DISCLAIMERS: Afraid I don't own either CBS, CSI, any of their affiliates or anything neat and wonderful like them. I wish I did, but I don't so I'm just borrowing them for a little mental recreation.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This was unbeta'd so all mistakes are my own

The first few tears slipped down her face unnoticed to land on Gil's shirt. "Hey, let's grab your stuff and then you can drive me home, okay?"

Sara didn't quite manage a real smile, it was still a little forced as she wiped at the wet tracks. "Sure."

Grissom released her from the hug, but allowed his uninjured hand to rest against the small of her back as he escorted her out of the station and back to the Lab's locker room to collect her things.

"I've got my spare clothes if you wanna give me a sec to change."

"Don't bother. I was thinking you'd rather change into them after a long soak in the tub, while I pull breakfast together."

"Gil you should be resting. I can drop you off at your place and take a bath at mine."

He leaned closer so that he almost whispered the words into her ear. "So you're passing up the chance to soak in my Roman sunken tub with whirlpool jets?"

"Well, when you put it that way it's hard to say no."

"Then say yes."

"Okay." Sara's voice was quiet she was still looking at the tiles. With a single finger he pushed her chin up so their eyes met.

"Hey I'm proud of you." Her eyes widened and he thought her breath caught for an instant. "Ecklie can be a real ass, but you didn't let him get to you." Sara shrugged and Grissom wondered how much of her apparent self-confidence was an act. "Sara ignore what Ecklie said he's just ticked at being called in at the crack of dawn during his vacation to deal with the Sheriff, I.A., D. A. and a possible war between the lab and LVPD. You did a good job Sara both at the scene and during the questioning. I'm proud of you."

Sara didn't get a chance to respond before the locker room door opened, Gil pulled away and Catherine Willows stormed in her face flushed with anger.

"You didn't get suspended did you?" Gil asked his friend so Catherine's focus was on him, giving Sara time to gather herself and her things together.

Catherine shook her head, "No. He wouldn't shoot himself in the foot like that no matter how cranky he was. With you both either off or on limited duty the next five days he needs me to run the shift."

Sara nodded as the red head pulled open her locker. Grabbing the change of clothes and her toiletry kit before closing the locker she smiled when Grissom put his hand on her back again. "Night Catherine." When the other woman looked up from grabbing her things, Sara gave a friendly wave.

Catherine's anger faded, replaced by a warm smile. "Bye. See you two tonight."

It was a comfortable silence as Grissom escorted her from the building. Even with an injured hand he was a gentleman and kept opening doors. If it had been any other man she worked with she would have balked, but with Grissom it was just another aspect of his persona. She remembered a scene from Firefly when Simon the suave civilized Doctor had told Kaylee that his manners were the only way he could show her how much he cared. Sara smiled at a quote and liked to think maybe Grissom was the same way. The silence wasn't broken until he closed the townhouse front door behind her.

"I really am proud of you; the way you handle the interrogation, especially the way you dealt with Conrad."

Sara nodded. "What did Ecklie mean? That you saved my job by risking yours? Brass and Catherine each hinted at something once."

"You mind if we get comfortable before I tell you?"

"Are you trying to avoid telling me?"

"No. It's just my wrist is throbbing so I need to take some pills and I thought you'd like to take your bath first."

"You said you had a sunken tub with jets?"

"Yup in the master bathroom and there might be something in your Christmas box to go with it." Sara allowed Grissom to divert her with the idea of soaking in a hot bath.

"Go take your pills, I'll grab the box and meet you at the sofa."

There were only a couple things left in the box so Sara pulled them all out and laid them out on the coffee table. She watched as Grissom examined them skipping two packages and settling on the third the largest of the three. Untying the ribbon Sara smiled at the contents of the box. It was a lavender aromatherapy bath set, there were bath beads, massage oil, votive candles, bath salts and a cd to relax too.

"I thought these might help you relax more after a bad case and I think tonight's the perfect night to try them. Come on." He held out his good hand, smiling when she placed her hand in his as she rose.

Sara followed Gil down the hallway, still pleased by the thought he'd put into each and every single gift. "You're okay if I lie down while you bathe right?"

"Of course." The last time she was in his bathroom she'd ignored the tub entirely only focusing on the task at hand.

"I also put out some towels and a robe for you." That explained why it had taken him so long to meet her back at the couch.

She watched him get settled on the bed, before heading into the bathroom and starting to draw her bath. For the first time she really looked at the master bathroom. The walls were a soothing blue and a couple of framed photographs of sunny beaches hung on the wall. The tub was huge; long enough that she could lie down and wide enough to accommodate two people. Little shelves with votive candles had been placed at different heights around the tub. While the hot water filled the tub mixing with the bath oil she'd added, Sara lit the candles. Slipping into the fragrant water she allowed her mind to spin a fantasy.

Steam from the hot water had created a kind of magical mist dimly illuminated by the flickering candles. She was lying in the massive tub, delicately covered by bubbles, waiting for him. It was hard to tell if it was the draft of cool air when he entered that caused her nipples to harden and gooseflesh to form or if it was just her body reacting to being in his presence. The question was moot as he closed the distance, stopping only to remove his navy robe, revealing black silky boxers and lots of bare skin underneath.

She was torn; moving to touch him meant some part of her leaving the warm bubbles, but it would allow her to feel his warm naked skin beneath her own. The decision was taken out of her hands when he sat on the ledge of the tub and grabbed the washcloth. Dipping the soft cotton square into the water above her stomach, she gasped when a finger grazed the sensitive skin. Ringing out the cloth, he stretched over her to grab the soap before beginning, so her lungs were filled with the scent of him. It was a form of exquisite water torture as the cloth and soap glided in tiny circles over her shoulders, down the top of her arms to her fingertips and back up on the underside to her torso.

Each touch stoked the flame of arousal as her body responded to his touch as mundane as it was. Lower and lower the cloth and soap moved down her chest and over her stomach as she tried to regain control of her breathing. He'd gently lifted each breast with one hand, his thumb grazing her nipple sending a fresh wave of sensation through her, while his other hand continued to wash her with soothing strokes. Sara reined in her fantasy before the desire got out of hand and her skin turned completely pruney.

Standing up in the tub she snickered, if she hadn't been in love with Gil Grissom before, this tub had pushed her over the edge. He'd been right about her being more comfortable after a soak. Completely surrounded by warm water she'd felt knots of tension releasing from her muscles even before she'd turned on the jets. Wrapping one of the high quality bath towels around her hair and another around her body she thought about the enigma Gil Grissom was even in his own home.

Blowing out the candles Sara thought about how from floor to ceiling there were little details, like the presents, each aspect showed an attention to detail, but also hinted at his sensual nature kept surprising her. Based on his sparsely decorated living room and kitchen, she'd never expected the luxury she'd found in his private rooms. Like the man, his home was a blend of science, art and romance.

Moving towards the door she was surprised when neither his navy or burgundy bathrobes were hanging there, but a soft silky feminine robe was. She fingered the delicate fabric; the champagne robe with sage bamboo leaves was trimmed in apricot. It was the most beautiful robe she'd ever seen. A note was attached that simply read "Wear Me!" She laughed at the Alice in Wonderland reference, but did as he asked, removing her towel and slipping into the robe.

A few minutes spent tidying up the bathroom, gave her time to compose herself before she opened the door. He was lying on his side, facing the door, head propped up on his hand a tray of fruit, cheese and croissants in front of him. He began speaking as she exited.

"She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!"

"From the first moment we met I've associated that poem with you." Sara felt the blush steal over her face from Grissom quoting Lord Byron's poem 'She Walks in Beauty.' It only grew more intense as he continued talking. "There have been times when we're working that I have to stop just for a moment when your beauty, intelligence and courage overwhelm me, just like now."

Kneeling in front of him Sara met his appreciative gaze with one of her own. "I've felt the same way. Gil please tell me what Ecklie meant?" Leaning forward she pressed her lips to his and then to prevent over-talking Sara popped a grape into her mouth.

"You knew that he wanted me to fire you." Sara nodded, she'd told him as much when he'd visited. "Politics has never been my strong suit, but I always was just smart enough to figure out a way to protect Nick, Catherine, and Warrick, but this time I didn't see how I could protect you. Until I stood in his office and didn't think, I just admitted what my heart had known for a long time; that I needed you, that I was responsible for your behavior because of my fear and that I could willingly risk my job for you because there are other jobs, other labs, but only one you."