Chapter 23

Sara was blushing, furiously. She had wanted to keep this quiet, for the moment. Not because she was ashamed, or embarrassed. But they still needed time to figure this out. And, because of the case. Sara wanted to ensure the sole focus was the bombings. Not the gossip about the new status of hers and Grissom's relationship.

Where they that obvious?

When they had first started seeing each other, they were able to successfully hide their relationship from the team for two years before it came out. Now, they hadn't even lasted two minutes!

"How did you…" Sara started, looking at Greg. The younger man only grinned at her.

"Oh, please," Catherine said, answering for him. "Gil is looking happier than I've seen him in years and you are practically glowing. Besides, you're both looking very… satisfied." She smirked at them, and Sara wished the ground would swallow her whole. She had faced her fair share of teasing over the years, primarily from Nick and Greg, she was used to it. Even enjoyed it, most of the time. Still, the fact that Catherine seemed to know that they had not only 'kissed and made up', but kissed and made up… She chanced a quick look at Grissom.

He was blushing a little, uncomfortable under Catherine's knowing grin. But there was a faint smile gracing his lips. His brow rose, a fraction of a millimetre when he met her gaze. His eyes flicked down her, quickly, and Sara was blushing for a completely different reason now.

"You shouldn't have called," Catherine said to Greg. "They clearly haven't finished, ah, catching up." Greg snorted and Sara sputtered as she turned back to the two people standing before her. Catherine's eyes were crinkled in amusement, clearly trying not laugh. Greg's grin had grown so wide, every tooth was on display.

"What have I missed?" Nick said as he walked up behind Greg. He took one look at Sara and Grissom before turning to Catherine. "I hope you paid up, Cath."

Seriously?

"Already done," Greg said, patting the pocket at his chest. Sara's brows rose.

"How many people were in on this bet?" She asked, her voice hitching a little in indignation.

"Don't worry, Sara," Nick said. "It was only these two knuckleheads."

"Let me guess," Grissom said. "Greg was the one who actually proposed gambling." Greg only shrugged, not looking at all repentant.

"It's not often I get to prove Cath wrong, I wanted hard evidence." Greg's grin was so triumphant, Sara wasn't sure if she wanted to laugh at him, or punch him.

"Mmm." Grissom pursed his lips together, an eyebrow raising in amusement. He turned his face to Sara, who had to bite her lip to stop herself from smiling. She didn't want to revisit the whole 'secret romance' saga again anyway. Her eyes swung to Nick, who was watching her. A serious expression on his face.

"Is this what you want?" He asked. She could feel Grissom stiffen beside her, but Nick ignored him. She looked over to Grissom, he was watching her, his face open. She knew, despite what had happened this morning, if she said the word he would walk away. She also knew she was not about to let him.

Sara smiled at Grissom, a smile that came straight from her heart.

"Yes," she replied, not taking her eyes from the entomologist that held her love.

Grissom loosed a breath and his smile warmed, eyes softening, and he brought a hand to the small of her back. Sara leaned into that touch and the couple looked over to their friends.

Catherine was smiling softly at the two of them, Greg nodded, and Nick clapped his hands together. His face light once more.

"Well, now that's sorted, we've got a scene Greggo. 419 over at the Happy Place motel," Nick said. He handed Greg a slip of paper from his pocket. "Vic matches the description of Patrick Smith."

Greg's eyes widened as he read the slip. "Suicide?" He asked.

"Supposedly," Nick replied. "I'll meet you by the car in five."

"I'll come with you," Sara said. Nick nodded but Grissom's hand constricted a little on her back. Sara turned to him with a slightly raised eyebrow, the corner of her mouth quirked up a little and Grissom gave her a shadow of a wink. He dropped his hand to let her go, fingers gliding down her back as he did. "I've just gotta grab my kit. Text me the address and I'll meet you there."

Nick tilted his head in agreement. But before any of them could move, Greg looked over Sara's shoulder. His entire body ridged. Jaw tight as he moved around her. Sara frowned and turned.

Jimmy was walking towards them, his eyes centred solely on Sara. He didn't even seem to notice Greg and Nick moving to block his way. Grissom's hand was instantly back on her, she could feel the tremors run through his body as he drew Sara close. Catherine stood to her other side. The disgust on the other woman's face was palpable, radiating off her.

"How did you get in here?" Greg asked him through clenched teeth.

Jimmy ignored him. "Sara," he said as he tried to get round the two CSI's blocking his path. Nick and Greg didn't budge, and Grissom pulled her tighter against him. Nick put a hand to Jimmy's shoulder as the doctor tried to move closer.

"You need to get out of here, Jimmy," the Texan said, his voice just as tight and low as Gregs.

"I wanted to speak to you," Jimmy said, still ignoring everyone save Sara.

"I have nothing to say to you," Sara replied, coolly. She made to turn away, but Jimmy shot under Nicks arm and grabbed her hand.

Sara only had time to whip it out of his grasp, before Nick pushed the man, face first, against the wall. Twisting his arm up his back. Nick placed his forearm against Jimmy's neck, holding him still. At the same time, Grissom pulled her back. Wrapping an arm protectively around her waist, pushing her behind him slightly.

His body was tense, and Sara knew he was preparing to launch himself at Jimmy should the younger man make a break for her once more. The rage radiating from him was almost frightening, and Sara put a hand to his chest. Grissom's heart was beating wildly beneath her fingers, but his body relaxed a little at her touch. Though he never took his eyes off the two men now struggling against the wall.

"You should go," Catherine murmured in Sara's ear. "Both of you, get out of here." Sara looked to the older woman and nodded. Nick and Greg would handle Jimmy, they didn't need to be there. She had to get Grissom away before he did something that could land him in trouble.

Like breaking Jimmy Thompson's nose. And judging by the way his free hand clenched into a fist, it wouldn't be long.

She made to move, but Grissom tightened his grip on her, not letting her leave his side. Sara gripped onto his shirt, tugging at it so he would look at her.

"Gil," she said, firmly. "Let's go." Grissom turned to her, his face a mask of fury. "Gil," her voice softened a little as he looked at her. "We should go." He exhaled, the anger still deep in his eyes. But he nodded. Relaxing his grip, yet not letting her go.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Jimmy stop struggling. He was watching the couple, and his lips curled into a snarl as he took in Sara's hand on Grissom's chest.

One second, he was pinned against the wall. The next, Nick was on the floor and Jimmy was turning to them. Panting heavily.

Both Sara and Catherine reached for their guns, pulled them out of their holsters and training them on the enraged psychiatrist. Grissom was still trying to keep himself between her and Jimmy. But with her gun now out, Sara pushed him behind her.

"Security!" Greg called, pulling Nick up. The Texan just shook him of and, wincing, he stood. Taking his own gun out.

"You did it," Jimmy said, disbelief colouring each word. "You really did it. Are you stupid, Sara?" He spat.

"Easy," Nick warned.

"After everything he did. Everything he put you through?"

Sara could feel Grissom's hand pulling on her t-shirt, and she allowed herself to be drawn back against him. Never relaxing the hold on her weapon.

Two security officers came round the corner. On seeing the situation, they paused, drawing their own weapons.

"He left you," Jimmy shouted. "Didn't even bother explaining, just tossed you aside. For no good reason."

"You don't know what you're talking about," Sara said.

"Don't I?" Jimmy took a step towards her. Sara, Nick, and Catherine all raised their guns.

"Stay where you are," Catherine told him, redoubling her grip on her Glock. Jimmy stopped. He spared the FBI agent a contemptuous glance, before settling his eyes on Grissom.

"You didn't want her," he said, his voice deep and threatening. "You've already got your little bitch." Grissom shook against her, and Sara had to fight her own anger. She focused on Jimmy's face, eyes narrowing on him. Calming her mind and keeping her hands steady. "What? Fed up with being tied up? Whips get too much for you, doc? So, now you've decided to come crawling back? You don't deserve her. You never deserved her! You're nothing but an old has been, trying to make yourself feel better by…"

"That's enough, Jimmy," Sara said, her voice calm but a red haze was starting to form across her vision. If he kept talking, Sara wasn't sure she would be able to stop herself from doing something much stupider than punching the guy in the nose.

Jimmy looked to her. The anger from before sliding from him like a wave. If it had been anyone other than Jimmy, the pain now shining back at her would have had her heart breaking. But it was, and it didn't. Sara felt nothing for the man standing before her, but contempt. Grissom was still shaking at her back, his hand gripping her waist.

More people were surrounding them now. Some who had just walked on the scene and pulled up short. Others who had heard about what was going on and turned up over curiosity. Sara could see Russell and Morgan out of the corner of her eye. Her supervisor surveyed the situation, before pulling Morgan behind him.

"You'll regret it," Jimmy said. When Sara didn't answer, Jimmy reached into his pocket.

"Don't be stupid, Jimmy," Nick warned, tightening his hand. Jimmy only shot him a disdainful glare before pulling out an envelope. Sara could see arms loosening around her, but Grissom kept his tight. She had a feeling, until Jimmy was far away, Grissom wasn't going to let her go.

Jimmy threw the envelope towards her, and it landed with a faint click on the floor. Sara didn't even glance at it. Her eyes were locked with the man standing before her. His face was set, eyes cold. Jimmy lifted his hands and placed them on his head. The security guards came up behind him, cuffed him and turned him away. Jimmy didn't break eye contact until he was forced to look the other way.

"Make sure everyone knows, he is not to set one foot on this premise again," Nick said, sharply, as he holstered his weapon. "If he does, I will personally make sure whoever let him in is fired." The security guards nodded; their faces grim as they lead the doctor away.

Sara and Catherine both loosed a breath and lowered their guns. Sara's pulse still thumping in her ears.

"You alright?" Catherine asked, holstering the Glock, and flipping her hair over her shoulder to look at Sara. The brunette only nodded, her eyes falling on the small brown envelope now lying on the tiled floor. She holstered her gun and made to pick it up, but Grissom held fast. Not allowing her to move.

She turned to him. His face was like stone, eyes still looking at the spot in which Jimmy had disappeared.

"Gil?" Grissom turned to her. Sara was preparing herself for the anger, the rage that had radiated off him while Jimmy had been in their presence. But all that met her was fear. The fear in his eyes was unfathomable. So deep, so desperate, Sara's heart broke when she saw it. She lifted a hand to cup his cheek and Grissom lent into her touch. He closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath.

Wrapping his arms around her, Grissom pulled her flush against his chest. His heart was still beating hard under his ribs and Sara clung to him. A hand settled on the small of her back, while another reached her hair. The shaking had lessened somewhat, but his breathing was still unstable.

"I'm ok," she murmured against his chest. "It's over. I'm ok." Grissom tightened his grip, but Sara didn't mind. It felt good. Crushed against him, starving off the fear that was threatening to overtake her. It was disorientating, and Grissom was the only thing keeping her spiralling.

"Sara?" A voice called to her, and Sara pulled away to see Greg watching them. A little hesitantly. He was holding up the envelope Jimmy had thrown at her feet. Looking unsure, not knowing what to do with it. Sara didn't want it, didn't want anything to do with her former friend. But she was curious.

Curious to know what was so important, Jimmy would risk getting shot to give it to her. She held out her hand and, wordlessly, Greg handed it to her.

Desperately trying to control her shaking, Sara slit the packet open and tipped the contents into her hand. A USB stick fell into the palm, followed by a folded sheet of paper. Sara flipped the paper open.

On it were two sentences, written in Jimmy's untidy scrawl.

Everything I did, was all for you. Maybe this will help you remember what we are to each other.