Chapter Twenty Nine:

Sara began to toss in bed; she had been having problems sleeping again. She knew it was because of the miniature case. Grissom had thrown himself into the case again. She reached for Grissom but his side of the bed was empty. She went into the living room to find him fast to work at his new miniature. The first time she saw it, she had gotten angry with him. She remembered their fight.

"I can't believe you. Everyone is going to think you have gone off the deep end."

"Sara, it's just a model of my office."

"It's just like the miniatures. Can't you get enough of it at work? I'm beginning to think you've lost all perspective on this case." Grissom was silent. It was Sara who took the lead again.

"Believe me Gil. I am expert of losing perspective but the difference I acknowledge it. You don't. Why are you doing this?"

"It helps me to think. I can't explain it. I just want to..."

"Get in his or her head. Believe me, that person has been in your head from the beginning."

Grissom had stopped working on the miniature after that but then the migraines had returned. Sara knew she could not keep him from this. It was who he was. As soon as she encouraged him to complete the miniature, his migraines disappeared.

Tonight, Sara stood in the door way and waited for him to notice her. He had been staring at one section for several minutes. She knew he was visualizing his actual office in his mind and then comparing it to the miniature. A chill ran down Sara's spine. She called his name but he did not answer. She turned and went back to the bedroom.

She pulled the covers up and closed her eyes. She tried to will herself to sleep. She even tried counting. Suddenly she heard a noise and sat up in bed. She found Grissom's miniature sitting on the edge of the bed. He must have finished it. Good!

She pulled it close to see the minute detail. She was in awe of its perfection but then she gasped. There hunched over at the desk was Grissom's body. She reached out to touch the figure and saw red blotches on her fingers. She tried to wipe it off but the stains continued to appear on her hands. She pushed the miniature away and began yelling for Grissom. Someone grabbed her and she struggled. She knew she had to get to Grissom but she couldn't move. She felt the wetness on her face and the pain in her arms from the restraint. She couldn't break free no matter how hard she tried. From a distance she could hear yelling. She couldn't make out the voice. It was too far away. She could feel herself being shaken and then suddenly she heard the voice more clearly and realized it was Grissom.

"Sara!"

Sara's eyes flew open to find Grissom's blue eyes pleading with her to wake up. She couldn't seem to catch her breath as he held his grip on her arms. Once she began to calm down he released his hold on her. She glanced down at the end of the bed but the miniature was not there. It was a dream. Get a hold of yourself. It was just a dream.

She leaned back in the bed and closed her eyes. She had hoped he would get up but he remained sitting there. She opened her eyes to find him staring at her.

"I'm fine." No I'm not. I never want to sleep again. Damn those miniatures.

"You want to talk about it?"

"No!" She pushed herself passed him and headed to the kitchen. She began looking for the wine bottle. She looked over the stove but it had been moved. She then began to prowl through the cabinets. Grissom stood and watched her. She was frantic to find the bottle. When she had exhausted all of the spots, she turned and faced him.

"Do you really think you should?" Grissom almost whispered.

Sara laughed. Do you really think you should be making that damn miniature?

He walked over and took the bottle from below the stove. He got out two wine glasses and filled them. He then handed one to Sara. She reached for the glass and finished half of it while standing. She filled the glass again and went to sit on the couch. He noticed how her hands shook.

Sara silently drank the wine while Grissom stood and watched her. He had known for some time that something was bothering Sara. He would often be awakened by her nightmares. At first he thought it was because of her feeling of abandonment while he was away that was causing them. He thought as time passed, the problem would resolve itself. However, things were getting worse. She was back to sleeping fewer hours and the dark circles under her eyes returned. It was the first time Sara had resorted to alcohol as a comfort. He didn't like the pattern that was developing. He had seen her go down this road before and it had almost cost her career. She had been lucky that the DUI was not part of her permanent record. He blamed himself for it because of his constant rejection of her. She finished off the glass and returned to the kitchen counter. She reached for the bottle but he stopped her. Their eyes met. She knew he was pleading with her to not take another drink. She wasn't sure she could do that.

"Please." It came out as a whispered plea. Sara's resolve broke and she turned away. She stood and swiped the tears from her eyes. She gazed at the miniature sitting on Grissom's desk in the corner and she felt the urge to smash it. He caught her staring at it.

He walked over and stood in front of her so she could no longer see it.

"Talk to me."

"I'm fine, really." I think I'm losing my mind. You need that model to keep your sanity and I need it to disappear to save mine. I hate what the killer is doing to us.

"Stop it! Sara. Stop it right now!" She was taken back by his anger. He had never talked to her that way.He saw the fear in her eyes and he grabbed her into his arms.

"Please, honey. Don't do this to us. Please let me in." A slight laugh escaped her lips.

He's using my words again. This is so ironic and pathetic. I'm losing my mind.

She closed her eyes and let him hold her. She opened her eyes and there in full view was the miniature. It seemed to be mocking her. Her body stiffened in his arms. He pulled away and once again saw her staring at it. It's that damn miniature. Why hadn't he figured this out sooner? He led almost dragged her to the desk. She tried to break away but he wouldn't let go. It was as if she was afraid of the thing. She began to plead with him to let her go but he kept his grip. Bruno could hear the stress in her voice and he began to growl at Grissom. Still, he wouldn't release her. Bruno started to walk towards Grissom but Sara commanded him to sit. He reluctantly obeyed. Sara was now standing directly in front of the miniature. It was different than the one in her dream. There was no body.

Taking his hand he made her look directly at him. "Sara, I'm not going anywhere. Nothing is going to happen to me. I'll take this to the office tomorrow." Relief spread over Sara. She couldn't explain why the simple gesture seemed to remove so much of the anxiety she had been feeling.

He kissed her on the forehead and led her to the bedroom. Once she was tucked in, he turned off the lights and joined her. She cuddled up close to him and he could feel the wetness on her cheeks.

"I'm sorry Sara. I didn't realize how much it bothered you."

"I don't want anything to happen to you." She began to sob into his shoulder. Grissom quieted her and kissed the tears from her cheeks.

"I'll be careful Sara. I promise." He lay awake for several hours watching over her. She gradually fell asleep in his arms. He knew it would soon be time to get ready for work. The sunlight had already begun to dim. He looked at the clock and frowned. He didn't want to wake her. She needed the sleep. He gently eased himself from the bed and went into the living room and shut the door. He picked up his phone and called Catherine.

"Hey Grissom, what's up?"

"I won't be in the office until later. I've been up most of the day. If you need anything, give me a call. Oh, there must be something going around because Sara just called in sick. Is that going to be a problem for you guys?"

Catherine smiled to herself. Boy, these guys ere good. "We'll manage. Hey, you think I should go by Sara's and check on her?" Catherine snickered quietly to herself. She could just imagine Grissom's discomfort.

"I wouldn't do that. She's probably asleep. She hasn't been sleeping well."

"Really?"

"Haven't you seen the dark circles under her eyes?"

Catherine thought for a moment, "You're right. I have noticed. I'll be sure and tell the guys to stay clear of her."

"Thanks Catherine."

Grissom returned to the bed room and watched her sleep. She had already begun to toss. He got back in bed and spooned his body up next to hers. She grabbed for his arm and held it against her. He smiled. He could see her arms and noticed the bruises on her wrists. He clenched his teeth. He did not realize he had been holding her so tight. Bruno raised his head and looked at Grissom. "Next time, you bite me. Got it Bruno?" Bruno wagged his tail and then lay back down.