Chapter Twenty-One
"Grissom? It's Sara."
He sat up abruptly on the couch. She sounded horrible. "Sara? Sweetheart, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she told him, unable to keep the emotion out of her voice. She wasn't going to break down in the middle of a casino. She wouldn't put Grissom through the emotional turmoil of hearing her cry over the phone and not being able to do anything.
"Done with the case?" he asked carefully.
"Almost. We've got the right person now, I think," she told him, straining to bring her voice back under control.
"Who was it?"
"His girlfriend."
Grissom was surprised. "His girlfriend? But why?"
"Because he abused her. Physically, probably sexually too. Grissom… she's got bruises and cuts all over her," Sara explained, unable to hide the catch in her voice.
Grissom's heart broke at the sound of Sara trying to keep her emotions in check. Abuse cases always took a toll on her; this one was no different.
"Sara…"
"Don't. I'm fine," she told him, more forcefully than she had intended.
"Okay, I'm sorry."
"Don't be, honey. It's alright. Really." Grissom was getting better at knowing when and when not to argue with her. This was one of those times he knew not to argue with her.
"Nick and I are doing interrogation this time, not Sofia and Greg. So I better go. Nick's waiting for me in the car. I'll see you at home," she said.
Grissom was a little taken aback by her abrupt dismissal. "Right," was all he could think of to say.
He'd heard it in her voice, the pain and anger. Somehow, without meaning to, he'd offended her. "Well, get home as soon as you can, okay?" He heard her murmur yes on the other end before hanging up.
Damnit, Grissom! Why do you always make a fool of yourself around her, even now, when you're together? Why do you act so stupid?
He could only come up with one explanation, and he did not like it. He was still afraid. Afraid that she would get bored, find someone younger, and leave him. Or that she'd break his heart over something small and stupid. Or that their relationship would become knowledge to unknown enemies, and she would wind up hurt.
What it all came down to was this; he was afraid of his own heart, and the power Sara still held over it. And he had no idea what to do about it.