Disclaimer: As much as i may wish it, these charaters are not mine.

Rating: PG

This is my first try at a CSI story, so give me feedback, and tell me if i should write more chapters to it! THANKS!

What Should Have Been

"I'll take you home." The words echoed inside Sara's head, so newly spoken. Grissom held her hand as he led her out of the police station. Sara kept her head down to hide her tears of embarrassment. Why did he have to see her like this? It just wasn't fair. Even after all he'd done to her, Sara still loved Grissom.

"Gil," she said softly, using his first name, "I'm sorry." Sara fought to keep the tears from her voice.

"Sorry for what?" Grissom asked gently. "You don't have to be sorry, you haven't done anything." Sara looked at him as they walked into the parking lot. Grissom saw the tears and pain in her eyes. Sara looked back down at the ground, telling herself she didn't deserve for him to care, to be forgiven.

Across the parking lot the walked, still hand-in-hand. Grissom led Sara to his car, making a mental note to get her car from the station the next day. Sara climbed into his car, finally, but reluctantly, pulling her hand away. Grissom closed the door and walked to the other side, noticing every small detail about Sara... how her hair swept across her downcast face... how the tears ran slowly down her cheeks... how she placed her head in her hands and began to shake with long overdue sobs. Grissom climbed into the driver's seat, trying to think of what to say. How could I not have noticed what was happening to her? he thought to himself. How could I be so... so mean to her?

Sara took a deep, shaky breath, trying to compose herself. She raised her head, her cheeks soaked with tears, noticing that Grissom hadn't started the car, but was looking at her. She gave a forced laugh. "You must think I'm pathetic, that I'm stupid for crying like this." She said, wiping the tears from her face.

"No, Sara, I don't." Grissom replied, as he reached out his hand to stroke her face, to comfort her. Sara flinched, surprised at the touch, but didn't pull away. "I'm sorry Sara," he said softly. "I'm sorry I haven't cared enough to notice you haven't been happy lately... I'm sorry for being like I am. I'm the one who's pathetic."

"Griss, don't be stupid," she replied, smiling for the first time. "I don't think you're pathetic."

"I know." He said softly. "I know." Grissom pulled his hand away from her face and reached for his keys. Sara looked down as he started the car. He drove from the police station, down the familiar roads of Las Vegas, and to Sara's house. He helped her out of the car, taking her hand again, and walked her to her front door. She reached into her coat pocket for her keys and looked up at Grissom, Looked into his eyes and saw nothing there but love and concern for her.

"I... I better go get some sleep..." she said, half to herself.

"Yeah." Grissom said. "Yeah... if you need anything... anything, just call, alright?

"Yeah..." Sara whispered. Grissom turned to go, but was stopped by Sara's soft hand on his shoulder. He turned back to face Sara, who was still looking up into his eyes.

"Sara... as much as I don't want to... I have to go... go to work..." Grissom said softly.
"I know Grissom..." Sara sighed. She leaned in and gave him small kiss on his cheek. "Thanks." This time it was Grissom who stopped Sara. He turned her to face him, their bodies so close they could give each other body heat. He kissed her, a kiss full of the years of longing, anger, and passion. Neither wanted to break the joyful embrace, but they both pulled away at the same time. Sara couldn't believe what had just happened, afraid that it might all be just a dream. She looked up at Grissom, and then at her door. "I better go..." she said, her voice trailing off.

"Yeah..." Grissom answered. "Night Sara."

"Night Grissom..." Sara replied, turning to finally go into her house. Grissom walked back down to his car. He opened the door and looked back one last time towards Sara's house. She was in the doorway, looking out; lights from inside making her seem to be nothing but a shadow. She waved at him, and he waved back, wishing he could still be with her. He whispered four words to the night, towards her presence, even though he knew she probably wouldn't hear them.

"I love you Sara." It may have been a trick of the light, but he thought he saw Sara stiffen. He shook his head, telling himself that she didn't hear his words. He got into his car and started it, rolling down the windows to be able to still fell the cool night air. He pulled out of the driveway, hearing... maybe imagining... words coming to him in Sara's voice.

"I love you too, Gil."

Grissom looked to see Sara closing her door, and he shook his head again and drove off into the night.