Grissom entered the break room quietly. He had noticed from outside the glass doors that Sara was asleep on the couch. He slowly walked to the coffee pot and filled his empty mug. He turned around and looked at the pretty brunette on the couch. That couch cannot be comfortable. How does she manage to be beautiful even when she sleeps?

Just then something on the floor by the couch caught his eye. He slowly walked over and bent down just inches from her. Her pen had obviously fallen from her hand, which was limply hanging over the edge of the couch. She had a file folder open laying flat on her chest and it slightly grazed her chin with every deep breath. He recognized the file as the case she had been working on for two days. It was a fairly open and shut case and he assumed she was writing her final report when she fell into an unintentional slumber. Suddenly, Sara's head jerked in her sleep and her breathing become shallow, almost like she was gasping. Grissom jumped back slightly not wanting her to wake with him so close to her. Her arms flew up to her throat and the file fell on the floor. Her hands moved from her throat to her chest and her mouth opened as she apparently struggled to breath. Grissom moved closer and he reached out his arm to shake her awake. At that moment Sara's eyes suddenly flew open and she sat up quickly with her mouth open in a silent scream. Her glazed expression was one of fear as she saw Grissom staring at her with his arm stretched out towards her. As he quickly retracted his arm, Grissom thought that if he didn't know better he would have sworn she looked terrified of him. Maybe he didn't know better, maybe she was frightened of him. The cloudiness finally cleared from Sara's eyes and she spoke.

"Grissom?"

"Uh yeah, are you ok?

The concern in his voice was apparent even though he had the ever-present conflicted look in his eyes. It was all she ever seemed to see in them lately.

"Umm fine, you surprised me that's all. I just uh, had a bad dream."

"What happened?" Grissom stood up and backed up into the table, he laid her pen on it and waited for her to respond.

"What do you mean?" Sara asked, looking confused.

"I mean your dream, do you remember what happened?'

"Oh. I -" She paused and picked the file up from the floor and placed it on the couch. As she stood up she felt Grissom watching her, obviously waiting for a response.

"What time is it?" She was speaking more to herself than to Grissom as she glanced at her watch.

"Shift's been over for an hour, you should go home." Grissom took the file with her report off the couch and added it to the pile of papers in his arms. "You can finish this tonight, I'll just keep it on my desk for now."

Sara could tell from Grissom's voice that it was not negotiable, even if she had wanted to stay and finish it or take it home; he wasn't going to let her.

"O.K." She said quietly as her eyes darted around the room. Grissom waited another moment but then turned to leave. As he opened the door Sara's voice stopped him.

"I was dying."

Grissom spun around to face Sara, not quite sure if he heard her correctly.

"My dream - I remember I was dying. Suffocating actually."

"How?"

Sara's gaze moved to the floor and she suddenly appeared nervous. I should have just ignored his question, I mean he seemed willing to let it go but I...oh crap, it's too late now.

"You." She avoided his eyes as she spoke.

Grissom looked intently at Sara now and took a step forward. "What? You mean, I was-"

"You were suffocating me," Sara interrupted him and stared at her pen on the table as she spoke. "It was so strange because you weren't actually touching me but I couldn't breath, the pressure on my chest was unbearable and I was struggling to get air but nothing I did helped. You were just standing in front of me, looking down on me because I was kneeling I think..." She paused and chanced looking at Grissom to see his reaction. He hadn't moved and was apparently expecting her to continue. "Anyway, I don't remember much else except thinking that I didn't understand how you could be killing me without ever touching me." The meaning in her words went way beyond her disturbing dream and Grissom finally looked away from her. At least now I know why she looked scared of me when she woke up.

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence before Sara spoke again. "Well, I guess I'll go home." She paused to see if Grissom would respond but he didn't, as usual. Sara picked up her jacket and headed towards the door. As she passed Grissom her shoulder brushed against his arm and she had to make a conscious effort to not show how his touch, even the lightest contact, affected her.

"Sara, wait." Grissom's hand landed on her shoulder and she jumped slightly. Sara turned and waited for him to speak.

"I was just wondering if uh, if you would like to get some breakfast.... with me", he added hesitantly.

Sara looked stunned and a little suspicious. What the? I dream he's trying to kill me and suddenly he wants to go out with me. I should tell him about my other dreams; god knows what he might ask me to do then.

Grissom could almost see the wheels turning in Sara's head as various emotions crossed her face. He had been trying to mend their friendship for the past few months, although most of his efforts seemed to meet with resistance, suspicion or a cynical comment. He couldn't blame her; it was his fault that their relationship had deteriorated in the first place.

"Actually, I am pretty tired still so I think I'll just go home." She could see the disappointment register on his face and she blurted out "Rain check?" before she could stop herself. Damn it – I'm pathetic, so afraid to disappoint him I...I have to get out of here.

Grissom nodded silently and watched her walk away towards the locker room. With a heavy sigh he turned and walked to his office. As he settled in his chair he mulled over what had just happened. I know she is unhappy and that at least in part it's because of me. But to actually dream I was trying to kill her? It was just a dream. I don't believe they mean anything, just a natural occurrence in REM sleep, a healthy outlet for the troubled mind. Could they be symbolic? Well, she certainly seemed to think so. Maybe she has really given up on me, on us. I would have. I did. No, I didn't which is why I rambled on like a pitiable fool during Lurie's interview. Thank god Sara didn't hear it. I can just imagine what she would have thought. She said "rain check?". So there's hope. I guess hope will have to do for now.

TBC?