A/N: After a 3 month break…Fall to Pieces is back! Yay rah! Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed the original. This takes place four years after the original, and this chapter should update you on all the characters. I hope you enjoy, and please please review!

Shameless promotions: Don't forget to read & review Friends With Benefits (if you're over 17!). Also, check out Cheaper By the Dozen and Symphony of Change, which I'm cowriting with lostladyknight. (Symphony is under llk's profile). Thanks again llk for your help with plot ideas! You rocketh!

The scene was boringly familiar, as Madeline waited in her used 2002 Honda Accord outside The Meadows School, waiting for her four year old half-sister, Callie, to get out of preschool for the day. Windows up, she had Soulja Boy's Crank Dat playing at about half-blast, knowing the parents that were waiting in all the cars around her were completely anal about annoying teenagers blasting their music, especially rap. Madeline wouldn't want to corrupt anyone else's children, after all. She couldn't believe that her mother had actually decided to send her daughter to such a place. It was filled with yuppies and obsessive parents and teachers, and half the kids were snobs. All that aside, it was one of Madeline's duties to pick up her half-sister and stepbrother from school usually one or two days a week. Ten year old Cody was already in the backseat, after being picked up from the elementary school.

"Are they talking about sex?" Cody asked his now stepsister from the backseat of the car as he played on his Nintendo DS and listened to Maddie's rap song on the radio. If Maddie had to chauffeur her stepbrother around, she was going to at least listen to the type of music she wanted. Plus, Cody was ten years old and had heard way worse on television and his pipsqueak friends at school.

Madeline's eyes shot up to look in the rearview mirror. "Cody, be quiet! Why do you have to ask so many questions? Just chill."

"It's just a question. I don't think my mom would approve of you playing this while I'm in the car." He pointed out, well aware of the house rules.

"Well, she's not my mom, so I guess I don't really have to worry about that, do I?" She pointed out as the doors of the school opened and tons of kids started to stream out in perfect classroom lines. Maddie would go crazy at a school like this.

"Well, Dad would care." Cody pointed out, matter-of-factly. After their parents had gotten married two years before, Cody began to take his role of annoying little brother very seriously. He'd slipped into the role with very little problem, and regularly caused his sixteen year old sister trouble.

"You're not gonna tell him, because if you do, you'll be walking home from now on."

That shut the fifth grader up, who turned back to his game on his Nintendo. The last four years had been a smattering of change for both Madeline and Cody. Two years ago, their parents had tied the knot quietly in a small wedding in town. Sara and Cody moved into Nick's house immediately afterwards, and their life as a blended family had officially begun. The change hadn't been without its fair share of uneasiness, resentment, and confusion on everyone's part, but especially Madeline's. After the confusion of her parents' divorce, her mother's failed attempts at reconciliation, and her subsequent near-kidnapping, Madeline wasn't sure what to think of Sara. Sara had been understanding and patient with her new stepdaughter, but the last few years hadn't been without a few clashes.

Maddie's life had also been complicated further when her mother moved back to Las Vegas four years ago with her daughter, Callie. Her relationship with Jake hadn't lasted long, and from nearly day one, Lauren had been a single mother. Soon after Callie's birth, the strain of raising a child alone had become too much, so she moved back to be closer to her own mother, and to Nick and Madeline. Nick hadn't been pleased at all at first, but Madeline was excited about having a new baby half-sister, and bonded with her quickly. Their bond had only grown stronger over the years, as Madeline fell witness to her mother's less-than-stellar parenting practices. Last month, Lauren had very hastily become engaged to her boyfriend of six months, Howard. He was at least a decent father figure to Callie, but with Lauren's temperament, who knew how long he would stay around. Throughout all the family drama, Maddie was Callie's rock, and her role model.

Madeline smirked and turned off the radio as she saw Callie approach the car, her blonde, perfectly curled hair bouncing at her shoulders. Lauren always made sure that her daughter looked immaculate, had the best clothes, and the best education, but couldn't really be bothered to bond or spend time with the precocious four year old. She thought providing for her was enough, but no amount of money could come close in comparison to having a good relationship with a parent. Lauren spent time with her daughters when it was convenient for her. Luckily for Madeline, she had a wonderful, caring father in Nick, but alas, Callie's father was never around. Every time Madeline saw her half-sister, she couldn't help but think about this, and it broke her heart every time.

"Hi, Callie!" Madeline greeted her little sister as she climbed into her booster seat in the back seat next to Cody. The teacher who had escorted her waved to Madeline and shut the door.

"Hi, Madeline." She chimed back as she reached for her seat belt to her right, but had a little trouble. Madeline turned around, seeing her little tongue poking out the side of her mouth in concentration.

"Cody, can you help her?" She asked her stepbrother. Cody nodded and leaned over to assist his…well, he wasn't quite sure the precise title Callie had in relation to him. She was his stepsister's half-sister. Callie came to their house sometimes when Lauren was desperate for a baby-sitter. Nick had occasionally watched her over the years, though he always made it quite clear that it was not to become a regular occurrence.

Callie accepted his help up until the belt was ready to be clicked into place. She liked to do that part, and Cody was well aware. As soon as the buckle got close enough, he let Callie take hold of it so she could click it into place. Madeline put the car into drive and was about to pull out of the circle when they all felt a hard jolt from behind, whipping their bodies forward.

CSI CSI CSI CSI CSI

Nick and Sara Stokes both stood in the break room Thursday afternoon refilling their coffee cups to start the second half of their shift. Both had already been out to a crime scene and were now preparing to log in and analyze all the evidence they had collected. Sara sighed loudly as she poured herself some decaf.

"I really could use some caffeine right now." She told her husband next to her, who had the privilege of indulging in regular caffeinated coffee. Nick smirked as he set the kettle down and leaned over to press a kiss to her temple, and then moved behind her. His strong arms embraced her, his hands coming to settle on the slight bulge at her stomach.

"I know, darlin'. I'm sorry you can't." He whispered as he nuzzled her hair and breathed in the scent of her. His beautiful wife was now three months pregnant, and looking amazing as ever.

"Mmmmhmmm. Sure you are." Sara teased him back, resting her own hands on top of his. It was one of her husband's favorite things to do, putting his hands on her pregnant belly. Sara wasn't complaining. Ever since they'd started dating seriously four years ago, he'd had trouble keeping his hands off her body, and now that she was pregnant, it was like an obsession. Every spare moment he had, it seemed Nick's hands or ears or mouth were on her belly. That child was sure going to be well acquainted with its father.

Nick chuckled softly into her ear and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "You're beautiful."

Sara slowly turned in his arms, and though they weren't supposed to at work, planted a soft, tender kiss on his lips. Nick let his hands sit on her hips as he returned the kiss slowly, taking his time. After a few moments, they pulled away just as static started to sound on the police radio that was sitting on the break room table.

An unknown voice began to speak over the radio as Nick and Sara reached again for their coffee mugs. "I need an officer down at the Meadows School right away. The school secretary has reported a rear-ending in the pick-up circle. The driver is sixteen years old, with a ten year old boy and four year old girl in the backseat."

Most of the time, Nick and Sara didn't pay much attention to the police radio because that wasn't really their scene. However, the location the accident had been reported at, and the ages of the three children involved definitely caught their attention.

"The Meadows?" Sara looked at her husband. "Is it Maddie's day to pick up the kids?"

Nick furrowed his eyebrows and pulled his cell phone off his belt clip. "Yeah, I think it is. Let me call her real quick."

Sara's mind start racing with worry as Nick dialed Madeline's number and waited for her to answer. After four rings, she hadn't picked up, and her voicemail message came on. Nick began to leave a message as Sara snatched up the police radio and clicked the button that allowed her to talk.

"This is Officer Sara Stokes with the LVPD Crime Lab. Can you tell me the names of the passengers in the car that was rear-ended at The Meadows?"

Nick finished leaving the message and snapped his phone shut as Sara waited for an answer over the radio. He put his hand on her back and rubbed gently to calm her down, though he was just as nervous and worried as she apparently was. After no one answered for ten seconds, Sara was getting upset.

"Someone answer me!" She demanded.

The static buzzed again, and the voice came on again. "Officer Stokes?" The voice answered. "I've got the three kids here with me. Their names are Madeline, Cody, and Callie."

Sara's fingers nervously touched her temples as Nick's arm closed around her shoulder. "How are they doing? Are they alright?"

"We're having them checked out now, but all their injuries seem minor. The boy seems to have a small bruise on his shoulder, and the little girl bit her tongue. Otherwise, they're just a little shaken up."

Sara let out a sigh of relief that they were apparently unharmed apart for some minor injuries. "Okay. I'm Cody and Maddie's mom. Tell them that their father and I will get there soon, and we're calling Callie's mom."

"Copy that. We'll see you soon."

"Oh my God, Nick." Sara turned and was immediately embraced by her husband. Though it was very likely all the kids were just fine, it was still unsettling. It was every parent's worst nightmare to hear that their child had been in an accident, no matter how minor.

"It's okay, Sar. You heard the officer. They're fine." He kissed her forehead and began steering her towards the door. "I'm gonna go tell Grissom we need to leave, and I'll meet you at the car, okay?"

They stopped in the opening of the doorway, where they would both need to go separate ways. Sara nodded, still looking every bit as worried as she was. Nick squeezed her hand reassuringly. "They're fine."

Nick quickly strode towards Grissom's office as Sara headed the other way. Truthfully, Madeline driving made him really nervous. Any parent with a new driver probably got nervous about their child being behind the wheel. Even knowing that Maddie was fairly decent driver, there was so much that she couldn't control, like a driver rear-ending her, and that scared the crap out of him. With everything that was unknown and predictable in the world, especially Las Vegas, it was terrifying for Nick trying to let his daughter grow up and be independent.

After clearing things with Grissom, Nick quickly strode out to his Denali, taking his cell phone out again in the process to call Lauren. He tried to have as little contact with her as possible, but he thought her two children being involved in an accident, no matter how minor, kind of required him to call her. Lauren also preferred not being contacted by Nick unless it was absolutely necessary, which was readily apparent in the way she answered.

"What?"

"Hi, it's me."

"I realize that, Nick. I'm in a very important meeting. Can this wait?"

Nick shook his head as he strode out to the parking lot. "No, it can't. They're all fine, but Madeline's car got rear ended when she picked up Callie from school. Sara and I are heading over there now, and I just thought you'd want to know and maybe come be with Callie."

Lauren sighed heavily and rubbed her hand over her forehead in frustration. "They're all okay?"

"Yes. And we're going to the school now."

"Look, Nick. I'm glad they're okay and everything, but I really don't have the time to come down there right now. I'm swamped."

Nick reached his Denali and had to shake his head in disgust once again. He should have known that Lauren still hadn't changed. Nick was having trouble remembering why he even bothered sometimes. Callie and Madeline deserved better in a mother, but there wasn't much he could do about that. The last few years and the birth of a new baby had done little to change Lauren's principles in any positive way. She was still self-centered, egotistical and not focused enough on her kids.

"And you don't think Sara and I are swamped at the lab?" Nick retorted as he turned the ignition. Sara could instantly tell who her husband was talking to by the tone of his voice. She placed a hand on her stomach and let out a calming breath as Nick began to pull out of the parking space. She was relieved that he began to drive fast, anxious as she was to get to their children. "These are your children we're talkin' about, Lauren."

The woman let out a childish grunt and rolled her eyes. "Well, you're gonna be there, so they'll be fine." She figured, honestly. Though they were divorced, Lauren still trusted her ex implicitly and knew her kids were safe in his hands. When it was inconvenient for her to be there for her kids, Nick was always a phone call away. "So, please. If she needs to go to the hospital, take her. Otherwise, just have Maddie drop her off at her after-school daycare."

Before Nick could even argue, Lauren had hung up. He turned the phone off and chucked it onto the ground, letting out a frustrated string of profanities. It was one thing to be a complete skank to an adult, and quite another to completely ignore her children when they needed her most. Nick guessed he shouldn't really be surprised.

"She's not coming?" Sara guessed by her husband's reaction. She reached over to pat his thigh in hopes of calming him down, but little would pacify him when Lauren got him worked up. That's why they didn't talk to the woman except when they needed to discuss something about Maddie.

Nick just shook his head. There was nothing really that could be said. Within a few minutes, they had pulled up to The Meadows School, where a police officer was already pulled up to file a report. They instantly spied the three children sitting on one of the school's benches, frowns on their faces, as the nurse tended to them. Nick quickly found a spot to ditch the Denali and they both hurried over to their children.

"Mom!" Cody called out as he saw his mother approaching, looking entirely too worried. They'd all felt a moderate jolt from behind, and their necks were just a tad bit sore, but other than that they felt fine. Callie had a crying bout for a few minutes after biting her tongue, but after being held in Madeline's lap, she had recovered well. After the initial shock had worn out, the kids were doing just fine.

Sara embraced her son in a tight hug, bending down so he didn't have to stand up just yet. "Ohh, Cody. I was so worried." She confessed. Sara was a known worrywart when it came to her children, especially Cody. With those glasses and his small stature, he still looked so breakable.

"I'm fine, Mom." He assured her, but hugged her back warmly. Cody knew his mom well enough to let her have her moment with the hugging and kissing. "It was just a little bump."

Sara pulled back and knelt down so she could get a good look at her son. Her hands instantly went to his neck to gently cradle it. "How's your neck feel, baby?"

"It's a little sore, but the nurse said it'll go away…"

"I'm taking you to the hospital." She decided, standing up to look at Nick, sure he would be reaching the same conclusion. He was knelt down in front of Madeline, while the nurse was still talking to little Callie. Madeline was moving her head from side to side a little, as if to assess how much discomfort she was having.

"Maddie, don't irritate it any more." Nick instructed her gently, reaching up to put his hand on the side of her neck, effectively stilling it. He sighed heavily and studied Madeline's face.

"Dad, would you stop worrying?" She begged him, sick of everyone going all spastic over what was a very minor wreck. "I've done worse in gymnastics. This is nothing."

"I'm just trying to be cautious, sweetheart. If you're hurt, we need to get you…"

"I'm not hurt." She cut him off. "I think I know my body well enough, and have been injured enough to realize when I need medical help."

Nick looked to his right to observe the school's RN finishing her examination of Callie. She gave the four year old a few reassuring words and then stood up to face Nick.

"Mr. Stokes, I'm Mrs. Jenkins, the school nurse here." Nick shook her hand and waited for her to continue. "I've checked out all three children, and they all appear to be just fine. The driver behind them was only going a couple miles an hour, so the collision just bumped their bodies forward a little. Other than some minor neck pain, and Callie biting her tongue, I'd say they're just fine."

"Would you recommend taking them to the hospital as a precaution?" He asked, not wanting to take any chances when it came to his children.

"Well, you could, but I really don't think it's necessary. I would recommend they don't do any strenuous activity for the rest of the day."

As the nurse talked to Nick, Callie stood up and wandered over to where Nick was standing, wrapping her arms around his middle. Even though he wasn't her father, Callie had become very attached to him over the years, probably because he was practically the only good male role model in her life. Nick gently stroked Callie's hair as he listened to the nurse, which calmed the girl. Though he had to be firm with Lauren about not shoving parental responsibilities on him, Nick truthfully adored the little girl and would never have the heart to shut her out of his life. He liked to think of their relationship as an uncle/niece type of arrangement.

Nick finished up his conversation with the nurse and then looked down at Callie, who stared up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "C'mere, you little booger." He smirked and picked her up into his arms. Callie wrapped her arms around his neck as he hitched her up and giggled, which he supposed was a good sign.

"Nick, I TOLD you I'm not a booger." She told him quite firmly, though she knew he was joking. At age four, she was already developing quite a sense of humor, and a fair amount of sassiness.

"Yeah, you are." He told her, then turned to Sara before she could argue. "Sar, I think we better just get them home to relax for the afternoon. The nurse said no strenuous activity."

Sara was still looking a bit worried, one hand perched on her hip. Cody was now completely relaxed, not showing any sign of being bothered, as he got back to his Nintendo DS. "You don't think we should take them to the hospital?"

Nick shrugged his free shoulder as Callie played with his shirt collar. "The nurse said it wasn't necessary."

"She's a nurse."

"She's an RN, Sara."

Madeline interrupted. "And I'm gonna be late for practice. Can we go?"

"Maddie, the nurse said no vigorous activity. Gymnastics is out." Nick informed her.

Madeline looked completely heartbroken and instantly argumentative, like he knew she would. Not only did she hate missing practice for the gymnastics part, but she also had quite the thing for one of the assistant coaches. The head coach's son, Gavin, had been permanently sidelined from the sport with a spinal fracture last year. Now, at eighteen, he was helping out at the gym wherever his father needed him. He helped out mostly with the boys, but also with the elite girls, which Madeline was now apart of. Madeline already knew him from training at the gym, and they also went to the same high school up until he graduated the year before. Bringing a good looking teenage boy into the mix was definitely not a good idea in Nick's book. He was a polite enough kid, but Nick paid good money for her to take gymnastics lessons and thought Gavin was more of a distraction than a help. Plus, he'd seen the way Maddie and Gavin looked at each other. Trouble lied ahead.

"Dad! Why?" Her tone was slightly whiny.

"Maddie, don't whine." Nick told her as he adjusted Callie on his hip. "Flipping around in the air isn't gonna help your neck at all. Taking one day off is not the end of the world."

"Yea, it is." She mumbled, and sighed loudly.

Cody snorted in laughter, keeping his eyes focused on his game as he stood up as the family started walking. "It's because she won't get to make out with Gaaavin."

Madeline punched her brother in the arm. It really hurt. Cody had learned she punched pretty hard for a girl. "Shut UP!"

Nick smirked, knowing full well what teenagers thought about and probably did. He still hoped his teenager didn't, but he wasn't naïve. All he could do was have open conversations with her and keep a close eye on her. Madeline was unlucky enough to acquire a new little brother at this stage in her life, when he could cause her an enormous amount of embarrassment.

"Madeline, you can call him later. You're all gonna have an early night. And no punching." He raised his eyebrows in her direction.

Since the police report had already been filed, they were all free to leave. Sara decided she would drive Madeline's car home just in case.

CSI CSI CSI CSI

Later in the evening, after everyone had gone to bed, and Callie had gone home, Madeline sat at her desk completing homework. Even though she hadn't been allowed to go to gymnastics practice (even though she felt perfectly fine), she still procrastinated doing her work until the last minute. That's just the way Madeline functioned. She was a very intelligent kid, but had never been that interested in school, especially now that she had Gavin to focus on. Who freaking cared about sines and cosines, Economics, and the theme of Wuthering Heights when she had a perfect male specimen actively wooing her? Did her trig homework really stand a chance when she could instead be texting Gavin?

Her cell phone vibrated again as she finished a math problem, and she instantly grinned, knowing who it was. She opened it up and frowned. It was from her father in the next room and read, "Go to bed". Madeline shook her head but had to grin as she texted him back. It said "Let me drop trig and I will".

About fifteen minutes later, her cell phone vibrated again. Maddie was more cautious in getting excited this time, but she didn't have to be. She could clearly hear her father now snoring in the next room. This time, the text was from Gavin, and it read "Open ur window." She grinned widely and stood up first to turn out her light, then very quietly walked to the window and opened it. Without a second thought in the world, she carefully crept out onto the slanted roof outside her window and made her way to the edge. As usual, Gavin was standing right below to help her down, using a piece of trellis on the side of the house for extra support. She was soon in his arms, her favorite place in the world.