'Hey buddy, did you miss me?'
Grissom's face softens when he looks at Sara as she crouches down to pet the dog.
The hour of snow tubing had flown by and they've come back down to collect Hank from doggy daycare.
Hank puts his snout lovingly into Sara's shoulder and wags his tail enthusiastically as she pets him.
'That's it, I've been officially replaced,' Grissom laughs as he gets completely ignored by his own dog.
As if he understands, Hank walks over to him and looks up to his master, like he's telling him that it's his turn to pet him now.
'You were saying…?' Sara gets up and puts Hanks's leash on. Then, she kisses Grissom on his temple. 'Don't worry about no longer being Hank's favorite. You're still mine.'
He smiles in response. 'That's good to hear. And just for the record. You're mine.'
Hank lets out a small whimper to which Sara moves down her hand to ruffle his ears. 'You're not so bad yourself Hank.'
The dog's tail goes back into full waggle-motion.
Grissom winks at Sara and opens the door for her and Hank. 'Come on, let's go, there's just one more thing I want to show you.'
When they exit the center, the sun has just started to set and it illuminates the surrounding mountains. The snow on the tops reflect the light, creating a golden glow all around.
Sara suddenly stops and looks in awe at the views around them.
'Are you cold?' Grissom asks her, not wanting something silly like discomfort ruining their perfect day. He feels a squeeze in his hand and turns his head to look at her.
'Gil, don't worry about me. I'm not cold and I'm perfectly happy. You make me perfectly happy. Thank you for organizing this.'
He nods, still a little insecure. 'Good, good,' he says pensively. Another squeeze in his hand reminds him to relax.
After they've taken a right turn, another path comes into view, all lit up with burning torches on both sides.
'I hope you're up for a little evening walk?' Grissom wonders out loud.
'You still need to ask?' Sara remarks dryly. 'This is gorgeous.'
Hank lets out an approving yelp.
'Would you like something to drink for along the way?' He points to a small kiosk at the beginning of the path that sells hot and cold drinks.
'I wouldn't say no to a coffee,' Sara agrees, and without waiting for Grissom she heads for the kiosk. 'I'm buying,' she announces before Grissom can argue the decision.
With two steaming cups of coffee in hand, they enter the path.
They walk in silence for a while, enjoying each other's company. Their footsteps in the snow and the occasional sip from their coffees are the only sounds audible.
Since there are no other people in sight, they've let Hank off the leash and he's happily exploring the path in front of them.
Sara slips her hand in Grissom's and sends him one of her signature smiles.
An indescribable feeling of love overtakes him and he stops in his tracks. As he had hoped, Sara turns her head and he presses his lips against hers.
A small sigh escapes her and she opens her mouth to deepen the kiss. Her gloved hand moves to the side of his face and she lets her thumb caress his skin.
He is literally drowning in her eyes. How in the world had he been able to put a stop to this for so long? How had he been able to simply disregard his own feelings for so long, worse even, hold off hers? He hadn't treated her right, he probably didn't even deserve her.
The cheerful bark of their dog brings them both back to the present.
'We're coming, we're coming,' Sara laughs, clearly unaware of the insecurities that had overcome Grissom. She puts her arm around his lower back and finds his hand on the other side.
Hank softly nudges Grissom's leg and Grissom can't decide whether it is to draw his attention or to comfort him. He has discovered a long time ago already that dogs can be highly perceptive to human emotions.
The path winds upwards and the ski resort they just came from is now a mere bundle of lights below them.
'Do you think it's time to tell the team?'
Grissom isn't sure where this sudden question is coming from, but for some reason, it feels like Sara has just dropped a bombshell. 'What do you mean?' he asks against better judgment.
'About us. Is it time to tell the team about us?' she avoids his tensed stare and looks into the distance.
The months they've been together have been wonderful. It's like they're in this cocoon, the two of them, hidden and safe from the outside world. Why should they suddenly change that?
'If you're worried about Ecklie, I could talk to him,' Sara tries. 'I'm sure he'll understand.' Her voice trembles a little. 'I just feel it's wrong to hide it any longer. I want to stand on the rooftops and scream out the love I feel for you. I want for everyone to know about it Gil.'
Grissom isn't sure how to react. 'Oh honey, I don't know, I mean…' he scratches his head while he's trying to think.
Sara takes both of his hands and looks deep into his eyes. 'What are you afraid of?' Her voice is soft and caring.
The words are spinning inside his head, but he can't seem to form a proper sentence with it, let alone a proper answer.
Sara sends him a reassuring smile. 'Courage is knowing what not to fear.'
'Plato,' they both say at the same time.
Grissom nods. 'I guess… well I guess I'm being afraid of the consequences if we tell everyone.'
'Like I just said, I can talk to Ecklie, we just…' Sara interjected, but Grissom fiercely shook his head.
'It's not that. It's not that at all. You are the most important person in my life and I don't want to lose you.' He knows that he isn't making any sense, but his usual wisdom and eloquence let him down this time.
'Don't be ridiculous,' Sara laughs, 'why would you lose me?'
He takes a deep breath. 'Because, I'm afraid that if we leave that safe and wonderful bubble we're in right now and let it out into the world, something will change. That telling everyone will cause something to shift that can't be restored. Everything that we've built up together, it will not be the same anymore!' A lump in his throat prevents him from saying anything else and he swallows a few times.
'Oh sweetheart,' Sara sighs. 'I had no idea you feel this way.' Wrapping her arms around him, she pulls him towards her in a strong embrace. 'Telling everyone won't change anything. Nothing will. You know why?' Until now, she had whispered in his ear, but now she pulls back and gives him a firm look. 'Because our love runs too deep and is too strong. Our love can fight anything that gets in our way.'
'You believe that to be true?' he asks, his voice shaky.
'I don't only believe it, I know it,' she retorts. 'Gil, I love you so much, please don't doubt yourself. You've given me everything I could've hoped for and more. I didn't know it was possible to feel this loved. No clue. Until I met you. Your love has allowed me to break down my carefully constructed wall. I grew up with the idea that I couldn't trust anyone but myself. That I had to protect my heart from being broken once more, worried that if it got broken again it would be beyond repair.' She cups his cheek. 'Then you came into my life and everything changed. You showed me that it was possible to have faith in someone again. To love someone, without being punished for it. I don't ever want to lose you. You hear me Gil? I won't allow it. So whatever happens, whatever life throws at us, we'll survive. Together. Okay?'
Her voice had sounded convinced and full of love, and just the sight of her takes his breath away. 'Sara, I love you. I love you so much!' He captures her mouth in a searing kiss which she welcomes passionately.
When the three of them walk back towards the resort, Grissom has finally made up his mind. 'Okay. Let's tell them. Let's tell them about us. I'm ready for a new chapter.'
Sara shows him her widest smile. 'Me too.'
The end.