Disclaimer: I don't own CSI. That's why I work for a living.

Chapter 7

The next couple of weeks passed in a blur. Grissom and Sara had finished packing up the stuff in her apartment. They had even managed to pack everything except bare necessities at Grissom's place too. Everything was labeled and ready for the movers. The things they didn't need had been taken, with the help of Nick, Warrick and Greg, to Goodwill. The guys had been a little surprised that the two of them were moving in together. Not one of them had imagined the relationship to be that serious. Obviously Grissom and Sara were doing a good job of keeping their personal and professional lives separate. Sara was still a little uneasy about giving up her apartment but knew, in her gut, that she was doing the right thing.

Finally moving day was upon them. The company they had hired showed up bright and early. The men worked efficiently and soon had everything from Grissom's townhouse loaded and were ready to move on to Sara's apartment. Around noon all of her things were loaded in the truck. By four o'clock the men had unloaded the truck, set up the bedroom furniture and put the boxes in the appropriate rooms. Grissom gave them a generous tip and closed the door behind them. Turning, he surveyed the room. Their new furniture had been delivered the day before but there were no pictures on knick knacks. No evidence that anyone actually lived here. With a sigh at the amount of work to be done he went in search of Sara. He found her in the master bedroom putting sheets on the bed. He walked over and grabbed one side, giving her a helping hand. She smiled at him across the width of the mattress.

"You okay?" Grissom asked.

"Yeah. I'm fine," Sara said. "Why?"

"Just wanted to make sure you weren't having anymore second thoughts." Grissom's tone was light but his eyes were serious as he studied Sara's face.

Sara straightened up and walked around the bed to stand in front of Grissom. "I am not having second thoughts. It just seems strange. I have been on my own since I was seventeen. I didn't realize how much I valued that independence."

"I can understand that," Grissom said with a smile. "I, personally, have been on my own for longer than you."

"Are you having second thoughts?" Sara asked with a grin.

"No. I have never been more positive about anything in my life. I love you, Sara." Grissom leaned in and pressed a sweet kiss to her mouth. "Let's get this bed made. I have a feeling we're both going to be glad it's done later on."

"Oh, really," Sara chuckled. "I don't think we really need to make the bed for that."

"Ms. Sidle you have a dirty mind." Grissom turned her around and swatted her behind. "Go back to your side."

Grissom and Sara worked for a few more hours before Sara looked up and said, "I'm hungry. What do you want for dinner?"

"Take out," Grissom said helpfully.

"Okay, if you're going to be a funny man, you'll have to eat what I order." Sara said going in search of a phone book.

"How about you order and I'll go get it. I'll even go to the grocery store and pick up some stuff for tomorrow." Grissom had been waiting for an excuse to get out of the house for a few minutes. There was a something hidden in his car that he needed to sneak into the house.

When Grissom returned Sara had found plates and utensils. She had also unearthed some candles and had them burning in the living room. "Hey. I thought we could have a picnic. Since the table is covered with stuff it seemed like the practical thing."

"Okay with me. I bought some wine. If you'll put the other stuff away I'll open it." Grissom reached in his pocket and pulled out his Swiss army knife. He used the cork screw to open the wine. He then opened the food and put it on the plates Sara had set out. Sara found two wine glasses and poured the wine. They carried their plates and glasses into the living room and sat down on the floor to eat.

"I am so tired," Sara said. "I had forgotten how much work this is."

"It is very stressful," Grissom agreed. While they ate, they talked about the stuff that still had to be done and what the plan of attack was. When Sara had cleaned her plate and started picking the vegetables off Grissom's he pushed his plate over to her and stood. He carried her plate into the kitchen and came back with the bottle of wine. He poured them each another glass and prayed that she wouldn't notice his hand shaking. Sara finished picking over the remains of Grissom's dinner and pushed the plate away. Leaning back she sighed.

"Feeling better?" Grissom asked.

"Much better. Did you get enough to eat? You usually don't leave me anything to scavenge." Sara studied Grissom's face. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine. Just not very hungry for some reason." Grissom paused for a second before continuing. "Sara, you remember the first time we were here."

"Of course. How could I forget?" Sara smiled at him.

"Well, I wanted to make tonight just as memorable." He took a fortifying sip from his glass and then placed it on the coffee table. He reached over and took her left hand in his. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met, both inside and out. You have me enthralled. If anyone had told me I could be this happy I would never have believed them. You are the love of my life." He took the ring out of his pocket and held it up as his eyes searched Sara's. "Will you marry me Sara?"

Her eyes had gone wide and her mouth was opened into a small 'o'. Finding her voice, she said, "Yes. No matter how many times you ask, it will still be yes."

Slowly, he slid the ring onto her finger. Raising her hand to his mouth he placed a lingering kiss over the ring. "I love you, Sara. You have just made me the happiest man on earth." He pulled her to him in a kiss that was both sweet and incredibly hot. Lifting his lips from hers he asked, "Do you like it?"

Sara pulled back just enough to bring her hand up to her eyes. When she saw the detail of the ring she looked at Grissom and, with her heart in her eyes, said, "It's beautiful. Oh, Grissom, I love it." She threw herself into his arms. When she pulled back there were tears in her eyes. She held her hand up and studied the ring again. "When did you do this?"

"A couple of weeks ago." At Sara's surprised look, he said, "A man can't tell all his secrets."

Sara shook her head in amusement. "I love you Gil Grissom," she said. Pulling away from him, she stood and held out her hand. "Let's go mess up that bed we just made."

With a smile, Grissom placed his hand in hers and let her lead him to bed.