When Jim and Nick returned, Warrick asked, "Is everything all right?"

"Yeah, we took care of our Sara. Where is she anyway?"

"She felt sorry for Greg and is dancing with him."

"That guy was something else. He was actually a wanted felon. He didn't know what he was messing with."

"Whoa!" Warrick said as he whistled.

Greg and Sara walked back to the table as the song finished. "What happened to Frank?" Sara questioned.

"Just like I said, you don't have to worry about him bothering you anymore."

Doc started. "It is your birthday. We just want you to enjoy yourself."

Sara smiled, "Well, thanks. I am enjoying myself. We really should get together more often. We don't know when something is going to be happen."

Nick nodded knowingly. "You and I definitely know about that."

Sara reached her hand out to Nick and grabbed his hand. She gave it a squeeze and smiled.

"Well, I hate be a spoil sport, but I am supposed to go in and cover someone who is out on Days." Mandy said. "I should probably get some rest."

"Yeah, I need to head out too," said Hodges.

Pretty soon after that, everyone had left but Catherine, Sara and Warrick. "How about I walk you lovely ladies out?"

"That would be an honor." Sara said.

After Sara arrived home safely, she called Catherine. "Catherine? I am sorry to bother you, but…"

"But nothing. What's up?"

"I just wanted to say thank you again."

Catherine smiled as she answered, "You are most welcome."

"Well, good night." Sara said quietly.

Two days later, Sara was sitting in the break room. Grissom walked in and said, "Sara, could I see you in my office please?"

Sara looked puzzled but responded, "Sure, Grissom."

When they were in his office, he closed the door and motioned for her to sit down. After she sat down, he walked over and sat down on the opposite side of the desk. Sara could not figure out what Grissom might want, but he had always been a puzzle to her.

"Sara," he started.

"Yes?"

"Sara, I just wanted to apologize to you for missing your birthday party."

"It's no big deal. I know that you usually avoid situations like that anyway."

Grissom frowned, knowing that Sara was telling the truth. He had messed up with Sara on so many occasions that he didn't know how she could manage to be so patient with him.

"I am truly sorry and you are correct. In the past, I would have avoided social situations like that. I know I can be awkward in social situations. But, I need to be honest with you." Sara looked at Grissom as he paused. He looked back at her eyes. He could get lost in those warm brown pools. He stood up and walked around to where she was sitting. As he knelt down, he continued, "You have changed me, Sara. I did want to be there to help you celebrate. To see you happy is something that I want more than anything in the world."

Sara gasped at the revelation. Grissom spoke again, "I have something for you."

He stood and walked back around to the desk and opened a drawer. He pulled out a small box and smiled mischievously. When he was kneeling beside her again, he handed it to her.

As she opened the box, she could not help but gasp again. Inside lay a delicate diamond and sapphire necklace.

"Grissom," Sara stuttered as she spoke. "Grissom, you shouldn't have done this. It's too much." Sara looked up into his eyes, which now had a hurt look in them. "I'm sorry, Grissom. It just took me by surprise. It is a beautiful necklace. Thank you very much."

Sara reached up and touched his cheek with her hand. Grissom leaned into the touch and she leaned over and gave him a kiss on the opposite cheek. She leaned back and sat there shocked at her behavior. She had just kissed Gil Grissom, her boss!

For the rest of the night, she avoided him. After she arrived home and was about to start some dinner, the doorbell rang.

When she opened the door, she was surprised to see Gil standing there.

"Would you like to come in?" Sara questioned.

"Sure, if you have time."

"Actually, I was just about to start some dinner. You are welcome to stay and eat with me."

"I don't plan on staying long. I just wanted to talk to you about what happened today."

Sara gestured for him to sit on the couch as she sat down in the chair. "Sara, are you okay with what I said? You seemed to be avoiding me all through shift tonight."

Sara sat there, contemplating what to say. "As I said before, it just took me by surprise. It's just that I have tried to get your attention before and it has gone unheeded. What has changed?"

"Sara, I have finally realized that unless I open my heart to love that the only thing that it is going to be filled with is loneliness and work. I don't want that to be the only thing in my life. My work will mean little when I am gone. Ten years down the road, I will be forgotten. But, I will never forget you."

"Gil, I could never forget you either. You will always be a part of me. I never thought that anyone could capture my heart like you did. I had always been told I wasn't worth anything unless I was 'earning my keep.' That is why I threw my self into work. But, you helped me to realize that there could be more to life than just work. One look of those blue eyes and I was hooked. You know, they say eyes are windows to the soul."

"Hey, that is my line!"

"Yes, and like Greg, I absorbed it." Sara giggled. "Anyway, when I looked into your eyes, I saw a kind and gentle man. You have made me feel loved. If it hadn't been for you, I probably would still be in San Francisco. I would be spending my time alone with forensics journals and the police scanners. But, now…"Sara paused as she smiled at him.

"But, now I have a family. I have never had one before. Not one that cared for me as much as everyone here does."

Grissom smiled at this, "Well, I think I speak for all of us when I say that you are a part of our family as well."

"I know that you were an only child, so this may not make sense. But, Nick and Warrick and even Greg are the best brothers I have had. They always have my back. And Jim is like a father I never had. He even signed my birthday card 'Dad'."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and not only that, he takes care of me. There was a guy hanging around when we were at that bar celebrating my birthday party. He didn't take the hint to leave me alone. Nick and Jim took care of him for me."

"And what about Catherine? I know you two don't always get along."

"Catherine and I have worked it out. I'm not saying that we still won't have disagreements, but we are doing better."

"That's good to hear. You are two of my strongest CSI's. I always hoped that you two could work out your differences."

Sara nodded and smiled. "Well, you have nothing to worry about now."

Grissom looked at his watch nervously, "I guess I should get out of here so that you can get something to eat."

"You are welcome to stay and join me."

Grissom stood and walked to the door. "No, that's okay. I need to be getting home."

"Ok, bye."

Grissom leaned over and gave Sara a gentle kiss on the lips before walking out the door.

"Bye, Sara."

Sara closed the door and smiled. What a surprising turn of events!