Author: Moggie
Status: Complete
Summary: [GSR] Shouldn't have done that.
Genre: Angst & General
Spoilers: Maybe S1 & S2, but definitely S3.
Disclaimer: I do not own CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Director Robert Cavallo assessed the labs one by one. The explosion left not only a physical scar, but also an emotional one. The inhabitants of the Las Vegas Crime Lab work day and night to aid the victims of Sin City and put those responsible behind bars.

As he walked through the corridors on a quiet night, he noticed a few CSI’s and lab technicians doing their things with evidence and getting along with each other like nothing happened. Stopping in the corridor, he watched the brunt of the explosion being finished up with paint and new equipment.

Maintenance workers worked quickly and efficiently through the day, leaving the night to rest and refresh for the following day. The DNA/Chem. lab was still being rebuilt, but the surrounding labs were finished and being used like nothing happened.

Four weeks proceeding the completion of the damage done by the explosion let everyone get completely back to normal. Although Greg Saunders was back at work, he still couldn’t stop the tremors in his hands and the flashbacks that would frequently visit him.

Lab technicians and others, who were injured, still question themselves about what could have happened and what would have happened if the explosion were larger. Many tried not to think about it, but for some it was more difficult.

Gil Grissom walked past the break room towards his office when he arrived late for shift. Everyone in the break room watched, as he made no attempt to say anything about being late. After the explosion, the nightshift supervisor had taken personal time with no explanation as to why.

Only one person knew and she wasn’t going to say anything that would jeopardise his trust in her.

Catherine Willows had been placed as temporary supervisor and had co-ordinated the CSI’s as best she could under the strained circumstances. The nightshift had suddenly melted into a slum after the chaos and had become easy to erupt. Snapping and petty arguments were only a small pull on the working environment, but it seemed to die down suddenly.

Patience was something everyone had grown accustomed to, but in the light of sitting and waiting an hour and twenty minutes for the boss to return on his first day back was nagging. Everyone couldn’t wait to get back to normal and anticipated Grissom’s return. Perhaps things would be less tense.

Grissom stood in the middle of the room with three case slips and two brown case files in his left hand. His eyes were on an open blue file in his right hand. Quickly scanning the contents, he snapped it shut and looked at everyone individually. Mentally logging that everyone was here.

Tucking the blue file under his left arm, he grasped the first case slip and took a light breath. "I know I’m late and I apologise. I had a meeting with Cavallo." Now his lateness was explained, he held out the case slip towards Warrick Brown. "Missing person. A Jeff Manton reported his wife missing two days ago. Her car was found in a neighbour’s pool without her in it. Check it out and report your findings."

Warrick scanned the case info and nodded. "Sure." He looked up before turning and leaving the room. "Good to have you back Griss."

"It’s good to be back." Grissom said, turning to hand a case slip and a brown folder to Catherine. "Old case, new evidence. Jacqueline Matthews murdered last year. You might remember the case." He looked at her over the top of his glasses.

Thinking and reading over the front page in the file, she nodded. "Suspicious circs, but no evidence. Didn’t they close that on days, one of Ecklie’s people?" She asked, sighing with irritation that she was going to have Conrad Ecklie snooping around.

"It was closed." He confirmed, nodding his head and adjusting his glasses slightly. He glanced at Nick Stokes who was looking over Catherine’s shoulder. "The husband and family never stopped looking for the killer. They contacted Brass issuing a further investigation."

"Can they do that?" Nick asked, still reading through the findings or lack of.

Grissom sighed and rubbed his ear gently. "Doesn’t matter either way. New evidence was presented and Brass agreed to give it another look." Thinking for a minute as the case was read through, he swallowed the lump in his throat and motioned towards Nick as Catherine looked up expectantly. "Take Nick."

"Yes!" Nick grinned and snatched the case file from Catherine’s hands. She just shook her head and smiled as she followed him out.

"Anything interesting or has paperwork finally caught up with me?" Sara Sidle asked from her position in front of the coffee maker.

Opening the second file in his hand, he lifted the case slip. "There’s a fresh DB to sink your teeth into if you’re up to it?" He didn’t really know why he was asking, but he couldn’t seem to swallow the persistent lump in his throat.

Sara pushed away from the unit and stopped within arm length. She took the case slip without touching his fingers and read the summary of the case. "Where is this? I’m not sure I’ve been that part of town." Her voice was steady, but on the inside, she was confused and unsure, not just with herself, but everything.

Grissom sighed and handed her the file as he closed it. "I’ll show you. It’s not exactly hard to find, but it’s not a nice area either." He explained, turning without waiting for any kind of response.

The silence in the car was almost deafening. Sara shifted slightly to pull her skullcap on and zip her coat up. Putting her seatbelt back in place, she turned her head and looked out the window. It was strange that she’d not been to this part of Vegas before.

Grissom’s chest was tightening with each passing second as he drove to the crime scene. Glancing out the corner of his eye, he could see her all wrapped up for the cool night. Concentrating on the road, he made a left turn.

Thinking of something to say was more difficult than she thought. Should she ask where he’d been on his vacation, he wouldn’t answer anyway. He’d just say that he spent it all relaxing. He spent his days off just relaxing. Rubbing her left hand over her eyes, she quietly sighed.

Vega looked up as the black Tahoe pulled up beside his car. Turning to check on the other two officers guarding the scene, he made his low approach towards the two CSI’s.

Sara was surprised at first that Grissom was planning on staying, planning on working with her. Trying not to over think it, she didn’t say anything and followed his lead. Seeing as it was now officially his case and he was lead. No arguments about that were vocalised. It was natural when the boss worked with you.

Greeting Sara with a smile, Vega turned to Grissom, pointing his thumb over his right shoulder. "Two kids found her. White Caucasian, female in her mid 30s, strangled by the looks of it…"

As the two men started for the body, Sara didn’t really know what to do. She was suddenly at a loss. It wasn’t really the work she couldn’t do; it was working with ‘him’ that was undoing her concentration. Why couldn’t her mind quit messing with her heart and her heart quit messing with her head.

Taking a deep breath, she followed in the footsteps of Vega and Grissom. She forced herself to get over what ever was nagging her insides and kicked on the auto-pilot. Assessing the scene and scanning the surroundings was the first action, which seemed quite easy, so she continued.

David Philips stood off to the side as Sara knelt beside the body and began processing. Grissom crouched down in front of his case and steadied himself on the metal case as he pulled out two swabs and some small evidence baggies along with a comb.

Sara pulled the lifter strip back and closed it to examine the fibre she found. Placing it in a small brown envelope, she turned back with a pair of tweezers and a small clear plastic ziplock bag. She carefully picked up a hair that was different from the victims. Looking at it briefly, she pushed it into the bag and sealed it.

After collecting what they could see, Grissom and Sara stepped back to let David take the body. Watching the coroners van drive off, Vega made sure the scene was well taped off and that the two officers guarded the perimeter. Sara processed the area the body was lying on while Grissom packed up his case.

"You ok?" Grissom asked suddenly. It was the first word he’d spoken, apart from the odd word about the evidence as it was collected.

Sara nodded and stood up. "I’m fine." She placed the last bag in her case and clipped it shut. Just as she bent to pick it up with her left hand, she sighed and changed her hands.

He only caught a glimpse of her hesitation with her hand, but thought nothing of it as she walked back towards the Tahoe. Grabbing his own case, he followed, only to stop and explain to Vega that they would let them know if they are finished with the scene.

Greg smiled as Sara entered his lab. "Hey." He took the evidence she held out to him with a large smile.

"Hey Greggo. You ok?" She smiled and watched him get to work on her case evidence.

Nodding excitedly, he looked up and grinned. "Grissom working with you?"

Taken back by the question, she nodded and looked down at the few slides that were lying loose on the tabletop. "I’m working with him." She stacked the slides and looked up with a sudden thought. "You get next week off don’t you?" She glowered at him, wishing she had time off.

Greg’s grin grew as he jumped up and around the table to bounce around her in a childlike excitement.

"Going to California. Surfing, sun, babes." His arms swung out with each word. "God! It’s gonna be great!"

Smiling at his behaviour, Sara patted his shoulder and turned to leave him with his cheery mood. "Bring me back something!" She called from the corridor.

"You bet!"

Hairs, DNA and fibre’s are with Greg. The victim’s prints are with Jacqui and Grissom was with the body in autopsy. As Sara walked down the corridor towards the layout room, she couldn’t help but feel extremely tired. She’d been awake for nearly 20 hours and even when she got sleep, it was filled with night terrors.

Grasping the camera films, Sara decided she’d develop them and start looking for visual clues while she waited for an id and the tox report. The darkroom was empty, which suited Sara just fine. This meant she could get on with her work and have everything done before she needed to pull a full double.

The night before was draining with a suicide/murder, but with leads and evidence to process, it left little time to relax and sleep. "Shit." She said softly. "Nothing like a depressing week." She murmured to herself as she moved around the room, pulling the negatives from the canisters and setting up the machine.

Feeling more comfortable by herself, she started humming. At least she could relax while she was alone in a dark room. Concentrating on the task at hand, she didn’t notice that her thoughts were not invading her work. Nothing none work related bothered her for that short time alone.

Smiling at the finished results and hanging them on the line, she stepped back and sighed. Turning abruptly, she crashed straight into Grissom. "Whoa." She chuckled, stumbling backwards with the collision. "Nice."

Grissom only steadied her with one hand on her upper arm, but as soon as she was balanced, his hand dropped to his side. Looking behind her at the photos, he nodded and walked into the room. "You all done?" He asked, pulling his glasses from his shirt breast pocket and unfolding them as he past her.

Sara nodded and turned on the light. "A few shots show a great footprint and it’s a good thing I cast it before Vega and his troops trampled everything." She moved to stand slightly behind him and pointed with her right hand, running her index finger over the drying photo. "It’s walking away, not something the vics capable of when she’s dead."

His eyes were fixed on the photo, but as soon as her hand came into view, his blue eyes were watching as the muscles moved when she pointed the footprint out. "Doc Robbins gave us a time of death at around 6pm." Grissom said gently, his voice just barely above a whisper. "The vic definitely did not walk there by herself."

Sara’s eyes were on the photo as she leaned forward slightly and attempted to grasp the photo and tug it from the clip. Her shoulder and breast, brushed his shoulder and arm briefly before pulling the photo closer to look at. Sara seemed oblivious to this, but Grissom was suddenly aware of the breath he was holding.

"I think I need to take another look at the tread." She pondered, turning away and walking towards the door.

"Sara?" Grissom called, turning to see her.

Lost in thought, she hummed her acknowledgement and turned slightly, her eyes stuck on the photo in her hand.

Clearing his throat softly, he removed his glasses and replaced them back in his shirt pocket. "Once you’ve checked the print, Jacqui has the ten-card finished."

Sara actually looked up confused. He never told her to check on the ten-card. She usually just did it. Nodding slowly, she continued to leave the room. Leaving Grissom shifting nervously and feeling awkward.

Sitting lightly into his chair, he leaned back and closed his eyes. This was becoming harder than he thought. Within five weeks, he had managed to separate himself from not only his team, but also the one person he thought cared about him. Now… he was at a complete loss.

The sound of Catherine breezing through his door made him jump slightly. Her voice was light and hurried. "Jesus! That was the most annoying family I’ve every met. You know the husband is very demanding. He wouldn’t stop talking about Ecklie’s team. Says they do things differently to us on graveyard. Get that, different. Yeah, right. He’s the most run-by-the-book guy I know. Stuck in la-la land with kissing up to the sheriff different is the only way I can look at it."

Grissom just started at her as she continued her tirade, smiling, chuckling, huffing and gasping. Shaking his head in thought, he leaned against the arm of his leather chair and watched as the blonde paced and paced. Suddenly drawing in a deep breath, she smiled and started talking about passing Warrick on his way to DNA a few hours ago.

After a twenty-minute rant, she sat down and sighed into an exhausted heap. "I love my work I really do, but boy oh boy, was this a tough two days."

Those words got Grissom’s attention as his eyes darted to his watch. "What day is it?"

Catherine looked up from her inspection of her nails and smiled. "Tuesday, why?"

Standing up slowly, he grabbed his coat and keys. "See you next shift Cath."

Watching him walk away, she squinted at her bosses back and shook her head. "Men!" She stood and decided it was best to head home and see Lindsey before she went to school.

It didn’t really matter what day it was. It was the amount of time he’d been in the lab that did. Driving home was quiet and peaceful until his cell phone rang. "Grissom." He said automatically into the receiver.

"Where are you?"

Narrowing his eyes in confusion. "Sara?"

"Yeah."

Shaking his head again filling with confusion, he pulled up outside his townhouse and climbed out. "Why are you ringing me?"

"Are you somewhere in the lab?"

"No. I’m home." He said slowly, trying to fathom why she was ringing him.

"Oh."

Unlocking his door, he dropped his briefcase and keys on the coffee table and shrugged off his coat, kicking the door shut with his foot. "Why are you ringing me?" He asked again.

"I thought we were working the case together."

Nodding to no one, he walked towards his fridge. "Yes, but shift finished yesterday."

"I know that…"

Before she could continue, Grissom smiled and chuckled into the phone. "Sara, go home and get back to the case tonight."

"Fine."

Sensing she was angry or irritated by him, he tried a different approach. "You need sleep Sara." He said more softly. Leaning against his kitchen unit, he opened a bottle of water and took a long refreshing gulp. Breathing out slowly, he said. "I know you say you’re fine, but you need to rest sometimes."

"I do!"

He sighed. "Honey, you don’t." His heart started to thump loudly in his chest. He hadn’t called her that since the explosion. The silence on the other end told him that she was thinking the same thing he was.

"I’ll sleep… Night Grissom."

Smiling slightly, he felt a sudden calm overcome him. "Night Sara." Waiting for her to hang up, he couldn’t stop thinking about the time when he’d have to tell her everything. He closed his phone with a distinct click. He’d have to tell the team eventually, but he wanted to tell Sara before the others.

Grissom was late for shift once again. Catherine grabbed the only assignment and let Nick and Warrick work on it. Warrick had closed his case with amusement. His missing person had left her husband and moved in with the neighbour. No one would have known what happened if the wife’s car wasn’t stolen and was crashed into the neighbours swimming pool. An affair uncovered by a theft.

Sara was talking to Jacqui and laughing with her as Greg smiled at them and walked towards his lab. Jacqui grinned at Greg and leaned into Sara, whispering something that made them both giggle. The next subject of their amusement that walked down the corridor was Archie. He was playing on a gameboy as he walked towards the break room.

Turning to look down at the fingerprints, Sara drank her coffee. Jacqui looked up at the door and smiled.

"All the young men in this lab and us women only want to sink our teeth in one in particular."

Chuckling, Sara looked over her shoulder. The laughter stopped when she realised whom Jacqui was referring too. Turning back to the table with a sombre look, she put her coffee down and picked up the print cards.

"You ok Sara?" Jacqui asked after seeing the sudden lack of amusement in her behaviour.

"I’m fine." She smiled softly at her friend.

Jacqui shook her head in disagreement. "You didn’t expect me to be talking about Grissom like that did you?" Her voice was quiet and apologetic.

Sara shrugged. "It’s not that." She lied. "I better get to Greg and see if anything’s come up yet."

"Sara!" Jacqui called. "You know you can talk to me, right?"

Waiting a few seconds, Sara nodded and gave a tight-lipped smile.

"The id from our victim is Lilly Danvers. Greg found her in CODIS and Jacqui fund her in AFIS. She was arrested for smoking pot in college." Sara unloaded this information as she walked through the break room door and noticed Grissom drinking a coffee and reading a file.

Nodding, he turned the file and pushed it towards her as she sat opposite him at the table. "Autopsy and tox reports. There were no signs of any poisons in her blood or abnormalities. Doc Robbins did find some bruises on her arms, torso, face and legs. Consistent with a strangling." Grissom looked up as he spoke, watching for a reaction as she reached a certain paragraph he knew would ruffle her feathers.

Sara took a calming breath and took a long swallow of her coffee. Grissom was slightly surprised by her reaction. His eyes suddenly fell to her mouth as she started speaking. "That was a surprise."

Grissom nodded and sat forward slightly. "You gonna be ok with this?" He asked gently.

Not looking up, she sighed and shrugged. "We have plenty of evidence, it’s just getting through it all."

The amount of evidence could go both ways, it could either help the vic or aid the killer. Grissom knew this and so did Sara, but it was the only thing to go on. "You want to take drive out to her house and have a look around?" He asked slowly. "I know I could do with getting out of here for an hour or two, even if it’s processing a potential crime scene."

Sara nodded as she breathed in deeply. "I’m gonna check on Greg again. Just to make sure he’s getting through everything."

"No problem. I’ll meet you outside in fifteen minutes. I need to call Brass."

Detective Jim Brass was standing on the path in front of the small house of the victims. He flipped his cell phone shut as Grissom and Sara walked up to him with cases in hand. "The brother is on his way. He gave us permission to look around."

Grissom nodded and proceeded up to the front door. As he started to look around the porch, Sara looked around the tiny garden and down the side of the house. Brass followed Sara and kept an eye out. Stopping as she sensed the detective behind her, she sighed. "You don’t have to shadow me Brass."

He smiled kindly. "I just don’t want something else to happen to you."

Finding those words cute, coming from Jim Brass, that is, Sara chuckled and smiled. "Fine. Just, don’t crowd me." She shot him a mockery of a glare.

Brass held up his hands and grinned. "You got it sister."

Shaking her head at him, she turned back to walking towards the back of the house. "Not a bad house. It’s… homey." Sara said, intrigued by the small flowerbeds and bright coloured flowers, including a nicely shaped pond to one side of the garden.

"Maybe I shoulder buy a plant or two." Brass said thoughtfully. Sara turned and looked at him curiously. He smiled and shrugged. "I’m not a plant person, but it might brighten the place up."

Pursing her lips to suppress her smile, she shook her head slightly and got back to work.

Grissom stood by the window of the bathroom when Brass started to talk to Sara. He smiled as Sara told Brass to back off. Shaking his head in amusement, he swabbed the sink and bathtub. Maybe he could talk to Sara about being more careful around crime scenes, but he knew that wouldn’t do much. He’s spoken to her before about such things.

Skilfully collecting two different print from the bathroom, he wandered through to the living room. His thoughts were split into two. His work mode was taken precedence, but his mind was working on how to tell the team. Cavallo had explained that he needed to explain to the team why he took three weeks off.

It’s not like it mattered now, but Cavallo explained that is was a necessity to tell the team. Although Grissom’s hearing was back to a certain percentage, it was still hard to hear low tones like his pager and quiet ring tones.

Cavallo didn’t care that Grissom had spent the better part of a year keeping everyone from knowing about his condition, even if the director didn’t know it either. Grissom felt Cavallo only needed to hear the main problem and not how long it had been affecting him.

Catherine was the one who said he needed to tell Cavallo, although he protested all the way. He still didn’t know why he had to let everyone know. It was his problem and even if he left it for so long, it was now dealt with. He didn’t feel comfortable on his good days that he had to share his personal stuff with anyone, even if they were his friends.

Sighing in defeat, Grissom rubbed his sleeved arm over his eyes and forehead, avoiding his gloved hands. Cavallo had practically forced him into telling the others; he said that if Grissom didn’t do it, he would. That was what burst the bubble and Grissom relented immediately.

Sara laughed lightly as Brass looked into the pond. "Don’t tell me, you want a pond now."

Brass smiled sheepishly. "I need a new hobby for my days off. I’m open for suggestions."

"Reading." Grissom suggested as he walked down the steps from the back door.

Brass rolled his eyes at Sara who grinned and turned back to her inspection of the garbage can by the fence. "I said hobby, not necessity. I read reports all day and all night."

Grissom pulled on some fresh gloves and placed his case by Sara’s as he thought. "Gardening."

Sara leaned the lid of the garbage can against the fence and started pulling bits out. "Gardening?" She mused, her attention still on the rubbish. "Can you imagine Brass in shorts and t-shirt, pottering around the garden, covered in soil?"

Brass shrugged at Grissom’s thoughtful expression and smirked. "You’re right, I can’t." He shook his head.

"Full pack of cigarettes." She said allowed, placing them on the ground as she continued her search. "Men’s razor." Grissom walked towards her and took the razor, as she was about to put it on the ground beside the cigarettes. "Towel."

Brass watched as Grissom placed the razor on the ground and held one side of the towel as Sara held it out to him. Grissom bent slightly and looked closer. Taking a small whiff and raising his eyebrows at the detective. "I thought you said the brother was coming here?"

Nodding, Brass pulled out his notebook and flipped through a few pages. "The brother lives near McCarren Airport."

Sara smelled the towel. "McCarren is on the other side of town from here. That’s nearly twenty miles." She mused. "This towel is definitely covered in male after-shave and something completely male."

Brass looked at the pair as Grissom unfolded the towel to reveal not just a crusty substance, but blood too. "I’m guessing this is now a crime scene."

Grissom looked at him over the rim of his glasses and nodded. "Call Greg and ask him to come and pick this stuff up. We’re gong to be here a while."

Brass nodded and started for the front of the house.

"You thinking that she was attacked and raped in her own home?" Sara asked, watching his face as he stood up and lifted the towel from her hand. "Why would the killer bin the evidence where we can find it?"

Grissom shrugged. "Maybe he knows that it’s useless."

"We won’t know that until it’s processed though." Sara sighed and turned back to the garage can.

Greg had come and gone with the strict instructions to contact either Grissom or Sara as soon as the results came in. Brass and several officers were talking to neighbours while Sara and Grissom processed every room in the house.

Sara stood up from the bed and turned the ALS off. "If she was raped and killed here, then, where is the blood and semen stains?"

Grissom sighed and pulled his glasses off. "I don’t know." His voice was soft and agitated. "Maybe… the kitchen?" He asked with furrowed brows.

Narrowing her eyes in thought, she nodded slowly. "It is the only room left."

They made their way to the kitchen and stood side by side as they over looked everything. "I thought you checked in here." Grissom asked gently.

Sara nodded. "I did. Just not ALS." She verified.

Grissom smiled slightly and flicked the light off. It was getting dark outside. They had been processing the house all day. The conversation with the brother didn’t go well. He was distraught and jittery. They both knew that they could return next shift, but it was almost time for shift to start. This would be another double in one week.

Neither was ready to back down this time as evidence just kept popping up. It was the getting the results that was taking its time. Sara clicked on the ALS and grinned. "Got ya."

Grissom photographed and swabbed everything. "I have no idea how we missed this." He muttered glumly.

"Too busy looking for what we wanted. The usual and not the unusual." Sara surmised.

Turning his head to her, he smirked. "And when did you get so like me."

She shrugged and turned as her grin broke out. "I’m, gonna get this to Greg for comparison against the towel."

"Sara?" Grissom called as she turned to leave.

"Yeah."

Standing up straight, he walked a few steps towards her. The room was still slightly dark as the light hadn’t been turned back on. He looked into her eyes. "I’m impressed… you’re handling this case… better than I thought." He shrugged as he stammered intensely. His eyes slid shut briefly as he breathed deeply. "I just wanted you to know." He finished nervously.

If she was stunned that he was working with her on a case, she was more stunned that he was talking on a somewhat personal level to her. That was when she noticed how close he was to her. They hadn’t been in close proximity since she asked him to dinner and he said ‘no’.

Finding her voice, albeit quiet, she breathed out. "Thanks." She nearly kicked herself when she lightly reached up and squeezed his arm. "See you back at the lab." Then she bolted from the room.

Grissom could still feel the imprint of her fingers squeezing his arm. It was a reminder that she left the same feeling last time she touch him, ‘chalk’ she said, but this time she didn’t have an explanation, it was just as it was, a comforting touch. Thinking about it, it was possibly why she did it last time, but he had looked at her confused.

She can’t keep doing this to herself. She touches him, she suddenly starts thinking about him and then he starts pushing away again. Why does working with him make her feel so good and then she has to take that one step and ruin it all. Perhaps she should apologise? Damnit, this was starting to be a repeat of the previous year. It starts out good and then it goes down hill until their friendship is none existent. It wasn’t far.

So deep in her thoughts, she didn’t notice Greg watching her. He stood by the printer and noticed the suddenly quietness in the room. "If I didn’t know any better, you have something on your mind."

Sara looked up and furrowed her brows. "I have several things on my mind Greg."

He nodded and smiled as he leaned against the table and folded his arms over his chest. "You been getting some sleep?" Seeing her confusion, he turned serious. "I know you were having trouble sleeping after the explosion." His voices lowered as he remembered. "I know I still have troubles. Wouldn’t blame you if you did."

Smiling softly, Sara moved over to the printer as it spat out a piece of paper. She covered his hand on his forearm and nodded. "I’m sleeping better thanks. I’m glad you ask actually." Greg raised his eyebrows in silent question to her words. "You seem better. Your hands aren’t shaking anymore."

Greg grinned and held out his hands to show her. "I’m pretty impressed myself. I talked to Grissom after the explosion and I just felt better. I also talked to my mom when I got out the hospital. I suppose it helped to talk." He shrugged and turned to the printer. "Hey!" He scolded, snatching the print out from her hands.

Sara chuckled and stepped back. "Sorry."

Reading through the results, Greg picked up another print out from earlier and nodded at his findings. "No name, but we do have a match."

Sara snatched the results from his hands and looked over the findings herself. "Cool!"

Turning her around by the shoulders, he pushed her towards the door. "Go tell Grissom before you start hugging me and thanking me." He teased.

Snorting with laughter, she looked at him over her shoulder. "Like that would happen."

He grinned and watched her walk off. "Can but dream." He said with a whistle and turned back to his work.

"Got a match." Sara announced, walking through the office door.

"On the towel and semen?" Grissom asked as he watched her sit down on the corner of his desk, facing towards the door. When she didn’t answer, he picked a closed file and swatted her arm with it. "Hey!"

Turning quickly, she braced herself on the desk with her left hand. "Here." She smiled. "I was thinking that the victim knew her killer."

Grissom nodded as he looked over the results. He looked up when Sara sighed and sat up, wincing as she flexed her fingers and turned to stare out the door. He looked one last time at the results before placing them on the desk and standing.

Sara turned her head to the right when he rounded his desk to stand beside her. "Does your hand hurt?"

"A little." She pushed her hands into her pockets and stood up.

Grissom’s chest tightened when he reached out and grasped her arm. "Show me." He demanded a little too harshly. "It shouldn’t hurt." He said a little more softly.

Sighing, she pulled her hand from her pocket and turned to him. She watched as he took her hand gently and pushed her hand flat. "The doctor said I damaged a nerve. It’s not a pain really, just an ache, a heavy ache." She explained as his fingers ran over her hand and traced the scar.

"It’s healing good. You might feel the ache for a while, but it will fade." His voice was soft and his index finger traced the scar again. His stomach knotted when he realised he’d been standing quietly for a lot longer than necessary. Lifting his head slowly, his eyes locked with hers.

Sara didn’t know what was happening. She didn’t think he was interested. Yeah, it took her three years to figure that out, but it didn’t sink in until he flatly turned her down when she asked him out to dinner. Her heart was beating wildly against her chest as the feel of his fingers caressing her hand made her melt and quiver at the light sensations.

He was standing so close; he didn’t know what he was doing. Why was he doing this after he turned her away? He didn’t want to hurt her again. He’d hurt her for too long. Something needed to be done now. He knew the next move was up to him, it has been up to him for years.

Blue eyes gazed into brown as the seconds and minutes ticked by. There was still the fear of letting her into his life, let alone his heart. Sara had the same thought, but she was already willing to let him in. She’d been waiting for him and after the explosion, she’d given up hope.

Her eyes fell to their hands when she noticed her hand curled around his fingers. Thinking was just not happening, Sara decided that she had nothing to lose as she raised their hands and held the back of his hand against her cheek. Taking a shallow breath, she looked up to his eyes and wasn’t surprised to see the shock in them.

Good, don’t look at her like that. Stop it before it’s too late.

Sara’s chest felt cramped and a feeling of sorrow flooded through her. She lowered his hand and let it slip from her fingers. "I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that." Her voice was barely above a whispered breath as she stepped back. Not waiting, like so many times, she turned with her head down and walked away.

God! Do something!

He screamed mentally at himself for not saying or doing something. His face contorted in anger at himself as he turned away and stared angrily at the floor of his office. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" He seethed at himself quietly.

The sound of her cell phone broke through her tattered thoughts and slow tears. Digging into her pockets for a tissue, she cleared her nose and wiped her eyes. The ringing didn’t stop. Clearing her throat, she checked the caller id. "Sidle."

"Hey it’s Brass."

Sitting up slightly from her slouched position against her car door, she changed hands as she turned the ignition on. "Hey, you got something for me?"

"Yeah, I do. The brother’s just been arrested for assault downtown. Thought you might like to talk to him."

Smiling slightly, Sara nodded as she turned the car around and headed towards the police station. "Be there in ten minutes." She flipped her phone shut and quickly looked in the rear-view mirror to check her face. She opened her window and let the fresh air attack her face and help relax her.

"My names Sara Sidle. We talked the other day about your sister." She sat back as Brass looked at the brother of Lilly Danvers.

"Yes Miss Sidle. I remember. Have you gotten anywhere concerning my sister?"

Sara looked at Brass briefly. "Mr Danvers, would you mind giving us a DNA sample?" She smiled and shrugged casually. "Just for comparison."

Mr Danvers shifted in his seat uncomfortably as he opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted by the door opening and Grissom stepping through. "He has no choice." Brass grinned and took a warrant from Grissom’s hand. "Mr Danvers has been trying to elude us." Grissom started, moving into the room and placing a file on the table in front of Sara.

"What are you talking about?" Mr Danvers asked with a tint of anger.

Grissom pushed his glasses slightly and stood slightly behind Sara. Sara stared at Mr Danvers after scanning the file in front of her. "Mr Danvers, you were seen last month, braking into your sisters home."

Mr Danvers sat up and glowered at them all. "I was trying to get into the house yes, but Lilly knew that. She forgot her key and asked me to help her get in." His hands were supported on the table as he glared at Sara and Grissom.

Nodding, Grissom leaned slightly over Sara. He lifted a piece of paper and turned it to show Mr Danvers.

"Here are the results of the sexually assault kit on your sister. At first we couldn’t find a match, but after the soiled towel that Miss Sidle found at your sisters house, we had something to compare to."

"A match." Sara said slowly, pushing the results of the towel beside the results of the sexual assault kit.

"At first we thought someone broke into your sisters house, but in fact she had to have known her killer."

Grissom began, stepping back to remove his glasses. "There was no forced entry."

Brass stepped forward and placed the warrant on the table. "Says here that we can take the DNA sample. You failed to mention that your sister filed a sexual harassment report against you only 6 months prier her death."

Grissom nodded and handed Sara a swab. "Just a mouth swab, but later we’ll need a blood sample."

Watching Mr Danvers as Sara took the DNA, he smirked. "You could have thought of a better place to hide the evidence."

Mr Danvers sat back and grinned. "Fuck you!"

Brass pulled him up and cuffed him. "That wasn’t very nice."

"You haven’t a thing. I’ll be out of jail by tomorrow morning." Mr Danvers sneered as Brass escorted him from the room with another police officer.

Sara placed the swab box on the table and collected up the file. "He’s right. We still don’t have anything. The charges will depend on Greg."

Grissom nodded and stepped forward to stand directly behind her. He was about to place his hand on her shoulder when she pushed her chair back, causing him to step away. He watched as she stood and grabbed the file and swab. She started for the door, but stopped when she realised he wasn’t following.

"I’ll be a minute." He said gently.

She looked down at the floor and turned away. She continued to walk out the room and towards her car.

Greg was looking through his microscope when Sara walked in. "I have something for you to look at." He said distractedly.

"And I have a swab for you." She smiled and handed it to him as she turned and looked into the microscope.

Greg got straight to work on the swab as Sara looked over the evidence under the scope. "I’ve been busy with Catherine’s case and didn’t get around to the fibre you collected. The hair came back nil as there was no skin tag." He explained as he prepared the swab for the machine.

Sara adjusted the scope and hummed in thought. "That looks very familiar."

"Perhaps you saw something at the house." Greg suggested, loading the machine.

Shaking her head in disagreement, she looked up, then stood up. "I’ve seen it somewhere." She leaned on her right hand and stared off into space.

Greg looked up and grinned at her. Lots in her own little world as she tried to place the evidence with something, someone or somewhere.

Grissom entered the room from the other door and looked at Greg. Just as he was about to speak, Greg shook his head and pointed at Sara. "Sidle mind at work." He whispered.

Sara’s head jerked slightly as a smile spread across her face. "Sneaky."

"Who’s sneaky?" Grissom asked, intrigued by the sudden smile and the brightness in her eyes when she turned to them.

She motioned to the microscope. "Take a look." Grissom moved around Greg and the table to cross the room. He bent and looked through the scope, adjusting the sight slightly. "It didn’t register at first, but now…" She grinned.

Grissom stood up and leaned on his hands as he looked at her. He shrugged in confusion. "Now?"

Sara nodded. "The fibre is a blue woolly texture. The sort from sweats or dress pants, a shirt... I think." She furrowed her brows as she tried to remember. Sighing and shuddering at the thought, she looked at Grissom and whined. "I don’t want to see Hodges."

"Who does?" Greg chimed in.

Sighing, Grissom pulled the slide from the microscope. "Fine. I’ll take it and you go see if you can find anything more on Mr Danvers. He’s lying to us."

Sara nodded and disappeared. Grissom followed her, but turned off to the right and into Hodges lab.

David Hodges grabbed the print out an hour later and charged through the door of Grissom’s office. "Hey Boss."

Grissom sat back as he placed his pen down. "Don’t call me that."

Hodges nodded and held up the print out. "The fibre you gave me is a woollen polyester. It’s found in many things, but this one was coated in something. I gave to Greg. Anyway, it’s mostly used in clothing, all kinds of pants and sweaters…"

Standing up, Grissom took the print out and read the results. He started for the door, ignoring Hodges as he continued down the hall. He looked up and saw Sara walk from one lab into another. "Sara!" He called, following her.

Sara stuck her had out the DNA lab door. "Yeah?"

Waving the trace results at her, he turned to see Hodges standing by his office. "Sorry Hodges." He turned back and watched as Sara took the results and turned to see Greg grab another print out.

"Here you go Sara." Greg smiled.

Sara grinned. "Ha!"

Grissom looked over her shoulder. "What?"

The sudden feel of Grissom’s breath on her face made her jump slightly, but she ignored it and lifted the print up. "Greg found traces of blood on the fabric."

Greg nodded his head excitedly and moved to stand in front of Sara. "Is it a hug or kiss for the results?"

Sara’s eyes snapped to Greg’s. Grissom’s heart stopped as he stared at Greg.

Grinning and laughing, he held up another print out. "I’ll deserve both after I tell you that Mr Danvers’ DNA was all over that towel and the fabric."

Looking down at the print out, Sara slowly took a step back, but bumped into Grissom. She moved her head up and turned around. "That’s sexual harassment." She muttered slyly and stepped around the stunned Grissom.

Greg shrugged. "Not like I’d do anything."

Grissom nodded slowly. "Just…" Swallowing, he started to turn. "Don’t let me hear it Greg, please."

Watching Grissom walk in the same direction as Sara, Greg sighed. "Lost before a first kiss." Wasn’t like he had a chance with Sara, but he could but dream and he knew it probably wasn’t wise saying something like that in front of Grissom, it just came out.

Sara rang Brass as she walked out to her car. Now the case was coming together. She was about to unlock her car when she heard the lab door open. She turned and watched as Grissom walked towards her.

"Sara!" He called.

"I called Brass. He’s moving Danvers to an interrogation room…" She informed, but stopped when he kept walking straight for her. "Grissom."

He was suddenly not in control of his actions as he walked straight for her and the second he reached her, he kissed her. His left hand was holding her face as his right slipped around her waist and pulled her to him. He couldn’t stop himself as his lips brushed hard against hers.

Sara was shocked at his actions. Her heart burst the second his lips touched hers. The look in his eyes had scared her; so much emotion was showed in them as he approached her. She could feel his entire body pressed against her as his lips hungrily feasted on hers.

Her slow reaction scared him at first, but then he felt her hands slide against his sides and around his back as his mouth attacked hers. His heart was screaming out its joy that he had finally just done it. Just gone straight up to her and kissed her.

It didn’t register that they were working, that they were at work, all that seemed to matter was the feel of their bodies against each other and the intoxicating taste, smell and touch they were receiving from the one kiss. Grissom’s right hand slipped under Sara’s shirt and across the skin of her lower back.

"Hmm." She moaned into his mouth and pressed her body harder against his.

Grissom seemed to loose himself completely and it scared him. That he could kiss her and forget everything that was going on around them. He broke the demanding kiss abruptly and buried his face in her neck. "God Sara!" He breathed.

Holding him tightly, she ran her hands up and down his back. Her eyes opened as she stared up at the sky. She tried to collect her thoughts as she closed her eyes again and turned her head to brush her face against his curly salt and peppered hair.

A cell phone broke through the haze that had settled around them. Grissom’s thumb glided across the soft skin of her cheek as he pulled back to look into her eyes. Sara opened her eyes and gazed into his. "I need to talk to you." He whispered.

Sara nodded and reached up to cup his cheek, this time with no hesitation. He smiled and leaned into her hand.

Brass was sat at the table with Mr Danvers looking slightly trapped. "I hope you brought your toothbrush. You’re gonna be staying a while." Brass smiled.

The door open and Mr Danvers turned to watch Grissom and Sara walk in. Grissom shut the door behind them as Sara sat at the table across from Mr Danvers. Brass folded his arms over his chest and waited for the wrapping up of the case to begin.

Before they could proceed, Mr Danvers smiled. "My Solicitor isn’t here yet."

Sara shrugged and opened the file. "That’s not going to help you either way Mr Danvers. I doubt very much that they’d be able to help you now."

Grissom sat down next to Sara. "I have a few questions." Getting no response, he continued. "What did you strangle your sister with?"

Sara comically nudged his elbow and smiled at Mr Danvers. "Like he knows." She motioned to Grissom. She leaned forwards and folded her hands in front of her on the table. "I do though." She grinned. Grissom unfolded a piece of paper when Brass handed it to him. Sara sat back and pushed the paper towards the suspect. "Could you take your shirt off please?"

"He’s going to either way." Grissom shrugged at Mr Danvers as he looked up.

Brass smiled as he watched Grissom and Sara rip the suspect apart with questions. "I love this part." He grinned.

Sara cleared her throat as she watched Mr Danvers pull his shirt over his head. Grissom bagged it and looked at Sara for her to continue. "Don’t stop on my part." He smiled softly.

She returned his smile and turned back to Mr Danvers. "I see you hurt yourself."

Mr Danvers nodded slowly. "My sister attacked me."

Sara nodded. "Really?" Mr Danvers nodded again at her with a sober expression. She continued. "Was that before or after you raped her?"

Grissom tried to ignore the edge in her voice.

"I didn’t!"

"We’ll, these question’s are just to fill in the blanks." Sara explained. "We have you either way."

Grissom explained about the blood and semen. The confusing part was not finding his name in AFIS or CODIS. Although it just about fit if his first offence was the assault, he wouldn’t have been printed for a report. If he didn’t assault that woman then he might have gotten away to skip town.

"You’re under arrest." Brass said with a hint of enjoyment in his voice.

Grissom turned his head and watched Sara as she drove them back to the lab. He looked down at her hand on her leg. Lifting his hand slowly, he covered hers lightly. She glanced at him and smiled as she squeezed his hand.

When they got back to the lab and were finishing of bits and pieces of the case, Catherine, Nick and Warrick were finishing up their own cases. They all walked into the break room and sat down at the table where Grissom and Sara were signing reports and filling in final assessment sheets for their case.

"So?" Warrick asked.

Sara looked up, her pen halting as she questioned him.

Nick smiled. "Who done it?"

She nodded and got back to signing the last report. "The brother."

Warrick, Nick and Catherine looked at each other and cringed. "Yuck!" Was the united response.

Grissom smirked as he closed the file. They were all sat together. He could tell them all, but he wanted to tell Sara first. His internal argument was halted when he watched Sara close the last file and collect everything up.

"Cath." He said, getting her attention. "Close the door please."

Everyone watched Catherine close the door, but Sara was looking at Grissom. He smiled softly to put any feelings of worry at bay.

Nick and Warrick turned to Grissom. "What’s up Boss?" Nick asked.

Siting back in his chair, he looked around the table. "I don’t really know how to say this, so be patient with me."

"You retiring Griss?" Warrick asked with a smile.

Grissom chuckled and shook his head. "No, sorry Warrick. This is serious and very personal." That got everyone to pay quiet attention. "I’m not going to beat around the bush, so… I had surgery four weeks ago."

"What!" Nick and Warrick’s outburst made Sara jump.

Catherine looked at Sara and hoped she was going to be ok with this. Grissom had the same thought and looked straight at the brunette. Sara was looking at the table as he continued. "I had been suffering from a genetic disorder called Otosclerosis. I had surgery to correct it."

"Did it work? Well it’s gotta have worked if you’re here, right?" Nick asked, clearly shocked.

Grissom nodded and looked at the young man. "It’s not 100%, but I’m able to hear better than I could."

"We wondered why you’d ignore us…" Warrick trailed off.

Shaking his head, Grissom smiled. "Not ignored, just didn’t hear you."

Catherine was quiet the whole time. She knew, but didn’t know how everyone would react if they knew she knew all along.

"That’s why Catherine was supervisor. She’s second in command either way. Cavallo insisted I tell you all, but I didn’t see a reason at first." Grissom sighed. "I know you probably feel like I kept this from you, but please remember I don’t like sharing my personal life. It’s nothing personal, it’s just how I am."

Warrick and Nick nodded. "It’s ok Griss. We understand. At least you’re better." Warrick said kindly.

Nick smiled. "At least you can still tell Greg off about his music."

Grissom chuckled and smiled at his team. "Cath, why don’t you lot go out to the diner and I’ll meet you there?"

She nodded and looked down at Sara as she collected the boys and left the room. Nick and Warrick didn’t say anything and followed Catherine out, letting the door close behind them.

Grissom pushed his chair back and pulled himself to directly in front of Sara. "Hey." He reached up and turned her face to look at him. "I wanted to tell you first." He whispered. She nodded hesitantly. "I’m sorry."

"It’s ok." She whispered softly and sniffled slightly. "I should go home. I’m tired." She pushed away from the table and stood up.

"Sara." Grissom stood and tried to grasp her shirt, but she walked away. "Please, Sara."

She smiled at him sadly and nodded. "I’ll see you later." She pushed through the door and headed towards her car.

Action - bringing her to Vegas
Consequence - falling in love with her
Consequence - pushing and avoiding her
Action - kissing her
= Only to push her away again

Grissom sat down next to Warrick and looked at Catherine who was looking at him expectantly. He shook his head. She nodded and smiled sympathetically. "You know how she can be." Catherine said softly.

Nick looked up from the menu and asked. "Sara’s not coming?"

"Sorry Nicky." Grissom shook his head.

Nick nodded and sighed. "She’s probably just tired."

Warrick smiled. "Sara’s not tired man, it would take a tranquilliser to put her out."

Nick chuckled. "Sure."

Grissom stared at the door, waiting, hoping. Why didn’t he make her stay? He should have told her first. She’s hurt because he didn’t tell her before, didn’t tell her about the surgery when it was now clear that he felt something for her.

She felt upset, but the tears would not fall. He could tell whom he wanted. It wasn’t like they were even talking four weeks ago. They barely spoke a personal word to each other during the bank robbery last month, why would she expect him to tell her about surgery?

Turning over, she grumbled into her pillow. "He kissed me."

Rolling onto her stomach, she buried her head in the pillow. "I felt something." Did he?

The questions were all moot, but they still started pounding her brain with insecurity. Why would he kiss her if he would keep his surgery from her? Maybe he didn’t trust her. But he said that he wanted to talk to her, what did that mean?

She lifted her head from her pillow and squinted her eyes at the makeshift darkness. "SARA!" Her head dropped back into her pillow as she dragged her body from her bed. Her head was heavy with exhaustion as she padded through her apartment to the front door. "Sara, open the door!"

"I’m coming!" She shouted, unbolting the lock and pulled the chain off. She barely had a chance to open the door fully when he pushed through it and slammed it shut.

"Why do you do this?" He seethed clearly upset.

"Griss!" She shouted to get his attention.

His jaw tightened as he stepped inches from her. "I’m in love with you and when I try to open up, you push me away. I know I’ve been an asshole for years Sara! But don’t do this to me now. It was scary ok. It took everything I had to tell the team and I couldn’t have done it if you weren’t there." He confessed, holding her cheek gently in his left hand. He looked into her eyes with such intensity that her heart was pounding faster and faster. She could see the tears welling up in his eyes as he gasped for a breath. "I drew strength from you just to overcome my one fear of actually sharing something that personal with so many people. It hurt ok. I know it hurt you too and I’m sorry, but I was petrified that I’d go deaf and even more petrified that I’d lose you if you found out. Don’t let that come true now, please." He pleaded, moving closer.

Sara’s eyes closed as she felt his lips brush lightly across hers. "I’m sorry." He whispered brokenly.

"Sssh." She hushed, pulling him to her and hugging him tightly. "I’m sorry too."

Grissom cried into her neck as he gave up on the emotions that had been tied up inside for too long. Sara clutched his jacket in her hands as she cried with him. "I love you." He whispered hoarsely.

Sara’s body was shaking with his as pent up emotions flowed out. She turned her head and kissed his ear. Breathing out heavily, she whispered softly. "I love you too."

Those confessional words seemed to make everything worse. Sara pulled back and grasped his hands in hers. She guided him to her room and pulled him down with her as she covered them and held him tightly.

Grissom moaned when he felt something move against him, he opened his eyes slowly and only then did he realise there was a faint sound. He pulled Sara back into his chest and kissed her neck as she whimpered in her sleep and jerked now and then. "Sssh. Honey, it’s ok."

Sara turned over and snuggled against him as his arms tightened around her. She brushed her face over his warm jacket and grumbled against the night terrors that were plaguing her. Grissom gently pushed her hair back and kissed the top of her head as she settled back into sleep.

He watched her for a while and listened to her breathing. It was faint, but he could feel her chest against his as she breathed in and out with sleep. His fingers lightly ran over her back as he held her. Thinking about the others at breakfast, he sighed and pushed his head into the pillow. He’d need to apologise for leaving suddenly.

Catherine had suggested he leave her to come to terms with everything that’s happened lately, but Grissom didn’t agree and had decided to do something straight away. On his way to her apartment, his feelings hit him full force. He’d realised he loved her more than anything and that he owed it to tell her everything.

It was about time that he left his work second and put himself first, put Sara first. She deserved explanations and he hoped he wasn’t too late to tell her them. He’d been trying to avoid strong feelings for her since the first time that he sensed a connection between them, but he couldn’t stay away for long. He was drawn to her.

The cantaloupe soup guy that had died on the aeroplane had been just one of the close connections they had. The case with the wife abduction by her boyfriend and buried alive in a crate was something he missed. Not the case, but the way they worked together, the closeness and playfulness as they put the case together.

It’s a wonderful feeling when someone can finish your sentences and thoughts one a case. It’s like they were on the same wavelength. It felt incredible, but it changed as he started to sense something was wrong with his hearing and the more he worried, the more he distanced himself from everyone and Sara most of all.

At time he felt it was better and he’d work a case with her, but she’d get so close like the avoidance was nothing. He tried so hard to protect her from being hurt and he ended up hurting her most of all. He tried to tell her she deserved better and his heart felt crushed when she was hurt again.

Nothing went right for so long and now he was holding her as she slept. She had held him as he cried and he told her about his hearing and why he didn’t tell her or anyone for so long. They had fallen asleep from emotional exhaustion and held each other as each tried to work out what was going to happen next.

Hours later, Sara blinked back the tiredness that was still present. She watched Grissom sleeping soundly with his arm wrapped around her, holding her into his side. Her head was resting on his shoulder with her hand over his heart, feeling the steady beat against her palm. She closed her eyes as he pulled her tighter and covered her hand.

"You know I’d changed everything if I could." He said quietly.

Sara hummed and let his fingers link with hers over his heart. "I know."

"I’d tell you my secrets if I could." He said, turning his head slightly, his eyes still closed.

Smiling, she kissed his chin. "You are who you are Griss. I’m not going to force you. I’ll love you either way."

Grissom’s eyes fluttered open at her words. He looked at her and watched as she lifted her head and met his eyes. "It’s not that I don’t what to tell you." He said softly. "I want to, but it’s just…" He sighed and turned to face her as she rolled onto her back, allowing him to move more. He reached out and fingered some hair on her cheek. "I’ve spent most my life alone and it’s gotten harder to share things with anyone."

"You tell Catherine things." She said, not sadly or jealously, just curiously.

He smiled. "I’ve known her a lot longer and she doesn’t give me much of a choice. She’s got this knack of forcing information out of me, even if it’s vague."

"So." Sara smiled sweetly as she gently combed her fingers through his hair. He was leaning over her slightly. "What do I manage to weasel out of you?"

Grissom chuckled. He looked into her eyes and traced her lips with a serious expression. "I think you bring the best and the worst from me." She raised her eyebrows at him. He smirked and shrugged. "At times you make me so mad I don’t know what to do and other times you make me want to hold you and spend my whole life with you."

"That’s not much of a reaction option." She mused mock seriously.

"Although I can never be mad at you for long. It usual lasts a little longer than when Greg’s music is up too loud." He grinned when she giggled. "But when I’m mad, I can’t help but want to strangle you and kiss you at the same time."

"Gee, thanks." She remarked with a huge grin.

He shrugged and kissed her lips lightly. Pulling back, he brushed his thumb over her cheek. "Can you do one thing for me?"

Sara smiled. "Depends."

Smirking, he tickled her and rolled onto his back, pulling her with him. She was now laying over him with her head on his chest. "Talk to me and I’ll talk to you."

Her arms pushed herself up as she found his eyes. "Even if it’s something you don’t want to hear?" She asked seriously. Grissom nodded and held her around her waist. Sara sighed and stared at his chest. "At least we both know we have trouble talking about personal things."

"It’s something we’re going to have to work on if we want this to continue." He said gently, pushing his fingers under her shirt.

"Griss?" Sara looked at his jacket, then his eyes.

"Hmm?"

She fingered his jacket. "Can you take this off, it’s got to be uncomfortable."

He smiled and nodded, he let her roll off him as he sat up and shrugged the offending clothing off. He tossed it to the floor and sat on the edge of the bed. "We still have a few hours till work." He reminded, pulling his socks off. "Mind if I stay here?"

"You can stay as long as you want." Sara smiled as she moved to sit behind him. Grissom hesitantly unbuttoned his shirt. "I’m not going to do anything Gil." She whispered into his ear.

Grissom nodded and smiled at the use of his first name. He let her pull the shirt from his shoulders. She was already in her night-clothes, so he unbuckled his belt and removed his pants. As soon as he was in his boxers, he rolled back under the covers and pulled Sara to him.

The feel of skin on skin was electrifying. Sara sighed contentedly and pulled his arm closer as she relaxed into his warm body. "We’re going to be ok aren’t we Griss?"

"Sara?" He moaned as he kissed her neck.

"Yeah?" She turned her head slightly and looked into his eyes.

"Grissom, Griss or Gil. I’m not bothered which, but I’d like it if you would call me Gil when we’re not at work." His eyes sparkled when she gave him her brilliant gap tooth smile.

"I’ll take that as a yes." She smiled and turned her head back to rest on his arm.

"Honey, I’m not giving up on us." He promised.

"I love you Gil."

"I love you too."

- The End.