[CSI] A Call to Darkness 2/4
A Call to Darkness
Sara/Grissom, 1863 words, PG-13,
Leaving this city meant leaving Grissom behind.
Part 1
Sara had asked Grissom to allow her the chance to tell the others. Finding herself sitting on a bench in the locker room, she took deep breaths trying to gather the strength to put into words the fact that she was really leaving. Overcoming her biggest hurdle was in telling Grissom, but everyone else had become, in a way, her family. Disappointing and losing them was her biggest fear. Not knowing how they would react, she just hoped that they would support her and she could tell them without words how much she would miss all of them.
Walking through the dimly lit corridor of the lab, Sara didn’t run into anyone as she made her way to the break room situated at the end of the hall. She stood in the doorway for a brief second taking in everyone as they ate and joked with each other. She would miss these guys, more than she thought possible. Greg with his ever evolving hairstyles and beguiling sense of humor, Warrick with his gorgeous eyes and sense of self-righteousness, and Nick, loaded with charm. She felt a compression on her chest and struggled to maintain her composure.
It was Nick who saw her in the doorway and waved her over. “Sara, waiting for an invitation?”
She just dropped her hands into her coat pocket and shrugged her shoulders. “Nope, actually I was looking for you guys.” She moved closer to the table where they sat. She took a seat and leaned back and struck, what she hoped was a casual pose. “I have something to share.”
Greg raised an eyebrow, “You’re not going to tell us you’ve run off and joined the traveling dance troupe…” His voice trailed off as he noticed the expression on Sara’s face. “Not leaving, right?”
“I accepted a position teaching on the East Coast and I’m going to start right after the holidays, I already told Grissom and I’m all set to go.” Sara let the words tumble out of her mouth, the faster she could say them, the sooner this would be over.
Silence greeted her announcement, their expressions relaying disbelief at her words. Warrick was the first to react, leaning over and slinging an arm around her shoulder. “Congratulations Sara, are you happy about the change?”
She tried to smile but it came out as more a lopsided grimace. “It’s something new for me, teaching, but I think I am ready for the challenge. I just hope they’re ready for me. Can you imagine me, a teacher?”
Warrick tilted his head back in a laugh. “I’m gonna miss you Sara. Who’s going to keep Greg…close your mouth, Greg.”
Greg was still staring at Sara, mouth still parted slightly. When he heard Warrick admonish him he snapped his mouth close. “When…when’s your last day?”
“Right after the holidays some time. I’ll have to pack over the next weeks or so and get things ready to be shipped. Not that I own a lot.” Sara shrugged her shoulders, while the room grew silent.
It was Nick who broke the awkward moment. He simply stood up and looked at Sara "You do what you have to do," turned and left. Greg and Warrick followed after him leaving her with a smile and a wave.
Nick's reaction stung her a bit. Of all people she expected him to understand her reasons. It wasn't like she was a crying, weeping beg-for-attention because she's leaving type of girl but she expected a little bit more from Nick.
+
The weeks traveled by quickly. Grissom, with Catherine's prodding, reluctantly hired another CSI to replace Sara. The crossover would be three weeks allowing everyone enough time to settle into a new routine. Greg had been thrilled, assuming the new person would be just that. The new guy, someone else to harass and something he wouldn’t be anymore. That is until he found out the new person was a highly successful CSI level three from the Los Angeles area. Greg pouted for days.
Sara found the days ticking by faster than she expected. She had barely spoken to Grissom since she handed in her resignation, almost as if he were avoiding her. Nick barely said two words to her in her presence and Greg stuck to her like glue. She missed Grissom, more than she cared to, and she hadn't even left yet. Even the tentative friendship they had formed over the past two years was preferable than this. Wondering if he was purposely avoiding her would accomplish nothing so she focused all her energy in bringing Kevin, the new CSI, up to speed. She discovered that his wife was an ER doctor that had recently transferred to Vegas and when the opportunity arose for him to follow her, he jumped at the chance. Kevin had a charming smile and a laid back demeanor that belied the intensity in his eyes. Sara knew he would mesh well with the team and reluctantly admitted to herself he would be a perfect addition.
Sara had not envisioned moving across the country would be so complicated; there was so much chaos in her apartment. Standing outside her bedroom door and staring into her apartment as far as the eye could see there were boxes strewn everywhere; piles of clothes, dishes, books laid out ready to be boxed. Moving into the middle of her apartment she wondered when she had accumulated so much stuff. She guessed the better part of ten years adds up fast. Where to begin? The knock on her door startled her out of her contemplation. She hesitated; it was rare that she received any visitors. Rare.
Peering out she saw Nick standing there holding two cups and a bag of what she assumed were bagels. She didn’t need to wonder why her heart was racing and why she felt a momentary flash of disappointment at the sight of Nick. He wasn’t Grissom. She still held out a small hope that he would avail himself to her; of their friendship before she walked out of his life because a small part of her knew that she wouldn’t work to maintain what was left of their shattered friendship. Leaving this city meant leaving Grissom and all that entailed.
She swung open the door and donned a broad smile, “Hey, Nick.”
He just smiled up at her, slightly sheepish, and handed her the hot beverages. “I came to help.” She took the drinks and waved him in. He glanced around the apartment. “Looks like you needed it.”
“Yeah, well…it kind of escaped a bit from me.” She shrugged. “I didn’t realize I had this much stuff.”
For the next several hours, walls were stripped, books packed in boxes and several years of Sara’s life were tucked away. They worked in companionable silence with an odd exclamation every now and then from Sara as she found something she had thought lost. Nick had to pry old photo albums away from her, as she was easily distracted. When Sara’s stomach grumbled at her for food, she looked down at her watch only to realize that most of the day had gone and dusk was settling in. “Pizza?” she called to Nick, who nodded his assent adding, “as long as there’s a lot of stuff on it.”
The smell of pizza enticed Nick to finish his box and stack it in the corner of the room along with the others. The room looked organized and sadly, ready to be moved out.
“I’m sorry about…” Sara cut him off. “It’s ok. I know.”
Nick shook his head, “No, it’s not ok. I was a jerk and you should call me on it. I just want to make sure you’re doing this for the right reasons, Sara. That this is really what you want.”
Sara finished her pizza and balled her napkin up. Standing up, she brought her dish into the kitchen and turned to stare back at Nick. “I came here for all the wrong reasons but I’m leaving for the right ones.”
“Can you be so sure?”
“For the first time, I can say that confidently. Honestly Nick, I didn’t seek out this opportunity although I think a part of me has been waiting for it. This is good, believe me. Don’t think for one minute I won’t miss you guys. I will, terribly. I have to do this. It’s time.” The last was said on a softer note, which Nick did not miss. The whole thing was insane to him so he just let it go. Whatever she needed, he would be there to help her with.
“Let’s get this wrapped up, shall we? Rumor has it there’s going to be some people over at the bar later tonight to start the holiday celebrations. Wanna go?”
Sara looked up at Nick. She had forgotten it was the holiday season; the days had simply melded together, one after the other. “I’d like that.” And was rewarded with Nick’s smile.
+
On her last day, Sara spent the day trying to avoid the obligatory farewell parties. She had said her private good-byes with her friends and had just left Brass’s office after turning her weapon in. He had simply patted her shoulder and wished her luck. He didn’t mention Grissom or her decision to leave. It hadn’t come as a surprise to him, knowing it was inevitable, but he wondered if she realized how much Grissom would miss her when she had gone. He had a feeling that the Scotch hidden in his bottom drawer would be put to good use soon. Turning the corner, on her way out, she ran into Grissom. He stood in front of her, brandishing a clipboard. “Sara. Do you have a minute?”
She took a step towards him, “Now? I was just leaving.”
“It will only take a minute.” He motioned for her to precede him into his office. Sara sighed and made her way in. He stood behind his desk and Sara waited for him. Honestly, it felt like she was always waiting for him.
“Ecklie just wanted me to make sure that you had turned your weapon into Brass and left your badge here.”
Sara just stared at him, eyebrow arched. She was starting to get angry and was elated that she finally had the freedom to feel this upset. “Grissom, you don’t talk to me save for a few words in weeks and as I am walking out the door for the last time you stop me to talk about whether or not I turned my weapon in. What do you think?” She took a breath, “Do you think, for a friend, a good-bye, best of luck might have been a lot to ask?”
Grissom stared at her, slightly surprised. “Sara, I don’t know what to say.” He shifted awkwardly. “I hope you love your new job and it’s what you really want to do.”
“See that’s just it, Grissom. Sometimes it’s not about what you say or how you say it. There are times it just boils down to when you say it.” With that, Sara turned and left Las Vegas behind her.
original post
Sara/Grissom, 1863 words, PG-13,
Leaving this city meant leaving Grissom behind.
Part 1
Sara had asked Grissom to allow her the chance to tell the others. Finding herself sitting on a bench in the locker room, she took deep breaths trying to gather the strength to put into words the fact that she was really leaving. Overcoming her biggest hurdle was in telling Grissom, but everyone else had become, in a way, her family. Disappointing and losing them was her biggest fear. Not knowing how they would react, she just hoped that they would support her and she could tell them without words how much she would miss all of them.
Walking through the dimly lit corridor of the lab, Sara didn’t run into anyone as she made her way to the break room situated at the end of the hall. She stood in the doorway for a brief second taking in everyone as they ate and joked with each other. She would miss these guys, more than she thought possible. Greg with his ever evolving hairstyles and beguiling sense of humor, Warrick with his gorgeous eyes and sense of self-righteousness, and Nick, loaded with charm. She felt a compression on her chest and struggled to maintain her composure.
It was Nick who saw her in the doorway and waved her over. “Sara, waiting for an invitation?”
She just dropped her hands into her coat pocket and shrugged her shoulders. “Nope, actually I was looking for you guys.” She moved closer to the table where they sat. She took a seat and leaned back and struck, what she hoped was a casual pose. “I have something to share.”
Greg raised an eyebrow, “You’re not going to tell us you’ve run off and joined the traveling dance troupe…” His voice trailed off as he noticed the expression on Sara’s face. “Not leaving, right?”
“I accepted a position teaching on the East Coast and I’m going to start right after the holidays, I already told Grissom and I’m all set to go.” Sara let the words tumble out of her mouth, the faster she could say them, the sooner this would be over.
Silence greeted her announcement, their expressions relaying disbelief at her words. Warrick was the first to react, leaning over and slinging an arm around her shoulder. “Congratulations Sara, are you happy about the change?”
She tried to smile but it came out as more a lopsided grimace. “It’s something new for me, teaching, but I think I am ready for the challenge. I just hope they’re ready for me. Can you imagine me, a teacher?”
Warrick tilted his head back in a laugh. “I’m gonna miss you Sara. Who’s going to keep Greg…close your mouth, Greg.”
Greg was still staring at Sara, mouth still parted slightly. When he heard Warrick admonish him he snapped his mouth close. “When…when’s your last day?”
“Right after the holidays some time. I’ll have to pack over the next weeks or so and get things ready to be shipped. Not that I own a lot.” Sara shrugged her shoulders, while the room grew silent.
It was Nick who broke the awkward moment. He simply stood up and looked at Sara "You do what you have to do," turned and left. Greg and Warrick followed after him leaving her with a smile and a wave.
Nick's reaction stung her a bit. Of all people she expected him to understand her reasons. It wasn't like she was a crying, weeping beg-for-attention because she's leaving type of girl but she expected a little bit more from Nick.
+
The weeks traveled by quickly. Grissom, with Catherine's prodding, reluctantly hired another CSI to replace Sara. The crossover would be three weeks allowing everyone enough time to settle into a new routine. Greg had been thrilled, assuming the new person would be just that. The new guy, someone else to harass and something he wouldn’t be anymore. That is until he found out the new person was a highly successful CSI level three from the Los Angeles area. Greg pouted for days.
Sara found the days ticking by faster than she expected. She had barely spoken to Grissom since she handed in her resignation, almost as if he were avoiding her. Nick barely said two words to her in her presence and Greg stuck to her like glue. She missed Grissom, more than she cared to, and she hadn't even left yet. Even the tentative friendship they had formed over the past two years was preferable than this. Wondering if he was purposely avoiding her would accomplish nothing so she focused all her energy in bringing Kevin, the new CSI, up to speed. She discovered that his wife was an ER doctor that had recently transferred to Vegas and when the opportunity arose for him to follow her, he jumped at the chance. Kevin had a charming smile and a laid back demeanor that belied the intensity in his eyes. Sara knew he would mesh well with the team and reluctantly admitted to herself he would be a perfect addition.
Sara had not envisioned moving across the country would be so complicated; there was so much chaos in her apartment. Standing outside her bedroom door and staring into her apartment as far as the eye could see there were boxes strewn everywhere; piles of clothes, dishes, books laid out ready to be boxed. Moving into the middle of her apartment she wondered when she had accumulated so much stuff. She guessed the better part of ten years adds up fast. Where to begin? The knock on her door startled her out of her contemplation. She hesitated; it was rare that she received any visitors. Rare.
Peering out she saw Nick standing there holding two cups and a bag of what she assumed were bagels. She didn’t need to wonder why her heart was racing and why she felt a momentary flash of disappointment at the sight of Nick. He wasn’t Grissom. She still held out a small hope that he would avail himself to her; of their friendship before she walked out of his life because a small part of her knew that she wouldn’t work to maintain what was left of their shattered friendship. Leaving this city meant leaving Grissom and all that entailed.
She swung open the door and donned a broad smile, “Hey, Nick.”
He just smiled up at her, slightly sheepish, and handed her the hot beverages. “I came to help.” She took the drinks and waved him in. He glanced around the apartment. “Looks like you needed it.”
“Yeah, well…it kind of escaped a bit from me.” She shrugged. “I didn’t realize I had this much stuff.”
For the next several hours, walls were stripped, books packed in boxes and several years of Sara’s life were tucked away. They worked in companionable silence with an odd exclamation every now and then from Sara as she found something she had thought lost. Nick had to pry old photo albums away from her, as she was easily distracted. When Sara’s stomach grumbled at her for food, she looked down at her watch only to realize that most of the day had gone and dusk was settling in. “Pizza?” she called to Nick, who nodded his assent adding, “as long as there’s a lot of stuff on it.”
The smell of pizza enticed Nick to finish his box and stack it in the corner of the room along with the others. The room looked organized and sadly, ready to be moved out.
“I’m sorry about…” Sara cut him off. “It’s ok. I know.”
Nick shook his head, “No, it’s not ok. I was a jerk and you should call me on it. I just want to make sure you’re doing this for the right reasons, Sara. That this is really what you want.”
Sara finished her pizza and balled her napkin up. Standing up, she brought her dish into the kitchen and turned to stare back at Nick. “I came here for all the wrong reasons but I’m leaving for the right ones.”
“Can you be so sure?”
“For the first time, I can say that confidently. Honestly Nick, I didn’t seek out this opportunity although I think a part of me has been waiting for it. This is good, believe me. Don’t think for one minute I won’t miss you guys. I will, terribly. I have to do this. It’s time.” The last was said on a softer note, which Nick did not miss. The whole thing was insane to him so he just let it go. Whatever she needed, he would be there to help her with.
“Let’s get this wrapped up, shall we? Rumor has it there’s going to be some people over at the bar later tonight to start the holiday celebrations. Wanna go?”
Sara looked up at Nick. She had forgotten it was the holiday season; the days had simply melded together, one after the other. “I’d like that.” And was rewarded with Nick’s smile.
+
On her last day, Sara spent the day trying to avoid the obligatory farewell parties. She had said her private good-byes with her friends and had just left Brass’s office after turning her weapon in. He had simply patted her shoulder and wished her luck. He didn’t mention Grissom or her decision to leave. It hadn’t come as a surprise to him, knowing it was inevitable, but he wondered if she realized how much Grissom would miss her when she had gone. He had a feeling that the Scotch hidden in his bottom drawer would be put to good use soon. Turning the corner, on her way out, she ran into Grissom. He stood in front of her, brandishing a clipboard. “Sara. Do you have a minute?”
She took a step towards him, “Now? I was just leaving.”
“It will only take a minute.” He motioned for her to precede him into his office. Sara sighed and made her way in. He stood behind his desk and Sara waited for him. Honestly, it felt like she was always waiting for him.
“Ecklie just wanted me to make sure that you had turned your weapon into Brass and left your badge here.”
Sara just stared at him, eyebrow arched. She was starting to get angry and was elated that she finally had the freedom to feel this upset. “Grissom, you don’t talk to me save for a few words in weeks and as I am walking out the door for the last time you stop me to talk about whether or not I turned my weapon in. What do you think?” She took a breath, “Do you think, for a friend, a good-bye, best of luck might have been a lot to ask?”
Grissom stared at her, slightly surprised. “Sara, I don’t know what to say.” He shifted awkwardly. “I hope you love your new job and it’s what you really want to do.”
“See that’s just it, Grissom. Sometimes it’s not about what you say or how you say it. There are times it just boils down to when you say it.” With that, Sara turned and left Las Vegas behind her.
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