As soon as she heard his question, Sara's heart started to beat uncontrollably. How could he say those words? Sara was shocked because of the unfairness of the situation. He was saying the words she waited for so long to hear from him. However, she could not believe in him. He was playing with her once more.

Sara struggled with her emotions and regained her composure as she stood up gathering her things intending to leave the café. Grissom grabbed her right wrist firmly, while asking gently to sit down again. His sorrowful eyes pleaded with her to stay with him. He looked into her eyes and his heart wanted to explode with the longing he felt for her.

Sara was convinced she would have another disappointment, and yet she stayed.

"Why should I stay?" She looked up at him with great sadness in her eyes.

"Please, Sara, let me explain. I love you. I've always loved you, but I realized now that love is not enough to mend our relationship. I have hurt you so many times, and you have reasons to hate me. Please, accept my apology for being a fool."

His pleading look upset her so much, that her eyes filled with tears. Hearing him saying that he loves her was painful. Grissom's past actions had really hurt Sara's feelings, but his apology sounded so sincere that she couldn't help to admit it was a starting point in their relationship.

"I accept your apology, but I have to say that it is too late for us. I can't trust you anymore."

He gazed up at Sara and the acceptance in his blue eyes unsettled her.

"I'll receive whatever you are willing to give, Sara. And now, I have to ask you a favor. How about we start mending our friendship. Could you be my friend again?"

" I will," she said.

They were good friends once, and she couldn't help but think that it was all they could be. She will be fine; she could be his friend, nothing else. She needed to face the fact that despite her hopelessly unrealistic expectations, they will never be together.

After hearing her answer, he knew she accepted his offer and forgave him for the hurt of the past years. However bad things seemed at the moment, he was certain they would get better. Sara was his true love, he was sure one day they would be together despite the heartache he caused her.

Four weeks later

Greg and Sara were absorbed in their work, sorting and analyzing evidence, when Grissom stopped at the entrance of the evidence room. He stopped for a moment to watch Sara's work. It was a guilty pleasure for him.

"Hey, who wants to go to breakfast?", he asked willing to surprise Sara enough to accept his invitation.

Greg answered immediately, unaware he was helping Grissom with his intromission.

" Yes, I am starving, my blood sugar is in the lowest."

Sara maintained her face down giving the impression she was working, but in reality she was distracted by Grissom's appearance. He looked so good in those jeans.

" Greg, you are always starving. What about you, Sara?"

She looked up to Grissom answering shortly with a "Yes, I am in".

"Well, I'll see you in an hour." Grissom walked out surprising Sara with a wink before he left the room. She couldn't help but smile at his boldness.

Greg gave her a questioning look, but she make light of their interaction redirecting the conversation to work.

Since their conversation a month ago, things were starting to change between Grissom and Sara. He was more attentive and respectful with her, accepting her ideas and working with her on different assignments. Also, he asked frequently about her classes. Sara was beginning to think that it was possible to be friends again.

At the diner, Sara and Greg were there waiting for Grissom. He came into their vision, but he wasn't alone. Sofia Curtis was there talking animatedly with him.

They seated across each other; Sofia next to Greg and Grissom next to Sara. The awkwardness Sara felt when she saw Sofia, was slowly disappearing as they began talking about her new work and sharing experiences. Sofia was funny and friendly. It was a good reunion, they needed it. She realized she had misjudged Grissom.

At one moment he looked at Sara, noticing the spark in her eyes when she was smiling. She was enjoying the company and it made him feel good. He wanted Sara to know Sofia outside of work because it was the only way she would believe that Sofia was simply a friend to him.

Greg left the diner with Sofia an hour later, leaving Grissom and Sara alone to enjoy their last coffee of the morning.

Then Grissom made his move; with a look of tenderness in his eyes, he ran his hand softly through Sara's hair.

"I want you to know how important you are to me. ... In the past, I've felt powerless to say anything, but now I realize that you're much too important in my life for me to not try to mend our relationship. ... Our friendship has meant a great deal to me over the years, and the last thing I want to do is to ruin it."

"Griss, I want to apologize…"

" You don't have to say anything, Sara. Everything was my fault since I didn't explain my intentions to you and Sofia as well. I messed up."

Sara heard his words. Her eyes filled with tears and she let them slide down her face. She believed Grissom's words to be true. She was beginning to see changes in Grissom's behavior, small steps to repair their friendship.

He pulled her body into his, and locking his arm around her, he whispered into her hair, "I will never let you go, not unless you ask me to".

"

"