Chapter Seven: Promise

Grissom woke early the next evening, refreshed. His mind was already at the lab. Sara was still sound asleep. She would probably sleep for another couple of hours. Grissom felt a pang of guilt, but he had to go into the lab early today. He'd already spent hours away from the miniature case.

After taking a quick shower and grabbing his kit, Grissom was out the door. He would be at work a good two hours early and well before the rest of the team. He would work on researching Natalie until someone else showed up.

As Grissom drove to the lab, he felt very sorry he wouldn't be there when Sara woke up. No matter what was going on, he'd always try to make sure he was there. He felt obligated. Sara laughed at him when he told her why, but Grissom knew she appreciated it.

"I promise."

The words echoed in Grissom's head. He wasn't sure why he was remembering all these moments he had once shared with Sara. Maybe because he wanted a distraction.

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The memory that was predominant in Grissom's active mind had occurred shortly after Nick's near fatal kidnapping. After Catherine and Warrick had left with Nick in the ambulance, Grissom had a sensible talk with Ecklie.

He wanted his team back. Was it really too much to ask? Catherine would still have a lot of power in the lab, he had no problem with that. She'd be happier to be on nights instead of swing. It would mean more time with her daughter. And the guys wouldn't mind. Grissom appealed to Ecklie's ego in every way he could. It was a first for him, but he was desperate.

Ecklie promised that he'd try to make the arrangements, as long as it was alright with Catherine, Nick, and Warrick. For once, Ecklie was sympathetic.

When Grissom returned home after the long and trying night, he was alone, except for Hank. He felt horrible about everything that had happened to Nick, although there was nothing he could have done to prevent it. The moment when Nick's abductor had set off the explosives and ended his life replayed in Grissom's mind over and over again.

Grissom hadn't even set his keys down yet. He was simply standing in the middle of the room. He wanted something else to think about. On his way home, he'd called Catherine at the hospital. Nick was going to be okay. He was distressed, but alive. The team could visit him after eight in the morning the next day. But Catherine recommended they wait a little longer so Nick get more time with his family.

Grissom was alone, and Sara would be too. They'd been seeing each other almost every night after work for the past few weeks. Their relationship was indefinitely changed. They were what most would call a couple. So why should they be alone when they both needed reassurance? Grissom walked right back out of his house.

A few minutes later, he was standing outside of Sara's apartment. He knocked lightly. After a minute, Sara opened the door and invited him in.

"Somehow I just knew you'd be here," She said quietly, "I made tea." She offered him a cup, "It always comforts me, something about the warmth," Sara explained.

Grissom noticed the T.V. was on mute. He turned up the volume. It was a report about Nick's abduction. Sara took the remote from him and turned it off, "I just wanted to know what they would be saying about it," Sara sighed, "Its just not fair that he had to go through that. But it wasn't his time."

"I never knew that you believed in having a 'time' Sara," Grissom replied, putting his finished tea on the counter and taking a seat next to her.

"To me, its just always seemed that things happen for a reason. Maybe not a good one, with all the death and murders we investigate every day, but a reason." Sara glanced at Grissom, he was open to her. No secrets. Nothing held back. Complete honesty. All because he had decided to finally confront his feelings for her. And now he was sitting here with her when he could have just as easily stayed at home.

Sara leaned into Grissom and he enveloped her in his arms. A single thought was in both of their minds. They could make it. It didn't matter what happened. Somehow, they could make it. They both had all the love in their hearts to give. And it was overflowing because of lack of use. They were each what the other needed. Love and comfort.

Grissom spoke through Sara's hair, "Life is too short to waste time. We see it every day. So why is it that I've wasted so much of it?"

Sara pulled away, "Let the past go," Was all she needed to say to convince Grissom. He kissed he lightly on the mouth. She kissed him back. After their first kiss, it had been strange for a while, but after both Grissom and Sara got used to it, it was perfect. They would spend all the time they could together outside of work. Through one of their unspoken agreements, they would only meet in places where their friends didn't go. And their dates were kept secret.

Somehow, the kiss lead them to Sara's bedroom. Their kisses hadn't ever gotten them this far, but it seemed natural. Grissom gently leaned Sara back onto the bed, supporting her neck as he kissed her. A sudden thought entered Sara's mind.

"Wait!" Sara placed her hands on his chest to stop Grissom, "There's no going back to the way things were after this, you know that don't you?"

"Sara, no matter what we do, I can't go back to the way things were," Grissom looked at her seriously, "You can always say stop."

"That's not it," Sara covered her face with her hands, "The thing is that if we do this, we can only move forward. No matter what the consequences," Sara thought for a moment, "You can't go pulling one of your sudden 'Grissom mind changes' after this. And just decide its not worth it."

"I've moved past that Sara."

"Have you?"

"You're worth it. In every single way," Grissom kissed her, "No kidding."

Sara relaxed a little, not complete reassured, "Just promise me that you'll still be here when I wake up. And you won't just leave because you're nervous, or unsure, or scared, or whatever other excuse you can come up with."

Grissom looked Sara straight in the eye, "I promise."

The next morning, he woke up next to her for the first time. He stayed there until she was awake and longer. Even though he knew she'd only meant that one night, Grissom kept his promise long after. He didn't break it until he went away on sabbatical. And then again today.

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Grissom sat in his office for about an hour. Checking the clock, Grissom decided that Sara would be up by now. As he talked to her and told her how sorry he was for leaving before she was awake, Grissom decided it was okay this one time. There would be many more mornings for him to keep his promise. Why wouldn't there be?

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As Grissom talked to Sara on the phone, Natalie Davis was perfecting the final stages of her plan. She'd been watching Sara. She knew when she'd be alone. All she'd need was a couple of minutes. It wouldn't be hard. She would finally get her revenge, and there was nothing Gil Grissom or Sara Sidle could do about it.

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To Be Continued…

A/N: Sorry it took a while to update. I was having trouble getting enough time to publish. Thanks again to those of you that are reading and reviewing! Its been a lot of fun writing this because of it.