DISCLAIMERS: The characters and any other references to CSI are not mine. I own nothing.

SPOILERS: None.

A/N: I got such nice reviews I got for my first fan-fic I decided to try again. It took me awhile to get my ideas straight and the whole Eads/Fox firing fiasco really set me back. But I was so excited they were re-hired that I was inspired. This isn't the most original idea but it was just something I wanted to try. It's G/S pairing because anything else is just wrong. :)

Sara stared out her car window as she nervously drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. She had been parked in the passenger-loading zone at McCarran Airport for 20 minutes and was getting worried. Come on Marie. Any minute now I'm going to get a ticket or an irate driver looking for a parking spot. Sara got of her car for the 10th time and stood on the curb next to her car. She scanned the crowd of weary travelers hoping for a glimpse of something familiar. Finally a blur a red curls got her attention. It was only then that she heard the voice. "Sara!" Marie bellowed, pushing her way through the crowd, dragging a large bright purple suitcase behind her.

Sara couldn't help but smile at the sight of her childhood best friend. She was slightly shorter than Sara and round in all the right places. Her flaming red shoulder length curls; bright green eyes and the characteristic freckles on her face suited her personality perfectly.

"Marie, thank god – just when I was thinking I was actually going to have pay for short-term parking." Sara tried to sound annoyed but Marie's raised eyebrow – and her usual "ohmigod you are so cheap" look erased any hope Sara had of being taken seriously. Both girls smiled and then started laughing at the same time before embracing.

"Some things never change." Sara said as she opened the trunk for Marie's suitcase.

"I know, it's great huh? Marie laughed again and climbed in the passenger side. "Damn it's hot here. I am never leaving Santa Barbara no matter how frizzy my hair gets from the fog."

Sara snorted in commiseration as she pulled the car away from the curb. As she glanced over her shoulder she saw three cars vying for the empty space.

"So – how was your flight?"

"Thankfully short. If I had to listen to one more get-rich-quick-in-Vegas scheme from the schmo sitting next to me I was gonna jump out the emergency door."

Sara smiled and glanced over at her bubbly passenger. It had been at least 4 years since they had seen each other and Sara realized that Marie hadn't changed a bit. I wonder if she will think the same of me.

"It's really nice to see you Marie, I've missed you. I know we've been good about staying in touch but having you here is just what I've needed.

Marie smiled and nodded. "Yeah, me too. Don't get me wrong, married life is great, but sometimes I need serious girl time.

"Speaking of your better-half – how is Jack?"

Marie rolled her eyes. "Oh you know Jack – he's the same. I swear he will never grow up."

"Would you want him to?"

After a brief pause Marie admitted "No."

They shared another laugh and slipped easily into their old ways, gossip and sarcastic banter, which had always been plentiful ever since they were kids.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sara opened her apartment door and pulled Marie's suitcase over the threshold.

"WHAT is in here? Good god Marie you are only here for three days!"

Marie laughed and took the handle of her heavy purple traveling companion. I know, it's absurd, I just can never decide and well, this is Vegas, so I wanted to be prepared for anything." A coy smile appeared on her lips and she turned to take in the surroundings.

"I like your place – very cozy and very ....you."

"Thanks, it does the job I guess. Come on, I'll show you around, shouldn't take too long. We can share a bed as long as you don't snore. Marie stuck her tongue out at Sara. "Very funny."

"I'll put your stuff in my room and then we'll get some food, unless you want to take a shower or just freshen up."

"I'll just freshen up and then we can eat – I'm starved."

The next three days were a blur as Marie and Sara made up for lost time, playing hard and sleeping even less. It wasn't until the last night of Marie's visit that the subject was broached. They were sitting on Sara's couch eating Ben & Jerry's and trying to watch an inexplicably sappy romantic comedy on TV.

"Sara, how long have we known each other?

"As you well know since 2nd grade – why?

"Because, that means I KNOW you girl."

Sara slowly turned to face Marie with a look that feigned ignorance. One look at Marie though and it quickly faded. Sara knew this conversation was inevitable.

"I wish I could say you haven't changed Sara. I mean, I've had a great time with you these past few days, I really have. But you have changed and I miss the Sara I grew up with and who left San Francisco four years ago."

"Marie - "

Marie put her hand up. "Uh-uh, I'm not done. Don't try to say it's just your job because I know that's not true. Come on, you came to Vegas for him. You can't help loving him and you shouldn't be so hard on yourself. All our phone conversations and emails for at least the last two years invariably end the same. I hear the misery in your voice and I can read between the lines in your emails. You have to end this one way or the other. It is going to kill you if you don't. In fact, I think part of your spirit has already died. You put up a good front, but I see through you and I think he does too.

"Grissom, yeah right, he doesn't realize anything, that's the problem – he's emotionally.... impeded. Through a clenched jaw that was the nicest word Sara could come up with.

"Look, he may not even realize that he does, but one day it will hit him like a bolt of lightening. He will suddenly see what he has done to you and he will know what a fool he has been."

"I don't know Marie – I think maybe I should give up, move on, it should just be too late."

"Can I make a suggestion?'

"Even if I said no you still would."

"True." Marie grinned and put her hand on Sara's arm. "Ok – this is what you do. You go over to his house tomorrow after your shift." Sara raised an eyebrow and her eyes widened. "That's right – tomorrow! You drop in unannounced. It is very important to catch him off guard. Just say you just wanted to ask him something. Don't talk too much – you know how you love to over talk on around him. Then, when you are seated and as calm as you possibly can be, you ask him very simply. Do you want me or not?. And that's it; you say you want a yes or no answer only, no excuses. Seriously hon, it's the only way. Be aggressive and confident. Just be straight with him and then wait. Don't get impatient and run away like you have always done. Even when we were kids, we would fight and you wouldn't even stick around long enough to finish it, even if you were winning!!" Marie's hands flew up in exasperation.

"Marie, I – I have been straight with him I - "

"Not like this you haven't – I mean it, you literally get in his personal space and do not back down until you get the answer, whatever it may be."

Sara stared into her pint of ice cream and mulled over Marie's words. Maybe she's right; maybe this is the only way. A final answer and then I'll be done with it, one way or the other.

"Sara?"

"OK – I'll do it.

See Chapter 2