Alright, this is going to be a blah chapter, just sort of a filler, leading up to the next event. Sorry if it's boring, I'll try to make it more interesting soon! Alright School is over, sorry for the delay! I'm done my exams! WOO HOO! Thanks so much to my beta Mel!

Chapter 3: Drinks

Grissom watched Sara as she ordered a dry apple martini; somehow the drink seemed to fit her. Elegant, strong and powerful. He grinned and took a sip of his beer, it had been a long time since he had been out with "the gang" and he remembered the shocked looks they'd had on their faces when he had shown up too.

Sure he had only gone for Sara, but he had to admit, it wasn't half as bad as he had imagined. He watched Sara flirt with the bartender and was momentarily jealous, until he saw she was slightly drunk. He hid a grin as she sipped elegantly on her martini. Sitting on Nick's lap, flirting with the bartender she looked pretty content.

He glanced at Catherine and Warrick who seemed to be in deep conversation in a corner, Warrick was scribbling something on a napkin and Catherine was nodding. He slid in beside them

"What's this?"

Warrick grinned "Cath, I told you, pull out anything about work and Grissom comes running"

Grissom gave his famous grin and pulled his chair closer "So, what you looking at?"

Grissom listened intently as they explained the case, but kept a careful eye on Sara. She seemed to handle her alcohol well so when she started to stumble slightly he decided it was time to take her home "Excuse me, sorry Cath" he cut it "Does she always get drunk?"

Catherine glanced up in surprise "Who? Sara?" Grissom nodded "Only on hard days, yesterday really hit her hard, she's just letting her frustration out" Grissom glanced at Sara, who was leaning over Nick apparently trying to tell him something. "Come on Catherine, the last thing she needs is a nasty hangover" He stood up abruptly and walked over to Sara.

Catherine watched in interest "Hey, Rick, if I didn't know better I'd say he's actually letting his feelings show for once." Warrick nodded "We all know he has a thing for Sara, he might as well tell her"

Grissom watched as Sara stood up "Hello Griss" she said, in a slightly drunken manner. He caught her elbow and supported her as she wavered.

"Sara, I want to take you home"

She contemplated a minute, looking hard into his eyes "Ok" she finally submitted.

He helped her find her coat and she shrugged it on over her slender shoulders. He led her out to his car, no way was she driving home like this. She yawned, covering her mouth with a delicate hand. It was funny, he mused, how she could be so tough but her body so delicate.

Her eyelids fluttered slightly and he chuckled "Sara, if you're tired, you can go to sleep. I'll wake you up when we get home" She nodded and leaned the seat back, closing her sparkling brown eyes.

Grissom listened as her breathing became regular and he suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder. He glanced down and saw Sara's head resting on his shoulder. Her eyes were shut tightly and her mouth hung open a little. A strand of hair hung over her eyes and he ignored it until they came to the next stoplight. He reached down and brushed it away, his finger gently brushing her face "I love you Sara Sidle" He whispered.

She cracked her eye open a little "hmmm?" she murmured.

He turned quickly "Nothing, go back to sleep we're almost there"

Sara nodded slightly and rested her head back on his shoulder. As he pulled up into her driveway she woke slowly. She rubbed her eyes and pulled the seat forward "Thanks for driving me Grissom"

He nodded "Goodnight Sara" She opened the door and walked out, the short nap had done her some good. She climbed up the stairs to her apartment and unlocked the door. She dumped her purse on the floor, locked the door and collapsed into bed.

Grissom sprinkled the food into his Asian beetle's cage. He watched them devour the prey before settling into his bed. He kicked his shoes and socks off and changed into his sweatpants and t shirt. He flicked off the light but his mind was far from tired. I should never have told her I loved her, what if she heard me! What if she remembers? And what about what she had said earlier… 'He did this to me' Grissom was still puzzling over that, but he supposed that when she was ready she would tell him. He lay thinking for a while but soon his aching muscles and drooping eyelids forced his to drift off to sleep.

She woke up a few hours later, her head pounding and her stomach queasy. Right… alcohol does do that to you. She got up, retrieved aspirin and a glass of water, sipping it slowly. She leaned back into her bed, closing her eyes and Grissom's face made an appearance. She could remember what he said, she could see him, clear as day, leaning over her and he spoke softly "I love you Sara Sidle"

TBC…