A/N: Sorry for such a long delay between chapters, but circumstances beyond my control meant not being able to write for a while. I feel like this chapter is a little random, but well you judge. I'll thank you in advance for the reviews.

Home comforts.

Sara was discharged eight days after the explosion that had injured her so badly. To say she was glad to leave the hospital behind was probably the understatement of the year, and as Grissom helped her through the door of her apartment she could feel her eyes fill with moisture at the relief to be back in her own home.

As Grissom helped her to get comfortable on her couch, Brass entered with her bag and an armful of the gifts that she had collected during her hospital stay. They had already brought home most of them, and there were balloons and flowers scattered through-out the apartment.

Comfortable amongst the soft cushions of the couch, Sara was suddenly aware of just how tired she was after the short trip home and could do nothing to prevent herself from drifting off to sleep.

She didn't know how long she had been asleep, but the apartment was quiet when she woke. Looking around, she could not see any sign of either Brass or Grissom and she was overwhelmed by a sudden fear of being alone.

"Gil? Jim?" she called out, a hint of panic in her voice as she looked around the empty room.

"Gil?….Griss?...Grissom?" Her voice was becoming louder and she could feel herself beginning to panic at the thought of being alone. She had no idea why, but she really didn't like the idea of being alone right now and as the panic increased, so did her breathing until she was only taking in short gasping breaths as she tried to get off the couch. Where earlier the soft cushions had been her friends, now they seemed to be working against her as she tried unsuccessfully to push herself up.

At the sound of her panicked voice Grissom rushed out of the bedroom. Taking in her struggles, he quickly crouched down by the couch into her line of sight. He wasn't prepared for the look of utter panic on her face and the fear in her eyes as she struggled to get up.

"Sara" his hands went to her shoulders. "Sara, its ok honey, I'm here, what's wrong?" He watched her face as she struggled to control her breathing. "Sara, you need to slow down your breathing honey."

Placing her hand on his chest he spoke softly but firmly. "Feel my breaths Sara, concentrate on my breaths."

He watched as she concentrated on his words and as her breathing gradually slowed.

"I…. need….to….I….want….up…." Sara struggled to get the words out between gasps.

Gently but quickly, Grissom put his arms around her and guided her to stand. Once she was upright she clung to him tightly and he held her firmly to him, all the while whispering softly and rubbing small circles on her back. His hold relaxed a little as her breathing settled and when he finally felt her relax in his arms he drew away a little.

"Sara?" He searched her face, noting the tracks of her tears and saw the remnants of fear and a little pain in her eyes.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" he asked gently as he drew her back down onto the couch with him, all the time keeping his arms securely around her.

She nodded, but didn't answer, just cuddled into his chest, feeling safe in his arms.

He waited patiently, guessing she just need a little longer and just held her.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what happened" she looked up at him tiredly. "I woke up and it was so quiet and no-one answered me and I thought no-one else was here and I panicked. Dumb ha."

He shook his head, giving her a tight smile.

"No, not dumb. I mean it's a lot quieter here than at the hospital and there you had people coming and going all the time. I should have stayed in here with you, but I just wanted to change the bed, I didn't get it done yesterday" he told her.

"No, it was stupid; I don't know why I reacted that way. I'm ok now."

Grissom pulled back and gave her a searching look. Satisfied that she truly was ok, he led her to a chair by the table and sat her down .

"I'll get you a drink. Do you want some more pain tablets?" he moved into the kitchen.

"Um…yeah…thanks, my ribs are hurting a bit" Sara's ribs were actually hurting a lot, but she wasn't going to tell him that.

She took the tablets he brought her and drank the water before handing him the glass.

"Help me up?"

He set the glass on the coffee table and helped her to stand.

"Bathroom." She stated and he watched her as she headed down the hallway.

Settled back on the couch once more, Sara couldn't help but smile at the man seated next to her; she was a bit embarrassed over the incident earlier but amazed at his reaction to her distress. He had been so kind and loving, she had seen the concern in his eyes and it gave her a great feeling of comfort to know that he wasn't afraid to show his feelings for her.

Grissom watched as Sara settled back onto the couch and then leaned across to give her a gentle kiss.

"How about I get us something to eat?" he smiled at her when she nodded.

He made his way to the kitchen, but continued talking as he pulled out the ingredients needed for making omelettes.

"Jim will be back for dinner" he told her. "He said he wanted to go and check out a few things, but I think he was just getting out of our way for a while."

Sara chuckled when he said that and he paused his cooking to peak at her over the kitchen counter. He could see she was watching him and he gave her a broad grin.

"I do know what I'm doing you know, you don't have to supervise" he admonished.

"Oh I know you know what you're doing, it's just nice to watch someone else cooking for me" she smiled again. "Especially when that person also has to do the serving and cleaning up."

"Mmmm…Well I guess you're lucky I like to cook then aren't you and I'm lucky that you have a dishwasher." He still hadn't returned to preparing their lunch yet and was just watching her.

"Well, what are you waiting for, I'm hungry. What are you making me anyway?" she asked.

"Omelettes, light but healthy" he told her as he turned back to the job in hand.

Ten minutes later lunch was ready and after placing the two plates on the table, he helped Sara move from the couch to sit at the table.

He sat opposite her and watched as she began to eat. He knew how independent Sara was, and omelettes were one of those dishes that she could manage on her own one-handed.

Once he was sure she was eating, he began on his own food and all talk ceased as they ate.

He cleared the table and stacked the dishwasher while Sara sat sipping a cup of tea and watched him. It wasn't just that she liked to watch someone cook for her, she like to watch him. She was sure he would never understand what she found so attractive about seeing him in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, and so completely relaxed, she wasn't sure she understood it herself, but she did.

Grissom could see Sara watching him, actually staring at him was a better way of describing it and he couldn't help but think how beautiful she looked, though he was a little concerned by the far away look on her face. He finished cleaning up the kitchen and made himself a coffee before joining her at the table.

"Penny for your thoughts" he said as he sat opposite her again.

"Mmm? Oh sorry. Just thinking. Anyway" she teased. "My thoughts are always worth much more than a penny."

"Care to tell me anyway?" he asked, smiling.

"Nah. Nothing important" she wasn't going to tell him she was thinking how sexy he looked in her kitchen, so she decided to change the subject. "Can you help me back to the couch please Griss?"

"Of course my dear. Are you sure you don't want to rest on the bed for a while though" he asked as he helped her settle once more.

"No. Actually, I was thinking I'd like to watch a movie. Want to watch one with me?"

"Sure, as long as it's not a chick flick" he grinned at her. He would watch whatever she wanted, but he wasn't going to let on just yet though.

"Oh" she chuckled. "And here I was thinking I'd like to watch 'You've Got Mail'." She laughed aloud at the look on his face and then regretted it instantly when she felt the pain in her ribs.

Grissom watched her wince in pain and immediately felt guilty for teasing her.

"If that's what you want to watch that's ok with me" he told her and she didn't miss the concern in his voice.

Laying her good hand on his arm, she tried to reassure him.

"It's ok; I'm just messing with you Griss. How about some Hitchcock? I have a couple of his movies, you choose."

"You sure?"

"Yep. On the bookshelf over there" she pointed to the set of shelves next to the television set.

Grissom quickly found what he was looking for and once he had the movie started he sat back down on the couch.

Sara nestled against Grissom, curling her legs up under her, getting comfortable, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer before placing a soft kiss on her head.

The movie had been running for about forty-five minutes when Grissom realised that Sara had fallen asleep. He waited a few minutes before reaching behind them for the throw rug she kept on the back of the couch. Moving a little further along allowed him to lower her so that her head rested on his legs; he covered her up and settled himself to watch the rest of the movie.

That was how Jim Brass found them when he returned about five o'clock. Sara stirred when he entered the apartment, but didn't move. She was warm and comfortable and quite content to stay where she was for the rest of her life. Unfortunately her pillow had other ideas and when he stretched his legs out, she almost fell off the couch.

"Hey! Watch it pillow" she teased as his arms instinctively grabbed her before she could roll off the couch.

"Sorry, I forgot you were there" he grinned at the expression of disbelief on her face.

They both looked up as they heard a hearty chuckle coming from the kitchen.

"You two look comfy cosy" he snickered. "Here I've been wandering the streets of Washington in search of the perfect dinner and you two have been lolly-gagging about in here all day."

"What do mean in search of the perfect dinner, there's take out menus on the fridge" Sara said, amused by the idea of Jim Brass restaurant hopping in search of the perfect meal. It conjured up all sorts of images.

"Ok. I'll bite" Grissom spoke up. "What is the perfect dinner Jim?"

"I thought you'd never ask" he had a smug look on his face.

Grissom and Sara exchanged a look that said lets just humour the old man for a while.

Brass didn't miss the look and produced a pout that must have taken a lot of practice.

"Fine, I'll just eat it all myself. No problem, maybe I'll invite your friends from the FBI over to help me eat it too." He told them, sounding miffed, but they could hear the underlying humour in his voice.

Sara moved to sit, and Grissom helped her, before she stood and advanced on the LAPD detective. Grissom grinned as he watched his friend back up as Sara advanced, until his back was against the kitchen bench.

"What...is…for…dinner…Captain Brass?" her voice was low and threatening, but Grissom could hear the slight laugh in it and he watched Brass swallow as she got right in his face.

"You know, I have interrogated a lot of bad ass crims in my time, but I gotta say Sidle, you scare me" he smiled at the grin that appeared on her face.

"As you should be" she told him.

"Yeah, Jim you should be, I am" Grissom laughed as he spoke.

Sara turned and gave him a glare. "Too right buddy. You both should be" she told them before bursting into laughter.

The two men joined in and only stopped when Sara grabbed her side and gasped. Instantly they were steadying her and moving her back to the couch.

"I know laughter is the best medicine, and that sometimes medicine is not pleasant, but this is ridiculous" she groaned as they lowered her onto the seat.

"It's Karma honey" Grissom told her as he headed to the kitchen for her pain medication and a drink. "What goes around comes around."

He handed her the tablets and watched her take them, concern etched on his face. It had been good to see her have a bit of fun, even if it was at their expense and a shame it had turned painful.

"Sorry cookie" Jim gave her a light kiss on the top of her head.

"It's not your fault my ribs hurt when I laugh, I just wish they'd hurry up and stop" she hurried to reassure him.

"So what did you get for dinner that's so great" she asked.

"I found this lovely little Italian Restaurant a few blocks from here and they had a great take out menu. I brought spinach and ricotta stuffed cannelloni, a chicken lasagne, and a vegetarian spaghetti dish" he paused to watch Sara lick her lips.

"Plus for dessert, we have a choice of tiramisu or a chocolate cheesecake."

"Wow! You were right; I hope it tastes as good as it sounds. When can we eat?'

Sara asked eagerly, causing both men to laugh.

"We can eat as soon as you like, do you want me to help you freshen up a bit before that" Grissom asked.

"Nah, just help me up, I can manage" she assured him.

Fifteen minutes later they were tucking into what turned out to be one of the nicest Italian meals that any of them had eaten in a while. Dinner conversation was light and pleasant, touching mostly on what Brass had done that day.

After dinner was finished and the dishes cleared away, Jim excused himself to make some phone calls, he had promised Catherine he would check in with her regularly with updates and didn't want to incur her wrath by not doing so.

The rest of the evening was spent quietly watching the discovery channel and before any of them realised, it was ten o'clock and Sara was beginning to fade again.

She was too tired and it was too awkward to change out of her shirt, so Sara settled for just putting on clean pyjama bottoms and was sitting on the edge of the bed when Grissom knocked on the door.

"Want some help?" he asked softly, smiling.

"You wish. Nah just come and tuck me in Gil" she returned his smile as she climbed into the soft bed. "God it's nice to sleep in my own bed again, I really missed this." She snuggled down into the soft pillows.

"Mmm..It is a pretty comfy bed." Grissom frowned slightly, realising that they had not talked about sleeping arrangements now that she was home. Truth be told he wanted nothing more than to share her bed, but he was unsure how she felt about it.

As if reading his mind, Sara smiled at him and patted the bed next to her.

"You know, there's plenty of room for two in here, if you want" she watched his frown morph into a broad smile and knew that she had said the right thing.

"Are you sure honey, cos I don't mind the couch if you're not comfortable with it." He wanted her to reassure him that she did want him there, but he would not force the issue; a few nights on her couch would not do him any harm.

Sara took his hand and laced her fingers with his, before speaking. "I'm sure, besides, it's not like anything can happen; I mean God Gil, I can't even laugh without pain, I think anything else is definitely out of the question" she grinned at him cheekily before adding, "for a while anyway."

He blushed a little at her words, and lifted their entwined hands to place a gentle kiss on the back of hers.

"Mmm…I guess I can control myself for a while" he teased. "As long as you can control yourself Miss Sidle."

She laughed. "Oh, Dr Grissom you do have a high opinion of yourself don't you?" her eyes had a wicked glint to them. "I'm sure my control far exceeds yours."

"I hear a challenge there honey, but I think we should wait to test that theory, don't you" he bent down and claimed her lips in a kiss that Sara quickly deepened. They both pulled away at the same time, breathing quickly.

"That my dear is cheating" he admonished with a grin "but two can play at that game." He claimed her lips again and this time it was him who deepened the kiss, eliciting a small moan from Sara. When he heard the sound, Grissom pulled back, a smug look on his face.

"Control issues Sara?" he teased, earning a soft slap on his arm from her.

"Now who's cheating Gil?"

He studied her face for a moment then moved off the bed saying "I think we should stop this game while we can."

"You didn't tuck me in" Sara gave him a pleading look that he found hard to resist.

He tucked her in, kissed her briefly on the forehead and headed back to the living room, he need to cool off a little before he felt comfortable with going to bed. Sara had a way of pushing his self control to the limit, but he would not give in until she was healed, however difficult he realised that might be.

He and Jim sat up for a while longer and when he eventually returned to the bedroom it was to find Sara soundly asleep. He changed into his pyjamas and crawled into the bed, careful not to disturb the sleeping woman.

As he finally succumbed to sleep he came to the realisation that this is where he wanted to be, this is where he belonged, this was his place, beside Sara, wherever that may be.