Grissom was in his car smiling in satisfaction. He was initially horrified when she discovered his secret, but was now glad that she knew. Plus, it was nice to feed direct from a body; and what a body! He knew that she would be scientific with her thought and questions; after fainting of course. He only was upset that he had to leave so soon after feeding. He was efficient in getting back to the lab and redirecting his brain to the task at hand.

"Hello Greg."

"Hey Boss man; you were gone for a while." Greg stated in a subtle accusatory manner.

"My apologies. It couldn't be helped; plus I checked on Sara." Grissom knew this would distract the younger man.

"How is she?"

"She's feeling better. She'll be back tomorrow."

"Good." Greg smiled.

"So, where are we at?" Grissom redirected Greg again.

"Well, pending a few test results, I've got a working theory."

"Let's hear it." Greg smiled and began to reconstruct what he believed to have happened based on the evidence at hand. Grissom nodded, contributing or asking questions as needed.

"Good work, Greg. I'm sorry I wasn't around more to help you."

"I'm cool. You did seem distracted tonight though." Grissom raised an eyebrow at this.

"Oh?"

"It's not like you leave for a lunch break; let alone one that lasted for almost two hours." Grissom breathed a mental sigh of relief.

"Again, I'm sorry. I was distracted, but I'm here now."

"Everything ok?"

"Yes, thank you for your concern. Why don't you check on those results and I'll be in my office with paperwork."

"Ok." Seconds after entering his office, he heard a distinctive clacking on the floor. He feigned ignorance.

"Hey Gil."

"Hello Catherine."

"Did you find Sara?"

"Yes, she wasn't feeling very well and took a night off. I just spoke with her an hour ago. She's doing better and will be back for next shift." Grissom explained.

"Good; she must be really under the weather, she never takes off."

"She thinks it was something she ate." Grissom told her.

"It must have been something she ate at home because we had the same thing to eat at the diner." Grissom mentally winced, but recovered quickly.

"That must be it. She never told me what it was that she ate."

"Oh, ok. Well, we closed our case." She handed over the file.

"That was fast."

"Some nights, things just go your way." she said and Grissom couldn't agree more.

"I guess. Would you like to help me with paperwork?" he offered and already knew what she would say.

"God, no. I've got a pile of my own to do. See you later." she said on her way out the door.

"Yeah." he said to an empty room.

Grissom had made a small dent in the pile on his desk by the end of shift. He called Sara and asked her to meet him at his place. On his way, he picked up band-aids, vegetables, fruit, and three red roses. She was waiting on the trunk of her car when he pulled in.

"Hey, sorry I'm late. There was a terrible line at the grocery store."

"I haven't been here long. No harm, no foul. Need help?" She hopped off the car and reached for the bags in his hands.

"I've got it, come on in." Sara took Grissom's keys upon request and opened the door. She swiped an apple while he put everything else away.

"Did you bring a bag with some extra clothes in it?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Good. Would you like something to drink?"

"Do you want me to drink something?" She retaliated.

"A little orange juice would be nice." he admitted.

"Ok, I would like some orange juice please." She smiled at him. There was an undercurrent of nervousness in the air. Sara drank the juice that was handed to her. She wasn't sure how, but she found herself wrapped up in his arms as soon as she set the glass on the counter. His mouth was desperately seeking entrance to hers. She was helpless to his demands and held onto him with all her strength. When she broke it, all he picked her up and set her on the counter. Automatically, her legs parted for him to stand in between. His kisses rained on her neck and ears. Sara moaned; doing her best to use his shoulders to keep herself upright. Grissom was really, really good at kissing. She felt his hands on her skin, lifting the shirt from her body.

"Sara, you're so beautiful." He said and she kissed him.

"May I feed?" In answer, she tilted her head away from him and offered up her neck. Just as he had before, his kissed the area and gently pierced the skin with his teeth. Sara gasped as he started to suckle. Neither heard the doorbell. Sara heard someone enter the town home, calling his name. She tried to push him off.

"Stay still." he said.

"We're not alone." she said.

"Gil? Are you here?" Jim Brass' voice entered the kitchen just as Gil looked up. There was blood on his lips and Sara's neck. Her hand flew to her neck to stem the flow.

"What the hell is going on here?" Jim demanded. Gil wiped his mouth and applied more pressure to Sara's neck.

"Why are you here?" Gil asked.

"Don't change the subject. Were you drinking blood? Miss, are you alright?" Sara nodded, though she kept her face hidden.

"Excuse us for a minute." Sara kept her face hidden as Grissom led her away while getting two small band-aids. He returned alone.

"Why are you here?"

"Bug case; the cop on the case knew I was your friend. He caught me on my way out and asked me to check by your place. Were you drinking her blood?"

"No." Gil answered immediately.

"I think you're lying."

"Tough; what's the address?" A change in subject was necessary, though Gil knew it wouldn't be forgotten for long. Jim handed it over.

"Thank you. I guess I need to work. If you don't mind, I need to change and leave." Gil tried to usher his friend out the door.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine; go home and rest."

"You know you can talk to me, right?" Brass asked.

"Yes."

"So talk; who's the girl?" Grissom mentally groaned.

"A figment of your imagination." Gil said in a 'drop it' tone of voice.

"My imagination must be intoxicated." Jim finally started to walk toward the door.

"Why do you say that?" Grissom asked and realized he had just taken the bait.

"I'll tell when you do, my friend. Bye Gil." Brass smiled and left. Grissom locked the deadbolt this time. He went in search of Sara and found her just as he'd left her on his bed.

"Hey." he said upon crossing the threshold to his bedroom.

"Hey, work?" she asked, but both of them already knew the answer.

"Sadly, yes."

"Did you get enough?" she asked and he knew she was referring to his 'breakfast'.

"I'm good for a while." He crawled on the bed and hovered over her. He caressed her cheek .She closed her eyes and leaned in to his touch.

"You're so beautiful." he felt the need to tell her a second time.

"Even half-naked?" she asked with a smile.

"Especially half-naked." He matched her smile with his own.

"I love you, Sara." She froze momentarily.

"What did you say?"

"I love you, Sara Sidle." he repeated. Her mouth moved, but no sound came out.

"Sara?" She looked into his deep blue eyes and saw the truth of his words.

"I love you, too." He bent down to kiss her. She began to unbutton his shirt while tasting a hint of her own blood on his tongue. She mumbled something, causing him to stop.

"What?"

"You have to work."

"I'd rather be with you." he told her honestly.

"I know. Go to work. The sooner you leave, the sooner you can come back." She emphasized her point with a gentle shove to his shoulder.

"You're sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Ok, are you staying here?" he asked.

"May I?"

"Absolutely." he parroted her words.

"Thank you."

"Where's your bag?"

"By the door." He left the bed to get it for her and when he returned, she was putting on his shirt and started to take off her pants.

"That's not fair." He complained.

"What?"

"Putting those legs on display."

"Think of it as incentive to get back here sooner." She smiled shyly at him.

"It's working." Sara folded her jeans and set them on a nearby chair, then climbed back onto his bed.

"Are you going to change?" Grissom pulled out fresh clothes and proceeded to change in front of her. She was extremely aroused and he took his time in order to savor the scent. He watched her snuggle in under the covers.

"Sara, this is torture."

"I know."

"It's not fair." He was brushing his teeth.

"I'm sorry." She sounded tired and he looked over to see her falling asleep. He kissed her forehead.

"I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Mmmm, hurry."

GSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSGRSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSGRSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSGRSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSRGSR

A/N: Stay tuned to see what happens when Grissom gets back…

Thank you all for the reviews you have sent me. Please keep them coming. Have a great day! Kelly