The five stages of a sabbatical

Disclaimer – I do not own any part of CSI or the song "Promise me", that's Beverly Craven's, but it doesn't mean that I can't sing it at the top of my voice in the car. Right? -x-

Stage Four - Affection

You light up another cigarette and I pour the wine

Its four o clock in the morning and it's starting to get light

Now I'm right where I want to be, losing track of time

But I wish that it was still last night

Sara put her robe on and walked to the window. She stared out and cursed the Vegas sunrise. She slumped over the window sill, her forehead pressing against the cold glass window. Grissom joined her, wrapping his arms around her waist and she instinctively leaned into him. He nuzzled his head into her neck and she held onto his hands delicately, their emotions conveying more than words could.

You look like you're in another world but I can read you mind

How can you be so far away lying by my side

When I go away I'll miss you

And I will be thinking of you

Every night and day just…

He stared up at the ceiling, stroking Sara's hair softly as she lay asleep in his arms. He glanced across at the window and watched the sun become more evident in the early morning sky. He held her more tightly, knowing that this would be one of the last moments he would share with her for a month and he wanted the memory imprinted on his brain for the whole of his sabbatical. He twisted his head to look at her peaceful face, all of the worry and doubt missing. But it would all return when she'd wake up. Their conversation since her arrival hadn't been focused on Grissom's sabbatical. They were both aware that it was gonna happen, but neither of them had brought it up. Not talking about it meant that for the one night, they could pretend that everything was normal. And now it was morning. Grissom shut his eyes in dread and hugged Sara closer to him.

Promise me you'll wait for me

Cause I'll be saving all my love for you

And I will be home soon

Promise me you'll wait for me

I need to know you feel the same way too

And I'll be home, I'll be home soon.

She opened her eyes and gave a wide yawn. She turned over to find the other side of the bed empty. She sat upright and looked around quickly.

"Grissom. Grissom? Grissom?" She called desperately. Her eyes shot to the door as it opened and he appeared carrying a tray and a worried expression.

"What's wrong? You ok?" He put the tray at the end of the bed and climbed onto the bed to join her. He stroked her cheek and she nodded slowly, the panic lessening. He leaned forward and brought the tray onto his lap.

"I thought I'd make you breakfast in bed. You always get there first on Sunday mornings." A smile came to his lips at the memory.

"It looks great." She replied, trying to act normal. She began to nibble on a piece of toast as she asked quietly

"What time's your flight?" He looked across at her before looking down into his hands.

"6:15pm. I've gotta go in and make sure everything's set up for my replacement."

"They're not a replacement; no-one's replacing you. They're only a stand in." Sara stated immediately. Grissom tilted his head as he studied her face. He put his hand to her cheek again, but this time she held it in place. Her face was once again shadowed with doubt. He licked his lips nervously before saying

"I will be back; it's four weeks, nothing more and well nothing less." Her hand dropped and she began to eat her toast again. Grissom frowned. He was finding it difficult to understand what was running through Sara's mind, but it seemed she was as confused as he was.

------------------------------

She picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. She fiddled nervously with her keys. She had known that this would be the worst moment; their last personal goodbye before they both travelled to work separately and then acted like nothing was wrong.

They hugged tightly and clung to each other for several minutes, a pained expression on Sara's face. Grissom stroked her head and back comfortingly and Sara let a stray tear fall. They stepped back from each other and Grissom placed his hands on either side of her face and Sara leaned in to him, kissing him rushed and desperately on the lips. Further tears rolled down her cheeks and Grissom's heart broke as each one splashed onto his face. He kissed her deeply in return and after a few seconds Sara pulled away. He studied her face silently before she finally whispered

"I'd better go. I'll see you at work." Grissom took one of her hands and squeezed it softly, nodding slightly. She left the apartment and Grissom leant against the closed door and bowed his head.

When I go away I'll miss you

And I will be thinking of you

Every night and day just…

------------------------------

Hope you liked it; I love chapters like this (as some of you probably already know from my last fic!) -x-