(Sara shrugs away from him and stands up.)

Sara: I don't know, okay!

(Grissom jumps a little at her sudden outburst. Sara starts to pace.)

Sara: I don't know if I can put up with our "game" anymore. I've given you chances for the past six years: letting you know when I was free and off so you could ask me out, flirting with you when we're alone working a case, and even asking you out for dinner to take some of the pressure off. What did I get? I got nothing, absolutely nothing from you!

(Grissom stands up and walks over to her. He puts his hands on her shoulders and rubs her arms.)

Grissom: Things can change.

(Sara closes her eyes and sighs.)

Sara: I…I just don't know if things can change that much…if you can change that much.

(Sara opens her eyes and looks at Grissom. She can see the hurt spread all over his face. She breaks her gaze and goes back to the sofa and plunks down with a huff. Grissom stays where he is, his back to her. They stay this way for a few minutes. All of a sudden Grissom goes and kneels by Sara.)

Grissom: Sara…

(Sara's head is still turned away from him.)

Grissom: Sara…

(He lifts his hand up to her chin and turns her face towards his. He is shocked to see her tear-stained face and blood shot eyes. He also finds though, that even as she seems unhappy she is still so beautiful, both inside and out. He gets a sparkle in his eye over this thought and Sara's look turns to one of confusion, wondering what he is thinking of.)

Grissom: Even when you cry you're beautiful.

(Sara starts to turn red, but then comes to the conclusion that she is not going to let him "butter" her up, so she suppresses the blush and turns serious.)

Sara: Grissom, you can't compliment your way out of this.

(Grissom looks into Sara's eyes.)

Grissom: I know, just listen to me for a sec.

Sara: Okay, go ahead.

Grissom: I am so sorry I ever hurt you. That's the last thing I ever wanted to do. As I said before, I notice a lot of things. I noticed your signals and flirting, sometimes I even gave in and flirted a little back, but I kept my defenses up because…because I love you.

(Sara is stunned at his words.)

Grissom: I wanted so much to pursue a relationship with you, but I was afraid of a lot of things. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to make you happy because of my age and you would go and find someone younger.

(Sara tires to interrupt, but Grissom's put a finger to her mouth.)

Grissom: Shh. I'm also your boss of course and I was afraid of the consequences in the work place, like favouritism and breaking work ethic codes. Over the past six years I have started to slowly realize that none of that matters. It fully sank in when you opened up to me about your painful past and childhood. As you were talking I realized that you felt comfortable to talk to me and I felt comfortable to talk to you. I felt I could tell you anything, so that's why I asked you here tonight.

(Grissom stops to let Sara digest all of the information. As it processes in her brain she starts to smile.)

Sara: I'm glad you've opened up to me and I love you too…

(Grissom smiles at her warmly.)

Sara: But where does this leave our relationship?

Grissom: Well, I don't think we should rush into anything.

(Sara nods her head.)

Grissom: Let's start slow. I'd like to take you out on proper dates: to the movies, out to dinner and on little road trips. I want us to get to know each other as friends and lovers instead of co-workers and CSI's.

(Sara relishes in his idea.)

Sara: I'd like that very much.

Grissom: Now, as for telling people…

(Sara interrupts him.)

Sara: I don't want anyone to know, at least not yet anyway.

(Grissom sighs and smiles.)

Sara: You we're thinking of the same thing right?

Grissom: Exactly. We'll keep this private for the first little bit, until we feel comfortable with our relationship to tell everyone.

(Grissom takes Sara's hands and presses a light kiss in the center of each palm. For the next few minutes they just sit staring at each other and smiling.)

Grissom: So…I'm not too late?

Sara: No.

(Grissom and Sara both lean into each other and share a passionate, but light kiss.)

The End