Disclaimer: Guess what? Sara's been transferred to work with the Counties/Manukau SOCO's. We had lunch together in the canteen yesterday, and I think we're going to become really good friends. Not buying it? No, didn't think you would - guess that means their still not mine - damn!

A/N: Ok, so my chapters are coming slower and slower. Have I mentioned we've been really busy recently at work? I'm so tired when I get home the last thing I want to do is write, but I couldn't let you all down, so hence I had a go at this chapter. If it sucks, blame it on the criminal element of South Auckland - they're the ones tiring me out!

Chapter 5

When Grissom and Sara had finished their meal, a realisation struck her.

"Griss, what time is it?" Sara suddenly asked.

"About mid-evening" Grissom replied.

"Have you been here all day?"

"Since they called me, yes."

"Grissom, you're going to be dead on your feet by shift tonight."

"I've taken the night off." Grissom stated. "I got Warrick to tell Greg we won't be in, and to get someone to cover for us."
"Ecklie's gonna love that." Sara replied

"I don't give a damn. There's no where else I'd rather be than here with you."

Sara stared at him open mouthed. 'That is Grissom sitting over there, isn't it?' She thought. 'Or is this Halloween and someone's taken on a really good impersonation of him…stop that train of thought girl, you're going to over - think it again.

Instead she just smiled at him, and shook her head.

"And staying on that theme," Grissom began, "I spoke to Dr. Campbell before I got our diner. He wants you to take a week off work."

He looked at her carefully, gauging her reaction to having to take time off. He knew Sara hated time off as much as he did. Hence the reason they both had so much Holiday leave owing. And sick leave as well for that matter - which gave him an idea.

"I thought as much." Sara replied. "But I'd rather be at the lab. I hate having to stay at home!"

"I know." Grissom said. "But what if you didn't have to stay at home?"

"You just said…"
"No, I'm not saying don't take the time off, you need it to recover. What I'm saying is why don't you stay with me for the week?"

Sara gapped at him open mouthed. For the second time in as many minutes he'd rendered her speechless. Did Grissom, I need my privacy, I hate other people in my house Grissom, just ask her to invade his sanctuary and stay with him? Hell had indeed frozen over. She wouldn't have been surprised if at that moment a little pink pig had chosen to fly past her window.

She shook her head completely confused. And she could tell Grissom was enjoying himself by completely baffling her.

"Then you see," Grissom continued, smirking at her, "I could take some time off as well. I have piles of unused sick leave, and if you're staying with me I can use some of it through the 'sickness at home' clause."

That did it. Sara picked up one of the pillows from behind her head and threw it at Grissom's face, hoping to wipe the grin from it. She started to giggle and shook her head again.

"Somehow Griss, when they put that clause under the sick leave parts of our collective contracts, I think they meant if your wife, or husband, or kid or someone in your family was sick. Not a friend who was already sick before you asked them to stay with you!"

"Then they should have been more specific." Grissom replied grinning. It was good to see Sara laughing again. It had been a long time since he'd heard the sweet melody of her laugh.

They laughed with each other for a couple of minutes, which was a great release of tension, before Sara turned serious again. She hated to break the easy - going - ness of the last few minutes, but she needed to get it out before she lost the courage. Even with her mind made up, she still hesitated to speak, but then thought it was better to get it out now, or the next week was going to be hell on earth.

"Grissom," Sara began, "As much as it is really kind of you, and I'd love to take you up on your offer to stay with you, I think it could end up being a bit difficult, if you know what I mean."
"Look Sara, I know I haven't been the best friend in the world over the last couple of years, and I'm sorry." Grissom replied. "But I'd like to work on being your friend again Sara. Truth be told I've missed you."

Three in a row. Grissom was doing really well on the theme of rendering Sara speechless tonight. Again she was doing the Mary Poppins Michael expression. Grissom was tempter to recite the line at her. Very tempted. What the hell…

"Close your mouth Michael; we are not a cod fish." Grissom intoned at her. She obeyed without thinking.

Then he smiled, as he to became serious again.

"So what do you think? Could we use this week of leave to try and regain our friendship?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'd like that" Sara replied. "I've really missed you as well. Isn't that going to make Catherine even madder though?"

"Catherine will get over it. Once the boys clear you of any wrong doing through the evidence they uncover, she'll back down. I know the two of you haven't been on the best of terms recently, but just don't worry about it."

"What if she wants to interview me about the accident Grissom? I can't even remember what happened!"

"Don't worry. I'm going to call in about your temporary memory loss. They'll just have to forgo your statement for now, and concentrate on the evidence."
"Thanks Grissom. So when do I get released from this place?" She asked disgusted with being stuck there.

"You make it sound like a state prison rather than a hospital, Sara" Grissom replied laughing at her tone.

"I rate being stuck in hospital on the same scale as being in prison - and don't laugh at me Gil Grissom because I know you do as well!"

"True." Grissom replied. "They want to keep you in overnight for observation, but will probably be able to be convinced to surrender you into my care by tomorrow afternoon, if you're not showing any more serious symptoms of your crash."

Sara smiled at that. Now that she was getting used to the idea, she was actually really happy and kind of excited at the thought of staying at Grissom's.

"Try and get some more rest for now Sara. I know it's not your natural time to sleep, mine either, but I'm going to when I come back."

"Where are you going?" Sara asked.

"To phone the guys and tell them how you're getting on."

He kissed her gently on the forehead (Sara was sure she could see that pig flying past about now) then went out the door to ring the lab. If by any chance he got Catherine or Ecklie, he didn't want to have an argument with them in front of Sara. She needed to rest - not worry about what was going on at the lab.