| Competition - by kyrdwyn |
| Rated: G Spoilers: None Synopsis: Teri Miller finds out she has competition |
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| CSI, Gil Grissom and company, and places and etc are all property of Anthony Zuiker, Alliance Atlantis, CBS, and other companies. They did not condone this fic, and I am not getting paid for it. I write because I want to. All other characters not appearing on CSI in any way, shape, or form that appear in this story are my property. If you have any comments - good or bad, feel free to e-mail me at: toxicrev@yahoo.com |
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| Teri Miller was confused. This was the second time she'd been called out to Las Vegas to help out their crime lab that she hadn't been hit on by Gil Grissom. Granted, last time he'd been caught up in a case different from the one she'd been working on, but she'd been expecting this time to have to gently turn him down once again. While she liked him, the call during their one dinner together had been a sign - at least to her - that it probably wouldn't work out. They were both too wrapped up in their jobs. She was flattered that he kept trying, but she didn't want to start down that road again. This trip, though, he hadn't said much to her that didn't deal directly with their case - a series of skeletons found in the basement of a building that was being demolished for a new strip mall. While she had been reconstructing faces and examining the bones for any evidence, he had been tracking down the building's former owners to determine how long the skeletons had been there. They'd finally solved the case, and she was packing and getting ready to leave. She had an eight p.m. flight to catch. "So, where are you off to now?" She turned to find him standing in the doorway, his jacket slung over his shoulder, held there by a crooked finger. He looked tired, but that was to be expected - they'd been working the case day and night. "Virginia. Some body parts washed ashore in Virginia Beach." He smiled. "Sounds interesting." "We'll see." "Well, thanks for your help, Teri." He stepped forward to offer her his hand. Trying to hide her confusion over not getting another dinner invitation, she shook it. Feeling the strength and warmth of his hand, she wondered if she'd been too hasty in deciding not to pursue a relationship. After all, could another dinner hurt? "My flight's not until 8, maybe we could have an early dinner?" she suggested with a small smile. He looked a little taken aback, but smiled. "Maybe some other time?" he asked. "I've already got plans for this evening." "Oh?" she asked, curious. "Another case needing your attention?" "Not really." Before he could elaborate further, the young lab tech with the unusual hair appeared in the doorway. "Hey Grissom - your date's here." Teri raised an eyebrow as Grissom turned to the young man. "Thanks Greg, I'll be there in a moment." He turned back to Teri. "I'll walk you out," he said, picking up one of her equipment cases for her. She followed him out into the reception area, a little disconcerted by the news that Grissom had a date. In a way, she realized she was a little jealous of this unknown woman. It was mean of her, but she had liked the idea that he was still interested in her, despite her rejections of his overtures. Apparently, though, she'd rejected him once too often, and he'd taken the hint and moved on. Perhaps, she mused, she ought to move on as well, and either let him conclusively know she was interested or put it out of her mind altogether. They entered the reception area. Teri looked around curiously, but didn't see anyone she thought could be Grissom's date. In fact, the only people in the reception area were Catherine Willows and a young child whom Teri presumed was Catherine's daughter. Teri stopped to hand in her visitors pass and turned to Grissom. Before she could say anything, though, the girl ran to him. "Daddy!" Teri watched in astonishment as Grissom turned and swung the girl up and around in a hug, causing her to laugh. She had forgotten about Gillian. Grissom set the child back on her feet and ruffled her hair. "Hey, sweetheart! How was your day?" The girl smiled up at him. "Great! I got an 'A' on my math test!" Grissom's smile grew wider. "That's wonderful!" He must have noticed Teri shifting her weight out of the corner of his eye and turned. "I'm sorry. Teri, you remember my daughter, Gillian." "Of course, it's nice to see you again, Gillian." "Nice to see you again too, Ms. Miller." "So, I take it you are your father's 'date' tonight?" Teri asked. Gillian smiled. "Yep! He's taking me to dinner and then to the baseball game!" Teri looked at Grissom. "I didn't know you liked baseball." Gillian giggled, and Grissom looked down at her. "Gillian is the baseball fan. I'm just along to buy the tickets, and the food, and the souvenirs," he said with a mock scowl. "Daddy! You get as mad as anyone at the umpires!" Gillian protested. Grissom shrugged sheepishly at Teri. "Okay, so we both like baseball." Teri smiled in return. "Well, I hope you both have a good time." "Thanks," he said. Gillian tugged on his hand. "We're going to be late, Daddy!" "Just a second, sweetheart." He turned to Teri, hand extended. "Thanks again for all your help." "My pleasure," she said, shaking his hand again. Grissom smiled at Teri and walked over to where Gillian was waiting anxiously by the glass doors. She darted out the door ahead of him and ran to his Tahoe. Teri followed, watching as Gil opened the door for his daughter, dropping a kiss on her forehead as she got her seatbelt fastened. He walked around the front of the vehicle and got in. Teri realized, as she stood there, that she was jealous of a ten-year-old child. It was silly to be jealous when she was the one who had nipped any potential for a relationship in the bud. Still, she couldn't help but wish that she were the one driving off with Grissom. She waved back to Gillian when the girl waved to her as the Tahoe pulled out of the lot. Grissom's daughter would always come first in his life, Teri knew. And she had foolishly given up her chance to be more than just a colleague to him. |
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