Chapter Twelve:

He stepped outside and leaned against the door.

Thank God she's better….

He breathed in deeply before heading to the waiting room.

"Hey, how is she?" asked Greg.

"Up for visitors," he said.

He watched as they filed in, each saying hello.

Grissom stepped outside the room.

Brass slipped out.

"You okay?" asked Brass.

"They shouldn't stay long. She's still sick."

"I'll make sure I get them to leave soon," said Brass. He turned to go back in but stopped. "You'll have her back to yourself in a few minutes."

Grissom frowned but Brass was already gone.

They filed out one by one.

He slipped back in returning to his chair.

She was released the following evening. She rubbed her arm where the IV had been inserted scratching the bandages. He gently pulled her hand away as he drove.

"I hate hospitals," she said.

"You know someone who loves them?" he asked.

She grinned.

"I just want to crawl into bed and sleep. Hospitals smell."

"It's sterile."

"It smells," she said once again.

"I'm going to pull rank," he said. "You're still sick."

"Griss, I can't stay with you."

"Fine."

She said nothing as she stared out the window.

"I'll stay with you," he said.

She gawked at him.

"You…I have one bed also….my couch is much older than yours…probably a death trap also…although I've passed out on it many nights and have woke up…"

"Sara, you're overtalking."

"I'm just saying…"

"It's my place or yours."

"Yours…the bed is bigger."

He grinned slightly.

And I don't live near Dan the man Vartann…

He stopped and let her get some clothes. He was disappointed when she grabbed the night clothes but said nothing.

And I had one more T shirt I wanted to see her wear….

She yawned once she stepped back into the vehicle.

"Tired?"

She nodded.

She was asleep in his bed within an hour. He left a note as he went into work hoping he could slip away early. He sat there handing out assignments as he felt all eyes on him.

"How's your wife?" asked Nick with a grin.

"If you're asking about Sara, she's home asleep," said Grissom sounding a bit irritated.

"Is she better?" asked Greg.

"Yes."

The meeting was interrupted by the delivery of the flowers.

"They're for Sara Sidle," said Judy.

"Dan must be trying to apologize," said Nick.

"Greg quickly got up and took the card.

"Greg!" yelled Catherine.

"It's not from Vartann," he said waving the card around.

There was a sudden flurry of hands reaching for the card as Grissom reached out and ripped it from the young man's hand.

"This is personal," he said as he placed it back on the flowers.

They dispersed as they scurried around Greg trying to get him to reveal the name of the sender. Once they were gone, Grissom pulled out the card and read it.

Jack Hathaway….

What's he doing sending Sara flowers?….

Unless he likes her too…

He cursed.

He brought them home and set the flowers on the counter as he listened for her. When there was no sound, he tiptoed into the bedroom and found her sound asleep. He glanced around the room and found the remnants of a box of tissues. The trash can sat next to the bed and wondered if the nausea had returned but saw the pile of tissues inside. He picked up the DVD case and stared at the title.

Picked one of WP's movies….

What would she see in him…

Just another pretty face…

He set it on the bedside table and started to walk out when she sat upright and stared at him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," he said.

"You didn't. I didn't know I had fallen asleep. I just finished watching a movie," she said as she sneezed. She reached for the Kleenex box and frowned.

He walked over and picked up another box and handed it to her.

"You mean you stayed up all night?" he asked.

"Not all of it…I'm just used to sleeping during the day," she said sniffling.

"Someone sent you flowers," he said pointing at the counter.

"It must be from Dan," she said coughing.

"Would you like the card?" he asked.

"That's okay."

He could tell she was upset that he had not come to the hospital.

"I'm headed there anyway," he offered again.

She nodded.

He returned and handed her the card while he tried not to notice her expression.

It was sheer surprise.

He turned and headed for the bathroom. She was still staring at the card when he finished with his shower and slipped into bed.

"Dan must be trying to apologize."

"They're not from Dan," she said softly.

He said nothing.

"Jack Hathaway sent them."

"Who's he?"

"A guy on first shift….we worked together a couple of weeks ago."

"Must have made a big impression," he said rolling over to lie on his back.

"He's nice."

He glanced at her before turning off the light.

"Does this mean Vartann has competition?"

"It means…I have options," she said smiling as she rolled over.

He didn't like the remark.

He lay there as he listened to her breathing. Her cold feet slowly made their way over to rest beside his leg.

"You're feet are cold," he said.

"You're warm," she said yawning.

"Night Sara."

"Night Grissom."

He lay there as she slowly made her way over to his side of the bed and curled up next to him.

It had been gradual but in the end she was drawn to his warmth.

Like a moth to a flame…

He let his hand slide down her waist and he felt the gown. It was nice and smooth. He had tried not to notice how it clung to her body and how it complimented her shape. He wondered if she had worn it on purpose but then dismissed the thought.

She's not interested in me…

She's too busy with her new beaus….

I'm sleeping with her and she has beaus…

I should have stayed married to her…

He sighed.

He dismissed the remarks and whispers as he slipped out of work each day and rushed home to spend time with her. The first couple of days she had stayed in bed but now on the fourth night, she was found sitting on the couch with a book.

"This is progress," he said.

"I'm feeling better," she said. "I think I should go home."

He turned to hide the frown.

"You look better," he said.

"I feel better," she said.

"Breakfast?" he asked.

"Maybe toast," she said.

She sat at the counter as he handed her a plate with toast. She munched on it while he ate his omelet.

"I think I can work," she announced.

"Shouldn't you take another night off," he said.

"I feel good," she said.

"Wouldn't hurt if you did…take another night," he said. "It's not like your boss is going to be upset."

She grinned.

She returned to work sidestepping the questions about the flowers and ignoring the gossip mongers as they had a field day about Vartann and now Hathaway.

He was disappointed when he came home to an empty house. He had grown accustomed to having her in his bed and now he faced the vast emptiness of it.

He sat there going over assignments as Ecklie tapped at the door.

"Personnel wants a review of everyone's file."

"A review?" asked Grissom.

"Just the basics. We just want to make sure there're no employees with a criminal record….outstanding arrest warrants…they'll also be checking insurance coverages for single and families…just the basic. We've not done this in years," he said.

Grissom nodded as he looked at the others. "Anyone with a criminal record or outstanding warrant…."

They all stood snickering.

"… has to take the decomp," said Grissom smiling.

They suddenly sat down.

"Greg, it looks like you were the first culprit so it's yours."

Greg grumbled.

"So Grissom how are you going to sidestep doing the paperwork for personnel?" asked Catherine.

"I'm not," he said.

No reason to rush home now…

Catherine chuckled.

"Sara, there's a young man to see you," said Nick as he grinned.

Sara turned to see Jack standing outside the door.

"Are we finished?" she asked.

Hell no we're not finished….

You shouldn't be dating someone else….

It should be me…

Grissom nodded slowly as he watched her stand and head to the door. He leaned forward and tried to catch the conversation.

"Thanks for the flowers," said Sara.

"I'm sorry you've been ill," said Jack.

"Better now…but I'll be more careful the next time I offer to help swing," she said.

He nodded with a smile. "Got time for a coffee later?"

"Sure," she said.

"I'll come by and get you," he said.

"I uhm…shouldn't you be asleep? You know you work first." She said.

"I have tomorrow off," he said.

She smiled.

Catherine leaned forward and whispered to Grissom, "You're reading their lips."

"I am not."

She grinned, "Better ask her out before it's too late."

"Catherine, she's my employee."

"That didn't stop you from spending the night with her."

He stared at her.

"Do you think anyonce could have a big secret around here without the others knowing?," she said motioning to the guys.

"Right," said Grissom.

"Seriously, I would never pry into your private life….of course if you ever need someone to talk to…"

"Don't you have work to do?" he asked as he stood and walked out.

Note from author:

I love those two…they act married and yet don't even notice…it's the subtle changes that get you…leave a review. P.S. a bombshell is about to explode…

Take care! Penny