Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, and certainly don't profit from them or their stories; but I just like to have fun with the untold stories.

A/N: I must confess, the past year or so I have turned my attentions to other topics, but now it seems my hand is forced. The PTB have put our heroes (Grissom and Sara, of course) in implausible situations with no explanation forthcoming. Grrr. So I must turn my attention to telling the back-story, ah-gain, trying to explain how our favorite couple got where they are from where they left off.

Chapter One:

The night turned to day, and the grave shift CSI's were all clocked out with one exception. Supervisor Willows was going through her end of the month chores after shift. The schedule, the open cases, the evaluations; it never ended. She paused on Sara's evaluation. What a Godsend she had become. Catherine could never have envisioned Sara coming back at all, much less being such glue to a fractured team. There was never a doubt about Sara's work ethic and intelligence, but her ability to provide the much needed continuity that even Catherine couldn't find was nothing short of remarkable. Not to mention, her flight from Vegas left no hope that the brilliant CSI would ever be able to perform her job again in any capacity, surely not in Vegas, and especially not in Vegas once Grissom was gone. Catherine could only shake her head in the sheer lunacy of the paradox.

Then she turned to the schedule, how long will Sara be here? Sara and Grissom were an enigma, to say the very least, but how it was that a married couple, newlyweds for Christ's sake, chose to live an ocean apart was beyond her, even for them. She simply shook her head and deferred the schedule making until she could corner Sara and find out her plans.

Meanwhile, the grave CSI's gathered for breakfast at Frank's, the notorious location of Nick's car theft. They still couldn't bring themselves to ever go back to the diner they last saw Warrick. Ordering was easy as they all knew the menu by heart. That gave Nick and Greg time to get some dirt out of Sara.

"So, Sar," Nick started up, "How is it you and Grissom are newly married and spending so much time so very far apart?" his tone somewhat sarcastic.

"It's complicated," she replied nonchalantly, "Pass the sugar, will ya?"

Greg frowned, "So, fill us in," he shrugged innocently, "so, um, how does it all work for you guys?"

Sara now paused. She realized they were concerned and weren't about to let up until they knew the couple was OK. She gave them her trademark, sideways grin, "Guys, don't worry, everything is just fine. It's working fine." She nodded and smiled broader for emphasis.

"How can that be?" Nick lamented.

Sara inhaled deeply, "Let's just say," she paused to consider her answer, "I hope neither one of you ever experiences the pain of burnout, but if you do, then you'll have the answers to your questions about us."

Both of their faces twisted into quizzical, confused expressions just as the food was delivered. Plates were passed around, and silverware was put into action as the famished group dove into the food. Ray Langston was a passive observer of all the conversation, choosing to listen rather than to participate. He had an endless admiration of Gil Grissom, and now he had similar admiration, and even a certain fondness, for Gil's soul mate, Sara. He was fascinated with both individuals, and even more fascinated with the unconventional couple. He started in on breakfast desperately hoping that Greg and Nick would pursue the line of questions they started.

Greg finally caught his breath, "So, you're not giving us anymore than that?"

Snickering softly, "Greg, you don't need any more than that." Placing her hand on his forearm to make sure she had his full attention, "You have my word; we're in a very good place."

That gesture ended the interrogation. Neither Greg nor Nick, and definitely not Ray, could continue after she effectively commanded their trust. They had to believe her, but were still baffled by the arrangement, and couldn't put their concern completely aside. They would simply have to wait.

Greg sauntered into the break room before shift with his private stash of pure Kona coffee to put on a pot sure to get everyone off to a great start to the night. Catherine ambled in and was suddenly struck with the fortuitous circumstances. Greg was always Sara's closest friend of all the CSI's, arguably even more so than Grissom; surely he would know what was happening with the couple, surely.

"Hey, Greg, what ya got there?"

"Ahh, Cat," he beamed, "you are all in for a treat, the finest of the big island, a coffee that could only be found in paradise…"

She cut him off, "So what is it for goodness sake," the exasperation of overwork in her tone.

"Kona," he replied stoically.

"I'm sorry," shaking her head, "I shouldn't have cut you off, and how great of you to share that incredible coffee with us. I can't wait to sample it."

Nodding he went back to setting the coffee maker.

Looking around to make sure they were still alone, "Greg, have you talked to Sara much about her situation here?"

"I've tried," he shrugged, "she seems quite happy, which," he looked up quizzically, "I don't understand."

They both burst out in spontaneous laughter; relieved to know someone else is just as baffled as they were. Catherine was the first to speak, "I can't believe what a Godsend Sara has been for us, but," she paused, her tone now sober, "I wonder how long she can help us."

Greg nodded, "She insisted she and Grissom are in a good place, but I find that very hard to picture."

Catherine looked into his confused expression and knew she would not be getting any help from Greg. She would need to go to the source. Sara hadn't shared with Greg and that didn't bode well for her sharing with Catherine. The only thing she had going for her was a schedule that needed to be filled out. Surely Sara would at least share enough to allow her to do that.

"Hey guys," Sara's eyes lit up, "Is that Kona I smell?" Her eyes closed as she moved to the coffee maker, "Oh, my," a deep inhalation, "Greg, you spoil us." Her Sara smile was ear to ear. This was not a woman in a bad situation. As a matter of fact, this was a woman happier than her coworkers had ever seen her, adding to their confusion.

Greg and Catherine traded confused glances. "So, Sara," Catherine led in, "I need to speak with you tonight about your availability."

Still eyeing the coffee as it dripped, "I told you; I can do whatever you need."

Catherine rolled her eyes, "What I mean is," she looked skyward, "for how long?"

Sara straightened up, her face became serious, "That is a different matter altogether."

Nodding, "Yes, but I have a schedule to make out; I need to know."

Sara's gaze drifted off into space. She didn't know the answer. The answer was working through his issues across the Atlantic. She inhaled sharply, "I, ah, I guess I need to fill you in on things."

Catherine's heartbeat quickened at the thought of learning what was happening with the most enigmatic, secretive, and downright baffling couple she had ever known. "I only need a date, but I would certainly welcome whatever you want to tell me about."

Sara nodded, "We'll need some time, away from here," she smiled, "a date on the calendar won't be forthcoming."

"I see." Catherine swallowed, "How 'bout we get through this shift, get some rest, and catch some dinner tomorrow night?"

"Perfect." Sara's expression was one of relief. She was glad to explain her and Grissom's predicament to someone who knew them both, and to someone who would keep it in confidence. She felt unburdened and ready to share with Catherine. Also, she knew there was plenty of gossip and speculation about their marriage. Catherine was the one person she could confide in who would keep the details to herself and still be able to vouch for their stability to the others when the speculation and gossip started up, and, most importantly, come off completely credible in the process.

Catherine on the other hand was oddly unsettled. While she had steadfastly sought out the details of the couple's life; she was now in unfamiliar territory. She always lapped up any tidbit Grissom or Sara threw out about themselves, but suddenly the married thing, the burn out, the separation from CSI, and their separation from each other, made her very uncomfortable. Her comfort level lost out to her curiosity and her need to make out a schedule, "Ok, we're good, how 'bout 7 o'clock at Clancy's?"

"I'm there," Sara winked.

Tbc.