Quickie update 8 :D

"What Friends Are For"

A few weeks had passed since the breakfast with Nick. Sara was in her eighth month which meant the end of work and the beginning of maternity leave.

It was an "ok" night. Not a ton of crime had been committed. This had Sara going stir-crazy. It was her last day in the lab and she wanted to do as much as possible.

Something wasn't right. There was definitely something going on.

Weird. Everyone was acting weird. Sara would walk around asking if anything needed to be done and they sent her in the opposite direction. Away from the break-room. They're throwing me a going away party! I knew it!

She took the hint and chose to set up in the AV lab. Comfy chairs and little noise gave her time to do some Sudoku. She decided to play it cool. Act as if she had no clue as to what was going on. Though she was questioning her friends' abilities and hers as well. We're all CSIs. They can't think I'm this naive.

"Hey, Arch." She strolled into the AV lab.

"Hey, Sara. How's it going?"

"Good. Do you mind if I hang out here? My work's all done but the break-room seems to be occupied. I have no where comfy to sit."

"Oh, sure, sure, take a seat anywhere you like. I don't have much to do so by all means. Some company would be nice."

"Thanks, Archie. I appreciate it." Sara slowly sat down. She blew out a breath. "A comfy chair is just what I needed."

"Yup, I got lucky with chairs instead of stools." Archie gave a nervous laugh.

Sara felt bad. Trying to stifle the smile, this was proving too easy. She'd been here a few minutes and already he was cracking. Seeing how nervous he was, she opened her Sudoku book and started a new puzzle.


An hour. It took an hour. Archie was unable to sit still. For the past 20 minutes he'd been standing. Doing his work but unable to completely focus on it.

"Ima run to the bathroom. You'll be ok here?"

"Yup. Thanks, Arch."

He nodded and darted out of the room. Oy vey Sara thought. "I want to see what's going on." As always, with both hands she grabbed hold of the chair arms and hoisted herself up. "Ugh." A sharp pain stopped her from moving. She leaned against the table for support. Feeling her abdomen, she took a few deep breaths. After a few seconds went by the pain stopped. Shaking her head, Sara composed herself and headed for the break-room.

For the first time that shift no one shooed her away. There wasn't a body in sight. With a glance around and seeing an empty hallway, Sara opened the doors.

"Surprise!" The room full of people shouted. She was taken aback, though she was expecting it. One after the other she was receiving hugs and warm wishes of a speedy leave and a healthy birth. All of the lab techs and night shift CSIs as well as some swing CSIs were there. Once she made it by the herd of people, she caught sight of the food. Her mouth watered for a piece of that chocolate cake...

"I made it special, darlin." She faced Nick who was smiling proudly.

"Thank you, so much. This is...really great. I can't wait to have a piece." Nick handed her a plate and fork.

"Beat ya to it. Enjoy." He gave her a kiss on the cheek and went off to mingle.

"Hey, honey."

Not this much noise could keep her from knowing whose voice that was. "Gil? What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sit home knowing this would be going on. Plus, I was invited. And I came with a date."

Sara's mouth dropped open and her face turned pale. "Honey, it's ok. Greg and Nick invited me. I came with Catherine."

"Oh, right, of course. I wasn't thinking." Sara said relieved.

Gil stroked her cheek. He had that worried look in his eyes. "Are you sure you're ok? It seems like something's wrong. You can tell me."

Sara placed her hand over his. "I'm doing ok. A little overwhelmed, but I had a feeling this would happen. Everyone kept me away from the break-room today." Gil's face softened with relief. "Though I am a little hot. Would you mind getting me some punch?"

"Sara-"

"Please. I'll feel better after I'm not so thirsty." She rubbed his hand and gave a reassuring nod.

He smiled. "Ok. Be right back."

A few people passed and Sara waved. Catherine was one to stick around. "Hey, Sara!" She enveloped Sara in a hug. "You look beautiful! Nearing the end, but still glowing. How have you been?"

"I'm doing great. I'm so glad you're here. I wanted to catch up before the birth."

"This is the perfect time and place."

Sara chuckled. "It sure is." She thought about her words before saying them. "Have you talked to Nick?"

Catherine took a sip of her drink. "Yes, quite recently. Well, besides the invite. We've been talking every day, if not every other day. He said it's been hard on him..."

"It has, but he's been doing a lot better."

"He has you to thank."

Quizzically Sara asked, "Really?"

"Yup. He's beyond happy you and Grissom are happy. And two babies! My goodness what a blessing. You guys figured out a birthing plan?"

"Sort of...um..." Sara grabbed her abdomen. "Ugh..." She was having the same feeling as before.

"Sara, what's going on? Are you ok?"

"I don't know. I had this...um...feeling before. Sharp pain. Hurts..." Feeling lightheaded but having nothing to hold on to, Sara felt herself swaying. In the instant she thought she was falling, she was caught.

"Gil?"

"I got you, honey. What is it?"

"Sharp pain. I think it's preterm labor…I had this feeling before."

"Cath, I need to get her to the hospital. Can you grab her purse and coat and meet me at the car?"

He lifted Sara and placed her in his arms. Getting by his former co-workers and handling Sara was difficult. He did his best to smile and managed to say goodbye to some of them. He made it to the car and buckled Sara in. She couldn't see anything, but she assumed he got her things from Catherine. He practically leapt in the driver's seat and started the engine. While driving he asked, "How are you doing?"

Sara breathed, "Ok."

"That's good." He squeezed her hand. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? You scared me half to death. I nearly dropped your drink. One minute you were talking to Cath and the next you were heading for the ground."

"I'm sorry. Honestly, I didn't think anything of the first pain. God, I hope they can stop this."

Something has to happen in all my stories. Each one needs some angst to spice things up. Don't freak just yet…