Sara paused at the front desk on her way to the locker room after having walked into the lab for the night. Judy smiled at her and handed her two different stacks of messages, which she took expertly as she did every night. A quick glance at the messages let her know that they were business as usual, nothing outwardly urgent or give a message for Judy to ignore. Looking up at the receptionist after a moment.

"Assignments?"

Judy turned behind her and grabbed the new assignments, handing them off as she turned back around. "Just a few, not many at the moment."

"Well, you know how Vegas is. Give it an hour and cases will pile up." Sara tapped the desk and headed toward Grissom's office, walking in as he was reviewing a file box that was a previous case. "Messages." She held them out and Grissom reached out while looking at a piece of evidence. "Assignments."

Grissom glance up at her as he took the assignments. "Thank you Dear."

"Hmm, Happy Anniversary." She smiled at him before heading out of the office.

"Hey, Sara." She turned to look at him, "Happy Anniversary."

Heading to the locker room, Sara opened her locker after sitting down. Setting her kit inside, she removed her jacket and hung it up inside the metal space. Hearing Catherine's voice, she turned to see the redhead in the doorway. She stood and walked over to join her at the door.

"So, am I wrong to give this to you?" She held out a notepad-sized box and Sara took it, opening the lid to see a pictures frame with an engraving, '1st Anniversary – May 01, 2006' at the bottom. The frame was empty but Sara knew it was because Catherine didn't have a photo to be placed inside. "Happy Anniversary."

Placing the lid back on the box, Sara smiled. "Thank you, Catherine. Let me guess, everyone pitched in?" She placed the gift box on the top shelf of her locker.

"Yep, Brass and Sofia also." The supervisor hit her arm gently. "Only you Sidle, only you could do the impossible."

"Don't count me as impressive because I wake up to my boyfriend not at home. A note on his pillow saying he had a dozen reports to fill out. Couldn't even be home when I woke up on our anniversary. Got home late, left early."

Catherine winced. "Oh, that's instant doghouse. Is he stupid?" Seeing Sara's raised eyebrow she continued, "right, I don't know why I ask anymore."

"The only reason he's not in the doghouse is because Ecklie stopped me in the hall yesterday and told me to pass on the fact that all the April reports had to be in by midnight."

"Of course he did. Pure Ecklie there."

Sara reached into her pocket and removed a post-it, holding it out to Catherine. "He's not totally unromantic." Catherine accepted the note and read it.

Forever radiant, especially as you sleep, I find myself torn to leave your side. I wish I was there to wake you and tell you that one year is but twelve months of a lifetime to come. Happy Anniversary my Darling. I am forced to finish reports or I'd be beside you instead of you reading this note. I shall see you within hours and look forward to seeing your beautiful smile. – Gil

"God, I hate you guys!" She handed the paper back to Sara, seeing the woman's smirk.

Sara chuckled as she pulled a roll of duct tape from the top of her locker and tore off a piece. Taping the post-it to the interior of her locker, Sara closed it finally. "Sorry I got the best guy to exist."

"Sometimes I'm jealous."

"Date a geek, they're a lot more romantic than you'd think." Sara told her and tapped Catherine's arm with the back of her hand.

The redhead shook her head, "I'm starting to see that."

"However, in our case, we have years to make up for." Sara told her, "so we try not to fight, but occasionally we still do."

As they left the locker room, Catherine inquired regarding the comment. "When was the last you two fought? Last I knew about was that star cult."

"Since then?" Sara's lips quirked to the side as she thought. "Right after the Bell shooting. You remember how tense he was after the Mirando case?"

"Yeah, the case you ignored officer warnings to grab that girl." Catherine looked to the side at Sara. "Oh I bet he was pissed."

Sara nodded, "pissed doesn't begin to cover his reaction. First time we had an all-out screaming match."

Walking into Grissom's office to deliver her files and smiled as he looked up at her. Nothing was said as he looked back down at the file he had in hand. Sara set her files on his desk in the new file holder and then leaned against the desk's edge.

"Want me to pick up breakfast?"

"No." Grissom sat up and took off his glasses. "I think it's best we go back to our respective homes today."

Sara stood up straight and nodded. "So, we're fighting?"

"I'm not talking about this with you right now Sara." He glanced up at her. "I'll call you this evening and we can talk then."

The brunette rolled her eyes. "Whatever." With the single statement she left the office and he only glanced up to watch her go.

Grissom found himself feeding Hank when there was a knock on the door. He patted the dog's back and headed up the stairs to answer the door. A quick look in the spyhole told him it was Sara and he sighed, opening the door to see the brunette waiting patiently. Sara glanced at him with a look of resignation on her face.

"I said…"

"I know but didn't we agree to face our problems instead of letting them stay?"

Nodding, he opened the door and let her in. "I'm guessing you want to talk."

"That's the idea." She stated as he locked the door and she bent down as Hank came over to see her. "Hey boy, Dad and I are in the middle of something so no cuddles today." She kissed his head and stood up. "So I'm guessing you want to know about why I did what I did."

"Yes."

Sara took a breath and turned to him. "They were shooting and she was curled up by the wheel-well, just trying to cover her head. No one even cared that if the shooter aimed lower, they'd hit her."

"You were told to stay behind the vehicle, behind the trunk where you were safest. You weren't even carrying that day, Sara."

The brunette tucked her tongue in her cheek for a half second. "I made a stupid mistake."

"A mistake that could have gotten you killed." He pointed to himself, "not even three months ago you were angry at me for the same issue."

"At least I had police around me." She threw up at him, voice slightly raised. "I'm not going to leave a ten year old to die because the cops are being stupid."

Grissom took a step towards her. "So you'd risk your life? Die in the process."

"Absolutely." She starred right at him, "don't you dare tell me you wouldn't do the same for a child."

"What I do is different…"

Sara huffed before her voice rose another decibel. "Like hell it is. Don't give me that crap Gil, neither of us have more justification over the other."

"I said I would keep an eye on my actions and I have. What about you Sara? When are you going to stop making irresponsible decisions?" His voice also rose a decibel.

"Oh so this is my fault now?" Her voice was three seconds from yelling.

He took another step, yelling instead of speaking. "Yeah, it is! You could have died out there and you wouldn't have cared how it'd affect me!"

"The hell I don't!" Sara yelled at him while pointing. "Every time I go out into the field, armed or not armed, and I hear movement in a house that is supposed to have been cleared, I think about you! So don't act like I don't because I do! I think back to that damn hospital and watching you see me taken hostage! If it's the only thing I do Gil Grissom, I will never forget the look on your face as you watched me be taken hostage! It haunts me more than me being at the end of the shard ever will! That's because I love you and I'd have willingly suffered so you didn't!"

At her words, he seemed somewhat speechless and didn't speak for a while. Eventually as they both calmed, he spoke softly. "Sara…"

She shook her head. "I hate fighting. It reminds me of my parents."

"Come here." He urged her closer by gently taking her wrist and she moved into his arms. Grissom hugged her and she held on, burying her face in his neck. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Sara closed her eyes as she felt his hand rest against her head. "I know. I'm sorry too."

"I was scared. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you." Pulling away, Grissom used his fingers to brush back her hair. "But you're right, I'd have done the same to save a child."

Watching his face, she nodded. "What are we going to do Gil? We can't keep fighting."

"We're going to fight Honey, there's no way around that. The best we can do is talk about it calmly."

"I came over to talk and we ended up screaming at each other." Sara sighed, "I don't know, maybe my temper got the better of me again."

Grissom shook his head. "This time it was my fault. I made the accusation that pushed us both over the edge."

"It's not always going to be this way, is it?"

"I hope not. We both know the honeymoon period is over, we're arguing now and making decisions towards a future." He watched Sara nod. "I can make you one promise."

Sara's expression was inquisitive. "What?"

"I'll never lay a hand on you."

"If there is one thing I knew going into this, it was that you'd never do that." Sara reached out and cupped his cheek, rubbing her thumb against the edge of his beard. "You're not violent and you know about my history."

Thinking as he ran a hand up and down her back, Grissom finally spoke. "I think the idea of losing you brings up a fear I didn't know I was capable of."

Smiling, Sara ran her hand around his waist and took a fraction of a step closer. "You've been fearful for years Gil. Having me doesn't change how scared you are to lose me."

"I know now though what having you in my life is like."

"Same and I feel no change in what I felt that night at the hospital. Seeing you scared was so much more painful for me."

He cupped her cheek, "I doubt that's the case Honey."

"Oh you do?" It was asked playfully. She grinned and leaned in to kiss him. "We'll agree to disagree."

"Really?"

"Yeah, wasn't pretty in the slightest." Sara smirked, "the make-up sex was mind blowing though."

Catherine chuckled, "it normally is. At least until the next fight. How long between fight and make up? Let me guess, a week? No, two days, right?"

"Same morning." Sara stated as they arrived at the breakdown.

"God, I really do hate you guys."

Sara smirked as she walked over to the coffee pot. "Oh don't worry Catherine, there'll be more fights in the future. Maybe it'll be longer than an hour next time."

"Hold on, you said morning. Now you're saying it was an hour?" Catherine grabbed her own cup to pour coffee. "How?"

"We don't like fighting." Sara handed off the pot to Catherine.

Catherine shook her head. "You just have to outdo everyone."

She smirked, "it's a gift."

"Well if I hadn't seen your name on the board then I'd have thought you'd be in Quantico." Both women turned to see a blonde at the door. "Sara Sidle, as I live and breathe."

Catherine leaned in for the second time in a year. "Another friend of yours?"

"Kind of, my ex-partner from San Francisco." Sara smiled and waved. "Hey Casey, been a while."

The blonde walked over and hugged Sara, who frozen as she had with Wendy. "Oh it's so good to see you. I expected you at Quantico, your lab work is Quantico worthy. Plus, they don't require CSIs to interview or interact with suspects."

"Little space please." Sara asked as Catherine looked on while chuckling.

"Oh sorry." Casey pulled back. "So, I'm on swing shift. I can't believe you're working nights. Never expected you to do anything other days."

Sara shrugged. "I found my rhythm and I've been at it for years."

Casey looked her up and down. "You definitely dress better."

"Thanks, I think." Sara told her. "I'm mostly in overalls, depends on the day really."

"You work trace though."

Sara nodded. "Technically but I'm mostly under cars, on roofs, any physics related fact. Blood splatter analysis." She turned to Catherine and smirked. "Ask me about blood splatter later, you'll look at me like I have two heads." Turning back to Casey, she continued. "I do whatever the job needs me to. You'll get used to it eventually."

"Yeah, the whole switching partners and various evidence processes, it's a bit to get your head around."

"Go!Go!Go!" All three turned to the hall to see Archie and Greg on rolling chairs racing.

Catherine looked to Sara and the brunette rolled her eyes. "I'm on it."

Sara left and headed towards the hall while Casey looked to Catherine. "Why is Sara dealing with irresponsible actions?"

"Trust me, with Greg, if we want results then we let Sara handle it."

Casey looked confused. "Is she dating him?"

"Oh," Catherine laughed and pinched her nose. "Oh no. Sara and Grissom were the main ones who trained Greg. We all had a hand but those two, they got Greg out of the DNA lab and into the field as a CSI Level I."

"Greg!" Sara's voice resonated from the doorway. "Work, now!"

Greg instantly came to the door and smirked. "Just having a little fun Sara."

"You end up causing me to explain to Ecklie why you were racing in the hall and you're going to be taking my on-calls for the next six months." She stated while pointing to the floor. "Understood?"

The younger CSI nodded. "Right. I'll just go back to layout."

"See that you do." She slapped his arm and let him leave.

"Greg!" Grissom's voice followed seconds later, "assignments."

Greg pointed over his shoulder. "But Sara said to go…"

"Then go." Grissom told him as he entered the breakroom. "Sara, 419. Find Nick and tell him he's joining us." He handed her the case info sheet then handed one to Catherine. "Catherine, you and Warrick have a 406."

Catherine nodded and patted Grissom's arm as she did. "Happy Anniversary."

"Thank you." He told her before looking at Sara. "What's going on with Greg?"

Sara shook her head. "You really want to know?"

"No." He stated and quickly shuffled out of the room.

"Coward!" She smirked and looked at her paper. "Ooh, 419 at the Lake Mead." She paused as she walked towards the door. "Hey Casey, we'll get breakfast one day."

Casey nodded. "Good to see after six years."

Sara found herself grinning as Grissom lead her from the front door, blind fold around her eyes. He lead her down the steps of their small staircase and towards the hallway, holding her by her upper arms. Leading her towards the guest bedroom, Grissom paused at the door and reached up to pull the blindfold from her eyes.

"What have you done?" She turned to him, "tell me."

He nodded to the door. "Find out yourself."

Sara turned the knob but stopped and turned to Grissom again. "Tell me."

"Not this time. You'll have to see for yourself."

Sara rolled her eyes before turning back around and opened the door. She gasped as she looked at the once unused room. The walls were the same color as the bedroom wall that they'd painted months back. In the master the wall they painted had been just the wall behind the bed but all four of the guest bedroom walls were the same blue. A blue she'd picked out when Grissom had insisted having her input because he was going to paint the wall. A blue the color of the sea. Her desk had been moved into the room; a shelving unit next to the desk had all her books from her old apartment. Against the opposite wall was a double bed, similar to her old bed that she'd gotten rid of upon moving in.

"Why move me out of the office?" Sara asked him softly?"

"To give you your own space." Grissom ran his hand up and down her back. "The desk is empty because it has yet to be filled. Your desk in the office is still there, all your journals, books, computer, and odds and ends on it. I just know sometimes I annoy you and I want you to have a place that is just yours. A silent space after your therapy sessions."

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Sara grinned. "You knew exactly what I'd want. Not jewelry or clothes or any present you could buy."

"Because I know you."

"Your anniversary gift won't be here for another few days." She ran her fingers through the curls at the nape of his neck. "Do you want to know what it is?"

Grissom watched her face as his hands ran up and down her sides. "If you wish to tell me, I don't mind, but if you want to leave it a surprise…"

"Entomology specimen cabinet." She saw surprise then thrill fill his eyes. "It'll fit neatly under your desk. I measured it before I ordered it."

"Oh you know me just as well as I know you, my Dear." Leaning in, he kissed her and Sara grinned as they parted.

Sara watched him watch her. "I love you. I know I say it a lot but I really do love you. All I've ever wanted was you and the past year, you've helped me create the only real home I've ever had."

"I hope it has been more happy days then bad."

"It has. So many happy days and nights." Sara claimed a quick, chaste kiss.

Grissom looked at the room and Sara followed his gaze. "I knew you liked the color so I bought more and painted the room. It's a good color too. If we end up turning the room into a nursery in the future."

"And if we have a daughter?" Sara watched his face. "Blue screams boy."

"Her mother likes blue, why can't she?"

Sara nodded, "I like climbing on roofs, are you going to let our daughter?"

"Sure, if she's wearing climbing equipment and her mother is with her."

With his statement sincere, Sara couldn't help but laugh and kiss him again. "I love you."

"'You are my sun, my moon, and all my stars.'" His eyes danced over her face, filled with love.

Sara smiled at him. "Who said it?"

"E.E. Cummings."

"I might have to get that tattooed on me somewhere."

"Really?"

Sara shrugged as she answered. "Of all the quotes you've told me. I love the first and now this one." Pulling her arms away, Sara motioned to the side of her waist. "Here maybe, or my shoulder."

"If you do, I want to go with you."

I enjoyed writing this chapter because it shows how far they came in a year. From being silent on their attraction and having limited private knowledge of each other to knowing what each other desires. Also, they're able to talk about future children without it feeling like a taboo. They're essentially planning a future together.