Love Isn't Always on Time

Author's note: I don't own CSI but I do love to play with them! It's the sincerest form of flattery!

GRISSOM SARA ROMANCE GRISSOM SARA ROMANCE GRISSOM SARA ROMANCE

A/N Here is my response to GSR Forever Online June/July Challenge. Lots of prompts, I'm going to try and include all of them! Wish me luck. And as always, enjoy the story, and leave me a note to let me know if you are enjoying!

Chapter 1

"What do you mean she's in the hospital?" Grissom asked.

"Yeah," Brass said to the voice on the cell phone, "She was investigating that break in the Cirque and she fell off the moving stage."

"Well how is she? She has a special assignment with the task force this weekend!" Grissom asked.

"That's not going to happen," Brass replied. "She's got a broken leg and concussion. I'd say she'll be out for a few weeks."

"Shit." Grissom rubbed his forehead. "OK I'll be there shortly. Your at Desert Palm right?"

"Yup, see you shortly," Brass said as he closed his phone.

"What's up Grissom?" Sara asked for herself and her partners Nick and Warrick. "Who's in the hospital?"

"That would be Catherine," Grissom replied, "And it couldn't be at a worse time, either."

"Oh yeah," Warrick, "She was supposed to be doing that undercover gig with the task force." He shook his head. "That may hurt worse than a work injury!"

Grissom saw the lightbulb go on over Sara's head.

"No," was all he said.

"Grissom," Sara began to debate him, "I can do this, I've done undercover before and I was fine! Remember, I've been trained in weaponless self defense."

"No, Sara," he replied, "You are NOT an exotic dancer." He meant it in only the best of ways, but he knew from the reactions of the rest of the men in the room that he had, once again, inserted his foot directly into his mouth.

"What do you mean? Because I don't wear shirts with my breasts revealed? Because my hair is its natural color? Because I use my brain instead of my sexuality?" Sara was in attack mode. "That's wrong and you know it. You know that I am capable of doing this assignment, why are you being such an …" she stopped short of calling him what she really wanted to call him.

"Yeah, Grissom," Greg piped in, "Sara is gorgeous, she could definitely be an exotic dancer!"

Greg stepped behind Nick to avoid the cold stare he received from his boss. "I guess I'm on decomp for the next month" he said under his breath.

"Yeah buddy," Nick answered him. "I'd just stay out of this one."

"Um Nick," Warrick interjected, "I think we have to go to be at that place… you know to do that … thing, like now…" he stuttered as he stepped backwards out of the layout room.

"Oh, yeah," Nick caught Warrick's drift, "Yes that thing, I remember, with those people, yeah, come on Greg, you can go too."

They vacated the frigid room as quickly as possible, leaving Sara and Grissom to resolve their newest impasse.

"What the hell Sara?" Grissom said, rubbing his brows again, thinking how long this day had already been.

"What's your problem Grissom? You think just cause I freaked a little in the hospital, I can't handle a case. Because just so you remember, I DID solve that case even though I was a little freaked out."

"Sara," he answered, almost in a whisper, "I can't…."

"You can't what Grissom? You can't admit you have feelings for me? News flash. You made it very clear that you don't want me. I get it. I'm over it. So let me move on. I want to focus on my career and get my mind off you."

"Sara," he looked like she had shot him through the heart, "I never said that I…"

She didn't let him finish the thought.

"I know what to do about this, Grissom, but you don't. Fine. I will talk to Brass and Ecklie and I WILL take Catherine's place on this job. And if you don't like it, I'm sorry," she said angrily, trying to push her feelings down as deep as she could. "I'm not your responsibility."

She turned on her heels and stomped out of the room. He could hear her talking to herself as she walked out, but luckily, he couldn't make out the words she was saying.

He thought back to the week before. So much had happened during the investigation at the Psychiatric Hospital. Adam Trent had almost taken her away from him before he even got a chance to tell her how much he truly loved her and how much he needed her in his life. But when the time came to have a conversation, he couldn't find the words, and once again, Sara left hurt and angry. Stupid. How can such a smart man be so stupid.

And once again, he'd made her angry. He hadn't meant it the way she took it. God knows, she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, so why would she think I was negating her sexuality? Every time I get near her, I feel arousal that I have not felt in decades. She must know that.

How was he going to convince her that she was worthy, not only of the special assignment, but also worthy of having a man who could honor and respect her, not only for her physical beauty, but also for her intelligence, wit and kind heart.

He had walked out to the Denali while having the conversation with himself. Habit, he thought. But as he was entering the truck, he heard a voice from behind him.

Great, its Ecklie. Let's just make this day get better.

"Gil," Ecklie called, walking quickly towards the vehicle, "I need a word with you."

"I'm busy Conrad, I have an employee in the hospital, I need to find out what happened and collect evidence if necessary."

"I'll only take a moment of your precious time, Gil" Ecklie stated, very condescendingly, "Regarding Sidle's request to take Catherine's spot in the undercover operation.." he stopped to judge how far back to step when he delivered the news that he was overruling Grissom's decision. He stepped back slightly. "I have approved her request."

"Well thanks, Conrad, I'm glad to know I can always count on you to back me up!" Grissom said as he slipped behind the wheel and closed the door. He laid his head on the wheel, trying to relieve the pounding behind his eyes.

OK, he said to himself, I really have to do something "about this" before its too late!