A/N: Snow days are good for many things, including sending my favorite readers a new update on the last chapter. I promise you they wrote this themselves…I was just a willing typist… : ) …Once again, comments from some of the wonderful reviews from last night helped shape this chapter…reviews are like gold, as are those who leave them…but everyone who is supporting this story has my heartfelt thanks. This one is fashioned to put a smile on your face…I think we need one after the last few chapters…next update whenever, but as soon as possible... -Kathy

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He found he couldn't release her from his arms.

He was so sure she had been lost to him, and in reality might still be lost to him, that surrender proved impossible.

They continued to lie on the soft sands, their idyllic world still intact yet now infused with the painful realities that had invaded their paradise from the other side.

It became clear to him that he had only one course of action.

Love her now…there might not be a later…

With the urgency of a man strapped to a ticking bomb, one with the capacity to change his life permanently and without warning, Gil pulled them both to a sitting position and breathed out, "Come with me, Sara….there's not much time."

She complied, still gluing herself to his side before he hoisted her into his brawny hold, carrying her towards the comfort of their covered retreat.

He didn't waste a moment of their diminishing time together.

As he walked, he was peppering her with kisses in the manner that she loved.

He spoke between each contact that his lips made with her face, hair, and neck, repeating his mantra of endearments, begging her to commit them to memory until he could find a way to be with her again.

Sara was so overcome with emotion that the tears would not fall.

Instead, she breathed him in like a connoisseur of fine wine – creating a memory of the scent, the taste, the feeling of his assault on her mouth.

These sensory snapshots were quickly being compiled into a mental scrapbook entitled, My Happy Ending.

Reaching the thicket, he was so tender in his movements as he lay her down on the cool shaded depression made by their last happy encounter here.

He continued to keep his mouth in contact with her physically.

This was not about a physical release for his pent up frustrations.

Nor was it about seeking forgiveness or enjoying the proverbial 'make up sex.'

This was about a man who possibly would make love…to the woman of his dreams…for the last time in his life.

He wanted every action, every touch, every word to convey to her that she was adored, that she had shown him what it meant to truly love – something he had thought he'd die without knowing.

And he did love her.

He dispensed with any attempts at foreplay. Time was a thief already approaching to steal away these few precious moments together.

As he joined his body to hers, they both stilled. Together, they sighed in the exquisite coupling that signaled so much more than the union of their flesh.

Gil knew they didn't have much time. There was so much he wanted to say, that she needed to hear, that they needed to consummate.

He pulled himself so far out of her, Sara thought for a minute their contact would be completely severed.

Instead he hovered just at her doorway, knowing he needed to get some things off his chest before he had the right to claim her as his own.

Using both hands to smooth her hair and ensure she was looking at him, his eyes locked onto hers, like a drowning man holding onto a lifeline.

"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides." (Swetchine)

"Honey, you have always offered me that warmth. I know I often walked away from you. If we get another chance to be together, I won't make those same mistakes again, ever, for the rest of my life."

His loving, intimate thrust seemed to ask her to accept his pledge. She tossed back her head slightly without breaking eye contact, the flames of her body's need for him beginning their glow.

"I love you, Gil."

Seamlessly, he continued speaking earnestly, clearly, but quickly while withholding himself from her, sealing his promises with each thrust deep inside of her, making his body shudder with the pleasure of their contact – and the pain of their imminent separation.

The cycle of his speaking followed by a powerful thrust was lovingly repeated over and over, stealing their breaths away, sealing their commitment to each other.

"To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven.' (Sheffield)

"Sweetheart, you are my heaven…my today, my tomorrow, my forever. There is no me without you. If we get another chance to be together, I will be sure to show you how much I need you each and every waking hour for the rest of my life."

"I love you, Gil."

Immature love says: 'I love you because I need you.' Mature love says 'I need you because I love you.'" (Fromm)

"Sara, I have been such a coward my whole life. I never wanted to need anyone…I guess I was afraid to go through the pain when they finally left me. I know, now, that when you say you love me, it really is forever. If we get another chance to be together, I will be sure that I show you how much your gift really means to me, show you each and everyday for the rest of my life."

"I love you, Gil."

Each emotion-charged thrust brought them, in their need to prove their love to each other before it was too late, closer and closer to the edge.

Their love-making was purging her of all her doubts, bridging them over the waters that had mired him in the insecurities which forced him to hold back that final part of his heart, sealing them both in a bond stronger than one that could be forged in the recitation of wedding vows.

All the pictures that hung in my memory before I knew you have faded and given place to our radiant moments together. Now I cannot live apart from you...Your words are my food, your breath my wine. You are everything to me. (Bernhardt)

"Sara, please…if you know nothing else to be true…know that I love you with all my heart and soul. You have my promise. I will love you forever. You are my one and only. You, Sara…I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you….ohhh…"

"Gil…baby…I love you, I love you, I love you…ohhh…"

They clung to each other feeling that they had ceased to exist, that they had been transformed into this new and beautiful being – two hearts now melded forever into one pulsing organ that would infuse both their souls…and decimate those souls when they would soon be forced to part.

Not wanting to waste a moment basking in the afterglow of this special union, Gil mustered his strength to pull her towards him.

I'm not ready to go…not yet…please, give us a little more time…

Sara was already crying softly at the inevitable. She would be here, alone, while her body healed itself…if her body healed

She didn't remember much. Perhaps, she didn't want to remember.

She couldn't recall how she had gotten here, or how long she had been here.

That is why he had found her on the shoreline with her arms wrapped so tightly around her.

She had been envisioning him, walking with him along this beach, talking to him about little things and nothing…just being with him.

His absence from their Better Place had physically pained her.

She was hugging herself tightly to prevent herself from falling apart.

When she had turned, at first she thought he was a mirage.

As she observed him closely, she realized it was not a dream.

Her tears came from her relief at seeing him, and her need to feel him pressed against her.

Now, the tears resurfaced for the same reasons.

He continued to soothe her, whispering I love you's in her ear, holding her tightly in his embrace.

They lay there…waiting.

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For a time after his encounter in the hallway, the Sheriff sat staring at Sara's unconscious form and debated what to do about Grissom.

If he brought him into the operation, the Sheriff was aware of the unpredictability of Grissom's reaction when he discovered all the facts.

If he kept him in the dark, then it would be necessary to keep him away from Sara when she would need him most.

It was always better to keep undercover operations close to the chest: the smaller the circle, the more control you maintained towards a preferred outcome.

That's what he had thought when faced with Warrick's involvement –

Warrick.

He rubbed his hand slowly over his tired eyes.

He had forgotten that the confused CSI must be thinking he was being arrested for hurting Sara.

The Sheriff had only wanted to ensure that if Ecklie had returned to the lab, Warrick did not have a chance to confront him with his suspicions.

They had given Ecklie a long leash.

They were this close to pulling him back in.

They needed just a little more time…

Taking a deep breath, the Sheriff stood suddenly and approached Sara's bed.

Standing over her, he looked at the many monitors while he took hold of her hand.

Both gave the same information – no change.

Sighing loudly, he leaned over and brushed an errant curl off Sara's cheek. He whispered in her ear, "I'm leaving now. I'm going to send in something to make you feel much better."

Squeezing her hand slightly, he straightened and donned his most official disposition.

He opened the door, acknowledged the sentries, and surveyed the hallway. As he was promised, Gil was sitting upright on a bench slightly across from her door. His eyes were closed, his breathing a bit labored.

Must have fallen asleep…the Sheriff thought as he strode confidently towards him.

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They continued to stay close, Gil wanting to speak until she could not longer hear his voice.

Life's greatest happiness is to be convinced we are loved. (Sunde)

Remember, Sara, I. Love. You.

I want you to be happy in my love.

Be happy, Sara.

I love you.

Always.

Forever.

Remember…remember… remember…

"Remember!", Gil said forcefully as the Sheriff's shaking startled him awake.

He felt as if he had been sucker-punched. His arms ached in their emptiness.

Realizing the Sheriff was indeed standing over him, his concern immediately went to Sara's condition.

"What's happened?" he asked worriedly, seeking answers in the Sheriff's stoic countenance.

The Sheriff sat down on the bench.

He's sitting down. This can not be good news! SARA!!!!!!!!

Sensing his panic, the Sheriff quickly allayed his fears. "She's stable, Gil. Please…sit down. I need to talk to you."

Trying to place his broken heart back within the confines of his chest, Grissom's body language told the Sheriff he had his complete attention.

"I have to return to my office on urgent business. I am breaking my own rule, here, Gil. Don't screw it up."

Gil was perplexed. What rule? What was he trying to tell him?

The Sheriff was all business. He looked Grissom directly in the eye.

"No other CSI's. I don't care how you feel about that. And my men are totally in charge of the scene, and that includes anything concerning Sara.

If they need to remove you from the room, no matter how you feel about them, you must leave. Is that clear, Gil? If they need to remove you, it will only be under my express orders."

He paused to allow Gil to weigh the gravity of his words.

"Can you agree to these stipulations?"

Still not fully comprehending the offer on the table, but hopeful that he was understanding the undertones of the edict, Gil nodded dumbstruck.

"Fine."

The Sheriff stood and motioned to the sentries to approach him.

"Officers, as of now, Gil Grissom is the only member of the LVPD to be allowed unlimited access to Miss Sidle. This order stands unless you receive my written confirmation to the contrary."

The Sheriff turned one last time towards Grissom.

"Remember, Gil…" he said sternly.

Then he turned to stalk away, pausing briefly to catch Grissom's eye one last time. A brief encouraging smile crossed his lips before it faded and he returned to his departure.

Gil hurried to her door, but paused to stare into the eyes of the officer whom he had injured.

"Officer…" he began, but was interrupted sharply.

"Forget it, Grissom…I'm happy for you…" And with that, the officer held open the door for him.

Gil walked into the room. He was horrified at the site before him.

Dragging a chair to her bedside, he took her hand as he tried to make sense of the information the electronics were relaying.

He smoothed her hair. He leaned forward and softly kissed her eyes, her cheeks, her lips.

He nestled his head on the pillow next to her ear, whispering softly near her ear, "Remember…"