The team had gone out to a local club to celebrate Sara's birthday. By night's end, she would be overwhelmed by their generous gifts.

It had taken some convincing, but they had gotten Sara to go out. She looked very radiant in this evening. Once there, she had actually relaxed quite quickly and seemed to be having a great time.

Greg, the ever-eager puppy, could barely wait to give his gift. He pulled out an oversized bag overflowing with tissue paper. As Sara removed the tissue paper, he couldn't help smiling. First, there was a card with two movie passes in it. He had spent a great deal of time choosing her gift. He had to admit it was fun picking it out, but he had gotten some strange looks as he did. Being surrounded by a giggling group of preteen girls was not exactly on the top of his list, but it was for Sara. Once all the tissue paper had been removed, she pulled out a stuffed koala bear that was holding flowers and was wearing jeans and top. "Sara, it has a heartbeat sound, which experts say can be a comforting sound."

"To babies, Greg. But thank you. It was a very sweet idea."

"Well, I could always be your teddy bear, you just let me know." Greg winked at Sara.

"Nice try, Sanders." Jim Brass came in about that time to join them. He carried in his hands a small box, which he carefully set down in front of Sara. "Happy birthday, Sara!" She pulled the card out of the envelope that was with the box. Tears came to her eyes when she saw that he had taken the time to write a note inside the card. It read:

Kiddo,

You would make any father proud!

Dad

As Sara unwrapped the box, Jim nervously said, "I hope you like it." Sara carefully opened the box and pulled out a crystal music box that was etched with her name and a butterfly. When she opened the box, it played, "Butterfly Kisses".

"Jim, that was very sweet of you to think of me. This means a great deal to me." Sara looked down. "Thanks for everything." She scooted closer to him and gave him a hug. As she did, she whispered, "I love having you for a father. You are better than anything I have ever had."

"Wanna dance, Sara?" Nick asked, knowing that Sara might appreciate the distraction.

"Sure," Sara replied.

As the rest of the gang watched Sara and Nick, they were reminded of the bond those two shared. The team had nearly lost both of them at one time or another. Nick had been kidnapped and buried alive. Seeing Nick's happiness only made the memories of seeing their friend in that box all more vivid. They all agreed that Nick was a definite asset to the team and losing him would have devastated them.

Sara was smiling as she danced. Her eyes were sparkling. When Natalie Davis had kidnapped Sara, the team was wracked with grief over the thought of losing her. While her arrival in Las Vegas had been a trying time for the team, they all soon realized how much she contributed to the team with her determination and sense of justice.

Nick and Sara were the ones who had found each other. Since that happened, they were a bit more protective of each other.

When they sat back down, Nick reached down and pulled up a bag stuffed with tissue paper. Sara noticed that it seemed heavy. After removing the tissue paper, Sara reached into the bag and pulled out what appeared to be a cookbook. It was a "Texas Grilling Cookbook—Are you Meat or Mushrooms?" Sara looked quizzically at the book. Sara was stunned by it. Nick had known her for a long time and knew that she was a vegetarian. She caught a glimpse of Nick out of the corner of her eye. She decided it must be a practical joke. She took the book and hit him jokingly on the shoulder with it. He had been talking to Warrick and was caught unaware. "Ouch!"

"Hmm…must be a mushroom…." Sara giggled and smiled her full on smile that showed the gap in her front teeth.

Warrick teased Nick, "Hey, man…what was all that about? You know Sara is a vegetarian. She wouldn't let meat cross those pretty lips of hers." Sara blushed at that comment.

"Hey, Sara," Nick continued. "Here is your real present. I didn't mean any harm in it. I know you are vegetarian." From his coat pocket, he pulled out a long slender box.

As Sara took it from Nick, she smiled and said, "Its okay. I know you didn't mean anything by it." As she opened the box, she gasped. Inside the box was a necklace. It was a black pearl pendant on a silver chain. It was very simple and understated. It was nothing too flashy. "Oh, it's perfect Nick. Thank you!"

The team continued to sit and drink and enjoy each other's company. Warrick asked Sara to dance, but she passed. So, he danced with Catherine. As they danced, Sara's phone rang. She frowned just a bit when she saw that it was Grissom.

Trying to hear over the loud music, "Hello?"

Crackling on the other end of the line, Grissom said, "Sara, it's me, Grissom. I'm sorry I couldn't be there. But, I had to go to the conference in Miami. Somebody was not able to speak and I was a last minute replacement. I just wanted to say 'Happy Birthday'."

"Thanks," Sara said noncommittally. "Talk to you when you get back." She then hung up the phone as Catherine and Warrick sat back down.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" Warrick asked. "What happened to that smile you had on just a few minutes ago?"

"Grissom called."

"Well…let me give you something that might help you smile again." Warrick reached under the table and pulled up a bag stuffed with tissue paper.

He had compiled a CD of her favorite songs as well as a CD of jazz music. He also had a gift certificate for an hour of recording studio time to record her own music. He knew she enjoyed playing the guitar in her free time.

"But, Warrick, I am not that good, with singing or playing the guitar."

"I've heard you, Sar. You are really good."

"Hey, if you would like a piano accompaniment, just let me know." Warrick offered. "I'm sure we could make beautiful music together."

Catherine offered Sara an envelope. Sara thought to herself, It's probably just a card…just because she felt the need to. Not because she values me as a coworker. Or as a friend."

When Sara opened the envelope, there indeed was a card. But inside the card was a handwritten letter and a gift certificate for a day at the spa for her and a friend. "I thought you might like to pamper yourself. You certainly deserve it, Sara. You are one of the hardest workers at CSI." Catherine said.

AN: Please read and review. Shall I continue?