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Picking up the Ashes - Chapter 16

Sara could feel all eyes blazing on her as she made her way down the hallway towards Grissom's office.

Relief ran through her veins as the glass door closed behind her as she took a step into the bug filled office. It seemed where ever she went now in the lab; everyone was talking about her and staring, especially when she was with Grissom. She had a feeling everyone knew about them together. She tried to bring this up with Grissom but he just shrugged her off, saying she was being paranoid.

Grissom looked up from his work and smiled at her. He was always happy to see her. Sara couldn't help but smile at this as she came around the desk and sat in his lap.

Grissom wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face into her neck, breathing in the sweet honey and lavender scent of her skin.

"I've missed you," he whispered lifting his head up and staring into her warm brown eyes.

Sara couldn't help but laugh at this, "It's only been a few hours."

"A few hours too many," he replied leaning in and kissing her softly on the lips.

"You're such a fool," she laughed.

"A fool in love," responded Grissom in between kisses. Sara closed her eyes as this and began to kiss him back, deepening it.

Just as Grissom began to explore his hands up Sara's shirt there was a knock at the door. They both stopped what they were doing, frozen.

There then was another knock, "Gil you in there?" It was Ecklie. Grissom swore under his breath at this.

"Hurry get under the desk," he whispered pushing Sara off his lap.

Sara did not argue at this and crouched under Grissom's desk. She then heard the sound of the door being open and Ecklie stepping in.

It wasn't until 30 minutes later that Ecklie finally left Grissom's office, allowing Sara to come out of hiding.

"That was close," sighed Grissom helping Sara up.

"You think!"

"Well at least he didn't catch us," replied Grissom looking up at Sara and talking her hand.

"Gil," began Sara. "I think we should tell him, before he does catch us."

"Now? You want to tell him now?" asked Grissom shocked.

"The sooner the better, right?" shrugged Sara smiling a little.

"I don't know Sara," replied Grissom shaking his head. "It's too early."

Just then there was another knock on the door and even before Sara could hide, Catherine bolted in.

"Gil we need to talk," spoke the red head to Grissom. She then noticed Sara, "Oh Sara…" Her voice just trailed off.

Sara flashed a smile at her co-worker and then looked to Grissom.

"We'll talk about this later," she said.

She then walked out of the office, ignoring Catherine's questionable looks.

Grissom watched Sara leave before turning to Catherine. "So what can I do for you Catherine?" he asked to the red head.

Sara and Grissom where cuddled up on the couch watching a movie. Sara's head lay in Grissom's lap as his fingers ran through her hair.

Sara was having a hard time concentrating on the movie; she kept on thinking about how Ecklie had almost caught them together.

"Gil."

"Yeah," answered Grissom staring down at Sara.

Sara twisted her body so she was lying on her back staring up at him. "I think it's time."

"Time for what?" asked Grissom confused.

"Time that we told."

"No Sara, we have been through this before, no!" arguing back Grissom.

"Gil!" cried Sara lifting her head up and looking straight at Grissom.

"Sara," replied back Grissom. Both of them stared into each other's eyes not dropping their glances.

"I want to wait," spoke Grissom breaking the tension.

Sara sighed at this and got to her feet. "I am frickin' tired of waiting! I am tired of living a lie!" she cried her voice rising a little.

Grissom didn't know what to say to this. He didn't feel like dealing with this now, it had been a stressful day at work. All he wanted was a nice peaceful evening at home with Sara.

"Can't we deal with this later?" asked Grissom also getting to his feet and making his way over to where Sara stood.

"No," replied Sara. "We can't!"

"Sara!"

"No Gil! We are going to settle this once and for all," she stated. She was tired of this going back and forth. She wanted an answer now. She was tired of lying.

Grissom just looked at her. It was too early.

"Do you still want to be with me?" she asked quietly searching his face.

"Of course I do, I love you," replied Grissom sweetly reaching out and caressing Sara's cheek.

"Then why, damn it, do you not want people to know about us?" she screamed out in rage, stepping away from Grissom's touch.

"Because it's just too soon," he whispered back running his hands through his hair.

"Too soon!? We have been together for almost a year now; I would say that is pretty long without telling anyone. The timing couldn't be more perfect!"

"I don't know," replied Grissom simply shaking his head. "What about my job? Your job?"

"What about our jobs?"

"Well dating coworkers is against the rules. If Ecklie finds out, we could get fired!"

"Screw Ecklie! And besides if we come clean, the punishment will not be that bad. One of us will just have to switch to a different shift that is all!" explained Sara.

"I don't know, I kind of like just how it is now," spoke Grissom honestly to Sara.

Sara bit down on her bottom lip at this, thinking. She was clearly pissed.

"Then what?" she asked glaring at him.

"What?"

"Then what? Are we just going to keep our relationship hidden from everyone we love for the rest of out lives? Just pretend we don't live together, don't share a pet, huh? Just pretend we aren't lovers, huh? 'Cause if that is what you are asking from me, and then I can't be in this relationship anymore. I can't go around hiding my feelings for the man I love, I can't!" her voice breaking at this. She was crying now, silent tears running down her flushed cheeks. "I can't," she sobbed softly.

Grissom just stood there staring at the floor, he was a fool. It broke his heart to see Sara like this. He had never meant to hurt her.

Grissom took a step towards her and tried to hug her but Sara moved away from his touch.

"I need space," she spoke grabbing her purse off the chair. "I need out!"

With that she was out of the townhouse, leaving Grissom standing there alone.

Grissom just continued to stare at the door trying to figure out what she had meant by needing space, did she mean she need space to think or needed space from him? Did she want out of the relationship? These questions and a million more formed in his head as he stood there in the middle of the living room, alone.

Did Sara and Grissom just break up?

What will happen now to our favourite couple?

Find out in the next chapter!

Thanks for reading and please review.