Author's Note: This story is the sequel to "Headliner." It is a Snickers piece which also contains some YoBling!

Second Chances Chapter One: Matters of the Mind

Sara tilted her head back and admired the twinkling stars in the night sky. She tried to remember the scientific reason they twinkled, but the answer wouldn't come; she was too preoccupied. In the distance, Grissom mumbled something about a "curious arachnid" and proceeded to jar the specimen.

She had been Sara Stokes for little over two months and was still on her mandatory probation from Nick. At Ecklie's request, the two could not work together for six months and not be alone together on a case for a year.

The air was a little chilly and she could almost feel her nose turning red. Instinctively she rubbed the end of it, nursing the warmth back. Lost in thought, she didn't hear Grissom's footsteps approach and then stop at her side.

"Gas," he said and she jumped slightly.

"What?"

He pointed to the lights in the sky. "Stars are just gasses and the light reaches our eyes at different times. That's why they twinkle."

"Okay," she said, a bit worried that her boss could read her mind.

"You were talking about it earlier. Well, that and your probation. I just figured I'd give you my insight."

"Oh, I didn't realize I said that out loud. Thanks, though."

He set down his bug jar—something she never thought she'd see—and put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay, Sara? You seem bothered by something."

"I'm fine," she said and turned back to the scene. "I just needed a little break."

"Alright, but you know where I am if you want to talk."

She nodded. His comment left her perplexed for the rest of the evening. Grissom had never been one to talk about his feelings with anyone, except maybe Catherine, and here he was caring about what her of all people thought. Of course Catherine's increasingly serious infatuation with Warrick had kept her out of his office for many months now, so perhaps he was just looking for compensation. Whatever the reason, Sara was glad he was available because she'd soon need to talk, but first had to figure out things in her own head.

Nick scoured the perimeter of the ranch-style house. The gardens were well-kept and both cars freshly washed and waxed. Truthfully, he wasn't looking for much. The crime had taken place indoors and the major search areas had been covered. He had just pulled a mint from his pocked at popped it into his mouth when Warrick drove up in a black Denali.

"Hey, man, you getting ready for Sara?" he shouted out his car window.

Nick grinned and waited for his friend to walk over.

"How's married life treating you?" Warrick asked.

"It's not much different than it was before," Nick responded.

"Maybe not, but now you don't have a teenager to look after. How's Alexis anyway?"

"She's doing great. She comes by the house every chance she gets and marks on our calendar when we have to be at her shows…and I'd watch yourself. If she hasn't lost your number, she's going to rope you in for a show or two."

"That's fine by me. I'm always happy to support the arts."

"Yeah," said Nick, "sure. So how is Catherine?"

Warrick laughed and gestured to the house. "Why don't you just ask her? She's inside, right?"

"I tried and she about bit my head off. She told me that she doesn't ask me about my love life, so I shouldn't ask about hers."

"You know she talks to Sara."

Nick nodded. "Exactly, so I came to you."

Warrick chuckled.

Sara rifled through the evidence box in search of the swabs to send to DNA. She had just gathered the tubes in her hands when she heard the familiar jingle of her cell phone. She dropped everything back on the table and flipped open her phone.

"Sidle."

"Habit?" the voice said.

"Excuse me?"

"You said Sidle; you're a Stokes."

"Why Alexis Stokes, you are hilarious."

The girl giggled and Sara pictured her as a bubbly eight-year-old.

"So, Mom, how are you?"

"Oh pretty good. You?"

"Fine. Although Mike is being a jerk. He expects me to call him every five minutes. And he won't even come to my shows; can you believe it? So I told him…"

"Lex."

"…if he wants to date me, he's going to have to start…"

"Lexi."

"…showing he cares about me. Because you know, I could have so many other guys if I really wanted to. And you know what he does next?"

"Alexis!"

"What?"

"I'm pregnant," Sara said and breathed out.

"You're what? Pregnant?"

"Yes."

"Does Dad know?"

"Not exactly."

"Uh oh," Alexis whispered.

"What?"

"You're not going to run, are you?"

Sara sat in a chair. "Now what would make you think that?"

"Your past track record."

"Alexis Nicole Stokes, I didn't run. I just went on with life."

"You are going to tell him, right? He's going to find out eventually, like when you look like you've swallowed a watermelon."

"Thanks for the congratulations. Yes, I'm going to tell him."

"Good. Oh, and I think you should name her something cute like Lola."

"Lola?" Sara asked.

"Yeah. Lola."

"Isn't that what you wanted to name your cat when you were ten?"

"Yep," said Lexi, "but I've changed my views in the nine years since. A cat would be nice, but I'd have to take care of it all the time. A baby sister I can play with, and when I get bored I can just give her back."

"I'm glad I can provide you with toys."

"Me too. You're the best, Mom."

"I know. I'll talk to you later," Sara said.

"Okay, but talk to Dad. I've got to go call Mike back and scold him for being unsupportive," she sighed.

"I love you."

"Love you too; bye."

Sara hung up, slipped her phone back in her pocket, and went back to her swabs. She found work to be an excellent distraction and only had to excuse herself once when a lab tech spilled something very aromatic and nauseating. When she sat in the seat of the car next to Nick as he drove home with his hand on her knee, she couldn't help but wonder how long she could wait to tell him about his impending fatherhood and how she was going to be a parent for the second time.

Next time on Second Chances: Suspicions raise regarding Sara's health and a box brings back an old memory.