CHAPTER 4

Jeff grabbed Sara's head and kissed her firmly, his erection hard against her stomach.

She tried to turn her head away, but his hands held her still.

'God, please don't let this happen,' Sara prayed to herself.

And, as if the angels were listening, a loud crack distracted her assailant.

When the SWAT team burst through the door, everything seemed to blur for Sara. She felt Jeff being hauled roughly off of her. Barrett released her arms. Brutally aware that people were in the room, Sara pulled up her jeans and held her shirt together as best she could.

That was how Grissom found her. Her face was bruised and bleeding. He could see that she had been grabbed by the arms, held by the neck and the wrists. She looked so fragile and scared. It was like there was all of this action going on around her and she couldn't focus on any of it. Seeing her like that broke his heart.

She didn't acknowledge his presence until he wrapped his CSI jacket around her shoulders and sat next to her.

As soon as she saw his eyes, she looked away. Despite her best efforts, her breathing was still choked and choppy. Her body was shaking violently and although she knew that no one here would hurt her, she felt uncomfortable being surrounded by men.

"You're late," she rasped, her voice tight with emotion.

Grissom's face was unreadable. "Sara, I…" He stopped talking when she turned into him and started crying. He wrapped his arms around her.

Grissom whispered comforting words to Sara, feeling new emotions stirring within him. He felt responsible, protective and overwhelmingly attached to her.

"Excuse us sir, we need to examine Ms. Sidle," one of the paramedics said.

Grissom nodded and separated himself from Sara. She looked at him with eyes that made him want to scoop her up and protect her for years.

"Ms. Sidle, my name is Brian." Brian was gentle as he palpated her arms and legs for fractures. He paused briefly on her wrists. He pressed gently on her bones and at one point, she drew her arm back violently.

He looked up, surprised. Grissom irrationally wanted to punch the guy.

"That might be broken," Brian said, smiling as he continued his exam.

He had his partner bring the gurney over. As Sara tried to stand up, she swayed and nearly fell before Grissom supported her, helping her onto the gurney.

As the medics made to move her, she grabbed his arm. "Grissom, ride with us. Please."

He nodded and while it wasn't procedure, the medics didn't object.

In the ambulance, the medic covered Sara with blankets after putting ice on her worst bruises.

Grissom stroked her hair as they rode and her vitals lowered to acceptable levels.