Coffee Shop

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

Grissom walks into the coffee shop, and armful of Sociology journals under his arm, and his walk is a bit more stiff than usual. He takes a seat with a bottle of water and waits for Sara.

[Posted in town so people can come bug them, if they want.]

Comments

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

*Sara arrives after only a short period of time, a stack of files under her arms. Grissom is given a quick smile before she goes to get her coffee.*

To think I honestly believed I'd escape paperwork at some point.

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

"We could start a lively debate as to which field has more bureaucracy, education or law enforcement, but there is no need to pull us both into a depression," he smiled. "How are you?"

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

Here, at least, we are not blessed with Ecklie's contributions. *She keeps a perfectly straight face.* I'm all right. Disturbed by recent occurrances--it appears whoever made that hallucinogenic drug did so with supplies from my lab--but all right.

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

"Ah yes, Martin Blank asked me a few questions about the ingredients of that type of toxin; I did some research, but I couldn't find any references to that type of uniform fear reaction from a gas with no other outside stimulus. It's a disturbing development, but at least it appeared to have no long lasting effects this time.

Do you have any credible suspects as to who would have stolen the lab's supplies?"

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

The only time the lab is open and I am not there is when the Science Club meets. *a dark look on her face* I'm going to set a trap for the next meeting and catch whomever the perpetrator is in the act.

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

"A trap? Umm... wow. Do you need any help? I'm unfamiliar with the members of the Science Club, but I can't imagine they would be much different than they were when I was in school. Do you think one of them is really responsible?"

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

You know the security system I installed? The one Archie tried to confiscate when I left? There has been no breaches. I only noticed when I looked at the supplies themselves and saw that bottles had been replaced with innocuous substances.

*She sighs.* I appreciate the offer and I'll probably take you up on it. *Drinks some of her coffee--notices the water. Frowns slightly.*

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

Grissom starts in on an Archie anecdote when he looks up and sees her frown. He stops and tilts his head slightly.

"What's wrong?"

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

Nothing--not in the mood for coffee today?

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

He averts his gaze for a moment. "No... no coffee today. I think giving it up was my resolution in 1989, better late than never, right?" He twists his lips together and fiddles with his pen. "Plus, what is that you're drinking anyway? That's not coffee, that's dessert."

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

It's a pumpkin spice frappucino. *Her tone? So not convinced.*

*After a brief hesitation, she says quietly* If anything's the matter, you can tell me. I hope you know that.

[ooc: *beats LJ with a club*]

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

Grissom doesn't reply for a moment, but then he looks up with a sorrowful gaze and lightly brushes her hand with his fingers before immediately recoiling. "I know that. I... Sara..." He fumbles and stutters for a moment. "Everything is going to be fine. I promise."

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

*She doesn't speak for a long time.*

Okay.

*She won't push for answers he isn't willing to give. Doesn't mean she won't pick his lock if she deems it necessary.*

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

"Okay," he mumbles. Grissom tries to change the subject to clear the heavy silence from the room. "How are your classes going? I see you have a few students being shipped off to detention."

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

*Unspoken truce -- accepted.*

They're going all right for the most part. I have some very bright kids in my classes. The ones going to detention haven't been showing up. *A slight shrug* I'm not being as tyrannical as some teachers I have known, but even I have my limits.

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

"I should rope you into keeping tabs on my kids." He smiles. "I think a few of my students would be sitting in detention as well if I could keep up with the paperwork. I have a folder for that, I think, somewhere. Maybe under my menu folder in my office."

The sad thing is, he looks honestly puzzled.

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

I don't get paid nearly enough to keep track of someone else's paperwork, Gris. *a slight laugh* But if you need help from time to time, sure.

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

He gives her his best puppy dog eyes. "I'll let you play with my bugs."

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

Even the cockroaches? *He was so asking for that.*

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

He gives her an amused sneer. "You drive a hard bargain. You may play with my roaches, if you ask nicely of course, but watch out for Sue - she's fiesty."

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

On second thought, maybe give me another jar of Red Creeper and we can call it even. *A smirk.* I'd rather not be responsible for Sue to use Death From a Bug's Point of View: *Squish* as her swan song.

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

"Was that a threat against poor, defenseless Sue? Sara, you wound me." Grissom smirks, and then reaches into his bag and pulls out a small jar filled with a bright red substance. "And if you wanted some Red Creeper, all you had to do was ask," he laughed, pushing the jar toward her across the table.

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

I'd never kill a poor defenseless bug, unless it was aggressive, bit me, startled me, or dared to crawl on any part of my person. *A dignified tone.*

And thanks. *A bit softer.* I didn't want to presume.

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

"They mean no harm, it's a basic biological reaction." He says with no malice.

He pauses for a moment, coming up with a safe thing to say no doubt, "Unlike insects, I don't bite. I meant what I... I'm trying. I just need a little push sometimes. I just need... you can...," he smiles. "I won't bite."

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

Unlike an insect...I doubt I'd squish you.

*A pause and she drinks her coffee. Mmmm...coffee.*

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

"No squishing at all?"

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

Depends on the kind you have in mind, I suppose.

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

He smirks. "I'm stll trying to figure out how all 110 lbs. of you would squish me in any fashion."

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

*A smirk is thrown back.* Well, if I were to focus my weight in just certain areas, I think I'd succeed.

*A beat.*

In squishing you.

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

He bites back his obvious amusement, trying to keep a gameface on.

"I didn't know you were so flexible, Ms. Sidle. I'll have to keep that under consideration."

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

You didn't know I was flexible, yet always sent me to process the air conditioning ducts? *Very amused.*

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

"Your flexibility was not the first thing on my mind when I sent you into an air duct." He refrains from saying what, exactly, may have been on his mind.

"Plus, I didn't want to do it. It would have been embarassing to get stuck, and have my ass waving in the breeeze until someone could call an extraction team. I thought it was better to spare you."

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

*She refrains from making the appropriate comments and just satisfys herself by snickering.*

Oh come on, it wouldn't have been that bad. I'm sure we would have run out of film long before such a thing occurred.

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

"Now that is something I don't believe." He leans over and whispers, "Don't think I don't know about the digital camera you carry with you just in case."

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

The batteries could always go dead. *Such a helpful tone.* But my cellphone, on the other hand...

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

"Would have made a hell of a Christmas card for the lab, at any rate." He laughs softly.

"I guess it is a good thing I sent you up there. Which makes me wonder where some of my photo cards are filed away..."

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

*She shakes her head, still snickering.* Honestly, if you wanted to see my ass, there are easier ways than sending me up a ladder.

*A beat.*

Well, easier for me. I hate heights.

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

Grissom chokes on the water he was sipping, shocked that she actually called him on something beyond innuendo.

"I didn't really send you up into an air duct to look at your ass, Sara."

*pause*

"It was mostly to look at your legs."

[equalsmcsquared.livejournal.com]

Now you know why you should have attended the summer picnics. *She's still amused.*

[ooc: And woe, I will be leaving in a few to be turned into a monster. Shame--I'm really enjoying this thread.]

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

His eyes pop open. "... ... ...

...

Damnit.

Although, I still stand by skipping them. Ecklie in a bathing suit is not something I want haunting my dreams."