DISCLAIMER:  No copyright violation intended. Characters = not mine. *pout!*

Doorstep

By Jane Moss

She slept twelve hours straight. All through the night, until the sun's orange glow seeped onto the dark sky and the first light hit her closed eyes. Subconsciously burying herself in a pillow she felt something was out of place. The scent. She raised her head sharply and stared at the bed accusingly, while her vision cleared. Her heart started to beat faster when she realised she had never been in this room before. Where was she? Grissom. The previous evening came crushing back.

She let herself relax back onto the bed as the dull pain she tried to suppress, came back. She just needed a little diversion right now. Burying her face in his pillow, she slowly inhaled his soft, natural scent and tried to store it in her memory. For a moment she let her mind dream she actually belonged here in this warm bed. His bed.

Where was he? She noted that he must have preferred the couch to sharing the same bed with her. That stung. As she made a move to get up, Sara stared down at herself in shock. She was in her underwear under the sheets. He had undressed her? She could feel blood rushing to her face at the thought. May be she had not been imagining things after all.

Her clothes were neatly folded on a chair. She smirked. She was about to make her way towards them, when his black bathrobe caught her attention. You only live once. Putting it on against her bare skin brought a sigh and she decided it was worth it, even if it was the only time she would wear his clothes. If he asks, she never saw her clothing.

Opening the bedroom door, she ventured outside, only to find his apartment empty. 'Couldn't even stand the thought of being in the same flat as me, could you?' On the other hand…

She pushed the sadness aside and decided that this was her chance. If he didn't want to stay long enough for her to wake up – and he didn't even have to let her sleep here, for that matter – then she had the right to look around. She wasn't snooping around, since technically everything was out in the open. She grinned dryly for a moment, before heading towards his bookshelves.

Bugs, bugs, bugs… Ooo – astronomy, forensics… She moved onto another shelf. Shakespeare. So that's where he got all those quotes? Did he memorise them while sitting alone at home on his day off? That sounded too much like her. After that she looked over his CD collection and then finally his computer desk. Now she wished she hadn't made that promise to herself only to look at what's in the open. A computer was open… sort of.  A letter caught her attention. She knew she shouldn't - Grissom was touchy about personal stuff. It was lying flat on his desk, beckoning her to read.

"Mr. Grissom…

…I'm glad you're recovering well from the surgery… What the hell? … Remember, to keep away from loud places for at least another two weeks. No strenuous activities for another month, until everything heals. What? What heals? I would like to take the liberty to make a last appointment for you, three weeks from now to check your hearing one last time…"

Hearing? Surgery? Suddenly the pieces fell into place.

"I look forward to seeing you soon… Dr. Karen Roth…"

Sara sat down on the nearest chair, stunned. She couldn't believe she hadn't figured it all out before. She suspected, but never thought to voice it, just in case she was wrong.  At that moment, Grissom chose to push his key in the lock and she dropped the letter, running towards the other end of the room in panic. Her heart started to beat faster as she saw him in the hall. She deliberated whether to shout 'Hey! Good morning!' or to remain silent until he finds her.

Sara slipped into the kitchen quietly. She was going to be elusive for as long as possible. For now she was busy making coffee. That wasn't a crime was it? Suddenly, she did not want to face his hurtful remarks anymore. All he could tell her was to go home. What would such a private person think of finding her in his bathrobe? Then again he did put her into his bed. The knowledge that he must have undressed her still lingered in the back of her mind but she knew if she mentioned anything he'd only give her a clinical description of what happened. The dread refused to leave and she noticed her breathing becoming shallow, as she desperately tried to calm it down, before she was discovered. She should have been a smart girl and slipped out while he was away.

Any minute he would just walk in and tell her to go. He was probably already standing in the doorway. 'Don't turn around! Don't turn-' She forced herself to remain calm and after a deep breath turned to face the door sharply. Nothing. Tentatively she made her way towards it. 'Where was he?'

Bumping into something soft, she screamed and jumped back. His eyes still held his shock. They stood staring at each other, neither sure of what to say. His eyes travelled down her length and she shifted under his gaze. He didn't know why he found such pleasure to see her in his clothing.

After the silence stretched on too long, he ventured, "Good morning" Then added, "Sara"

"Um… hey," she replied without much joy. Was that… concern she saw in his eyes?

"Sara, why don't you sit down?"

"I'm fine"

"You're pale. Have you eaten anything?"

Concern didn't mean much when it was forced. She wished he would just give up the act and let her go already.

"I'm going home" She regretted it as soon as it left her mouth. One thought of her cold apartment was much worse than where she was now. She pushed her personal feelings aside. He didn't want her here. There was nothing worse than an unwelcome visitor.

"You're not going anywhere, until you've had something to eat." His tone offered no room for argument. He was surprised by his own boldness and decided not to push his luck, as he turned around and busied himself in the kitchen.

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WOW! I never had so many reviews for one chapter in my entire life! LOL! Thank you all so much! *bows* Glad you liked the beginning… (personally, I can't believe my writing is any good!) My muse seems to co-operate at the moment, but she's pretty unpredictable… so you know what to do… lol! – J.M.:)