Chapter 9 (A way back?)

A/N: Ok, last day in California and then... Almost finished, hang on. Only four more parts to go and then I'll promise I'll be quiet (Ok, maybe not, since I've already got some more stories on hold).
Thanks again to Amy and ITB!

xxxxx

Over the next days their relationship and Grissom's health progressed.

The bandages on his ears where cut off and although he was supposed to keep things quiet he was able to hear.

The prognosis was good that with further proper healing his hearing would return to about ninety percent.

Sara discovered patience and contented herself with walks on the beach, a trip to a museum and a visit of Mrs. Grissom's art gallery. She was overjoyed that Grissom held her hand on all their excursions.

Their normal activities had also changed. At their meals Grissom would sit closer and their hands and eyes would frequently meet. During their reading sessions they would communicate again, pointing out and discussing articles or solving crossword puzzles together. They were reclaiming the easy companionship they had lost along the way. Sara could feel Grissom relaxing.

She hated to disturb this newfound peace, but she knew it was time that she brought up work. Even if he didn't want to, she had to return to Vegas.

She didn't know whether the team was still covering for Grissom. "Grissom," she called him from across the balcony table.

He looked up from his magazine and put it down when he saw the serious expression in her eyes. "You want to talk about work." He had been waiting for this topic to come up. She hadn't mentioned it once and although he had been curious as to how she could be here, he had never asked, fearing it would break their peace.

"No, we have to talk about work," she countered.

"When are you going back?" Even as he said it he realized it sounded so final; as if it would end their blossoming relationship.

"I have to be back in three days. I took a two-week vacation. When are you going back?" It was said in all innocence, but both knew it was a challenge.

He snorted, not finding it funny at all. "Sara..."

"Grissom, we want you to come back." She brought her chair closer to his so she could touch him. She felt like they both needed the connection.

"Sara, I quit."

She gripped his hand tighter even as she smiled at him. "Do you want to come back?"

"It's done. I quit." He sounded awfully resigned and she feared that all the tentative steps they had made forward were about to come undone.

"Griss, listen. If it was only a question about whether you want to come back – back to Vegas, back to your friends, back to..." She didn't dare filling in the blank, but the 'me' hung heavy in the air. "Would you want to go back?"

Now was the time to see how much he was willing to invest in his – their – future. The words were stuck in his throat so he contented himself with nodding.

Sara's smile grew brighter at his response. "Then come back with me."

"I... even if I could, I'm not sure if I would be able to do this job. There are so many things wrong with me right now..." He took a deep breath not really wanting to elaborate.

Sara knew that and let it go, for now. "Grissom, we can work on this. And you could have your job back. Catherine is tying to save your ass right now. When I left they were trying to cover for you and keep your position open for you."

He was touched that his team was trying to help him, but at the same time, he didn't understand it. Catherine wanted to climb up the ladder and he was in her way. Sure, they were friends, but she needed this chance to prove herself.

And what about the rest? One reason he had left had been that no one seemed to respect his authority anymore – or maybe they never did. "Why," were they doing this? He was confused.

"Because we care about you. I know we all have a crappy way of showing that. We are no better than you, although we liked to believe so. Up until you left. We are all sorry. I am sorry." She had been waiting for this moment, when he was ready to hear her apologies.

"Grissom, I realize now how disrespectfully I've treated you. I had no right to say those things. I know that you feel deeply. I'm sorry." Tears were covering her face at the thought of how much she had hurt him.

"It's okay." His thumbs swiped over her face to erase her tears.

"Come back please. We can work through this. Maybe if we were in this together we can face our demons together." She knew now that it had been foolish of her to think that she could go on without him. Maybe if she accepted his help, he would let her help him and they could be together. "Please try."

The words from her letter reminded him again of his wish for a future. His new mantra 'I want Sara' echoed in his head and he felt himself nodding.

TBC