Chapter 17

All the next shift Gil debated over rather he should confront Ecklie about the letter he had found. Gil and Sara were in the break room talking when Ecklie came in, Conrad nodded toward Sara. "I need a minute," he said to Gil.

Gil was looking at Ecklie when he noticed a tenderness in Conrad's eyes as he looked at Sara. "I'll be damned," Gil said to himself, "he does care."

Sara's phone rang, she answered it. "I got to go anyway," Sara said to Gil. "Stay safe," he told her. Gil turned to go when Ecklie said, "Did you ever love someone so much you thought your life would end without her?" Gil was not sure if he was talking to himself or to him. Gil looked at Ecklie his eyes were following Sara. "Then, before you have a chance to tell her, someone else takes her. She is so close, yet so far away. So near, yet out of reach." Ecklie seemed in his own world, so Gil just walked away.

On the way home Gil was debating over rather he should tell Sara about what Ecklie said. He decided not to.

At the house Gil put his arms around Sara. "I just wish there was words that I could use to adequately tell you just how much I love you and just how important you are to me."

Sara was not sure what brought that on, but she was more then thrilled about what happened next. The love they made that night was the most passionate yet Sara could remember.

Over the next few shifts Gil was beginning to take more notice of Ecklie. He is glad that Ecklie is being a little easier on Sara especially because of her pregnancy but he is not sure he likes the way Conrad has been looking at her. Maybe it is just his imagination. But what Ecklie had said about her keeps coming back to his mind.

Gil was more then sure that Conrad would never act on his feelings but he still felt uncomfortable when Conrad was around Sara. "You're being a fool," Gil told himself, "Sara loves you. If I didn't know better I would say you were jealous of Ecklie's feelings for her."

chapter 18

Sara was not feeling well and asked if she could leave early. Gil kissed her and told her to get some rest, he would see her after shift. After finishing his paper work he left. As he pulled into the driveway he noticed that her car was not there. Gil called her cell phone but did not get an answer. He was beginning to worry. Gil called the phone once more, then he called Brass. "Jim, something is wrong. Sara left about three hours ago and she is not home. I've tried her cell and it goes to voice mail."

"I will put out an APB on her car," Jim said.

"Thanks," Gil said, "I will be on my cell. I'm going to a couple of places she might be and retrace her route home."

An officer and Gil found her car at the same time. The car had a flat tire and her cell was on the front seat. Flashbacks of Natalie and what happened flooded his mind. "Oh my god, this can't be happening again," Gil said.

Gil was about to call in the team when his phone rang, the caller ID said ECKLIE. "Conrad, I don't have time now," Gil said.

"Hon it's me," he heard Sara's voice. "What are you doing with Ecklie's phone.

Sara chuckled, "Conrad and I are at a diner about three miles from where my car is, if you can come and get me I will explain everything.

Gil was grateful she was alright, he thanked the officer and called Jim.

At the diner Gil found Ecklie and Sara sitting at a booth. "Well, it would seem that you are in good hands now Sara so I will be on my way," Ecklie said.

"Thanks Conrad," Sara said kissing his cheek.

Ecklie and Gil's faces both turned red, Ecklie blushed and Gil was starting to get angry.

"I was on my way home and the tire went flat," Sara said, after giving Gil a kiss. "I tried to call you but I had forgotten to charge my cell phone. Conrad pulled up behind me, offered to change the tire but the spare was flat also. So we came here, Conrad dropped the tire off at the garage over there and offered to buy me coffee. I tried at least three different times to reach you."

Now Gil was the one who was embarrassed. "Gilbert Grissom," Sara said smiling, "I do believe you were jealous." "Let's just say I don't like the idea of anyone else being the knight in shinny armor who rescues my princess." Sara smiled and kissed him, "My tire should be ready."

Gil collected the tire and took Sara back to car, after changing it they headed for the house. Snuggling close together Gil told her about what Ecklie had said and how he felt.

Sara smiled, "Conrad told me about that on the way to the garage." "He said he had deep feelings for me. He also said that it was hard for him to be around me while he still had those feelings. But he had and he was glad that I had found happiness, even if it was with you."

Gil had not said anything, Sara could tell by his even breathing he had fallen asleep.

"Mr. Grissom, I love you so."