Final Chapter! I hope everyone had fun reading it. This piece gives a bit of closure, and somewhat a happy ending.

See prologue for disclaimer etc.

For the last time, my apologies for any spelling mistakes.

Merry Christmas!

Epilogue

Decisions made

A loud knock on the door went through the small hotel room. When Sara opened the door, her jaw dropped and her brown eyes became about as large as basketballs.

‘What the hell are you-‘ she started astonished when she saw Grissom standing on her doorstep, but she never got the chance to finish her sentence. He cupped her face and kissed her softly, tender, but above all, passionate. It made her knees go weak..

‘Gil.. what are you doing here?’ she asked again when their lips parted from each other. He still held her in his arms though, as if she’d vanish if he ever let go.

‘I..’ It was the first moment since he had decided to go after her, that he realized he had no idea what he wanted to say to her. So he just said what was in his heart.

‘I love you.’

She smiled and brought her hands up to caress his cheek.

‘But.. how? Why? I..’ She pulled him closer to her and breathed onto his shoulder.

‘I missed you..’ he whispered as he fought back his tears. Gil Grissom does not cry, he thought.

Sara pulled back and looked at him. Then, she stepped out of the way to let him pass. He walked over to the bed that was located in the middle of the room. He took hold of her hand and when he sat down, he pulled her into his lap.

‘So, why are you here?’ she looked at his face. He looked so much older than he’d done when she left.. And more tired.. god, he looked completely worn out. She regretted leaving him that instant.

‘I love you.’ He whispered. The statement made Sara shiver, although she knew it already. But now that she had calmed down, she wanted some answers.

‘Yeah, you told me that. But that doesn’t explain why you’re here.’

‘Yes, it does. You need to deal with something from your past. You love me so much that you don’t want me seeing you walk out the door to face your demons. I love you so much I want to be there when you come home again, to take you in my arms and hold you throughout the night. I don’t care what I have to do, as long you won’t make me leave.’

Sara just stared at him.

‘Gil-‘

‘No.’ he said, putting a finger on her lips. ‘Don’t, please. Don’t make me leave.. Please.’

Sara saw something in his eyes she’d only seen once before. It was when she was held at knifepoint by a suspect in a locked room. Next to the locked door had been a window and Grissom was looking through it as the guy held a knife to Sara’s throat. The fear she’d then seen had terrified her more than the guy who threatened to kill her. His eyes had been so large of astonishment and angst, so full of pain and fear. She never wanted to see that look again, ever.

But she saw it again right now.

Do I really want to do that to him?

No, she thought. Sara relaxed in his arms and pushed him onto the bed, snuggling closely to him.

‘Okay, you can stay.’ She whispered. Deep down inside she never wanted him to leave, but it were her stubbornness and bad memories of her past that had made her question it. But it was clear to her now. She gave him a feather light kiss on the lips and buried her dazzled eyes into his shoulder, knowing they would stay together for a long, long time to come – if not so, for ever..

I really loved writing this and I hope you had as much fun reading it!