Sara pulled her keys out of her purse and opened the door. Putting her belongings on the kitchen counter, she invited a waiting Grissom. He's a true gentleman. Hank already had his feet up by now She thought back to her old cheating boyfriend. Sara looked over to Gil. He was looking around the room, taking it all in. She noted his 'crime scene' look and smiled. As much as she'd imagined Grissom in her apartment, (in her bed), he had never actually set foot inside. But there he was. Gil Grissom was in Sara's apartment. I would so love to phone about 200 people from college right about now!

Grissom scanned the room.

Very Sara.

Spacious.

Hallway leading off to left – 2 rooms: bedroom; bathroom

Bookshelf piled high with forensic text books

Christmas tree in far corner – presents underneath

'I thought Santa was supposed to bring the presents' he joked. Sara smirked while handing him a steaming hot cup.

'Santa came early this year.' She smiled, falling back onto the couch. 'I meant to bring all of those into work today'

'They're for us?' he joined her on the couch

'Well, yeah. There's one for Warrick, Nicky and Greggo, Catherine, Lyndsey and ...you' she finished taking a sip of her drink

'For me?' he asked, intrigued by the prospect of a gift from Sara
'Mmhmm' she put down her drink, drawing courage from anywhere possible, she picked up his gift and handed it to him, 'You may as well have it now' she joked.

The shiny silver paper rested in his hands as he looked at the time and precision taken. Its long wide form made Grissom consider that the hidden treasure was a book of some description. He fingered the solitary mesh bow wrapped around its corners and flipped the tag to read its sentiment:

'Merry Christmas, Grissom
Love, Sara x'

And I mean it with all my heart Sara thought as it skipped beats waiting for a reaction.
'You want Something to eat?' she asked, alleviating herself from the awkwardness unrequited love relished in creating.
'Sure' he replied. The present still in his hands. 'I, er, didn't bring yours with me'
'You got me something?'
'Of course. I did everyone'
Thanks, she thought, is mine as special as, say, Greg's? Stop it. I shouldn't be thinking like this. As much as I, and I'm sure Grissom, want it, it is a forbidden relationship, never to evolve from the occasional flirt and tension filled meeting. But he has my present now, I can't take back those words, not without swapping it with Greg's subscription to 'Surfing Times'. I'm just going to have to live with my foolish, love-fuelled admittance scrawled in that book.
'Well everyone close to me'
Scratch what I just said
'Thanks Griss' Sara said, placing a plate of Christmas inspired cookies on the table in front of him.

X

A yawn escaped Grissom's lips. He apologised for the rude interruption to Sara's story.
' I suppose I should get going before I crash out here'
'You can if you want...sleep here I mean. You did always tell me never to drive tired or with a tantrum.'
'No, I cant do that' he said shaking his head, secretly wishing he was nodding
'Course you can. I've got spare linen in the closet...unless you want to take my bed...and I sleep on here'
'No, no, this would be great.' Not perfect...but that cant happen and I have to stop thinking of that

Sara rose from her seat and retrieved the duvet and pillow. 'Sorry about the design...they're from when I was a kid' she said sheepishly, acknowledging the 'Hello Kitty's' plastered across the front. What a day to wash my spare grown-up covers! Sara scolded herself

'That's fine' he smiled. They're so sweet!

Sara helped Grissom make up the couch, and offered an old shirt for him to sleep in...he declined the offer. 'Okay, so, my bedroom is the first door, the bathroom is next'

Grissom nodded, 'Thank you for this'

'Don't mention it' she smiled Gil Grissom is sleeping in my apartment! She dug her hands into her pockets and shrugged her shoulders 'So, good night, I guess'

'Good night, Sara'