No Room To Wiggle
Summary: Grissom tricked Sara into going to a conference with him. What's going to happen now that she knows the truth?
A/N: A sequel to my Improve Challenge short story, Wiggle Room, that one of my betas blackmailed me into writing. A few sprinkled spoilers for season four. Thanks to Burked, Ann and Marlou for looking over this.
Rating: PG 13. May change later.
Disclaimer: If I haven't figured out a way to own CSI by now, I'm never going to.

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Chapter 1

"What do I need to do?"

Sara walked across Grissom's office briskly, not bothering to knock or announce her presence before interrupting his paperwork. He gave her a puzzled look as she sat in one of his chairs. Taking off his glasses, he stared inquisitively.

Sara did nothing to elaborate.

See how he likes being in the dark for a change. Like I don't have a reason to be pissed at him. I can't believe he's doing this to me. He's a damn genius; let's see how long it takes him to figure this out.

Oh, yeah. How long has he been trying to figure out 'what to do about this'? Glad I went to the bathroom before coming in here.

Sara had spent the drive back from the crime scene trying to come to terms with the fact that Grissom had tricked her into attending a weeklong conference with him. Ostensively, it was to serve as his assistant during his lectures. But according to Greg, all his talks were on the first day, making her presence the rest of the week unnecessary.

By the time she'd reached the lab, Sara had managed to convince herself there was no significance to the whole thing. Grissom's words to Dr. Lurie still echoed solemnly in her mind – he couldn't do anything about this. That ruled out anything … personal. No, there were too many other possible explanations. It didn't mean a thing.

Once she deposited the evidence, Sara quickly investigated Explanation One: Greg had been wrong. A quick check of conference agenda posted on the Entomological Society's web site verified that all of Grissom's talks would be held the first day.

There had still been Explanation Two: It was a typo. Luckily, it was well into a double-shift, and the conference organizer, Dr. Robert Crothers, had already arrived in his office. His response of "Tell Gil to relax. I remembered to change his talks to the first day," not only ruled out a typo, but it also eliminated Explanation Three: Grissom didn't know.

Sara had sat at her workstation, feeling her temper rise.

Damn him! What the hell is Grissom playing at? Lying to me so I'd go to a conference - even he can't that dense. If he wants something, anything, he's going to have start being honest.

Sara would be the first to admit that relationships weren't her strong suit, but she knew that successful ones were a balance of give and take. She also knew enough to know that didn't mean she did all the giving while he did all the taking.

Things are going to change, Grissom, one way or another. They have to – I can't keep doing this.

Now Sara found herself with her best interrogation room expression, watching as Grissom grew more uncomfortable in the silence. He finally set his pen down and rested his forearms on the desk.

"Do about what?" he asked in confusion.

"The conference."

"Oh. That," he said, relieved as he went to pick his glasses up. "Nothing. I've already taken care of all the paperwork."

"And once we're there?" Sara asked evenly, nearly smiling when she caught a flicker of apprehension in his eyes.

"Just assist. I need to finish these reports, so…"

"Assist how?"

"It's nothing to worry about," he offered with a quick smile. "The sheriff is going to kill me if I don't finish this…"

"I won't take long. I've never assisted you in a talk. I don't remember you ever taking an assistant before. I want to make certain I'm prepared. For each talk"

Sara narrowed her eyes as he turned away quickly to start searching through his desk drawers. She kept her expression level as she observed him, certain now that he was hiding something.

"All you have to do is give me a hand when something comes up. Not literally," Grissom joked when she raised an eyebrow coolly. "Help me answer questions, things like that."

"I'm not an entomologist. What kind of questions could I answer?"

"You can answer any of the questions they'll have about the forensics aspect of the cases."

"You know more."

Grissom gave up his routine of searching his desk and attempted to give her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry. You're more than prepared for anything."

"So, I'm not supposed to do anything specific?"

"No."

"Just hang around during your talks," she said, tilting her head as she watched him.

"And help when needed."

"Right," she said slowly, giving him a humorless grin. "Well, that takes care of the first day."

Watching as Grissom's jaw dropped slightly, Sara didn't feel any satisfaction in catching him off guard. When he leaned back with a puzzled look, she continued. "The schedule is listed on their web site. I checked. It's not a typo. Your talks are all on the first day. Like you wanted."

"I like to get them out of the way," he offered.

"Yeah. And what am I supposed to do the rest of the week? Be your cheerleader during the cockroach races?"

"It wouldn't hurt," he huffed. "They've been doing lousy. I haven't had one place better than fourth since …" Seeing her unamused look, Grissom shrugged apologetically. "You can attend the other talks."

"Yours are the only ones related to forensics."

"Consider it an educational vacation."

"A vacation? To Toledo?" Sara asked angrily. Grissom wasn't going to do it. He couldn't admit that he wanted to spend time away from the lab with her. His expression showed he didn't even believe the excuses he was giving her.

"I'm sure it's a very nice city," he said softly, picking up his pen and pointing to the door. "I need to finish this paperwork."

Getting up slowly, Sara bit her lip as she crossed the room. No. You aren't going to do this to me. Damn, I love you, but I need more from you, Grissom. I want this, but if you can't even admit you're interested, there's no hope.

"Look, Grissom," she said calmly, pausing at the door. "Our B and E turned into a major drug case. Things will be hectic enough with two of us gone at the same time. It would be a better use of my time to stay here if I'm not needed in Toledo."

"You are needed," he said softly.

Sara jerked around sharply, surprised by the emotional turmoil in his eyes. They locked gazes, neither seemingly able to break contact until his pager went off. She leaned against the doorframe, waiting as he stared at the pager. It didn't take that long to read a message. Was he hoping she'd leave or trying to frame a response?

In the past, Sara would have simply left after his prolonged silence, but she needed answers that she'd been unable to find herself. So she forced herself to wait, fighting back the growing unease. What was the worst that he can say? 'This was a mistake,' or 'Maybe you should look for another job'?

Right now, Sara wasn't sure she'd disagree with either statement. It wasn't that she didn't love Grissom; she did, but in a way that continued to surprise her. All her life, she'd been independent. While she enjoyed being with a partner, she never needed someone.

Until Grissom.

What she felt for him was exciting and thrilling, hinting of a potential that she could only begin to imagine. But it was also frightening. His treatment of her had ranged from kind and caring, to cold and harsh. Everything except honest. And through his public putdowns, his lack of respect, his allowing personal issues to interfere with her career, she'd stayed, still hoping he'd eventually allow himself to take a chance on her.

Sara was coming to realize that what they had was – to put it mildly – unhealthy.

There were only three options Sara could see: remain professional colleagues, hopefully able to become friends again; leave Las Vegas altogether; or move forward in their relationship. She really didn't want to go with the second choice. It was a great job, and she had friends here. But she wasn't going to put her life on hold forever, and he'd already demonstrated her professional career could be in jeopardy.

So far, Grissom had given no sign he was ready for the third option, but was he trying for the first? Was this conference an overture? She needed an answer, so she waited until he set the pager down and slowly lifted his eyes to her.

"Sara, you're working too hard. A break would be good for you. I can't make you attend, but I hope you will. I," Grissom paused. "I want you to come with me. Please."

"Fine," Sara replied, dropping her head as she headed out of his office sadly. Once in the relative safety of the locker room, she questioned the wisdom of her decision.

So much for not being a doormat anymore.

Pausing at her locker, Sara shook her head. No, there had been something else there. Grissom hadn't said the words, but his voice and expression told another story. They'd been insistent, imploring even.

Or I'm deluding myself.

With a resigned sigh, Sara grabbed her bag and headed for the exit. Grissom still hadn't admitted to anything. His heartfelt request wasn't enough for her to commit to anything personal, but it was enough to get her to go to the conference. This would be her last effort, though. If they didn't make noticeable progress in the week they were gone from the lab, that was it. She would move on.

TBC