Growing Up

Part 10: Disturbed Sleep

Summary: Grissom and Sara have to deal with a late night crisis caused by Catherine.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews that keep me thinking about the story. I'll get to all matters in time.

xxxxx

The shrill ringing of his phone woke Grissom, and to his great dismay, not only him.

He could hear Amelia whimper again and cursed, hurrying to pick up the phone. Maybe she would go back to sleep. Sara was stirring as well, opening her eyes to small slits.

"Grissom," he barked into the phone, making Amelia whimper some more at the sharp tone in his voice.

"Gil, where are you?"

It was Catherine, and she sounded really worried. He took a few seconds to collect himself and leave the bedroom.

Even though the girl should not be able to hear him anymore, Grissom lowered his voice. "Didn't Greg tell you? There was an emergency."

That's why I'm worried," contrary to Grissom's voice, Catherine's volume was increasing. "What happened?"

He cursed inwardly again. Catherine was far too persistent to back off. Should he lie or give her a very abbreviated version of events? He doubted she would be satisfied with that.

"My mother called." He hoped the lie would get him out of the conversation faster. "She broke her leg."

That was probably the lamest excuse ever, but to his great relief, Catherine seemed to buy it. "Are you flying out?"

Suddenly, Grissom realized that this was the solution to their problem. It terrified him to think of being alone with the girl while Sara had to go to work the next night, but what else could they do until they reached the parents?

"Yes, I'm already on my way out."

"What about the bugs?"

He sighed. Why couldn't she just leave it alone?

"Greg can handle that, and Warrick can always help him. Cath, I really have to go."

"When will you be back?"

This was a lost cause.

"Monday at the latest. I've got to hurry." Then he hung up, not giving Catherine the chance to respond.

He stared at the phone, hoping that Catherine would not question his behavior further or try calling him again. She was a good friend, but sometimes far too intrusive.

When he heard sniffling behind him, he turned around and saw Sara holding Amelia. Tears were streaming down her face, and she hiccuped, but at least she was not fully crying.

A quick look at his watch told him that it was only a little after three. Half of the night was still ahead of them. "Everything okay?"

He looked at Sara and saw worry and fear.

She didn't want to be left alone with the child, afraid of not being capable of taking care of her.

"Catherine, but I told her my mother broke her leg."

He lowered his head, unable to look into Sara's eyes. He had lied to a friend; what would she think?

"Why?"

"I…I…" He moved closer until he was able to touch her, lifting his palm to cradle her face. "I didn't want to leave you alone. You…"

Saying that she was scared, even though it was the truth, would only upset her. He had backed himself into a corner.

He wanted to withdraw his hand and steel himself for her anger, but Sara surprised him. "Thank you!"

The bright smile she gave him made him forget about his bad conscience. He returned it before he was reminded of the other person in the room by another hiccup.

"And what should we do about her? She should be in bed."

"Drop her off at Catherine's. She woke her," Grissom tried to lighten the mood, wanting to take her fear away.

If this got out of hand, Sara would feel incompetent and overwhelmed again, and that was probably more stress than she could handle tonight.

"Ha, I would like to see that."

"Why don't we change her diaper, give her something to drink, and try to put her down again."

When he saw the look of apprehension on Sara's face, he hastened to reassure her, "She's dead tired. It will work."

Amelia did not quite agree with Grissom.

As soon as they tried to put her down, she started to cry again. She twisted and turned around, getting to her feet, trying to get out of bed.

"Grissom, please?" Sara was not sure what she was asking for, but this was starting to wear her down quickly.

He sighed and picked Amelia up, cradling her in his arms. "Sara, have you tried singing to her?"

Her eyes turned dark, like a storm was brewing in them, but then they cleared and she slowly shook her head.

"I would, but I'm afraid I would keep her awake, not help her fall asleep."

He made to hand her the fussing child, but she shied away. "Sara."

She shook her head, but he brought Amelia closer to her again. "The vibrations of your chest will help her relax."

With another apprehensive look, she gave in and held out her arms.

Slowly, she began walking around, softly rocking the child in her arms.

Sleep, baby, sleep
Your father tends the sheep
Your mother shakes the dreamland tree
And from it fall sweet dreams for thee
Sleep, baby, sleep
Sleep, baby, sleep

Grissom watched in awe how gentle she was the moment the child was placed in her arms. Only seconds before, there had been exhaustion, impatience, and anger in her eyes, and now she appeared to be totally calm. This was his Sara, her emotions so strong and her inner self gentle beyond measure.

It was not long before Amelia, completely exhausted herself, quieted down and finally fell asleep.

Sara continued to sing though, afraid the little girl would wake up again if she stopped too soon.

As disheveled and worn out as she looked, it was still one of the most beautiful sights Grissom had ever seen.

Her confidence was returning slowly, and with every passing minute, she became more relaxed. Her voice was bright and clear, making him wish that he could hear her sing more often. He would have to ask her about it.

When she stopped, he felt regret at the sudden silence. What had been some sort of normal before, seemed now only threatening. All because Sara was different. She was making things different.

He wanted to hear her every day…and suddenly he cringed. This was one thing that had always made him keep his distance.

Now that he saw Sara standing here in his bedroom, bending over the small travel bed, singing a few tunes again to get her settled, he strained to take everything in. He soaked up her voice and memorized the feelings it evoked. Even if he had battled this demon for now, he never wanted to forget this moment.

Sara straightened, letting a breath of relief escape her, and then walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and put her head on his shoulder. At the moment, she needed somebody else's strength to make her feel safe and relaxed.

Would it really change her perception of him if she knew? She had bared herself, which let the scale tip against her and in his favor.

He looked down, trying to catch a glimpse of her face. Her eyes were closed, but she held on tight. She was not yet asleep but far from being able to have a conversation with serious content.

Now that he had seen her so open and had seen exactly what he wanted in life, he was ready to talk to her, even if it scared him. Sara was worth it.

He could only hope that once they talked, she would not think less of him.

Not really breaking the connection between them, he led her over to the bed and made her crawl in. "I have to get out of these clothes. Be right back!"

This time, he would not let her pull him in fully clothed. It was uncomfortable and had an unclean feel about it.

He hurried to the bathroom and redressed in a pair of boxers and a shirt before padding back into the bedroom.

Sara was fighting to keep her eyes open, waiting for him. His mind made the connection and brought up the image of Amelia doing the same not long ago.

The urge to experience something like that – the good and the bad – in a different setting was pushed down for now. First, he had to talk to Sara.

He slid under the covers, joining her and taking her into his arms.

"Did you shut off the ringers?" Sara mumbled into his shoulder.

When he nodded, she closed her eyes and snuggled closer.

TBC