A Weekend Away

Grissom locked the door and went in search of Sara. They were going away for the weekend to a quiet cabin in the mountains. Since Sara had returned, they had tried to spend more time together, away from the pressures of the lab.

"Are you ready, honey?" He had found her in the break room talking to Nick, Warrick and Catherine.

"I am. What about you?"

"Well, let's go. Catherine, you're in charge."

"Bye, guys." Sara and Grissom said to the group.

"Have fun", Catherine replied.

"But not too much…" Nick and Warrick teased lovingly.

When Sara and Grissom left, the group continued to sit and talk. "I am so happy for Sara. She seems so in love, truly happy." Warrick said.

Nick responded by saying, "I am just glad that Grissom finally woke up and realized what he was missing."

Warrick stood. "How 'bout I round up Greg and we can get to work?" Catherine agreed. She needed to talk to Nick about something and wanted some privacy.

"Nicky, I know I can trust you. I want your advice about something."

"Sure, what's up? "

"I know that you might find this hard to believe. But, I like Sara."

"We all do."

"I mean I really like Sara. When she walks in the room, my heart flutters. Her smile lights up my world."

"Does she know you feel this way?"

"No. But, I have caught her looking at me a few times."

"That's a tough one, Cath. But, I know what you mean. I feel the same way when I am with Greg."

"What about me?" Greg said as he walked in.

"You light up my world, G." Warrick and Catherine smiled at their friends, so much in love.

Meanwhile, Gil and Sara were now on the road and traveling toward the mountains. As they drove, their hands intertwined. They looked at each other and smiled.

"What are you thinking about, sweetheart?" Gil said as he reached up and touched her cheek.

"I was just thinking about how lucky I am. I don't want this to end. I would like to spend the rest of my life with you by my side."

"You know what the odds are."

"I know. I just don't want to be alone again." Sara said sadly.

"You won't be alone. You've got Nick, Warrick, and Brass…All of the gang. Sara, I know I haven't told you this. I want you to listen to me. When you went away, it took its toll on everyone. Not just professionally, but personally. We were all missing a part of ourselves. You mean a lot to all of them. They all took it hard."

"Oh, Gil. I consider them my family. Brass and even Dr. Robbins have been like fathers to me. I never knew what it was like to have that. The only time I had brothers was once for about a month in a foster home. It is so nice having Nick, Greg and Warrick around in that role."

"What about Catherine? I know that you haven't always gotten along very well."

"Catherine and I have worked out our differences. She really is a good friend. Even if she does have that 'mama bear' instinct sometimes... I know I can confide in her."

Gil smiled because he could tell that Sara was happy. It did his heart good. He had seen too many times when fear and anger had been the norm, knowing now that at times he was the reason.

"And what about me?"

"You, darling, are like no other. You have been my savior. I let you in, even though I was so angry with you. You wouldn't let it go. If it you hadn't come to my house that night, I probably would not be around anymore. You stopped me from hurting myself."

"Sara, you had every right to be angry. I just ignored the fact that you needed something more. It took a long time for me to realize that I needed you as much as you needed me. I have loved you since I met you. But I wouldn't allow myself to become involved."

Sara leaned over and kissed Gil on the cheek. There is more where that came from. How much longer?"

"About an hour." The rest of the trip passed uneventfully. Sara, having worked a double before leaving, was tired and drifted off to sleep. Gil marveled at how peaceful she looked. He knew this wasn't always the case. There were still nights when Sara could not sleep because she was tormented by nightmares. Only after he had held her in his arms would she drift off to sleep. He never mentioned it to Sara. It was one thing he kept from her. Whenever this happened, he would be the one not sleeping. He hated that someone had hurt Sara. His Sara.