Disclaimer: If CSI were mine, I would have fired CM a long ass time ago, and Griss and Sara would have been getting busy before now.

Finally it's here. Often imitated never duplicated, the sequel to Teens & Tribulations. I'm hoping this one will turn out just as good as the last. I received a ton of reviews, which was totally awesome by the way, and a zillion requests for this story. I'm hoping everyone enjoys reading this one as they did the last. And if you haven't read the previous story, you'll need to in order to understand this one.

Many thanks to my betas Just Thinking, and thegreatbluespoon, even though Jess hasn't read this totally altered version, she still hears about it over the phone. Doesn't that count? Oh, and Amanda Hawthorn, sorry this isn't anywhere close to the chapter you first read.

T&T: Youth and Reckoning

Chapter 1

Grissom and Brass walked away from the courthouse together. After a serial killer had run loose for several months, Grissom threw his hat into the ring and had spent the last week helping to process evidence, and by combining the shifts, they were able to find the killer. His new role of Lab Director required that Grissom give a press conference about the situation. He left most of the talking to the sheriff, as he usually did, because speeches were not his thing.

After the ordeal, everyone was left exhausted. "Want to go out for a drink?" Brass asked even though he knew what answer he would receive.

"Thanks, but no thanks," Grissom denied kindly.

"How's Sara doing? I haven't seen her in a while." Brass asked, genuinely concerned.

They continued to walk to their vehicles as the afternoon faded over the Vegas skyline. "She's having a rough time with this pregnancy. Some days are better than others. She's having a good week, but some haven't been quite so well." Grissom paused and thought about how much time had gone by. "Overall though, the last six months have flown by."

Brass scoffed. "That's no shit. It seems like yesterday when you guys told us all about the baby."

"Hey, why don't you come over tonight? We'll have dinner and then that drink. I bought a bottle of scotch when I found out Sara was pregnant, and it's still hiding in the basement." Grissom perked up.

As they stopped at Grissom's truck, Brass shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

Grissom smiled and opened his door. "Good, follow me."

Brass was following, when suddenly Grissom's truck began to pull away. He checked his speedometer; they were doing the speed limit already. Suddenly he got that feeling like something wasn't right and accelerated, keeping up with his friend.

Grissom pulled wildly into the driveway, and was nearly out of the truck before shifting into park. Brass' car screeched up to the curb and he raced up the lawn following Grissom. "Gil, what's going on?"

Grissom simply replied. "Sara."

When he entered the house Lindsey was standing next to the living room, her face full of worry and her eyes looked as if she was about to cry. "Hey sweetie, why don't you go upstairs and be with Kassie and Sydney. Gil and I will take care of Sara, alright?" He tried to sound hopeful as he pointed her towards the stair case.

Grissom was at the bedroom door in no time. When he entered Sara let out a weak moan. She had her back to the door, the sheets were pulled up to her stomach, and the room was dark. He moved to her side where he could see her face. She was grimacing in discomfort. "Sara, Honey I'm here." He reached out to hold her hand, which she eagerly grasped, as he tried to assess the situation. He immediately noticed that sweat had her brow and hair damp. He gently placed his other hand on her forehead. "Honey, you're running a fever." He put a hand on her protruding stomach; the tremors occurring in her were sending shockwaves to his hand. It was evident she was in labor by the contractions.

"It hurts Gil." Sara choked out and curled up as another intense pain hit.

"Jim, get in here!"

Brass rushed in the room near panic at Grissom's urgent call. "What is it?"

Grissom looked up to his friend, fear evident in his eyes and voice. "She's in labor."

He didn't waste any time pulling out his two way radio. "Control, this is Detective Brass. I'm at 3452 N. Mojave Road. I've got a woman in premature labor, send an ambulance." He re-holstered the radio as control relayed the information.

Grissom helped his wife turn onto her back, and cautiously watched her face as he parted her legs

"Ughh." Sara moaned out weakly.

"Just hold on honey, help's on the way." Grissom have her hand a small squeeze before motioning for Brass to join him in the bathroom. As he picked up several towels, he whispered. "The baby's crowning."

Brass didn't verbally acknowledge his concern, his eyes spoke for him. They returned to Sara's side. Brass positioned himself at Sara's feet and draped the towels Grissom had brought out over her legs.

She let out a discomforting groan.

"Try not to push, Honey." Grissom held her hand and let his concerned look fall to Brass.

He glanced under the towel to see more of the baby's head protruding. "Gil, she's too far along. We're going to have to deliver him." Grissom looked at him. He wanted to protest, but when Sara cried out again, he wasn't given a choice.

Brass took a deep breath and released it shakily. "Okay, it's been a while since training, but Sara, we're going to deliver your baby." She shook her head wearily in protest. "Sweetie, you don't have a choice. Now, on your next contraction, push." He looked at Grissom, giving him a slight nod.

Grissom understood. "Ready Honey?"

"No. Too early." Sara shook her head.

"Sara, the baby is coming." Grissom stacked another pillow behind her. When he saw her trying to fight off another contraction, he tried to get her to push. "Come on, Sara, you need to push." She gritted her teeth and shook her head, but the urge to push was too much. "Push."

"Push Sara, push." Brass chimed in.

She finally pushed under their demanding voices, and in that one push, the baby slipped out. Brass quickly wrapped a towel around the infant. His training coming back to him quickly, he put his mouth over the still baby's mouth and nose. He tried to suck out what mucus was blocking his nasal passages, and spit it back out into the towel.

Sara had nearly all but passed out from exhaustion caused by being ill all day. Grissom was stuck in a desperate tug of war; his wife was lying exhausted and ill, his newborn son wasn't breathing. Just then, the call of help arrived.

"Back here!" Grissom called out to the paramedics who were making their way through the house.

When they entered the room, Brass quickly passed the infant to one medic, as the other came around and began to check Sara's vitals before loading her onto the stretcher with Grissom's help.

"Hold on Sara." Her husband tried to be encouraging in the grim situation.

Grissom did all he could to get into the ambulance with Sara, but the paramedics were quick to turn him away. Brass grabbed his arm. "We'll follow in my car."

The ambulance screamed off. Brass backed out of the driveway, and put his Charger into drive. With a heavy foot on the accelerator, the Hemi roared all eight cylinders and quickly caught up with the ambulance. Grissom was distraught in the passenger seat as Brass quickly dialed Catherine.

"Hey, Sara went into labor…" He paused to listen to Catherine's rampage. "I know, I know. Look, she delivered the baby; Gil and I are following the ambulance. Lindsey's still at the house." Again he paused as Catherine came to her senses. "I'll call as soon as we know anything."

Once in the emergency room, Sara was rushed into a trauma room, while Grissom watched his baby son being whisked off by another attending. He didn't know if the boy was alive, he had yet to hear him cry. Grissom remained poised outside the trauma room, with Brass, watching people move about Sara. Time stood still as he watched them try to make her more comfortable. In a short period of time, he followed Sara as she was taken to the maternity ward.

Her attending walked along side of him. "You're wife has a slight infection. We're starting her on antibiotics. Once we get the infection under control, her fever should break. Right now all she needs is rest."

Grissom never took his eyes away from Sara. "What about my son? Where is he?"

"He's being treated in the NICU-"

"When will I be able to see him?" Grissom interrupted.

"His doctor will visit with you shortly."

They then entered into the room, Grissom stood back as they got Sara situated. Once, they left he moved to Sara's bedside, leaned over her and placed a kiss on her forehead. She was sedated and at the moment, resting comfortably.

Brass watched from the door before leaving to inform Catherine of the prognosis, while Grissom remained by Sara's side comforting her, as he awaited news on his son.

He sat with Sara for a total of five minutes before he began constantly bothering the nurses about his son. Each time they did their best to fend him off with the classic, 'he's in good hands' line. News of the agitated father made it to the NICU, and after an hour a pediatrician entered Sara's room. "Mr. Grissom?" He turned to look at the doctor. "I'm Dr. Bailey, I have news on your son." He pulled up a chair and sat next to Grissom. "When was Sara's due date?"

He had to think, the past hours drained his memory temporarily. "Um, sometime in March."

Dr. Bailey nodded. "So he's roughly seven months. For his age, he's doing remarkably well. We had to intubate him; his lungs are still under developed. Whoever delivered him in the field did an outstanding job."

Grissom nodded. "Jim, he delivered him."

"Well, his quick thinking is what probably saved your son. He's in the NICU right now; I'll let you know when you can see him."

He wearily looked at the man before him. "No, I want to see him now." Grissom began to get desperate; he dearly needed to see his son. "I've already buried one child, and I need to see him. I need him to know that we are here for him, and that he's not alone."

"I understand." The doctor was doing all he could do to pacify the rapidly angering man before him. "Give me a few minutes to recheck him, and then I'll send a nurse to get you." He tried to look hopeful as he waited for Grissom's acknowledgement.

With a slight nod, Grissom agreed, and the physician left. He took up Sara'a hand again, glancing at the several machines that were monitoring her condition, gave her a kiss, and impatiently waited for the nurse.

When the nurse came, he was on the sixth floor in no time. It was like stepping onto another planet. The activity level was tremendous, nurses moving about fluidly, the constant beeping of monitors. He noticed the hallway was lit much brighter than the room its self. A nurse approached him and indicated that she was his baby's nurse for the night. She helped him dress in paper-like yellow gown before allowing him further into the room. As she was tying the strings across his back, Grissom's eyes were constantly on the move, searching for his son.

Grissom was taken to where his son was sleeping. The nurse pulled up a chair for him. "It may be a few days before you are able to hold him, but you can still talk to him."

"Is his heart supposed to beat that fast?" Grissom questioned the nurse with concern.

She smiled. "His heart rate is normal." Her voice was reassuring and offered just enough comfort for soothe the worried father.

"Can I touch him?" Grissom's voice was hoarse as his eyes scanned over his offspring.

"Yes, you can." She offered an encouraging smile before leaving him to visit with his infant.

He sat in the chair and carefully leaned over his sleeping son. As he watched his little boy fight for his life, his eyes began to blur. It was then that Grissom realized he was crying, and why shouldn't he? Here was his newborn getting the hardest start possible in life. Grissom carefully ran his thumb over his son's cheek. It seemed humongous compared to the baby's tiny nose. As his hand lingered over the infant, Grissom noticed the radiant heater positioned over him. It wasn't hot, more like a comfortable heat. Like soaking in a hot tub. Grissom's eyes noticed the various tubes and monitoring lines that ran into and out of his son. He wondered why he needed so many and made a mental note to ask the nurse later. The many instruments monitoring the youngster were almost overwhelming to him, but the instincts to nurture and protect were far greater.

Grissom couldn't recall how long he had sat with his son, but the nurse would frequently mention that he should try to get some sleep as she checked the baby's vitals.

Grissom would return to Sara's room in between his visits with his son. There was a large cozy recliner and couch that sat along one wall. Just by looking at them, Grissom felt his eyes get heavier. He decided to move the recliner closer to Sara's bed. The chair gave him some comfort in between the times he was with his son.

Brass and Catherine had spread the word around the lab of Sara's condition, and once the night shift had called it a day, they all congregated at the hospital. Nick found the room first and cautiously entered. He smiled at Sara when he noticed she was awake. She smiled weakly back at him as the rest of the gang entered.

Catherine approached her bed. "We just wanted to check on you." She whispered as she cautiously hugged Sara. "How long have you been awake?

"Thanks, I'm fine, and I just woke up." Sara's voice was soft and scratchy, evident of her exhaustion. "I'm waiting for a nurse." She looked around as worry began to settle heavy on her.

Catherine smiled. "Gil's upstairs with your son."

A little bit of weight was lifted as the news that her husband was with their son. "Where's Kassie and Sydney?" Sara asked, curious about her girls.

"Lindsey stayed at the house with them. I excused her and Kassie from school for the rest of the week." She brushed a stray hair from Sara's face. "You just worry about getting better."

Sara smiled at her. "Thanks." She looked to the small group of guys that were like her brothers. "Thank you all." They all smiled back and gave her their well wishes before leaving her to rest.

As they left, a nurse entered and Sara placed her request. She was pushed in a wheelchair to the NICU. Another nurse helped her cover up with the sterilized gown before she was taken further in.

The first person she saw was her husband. He was poised in a chair looking into a small isolette; his eyes were staring intently at the tiny person within. Sara's eyes filled with tears as she found her baby. He lay in the plastic enclosure, breathing with the help of a machine. His tiny head was covered in a blue cap, and he wore the tiniest diaper she had ever seen. He was still, other than his rapidly rising and falling chest.

"How do you feel?" Grissom asked as Sara was pushed up next to him. He picked up her hand and kissed the top.

"It will be a while before you'll be able to hold him." The nurse informed Sara.

"He's perfect." Sara put her hand through one of the monitoring holes to get as close to her newborn as possible.

Grissom turned his attention back to his tiny son. "He needs a name."

Sara's eyes never left her infant. "Can't we wait?"

He licked his dry lips and tried to make this as easy as possible on her. "Sara, what if…he deserves a name."

She quickly turned to look at him. "I don't want to think about that. He's strong, he's a fighter."

All he could do was agree, and wrapped his arm around Sara. Grissom sat holding Sara as he kept a watchful eye on his son. "Let's name him…"

They remained watching their son for an hour. The nurse came and checked his vitals several times. Grissom was impressed with the attention his son was getting. They said their goodbyes and he pushed her back to her room. Brass was there waiting with a duffle bag.

"Clean clothes anyone?"

"Yeah, him." Sara thumbed over her shoulder.

Grissom just smiled. "Thank you Jim." He helped Sara back into bed.

"How's the little guy?" Brass made himself comfortable on the couch as Grissom returned to the recliner.

"He's perfect." Sara told him with a smile as she made herself a little more comfortable in the bed. "I never thanked you…"

Brass held up a hand. "Don't worry about it. That's what friends are for."

"Jim, can I borrow your phone, mine's dead." Grissom asked and Brass quickly relinquished him phone. "I'll be right back." He smiled to Sara, she smiled back. Once he was out of the hospital, Grissom quickly dialed his home. "Hi Lindsey, how's everything?"

"Good, Kassie's worried."

"I'm sure. Is she handy, I'd like to talk to her?"

"Hold on." He heard Lindsey taking the phone to his oldest daughter.

"Daddy." Kassie squeaked.

"Hey there sweetheart, how are you?" Grissom was trying his best to hold all of his emotion in.

"I'm scared, what's wrong with Mommy?" Her voice cracked.

"Well sweetie, remember when Mommy and I told you about your little brother growing inside of Mommy?" He waited until she gave some indication that she remembered. "Well, he decided to arrive early. Mommy's doing fine and so is your baby brother. Can you do me a favor?"

"Un-huh."

"Can you help Lindsey and take care of your little sister until Mommy's able to come home? She's going to need your help."

"I can do it." Kassie announced with pride.

Grissom smiled. "Thanks baby. I love you, and Mommy loves you too."

"I love you Daddy, tell Mommy I love her too."

"I will. Goodbye." She said her goodbye; he shut the phone and quickly turned to get back to his wife and son.

Birth Announcement

Aaron James Grissom

January 15, 2007

Two pounds, Five ounces.

Twelve inches

Gil and Sara

OMG, poor Grissom's. Their son dies, then this! Ah, the drama never ends.

More to come so stay tuned. Review, it's my birthday that and you know you want to.

TDCSI