A/N: Once again, many many thanks for the comments. Every one is always appreciated. If its possible for me to have a favourite chapter, then this one is it. (so far).I hope that you will enjoy this chapter, as much as i enjoyed writing it. As always, an awesome beta by JellybeanChiChi. I keep saying it, but this really wouldn't be possible with her help.

CHAPTER 4

"So that was the husband," Jake said as Sara returned to the break room. "He's not quite what I was expecting." Jake continued, ignoring the warning look that Sara flashed his way. "Certainly wasn't expecting someone old."

Sara bristled but kept her cool. She knew Jake was baiting her.

"He's just older than me. Not that my marriage is of any of your concern."

Jake grinned nastily. "I think the lady doth protest too much. Would certainly explain why he high-tailed it out of here, damn quickly. Realised that he couldn't keep up with a younger man."

"Amazing how you can twist a short visit from my husband into a phantom pissing match," Sara retorted. "You haven't changed a bit, Jake."

"Thank you," he said snidely.

"It wasn't a compliment. You're an ass," Sara said with indifference. "I've got work to do and so do you. Let's get this done so you can return to Seattle, where you belong."

Sara stood to clear up her half-eaten veggie burger and the other goodies Grissom had brought. She emptied the tea Jake made a point of warming for her into the sink before confidently leaving the room. Jake continued to sit at the table but watched her every move over the rim of his coffee cup. His smile faded ever so slightly.

Sara and Jake worked in silence for the next few hours, with no sign of the car. They were just about to check the last few tapes of CCTV, when Jake leaned back in his chair and craned his neck back and forth.

Sara's gaze remained transfixed on the monitor, but soon she absently rubbed the left side of her neck, before pausing to write something down on the writing pad beside her.

Jake had forgotten how consumed Sara could be when she was absorbed in a case, as she was with this. He leaned further back into his chair, content to watch her as she worked. She was still beautiful, even all those years ago in San Francisco. Even back then, she'd been unaware of just how attractive she really was. She'd turned heads then, and he was sure it was just as true now.

Was it really any wonder that old guy had claimed her for his own like some prized possession? The thought made him stand up and approach her.

Sara continued to rub the sore spot between her neck and shoulder and ignored Jake's movements. That was, until she felt his hands on her shoulders, gently massaging the tense muscles.

She glared at him as she shrugged him off. "Jake. Stop."

He stepped back, his hands raised. "I was only trying to help. Besides, it's getting late. I thought if we were pulling a double we at least deserve another break. That is, if your old man, doesn't mind you spending all night with another guy."

Sara didn't dignify his barb with an answer, but instead glanced down at her watch to find that it was almost 7:15 p.m.

"You pull a double if you want," Sara said as she jotted down a few more notes. "I'm going home."

She ejected the disc and turned off the monitor. Jake took her cue that the night was over and gathered up the rest of the evidence. He barely had everything in hand before Sara had left the room and was going down the hall towards the locker room.

"Sara! Wait," Jake said as he chased after her. He caught up to her, but she didn't stop walking. "Listen. This tension… it's unnecessary. Why don't I take you home?"

Sara stopped, causing Jake to form a big smile on his face. "Great. You stopped."

"Just to tell you the evidence locker is in the other direction. I have my own car Jake. I'll see you tomorrow."

She turned back towards the locker room and pulled out her phone to call her husband.

It was just after 8:30 p.m. when Sara finally entered the townhouse. The smell of cooking assailed her nostrils, and her stomach rumbled appreciatively.

Hank, their boxer dog, came bounding over to her, and she bent to rub affectionately at his ears.

She found Grissom in the kitchen listening to the radio that was broadcasting a baseball game and doing a crossword.

He turned to smile at her, his reading glasses perched on the end of his nose. She closed the gap between them, her hand running up his arm before coming to rest on the back on his neck. His hair felt damp, letting her know he had just finished his shower. His arms wrapped around her waist as they leaned in for a kiss.

"Hmmm, something smells good," she said, nuzzling his neck, as his arms tightened happily around her. "And I'm not talking about the food."

He grinned before drawing her closer. They kissed again, her hands running through his close-cropped hair. He hummed appreciatively, before she deepened the kiss.

"So, what's that other delicious smell?" she asked, when the need for air, finally ended the kiss.

"Pasta and walnut salad," Grissom responded, still embracing her as he nuzzled her neck softly. As his lips grazed over the tender spot, he felt her wince slightly. "You missed lunch, remember?" he asked, at her raised eyebrow, when he pulled back. "There's baked pears for dessert."

"You have been busy," she noted, as she took in the neatly ironed and folded laundry that was ready to put away, and the washing machine already in mid cycle.

Grissom merely shrugged, reluctantly releasing her, as he turned back to the simmering pans.

"While Dan was with my mother, I got a few things done. Thought I'd make a start on dinner after you called. Still no leads on the case?"

Sara shook her head as she absently rubbed at her sore shoulder.

"Want to talk about it?" he offered, watching her carefully.

"I'm okay," she sighed. "Is Dan asleep?"

"Yeah, I put him down just before you called. Little guy has had a busy day."

He turned to Sara in time to see the look of disappointment on her face, at missing his bedtime.

"This is almost done," Grissom's voice was soft. "Why don't you wash up, and I'll dish this up?"

She nodded with a sigh, lifting her hand to cup his cheek. "I'm glad you decided to keep the beard," she said pressing a kiss to his cheek.

Grissom's eyes sparkled with sudden mischief, and his cheeks dimpled slightly at his smirk. "You just like the way it tickles," he chuckled.

Sara swatted him playful on the ass, before she headed towards the bathroom. After quickly washing up, she headed towards her son's bedroom.

A single lamp dimly lit the couple's former office that was converted into Daniel's nursery. Sara quietly entered her son's room, and allowed a small smile to grace her mouth as she watched her son sleeping, starfish like on his back. His deep, soft breathing, almost rhythmic in the stillness of the room. He sucked busily on his pacifier for a few seconds.

Above his head, one small hand curled around the leg of the red-black-and yellow plush ant that Grissom had bought for him just after he was born. She reached out to gently caress the soft brown curls. Thinking back to those first early days, when they'd first brought him home.

Like all new parents, they'd had their share of struggles. They experienced a trial by fire as they adapted to a new life that was solely dependent on them. But they'd also had a good support network, ready to give a helping hand, or words of encouragement.

Even after his birth, Sara still struggled with doubts of whether she could be a good mother. She'd long suspected that Grissom would make an excellent father one day, if given the chance, and he'd proved her right, especially when he'd had a knack for settling Daniel when she couldn't. Which had only added to her self-doubts.

After a particularly bad sleepless night, Sara had felt an exhaustion that went beyond any she'd felt after working a triple shift. Still feeling emotional, Sara had struggled on Grissom's first day back at work. Catherine had stopped by, to find a stressed out Sara and a wailing baby.

Catherine had offered words of reassurance, and Daniel was soon settled. Catherine gently stoked the brown curls on Daniel's head as he was rocked gently in Sara's arms, one tiny hand clutching tight to the collar of her t-shirt.

"They don't come with instruction manuals, Sara," Catherine had offered in a low voice. "And no one expects you to know everything about motherhood. Just follow your instincts; they won't let you down. Actually," Catherine paused as a thought came to her. "When you stop and think about it, everyone is winging it. And it does get easier in time."

Despite her exhaustion Sara, had laughed gently and glanced down at her son, lying peacefully in her arms trustingly. She gently stroked his soft cheek, overwhelmed by the love she felt for him. He may not have been planned, but he was dearly loved, and she couldn't think of a life without him.

Things didn't get easier straight away, but Sara's confidence had grown a little more each day.

She was brought from her reverie by her husband's familiar presence first, before she felt his hands on her shoulders, feeling the tight muscles under the shirt.

"I thought I'd find you in here," he said softly as he watched his sleeping son for moment, a gentle smile of his own on his face.

Sara leaned into him slightly, and Grissom dropped his arm round her, lightly in one-armed hug.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his concern evident in his tone. "Do you want to talk about it?" he added, his tone letting her know that he'd support her decision whatever she decided.

Sara shook her head against his chest.

"I'd rather not, if that's okay?"

"Okay," he consented, giving her gentle squeeze. "Come on dinner's getting cold.

After dinner, Grissom disappeared for fifteen minutes, before returning and shooing Sara off for a soak in the bath, while he cleared the dishes.

At first, Sara protested, insisting on helping since he'd done all the cooking. But after firmly refusing her offer of help, saying that she'd been at work all day, she finally relented and headed towards their master suite.

On seeing the numerous lit candles placed around the bathroom, she couldn't help but smile and felt a sense of worry about the case drift away. Since Daniel's birth, Grissom had frequently indulged in pampering her, especially more so, when he knew she was working a difficult case. Although he'd become better able to express his feelings for her, there were still occasions when he struggled. In those moments, his actions said more than words ever could.

She slipped into the hot water, and with a grateful sigh she closed her eyes and relished the moment to relax. The gentle tap on the door and Grissom's quiet voice explaining that he was taking Hank out for a quick walk startled her briefly as she realised that she'd nodded off.

Since the water had cooled, she hurriedly finished up and by the time she was dressed in her tank top and pyjama bottoms, Grissom was already in bed, his glasses perched on the end of his nose, reading.

He glanced up as his wife entered the bedroom, rubbing her left shoulder. Evidently, the bath hadn't been enough to help ease the stiffness. He put aside his book and took off his glasses.

"Come here," he said, as he moved to make room for her, on his side of the bed.

When she was settled on the bed in front of him, he gently began to massage her shoulders.

Grissom could feel the tension ease, as Sara relaxed under his gentle massage. Her head dropped forward slightly, as she uttered a soft hum of contentment. One hand still working on her shoulders, he lifted the other to gently brush her hair to one side and nuzzled the back of her neck.

When she relaxed further, emboldened by her response, he left a trail of kisses from her neck, and along her shoulder. His hands slowly explored her body with a familiarity that would never stale.

Sara leaned back into him as he thoroughly kissed her body. His hands came up to gently knead her breasts, her nipples hardening immediately in response to his loving touch, an ache in-between her thighs that only he could ease.

She turned around in his arms, shedding her tank top as she did so, before claiming his mouth in a heated kiss. He returned the kiss enthusiastically as they divested themselves of the clothing that impeded their way.

The room filled with the sounds of their lovemaking, driving all thoughts of Jake Sullivan from Sara's mind.