AN: Here it is, as promised – Empty Eyes. Again, this hasn't been beta'd so any mistakes are mine. One more chapter of this little ficlet series to go next week, and then I'm planning to continue posting my WIP Buddyflies. It's been abandoned for many, many years, but I've recently picked it up again and actually managed to finish it…

Disclaimer: I don't own anything relating to CSI

Empty Eyes

He keeps his hand on the small of her back as they make their way out of the lab, not caring if someone sees. Not that he thinks anyone would question him at the moment – everyone's aware of the case with the dead showgirls and knows what happened. Grissom even knows he would be – almost as – concerned if it was one of the others, would check in to make sure they were doing OK after such a traumatic event. The only difference is that he can keep a much closer eye on Sara, which is a relief right now. He can't even imagine having to watch her leave the lab and not be able to go with her after a case like this.

They don't meet anyone in the halls, though, and when they leave the building, he guides her towards his car.

"I should…" she starts when she realizes, glancing over her shoulder to where her own car is parked.

"You shouldn't be driving," he tells her gently, and she frowns at him but doesn't object.

He gets her buckled into the passenger seat before rounding the car and getting behind the wheel. "Do you want me to call and ask if Hank can stay at the daycare until tomorrow?" he asks after a few minutes, but she shakes her head.

"No, let's pick him up."

"OK."

She closes her eyes as he drives, but surprises him by getting out of the car when they get to the doggy daycare. She hangs back a little as he talks to the girl behind the counter, but when Hank emerges from the back room, she sinks to her knees and welcomes his enthusiastic greeting.

Grissom lets them have the moment, a little longer than usual, and squeezes her hand when she finally rises to her feet again. "OK?" he asks, and she nods, despite the unshed tears he can see in her eyes.

When they get home, he grabs Hank's leash. "Go ahead inside, I'll take him for a quick walk so he'll let us sleep."

She just nods and he watches as she slowly, as if the weight of the world is on her shoulders, makes her way to the house and through the front door. With a sigh, he turns and heads down the sidewalk. As promised, he keeps the walk short, and they're back at the house ten minutes later.

Sara's on the couch when he enters, chin resting on her knees, which she has pulled to her chest, staring at the blank screen of the TV. She doesn't react to the sound of the door closing, but when Hank trots across the room and nudges her thigh with his nose, a small smile appears on her face, and she moves so the dog can rest his head in her lap.

"What do you want for breakfast?" Grissom asks, and she looks up briefly.

"I'm not really hungry," she replies, focusing back on Hank.

"You still need to eat," he insists, trying to keep his voice light.

She's quiet for a moment. "Eggs?" she then suggests, and he lets out a relieved breath.

"Scrambled?"

"Sure."

He moves around the kitchen, preparing the food and glancing over at Sara now and then – she stays on the couch, but turns the TV on after a few minutes. Hank jumps onto the couch next to her, puts his head in her lap, and starts snoring lightly, which makes her smile again.

Grissom gets eggs scrambled and prepares some toast, hoping she'll realize she's hungry once she starts eating. Or just eat to humor him, he's not picky as long as she gets something in her stomach. When everything's ready, he brings the food to the coffee table – which of course wakes Hank, and he orders the dog to his bed. Sara glances at the toast and then raises an eyebrow at him, but she still snags a slice and takes a bite before starting on her eggs.

In the end, she eats most of the eggs and two slices of toast, which he considers a success. He brings the dishes to the kitchen and loads the dishwasher before rejoining her on the couch.

"Can we watch TV for a while?" she asks quietly. "I don't think I can sleep just yet."

He slides an arm around her shoulders and is relieved when she cuddles closer instead of pulling away. "Of course."

There's some rerun of an old sitcom on, but neither one of them bothers to change the channel.

"Thank you," Sara says during the credits for the second episode.

"For what?"

"For… just being here. Not trying to get me to talk…" she trails off and shrugs.

"You know you can if you want though?"

She sighs. "I know."