Disclaimer: Yeah, Sara's my best friend she just told me she's engaged to Grissom, and Nick's my new boyfriend. And if you believe that your even more nut's than the rest of the Counties/Manukau police ops room - and that takes quite a bit, trust me I know, I work with them! Seriously, I don't own CSI or anything associated with it.
A/N: Ok, so we're at the end of the road folks, I really hope you've enjoyed the ride. It's been really great hearing what everyone has thought so far, so please leave me some final reviews. Thanks muchly Fionna xx
Chapter 15
Grissom drove a bit further around the lake, until he came to a grassy picnic area overlooking the water.
"Here do for you?" He asked turning toward Sara, then noticing that she was fast asleep in the passenger's seat.
Grissom shook his head and smiled at her. He got out of the vehicle and spread out their picnic things under a large shady tree, before making his way back to Sara and gently waking her up.
"hmmm…" She mumbled, and then seemed to focus slightly on Grissom.
"Don't tell me I fell asleep again?" Sara said embarrassed.
"I won't tell you, but you already know so that doesn't really matter does it," Grissom said with a laugh. "And stop feeling so embarrassed about it. You know it's just your bodies healing process."
"True. But it's still annoying." Sara replied. "Almost as annoying as not remembering about what happened."
"Well right now I just want you to forget about the accident" Grissom said.
"Your table awaits M'lady," He continued in mock chivalrously.
"Why thank you kind Sir," Sara replied in keeping with Grissom's tone as she took his offered hand and he lead her to their picnic blanket.
'Ok, so this is really weird' Sara thought. 'But hey, who am I to complain when Griss decides to be romantic for once in his life?'
As they sat down Grissom handed her a wine glass and she took a sip.
"Hey, this is lemonade!" She exclaimed.
"I know and I'm sorry," Grissom replied. "But I didn't think Dr Campbell would be too happy with me when we went back to see him tomorrow if I'd given you wine. And yes, I'm drinking lemonade as well."
"Yeah good point." Sara conceded.
She looked out over the view and slowly started to relax and enjoy the unexpected time she had alone with Grissom.
'If only I don't screw it up with over talking' She thought glancing in Grissom's direction.
They sat and chatted while they ate, laughing at some of the recent incidents at the lab, then of course over Greg and Jake's mud fight.
"Though you said Warrick would get good people on to work with him?" Sara laughed.
"Well, from what I've heard Jake is one of the best, and generally very good at his job…" Grissom replied. "Greg could be a bad influence on him…"
"You think?"
"Or they're just letting off steam - or mud as the case may be - after a hectic night, which is probably most likely" Grissom finished.
She smiled at that and took another bite of her salad.
Sara couldn't believe how natural and relaxed it felt sitting here having a picnic with Grissom. It was so right.
'Whoa girl, slow down.' She thought. 'He just wants to work on our friendship nothing more. He'll never want what I want.'
Little did Sara realise, Grissom was also thinking about how right things felt. It was a continuation of the feelings he'd been having the last few days since Sara had her accident and had been staying with him. It was something he never wanted to end. Apart from the fact Sara had been hurt yet again - he wished he could protect her from every hurt that came her way, but already knew from past experience that was never going to be able to - it had been the best few days of his life.
'You should tell her how you feel' came that annoying little voice he'd had to put up with the night before.
'Great' He though, like I really needed that back.
'Sorry mate, got me whether you want me our not - someone's got to knock some sense into you' Came the reply.
'Wonderful'
'So, tell her how you feel, come on man, go out on a limb for once!'
'She probably doesn't even want me anymore, I've mucked around for so long' Grissom thought.
'If you believe that you're even more stupid that you act' the voice replied.
'Besides, I'm her boss' Grissom continued ignoring the comment
'That excuse is wearing a bit thin pal'
'I'm 15 years older than her!'
'If that mattered to Sara she wouldn't have stayed around for over 10 years.'
'I can't do it. It'll never work. Better just to keep our friendship' Grissom resolved
'For God sakes man, you've loved her for over 10 years. Why the hell can't you admit it?'
'I can admit it. I do love her. But I can't tell her, not now, not yet.' Grissom replied 'She deserves better than me'
'You're a damn fool!'
'I know' He sighed
Sara looked over at Grissom. He'd been quiet for quite some time and she could see a million emotions flickering across his face. He looked like he was fighting some really hard internal battle, and his silence was un-nerving.
"Griss?" Sara asked quietly, "what's wrong?"
"huh?" Grissom sighed surprised, he didn't realise how long he'd been quiet.
"What's wrong?" She repeated.
"Nothing, just thinking" Grissom replied sharply.
'He's not going to tell me' she thought.' It's probably about me. What did I do wrong? He's been so nice the last few days I had almost started to hope… and I though we'd been having a really good day…maybe he's regretting asking me to stay with him…after all, I'm so tired I've been a real burden…especially after last night…'
She didn't notice, but as all this went though her head, she gently began to cry again and the tears fell unnoticed down her face.
Ever observant, Grissom noticed and was even more upset with himself for making her cry again.
"I'm sorry Sara," He said reaching over to take her hand "I didn't mean to upset you. I just didn't know how to tell you what I was thinking about."
"It's about me isn't it?" She said sniffing.
"Yes."
"Your upset with me, but I don't know what I've done. I know I've been a pain to look after" She said as Grissom stared at her shocked by what she thought.
"If you don't want me to stay with you, I can see if I can get a bed with someone else for the rest of the week. And Nick would take me back to see Dr Campbell"
"Oh Sara honey, no, I wasn't thinking anything like that at all. I've loved having you around." Grissom said.
"Really?"
"Yes, really." Grissom paused and thought for a moment. It was apparently now of never, and if he didn't tell her how he felt it might well be to late - he could lose her for ever all because he couldn't work up some courage. And he certainly didn't want that to happen.
"Sara, I was thinking about us" He started seriously.
Her face fell as she imagined the worst. 'What, does he not even want to be friends anymore? Hang on, he said he enjoyed having me around… so what now?'
He saw her look of horror and reached over to reassure her.
"Stop thinking the worst" Grissom said. "I know I haven't got the world's best track record, but I am really trying here."
He took a deep breath and looked into her chocolate brown eyes. 'Now or never' he reminded himself.
"Sara, I've loved you since the day I met you, over ten years ago in that lecture hall, but found every excuse in the book not to act on it." He began.
While Sara looked at him astonished. 'Hang on - did he actually just admit he loves me?' she thought.
"These last few days while we've been together all the time have felt so right, I never want them to end" He continued
'What, he thought that too? I was sure that was one sided.'
Grissom moved closer and cupped her cheek with his hand.
"Sara honey lets move forward. If you still want me, I'm willing to try - please don't tell me I'm to late."
Sara fought hard not to let the tears fall again, but they did anyway, silently sliding down her cheeks.
"Griss, I've waited for you for over ten years. I too have loved you since the day we met. I've always been willing to try and it would never be to late."
"Really? Your sure?" Grissom asked, not willing to believe she still wanted him.
Sara could only nod as the tears continued and Grissom wiped some away with his thumb.
"I was sure I'd never be able to say this, but now I know I have too." He began. "I can't promise that the road will be easy, and I have no idea what Ecklies going to be like, but I'm willing to give it a go."
"I love you Sara."
"I love you too Griss" Sara replied softly just before Grissom kissed her.
10 years.
10 years and he'd finally been able to admit how he felt.
A/N: Ok, thankyou time!
Firstly to everyone one who left me a review, from both postings of this story - SidleChick, Cheryldrops12, Lanta, EmytheGreat, ForensicsFreak1988, stwbrryCSI, Taletha, jtbwriter, Pookie-The-Wonder-Sheep, alelopez88, Swienegel, and anyone else i've missed - sorry.
Also thank you to my family and friends who've made apperances in this story. Jaks penman - you the best cousin ever, Uncle Murray Campbell - what do you know, your now a Doctor, Mum - hope you don't mind I took you out of midwifery and into Adult nursing, Unlce Ronnie Simpson - hey your now a Towie, Lindsay - another great Cousin, and Constable Jake Colman - your now world famous on Sorry to anyone I've missed here also