A/N: Sorry if the time and the ages are a little off.

Disclaimer: I don't own CSI or its characters. God, aren't disclaimers getting a little annoying!

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"Message in a Bottle" by SidleMyIdol73

A tall young woman in her early twenties sat peacefully on the warm summer sand. Sara Sidle watched the sun begin its decent and felt that it was time to cast her bottle into the ocean.

Most people had gone home by now, so she pretty much had the entire beach to herself. She liked the beach. It was always so serene and calm; quite the opposite of her life.

She stared down at the message she had written the night before, folded it neatly, and placed it in the empty wine bottle.

Even now, she found it hard for her to admit her feelings, but the message in that bottle was meant for Dr. Gil Grissom. He was an entomologist who had taught a few seminars at her University a few years ago, before she had moved to San Francisco.

She had felt attracted to him instantaneously, and therefore, made sure to ask a lot of questions at his seminars. Most professors would have gotten irritated, but he hadn't. He had actually seemed rather pleased to answer all of her questions.

They had spent a few afternoons together, walking and talking, smiling and laughing. But when the school year came to an end Grissom had informed her that he would be leaving to pursue a Crime Lab position in another state.

Sara tossed the bottle into the ocean and watched it float away into the distance. She knew that the chances of Grissom ever finding the message were slim to none, but she still hoped, still dreamt that one day he would find that bottle and try to find her. She was open to sharing a lifetime with him; even if he did insist on keeping dozens of insects as pets.

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10 years later…

Gil Grissom, the Las Vegas Crime Lab Supervisor, walked towards a large silver building with his suitcase in hand. Behind him walked the lovely Sara Sidle, carrying a briefcase overflowing with entomological facts.

Grissom had asked Sara to accompany him on this journey to San Francisco because one, she was the only other member of his staff who was half-interested in entomology, and two, he knew that she secretly missed living in San Francisco.

They approached the building designated for the entomology convention, and Grissom held the door open for her.

She flashed him one of her fabulous gap-toothed smiles and walked through the doors into a World of creepy crawlers and middle-aged men.

"Grissom…" Sara whispered through gritted teeth.

"I'm practically the only woman here. Well, besides that elderly lady over there who's picking her nose…but she doesn’t count," Sara muttered seriously.

Grissom snorted, "Don't worry Sara. Most of the men here are more interested in their bugs than they are in you," he replied.

Sara looked down at the floor, a little wounded, "Are you more interested in bugs than you are in me?" she asked, keeping her eyes away from his.

Grissom tilted his head to look at Sara as they walked down the hall, "Well, bugs are quieter than you are, but you're definitely nicer to look at," he said with a smile.

Sara looked up at her boss and smiled. She stood a little straighter and continued walking down the hallway; somehow making sure that everyone knew she was proud to be a woman.

They entered a large lecture hall and manoeuvred their way down to the front desk. A plump man, around Grissom's age, turned around and dropped his jaw at the sight of his old colleague.

"Grissom, is that you?"

Grissom tossed his things on the desk, and walked over to the big man, clapping him on the back in greeting.

"Jeffrey, it's so nice to see you! I didn't know you were going to be at the convention," Grissom said.

"Yeah, well, some young fella called me up a few days ago and begged me to come here and show off my bug collection. 'Tis one of the biggest in the World ya know," he said with a grin.

"And who's this beautiful young woman, Gil?" Jeffrey asked, pointing at Sara.

"Oh, this is Sara Sidle. She works for me at the Crime Lab back in Vegas," Grissom said, feeling stupid for momentarily forgetting that Sara was there.

Sara walked towards the man and shook has hand kindly.

"Oh, I like this one Gil. You better hold on 'ta this one, she's a keeper," Jeffrey said plainly to Grissom.

"So what brings you to San Francisco Miss Sidle? Do you like bugs, or did Gil just bring ya along for the company?"

Grissom blushed slightly and Sara smiled, "Well, I came because I'm trying to learn about entomology, so that when we encounter crime scenes with bugs at them, I can understand anything they might be trying to tell me about the body," Sara replied.

"Well, if Grissom doesn't mind, I could show you around this place. Take you to see my critters, maybe even teach ya a few things," Jeffrey offered, looking at his old friend for permission.

Grissom looked at Sara, and saw in her eyes that she wanted to go, "Sure Jeff. Just make sure you have her back to me by 4:00pm, that's when my lecture starts."

"Sure thing Gil," Jeff replied.

Jeff put his hands behind his back and gestured for Sara to follow him out into the hallway.

"Now ya see, bugs are really easy ta understand, ya just have to speak their language…"

Sara listened intently and waved goodbye to Grissom as the two of theme walked out the door.

Grissom looked down at his watch; it said 1:15pm. What should I do for 2 hours? thought Grissom. And suddenly, he remembered this little beach he had seen in the distance when Sara was driving towards the convention building.

Why not? I can look over my seminar notes at the beach, and be back in time to prep Sara on her duties, Grissom thought.

TBC…

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