to think of ways to delay her departure. He had to think fast.

“Sara. I was wondering if you are serious about thanking me. “Grissom was smiling at her.

“Properly, I mean. I did have to put up with you for two whole days. One dinner for two whole days hardly seems fair” he said noticing her confused look he kept going.

“What I mean is, I can think of other ways for you to thank me.” He said.
Watching her face for a reaction.

Sara was stunned. What did he want her to do? She was trying to find an answer when he spoke again.

“I mean I’ve never been to San Francisco before. How about you give me a tour? I think that would be a fair exchange.” Grissom finished with a playful smile knowing fully that she had misunderstood his previous comments.

Releived Sara smiled and hit his arm playfully.

“You did that on purpose, I can see that I’m going to have to keep an eye on you Dr Grissom” Sara said as they stepped outside the diner.

“Is that a yes? Miss Sidle” He said using her formal title giving her a crooked grin.

“You were serious?” She said as they started to walk.

“Absolutely I couldn’t think of a better guide.” Grissom said deep down hoping that he hadn’t blown it.


“Okay, you’re on. “She said, the nerves had returned along with the butterflies in her stomach, which were playing havoc with her dinner.

While he walked her home they made arrangements for the following day. Before long they were outside Sara’s apartment complex. They stopped at the main entrance to the building, the tension was palpable.

What happened next would stay in Gill Grissom’s memory forever.

“Thanks, again for dinner, Sara I had a lovely time.” Grissom said. As they stood facing each other.

“I thought you said it wasn’t enough of a thank you”. She had new playfulness in her tone that was almost seductive.

“Well seeing as you brought it up. No… it wasn’t. Hence, our trip tomorrow.” His reply was just as playful.

“Well I can only hope I measure up to your expectations of what a proper thank you entails.” She said. the tone of her voice was almost velvet.

“I have complete trust in your abilities." Grissom said leaning in.

Sara Sidle hadn’t a spontaneous bone in her body, but around him she didn’t feel like herself she felt different. He gave her a confidence that she never knew was in her and without thinking or questioning it she kissed him.

Grissom felt her lips on his before his brain caught up. She was kissing him. It wasn’t passionate, of rushed, but soft, and almost hesitant. He didn’t want to scare her but his body had other ideas. His arms snaked around her waist as he deepened the kiss.

They kissed for a few moments. She broke it to catch her breath.

“I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have… “Sara was stuttering and mumbling

“Well that moves tonight's thank you up a notch." He said smiling and touching her face.

“Really, well wait until tomorrow it will blow your socks off.” Sara said as she pushed him back until she broke his embrace. Sara left him with his mouth hanging open.

“See you tomorrow Doc. 9am. We have a lot to do. “ Sara said the smile on her face was luminous. He smiled back and winked at her, before she disappeared into the building.

Grissom stood outside her building for a few minutes. He was trying to convince himself that that really did happen. He touched his lips remembering how soft her lips had felt. The taste of her was intoxicating and he was almost giddy to think what tomorrow would bring.