Still don't own them; I'm convinced that Moonves will give them to me if I'm a good girl.

Chapter Seventeen

Satisfied that he picked up all the items he needed, Grissom started the truck and headed toward his home. As he drove closer to his destination, he was growing more nervous. Grissom was lost; this was most certainly unfamiliar territory for him. 'Pathetic old fool,' he chastised himself. 'You have the most beautiful woman you've ever encountered sleeping in your bed, waiting for you. What's the problem here? Coward, Am I really that scared of getting hurt? Coffee, I need a cup of coffee to clear my mind.'

Grissom found his way to the diner by the lab. This was his sanctuary, it was open twenty-four hours, and he had spent countless nights here going over evidence and thinking. He had even brought Sara here once; well not just Sara, but his whole team after that case that got him suspended a few years back.

As he was enjoying his coffee, there was a hand on his shoulder and a familiar voice behind him.

"Aren't you supposed to be home in bed?" Brass questioned.

"Hey Jim. I had a few things I needed to pick up. I'm on my way back home; I just wanted to…stop here…have a cup of coffee."

Brass took the seat next to his friend. "Come on Grissom. How long have we been friends? Looks to me like your running."

"I'm not running," he snapped back. "I just needed a minute before I went back home. I need to…" Grissom began to get flustered. "Who am I kidding here Jim. I'm terrified. I don't know how to do this. I mean, what should I do now?"

"Relax buddy," Jim answered, putting his hand on Grissom's back. "You don't really have to know what to do. Look, Gil, we've known each other for what ten years? I've seen you go out with women; I've seen you get some women; I've seen you lose some women. But, I've never seen you look at anyone else the way you look at her. And she looks at you the same way. I don't know about any of the other stuff, but I know that for sure."

"Ok, if you're trying to give me advice; this really isn't helping. I already know what she does to me. It's the only thing I do know."

"Alright Sherlock, then why are sitting here telling me. I mean I like you and all, but I'm not gonna keep you all warm and cozy at night. Go…Just go tell her what she does to you. That's where you start. Everything else will just kinda happen on it's own."

Grissom looked up at his wise friend, almost as though he couldn't believe that it could be that easy. He paid his check and confessed, "Thanks Jim, sometimes I need a little push in the right direction."

"Push, nothing, more like a forceful shove. Good luck."

Before Brass finished his sentence, Grissom was out the door, in his truck, and on his way to Sara.

TBC

OK, couldn't resist one more turn with Brass. Can you tell how much I love his character?