She was still exhausted and simply the journey from the bed to the car had left her feeling drained. She fought to stay awake as he drove her home but lost the battle with only a few minutes of the drive remaining. Grissom couldn't help but smile at her. She looked so peaceful sleeping there next to him, more so than she had in days. It seemed a shame to wake her, but she would rest better in their bed.
"Sara honey." He gently shook her arm, causing her to mumble a quite protest. "We're home. Come on." She opened her eyes now as he unclipped her seat belt and made to help her out of the car. His hand placed on the small of her back, they made their way into the house, greeted by Hank, his tail wagging at the sight of his masters' return.
"Hey hank. Have you been a good boy?" She yawned, patting his head. Grissom smiled at them both, a glint of happiness sparkling in her eyes.
"The best." He said kissing her on the cheek. "Why don't you sit down and I'll make us some tea?"
"Actually Gill, I think I might go lye down for a while."
"You ok?" He studied her face, noticing her pallor had begun to return.
"Yeah I'm fine. Don't look so worried." She chuckled slightly and smiled at him, taking hold of his hand to reassure him. "My heads just feeling a little… fussy that's all." This had not been meant to worry him further but it had. He placed her bag on the floor and took hold of both her arms.
"Ok. Lets get you to bed."
Despite her assurance that he needn't be so concerned about her, he couldn't help it. Sara had always seemed so strong but these recent events had made them both realise that she was not as immortal as she may sometimes like to believe. He sat on the bed tenderly rubbing her back until she drifted off to sleep and he soon followed her into a much-needed slumber.
He was woken several hours later by her gently murmuring next to him, shifting her position as her mind filled with unwanted, haunting images. He considered waking her, stopping the nightmare but instead he lay next to her and pulled her close. He whispered words of comfort, stroking her hair until she began to relax. "That's it honey. It's ok. I'm right here."
When Sara woke, it was to the smell of fresh coffee, pancakes and toast. She pulled on her robe and made her way to the kitchen to find Grissom laying the table, complete with flowers. She leaned against to doorframe, watching him with a smile on her face, the first time she had really smiled in a long time. "Hey." He looked up and smiled. She looked somehow different. She looked more like Sara.
"Hey yourself. How'd you sleep?"
"Very well thank you." They met in the middle of the room, their arms wrapping around each others waists.
"I'm glad." He kissed her forehead. "You hungry?" She peered over his shoulder at the impressive array of food he had prepared.
"Breakfast at this time of day?" She queried receiving a simple shrug.
"I can make something else."
"No. It looks great. Thank you." He led her to the table and sat her down, placing a pancake and a large glass of orange juice in front of her. They began to eat but Sara soon found herself pushing the food around her plate, unable to finish. She mumbled an apology, feeling guilty that her had gone to so much effort for her. He immediately brushed the apology aside, insisting that it was ok and offering to run her a bath, an offer she willingly accepted.
Feeling clean and relaxed, Sara crawled into her bed, pulling the covers up high around her neck. She closed her eyes just as Grissom entered the room carrying a large mug of tea. "Feeling better?"
"Much." She pushed herself up and took the mug form him, flashing him a grateful smile.
"I'm going to call the lab, tell them I'm taking the night off…"
"No Gill, don't do that." She placed the tea on the table beside her taking hold of one of his hands. He looked puzzled but then her explanation came. "They'll know." Her voice was almost a whisper.
"But Sara, you need me here."
"Gill please, I promise I'll be ok. I just can't handle them knowing…not now." She looked down at their hands, not wanting him to see the tears that were slowing forming.
"They don't have to know." He traced small circle on the palm of her hand.
"But they will Gill, they're not stupid." She met his eyes, and he saw the desperation. "And then Ecklie will know and he'll…" He hushed her as the first tear fell.
"He wont do anything." He assured her, not entirely certain if it was true, but not really caring if it was. She was the most important thing right now.
"Why? Because I'm stuck at home in bed, because I collapsed with exhaustion, because I'm depressed…" She hadn't really meant to say that out loud but now she had there was no going back. He winced at this last word. He knew she had spoken to a physiologist but they hadn't yet discussed the meeting.
"Sara…"
"It's ok Gill. There's no point in pretending it's not true." She angrily wiped a tear from her cheek and tried to regain her composure.
"I'm sorry Sara." He finally said, not sure why he was apologising.
"For what?"
"For upsetting you."
"It's not you're fault." He slid his hands up her arms, until they reached her shoulders.
"We will get through this." He pulled her towards him, brushing his pips against her before resting her head on his shoulder. He could feel her beginning to cry again, shaking in his arms, but it didn't; last long. He soon felt her relax and rested her against the pillows, her eyes struggling to stay open.
"Are you sure you'll be ok if I leave you here?" She nodded and finally gave into sleep.
Thanks for still reading! x
