By the end of shift, Grissom had made up his mind to follow his heart. He grabbed his jacket, and left his office. In the drive over to Sara's all he could think about, was what he was going to say, when he got over there.

When he reached her apartment, he just stood there. What if things go the same way that they went last time? What if it's too late? Get a hold of yourself. Pull yourself together, and just knock.

Sara answered the door after the first two knocks. Grissom though that she had never looked more beautiful, with a pair of flannel pajama pants hanging low, below her hips, with a smaller, more tightly fitting t-shirt, and her hair was slightly curly, and let down. But her eyes were sad, and full of pain, like she had been rejected and ignored. God, have I done this to her? Have I hurt her this badly?

"Grissom?"

He snapped back to reality. "Uhhh."

Opening the door, she was more confused than angry. "Wanna come in?"

Grissom walked into her apartment, and composed himself, and his thoughts. Alright Gill, here goes nothing. "Sara, I love you."

Sara had been on her way to the kitchen when he said this. She immediately stopped dead in her tracks. What did he say? He LOVES ME? She turned around slowly and searched his eyes for answers. All she could see was a desire, a need for something….. for her? And the longing to love……… compassion.

"I have loved you for the longest time Sara Sidle. You captured my heart many years ago. But you also scared me. I had never felt like that before, and being so vulnerable, having my emotions become so out of control frightened me. I didn't know how to control them, what to do with them…. with 'this'. But I do now Sara. I realize now that there's no hiding from love. I can't ignore the burning any longer. I love you Sara Sidle."

She was speechless. She could barely catch her breath. "Griss … I –"

He strode over to her and swept her up in his arms. He pulled her to him closely and covered her mouth with his. The kiss was electrifying, passionate, and deep. When they broke apart, Sara was crying. Tears were gently flowing down her face. "Sara, what's wrong?"

She smiled warmly at him. "Griss you have no idea how long I have waited for this. How many nights, I dreamed of this."

He wiped away her tears with his thumbs, and rubbed her cheeks softly. "I have waited a long time too. Too long." They leant in and kissed again, this time more gentle and caressing.

They stood in the hallway for long moments, just wrapped in each other's arms.

Grissom turned over in bed, and kissed Sara softly on the cheek.

"Sara where's Alex?"

Sara snuggled into his arms, not wanting to leave his embrace. "She went out on a date with Greg, but she should have been back by now."

Grissom sat up. "I hope she's alright, She better –" ring ring At that moment the phone rang. Sara reached over Grissom, planting a kiss on his nose, before picking up the phone.

"Sidle."

"Hey Sara."

"Alex where are you?"

"I'm over at Catherine's."

"Catherine's?"

"Yeah, Greg was dropping me off at your place, when I noticed you and uncle Grissom in the doorway. I thought that you two might need a little while, so I spent the night with Catherine."

Sara blushed deep scarlet.

"I gotta go now, I'm babysitting Lindsay, but give uncle Grissom a kiss for me. Bye!" click The line went dead, as Alex hung up the phone. Grissom turned on his side, and rubbed Sara's back.

"So is she alright?"

"Yeah she's fine. She and Greg came back and we were … uh …… getting aquainted in the hallway. So he spent the night at Catherine's place."

Grissom laughed. "Smart girl that one." He pulled Sara back into bed with him. He kissed her forehead, then her ears, then her nose, and finally her lips. In between kisses he mumbled, "oh well, more time in bed."

"Amen to that." Sara snuggled up against his chest, and kissed him deeply.