A/N: Hope everyone had a great New Year. Once again I apologize for taking so long with this.
Many thanks to Wanda for the fast beta work.
Thanks to all who read and those of you who review it. I love when people tell me they like a certain line or part. Those are normally the lines that I wasn't even sure if they would work.
Chapter Fourteen
Grissom awoke to a feeling he had not felt in what seemed like a lifetime; the weight of Sara's head on his chest. Reaching up, he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. As he looked up at the clock, he noticed it was still early. He slid Sara's head off of his chest and made his way to the bathroom. After getting a quick shower, he dressed and made his way back to Sara. Leaning against the doorway, he watched her as she began to toss and turn. Slowly, she began to stretch.
"I think falling asleep on the floor was a bad idea." Sara said as she let out a moan.
"It's not so bad" Grissom shrugged his shoulders, "once you get use to it."
Sara's eyes fluttered open and she saw Grissom standing there. "You changed?"
"Well someone confiscated my shirt, so I had to find something else to wear." Grissom bent down and began collecting the clothes that were scattered around the room.
"I took one of your shirts before I left." Sara stood up and tossed the pillows back onto the couch. "It no longer smells like you." She began folding the blanket. "This one still does, so I'll trade you."
"What's mine is yours, that includes my clothes." Grissom said as his eyes traveled down her body and then back up again. "They look better on you, anyway."
Sara placed the blanket on the back of the couch. "I beg to differ." She said as she added a sock to the pile of clothes in Grissom's arms. "This color blue on you brings out your eyes. I don't think you even have a clue on what it does to me."
"Well, in that case, I think I am going to need that one back." Grissom leaned over and pecked her lips. "I am going to put these in the laundry room. Could you put some coffee on?"
Sara picked up the empty glasses and wine bottle. "Sure."
As Grissom made his way to the kitchen, Christmas music could be heard coming from the stereo. Glancing around the kitchen, he found Sara sitting at the breakfast bar.
Sara looked up from her magazine. "Coffee should be ready soon."
Grissom leaned on the counter beside her. "So do you want me to try and recreate the best omelet ever?"
"You could do that... or I could make you breakfast." Sara cocked her head to the side. "What would you prefer?"
"I think that," Grissom paused to move closer to Sara, "I didn't wish you a Merry Christmas yet."
"I think you are right." Sara said as she pursed her lips at Grissom.
"Merry Christmas, Sara." Grissom said as he leaned in again, only stopping inches from her lips.
"Merry Christmas to you too, Gilbert." Sara leaned forward, pressing her lips to his.
All of the sudden, the sound of the front door opening and voices, caused Grissom and Sara to jump apart.
"Are you expecting someone?" Sara asked.
Grissom let out a sigh. "Yes and no. I figured someone would stop by to check up on me today. I'll go see if I can get rid of them." Grissom turned and headed towards the front door. As he got closer he could see four familiar faces.
"Merry Christmas." Brass, Catherine and Nick said in unison. When Nick didn't hear Greg say anything, he bumped him with his shoulder.
"Yeah, Merry Christmas." Greg said a little too unenthusiastic.
"What the hell are you doing in my house?" Grissom asked.
"Well, we thought we could all have breakfast together." Catherine held up the bottle of champagne in one hand and a thing of orange juice in the other. "You know, it being Christmas and all."
"Thanks guys, but I really just want to be alone right now." Grissom said as he tried backing the group towards the door.
Something on the Christmas tree caught Brass's eye. "Sorry to impose, we should have called you first. Sorry we bothered you; we'll be on our way now."
"Best idea I have heard all day." Greg said as he went to open the door.
"Hold it, Grego." Nick turned to Brass. "This was your idea. What happened to not taking no for an answer? Why are you giving up so easy?" Nick asked.
"Trust me Nicky, we should go." Brass jerked his head towards the tree. When Catherine and Nick saw what Brass was motioning to, they began to laugh.
"Nice, Griss, reminds me of the tree at my fraternity house back in college." Nick crossed the room to grab the bra hanging from one of the branches. "But, there were a lot more of these hanging from it." He dangled the white lacy material from his fingers.
"Give me that." Grissom snatched the bra from Nick's hand.
Catherine glanced down at the bag on the floor. "We thought you'd be spending Christmas alone. If we knew you weren't, we would have let you be."
When Sara realized they were on to her, she began walking down the hallway. "Hey guys, how's it going?" She asked as she came to a stop behind Grissom.
"Sara, you're back." Greg said as his face lit up.
"Yes, Greg, we can all see that Sara is back." Brass shifted the grocery bags in his arms. "Maybe we could try this some other time, like when we are actually invited."
"We were just discussing breakfast." Sara reached up and placed a hand on Grissom's back. "I think you should stay and join us."
"Are you sure?" Catherine asked.
"We totally understand if you guys want to be alone." Nick added.
When Grissom didn't respond, Sara dropped her hand from his back and nudged him with her elbow. "No, it's fine, stay." Grissom said. Just then Hank began making his way down the hallway. "Where were you a few minuets ago? Some watch dog you are." Grissom shoved Sara's bra into her hands and grabbed Hank by the collar.
"Well I'm going to go get dressed." Sara glanced down at the white lacy bra in her hand. "You guys can put that stuff in the kitchen, while Griss takes care of Hank." Sara turned and carefully reached for her bag before disappearing upstairs.
"Was there something wrong with what she was wearing?" Brass asked as he looked around the group.
Greg leaned into Nick and whispered. "Well that made up for not getting to see her in a dress at the party this year."
Grissom gave Nick a dirty look when he heard him snicker. "Does anyone have a problem with the dog?" When no one answered, Grissom released Hank. "Good, the kitchen is this way." The group followed Grissom down the hallway to the kitchen and began to unpack the food. Grissom set a few glasses in front of Catherine. "Here you go."
"Thanks." Catherine said, as she opened up the champagne and began mixing it with the orange juice.
Nick held up a thing of sausage. "Are we allowed this, or would it offend Sara?"
"No it's fine." Grissom went over to a cupboard and pulled out a frying pan. "Make sure you use this."
Brass poured himself a cup of coffee. "How cute, they even have his and her pots and pans. So what kind of eggs should we make?" He paused to take a sip of his coffee, saying "Any suggestions?"
Sara walked into the kitchen, fully dressed this time. "My vote is for omelets, Griss makes the best omelets ever."
"Hey, I thought you liked mine?" Nick asked, sounding a little hurt.
Grissom looked over to Sara. "When have you had Nick's omelets?" Before Sara could answer, he turned to Nick. "Exactly how close did you and Sara use to be?"
"Aww, look. Gil's jealous. Don't worry, nothing ever happened between her and Nick... or Greg." Catherine took a sip of her mimosa. "One of them would have bragged to me about winning the bet."
"What bet?" Grissom and Sara asked in unison.
Catherine sat back in the chair at the kitchen table. "When Sara first came to Vegas, Nick and Greg were in the break room talking about her." She looked over to Nick with an evil smile. "Nicky here, bet Greg a hundred bucks that Sara would kiss him before she would ever think about kissing Greg."
"You bet on me?" Sara asked as she walked over to Nick. "I can't believe you bet on me." She reached up and pinched the back of his arm. "You're such an ass."
"Ouch!" Nick rubbed his arm where Sara had just pinched him. "Greg bet too, you know."
"I know, and I will deal with him later." Sara said as she cast Greg a disapproving look.
Brass clapped his hands together. "So, omelets it is. Who's first?"
The group sat around chopping and mixing while small talking. No one dared to ask if Sara was here for good, or anything work related. As they began to run out of things to talk about, the doorbell rang.
Grissom looked over to Brass. "What did you do, invite Ecklie?"
"Damn, I knew I forgot someone." Brass shook his head from side to side. "Sorry, everyone I told is already in this room."
Sara stood up. "I'll get it, it's someone I invited. I made the call when I went to get dressed." Once Sara made her way to the door, she opened it and pulled the person into a hug. "Merry Christmas, now get your ass in here."
"I'm not sure I'm welcomed?" The person replied.
"That's ridiculous. I invited you, so you are very much welcome here." Sara grabbed the persons hand and dragged them down the hall. "Hey everyone, Warrick's here."
"Merry Christmas, guys." Warrick said as his eyes scanned the room, stopping on Grissom.