Title: Independence Day
Author: MYBIGBLUEBOX
Series: C.S.I
Rating: T
Genre: angst/comfort
Spoilers: none
Characters: Gil Grissom, Sara Sidle
Disclaimer: God knows how many times you've all read these disclaimers but I'm going to say it all again just coz. I don't own these characters they are all property of channel 5, CBS productions and the writer.
Summary:
Dedications: Everyone who's read anything I've done over the years and gave their constructive criticism.
Warnings: very violent and a strong reference to rape. Bad language and despair. Explores the feelings of rape victims so please mind the rating, if you are affected by any of these subjects.
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Grissom's POV
The past two months have been a never ending agony of sleepless nights and Ecklie paranoia. Through all this though I do think Sara is on the mend to some extent. On average she only has one nightmare per night, her scars are healing well and there are no signs that the experience will have a long lasting mental effect on her. The months have flown by, Sara improving with each day. The more time I have spent here the more I have come to love her and our relationship has developed into something more beautiful than my imagination would dare to dream up. Yesterday Sara went out for the first time on her own. Kissed me on the cheek and left, I wanted to follow her so badly, Ecklie still a prominent feature in my mind, he's still loose. I realise this is something she needs to do and I respect her every decision but I just want to protect her, coming so close to loosing her I'm not willing to let her out of my sight ever again. The first few weeks were the hardest, I don't think I got a decent night sleep in about three weeks, but that's o.k. so long as Sara's alright. The thought of her alone scares me as much as it does her. I can't get the image of her dark, expressionless eyes out of my head. She has to do this, I'm not going to stop her, but I'm scared for her. Most of all though I'm proud of her, my Sara.
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Sara's POV
The door shuts behind me with am ominous bang sounding incredibly dramatic. Stumbling down the stairs on legs of jelly I keep running over why I'm actually here. Half of me wants to run back to the apartment, back to Grissom, but I'm not that weak, I'm not. It feels good to back out in the open air again. A strong feeling of independence flows through me, something I've not experienced in so long. I can't believe I'm actually outside, alone. It terrifies me, but excites me far more. I can hear my heels clicking on the slide walk, without chaperones footsteps mimicking them. Memories of a more independent Sara Sidle flash across my mind. I pass a dark leaved bush a pause to pluck a delicate leaf off its steam. I turn to leave, just as I do so I turn back around in surprise, not seeing a thing I hurry on my way. Funny, I could have sworn I saw a pair of eyes.
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Ecklie's POV
There she is, finally after all this waiting, I've found my prey. The urge to reach out and grab her is so strong. I need her. I want her. She belongs to me. I will have her, he cannot stop me. He cannot protect her. Hiding in secret for so long, it's her fault, stupid bitch, all her fault. She'll pay, when the time is right, she will pay.
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Grissom's POV
She's been gone for over two hours and I'm beginning to panic. She is independent now, she can do what she likes, but I still can't help but wonder. She never wanted to go out alone. It's strange, it scares me. I have reached for the phone three times, wanting to call her, Catherine, the police, anyone that will bring her back before I go mad. What if.. what if he has found her, they still haven't caught him yet, and she still doesn't know he's out there, after her. Suddenly the door flies open, I look up expecting to see a police officer in my door way, instead I am greeted by the sunny smile that is plastered across Sara's face. The dim light from the lamp casts a sheen on her hair that makes her looks so beautiful.
'Sorry I'm so late Gil. I lost track of time.' Shrugging of her coat she drops it onto the sofa. She catches my eyes and notices that my unforgiving first wave of panic still hasn't subsided.
'Gil? What is it? It's not because I was late is it? Look I'm o.k. see, I'm still here.' She places her hand over mine proving to me that she is indeed real. He didn't find her this time, I still can't shake the feeling that it's only a matter of time before he finds us. I force a smile onto my face. I can't tell her about Ecklie, she's been through too much already, it's too soon for her. I know in my heart that she will want to know, but even if it's only for myself I keep up the pretence that she won't mind not knowing. Seeing my smile seems to relive her of any doubt in her mind that I am unhappy. She grabs her bags and shows me what she has spent the day shopping for. I'm not really listening to her, she doesn't seem to notice. I'm so proud of what she has achieved over the past few months. To have her here with me now seems so surreal after what we have been through and coming so close to losing her. She catches me staring at her, and a small gentle smile moves over her face, beaming at me like sunshine.
'What?' I look at her, still smiling at me, that gorgeous gap toothed smile, warming me from my heart outwards. I gently pull her up into my lap and hold her there. My head in her shoulder, I can smell her hair, her gentle perfume.
'Have I mentioned how much I love you?.' My speech is muffled by her shoulder.
'Frequently' She mumbles into my ear, her delicate, warm breath sweeping over me like the beginnings of a dream. She places gentle kisses along my jaw line, down my neck where she pulls away. She stands up and turns on the T.V. She kisses my forehead and my lips, twice.
'I'm going for a shower. You can fix us something to eat if you want.' As she moves off down the hall I feel my body ache for her warmth to heat my frozen heart. I am happy with her, how could I not be? Love comes with a price. The ache I feel when she's not here, the sunshine I cannot feel rolling off her infectious laugh, but when I return from work early in the morning and find her curled in my bed, wearing my best shirt and boxers the momentary pain I feel when she's gone even for a second seems so worthwhile. I lay full length on the couch and throw an arm over my eyes, shutting out the world for a moments peace. As I listen to the water pattering on the damp tiles of my shower floor I realise how lucky I truly am.
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O.k. so here is your new chappy I'm really sorry that it took so long to upload but I have had GCSE mock exams the past two weeks and revision before that so I hope you forgive me. This is not the end I promise that I will write some more soon.