Not everything I wanted, but still turned out better than expected. Anyway, this is the last chapter, planning to do a sequel when my schedule becomes a bit more free. Thanks for all the reviews throughout.
"What?" Grissom asked quietly, barely able to be heard above the rain.
"I was scared." Sara replied in a small voice. "I'd been wanting this for years but then it all just came along so fast, first we were kissing and I didn't feel anything and I thought I was over you, and then you came back and kissed me again and I felt so much. Felt things I thought I'd forgotten years ago, and then you were inside and then you went again and I felt so lost but so perfectly happy and I couldn't stop smiling and then you came back and this time you didn't leave and it was amazing and when I woke you up you were still there and I'd expected you be gone and everything seemed fine. But then I suddenly realised how vulnerable I'd been with you and I haven't felt like that about anyone for years, I've never had such an emotional connection with someone before, it was more like making love than having sex. But then I started panicking and then you called me sweetie and I just couldn't cope and I got scared and so I ran. It seemed the safest thing to do." she finished in barely a whisper.
Grissom couldn't help feeling a small leap at her words, it had meant something to her as well, there may still be a chance.
"Wait" he said, still calm and quiet, "You're saying you ran and came all the way out here because I called you sweetie?"
Sara nodded, looking ashamed, "I was worried you would leave me for someone else and break my heart and so decided to do a preemptive strike. Besides Hank used to call both me and Elaine sweetie, so he couldn't mix up our names I guess."
Grissom felt his heart go out to her, all of this because she'd felt a bit unsure, how could she think he could ever leave her now he'd finally got her, maybe it was an overreaction, but he could see where she was coming from, he would've done the same. Hank had hurt her a lot more than she'd let on, and he'd worked out reminded her of a past boyfriend who had cheated on her as well and in one word he'd managed to remind her of two people she thought she could trust who had disappointed and hurt her.
He closed the gap between them and took her in his arms and held her, stroking her hair soothingly with one hand.
"I'll never leave you or betray you I promise. It's taken me years to realise that this is what I truly want, and even longer to finally be this close to you, I wouldn't do anything to jeopardise that. I would never do that, could never do that. I might not pick up on everything, or remember all the things you tell me, and I might do some stupid things, but I'll never treat you like those other jerks did. They didn't deserve you, you ought to have so much better, someone who will truly love you, and couldn't even look at another woman without thinking you were better than she could ever be. I'm not sure I deserve you, but I'll try and me the man you deserve, even if it takes the rest of my life to get there."
Sara still hadn't relaxed in his arms, he could feel the tension and the worry in her body and hoped he hadn't already ruined everything.
"And I promise I'll never call you sweetie."
He felt Sara smile against his chest and finally relax and hold him as tight as he was holding her.
They just stood there for a moment, neither could feel the rain anymore. He pulled back from her slightly but keeping her in his embrace, just to look at her. She looked back at him and he knew he couldn't even dream of anyone he found more beautiful than she was to him.
He moved one hand up to stroke strands of wet hair off her face and let his hand linger on his cheek, "I'll have to find some pet name I can use for you though" he murmured quietly, making her smile.
He tilted his head down and kissed her softly.
And this time, despite the gentle kiss, she finally felt something real.