Disclaimer: CSI Vegas doesn't belong to me. Back in the old days GSR used to have us either sitting in the corner rocking and babbling or jumping for joy. These days the writers are giving us everything we want...that is barring the kiss! But that's another story!

AN: OK never thought I would ever write again, or even write for GSR again. My muse disappeared a couple of years ago but the recent GSR scenes had her stirring again, so here is the result. I am very very rusty, and I don't know if my muse will make another appearance, but here's my little offering

Summary: She stared down at her ringless finger with so much sadness, even though she tried so hard not to. Being without the band of gold unearthed so many of her past insecurities; each one of them evolving in her mind, one by one

Band of gold

The lights of Vegas cast their illuminating glow throughout the room, muted slightly by the half closed drapes. The different colours sent rainbow hues to wash over the lone figure seated beside the window, highlighting her face with a soft glow. It was early hours of the morning in the city that never sleeps, and even though she should have been sleeping, Sara just couldn't relax.

She stared down at her ringless finger with so much sadness, even though she tried so hard not to. Being without the band of gold unearthed so many of her past insecurities; each one of them evolving in her mind, one by one. She knew Grissom didn't understand why she was so upset. He saw it as just a ring, something which could easily be replaced if the original wasn't found… but it would never be the same.

Sighing heavily, she glanced behind at her sleeping husband, wishing she could convey to him just how much it meant to her. It wasn't just a wedding ring, it meant so much more than a sign of marriage. He had brought it especially for her, and it had been her wedding ring throughout their marriage; both of them. It was a sign of his love and commitment to her, and without it, she just felt so…lost.

Turning back to the window, she could already feel the swell of emotion welling in her eyes. The last time she'd taken it off, the mere action had broken her heart, and it wasn't even her choice. Grissom had made his decision without her, casting her feelings aside as if their love had withered and died… but it hadn't… not for her. It wasn't until much later she realised their love still burned within him too. They were so wrapped up in hurt, they never once confided in each other that a divorce wasn't what either of them had wanted. Because of their miscommunication they had wasted so much time.

Swiping at her eyes, she took a shaky breath and tried to stem the tears that were threatening to fall. They were still so bad at communicating sometimes. She didn't want to hurt him by telling him how much he'd hurt her in the past, but losing her ring felt a lot like some impending doom ready to befall them both.

"Honey…"

His voice startled her, and she hurriedly wiped at her eyes before turning from the window to see him climbing out of their bed.

"What are you doing up?" he asked, glancing at the bedside clock. "It's two in the morning."

"Sorry," she all but whispered, swallowing down the lump in her throat. "I couldn't sleep."

Standing up, she offered him a tired smile and made her way to meet him beside their bed. She could see he was worried about her, and combined with the love in his eyes, he all but squashed the sadness running through her. Without saying anything, she wrapped her arms around him and held on tight. He was her husband, her best friend, her lover, and everything else in between. Losing her wedding ring wouldn't take any of that away… she wouldn't let it.

Grissom held her, squeezing her tightly against him as he tried to express to her how much he loved her. He knew he wasn't the world's best talker when it came to conveying his feelings, but he liked to think he'd gotten better at it over the years. Turning his head, he pressed his lips into her hair and allowed her scent to fill his senses.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded against him before slowly pulling back to offer him a soft smile.

"I love you," she told him, offering him a watery smile. "So much…"

Grissom lifted his hands to her face; his fingers brushing over her cheeks. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to hers, pouring every ounce of love into his kiss. Their arms wound around each other as they pulled one another closer before breaking the kiss moments later.

"I love you, too," he told her a little breathlessly, tugging her back into his body for another brief kiss. He'd fully intended to tell her that he'd already found her ring earlier that night and taken it to be cleaned, but he'd wanted to surprise her… but now, after seeing the sadness in her eyes, he wasn't so sure he should wait. He opened his mouth to tell her, but she stole the words from his lips when she moved closer to collect another kiss, scattering his thoughts into the wind.

When they finally pulled apart, Grissom manoeuvred her towards the bed, waiting for her to climb in before he followed. He waited for her to settle onto her side and then shifted onto the mattress to shuffle closer until her back was flush against his chest. Slipping his arm around her waist, he still marvelled at how she could still take his breath away. They fit together perfectly, like puzzle pieces slotting together. He felt her arm slide over his on her stomach before opening her fingers to allow his to thread through hers.

"Sara," he whispered softly, squeezing their joined hands before lowering his lips to her shoulder to press a kiss over her skin. He loved this woman with every fibre of his being, and he couldn't think of anything else he would rather do right now than show her. So, with a gentle tug, he pulled on their joined hands until she shifted position to lie on her back to look up at him.

"Hey," she whispered, her eyes sparkling in the darkness. "I thought you were tired."

"Nope," he chuckled as he leaned over her, bringing his lips down to her throat, nuzzling her soft skin before he lifted up again to smile down at her. "Not anymore."

Sara unclasped their fingers and reached up to pull his head down to hers before kissing him with such longing that he couldn't help but follow, willingly falling into her body…

000

The next morning, Grissom sat on a bench outside the courthouse where David Hodges' trial was due to begin. Reaching into his pocket, his fingers grazed Sara's wedding ring which was nestled safely beside the small velvet box he'd also picked up from the jewellery store. He heard Sara's approach as she turned off her phone to offer him a bright smile. Grissom watched her with adoration when she came to stand before him, absently reaching out to adjust his tie.

"I found something you were looking for," he told her as he reached into his pocket to pull out her lost ring. "I thought I'd better give it to you now before we go through the metal detectors."

Sara's soft gasp brought his eyes up to hers. He slipped her ring back onto her finger and watched in confusion when her eyes filled with tears.

"Thank you," she told him tearfully as she looked down at the ring on her finger before lifting her eyes to his again.

"You really weren't that worried about the ring?" he asked, still a little uncertain as to why she was so emotional.

Sara swallowed hard as she reached out to skim her hand across his shoulders, his arm, before finally coming to rest over his tie once more.

"It uh…" she started; her voice soft as she spoke. "It kinda felt like a bad omen…I…"

"Honey, nothing is going to happen to us," he told her as his hand came up to wrap around hers. "You believe that don't you?"

"The last time I had to take it off was…" she glanced down at the ring again before lifting her gaze back to his. "I…"

Grissom could see her eyes glistening as she spoke, and he knew he had to prove to her that their marriage was everything to him. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the small velvet box and cracked it open.

"When we got remarried, I should have bought you a new ring…"

"Gil…" she started, but the words died on her lips when he slipped another ring onto her finger to nestle beside her wedding band.

"I should have given this to you on our second wedding day," he told her with a smile as his eyes searched hers. "I know you never wanted an engagement ring, but I wanted to find something to show you that we're never going to be apart again."

Sara's mouth grew wide when she took in the sparkling eternity ring, and couldn't help the smile she offered him before she lunged forward to wrap her arms around him.

"Thank you," she whispered into his neck, already feeling the weight of worry leaving her body. "Just hearing you say the words is enough."

Grissom held her tighter, once again thanking whoever was listening for bringing this woman into his life. His eyes closed automatically when the heat from her body seeped into his, and he didn't want to imagine his life without her again, ever. Pulling her closer, he buried his face into her hair, placing a kiss into her soft strands before he opened his eyes and slowly pulled away.

"We should go," he told her softly as he reached up to swipe the beginnings of a tear away from her cheek. "You okay?"

Nodding, Sara slid her arm around his waist and leaned into his side. She felt lighter and so incredibly happy, despite the looming court case which dominated their time. He was here. They were together, and everything else would fall into place…

END