Disclaimer: Not only do I not own anything related to CSI, I also own nothing about Jeopardy!

Chapter 14

After signing the necessary papers and listening to all the information about when he was going to receive his check, Grissom was ready to leave.

It humbled him that so many people wanted to greet him before he was to leave. Members of the crew — from the make-up artists to the writers, producers to cameramen — they all wanted to pat Grissom on the back and wish him well. It made Grissom feel good … and a little embarrassed. Even after being on television, he still didn't like to be the center of attention.

Philip Beck made sure he was able to get Grissom out of the crowd. After going through 20 tapings with Grissom, he knew he was a man who liked his privacy. And, hell, he wanted to say goodbye, too.

"Hey, Grissom," Beck said. "Did you get to say goodbye to everybody?"

Grissom looked a bit overwhelmed and tired. "Yes, I think I did."

Beck walked Grissom into the direction of an empty room that had a back exit. It was the exit Grissom was accustomed to taking with the other contestants, who had since left.

"That was one hell of a show you had."

"Yeah," Grissom said with a laugh. "I don't think I could have taken another match like that."

"I think you could have. Listen, thanks for coming on the show."

"It was a lot of fun."

Beck looked behind him for a second and then stopped. "So are you ready to get back to Vegas? Back to the same old, same old?"

"One thing about Vegas — things can always change. But I'll miss going to tapings to break my old routine."

"Maybe going back to a routine will do you good," Beck said, reaching out to shake hands with Grissom. "It was a pleasure meeting you, sir. I thoroughly enjoyed your company. Why don't you grab something to eat and drink before you leave," pointing to the catering table. "I think you can get a cell signal in here, too, if you need to make a call."

"Thank you, Mr. Beck. I'll do that."

"Come on now. My friends call me Philip."

"Very good. Thank you, Philip."

Beck turned to leave, giving Grissom another pat on the back. Grissom went to the table and grabbed a bottle of water and an apple. After taking a healthy chug of H20, he powered up his cell to see if there were any messages. No missed calls. No new messages.

He took a bite of his apple, and was ready to walk toward the exit, when his cell vibrated in his hand.

New text message. From Sara cell.

It read, "I'm proud of u."

A smile escaped Grissom's lips. He hadn't heard from her in weeks. He messaged her back.

"Thks. 4 what?"

He kept his eyes on the phone as the message was sent. He took another bite of the apple and unscrewed the water bottle when he felt the phone vibrate again.

New message. From Sara cell.

It read, "Everything."

Grissom texted back: "Luv u. Where r u?"

He placed the cellular on the table to take a swig of water, and then a bite of apple. With the apple in his mouth, his phone vibrated again.

New text message. From Sara cell.

It read, "Turn around."

He held his apple in one hand and read the text again in disbelief. Then he turned from the table, looked up from his phone and saw her.

Sara stood nervous, about 10 feet from Grissom.

"Hey." It was all she could get out.

"Hey." It was all he could get out.

"You know, there is going to be a group of fans from Fortuna, Calif., who are going to be crushed at your loss."

Grissom put his phone in his pocket and took two tentative steps forward. "Is that right?"

Sara took a step forward herself. "Yeah. I thought you did great."

"Were you… did you come to the taping?"

"Yeah, all five episodes. By the second show, I was ready to jump out of my skin."

"If I knew you were out there, I would have…"

"You would have left your post. That's OK. I'm glad I waited. … Are you going to put that apple down?"

Grissom kept his eyes on Sara and quickly chucked the apple behind his shoulder, startling Sara but making her smile. He moved right before her and took her hands in his. "I'm glad, too. … How are you?"

Sara took a deep breath and cherished the feeling of his hands. "I'm … I'm ready."

Grissom looked down. When he brought his head back up, a tear slowly dragged down his cheek. "I am so proud of you."

They embraced and let their love fill each other. Their kiss was one of longing and promise. As they broke apart, they stood caressing each other and neither could prevent the tears of joy. Grissom placed one arm around her waist and the other stroked her hair. "Your hair has gotten long."

"Like a rat's nest."

"You've never looked more beautiful."

Sara blushed. Her nerves calmed. After four months, after causing him sadness, she didn't know if he would want to be with her. It seemed to be the furthest from the truth, just as Jim had said.

After leaving Fortuna, Sara called Brass to find out what was going on. Knowing Grissom would be at another taping in three days, Brass called Philip Beck to see if Sara could be at the taping, and to keep it a surprise from Grissom. Beck was more than happy to help. He met Sara before the taping, got her into the audience and made sure she had the proper credentials to get backstage when the time came.

When Brass called Sara back with the details, she talked about how she was nervous about seeing Grissom again. "I've hurt him, Jim. I… I don't know what he'll say… how he'll react when he sees me."

"Cookie, how happy was I when I heard your voice?"

"You were happy."

"Why would Gil be any less happy? Sara, he's a mess. He loves you. He needs you. He just wants to be with you."

Sara took Grissom by the lapels and kissed him again, with passion. "You look pretty wonderful yourself. Where did this shirt come from?"

"Catherine. She said I looked like an axe murderer in the clothes Jim choose for me."

Sara looked at him skeptically.

"It's a long story."

"I'd love to hear it."

"I'd love to tell you. … Listen, I've come into some money recently, can I buy you dinner or a car or something?"

Sara laughed. It was comfortable again. It was unbelievable, a blessing.

Grissom couldn't believe how he ached to hear that laugh. It was a treasure, a blessing.

Before they reached the exit, walking hand and hand, Grissom asked Sara one more question: "Honey, do I wear women's glasses?"

And that's how Grissom ended up on Jeopardy! and how Sara came back home.

THE END

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A/N: I hoped you enjoyed this.