Chapter 11 – Arriving in Las Vegas

It was around 1:15 Saturday morning when the plane landed at McCarran. Once it taxied to their gate and the passengers stared getting off, Sara got their carry-on items down from the overhead compartment. They were the last few to depart from the plane. As they made their way to baggage claim to pick up their luggage, Sara took another good look at Grissom. He looked so worn out and tired that she was surprised he was able to walk. For his cold to just really have started to show itself a few hours ago, it was already pretty bad. She could only imagine what it would be like in a few more hours. That gave her an idea.

While waiting for the luggage to start making its rounds on the conveyor belt, Grissom began to feel slightly lightheaded. The walk from the plane used up all of his remaining strength and he walked over to one of the conveyor belts not being used and sat down.

Sara followed, a little concerned. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Yeah," he said, coughing. "The walk from the plane down to here just made me a little tired."

Sara sat down next to him. "Grissom," she said looking down at the ground. She couldn't bring herself to look at him in his eyes just yet.

Grissom turned at his name and looked at Sara.

"I know this is a stupid idea, but would you like me to stay with you at your house for a while?" She slowly raised her eyes and looked at him; a small smile had formed on his face. She continued, "If you're like me, you probably don't have any food at your house since we were gone all week. And with the way I know you must feel right now, I highly doubt you'd feel up to driving from my place to yours after dropping me off, let along driving to the grocery store to go shopping. I can pick up some groceries for you while you get some rest."

Grissom's gaze locked with Sara's and he smiled shyly at her. "Actually, I was going to say something similar." Grissom turned away from her and sneezed. Returning his gaze to Sara, he continued, "Besides asking if you'd mind getting me some things from the store, I was going to see if you'd like to keep me company for a little while too. Maybe watch some movies or something?"

"I'd love to," Sara said, beaming. "I do have one small request. I'd like us to stop by my place first so I can change. I promise I won't take that long. I just need to get out of these clothes and into something comfortable."

"I don't mind, just as long as you drive." Grissom bent down to his bag to get out the keys for his Denali. After handing them to Sara, he saw their luggage had started making its rounds on the conveyor belt. "Looks like our luggage has arrived."

"I'll get our bags. You just stay here." Sara walked over to the conveyor belt and waited for their luggage to come around to her. After grabbing their bags, she headed back to Grissom and the two of them slowly made their way out to the SUV.

When they got to the Denali, Sara dropped her bags at the back. She unlocked the doors and grabbed Grissom's bags. "Why don't you get in the car? I'll put your bags away."

Grissom slowly walked to the passenger side and climbed into the SUV. He buckled himself in while Sara finished loading the bags.

A few seconds later, Sara got in and adjusted the seat and mirrors. She started the engine and immediately turned on the heat. It was not as cold in Vegas as it was in Chicago, but she knew Grissom was still freezing. He'd been shivering since he got off the plane. As they made their way to Sara's apartment, Grissom reclined his seat slightly, closed his eyes and a few minutes later fell asleep.

As Sara parked the Denali in a guest parking spot near her apartment and turned off the engine, Grissom slowly woke up. Coughing a few times, he sat up and looked at Sara. "Would you mind if I come in with you while you change? It's a little cold in the car."

"Definitely. I don't know how much warmer it will be, but I don't want to leave you sitting out here."

They got out of the SUV and Sara headed to the back. "Let me get my bags."

Grissom waited for Sara and when she returned with her bags, they made their way up to her one bedroom apartment. Sara unlocked the front door and pushed it open. Turning on the light switch by the door with her elbow, she headed to her bedroom. "Make yourself at home Grissom. I shouldn't be too long."

Grissom entered Sara's apartment and closed the door behind him. He wandered in to the apartment and spotted a comfy looking chair in the living room. He slowly made his way over to it and sat down with a groan; the Tylenol he'd been taking had done nothing for his body aches, headache, or his fever. He leaned back in the chair's soft cushion and decided to close his eyes while waiting for Sara.

TBC