Sources

Chapter 28

"Okay, that's the third time your stomach has growled. Can we stop for lunch now?"

Grissom tried to hide his smirk. "You don't want to eat the sandwiches your mom packed?"

"Ugh," Sara gagged. "And I wonder why I never learned to cook. She can't even construct a decent sandwich. At least mine is cheese, yours is week-old pot roast."

"What about the pumpkin bread that Trudy and Mrs. Kesley baked us?"

"I want lunch, Grissom," Sara whined.

They were driving north on I-15, having gotten an early start that morning. After leaving Moody Blues, they'd stopped at Laura Sidle's house for an emotional goodbye.

"You know, I think my mom hugged you more than she hugged me," she pouted, sticking her arm out the car window to ride the breeze. "Plus I'm letting you play the alpha male by driving. Humor me."

Grissom quirked an eyebrow in concession. "There's a McDonald's at the next exit, I'll get off there."

"No way, no McDonald's," Sara said vehemently. "They use meat in the seasoning of their fries."

"Please tell me I don't have to watch for a Teriyaki Tofu exit," he groaned.

"Burger King and Wendy's are fine. Plus, Burger King has a veggie burger. You just have to make sure they microwave it, instead of cooking it on the meaty stove."

"Burger King it is," he said decisively. "Tell me when you see an exit for one, and I'll get off."

"Speaking of getting off." she purred, turning to rake her eyes over his body, "where on earth did you learn to do that thing with your mouth?"

"Well." he said, waggling his brows at her. "Sometimes it pays to study physiology and anatomy."

She smiled at him. "Grissom?"

"Sara?"

"Are we dating?"

He didn't answer, and she felt her stomach start to coil. "Griss?"

The car lurched to the right unexpectedly, as he veered over to the breakdown lane and stopped the car abruptly. "Grissom, what are you-"

Words and conscious thought scattered as he leaned over and devoured her mouth, one hand tangled in her hair and the other clutching her hip. She moaned into his lips as he deepened the kiss, reveling in the softness of his lips and the tickle of his beard on her chin. After a minute, he pulled away, staring at her with an intensity that frightened her.

"Look, Sara. I don't want to date you," he said fiercely. "I don't. I don't like that word."

Sara had no idea what to think. "What's wrong with dating?"

He looked at the road, clenching his jaw tightly. "It implies. I don't know. that we're shopping around. Trying things out. Dating."

She chose her words carefully. "What would you like to call us, then?"

"Together," he said firmly, turning back to her. "Sara. last night." he shook his head. "It was the best night of my life."

"Mine too," she whispered, unable to tear her eyes away from his.

"I don't want it to end."

"Me neither."

"Promise me it won't end." He closed his eyes, embarrassed by the desperation in his voice.

"I promise."

"I couldn't handle losing you."

"Me neither."

He opened his eyes to see tears glistening on Sara's cheeks. They gazed at each other, both trying to memorize every detail of the other's face, while contemplating the idea that they wouldn't have to.

"I love you."

They said the words in unison, then giggled at the inanity of it all.

"Grissom. what about the lab? What about Mandy? Are we keeping this quiet, for now?"

He looked pensive. "You'll have to tell Mandy, since she's living with you. Not the sort of thing you could hide from her easily. Can she keep a secret?"

Sara nodded.

"As for the lab," he continued, "let's not tell them yet. I need to figure out how to deal with Ecklie. Warrick won't mind sitting on this for a while."

"Especially if we give him incentive," she said, her eyes twinkling.

Grissom chuckled. "A wager?" he guessed.

"Totally! Who do you think will figure it out first? Catherine?"

"Probably," he agreed with a sigh. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Grissom?" she asked softly.

"Yeah?"

"I'm still hungry."

With a mock scowl, he pulled the car back onto the highway, merging into traffic. Sara took her cell phone out of her purse and dialed.

"Man? Hey, it's me. Yeah, I'm coming home. So are you alone right now? Can you keep a secret? Even from Nick?" She lowered her voice and murmured into the phone.

Grissom wondered what she was saying, until he heard Mandy shriek, "Together? You're together?" He couldn't help laughing breathlessly. Between the wind in his hair and the nervous burst of adrenaline, it felt like he was on the most dangerous roller coaster of his life.