Chapter Nine:

Neither slept as the day passed and once again they were back in the lab.

She sat there quietly during assignments.

Her eyes never roamed in his direction.

She grabbed hers and headed out the door with Nick. He had heard about the abduction. It was spreading like wildfire throughout the lab. She said nothing during the drive and once they arrived on the scene, he divided up the house. She took off without a word.

He finally caught up with her after several hours and it was then he saw the bruises. He also noticed the way she winced when she moved from time to time. There was no doubt she was in pain and he questioned whether she should even be at work.

An officer stepped inside the room and his voice startled her. She dropped the piece of evidence and rushed to the other side of the room. Nick said nothing as he waited for the officer to leave. It had been no different when he stuck his head into the room and announced he had finished with the adjoining room. It was not like Sara to be caught off guard much less frightened and he knew fear when he saw it.

He made small talk until they were finished. He glanced at her from time to time watching for her reaction to his joke or story.

Nothing came from her lips.

"Cat got your tongue?" he finally asked.

She shook her head.

"Sara, can you talk?" he asked.

"Yes…I can," she said trying to sound forceful but it came out as a squeak.

"Right," he muttered. "You should have stayed home."

"I'm good," she croaked. "Been off work too much."

He let it drop not wanting to bring up the suspension.

Once they returned to the lab, she seemed a little better. She was not as jumpy. Nick leaned over and brushed his hand against the bruised area on her neck.

"Geez, Sar. That's got to hurt," he cringed.

Grissom's head shot around the corner of the hallway.

Sara leaned away from Nick.

"It's not so bad," she whispered.

"Yeah, right," he fumed. "Is that the reason you can't talk?"

No, I screamed myself hoarse…

Adam was a walk in the park…

He was there in the break room when Nick walked in grabbing a cup of tea.

"Didn't know you drink tea," observed Grissom.

"I don't. It's for Sara. That bastard did a number on her throat," he seethed. "She's been hoarse all night."

"Is she alright?" he asked.

"Between you and me, I think the whole thing unnerved her. I can't count the number of times I or one of the officers startled her," stated Nick as he headed out the door. "She's got some pretty nasty bruises on her body."

Grissom looked shocked.

"Bastard…she won't tell you but the bruises on her neck are not as bad as the fear."

"Fear?" Grissom asked.

"Griss, it's one thing to be startled but she's scared," whispered Nick. "She never should have come in tonight but I don't think she wanted to be alone."

I just walked out of there and left her alone…

She smiled when she saw Nick return.

He sat the tea down on her desk and she mouthed "Thank you."

"Go home," Nick ordered.

"I'm almost finished," she whispered as she sipped on the tea. "This is good."

"Throat any better?" he asked.

"Some," she said.

He pulled back the scarf. "It looks worse…much more bruising."

"Great…just great," she whispered.

Nick grabbed her report.

"Give me that. I'll drop it off in Grissom's basket. Go home," he ordered softly.

"Night," she said.

"Hey Sara, why don't I come over and just make sure you…"

"I don't need…baby…sitter," she managed to get out.

"I know. I just thought…."

She quickly shook her head.

"If you need anything, call me," he offered as he headed down the hall.

Nick tapped on Grissom's door.

"Got Sara's report," said Nick. "She's gone home."

Grissom nodded as he grabbed his own jacket.

"You leaving also?" asked Nick.

"Had enough overtime this week," he replied.

"Good for you," said Nick.

Grissom stood outside her door.

He hesitated a moment before knocking.

He knocked again when she did not answer.

On the third knock, she thrust the door open.

It was obvious she had been in the shower.

He stepped inside and closed the door for her.

They stood there face to face.

She waited for him to speak.

She felt the dread inch its way around her heart.

It was not like him to come without an agenda.

Her brain reviewed the day's event and she could not remember doing anything that would warrant a visit.

"I didn't miss a counseling appointment," she whispered. "She rescheduled on me."

"Nick told me you weren't feeling well during shift," he said. "You should have told me."

His hand immediately went to her neck but she leaned away.

"Oh honey, that looks bad," he said.

She did not object when he slowly pulled her into his arms.

She needed the comfort at the moment and decided she was willing to do anything for some semblance of nurturing from him.

"Hot tea with honey…will help. Let me fix some for you," he said as he headed toward the kitchen without invitation.

He noticed the kettle was already warm.

She sat there on the couch wrapped in a blanket.

He handed her the tea and sat down beside her.

"You should have stayed home," he scolded softly. "You must have been in pain."

"I've had worse," she replied.

He imagined she had.

"Sara…"

He stopped and said nothing more but was content to sit next to her. He gently pulled the blanket away from her neck and examined the bruises. He could see Adam's finger imprints on her neck. His lips were light as he leaned over kissing each spot.

She breathed in deeply.

"So sorry," he whispered as his lips brushed hers.

He pulled her into his arms and covered her with the blanket.

"Just let me hold you," he whispered.

She did.

She expected him to bolt at any minute but he didn't. He sat there holding her in his arms as her head rested on his shoulder. The tea slowly disappeared while the room remained silent. She nodded off once or twice jerking her head back.

"Sleep, Sara," he urged.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I took something…just before my shower. It seems to be working."

"Do you usually take…" he stopped himself and did not finish.

"No, I don't," she said quietly.

"Go to bed," he urged. "You need the rest."

She felt herself being pulled up.

She stood now.

They stared at one another.

"Griss, I need…" she did not finish as her hands folded about herself.

She would not ask.

She did not think she could bear any rejection at this time.

She turned and walked slowly to her bedroom.

She curled her body around the extra pillow as she closed her eyes. She listened for the door. There was a click and then the door shut. She gulped back a wave of tears.

She sniffled as she clung to the pillow more forcibly.

She jumped when she felt her bed give way as he joined her.

He gently pulled her into his arms.

"You're safe Sara," he whispered. "I'm here."

She curled up next to him.

"Thank you Griss," she managed to get out.

"For what?" he asked.

"For staying…with me," she said.

He kissed her on the forehead as her hand gently caressed his cheek. He kissed the palm and then let it rest on his chest. She could not believe he was lying in bed beside her. She wanted nothing more than to savor every second. Instead, she was asleep within minutes but he chose to lie there holding her.

I could have lost you…

You could have died…

Never been so scared in my life…

Never felt so helpless…

She rolled over several hours later and frowned when her hand found an empty bed. She lay there on her stomach, refusing to open her eyes and face an empty apartment. She had been so tired she had not even felt him slip out of the bed nor heard the door shut as he left.

Her head rose suddenly when she smelled a delicious smell permeating through the bedroom door. She quickly jumped out of bed and opened the door to find him standing near the counter.

"Hey," he said softly. "I thought I would make you some homemade soup…vegetarian of course. It will help with the sore throat."

She hurried over to the pot sitting on the stove and sniffed.

"That smells wonderful!" she whispered.

"Glad you like it," he said. "Want a bowl now?"

He set two places at the table while she sat there and watched at how efficient he had become in her kitchen.

"I snuck out and got a few things," he said. "I hope you don't mind that I took your keys in order to get back in."

"No uhm of course not."

He grinned. "You uhm needed a few things…like food."

Her eyes darted over to the counter and noticed the fruit bowl was now filled and she was sure that none of the contents of the soup came from her kitchen.

"Thank you…I've been busy…meaning to do the grocery shopping but I've…I'll reimburse you."

"Have dinner with me," he said. "That's payment enough."

She half smiled as she lifted the spoon to her lips and tasted.

He waited for her response.

"This is good," she said almost sounding surprised.

"I'm glad you like it," he said. "I've made plenty…by the looks of those bruises, your throat is going to be sore for several days."

"It's better," she replied as her hand went up to conceal the bruises. He gently removed her hand.

"I like your neck," he chided.

She blushed as she continued to eat the soup.

She was surprised at how he had managed to do so much without waking her.

"I didn't hear you leave," she admitted.

"You were exhausted," he said. "I'm glad you slept."

Sara glanced at the clock and then jumped up.

"I'm sorry. Shift starts in two hours," she quivered.

"Yes, it does," he said as he sat there.

He glanced at her hand as she tried to control the trembling.

"Perhaps it would be best if you stayed home," he offered.

She shook her head as she glanced around the apartment.

He remembered Nick's conversation.

"You really want to work?" he asked.

She nodded feverishly.

He sat there and observed her.

She felt nervous by his scrutiny.

"You're usually at the lab by now," she said.

"Sara, we won't be late," he consoled.

"I'm sorry. You should have left…I didn't mean I wanted you to leave but if you needed to leave then you didn't have to stay…I mean you could have left the soup in the fridge…I would have found it…" she stopped. "I'm overtalking…see my throat is better," she squeaked out.

"Right. Your voice just changed several pitches," he said. "I think you should try not to speak. As long as you think you can work, I won't object."

"Thank…you," she managed to get out before hearing her voice give out.

"I imagine Greg is going to have fun with your inability to speak," grinned Grissom.

She nodded as she smiled.

"I should go," he said as he stood. "I put the soup in the fridge…eat it. There's also a container for dinner."

"Thanks," she mouthed.

He kissed her on the lips and held her briefly before leaving.

Note from author:

Yeah, fluff on Thanksgiving… Another chapter tonight so don't disappoint with the reviews. Happy Thanksgiving!

Take care,

Penny