CHAPTER THREE: THE DRIVE

Grissom was alone at his desk and lost in thought. He knew that he would need some help for the next few days. His doctor had made it clear that he was to be off work for at least a week. Furthermore, he couldn't drive with the medications he was prescribed. He had thought to ask Sara to help him, but seeing Jim comforting her at the hospital was more than he could take in his current state. He would call a cab and take it from there.

Sara knocked softly at Grissom's office door. She could see he was on the phone. He motioned her in and hung up the phone. She looked beat. The mud and dirt from the crime scene clung to her clothes and hair. For some reason, her backpack looked like it contained the entire contents of her locker.

"I am heading out and I was hoping that you would let me drive you home," she said.

"I was just calling the cab company," he replied.

"It is really no problem, Grissom. It is only a ten minute detour for me. Please, humor me."

With that said, Grissom finished clearing off his desk and loading his briefcase with work. Sara grabbed his jacket and crutch and handed them to him in exchange for his briefcase. They headed slowly out to Sara's car and she got Grissom seated before placing all their gear in the back. Sara sat down in the driver's seat and reached across Grissom to help him with his seat belt. She accidently brushed his sore ribs eliciting a painful sound from Grissom.

"Sorry Gris....I had no idea you hurt your chest," Sara said.

"I bruised several ribs during the explosion," he said.

Sara closed her door gently and began a silent argument with herself. What else was wrong and why did she always bring more pain? She glanced over at Grissom and then headed her car in the general direction of Grissom's townhouse. The ride would take about twenty minutes.

Sara's mind raced as she drove slowly. Her passenger did not need any more bumps or bruises tonight. Sara toyed with the thought of asking Grissom if she could spend the night. She could say she was afraid to go home alone or that she could really use a bite to eat. Anything to get him to let her in. They were halfway to his townhouse when Sara finally asked Grissom if he needed anything else tonight. He responded by telling her that she was free to go see Brass as soon as she dropped him off at home. He did not need anything.

"What?", she demanded. At that point, Sara's anger took over. She was near a sports park and so she pulled in to the parking lot and stopped her car under a light. She threw it in park, killed the engine and looked over at Grissom. "What did you just tell me?"

Grissom panicked. He had been thinking about Jim and Sara, but he did not mean to verbally say anything. Now he was cornered and seat belted with no quick escape. He took a breath, but he was at a loss for words.

Sara grabbed the keys and stormed out into the parking lot. She paced back and forth like a caged tiger as her anger poured out. Finally, she retreated back into the car. She wrapped her arms around her body. The anger in Sara gave way to tears. She was so frustrated that she just began to sob. She didn't care if Grissom was sitting right there. Her face became a muddy mess and she pushed Grissom's arm away when he tried to place her hair behind her ear.

Grissom sat silently in the passenger's seat. He had done it again. At a time when he needed Sara more than anyone else, he had managed to push her farther away. A few long minutes later, Sara stopped crying. She wiped her face with her jacket sleeve and looked over at Grissom.

"Please let me explain," he begged.

"I saw you and Jim in the corridor of the hospital. Sara, despite the last few months of friendship we shared, I honestly thought you were seeing Jim. I know he was just as concerned as I was after the incident at the mental hospital. I have no right to take up your time."

Sara was tired. She was tired of the games and tired from the long, long day. It was almost 2 am and she just needed a shower and some sleep. She did not need or want any more drama. Most of all, she wanted to be with Grissom. Yet, he clearly mistook the signs and had jumped to the wrong conclusion, again.

"Brass and I are very good friends and he was just trying to comfort me," she said. "He is the one who told me to take you home and stay with YOU, if you would let me. I am not in love with Jim. I can drive you home and help you get your ankle iced and then re-wrapped. I can make you something to eat, so you can take your meds. I can stay with you so you are not alone. But if you turn me away, then know that I am going to my home, alone. I am not heading off to be with Jim or Greg or anyone else. You have always been the one that I wanted to be with and I was hoping you would let me help you now, like you have helped me in the past."

Grissom reached over and was successful in cupping his hand under Sara's chin. "Honey, I am so sorry that I jumped to the wrong conclusions," he said. "Please come home with me."

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