Chapter Twenty-Three

Grissom still didn't know what to do with Sara and her power over his heart, and he didn't know why he was getting nervous now. They'd been together for months, and he'd never worried about it before. Maybe because this was the first rough case they were going through together…? He really didn't know.

Taking a deep breath, he told himself to stay calm. Sara would be home any minute, and he being worried always bothered her.

Entering her apartment, Sara sighed tiredly. "You know, sometimes I really don't like this job," she stated.

"Hi, honey. What's wrong? And what do you want to do for dinner?" Grissom asked, watching her from the couch.

She collapsed onto the couch beside him, slowly immersing herself in his arms. "I am so tired," she complained into his chest, voicing what she'd been wanting since Sofia had stopped her in the locker room. "I don't want to do anything but sit here with you."

Grissom resisted the urge to laugh. "What happened to the girl who could go days with no sleep?" he teased.

"She's tired right now," Sara said, her face now buried in his neck.

He grinned down at the top of her head. "I know a great vegetarian place that delivers," he offered, reaching for her phone at her hip.

Noticing the ugly purple mark that was marring her beautiful pale skin, he became concerned. "Sara? What happened?" He pulled her shirt up to see the injury better.

"What? Oh, that." She lifted her head up to inspect the injury. "Nick and I were at the hotel, showing the vic's picture around. The first guy we brought into custody - the wrong one - he was pushing a room service cart. When he saw us, he shoved the cart at me and ran. Nick chased after him, and it went from there. I guess I actually had it the last time I was home. Just didn't hurt, I suppose. But it's no big deal. Just don't touch it, okay?"

Grissom nodded and went to take the phone from her hip. Making contact with her un-bruised skin, he tickled it lightly until she swatted his hand away. "Stop it!" she said between laughs.

Her brown eyes were sparkling. He hadn't seen her like this in such a long time, and it made his heart swell knowing that with him being there, loving her and caring for her, made her this happy. Because right now, she was fun, loving, and absolutely beautiful.

The case, no matter the impact, had been left at work. Sara was free right now, from that terror or anything else that left her unsettled.

Grissom knew not to ruin their moment with words of their careers, or what might be awaiting their next shift. They would only be with each other, because right now, she was his. His beautiful, loving, caring and truly amazing Sara. Not other CSI's or the Crime Lab's, but his.

He stopped tickling her long enough so she could breathe, but she only collapsed into a fit of laughter at his side. He pushed her hair out of her face, which was plastered with the biggest smile he had ever seen her put on.

"'I have loved to the point of madness; that which is called madness, that which to me, is the only sensible way to love,'" Grissom quoted, running a finger along her hairline.

Sara shuddered in pleasure at the touch. Smiling, she teased, "I'm going to take a guess and say… Shakespeare?"

"Nope. By F. Sagan, actually," he told her, tracing along her jaw line.

"So, does that mean you love me madly?" she asked, her smile growing even more.

"I guess so…" He was cut off by Sara's mouth on his.

She kissed him, and all of his thoughts disappeared, like they always did when they were together. All his problems were washed from his brain, as if she'd taken away the 'problem blanket' that usually hung over him.

She moved closer to him, deepening the kiss. Grissom could hear the voice in his head; Tomorrow. We'll talk tomorrow.

They were in a good place, and he decided that for once, good would override bad in his life. Tomorrow would come, they would go to work, they would work a case and it would all be the same.

But for today, right now, right in this moment, all that mattered was the two of them, their life, and their happiness. Tomorrow could wait.

And... THE END! Finally! For all you amazing people who stuck it out to the very end, thank you so very very much! I didn't think this story would garner so much feedback, but you guys have been awesome, telling me you loved it and wanted it more. Such a great feeling that is, and I love each and every one of you for it.

As for the people who thought the rest of the team would find out, I'm sorry! But, you could go read "Secrets Revealed" if you wanted to read one where they find out. As for now, I'm going to go get some sleep, and let my brain just think up more ideas to put up eventually.

Thank you, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart.