A/N Another chapter for you all to enjoy! Many thanks again for the amazing reviews. I can't express how much i appreciate them. Many, many thanks as always tp piccolina789 for the outstanding beta. I hope you will LOVE this chapter :D
As was tradition, the team met in the parking lot after shift, heading to Frank's Diner for breakfast. Being in the company of her friends made Sara feel significantly less lonely, so she had agreed to every breakfast invitation she had received in the last two weeks.
"We know the last two weeks have been rough and we're poor substitutes for what you really want," Catherine said when their plates were empty. "If Gil can't come to you, we thought we'd do the next best thing."
Catherine pushed the flight reservation she'd printed off towards Sara.
"As of tomorrow, you're off for three days and headed to L.A."
Speechless, Sara could only glance at each of them in turn.
"How?" she squeaked.
Smiling broadly, Catherine explained.
"When I told the guys about Gil having to stay an extra week, we all chipped in and booked you a flight so you could spend the weekend with him. We know how much you were looking forward to him coming home. I lied to Ecklie and told him that it was your anniversary, so he'd approve the request."
"I don't know what to say," Sara said. "Thank you just doesn't seem enough."
"Seeing you this happy is thanks enough," Nick replied, grinning. "I'm sure Griss will appreciate it too."
Alone in his hotel room, Gil glanced at his watch. It was 9:50 pm. Deciding it was too early to call Sara, he glanced at the TV, which was tuned to the highlights of the game between the Cubs and Giants. He turned back to the file in front of him. He took a sip of whiskey. For once, work was the last thing on his mind as Sara filled his thoughts. He ached to hold her in his arms again, to kiss her, to feel her skin against his, and if she were feeling up to it, to make love to her.
When he heard a knock at his door, his first response was irritation at the interruption, before remembering that he'd ordered room service. But when he opened the door, the face that greeted him was not the one he expected.
"Sara," Grissom whispered in complete surprise.
One second she was at the door, the next she was in his arms as they kissed hungrily.
Her hands were in his hair, her fingers scraping against his scalp. He pulled her close to him, a hand buried in her hair as he returned her kiss desperately. His other arm reached out to shut the door without breaking the kiss.
He backed her towards the wall, kissing any exposed skin he could find as weeks of unfulfilled passion exploded between them.
Their breathing grew ragged as he pressed against her, dimly aware of the growing bump between them. His head dipped as he kissed her neck, his teeth nipping her flesh, and then sucking at the spot before leaving a trail of kisses to the hollow of her throat. Sara gasped as she tilted her head back to allow him better access, his beard scratching her skin.
He spun them around again, backing her toward the bed, both of them somehow managing to shed their clothing without breaking the kiss.
They hadn't been this intimate for several weeks, and as heat continued to build between them, Grissom could feel Sara pulling away, even though her body was still physically close to him. Suddenly, she broke their kiss and took a step back.
Grissom caught the sudden look of doubt cross her face as she looked down at the carpet, hesitantly trying to cover her exposed breasts and stomach.
Patiently, Grissom gently lifted Sara's chin so she was looking at him. He smiled and with great gentleness, he caressed her cheek with his thumb.
"Sara, it's okay. You're beautiful. This," he said, pausing as he rested his hand against her bump. "Is beautiful."
He dropped to his knees as he left a trail of kisses across the baby bump, slowly working his way up until he was standing in front of her again.
His hands framed her face as he stared deeply into her eyes.
"I love you Sara, and I can't wait to become a father."
She bit her bottom lip nervously, but there was no denying the truth of his words, which were reflected in the look in his eyes. Conquering her doubts by concentrating on his words, she boldly stepped forward as she captured his lips once more in a frenzied kiss, as desire for him blossomed deeply inside her, consuming her. She wanted him – needed him – more than the air she breathed.
A moan of desire escaped her throat, as her desire fed his and he deepened the kiss. Her teeth grazed and then tugged at his bottom lip.
Grissom pulled his lips away from Sara's and started to make a trail of kisses from her chin to the valley between her breasts. He teased her nipple with his tongue as his other hand teased the other, before switching sides.
They were both panting as Grissom returned to her mouth, Sara straddling him, impaling herself on his erection. She lowered her body until he was fully sheathed inside her.
Grissom groaned as Sara began moving her hips slightly, still showering him with kisses.
Their bodies moved as one, matching thrust for thrust. For now, their desperate need for each other overpowered everything else.
Sara titled her head back, his name on her lips as she tipped over the edge, her nails digging into Grissom's shoulders. He followed a second later as he emptied himself into her.
Their bodies were slick with sweat, both of them breathing heavily. Grissom swallowed as he tired to catch his breath. He kissed the valley between her breasts.
"God… Sara," he gasped breathlessly.
He closed his eyes and rested his cheek against her breasts, his arms wrapping around her, holding her against him.
She kissed his hair, cradling his head against her chest.
"I could… say the same… about you," she said, equally breathless. From her tone, he could tell she was smiling.
He held her a moment longer, listening to her rapid heartbeat and ragged breathing.
"You look… amazing," he whispered as he kissed her again.
He turned his attention to her growing bump, pressing light, sensual kisses along the taut skin as he worshiped the new life growing inside. Gently, he rested his head against the roundness of her abdomen and grinned when the baby kicked.
Becoming chilled they separated, Sara grabbed the first item of clothing she could reach – Grissom's black polo shirt – and slipped it over her head before joining him in the warmth of the duvet.
Resting her head on his chest, his arms wrapped around her, Sara sighed contentedly. She smiled when he kissed her head.
"I'm glad you're here," he whispered with a contented sigh as he snuggled deeper in the bed, drawing her a little more tightly against him.
For now, their primal desire was satiated. Later, they would make love again, with a little less desperation. But for now, they were content to just to lie there, together, as sleep quickly claimed them.
Early Monday morning found Grissom and Sara arriving at LAX, ready for Sara's flight back to Vegas. It was a bittersweet moment for both of them, after three loving and blissful days together.
"I can't believe how fast these three days have flown by," Sara lamented, wanting to delay her departure for as long as possible. "I wish you were coming home with me."
Grissom sighed and pulled her into an embrace. He tugged down the silk scarf he'd bought her and nuzzled her neck.
"I wish I was too, honey," he agreed as he pulled back a little to look at her. "I can't wait to see what you and the guys have done with the nursery. When I get back, we'll all go out to dinner."
Sara snuggled deeper into his embrace as they fell silent, reveling in the short time they had left together. Sara smiled when she felt Grissom kiss her hair and felt his arms tighten around her slightly.
When she pulled back slightly to look up at him several minutes later, he was biting his lip, deep in thought. She'd seen that look several times over the weekend, as if he were on the verge of saying something, but would then retreat without saying a word.
"Penny for your thoughts?" she asked, lightly kissing his cheek, just as the look indicating he'd changed his mind again settled on his handsome face.
"Just thinking about how much I love you," he said with his boyish smile. "But you better go. Your flight boards in twenty minutes."
Sara nodded and hugged him a little tighter, kissing him intensely and parting only when the need for air became too great.
After an exchange of "I love yous" and promising to meet her at the lab if possible, Sara headed toward the security line as Grissom watched her leave, already missing her.
Later that night in Ecklie's office, Brass shook his head as he paced the floor.
"I was there, remember?" Brass said. "Garrett didn't just threaten Gil, he physically assaulted him. Sara is due back on shift anytime, and she needs to know what she's facing."
Ecklie shook his head in disagreement.
"Believe it or not, I'm looking out for both of them, Jim. While he's in L.A, Gil is safe and to an extent, so is Sara. What do you think Gil would do if he heard about this? I think I know. He'd get the first flight back and place Sara in danger just through his proximity. This way, I can protect them both. I've got Catherine keeping Sara busy in the lab. She's almost six months pregnant, Jim. I don't want to cause her any undue stress that may have a detrimental effect on the pregnancy. Now that Garrett's been sighted, the sheriff has every agency involved in the manhunt. And since she's no longer out in the field, she'll be well protected."
"What about outside the lab? I've dealt with Garrett, and trust me, he's no push over," Brass argued. "I'm assigning Officers, Mitchell, Metcalfe and Clark to discreetly watch out for her. I hope you know what you're doing Conrad, because I sure as hell wouldn't want to be in your shoes if anything happens to her. It's your ass Gil will be gunning for."
When Catherine walked into the locker room before the start of shift, Sara was already there, looking very relaxed and happy.
"Hey Sara," Catherine greeted her with a beaming smile.
Sara was wearing a peach-colored short-sleeved shirt and black maternity trousers that emphasised her growing baby bump perfectly.
"The weekend in L.A really agreed with you. I love this scarf!" she praised as Sara turned to face Catherine with a beaming smile, as she adjusted the scarf around her throat.
"We had a great time," Sara agreed. "I really can't thank you and the guys enough."
Catherine's sharp eyes caught the top edge of a mark on Sara's neck and her grin widened as her eyebrow rose.
"I guess Gil was really pleased to see you!" she quipped as Sara tried to hide the hickey.
With a wink Catherine added, "That's worth more than any amount of thank yous, for me."
Toward the end of shift, Sara headed towards the locker room and saw the door to Gil's office was open and the light was on. Knowing that Catherine was finishing up an interview with a suspect, and remembering that she had turned off the light and closed the door, when she'd last spoke to him, Sara head curiously towards the office.
"Gil!" She exclaimed in surprise on seeing him standing in his office, reading a report. "I thought you were in L.A. for another few days!"
He grinned in delight on seeing her surprised expression.
"I was supposed to, but when new evidence came to light, it helped things to progress rapidly to the point they didn't need me anymore. So I got the first flight out."
Out of habit, Sara closed and locked the door, making her way to him. He met her halfway, his arms wrapping around her as his lips captured hers in a kiss that took her breath away. Holding her a moment longer, his lips grazed her neck as he released her.
Returning to his desk, he picked up the report he'd been reading when she'd first entered the office. Biting his lip, he glanced at her thoughtfully over the top of his glasses before pursing his lips and turning his attention back to the report.
"Let's get married," he said suddenly, his heart hammering against his ribs. The paper he was holding shook slightly with sudden nerves.
Sara's eyes widened, his statement taking her completely by surprise, and her mouth dropped open in a perfect "O".
She stared at him as he glanced back at her, recognising the expression on his face as the one she'd seen many times over the weekend. She finally recognized it as a look of uncertainty. He had probably debated asking her this important question all weekend, and now that he had, he looked as if he almost expected her to say no.
A smile curled the corners of her mouth, growing into a wide beaming grin, her eyes sparkling with joy.
She closed the gap between them as she give the only answer possible.
"Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!"
It was a moment before her answer registered in Grissom's mind, and as a grin formed on his face, she wrapped her arms around his neck, capturing his lips in kiss that made his toes curl and take his breath away.