Fandom: CSI Rating: R Pairing: G/S Summary: A sequel to Rollercoaster, which really should be read first. Disclaimer: Some of the characters and situations in this story belong to Alliance Atlantis, CBS, Anthony Zuicker and other entities, and I do not have permission to borrow them.  Others strongly resemble characters that sort of belong to ABC, though I seriously doubt anyone cares at this point.  The rest belong to me, and if you want to play with them, you have to ask me first.  No infringement is intended in any way, and this story is not for profit.  Any errors are mine, all mine, no you can't have any.   Spoilers: general fifth season through "Unbearable" Note: This is an AU futurefic that includes a number of original characters.      ********* Grissom opened his door to find Sara leaning in the doorframe with a teasing grin. “You busy today?” she asked. In answer, he pulled her inside and kissed her soundly. The muffled sound she made against his lips was a hungry one, and Grissom rejoiced in the fact that she seemed to want him as much as he wanted her. She was strong and pliant under his hands, and he realized dimly that he’d backed her into the wall, but before he could pull back and apologize she’d yanked him closer. Guess I don’t need to worry. He gave himself up to delight. “This is really remarkable,” he said much later, when they were curled up together in his bed, sweaty and satisfied. Sara grinned at him. “I’d say it’s more like awesome, but yeah.” Grissom chuckled. “I agree, but that’s not what I mean. Aren’t new lovers usually awkward with one another?” “We were awkward,” she pointed out teasingly. “That whole up against the wall thing needs some work.” He felt his cheeks heating slightly, but didn’t let it deter him. “I’ll be happy to practice, but you know very well that I’m talking about just...being together in the first place.” Sara rubbed her nose against his bare shoulder. “Yeah, I know. I guess we just know each other well enough.” Grissom let his arm tighten around her, sighing a little for those lost years. “There’s that.” Her hand rested on his chest, and he knew she’d forgiven him. He pulled it to his lips for a kiss, then arched a brow at her. “Not to complain, but aren’t you supposed to be at work?” She snickered. “I worked straight through the last couple of days, so Toby kicked me out. Normally I’d go back and bug him, but I figured I’d bug you instead.” “Any time,” Grissom told her, pleased beyond measure. “And when you fall over from lack of sleep, I’ll just prop you in a corner.” She made to tickle him in revenge until Grissom caught her wrist. “I took a nap before I came over here, falling asleep in the middle of sex is a no-no.” That made him laugh again. “I’ll keep that in mind. Are you hungry?” The look Sara shot him was undeniably suggestive, but she merely grinned. “I could eat lunch.” Over homemade pizza Grissom retrieved from the freezer they chatted about Sara’s work and the book Grissom was thinking of writing, but his mind kept returning to the evening before and the sleeping children. Eventually Sara polished off her crust and propped an elbow on the table, setting her chin in her palm and fixing him with an inquiring stare. “Okay, what is it?” “Hmm?” Grissom wiped his fingers on his napkin. “You’ve got something on your mind. Spill it.” Grissom felt his jaw shift, and decided to be equally direct. “Sara...what do you want?” He looked so dreadfully earnest, his hair ruffled and his shoulders tensed. Sara felt her amusement fading at the seriousness in Grissom’s eyes. “Can you be more specific?” she asked cautiously. He sighed, and leaned across the table to wrap his fingers around her hand, the clasp warm and reassuring. “I...don’t want to push, Sara, but we--I--don’t have a lot of time to make decisions. I need to know...what you want.” It was obvious what he meant, and Sara decided to be direct. “I want to be with you, Gil. That’s what I’ve wanted for years.” He smiled as though he couldn’t help it, that gently reverent look passing over his face. “That’s what I want too. But--do you want to stay here with your family? Come back to Vegas? Go somewhere else?” “That depends on what you want,” she pointed out. “Being a special agent is kind of portable; or I could switch careers again.” She squeezed his hand. “I don’t think Ed’s going to be staying here much longer anyway, he got an offer to teach in California.” Grissom’s brows went up. “You think he’ll take it?” he asked, diverted. Sara grinned. “I think he’d be an idiot to turn it down--and while Ed can be a twit sometimes, he’s not dumb.” She tilted her head. “What do you want to do?” He shrugged. “Sara, sweetheart, whatever you want is fine with me. The most important thing to me is to be with you.” Sara sighed, half in love and half in exasperation. “Okay, I get that. But what do you want? I mean, assuming all else were equal, what’s your best-case scenario?” Grissom hesitated, and she gave him an encouraging look. “Las Vegas,” he said at last, tentatively. “When I think about the future, that’s what I see--both of us back in Las Vegas, at my house. Or even in a new one, if you’d prefer. There’s a Bureau office in Vegas…” He trailed off, looking uncertain. Sara leaned forward and kissed him. “Okay,” she told him. “That’s good to know.” She let his hand go and stood up. “Excuse me a second.” Grissom’s eyes were puzzled, but he didn’t protest as she retrieved her cellphone from her purse and flipped it open. Her boss answered on the second ring. “Hey, Toby, it’s Sara.” “No, you can’t come in,” he told her, and she snickered. “I’m not calling about that, boss. I’m calling to implement Plan B.” There was a little silence, which surprised her. “You sure?” he asked at last. “Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” “Damn.” Washington sighed. “All right, I’ll start things moving. And tell that boyfriend of yours to treat you right, or he’ll be in a world of hurt.” “I’ll do that,” Sara said drolly. “I thought you’d be happy for me.” “Oh, I am.” He sighed again. “I just hate to lose you, Sidle. The Vegas bureau doesn’t know how lucky it is.” Touched, Sara smiled. “Thanks, Toby. I’ll miss you too.” Across the room she could see Grissom watching her, one arm over the back of his chair, his brows going up at her words. “See you tomorrow.” Washington said goodbye, and Sara closed the phone, feeling a mixture of anticipation and slight apprehension. Her job had been half her stability over the past three-and-a-half years. But I’ve got something much better now. She put the phone away and returned to Grissom, unable to resist the opportunity to stand behind his chair and wrap her arms around his shoulders. His hands came up to squeeze her arms gently. “Plan B?” he inquired. “A transfer to the Las Vegas office,” she replied, and kissed his temple. Grissom’s hands tightened on her forearms. “What was Plan A?” he asked. Sara laughed. “Staying in D.C. Toby insisted that I do it in that order.” Grissom twisted in the chair, slipping his arms around her waist and bringing her down into his lap. It was an awkward position in the small chair, but Sara didn’t care; Grissom was holding her tightly, his head bent so his face was pressed against her shoulder. “Thank you,” he said, his voice muffled. Words seemed superfluous. Sara just held him, until he started laying kisses along her collarbone. She tried to lift his head to kiss his lips, but he wouldn’t let her, eventually startling her by slipping his arm under her knees and lifting her as he stood. “Gil--” “Shhh.” She’d seen his expression before--eyes wide and focused like a laser--when he was concentrating on some piece of vital evidence, but never turned on her. He carried her into his bedroom and laid her down on the rumpled sheets. Not at all averse, Sara reached for the hem of his shirt, but Grissom caught her wrists gently. “No,” he told her. “My turn.” She arched a curious brow and waited to see what he would do. Grissom propped his head on his hand and watched Sara sleep beside him. She looked younger when asleep, her face smoothed out, with only the faint pucker between her brows to tell him she might be dreaming. There were still violet shadows under her eyes, but they were fainter than they had been that morning. “So beautiful,” he whispered softly, and she didn’t stir. He was still shaken by her casual announcement that she’d just put in for a transfer to Vegas, her easy acceding to his desires. I don’t deserve this. He was still a little surprised at his own reaction, as well, but Sara hadn’t had any objections to being thoroughly loved. It had been quite some time since he’d used a few of those tricks, but a good memory could be a blessing, and the sound of her crying out in ecstasy again and again had been balm to his ears. Grissom lay down beside her. He wasn’t sleepy, but lying next to Sara and listening to her breathe was all he wanted to do at the moment. In his imagination, she’d always slept in a sprawl, arms outflung, taking up mattress space like a cat, but in reality she curled in on herself, hands against her chest and her knees tucked up. He wondered if she were cold, or if it was old habit, a seeking of comfort. Just in case it was cold, he pulled the sheet up over her. To his dismay, she snuffled and woke, blinking and smiling drowsily. “Go back to sleep,” he whispered, but her smile widened and she stretched luxuriously, a process that rather riveted his attention. “Damn, you know how to make a girl feel good,” she said happily, ending the stretch and letting her legs tangle with his. “You’re going to have to let me try that sometime.” Grissom felt himself relaxing. “With pleasure,” he punned, to make her snicker. “Sara...” Her face softened, and she reached out to stroke his beard with the backs of her fingers. “Don’t doubt,” she whispered, and kissed him, soft and lingering. “This is what’s supposed to happen. We’ll go back to Vegas, and we’ll make it work.” It seemed such a simple solution to all his pondering, but Grissom was heartened by her faith. Once Sara has her mind set on something... “Okay,” he said. And believed her. Sara sank down in the chair opposite Gracie and blew out a breath of relief. “Sorry I’m late,” she said, pitching her voice to be heard over the rumble of the busy diner. “Traffic.” “That’s okay,” Gracie answered, her smile not quite as cheerful as usual but some long-held strain gone from her face. “I only just got here.” She passed Sara a menu. “What’s so secret that you couldn’t talk about it at the house?” Sara shrugged and flipped the folder open, though she was pretty sure she already knew what she wanted. “It’s not a secret, I just figured that we’d have fewer interruptions here. You know the kids want to be where you are.” Gracie chuckled ruefully, though she didn’t look as though she minded. “Too true.” She took a sip of her water. “So give already.” Sara set the menu aside. “Ed told you about Whitney, right?” She knew he had. The other woman’s humor ebbed. “Yes, he did. I told him he should go, it’s an amazing opportunity.” “He’s getting bored with NIAID,” Sara agreed. The server arrived to take their orders; Gracie settled on a cheeseburger, while Sara wanted a fish sandwich and a milkshake. Gracie folded her arms and fixed Sara with a stern look as soon as the boy was gone, a glare belied by the curve at the corner of her mouth. “Well?” “Are you going with him? I know he asked,” Sara said, eschewing subtlety. Gracie looked away, her good humor vanishing. “I...” When she didn’t continue, Sara leaned her elbows on the table. “He loves you, Grace. You know that.” “Yeah.” A rosy blush stained Gracie’s face for a moment. “He told me that, but I kind of knew already.” Sara chuckled. “Ed’s a straightforward guy.” Gracie nodded, still not meeting Sara’s eyes. “I just...I...want to go, but...” “But?” Sara prodded softly. “You love him, he loves you, the kids love you. What’s the problem?” “I won’t be beholden to him.” Gracie straightened her shoulders proudly, looking up at last. “That’s no way to begin a relationship.” Sara didn’t bother with all the logical arguments about give and take and the fact that Ed had plenty of money. In her position I’d feel the same way. Gracie had worked so hard and so long to remain independent; she wasn’t about to give that up, even for love. “How many more credits do you need for your degree?” she asked. Gracie’s brows drew together in slight confusion at the change in subject. “Fourteen or fifteen, I think.” Sara grinned at her. “Want a loan?” The other woman’s jaw dropped. Sara leaned back. “Whitney’s a great school,” she pointed out. “And if you apply for a transfer now you can probably start there this fall.” “But--” Gracie started, then stopped. “I can afford it,” Sara said, answering the unasked question. “C’mon, Grace, I never do anything but work, and I live at Ed’s rent-free--all I do is split the utilities and buy groceries once in a while.” Gracie shook herself. “But what about you and Doctor G? The two of you are--” “We’re going back to Vegas,” Sara interrupted. “He’s already got a house there.” She pointed a stern finger at Gracie. “Don’t tell Ed--I haven’t had a chance to.” “Gotcha.” Gracie smiled with genuine pleasure. “I’m so glad you two have settled it, though.” Sara felt her cheeks heating, but shrugged. “Pretty much, yeah. So--Whitney?” Gracie looked thoughtful. “I suppose I could find something small out there.” “Good. You think about it.” Sara smiled, satisfied for the moment. Ed was in the kitchen when Sara got home, deep in making something complicated involving shrimp, but he looked up as soon as she entered. “How’d it go?” She smiled on his anxious expression. “Pretty well, she’s thinking about it. Don’t push too hard and I think she’ll go with you.” Ed heaved a huge sigh. “Thanks, sis.” Rather to her surprise, he leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek. She patted his shoulder. “You’re welcome. I like her, you know that--she’s good for you.” “Yeah, well, you’re going to have to help me pick out a ring before we leave.” Sara stared at him. “Didn’t you hear what I said? I told you not to push!” “I’m not going to ask her here,” Ed said with exaggerated patience. “But I want the feminine point of view, so to speak. And I am going to ask her.” Sara went to the fridge and took out two beers, waving one at Ed; he nodded, and she set them both on the counter while she found the bottle opener. “I thought she said she wouldn’t even consider that kind of thing until she graduated.” Ed shrugged, and took the bottle she handed him. “Things are different now. I love her, Sar. I want her to be part of this family, and I know better than to wait too long.” His face was set, and Sara knew that despite his easygoing ways, he could be just as stubborn as she when something was important enough. She cocked her head, conceding, and raised her beer to him. “Good luck.” He set down his after a swallow and gave her a pointed look. “And what about you? If you guys want this place, I could--” Sara shook her head. “We’re, ah, going back to Vegas.” Ed was silent a moment, slicing vegetables. “Is that what you want?” he asked at last. “It’s what he wants. What I want is to be with him. Toby’s working on the transfer for me.” She took another drink, waiting to see what Ed would say. “You sure?” He stared down at the cutting board. Sara leaned back against the island. “Yep. Ed, if you guys are leaving, then I’ve got nothing to keep me here. The FBI has never been about climbing the ranks to me, it’s about doing the work and finding closure for people. I can do that just as easily in Vegas, and hang out with my old friends in the bargain.” Ed nodded slowly, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. “It’s closer to L.A., too,” he pointed out. “Yep.” Sara left her bottle on the counter and gave him a brief hug from behind. “Though there are such things as planes, you know. I’m not going to abandon you guys.” “I know.” Ed’s hands were shrimpy, so he hugged her arms closer to him with his elbows. “I know.” A shrill jingle came from the living room, the sound of Ed’s cellphone. Sara released her brother. “Want me to get it?” “Please.” Ed went on slicing. Rather than answering the phone, Sara simply opened it and held it up to Ed’s ear; he tucked it into the curve of his shoulder with a practiced motion. “Sidle.” She hadn’t glanced at the display; Sara watched idly, sipping beer and wondering a little who it was. Ed was looking slightly puzzled. “Yeah--she’s--no? Okay.” He listened for a few seconds, knife suspended in air. “Really? Seriously, man, I think you’re asking the wrong person...No--okay, okay...how the hell should I know?” His glance towards Sara was bemused. “Well, of course not...Sure, okay...Yeah, that’ll work, I think, let me get back to you...talk to you later.” As the conversation ceased, Sara stepped forward to take the phone back and shut it off. “Who was that?” Ed was shaking his head. “Somebody who wants me for a consult.” He glanced at her one more time, an odd look. “When are you guys leaving for Vegas?” Sara shrugged, picking up her beer again. “We don’t know yet. He’ll probably go out there first, after he gets his mom settled; I have to wait for the transfer to go through.” “Fair enough.” Ed swept his chopped vegetables into a pan. “Everything’s happening at once, I guess.” “What’s the matter?” Sara asked, sensing something in the way he held his shoulders. He shrugged, then washed his hands at the sink before turning to pull her into an unexpected hug. “Stay in touch,” he muttered into her hair. “I don’t want to lose you again, sis.” Sara’s heart ached at the love in his tone, and at the sense of home in his arms. “Don’t worry, Ed, you’re never getting rid of me.” “Better not,” he said, and squeezed her tighter.      Chapter 1     Chapter 2     Chapter 3     Chapter 4     Chapter 5     Chapter 6     Chapter 7     Chapter 8     Chapter 9     Chapter 10 Chapter 11     Chapter 12     Chapter 13     Chapter 14     Chapter 15     Chapter 16     Chapter 17    Chapter 18     Chapter 19     Chapter 20     Chapter 21    Chapter 22     Chapter 23     Chapter 24     Chapter 25     Chapter 26     Chapter 27     Chapter 28     Chapter 29     Chapter 30     Chapter 31     Chapter 32     Chapter 33      Chapter 34     Chapter 35     Chapter 36     Chapter 37     Chapter 38 Chapter 39     Chapter 40 CSI Home Feedback