Disclaimer: I still don't own CSI or any of the characters from the show. If I did, this would be on TV and not on the internet.

Help Me

Chapter 7

Grissom decided it was best not to bring up Sara's nightmare again unless it was her idea. She didn't seem to want to even acknowledge that it had happened. He kept a close eye on her when he was around, but she seemed to be doing okay. She spent her days watching movies, the ones she had brought from home, and reading books to pass her time. She slept at nights when Grissom was at work. He wondered whether she did so to hide any further nightmares or just did so to hide any further nightmares or just because for so many years she didn't have the choice to sleep at night and had to sleep all day.

Sara decided one night while Grissom was gone that it was probably about time for her to go home. She gathered her things that were scattered throughout his living room. She washed all of her laundry and the blanket she had been using. She sat waiting for him to come home.

"Hello Sara," Grissom entered his home, looking more tired than ever.

"Gris," she started soberly, "I think it's time for me to go home."

"What?" he asked.

"I have imposed on you for way too long now, I think I will be okay to go home now. I am feeling healthy and I think I would feel better if I was in my own place," Sara explained.

Grissom closed his eyes for a moment, "Fine. I'll drive you."

"You're not going to argue?" Sara asked with surprise.

"No, I'm too tired and I think you are probably right," Grissom picked up her overnight bag full of clothes and held the door open for her.

"Are you awake enough to drive me?" Sara studied his sleepy eyes.

"Yes, I've stayed up far longer than this, I'm just getting frustrated with my case," he assured her.

"All right," Sara slid into the passenger's seat of his SUV.

"I promise I'm awake, the caffeine from the coffee I drank is just kicking in," he explained.

"I trust you," Sara flashed him a quick smile.

The ride to Sara's apartment complex was a short, quiet one. Neither one knew what to say. Sara stared straight ahead out the windshield. Grissom pulled into an empty parking space and turned off the engine. He turned to Sara and wanted to say something, but was at a loss for words. Sara could sense that he wanted to speak and stared back at him expectantly.

"Look, I really appreciate what you did for me," Sara started, "if I hadn't been at your house when I started bleeding..."

"Don't think about what might have happened if you were home alone," Grissom cut her off.

"Anyway, you really helped me through a tough time. I am glad that someone was there for me when I really needed help. And I'm really glad that it was you. I figured you would be best suited to give me the kind of help I needed and that's why I came to your house," Sara stated.

"I'm just glad that I could help you out, Sara," Grissom looked into her eyes, "take care of yourself."

"I will," she smiled as she stepped out of his vehicle.

Grissom sat and waited until Sara was inside her apartment building before he drove away.

"Who do you think the father is then?" Greg asked.

"I don't know, she never really talked about going on dates or anything," Nick said.

"You two wouldn't be talking about Sara, would you?" Grissom came into the locker room.

"We were," Greg's eyes grew large.

"It's none of your business!" Grissom snapped, "what gives you the right to speculate about her personal life?"

"Whoa, Grissom, we were just concerned about one of our co-workers, a friend," Nick jumped up defensively.

"If you were so concerned about her, you would go directly to the source and not sit here in the locker room talking about her behind her back! I thought you two were better than petty gossip," Grissom seethed.

"What's your deal, Gris? Why are you so protective of Sara?" Greg asked meekly.

Grissom's tone lightened up, "Sara came to me for help, I care about her. I care about all of you. You're my family," Grissom explained, "so when one of my family members comes to me for help, I do my best to protect them. Do me a favor guys, don't talk about her like that anymore."

"Sorry Gris, we won't," Greg squeezed between the two men to leave.

Nick stood menacingly for a moment, "Fine ."

Grissom shook his head. He could understand that they were lacking in details about what had happened to Sara. He just didn't like the way they were talking about her as if she was the latest drama on TV. He sat down for a moment to clear his head. He had maybe overreacted a little. He believed that Nick and Greg were concerned about Sara. He just didn't want anyone saying anything that could get back to her and hurt her. He knew she was still in a fragile emotional state, though she'd never admit it.

After a few minutes had passed, Grissom stood to go back to his office. He nearly bumped into Catherine in the hallway.

"Hey Gil," she smiled brightly.

"Hello Catherine," Grissom returned.

"How are you?" she inquired.

"Fine. How about yourself? And how about Lindsey?" he replied.

"I'm good. Lindsey seems to have finally calmed down and realized that she could get into serious trouble," Catherine explained, "we had a real heart-to-heart without yelling at one another. She said she didn't know why she was so mad at me, and that we should both work on trying to get along better."

"That's good to hear," Grissom smiled.

"How about Sara, is she doing all right?" Catherine asked.

"Yes actually, she went home this morning. I took that as a good sign. If she wants to be at her own place, she must be feeling much better," Grissom said.

"Good. I wonder when she'll be coming back to work," Catherine mused.

"Not before she's ready, I won't let her come to work if she can't handle it," Grissom said, "she may be stubborn, but I think I can be a little more than she can."

Catherine laughed, "Are you proud of how stubborn you can be?"

Grissom crossed his arms, "No. I'm just saying in this case, it will be a good thing. I can't have her coming back to work and then breaking down at a scene or anything like that. Physically, I think she's ready, but emotionally...it might take some more time."

"I can only imagine. Maybe she needs to take another vacation, fly home or something. Get away from Vegas for a week or so to clear her mind," Catherine suggested.

"You know that's not a bad idea. She doesn't have any more vacation or sick days, but since I'm the supervisor and these are extenuating circumstances, I'd say I can arrange for that," Grissom thought out loud.

"I think someone else around here could use a vacation," Catherine placed a hand on his arm.

"Me? What makes you say that Cath?" Grissom inquired.

"You just seem extra tired and easily irritated these days. It would do us all some good if our supervisor was in a better mood," Catherine said honestly.

"You're probably right about that too, but I don't think the lab can handle both of us vacationing at the same time, I'd have to give Sara first priority," Grissom started.

"Honestly, if we had one extra person to cover, I think we'd be fine. We've been fine without Sara for a week," she pointed out.

"Are you trying to get rid of me?" he cocked his head to the side.

"No, not at all. I'm just concerned about you, Gil," she returned.

Grissom narrowed his eyes, "Right. Anyway, I've got to be getting to my office. I have some paperwork to fill out before shift officially begins."

Grissom's mind was racing as he headed back to his office. Maybe he could manage for them both to take a week off. He didn't know what Sara would think of it, but he wouldn't mind going on a trip with her. He didn't think she should be traveling on her own. He decided to mention the idea to her when he picked her up for breakfast the next morning. Good old Catherine, had she not mentioned that he probably wouldn't have encouraged Sara to go off by herself. Not that he didn't trust her, he just wanted to be with her and help her out if she needed him. They wouldn't even have to stay in the same hotel room, wherever they went. The more he thought about the idea, the more he liked it.

A/N: The next chapter will be a new one again. I thank you for bearing with me while I fixed the first few chapters.