Those two weeks were more difficult for Sara than she'd like to admit. It forced her to really take stock of her life, or lack there of. Her whole world right now was that lab. She had no friends outside of it, no hobbies to speak of. Without work, she felt lost. She spent those two weeks meeting with her P.E.A.P counselor, taking walks, and reading. Lots and lots of reading.

She'd considered going to San Francisco for a bit of the time. Checking in with Dave and his family. But she was afraid he'd take one look at her and know she was falling apart. And she couldn't handle what that conversation would be like.

In the end she'd learned a few things about herself that she'd been avoiding having to confront for an eternity. And now, it was time to go back. Which meant she'd have to have her post P.E.A.P counseling session with Grissom. Something she was beyond anxious about.

She'd practiced in front of the mirror three times at home. And then, when she got to the lab, she practice once more at her locker.

"So I had some time to think while I was away. Had time to think why I made such a stupid mistake. I do not have a drinking problem. I have a… me problem. My PEAP counselor suggested I speak with my supervisor about some of of our findings and well—that's you, Grissom. I never told you about my family—I've never told anyone about my family. Why would I? It um, well—It wasn't rainbows and butterflies. I spent a few years in foster care after—" She was startled out of her dress rehearsal by Greg, entering the locker room. He was taking the new DNA tech around the lab.

After assignments Sara approached Grissom to have that conversation but the chaos of the lab gave her an easy out. "We'll uh—we'll talk later."

"You sure?" Grissom looked her over, trying to take in her demeanor. He'd missed her these last two weeks. He felt her lack of presence in the lab like a heavy, unsettling void.

"Yeah, It's going to be a busy shift."

He nodded, "It's uh—it's nice to have you back." His heart lumped into his throat.

She smiled sadly and walked away.

Later on in the shift, Sara was processing a door she'd taken off its hinges from a home littered with explosives. Grissom had set up an experiment in that same garage space to test on tissue disintegration with sewer chemicals.

He walked toward her, standing over her and the door as he watched her scrape and collect samples.

"You know, Greg was unable to collect DNA from the bones, so any blood evidence on that door wont be useful."

"Not yet." She quipped back and turned her attention back to the door. She didn't catch it, but her response delighted him and earned her a small smile. "Incase you were worried, I don't have a death wish, and I'm not a drunk. I knew I could retrieve the door."

"I'm not worried." She looked up at him. He waited for her to look back down but she didn't, she kept his gaze. He knew he couldn't say his next words to her face, so he turned his gaze away, his voice breathier and softer than previously, "I'm concerned." He braced himself for her defense, but it didn't come. Instead, he caught the slightest trace of a smile cross her lips.

"Isn't that kind of the same thing?" She questioned through an amused smile.

He avoided continuing the conversation by opening his experiment. The foul odor chocked the room.

Worry is paralyzing. And Grissom wasn't paralyzed in his feelings for her safety. No, he was concerned. Which focused on possible options and solutions. Actionable, accessible, productive. Worry could consume a man with anxiety and what-ifs. Concern let him be a partner. Someone who could stretch out a hand. This left the door open for him to do so, even if he wasn't quite sure yet how to.

January 2005

The next several weeks had culminated in a series of changes for the lab. Ecklie was promoted and made it his first mission to split up Grissom's team. Catherine now supervised Nick and Warrick on swing. And Grissom was left with Sara. Sophia had joined his team as well, being demoted as punishment for her independent thinking. Greg would be on the team too, once he passed his proficiency.

It was a difficult time. The changes felt unsettling to everyone. And Sara found Sophia's open flirtation with Grissom to be more than she could bear at times. Here she was, playing this slow game, playing by Grissom's rules. Never making her desire for him and his affection too overt. And Sophia swooped in without historical context and embraced her sexuality easily. And he seemed to like it, which cut her even deeper.

Sara also seemed to be assigned to a concentration of cases with hints of domestic violence or child abuse lately. Each one added another weight to her chest. She noticed the shift in herself more acutely than she had in previous years. The P.E.A.P. counseling had given her insight into that self awareness. But awareness alone does not change a person. And Sara's passion for the cases and victims began to spark with more intensity. It mesmerized Grissom at times, but he also feared it. Like watching a fire roaring.

Over the next bout of time, Grissom watched as Sara teetered dangerously on that line.