A/N: Right, well, first things first, someone submitted a review asking why Sara was crying in the last chapter. Quite simply, she nearly drowned, and talking from experience, that can make you quite emotional and cry-y. Incidentally, so can getting electrocuted, choking and nearly getting mown down by a car, but I digress. Point is, new chapter. Check it!

Joey: okay… beta-ed in… about a week… be pleased with that people… you know how to show your appreciation…

ooo ooo and it’s Smoose’s burfday on Saturday! WoopWoop! so be sure to leave an extra special prezzie :P

When Grissom woke the next morning, he realised he definitely wouldn’t be going through the same scenario as the previous morning. Sara was squashed up against him, like the day before, but this time she was snuggled up against him more, as if she wanted to be protected, rather than incidental rubbing of certain areas.

He gazed down at her head, which was resting between his chest and shoulder, she had an arm hugging herself, while the other was wound around his waist- keeping him in place. His own arm was wrapped underneath her. He turned onto his side more so he could pull her tighter into his chest; creating a cocoon around her.

“Griss?”

“Mmm?”

“You awake?”

“Mmm.” He relaxed his arms slightly so she could look at him. “You sleep ok?”

“Yeah, thanks.” She smiled. “I kinda need the bathroom though.”

“Ok.” He just smiled back at her. She raised her eyebrows and the proverbial penny dropped. “…and I see that would be hard to do with my arms wrapped around you?”

“Little bit.” She smirked and he reluctantly let go of her. She climbed out of the bed and he watched as her bare legs disappeared into the bathroom. He rolled onto his back and stretched, before climbing out of bed and getting dressed.

Before Grissom could pull his shirt over his head, Sara re-entered the room, stopped and stared at him.

“And what are you looking at?” he asked, mimicking Sara in Miami.

“Just looking” Giving him the same reply he had given her. She grinned at him, and with a quizzical tilt to her head she gazed at the thin snail trail below his naval, as he pulled his shirt over his head.

He snorted in disbelief, but smiled at her anyway.

“Hey, listen, what happened last night, could we keep it between us?” she asked tentatively. “I just don’t want it publically broadcasted that I nearly died because I’d been drinking, I think my rep’s been tarnished enough with that.” She joked.

“No it hasn’t.” Grissom defended. “No one thinks any less of you because of that.” He paused then went on. “And what happened last night is your business to tell, not mine, so don’t worry.” A moment passed and he changed the subject, “Now, where are we going for breakfast?”

It was early evening and once again the team were crowded around the pool. The only exception was that Nick was still courting stalking one of the blondes from the previous night. Greg, having felt the full effects of the alcohol, had decided to stay on land in the shade. Meanwhile, Catherine and Warrick were playing a game of water volleyball, which was very one sided for Catherine.

“Hey Griss,” Warrick called to him. “Come help me out, I’m getting my ass whooped.” Catherine laughed at him.

“If you’re playing with Grissom, I get Sara.” She demanded.

Grissom looked at Sara, who was currently hiding behind a book she was reading. “Uh, I’m gonna sit this one out.” She called.

“Oh come on, you can’t leave me to these guys.” Catherine pleaded. “If they are beaten by two girls it won’t hurt as much.” She smiled as Warrick barked with laughter. Sara looked uneasily at Grissom.

“Come on Sara.” He said softly, holding his hand out. “It’ll be alright” She chewed her bottom lip, but when she saw that smile she couldn’t refuse. Warrick and Catherine were shooting curious glances at each other, as Sara took Gil’s hand and they walked to the steps of the pool.

Grissom released her hand to take off his shirt, he then crouched at the poolside and hopped into the water, turning to Sara. “just go down the first few steps” He held his arm out in a gesture to say that he’d catch her. Warrick and Catherine had started playing again, so Grissom had Sara’s full attention.

“Just the first few steps, you can go slowly, it’s okay.” She did as he suggested and he smiled up at her. “Ok, now just a few more steps, I’m here don’t worry.” Once again, his words calmed her and she found herself going down the rest of the steps until the water was at waist height and Grissom’s hands were on her waist, supporting her. In turn, she put her hands on his chest.

“Ok, see, nothing to worry about.”

“Thank you.” She smiled sheepishly at him.

“Don’t worry about it.” He winked at her. “Now, let’s play ball.” He grabbed her hand again and led her toward the net.

Once Sara had gotten her full confidence back, she and Catherine had no problem beating the guys into the ground, or water in this case. By this time, Nick had returned with a stupid smile on his face, proving that stalking really does pay off in the end, and Greg had recovered enough to stop being a vampire and lie in the sun.

“Hey guys.” Nick called after a while. “Why don’t we all go to a club tonight? One of the girls said there’s a really good one with a games room.” he heard the volleyball splash into the water.

“Games room?” Sara, Greg and Warrick said at the same time. Nick nodded and they all to moved as one, exiting the pool area.

“Come on Gil.” Catherine said as she swam off to Warrick and Sara. Grissom stood looking at the empty water that had, not five seconds ago, been occupied.

“So we’re going to the club…” he said as Greg zoomed around getting ready.

Ten minutes later, Greg was fully clothed and pestering everyone to hurry up. Finally, after half an hour of Greg’s incessant whining (despite Catherine’s suggestions to put him in the crèche on the ship) they were ready to go.

Upon entering the club, Warrick and Nick went to get drinks while the rest found a table. There was a large stage at the front where a band was playing requests from the audience, who were dancing along in front of the stage. Nick and Warrick returned with drinks and sat down.

“So where’s the games room?” Greg asked animatedly. Grissom rolled his eyes and Nick pointed to a doorway on the left. “Alright! Let’s go!” he got up and scurried into the room, not bothering to check the sign on the door.

Everyone made to follow, but Nick stopped them. They looked at him curiously for a while, before high pitched screams were heard in the room Greg had disappeared into.

He came tumbling out as a swarm of women ran out, each one giving him a variation of “The death glare”. Greg picked himself up off the floor, watching the rest of the team and a few other tables, laughing at his expense.

“You suck dude.” Greg declared to Nick.

“Oh come on man,” Nick said through the laughter. “I was just playin’ with ya.” He slapped Greg on the back, flashing his Texan grin.

“You wanna go to the games room? We’ll go to the games room.” He stood up and this time the rest of the team followed through the door on the right, and Greg let out a heavy sigh.

The games room was huge with tables in varying sizes: playing different card games, roulette and a couple of slot machines.

Over the course of the evening, they all played most of the games offered. Grissom was dominating the poker table, with Warrick not far behind; playing carefully. Catherine and Nick were at the slot machines, laughing and joking between them, and Greg had decided to go into the arcade, sticking firmly to non-alcoholic drinks.

Grissom and Warrick, deciding they had taken enough of the local’s money, went in search of the rest of the team- finding everyone but Sara.

“Cath, where’s Sara?” Warrick asked.

Then Catherine laughed, “She’s busy hustling everyone on the pool tables.”

She jabbed a thumb over her shoulder to another room in which there was a couple of pool tables.

“Hey, why don’t we have a tournament?” Greg suggested. They all agreed and made their way into the room, just in time to see a man handing over a few notes to Sara.

“Thank you very much boys.” She smiled at them. “Don’t be afraid to come back later.” The man and his group of friends laughed and left the room.

“Looks like we got here at the right time.” Greg said, as Sara dusted the top of her cue with chalk.

“Yup.” Sara said, blowing off the excess. “Who’s ready to loose?”

“Bring it Sidle.” Nick said, grabbing a cue and racking up.

Nick got more than he bargained for, playing against Sara. She was a very good shot and soon had him beat. She proceeded to do the same thing for everyone except Catherine, who refused to play- stating loudly that ‘these nails weren’t meant for pool’.

They played late into the night, by that time the loud music had died down and a calm atmosphere followed the soft music, sending Nick back into man whore mode as he began courting stalking more women.

“Damnit.” Greg hissed as Sara, once again, sent the eight ball zooming into the corner pocket. “That’s it, I’m not taking this, she beats me at volleyball, she beats me at pool. I’m not even drunk!” He said sadly.

“It’s your depth perception.” Grissom noted.

“What’s wrong with my depth perception?” Greg asked, offended.

“Quite simply Greg, you don’t have any.” He grinned and picked up a cue. Greg let out a sarcastic laugh and then mumbled something about getting an early night.

“I think Greggo’s got the right idea.” Warrick said, yawning. “I’m gonna turn in too.”

“I’ll come with.” Catherine said immediately and they hurried out of the room.

“Come on then Sidle, rack up.” Grissom said cheekily, sliding the triangle towards her. She did so and then took the break, sending two reds into different pockets.

“I think I’m red.” She grinned at Grissom, who was gaping at her.

“How’d you get so good at pool?” he asked as she bent to take another shot.

“Well,” she struck the cue ball and sent another red into a side pocket. “My parents used to own a B&B when I was a kid, and there was a pool table, so one day I just picked up a cue and started messing around. Kinda like how Keith Moon learnt to play the drums.” She shrugged and pocketed her fourth ball.

“Ah yes, the old story of Keith Moon learning to play drums on a pool table.” Grissom said in a mock nostalgic voice. Sara poked him with her cue as she walked around the table, and gave him her trademark smirk.

“I mean by messing around. His parents owned a pub in England where bands used to play so he just picked up the sticks and started playing, which is what I did. Crap.” She clipped the eight ball before striking the red she was aiming for, which hit a skirt and sent one of Grissom’s yellows into a pocket.

“Thanks.” Grissom smiled and judged the best shot to take. “So how long have you been playing then?” he chipped the cue ball over the black and drilled another yellow into a corner pocket.

“Looks like I should be asking the same question.” She smirked. He moved around the table to take another shot. “Well I first picked up a cue when I was around six I guess. I stopped for a while in foster care, and then I started playing again at around fifteen.” Grissom missed his shot, leaving a nice opening for Sara.

“Pretty much the same for me, I’ve been playing since I was nine, which is…more years than I care to remember.” He chuckled.

“You’re not old Grissom.” She said, taking a violent shot right down the other end of the table, sending the red careering into the skirt and back down to the bottom corner pocket. “Just…matured.”

“Ah, so now I’m cheese.” She laughed at him and made another shot.

“No, I just mean…you don’t look your age, in fact you look pretty good for your age.” She missed her shot and growled, making Grissom gulp- for more reasons than one.

After a further three games, it was fairly obvious that experience didn’t matter when you’re playing Sara Sidle, as she had easily beat him every time.

“Alright, that’s enough.” He said after she had pulled a tricky shot around his red’s to bring the eight ball home. “I don’t think my ego can take much more of a beating.”

She grinned at him and laid her cue on the table before jumping up and sitting on the edge, leaning back with her hands on the velvet. “Well I would of thought that a man who’s been playing for as long as you have would have some tricks up his sleeve.”

He picked up the chalk that they had placed on a table with their drinks and came back to the pool table. “I thought you said I wasn’t old?” he walked right up to her and before she could react he chalked her nose.

“Hey!” she grabbed his hand and shoved it back into his chest, leaving a lovely blue square on his white shirt. “Ooh, crap, sorry Griss.” She started wiping it away but all that did was make the lovely blue square into a great big blue smudge over his right pectoral.

“This is my only white shirt.” He said, smiling.

“Well maybe that will make you think twice before you start chalking people’s noses willy-nilly.” She stuck her tongue out at him and he raised his eyebrows.

“You’re right, although I think you could make a career out of this, a few more of these smudges and you’d get Greg to buy it, no problem.” He withdrew a tissue from his pocket as she laughed. When she had recovered from her laughing fit, he placed the tissue over her nose and wiped the chalk away. Her smile faded as he removed the tissue and dropped it onto the pool table.

“There.” He said softly. “All better.” She still had her hand on his chest. He leaned his cue against the table and placed his hands on her thighs, edging them apart so he could stand closer to her. He supported himself on the pool table with a hand on each side of her legs and began to lean in, but Sara held him where he was.

“Don’t.” she whispered. Grissom sighed

“Sara-”

“Guys? You still here?” Nick ran around the corner of the room and Sara pushed Grissom back. “Thank God. Catherine just called me; your room’s been flooded!”

“What?!” Sara and Grissom yelled. Sara jumped off the table and hurried after Nick with Grissom in tow.

“Jesus!” Sara gaped at the mess before her; the carpet was water logged and there was water spilling from underneath the bathroom door.

“Oh my God.” Grissom entered the room behind Sara.

“What the hell happened?” Catherine gasped. She, Warrick, Nick and Greg were all stood behind Sara and Grissom. The concierge was standing next to the bed looking around.

“From what I can gather, miss; a pipe burst in the bathroom and well…” he gestured to the mess. “Obviously we’ll supply you with other rooms free of charge, although we only have single rooms available.” He handed both of them a key each. “Someone will be along shortly to sort this out, but I’m afraid you cannot stay in this room.”

Catherine shot the guys a nervous glance. “Well can’t we switch rooms or something?” she asked.

“It doesn’t matter Cath.” Sara said. “we were only in the same room for appearances, and I really don’t care what Hank thinks anymore.” She took her bag from the bed and headed to the new room which was next to Catherine and Warrick’s. Grissom watched her go, sighed and took his own bag, walking down the hall four doors past Sara.

“Night Griss.” Sara called to him.

“Goodnight.” He murmured and walked through his door.

Three hours later and Grissom was no closer to sleep, than before. Tossing and turning in the now oversized bed, the reason for his restlessness dawned on him. He closed his eyes: counted sheep, counted bugs, counted dead bodies, anything to try to lose consciousness, alas nothing worked.

“This is ridiculous.” He sighed to the empty room. He turned over onto his side and closed his eyes. He grabbed the pillow and hugged it to him, but it didn’t work. “I’ve had enough of this.” He sat up, swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, pulling on a T-shirt and heading to the door. He pulled the door open and walked straight up to Sara’s room, knocking on it sharply. After a few minutes Sara opened the door and Grissom walked straight in.

“Come in?” Sara said, shutting the door.

“Why did you tell me to stop?” he asked angrily. Sara just stared at him. “At the bar, why did you ask me to stop?”

“I’m not getting into this.” She said flatly. “Get out.”

“No.” Grissom stood his ground. “I want to know why you stopped me kissing you. Didn’t you want me to? Is that it?”

“What the hell is wrong with you?” she yelled. “Are you being dense on purpose?”

“Oh, so now not only do you not want me to kiss you, you’re insulting me too.”

“Well it’s not like you don’t deserve it.” She snapped. “You want to know why I stopped you? Fine, I’ll tell you. I knew that as soon as you started kissing me, you’d stop again, you’d run and hide, then put your armour back on, and I can’t go through that again.” Her voice cracked and a deadly silence fell over them. Sara sniffed and turned to open the door. “I’ve told you, now get out.” She stared at the floor, her chin stuck out.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched him walk towards the door. To her surprise though, he didn’t walk through it. He pushed it closed and as Sara’s head snapped up, he bent and claimed her mouth. She tried to push him away but he held onto her waist. He finally pulled back and she opened her mouth.

“What are you-?”

“Sara, listen to me. I have no armour left; you’ve stripped it from me. Whatever I am, whatever’s left, is yours”. He took a deep breath and carried on. “While on this holiday I’ve tried to make up for everything I’ve done, but every time I tried, something held me back; either I’d mess it up or I’d loose my nerve.” Sara’s bottom lip quivered slightly and Grissom cupped her cheek with his hand.

“I’m so sorry for everything that has or hasn’t happened between us, and I will try to fix what I’ve messed up the best I can, I can’t change the past, but…I know I want you, and I want this. Forever. Not just here.”

She looked him straight in the face. “Please Sara.”

“It’s not as simple as that.” She said, moving her face from his gentle grip. “You’ve hurt me more times than I care to count on this trip alone and you can’t tell me you won’t do it again.”

Grissom nodded. “You’re right, I can’t predict the future and I’m not saying that I won’t ever hurt you again, it’s a part of life, but I am trying and I don’t want to hurt you anymore.” His gaze flitted between her eyes. “Tell me what to do.”

“Grissom, I can’t tell you how to live your life.” Sara said. “And I can’t decide to change mine completely in one night.” She paused letting him think over what she had said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She pushed him away and opened the door again.

“Sara-”

“Look, just think about it and I’ll see you tomorrow.” She shut the door slowly with him still staring at her. He turned and leaned against the door, breathing heavily.

After a few seconds, he pushed off the door and walked back to his own. As he reached the handle, something clicked in his brain.

“Can’t decide in one night…” he span his head around and stared at Sara’s door. A grin spread across his face. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

TBC

A/N: There, I actually have finished this chapter. It only took me what? Two months and four tries. Joey? Please, take it away and never give it back!

Joey: --holds Smoosey— Its’okay… it’s over now… shhhh… I’ve taken care of it… come on hon…

See what you’ve done to her?!... now to aid her recovery I demand that you review… or you will only aggravate her condition…