I Cannot Believe this is Finally Happening

Chapter 3

(AN: Thank you so much for the reviews, they really make my day! Disclaimer: I do not own CSI)

Gil Grissom awoke a little disoriented, but when he felt her stir on his chest, he remembered where he was. He smiled to himself a little as he lifted his arm and wrapped it around her back in order to hold her closer. She turned her head to face him.

He smiled, "You're awake?"

She gave a soft smile and a slight nod, "Coffee?"

"That would be great."

She just laid there another minute.

"Sara?" He urged.

"I'm going," she eventually pulled herself up and made her way to the kitchen. After starting the coffee pot she returned to find that he had moved to a seated position. "How'd you sleep?"

"Surprisingly well." He smiled at her and she began to blush a little. Picking up the remote she asked, "Do you mind if I turn on the morning news?"

"Not at all." He gestured to the television with his hands.

She watched with him for a few minutes, and then turned to retrieve the coffee. Returning with two steaming mugs, she offered one to Gil, and began to sip from the other. They sat silently on the couch enjoying the other's company while drinking coffee and watching the news.

When the program ended, he finished his coffee, and turned to face Sara, "I should be going."

She nodded.

He thought for a moment, "Sara?"

"Uh-huh."

"We have one more night off, why don't you come to my place for dinner tonight?"

"I'd like that, what time?" She felt relieved, that he wanted to see her again tonight.

"Let's say six?"

"I'll see you then."

He walked over to her and kissed her good-bye, then left to go home.

Sara spent the rest of the morning cleaning up her apartment. Then after she had showered and gotten dressed, she decided to go visit Nick in the hospital. The drive only took about ten minutes, long enough for her mind to wander. When she failed to move her vehicle when the light turned green, the motorist behind her rudely reminded her it was time to press the accelerator. Okay, maybe I should focus on driving, she thought to herself. She made her way into the parking lot at the hospital, and then into the building. Once finding Nick's room, she knocked.

An unknown voice from inside said, "Come in."

Sara opened the door to find Nick sitting up in bed. His skin was looking a little bit better, but still very red. She smiled at him and asked, "How you doing?"

"I'm going stir crazy, but other than that, not bad." He gave her a smile.

"Understandable," she smiled in sympathy. She then noticed the two people standing on either side of him.

"Sara, these are my parents, Bill and Jillian Stokes." He acknowledged his parents.

"Nice to meet you." Sara exchanged handshakes with Nick's parents.

"So Sara, you work with my son?" Bill asked.

"Yes," Sara looked at Nick, and then back at his father, "for about five years now."

"You were working the other night?" Jillian asked.

Sara could only nod, her smile gone.

"Thank you for finding our son." Jillian gave Sara a hug.

Sara was a little flustered, "It was a group effort."

"Thank you, just the same." Bill said, and then he turned to his wife, "Since Nick has a friend here, why don't we go get something to eat."

She nodded to her husband, and then turned to her son and kissing him on the cheek said, "We'll be back a little later sweetie."

Sara caught Nick's slight blush at his mother's actions and words. She stifled a little laugh and said, "Good bye. It was nice meeting you," to Nick's parents. After they left, she turned to Nick, "So is there anything you need?"

"I need a big juicy steak and a beer." He smiled at her.

She cringed a little inside at that thought. "I don't think I could get that in here without getting caught." She laughed a little.

"Probably not. Wishful thinking I guess. How about just a snickers bar?"

"I could do that."

"Next time?"

"Sooner."

Nick watched in amazement as Sara took a Snickers bar out of her purse. "You are my hero Sara Sidle!"

She laughed as she handed him the chocolate treat, which he opened and devoured in a matter of seconds. "You'll be bouncing off the walls in no time."

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Sara reached over and opened it. She jumped a little when she saw who it was, "Hi Grissom," she greeted him.

"Hi," he smiled at her then turned his attention to Nick. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better."

"That's good to hear."

The three eventually fell into conversation. Both Sara and Grissom were careful about getting too close or watching the other too much, but eventually it became second nature and it was just like any other conversation the three of them had had. Well, except for the fact that one of them was in a hospital bed.

After a bit Sara said, "Well Nick I should get going. Take Care."

"Bye Sara, thanks for stopping by." She smiled and turned to leave.

"Nick, I should be leaving also. You need your rest." Grissom shook the younger man's hand.

"Have a good night you two." Nicked called after them.

Sara hoped they would as she stepped through the doorway. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Yeah, I thought I would stop by before you came over. I didn't realize you were thinking the same thing."

"Well, you know what they say about great minds?"

He took her hand and interlaced his fingers with hers, "They think alike." He pulled her fingers to his face and kissed her hand gently. They continued to walk hand in hand until they reached the parking lot.

"I'll see you tonight," she said as she tried to pull away, but he wouldn't release, "I'm over there." She pointed to her car.

"Oh, yes, I'll see you tonight." He smiled then let go of her hand.

He got into his car and drove to the grocery store; he still had not decided what to make for dinner. He knew meat was out, but he was not sure if she ate fish. He was pretty sure he had seen her eat tuna at work a few times, but decided that a vegetable pasta dish would be the best option.

Once at the store he grabbed everything he would need for dinner, as well as something he didn't have the night before, but thought he should get just in case the opportunity presented itself again. After loading his purchases into his SUV, he checked his watch. He only had an hour before Sara would be at his place. He rushed home and put the purchases in the kitchen. Deciding not to unpack them just yet, he began to straighten up his house and change his clothes fist. One thing led to another and before he knew it, his house was clean, he was changed, and Sara was knocking at his door.

"Hi," he greeted her, taking in how beautiful she looked in her dark summer skirt and sleeveless sweater.

"Hi," she smiled and then kissed him briefly.

"I'm sorry; I am running a little behind schedule. I haven't even started dinner yet."

"That's okay; I can help with dinner if you want." She liked the idea of cooking together.

"That'd be great," he nodded and led her to the kitchen. "As you can see I haven't even unpacked the groceries."

"Well where do we start?"

"I'll put the water on if you start cleaning and chopping the vegetables for a veggie pasta." He began rummaging around in a cupboard.

"Consider it done." She pulled the veggies out of the bag and went to work.

Once he was done filling a pot with water and turning on the stove, he pulled out a skillet for the vegetables. He started with some olive oil, garlic, and onions. As Sara finished with each vegetable he added them to the skillet. They worked in unison until all of the veggies were sautéing.

"Sara could you get the penne pasta from the bag?"

She went over and dug in the bags until she found it. Then she saw another little box. Deciding not to say anything, she just took the pasta over to the stove. When she got there, she said, "Gil." When he turned, she captured his lips in a heated kiss. She pulled away a minute later saying, "Here's your pasta," as she handed him the box. She turned away so he couldn't see the grin spread across her face.

"Th-th-thank y-you," he stammered.

"No problem," she turned back and smiled at him.

A few minutes later they were enjoying their pasta, some wine, and each other. Grissom was excited at how easy it was to talk with Sara. He had missed this the last few years. He made a mental note that he greatly preferred this relationship to the one of the recent past.

After they had finished eating, they began to clear away the dishes. Sara took the plates into the kitchen and began to rinse them in the sink. Gil walked up behind her and set the glasses on the counter next to the sink. Sara could feel him linger behind her. She pressed her lips in anticipation of what she hoped was coming, and she was not disappointed. Still standing behind her, he put his hands on her shoulders and gently ran his hands up and down her arms as he kissed her neck lightly. Sara's body began to tingle as she turned to face him. Their lips connected in the heated excitement of year's worth of pent-up passion. Their hands explored the other's body. Eventually they broke the kiss and just eyed the other. Sara was the first to speak, "Why don't you grab the other purchase you made and take me upstairs." Did she really just say that? she thought to herself.

He raised his eyebrows at her, turned to retrieve the box, and then took her by the hand and led her upstairs.

TBC…