Author's Notes: Thanks to everyone who's stuck with this story. And to everyone who understands that the creative process is just that, a process. And it doesn't necessarily work on a timed schedule. Unfortunately;)
All I Have to Do
by Kristen Elizabeth
"All rise. Court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Clarence O'Neil presiding."
Sara stood with the rest of the small crowd gathered to witness her husband's day in court. He was only two rows up, standing next to Brady as the judge entered and took his own seat, but it seemed like miles. He was too far for her to reach out and take his hand like she suspected he needed as much as she did.
Several flashbulbs went off, reminding her that there were at least a few members of the press interested in the assault trial of a prominent CSI. She turned her head just a bit and caught sight of Wendy Miller in the back row. She gave Sara two thumbs up, and Sara tried to return a smile, but it came out very weak.
"Take your seats," the judge ordered. "I'll hear opening statements now. I flipped a coin in my chambers." He pointed at the prosecution's table. "You're first, Mr. Rowland. And I suggest you keep me interested. I've only had one cup of coffee this morning."
Sara had been in Judge O'Neil's courtroom before. It was never a dull experience.
Chuck Rowland stood up and buttoned his suit jacket with all the confident ease of a man who thought he had something in the bag.
"Your Honor, this is a simple case. There is a law that expressly prohibits one person from physically attacking another person. Gil Grissom broke that law when he broke JJ Walker's nose. Now we all know that he is one of the good guys." He used air quotes, and if Sara hadn't already hated him, that would have sealed the deal. "But even supposedly good guys do bad things. And their former good deeds shouldn't excuse them from punishment." He pointed to Grissom. "I ask you to consider only the law, Your Honor. Law that, as Aristotle decreed, is free of passion. When you do, you'll find Dr. Grissom guilty, and send the message that there is no one who is above justice. Thank you."
As soon as the ADA sat down, Brady sprung to his feet. He didn't bother buttoning his jacket.
"There's one word missing from Mr. Rowland's oversimplification of this case that makes it anything but simple. Provocation." He paused for effect. "Did Gil Grissom assault JJ Walker? That fact is not in question. Should he be punished for it?" Brady shook his head. "No. Acting in defense of himself and his wife, he took a course of action that the law recognizes. Because the law is not black and white. And it's certainly not free of passion. Allowances are made, and if we deny anyone their rights merely to turn them into an example, how can we call ourselves just at all?"
"Thank you, Mr. Brady…Mr. Rowland," Judge O'Neil said after he sat back down. "You were both surprisingly and pleasantly brief." He adjusted his glasses. "Mr. Rowland, call your first witness."
Again the man stood and again he buttoned his coat back up. "Your Honor, the State calls JJ Walker."
The judge granted a two hour recess for lunch after the prosecution finished with JJ. Brady turned down Grissom's officer to join him and Sara. He would be turning the tables on JJ after lunch, and needed to be prepared.
The testimony had been everything they expected, complete with enlarged pictures of JJ's broken nose. Grissom wasn't sure if it had worked on the judge or not, but it certainly had him wishing for another moment alone with the man.
Fortunately he had Sara by his side. She held his hand as they walked out of the courtroom, dodging reporters and cameras. They bought sandwiches from the cafeteria and took them into an empty conference room.
They didn't speak for a long time as they ate. When Grissom noticed Sara put down her cheese sandwich, he set down his own and blotted his mouth on a paper napkin, prepared for whatever she had to say.
"Gil," she began. "A reporter from Channel 10 approached me awhile back." She paused, and he refused to let himself jump in until she'd finished. "She wants to do a piece on you. Your life. Your career." Sara hesitated again. "She thinks the public will love you. Like I do." She rushed on, "Before you dismiss this out of hand, really think about it. Who pays the DA's and the Sheriff's and even Ecklie's paychecks? The taxpayers. In the end, who has the power over them?"
Confused, he frowned. "Sara, half the people in this city don't even know what an entomologist is."
"That's what the piece would do. It would let them know you. Everything you've done for them. And how they'll be less safe if you're not around to catch criminals."
"Why does that feel like emotional blackmail?"
"Because it is. And frankly, it sucks. But if it works…" Sara reached for his hand. "Will you consider it?"
Grissom took off his glasses with his free hand. "Honey…"
"Please."
One look in her eyes had him giving in with a sigh. "I'll think about it."
Sara nodded. "Okay." She picked up her sandwich again and took a bite. "The baby likes grilled cheese," she mumbled with a slight smirk.
There was a smattering of crumbs on her lower lip. Grissom leaned forward and kissed her, on the pretense of clearing them away. She tasted of butter and toasted bread; he just hoped his roast beef wouldn't offend her.
It didn't appear to, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him further into the kiss.
"Is that door locked?" she whispered.
He nodded.
"How much longer until we're due back?"
Grissom tickled the corner of her lip with his tongue. "Long enough."
She wound up on her back on the conference table, lunch forgotten. Clothes were pushed aside in haste, baring only what was necessary. He sank into her with abandon. The world didn't exist when he was buried in Sara. She had the power to make everything else seem insignificant.
He looked down at her just as she looked up at him. "You take my goddamn breath away," he told her. "Every time."
Sara closed her eyes, her back arching slightly beneath him. "I feel the same way." Her nails dug into his upper shoulders. "More…please."
Grissom ducked his head to kiss her, on a mission to grant her every desire.
"Mr. Walker." Brady approached the witness box. "Why were you in the custody of the Las Vegas Police Department?"
"Objection. Relevance?"
The judge waved his hand. "Overruled."
Sara could actually see JJ's jaw grinding. "I was being questioned."
"Questioned about what?"
"They think I killed some girl." He shook his head. "I didn't kill her. They got the wrong guy. They usually do."
"Did they have the wrong guy when they arrested you for assaulting CSI Sidle, now better known as Mrs. Gil Grissom?"
Sara kept her expression neutral as the judge looked straight at her. She wouldn't be doing her husband any favors by appearing nervous or unsettled.
"I was high," JJ said. "I didn't know what I was doing."
"And when the supposed attack on you took place? Were you high then?"
"No." He scowled at Grissom. "I remember every second of my nose getting busted."
Brady smiled. "Then you must also remember your comments to CSI Sidle. How you imagined she might like rough intercourse, etcetera?"
"Just talk. Didn't mean it."
"But how was Mr. Grissom to know that? You assaulted her physically and then verbally. It would be safe to assume that at that moment Mr. Grissom truly believed that her well-being was in danger."
"Objection! Specu…"
Judge O'Neil cut Rowland off. "Calm down. I went to law school, too. Stick to the facts, Mr. Brady."
"The fact is CSI Sidle was in danger from you. And Mr. Grissom knew it. You provoked him. And he did what he had to do in order to protect her." Brady shrugged. "It's as simple as that."
"Your Honor," Rowland complained.
"I'm done with this witness," Brady said with more than a little disdain.
"Good." The judge glanced at his court services officer who nodded at him. "Court is adjourned until nine a.m. tomorrow. Good night folks." He banged his gavel and stood to go.
Sara stood with everyone else, but she didn't start breathing until the judge had disappeared into his chambers. As the small crowd began to disperse, she came up behind her husband and reached for his hand.
"I'm on the stand in the morning," she whispered in his ear.
Grissom laced their fingers together. "Come on. Let's go home."
After dinner, Sara drew a hot bath and added plenty of her favorite scented soap. She slipped into the bubbles and willed her body to relax and soak in the comforting heat while she could. She'd read something about how it wasn't good to take hot baths in the later stages of pregnancy.
While she lounged in the water, Grissom entered the bathroom. She cracked one eye open and watched him lower the toilet seat cover to make a seat. He didn't speak for a long time, and Sara let him be. Whatever thoughts were occupying his mind, he needed time to work them out.
It turned out to be worth her wait.
"I'll talk to the reporter," Grissom finally said. "But only about my career. My childhood, my mother…you…off-limits."
"Don't we make you who you are?"
"Yes. That's why I can't share you with Channel 10's viewing audience."
Sara inclined her head. "I think that's more than fair."
The sound of the water filled the room as she drew her knees up to her chest. Soon she wouldn't be able to do that at all, she realized. She had better enjoy her flexibility while she could.
Grissom stood up. "I'm either desperate to keep my job…or I really would do anything for you."
Sara watched his retreating back. "Again," she whispered. "I feel the same way."
To Be Continued