Disclaimer – Please see chapter 1.

A/NThank you so very much to everyone who responded to the last chapter, I really do appreciated it, and I love reading them. This chapter contains spoilers for episode 8.17 & possibly 9.01 The chapter will cover a phone call between the couple, and is my interpretation of how Grissom would call Sara to let her know about Warrick. There will probably be only two more chapters after this one to conclude the story. Not beta'd as usual, so all mistakes are all mine, I apologize if you do spot any. Please R&R Enjoy!

bugloverlvpd:- Inbox (1 new message) chapter 9.

Gil had just left the diner after having breakfast with his team as they celebrated Warrick's release from police custody, it had been a hard couple of days of trying to get to the bottom of Lou Gedda's death, and Warricks presence at the crime scene implicating him as the perpetrator of the killing.

His own emotions during the investigation had been very mixed and hard to deal with, as he had always considered Warrick as his favourite CSI after Sara of course, and felt almost paternal towards the younger man at times.

All the initial evidence pointed to Warrick having murdered Lou Gedda after inflicting him with a severe beating, Warricks handcuffs were found on the body, his gun had fired the fatal shot, and worse still he was found with the victims blood spatter on his clothing.

Yet Gil still refused to believe Warrick was capable of this crime, even though he had been cleared in earlier weeks of killing the girl he had picked up the night he went to watch Lou Gedda's club, and seemed to want to continue with his pursuit of having the man jailed for his past crimes.

The relief was felt throughout the whole team as Gil and the others proved that Warrick was innocent of the crime and framed to make it look like he'd done it, a LVPD officer, now on the run was responsible for the crime, which left the question on a few of their minds 'Did this have anything to do with the higher up person working within the LVPD, that had the connection with Lou Gedda?'.

It was at time like this when he missed Sara, because she would understand how he was feeling right now, and they would then comfort each other and make each other forget everything outside their home, if only for a few restful relaxed hours.

Closing his front door to their home, Gil then reached down to briskly rub Hanks side before walking down the couple of steps to the kitchen so he could deposit his keys, cell phone and wallet on the counter.

Just as he turned around and pushed the switch on the coffee maker his cell phone rang I hope that's not the lab wanting me in for a case, I could do with some down time right now.

Seeing Jim Brass as the name on his caller display he opened it and greeted in his usual work tone "Grissom, what can I do for you Jim?"

A heavy sigh sounded down the phone then Jim spoke solemnly "Gil, I'm sorry to have to tell you this..." Jim paused as he got his own emotions under control "Warricks been shot behind the diner where you all ate earlier" he finished saying.

Gil sat heavily on one of the breakfast bar stools as he let Jim's words register in his shocked mind, before he managed to get up the courage to ask his first question "How bad is it Jim?".

Letting out a long breath, Jim tried to control his slightly trembling body to answer his best friend honestly "It's not good Gil, from my initial observations he was shot in the neck at close range , and there could be other possible bullet wounds. They have transported him to desert palms, and I am awaiting any updates on his condition"

Gil closed his eyes at hearing the details, it certainly didn't look good for Warrick "Do the rest of the team know yet?" Gil asked his friend.

"Nick does, he was the one who found him. I was just about to call Cath and Greg to let them both know, so they can make their way to the hospital. I am still at the scene, the Sheriff just turned up and has taken control of the area around Warrick's car where he was found, saying that he will be personally leading the investigation"

"Oh, that's unusual" Gil said frowning.

"Yeah just what I thought, but he says he just wants to make sure we get whoever did this to one of our own" Jim said with a bit of suspicion laden in his voice.

"Ummm" Gil mumbled in agreement, not wishing to discuss any further theories with Jim over the phone.

Having a sudden thought hit him, he sighed heavily "I'll have to call Sara to tell her, let her know what has happened, she'd never forgive me if I didn't tell her" Gil said solemnly.

"Sara will be very upset Gil, tread carefully with her" Jim added helpfully.

"Yeah I know, she loves Warrick like a brother you know, Nick and Greg too" Gil said a little absently as his thoughts drifted off to how he was possibly going to tell Sara the bad news.

"Okay Gil. I'll give the other two a call while you call Sara, and if I hear anything on Warrick's condition I will let you know asap. Then presumably I'll see you at the hospital in a little while" Jim said taking control of the situation now a little better than before.

"See you at the hospital Jim" Gil said then flipped his cell closed and put it down to make himself a cup of coffee.

Quickly feeding Hank, then picking up his cell phone and coffee, he moving up the few steps to the couch ready to prepare for probably one of the worst phone calls he would have to make to Sara.

Sitting back in the couch he opened his phone and pressed speed dial one to hopefully make a connection to Sara's cell.

After three rings Sara answered with a happy "Hello Gilbert, I just tried to call you earlier. Did you get my e-mail?"

Gil closed his eyes he really didn't want to do this to her right now, especially as she sounded so happy on the phone, happier than she had sounded in a long time "Honey..." was all he managed to get out in a solemn quiet voice to her.

"Gil, what is it? What's wrong? What's happened?" she rapidly said worriedly as she picked up on his sadness and reluctance to tell her what he needed to tell her.

"Sara honey, where are you at the moment?" Gil asked he wanted to make sure she was in a comfortable enough place to let her emotions out if she needed to.

"In my hotel room why? Gil your scaring me, what's going on?" Sara said, the worry and almost panic in her voice evident.

Sighing heavily Gil then spoke in a quiet tone "Honey, Warrick was shot at close range a short time ago..." at hearing her gasp he paused then added worriedly "Sara...Honey are you okay?"

Sara almost whispered her next words as she battled with her rising emotions "Is he...?" she couldn't bring herself to say the word, thinking that saying it would make it true.

Gil swallowed hard he could hear that she was quickly losing her struggle with her emotions, and the fact that she didn't finish her question told him that she was dreading the answer "No, he's not dead honey. But Jim said it's not looking good, he's been taken to desert palms and I am awaiting Jim's update" he said purposely leaving out the actual details that Jim had relayed to him, this news was bad enough for her to be hearing.

Letting out her first light sob, Sara then said in a choked, but firmly as she could manage at this time tone "I'll be on the first flight home Gil, and I'll get a cab from the airport to the hospital" she said then sniffled a little at the daunting task ahead of her.

"Okay Sara, but if you give me a call with your flight details, I'll come and collect you from the airport myself" Gil said as his voice broke a little towards the end, at hearing her soft crying in the background.

Gil had tears building in his eyes at hearing Sara cope with hearing the bad news, and him not being able to wrap his arms around her and console and comfort her, when she really needed it the most.

"Sara..." Gil said tapering off, not really sure what words to use to comfort her.

Sara sniffed loudly then choked out "I've got to go and book my flight, I'll be home soon"

Gil took her words to mean she needed to have a good cry on her own before she could pull herself together enough to be able to book and prepare for her flight "Sara...You know I love you...I'll see you soon" Gil offered disappointed with himself for not having better words to offer her as some comfort.

After a couple of quiet sobs Sara managed to say "I love you too Gil. Bye" before closing her phone.

Gil snapped his phone shut then let the few tears fall from his eyes that had built during the short conversation, he felt awful at not being with her when she obviously needed him, on top of that he hated to have been the barer of bad news on a day when she had been feeling so happy.

For a few moments he couldn't decide whether to go to his office and open up Sara's e-mail that she had sent him so he could read it, but then realized he would be seeing her soon so she could tell him herself, if she had any news to share with him.

Swiping at his eyes to dry them, he stood up and went to get his keys, wallet and Hanks leash, then called to the dog clipping the leash to the collar as it sat by his feet.

He was going to drop Hank off at the sitters before making his way to the hospital, and his team that would be waiting for his arrival.

Please take the time to leave a review for the chapter, as it give me a good idea of what you think of the story.