Growing Up

Part 8: End of the rope

Summary: When it's time for Grissom to return to work, everything seems to go wrong.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews. MyBella131, I don't know when the others will find out yet, but I think it won't be that long. As for a baby of their own, let them be a bit more secure in their relationship first.

xxxxx

They entered Grissom's town house hours later, feeling oddly refreshed. Normally they should have been dead tired, but the time had been well spent and had recharged their energy.

Amelia had played by herself for quite a while, giving them the chance to relax. She had demanded their attention, but they gave it to her willingly, enjoying being far away from their usual life. Amelia, on the other hand, seemed a bit tired. She had been quiet on the way home, cuddling the chipmunk. Sara had carried the girl in and sat down on the couch.

"I think we should make dinner before she falls asleep." She looked down at the child resting on her chest and felt a wave of affection.

"Her mother gave me a list of what she can't eat." He searched for a slip of paper in one of the other bags and read over it when he found it. "I think I can make something that we all can eat."

He busied himself with the preparations while Sara took a children's book and started to read to Amelia. The girl pointed to the pictures when she could link a word to the image. It kept her from falling asleep until Grissom had the food ready.

They decided to eat at the couch table since Grissom lacked a high chair. Amelia was kneeling or standing at the table, munching on some potatoes with carrots. For Sara and himself, he had added a salad to round the meal up.

Dinner was definitely a messy affair because Amelia mostly insisted on feeding herself, only letting the adults hold the spoon from time to time. By the end, she was covered in mashed potatoes and carrots. How much, they only realized when she stepped away from the table.

"I guess we should bathe her before her aunt arrives."

Grissom looked away, slightly uncomfortable. The thought of bathing her scared him. Although he had already changed her and fed her, played with her and got her to sleep, it felt strange. There were so many things that he didn't know how to do.

Additionally, the thought of Sara taking a bath in his bathroom made him uncomfortable on a whole other level. "Ehm, I think I will clean up here."

Sara in his bathtub…he turned away from her and busied himself with the dishes.

"I take everything back. You're not a bear; you're a cat, a scaredy-cat," she teased, taking Amelia by the hand to lead her to the bathroom.

It was actually more fun than she had thought, even though she ended up wet. Granted, it was partly her own fault.

When Amelia started splashing, Sara's competitive spirit broke through, and she splashed back. The only downside was that the whole bathroom was threatening to swim away. She would have to clean that up before Grissom saw it and had a heart attack.

She dried Amelia, redressed her, and brought her out to Grissom.

"I leaned in too far. Do you mind if I shower real quick?"

Before he had the chance to respond, Sara was already gone. She had seen him get a mop out of a closet in the hall when she was heading to the bathroom the first time today, and now she retrieved it. The water was mopped up quickly, and the mop was placed back in the closet.

She used the chance to take a shower and relax further under the warm spray.

xxxxx

Grissom was playing with Amelia when Sara emerged from the bathroom. His breath caught in his throat upon registering her appearance.

There, in the entrance of his living room, stood Sara Sidle wearing nothing but a towel. His lower jaw dropped and all motion ceased. Sara Sidle, in a towel, in his home.

Suddenly he wished they were not saddled with baby-sitting.

She put on her shy look, knowing it would drive Grissom crazy. "I seem to have forgotten to pack a set of spare clothes, again."

He probably saw right through her, but she didn't care. She wanted to wear his clothes again. She wanted to feel him, have his smell surrounding her again. She wanted to be as close as possible to him with their little guest still present.

Grissom was just about to get up when the phone rang.

He looked at her apologetically and motioned for his bedroom. "Your things are still on the dresser."

He picked up the phone as Sara went to find 'her' clothes. She could hear his muffled voice and couldn't really tell what it was about, but it didn't sound good. Dressing as fast as she could, she almost stumbled trying to pull the shorts up, but she only caught the end of the conversation as she exited the bedroom again.

"Alright. Yes. I'll be there in thirty minutes." And then Grissom hung up.

Judging by the look on his face, it really was nothing good.

"Sara…"

"Bugs?"

His eyes were cast down when he nodded. Somehow she had expected this call to come, but it was still a disappointment when it became reality. She was disappointed, but not angry.

They loved their job, and they needed to go help if a call came.

"Don't worry. It's not like I can't understand your dedication." She smiled, hoping he would lift his head so he could see it.

He let her wait for it a few more seconds before really looking up. "Will you be alright?"

For the first time, she realized that she would be alone with Amelia, a two-year-old child.

Her breathing sped up as fear set in. She looked back at Grissom and saw his confusion at her reaction. That he did not seem to have any qualms to leave her alone with Amelia settled her nerves somewhat, and the rest was swallowed down.

She put on a more relaxed expression, not wanting to worry him any further. "Yeah, sure, why not."

Whatever he saw in her eyes was enough, and he began gathering up his things.

xxxxx

Grissom was gone for an hour when it all started. Sara could see that Amelia was getting tired, rubbing her eyes and twirling strands of hair around her fingers. She was getting less active, and she was getting cranky, very cranky. Sara searched for something Amelia could wear if she put her down, finding pajamas and a toothbrush. Changing her and brushing her little teeth went with little fight, but when it came to putting her down, everything went downhill.

Amelia had started to cry, calling for her parents. Sara had tried to stay calm, patiently rocking the child, softly talking to her, but nothing seemed to help.

Half an hour later, she was almost at the end her rope when the phone rang. Hoping it was the girl's parents or at least Grissom, she put Amelia in the travel bed and moved to the next room. It would be impossible to hear anything above Amelia's cries.

When she emerged from Grissom's bedroom again, she was nearing desperation. Amelia was still crying, albeit not as loud as before, and the news she had received could not be much worse.

As soon as the girl saw her, her crying strengthened again and she held out her arms. At that moment the full reality of the situation hit her, and she started to panic. She couldn't do this.

Her fingers flew over the buttons of the phone, and when she heard the click on the other end, she started talking, "Grissom, you've got to help me. I can't do this. Please come home."

TBC