The night came quickly for their date. Sara was still living in the house she shared with Grissom until she found an apartment. When he drove up in the driveway, he realized how nervous he was. He had gone out with other women, but none of them had even compared to Sara. Sara was like no other.

He got out of the car and walked up to the door. He knocked on the door. He stood on the porch, fidgeting. When Sara opened the door, Warrick was amazed. Sara was dressed in a black dress, simple but elegant. Her hair was up in a French twist. He was speechless.

"Sara, you look amazing!" Sara blushed with this statement from Warrick.

Gil walked into the room about then. "Hi, Warrick. Can I talk to you before you leave?"

"Sure, Griss" Warrick replied, feeling like a teenager getting questioned by a date's father. Grissom motioned for Warrick to follow him into the study. "It'll just be a minute, Sara."

Grissom closed the door. "Warrick, Sara told me that she told you about us. I just want her to be happy." Warrick could tell that Grissom still cared for Sara. "Have fun tonight."

"Thanks, Grissom" Warrick said as he turned to walk out of the room.

"And Warrick, what I really meant to say from the beginning of this conversation is… Treat her right. She deserves the best."

"I will treat her like a princess."

Warrick walked Sara to his car. As he walked, he placed his hand on the small of her back. Sara's whole body tingled. As they drove to the restaurant, they were both nervous and quiet.

They arrived at the restaurant and were seated quickly. As the pair was looking at the menu, Sara caught Warrick staring at her. "What's the matter?"

"I am just admiring you, beautiful." Sara blushed and that caused Warrick to laugh and say, "You are so cute when you do that."

After they ordered their food, they sat staring into one another's eyes. Warrick was rubbing Sara's hand with his thumbs. She could get used to his gentle caresses. Warrick was the first to speak.

"Is everything okay now? You won't leave again?" Warrick said almost tearfully.

"I won't guarantee that I won't leave again. But, if I do, I promise to talk to you. I went to visit my mom. We still have a ways to go. But, at least, we are speaking to each other again. "

"I was worried when you left. I could see it in your eyes. I knew you were having a rough time. I was so wrapped in my own troubles. I thought…I thought…I thought I would never see you again. I am so sorry that I let you go through that alone. I would never do anything to hurt you, Sara." Tears started rolling down his cheeks.

Sara reached up and wiped away his tears. "How are you really doing?"

"The divorce became final last month. I pretty much gave into her demands. Just so I could be rid of her."

"Warrick, I should be the one who is sorry. I wasn't here when you needed me. I know what it is like to need someone there and they are not. "

"How about we call it even?"

"Sounds good to me."

After they had finished their dinner, Warrick suggested they go back to his apartment for dessert. He told Sara he had made a special dessert for them. They went back to his apartment. Sara was surprised. Warrick's apartment was warm and inviting. There was a piano in the corner and an entertainment center that was filled with pictures and CDs. "Make yourself at home. I'll go make coffee while I get the dessert."

Sara sat down at first, but got up and went to look at the pictures. Warrick walked in about that time. "Here you go. The lady in that picture right there is my Grams and this is her recipe."

Sara sat down on the couch next to Warrick and took a bite of the cake. "Oh, Warrick, this is delicious!"

"Thank you, but mine pales in comparison to hers. Hers was out of this world!"

Sara felt safe and secure around Warrick. A part of her always had. She wanted to tell him what her background was like, but was torn. Would he still love her? Could she bear his rejection?

"My Grams raised me after my mother died. She always called me her "work in progress." Sara giggled. "Did anyone ever tell you what a sweet sound that is?"

"No, I haven't heard that," as she giggled again. Warrick wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him. She leaned her head on his shoulder and he kissed her.

"Warrick, to be quite honest, I've been through a lot that isn't very pleasant. I don't think I want to ruin this evening. It's been wonderful. I feel safe with you."

"Do you want to tell me?" Warrick wasn't sure if she would open up and he wouldn't push if she didn't. He was sure of this…that no matter what Sara told him, he would always be there for her. He started to stroke her hair.

"I don't remember when it started, but it seems like it has always been a part of me. I watched my father beat my mother from when I could first remember. Once he had beaten her, he would go looking for me. I was always in fear. I had to keep hiding. He always found me."

"Oh, Sara," Warrick started crying along with Sara. He wrapped his arms around her even tighter and held her. Warrick had grown up loved and taken care of. Sara had probably not known what that was like. She had been fighting to survive. He just sat and held her. He would not ever hurt his Sara and was angry that anyone had.

She fell asleep in his arms. He decided to let her sleep. She looked so peaceful. He eased out from under her and scooped her up. Warrick carried her to the bedroom and laid her on the bed. He tucked her in and kissed her goodnight.

Warrick turned his CD player on put in his favorite jazz album. He turned it down low and lay there thinking about what Sara had told him that night.

Sara woke up in a panic. She didn't know where she was. She sat there for a minute and then realized she must be in Warrick's bedroom. She glanced around and saw a clock. It was about 3:30 in the morning. She walked into the hallway and heard music coming from the living room. Sara walked that direction through the dimly lit house and saw Warrick asleep on the couch.

Remembering she did not have her car, she found her cell phone in her purse. She called Grissom knowing he would be awake because he was working. "Gil, its Sara."

"Is everything okay? Where are you? "

"I am okay and I am at Warrick's. I must have fallen asleep and he put me in his bed. He is sleeping on the couch."

"Did you have a good time, Sara?"

"We had a very nice time. I'll see you in the morning." Sara laid down and just thought. Warrick and her had gotten along well after their initial meeting. She knew he sort of had that "bad boy" image, but he really was a good guy inside. They both had ghosts to fight with. Maybe that was why they worked so well together. They understood where the other came from. And those eyes... Those eyes were mesmerizing. Sara had always loved them. They were one of his best features. She had not expected to open up to him, but she had. He had not pushed her away. He took her and had held her. A sense of security and peace had come over her. Would he still do that if he knew the whole story? She fell asleep with these thoughts on her mind.

Warrick awoke about 5:00 and went to check on Sara. She was sleeping peacefully. He thought she was a beautiful person. He always had. He loved her determination. He was like that too in some ways. She had survived a lot in her life. He vowed to himself, as long as he was around, no harm would come to her.

At about 7:00, he was sitting at his computer when Sara walked in. "Hey, girl."

"Good morning."

"Did you sleep well? Do you want some breakfast?"

"You don't have to do that. I have already imposed on you enough. Did you get any sleep?"

"I slept on the couch."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. You seemed to be sleeping peacefully. I didn't want to wake you."

"And as far as you imposing on me, you aren't. I really don't mind. Now, what do you want for breakfast?"

"I don't know."

"I'll surprise you." A little while later, they were having breakfast together.

"These are great, Warrick!"

"It's my Gram's recipe. You probably are ready to go home, so after we're done here; I'll take you."

"Okay," Sara sat there eating the apple cinnamon pancakes that Warrick had made from scratch. "Umm…. Warrick, I was thinking of looking for apartments today. If you don't have anything better to do, I wouldn't mind having someone to keep me company. "

"If it means spending time with you, I would love to."

"Well, when you take me home, give me about an hour and I'll be ready."