A/N: Going out for the day tomorrow and won't be able to post at my usual time; so i'm giving you this 12 hours early. Enjoy and I will post again on Friday morning. :) Kelly
"Oh my god! It looks amazing." Sara exclaimed when she saw the interior of her apartment. She and Grissom entered so Sara could take a better look. Jim came in and set her bags down near the door, but out of the way.
"This was my project." Gil told her quietly.
"Thank you." She smiled at him. He returned the smile and gestured to a box on the coffee table.
"I saved this because I didn't know if you had any emotional attachment to anything in here."
"I'll go through it later."
"We flipped you mattress. Catherine changed your sheets and threw out the old set. She replaced them and had the bedding dry-cleaned." By now, Sara had tears running steadily down her face and didn't bother trying to wipe them away. Grissom kept going.
"I repaired the dry-wall and repainted the wall. Catherine made sure your bedroom was clean. She wouldn't let me in there except to help with the bed." Sara put a finger on his lips.
"I couldn't ask for a better family. Thank you." She hugged both him and Brass.
"Catherine will be over before and after shifts to help you with anything you need." Gil told her.
"Ok." Jim knew that she wasn't truly hearing anything that Gil was saying to her so he stepped up and changed the subject.
"Listen doll, I have to work tonight, but tomorrow night, you and I have a date." Sara chuckled.
"I'll be here with plenty of cash."
"I'll bring it if you write me a check now." He offered. Sara went over to her desk and pulled out her checkbook.
"It's for two hundred and fifty. I'm also buying dinner." Jim took the check and left. Sara quickly paid a few bills while she was there. Just as she finished, Grissom's phone rang. She tried not to listen but did hear him say 'I love you too' right before he hung up. He turned to her and pulled her gently in his arms.
"That was Maria; my family will be here next week."
"Good. I'm kind of tired now. I think it's time for bed again." She smiled at him. He was about to walk her to bed when someone knocked on the door. Grissom led Sara to the couch and went to answer the door.
"Grissom?" Sara heard Nick's confusion because he expected to see Sara or Catherine.
"Hello Nick."
"Why are you here?" He asked.
"Why are you? I thought I told everyone to leave her alone." Grissom fired back and blocked any view into Sara's place at the same time.
"I'm worried about her."
"She's getting better and should be back to work soon."
"Is she awake?" Nick asked.
"Grissom, just let him in." Sara said on a quiet sigh.
"You are hereby sworn to secrecy. Understand?" Nick nodded. Grissom opened the door wide enough for Nick to slip in sideways. Grissom retreated to the kitchen to give them some privacy.
"Hey Nick, I was getting ready to head back to bed." Sara told him weakly. Nick sat down in the chair closest to her.
"How are you doin' darlin'?" He asked. She missed seeing his face, but his concern was making her want to cry.
"Getting better. Grissom comes over to make me walk. My legs are weak from being so sick." She told him.
"You weren't really sick, were you?" Sara was nervous. She could see in his eyes that he was serious.
"Why would you think that?"
"I see some bruising on your face and a few days ago, there was a woman at PD wearing that exact same sweatshirt." He pointed as he talked.
"I fell out of bed and I'm sure I'm not the only woman in Las Vegas with this sweatshirt. I've been in bed for two weeks." At least the last sentence was true. He still didn't look like he believed her.
"Uh-huh. Are you a sound sleeper?"
"Only when I'm sick." She defended. Grissom didn't want her to get upset and returned to the room.
"Sara, you need rest. Off to bed. I'll let myself out just like I always do and then I'll take the key to Catherine."
"You should just make a duplicate for yourself to save you from driving around town everyday." Sara suggested and Grissom knew she meant every word.
"Ok, I will do that before I go over there."
"Why does Catherine need the key?"
"She helps me with hygienic needs. I can't do some things with only one working wrist." Sara held up her left wrist still encases in a cast.
"Oh." Grissom put his hands on her elbows to help her up. Nick was able to see first hand just how weak she was. Sara looked at Grissom.
"Would you also mail my bills on your way out?"
"Of course." He answered her.
"They're…"
"On your desk. I saw them." He finished her sentence. Sara smiled at him.
"Thank you." Nick watched him walk into room with her and waited for him to come out. He noticed that Grissom moved around her place comfortably and knowingly around her place.
"Alright Nick, time to go." Grissom began to usher his younger colleague out.
"She'll be back soon. Right?" Nick was concerned. Sara didn't look ready to come back to work. Grissom closed and locked the door behind them.
"It will be a few more days. She wants to get her muscles working properly again."
"Do you and Catherine need some relief?" he offered.
"No, we're ok. Sara doesn't want anyone to know how bad it was. She told me because I'm the boss and Catherine for hygienic reasons."
"Oh."
"Yeah; just be her friend and wish her well. That's all she'll accept from you anyway." Grissom explained and dumped her bills into the mailbox near the front door.
"Ok."
"It will be nice to have her back on the shift again." Grissom said professionally.
"Yeah, it will." Nick agreed.
"Go get some rest. I'm off tonight and will be with Sara. She can't do much with that cast."
"Just let me know if I can help." Nick offered again.
"I will." The two men parted ways. Grissom was driving home and answered his phone while he parked his car in his garage.
"Grissom."
"Hi." He smiled.
"I thought you were sleeping?"
"I was spoiled by you and Brass and Catherine. I've grown used to having someone in bed with me."
"I would love to oblige you, but I am wary of Nick. He's on the trail."
"True. It's weird being in my own bed again."
"What are you going to do with all the extra space?"
"Save it for you."
"Wow…uh…wow."
"Too much?" She asked worriedly.
"I'm…I don't think so."
"Good; I meant it."
"I believe you. You should get some rest. I'll see you tonight."
"Ok, bringing dinner?"
"What does the lady desire?"
"Anything; just make…"
"sure it's vegetarian; I know." He enjoyed finishing her sentences.
"Thank you. Are you getting meat for yourself?"
"No; it's not a need. I rarely eat meat anymore. I prefer fish actually."
"Good; it's better for you."
"Get some rest."
"Goodnight Gil."
"Goodnight Sara." He hung up the phone and went inside his home. He climbed in bed and fell asleep easily with a smile on his face. Sara was having a positive effect on his life. He was glad to have finally asked her out.
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A/N: In the next chapter, someone will get jealous and Nick will confide in someone. Who do you think it will be? How will this person react? An experiment is performed and more lies surface to cover the truth. I love to read your predictions. Thank you all for the reviews and please keep them coming. They make me a better writer. Have a great day everyone! Kelly