Title: Alive Again

Summary: Sara and Warrick become closer after he saves her life.

A/N: I know I promised to get this one out quicker but I just found out that my boyfriend and I are moving soon! Lots of packing ect. I also wasn't sure where I wanted to go with this story so decided to just let it write itself. If there are spelling/grammar erros please forgive me! I am finishing this chapter up at 4am! I love you guys! Keep the reviews coming!

Spoilers: Possibly anything all the way up to Early Rollout.

Rating: PG13 for language and some adult situations.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of it. If I did I wouldn't be living in this shoddy little apartment dreaming about winning the lottery. :)

Chapter Eight:

Sara sat in her car after shift feeling very confused. She didn't know what to think about Grissom's cactus he got for her. She didn't know what to think about anything anymore. Spending time with Warrick made her happier than she had felt in years. A simple note from Grissom still sent her heart racing.

She had loved Grissom for a long time. However she was wise enough to conceive that any love she might have felt would always go unrequited. When she watched Grissom interview Dr. Lurie during the Debbie Marlin she knew that she never really had any chance with her mentor. He would never be able to accept her in his life.

The truth had been difficult to deal with at first. Hope is a delicate thing and when hers was crushed she felt like her heart had been ripped from her chest. She didn't blame Grissom. She had been the one to express interest in him. They had been carefully flirting around each other for years. She realized now that Grissom had felt safe in their flirtations. No commitment would ever be required of him as long as they were flirting.

She wouldn't play that game any longer. She looked at the plant sitting in the passenger seat of her car and smiled. If he wanted to repair their broken friendship she would give him that. But she swore she wouldn't waste another tear on the man.

Warrick wanted to her to be sure that it was him she wanted. He never mentioned it, but she was sure he had been hurt in the past. She wondered briefly why he was interested in her. She had always thought that he and Catherine had something going on. Compared to Catherine, Sara considered herself average at best in the looks department. Sara felt sure that if Warrick had wanted to be with Catherine the other woman would have accepted his attentions gladly.

Being an intelligent woman, Sara knew that she would be a fool not to give a relationship with Warrick a shot. By any woman's standards he was quite a catch. Tall, handsome and well built he often caught the attention of those around him. Sara was just as impressed with his intelligence however. He was a great investigator whom she often felt honored to work with.

When Sara first joined the Las Vegas team she didn't think that much of Warrick. He had possibly gotten a fellow colleague killed, gambled on company time and managed to not lose his job over it. She had tried, sometimes unsuccessfully, not to show resentment over the special treatment he had received from Grissom. Eventually over time Sara came to realize why Grissom had given Warrick a second chance.

Despite the mistakes he had made in the past Warrick was the best of men. It took her a long time to see that.

Sara looked at the plant Grissom gave her one more time before starting her car and pulling out of the parking lot. She decided to stop wasting her time thinking about what she wanted.

*****

Warrick opened the door grinning. "Hey I was about to file a missing person's report on you!"

Sara smiled as she walked into his apartment. "Sorry I was doing some thinking."

He shut the door and bolted it before turning to her. "Thinking about what?" he said seriously.

She sat down on his couch and sighed. "You and me."

He leaned against the door and folded his arms. Sara thought he looked almost defensive. And very sexy. He wore a basketball jersey that did nothing to hide the defined muscle tone of his body.

She bit the side of her lip before continuing. "Warrick we have been friends for awhile I think. Even before the shooting," she qualified.

"Yeah. We had a rocky first year but we worked out our issues. We've talked about this before though. Sara..."

She quickly cut him off by holding up her hand. "Wait let me finish this." She took a few deep breaths to try and calm herself down. She had been down this road once before with disastrous results. "I feel that we should take the next step and ummm, start a relationship." Sara looked at him hopefully.

Warrick continued to lean against the door but relaxed his posture. "Sara is this what you want?"

She nodded unable to speak until she heard his response. He said nothing. Instead he walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. Cupping her face in his hands he settled his lips down on hers and with one gentle kiss he removed all of her fears. After a moment he paused to look in her eyes and saw his own desire mirrored there.

"Sara I need to say something before this goes any further." Warrick murmured.

Sara's lips parted slightly as she nodded.

"You've got to know that its got to be all or nothing here. I can't do relationships half way."

"Warrick when I am with you I feel like I am on top of the world. I don't know if I can go another day without being held by you," she said honestly.

"Grissom?"

Sara's mouth curved into a weak smile. "We are friends. I once hoped he and I would be more but now I only see you."

Warrick grinned widely. Cupping his hands on her waist he pulled her close and settled his mouth possessively on hers. Sara finally pulled back and stared at him appreciatively.

"Warrick, I was so scared you would say no."

Warrick grinned. "Will you stay?"

"Yes, but only on one condition," she said mock seriously.

"Oh yeah what is that?"

"I need a shower and some clean clothes."

He chuckled. "Now that you mention it," he chortled as he waved his hand in front of his nose.

"Don't even say it big boy!" she quipped playfully.

"Do you have your gun with you?"

She frowned. "Yeah why?"

"I am just checking to see how far I can go," he said while laughing.

She smiled and instructed him to go get her some clothes so she could shower or she would pull out her gun. Warrick returned a minute later with a t-shirt, boxer shorts, a towel and a wash cloth.

"Here you go beautiful. I am going to run to the store and pick up a few items while you are in the shower. It shouldn't take me long. Oh and check my medicine cabinet for spare toothbrushes. There should be one or two in there."

"Don't take too long," she said seductively with a wink.

Warrick growled low in his throat as he pulled her in close for another kiss. "Sara go take your shower before I start making other plans for you."

She laughed merrily as she sauntered into the bathroom and shut the door. Warrick exhaled deeply as he grabbed his keys and wallet before walking out of the apartment.

*****

Sara stepped into Warrick's shower and suddenly laughed out loud as she saw several types of shampoo and conditioner sitting on the shelf in front of her. She remembered having taken a shower at his place once before and complaining to him that he didn't have shampoo that she could use on her hair. He explained that African-Americans couldn't wash their hair very often as it would dry it out. The conversation then took a turn for the worse as they took turns imitating the moans from the nearly 'orgasmic' Herbal Essence commercials. Warrick had exclaimed that she did a better fake orgasm than Meg Ryan did in 'When Harry Met Sally'.

Now sitting on the shelf in front of her were four bottles of shampoo and four bottles of conditioner all of the Herbal Essence brand.

Sara took her time in the shower knowing that Warrick would probably be a little while at the store.

Having made the choice to be with Warrick lifted amazing amounts of pressure from her. She wondered briefly how long he would want to wait before starting a physical relationship. She allowed herself a small chuckle over the thought realizing that Warrick was probably standing in the condom aisle right now.

After she finished showering she stepped out she dried off and brushed her teeth. She didn't see a brush so simply towel dried her hair and let it remain damp. She felt a certain intimacy with Warrick as she donned his clothing. She brought the shirt close to her face and imagined she could smell him on it. 'I hope he is buying condoms.'

Sara felt disappointed when she saw he wasn't back yet as she left the bathroom, so settled herself down on his couch to watch some television. She turned the channel to a convenient forensics show and tried to get interested.

*****

Warrick rushed through his shopping as quickly as possible. He kept thinking of Sara wearing his clothes and spending the whole day with him. He knew that if he didn't get out of the store soon he would embarrass himself while thinking about her.

The lines were extra long and he tried to remain patient. When the cash register broke down after he reached the front of the line he forced himself to remain calm. By the time he finally returned to his apartment well over an hour had passed since he left Sara. He opened the door and was about to call out to her when he noticed her sleeping on his couch.

Warrick put the groceries away and then went to stand in front of Sara. He considered waking her up but realized that would be selfish. Instead he picked her up slowly and transferred her to his bed. He wanted to join her but wasn't sure if they were ready for that step in their budding relationship quite yet.

He smiled as he watched Sara mutter about something in her sleep before turning over and snuggling against the pillow. He stepped out of the room and quietly shut the door.

Grabbing a soda out of the fridge he settled himself on the couch to watch some television. Noticing that Sara had once again been watching one of her forensic shows he muttered a few curses under his breath. 'I need to get this woman some other hobbies.' He smiled as a few inappropriate hobbies popped into his thoughts.

Finally he drifted off feeling more content than he had in a long time.

The screams woke him up an hour later. Warrick leaped off of the couch in a near panic before realizing that the shouts were coming from his bedroom. When he raced in the room he found Sara sitting up looking terrified and taking shuddered breaths. When she saw him she looked embarrassed.

"Warrick," she choked. "I'm sorry its just..."

He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms as he sat down on the side of the bed.

"...they are so real," she finished.

He held her tightly in his arms until he felt her tension begin to ease away. Finally he released his hold on her and sat back.

"Sara does this happen often?" She shook her head but hesitated and he felt he knew the answer when she lowered her head so that her chin touched her chest.

After a moment she looked back up at him. "Will you stay with me?"

He nodded and proceeded to settle in next to her. She stopped him and he wondered if for a moment he had misunderstood her request.

"Sara?"

"I want," she paused, "you."

Warrick's eyes widened for a moment. "Are you sure?"

"I need you," she whispered.

Warrick nodded and went to his nightstand and opened a drawer. Sara smiled when she saw him pull out a box of condoms.

When he once again reached the bed Warrick pulled her down on top of him and began to worship her body as if it were a temple requiring his homage. He reached under her shirt to caress her breasts lightly before removing the constricting garment altogether. Warrick took his time marveling at her beauty while trying touch every inch of her skin with his mouth.

Sara in turn ran her fingers lightly along Warrick's chiseled body. She used her nails to graze over his skin gently causing him to suck his breath in deeply.

They took their time exploring each other and only when they reached the fateful moment when their bodies would join did they hesitate. Warrick stared at her asking permission with his eyes. She nodded and felt pleasure take hold of her senses as he sank himself into her depths.

Sara let her senses take over and allowed Warrick to help her forget her pain as he swept her up in the intensity of his lovemaking. Finally when they were each spent he held her in his arms whispering the words of love she had longed to hear her entire life. Perhaps they had been said to her before by other men in other places, but this time she believed them.

She let her head rest on Warrick's chest as he ran his fingers lazily up and down her arms. When sleep claimed her once again the nightmares mercifully stayed away.

To be continued....