"So you're really leaving, huh?"
"Yes I am."
"Be safe," she hides her head in her locker, busying herself.
"I'll be back soon."
"Mmmhmm."
"Sara?"
She peaks her head out, hand trembling on the door.
"I'll miss you."
She slams it and walks out without a word. Grissom hangs his head and exits.
---
"Without a word?"
"Not a one."
"Man, that's cold."
"I deserve it. Look at how I've treated her?"
"Stop it."
"Stop what?"
"Blaming yourself. This trip is for your benefit. If she can't see that…well, than maybe you two aren't meant for each other.
"Like aluminum and rust?"
Without a clue, "Exactly."
"Thanks Jim."
"For what?"
"For showing me what I need to do."
He stands and jogs out the door, leaving a befuddled Brass alone in his office.
"You're welcome?"
---
"Sara, wait!"
He catches the elevator door before it closes.
"What?"
"I'm ready."
"For?"
"I can't let you go, not like this."
Greg and Warrick pop their heads out of the lab. Nick and Catherine come to a dead halt in the hallway behind Grissom. She grabs Nick's arm and bites her lower lip. Brass peaks around the corner of his office as well. All are quiet.
Slowly his knee bends. His mouth goes dry yet he smiles.
"Sara Sidle, I'm in love with you. We may be like aluminum and rust. We may cause a huge fire that burns out all too quickly. I would rather have the chance to let it burn with you than to have never ignited it at all.
She stifles the happiness by cuffing her hands to her mouth. He reaches in his jacket pocket and produces a small black box. He cracks it open, exposing a gorgeous diamond ring.
"Will you marry me?"
"Did you have to ask?" She nods and falls to the floor with him, holding him close to her. The roar from the office is barely audible as they stare into each other's eyes.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
She winks and helps him up, immediately enveloping him in her arms. They kiss before being barraged by well-wishers. Brass gently closes his door and sighs. He tucks his arm into his chest and softly mutters,
"Yesss."