A/N: A short chapter - enjoy!

Gil Grissom's Romance

Chapter 17

"Please open the door."

She had stuck it out, working as if nothing had happened, to close the case. Hours went by while he dealt with paperwork and, when he finally closed the file, he immediately thought of Sara. He hated remembering the look on her face as Adam Trent threatened her. He should have been there—never left her alone—protecting her. He wiped a hand across his face; for the woman he was—yes, he admitted, the woman he was in love with—he had walked out and left her alone, surrounded by danger.

Hearing a noise, he looked up to see Jim Brass walking into his office. Greetings were more of a sigh of relief than a comment from either man.

Brass settled into one of the chairs, saying, "I thought you left hours ago."

"Paperwork," Grissom said as he stacked folders on top of others.

"Tough case," Brass said. "How is Sara?"

Grissom averted his eyes before answering. "She left a while ago. You saw her—she's tough."

"Yeah, sure, she's tough—and I'm asking how she is?"

Their eyes met briefly as Grissom turned his head. He took a minute to decide on an answer to the question. "She'll be fine. You know Sara—she's bounces back."

A sly grin turned Jim's mouth upward. "You can pretend all you want to, buddy, but," he tapped his forehead with one finger, "I'm a detective. And it doesn't take much to see you are on a new path. Come on—tell me all about your sex life now that you have one."

With a groan, Grissom stretched his arms and asked, "How do you know?"

A sound nearly a laugh came from Brass. "A guess—you appear," a chuckle, "You appear to be the same, but there's a difference," another chuckle, "in your walk."

In a low voice, Grissom growled, "Sara and I are—are getting along very well."

"Treat her right or—I promise—I'll step over your ass after I knock you out and never look back."

A slight smile appeared on Grissom's face. "I don't know how I could go through life without having a clue what it's like to have a woman like Sara." Pausing for a few seconds, seeing the amused look on his friend's face, he added, "to talk with—to have around. We enjoy each other's company."

"I'll bet you do." A smile playing across his mouth, Brass stood. "Remember what I said—and don't let Ecklie learn of this—this development."

When Grissom left the lab, he had one destination, yet he made a detour. Actually two stops, he decided before getting home. He would be quick.

…Sara was ready. After the past eighteen hours, she needed her own kind of diversion. She'd worked herself to near exhaustion; a long, hot shower had helped. The luxury of using the over-sized shower at Grissom's place was one of the reasons she had come here rather than go to her small apartment. And while he kept insisting that she should move in, she could not bring herself to break away from her place—her small piece of independence.

But, she realized, she was slowly adding to a stash of clothing in his extra closet. She removed a short, silky robe from a hanger and put it on. Not something she would have purchased, she thought, but Grissom definitely had good taste when buying things for her to wear. She pulled the belt around and tied it at her waist. His preference was for no buttons.

She folded the bed covers back, fluffed pillows, and turned off the lights except for one lamp by the bedside. Glancing around, she said, "Not my kind of room," laughing as she thought about Grissom's mother and a decorator working to make this room comfortable for Betty Grissom. Definitely feminine in contrast to Grissom's bedroom which was seriously plain except for his framed insects hanging on the walls.

Walking into the kitchen, she found a bottle of wine in Grissom's cabinet which she placed in the refrigerator to chill. She cut up cheese and set a couple of apples and pears on the counter. She'd cut them up when he arrived and then she curled up with a book to wait for him. And fell asleep.

Grissom turned the key knowing Sara would be waiting; he could already taste her, smell her as the door opened. He stood taller, braced his back for her as he closed the door, searching the area for her smile, listening for her quick footsteps. Then he saw her, curled in a ball on the sofa. A book had fallen to the floor.

"Look at you," he whispered as he quietly crossed the room. He put his gifts to one side and crouched down; he did what he rarely had the opportunity to do—he studied her without her knowing it. Soft skin, smooth as satin and colored with a beautiful sprinkling of freckles across her shoulders; long, dark lashes and a mouth perfectly shaped to meet his caused him to smile.

"You are one gorgeous woman," he murmured. "And I don't think you even notice."

Glancing around the room, he noticed the apples and pears and two wine glasses. The light in his guest room was on. He stood and walked over, seeing the bed already turned down.

Smiling, he returned to Sara and slid an arm around her. "Come on, honey," he whispered as he pulled her up. "Let's get you to bed."

She stirred, snuggled against him, but did not wake. Whispering, he said, "A man deserves a medal for tucking in a woman who looks, smells, and feels like you."

He got a muted sigh and a soft "Grissom."

"Come on, dear. You need a bed." He helped her to her feet as her eyes fluttered open.

"I didn't mean to sleep."

"You're tired—exhausted. Let's get you to bed."

"You too," she murmured against his shoulder as they walked toward the bedroom. "I had a plan—wine, fruit, cheese."

"I know. It'll wait. Go back to sleep." He tucked her into bed and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I'm going to shower—a cold one, I think."

Smiling again, Sara said, "Why? It's nice and warm in here."

"You need to rest."

"Don't go—I want you in here with me."

"I'll be back," he promised, leaning down to give her another kiss. Her lips were soft and tasted of freshness, of desire. It was the best thing that had happened all day.

"Don't go," she said again. "It will be like a dream."

It was like a dream. Scents, shadows, sighs, slow and tender as he slid into bed, floated with her on the easy stroking of hands, the gentle rise of her body to his.

He found her mouth again and with it, everything he wanted.

There was no urgency, no greed, but a soothing sensation of being lifted into clouds. His hands smoothed over her silky body; his mouth took from her with endless patience. She moaned under him with one long, low sound as her body matched his. Satisfaction and surrender as her fingers skimmed fingers into his hair.

In the lamplight, he could see the gold flames in her eyes; the air was scented sweet. He watched her as she watched him slip inside her.

"This is different," he said as his mouth touched her. "This is different—I've wanted you but tonight, I needed you."

Sara's eyes clouded with tears; her lips trembled as she attempted to say something. And then, she was so filled, she could only whisper his name.

A/N: Thanks for reading-we'll be back with another chapter!