By the end of the shift we are both done with all the paperwork. Because Sara finished her files before me, she went to help Warrick with the paperwork on their case. That case is now closed as well. Only the hit and run is still open and Catherine was right: It's probably going to be a double. All in all, it has been a good shift.

I pop my head in the evidence room where Warrick and Sara are still working on something, probably related to the case.

"Sara, are you ready?"

Sara looks up from her work. "Euhh, we still have a few things that need to be finished. I think it will take about half an hour."

"Okay, then I'll see you at my place?"

"Sure. See you then."

I ignore the surprised look Warrick casts on me and walk away, leaving it to Sara to explain what our plans are. I trust her enough to know that she will be discrete.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

On the way home, I think about the whole situation with Sara and me. Just because we share the same feelings doesn't mean that it is going to be easy. There is nothing in the regulations against it, but we will have to be careful. At least in the beginning.

By the time that I get home, I realize that I forgot to ask her what she wanted for breakfast. Well, coffee and toast is always good start, so I begin to find the things I need. The coffee is almost finished when the doorbell rings.

"It's open!" I yell, afraid that if I leave the toast it will burn.

"Hi there.uhm that coffee smells good," she says leaning over the kitchen counter.

I turn towards her. "I hope that toast is all right. I forgot to ask you what you wanted for breakfast.. and I'm also out of eggs."

"Perfect, that is if you have some jam to go with it?"

I put the plates and mugs on the coffee table. "Always. You can't have toast without strawberry jam." "My kind of man."

Did I hear that right? " So does that mean that you forgive me?" I place the butter and jam on the table, and sit down next to her.

"Just a little bit, but it's a start."

During our meal we talk about the case that she and Warrick had. She looks very relaxed. It suits her. She is beautiful. However we both seem to avoid what's really on our mind. Last night. The words we said, the kisses we shared. I can't help but sigh. Then suddenly I'm aware that she's looking at me. "What?" I ask a little annoyed.

"A penny for your thoughts?"

"It's going to cost you a lot more than just a penny." I snort.

She looks at me with a raised eyebrow. I wonder if she is going to take the bait.

"Really? Name your price mister."

She took it. I can't help but smirk. "A kiss."

She doesn't looks surprised. Now I'm wondering who exactly took whose bait.

"A kiss? That can be arranged."

Before I can say anything else, she leans in and kisses me. It only last a few seconds, then she pulls away again.

"So, what were you thinking about?" She's looking at me like nothing has happened at all.

I shake my head, trying to clear my mind. "This. How are we going to handle this Sara? I mean with work and all."

"We'll just take it one day at a time, and see what happens." She says it like it's the simplest thing in the world. But it can't be! Can it?

"Grissom, you think too much. Just take one step at a time."

I look into her eyes, and I see her sincerity. "One step at a time," I mutter.

"Yeah, like what do you want to do now? And don't start to analyse. Just say the first thing that comes to mind."

I try to avoid her eyes as I think of the one thing I would like to do right now.

"Come on, just say it."

She asked for it. "I want to kiss you again," I just blurt out.

She smiles. What is she up to?

"So what are you waiting for? A written invitation?!"

She doesn't have to say that twice. I surprise her by placing my hands around her face and kiss her. It's a tender and slow kiss at first, but soon it becomes more passionately as we both want more.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I wake up because of an unfamiliar feeling. I slowly open my eyes. A small smile appears on my face when I see Sara lying next to me. Images of the past hours flash before my eyes. She came over for breakfast, we talked, she kissed me, and I kissed her. Things got a little heated, and then .then we ended up in the bedroom.

She suddenly moves closer to me. Laying her arm across my chest she says playfully: "Hi there."

Having her next to me makes me realize that Sara was right. I do think too much. This morning was good. It was better than good, it was great. It feels so good to be that close to her.

I clear my throat. "So? One step at a time?"

She chuckles. "Okay, so it was a big step. But I didn't hear you complaining about it earlier."

"No, you're right, I didn't. But I don't want to ruin this. You mean too much to me."

"Listen." She leans on her right elbow while looking at me. "Do you love me?"

I'm puzzled. "What? Of course I love you."

"That's good, because I love you too." She keeps looking me straight in the eyes, and then she takes a deep breath. "Sometimes you just have to go with the flow. You don't have to analyse every little thing in your life."

"Sara, this isn't a little thing. This is huge. I mean us, you and me together."

"I know. I've been dreaming about this for years."

Years? She's thought about this for years? I can't believe we've wasted so much time, precious moments we could have shared together.

I snap out of my thoughts when I feel her hand on my cheek. "Stop thinking about the past and the future. Just focus on the moment," she says.

I swallow the lump in my throat. "So what do you want to focus on now?"

She smiles, that beautiful smile of hers.

"You," she simply says. And she leans in for another kiss.

The end.

Copyright © 2003 by gittedl