What?

The soft blue glow of the computer screen lit Sara's features and passed over her cheekbones. The droning voice of the narrator buzzed in her ears, and her eyes began to slide shut.

*Click*

"What are you doing?" Grissom's voice and the brightness of the light startled Sara back to reality. She turned towards him.

"Workin' a case." Her eyes followed him into the room. Grissom glanced towards the computer screen.

"What case?"

Exasperation was evident in her voice. "The skinned gorilla torso, forty miles outside of Baker? Remember?" Her eyes searched his face.

When he spoke, amusement was laced in his tone. "I don't think that is a case."

Sara looked down. "Well, it was at the start of shift... a crime's been committed."

Gil looked at her small smirk and back at the computer screen. He snorted softly.

"I hate to be the one to state the obvious, but, uh, this isn't a human being we're dealing with, it's an animal.."

She looked back up at him, their eyes meeting for the first time since he entered the room. Her gaze was defiant.

"And?"

"And.. every time a dog gets run over, you can't go to the vet to examine it."
She huffed angrily. "I can't believe you!" Grissom's head quirked, and his brow furrowed slightly.

//God, she's cute when she's mad...//

Sara continued. "You, with your pet tarantula. Your maggot farms, that komodo dragon on back order?"

He pursed his lips and gave her a sly look.

Sara's breath hitched slightly. "You should be more sympathetic to the murder of a helpless gorilla..." She pouted a little and gave him "the look".

Grissom swallowed, smirked, and nodded. "You're right... I apologise." He pursed his lips again, though they formed a small smile this time. "I was just checking to see where your head was at."

Sara smiled and shut her eyes for a moment.

"For now you're working alone.. Catherine needed Nick."

Sara brightened. "Bummer!" That was said without much conviction.

Grissom smiled at her and turned out the lights. He turned to walk out, but turned back and strode over to her. He knelt down so that his mouth was by her ear. The form was held up.

"Oh, and by the way..." His breath was hot on her ear. "Overall performance? Outstanding..."

Sara froze at the closeness of his proximity, but then leaned back into him. She turned her head towards his mouth, and at that moment he had gotten a little closer, causing their lips to brush together. Grissom sighed softly on her lips. Sara's eyes slid shut and Griss pressed forward, sliding his tongue past her lips to deepen the kiss. A knock on the door caused them to break apart and stare at each other fearfully. However, their fear was dissolved as the new dayshift CSI poked her head around the corner.

"Er, Mr. Grissom, are you in here?" Her shaky tone indicated something was bothering her. Grissom eyed Sara warily and stood. Sara was focusing on the face of the young woman.

Clearing his throat, Grissom advanced towards the girl. "How may I help you, Miss... er..." The girl jumped at his sudden appearance, and apologised profusely.

"I'm so sorry! Did I interrupt something?" Grissom shook his head. Sara stood and walked over next to Grissom. Her eyes roved over the girl's face.

"Come on in, kiddo, and have a seat," Sara said warmly. The girl was trembling like a leaf. Sara guided her to a chair, rubbing the girl's shoulder reassuringly.

"Uh, Ms. Sidle, Mr. Grissom, my.. um.. My name is Chelsie Walker, and um... are you sure I'm not disturbing you?"

Grissom nodded. "We're sure. What can we help you with?"

"Mr. Grissom, I'm in love with my supervisor!" It was blurted out before Chelsie could think about what she was saying.

Sara looked at Grissom who was looking at the girl in shock. His mouth was hanging open slightly, and the look on his face was priceless.

//If only I had a camera...// Grissom closed his mouth, then opened it again to speak. His voice came out in a squeak.

"Conrad? You're in love with Conrad Ecklie?" Sara laughed. Loudly. Grissom scowled at Sara. Chelsie looked like a deer caught in headlights. Her lower lip trembled as her eyes teared up. Grissom nudged Sara slightly with his elbow.

"Look, Chels, I'm sorry, don't cry. It's just, we don't hear a lot of good things about Ecklie..." Sara stepped forward and gave her a warm hug. "You know what? I'm gonna do everything I can to help you out with this."

"Help her out with what?" A soft voice came from the door, and the hair on Grissom's neck stood up. Conrad Ecklie stepped into the room, looking severely perturbed.


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Um... my first story. I've been lurking for a while, but I'm not really sure if my story's that good. I mean, Ecklie/OFC? What was I thinking... Oh well. Lemme know what you think, please?