She was pulling her coat out of her locker when he appeared in the doorway. She turned to him, worried about what this conversation would bring, knowing it would be their last before he left the state.

"So, your going?" She asked him turning around, holding her coat. She had to quickly prepare herself for his response although she already knew what it was.

"Yeah." He said still taking in the fact that he'd be gone for four weeks.

She stared at him as his eyes darted from hers to the floor. Not knowing what to say, she turned back to her locker and began taking out her cell phone and such.

Taking a deep breath, he slowly walked toward her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently guided her body in his direction. Sadness was the only emotion he could read on her face. "I'll miss you." He told her sincerely.

She looked at him and nodded slowly, biting her lower lip.

"Come here." He murmured softly, pulling her small body into his embrace. She wrapped her arms around his waste and buried her head into his shoulder.

"I know it sounds like a long time but it will go by faster than you think."

"Grissom." She paused while she pulled herself back. "Don't try to tell me one month isn't a long time."

"Okay, I take it back. It is a long time but we will call each other often and with the way we feel about each other there should be no worry about our relationship changing because of this." He paused for a moment to try to read her expression but got nothing so he resumed. "Sara I don't want you to think my sabbatical has anything to do with you. You're the reason it's so hard for me to leave."

She smiled slightly at his remark and pulled him closer to her. She smiled wider as he pressed his lips to her forehead and stroked her hair.

Pulling back, he knew he had succeeded in casting away her doubt about their relationship being the reason he was leaving. "I have to go."

She nodded and took a deep breath. "Yes you do."

He smiled brightly at her, thankful she understood him the way she did. "I'll call you when I get there."

"I'll be waiting." She replied smiling. She knew he needed this and as sadly as she was to see him go, she knew he would come back stronger and a happier being.

He walked away from her, not letting go of her hand, until both their arms were completely stretched out. They smiled at each other and she dropped his hand, signaling him that she was okay and that she knew this was best for him.

"I love you Sara." He said quietly.

"Your actions tell me that more than your words." She said smiling but with a hint of seriousness in her voice. "But for the record I love you too." She said the smile gone from her face.

This time, when Grissom read her expression, he didn't see sadness but instead he saw love.

He knew when he arrived home at the end of his sabbatical she would be waiting graciously with open arms.

He smiled at her and left the locker room, knowing in four weeks she would be back in his arms.

As she watched him walk down the hall, she admitted to herself that she was sad to see him go but she also knew she loved him and she wanted him to be happy. She would just have to remind herself he wasn't going because of her. She honestly believed him when she told her that. She no longer doubted him. Her trust in him was strong and it would keep growing. For the moment this might put a small strain on their relationship but overall, the outcome could only make them a stronger couple.

She leaned her head against the row of lockers and gazed at him until he rounded the corner a long way down the hall and there was nothing left to see.

"I really do love you Grissom." She murmured softly.

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