Discliamer: I do not in any way own CSI, i make no profit from my stories and i certainly wouldn't want to. Ok that last part was a lie. And for any confused people out there, this started off as a 'Sara leaving Vegas' fic, but i changed my mind halfway through this chapter. So sorry if some of you were expecting her leaving. :( Then again, it might happen yet. Enjoy.

Drip Drip Drip

"Hey, can someone put that damned tap off please?"

Greg and Sara were in the bathroom of Sheila Simmons, a 36-year-old manic-depressive. The bath had been filled to the top, the water spilling over the sides, the dead woman floating in a river of forgetfulness, her eyes were open in shock as if drowning was the last way she wanted to go out in life. Her naked body pale underneath the cold water, her hands looked as if she'd tried to grab onto something, the scene on a first look basis looked like a suicide, on closer inspection it looked like murder.

"What do you see Greg?" Sara's gaze followed Greg's.

"On first look, it looks like a suicide." Sara nodded.

"But the claw marks on the bath and the swollen legs looks like she struggled. Her clothes are folded in a heap over beside the toilet. Looks like she was taking a leisurely bath someone interrupted her and killed her."

Sara nodded, walking towards the sink, her feet making a splashing sound as she walked through the small puddle of water surrounding the bathroom floor.

"Well any evidence on the floor has been washed away, so that means no foot prints in here, but I'm thinking there might me some through out the house. You fancy having a look around?"

Greg looked at the dead woman one last time and looked towards Sara.

"Sure, I'll see what I can find."

Opening her case, she took out her camera and started to take pictures of the scene. The folded up clothes, they looked as if the victim had taken time to fold them up properly, showing that she was a neat and tidy person. The claw marks on the bath, her nails must have been embedded in the plastic, trying to scratch herself to safety. Sara looked at the woman's face, her brown eyes now clouded over, her perfect lips in a frown, her pale skin made her look younger. She was a model of death. Sara shook her head and continued to take pictures. It was when she turned to the medicine cabinet that she noticed the mirror, a small-framed mirror. It wasn't clear but someone, the murderer she thought had written a message on it.

In death may you find peace.

Catherine sat in the break room reading a magazine while sipping on some of Greg's hidden coffee. Warrick strolled in in his casual way looked at Catherine and poured himself a cup of coffee, leaning on the worktop he took several sips.

"So…I hear Greg's with Sara tonight. What's that, fourth time this week?"

Catherine looked up from her magazine.

"I don't know what it is between Sara and Grissom, but it's got to stop. It's either Sara solo, or Sara with Greg."

"Do you know why he's pissed this time?"

Catherine set her coffee down.

"For sure, it's all to do with Sara chasing down that suspect. I would have done the same thing in her situation, I don't know what his problem is."

Warrick nodded, his gaze lingering on Catherine's lips.

"I dunno what happened between them, the first year she was here all they ever did was flirt. I seen the looks, I think everyone noticed them. Then all of a sudden…they were like worst enemies. It's either sarcastic comments or death looks."

Catherine smirked.

"I know what happened."

Warrick raised his eyebrows.

"Don't leave it hanging there girl. Spill the beans."

"Sara asked Grissom out."

"Wow."

Nick walked into the break room smiling at both Catherine and Warrick.

"How are y'all?"

"Fine Nicky."

"Ok bud."

"Where's Sara and Greg?"

Catherine and Warrick looked at each other.

"Out in the field, they've been paired again."

Nick sat down and huffed.

"Man, I never get any Sanders action."

They all laughed together.

Greg walked back up to the bathroom with a few evidence bags that contained a few fibres and a shoe print he was able to lift. Feeling good about himself, he decided to show Sara his findings and see what she thought. As he watched her work he noticed the small things he hadn't when he'd been cooped up on the lab. Her stoic face as she collected evidence, the way her hands worked, he noticed Sara looked sadder than she had been looking for a while. She hardly ever smiled, and if she did, it was normally forced, her eyes had lost their spark and she didn't have that same excited to work quality about her. Sara had changed…and for the worst.

He knew Grissom had something to do with it, he always paired Sara with himself, even the team were noticing now. To become a good CSI Greg thought that variety might help, getting to work with the other guys, they all had special skills they were good at. He wasn't complaining working with Sara over the last couple of shifts, but he needed change, and frankly he was scared to mention it to Grissom in case he went off on one and treated Greg with the same lack of respect as Sara.

What was it about them? Had Sara did something so wrong that Grissom couldn't forgive her? The whole running after a suspect was sad. If anyone had been in Sara's position, they would have done the same, yet Grissom had came down on Sara hard, taking her into his office and telling her off. There was no need for it, but who was he to say what was right and wrong, he was only a Rookie, Grissom was supervisor.

As Sara was collecting evidence, she was thinking about Grissom. He treated her like a…like a child. She knew she was a good CSI, she knew she had a good solve rate, yet here she was with Greg for the umpteenth time that week. It was wrong. He needed to work with the others; he needed to gain confidence working with the others also. Grissom was being the child, falling out with her for chasing after the suspect, not speaking to her because she had asked him out. There was something about the man that infuriated her. She had tried to make things better between them; she had tried to sort things out. Yet he pushed her away, sometimes he never spoke to her all week. Sara was becoming a bitter person because of Grissom.

The best thing to do was leave, but she'd be leaving Nick, Warrick, Greg, and Catherine behind, they were like family to her. She needed them. Yet, was there any point staying if she couldn't advance, or the boss had a pick on her?

Sara sighed and straightened her back, it was no use, she shouldn't be thinking about those things while working a case. Her mind wasn't on the job.

Greg cleared his throat. "Hey Sara, I found a foot print and some green fibres."

Sara smiled. "Good work Greg. We've done all we can right now. Let's get back to the Lab with this evidence."

"Um, Sara?"

Sara looked at Greg, he seemed uncomfortable.

"What is it Greg?"

"If…well…I'm here if you ever need to talk…to someone."

Sara's eyes remained on the floor as she spoke quietly. "That means a lot Greg. Thank you."

Back at the Lab, Greg and Sara had clocked in all their evidence, Greg had gone to see if he could find out what the fibres were, Sara on the other hand was outside Grissom's office, trying to find the courage to knock and go in.

Deep breath Sidle. Say what you have to say and go.

Knocking softly, she heard his booming voice. "Come in." Taking another deep breath, she pushed the door open slowly. He glanced at her and continued with his pile of paper work.

"We need to talk Grissom."

Eyebrow raised he licked his upper lip and took his glasses off. "Talk about what?"

Sitting down Sara sighed. "You know what. That's the fourth time this week that Greg and I have been paired with each other. He needs variety, it's not fair on him."

Grissom leaned back in his chair and stared at Sara. He took in her pale face, the loss of excitement in her facial features. Her face sank in a bit now and she looked as if a good meal wouldn't hurt her. Was he that naïve that he thought his ignorance wouldn't hurt Sara. What had he done?

"You don't like working with him?"

"I didn't say that." Sighing miserably, she continued. "Just because you have…some sort of problem with me doesn't mean you can take your problems out on Greg. How do you expect him to learn and feel confident in the field if he has no experience? I'm the only one he works with. I'm sure the rest of the team have noticed too."

Biting his lip he sat up and looked Sara in the eye.

"After you two finish up your case, I'll assign him with one of the others."

"Thank you."

Grissom rubbed his top lip and looked at Sara, she just sat there, was she expecting something else from him? He knew he had to change, he was pushing Sara away, and maybe soon, the gap between them could never be closed. If he was going to do something about…their relationship he needed to do it now. Taking a deep breath, he tried to let the words escape from his mouth.

They wouldn't, he sat there silent, gaping like a fish, as hard as he tried nothing would come out of his mouth. Sara stared at him in curiosity. Was he actually going to say something that was relevant to their situation? Was he going to tell her that he knew what to do about 'this'? Was he going to ask her out? Her body was on alert, she felt giddy, but then she realised she should prepare herself for disappointment. Grissom wouldn't have changed in the matter of a shift, he wasn't like that. Whatever he was going, to say was either going to make her or break her. Placing her hands in her lap, she waited patiently for him to speak up.

Clearing his throat Grissom started to speak, his voice quiet. "Sara, we both know that there's something between us. Your attracted to me and…. I'm attracted to you."

There he had said it, he had told her what he felt. He was attracted to her; maybe she would let him stop there. No, she just sat there, her gaze penetrating. "But what you have to understand Sara is that…we can't do anything about this thing between us. I'm your supervisor; I'm your boss you work FOR me. I'd like it if could…start from scratch. Become friends again, I miss you."

He knew there was something, yet he didn't want to act on it. Was this man that obtuse? No, she didn't want to be just friends, she wanted to be partners, boyfriend and girlfriend, lovers. She wanted more, and if she couldn't have it, she would make sure she COULD have it. She could play on this little monologue of his.

"Friends, as in you respect me, I respect you and you treat me fairly like the rest of the group?"

Grissom nodded. "Yes."

"So the next time I chase down a suspect you won't chew my ass?"

Grissom had to smirk at that comment. Oh he'd love to chew on her ass, he just couldn't. Get those thoughts out of your mind Gil. You've just told her nothing can happen. Yeh, but I didn't say I couldn't fantasize.

He stood up and rounded his desk, holding out his hand, he wanted her to shake on it. "Friends?"

Sara surprised him by grabbing him into a bear hug and squeezing tightly, lightly rubbing her nose through his soft curls. Pulling back, she gave him one of her Sidle smiles and walked out of his office with an obvious spring in her step.

That was rather easy…Grissom thought.

Sara went in search of Greg; she wanted to see if there was any breakthrough in their case. She couldn't believe Grissom wanted to sort this mess out between them but wanted to stay friends. He could take his friends invitation and shove it where the sun don't shine. She was going to make sure Grissom KNEW if she were next to him, in the same building as him. She was going to do this right, and by the end of it, she'd have Grissom falling at her feet quicker than she could say 'I told you so'

Life was definatly getting better.

TBC...