Ok, I have decided to split the chapter into as it is long. Here is the first part.
Chapter 39 ? San Francisco
As Gil was driving he thought of all the places to visit, and where to start. He decided to start in San Francisco and work there way out; stopping at most of the tourist attractions. Gil also knew as soon as Aaron recognised where he was, he would want some of his collections.
Nine hours and two stops later
Gil was driving down an all too familiar street, one that he didn?t have the courage to stop in, all those years ago.
?Maybe I should have told her. If only I stopped.?
A sleepy voice brought him out of his thoughts.
?Why are we here??
?I thought it would be a nice surprise for you.?
?Does mum know??
?Not yet.?
?I don?t think she?ll like it.?
?Well we are going to visit your uncle, if I could only remember which house is his.?
?It?s that one with the pick-up on the drive and the dog house.?
?So it is.?
Gil pulled into the drive next to the black pick-up with flames down the sides. He helped Aaron out and told him to knock on the door, while he got the bags.
?Hey there Sport. Didn?t think I?ll see you till tomorrow. Where?s your mum.?
?She?s in the car.?
?Is it just you two??
Before Aaron could answer Grissom appeared from behind the car with the bags.
?Guess not? he thought. ?Grissom.?
?Hi Andrew. Thanks for letting us stay for the weekend.?
?No worries, it?s always hell trying to find an empty hotel during the bank holiday weekend.?
Gil followed them into the house and put the bags down. He went outside to get Sara and lock the car.
After two hours of talking and dinner, Gil excused himself and retired to bed. Aaron was playing with Bruno, Andrew?s German Shepard.
Sara had got her brother alone in the kitchen and started to talk about the kidnapping and what Jesse had told her. She wasn?t sure how to bring up their sister, so she took a deep breath and asked him straight.
?Drew?do you remember Sophie?our sister??
?Not really. I do have a photo of us all though somewhere. I?ll find it for you later.?
?Thank you.?
?So what brings you all down here? Not that I mind.?
?Well, we still have stuff to sort out, and Gil thought sometime away from Vegas was needed.?
?What you got planned??
?That I don?t know, he?s planned everything.?
?Aaron?s been on about how all his things are here, so I guess we could get some of his belongings. How is the house??
?It?s how you left it, well I?ve tidy it and sorted your mail out.?
?Thanks, it?s strange going back there with Gil.?
?Has he told you that he came by two years ago??
?No!?
?Yeah, Jim phoned me and gave Grissom my address. I didn?t think he would come. I gave him your address when he arrived; he drove by your place. I asked if he saw you. He said he did, but didn?t have the courage to speak to you. He also said he saw you with another man and two kids; he thought you had moved on.?
?Didn?t you think to say anything??
?I tried; but he said it was a mistake coming and had to get back to the lab, and got his things and left.?
?If only I knew, I wouldn?t of given him a hard time the other day.?
?Want to talk about it??
?No, we will sort it out.?
?I?m here anytime no matter what!?
?I know Drew. What are you up to tomorrow??
?Nothing.?
?Can you come to the house to pick up Aaron?s things??
?Sure. You going to move back permanently to Vegas??
?Depends if we can sort out the problems.?
?Aaron?time for bed.?
?Ok. Uncle Drew can you tuck me in and read me a story??
?Sure Sport.?
Forty minutes later, Andrew came back downstairs to find Sara on the sofa looking through an old photo album she had found.
?He?s sound asleep.?
?Thank you. I don?t know how I forgot about her.? A tear rolled down Sara?s face.
?You were very young when it happened. I guess with what happened next you managed to block the memories out.?
?I suppose.?
?Don?t go beating yourself up over it Sara.?
?I?ll try not to.?
?So are you bunking down with Bug-man or do you need some blankets for the sofa??
Sara glared at her brother. ?I?ll see you in the morning.? She leaves and goes upstairs.
Sara?s Room
Sara was in two minds whether to go in or just sleep on the sofa, as she was annoyed Gil hadn?t told her they where going to San Francisco.
She crept in quietly not to wake him. She changed out of her clothes and put on her old college football jersey to sleep in.
She walked over to the bed and sat on the side. She didn?t realise that Gil had woken up.
?Do you want me to sleep on the sofa??
?No, it?s fine. I was just thinking.?
Sara lifted the covers and got in. She laid very much on the edge of the bed.
?I can go, it would be more comfortable for you.?
?No, I?m fine, you?re fine.?
?I don?t bite?well not any more.? Sara giggled at the thought.
?Gil?why didn?t you tell me you came to see me before??
Grissom was fighting the urge to hold her, to touch her.
?I?I was ashamed I didn?t come sooner; and when I saw you with another man I thought you had moved on. I suppose I was scared?too scared to hear the truth.?
Sara sighed, ?We will be ok won?t we??
Gil moved closer and pulled her into a hug. The forgotten electricity surged through their bodies. They stayed in each other?s arms till they fell asleep.