She was regretting insisting that she was fine to continue working on the scene. The constant worrying that she might bump into Hank, along with the flood of emotion that had filled her as she was reminded of the events of the last few weeks, had left her feeling exhausted. She sighed as she entered her empty apartment, placing her bag on the ground and moving over to the phone to check her messages. To her surprise, a large red number one was written on the screen. Thinking nothing much of it she pressed the play button and began to head to the kitchen. She was instantly stopped as a familiar voice rang in the silence. "Hey Sara it's me Hank. I just wanted to call and see that you were ok. You seemed upset at the house today and well… I know what I did to you is unforgivable but I really do care about you. I guess I just wanted to… I don't know… apologise I guess. I know you probably don't want to talk to me but if you could just let me know that you're ok…" The answering machine cut him off with a loud beep. She stared blankly at the machine. She wasn't sure how long she stood there, wasn't aware that a single tear rolled down her cheek. It was only when she began to feel her body shaking that she snapped out of her dazed state. She slowly moved over to the sofa, pulling her knees into her body and closing her eyes, trying to forget.

There was a knock at the door but Sara didn't hear it. It wasn't until the sound came again, louder this time, that she rose to her feet. Not really aware of what she was doing she opened the door to find Grissom stood on the other side.

"Hi Sara. Can I come in?" Silently she stepped aside to let him enter and followed him into the living room. She resumed her position on the sofa, neither person speaking for some time.

"You can sit if you like." She finally said. He moved to sit on the large purple chair next to her.

"I just wanted to check that you were ok after what happened at the scene today?" Why was everyone suddenly so eager to know how she was feeling? The truth was she didn't even know how she felt. When she didn't answer he spoke again.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She pulled her knees in closer to her body and put her head in her hands. She shook her head.

"Ok. Well how about I make us some tea?" He stood up and headed to the kitchen. He didn't know what to do. She was obviously hurting and he wanted to help but if she wouldn't open up to him, tell him how she felt, what was he supposed to do?

He returned with two mugs of tea and pushed one towards the still silent Sara. She lifted her head and gave him a weak, grateful smile. She picked up the mug and cradled it in both hands, watching the steam rise. Finally she found her voice.

"I'm sorry Grissom. I just wasn't expecting to see him." He remained quiet, hoping she would continue.

"He left me a message. Said he thought I looked upset earlier. Wanted to check I was ok." A tear ran down her cheek and she turned to look at Grissoms solemn face. "And you know what? I don't think I am." This admission shocked him and he reached out a hand, placing it on her arm. More tears began to fall. He took the mug from her and placed it on the table before taking both her hands in his.

"That's ok Sara. Nobody is expecting you to be ok." She nodded and looked down at their entwined hands.

"I just wish it would all go away." She was sobbing now, her shoulders shaking. He squeezed her hands to let her know that he was there for her, that it was all going to be ok. Grissom had known her for years, but seeing her like this, he felt helpless. He just let her cry, not knowing what to say to make the tears stop, to make the pain go away.

But eventually the tears did relent and Sara lent back on the sofa, letting her knees fall to one side.

"You look exhausted." He said. "Why don't you try and get some sleep?" She nodded, closing her eyes. "Here lay down." He said, placing a cushion under her head and taking the blanket from the back of the sofa and placing it over her. Brushing the hair back from her face he smiled. She looked so peaceful now. "Sleep well." He whispered as he turned to leave.

"Grissom," He turned back to her. "Thank you." He smiled again and headed to the kitchen, leaving her note to tell her to take the night off if she didn't feel up to working. Then with one last glance at his sleeping friend, he left.

She did go to work and she was feeling remarkably good. All the emotion that she had held inside her was now set free. She stood silently at the door of her supervisors' office, waiting for him to notice her presence. Eventually her looked up from his desk, not entirely surprised to see her there.

"Sara. How are you feeling?"

"Better thank you." She smiled. After a short pause she continued. "I just wanted to say thanks again for yesterday." She took a step into his office. "I really appreciate it." He didn't feel that he had done anything worth appreciating but was glad to know that he had somehow helped her. She certainly seemed brighter, more like her usual self.

"I'm glad I could help."

She smiled. "I, um, better let you get back to your work." He nodded and she turned to leave.

"And Sara," She looked back to him.

"If you need anything…"

"Yeah, I know. Thanks."

Sara smiled to herself as she walked into the locker room at the end of the shift. She had got through the night without too many questions being asked or without noticing too many worried glances in her direction. She was beginning to feel that everything really would be ok.

"Hey Warrick." She greeted the man, who was bent over changing his shoes and had clearly not noticed her come in.

"Oh Sara hi. How was your shift?"

"Well we got the guy that got to be good." That wasn't really what he had meant but he wasn't going to ask her directly how she was feeling, not wanting to upset her. "How about you?"

"Well we were working the same case so…" Sara chuckled.

"Hey guys." It was Catherine. "We're going for breakfast. You up for it?"

"Count me in."

Sara hesitated only slightly before answering "Yeah sure."

"Ok well don't be too long. If Nick tells me he his hungry one more time, I may be forced to serve him one of Grissoms experiments just to shut him up."

"You know what I wouldn't put it past her!" laughed Warrick when Catherine had gone.

"I heard that!" Came her voice from corridor outside. The two CSI's gave each other a nervous glace and then began laughing again. It felt good to laugh.

"Come on." Said Warrick, placing a hand on Saras back and leading out.

Sitting in the diner surrounded by her friends Sara felt happier than she had in a long time. As their laughter filled her ears she leaned back in her seat and sighed.

"You ok?" Catherine turned to her friend, her voice hushed so as not to draw the attention of the others.

"Yeah." She replied smiling. "Yeah I am."

Hope You liked the story. Please feel free to review it. Want to know what you all think so I can try and improve for next time!