Title: DATE

Authors: Michmak

Spoilers: maybe a teeny-tiny one for Blood Lust.

Summary: Griss is on a date when he gets called away to a hit and run. Who is he with?

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She simply smiled when his pager went off, "You owe me $20."

Grissom looked at his watch and frowned, "Never fails," he muttered. "I am destined never to finish a meal when I'm out on a da-" he stopped talking and flushed, ignoring her amused grin, before reaching into the pocket of his leather jacket and pulling out his cell phone.

"Sara - I -"

"Just make the call, Griss."

"You're not going to take off when I'm not looking?"

"I'm not Terri," she replied.

"No, you're not," he agreed, smiling as he dialed.

Humming lightly under her breath, Sara bounced slightly in her seat and tried very hard not to stare at Grissom. He was half turned from her, fingers drumming absently on the table as he spoke. The candle in the center of the table flickered, bouncing shadows and light off the planes of his face. She knew she was grinning like an idiot.

"Sara - that was dispatch. Brass needs me at a crime scene. Hit and run, or something like that. I'm really sorry."

"Don't be. I'll come with you," she immediately replied.

"No - you have that seminar tomorrow. You need to be fresh for that. Besides which, we can't exactly show up together."

Sara grinned at him cheekily, "Why not? It's not like we've never shown up at a crime scene together before."

Grissom half-smiled at this, "We've never shown up at a crime scene together before when you have the night off. Not to mention the fact that you're wearing a dress."

"Right. Don't want to arouse suspicions," Sara agreed cheerily, "So - since I came to the restaurant with you, I suppose I'll cab it home?"

"Do you mind?"

"Not if I can cab it back to your place. This isn't exactly the way I envisioned this night ending. Come hell or high water, with or without you, I'm spending the night in your bed." She grinned when Grissom flushed a little more. God, she enjoyed teasing him. "Don't suppose I'll see you before I head out for the seminar tomorrow?"

Grissom shrugged, "I don't know. You sure you don't mind?"

Sara laughed lightly, "Grissom - it's your job. I told you this would happen before we even arrived - hence, the $20 you owe me. Of course, I can think of better ways to collect on your debt -" she teased.

Grissom slid to his feet, looking down at her upturned face with genuine regret, "At least stay and finish dinner."

Sara rose to her feet and stepped towards him, reaching out and smoothing the collar on his leather jacket, "I'll get a doggie bag for you." She fingered the smooth leather lapels and leaned closer, "Call me if you need me."

Grissom smiled and lifted a hand, smoothing it tenderly down the side of her face before tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I always need you," he replied. "See you tomorrow evening after the seminar?"

Sara nodded, "My reward for being a good little CSI and going to this stupid seminar in the first place. You better get going, Griss. Brass is waiting for you."

"He can wait a few more minutes," Grissom replied, leaning forward and kissing Sara tenderly. "I wish you could come with me."

"So do I - but you're right. We don't need the scrutiny right now. Go."

"One of these days, Sara, we'll make it through a dinner."

"I'm counting on it Grissom."

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Author's Note: Fingers crossed, eyes shut tightly - the wishing star firmly envisioned in my mind - *pleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease - let Grissom have been out with Sara!*