Please review!

Disclaimer: I own zilch.

This City is Contagious

(3)

The feeling of the warm sheets surrounding her seemed to comfort Sara as she woke, her headache had dulled and she felt as if she could finally begin functioning as herself again. Tossing the covers aside she stretched out on the bed with a sigh as she thought up how she could make up the previous night to Grissom.

She had made a mistake, she knew that, but she also knew that she wanted to make things better between them. She hadn't married him thinking that they would just let it end, and she was more than willing to fight for their relationship.

But as she rolled over she saw a note propped up against the bedside lamp; her name scrawled on it in Grissom's hand writing. With a frown she lifted the paper up, unfolding it carefully, smoothing over the edges before she began reading.

Dear Sara,

I didn't want to wake you- you look so peaceful when you're sleeping. I've taken a cab to the airport; I didn't want to trouble you.

Absence diminishes small loves and increases great ones, as the wind blows out the candle and blows up the bonfire. - Francois de la Rouchefoucauld

I love you,

I'm going to miss you.

Always yours,

Gil.

As she placed the note aside the silence of the room seemed to engulf her, the knowledge that she was alone again seemed to settle in like bad weather. Sara placed the note aside and chose to ignore what it meant for her, for their marriage.

Deciding that she was no ready to face the day, she climbed under the covers again and bathed herself in false warmth as she attempted to overlook her husband's absence. The thought of her diversion stayed prominent in the forefront of her mind.

But she had promised herself that she wouldn't let it happen anymore- that she would stop herself- her dependence.

Finding the remote, she switched on the TV flicking through the channels, the day time programs providing nothing interesting for her to watch. But she liked the noise the television provided; the voices made her feel less alone. Ignoring the things playing out on the screen she closed her eyes attempting to let the waves of sleep wash over her.

When Sara woke again, the feeling of emptiness hadn't faded like she had hoped it would; the sun was slowly disappearing over the horizon casting a dim shadow over Las Vegas. But the city seemed to just be coming alive.

Picking up her phone she pressed speed dial, listening to the sound of dial tones hoping that he would answer.

"Hello?" The sound of his voice provided instant comfort, she thought guiltily.

"Hi, it's me. I was wondering if you wanted to meet for a drink." she asked hoping that the hesitation and desperation didn't come across too obviously in her voice.

"Sure...you want me to come pick you up?" He asked; the sound of key's jangling in the background.

"That'd be great." She replied the knowledge that he was going to be there soon forcing her to get out of bed.

"I'll see you then." They said their goodbyes and Sara didn't know how but in twenty minutes she had managed to shower and dress herself. She looked tired, but she knew that he wouldn't say anything. He never did.

The sound of the door bell ringing through the house brought with a small sense of relief that she wasn't completely alone anymore. She stepped out into the evening air with him, locking the door behind her. An awkward atmosphere had settled between them but they both ignored it knowing that their friendship would override that soon enough.

"So...I thought you were supposed to be taking Grissom to the airport today...with all the traffic I wouldn't have expected you back for another few hours." Greg commented placing a cold beer in front of her as they took their usual seats in the corner of the bar.

"Me too..." She pursed her lips focused on the label on the bottle. "He took a cab..."

"Oh..." Greg nodded, glancing quickly at the floor. "The other night..." He began, quickly catching himself not wanting to make assumptions.

"I...made a mistake...a stupid mistake..." Sara nodded. She made it clear that she wanted to draw a line under the incident and but still making it clear that it had made an impact on whatever had happened between her and Grissom in his last few hours in Vegas.

"How have you been?" He asked taking a sip from his beer watching her, his gaze filled with concern. Sara took a deep breath, still avoiding his gaze, he knew her too well.

"Fine..." She lied, knowing that he would catch her out but it felt as if there was nothing else she could do.

"Sara you know you can talk to me...if you want..." He leant in, muttering to her, his hand covering hers.

"I know...I know..." Sara nodded, her system responding immediately to the contact of his skin. "Have another drink with me..."

"I can't...I promised DB I'd have my case report in by the end of shift...I'm sorry...I can drop you off." He offered apologetically.

"It's fine...I'll get a cab." She smiled, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek to let him know that it was okay.

"Call me...if you need anything." Greg squeezed her and gave her a quick smile before he disappeared, leaving Sara the way she had started that evening- alone.

Taking a seat at the bar Sara ordered another beer the sensation of dread filling her as she attempted to fight what she was feeling.

Her phone rang, and from Brass's caller ID she waited a few moments before she answered it, she knew well enough to know that he would not be calling with good news.

"Sara...I thought it would be best you hear this from me..." He paused, taking a deep breath before he continued. "Colin Fisher has been released on bail because of a technicality..."

"What are you talking about?" Sara asked not comprehending what he was saying. "The man raped and murdered six girls and they're letting him out?"

"I'm sorry- the DA...he's just covering his arse...if his attorney-"Brass attempted to explain knowing full well that her anger would get the better of her.

"Whatever..." Sara hung up the phone, tossing it her handbag with all intentions of ignoring Brass's future calls.

She ordered another drink resting her head in her hands as she attempted to let the anger wash away.

It was going to one of those nights...