Chapter 18

The SUV pulled up in the car park, Grissom watched as the lights turned off and the engine stopped. He was a little anxious today, well 'little anxious' is an understatement. They had spoken about this, at length, and had both decided this was for the best. He got to work as he usually did, an hour early, caught up on the messages and paperwork. Not that he managed to do much today, people had walked in and out of his office the entire time, delivering reports, asking questions, and he didn't take in anything they had said.

Catherine caught him out. She waltzed into his office, acting like she owns the place as usual.

"Spit it out, Gil," she said. Grissom wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone about what was worrying him, least of all Catherine who is too nosey for her own good. So he just opted for polite confusion.

"What do you mean?" he asked, keeping his tone as polite as possible.

"Come off it, I know she comes back today," she threw herself on the chair opposite him, leaning back like she had all the time in the world. "How is she?"

Grissom took his glasses of his face, holding them in one hand while his other pinched the bridge of his nose. Could this women ever just mind her own business? When he looked up, he was hit by a pang of guilt. She cared, about both of them, of course she was nosey but in this case it was because she cared.

"Bored," he said. "She's fed up at being at home."

"Yeah, well Sara was never the type to just sit at home and do nothing," Grissom didn't respond. No, she wasn't at all. It was one of the things he loved about her. Right now, however, he wished she would happily stay at home, just for a few more weeks at least. He was glad she was feeling better, stronger, but it didn't stop the fear the she was overdoing it.

"Is she just coming in for the trial?" Catherine asked. Chloe Turners trial starts today, despite the confession, the woman still plead not guilty at her sentencing. Now they have to be dragged through a trial, hasn't she put Sara through enough already?

He wasn't worried about the result, the assistant DA, who has now dropped the assistant title, has assured them both it was an open and shut case. They have evidence, the testimonies of Sara and Vincent Jones as well as the confession, which, by a stroke of luck, the judge didn't throw out. Even with the convincing argument from Turner that is was a coerced confession. No, Grissom wasn't worried that Turner would walk free. He was more worried about Sara, he didn't was to put her through this.

But this is Sara, and Sara is very stubborn.

"Yes," Grissom replied. "She wanted to get back to work, but I convinced her to wait another couple of days. She's still coming here first though, to say hi to everyone."

"How did you manage that?"

"I just made the point that, even if she did come back to work, she'd still be stuck inside," Grissom said, putting his glasses back on his face. "She hasn't been cleared for the field yet."

"Hey, Cath," Warrick said, appearing at the office door. "Oh, sorry. Am I interrupting?"

"No, Rick, what's up?" Catherine said, sitting up a little straighter in her chair. Grissom hadn't forgotten the little bet he and Sara had going and, as much as he hates being wrong, he must admit Sara might just have it right.

"I just spoke with Ecklie, he wants me back on Grave tomorrow. You'll be short staffed until Sara gets back, sorry."

"It's alright, Grave has been short staffed since Sara went into hospital. They need all the help they can get," Catherine replied, throwing a cheeky grin Grissom's way. He just laughed good naturedly. They had been short staffed for a while, and were a little behind in cases, but nowhere near as much as Catherine suggested.

Warrick smiled at his friends and supervisors before leaving them alone. Catherine didn't stay for long after that, and now Grissom has found himself standing in the car park watching the most beautiful woman get out of her SUV.

He watched as she moved gently, trying not to aggravate her injuries. She had only left the hospital six weeks ago and had made incredible progress, she was up and around every day, his condo had never been so clean. Grissom wasn't a messy man, but it only took a week living with Sara to show him that he did neglect the cleaning aspect on his living.

They had spent the last few weeks getting to know each other all over again. He was surprised about how much he didn't know about her; she loves to clean, almost in an OCD way, but not as intense. She also loved quiet evenings, and despite her hard surface, she loves romcoms. Unlike Catherine, no one would expect Sara to enjoy bubble baths and backrubs, but Grissom has since discovered she's damn well greedy when it comes to them.

He also learned that she hates to cook, which is good for Grissom because he loves to. They are both so different, and yet very similar. Sara is very demonstrate, when they're alone, where Grissom has to remind himself that he's not alone anymore and to be attentive of her. Yet they both are being very clumsy in this relationship, neither of them really knowing what to do with the other or where to take it. They know they love each other, and living together was a natural thing since Sara shouldn't really be alone at the moment with her recovery. But they still haven't slept together, it's not that neither of them don't want to, they're both just a little scared.

It's been so long since Grissom has really been with a woman, especially with a woman of Sara's age, he was nervous. He's been using the excuse that he didn't want her to cause her any harm, with her injuries. But, with the amount that she has been recovering lately, he won't have that excuse for long.

She looked over at him and smiled, the sight was enough to take his breath away. He heard the door shut and she started to walk towards him, limping a little as she did. He had to stop himself from going to her and sweeping her into his arms, they were at work after all.

"Hey," she said, a little breathlessly a she approached him.

"Hey," he replied. It still baffled him what this woman could do to his heart. "Are you ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," was her reply. He smiled at her and held out his arm for her to proceed him inside.

Sara and Grissom walked out of the courthouse, the start of the trail had been good for them. Despite all her accusations, the prosecution was able to dismantle all of Turners arguments. However, Sara knew that didn't mean it would be a quick verdict. Trials can last for months, she hoped this would be the case here, she just wanted to put this all behind her.

Grissom took her hand and lead her to the car. Sara still couldn't believe this was happening, despite everything, the last couple of months with Grissom had been the best of her life. She still hadn't told him she loved him, not because she was scared or unsure, she had never been so certain of anything in her life, but because she knew she didn't need to. It was in everything she did, in her every look, and he knew it.

When they got to the car, Grissom opened the door for her. She sat down carefully, her legs still very tender. She could walk without her crutch now, but it still hurt. Her arm was still in the sling, but other than that she was almost back to normal.

Grissom pulled out of the car park and headed for the lab. They had driven to the courthouse together and Sara needed to pick up her car. They didn't speak on the way back, words weren't necessary in their relationship. They had their own special way or communicating without words.

They pulled into the lab and Grissom parked next to her, to save her from an unnecessary walk. Grissom turned off the ignition, but before he could get out Sara lightly tapped him on the arm. He looked round to her expectantly.

"It looks like I'm gonna win the bet," she said with a smirk, nodding to a couple in the distance. Catherine and Warrick were standing by her car, they were very close and talking quietly to each other.

"They're just talking, Sara. No need to jump to conclusions."

"Come off it, Griss. Look at them."

"I am," Grissom said. The couple watched for a few more minutes, Catherine and Warrick finished their conversation. Catherine got in her car and Warrick headed back to the lab. "See," Grissom exclaimed, please that he hadn't been proved wrong just yet.

"Hang on," Sara stopped him. "Just wait." She was watching Warrick walk away, waiting for something. Sure enough, a few steps away, he looked back at Catherine and grinned.

"That doesn't mean anything."

"Denial!" Sara grinned at him and got out of the car.

"Don't act so smug, Ms Sidle. You haven't been proven right yet," Grissom wagged his finger at her as he got out the car.

"Neither have you," she pointed out. Grissom shook his head, truth be told; he wasn't sure who Catherine would choose, or if they would choose her too. He would never tell Sara that though. Neither of them had spoken much about Catherine, Warrick or Brass since their first conversation. Both content to wait and see what happens, but it was fun to speculate every now and then.

Grissom walk round his car and pulled her in for a kiss. He still wasn't used to public displays of affection, but when she gives him that sassy smile he can't help himself. It was only a quick kiss, he pulled back and ran a finger down her cheek.

"I love you, Gil." All the air seemed to rush out of him at once. She said it, she had finally said it. He had told her many times that he loved her, but she had never returned the statement. Not that he needed her to, he could see it every time she looked at him. And yet, hearing the words felt like nothing he had ever experienced before.

"I love you too." The next morning, when Grissom came home from work, all fear, all caution was thrown out the window as they showed each other just how much they meant it.

It was the end of one story, and the beginning of another.

**A/N: I know it's take me ages to get this final chapter up, I have no excuses except life got in the way. I hope it didn't disappoint, I've been trying to get the right ending for weeks. Thanks for reading**