"Second Chances – Part 13"

August 10, 2005 (Day 110)
Shoreline Cabins
6:17 p.m.

Enjoying her daily run in the cool fresh air, Sara lost track of time and it wasn't until she came to rest on the shore of the lake that she glanced at her watch. Soon the sun would be setting on another lonely day and still no word from Gil.

Brass said he had given him three days off and now one was almost over. It's okay, she assured herself. It's a good thing. He's taking his time and thinking things through. I don't want him to rush.

Finding a boulder, she took a seat and watched the water lap against the shore. Who am I kidding, she chided. I want him here as soon as possible! More pathetically, I know all he'll have to do is look at me the right way and confirm he's thought things through and is going to therapy and I'll forgive him. After five days, a lot of deep thinking and the realization that we both still love each other and would never intentionally hurt one another…I miss him so much. Hell, I don't even know if I will give him a chance to talk.

Sliding off the rock, she picked up a stone and skipped it across the lake. Damn…why hasn't he called? Maybe he called while I was out running?

Remembering the lack of technology at the cabin, she realized Gil couldn't leave her a voicemail. Assuming he had figured out where she was, the only way he could leave a message would be to call the reservation line and leave it with Becky Knolls, the cabin owner who lived at the end of the road. With that thought in mind, Sara took off jogging toward the cabins.

A few minutes later, when she rounded the curve of the road, she saw someone sitting on her cabin steps. Her heart skipped a beat when her eyes focused on the figure and determined it was a male, but a few paces later, she realized it was a total stranger, not her husband.

As she approached, the stranger, dressed in jeans and a polo shirt, smiled at her. "Are you Sara Grissom?"

Noting that he was holding a large envelope, paranoia and fear overwhelmed her. "Are you a processor server?"

"No," He shook his head chuckling. "You're the second person to ask me that today. I'm with a courier service. Just making a routine delivery."

"Then I'm Sara Grissom." Breathing out, she took another step closer. Relieved her husband hadn't suddenly had a change of heart and decided to send divorce papers or file a restraining order, she accepted the pen the messenger was holding. "So, who sent me something?"

Glancing at his clipboard, he replied, "Gil Grissom, Las Vegas, Nevada." The man held up the envelope and pointed to the front door. "There's a box too."

Her curiosity mounting as fast as her pulse, she quickly signed the courier's delivery confirmation sheet and snatched the envelope. "Thanks."

"Have a good evening," He announced as he watched his customer scurry up the cabin steps, grab the box and disappear inside.

Once inside, Sara forced air in her lungs and searched for the proper place to review the contents of the delivery.

Deciding on the overstuffed chair, she took a seat and tore open the envelope. When she peeked inside she saw a series of smaller envelopes, each labeled with a number. The thinnest envelope had a number one on it along with the words, read this one first.

The existence of multiple envelopes and a box immediately signaled that Gil had indeed taken some time to formulate his thoughts and she was thrilled.

Dear Sara,

Thank you for providing a way for me to find you and giving me hope that you wanted to be found.

You may be wondering why I'm writing to you instead of showing up on your door to tell you what I've learned and how I feel. One word sums up my reasoning…respect. I didn't want to force anything on you by putting you on the spot. I've disrespected you too much already.

Do you remember our conversation in Colorado Springs when you took me to Garden of the Gods for a heart to heart? Wait…who am I kidding, you remember everything. In reference to my appeal to you after Tahoe you said, 'I showed up at your apartment, said the right things and because you loved me, you gave me a chance'. You deserved so much more than that Sara. You knew it yourself. You said you were adamant that you wouldn't give me another chance, but you caved in when I showed up at your door.

This time I didn't want to show up and just SAY the right things to get you to cave in and disrespect yourself. I wanted to back my words by detailing the specific actions I've taken and the things I've learned that demonstrate I will treat you differently. That I will give you the respect you deserve.

This timeI don't want another chance just because you love me. I want another chance because you believe I'm worthy of one…that I am worthy of your love.

So, I decided to write everything down to give you an opportunity to consider what I'm saying, and in your own time, without any pressure from me standing in front of you, make a decision.

If you're ready for what I have to tell you, open the box.

Staring at the note, Sara whispered, "You had me at respect," while placing the note and envelope on the coffee table. Already pleased with her husband's thoughts, she was anxious to open the box and see what else he had to say.

Tugging at the layers of packing tape she yelped, "Damn it! I don't have time for this!" Flying out of the chair, she hurried into the kitchen to grab a knife. One quick slit later, the box was open and Sara was struggling to calm her breathing.

With the unsealed box in hand, she returned to the comfy chair. Peering inside, all she saw was a well wrapped object. "Great! More tape!"

Setting the box on the coffee table, she jumped out of the chair, retrieved the knife and returned. Layer by layer she snipped the tape and unfurled each piece of bubble wrap packing material. When the object's identity was finally apparent she gasped and cradled it in her hands.

It was the glass he had thrown…fully restored with a letter tucked inside.

Her lips slipped into a smile as her eyes welled. "Wallner lines can only be observed at the point of impact and if the point of impact is not preserved, then the glass must be reconstructed."

Pulling out the letter, her heart soared with delight. "I'm going to love where this is going."

Sara,

Thank you for giving me a chance to explain my behavior even though I didn't extend you the same courtesy days earlier. Your generous heart is one of the things I love most about you. It's also something I never deserved to benefit from over the years. I exploited your generosity. I counted on you giving me chances when I didn't deserve them. So while I'm grateful for this opportunity, this time I want to earn your forgiveness. Please don't give it to me solely because it's in your nature.

We're both experts on fractured glass, Sara.

We know that fractured glass once was whole and then something impacted it, causing it to break. At work, the way we get answers from broken glass is to restore it and study it. We learn about causation by identifying the point of impact and the breaking force.

That's what I did, Sara. I restored the fractured glass and then I studied it. Below are my findings:

The Point of Impact, while technically it was the south wall of our living room, was really your faith in me. I shattered it like I shattered the glass you're holding. I hurt you deeply. But I hope, like I've restored this glass, I can renew your faith in me.

The Breaking Force was my selfish tirade fueled by forty years worth of emotion I've kept locked inside me. It wasn't anything you did or said or didn't do. If you feel one ounce of guilt over your handling of the situation I implore you to purge it right now.

How can I be so sure about your innocence? Or more likely, how can you be sure that I'm not just absolving you in an effort to win you back? I can prove your innocence. I have a witness…my father.

After you left, I was angry so I went to see my father. I was certain he had tricked you into letting him into our house and had caused this whole mess. You see, it was very important for me to put the blame on him instead of you or me. I even had the audacity to accuse him of ruining my marriage. But my father lived up to the meaning of his name, Aaron, and shined light on the truth. Plato is quoted as saying, 'they deem him their worst enemy who tells the truth' and so it was…my worst enemy was telling me the last thing I wanted to hear. He told me the truth…your leaving was my fault.

My father also informed me that only reason you let him in the house was because you loved me. He told me how you cursed him at the door and fought to protect me from him. He said it wasn't until he mentioned his heart problems that you let him inside. You let him in to acquire additional information that you felt might save my life. As if that wasn't enough to make me feel terrible, he went on to inform me that the reason you let him stay was to listen to stories about me. Stories you were dying to hear because I don't openly share myself with you.

The truth hurts, Sara. And when I realized how right my father was, I couldn't stand to be in the same room with myself. When I looked in the mirror I only saw someone I despised. In those dark hours, I looked back and recounted all the times I denied you information or made you work to acquire personal details about me. Questions flooded my mind. Questions like, what kind of guy lets his wife ride a rollercoaster until she vomits rather than saying, 'Honey, I'll be more than happy to answer your questions if you stop riding'? What kind of guy makes his wife earn information about him when he knows she's just trying to understand and love him?

I did some heavy soul searching and when the totality of how I treated you over the past years finally hit me I sank deeper into despair. And just when I thought I couldn't feel any worse, I found the heartfelt letter you wrote while designing our baby's nursery. I read that letter over and over again to punish myself for ruining the most beautiful thing I ever had in my entire life…your love.

It was in that moment, sitting in our bedroom, holding your love letter while I was filled with self-loathing, that I hit rock bottom. People say sometimes you have to hit the bottom before you can start climbing back up and that's exactly what I did, Sara. Only I didn't do it alone.

First I had to lean on a friend. Catherine literally came to my rescue when she found me passed out at home on the bathroom floor from a severe migraine. The pain was so intense it temporarily blinded me. The symbolism wasn't lost on a literary guy like me. Half blind is how I've been walking around most of my life...keenly observant of everything and everyone around me but unable to see the truth about myself.

Thanks to an abundance of medication given to me at the hospital, I was able to sleep off the physical pain, but when I woke, the emotional pain of what I had done to you was still there. In that moment I felt so unworthy of you I couldn't imagine ever looking you in the eye again.

Luckily I had Catherine by my side to lift me up once again. She pointed out that walking away from you and our marriage because I didn't feel worthy was a selfish choice... a coward's way out. How could I argue with her considering what I've thought about my father doing the same thing to his wife and marriage? So, since walking away to keep you safe from me wasn't an option, I decided to try a different route. I decided to become a man worthy of your faith.

So, where does a guy begin when he needs to rebuild himself? I decided to approach it the same as fractured glass…study the cracks and trace their origins. I went back to the beginning…the point of impact…which for me was my relationship with my mother and what she taught me under the guise of protecting me.

As soon as I started analyzing the things my mother had said to me as a child, I quickly realized I had serious issues to tackle, issues bigger than I could handle on my own. So, I took the advice I had given to you and Tawny…I went to see Dr. Myers.

I was terrified walking into that office, Sara. I'm so proud of you for doing it and for sticking with it every week, month after month. It's difficult confronting your past. The mind is an amazing tool and its ability to shade and color our memories to protect us is incredible. It was rough talking about things and facing the truth. But I overcame my fear because I want to be a better man for you.

Once I felt comfortable in the office, I asked some tough questions. Things like, what kind of a guy avoids emotional entanglement to the extreme that he sets up a barter arrangement to fill his need for companionship, rather than try to develop sincere human attachment with a woman?

You know Dr. Myers…she didn't give me the answer, I had to work for it. This was my answer…he's a guy so afraid of being hurt or betrayed that he'd rather experience no emotion than risk feeling pain.

I'm sure, from your therapy experiences, you can guess where she went with that answer. "Why do you think you avoided emotionally connecting for so many years?" It's going to take a while for me to work through those issues in depth but I have a basic theory and I'm committed to following through until I comprehend every last detail.

I made a few more discoveries that I'd like to share. I know on the surface I've been there for you, Sara, but I haven't freely given myself to you like a husband should. I've held too much back and I don't want to live like that anymore.

After some soul searching and one session with Dr. Myers I know my mother's lessons were wrong. You don't avoid getting hurt by denying emotions, you hurt yourself by not experiencing any and you hurt those who care about you in the process. That's what I was doing to us for years, Sara. I thought it stopped when we got together but I was still hurting you by denying you information and the powerful emotions a couple should share.

I think, based on our family histories, we're both afraid of powerful emotions. We fear feeling out of control because we've spent our lives trying to control ourselves and the environment around us so we could feel secure. In the past, whenever a strong emotion surfaces, good or bad, our instinct is to extinguish it as quickly as possible or to run from it. One of us has run every time we've had a disagreement. When we reunite all we want to do is put the emotions behind us and not look back.

Another example I'm reminded of is our first kiss and how the passion overwhelmed us. Instead of letting the passion take over, we both thought it best to go out to lunch. To this day, we've never let powerful emotions consume us and escalate into passion. We always discuss or plan our love making and while it's always wonderful, I think we've missed out on something. I think I'm still reluctant to connect emotionally like I've been all my life. I want to be more spontaneous…more alive. Remember when you wanted me to join you in the tub? My god…you had to coerce me into a bubble bath with you. What was I thinking? I should have jumped in with my clothes on!

Again, I'll quote you from your speech in Colorado Springs. You said, 'when we started our relationship, we were a dysfunctional couple because of the years of playing games and because we never were in real relationships with other people'. You said,' we basically took our old relationship and added the romance'. You were dead on.

The new version of our relationship worked for a while and then one day you asked for more, you wanted some symmetry. I responded the next day by asking you to legally marry me. Looking back, I realize that was a copout on my part. Once again I was using a gesture to allay your concerns. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled we married that day. I just wish I could have given you my name and what you were really asking for... all of me.

We both know fractured glass can be restored, but never to its original state. Metaphorically speaking that's a good thing for us. I don't want to go back to the old relationship. The glass is forever changed and so are we…but we've changed for the better.

Dr. Myers has this quote hanging on her wall I'm sure you've seen. It's by Maya Angelou. It says, "You did what you knew how to do. And when you knew better, you did better." That's how I feel, Sara. I already know a little better and I intend to further my education. As I do, I plan to keep doing better.

Going forward please believe I want symmetry with you. I want to wear my heart on my sleeve for you. I want to be open and tell you anything you want to know. I want to love you with unchecked passion. I want to give you 100 percent of Gil Grissom. Do you think you can handle all of me?

Sara, if you think you can handle all of me and that's what you want, then open the envelope marked number two

Gushing with excitement over his commitments and his hidden message, 'I love you, Sara!' she jumped out of the chair and paced the room. He had fulfilled the wish she wrote in her journal…find it in your heart to work on you for me, and all she wanted to do was take him in her arms and show him how much it all meant to her.

Hurrying back to the coffee table, she snatched envelope two. What more could he say, she wondered?

I LOVE YOU, SARA!

(Just in case you didn't see my hidden message and because I wanted to say it again.)

Thank you for wanting 100 percent of Gil Grissom, even though you don't know exactly what to expect. You're in good company though because I don't know what to expect either. I'm looking forward to finding out together.

Thank you for believing in my words. Now I'm going to outline some actions I've taken/will take so you can feel even more comfortable with my promise to be the man you deserve. Think of this document as a contract I will not breech.

1. I signed up for an Anger Management program starting this Saturday. I promise to pay attention and make sure I understand everything there is to know so I never again lose it with you like I did on Sunday.

2. I am officially a patient of Dr. Myers. Starting next week, I'll be seeing her every Tuesday and Thursday morning. I promise to work hard so I can make as much progress as quickly as possible and no matter how challenging it is, I won't quit.

3. I went for my hearing test (by the way, it went great. No change from last time!) and I have my next one scheduled and entered into my calendar with no intention of 'accidentally' missing it.

4. I will remain committed to the healthy lifestyle changes outlined by Dr. Ortiz. I will continue to be the kind of guy who passes on the cream for his coffee.

5. I promise to answer ANY question you ask me (open envelope number three now)

Thrilled by the contract and its implications, Sara raced to open envelope three. Inside were two airline vouchers and a letter.

My darling wife,

Enclosed are two airline vouchers for us to fly to Los Angeles at a time of your choosing (and lab conditions permitting of course). While in LA, I will take you on the official Gil Grissom tour.

Sara squealed with delight as she continued reading. "Yes!"

You will see everything…my birthplace, the house I grew up in, my schools, the beach I combed for all things dead. You name it, I'll take you to see it. Well…I can't show you where I used to work because you know they're number 2 in the country right now and we're number three, but as soon as we're back on top…I'll fly you out again!

I LOVE YOU, SARA!

(I felt compelled to work that in again)

Please open envelope number four.

Reaching for the fourth one, Sara screamed, "I hope you shrunk yourself and I find you in there!" Although she knew his decision to write instead of showing up to say all this was the right thing to do, her body craved his arms and her eyes desired his smile.

By now I hope you see why I couldn't show up on your door and say everything I needed to say and everything you deserved to hear. I think we both know I would have bungled it and you never would have let me finish.

Okay, it's time for the moment of truth.

I have…

…poured out my heart and soul

…shown you I analyzed and understand my mistakes

…taken accountability

…made promises

…taken action

…detailed a contract to ensure my progress continues

So now the only thing left for me to say and ask is this...

I'm sorry, Sara. Will you please give me another chance?

ONLY if you're absolutely certain you're forgiving me because I understand what I did wrong…

ONLY if you believe I have changed and will continue to evolve…

ONLY if you're giving me another chance because I've earned it…

ONLY then...call my cell phone.

Love,

Gil

Racing for the telephone, Sara tripped over a bunged up throw rug but it barely slowed her down.

With the cordless phone in hand, she dialed as she paced.

"Grissom."

"YES!" She shouted into the phone as she darted around the cabin. "Yes, I forgive you!" Emotion charged her voice. "Yes, I'll give you another chance. Yes, I believe you've changed and that you'll continue to evolve." Her speech quickened in time with her heart. "Yes, I want all 100 percent of Gil Grissom! I want to fly to LA with you. I want to know everything about you. I want to see that beautiful heart of yours on your sleeve." Exhilarated from the excitement, she blurted, "And I definitely want some of that unchecked passion you mentioned! I love you!"

"I love you too. Thank you for believing in me and giving me another chance."

Dropping onto the couch, she closed her eyes. "I've missed you so much." Her excitement turned to longing. "So much."

"I'm dying without you."

Opening her eyes she admitted, "I couldn't sleep in the bed here."

"I couldn't sleep in the bed at home."

"Perfect symmetry." Suddenly her eyes filled with tears. "This was so scary."

"I was terrified." His voice cracked. "I was terrified right up until you called. I'm so glad you called, Sara."

"I can't wait to…" A knock on the door distracted her. "Damn…I have to get the door." Brushing her tears, she stood and explained, "The cabin owner is really sweet and she checks on me twice a day. I believe she thinks I'm suicidal." Chuckling, she said, "It doesn't help that she always catches me crying. Now I'm crying tears of happiness and she's not going to believe me!" Walking to the door, she ordered, "While I'm talking to her you better get online and make some plane reservations, Mister! I want your ass on the next flight to Reno." Twisting open the doorknob she said, "I'll be waiting…" Her heart skipped a beat. "I don't believe it!"

Standing on the front porch with his cell phone to his ear, Grissom sweetly replied, "I knew if you forgave me I wouldn't be able to wait to take you in my arms, so I flew into Reno, rented a car, hired that messenger guy and then waited down the road hoping you'd call. Did I already mention I'm thrilled that you called?"

When their eyes locked, their phones dropped to the ground and they rushed into each other's arms.

Gripping her tight, Grissom whispered in her ear, "I was so scared I'd never get to hold you again."

"Don't let go," She pleaded while tears streamed down her cheeks. "I can't believe you're here. I hated every minute of this."

"Me too." His hands stroked her hair. "We're going to be okay."

"I know we are," She declared as she gazed into his watery eyes. "We're meant to be together."

"Sara…" His heart throbbed in his chest. "I…I'm feeling a dozen different things right now…" He cupped her damp face with his hands and suddenly his focus turned to her lips. Kissing her with his eyes he said, "Do you…"

"No, I don't want to go out for something to eat. I want to stay in," She goaded in a sultry whisper as she backed into the cabin with him in her grip. "I'm feeling a dozen different things right now too and I want to funnel all of that emotion into…" Her declaration was cut short by the crush of her husband's eager lips.

Everything about the series of voracious kisses tantalized him…the receptiveness of her mouth, the salty sweet taste of tears on her lips, the feel of her hands coursing over his aching body and their unrelenting momentum toward the couch.

"Yes," She purred in his ear as he drove his hands under her running crop top and peeled it over her head. "Right here, right now." In one sleek move she slipped her ponytail holder from her head, letting her hair cascade over her bare shoulders.

"I've never wanted you more, Sara," He groaned while authoritatively lowering her to the couch. Emotions pulsating in rhythm with his heart he blanketed her body with hungry kisses while she frantically worked open the buttons on his denim shirt.

After nights of loneliness, the fusion of their flesh electrified their bodies and they gasped in perfect symmetry.

"I love you, Sara, "Grissom feverishly exhaled as he tossed his shirt to the floor. Lacing his fingers through her hair, he coaxed, "Let me hear you say it." His emotion-filled eyes melded with hers while he anxiously awaited her reply.

"I love you, Gil!" Giddy and breathless, she declared, "I'm loving the new you even more than the old you, and I thought he was one hell of a guy!" Grinning she slid her hands over his shoulders. "Now give me some of that unchecked passion you promised."

Catherine's House
8:45 p.m.

Wearing only the black Calvin Klein boxer briefs Catherine had bought for him, Warrick stood in front of the bathroom mirror shaving.

"So are they comfy?" Catherine asked as she popped out of the shower stall with a fluffy white towel cinched around her body.

"Yeah…" He dipped his razor in the hot water pooled in the sink. "…but they look a little tight don't you think?"

"Am I supposed to think that's a bad thing?" She grinned taking in the view. "No…I think they're just right."

"You're my boss at work tonight and at home you're dressing my ass…literally." He laughed as he popped the sink stopper out. "And not just one night, but three."

"You never know…" Running her fingers through her damp hair she said, "What if Grissom and Sara get so carried away they decide to extend their stay? They never did have a honeymoon. If they do that, I could end up bossing you around for a week."

"Well…" He took a minute to dry his face and then finished his thought. "You're being very optimistic. Sara could kick him to the curb and he'll be back at work tomorrow."

"Oh come on. Like you really believe that's gonna happen." Scoffing, she traded her towel for her robe. "You know it's going to work out." Laughing she said, "By now I'm sure they've kissed, made up and are working an advanced level crossword puzzle to celebrate."

Leaning against the counter, Warrick shook his head. "Coach Cath, shouldn't you tell them they're never gonna make a baby by doing crossword puzzles?"

Plugging in the blow dryer she joked, "Well, they could, as long as they're having sex while they're working the crossword puzzle. After all, they are big time multi-taskers."

"Ugh…see what you did. You made me picture that and it's not something I need to visualize." He cracked a devious smile. "Anyway, I bet the crossword puzzle is just for foreplay. You know…like geek porn."

"Yeah, all that talk of going 'Across' and 'Down' could really get a gal hot and bothered." Catherine seized with laughter. "OH! And think of the pent up tension that needs to be relieved when you do a whole puzzle but can't figure out one clue. I'm talking serious frustration that can only be released through intense physical release."

"Damn!" Warrick stared gratefully at his lusty partner. "You can take the most boring thing and make it sound hot."

"Am I supposed to think that's a bad thing?" She purred. "Are you?"

Shoreline Cabins
9:34 p.m.

Snuggled up to her husband under the sheets of the lodge pole bed, Sara contentedly sighed, "Now that I know how comfortable it is, I'm never leaving this bed."

"Oh yes you are." Brushing her tussled hair from her eyes, he explained, "I have to fly back on Friday night for my class on Saturday and there's no way I'm leaving Tahoe without you again."

Her eyes gleaming, she replied, "Why do you think I came here? I'm giving you a do-over."

Caressing her cheek, his tone softened. "I appreciate that more than I can express."

Brushing her fingertips over his chest she smirked. "Don't worry…you've expressed yourself more than enough tonight and…it…was…wonderful. I was definitely feeling 100 percent of you."

"It's great to know you feel that way." Propping on his elbow he returned her smile. "Because I thought it was wonderful too…the best ever…but…" He started laughing. "…I'm too tired and hungry to express myself again tonight."

"You're tired?" She joined him in laughter. "I ran five miles right before you showed up and ravaged me with your unchecked passion."

He playfully informed her, "That was passion-fueled make-up lovin', Honey,"

"Ha! Where did you get that phrase?"

"I absorbed it from Greg," He replied nonchalantly. "He told me it's the reason he's looking forward to his first argument with Tawny. I didn't get it at the time..." Leaning in he grazed a kiss over Sara's smile. "…but now I do."

"Too bad all that emotion-packed love making won't be productive," She sighed. "I tested this morning and it's too early."

Surprised to hear the news, he pulled back and asked, "You brought your ovulation predictor kit with you when you were angry at me?"

"I honestly don't remember packing at all." Her radiant smile faded as she recalled her feelings. "It was on the counter and I must have thrown it in my bag in haste. But you know…everything happens for a reason. This morning when I woke I had this feeling things would work out today and…"

"So uh…" Smoothing his hand over abdomen, he quietly asked, "In spite of everything you still think we should…because I was thinking that you wouldn't want…"

"More than ever," She assured him as her smile returned. "This crisis forced a lot of things to the surface and we've both confronted serious issues that might have affected us as parents if they went unresolved. Besides, when I get pregnant this month, we'll still have nine months to get ourselves together. By the time the baby arrives I know we'll be healthier and happier than we've ever been. "

"I believe that too." Taking her hand, he brought it to his lips. "The release of my anger towards my father, and coming to terms with my parents' marriage will make me a better parent. I don't feel the pressure of their failure anymore and it feels great. I know I can be a great dad if I make the effort."

It thrilled her to hear his confidence on the subject. "So the Feasibility Study is back on, right?"

"Yes." Watching her with loving eyes he said, "I'm glad we didn't miss this month's opportunity."

"Me…" The gurgling of Sara's stomach interrupted the moment. "I did say I ran five miles before you arrived, right? I haven't eaten since breakfast. I may faint if I don't eat soon."

"Let's get you something to eat, Darling," He announced as he slipped out of bed and searched the floor for his clothes. "Oh yeah…everything is in the living room."

"Look somewhere within throwing distance from the couch," She giggled while wrapping the bed sheet around her. "In case you didn't notice, I got a little carried away."

Pausing in the bedroom doorway, he teased, "I know you were carried away by the passion because you didn't freak out when we were on top of a rental cabin blanket that's been used by who knows how many people." Taunting her he said, "Remember the mood killing incident in Colorado Springs after we got back from dancing?"

"Did you have to bring that up! After what we did here, can you see why I feel that way about guest blankets and hotel comforters?" She shivered. "We need to buy that blanket from the owner because I'm not leaving our DNA for posterity."

"I'm thinking we should buy the whole cabin," He announced, only half-joking, as he entered the living room. "It's a quick escape from Vegas and we need a place to decompress. It can be part of my rehabilitation plan."

"It really is for sale! Did you see the sign?" Leaning in the doorway she glanced around. "How romantic would it be to buy the place where we first made passion-fueled make-up lovin'!"

"Very," He warmed to the idea from her enthusiasm. "And on a practical note, Mrs. Grissom, we could use the tax deduction."

"Right!" Following him into the living room, Sara started picking up clothes.

"Speaking of tax deductions…" Searching the area for his boxers, he remarked, "My father decided to make a hefty donation to your foster kids backpack charity."

"Really?" She tossed his boxers at him. "Here you go, Loverboy."

"Thank you." Winking, he quickly pulled them on then reached for his jeans.

"How much?"

"He's matching the fifty thousand I gave him and donating it all."

"A hundred grand!" She gasped. "That will take us to the next phase. Oh my god! This is great! Nick is going to flip!"

"I thought you would be ecstatic." He beamed with satisfaction as he pulled on his shirt.

"And you're okay with this? With your father…hey, I just realized you referred to Ron as your father."

"It's part of my therapy action plan." Sweetly, he kissed her cheek. "Proud of me?"

"Very."

"Now that I'm dressed, I'll run out to the car and grab my bag, while you start our shower."

"Sounds like a plan as long as there's no fooling around in the shower, because I'm famished! There's a grill about three miles from here that serves food late." As she walked away, her curiosity tweaked.

"Oh yeah…I saw it earlier." He headed for the front door.

"Hey, what were you doing while I was out running and your messenger was sitting on my front steps?"

"I was sitting in my car doing crossword puzzles to pass the time."

"Oh!" She exclaimed as she scampered to the kitchen clutching the sheet around her body. "That reminds me. I got stuck." Grabbing the newspaper from the table, she asked, "Four letter word, begins with 'o'…The Blue Moon of 60s baseball."

"O…D…O…M…John 'Blue Moon' Odom." Opening the door, he added, "He was a pitcher in the 60s."

"Yes! That's all I needed!" She hurried to fill in the remaining three squares. "I was really getting bothered by this clue and with no computer access…"

"And here I thought you were frustrated because you missed me."

"Aww…" Joining him in the open doorway, she threw her arms around his neck. "That's exactly why the puzzle frustrated me. If you were here I would have had the answer right away."

As their lips gravitated into a kiss, the cabin owner's voice echoed from the road. "I guess I didn't have check in on you tonight, Sara."

Sara tightened the sheet around her blushing body and replied, "I'll be just fine from here on out, Becky. Thanks."

"Great to hear."

"Yeah," they simultaneously exhaled while exchanging loving glances.

"Excuse me, Becky!" Leaving Sara on the porch, Grissom descended the stairs. "About your For Sale sign…"