A/N: I don't own CSI, CSI:NY, CBS, or any other known entity. This story is the sequel to "Secrets of a Past Life," so I do actually recommend reading that one before this one. The other stories (A Slice and Guitar Hero, Made You Look, Long Way From Home, and Blow Me Up) take place after this one, because this is set early Season 9 for CSI and early Season 5 for CSI:NY. I hope you guys enjoy this story, and please review. :)

Prologue

Silently he slipped into the confines of his lab, thankful for once that no one noticed him. Today already wasn't his day, and it had just begun. He sunk onto a stool in the lab after shrugging into a coat, taking time to look at the backlog from the graveyard shift. All samples already running. Nothing he could do but wait for them to finish and place the results sheet into its rightful folder.

With nothing waiting for him, he folded his arms on the table, putting his head down on them for a moment. He hadn't been able to sleep the night before, so he was dead tired now. But here he was, at work, performing his part of the civil service.

He heard the heels clicking in the hallway long before he looked up to see Stella walking into his lab. "Hey Adam," she said softly. He forced a smile for her benefit.

"Hey, Stella," he replied, matching her tone.

"How are you?"

"I'm okay. How're you?"

"Concerned about you."

He furrowed his brow. "Why…"

"You blew right past everybody when you came in. You sat down on the stool and put your head on your arms. And, you look exhausted."

He sighed, looking down at the table. "I didn't sleep last night," he admitted softly. She frowned.

"How come?" she probed gently, putting her hand on his shoulder.

"My mom called shortly after I got out of work. My, uh, my father passed away last night."

"Adam… I'm so sorry."

Adam shrugged. "I'm not sure I am," he said honestly, looking up at her. "I had a rough relationship with him, you know?"

"Yeah." She rubbed his shoulder gently.

"I was up all night because… I don't know what to do, Stella. Do I go home? I really didn't like the guy. And I don't know if… if I can go back there. There's just so much… I left the first chance I got, and I didn't go back. I don't think I want to go back now."

"You should, Adam. If not for him, then for your mother."

"The woman who stood by and did nothing while my father…" He couldn't finish his statement, his voice choking with tears. Stella frowned, hugging the young man gently. "I know I should go back," he continued, tears beginning to fall. "But, I… I don't know that I can."

"You can do this, Adam. You're a strong guy. You wouldn't have made it this far if you weren't. You can do this and get through this, okay?"

"Yeah, okay," he said softly.

"You should go home, get some rest," Stella tells him.

He shook his head. "No, Stella. I need to be here."

"I'll clear it with Mac. Go home, Adam."

"Please, Stella. I need to do this."

"That depends," Mac said as he walked in. "Adam, Stella, come with me to my office for a moment." Adam widened his eyes, and Stella bit her bottom lip slightly before helping Adam off the stool. The two of them followed Mac into his office.

"What's going on, Mac?" Stella asked, sitting down with Adam. Mac took a seat in the chair across from them.

"I just got a phone call from Greg Sanders," he explained, focusing on Adam. "He said your phone was off and that he was worried. He didn't say why, though, so I was hoping you'd be able to fill in the gaps."

"I can't believe my mom called him," Adam said, growing angry. "I can't even tell my own friends. She does it for me."

"Maybe she didn't think you would," Stella said.

"Of course I'd tell Greg."

"What about Mac?"

"Right," Adam said, calming down and turning back to Mac. "I'm sorry, Boss."

"It's alright," Mac said.

Adam sighed softly. "My father passed away last night," he admitted. Mac frowned in sympathy.

"I'm sorry, Adam. If there's anything I can do…"

"I'll be fine, Boss. But, thank you."

"No problem. I agree with Stella, though. You should go home and get some sleep if you can. And call Greg back."

Adam smiled slightly. "I will," he resigned. Mac nodded, and Adam stood up with Stella. Mac hugged him gently, and Stella did the same before Adam left the lab for the day.

The phone rang, and Greg groaned softly. He had just managed to fall asleep. "Sanders," he muttered sleepily into the phone.

"You called Mac?" Adam asked. Greg sighed.

"Yeah, I did," he replied. "I'm sorry, but I needed to talk to you, make sure you're okay."

"I'm doing alright."

"Liar. You sound as tired as I feel."

Adam ignored his comment. "How'd you find out? Did my mom tell you?"

"Yeah, she left me a voicemail last night when she couldn't get in touch with you after you two got disconnected last night. Thought you might be out here with me."

"Yeah, about that. Can I come out there and stay with you and the kids?"

Greg nodded, even though he knew Adam couldn't see it. "Of course, but Phoenix is quite a distance from Las Vegas."

"It's only about a four hour drive. Besides, I can't stay with my mom, and I don't want to stay in Phoenix."

"You know you're always welcome here," Greg told him. "However long you want to stay, you've got a place here. Besides, I'm sure Caden and Alexa would be ecstatic to see you."

"Yeah, yeah. I've missed them. I'll be happy to see them again too."

"As long as you're okay with the commute, you're welcome to stay here. I'll have my mom set up the room."

Adam chuckled. "She live with you?"

Greg snorted slightly. "No. She just stays here all night while I'm at work."

"Okay."

"She actually lives next door," Greg added.

"Oh, ouch," Adam commented lightly, and Greg knew it was more to hide the truth than an actual response.

"She's been good about staying out of my life," Greg said. Adam laughed.

"Yeah, right," he taunted. "Your mother never stays out of your life."

"Yeah, but when she's next door, she doesn't have to try as hard."

"That's true, I guess." Adam yawned, and Greg chuckled.

"You tired too?" he asked.

"I was up all night," Adam replied. "Not sure what to do."

Greg frowned, even though Adam still couldn't see him. "You didn't want to come out here, huh."

Adam sighed. "Not at all."

"I'm proud of you for doing this, Adam. I know it's gonna be hard for you, but you'll be okay. It's gonna be okay."

"I hope you're right, Greg."

"I'm psychic, remember?"

"Yeah, okay. If you're so psychic…"

"Shut up."

Adam chuckled again. "I'm gonna let you go, okay?" he said. "I just got back to my place, and I kinda need to sleep."

"Alright, same here," Greg replied. "Let me know when you fly in, and I'll pick you up."

"Okay. I'll talk to you later, Greg."

"Later, Adam."