Catherine did as she said and took her co-workers to Sara's apartment building. Once there she watched as Gil and Sara climbed into the Denali and took off.
Catherine then turned in the other direction, to pick up Lindsey and meet Greg at the lab.
Grissom drove himself and Sara back to his place in silence. He'd expected Sara to argue, but she didn't. She knew she needed rest, but she wasn't about to admit that, especially not to him.
He pulled into his driveway and climbed out, moving as quickly as he could to the other side to help her out.
Quietly he led her up the stairs and inside.
"Get comfy," he suggested, pouring her a glass of orange juice. He then entered the living room and handed her the glass, before sitting in the chair across from her.
"Sara, you worry me. You are so beautiful. Some days it amazes me that you, someone as amazing as you, came out of such a troubled life," he gave.
"Since when do you care about beauty?" she questioned bitterly.
"Since I met you, Sara Sidle," he responded, in a quiet tone, only just above a whisper.
She stood, putting her juice on the table and went to the coat closet.
"Where are you going?"
"Home, Grissom, I can't deal with you leading me on, anymore, I'm not a puppy dog," was given in that same bitter tone as she pulled her shoes and coat on.
Grissom was behind her in seconds, gently holding her wrist to stop her.
"Sara, when I found you there I… I… I don't know, I couldn't think beyond getting you out. I think I could have died in that washroom… if you hadn't come back," he noted, his emotions showing in his eyes. He knew that he had to say this, and let her see his emotions for her to understand.
She shook her head as he gently tugged her coat off, she wanted to argue, but the look in his eyes was pleading with her not to. "Stop playinggames, please," she pleaded, unable to believe his words.
"I can understand that you don't believe me, but, give me the chance to prove it to you," Grissom requested, leading Sara back to the living room.
Once she was sitting she took her previously abandoned juice in hand.
"Just believe me when I say I'll be there fore you, no matter what," were the next words spoken before she looked up.
"If you're not going to let me leave… can we at least watch a movie? I don't feel like talking."
He nodded and they selected a comedy. Grissom put the DVD in the machine and Sara made room for him on the couch.
Settling beside the brunette, Gil hit play. Shortly after he did that he was surprised to feel her leaning against him, not that he had any objections.
About a half hour into the movie he placed his arm around her, and when she didn't complain he pulled her as close as he dared. He was further surprised when he felt her head resting on his shoulder, until he heard her shallow breathing.
A smile crept across Grissom's face as he carefully moved and lifted the woman into his arms. Gently he made his way to his room, where he settled her under the covers of his bed.
Tucking her in, he brushed a feather-light kiss across her forehead before slipping back into the living room. Once there he turned the couch into a bed. Once finished he set his head on the pillow, intent on watching the rest of the movie. However, it took only moments for his eyelids to feel heavy and for him to fall asleep.
Both of them slept in semi-peace for a few hours, until Grissom was awoken by a thrashing and loud moaning sound. Once fully awake he realized it was coming from the bedroom, and he took off down the hall.
Bursting into the room he saw his co-worker, hair matted to her head and face, tangled up in the mass of blankets. He moved forward and gently shook her, only to have her swing her hand and connect with his cheek. He cringed and shook her more forcefully, shouting her name.
She sat bolt upright, spine stiff as can be. Her terror filled chocolate eyes turned towards Grissom.
"Griss?" she questioned, confused for a moment. It didn't take long for her to realize that she wasn't in her own bed, in fact, this room distinctly screamed 'Gil Grissom'.
"Hi," he offered with a slight smile before moving out of her way. He caught the faint cringe that etched itself across her face as she took in her appearance.
"Why don't you grab a shower? You'll feel better…" he offered before going to his closet and pulling out the smallest pair of sweats and t-shirt he had.
She smiled slightly when he handed her the items. "I should explain…" she was interrupted.
"You will when you're ready," he offered and showed her the way to the washroom.
"Thanks," she gave, before closing the door behind her.
Gil just nodded and went to his room, after retrieving clean bedding from the linen closet. He then proceeded to strip the bed and remake it with the fresh linens.
By the time he'd finished pulling the covers down, Sara had finished in the shower. She stepped into the room looking somewhat goofy garments, but Grissom thought it was cute.
"How'd I end up so lucky to have you for a supervisor?" she quested, smiling at him, a genuine smile.
"Well, it all started several years ago, when you were a student," he gave, smiling.
She shook her head slightly before noticing the developing red mark on his cheek. Carefully she touched it, grimacing at the thought that she had done this to him.
"God, Griss, I'm sorry," she murmured, carefully running her hand over the mark.
Grissom shook his head and took her hand in his, bringing it down to hang in the middle of them. "It's okay, Sara," he gave, motioning for her to climb back into the bed, which she did.
Gil then moved to tuck her in, but was stopped by her words, barely audible, but he was tuned in to her voice.
"Don't go?"
"I'll just be in the living room, I promise."
"That's not what I meant…" she gave, turning away from him.
Grissom blinked as he thought for a moment. "Are you sure?"
She nodded her head and he slipped into the washroom to change into his pajamas. When he returned Sara was still curled up on her side. He slipped under the covers, keeping his distance from her, or at least he tried to. That is until Sara rolled over and nestled herself against. Grissom quickly realized that she was showing him a weakness, and he couldn't push her away, and he didn't want to, either.
With this discover he smiled and wrapped an arm around her. With this encouragement her head settled on his shoulder, soon after she was fast asleep.
Grissom smiled as he felt her slow, steady breathing. Deep down, though, he feared she'd have another nightmare. That fear slowly dissipated as he too started to doze off, again, and eventually falling asleep. His arm was still wrapped around Sara Sidle, holding her close.