The Loophole

Chapter 9

"Hold your head still."

"I hate you."

"Fine, hate me all you want, but hold your head still."

Catherine, much to Sara's dismay, had shown up on Saturday evening armed with hot rollers and gallons of hair spray. She was in the midst of creating a complicated mass of twisted curls atop Sara's head.

"I still don't understand why I have to primp for this thing," Sara huffed.

"May I remind you that you and Gil are only together because of a regulation loophole," Catherine said sharply. "God only knows what Ecklie's told the new sheriff about you two. You need to make a good impression."

Sara pouted, inadvertently allowing Catherine access to dab on some lipstick.

"Be still my heart," Grissom grinned from the doorway. "So, let me get this straight. I'll arrive at the reception escorting the two loveliest ladies in the room?"

Catherine rolled her eyes at Sara, who managed a tiny smile. "Save it, Gil. I'm done dolling up your girl here, so I've got to run. See you there?"

Grissom nodded and stepped to the side to let her pass. He sighed, his eyes softening as he looked at Sara. "You sure you want to go to this thing?"

She scowled slightly, fastening her earring. "Politics, Grissom, remember? Besides, you can't back out, you're already dressed." The tuxedo looked fantastic on him, and she tried not to stare.

"True," he said, leaning against the doorframe. "But I'd rather spend the evening in bed with you."

It was impossible to be angry with him when he said things like that. Half a year ago, she'd wondered what a hug from him would feel like. Now she couldn't fall asleep without his hand on her hip.

"Let's get it over with."

"The invitation said seven," Sara said, looking around. "Where is everyone?"

Grissom grunted. "Maybe we got here during a lull."

They made their way through the empty hotel lobby toward the ballroom. Right before they reached the door, he grabbed her hand.

"Don't get mad," he breathed, and her heart sank.

She met his gaze with trepidation as he shrugged shyly, opening the door. She turned to enter the room and stopped short in shock.

Everyone was there, it seemed. Day shift, night shift, lab techs, their neighbors, even Sara's old friends from college. A band was playing, and couples were already spinning on the dance floor. Huge photos of Grissom and Sara lined the walls, and the tables were sectioned off with crime scene tape.

"Oh my god," she said, spinning around to stare at him. "You didn't."

He cocked his head at her, smiling adorably. "We never did get a reception."

Their friends rushed forward to hug her, exclaiming over her dress and hair while Catherine beamed with pride. Greg handed her a test tube full of liquid, while Grissom got a beaker.

"Sparkling cider," he confided. "Because some of us have to work after this."

Nick pointed to the left side of the room. "Make sure you stop over there at some point. We're playing Guess the Unknown Substance. You can only use a black light and a Bunsen burner to try and figure it out. Winner gets a jar of Red Creeper. Grissom's idea."

"Wow," she said, turning to Grissom. "You're a dork."

"Yup. Let's go sit down."

A tiny, white-haired woman was waiting at their table, and wrapped her arms around Sara when they arrived. "Hello there, sweetheart," she said fondly. "I've missed you."

Grissom's mother, Patricia, had taken Sara on as her own daughter from the moment they'd met. Pulling back, Sara grinned. "I've missed you too. When did you get out here?"

"Yesterday evening," Patricia replied. "Gil picked me up from the airport and dropped me off at the hotel. Couldn't stop talking about how surprised you'd be."

Catherine sat down next to Patricia and struck up a conversation while Sara looked at Grissom, tears of relief in her eyes.

"What's the matter?" Grissom asked, concerned.

"I thought. you were having an affair," she admitted, hanging her head. "You kept sneaking around. I thought you were running off with someone else."

He looked at her as though she were crazy. "That would never happen!"

"Why? Because you can't get anyone better?"

"No, because there is no one better."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "You keep that up, and you're gonna get lucky tonight."

He choked on his cider. "I'm really glad my mom is deaf."

The meal, to Sara's delight, was vegetarian, and dessert was a giant cake iced to look like a fingerprint.

After they finished eating, Patricia signed to Grissom in a flurry of fingers, and he nodded.

"What'd she say?"

"She says it's time I gave you this." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a jeweler's box. Sara opened it and slipped on the engagement ring, beaming.

"I'm glad you didn't throw us a second wedding," she murmured in his ear.

"I'd never do that," Grissom said, then cocked an eyebrow. "Where would I get the ladybug costume?"

His beeper sounded, and he glanced at it. "I've got to check this. Be right back." He walked to the far side of the room to get better cell phone reception while their friends gathered around Sara to admire her new ring.

"Platinum band," Catherine said approvingly. "Much better for your skin tone."

"Wow," said Greg, looking thoughtful. "You've got the engagement ring, the wedding bands, and you're living together. You're, like. a normal couple now."

Sara started to respond, but was cut off by the frenzied return of her husband.

"Body found off of I-15," Grissom panted. "Hands and feet are missing, and it looks like someone put the internal organs through a meat grinder and reinserted them. Bugs everywhere."

Sara's eyes lit up. "I'll change in the car!"

They ran out of the restaurant, oblivious to the bemused glances of the onlookers.

"Yeah." Warrick said, shaking his head. "I don't think they ever have to worry about being normal."

The End