A/N: Guess what, guys? I graduated college this weekend! So no more ignoring my homework so I can write instead... I'm done with school for EVER! :)

This story has been in the works for a while, the idea was on my mind and I've been writing as inspiration comes. I finally decided I wanted to share it. It's set around season six-ish, because I thought it worked best that way. As always, I hope that you will enjoy it.

"What d'you got for me boss?"

Warrick followed Grissom into the break room, where the rest of the team were gathered. Both men nodded their hellos to Nick, Catherine, Greg and Sara, who were all cradling cups of steaming coffee, slumped in chairs. Grissom recognized the familiar scent of Greg's special brew, and reminded himself to grab a cup before returning to the paperwork that was stacked waist-high on his desk.

"419 off the strip," he told the CSI. "You're on your own. We're stretched thin tonight."

"Cool," Warrick said, grabbing the paper from his boss's hand and heading towards the door.

"Greg, smash and grab at the Flamingo," Grissom said.

"Flying solo?"

"You're a big boy."

"Sweet," Greg smirked, snatching his case paper from the table.

"Nick, assault and possible missing person in Henderson. Brass is already there."

"I'm on it."

"Catherine, double in Henderson," Grissom finished. "Take Sara with you."

Catherine strutted towards Grissom.

"And you're…"

"Finishing paperwork and evaluations so I can get Ecklie off my ass," Grissom finished.

"I assumed as much," Catherine smirked. "Sara, I'll meet you at the car."

"Thanks, Cath," Grissom said, his eyes following her out the door before turning his eyes on Sara.

"I guess I'll see you after shift," she said, leaving her mug on the table to join Catherine.

Grissom caught her arm on her way out, glancing briefly down the hall.

"Honey, are you okay?" he said softly. "You didn't say a word during assignments."

"I'm okay," Sara said distractedly, her eyes avoiding his gaze.

"Sara," he said, even softer. "No guards, remember?"

She glanced up to finally meet his gaze and he was surprised to see her eyes looking red and swollen, as if she'd been recently crying. He instantly and instinctively wanted to wrap his arms around her and reassure her everything would be okay, but, remembering where they were at the last moment, hung back.

"Not now," she whispered.

After a moment's hesitation, he reached out and gripped her arm, trying to convey all he wanted to say and do in his touch. She gave him a weak smile in return.

"How about you go with Nick instead," he suggested. "Catherine can handle the double on her own."

Grissom knew of Nick's knack for making Sara laugh, whatever the circumstances, a trait he had often been jealous of, but now, was appreciative for. If there was anyone on the team he trusted her with, it was Nick.

Sara was nodding her agreement.

"Okay."

"Hey," he said softly, putting a few fingers to her chin to lift it slightly. "You know I'm going to worry about you all night."

"Please don't," she pleaded. "I'm okay."

Grissom continued to study her, unconvinced.

"We'll talk after shift," she said.

He watched her retreating back and felt an ache low in his belly. He still struggled with how to handle Sara's emotions from time to time, but he had learned when to be there for her and when to back off. And right now, with that look in her eye, he knew she needed him. And it physically pained him to watch her walk away, but he knew that there was nothing he could do for her, not now. He'd have to wait until after shift, when they were both back in the sanctuary of their home together, the place he had discovered was where he was happiest. Where he could be himself, no guards, no barriers. Just him and Sara.

His Sara.

When he arrived home later that night, he found Sara curled on the couch nursing a glass of rum and coke. As he took his key out of the lock and pressed the door shut behind him, he was surprised. Sara was not a drinker. Sure, she was a one-glass-of-wine-with-dinner kind of girl occasionally, but since her almost-DUI, she had stayed far away from the stuff, almost as if to prove a point, although nothing needed to be proven. Her eyes were dry, but still red, and she looked as if she hadn't slept at all since she'd gotten home. Grissom didn't pause even to take off his shoes or coat, he went straight to her, sitting hesitantly on the coffee table across from her, taking her hands just as tentatively.

"Sara, honey," he said. "Are you okay?"

She nodded at him dully, her eyes staring at the rim of her mug without really seeing it. Grissom abandoned his spot on the table and, keeping her hands in his, sat next to her on the couch instead. He didn't say anything further, but his thumb traced circles on the tops of her hands. Eventually, she leaned into him, her head making contact with his chest as she folded into him. He wrapped strong arms around her and he began to feel her shoulders shake as her body was wracked with sobs. Again, he stayed silent, knowing her well enough to know that she'd talk in her own time. So he held her, hoping that he'd be capable of being there for her in whatever she was dealing with.

As he expected, she eventually pulled away from him, struggling to catch her breath. They arranged themselves so they were sitting cross-legged across from each other on the couch. He still held her hands.

"I got a call from a… Jason something… in California today," she said.

Grissom's body was immediately washed over with dread. Had something happened to her mother?

"I guess he, uh… he's a friend of my brother," she continued. "He told me… he said that…"

Grissom squinted his eyes in concern, squeezing her hand. He knew where this was going.

"My brother's dead," Sara finished, surely enough. "Adam's… dead."

"Oh, Sara."

He took her into his arms again and cradled her head to his chest. She didn't cry this time, but her whole body was trembling and her hands felt like they had been dunked in a bucket of ice. When she pulled away again, she took a deep breath and Grissom felt it was safe to ask her a question or two.

"How did it happen?"

Sara wiped her eyes with shaking hands.

"He was… drunk and he drove his car off the highway," she managed, shaking her head. "I thought he'd have straightened up by now."

She glanced furtively at her empty glass, up to Grissom and back down to the hands folded in her lap. His heart broke for her. He knew little to nothing about her brother… had actually not even known his name until she spoke it moments ago, but no matter how close or not they were, he knew Sara felt like she'd lost the only family she had left. He scooted a little closer to her on the couch and placed a firm but comforting hand on her leg, a little above her knee.

"Let's go to bed," he said softly.

She looked up to meet his gaze and he cocked his head slightly as if to re-ask the offer. He led her by the hand to their bedroom, where he helped her undress until she was left only in a tank top and panties. He shed his own clothing down to his boxers and together, they slipped between the dark satin sheets of their bed. She curled up to him right away. Before he could ask her or say anything, she spoke softly into the darkness.

"Adam did a lot of things wrong," she said. "He… hung out with the wrong crowd, got in a lot of trouble with drugs and we basically lost contact as soon as I went into foster care. He didn't show up for my mom's trial. I went by myself. I was thirteen."

Grissom slid a hand onto her waist.

"But most of the time, when I think about him, I just remember all the things he did right," she continued, only a slight wobble in her voice. It was as if the darkness was giving her the confidence to speak. Over the years, Grissom had gathered bits and pieces of the shattered life that was Sara's family, but had never heard so many memories in one sitting.

"When Dad drank, Adam would let me stay in his room so I wouldn't have to be alone," she whispered. "Once, when I was eight, I was playing outside with the neighbor's dog and dragged mud in all over the kitchen floor. He took the blame for me so I wouldn't get hit. He tried so hard to keep me safe, but eventually it just… it got to him. He just… went down the wrong path."

She took a deep breath before continuing. Grissom's heart warmed for how proud he was of her. His Sara was so strong.

"I was ten when… it… happened. He was sixteen. He… did everything he could to protect me."

At this, Sara's voice cracked. He gave her hip a reassuring squeeze and ran a light finger down her jaw line. She leaned into his touch and rested her head on his chest. They were silent for several minutes, Grissom's fingers playing through the curls of Sara's hair. He almost thought she'd fallen asleep, when she suddenly spoke again.

"The service is on Saturday."

She pulled her head from his chest and he shifted to his side to look at her.

"I want to go," she said.

"You're sure?"

She nodded.

Grissom inhaled slowly as he thought.

"I'll get Greg to swap you for the weekend off," he said finally. "And Ecklie… I'll tell him… something came up. I have far enough days off stored up to cover it."

Sara's head perked up.

"W-what?"

Grissom stared at her.

"I'm coming with you," he said as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

Sara's lips parted as her expression softened.

"You don't have to do that," she said quietly.

"I want to," he assured her. "There's no way I'd make you go through that alone."

In seconds, her lips were pressed against his mouth.

"Thank you," she murmured against him.

"I love you, Sara," he whispered back. "And I'm sorry."

Within minutes, she really was asleep, yet Grissom continued to hold her tight, as if by pressing her against him, he hoped to transfer every one of her worries and fears into him.

If only.

TBC!

A/N: So that is where the story is headed! As a graduation gift, send me a review and tell me what you think?