Author's note- I am not in the medical field, so I apologize up front for any inaccuracies. Thank you everyone for your supportive comments on chapter one.

Chapter 2

It was like walking out a a fog. Sara slowly came awake, opening her eyes to a blur of colors before they focused and she could make out the features of her living room. How did I get here? The last thing she remembered was being at the hospital for her appointment. So how was it that she was at home, safely ensconced on her sofa and wrapped in a quilt?

With sudden clarity it all returned to her. See Grissom. Running away, first into the office and then to the bathroom. Grissom taking care of her, wiping her forehead, walking her to the car, bringing her home. She remembered, with dream like sureness, the sensation of Grissom carrying her into the apartment and the brief moment of peace she felt being in his arm and breathing in his scent.

A glance at the clock hanging on the wall told her that she had been asleep for more then three hours. The room was so silent that she thought maybe Grissom had gone home after making sure she was asleep. Part of her hoped that was true. Another part of her hoped just as strongly that it wasn't. As hard as it would be to face him, especially with all the questions she knew he had, she wanted a few more minutes to bask in his presence. And maybe, just maybe, telling him the truth would remove some of the burden she felt resting so heavily on her shoulders.

"Your awake."

Well, that answered that question, at least. He was still here.

Grissom entered the living room carrying a bottle of water, which he offered to Sara. She sat up to drink it, but the motion was a little to quick and the dizziness had her laying back down again.

"Thanks," she said as she sat up once again, slower this time. Her gratitude was not just for the water, but for everything. "Why don't you sit down."

Grissom sat at the end of the couch, angling his body so that he could face Sara. He looked her over slowly, noticing that she looked a little better then she had when he had first brought her home. There was some color in her cheeks now, though that could be as much from the heat of the quilt as from anything else. The dark circles under her eyes weren't quite as prominent. Her voice sounded more like it normally did, not like that faint whisper in the car that had pained him to hear.

"Sara, what's going on?" It was not the most delicate way to start a conversation, but no one had ever accused Grissom of having a perfect bedside manner. Any patience he might have started the day with had fallen away during three hours of pacing Sara's apartment, waiting for her to wake up as his mind created scenarios, each one worse then the last.

"I'm sick." Her answer was as simple and blunt as his question had been. Grissom's eyebrows raised in his 'Well, yeah" look, but unlike the many times she had seen the look in the past there was no glint of humor in his eyes. Sara knew she had to tell him everything, but was having trouble getting the words out. Grissom seemed to sense her reticence, because his face softened and he reached out to grasp one of her trembling hands in his own.

"I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

Sara closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath. She couldn't look him in the face. Instead she focused on his hand, so strong and warm. The heat from his hand seemed to seep into her own hand, warming it for the first time in weeks. She was always cold these days. Had been ever since she found out. Unable to procrastinate any longer, Sara forced out the words that would change Grissom's world forever.

"It's cancer."

Sara wasn't sure how Grissom would react to her news, but never in a million years would she have guessed that the first thing he would do was wrap her up in a bear hug. This man, who had done his best to keep his physical and emotional distance from for the past few years was holding her so tightly that she was now sitting in his lap. He was so close that not even a breath of air would be able to pass between them. His hand moved in slow circles on her back, comforting her in the same way one might comfort a small child.

To Sara's horror she felt a tear fall from her eye and trickle down her cheek. The first tear was followed by a second, and then a third. Now the tears were coming fast and hard, like a dam that had been released after the spring floods. For the first time since she had been diagnosed Sara was able to release the emotions inside. She hadn't cried after the doctor had told her, or after her first treatment. She hadn't even cried after the farewell party at work. But now, wrapped in the safety of Grissom's arms she let it all out.

When the tears subsided Sara finally looked up to Grissom, only to find that she was not the only one to have salt-water stained cheeks. Somehow she found it comforting. Pulling away from Grissom's embrace she reached out her hand to cup his cheek, gently wiping away the wetness with the pad of her thumb. Using the barest pressure she pulled him towards herself. Their lips met in a whisper of a kiss. It was not a kiss of romance or passion. Instead it was an offering of comfort. Who was comforting whom, neither could have said.

In another time and another place it might have turn into something else. Two people, attracted to each other for so many years, finally breaking through the invisible boundaries kept between them for so long. In this moment simply being together was enough. The simple contact feed their souls and helped to prepare them for the days ahead.

"I'm going to take a shower," Sara said as she stood up. It had been a long, emotion draining hour, following a hell of a day. She had told Grissom everything. All about the yearly physical that she had put off for months, finally going in during her suspension only because she was running out of things to do to fill her time. The mass the doctor had felt, and the additional testing he had insisted on. Sara blushed a little when she told him the diagnosis: ovarian cancer. As casually as they discussed sex and bodies at work, this was different. This was her.

Grissom also stood up from the couch. "I'll call Catherine."

For a moment Sara panicked. No way could the rest of the lab find out. She knew they would be supportive. At least, most of them would be. But there would also be questions, and whispers. Above all, there would be too much attention. She didn't want any of them to see her like this.

Grissom, usually so obtuse, seemed to know exactly what she was thinking.

"I'm just going to let her know I won't be in tonight."

"You don't have to do that, Griss. I'm okay, now. Really."

"Sara, I want to be here. Unless you want me to go." He suddenly felt unsure of his welcome. For the past few hours he had been so wrapped up in Sara that it never occurred to him that he had, in all reality, barged into her apartment and her life.

"No, Griss. It's not that. I just don't want to make you miss work. I know how much I'd rather be there then here."

This is where I want to be, is what he thought. What he said was "Why don't you go take that shower? I'll go pick up some take-out and be back in a half hour. What are you in the mood for?"

Despite her protests, Sara was relieved to hear he wasn't leaving.

"I'm not really hungry. Pick up whatever you want."

"Sara, you have to eat." His words were scolding, but his voice was almost caressing.

"I know. I'll eat. Promise."

He was back, as promised, thirty minutes later. It was surprising he returned so quickly, because he carried in bags from three different restaurants. There was Thai food in white cartons, all of it meat free. Two Styrofoam container from the deli held soup, one garden tomato and the other spilt pea. The third bag he took directly into the kitchen, placing two different kinds of ice cream in the freezer and a slice of cheesecake in the fridge.

"I know you said you weren't hungry, but I figured hey, comfort food."

Sara stood in the doorway to the kitchen, one part of her marveling at the amazingly thoughtful gesture, the other part simply enjoying the sight of Grissom moving around her kitchen in his bare feet. It was like a dream she had once. Then she remembered why he was here. It was no dream.

They were both sitting on the couch again. Grissom had fixed them both plates of food, and they had sat at the table. He filled her in on the last weeks at the lab, staying away from the heavier cases. Instead he told her of the ten year old boy who had come in to report a kidnapped dog. Greg felt sorry for the boy, and insisted on helping to find it, in the process managing to fall in not one, but two mud puddles. After she had eaten as much as she was going to (though not really enough to satisfy him) they moved into the living room where they were now watching a movie.

Halfway into the movie Sara had leaned her head to the side, resting it on his shoulder. He in turn snaked his hand around her waist, pulling her to him. He reveled in the simple contact, needing to feel her skin against his own as proof that she was there, that she was all right. Or as all right as she could be, given the circumstances. Grissom was still having trouble comprehending all that he had learned. How different the world seemed just a few hours ago. Everything had been so normal, even if it had been a bit... empty. Despite everything, he couldn't regret the events of the day. Not that he wanted Sara to be sick. Sara in pain was a hard idea for him to deal with. But still, here he was. Sitting in the dark with a beautiful woman curled up against him. Not just any woman, but his Sara. He had dreamt of moments like this, but never thought it would never happen. Never thought he would allow it to happen, if he was totally honest with himself. A part of him knew that he could have had this before. Sara had asked. Let's see what happens. He had been the one to hold back. Not now. He silently promised himself that whatever she needed now, he would give to her.

The next night Grissom locked himself in his office until his hand cramped from signing his name. It had been weeks since he had spent any time on what he considered to be the most annoying part of his job. He preferred to be out in the field, but he was afraid that given yesterday's events, he wouldn't be able to give any case the attention it deserved.

"Goodnight, Gil."

"What?" Grissom looked up from his desk to find Catherine standing at the doorway to his office.

"Shift's over. I swear. Ever since Sara left, you have gotten more Grissomish."

"Grissomish? Catherine, what are you talking about." Grissom sighed inwardly, knowing from experience that she was not going to leave until she had her say. He never could decide whether her unsolicited advice was wanted or not. He knew it came from a place of friendship, but sometimes he longed to physically remove her from the office and lock the door behind her.

"I'm talking about you and your lack of people skills. You've become practically monosyllabic in the past weeks, and I swear I don't remember the last time I saw anything but a frown on your face."

"Catherine, I'm fine."

"Gil, your not. If you keep this up you'll be a total recluse by the time Sara comes back." She had held her tongue for the last three weeks, and that was no easy feat for her. But she was concerned about Grissom, both as a boss and a friend. "The boys and I are on our way out for breakfast. Come with us."

"Thanks, but I have plans." He didn't really, but hoped that he could stop by and see Sara.

"Really? New entomology text book to read."

"No. Shift is over. Don't you have somewhere to be?" Catherine turned to leave, but Grissom felt himself compelled to stop her. "Cath I... I know that I've been a little difficult lately. Thanks for... being concerned."

It was more then she expected to get from him. "It'll get better. Night Gil."

"Night Cath."

Once again he was alone in the office. He was just thinking of leaving, somewhat on time for a change, when the phone rang.

"Grissom."

"Hey Griss." Sara's voice was a little hoarse, as if she had just woken up. "Why am I not surprised your still at work."

"So speaks the woman who maxes out on overtime every month." His voice was teasing. It was funny how much lighter he felt, just hearing her voice.

"I was actually just thinking of leaving, getting some breakfast. How about I pick you up and we go get some together?" He hoped she said yes. Until Catherine had come by and he had said he had plans he hadn't realized how much he wanted to see her.

"No thanks."

"I understand." Understood, but was disappointed.

"No, it's not that. It's just..." Damn. She hated being weak, hated even more letting other people know of her weaknesses. "The first day or so after a treatment, I'm usually too tired to leave the house."

Relief filled him. It wasn't anything he did.

"Are you hungry? What if I came over, made breakfast. I can make a pretty mean omelet. Or if your in the mood for lunch I could grill some cheese sandwiches." For some reason he felt the need to feed her, make sure she ate enough. She was too thin. The body needed nutrients to fight of diseases.

"That would be nice."

Forty-five minutes later her was knocking at her door, grocery bag in hand. He had stopped at the market for the ingredients for both omelets and grilled cheese sandwiches, plus a supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. Vitamins were important, and better for the body if they came from food and not in the form of pills. He had spent hours on the internet after he left Sara the day before, researching anything and everything he could find. This was one thing he could do to help her.

Sara opened the door in sweat pants and an oversized LVPD shirt. Even knowing Grissom was coming over was not enough incentive to change out of the most comfortable clothes she owned. She had surprised herself when she had agreed to let Grissom come over. Until the words were out of her mouth she hadn't known that she was going to say yes. But the last three weeks of self imposed exile had been so lonely, even for an anti social person like herself. To have someone know her secret was a relief. For it to be Grissom was a comfort.

"How many people did you think you were feeding, Griss?" Each arm carried a paper bag, both appearing to be full.

"It's a little known fact, but I love to grocery shop. Almost as much as I like to cook for brunette smart mouthed woman." He headed straight to the kitchen and started riffling through her cabinets.

"So, how are you?" He tried to make the comment sound casual, but failed miserably.

Sara debated with herself before she answered. How much of the truth did she want to tell him, and how much did he really want to hear. Finally she decided to give him the unadulterated truth. She was too tired to do anything else.

"Pretty crappie. I slept most of the day, and now my muscles are sore from not moving. I was nauseous this morning, and I can tell you that I'm really ready to be done with the whole throwing up thing," Sara sighed. She settled in a chair at the counter and watched as Grissom sliced up vegetables. "I'm sorry for venting. I'm just so damn frustrated."

Grissom stopped what he was doing and reached for Sara's hand. "Hey, vent away. I don't mind, and if anyone deserves a good rant it's you."

It was amazing how a few words could make her feel better. Maybe she had been wrong in deciding not to tell anyone what was going on. Three weeks with no one but doctors and nurses to talk to had been harder then she thought it would be.

"So what do you like in your omelet?"

Grissom mentioned an article in the latest Journal of Forensic Science and they spent the next half hour debating different methods of DNA collection. It wasn't work, which they avoided by silent agreement, but it was common ground. For Sara it was the closest she had come to a normal evening in a long time, and that alone was such a blessing.

They were almost done with dinner when Grissom asked the question that had been plaguing him all day.

"Why didn't you tell anyone what was going on?" Why didn't you tell me?

"You're one to talk, Mr. I'm-going-deaf-but-I'm-not-going-to-tell-anyone." She hated herself as soon as she said it. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him, but the words seemed to come out on their own.

"God, I'm sorry Griss."

"No, it's only fair. Your right, I did the same thing. Maybe that's why I wish you had told someone. I remember how lonely it was, and I don't want to think of you going through that, especially when you don't have to." It was quite a speech, coming from him, but he had to make sure she knew that she didn't have to go through any of this alone.

"I know. I just, I'm used to handling everything on my own. It's been that way since I was little, and I have trouble sharing my problems. Plus, me barfing and loosing my hair, not really how I want people to see me." She tried to joke about it, but it fell flat.

He understood her isolation, had felt the same for most of his life. He didn't have to like it, though.

"I know Catherine and the boys would like to see you. They're your friends too, Sara."

"You can't tell them, Grissom. You have to give me your word that you won't say a word to any of them." There was a hint of panic in her voice.

"I won't. But I want you to promise me that if you need anything you will ask me. I want to be here for you."

"I will. That means a lot, and I appreciate it."

He pulled her into a hug to seal their bargain. When he pulled back he noticed how exhausted she looked.

"You look tired. I'll clean up the dishes and go, all right?"

She was tired, despite the fact she had only been awake for a few hours. "You don't have to do that. You cooked, I can clean up. Just leave them in the sink."

"Didn't anyone ever tell you not to argue with your boss? I'll wash the dishes and let myself out. Go to bed."

"Yes, sir," she snapped sarcastically.

As she turned at walked down the hallway he heard her mutter something that sounded suspiciously like a derogatory comment about his being boss.

"What's that, Sara?"

"I said goodnight Griss, and drive safe."

Yeah, right.

To be continued...