CSI: JUST ONE NIGHT

Author: Christiangirl177

Disclaimer: See Chapter One

Summary: Dr. Gilbert Aaron Grissom finds out oh, so quickly that just one night with one Sara Sidle wouldn't be enough.

Author's Note: This is a totally A/U fic, as I have Grissom as a 33 year old virgin male (as you can tell, I like the virgin Grissom angle).

Chapter Five: Back In Vegas

As Grissom and his parents retrieved their luggage from the baggage claim, they heard someone calling them. Much to their surprise, it was Captain Jim Brass.

"Welcome back, Gil." Brass greeted his best friend.

"Thanks, Jim." Grissom replied. "Where's Catherine?"

"Now I'm hurt," Jim began in a mock hurt tone. "Here I am, coming to greet my best friend, and he asks me, 'where's Catherine?'"

"Sorry, Jim." Grissom replied. "Catherine told me that she would be here to meet us."

"Sam took her, Lindsey and her mother out for breakfast." Brass explained. "But Cath did say that she'd meet us later at the lab. You know I'm racking up the overtime on this crime."

"So, I've heard," Grissom replied. "Catherine told me about this case. She said the whole team was on this one." All of a sudden, confusion crossed Brass' ruggedly handsome features.

"I thought you were on vacation," Brass began, and then apologized to Grissom's parents..

"Please pardon my manners," Brass began apologetically, "hello, Mr. And Mrs. Grissom. It's nice to see you again."

"No need to apologize," Gil Sr. replied, while Gil Jr. signed for his mother's benefit." "What's with this Mr. And Mrs. Grissom stuff? You're practically family, Son. You can call me Gil and my wife Victoria."

"But don't you dare call me Vickie." Victoria said, startling Brass.

"I thought you were deaf," Brass began in utter amazement.

"I lost my hearing when Gil was 5 years old," Victoria replied. "I was 35 years old and already an avid talker with the gift of gab."

"YES LORD!!" Gil Sr. exclaimed in amusement, teasing his wife. His teasing earned him a playful swat on his arm. "What did I do?"

"Dear, have you forgotten that I can read lip," Victoria began laughing. "The next time you want to make some smart Alec type remark, either turn your head away from my line of sight, or cover your mouth." Everyone started laughing at Victoria's remark.

Brass helped Grissom load their luggage into the Denali. Brass made sure everyone was secure in the vehicle and safely buckled in. After Brass settled himself in the driver's side of the vehicle, he spoke.

"Weren't you on vacation?" Brass asked in confusion

"I was, but Catherine called me yesterday," Grissom began in reply, "and said the your DB had some kind of strange bugs on it. She said she tried to contact some entomologists, but it seems that they were either off teaching a seminar and couldn't get away, or they were working on high profile cases themselves."

"That's news to me," Brass began in total confusion. "She didn't mention about there being any bugs involved."

"What?" Grissom began. "No bugs involved in this case. Then why would she say call me and say that there were bugs involved?"

"I don't know, Gil," Brass began apologetically. He knew that Grissom was having a tough time with things and that he needed some time away from Las Vegas. "But, Gil one thing's for sure, we do need your help on this case."

"Okay, okay." Grissom replied trying to calm himself.

"Gil, we'll be heading to lab first," Brass began softly, as the information was for Gil's ears only. "We need to brief you on our case, as there have been some small developments that have come up, though not bugs, but some new things have come up. You need to be brought up to speed." With that, Brass put the car in drive mode and made his way towards the lab.

"What about my parents?" Grissom asked.

"They can wait in the break room," Brass began, clearly understanding Grissom's concern. They were working on a high profile case and it wouldn't bode well with the lab executive to have strangers walking around the lab. "Since everyone will be in the conference room, I don't think it would a problem with Dr. Carvallo and company."

"Mom and Dad," Grissom began, facing his mother and father. "Would mind you waiting in the break room? That wouldn't be a problem, will it?"

"Of course not, Son," Victoria began, reading her son's lips, "we don't mind. It has been a long time since we visited the lab."

"Well, Mom," Grissom began signing and speaking simultaneously, "everyone will be busy with this case, so you may not see anyone."

"That's alright, Son," Victoria began, "we'll be fine, as long as that young man's nice stash of good coffee's there."

"Well," Grissom began smiling to himself, as he realized his mother was addicted to Greg's Blue Hawaiian Coffee. "I'll see if I can make a special request." With that, Grissom and Brass headed off in the direction of the conference room, after getting his parents settled in the break room with Greg's Blue Hawaiian Coffee.

"Welcome back, Boss Man!" Everyone said in unison.

In the conference room, everyone was present with the exception of one CSI-3 Sara Sidle. Which, when Grissom noticed her absence, his face fell.

'Isn't that what you wanted?' His head taunted. 'You said you wanted to move on, since Sara was moving on.'

"Hey, Buddy," Brass began, whispering by Grissom's ear, "you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," Grissom lied. "Just a little…um, where's Sara?"

"She's off until tomorrow night," Catherine began. "She nearly worked three shifts, so I gave her a day off, with Dr. Carvallo's permission, of course."

"How did you manage to do that?" Grissom asked, totally surprised that Catherine was able to get Sara to take a day off. Grissom knew that Sara was a workaholic just like himself.

"She threatened to make her eat my friend's scones." Detective Sofia Curtis replied, as she entered the conference room. At Grissom's confused look, Sofia continued, laughing a bit. "The girl can't boil water, let along make scones." With that they shared a brief laugh and then it was back to business working on their high profile case.

The team worked well into the afternoon on their case. Catherine, Warrick, Greg and Nick left earlier, as they had to be back at work for the night shift. Grissom, on the other hand was officially still on leave.

As everyone was leaving the conference room, Grissom approached Catherine.

"Catherine," Grissom began, "might I have a word with you?"

"Sure, Gil." Catherine replied. She then followed Grissom to his office. When he closed the door to his office, Catherine knew it wasn't good. 'Uh-oh, I'm in trouble.' Catherine thought to herself.

"Why did you say there were bugs on the DB?" Grissom asked in total confusion.

"Um, Gil," Catherine began unable to put together a coherent thought. "It was the only way to get you back to Vegas and us."

"You could have just said, 'Gil, come back, we miss you.'" Gil replied in slight amusement. He realized that the case wasn't compromised and no one was hurt.

"Gil, I am really sorry," Catherine began apologetically. She was surprised that Grissom wasn't angry. In fact, he was actually joking about it. For that fact, Catherine breathed a gigantic sigh of relief.

"You're forgiven," Grissom replied. "I'll go get my parents so that we can get home and get some rest. I'm wiped out and I bet my parents are wiped out too."

"Have you forgotten our change in plans, Gil?" Catherine began in askance, smiling tentatively. "Your parents will be coming to my house for dinner and will be staying at my house tonight."

"What about me?" Grissom asked incredulously. "Don't I deserve a hot meal? I don't want to be in an empty house by myself. I know I'm not a people person, but, oh never mind!"

"You'll be fine Gil," Catherine began. "Besides, you have to feed your creepy tarantulas."

"You're right," Grissom replied dejectedly. "I do have to feed them." With that, Grissom gathered his parents and headed for Catherine's car.

On the short drive to his Summerlin home, Grissom sat silently in the passenger side of Catherine's car. He thought about the time he and Sara made love for the first time, while he was holding Summer-long lectures at Berkeley College. Sara was his first true love and it was the first time Grissom made love to a woman. He was a 34-year-old virgin.

Gil Grissom's First Time at True Love: A wonderful Birthday Gift

Gil Grissom woke with a start. He was in Southern California visiting his parents, Gil Sr. and Victoria Grissom. It was Grissom's 34th birthday, and his parents had big plans for him. His Aunt Lucille and her children would be arriving later this afternoon. It should have been a wonderful day for Griss, being that he was celebrating another birthday. But, he was thinking of the beautiful young woman that he met at lecture. She had chocolate brown hair and chocolate coloured eyes that almost matched her hair. Grissom was smitten immediately. He knew it was wrong for him to have feelings for his student, but he couldn't help himself. He was falling in love with her, after only a few weeks of meeting her. If truth be told, it was love at first sight on Grissom's part, though he tried to hide it.

Later that evening, Grissom's birthday festivities were well under way. Grissom sat alone in a corner, looking quite sad. Victoria noticed the sad look on his boyishly handsome face. She decided to call him on it.

"Son, are you alright?" Victoria asked, concern evidence on her face, as she signed and spoke simultaneously. "What's going on with you? You've been acting sullen since you arrived."

"Nothing's wrong, Mom." Grissom lied. "I'm just tired I guess. 'How do you tell your mother that you love someone that may not love you back.' Grissom sighed in thought to himself.

"Gilly Bear," Victoria spoke soothingly to her 'grown-up Baby Boy.' "Please don't shut me out. If you need any help, you know I'll always be here for you."

"Mom, everything's okay," Grissom lied. "But, I'll be sure to take you up on your offer to help me." Just then, Gil Grissom, Sr. yelled to his wife and the junior Grissom to come into the front of the house.

When Grissom and his mother made their way to the front of the house, Mrs. Grissom took a bandana and blindfolded her son.

"Now, Son, don't worry," Victoria began in amusement, "if you follow my directions, no one will get hurt."

"What, am I getting kidnapped by my own mother?" Grissom sighed in amusement. "Well, then, take me to your leader."

Upon taken off his blind-fold, Grissom was awe-struck, to say the least, because parked in the driveway of his parents' home was the most beautiful silver Mercedes-Benz. Grissom couldn't believe his eyes. He gave his parents the biggest hug he could muster.

"WOW!" Was all that Grissom was able to get out of his mouth.

"Happy birthday, Son," Gil Sr. responded. You've made your Mom and me very proud. You really deserve this present."

"Yes, Son," Victoria began, crying tears of joy. "You're such a special individual, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise, you got that?"

"Yes, Mom." Grissom replied simply.

Even though Grissom got a new car for his birthday, he couldn't hide the fact that he was still very sad. His father didn't seem to notice his sadness, but Mama Grissom noticed it, and decided once again to address it.

"Gilly Bear," Victoria began addressing her son, "what's bothering you, and please don't tell me that nothing is bothering you. You're unhappy on a day when you should be full of joy."

"Nothing, Mom," Grissom lied once again. "I'm just a little tired."

"Okay, Gilly Bear." Victoria replied in defeat, knowing that her son a story to tell, but he simply refused to tell it.

An Unexpected and Pleasant Surprise for Grissom

As Grissom sat with his family and friends, he told jokes in an attempt to hide his deep sadness, but Grissom's mom wasn't fooled at all.

As they celebrated Grissom's birthday, the doorbell rang. Grissom's father went to answer the door, surprised that anyone would visit their home this late.

"Yes," Gil Sr. began, "may I help you, young lady?"

"Yes, Sir," the person at the door replied. "Is this the Grissom residence?"

"Yes it is. I'm Gil Grissom Sr." Gil Sr. replied.

"I'm Sara Sidle, and I'm a student of Dr. Gil Grissom." Sara replied

"Nice to meet you." Gil Sr. replied. "I take it that you're enrolled in his summer lecture at Berkeley College."

"Yes, Sir." Sara replied simply.

By now, Grissom recognized the voice as belonging to one Sara Sidle, his prize pupil and the woman that had turned his world upside down. He then ran to the door in excitement.

"SARA!" Grissom exclaimed happily, as he lifted her up and swung her around. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by." Sara replied. She was totally floored by the reception she got from Grissom.

Grissom stood, unable to move. He was so enamored by Sara.

"Well, Son," Mr. Grissom began in amusement, "are you going to invite the young woman in or not?"

"Oh…Oh," Grissom began in embarrassment. "Yes, Sara, please come in, and forgive me." Grissom stepped aside and let the beautiful young woman, that stole away his heart and his wits, enter his parents' home. Victoria noticed the complete change in her son's countenance.

'Oh, so that's what's been going on with my Gilly Bear,' Victoria began, smiling in thought, 'He's in love!'

Grissom brought Sara around the room, introducing her to his many family and friends that were gathered together for his birthday.

"You already met my father, I want you to meet my mom." Grissom replied.

Grissom tapped his mother on her shoulder. He noticed that she was wearing a smile bigger than Texas. He decided to question her about it.

"Mom, is everything okay?" Grissom asked.

"Everything is well, Son," Victoria began, her smile getting bigger and bigger, if that was possible. "All is well. And who do we have here?"

"Mom, I'd like you to meet Sara Sidle," Grissom began in introduction.

"She's one my students taking my forensics seminar. Sara, this is my mother, Victoria Grissom, but don't call her Vickie." They shared a laugh together.

"Nice to meet you, Sara," Mrs. Grissom replied, extending her hand to the younger woman, that seemed to hold the key to her son's heart.

"Same here, Mrs. Grissom." Sara replied. She would have continued, but Victoria interrupted her.

"Please call me Victoria." Mrs. Grissom replied. "Son, why don't you take Sara to see my new garden?" Mrs. Grissom could tell that her son needed to be alone with his lady friend. With that, Grissom and Sara scurried away to the garden.

As Victoria came to sit next to her husband, she noticed that the elder Grissom had a look of confusion on his distinguished handsome features.

"What's wrong, Dear?" Victoria asked.

"I just can't figure it out." Gil Sr. replied in confusion.

"Figure what out?" asked Victoria.

"That son of ours." Gil Sr. replied.

"What do you mean, Dear?" Victoria asked.

"He gets a brand new Mercedes-Benz for his birthday," Gil Sr. began, "and he didn't look half as happy as he did when he saw the young woman. Go figure."

"Gil, Dear, " Victoria began, smiling warmly at her husband. "Our son is in love, and that's the greatest gift anyone could receive. Sara's given our Gilly Bear the greatest gift of all, love."

As Grissom and Sara sat in his mother's beautiful garden, they looked at the stars. It was a very beautiful night and the sky was crystal clear and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

"Grissom, your Mom has a very beautiful garden," Sara began, in awe of his mother's exquisite taste and her attention to detail. Victoria's garden had the feel of a garden in Naples, Italy. "Gil, this garden reminds me of the gardens I visited in Naples, Italy, when I was in high school."

"Well, we are an Italian family, after all," Grissom began smiling at the beautiful brunette. "Mom's great-great-grandparents came to America in the 1800's from Naples. Her great-grandfather was a well known artist, and he had an art gallery on the Upper East Side of Manhattan."

"Wow," Sara began, "you told me that your mom has her own art gallery on Rodeo Drive. Is that why your Mom decided to become an artist?"

"Well, my mother is an exceptional artist," Grissom began, proud of his mother's accomplishments. "Here, let me show you some of my mother's paintings. They're just so awesome." Grissom then took Sara by the hand and led her to his mother's in-home art studio. Gil Sr. had an addition put on the house when Grissom was just a young lad.

It was getting late; all of the guests had left, except for Grissom's aunt. She decided to stay behind and help Victoria clean up. Sara also helped with the clean-up committee, that is, until Victoria shooed her out of the kitchen.

Sara was about to call a cab to go back to her hotel. Grissom stopped her, because he wanted to drive her there.

"Sara, why don't you let me take you to your hotel?" Grissom asked, as he wanted to make sure Sara got back safely.

"Griss, if it won't be too much trouble." Sara replied. "I don't want to put you out. I know you'd probably want to spend some time with your parents on your birthday."

"Sara, it won't be any trouble," Grissom began smiling warmly at her. "If it was any trouble I wouldn't have offered my services to you." They both shared a laugh. With that, Grissom went to let his folks know that he was driving Sara home to the hotel. Sara said goodnight to Gil Sr., Victoria and Lucille.

Grissom's mother shocked him when she made her next comment. She excused herself and took Grissom aside privately and said:

"Now Son," Victoria began, "we'll be all right if you decide to spend the night with Sara. You have your key, so go and have a good time."

"Mom, what are you talking about?" Grissom asked in total confusion. "I'm just going to drop Sara off and head back here."

"Son, that's what you're saying now," Victoria began, chuckling a bit, as she remembered Grissom's reaction when Sara arrived earlier "Gil, you need to follow your heart. Don't let love slip through your hands, okay, Son"

"Love?" Grissom replied in askance. "Who said anything about love?" Grissom was trying desperately to hide his true feelings for Sara from his mother, which he knew was an impossible feat. Victoria was very wise, especially when it came to him.

"Son, your feelings for Sara run much deeper than the teacher-student thing that you're insisting on clinging to," Victoria began, fully aware that Sara would be the first woman he would be with, if he decided to take a chance with her. "I know that Sara is your first love, and I realize she would be the first woman that you made love to. Please, Son, just take a chance at love."

"Mom, I hear all that you're saying," Grissom replied, taken aback by the fact that his very own Mom knew that he was still a virgin. He was embarrassed and the crimson blush on his cheeks caused his mother to smile.

"Gilly Bear," Victoria began, as she realized her 'grown-up Baby Boy' was embarrassed about being a 30-something man who was still a virgin. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with being a virgin and there's no reason for you to be embarrassed."

"Okay, Mom, I do hear all that you're saying to me," Grissom began, "but, believe me, nothing's going to happen tonight between me and Sara. I'm just going to drop her off and come back home. I need to get some rest and I need to go over all of my notes tomorrow. I have to prepare the notes and butterfly slides for Monday's lesson."

"Anything you say, Son." Victoria replied simply, totally not believing that Grissom would be able to resist Sara, even if he was a virgin, because he was head-over-heels in love with the fetchi8ng young woman. "You need to get going, we've kept Sara waiting a wee bit too long. Drive carefully, Son."

"Yeah, Mom, will do." Grissom replied, shaking his head at all of his mother's comments. 'It must be a mother's love, always trying to get their children married off, or something.

In Sara's Hotel Room

Grissom looked around the deluxe custom hotel suite in awe. He wondered how a CSI-1 Criminalist could afford this hotel room. Upon seeing Grissom's confusion, Sara decided to explain, so as not to allow Dr. Grissom to get the wrong idea about her.

"The room," Sara began in askance.

"Hmm?" Grissom replied in askance.

"Do you like it?" Sara asked.

"Yes, it's quite beautiful." Grissom replied simply.

"Well, I guess you're wondering how I can afford it on my salary. Huh?" Sara asked.

"The thought did cross my mind," Grissom replied curiously.

"Well, you know my family owns a bed and breakfast inn in Tamales Bay," Sara began, as she started to give Grissom the in and out of the hospitality business.

"Yeah, you told me that," Grissom replied.

"Well in the hospitality business," Sara began, giving Grissom the ins and outs of the hospitality business. "Sometimes hotel managers give you breaks if you're in the hospitality business. It doesn't always happen, but when it does, it's a great blessing.

"That's some set up," Grissom replied.

"Yes it is." Sara replied, smiling lustfully at Grissom. Grissom was becoming quite nervous. He decided that it was best if he left before anything could happen between he and Sara.

"Sara," Grissom began, "I'm going to head on back home. I have to go over my notes and my butterfly slides for Monday's lesson."

"Griss, do you really have to leave?" Sara asked pleadingly. "You can do all of that stuff in your sleep."

"Sara," Grissom sighed.

"C'mon, Griss," Sara began, once again pleading with him. "Why don't you have a drink with me?"

"Griss, huh," Grissom began, smiling in spite of the situation. "I like that."

"Like what?" Sara asked sadly.

"Your new nickname for me, 'Griss," Grissom replied.

"Oh." Sara replied. With that, Grissom made an attempt to leave, but Sara had other plans. She planted a kiss on Grissom that caught him off guard. He was overwhelmed be his reaction to the kiss. It made him very dizzy. He couldn't think straight.

"Sara," Grissom sighed after Sara released his lips.

"What's wrong, Griss," Sara began smiling seductively, "the cat got your tongue?"

"Sara," Grissom began breathing heavily, "I'm much too old for you."

"Griss, age is just a number," Sara began trying to coax Grissom from his belief.

"Look, Sara," Grissom began, "I' um, well, I um, you know.." Grissom stumbled over his words. He wasn't sure if he should tell Sara that he's a virgin at his age. He was so nervous. But, unbeknownst to Grissom, Sara already had him figured out.

"Yes, Griss," Sara began chuckling a bit, "I know, you're a virgin."

"What?" Grissom replied in askance, totally shocked that Sara had it all figured out. "How did you know?"

"Because you didn't brag about your many conquests." Sara replied.

"Most men my age don't do things like that," Grissom began, "at least I hope they don't."

"You'd be surprised." Sara replied simply. "I guess you don't want me, and that's no big surprise. Why would someone of your caliber want someone like me?"

"Sara, I want you," Grissom began sadly, "I want you so much it hurts, but you're my student and you're 13 years younger than me. I can just see us together, and some young stud come and take you away from me. My heart just wouldn't be able to handle that. I'm sorry Sara, I…I …I just can't stay here any longer. It's just too painful." With that, Grissom left Sara's room in a hurry and in deep sadness.

Back at Grissom's Parents' House

Gil Sr. heard the door open. He nudged his wife, who was sleeping soundly.

"Gil's back home," Gil Sr. signed to Victoria. "Didn't you say that he wouldn't be back until tomorrow?"

"I thought he'd be with Sara tonight," Victoria signed in reply. "Something must have happened. Gilly's nuts about Sara."

"Yeah, judging from his reaction when she first arrived, I'd say so." Gil Sr. Replied. "Well, we better see what's up."

"Yes, we'd better." Victoria began sadly, as she just knew that Sara was the woman for her Gilly Bear.

"Gilly, Darling," Victoria began, causing her son to turn to face her. What she saw on her Gilly Bear's face knocked the wind out of her lungs. It was a look of total devastation.

"Hi, Mom," Grissom responded.

"Son, what happened?!." Victoria asked.

"Nothing, Mom," Grissom began, unable to hold back his tears, "nothing, Mom. I…um, messed everything up, Mom. Just like the idiot I am, I messed up."

Victoria ran to her son's side and grabbed his hands. She led him to the couch and held him in her arms as he sobbed. Gil Sr. put on a pot of coffee, because he knew this would be a long night. His son was hurting and he didn't know what to do for him. He was so glad that his wife was there, because she knew how to deal with matters of the heart.

"Honey, I put a pot of coffee on," Gil Sr. began, "it should be done in a few minutes."

"Thanks, Dear." Victoria replied simply.

Turning her attention to her devastated son, Victoria spoke soothingly to him.

"Gilly Bear," Victoria began, "why didn't you stay with Sara? You know you wanted to."

"Mom, she's my student, and she's too young for me," Grissom began, still sobbing a little. "Teacher-student relationships are frowned upon, you know that."

"I don't know that, Gilbert!" Victoria replied, using Grissom's full first name. He knew he was in for it now. "All I know is that you're head over heels in love with Ms. Sidle, but you're running away from her love. She's equally in love with you. Don't you realize that?"

"Mom, I just don't want to get hurt, is all." Grissom replied. He had seen some of his friends' relationships go south, and he didn't want to suffer the same fate. One of his mentors, a Dr. Richard Harper, who was a noted forensic entomologist, committed suicide after his fiancée left him for a guy her own age. She was 20 years younger than him. No way was he going to go through that kind of pain.

"Gilly, I know where you're going with this," Victoria began, sadly remembering Dr. Harper's suicide. It devastated the Grissom family, as Dr. Harper became a trusted family friend. "You're thinking about what happened to Dr. Harper, aren't you?"

"Yeah." Grissom replied, nodding sadly.

"Well, unfortunately for Richard, he fell for a woman who only wanted him for what he could do for her," Victoria began, sadly remembering the phone call telling them of Dr. Harper's death by suicide. "Sara doesn't strike me as being that sort of person. She seemed to have a level head. I know I just met her tonight, but just chalk it up to a gut feeling, okay, Son?"

Grissom merely nodded his response to his mother.

"Son, why don't you go back to Sara's and see if you can iron things out with her?" Victoria asked. "I'd hate to see you miss out on your chance for true love."

"Mom, what do I say to her?" Grissom asked in sadness.

"Son, why don't you just tell her the truth?" Victoria asked.

"And what truth is that, Mom?" Grissom asked a bit to snarky for his mother's liking.

"That you're in love with her, Son," Victoria replied, totally ignoring Grissom's gruff tone. "You're going to have to let your guard down, Son. You can't go through life this way. You have to let people in. You have to let Sara into your life."

"I just don't know about all this, Mom." Grissom sighed.

"Son, you shouldn't treat your life like you treat your career," Victoria began sadly. "You're a scientist, and a great one at that, but you don't need to have everything figured out in order to move forward with your life. You should just enjoy the ride."

"I guess you're right, Mom," Grissom began, "I'm going to take your advice and go back to Sara, if she'll have me,"

"Son, she'll definitely have you," Victoria began smiling in hopes that Grissom would be able to smooth things out with Sara. "If she says she doesn't want you, she'll be pulling your leg."

"Why would say that, Mom?" Grissom asked.

"Because she's head over heels in love with you, too." Victoria smiled.

"You're just saying that." Grissom replied blushing.

"No, I'm not, Gilly Bear," Victoria began, smiling at her son. "Now scoot! We do NOT want to keep Sara waiting, now do we?"

"No." Grissom replied softly. With that, Grissom left his parents' house and went back to Sara.

Hot Passion Prevails

As Sara sat crying over Grissom's hasty departure, she heard knocking. At first she blew it off as it being her imagination. But, when the knocking continued, she realized that someone was at her door.

'I wonder who could be knocking at my door at this hour?' Sara asked herself in thought.

"Who's there?" Sara asked though the closed door, as she didn't believe in opening her door to strangers.

"It's room service," replied the voice from the other side of the door.

"I didn't order any room service," Sara began, "perhaps you have the wrong room number.

"The order is for this room, Miss." The voice began, "Suite 542."

Sara opened her door, and what she saw on the other side, took her breath away. It was a lavish set up, a meal fit for a king, or in her case a queen.

"I definitely didn't order this," Sara began confused. Just then, Sara felt the buss boy eyes on her. "What?"

"Nothing, gorgeous," the man began eying Sara lustfully, "If you need anything and I mean anything, just call and ask for George." While George was eyeing Sara lustfully, a voice rang out behind George.

"The Lady won't be needing your services tonight, or any night for that matter," Grissom began, with a hint of anger in his voice. He was also a little amused, because Sara looked like she wanted to pulverize the buss boy. He then knew that his Mom had told him the truth about Sara. She truly did love him. "I'll take over from here," The younger man turned to see what he was up against. When turned and saw Grissom and his powerful forearms, made a hasty retreat.

"Dr. Grissom, what brings you back here?" Sara asked sarcastically. "I thought I was too young for you."

"I…I um…I love you, Sara!" Grissom blurted out, as tears threatened to fall. "I'm sorry I left, I was afraid of us getting together, only to have you leave me for a younger man."

"Griss, I'd never do that to you." Sara replied. "I love you, too."

With that, Sara led Grissom to the large master bedroom in her suite, where they kissed passionately. Sara shoed Grissom how to love. They made passionate love that night. Grissom became a complete man.

As they made love, Grissom realized that he was Sara's, lock, stock and barrel and that frightened him. He was afraid of falling in love, only to lose her.

"Sara," Grissom moaned in desperation. "Promise me that you'll never leave me."

"What?" Sara replied in askance, as she was about to drift off to sleep.

"Promise me." Grissom repeated.

"Promise you what?" Sara asked, as she didn't really hear Grissom the first time.

"Promise me that you'll never leave me." Grissom began near tears. "My heart won't be able to take it."

I promise you, Baby, I won't leave you." Sara replied, planting a chaste kiss upon his lips

'She didn't keep that promise, now did she?' Grissom asked himself bitterly. 'She moved on with her life.' 'That's the way you wanted it, isn't it?' His mind taunted him. 'But there's still time to fix things,' his heart soothed.

We're Here!

Grissom was shaken from his thoughts. He was finally back to his lonely life. But, little did Grissom know, there was a pleasant surprise awaiting him on the other side of the door.

'I guess I'll be lonely tonight,' Grissom began in thought. Catherine pulled up in front of Grissom's beautiful mansion. His parents we awestruck. The home was beautiful beyond belief.

"Son, this is the new home you told us about?" Gil Sr. asked in shock. "You didn't tell us it was this beautiful"

"Dad, it's just a house," Grissom replied, as he retrieved his bags from the back of Catherine's SUV. Grissom's mother got out of the car to give her son a hug and some words of encouragement.

"Son, you have a wonderful night," Victoria began, pulling her 'Baby Boy' close to her in a great big hug. "You'll feel much better in the morning. Me and your Dad will be just fine, so don't go worrying about us, okay Son?"

"Yes, Mom." Grissom replied. "How do you expect me to have a wonderful night when I'll be all alone?"

"Son," Victoria began, caressing her son's cheek. "Trust me, you'll be just fine." With that, Victoria got back into Catherine's car and they left the sullen man to go into his home.

Upon approaching his front he searched for his house keys. As he continued searching for his keys, he noticed something very strange. He smelled a such a heavenly smell, and it seemed to waft from under the door of his home.

'That can't be," Grissom began in thought. "It must be from one of the neighbours' homes. No one's here.' Grissom finally found his key.

As Grissom stepped inside his home, he realized that the wonderful smells were coming from his home, but how? He turned and noticed beautiful candles spread throughout his living and dining rooms, beautiful Vanilla candles. He then felt a pang of sorrow, as the candles reminded him of the love of his life, Sara Sidle. His sorrow was short-lived, because when he turned around, he saw her, a very beautiful vision. He was totally blown away….

TBC