A/N Hi everyone who is still here. Sorry this chapter took a while to update, i'm trying really :-) Hope you all enjoy and please R&R as they make my day!

The front door of Gil Grissom's townhouse opened with a soft thud as its owner struggled to work out the mechanics of getting so many bags through such a small space. When he finally reached the large glass dining table he was more than happy to relinquish his load. Sara, who had followed behind him, was trying desperately not to laugh.

"If this is why men don't like shopping then I can see why" He grumbled as he inspected his hand for long lasting injuries.

"Men are just wimps. That's the real reason"

The mock glare he threw her did little to curb her laughter.

After leaving her apartment building they had driven back to the lab to collect her spare clothing and then driven to a local store to stock up on essentials and food. When they had finally reached his townhouse it was two hours later than he had anticipated and he was exhausted.

Letting out a small stiffed yawn, he headed towards the kitchen, throwing his keys on the table as he did so.

"Coffee?"

Sara nodded her head in acceptance and walked over to one of his many display cabinets. He watched her, as she browsed each display with an enchanting curiosity before finally stopping to study one specimen more closely. He smiled and willed his concentration back to the task in hand. He did not have to ask her how she liked her coffee. He had silently watched her making it many times before. Her voice drew his attention.

"You know, in all the years I've known you I've only ever been to your house once….during the Sid Goggle case"

His eyes flicked towards her but she was now staring at another display case.

"That makes us even then" He mumbled softly before returning his attention back to the coffee and then to Sara once again.

She smiled softly to herself and picked up a small model of a butterfly.

"Yeah but that wasn't through lack of trying"

He almost dropped the cup he was holding and quickly placed it back on the counter. She on the other hand acted as if the words had never left her lips. When she came and sat opposite him he prayed that the colour of his cheeks had not betrayed him.

"Need any help?" She asked, gesturing towards the coffee cups.

"Erm… no it's ok, I'm done" He answered quickly before handing her a cup.

"You don't have any photos" She remarked inquisitively.

He shrugged, "I've never had any good ones I guess"

She frowned, as if contemplating his excuse, "Other than that I like it"

XXX

When they arrived at work together later that night they earned themselves many curious glances. When the situation had been explained to Ecklie and the rest of the night shift Grissom knew that gossip would spread like wildfire throughout the lab. When Catherine entered his office ten minutes before start of shift he wished he had taken up Sara's suggestion of keeping their living arrangements secret.

"You are just the man I was looking for"

Grissom glanced up from his paper work.

"Hello Catherine what can I do for you"

She gave him a sickly sweet smile in return and took the seat opposite.

"I heard about you and ……Sara"

He groaned and continued his paperwork in some vain hope that this would deter her. When he made the mistake of looking up to see if his ruse had worked her unrelenting eyes caught his. She knew him too well.

"The situation has been explained to all those who needed to be informed. Sara is staying with me until her building's secure. Anything else I can help you with that's not related to my personal life?"

She grinned widely like a cat that had just got the cream and the bird all in one.

"Nope that's all. For once your personal life is much more interesting than work. I'm surprised the four horsemen of the apocalypse haven't gone by"

The glare he threw her informed her that she had more than outstayed her welcome. She got the message and stood up holding her hands up a sign of submission before heading towards the door and turning once more to face him.

"Oh and while I remember, don't forget that the charity ball is in two weeks. We are all expected to attend. Invitations were sent out last week" She said, humour in her voice.

He did not wish to make the same mistake twice, and kept his attention on his files when he answered.

"I know. I have it and I won't forget"

He heard her movement return but then she stopped once more.

"Oh and Gil"

He looked up over the top of his notes this time and immediately caught the devil in her eyes.

"Staff are more than welcome to bring a date." With that she was gone as his grip tightened around the pen he might have thrown at her if she had remained in the room any longer.

XXX

Five minutes later he was heading towards the conference room with Catherine's comment still ringing in his ears. A date. Once upon a time he had many options, he supposed he still did, but he only wanted one. One he couldn't allow himself to have.

Sara and Greg were already waiting for him when he entered the conference room so he sat and immediately began.

"First things first, As result of Sofia's dismissal we have a new member of staff joining us tomorrow" He flicked through his notes "….. Shay Reed, out of the LA crime lab"

Sara's head shot up in recognition of the name.

"Oh my god, I'm going to kick his arse" The puzzlement in both Grissom's and Greg's face drew a further explanation from her.

"We were juniors at San Francisco together. We've kept in touch. Nothing serious but enough to warrant me kicking his arse for keeping it a secret"

Greg laughed at Sara's scowl and a pang of jealously rose in Grissom's stomach,

"Well he will be here tomorrow. Let's get back to the case"

Sara's face flushed red with embarrassment and Greg let out a small grin, which was quickly suppressed when Grissom saw it.

"Sara, anything back from DNA?"

"Yeah, DNA's back from the brush .It was a match to the victim. Sexual assault kit's also back. She was raped. Killer used a condom like we suspected" She finished with a sigh.

Greg continued, "He cleans up just like he did at the flat"

Grissom nodded, "I think it's more than that. The photos, the way he lays them out, the cleaning of the house. It's almost ritualistic. Like he wants to restore them to how they were before he got hold of them"

"Why, Guilt?" Greg asked, leaning inwards.

Grissom's reply was soft and unsure "Maybe"

Sara's voice broke softly,

"Maybe they're not the real focus of his rage"

The ensuing silence was broken by Brass.

"Well you better find out who is. We've found another victim"

XXX

Sara sat at the large display table tracing and re-tracing the partial eight on a photo of the victim's chest. She stretched her arms, back clicking in protest. She was at a dead end. The victim had turned up clean, no red flags. The serial numbers had been removed from the photos and the markings on the victim's chest had not been distinctive enough to identify a clear pattern, although an eight did look plausible. When she had phoned Grissom to tell him this he had told her not to worry and that he and Greg were nearly finished at the scene. That was an hour ago and she was beginning to get restless.

A loud wolf whistle broke the silence. She grinned ruefully but refused to turn around.

"I've told you already Nick, a wolf whistle is not the way to get the attention of a respectable lady anymore"

"Well respectable is not always fun Miss Sidle"

She turned and yelped in surprise at the figure standing before her.

"Shay"

He stepped forward, grinning broadly, and pulled her into a hug.

"Have you got taller?" He questioned mockingly as he released her.

She grinned and punched him playfully in the arm.

"All the emails and you never said a word. I could kill you" She said, smiling as he rubbed his arm while pouting his lips.

"I wanted it to be a surprise. I guess it worked"

Her smile broadened.

"Thought you didn't start till tomorrow?"

"I don't. Just thought I'd come in and get a feel for it. Conrad Ecklie just gave me the tour. Thought you were out in the field but then I saw your cute ass leaning over the table . . . . . . . "

She blushed red and interrupted him before he could finish.

"Behave. So what brings you to Vegas? Thought LA was where your heart was"

He shrugged and Sara immediately saw the pain wash over his face.

"My fiancée and I spilt up a few months back. She moved out so I decided to move on. Fresh start and all"

Sara sighed and squeezed his arm gently.

"Sorry to hear that"

He shrugged once more,

"Well shit happens………So when you off? We could grab a coffee or something"

The shuffle of bags alerted them to Grissom's and Greg's presence. Introducing them quickly, she gently led Shay to the door.

"Um, I'll have to skip coffee. Got loads to process. How about breakfast after your first shift tomorrow? My treat"

He smiled in acceptance. Before bidding Greg and Grissom goodbye and turning back to Sara.

"Good to see you Sara"

"Yeah you to"

And this was the comment that finally made Gil Grissom's stomach flip.