Two Months Later


"Lindsey! Come on! It's about to start."

"One second!" Lindsey yelled down the stairs before turning back to baby Caleb.

"Who's my perfect boy, huh? Come on… stop kicking so I can put this on you!"

The one year old laughed and giggled as Lindsey struggled with the diaper. As soon as she got it on he stopped squirming.

"Brat," she said, picking up the baby and walking down to the living room where her Mother and Grandmother sat with John. Their new family of five had returned to Vegas a month and a half ago, Catherine buying a new house with John starting school and Lindsey starting next semester after a few more months with the baby.

Lindsey took her seat next to Lily and balanced the baby on one knee while Catherine turned the volume up.

"And now, the President of the United States."

The crowd that had gathered applauded wildly as Secretary of State Karen Flagler stepped down and President Gerring moved up to the podium in Golden Gate Park, the ravaged bay behind him. The two towers of the Golden Gate Bridge stood behind him, one leaning dangerously towards the shore, all the spans missing and cables hanging from both towers and the remaining road deck on either end of the bay. Still even farther beyond in the bay you could see the cranes and other evidence of reconstruction.

"We watched as the second comet was destroyed by the Messiah crew who bravely gave their lives to fly the ship deep into the comet and detonate the remaining explosives. The millions of pieces of rock and ice burned harmlessly in our atmosphere and lit up the sky for over two hours. Still, we were left with the devastation of the first. The water washed as far inland as southern Arizona, it washed away cities, towns, and farms. But, the water receded. The wave hit Asia and Australia too. Millions were lost, countless more left homeless. But the water receded. Cities fall, but they are rebuilt. And heroes die… but they are remembered. We honor them with every brick we lay, with every field we sow. With every child we comfort and then teach to rejoice in what we have been regiven. Our planet… Our home. So now, let us begin."

The crowd erupted into enormous cheers, tears upon many faces.

Lindsey looked away from the TV, down to the baby in her lap. She then looked over to the console table against the wall. Framed photos taking up its length. One of Grissom and Sara's wedding, another of Nick and Greg from the lab, arms on each other's shoulders; another yet of the entire team. Lindsey smiled, feeling the tears come to her eyes. She looked over to John, who smiled and put his arm around her. She held the baby, leaning into his embrace, feeling the gifts of her life, her family's lives and the gift of a new chance to enjoy them.

The End


a/n: Thanks again guys! Not too sure how happy I am with this story in general... next one will be an original piece.. hopefully I can get back to my roots a bit!

Til next time!