MyKate beta this for me, but as always, all mistakes are mine.

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI or it's characters. This story is set in my own AR of my mind.

Synopsis: Three months after Grissom and Sara encounter each other, Grissom decides to take a sabbatical to see where their future lies.

Chapter Two

Grissom slowly pulled his car into the driveway of his childhood home. 11:14 a.m. He drew in a deep breath and calmly exhaled. I am really doing this. He thought to himself. Getting out of his car, he stretched and then ran a hand down his face. He took another deep breath and tried to ease his anxiety. He unloaded the car and slowly made his way into the house.

Feeling overwhelmed at being back in the house without his mother, Gil sighed again and placed his bags down by the stairs. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and sent Greg and Nick another brief text message:

I have made it safely. I'll be in touch. –G

Grissom then slid his phone back into his pocket as he made his way further into the house. He stopped once he reached the living room and fought the onslaught of memories that assailed him as looked around the room. Inhaling deeply, he made his way further into the room with an unsteady gait and sank gratefully onto on the old and worn flowery couch. He closed his eyes briefly as he thought back to three months ago.

Flashback

Grissom warily followed Sara towards the house. He was nervous and began to feel his heart beat harder and faster. I don't know if I can meet her just yet. What if she doesn't know who I am? What if she does? Grissom clenched his jaw and fists. His palms started to become sweaty as his anxiety rose.

"Sara." Grissom staggered out above a whisper.

Sara stopped just shy of the steps leading up to the house and turned around. She was surprised to see the uncertainty in his eyes. She carefully took three steps towards him and hesitantly took his hands into hers as she gazed into his deep blue eyes.

He released the breath he was holding and barely above a whisper said, "Does…" He exhaled quickly, "Does she…" He shook his head, unsure how to form what he wanted to say.

"She knows who you are." Sara spoke quietly, but loud enough for him to hear.

Grissom looked up at her surprised, "She does?"

"I never wanted her to question who you were." She continued, "Despite everything we've been through, you're still a part of her." Sara ended on a tentative sigh.

"I…I wish." Grissom shook his head again, still unsure of what to say, "I'm sorr-"

Sara cut him off and looked down, "There's no need to be sorry. I understand."

"Sara." The timidness in his voice made her back up. He saw the uncertainty in her eyes and he realized how much pain she had been holding in. "I should have never-"

"Don't. Please." Sara pleaded as she turned around and headed back up the steps to the house.

Present day

I have to prove to her that I'm not leaving. I have to.

Grissom quickly stood to his feet and headed for the door.

~~~~GSR~~~~

10:56 a.m. Sara stared at the clock on her office wall. 10:57 a.m. She shook her head gently before looking back down at the report she was filling out. She had been having trouble for the last hour focusing on the report. The case was an easy open and shut case. Teenager ran away from home only to return a few days later to rob his parents' safe. In the process, he set off the alarm and ran off before even getting close to the safe, but left behind his fingerprints on the rock he used to break the office's window. Sara sighed.

11:00 a.m. He'll be arriving any time now…or so he said. Sara looked down at her phone. Still nothing appeared on her screen saying he has arrived. Sighing again, Sara stood up and decided it was time to head to the break room to get a cup of coffee.

After making her coffee, she sat down at the table warily. She glanced down at her coffee while drifting back to three months ago.

Flashback

Sara climb up the steps to the house and grabbed the door handle. Inhaling deeply, she cautiously opened up the door slightly before looking back at Grissom.

"You don't –"

"I'm coming." Grissom spoke decisively but quietly.

Eyes locked in silent communication, the couple stood motionless for a long moment before Sara's head bobbed slightly in acceptance as she turned towards the door.

Inhaling softly, Sara began, "You rea-"

Grissom moved up the steps and stood right behind her. His breath felt warm against the back of her neck, and she felt the familiar ache in the pit of her stomach. With unsteady hands, she quickly opened the door the rest of the way and made her way inside.

Grissom stepped into the house and quickly glanced around the room. The table sat where it had a great view out to the beach. The bar stood about ten feet to the right. It sat a few inches lower than the counter it was connected too. The counter wrapped around the right side of the room, with the bigger appliances mixed in the mix. The room was a light shade of yellow, and with the sun shining through, the room felt bright and roomy.

Grissom noticed Sara was nowhere in sight and took a tentative step further into the room. He was about to call for her when she reappeared with the man who took Meredith back home after the incident.

"Griss. This is Don. My…" She looked Grissom directly in the eyes, "my brother." When she noticed him release the breath he was holding, she continued and turned to Don, "Don, this is Grissom…Gil Grissom…"

Grissom was surprised when she didn't need to explain who he was further when Don spoke and reached out to shake his hand, "It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard….I've heard a bit about you." Don ended on a quieter note.

Grissom shook his hand, "It's nice to meet you too…I…" He stopped and looked back at Sara.

She gave him a small smile before looking down and around when she felt a small tug on the back of her shirt. She knelt down and picked Meredith up. She slowly turned back around…..

Present day

"Sara?" Tim shook her shoulder as he spoke. When she didn't reply, he said her name again, but louder.

Sara jumped up so quickly she knocked Tim over.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't hear you." She knelt down next to her boss to make sure he was okay.

"I'm fine. Really. You were off in Saraville and wouldn't come back to Earth."

Sara smirked as Tim laughed.

"I'm sorry. I…I was…just…"

"It's fine, really." He smiled before continuing, "You should go home. Spend some time with Meredith. You haven't seen much of her...or the rest the family all week."

"Tim, that's kind of you, but-"

"But nothing. You've practically been living here this whole week. Go home."

"But-"

"It's an order. Besides, don't you have company arriving today?"

Sara stared at him, "How…"

"Don't look so shocked Sara. I'm not the boss for nothing." He smiled wider.

When he saw her not move an inch he continued on, "Don told me…don't be upset at him. He was worried about you."

"Right." Sara muttered under her breath. Tim and her brother were best friends and had known each other for years. Tim was the one who had introduce Chrissy to Don, as Chrissy was Tim's younger sister.

"He said you hadn't been sleeping well all week. He's just worried. Mentioned that you…had…someone coming up to visit for a…while." Tim stopped talking when he noticed the anger rise in her eyes.

"I'm gonna-"

"Really. He's just worried. I am too. I'm the one who asked him what was going on…you've been spending so much time here…I was worr-"

Sara breathed in deeply before speaking, "Tim…th…thanks. It's good to kn-"

"Don't mention it. Please. Go home. Pick up your daughter. Spend some time with her. It'll be good for you." He gave her a timid smile.

"Thanks. I appreciate it." She gave him a quick hug before leaving.

Those two. I swear. You can't tell one of them something without the other finding out.

She quickly packed up the reports she still needed to finished, turned off the light, and locked her office door before heading for her car. When she reached her car, her phone buzzed.

She looked down and saw a text message:

I arrived safely. I'll be sitting on the beach for a while. Care to join me when you get off work? –G.

Sara drew in a deep breath. This is really happening.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Chapter three is a WIP. I will get it done ASAP. There will be more flashbacks! At least for the next chapter. Depending where it leads me, it may be the last chapter with flashbacks. At least for when Grissom meets Meredith. I may throw in more flashbacks from before Sara left LV.

Please review! I love reading them and always am up for feedback!

~Kay