Yep. Still using the improv challenge lines from YTDaW...

Thanks Laura Katharine for the beta – in this chapter and last.

"Come on, it'll be fun. We haven't gone out in a long time."

Grissom sat at the end of the table eating his lunch and trying his best to block out Nick and Greg's attempt to coerce Warrick. He knew that the guys were in rare form tonight when they offered to buy everyone pizza, and while Grissom appreciated their energy, he wished they would stop pushing for the answer they wanted.

"I'm sure it will be, but Tina's parents are in town, man. I'm not going anywhere for at least another week."

"Ouch. Trapped at home by the ball and chain. How unfortunate," Greg piped in just after taking in a mouth full of greasy cheese.

"'What a happy and holy fashion it is that those who love one another should rest on the same pillow' – Hawthorne. I would say that Warrick is the fortunate one, Greg." The words were out of Grissom's mouth before he had a moment to filter them. He was thankful when Nick and Greg seemed to have shrugged off the comment, but the knowing look he received from Warrick left him feeling a little exposed.

"Speaking of sacred unions... has anyone heard from Sara?" Nick asked. "It's been four days, I was hoping to hear from her by now."

"You know better, man. She's not going to call in with updates," Warrick said, standing to throw out his trash. "Let her have her time away."

Smirking, Greg reached over the table to grab the last slice. "Yeah, let her share her pil-low," he sang.

Grissom always disliked conversations that evolved around people who weren't there to comment or defend, but the fact that this one was about Sara made his blood boil. This line of conversation was heading into territory that Grissom deemed inappropriate and, even though he knew they had her best interest in mind, he didn't care to hear their opinion on the matter. "Or better yet, let her private life be just that. Break's over. Thanks for the pizza."

The guys relented and filed out the room one by one, passing Catherine who stood leaning against the doorway.

"You sure know how to clear a room. And what's this?" she asked, picking up the empty pizza box and setting it beside the trashcan. "How come no one told me there was pizza?"

Ignoring her comment, he steered the conversation toward work. "Where are you on your case, Catherine?"

"Nothing but paperwork. Shoptalk isn't going to get you out of this. I have to hand it to you, Gil. I thought you would hole yourself up in your office all week until she came back, but no - here you are yakking it up with the guys over pizza. So, have you heard from her?"

"I believe you heard what I said to the guys."

"Yeah, but that's them," she said with a wave of her hand. "What's the word?"

Grissom leaned back in the chair and regarded Catherine carefully. He knew she meant well and if they were talking about anyone else other than Sara, he might have considered opening up to her. "I haven't spoken to Sara since she left and I don't expect to until she comes back. She has taken vacation time to spend with Jason – I hope you all can respect that."

"I don't believe it," she leaned over and whispered with obvious shock. "You've gotten over it, haven't you?"

"I'm ... okay with it."

"Huh." She leaned back in her seat and shrugged. "Well, good – I guess."

Her deflated, if not disappointed tone stoked his curiosity. "What?" he asked defensively.

"I don't know, Gil. I guess I ... I just thought that when push came to shove, you'd shove back. At least a little."

He couldn't help but look at her disbelievingly. She was never really a fan of Sara and even though things might not go the way he wished they would, he thought Catherine would approve of his acceptance. "You were the one who told me that it was my decision on how I was going to deal with this."

"I just don't want you to have any regrets."

He didn't tell her the regrets that mattered the most started not too long after the day he met Sara. Mistakes of their past couldn't be fixed, but if given the chance, he'd never make them again. But about Sara's future – with or without him – he had no regrets on how he handled everything. It was hard for him to regret anything when he had the beautiful memory of how her lips glided across his so effortlessly – so passionately. He never thought he'd have the opportunity to experience that.

Before he could respond, he felt the vibration of his pager. "I hate to cut this short – you know how I love these unsolicited conversations we have – but Brass calls."

"You know, we are friends. If you would volunteer some things now and then, I wouldn't push like I do."

He didn't doubt her sincerity, and maybe someday he'd be able to talk with her about Sara – but not today and never without Sara's permission. "I'll keep that in mind."

He almost laughed when he drove up and spotted Brass on the hood of his car – donut in one hand and coffee in the other. Jim looked like the typical stereotype. "So, the diet's off?"

"I don't turn down donuts," Brass replied, wiping the traces of powdery confection from his mouth. "Besides, this is my cheat day."

Grissom nodded toward the decaying house. "What do I have here?"

"Dead body, little creepy crawlies, and that tall slender brunette who gets her vacation days and work days mixed up."

Grissom froze. "Sara's here?"

"Yep. Drove up, handed me a cup of coffee, this bag of goodies and went inside. I'm blaming my break of diet on her, you know."

"Hmm." Grissom's thoughts didn't dare venture into the possibilities here. He was at a crime scene and his attention was needed here, but he couldn't help but to feel the slightest excitement over seeing her again. He missed her.

"The house is abandoned but apparently gets used from time to time as a 'meeting place' for randy teenagers," Brass continued. "It was reported anonymously– we think it was some kid who didn't want to get in trouble for being out here."

Grissom was already walking toward the house when he replied. "Okay. Thanks."

He was like a magnet, really. He had always been drawn to her, but after having very little contact over the past few days, it was like he was parched and she was the glass of water he so desperately needed.

Grissom found her with her back to the door, kneeling by the body. He noticed she didn't have her kit with her, but could tell by the way she held herself, that she was in complete work mode. It was then that he realized she was here in need of a distraction and it bothered him that he couldn't tell if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

"Hey," he said squatting beside her and opening his kit.

"Hey. I was thinking you might need some help."

He could tell by her tone that she was inwardly pleading for him not to make her leave, but he really couldn't ignore that she wasn't supposed to be here.

"Sara, I have two questions - what are you doing here and where's my coffee and donuts?"

"Hobby's still the same. I bought myself a new police scanner last Christmas – needed something to put under my tree. As for the donuts – they were actually for you but Brass begged me for them," she replied with a playful smirk.

"Sara-" he began.

"Brass already filled me in on your case," she said, interrupting his protest. "You want me to collect or take pictures?"

"I want to know why you're here," he stated gently. "You're supposed to be on vacation."

The flash in her eyes was unexpected and Grissom knew that whatever drove her here couldn't have been good. "I know where I'm supposed to be, but I'm not there - I'm here. I don't want to talk about it."

"I can't just leave it at that. Is it something I can help you with?"

"Hmm. Yeah, you can help me." She rose to her feet and crossed her arms defensively. " I hurt someone I love today. You can tell me how I'm supposed to live with that. I'm asking because I think you've had some practice at it."

Standing to meet her at eye level, he was shocked by the range of emotions that traveled through him. What she said hurt, but it also pissed him off. He knew that he still had things to make up for, but having it thrown in his face like this angered him.

"Don't do that. If you can't forgive me, then tell me so, but don't blame your decision on me. I'm assuming that's what happened – that you broke it off with him permanently?"

"I told him that I kissed you and that I'm confused right now. I don't know what to make of this side of you I've seen over the weeks and it scares me, Grissom."

That hurt him more than her previous comment. Things were never going to be easy for them, he knew, but did they always have to struggle? Did she not trust his feelings? Did she think he would retreat once he got what he wanted? He had no idea how he could prove himself to her anymore than he already had. Maybe this was an impossible dream.

"Sara..." he trailed tiredly.

"I'm sorry."

"No. It's, um... okay." He rubbed his forehead and sighed. "It's okay. I have to ask, though – are you okay to work?"

"I'm here because I need to work and ... I want to be near you – I just don't want to talk to you," she added quickly.

More confused than ever, Grissom relented. "O..kay."

"It's not that I don't want to talk to you, but that it's -"

Grissom held up his hand to halt her explanation. "Between you and Jason. It's none of my business."

"Yeah."

"Okay."

They stood there for long moments just staring at each other. Grissom was vaguely aware that this conversation was held over a bug infested body and it crossed his mind that this may not have been the best place for this. He had a fresh case to tend to, but suddenly he was tired. "Are you ready to work now?"

"Yeah." She squinted a bit before adding gently, "You know, I'm not scared of you."

"I thought you didn't want to talk about this?" he asked with a sharpness he didn't quite intend. "You can document."

"Fine. Just hand me the camera."

TBC