Part 1

"I need to ask a favor, Sara." Grissom had called her in his office just before her shift ended. He looked concerned.

"What is it? Do you need me for a second shift?" She didn't notice they were that busy. She had closed her case and did some paper work because Grissom hadn't called her for a new case. Did one just came in? One he didn't want the day shift to handle?

"No. I need you to stay away for a while."

"What?" Did she hear right? Did he tell her to stay away? That had to be a bad joke. Was he sending her into forced holidays? That couldn't be. She had used almost all her holiday and overtime. Since she and Sofia were using this shared house stuff Sara had used most of her holiday days and overtime hours. She wasn't the one with the most overtime in the department anymore. No reason to send her home for a while.

"Not on holiday, I want to send you to advanced training."

"What? Advanced training? Why? What about? When?" The last time she had been to an advanced training day she was surrounded by boring people and had to listen to people who sounded like they'd fall asleep while they're talking.

"In Los Angeles."

"L.A.? Okay. What is the topic?"

"Cooperation with police, secret service and medical examiner."

"Why me?" That didn't sound like fun or like anything Sara was interested in. It sounded like politics and she was the wrong person for politics.

"Because Brass sends Sofia and we thought you'd be perfect to go with her."

"Really?" Or were they only trying to keep her away from Las Vegas? To give her time and space?

"Yes. Or do you not want to go with her to L.A.?"

"Of course I do." If she had to go to Los Angeles to an advanced training about politics she wanted to go with Sofia.

"Thanks."

"When will we have to leave?"

"The flight is at four, you'll be picked up at the airport."

"Four? Today?" He had given her no chance to change her mind. Now she knew why he didn't give her a new case last night, he wanted her free to go. Didn't want to give her the chance to say no because she was investigating a murder.

"Yes."

"In that case I should go home and pack. How long are we supposed to stay?"

"Pack for a week. It's until Sunday."

"I'd whine that you destroy my weekend but I was due to work anyway so it doesn't matter. Do you think the department pays for a shopping trip on the Rodeo Drive?"

"I doubt it."

"It was worth a try. Okay…I'll see you in a few days."

"Yes. Thanks Sara."

"You send me to beaches, I'm sure we don't have to work all day long and there might be an afternoon for swimming. If not I want two days off after we closed the case."

"You can have them."

"Thanks. I need to talk Sofia into that too."

"Don't forget to look busy every now and then."

"I will…while I'm on the beach." Sara smiled and left the office. Time to go home, pack her things, have a sleep and go to the airport. Advanced training with Sofia in Los Angeles. The topic sounded boring the fact that she was there with Sofia made up for it.

"You're really coming with me? Wahoo." Sofia literally jumped in Sara's arms after she dropped her suitcase in front of the bench.

"I do, yes. Careful, I'll lose my towel."

"I don't mind that." Sofia grinned. She had surprised Sara when the brunette came out of the shower.

"You're awful."

"Honest." Sofia sniffed at Sara's throat and shoulders. "Mhm, Calvin Klein. Are you having a hot date that you use expensive stuff like this for your shower? Did you know I'd come along and you put that on for me? Knowing I can't resist you with CK."

"You can't resist me anyway." Sara laughed ready to play this game with Sofia.

"True. Have you packed?"

"No I wanted to have a shower first. You're ready to leave?"

"Yes."

"And you want to stay here so we can go to the airport together."

"I love your smart mind."

"Where would you like to sleep?"

"That is a real stupid question for somebody with such a smart head. I start to warm up the bed or…did you have breakfast?"

"I'm not hungry."

Sofia furrowed her brows. "You'll eat something, Sara Sidle! Go and back, dress if you have to but you're more than welcome to stay half naked or completely naked while I'll make some breakfast that you will eat."

"Are you my nanny?"

"Worse, your best friend. Move it."

"Drill instructor."

"Just remember my mom. Some of her blood runs through my veins too."

"I can see that."

Sofia made a face, got her suitcase out of the way and started cooking.

"Do you look forward to the advanced training in L.A.?" Sara came back in shorts and a shirt.

"No, it doesn't sound exciting, more like politics. But Jim said it's about to see how the other departments work. Me, being an ex CSI, I know two kinds of the law enforcement. Now I can learn how the medical examiner works, which rules they've to keep and why our federal friends are always right."

"They are good, they are special."

"They're not as good as I am and not as special as I am."

"You shouldn't be that smug there."

"It's not smug, it's honest. Would you like parsley and chives in your eggs?"

"Yes." Sara came to Sofia, who stood in front of the stove and put her arms from behind around her friend. "Looks good." Her head rested on Sofia's shoulder she watched her breakfast.

"You can't stop eating and living because he's gone." Sofia whispered and got Sara's hands before the brunette could withdrawal.

"Sofia…"

"No Sara, you can't. I know it hurts but if you stop living and only exist for the job you'll destroy yourself."

"I don't want to talk about that."

"You never did."

"Please…change the topic."

Sofia turned without letting Sara out of her arms. "Talk to me. Or if you don't want to talk please let me hold you so that you're not that alone. It hurts to see you that sad and it hurts even more that you don't want me to help you."

"There's nothing you can do."

"I can't make him come back, no. I can be here for you, I can hold you, I can offer you my shoulder to cry at. If you let me."

"You went away too."

"I was away for a night, you're gone since two weeks. You need to come back to life, Sara. Please. I love you too much to let you suffer like that without trying everything to help. And if you don't want my help, you'll hurt me but I won't stop trying. You know how stubborn I can be."

"I do."

"Make it easier for you and me and let me be with you, let me help you."

"Do I have another choice?"

"You can try to keep me out but I won't leave you alone."

"It looks like that…you burn my breakfast."

"Sorry." Sofia turned and was very pleased when Sara didn't pull her arms away and stayed close to the blonde. The crumbled eggs were slightly brown, maybe a little bit darker brown, but not burnt. They were still a good breakfast.