Author: Moggie
Status: Complete
Summary: [GSR]They have been together for many months now and are having some troubles and not just the adjusting to the policies.
Genre: Romance
Notes: This was my very first fanfiction. Some may have read it, some may have not. I felt the need to adjust it slightly. Give it some looking over and a spelling test. The grammar and language has also been adjusted, but the storyline is same. Reviews are welcome.
Disclaimer: I do not own CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Book I | Book II | Book III

Four months had passed by since there first kiss on the side walk, since Grissom took that next step, since there first time they had sex (in the Dry Room at the lab) and since Grissom told Sara about his hearing.

The lab rules and policies were well known by both and at times when they were sure no one was about they’d steal a moment to get close, but the long hours they worked were beginning to test the boundaries of there will’s. Needing more contact the more serious the relationship got. A vacation was suggested, but that soon went out the window when several cases came in at the same time.

The lab hadn’t been quiet the last night or two it was all a rush, this rush consisted of a quadruple homicide at a party down the south side of Vegas, the two floaters that turned up at Lake Mead and the robbery on Charles Street.

It was basically divide and conquer, but it wasn’t working out like it was supposed to. Catherine broke her ankle tripping over one of Lindsey’s roller skates on the patio and was not allowed to come in, doctor’s orders. It also didn’t help that Archie and Danny had come down with the flu and had only logged in about eight hours between them the whole two nights. Although Nick and Warrick were their cheery selves, they were worried about Catherine. She had to cope with a daughter and a broken ankle, which they both thought had to be difficult.

Grissom was back in his haven, but surround by his nemesis, paperwork. He had nearly finished when Angelica from the front desk stopped by to add two more files to the pile. He thought he was never going to finish and go home. He was tired and grumpy, grumpy according to Nick and Warrick.

Sara was wondering the corridors of the lab with her head in a report trying to figure out how a victim could fight back a thief with a bread stick at the age of 87. She laughed lightly at the older ladies statement and couldn’t believe that the robber was so busy ducking and diving trying to escape the bread bashing that as he tried to run with the cash in hand, he forgot that the front door was pull not push and knocked himself out cold. Sadly the young man who was in his early twenties behind the till was shot in the process and died in theatre. The only thing for Sara to do now was to get Grissom to sign the report and have the perp arrested.

She rounded the corner to the break room and ran straight into something cold and hard. She looked up at the sounds of hissing and a thud as Nick hit the floor with laughter. Warrick just covered his face with his hands and tried to hide the laugh that so desperately wanted to come out at the site of Sara walking down the corridor head down and walk straight into a glass door, that is normally permanently open.

Sara took a step back rubbing her head and pushed the door open so it clicked at the base as the clip in the floor held it in place. She took one look at Warrick and then glanced at Nick before turning on her heel with a curse and still rubbing her head. The coffee can wait she thought as she headed to Grissom’s office.

The door was closed, as it had been a lot more than it used to be. Sara looked through the small dark window to see Grissom at his desk, pen in one hand and the side of his head in the other. She looked down at the file she was holding and closed it; the perp could also wait. She knocked on the door and when she didn’t get a reply slowly opened the door to give him a chance to see her enter. He didn’t though and continued to write. Sara walked around his desk and placed the folder on the nearly flat pile. Grissom looked up slowly when he saw a shadow out the corner of his eye. He smiled, but it was only a small smile and just as quickly as it came it went. He put his pen down and buried his head in his hands and sighed.

“Gil, you should go home, shift ended 3 hours ago.” Sara perched on his side of the desk looking down at him cradling his head. Getting no response she reached out and pulled a hand away from his face. He looked up then back at the desk. “Go home, your exhausted.” Grissom reached into a draw to his left and pulled out a prescription bottle and took two white circular tablets out. Sara passed him the bottled water that was on a shelf behind him and watched him take them. He placed the prescription bottle into his pocket and groaned as he rubbed his temples. Sara stood behind him and began to rub his neck and base of his skull. Grissom’s head dropped with a moan as the pain from his migraine was relieved temporally. “How long have you put off from taking your pills?” Sara asked continuing to massage.

“Not long…Ow” Sara added more pressure to his neck knowing he was lying. “A few hours no more.” Grissom’s phone rang and as he reached for it he groaned as the shrill squeak shot through his fragile brain. “What know? Grissom…Hey Brass…Where?…No…Be half an hour at least…yeah, but it’s a way out…Yeah all right…Bye.” Grissom replaced the phone to its holder and gathered the folder still open and closed it. Sara wrapped her arms around his neck as she leaned down to his ear.

“You can’t drive.” Grissom nodded knowing that the pills he’d taken would make him drowsy and even more tired than he was already. “Let Nick, Warrick and me that care of it ok?” Sara placed a kiss on his ear and watched him grip the table as she ran her fingers through his hair letting her nails lightly scrape his scalp. He closed his eyes and moaned.

“You know, if I didn’t feel so bad I’d repay you for the massage…If I put Warrick in charge am I going to be sleeping on the couch, because I’d rather sleep in your bed, with you.” Sara grinned and kissed him once more before standing. Grissom stood and grabbed his coat from the coat rack.

“I don’t mind and I’d rather snuggle up to you than that flea bag of a cat I own. I swear he breeds the blasted things daily. I can’t get rid of them and he’s not helping, he seems content on scratching and sharing them with the carpet and my skin.” Sara said as she bent down to scratch her calf. Grissom chuckled and pulled her up to face him. He brushed her hair out of her face and pulled out a tube of cream and a brown packet with a cat stencilled on it from his coat pocket.

“For me?” he nodded and She took the tube and packet. She read the tube as he put his coat on and zipped it up.

“Tube is for you, packet is for the cat.” Grissom opened the door and headed towards the break room to inform Nick and Warrick of the D.B found fours miles west of the gold mine near Petes Peak and to drop him off at Sara’s. -

The D.B turned out to be a dead animal, a large dog or bear, but had rotted and no one could tell without the human one line animal two lines test, which was down an hour after they got there. They had to reach it first, which meant climbing down a rather steep side of a hill. It didn’t help that it had rained and was muddy. Back at the lab the reports were filled in and sent to Grissom’s desk to be signed, which wouldn’t be done until next shift.

“Hey Sara you want to go for something to drink? Warrick and me are going to check out that new bar that opened round the corner.” Sara put the last item of clothing into her rucksack and slung it over her shoulder shutting her locker at the same time.

“Sorry Nick, need to get home. Got to sort the cat out and rescue my carpet from being taken over.” At Nicks confused looked she continued. “My cat, he has fleas and there driving me up the wall.” Sara started scratching her left arm ferociously before applying some of the cream Grissom gave her.

Nick grinned. “Ok see later Sara.” Warrick grabbed his bag and followed Nick out the door. Sara headed the same way, but to the car park. She drove home with the radio on listening to some person giving advice on home businesses. She flipped the station to stop when country music started to seep out the speakers. Well it’s not exactly what she was hoping for, but it would do for the rest of the drive.

Sara locked her door after she placed her things on the small table by the door. She looked around the room and spotted the cat on the Kitchen unit scratching away. She sighed and made her way to the bedroom, but stopped when she saw something, or rather someone on her couch.

“Didn’t make it huh?” Sara grabbed the blanket on the back of the couch and draped it of Grissom’s sleeping form. She pulled back to look at him. He was sweating from the migraine and pain. Poor thing, Sara went to the kitchen to get a cold compress and returned to place it on his forehead. She sat on the edge of the couch and dabbed away the sweat. She placed it on the coffee table as he lifted his arm and wrapped it around her. She lay next to him with his arm protectively around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. Sara pulled the blanket over both of them and joined him in sleep.

Catherine sat at her kitchen table drinking coffee while Lindsey coloured. Catherine was tired and stressed, although she didn’t let it show to her daughter. It wasn’t her fault, but the cast that was encasing most of her foot and calf to support her ankle was annoying. Now the toy she slipped on was Lindsey’s fault and she was told to put it away several times, but obviously didn’t. Lindsey gave her mother a hug when she got home from the hospital and said that she was sorry for not doing as she was told. Catherine could only hug her back and forget about it, although she told her daughter in a stern tone that she should clean up after her, other people and herself could get hurt.

While Lindsey was colouring, Catherine was trying to think of a way to have a day away from the house or get Lindsey to have some fun without involving Eddie. Lindsey’s bank holiday was a bad remembrance when the cast went on and although she does love her daughter a great deal it’s not fair for either of them to be struck in the house for a whole week. She had to figure something out and soon.

Grissom had shift onto his back in his sleep and Sara seemed to follow. They both shared the couch shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip. They both would have slept for longer if it weren’t for the cat sleeping on Sara legs. Her legs had fallen asleep and where now tingling as she tried to move her toes and push the cat off. It wasn’t working. The cat fell with a thud onto the floor and scampered away, which was also followed with a louder thud as Sara tried to stand, but hit the table instead with her knee as her legs buckled under her.

“Ouch…God Dammit.” Grissom reached blindly for her; only to find her back pressed to the side of the couch with her sitting on the floor.

“Sara.” Grissom turned onto his side facing her cursing form and trying to rub life back into her legs. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and looked at the table that seemed to be bleeding. “Sara are you all right? What happened?” Grissom slid down next to her and watched as she rubbed her knee through her trouser leg. “Sara stop, your bleeding.” Sara stopped when she noticed the red sticky substance and let go of her leg. “Let me see ok? Don’t move.” Grissom pushed the trouser leg up and over her knee carefully, trying not to hurt her.

“You know, it’s kind of funny, now that I can feel the pain and see the blood.” Grissom looked up from his inspection of her knee to Sara; he raised an eyebrow.

“Did you hit your head too?” Grissom reached for her head and Sara swatted his hand away while lightly laughing.

“No, I hit my knee.”

“Did you not see your own coffee table?” Grissom grabbed the cold compress, which wasn’t so cold, but would do temporally. He pressured it against the cut and listened to Sara hiss at the contact.

“Yes and no.”

“Huh?” Grissom looked completely baffled and even more so when she pointed at the cat that ran down the hall as though it was being accused of murder and decided it was going into hiding.

“He was sleeping on my legs, they went to sleep, pins and needles and me trying to walk. Get the picture?”

Grissom nodded with an added “Oh…so…stay there and let me get the first aid kit ok?” Grissom walked into the bathroom and emerged with a green box with a white cross on it. He opened it and found the antiseptic spray and a plaster. “Ok this is going to hurt, so try and stay still.” Grissom sprayed the cut and stuck the plaster on. He pulled down her trouser leg and offered his hand to help her up, she took it and was soon sitting on the couch with her leg outstretched and her foot resting on the coffee table. Grissom clean up the table and put the fist aid away.

Sara tried to stand a few minutes later, but when she bent her knee to walk she yelped and winced with the pain. Grissom turned on the coffee pot to reheat whilst watching Sara battle to walk towards the kitchen counter. Shaking his head he was about to tell her to sit down, before she hurt herself again, but when she saw him about to open his mouth she waved a finger at him and said. “Don’t, I’m going to sit when I get to the dammed stool, Ok?” Sara leaned on the counter for support and made her way to the stool.

“Fine, but don’t do it again, at least not for a while, here…” Grissom opened a cupboard above the fridge and turned back with two aspirin in his hand. “Take these and you’ll feel better, just don’t walk around…let the muscles in your leg relax and recover from the shock.” Grissom handed her the pills, poured her a coffee and handed it to her.

“Thank you, so how you feeling? Migraine gone?” Grissom took a seat next to her and drank his coffee.

“Yeah, you helped a lot. Sorry about the couch, I didn’t have the strength to walk another three feet.” Sara drank her coffee and leaned over the counter to get a book from her draw. She handed it to him and finished her coffee.

Looking through the book, he smiled. “Where’d you find this?” Grissom lifted the item in question, which was titled ‘natural remedy cures for people who suffer Migraines’.

“I was shopping the other day and decided to pop in the book store. I saw it on a display and thought it might help, which it did. The cold compress cooled your temperature a little and lessened the pain. Ingenious really.”

“Well I do feel a lot better thank you and with you here I’m even better.” She smiled and poured some more coffee into her cup, but only a third full. Grissom watched as she steadied herself and bent down to place the cup on the floor. She then asked Grissom for assistance in her mission. “Sorry, what did you say?” Sara turned to face him whilst still bending down and repeated the question.

“I’ll teach you something, but first can you get the butter out of the fridge and hand me my coat?” Grissom obeyed and gathered the items handing them to Sara as he perched on the stool again. “Thanks, now watch and learn.” Sara sat up and pulled out the flea tablet from the brown packet Grissom gave her earlier and pushed it into a lump of butter. She sat back and waited, Grissom watched in awe as the cat came running into the living room from where ever it was hiding straight to the coffee cup. He took one sniff, sat and stared into the swirling black liquid. “See he’s been watching you too much.” Sara laughed, leaned down and picked him up. She pushed her fingers into his mouth between his upper and lower teeth to get him to open his mouth and he did. She placed the small lump of butter into his mouth and let him close it, swallowing the butter and tablet as he jumped down onto the floor. He walked over to the coffee cup took one more sniff and trotted back off in the direction he came.

“Did you teach him that?” Sara picked up the cup and pushed it away towards the sink. She leaned across the counter once more for a cloth and wiped her hands clean.

“Nope, just that one day when I was decorating this place I had one of my coffee cups on the floor and I was about to tell him to get lost, when I saw him watching the liquid swirl. It was kind of wired so I watched him watching the liquid. It was fascinating.” Sara tried to stand, but couldn’t steady herself. “Help please.”

Grissom took her arm and helped her towards the bathroom. “You gonna take a bath or shower?” Sara grinned up at him.

“A Bath, why you want to join me?” He grinned back with a nodded. “Ok, but on one condition.”

“What condition?” Grissom opened the bathroom door and let Sara perch on the side of the huge tub. She started to fill it with water and poured in some bubble bath.

“You tell me what got you so stressed to give you a migraine?” Grissom went quiet and leaned against the closed bathroom door head down. “Griss, you’re going to tell me sooner or later, so lets get it over with.” Grissom moved to sit next to her.

“I was thinking about my hearing, you, work, the other guys. I suppose it just got to me that’s all.” Sara turned to face him.

“You think too much you know that. Griss why don’t you stop worrying about everyone and yourself, and relax for a few hours ok? Look; Work is fine, everyone at work is fine, I’m fine and your hearing is fine. The doctor says the surgery on your left ear worked perfectly and you can hear out of it can’t you?” He nodded slowly letting the words sink in. “And your next appointment isn’t for a few weeks yet, so stop worrying. The surgery will work for your right ear as well, you know that don’t you?” Grissom sighed and looked at the bubbles forming in the bath. “Griss?”

Grissom looked deep into her eyes. “I worry too much.” Sara nodded and leaned into him planting a kiss on his lips. Sara started to undress and Grissom followed. Sara slipped into the water first and sighed with a smile on her face, Grissom did the same reaching for the soap. He lifted her leg and took a look at the plaster covering the cut. “You should…”

“Keep my knee out of the water, I know.” Sara said cutting him off. Grissom laughed and started to soap her legs. Sara sank into the bubbles and let the water soak into her pores, relax her muscles and breathed in the steam through her nose. “Griss” Grissom moved to her other leg.

“Sara”

“I was wondering if you wanted to do something today, seeing as its quiet and cases have hit a wall.” Sara leaned forward as Grissom turned his back to her and she soaped his back and began washing his hair. Grissom’s eyes closed at the sensation.

“What did you have in mind?” Sara rinsed his hair and in turn he turned as she did, so he could wash her back and her hair.

“I thought that we could go to the fair, you know, the one down at East Avenue.” Grissom rinsed her hair and when he finished she leaned back against him. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her wet hair.

“Sounds fun.”

“I was also wondering.” She turned to face him; he waited for her to continue. “If Lindsey could come, you know let Catherine have some time alone. They’ve been cooped up in that house for two days and well…” Grissom leaned forward and kissed her softly.

He pulled away. “I’d like that.” Sara smiled her gap-toothed smile and hugged him.

“I’ll ring Catherine and we can pick her up after 2.” They finished washing and got dressed.

Sara rang Catherine and arranged it all. They’d pick Lindsey up at 2 and take her to the fair, but they would also take her to dinner afterwards, So that Catherine could spend some time with Warrick. No one but Sara and Lindsey knew about Catherine and Warrick and that’s how both of them wanted it for a while yet.

Lindsey bounded down the drive and ran straight to Sara.

“Hi Aunt Sara.” Sara picked her up and gave her a big hug.

“Hey Linds, Ready to go see the clowns?”

“I can’t wait.”

Grissom watched the two as Catherine watched Grissom; he was smiling at them. Catherine new Grissom loved Lindsey just as much as Sara. Sara put Lindsey down and she turned and ran to Grissom. He leaned down and scooped her up into his arms and hugged her.

Catherine stood next to Sara watching the two. “He’s good with her.” Catherine nodded and patted Sara’s shoulder.

“Almost makes you want to have one of your own, doesn’t it?” She winked at Sara and placed Lindsey’s bag on the backseat of the Tahoe. Sara absorbed Catherine’s words, smiled and nodded.

“Yeah I suppose it does.” Grissom let Lindsey run to the car and jump in. He turned to Sara.

“What does?” Grissom watched her eyes widen and grinned, he shook his head knowing he wasn’t going to get a reply. “Well, lets get going, see you tonight Catherine.” Grissom got in the car as Lindsey cheered and said goodbye to her mother.

“Bye mommy, I see you later.” Catherine gave her quick kiss and closed the door.

“Have fun you lot ok?” She backed away from the car.

“We will. Take it easy.” Sara waved out the window as the car pulled away. Catherine waved and slowly made her way back into the house.

The park was filled with people, families with their children and those older children with their little brothers and sisters. There were large and small rides, some fast and others slow. They walked down the middle looking at the rides and the numerous side-shows. Lindsey was trying to see over the other people to watch a man eat fire, but couldn’t see. Grissom lifted her up onto his shoulders and held her tightly so she wouldn’t fall. Sara took pictures and asked some nice strangers to take pictures of them all together. Grissom and Sara shared some candy floss and even Lindsey tried it, but found it too sweet and stuck with her ice-cream. The afternoon was hot and before they went on any rides they had to take several trips to the toilets because of the amount of liquids they were consuming.

“Ok what do you want to go on first Linds?” Sara handed Lindsey a pink lolly, which she took eagerly.

“Um, can we go on that one?” Lindsey pointed at the caterpillar roller coaster while sucking on her lolly.

“Griss, you wanna try it?” Grissom just laughed a shook his head.

“No way, you two go and I’ll watch.” Lindsey smiled as Sara gave him the camera to hold. Lindsey took her hand and headed towards the line of people. Sara looked back at Grissom as they climbed into a car. Sara leaned down to whisper something in Lindsey’s ear. Lindsey laughed and waved at him. Grissom waved back watching as the over sized caterpillar whooshed around the corners and over the bumps. He looked at the camera and brought it up to catch Sara and Lindsey screaming as they pass him with their hands in the air.

“Your wife and daughter look like they’re having fun.” Said a voice from behind Grissom. He turned to see a man who looked to be in his late thirties, with dark brown hair and a moustache. Before Grissom could corrected him the man offered him his hand, which Grissom shook. “Robert Elks.”

“Gil Grissom.” Grissom turned to look at Sara and Lindsey laughing as they went round another corner.

“How old is she?”

Grissom answered still looking at them. “Six, but she’s not my daughter.”

“Oh sorry, it’s just that the way you are with her, I assumed, I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be. I wish she was, but no, she’s a friend’s. We brought her to the fair to give her mother a rest.” Grissom watched the cars come to a stop and the people exit the ride. Lindsey was bouncing and tugging on Sara’s arm.

“Your wife certainly looks happy. She a natural.” Grissom was about to say something when Lindsey let Sara’s arm go and ran to Grissom.

“Uncle Grissom, Uncle Grissom.” Grissom lifted her up. “Did you see? We were going really fast.” Grissom laughed and nodded.

“I saw, did you have fun?” Sara introduced herself to the man Grissom was talking to.

“Sara Sidle.” She shook the man’s hand.

“Robert Elks, I’m sorry my son isn’t feeling too well, too many sweets, I have to go. It was nice to meet you all.” He walked towards his son and off into the distance.

“He seemed nice, What you two talk about?” Grissom took Sara’s hand and carried Lindsey.

“Oh nothing, I’ll tell you later. Shall we have a look at the circus tricks?” Lindsey wriggled in his arms and he put her down.

“Yeeaah.” Lindsey took Grissom’s offered hand and walked towards the large marquee in the middle of the park.

Sara sat on a bench watching Lindsey on the pony ride. She sat with her back against Grissom’s chest his arms wrapped around her shoulders.

“You enjoying yourself?” Sara asked still watching Lindsey.

“Yeah.” He tightened his hold on her.

“You hungry?”

“Yeah.” Sara laughed and turned her head.

“Vocabulary stretching today aren’t we.” Grissom chuckled and kiss her lips softly.

“I try.” They got up and walked over to Lindsey. Grissom lifted Lindsey up and onto his shoulders. “You hungry Linds?”

“Yeah, can we get pizza Uncle Grissom please?” Sara laughed again as they head to the car.

“I think we can.” Lindsey cheered and hugged his head. Grissom smiled as Sara took a picture, one of many taken today. They reached the car and Sara lifted Lindsey of Grissom’s shoulders. Lindsey climbed into her seat and buckled up. Grissom and Sara followed. The car started and they drove to the Pizza Hut close to Grissom’s townhouse. The only one either of them knew that was close to home.

Pulling into a parking space Lindsey unbuckled. Sara watched as she got out. Picking Lindsey’s coat up she told her. “Linds honey, put your coat on it’s getting cold.” Lindsey pushed her arms through the sleeves and Sara did the zip up. Lindsey held Sara’s hand as they walked towards the main road. Grissom took Lindsey’s other hand and when it was clear they crossed the road. Walking down the path towards the entrance Lindsey shouted.

“Swing me, swing me.” As she hung on to there hands Grissom and Sara swung her so she came off the ground and landed softly on her feet when she came back down. “Weeeeeeee”.

Later after eating, Grissom and Sara talked while Lindsey was sleeping on the seat next to Sara. She was covered with Sara’s coat to keep her warm. They were drinking their coffees as they talked about their day.

“I couldn’t believe it when that clown picked her out of a huge crowed of kids. She was so happy. I’m glad I brought my camera, I’ll have to get copies of them for Catherine.”

“That’s a good idea. At least Lindsey can show Catherine the badge and hat that the clown gave her.”

“Yeah, she was so excited. Although when she wanted to go on the pony ride I was a bit worried.”

“How come?”

“Well, most children Linds age want pony’s and I was sure she was going to ask.” Grissom chuckled.

“She’s a smart kid.”

“That she is.” Sara reached across the table and grasped his hand. “Are you going to tell me what that guy and you were talking about or am I going to have to guess?”

Grissom turned her hand in his and traced her fingers with his other hand. “Well, He told me that you and Linds looked happy, you know on the roller coaster.” Sara nodded “Well actually, He told me that my wife and daughter looked happy and that you were a natural mother.” Grissom looked at Lindsey and smiled. Sara squeezed his hand.

“That was nice of him, although I’m not sure about the natural mother comment.” Grissom smiled at her and shook his head.

“I’m sure you’d be a great mom.” Sara tucked her coat under Lindsey’s chin and brushed back her straight blonde hair. Grissom looked down at the table and asked. “Did you…I mean, have you ever thought about having children Sara?”

Sara looked at Lindsey then at him she reached her free hand across the table to lift his chin. He looked into her eyes, sliding her hand to cup his cheek Sara replied. “No, not really…Not until I came here that is. The first time I saw Lindsey with Catherine made me think, but I never thought I would find the right person.” Grissom smiled, but then looked at their hands, Sara continued. “But when I fell in love with you, I did think about it and when I saw you with Lindsey today I thought about it again.” Grissom laughed, which startled Sara.

“It’s strange.” He continued, looking into her brown eyes. “I thought the same thing.” Sara laughed and pulled him towards her. They met in the middle for a slow gentle kiss. Pulling back they finished their coffees staring into each other eyes.

“Aunt Sara?” Lindsey sat up and clung to Sara’s arm. “Can I stay with you tonight?” Sara looked down at her and pulled her into her more. Sara looked at Grissom and smiled.

“What do you think Grissom?”

Grissom looked at the green eyes that looked up at him and he melted, with a smile on his face. “Why not. I’ll call Catherine and tell her.” Lindsey smiled and hugged Sara.

“Thank you, I promise to be good.” Sara pulled Lindsey to sit on her lap and wrapped the coat around her as she shut her eyes again.

Grissom pressed the end button and put his cell phone back in his pocket and gathered his coat, while paying for the pizza and coffee as he stood. Sara stood and carried Lindsey out to the car. Grissom wrapped his arm around her waist as they crossed the busy road and took Lindsey from her as they reached the car.

As Sara unlocked Grissom’s front door, he stood cradling Lindsey in his arms. Once the door was open he carried her to his spare room. Sara removed Lindsey’s shoes and socks once she was on the bed while Grissom took her coat and jumper off so she was in her vest and shorts. Grissom pulled the covers over her and tucked her in. He leaned down and kissed her forehead before turning to Sara and hugging her.

“I’ve had a great time today.” He pulled back and kissed her soft lips. Sara pulled away and leaned down to kiss Lindsey as well, before being pulled by Grissom out the door. She pulled the door to but not closing it. She left the bathroom light on for Lindsey to find and followed Grissom into his room.

They stood at the end of the bed holding each other for a few minutes loving the feel and the warmth coming from their bodies. Sara pulled away and shut the bedroom door quietly. Grissom watched her undress and put on her night-clothes as he stripped to his boxers. Sara climbed into bed and leaned into him as he sat next to her. She slid her hand around his neck and pulled him to her as she lay on her back. Grissom followed and kissed her deeply.

“Griss” Sara said as she kissed his neck while he undid her pyjama top.

“Mmmm?” Sara chuckled and it reverberated through Grissom’s lips as he kissed her collarbone.

“Do you…want children?” Grissom lifted his head to meet her eyes. He lifted himself up on his forearms and thought for a moment. Sara looked at him with a serious face waiting for his reply.

“I…have, but…never found the right person…until I met you.” Sara smiled and he leaned down kissing her passionately. He pushed his body on top of hers and removed the rest of the clothing they were both wearing.

Later when Sara rolled over onto her side, she came in contact with something small as she opened her eyes she see a small figure in between her and Grissom. Grissom was facing her, his eyes open looking down at Lindsey’s sleeping form. She had crawled into their bed at sometime and was asleep wrapped in the blanket that was on the spare bed. Sara stroked the little girl’s hair and looked at Grissom.

Grissom took Sara’s hand and kissed it. He held it as they gazed into each other’s eyes for what seemed like forever. The phone rang and braking their gaze Sara reached for it.

“Hello? Oh hey Cath…No Lindsey’s fine…Nope that’s all right, we’ll take her to the lab and wait for you there…no don’t worry about it…ok see you later, bye.” She hung up and sat up. Turning to Grissom as he did the same. “Catherine is going to do some shopping and will pick Linds up at the lab.”

“That’s ok. I like spending time with her anyway.” Lindsey stirred at the sound of her name and opened her eyes. “Hey sleepy, what happened to your own bed?” Grissom pulled her up to sit on his lap brushing her hair out of her eyes.

Lindsey rubs her eyes and yawns. “I was cold.” Sara pulled the blanket over Lindsey’s shoulders and got up.

“Well it shouldn’t have been, but I’ll go check the thermostat. It should have been on all night.” Sara walks into the hall and checks the switch. She saw nothing wrong and made her way to the kitchen. She poured two coffees, a glass of milk and made some toast. She made her way back into the bedroom to find Lindsey talking to Grissom about a new man her mommy was seeing. “Lindsey you mother told you not to mention that to anyone.” Sara put the tray on the bedside table and turned to the two who were looking back at her. Grissom raised an eyebrow waiting for an explanation. “What? Lindsey was told not to say anything, isn’t that right?”

Lindsey nodded. “Yes, sorry Aunt Sara,” She turned to her uncle “Mommy made me promise.” Grissom smiled at her.

“It’s ok Lindsey you haven’t told me anything.” Lindsey grinned. Sara handed Grissom his coffee and sat down with hers. Lindsey drank her milk and ate her toast quietly while she listened to her aunt and uncle talked about the possible new man in her mothers life.

“I can’t tell you either, I was sworn to secrecy just as Lindsey was.” Sara smiled at Lindsey and she smiled back. “I only found out by accident other wise I’d be in the dark same as you.” Grissom could only drink his coffee and keep his curiosity at bay. He would find out, whether it is from the two females on his bed or the other female in question. “You’ll find out soon so be patient.” Grissom raised both eyebrows at her and she grinned onto her cup while watching Lindsey eating her toast.

“Ok, but if no one tells me I’ll find out from the source.” Sara looked at him brows furrowed.

“You can’t” She was shaking her head at him.

“Why not?”

“Because if you ask her she will pin the blame on me and Linds and that’s not fair.” Grissom thought about this for a minute and had to agree, it was unfair. He looked at Lindsey finishing her milk and toast as she peered up at him.

“Ok. I’m normally a very patient man, but this is going to nag at me all day you realise that?” Lindsey started to giggle and Sara took her empty glass and plate from her and put it on the tray.

“Gil Grissom, Impatient? Never” Sara started giggling with Lindsey and it became contagious as Grissom started to giggle at his and her words. Lindsey fell back in fits and squirmed on the bed and Sara started tickling her. Grissom watched for a minute before joining in. It was so much fun when Lindsey was about. It distracted them both from work and the horrors they had to see nightly.

The remainder of the day was spent cleaning the townhouse, Grissom showing his bugs to Lindsey and Sara catching up with her ready. In the early afternoon Lindsey had a nap, which allowed time for Grissom and Sara to snuggle up together on the couch. They also slept for a while and when it was time to get ready for work, Lindsey had eaten and had watched one of the video’s that Sara had rented ‘Monster’s Inc’.

“Linds go to the toilet before we leave ok?” Sara put on her coat and grabbed her keys, badge and gun from the top draw of the front door table. Lindsey ran off down the hall to the toilet. Grissom was searching around for his briefcase, but stopped to watch Sara making sure Lindsey was ready. He thought back to the fair, that man was right, she’s a natural mother. He went back to his search when. “Looking for this?” Sara held up the case and he smiled.

“Where’d you find that, I can’t remember where I left it.” Sara pointed to the closet. “Ah, probably the first place I should have look huh?”

“Might have been the best bet, but I got, come one we’re going to be late. Linds you coming or staying?” Lindsey came charging down the hall with a roaring sound after a flush was heard from the toilet. “You wash your hands.” Lindsey nodded as Sara helped put her coat on. “Good, let’s go.” The drive to the lab was spent talking about the fair and where they should go next time.

The lab was busy with day shift personnel finishing up cases and leaving when they arrived. Lindsey jumped out and saw Nick getting out of his car. “Uncle Nicky” Lindsey shouted across the car park. He turned and headed towards her.

“Hey Lindsey, What you doing here?” Nick gave her a hug and lifted her up. Nick saw Grissom and Sara get out of the Tahoe and Nick smiled at them. “Hey guys, What’s Linds doing here?” Lindsey wrapped her small arms around his neck and squeezed him tightly.

“We took Linds to the fair yesterday and she stayed with us. Catherine’s going to pick her up later.” Sara waited for Grissom to lock the car before they all headed towards the lab. They all signed in and headed to the break room.

“Right then Linds you stay with Sara while I go to my office to finish up some work ok? I’ll be back soon.” Nick put Lindsey down and headed off to the locker room. Sara and Lindsey sat and watched some TV while they waited for Catherine.

“I love cartoon network, it’s funny.” Nick said as he sat at the table with a coffee and the paper. Grissom walked in with a grin on his face. “Hey, why the grin?” Grissom walked over to the couch and sat down with Sara and Lindsey.

“No assignments and no paperwork. I’m in heaven.” Nick laughed.

“Your happy about not working, Griss you feeling all right?” Griss looked at the little girl sitting on his lap and Sara who was leaning against him watching the cartoons running about on the TV screen.

“I’ve never felt better.” Nick couldn’t believe what he was hearing and stared at the three while they watched TV together in silence. Fifteen minutes later Nick left to find Warrick but found Catherine hobbling down the corridor on crutches.

“Hey Cath, Nice to see you looking better.”

“Thanks Nicky, I feel better to. Have you seen Linds, Sara or Grissom? I can’t find them anywhere.” Nick nodded and Catherine followed him.

They stopped at the door at seeing them still sitting on the couch watching TV. Grissom had his arm around Sara and was stroking Lindsey’s hair as she laid her head on his chest.

Nick was the first to speak. “They look like a family sat together like that don’t they?”

“Yes they do and Nicky my boy that’s the next phase of the plan in this relationship of theirs.” At the look on his face Catherine smiled and continued. “Trust me.” Nick grinned and headed in the opposite direction. Catherine went into the room making some noise as she went. Grissom turned his head and smiled, he whispered in Lindsey’s ear and when she turned around she jumped up and ran to her mother giving her a hug

“Mommy.”

“Hey baby, Did you have fun?” Lindsey let go and helped her mother over to the other couch opposite Sara and Grissom and sat down.

“Yeah, I got to meet a clown and he gave me his hat and I went on a pony. Mommy can I have a pony?” Catherine panicked for a second wondering how to break it to her daughter why she couldn’t have a pony, but before she tried she looked up as the other two burst out laughing.

“What? You never panicked when she asked you that question?” Sara couldn’t stop laughing while Grissom tried to answer between laughing and gasping for air.

“Actually, she didn’t ask us, it was expected, but she never asked.” He began to control his laughter.

“I only panicked when she asked to ride them, I was waiting for the question, but it never came.” Sara sat up and turned the TV off. “Did you get some rest? You look much better. How do you feel?” Grissom sat up and watched Lindsey as she crawled back onto his lap. Catherine watched as Sara brushed Lindsey’s hair out of her eyes. She couldn’t believe what was going on.

“Sorry, oh yeah. I did rest and I am feeling much better thanks. Did she give you any trouble?” Catherine nodded towards her daughter who was playing with Grissom’s jacket buttons. She smiled and put her crutches against the wall behind her.

“No trouble what so ever.” Grissom said looking at Sara.

“No trouble. She slept well, although she got a bit cold in the early morning.” Lindsey turned to face her mother still sitting on Grissom’s lap.

“Yeah, only a little bit, but I did what I always do when I get cold.” Lindsey stopped not needing to tell her mother what she already new.

Catherine’s face flashed to concern and worry. “I’m so sorry, she normally gets in bed with me if she get too cold…” Sara stopped her and waved a hand in the air.

“Cath it’s ok, really. It was fine.” Grissom nodded and continued from where Sara stopped.

“No need to worry, she didn’t see anything.” Catherine relaxed and smiled. “She’s had some spaghetti bolognaise for dinner, so she won’t be hungry for a while.” Catherine nodded again.

After talking about the fair and about getting copies of the photo’s taken, Grissom helped Catherine up and walked her out to her car where Warrick was talking to Nick. Sara walked with Lindsey and got her bag out of Grissom’s car. “Hey Warrick.” Grissom called him over while helping Catherine into her car. “Can you drive Catherine home, I have no idea how she got here in the first place, but she’s not driving.”

“Sure no problem.” Warrick climbed in the driver side and waited for Sara to put Lindsey in and buckle her up. Catherine’s Tahoe was a little higher than Grissom’s and needed help to get in. Both Sara and Grissom kissed her and said goodbye and watched as they drove off.

Sara turned to Grissom and asked as he turned to her. “You want kids huh? Well you know that they might not turn out to be like Lindsey.” Grissom placed his hands on her waist and pulled her closer to him.

“I know, but if we had a child, I’d want them to have your eyes and your hair…”

“Uh-huh, but what about if I wanted them to have you’re eyes and your hair?” Sara ruffled his hair and leaned into him, before their lips met Grissom pulled away. Sara stared at him as he thought.

“What if we had one of each?” Sara laughed.

“Two? You want two?” Grissom nodded hesitantly and leaned into her closing the distance between their lips.

They broke the kiss and headed into the lab. “Two” Grissom said aloud “Two…Yeah two. What do you think?” As they walked toward his office Sara thought about it some more.

“Two?” She pondered aloud. “I think two is a great number, but one is a start.” Grissom nodded and stopped. Sara looked at him watching him think again.

“Do you want to talk about this more, later I mean?” Sara nodded.

“It’s a good idea though, isn’t it? I mean, are we rushing into things here?” Grissom looked around them seeing if the cost was clear and pulled her into a reassuring embrace.

“We’ll talk more later.” He pulled back and kissed her softly before turning and heading into his office. Sara turned and headed to find Greg.

Greg was sat on his stool head banging to his music, which was up full blast. Sara entered his lab and walked over to him. She tapped him on his shoulder and he yelped while jumping off the stool, his head nearing the ceiling.

“God Sara, make some noise or something when you enter a guys lab would ya?” Greg shouted as Sara leaned across and turned the music off.

Acting as though she didn’t hear a thing he said she continued. “Hey Greggo, you keep listening to that so loud you’ll go deaf.”

Greg smiled “Why thank you mother and how are you today? Need me to run off and find your slippers?” Sara laughed and picked up the lab results she came to collect and headed back out the lab.

“I’m fine Greggo and I don’t wear slippers.” Sara said over her shoulder as the lab door closed. Reading the results and looking up several times whilst walking down the corridor. She was about to step into the break room, but stop short. She lifted her head, took one look at the surprisingly closed door and pushed it open till it clicked and wondered over to Nick who was giggling on the couch. “Funny Nick, really funny.” She leaned over and slapped him on the back of the head and went to pour herself a coffee.

“Ow…That actually hurt.” Nick said rubbing the back of his head trying to soothe the pain

Sara turned to him. “Good.”

Grissom was sat at the table watching the scene play out and even smirked when Sara smacked Nick.

“What was that about?” Grissom asked as Sara sat down next to him and pushed the results towards him. He groaned as she placed a pen in his hand. “More? I just finished signing a pile that Mount Everest would be proud of.” Sara smiled and pushed the results closer to him. He read it and signed it pushing it back towards her while throwing the pen in the trashcan across the room.

“Nice shot.” Nick shouted. “Griss where’d you learn to do that? That was so cool and from the other side of the room, so cool man.” Grissom merely shrugged, as if it was nothing.

“Too many hours stuck in my office I guess, at least I can throw the pen and not the file. Less hassle.” Sara laughed and filled his cup with fresh coffee.

“Here, you need more caffeine.” She drank her coffee and read the file in front of her. Grissom wanted to talk more about their earlier conversation, but didn’t want to let Nick hear. Grissom figured that the best time would be at home away from prying ears. Sara looked up from the file and caught Grissom staring at her. She smiled and shook her head. “If you keep staring at me and thinking, and I know your thinking Gil Grissom, you’ll give yourself a headache.” Grissom kept staring, but with a grin this time. Grissom picked up her pen and wrote something on a post-it, he then stuck the sticky paper on her coffee cup and stood.

“I’ll see you guys later, I need to check with Brass about that quad homicide from the other night.” Grissom looked down at Sara who was reading the post-it and looked up at him with her gap-toothed smile.

“Me too.” Nick’s head spun around from the TV and looked behind him. Grissom left the room with a rather large smile on his face and Sara was drinking her coffee hiding her smile.

“What was that about?” Sara peered over her cup and put the post-it in her folder.

“None of your business Nicky.” Sara grabbed her things and stood. “I’m going back to work, so if you wanna get paid I’d suggest you do the same thing.”

“Hey you’re not the boss of me.” Nick grinned at her playfully. Sara turned to him and grinned back at him mischievously.

“Ah, but I know the boss better than you do.” Nick stood whilst turning off the TV.

“Well then, that’s no fair, your seeing the boss and it’s not nice to pick on me.” Sara laughed and headed out the room. When she was gone Nick mumbled “You may know the boss, but you don’t know what Catherine’s up to.” Nick laughed to himself and got back to work.

Sara sat in ballistics waiting for the bullets from the quad homicide to come back. She opened the file and looked at the post-it before folding it and putting it in her pocket.

'I love you'

Sara smiled and finished reading the report. Danny came in with several evidence bags and handed them to her. Danny explained at Sara’s confused expression.

“All are labelled, bag one; 1st victim 2 bullets, bag two; 2nd victim 4 bullets, 3rd victim 1 bullet and 4th victim 1 bullets. Last two, you know were head shots, but all the others were body shots. I matched them all to one gun. Hand held pistol 38mm. No need to thank me, it’s my job. I ran the casings through the database and got a match. The gun was registered to a Rocky Palmers.” Danny handed the print out and a similar gun from the gun cabernet to Sara, who was gob smack to say the least.

“Thanks Danny, but you didn’t have to go to all that trouble you know. I could have done it myself.” Danny smiled and signed the gun out, placing it into a plastic box.

“I know you could have, but you lot on night shift have a lot on at the moment, so I helped out. Just remember to bring my gun back ok?” Sara nodded. She was about to leave to find Warrick, but turned back to Danny.

“Hey Danny you feeling better. You had the flu didn’t you?” At that moment Danny sneezed and produced a tissue.

“Had, I wish, doesn’t seem to want to shift.” Sara patted him reassuringly on the back and left him to sneeze three times in a row.

Warrick was looking over the victim’s clothes trying to find something he may have missed, but wasn’t having much luck. Sara walked in and put the bags on the layout table. “You know I can’t find anything else and I’m sure we missed something.” He looked up and saw the bags. “You get something on that lot?”

“Nope, Danny did though. We have a name to the gun, but the prints still need to be run through the database. I’m going to do that now. Warrick could you tell Griss that I’m going to AFIS and that I’ll probably be gone for a while?”

“No probs, have fun.” Sara kept the results from Danny and headed out leaving the bags with Warrick.

Two hours later Sara was still sitting in front of the computer screen watching the thousands upon thousands of prints fly through the system.

She had noticed Grissom watching her from the doorway, but didn’t let him know that. He’s been there five minutes already and he’d either come in or he’d go. She was hoping he’d come in though.

Grissom watched her stretch and rub her neck giving him the cue to walk behind her. He slid his left hand from her neck down to her collarbone and back again, so softly it tingled and she shivered. He repeated the same action to her right side and again the same reaction. He resisted the urge to go lower and settled for massaging her shoulders. She moaned and covered his hands with hers. She pulled them down and he followed bending his body, his breath on her neck made her want him and when his mouth was on her neck she wanted him even more.

BLEEP

“Damn computers.” Grissom chuckled and whispered in her ear before letting his tongue trace the outer shell.

“We’ll continue this later.” Sara moaned at first, but then groaned when he broke contact and sat beside her.

“That was torture you realise that.” Grissom kept his eyes on the computer screen avoiding hers.

“Yes.” Was all he said before reading the name that matched the prints “Andrew Palmers, he’ an ex-con.”

“And it took two hours to find someone who was in the pen. Where is he now?” Grissom covered her hand that was on the mouse with his and scrolled down the screen.

“He was let out three weeks ago and his last known address was the ‘four aces motel’.” Grissom still had his hand covering hers and scanned more of the file in front of him silently.

“Popular place for ex-cons to stay. What was he in for?” Grissom looked back at her and smiled.

“You’re sitting at the computer can’t you read it?” She laughed quietly.

“I could, but I like listening to your voice…so go on tell me.” Grissom smiled shyly and turned back to the screen.

“Robbery, Grand Theft Auto and petty theft as a teenager. Did you get anything from the bullets?” Grissom rotated his chair to face her, she push her knees between his legs and put her hands on his thighs. He looked down and covered her hands with his as she glided further up, she stopped before she got too close and looked up, his eyes were closed. She pulled away and watched him slump into the chair. He looked at her and she grinned. “That was not fair.”

“So, serves you right…and yes something did come back about the bullets and also a name…you want to know what name?” Sara pulled the results from the file and waved it in front of him. He tried to take it but she was too quick in pulling it away from him.

Grissom sighed. “Someone related to Andrew Palmers.” Sara frowned at him and he saw her disappointment.

“Ruin all my fun why don’t ya, I was going to get you to beg. Now what am I going to bait you with?” She smiled seductively at him as he pulled her chair towards him. Playing with the hem of her T-shirt he looked at the results she handed to him. His index finger found flesh and ran it across her stomach feeling her muscles tighten at his touch. Keeping contact he tried to piece the evidence together.

“Rocky Palmers, younger brother of Andrew Palmers. Gun is registered in the younger brother’s name but the older brother’s prints were all over it. I wonder what Mr. Rocky Palmers has to say about his gun being involved in a homicide and why his brother had the gun.” Grissom pushed himself away from Sara and stood. Turning towards the door. “You coming or are you going to make me wait?” With his back turned from her so she didn’t see the grin on his face. Sara stood and walked passed him brushing up against him as she squeezed through the gap between the door post and his back. Grissom shuddered at the contact of her hand squeezing his waist and reluctantly letting go to walk down the hallway.

“Griss come on, bad guys to put away.” He shook his head and caught up with her as she reached the corner to the front desk. “You can drive.” Sara tossed her keys at him and he caught them with one hand and headed out the front doors towards her car. Getting into the car and buckling up, Grissom pulled out of the car park and headed off towards the youngest Palmers house. The car was silent and comfortable, but the conversation earlier and UST was starting to get to both of them. Sara started to fidget in her seat to which Grissom noted several times.

“Sara, What’s wrong?” Although he had a pretty good idea he reached out and squeezed her thigh. Sara took his hand and pulled it towards her. Grissom gulped audibly at the teasing and was having difficulty resisting the urges this time. “Sara you keep doing that…”

“You’re doing it not me.” She cut him off. She let his hand go and he didn’t remove it. Instead he kneaded her thigh and slid his hand down between her thighs; it took all his strength to pull it back.

“Shit.”

Sara would have strangled herself with the seatbelt, if it wasn’t for Grissom’s hand holding her as he pulled over abruptly into deserted car park in the middle of now where. He turned the car off and they both unbuckled as he pulled her to him. As he pushed his seat back, Sara straddled him and leaned over him capturing his lips in a chaste kiss, Sara whimpered and as Grissom allowed her entrance he undid his pants. Sara slid her tongue into his mouth and moaned at the taste of him as their tongues danced. She quickly removed her pants and slid them off along with Grissom’s, he pushed into her as she leaned back. Kissing her passionately whilst exploring her upper body. His hand caressed her under her shirt, not wanting the world to see her naked but him. She increased the momentum as he pushed up meeting her. “Oh God…Sara…I love you…” Sara lifted her head to look into his bright blue eyes. She smiled and leaned in to kiss him softly as they slowed.

“I love you too Gil…” Grissom envelope his arms around her as she collapsed on him. Turning her head to kiss his neck she said. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to do that to you.”

“Hmmm…” He moaned. “All day.” He rubbed his hands up and down her back keeping her close to him.

“God Yes. I wanted to rip your clothes off when I saw you standing in that door way.” Grissom chuckled against her neck letting his tongue dart out to taste the salty sweat. “Hmmm…Griss?”

Grissom continued to lick her as he began to move beneath her again. “I’m ready when you are.” Sara moved back on him slowly and he groaned loudly. “No teasing Sara…there’s not enough room for payback.” Sara laughed and he caught her lips with his. He smiled against her skin as he made his way down her jaw to her collarbone.

“Five more minutes then we have to go.” The speed was picked up and the tasting expanded.

“All I need.” She giggled as he pushed into her harder. Her head flew back and he took advantage of her neck, licking, suckling and kissing it.

“Gil…oh…yes…” She ran her fingers through his curls, gripping them tightly. She released them as she fell back against the steering wheel. Catching her breath she said, “Catherine would love to know we did in the car.”

Grissom pushed himself up weakly onto his elbows, eyebrows raised. “She’s stilling trying to figure out the Dry Room, so let’s keep this to ourselves.” Sara pushed herself off him and slumped into her seat.

Pulling on their pants and straightening their clothing Grissom turned to Sara with a grin. “I could do with a nap.” Sara laughed and brushed his hair down, then leaned over and planted a kiss on his sweet lips.

“You’re going to need a nap more often if we’re trying for a baby Griss.” She looked at him with hope in her eyes.

Grissom reached out and ran his fingers over her lips. “I’ve always wanted to try it in my office…on my desk…” His fingers lowered to her jaw.

“I bet you have…We’ll have to think of a way to fulfil your fantasy without the rest of the lab knowing.” She kissed his hand and let him go so he could start the car. “Let’s go, we should close as many cases as we can if we’re going to be busy for the next couple of months.”

Grissom’s head snapped up. “Months?” It was all he could manage from the shock of her words.

“A baby takes time Griss, although its all depending on how stubborn your little chums are.” Grissom blushed and pulled out onto the quiet road.

“I’m sure we can come to some sort of agreement.” He said with a grin spread across his face. Sara returned it with a hint of ‘I hope so’.

Warrick was back at the lab and when Nick walked into the break room he was on the phone.

“Yeah…of course I’ll be there…what time? No that’s great…I’ll ask them…discreetly of course…you know me better than that…yes Nick’s here…ok bye.” Warrick hung up and turned to see Nick standing right behind him. “Do you mind?” Nick smiled and backed off.

“Who was that?” Nick grabbed a coffee and took a seat at the table.

Warrick finished writing something in a file and closed it with a satisfied “Done…Now what? Sorry Nick you say something?”

“Yeah, who was on the phone?”

“A friend, who says hi by the way.”

Nick was puzzled. “Do I know the person then?” Warrick could only smile.

“In a way yep.” Nick was even more confused. “Don’t worry about Nick…I gotta go anyway. When’s Griss and Sara getting back?”

“No idea. They’ve been gone a while though. They went to talk to a suspect so could be back anytime soon.” Warrick nodded and left.

“Umm…I wonder what’s going on…What‘s Warrick up to and what is phase two? You know Nick you really should stop talking to yourself…its getting to be a habit…DAMN.” Nick laughed to himself and passed Greg on his way out the door. They greeted with a passing nod.

“Did you call Brass?”

“Yeah, Why?”

“Um…no reason.”

“Sara?”

“Its nothing…I was just wondering how long he’s been waiting is all.”

“So we’re late no big deal.” Sara’s jaw dropped. ‘I didn’t just hear that did I?’ Grissom glanced at her when she went silent. He reached across and closed her mouth for her.

“I think you needed that nap more than I thought.” Grissom laughed. “It’s not funny Griss, you are always punctual and so am I for that matter, unless something drastically important can up we’re never late.” She turned in her seat to face him waiting for some kind of reply and the reply she got wasn’t one she was expecting.

“It was important.” He looked at her than back at the road. “If I didn’t act on it I would have gone crazy. You realize that it is nearly impossible for me not to touch when we’re at the lab. That policy needs chucking.” Pausing to think then added, “Maybe I should bring it up at the next review meeting.”

Ignoring his last comment she told him. “You did act and now we’re late.”

“Don’t pin our tardiness on me, you were there too remember?” She grinned.

“I remember.” He blushed again, Sara noticed him doing more of that lately and it made him look so cute.

“Well here we are and…oh look there’s Brass and he doesn’t look happy?” Grissom and Sara got out and made there way over to the angry captain.

When they stood in front of him they noticed he took three deep breaths and rubbed his face before even opening his mouth. Sara and Grissom both looked at each other guilt plastered all over there faces.

Grissom opened his mouth but was stopped as Brass held up his hand to cut him off. “No I don’t want to hear it.” Taking another deep breath, he sighed. “Right, I haven’t gone in yet because I was waiting for you two, so…shall we?” He didn’t wait for a response and headed up the steps to the tall block of flats.

Both Grissom and Sara weren’t feeling too great, they had satisfied one need to only unleash another, wanting to go home. They had upset Brass unintentionally and were ready to snap when the suspect refused to give a blood sample and then he suddenly decided to take a leap out the kitchen window, which was a bad idea seeing as it was a 4-floor drop. They would now not know how the older brother got the gun without finding him first. That was going to be difficult seeing as when the cops got to his motel room it was stripped of any evidence that he was even there. A shift that began out great, then turned into need and want, which then ended with a death and the other suspect on the run. Sure an APB was put out, but they all figured he’d be long gone by now. It had been at least three days.

They collected the evidence anyway and put them into one of those large brown file boxes. Nick labelled it and carried it down to the evidence locker. Sighing as he placed the box on the open cases shelf. “Man I hate this.” He signed the box in and left with his head down. He couldn’t believe that one minute they had a rush of evidence to only go and have the evidence destroyed by the suspects dying and disappearing.

Someone was knocking on his door. “Come in…Oh hey Warrick What can I do for you?”

Warrick sat on one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Hey Griss, I was wondering if I could have a few hours off tonight. You know maybe take off early. I spoke to Nick and he doesn’t mind covering.” Grissom leaned forward resting his elbows on his desk.

“If Nick’s all right with it then it’s ok, but make sure you fill him in on the cases your working on first.” Warrick stood energetically.

“Cheers Griss, I’ll explain my cases to Nick don’t worry…see you next shift.” With that he walked of to find the other male CSI.

Grissom sat there thinking over the cases and wondering if he should hand one or two off to Ecklie. He winced at just the thought of his name. “I don’t know.” He said looking at his spider climbing the glass of his home whilst taking his glasses off and fiddling with them.

“You don’t know what?” Sara suddenly appeared in his doorway. Grissom jumped and his glasses hit the desk with a ‘CLINK’, she grinned at his reaction. “Guilty conscience Gil?”

Grissom picked up his glasses and gave them a quick once over before looking back up at the beauty that appeared out of seemingly no where. He smiled his smile that went all the way to his eyes. “Yes.” He said teasing her and hoping she’d bite.

“Really, so what were you thinking of?” Grissom thought about the cases for a millisecond and then decided to make up something for her to come in, shut the door and lock it. ‘That’s going to be a hard one, come on think.’

“Well, I’m sure you know what I’m thinking now.” He rested his forearms flat on the desk and watched her reaction.

Sara took in a deep breath then sighed. “It’s too busy Griss, I’m sorry and I saw Ecklie down the hall.” Grissom dramatically let his head fall to the desk.

“Work, I’m beginning to hate that word.” He mumbled into the wood. Sara smiled sadly at him and left his office doorway with the distinct feeling they were being watched, but she wasn’t going to let Grissom worry about it.

Ecklie walked briskly through the lab corridors not bothering to avoid anyone as he was on a mission to find Sara Sidle. The other lab personnel moved out of his way as he tried to push through them rather than go around.

Sara was sitting in layout room 2 looking other the crime scene photo’s for the two floaters found at Lake Mead and to top it off she wasn’t feeling too good. The women hadn’t been raped, but someone definitely didn’t want them to be identified easily. One I.D came back, but the other was still running through AFIS.

As she was reaching blindly for her coffee she looked up at the lab door and to her disgust whom should be heading straight for her, Conrad Ecklie. “I don’t need this” she muttered under her breath. Drink her coffee she went back to looking at the photo’s strewn across the layout table.

“Miss. Sidle can I speak to you for a minute?” Ecklie didn’t wait; he sat down and jumped straight into it. “Miss. Sidle do you realise the consequences to braking the rules and policies of this department?” Sara looked up at him with a completely baffled expression on her face.

“I know…What are you getting at Ecklie?” She started to put the photos in some sort of order and pushed them into the file folder.

“Your relationship with Gil Grissom is not exactly a secret and I’m not sure why either of you haven’t yet been suspended for such an act, but I’m keeping a close eye on you two.” Ecklie stood and left.

Sara sat they not knowing what to do. What was that all about? I swear that guy has nothing better to do than intimidate me. We’ll it was only one account so he may leave it. This is Ecklie a complete jerk with a receding hairline, hang on…no hairline. Sara laughed then sighed at the sudden seriousness.

“Hey you.” Grissom popped his head around the door with a smile, but apon seeing Sara’s serious face he became worried and his face fell. “What wrong?” Grissom was about to sit next to her when she moved away. Grissom stopped dead in his tracks and panicked. Sara looked at him then at the stool across the table. Grissom took the hint and sat. “Sara?”

“Griss, I don’t want to upset you or anything?” She sat up and leaned closer and was about to speak when she saw a figure standing at the other end of the hall looking at them. Grissom turned to see what she was staring at. His emotions suddenly when into overdrive.

Grissom turned back to her. “Sara what happened? What’s Ecklie doing watching you?”

“He’s not watching me, he’s watching us. He said he was going to keep an eye on us.” Sara saw his jaw tighten and his eyes go dark. “Griss calm down, don’t let him get to you.” Looking back down the hall she saw that Ecklie was gone. She reached across the table and squeezed his fingers.

Grissom took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “You should talk to Mobley about him.” He opened his eyes and looked straight at her.

“And say what? ‘Hi Sheriff, remember me I seeing my boss and by the way Conrad Ecklie is watching us like a hawk’ He’d tell me he couldn’t do anything Griss, so what’s the point?” Grissom pulled his hand from hers and stood.

“He’s practically threatening you, he came to you instead of coming to me. He better watch is own actions if he knows what’s good for him.” Grissom walked out the door leaving a very concerned Sara.

Should the day get any better?

Catherine was sitting on her couch with Lindsey eating crackers. She needed to find a baby sitter before Warrick arrived. She had already tried phoning the normal and back up sitters, but both were busy doing something. Catherine flipped through her phone book and stopped at one phone number, which she thought. “Well it’s worth a try.” Lindsey looked at her mother who seemed to be talking to herself.

Catherine dialled the number and waited. Several rings later the phone was picked up to an out of breathe Sara.

“Hello?”

“Hey Sara, you sound exhausted, just get in?” Catherine closed her book and put it down.

“Hey Cath, yeah, long shift. I was outside my front door when I heard the phone. Sorry.”

“Its all right. Err…you alone?” Catherine pulled her legs up under her and reached for her drink.

“Yeah, something up?”

“No, just that I was hoping that you could baby sit, I know its early, but Warrick and me are going out to eat. I know its late notice and everything.” Catherine rested her head on her couch hoping that she would say yes.

“Well, um…I…suppose, yeah ok. Is it ok if I come over in say…40 minutes? I wanna grab a shower first.” Catherine smiled and tapped Lindsey on her shoulder. Lindsey turned and started to jump and cheer when she saw her mother give the thumbs up.

“Nope that’s great. See you soon.”

“Sure, Bye.”

The shift had gone late into the next day and was starting to get dark. It wasn’t the first time, but some evidence came in at the last minute and had to be processed. All Sara wanted was to sleep, but than Catherine rang, asking for a favour.

Sara walked up the path, knocked on the door and waited. Moving from one foot to the other and pushing her hair behind her ear. Catherine opened the door and instantly saw the glum look on her face. She ushered her in and sat down on the couch.

“Sara you ok?” Sara looked at Catherine, She was wearing a nice blue dress and her hair was up.

“Yeah I’m fine, You look nice.” Catherine smiled.

“Thanks, but you avoided my question, tell me the truth, what’s up?” Sara leaned back and sighed. “That bad huh? Come on Sara tell me, I might be able to help.”

“Unless you can change the rules and policies for the lab I don’t think you can, but thanks anyway.” Catherine became concerned.

“What happened, you didn’t break the rules did you?” Sara looked up at her and shook her head. “Then what?”

“Ecklie.”

Catherine furrowed her brows. “Oh, I see. And?”

“He came to talk to me and told me he was watching Grissom and me. He said that we should have been suspended for what we’re doing. Cath I don’t know what to do.”

“Did you tell Gil?”

“He came in after Ecklie left. I had to practically tell him to stay on the other side of the room.” Catherine tilted her head to the side. “Ecklie was watching us down the corridor. He looked so hurt Cath. I told him and…I swear he was going to blow his top.” Sara slumped down and hung her head.

“How is he now?” Catherine grabbed a pen and pad and wrote down the number to the restaurant they were eating at and turned back when there was no response. “Sara?”

“I haven’t seen him, he left before me. I did try to ring, but he didn’t pick up. I’m so worried.” Sara stood and started to pace.

“He’s probably just cooling off somewhere. Even Gil needs time to vent, he is human like the rest of us.” Sara stopped and watched Lindsey coming down the stairs.

“Aunt Sara, your gonna baby sit me. Can you read me a story?” Sara walked to her and took the book she was holding.

“Yeah, you ready for bed?” Lindsey nodded and went to Catherine to give her hug. There was a knock at the door and Sara answered it.

“Hey Sara” Warrick was dressed in his best and gave Sara a greeting hug. Pulling away to look at her. “You all right? You look tired.”

Sara smiled and shook her head. “That obvious huh?” Warrick nodded and turned to Lindsey.

“Hey sweetie, you have fun with Sara and be good ok?” Lindsey gave him a kiss and a hug then ran upstairs. “You ready Cath?” Catherine picked up her coat and followed him, but not before turning to Sara and pulling her into a hug.

“He’ll be fine, I’ll ring him on my cell when we get to the restaurant ok?”

“Thanks Cath, but you don’t need to, your probably right, he’s just venting somewhere. Have a great time.”

U2 was coming out the speakers as Warrick drove and Catherine sat in the passenger seat. “Is Sara ok? She looked tired, but there seemed to be something else.”

Catherine was looking at her cell phone wondering whether to ring now or later. Looking up and answering the question. “She’s worried about Gil.”

“Why?”

Folding the phone and putting it in her coat pocket she turned to him. “Ecklie’s been talking to Sara and told her he is going to be watching them both. She’s upset because she hasn’t seen Gil since.”

“Oh, Are you going to ring him?” Catherine nodded, but was still unsure what to say, until Warrick gave her the idea. “You know, Sara may need some help…an extra hand or something…or you could ask him to pick something up for you…” Catherine followed his train of thought.

“Yeah, and don’t mention Sara, then he would have to speak to her. Very good, you’ve been hanging around me too long.” Warrick laughed and grasped her hand tightly in his.

“I hope that’s a good thing.” Catherine smiled and pulled out her phone.

“I need an excuse, let me think…he hasn’t got my new number so I can use that as a hook, and before he knows it, hook, line and sinker. Ha, it’s brilliant.”

Sara had read Lindsey a story until see fell asleep, shortly after Sara fell asleep, still sitting on Lindsey’s bed with the children’s book open on her lap. Sara woke to the sound of the front door opening and then shuffling about. Sara moved out to the hallway and looked down the dark stairs. Before quietly heading down the steps, Sara peered back at Lindsey to be sure she was still asleep, she was and closed her door.

Sara didn’t know what she was going to do, but continued down the last few steps until she stopped at the living room door. There was a dark figure moving about, looking for something on Catherine coffee table. Sara grabbed the first thing she could find and hit the person over the head.

“Ow Shit, what the?” Sara dropped the large encyclopaedia and turned on the lamp by the door. Sara’s heart was overjoyed, but fell when she realised that she did the damage she intended.

“Grissom, are you all right? I’m so sorry.” She paused then her tone turned strong when he faced her. “What the HELL did you think you were doing, skulking around in the dark? I could have killed you.” Sara stopped her rambling when he sat on the edge on the couch holding his head. She stood there for a few seconds to catch her breath before going into the kitchen, folding and soaking a tea towel.

“Ow!” Sara placed the wet towel over the bump that had formed and scolded him further.

“Shut up, stay still. Are you going to tell me what you’re doing here, in Catherine’s house at this time of night?” She lifted the towel to look at his head then covered it again.

Grissom kept his head down whilst looking up at her. She was so close to him, he could smell her shampoo. He closed his eyes and winced at the pain as she lifted his hand to replace hers. Sara stood back and looked down at him.

“Well?” Grissom looked down at the floor where the book was dropped, it was one of those large hardback books that you get from Library reference shelves.

“Catherine called me.” He tried to stand up, but instant dizziness overcame him and fell back. Sara tried to steady him but he fell onto the couch taking Sara with him.

Sara tried to push herself up, but it wasn’t working. She stopped moving when Grissom placed his hands on her waist to hold her. They stared into each other’s eyes, waiting for one or the other to speak. Sara settled herself back down onto him still keeping eye contact.

Grissom spoke up. “As I was saying, Catherine called me and asked me to pick up her Cell Phone, she said she left it on the coffee table, but I couldn’t find it.” Sara closed her eyes for a brief moment then smiled. Grissom saw the change. “What?”

“Griss, she rang you on her cell phone that’s how she was able to call you.” Grissom’s eyebrow’s lowered and he shook his head, but stopped as the pain flowed through his brain.

“Couldn’t have, her number didn’t come up on the caller display.” Sara was confused ‘ok so she must have called from somewhere else, no hold on’.

“You have her new number? Because she got a new cell yesterday, Linds dropped it in her cereal.” Sara smiled at the image of Catherine fishing for her phone in a bowl of ‘honey nut loops’ and milk.

“I didn’t know, but why get me to come here and why are you here?” Grissom was slowly adding more pieces to the puzzle.

“Babysitting Linds and I think I know why you’re here…me.” Sara said the last bit quietly; Grissom ran his fingers down her face.

“Why you?” Sara pulled away from his hand and looked anywhere but his eyes.

“I was worried. You disappeared and Catherine thought she could help.” Grissom cupped her cheek for her to look at him.

“I’m sorry, Ecklie just got me so mad and I didn’t want to take it out on you.” Sara listened and buried her head in his shoulder. Grissom wrapped his arms around her holding her tightly. “I didn’t mean to worry you.” He said as he kissed her head.

“I should be saying that to you, How’s your head?” Sara turned his head to see the damage and he flinched as she felt the small bump. “Sorry.” She leaned down and kissed it, pulling back to brush her lips with his. Grissom held her close and kissed her back.

“I’ll live. Although I should rest here for a while just in case.” He smirked and Sara laughed.

“That’s right, if you try and stand, you could become dizzy even nauseous and we can’t have that.” She kissed his chin.

“Is it all right if I stay, just for a while?” He closed his eyes as Sara kissed his neck and pulled back his shirt to expose his collarbone. Grissom’s breathing deepened at the same time as Sara’s. He turned his head to kiss the tender spot below her ear and he felt her heart beat more rapidly. His joined hers as she pushed herself onto him more. Holding her waist tightly, kneading the flesh, while one of Sara’s hands reached down and pulled herself to him by grabbing his butt. He moaned her name and felt her grind against him. Holding her steady as he pushed up to turn them slightly and laying his thigh between her legs. Pushing his thigh in more Sara groaned into his chest. She grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him down to kiss her. Deepening the kiss until air was needed, they broke apart gazing into the lust reflected in each other eyes. Sara closed her eyes and pulled him close. Wrapped in each other arms as they lay there not wanting to go any further, although if they where elsewhere they wouldn’t have stopped.

“Linds is asleep upstairs and the others will be back soon.” Sara whispered into his left ear, then it hit her. “Oh no, they’ll be home soon.”

Grissom looked puzzled. “You just said that.” Sara shook her head and then he realised what she meant and smiled. “Ah ha…THEY will be home soon, that means I get to find out whom it is Catherine is seeing at last.” Sara looked at him mortified, Catherine must have thought about that, didn’t she?

“I know I don’t have to ask, but just to clarify” Grissom nodded. “You have to promise not to tell a soul, understood?” Grissom nodded again and kissed softly. “I take that as a definite yes, then?” She said as she snuggled closer to him as he pushed himself onto his side. Grissom laughed and kissed her again, before closing their eyes and drifting off to sleep.

An hour later the front door opened and Catherine and Warrick walked in. Taking off there coats and hanging them up. Warrick wondered into the living room and motioned for Catherine to join him. Looking at the couch were Grissom and Sara still lay in each other’s arms fast asleep. Catherine turned to Warrick and smiled. They walked to the kitchen and put the coffee maker on.

Sitting at the table talking and drinking their coffee Catherine let Warrick in on her plan. “How are you going to manage that Catherine? Have you even heard them talking about kids?” Warrick was shocked at her devious plan and couldn’t believe she had already put it in motion.

“I have my ways, although your right, it’s going to be tough and no I haven’t, but come on Warrick don’t you think a little Grissom or Sara running around would be great?” Catherine poured them more coffee.

“Actually the thought scares me.” Catherine laughed.

“No really, be serious.”

“I was and you should leave them alone and let them decide what their futures are. It’s only been what five six months, give em time.” Catherine thought about this then shook her head and he sighed giving up.

“Can’t, I think they’ve waited long enough. They love each other and I think they’d make great parents.” A sound came from the other room and some talking. Catherine changed the subject as she saw movement in the hall. “I think we should try that Italian restaurant next time, it looked nice.” Warrick laughed at her and she shot him a stern look.

“Hey guys, have fun?” Sara made her way to the coffee, while Grissom stared and Warrick.

Finding his voice and squeaking out. “Warrick?” Warrick laughed.

“Surprise.” Grissom sat down at the table and reached for Sara’s coffee as she sat next to him.

“Hey get your own, Griss.” Sara told him off and sighed. “MEN.” Catherine laughed and poured Sara another cup and handing it to her.

“There all the same…Linds ok?” Sara nodded and leaned over to inspect Grissom’s head. She could see slight bruising through his hair. She reached up and traced the bruise.”

“Ouch!” Grissom pulled his head away and looked at her. “That hurt.”

Sara laughed. “That was obvious.” He glared at her and turned back to his coffee.

Catherine and Warrick shared a look or confusion. “What happened?” Catherine’s curiosity never failing.

“He hit his head.” Sara took another look at the bruise.

“ME? It was you.” Sara grinned sheepishly.

“Try turning lights on when you are wondering around other peoples homes and maybe I shouldn’t need to.” Warrick laughed at Sara’s reply.

“Oh man, Sara ‘Iron Fist’ Sidle strikes again.” Catherine laughed at Warrick interpretation and watched the other two for a more detailed explanation.

“No fists.” Grissom looked at Sara who was still grinning ear to ear.

“No fists.” Sara repeated.

Catherine was becoming frustrated then blurted out. “Then what?” They all looked at her and she blushed. “Come on guys the suspense is killing me.”

Grissom smiled at her and answered. “Encyclopaedia.” He turned to Sara and they stood.

Warrick figured it out and said. “No wonder the bruise man, musta hurt too.” Grissom nodded and headed into the living room and reappeared with the book. He placed it in front of Catherine.

“Ooh.” She said in understanding.

“All homes should have one.” Grissom teased. “We better go.” Sara nodded and turned to Catherine.

“Linds had a chocolate milk before bed, so she’ll be covered in chocolate tomorrow, just thought you might need a warning.” Catherine thanked her and walked them out.

Standing by Sara’s car, Grissom gave her a quick kiss and headed towards his own. Sara shouted to him before he opened his door. “See you at mine in ten, Ok?” He nodded and waved.

Grissom waited until the door was open before he spun her round by the waist and pressed her up against the doorpost and hungrily attacked her neck. Sara laughed at the sudden change and held onto him as he manoeuvred them into the hall where Sara managed to get some control of the highly intense situation. His back was against the wall opposite the now closed front door. She separated her body from him and he watched with want and lust in his eyes as she slowly undid his shirt. Grissom reached for her, but she pushed his hands away. She smiled seductively at his mock pouting as she pushed one side of his shirt over his shoulder. She slowly leaned in and teased his collarbone with her tongue; he took in a sharp intake of air and struggled to stay upright as his legs turned to jelly. “Oh Sara…hmmm…please…”

He again reached for her, but she pulled away while pinning his arms to his sides. The look in his eyes made her melt as she closed the distance painfully slow. Her lips brushed his briefly before pulling back less than an inch, looking into his blue eyes she repeated the teasing. Grissom wanted so much to push her against the door and ravage her, but he could see she was enjoying this too much for him to do anything. He patiently let her tease his lips with hers until her tongue ran along his lips, he opened his mouth to her and she couldn’t hold back any longer, her own teasing was too much. Sara gave in and kissed him deeply pressing her body against his. She let his arms go and they wrapped around her. She ran her fingers through his curls holding him to her not wanting to break the contact.

Grissom pushed off the wall and lifted her; Sara wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to the bedroom. Never breaking contact he laid her carefully onto the bed, following her. He pushed his thigh between her legs, like he did once before and she moaned breaking the kiss. “Mmmm…Gil…I want you…” She licked his ear with her tongue and ground her hip into his. Grissom groaned and pulled her top over her head and chucked it somewhere in the room, whilst shredding his shirt at the same time. Working his way down her body he undid her pants and pulled them off. Sara had already started to rid him of his own pants as he kissed her hard.

Sara moved under him and both closed their eyes in ecstasy as he entered her. The tinniest contact sends shivers down their spines, but this kind of contact sends bolts of electricity through both their bodies.

Sara dug her nails into his back and kissed him softly. He returned the kiss breaking it short as they both became short of breathe and needed oxygen. Grissom caressed her face and gazed into her eyes as they made love, volumes apon volumes of love and affection were spoken through them.

As they lay they there naked in each other’s arms, a feeling of great happiness washed over them.

Months later, it was nearly Christmas. The lab was brightly decorated and most of the personnel were in the Christmas spirit. Greg had already pestered most people with the mistletoe and was at one time dancing around with antlers on his head, which Grissom confiscated and were on a shelf in his office. On a few occasions several members of staff tried to retrieve the antlers, but Grissom was always one step ahead of them, although there are people still left to ask in aid of Greg’s poor antlers.

Catherine was walking down the corridor with tinsel in her hair as she read a case file.

Warrick and Nick were sat in the break room playing a new computer game.

Grissom was in layout room one reviewing a nearly closed case.

Greg was watching the hallways for Grissom as a member of staff headed towards his office on the Rescue the antlers mission.

Sara is leaning against the doorpost to one of the lab rooms watching Greg covertly keeping an eye out. He is sat at his table pretending to read a printout. Grissom’s office door opened and the person Greg had asked was about to step in when ‘Billy the Bass’ started to sing. Sara started laughing as they both panicked, Greg ran to his door and was whispering to the person to run. He turned around to find Grissom standing in the doorway to layout room one with a grin on his face.

“Nice try Greg.” Grissom went back to work as Greg slumped against the DNA computer, muttering something she couldn’t hear under his breath.

Sara shook her head and pushed of the doorframe to walk towards the break room, but was hit by a trolley and fell to the floor “Ouch!” Sara held her stomach as she sat there. A lab tech came from behind the tall trolley to help Sara up.

“Oh shit, you all right? Here let me help you.” Sara accepted his gesture and got to her feet, but suddenly felt very queasy. At this time Grissom had heard the commotion and was at her side in seconds.

“Sara you all right?” He turned to the lab tech and said calmly.” Move the trolley and be more careful.” Turning back to Sara he saw her holding her stomach. “God Sara you ok? Come on sit down.” Grissom was about to guide her to a seat, when she rushed down the corridor covering her mouth whilst still clenching her stomach. Grissom followed, but waited outside the rest rooms for a few minutes.

Sara threw up, but wasn’t sure why. She felt pain in her stomach, then queasy and then was sick. She knelt over the bowl and threw up again, she sat on the floor and leaned her head against the stall’s wall.

Grissom was becoming even more concerned, and when he saw Catherine talking to Greg he called her over. “Hey Catherine, can I speak to you for a minute?” Catherine nodded and walked towards him.

“What’s up Gil?”

“Sara was just knocked down by one of those large trolley’s and she may have been hurt, I’d go in, but she sounded like she was being sick. Can you check her please?” Catherine walked into the rest room and found Sara sitting there on the floor.

Sitting next to her and taking her hand she asked. “You ok?” Sara shook her head. “Gil said a trolley hit you, where about?” Catherine looked down at Sara’s hands covering her stomach and nodded. “Ok, can you walk?”

“I don’t think so, I still feel sick and my stomach hurts. I didn’t even really hit the trolley that hard.” Catherine got up.

“I’m going to let Gil in ok?” Sara nodded.

Catherine opened the door and Grissom turned to her. “What’s wrong, she all right?” Catherine motioned for him to enter. He followed her in and once seeing Sara he knelt down and ran his hand down her face. “Where does it hurt?” Sara covered his hand with hers and lowered it to rest on her leg, just holding it.

Catherine answered. “She says it’s her stomach and she still feels sick. Gil we need to get her off the floor and somewhere more comfortable to take a better look, ok with you Sara?” Sara nodded and closed her eyes.

Grissom lifted her and carried her towards his office. “Cath open the door please.” Catherine reached out and opened it. ‘Billy the Bass’ surprisingly didn’t go off as Grissom laid Sara down on his couch at the back of his office. His couch was barely used and if you asked many people of the lab they wouldn’t even have known if there were a couch there or not.

“I’m gonna get some water.” Catherine left and shooed the crowed outside the office away. “People, clear off, shows over. Get back to work.” Nick followed Catherine to the break room.

“Cath is Sara ok?” Nick asked in a concerning tone.

“Not sure yet Nicky, she hit her stomach and is not feeling too well. Stay close and keep people away from Griss’s office.” Catherine headed back to the office as Nick guarded the door.

Grissom had put a cushion under Sara’s head and was stroking her hair when Catherine came back.

“How is she?” Catherine handed the glass of water to him and watched helplessly as he lifted Sara’s head and she drank the cool liquid.

“Still hurts. Sara I think you should got to the hospital.” When she was about to protest he continued. “Hey.” She stopped and listened. “You need to be checked out.” Sara didn’t like what he said, but knew he was right.

“Ok, but I’m never going to forgive you if they keep me overnight.” Grissom grinned and turned to his desk phone. “Griss, can’t you drive me?” Sara said slowly as she closed her eyes.

Grissom panicked at her slow speech and her eyes closing. “Sara, you gotta stay awake ok.” He caressed her face and she opened her eyes. “I’m phoning for an ambulance, you’ll be seen quicker then.” Sara nodded. Grissom dialled the number and was told the ambulance would be there in 2 minutes. Grissom retrieved the blanket off the arm of the couch and unfolded it. “Ok I’m going to wrap this blanket around you to keep you warm, so don’t think about arguing with me.” Sara gave a small smiled.

“Fine.” Sara allowed him to wrap her up and the EMT’s soon arrive. They lifted her onto a gurney and carried her out the building. Grissom held her hand all the way.

One of the EMT’s turned to the few people now huddled around the ambulance. “Sorry you’ll have to stay here only family is allowed.”

Catherine spoke up seeing as Grissom was staying quiet. “Hey wait.” The EMT stopped and turned to her. She turned to Grissom. “Gil go with them.” He didn’t say anything. Turning back to the EMT she said. “This is her husband, can he ride with her?” Grissom’s head shot up and looked at her with surprise all over his face. The EMT motioned for him. “Griss go on.” Grissom climbed in and held Sara’s hand, bring it to his lips and tracing her forehead with his hand.

The ambulance pulled away and the other three members of the night shift team collected together. “Nick why don’t you meet Grissom at the hospital and Warrick and me will hold the fort.” Nick gave her a hug and jumped into his Tahoe heading towards the hospital.

Grissom was sitting in one of the relative rooms when Nick arrived. He knocked and walked in. “Hey Griss, you heard anything yet?” Nick took a seat next to him.

“Not yet. It wasn’t busy so she was seen straight away, but I haven’t seen a doctor or nurse yet.” Just then another knock was heard and a nurse walked in.

“Hi my names Nurse Saunders and I’m looking after Miss Sidle. Which of you is the husband?” Grissom stood and shook her hand. “Right then, Miss. Sidle is doing fine and has been seen by the doctor, if you come with me I’ll take you to see her.” The nurse looked at Grissom for a few minutes then recognition set in her eyes. “I remember you, such a long time a ago though, but I have a great memory of faces and yours is familiar.”

Grissom stared back at her and suddenly it came to him. “Yes, When Sara was last here, she was in a car crash and you were her nurse. It’s nice to know she’s in good hands.” The nurse smiled.

“Come on and you mister?” The nurse looked at Nick.

“Nick Stokes.” Nick followed them out into the hall and down the wide corridor.

The nurse opened a door and walked in. “Here you are Miss. Sidle, I found him.”

Sara’s eyes light up when she saw him. “Grissom” He walked to her and took her hand in his.

“Are you ok? What did the doctor say?” At that moment the doctor came through the door.

“Hello again Miss. Sidle, How are you feeling?” The doctor checked her stomach and prodded the small bruises that had formed.

“Better.” Sara looked at the bruises in shock.

“Anymore sickness?”

“No.”

“Right, if your tests comes back clear then you can go home, but if not we’re going to run some more tests.” Sara nodded and closed her eyes.

Sara squeezed Grissom’s hand and he leaned over to kiss her. Sitting down he turned to the doctor. “Thank you, how long until the tests come back?”

The doctor looked at his watch and the time on the chart that they were sent. “I’d say half and hour, it’s been a slow day so it shouldn’t be that long. If you need anything ask Nurse Saunders, I’ll be back with the results soon.” With that the doctor left.

Grissom grinned at Sara. “Don’t look so smug, there’s still time.” Grissom continued to grin.

“At least there’s no overnight stay at the moment.” Sara couldn’t help but smile.

Nick had gone to meet Warrick and Catherine, leaving Grissom and Sara alone.

“You know I’m all right don’t you? It’s just routine tests.” Sara said trying to comfort him.

“I know, but what if…” Sara cut him off.

“Hey since when has Gil Grissom used what ifs? Don’t worry, everything’s fine.” He nodded and sat back in his seat. “God I hate waiting…it’s so frustrating.” Sara slowly turned onto her side to face him.

“I know. I’m sure it won’t be much longer.” Grissom was looking at her hand and playing with her little finger.

“Well, here we go.” The doctor made them both jump as he came through the door with a happy and cherry tone to his voice.

“So, Can I go home yet?” Sara was getting anxious.

“Yes you can, but first we need to do an ultra sound to check if everything’s ok.” Grissom and Sara looked at each other and back at the doctor with completely baffled expressions on their faces.

Grissom spoke up. “Why does she need an ultra sound if nothings wrong?” The doctor looked at them with a huge smile.

Sara was not happy. “Please tell us and why the smile?” The doctor sat on the edge of her bed.

“Well, do you want the good news first or the ba… well there’s no bad news just more good news.” The doctor looked down at his notes waiting for a reply.

Sara was squeezing Grissom’s hand tightly and Grissom pulled himself to sit next to her. Grissom wasn’t sure what was going on. “Good.”

“Well” the doctor began with. “Your pregnant.” The doctor stopped and let the information sink in and carried on after he saw smiles from both. “You need an ultra sound to make sure no damage was done to the baby, so give me three minutes to set things up and I’ll be right back.” The doctor closed the door leaving the two in silence.

Sara turned to Grissom and saw the smile. He looked down at her and pulled her into a hug.

“Did you hear that? I can’t believe it.” Sara was happy but shocked.

“I heard and I believe it.” Grissom kissed her softly. “You’re going to be a mom.”

Sara thought about that for a second and then said. “Yeah and you’re gonna be a dad.” Grissom’s face went serious, then a grin formed. She saw the happiness and smiled

“A dad, I’m going to be a father.” He started to laugh and jumped up. At that the doctor came back and they were moved to another room.

The monitors were crackling and fuzzy, then a shape formed. The doctor turned on the speakers and turned them up. Just as the doctor was about to speak a sound came over the speakers. A loud thubbing noise.

‘Gu-gung. Gu-gung.’ ‘Gu-gung. Gu-gung.’ ‘Gu-gung. Gu-gung.’

Sara turned to see Grissom’s reaction; his face was bright with a huge smile. “You hear it.” It wasn’t a question, she was stating the obvious.

“It’s beautiful.” Sara smiled at his description.

“It’s good to hear you’re pleased about this. Was this a planned pregnancy?” The doctor turned down the speakers, but not off.

“In a way, yes. We’ve been trying for a baby for about six months.” Sara explained.

“It can take time. Let’s see.” The doctor did some estimates in his head and checked them with the monitors and charts. “Right, you’re about 11 weeks along, which is good. There doesn’t seem to be any damage. The sickness was probably just the baby’s response to the knock. So don’t worry. You will want to contact your doctor and set up the normal; frequent checks and ultra sounds.”

“When do I need to see my doctor?”

“I’d say as soon as possible. Your next routine check would be in about 7 to 8 weeks, so before hand inform them of your first check and they will take it from there.” The doctor tapped his keyboard and a few printouts were put into an envelope and handed to Grissom. “Here, these are for you. Get plenty of rest.”

Sara and Grissom headed towards the exit and once in the car park they sat on a wall. Catherine walked over to them, leaving the other’s standing by the car. “Hey guys…Sara you get checked out?”

Sara stood and pulled Grissom up. He gave her a hug and turned to Catherine. “She’s fine, everything’s fine.”

Sara put her hand over her stomach and smiled. “No Griss…We’re fine.” Grissom grinned and covered her hand with his.

Catherine wasn’t sure what that meant. “Guys, something your not telling me?” Grissom turned to her and about to give her another hint when Sara stopped him.

“Griss, lets go back to my place, I’m feeling tired.” Sara turned to Catherine. “Come on I’m sure I’ve got something to drink at home.” They all climbed into the Tahoe and Warrick drove to Sara’s.

Sara changed while Grissom gave the beers out and found everyone something to eat. Nick and Catherine sat on the couch and Warrick and Grissom sat on the breakfast stools.

“So, is she going to be ok? I heard she was sick.” Warrick looked at each face, whilst drinking his beer.

“She was a bit out of it when the ambulance was called and Griss, you saw the bruises.” Nick tried to tell Warrick the things he knew.

Grissom was keeping quiet waiting for Sara. Catherine watched him, he seemed to be thinking, but what ever he was thinking it was definitely good. He still had that smile on his face.

“Hey guys, what you talking about?” Sara walked to Grissom as Warrick move over to perch on the arm of the couch. Sara was about to sit when Grissom grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. Her back leaning against him. Grissom laid his hands softly on her stomach and kissed her neck. Sara smiled waiting for him to let her go, but he didn’t. She covered his hands and looked at the others.

The others were a little shocked at the display, seeing as Grissom is a very shy, quiet and personal man and Sara is much the same about her personal life. They don’t show their affections too deeply in front of other’s, they stay professional.

Nick was starting to fidget and getting impatient. Warrick and Catherine were watching them intently, waiting. Nick was the first to crack. “Come on guys spill, there’s obviously something you know that we don’t.”

Sara giggled and whispered something in Grissom’s ear. He nodded as his answer and Sara turned to face them taking a deep breath. “What I’m going to tell you has to stay here, just for a few days at least.” Three nods were received and she continued. “Well, um…Griss, help me out here.” Grissom laughed at her stuttering.

“Sara stuttering like that has not got to be good for the baby.” Grissom looked down at her as Sara looked back at him in dismay.

“That’s right and a father to be just blurts that out with out thinking.” Grissom was about to defend himself, but couldn’t think of anything, so he turned to the others when a huge silence fell in the room.

“You guys all right?” Sara was worried, neither one of them had said a thing. “It’s ok really.”

Catherine found her voice and legs. She got up and gave Sara a hug. “Congratulation’s Sara, this is great news.” Nick and Warrick stood and shook Grissom’s hand.

“Well done man, we new you had it in you.” Grissom’s mouth dropped and Sara closed it for him and laughed.

“Warrick was only kidding, weren’t you Warrick.” She sent him a look that said ‘just agree and smile’.

Warrick smiled and nodded. “Sure thing. Congratulation’s.” Warrick and Nick gave Sara a hug in turn and they all sat back down.

“How far are you along Sara?” Catherine was starting to think that the baby sitting they both did for her had finally paid off, but what Catherine will probably never know is that they had planned this without any coaxing from other people.

“Eleven weeks, I’ve had my first check and we heard the heartbeat and we got…hey Griss where’d you put the pictures?” Grissom pulled the envelope out of his inside jacket pocket and handed them to Sara. “Here, you can see the baby.” Catherine held the picture, looked at it and passed it onto Nick.

“God it’s so small.” Warrick said turning the picture to see it at different angles.

Nick was grinning from ear to ear. “What do you want? Boy or Girl?”

Grissom and Sara exchanged looks in thought, but couldn’t think which one they would like first, although it wouldn’t be up to them. “As long as it’s healthy I don’t mind, but if I could choose then a girl.”

Grissom agreed. “Yeah a girl would be nice, she’d be just like her mother.” Sara hugged him and kissed in on the cheek.

“A girl. This is so cool. My little sis is having a baby.” Nick cooed still gazing at the picture. Everyone laughed and Warrick patted him on the shoulder.

“Yeah and your gonna be an uncle.” Nick looked at Sara who nodded.

Nick could barely contain his joy. “Hey you too man and Cath is gonna an aunt.”

Catherine stopped laughing. “God he’s right, this is so wired.”

Grissom furrowed his eyebrows in thought. “What do you mean wired. We are a family, so what’s wired about that?”

“Oh nothing, it’s just that this family seems to be growing, all we need now is for Nicky to find himself a girlfriend.”

Nick grinned. “Got any idea’s Cath?”

Catherine laughed. “Give me time Nick, Give me time.”

Nick laughed and turned to Warrick. “What about you man?”

Warrick walked to Catherine and put his arm around her. “I got my women.”

Nick’s jaw hit the ground. “When did this happen?” Nick saw that Grissom and Sara didn’t seem at all surprised by this. “And how long have you two known? God I hate being the last to know.”

“Then you don’t want more disappointment with us telling you how long.” Warrick shrugged trying to ease the blow a little.

“Well, now I know, I don’t care. Cath get me a girl and fast. I’m feelin left out here.” Catherine laughed and gave his a kiss on the cheek and a quick hug.

“I’m working it Nick.”

A few hours later Catherine, Nick and Warrick left to sort out the rest of the lab and head home. Ecklie was called in and it suddenly hit the proverbial fan when Greg tried to retrieve his antlers himself from Grissom’s office.

Grissom and Sara decided to have an early night. Grissom lay on his back with Sara’s head nestled on his shoulder. His arms around her as she ran her finger over his chest drawing invisible shapes.

“What are you thinking about?” Grissom squeezed her shoulder.

“Us, the baby, the future.” Sara continued drawing the shapes.

“You remember how I was allowed to ride in the ambulance with you and stay with you at the hospital?”

She remembered. “Catherine told them you were my husband.” Grissom moved to his side leaning on his arm. Sara moved onto her back looking up at him.

“We’ve known each other for over ten years and have been seeing each other for nearly a whole year now.” Sara nodded for him to continue. Grissom ran his hand up her arm to her face. He traced her jaw to her chin then lingers on her lips. “What would you say…if I asked you…to marry me?” He stared at her brown eyes looking back up at him whilst tracing her lower lip.

“Yes.” Sara whispered and kissed his finger.

Grissom grinned and leaned down to kiss her long and softly. Upon breaking he moved his body half on and half off hers. Before kissing her passionately he said. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”

- The End.

Book I | Book II | Book III