AN: Warning: Mention of death of somebody special to them. Thanks for the support and reviews, here is the next chapter.

Chapter 2: Won't interfere

The next day

It was the end of shift, and Sara was walking out of the lab to head for Bruce's vehicle since he sometimes picks her up, while Grissom was walking toward the lab. She then heard/saw Bruce speak toward him. "Hey Gil." Grissom looked at Bruce while he continued. "The team usually has a gathering a couple times during the month, so how about stopping by Sara's on Saturday, it starts around 3:30."

Grissom looked toward Sara before answering. "If you are ok with it."

Sara was a little shocked that Bruce would invite him, and a part of her wasn't really thrilled about it, but she thought it would be nice if he got to really talk to the guys, so if he could play nice, then she could too.

She cleared her throat and nodded. "Yeah, that's alright with me."

Grissom looked at Bruce and nodded. "Alright, I'll be there."

Bruce smiled with a nod. "Excellent."

After another nod, Grissom gave Sara a small smile before walking toward the lab again.

Sara watched him until he walked past her, then she looked at Bruce and said with a little smile. "I can't believe you did that."

He walked up to her. "Was it a bad thing? I thought I would be nice for your sake, and he seems to be taking this very well."

She would have to agree, so she nodded. "And yes that was very nice of you."

He smiled bigger while cupping her cheek, making her hold back a cringe. It wasn't like she disliked his touch now, but doing it out here where Grissom could see, didn't make her feel all that great. Then her thoughts came back. 'I thought you didn't care what he thought now.' She mentally shook her head again while he continued. "The gathering is at your place this time, so maybe I should have asked you first though, so I'm sorry."

The gatherings were started by DB, and since then they've always alternated which place they were doing them at, and this time it was Sara's turn to play host.

"It's fine." After he nods in return, they head toward the vehicle, but Sara stopped before getting to the passenger door. "Shoot."

"What?"

"I forget my phone in the break room, I'll be right back."

Bruce nodded before Sara turned and started walking back toward the lab entrance.

When she made it to the break room window she saw a woman from the day shift team hugging Grissom, and a jealously feeling hit her before she could push it down, which she mentally sighed while she walked toward the door, some times wishing these feelings would not affect her as much anymore.

Once she was in the room she cleared her throat, making Grissom and the woman step away from the hug, then she continued while pointing to the table where her phone was sitting. "Sorry to interrupt, I forgot my phone."

Grissom shook his head while Sara grabbed it from the table. "You weren't, Erica was just happy that we caught a break in our case, you know how that excitement can build."

Erica Clark was 35, had shoulder length, blond hair with blue eyes, a slim build, and she had been working the day shift for almost two months now since she changed careers to be a CSI.

Sara nodded while Erica smiled as she placed her hand on Grissom's arm. "He's a really great teacher. I've already learned so much from him, I bet your team misses him."

Before Sara could speak, Grissom cleared his throat as he stepped back from Erica's hand, making Sara secretly smirk while her blood was cooling down from boiling after watching her touch him, whether she wanted to feel that way or not, while he replied. "They hadn't needed me in a very long time. I'm sure they are happy and in great hands with who they have." Hearing his comment kind of made Sara a little sad, and she was about to speak about what he said, but he continued before she could. "Enjoy the rest of your day Sara."

She nodded after a pause. "Yeah, you too." He nodded back before turning and walking toward the counter while she turned and started walking toward the door, but stopped when she got there and turned back around. "Erica?" Erica turned around to look at the older woman. "You're right, I don't think you could find a better teacher/mentor than Grissom, he's one of the best. I would know better than anybody." Erica smiled as Grissom turned to look at Sara, a little surprised about her comment.

No matter how much pain they've both inflicted on each other, her caring about him will never change, so hearing him speak like that about himself hurt, so she was hoping with her words it wouldn't make him second guess himself as a teacher/mentor, because honestly, she wouldn't have been the type of CSI she was today without a lot of help from him, she really believed that.

After Sara gave him a quick look, she walked out of room as he continued to watch her while his heart was fluttering in his chest, thinking maybe deep down she still cared about him a little. But he wouldn't overthink it just because she had said one nice comment about him, especially since she was still engaged to another man.

A few days later

Once Saturday came and his shift ended, Grissom pulled off to the side of the street in front of Sara's house. When he looked in the yard he sighed as he saw it had a for sale sign on it, and while he looked at it, his mind couldn't help but think back to when Sara brought up the subject of getting a house together.

Flashback

Four years ago

Before Grissom started his traveling, he came to Vegas to be with his wife for the week, and after celebrating his return, they were under the covers and wrapped in each other's arms while their feet were tangled with one another.

It was a few minutes of silence before she spoke."You know what I've been thinking?"

As he looked at her, he asked."What honey?"

"I think it's time for a house." Before Grissom could say anything, Sara continued."I'm not saying that renting is a bad thing, but I just think living in a house would feel more permanent, and if we have the money, which we do, I would like to finally make this place feel like our home."

As she cupped his clean-shaven cheek, he nodded with a smile. "Ok."

Sara's eyes lit up as she asked. "Really? I thought I would have to convince you some more."

He chuckled. "Yes really, it's fine. Maybe we can find one before I leave this week."

"Yeah, I would like that."

He smiled as he leaned toward her before pecking her on the lips softly and bringing her in his arms to hold her.

After they enjoyed each other's company for a little while longer, they finally got out of bed and made a quick, but healthy breakfast before looking at the house ads on the computer to see what they would be interested in getting a closer look.

So for the rest of the week, they spent majority of their time together looking around, then on the last day they were looking before he left, they finally found the one that seemed to fit them, it was really love at first sight, and nothing was going to detour them away from it.

The price was a little out of their range, but Grissom was willing to do whatever it took to get her this place because it made her happy and it felt like home the second they stepped through the door the first time. He could already see so many happy memories here.

End of Flashback

He mentally shook his head while he got out of the vehicle, so many things had changed since then, and it hurt to think about those times when everything was perfect with them.

When he stopped at the front door, he took a breath and knocked, then a few seconds later when Sara opened it, they gave each other a polite smile before she moved off to the side. "Come in."

He nodded while stepping in the house, where he saw a few boxes here and there, then as she closed the door, she speaks again. "Sorry about the mess."

He waved it off in understanding before asking. "So you moving in with him, rather than him coming here?"

Sara nodded. "I thought it would be best." Grissom thought he saw something more in her eyes about that comment, but didn't push, instead he just nodded, then she cleared her throat and looked away from his eyes. "Snacks and drinks are in the kitchen, help yourself." He nodded with a smile before walking toward the kitchen, saying a few pleasantries as he passed Nick, Greg and Bruce.

After the rest of the team showed up, including DB's wife, they were all having a good time, talking and laughing, which Grissom couldn't help but feel like it was old times, except that a lot of people back then weren't with them today, whether they moved or lost their lives.

Grissom mentally shook his head as he excused himself from the small group he was talking to, then headed for some air in the back yard.

Sara, who had watched him walk outside, excused herself from talking to Morgan and Finlay before following him.

When she stepped outside, Grissom looked back at her. "You ok?"

Grissom nodded while looking out in the yard again. "Yeah, I just needed a little air."

She stopped next to him and continued. "It brings back some memories."

He nodded. "Not only this house, but a little from the team, and this city."

He may not have shared much time with her in this house before everything turned badly between them, but this city was full of memories of them, along with being near some of the team members.

Sara nodded before clearing her throat and asking. "So, does Hank like being back here? I'm sure he missed it too. If it's not too much trouble I would love to see him."

Since Hank was Grissom's dog when they had started seeing one another, she hadn't seen him in two years, and she really missed him.

Grissom sighed. "That's no possible."

Sara crossed her arms over her chest, her defensive stance, and asked. "Why not? I mean I know he was your dog before we even got together, but I grew to love him like he was mine too, I mis..."

Grissom cuts her off. "He died Sara."

Sara's heart plummeted as she whispered. "What?"

Grissom looked down and spoke in a broken tone. "Last year."

Her heart broke, not only for herself but for him too, then not even thinking about it, she placed her left hand on his arm for comfort. "I'm sorry, I know how much he meant to you."

He nodded while he looked at her. "I'm sorry too." She nodded before he looked down at her left hand, seeing the engagement ring on her finger.

She saw his line of sight before she cleared her throat while she pulled her hand away. "Grissom, I want you to know that this thing between Bruce and I it didn't happen right away, it..."

Grissom cuts her off, not wanting to hear this. "You don't need to explain it to me, I said that I wouldn't interfere in your life and I meant that."

Sara gets confused on what he said about the interfering part because she's never heard him say that to her before, and was about to ask him when the back door opened and Bruce stepped out. "Everything ok out here?"

They both looked at him, and Grissom nodded before walking toward the door. "I'm going to get something to drink."

Sara watched him before looking at Bruce with a smile, he smiled back and took her hand before walking them back inside the house so they could enjoy the rest of the gathering.

Before their time at Sara's came to an end, Nick cleared his throat and asked. "So Grissom, when is your time in Vegas up?"

Grissom finished his drink before he answered Nick's question. "Actually, a member of the day shift team is leaving and Ecklie asked me if I would stay on board until they find a new suitable replacement, and since I'm kind of in-between things at the moment, I was thinking about doing it." They looked at him with shock as he looked at Sara. "If you don't have a problem with it."

Sara's heart was racing at the thought of him being in the same city as her again, but then she mentally shook her head and replied while trying to keep her voice calm. "Why would I mind, you can live anywhere you want."

"Alright, I think I'll talk to Ecklie then."

While Sara nodded, Bruce speaks. "You sure you want to move back here? I mean with Sara getting married to me, it must be kind of hard to see."

Sara wasn't sure how she felt about that comment, it was like he was baiting him or something, but before she could say anything, Grissom continued. "I just want her to be happy, and that is never a hard thing to see."

Yes, he meant it and it was hard to say, but she made her choice, they both have, and he has to live with that, no matter where he lives.

Sara and Grissom have eye contact, which she saw the truth in his eyes but also something else, she just couldn't place it, then he cleared his throat. "I think I'm going to head out, I could use some rest."

They all nodded, and after Grissom said bye to everybody, Sara walked him to the front door, then after she opened it, she speaks. "Have a good rest."

"You too, and take care." Sara gave him a smile with a nod.

He nodded back before walking out of the house while Bruce was drinking his champagne with an uncomfortable feeling inside of him.

Before Greg and Nick left the house they talked to Sara, asking if she was really alright if Grissom did end up staying, which she nodded and replied. "A lot of broken up couples have lived in the same city before, it isn't uncommon, and I know what you're thinking, we weren't your average couple." They smiled at that as she continued. "But I'm sure we can act like adults and make this work. Besides, you heard him, he just wants me to be happy."

Greg asked. "And you are?"

Sara nodded. "I am."

Even though she was, it wasn't like she had with Grissom, but she knew no one else would make her feel the same way he made her feel, and that is something she'll just have to live with.

Nick and Greg looked at each other before looking at Sara and smiling, then Nick brings her in his arms. "Alright, if you don't have a problem with it, then we won't either."

Sara wrapped her arms around Nick. "Thank you guys for being there for me."

As Nick pulled back, it was Greg's turn to give her a hug. "Always, you know that." She nodded with a smile, and after a round of goodbyes, everybody left except Bruce.

After she had closed the front door, she walked into the kitchen to start cleaning up with Bruce's help.

As they were putting the snacks back in the bag, Bruce asked. "It would be kind of weird if he ends up staying, wouldn't it?"

Trying not to make it a bigger deal than what her heart was telling her, she shrugged and said. "Yeah, I guess a little." Then she looked at him and said. "You don't have anything to worry about, if that's what you think."

He shook his head while cupping her cheek. "You sure he can't say or do something to make you change your mind?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Say? What would he say?"

He shrugged his shoulders this time. "I don't know, something that would get you back."

Sara shook her head as she pulled back and started closing the bag to the snacks. "I don't think he would, he seems different, like he's..."

He cuts her off with a raised eyebrow. "Like he's over you? Is that even possible?"

She shrugged as she placed the bag of chips in the cupboard. "Anything is possible."

And she really believed that because she believed Grissom had changed. It was like he put up a wall and he was emotionally distancing himself from her, which was something he did in the past, only this time it felt different, she just didn't know what it was.

While she was in her own thoughts, Bruce walked up behind her and wraps his arms around her, making her jump a little, she also stopped a tense feeling before it came as he whispered. "And you are ok with that?"

She swallowed and replied softly. "I'm marrying you, so of course." But her head kept thinking. 'Yeah right, keep telling yourself that.'

He smiled and kissed her head before whispering again. "So, what do you want to do tonight before you go to work?"

She turns in his arms. "How about go over to your place..." He smiled bigger. "And watch a movie or something."

He gets suggestive. "I can always go for the something."

"Bruce."

He chuckled. "I know you want to wait before we become intimate again, but we haven't even set a wedding date yet, so I don't know how long I'm waiting for."

She smirked while walking out of his arms, heading for the counter to finish cleaning up. "Haven't you heard of some things are worth the wait."

He followed her before turning her around and cupping her cheek, replying sincerely. "And you are definitely worth it." She gave him a small smile as he continued with a nod. "Ok, movie it is."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

After she nodded in return, they finished clearing up the kitchen together, while she couldn't stop thinking about what could happen if Grissom ended up being around for the long term.

AN: Please be patient while the story progresses, there is a reason for Grissom's action. Find out what happens next. Please review.