Chapter 7

Grissom was close on her heels. He was vaguely aware that Alan followed also swearing out oaths.

Grissom came to the only door along the dark hall and called, "Sara. I am coming in."

He pushed the door open. Sara sat looking out the window into the bright afternoon sun.

Alan rushed past Grissom and knelled besides her. "Sweetie I am so sorry. I'll get rid of him." He glared at Grissom.

Sara straightened her posture and looked at Grissom over Alan's shoulder. Grissom's face was mask of emotion. His mouth was set in at thin determined line. His handsome face was full of pleading.

"Sara please. Please give me just five minutes and then I will leave. After all this time can't you just give me five minutes?"

Alan's shoulders slumped a little as he heard her words. "Five minutes then you leave. You leave and we never talk about this again."

Grissom nodded as he looked down at her.

Sara took Alan's hands in his.

"Alan can we just have a few minutes? It's okay" Alan stood and exited the room. He looked forlorn as pulled the door behind him.

Grissom took Alan's former position. "I know that you don't owe me this but please just listen. Sara please. Please don't marry this man."

Chapter 8

"Why would I do that Grissom. Why?"

"Because you don't love him."

Sara snorted. "Lots of people marry people that they don't love. Besides I only ever loved one man and he never loved be back. "

He took both her hands in his. "That's not true."

Sara's chest constricted with pain.

"I have been a fool. I have been an absolute fool and Sara if you give me an opportunity too, I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you." He took both her hands in his. Her skin was warm to the touch.

"Grissom..." she faltered as he put one hand to his lips. "Grissom. I can't do this anymore. I can't go on this rollercoaster with you. I waited 8 years. I did baby I did."

Baby. She'd called him baby.

Her face was damp with tears.

In one sudden movement he pulled her from the chair. His lips touched hers and as they did her resistance fell away as he crushed her against him. She felt as if every part of her body was on fire. Without meaning to her long arms went around his neck and one hand found his thick hair.

"Oh Sara."

She broke away from him and looked into his eyes. "The rest of your life making it up?"

"Every day. Starting right now."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a dark velvet box. Sara's eyes widened and he opened it to reveal a solitaire in a delicate antique platinum setting.

"Gil?"

"Sara Sidle. Will you marry me?"

Sara began to shake as she nodded her consent. He took the other ring off and slipped the new one on.

"When did you?"

"You remember we were walking past that jeweler off campus. You couldn't take your eyes off of it. It was the day after you and I kissed you"

Grissom was surprised when she punched him solidly in the arm.

"Ouch. What was that for?"

"For waiting until the last minute, for making me think that you didn't want me. For every sleepless night I have ever had because of you." Each sentence was punctuated with blows.

He stopped the final blow with one hand while he used the other to pull her in for a kiss.

"You have the rest of your life to hit me. For now just kiss me."

She did.

Sara opened the door and walked to the lobby where Alan stood apart form the larger group. His hands were folded across his chest and he appeared be staring off in space. Sara said something to Gil and walked to where he stood.

He looked at her expectantly. She pressed the ring into his hand.

"Alan. I am so sorry but I can't marry you."

He said nothing. He took the ring and slipped it into his front pocket. "Sara..."

"Alan. You should marry someone that loves you, someone that takes your breath away. Someone that you can't live without!"

Alan looked glanced toward Grissom. "He does all that for you?"

"Yes."

He looked at her one last time as he turned and left the building.

Sara heard a several of her friends exhale as Grissom came to stand behind her. "You okay." He put one a light hand on her shoulder.

Just then a woman dressed in conservative black suit stepped from the chapel into the lobby. She wore a clerics color and had a kind face.

"There's the happy couple. Is everyone ready?" She looked expectantly at Sara and Grissom.

Sara was about to explain when she heard Grissom say, "Yes my wife to be and I are ready."

He looked back at his beaming friends as he escorted his bride to be down the isle.