This is a story about Sara and Warrick. If you'd told me a few months ago that I'd be reading let alone writing 'swarrick' I think I might have laughed. Not that I had anything against it but I was an avid GSR fan. So now I am floating on the fence – not sure which I'm going for nowadays. Unfortunately I think I've read all the Sara/Warrick fics out there which has left me somewhat (pathetically – I might add) depressed. So please, please, pretty please with sugar and strawberries and all things nice feel free to write some more, just for me :)

I don't write much, though I love it; I just don't have a great talent for it. Having said that I have no talent for singing either but I bet my husband wishes that I would stop violating his eardrums. So wish me luck, only my 3rd fic and my 1st SW.

This is a story that takes place after the season 7 finale. I am trying to stick to the storyline as we know it as best I can, but please forgive any errors with the history and also the writing. I'm not perfect. Shh! Please don't tell my husband! Unbeta'd

Cheers.

P/S I own nothing except the computer I am currently using.Please don't leave me my darling laptop!)

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Picture That!

Chapter 1

A lot had happened in Sara's life in the last six months. Everyone was so overwhelmed and relieved when they finally found her under Natalie's horrific crime scene, not in the least herself. Sara later found out that in the course of the investigation Grissom had dropped a few accidental and none too subtle hints about their relationship. Thankfully her colleagues were too shocked and frightened for her life to take much notice so it continued that only Brass knew about them. That didn't matter for long though because soon there was barely a them to know about. Initially it seemed like they might make it out okay. But it soon became apparent that their own personal scars from the horrific nightmare were too much for each of them to bare and instead of slowly destroying themselves and each other further with their tortured emotions and actions they made the painful decision to separate.

Grissom could no longer look at Sara without seeing her pale, lifeless body under the car. He couldn't see her sleeping without seeing her dead body lying in a coffin of sand and metal. Though he never loved anyone as much as he loved her he couldn't look her in the eye anymore, he would flinch at her touch, sleeping with her became the only time they had any physical contact. And it was suffocating, constricting sleep. The real alive Sara couldn't bring him back from his nightmares no more than she could stop her own. For Sara it wasn't a whole lot different. Instead of being quiet she became withdrawn, every flinch of Grissom's, every grunt or mumble that replaced actual conversation sending her further into her own world. The way he held her at night only fuelled her terrifying nightmares of that time, reminding her so much of the feeling of being almost crushed to death.

They tried counseling for couples who had been through painful experiences but while it helped them understand their partner's reactions it did nothing to take the hurt and pain of it away. So two months after Sara got her life back she lost the love of her life. It took five years to bring them together, they shared the two happiest years of their lives and it only took 48 hours and two months of hell to tear them apart. The split was a joint decision and as agonizing as it was they knew it had to happen. Both could feel their sanity slowly slipping away. So Sara went back to her apartment and Grissom stayed at his townhouse. They told Brass, though he could see it coming and he did his best to be there for both his best friend and his surrogate daughter.

It took three times weekly therapy sessions but now Sara could finally say she was "okay" when asked and not feel like she was lying. The nightmares had lessoned, she was working on her fear of small spaces and was also getting back her love of mechanics. She had even managed to go out with the guys for drinks once or twice and not feel like the world was closing in on her. Nick, Greg and Warrick had become her lifesavers. She knew that without them she wouldn't have come so far so quickly. They made it their mission to get her to smile and then to laugh and finally to help her find that Sidle spirit that she seemed to have lost. Catherine was a surprise. They had become friends in recent years but were never 'friends in a crisis' close. But Cath really came through for her, knowing instinctively if the guys were getting too much, or if Sara just needed someone to vent with. Plus she made it her duty to put some weight of Sara's bones and so six months later Sara still had a well stocked freezer.

Everyone was a bit shocked when Sara came back to work after only three weeks. But with her life the way it was at home work really was the only place she had where she could escape and feel somewhat like her old self. She knew her friends and co-workers all thought it was too soon, but as usual Sara proved everyone wrong and probably handled her return better than anyone.

Natalie's trial date came and went last month. Everybody had to testify and they all struggled with it, but she could tell that mostly they worried about the effect it would have on her and her recovery. Once again they underestimated her. Sara took the stand with Natalie in the room and held her own. Walking out afterwards Sara had felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, she had survived the best efforts of a serial killer and come out on top. When Natalie was declared insane and sentenced to an institute for life Sara couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her. Then she knew she had defiantly made impressive progress. Warrick just shook his head, pulled her into his arms and laughed when she told him that, he didn't let go of her for a good ten minutes.

So now after a tough six months Sara could feel the clouds shifting and the little rays of light that had been missing from her world since that time were starting to shine back in and she was grateful for it. She hadn't given up. That was essentially the difference between her and Grissom. When they found her he had already given up on her, something he could never forgive himself for. Grissom had made a lot of progress though and while it still hurt they were on their way back to being friends again.

This was all going through Sara's mind as she sat in the passenger seat of the Denali with Catherine and Warrick on their way back from what turned out to be a rather mind numbing waste of LVPD resources. Teenage kids playing pranks with fireworks and an old tape recording of screams in an abandoned warehouse. So the possible gunshots and casualties was simply a stupid boyhood game. Very Home Alone she thought.

The comfortable silence in the car was interrupted by the annoying noise coming from Sara's cell phone. Followed quickly by Warrwick's howling laughter and Catherine's raised eyebrows.

"Nice ring tone there Sara, you can come under my umbrella anytime you like baby!"

"Shut up Warrick, God I hate this song, Catherine tell you daughter that she is going to pay for this – I can't believe that little rat did this, remind me next time to bitch to her about a song that I actually like."

Somehow the people in Sara's life had a knack for calling her at the most frustrating times. There was the call from her gyno while she was sitting with the guys in the break room. Then more recently was the time she was in a meeting with Grissom and Eckile when she forgot to turn off her cell and got an (albeit innocent) call from a male friend. Let's just say that did not go down well. And Sara wasn't sure which male was more pissed. So all Sara can think as she reaches for her phone is please let it be work related.

"So, you gonna answer that or not?" says Catherine as she watches Sara watching her phone.

Taking her eyes off the offending object Sara looks at her colleague.

"Hmm…Oh, yeah, sorry". She hesitantly hits the talk button.

"Sidle…Oh hi Danny. Sorry this isn't a good time I'm at work. Can I call you back?" She begins to pull her cell away when she suddenly stops and almost squeaks "What? Really? When?...You could have let me know sooner you know? I don't think I'll be able to make it Danny it's too short notice" Her co-workers are watching her with looks that are equal parts curiosity and amusement, she does her best to shoot them down with the well known Sidle glare and indicates to Catherine that she really should be focusing more on the road.

"…Okay, look I'll think about it. No Danny, I can't give you an answer now I said I'll think about it. Danny…Danny…Danny…" Sara finally loses her patience and yanks the phone away from her ear, with an apologetic look to Catherine and Warrick she yells into the mouthpiece "DANNY". Warrick and Catherine both jump about a foot in the air at the sound of her yelling, both well acquainted with that tone in her voice and secretly glad that it is not directed at them!

"I'll call you back after I've had time to think Danny. That's the best I can do. Bye."

As soon as she hangs up the 'vulture' pounces. "Who the hell is Danny? Sara…" Catherine asks with the true gleam of a gossip queen shining in her eye "…do you have a boyfriend we don't know about?"

For his part Warrick just chuckles before going quiet realising that he would really love to know the answer to that question.

Sara however wasn't giving much away. "Cath, firstly no I am not seeing anyone behind your back and secondly not that its any of your business but Danny is my brother." At Catherine's surprised look she sighs and says "I'd really rather leave it at that."

But Catherine cannot be sidetracked once she gets started "I didn't know you had a brother Sara. Is he older or younger? How close are you? Where does he live? Come on Sara, don't leave us hanging here we're your friends"

Another sigh from Sara and glance at Warrick and she decides Why not?

"Ok, Ok. Well he's older by eight years. We are not by any means close, in fact we just really met up again a couple of years ago. He lives in San Francisco." She takes a deep breath "Anything else Catherine?"

"Yeah – what did he call for, by your reaction it kind of sounded like it was a bit out of the blue."

"Um, well, he's getting married in two weeks and wants me to be there."

It's Warrwick's turn to react "What! Wow, two weeks, that is short notice. Not that I can talk…" He adds, glad to see Sara chuckle at that. "…you have to go Sara, he's your brother. I'm sure Grissom will give you the time off if that's what you're worried about."

"No it's not that, well it is a little, but, look I just really don't want to go into it. Thanks anyway but I will sort this out myself." Sighing again she turns her head to stare out the window signaling the end to the conversation. Warrick and Catherine just share a glance and settle back into a slightly uneasy silence.

TBC