Disclaimer: Guess what? I don't own CSI or anything associated with it - don't all faint from shock now, will you?

A/N: Glad you're all still enjoying it. JTBWriter; Sara isn't stubborn, she's independent! - Her personality is very similar to mine, and that's what I always say when someone calls me stubborn! Lol. Please let me know what you think, I really value your opinions. Thanks

Chapter 11

Grissom held Sara for along time while she cried herself out on his shoulder. When she calmed down enough to speak she pulled back slightly and looked up at him with her tear stained face.

"I'm sorry." She said quietly.

"You've nothing to be sorry about." Grissom replied as he brushed a stray hair back from her face and wiped the remaining tears from cheeks.

"I'm scared Griss."

"I know honey. But I'm here, you can talk to me - you know that don't you?"

"Yeah." She sniffed loudly. "But I don't really fell like it right now. I'm exhausted. I still feel so tired, but I can't get to sleep."

She knew she was rambling, but also realised it was probably just an after affect of both her tiredness and the emotional out pouring she'd just been through.

"Do you want me to stay here with you?" Grissom asked softly.

Sara thought about that for a minute. Part of her said Grissom arms around her would be just the thing to get her the much needed sleep. Another part of her was screaming 'Warning, warning! Dangerous territory, don't go there girl. You'll want more and your heart will only get broken again.'

Grissom noticed her hesitation, and was pretty sure he knew what caused it.

"Just let me hold you honey. I can't get to sleep either and I thing it would do us both good." He said softly.

"Ok." Sara replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Grissom climbed in with her and wrapt his arms around her once more. It didn't take long at all before they were both sound asleep.

-----

Sara awoke around 9am the next morning wondering why she felt so contented. Then felt Grissom's arm still wrapped securely around her.

'Hang on,' She thought in her half - awake daze. 'Surely we didn't…'

She looked down; nope both still fully dressed in their pyjamas.

'Then what?' She thought.

She lay for a few moments, and then remembered the events of the night before.

'I can't believe I acted so weak in front of Grissom.' Sara thought. 'He's going to think of me as a frail young idiot now.

She felt Grissom start to stir and lay still, wondering what his reaction would be to their sleeping arrangement.

Grissom began to wake up with a sense of satisfaction after the best sleep he'd had for years. He felt Sara curled next to him and sighed contentedly. This was the meaning of perfect.

Even though she was lying as still as possible he could sense that she also was awake.

"Good morning, honey." He whispered softly near her ear.

"Morning Griss." Came her soft reply.

'Ok' Sara thought. 'Least he's not freaking out about waking up in the same bed - that's a good sign, right?'

She sighed and slowly turned around within his arms so that she was facing him, with a troubled look on her face.

'Uh - oh.' Grissom thought. 'That doesn't look good.'

"What's the matter honey?" Was all he said out loud however.

Sara lowered her eyes so she didn't have to look at him, and then began.

"I'm sorry about last night Griss. I had no reason to act like that and…"

"Sara." Grissom cut in. "Sara, look at me."

Slowly she lifted her face and looked up into the deep caring blue eyes next to her.

"Sara, we've been friends for along time right?"

"Right." She replied.

"And friends are supposed to be there for each other aren't they?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I know I haven't done a very good job at being around when you need me in the past few years, but I'm trying to change that ok?"

"Yeah."

"Good." Grissom paused for a moment. "I know you feel like you acted weak and frail last night and your ashamed about it. I still know you well enough to know what you're thinking. But what I want to say is this. Last night you were at the strongest I've ever seen you -you know why?"

A shake of her head.

"Because it takes strength to let people into your life. It needs a lot of guts and courage. Believe me; I know how scary it is to let someone into your life - that's why I've been backing away from you for so long. And I'm proud of you for being that strong honey. Don't ever feel ashamed about showing your emotions.

Sara stared at him open mouthed. That was probably the most Grissom had said to her at one time since the early days of their friendship when she was still at college.

Grissom laughed at the look on her face, and she couldn't help but laugh with him - it was infectious, and just what she needed.

'After all, they say that laughter's the best medicine.' She thought.

"Do you feel up to going out for the day?" Grissom asked her after a few moments.

"What do you have in mind?" She queried.

"How about a picnic at Lake Mead?" Grissom replied.

"Sound's wonderful."

"Ok. Great." Grissom said sounding really pleased. "You can use the bathroom first if you like" he continued changing the subject.

"Sure."

Sara got up and headed towards the bathroom, while Grissom lay back and waited for his turn.

'I don't know what the hell I'm getting into here at the moment.' He thought to himself. 'But quite frankly, I don't really give a damn.'