Sessions

The next day both Grissom and Sara had an extremely rare day off.

Sara picked up the phone and called Grissom. “Would you like to spend the day with me, Griss? We both have the day off and all

“I’m not sure that would be a good idea. I’m not sure if I’m ready for that.”

“All right.” She abruptly hung up the phone. She was, crying her eyes out in her apartment, dressed in her cotton pyjamas eating butterscotch ripple ice cream.

She figured life couldn’t get much worse. Told you not to get your heart involved. See what it does to you. She listened to the rain falling on the roof of her apartment. She liked being on the top floor; she could watch the rain through the skylight.

There came a knock on the door. Sara stepped out of her daze. She went to open it curious to see who was at her door.

The door opened to reveal a teary-eyed Sara. "Sara, Honey, what's wrong?"

"Grissom." Sara hastily wiped her face. "What are you doing here?"

"I changed my mind. Is that allowed?" He reached for her face. "Have you been crying?"

"I'm fine." Sara directed her eyes downward to his soaking wet clothing. "You didn't go home at all, did you?"

"No. Is it that obvious?"

Sara took his hand. "We better get you out of those wet clothes before you get sick."

His face lit up into a grin that would make the Cheshire cat jealous. "What do you suggest I put on?"

“Let me see what I can find. In the meantime, you get into the bathtub and warm up."

"Will I be doing it alone, or will you be joining me?"

Damn you Grissom! Always know how to push my buttons.

"So will you join me, Sara?"

"We'll see."

He crawled into the warm bathtub and pushed away the bubbles. He always preferred showers to baths at least they were quick. "Sara, I'm lonely in here."

Sara briskly walked in to pick up his wet clothes, not allowing herself to look at his bare skin. Not until she got her emotions under control again. He reached out and grabbed her arm. "Sara."

"I'll be right back. Just want to put these in the dryer." He released his grip hoping she was telling him the truth.

She was back. And her face was perfectly composed once again. She even gave him a small smile. "How's the bath? Too hot?"

"Lonely."

Sara sat on the toilet seat.

"What's wrong, Sara? Is it something I did?"

You're Grissom.......you always hurt me...it's a pattern "No, it's not you." It's my expectations of this relationship...driving me nuts! You're driving me nuts.

"Then what's wrong? Please, Sara, talk to me." He pleaded with her.

"I guess I.... I’ve been waiting for something to happen for a long time...and I got a little overeager there for a while."

"Overeager, Sara, what do you mean by that?" He was confused.

"I felt like I was pressuring you for things you aren't ready for yet. I don't want to do that."

"You aren't pressuring me. I assure you." He stood up in the bathtub. "If you aren't coming in, I'm getting out."

Sara bit her lip again as she handed Grissom a towel. "I ...I found an old bathrobe that might fit you."

"Thanks." He said taking the robe from her hand. He barely grazed her skin and it sent shocks through his whole body.

Sara inhaled sharply, making Grissom look at her. She smiled and slowly backpedaled out of the room. "I'll boil some water for coffee."

"Ok. I'll be right out."

Sara leaned against the doorframe, taking deep breaths. Her heart was hammering in her chest. She was going mad, she thought. Mad. Completely.

She looked so beautiful standing there; it nearly took his breath away. He reached out to touch her. Sara jumped a little when she felt Grissom's hand on her face. But then she relaxed. "I uh.... sorry, just daydreaming. I'm going."

“No. Sara, don't go."

She stayed where she was, trying to control her trembling right hand, but Grissom saw it anyway. He placed her smaller hand inside of his and led her to the couch. His pace.... it’s his pace...stop fantasizing! Let him go at his pace. Grissom's touch made Sara's entire body hum. He placed both of his hands on either side of her face and looked into her eyes. "What now?"

Sara took slow deliberate breaths. His eyes, the smell of his skin, his gentle touch was making her dizzy. "We uh.... we take it a day at a time." She said softly.

"What about today? What do you want to do, do you have any suggestions?" He had a sheepish grin on his face.

I had planned for a pity party in my bathrobe eating ice cream and watching Nickelodeon all day...

“Sara, what are you thinking?" He whispered in her ear lightly touching her earlobe.

Ice cream...ah damn! It's on the counter! Sara jumped up still muttering under her breath, racing for the kitchen.

"Where are you going? Did I do something wrong?"

Yup the ice cream was still where she left it when she went to answer the door. Sara put the lid back on the container and stuck it back in the freezer.

"Sara, do you want me to go?" He asked getting up off the couch.

"I just forgot to put something away," she called from the kitchen.

"Oh. Do you need some help?"

Sara looked up to see Grissom now in the entry way between the kitchen and the living room. He had seen her close the freezer door. He also had seen the ice cream still around her lip. He closed the distance between them in one swoop. He leaned in and kissed her lips licking off the excess ice cream. "Umm, Butterscotch Ripple," he licked his lips, " my favorite."

“I sometimes get a craving for it. It's kinda odd."

"It’s not odd. It’s unique. Besides, I think it tastes good on your lips."

Sara didn't know how to answer that, so she let the comment slide. "Hungry?"

"Yes." He paused. "I guess...if you are, I mean."

Sara sighed. She briefly touched his face. "Grissom, it's okay to be hungry."

“All right. I'm hungry. Are you going to feed me?"

Sara gave him a small smile despite the fluttering in hers stomach. "I wasn't really expecting.... I mean I haven't really got that much, but I could make blueberry pancakes if you like."

"I like blueberries. Would you like some help?"

“‘If you w...sure."

"What do you want me to do, I'm a mean pancake cook...I could do that if you would like?"

"Does that mean that you want to...” Sara bit her lip. What was wrong with her all of a sudden anyway? She didn't trust herself to speak anymore. She bent over to get the pan and the butter and put it on the stove.

He couldn't help from staring at her housecoat-clad ass. Gil, stop that. "Here, let me help you." She stood aside and let him take over. Go get dressed, Sidle...anything. Just move and collect yourself.

"How do you like your pancakes, Sara, small or large?" He called to the bedroom.

"Large."

"Ok, it will be a few more minutes, Sara, so take your time."

How about if I never emerge from the bedroom again? Sara sighed, berating herself for being such an idiot.

Grissom placed the pancakes on a plate and sprinkled them with powdered sugar and headed for the bedroom. If Sara isn’t coming to him, he would go to her. He found her staring at her reflection in the dresser mirror.

"Sara, I have your pancakes." He spoke softly, not wanting to startle her. An elastic band was in one hand like she was about to put her shoulder-length brown hair in a ponytail. "Sara."

"Okay."

"Where do you want these? I can get you something so that you can eat in here if you wish...” He was just hoping for more than a one-word answer.

Sara tied the elastic around her hair and turned to face him. "Don't want them to get cold, Griss. Still have to figure out what we're gonna do today."

"You still want to spend time with me?" He looked down at the robe he was wearing, "Will I be wearing clothes?"

Sara bit back the comment that was on the tip of her tongue. "Still want coffee?"

"Sure. Why don't we eat in the kitchen?" Sara's hand brushed Grissom's thigh as she left the bedroom again. She clenched her fist, trying to control the trembling.

"Are you sure you are ok, Sara?" He held back the moan in his throat from the heat her touch emitted through his body.

“I'm all right." Her voice wasn't quite steady when she spoke, betraying her. He placed the plate on the counter and took her in his arms. He pressed his forehead to hers. Sara closed her eyes for a moment, as she smelled his skin again. "Grissom..." she sighed his name.

"What” He loved the way she felt in his arms. "What can I do for you, my love?"

Why does he do that? She looked up at him, caressing his face.

"What are we doing, Sara?" His tone was serious. "Do we even know?"

"I know that I want you," Sara said softly.

He was relieved; at least it wasn't just me. "I want you too, Sara."