Present

It was a somber occasion. Grissom, Sara, Catherine, Warrick, Brass, Sophia, and Nick were all huddled into a small hospital room. Grissom and Sara were in relatively good health, with Sara only having a bandage wrapped around her head, and Grissom's one leg wrapped tightly in dressings from where the bullet used to be. Catherine, who once got down to the police station and told her side of the story, got released, but was now in an upper body cast because upon medical examination had hairline fractures in three different spots on each arm. Warrick was the most unscathed, with just scars left from his scratches that he endured during his fight to save Catherine. Brass was still in a wheelchair as he was still weak and had not been released from the hospital yet. Sophia, who was also in a wheelchair, had thankfully, after eight days, woke up from her coma with no brain damage, but was unfortunately paralyzed from the waist down, meaning she would be using a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Lastly, there was Nick, who wasn't hurt physically, but was the worst hurt emotionally. Nick was sitting on the edge of a bed with puffy red eyes and a runny nose as he stroked the hair of his now deceased buddy, Greg Sanders.

Greg had been rushed from the casino to the hospital and upon examination was deemed to be in a coma. For three weeks, everyone sat around waiting for him to crack a joke, steal one of Grissom's lines, or flirt with Sara, but no sound ever came from his lips. At the three week mark, the doctors did another examination and deemed Greg to be brain dead. Greg's parents flew in from their home and signed the papers to have Greg taken off life-support.

It was a tough moment when Greg's parents announced their decision. Sara began crying hysterically into Grissom's shoulder, while Warrick punched the wall, and Nick just sat in shock. Of course, it was customary that his parents were the only ones in the room when it actually happened, but ten minutes later they left room and the doctor allowed all of the Crime Lab staff to go in together.

They each had their moment at Greg's bedside. Grissom was first and he bent down to hug the empty shell of Greg Sanders. He whispered in his ear, "You were my favourite CSI to train. You were always so eager and willing to learn. You turned out to be an amazing CSI."

Catherine was next. She stroked one of Greg's hands gently with the tips of her fingers that were sticking out of her cast. She said, "I will truly miss your smile and your laughter. Say hello to Sam and Eddie for me up there."

Brass was the next person to move towards Greg's bedside. The wheelchair restricted him, so he simply put his hand on Greg's arm and spoke softly, "You were the best CSI to work with. You always kept me laughing."

Now it was Sara's turn. She shakily made her way up to the bed. She was sobbing so much that she couldn't make out any words, so she just lent down and kissed Greg softly on the lips and hugged him.

Warrick then made his way to Greg's bedside. Warrick was sad that Greg was gone, but also angry that he was gone. He stated, "It shouldn't have your time yet man. You should have gotten married, raised kids, got to retire; anyway, I'll miss you and your Blue Hawaiian coffee."

Warrick's comment made everyone smile as Sophia wheeled herself up to the bed. She whispered, "When you were beat up by those kids last year, it broke my heart in two to see you. Now, my heart is fully broken."

Nick was the last one to say goodbye. He had been crying quietly in a corner while everyone else had said goodbye. He sat right on the edge of the bed and stroked Greg's hair. He said in a shaky voice, "Greg you were such a great friend to me. I realize now that I should have told you before, but I never did. You always did your work well, but also kept the mood light and cheery with your jokes and comments. I loved you as a friend and will miss you so much."

As the CSI's filed out of the room, so Greg's body could be prepared to go to the funeral home, they were met by a cop standing near the door.

"Hello there. I'm Captain Goode. I know that your all going through a rough time, losing one of your own and all, but I thought you would like to know that we caught the bastards who killed your friend."

"Thank you," Grissom said as he nodded.

"It turns out," Captain Goode continued, "that both groups were in it together. The one group that held up the casino was to distract attention from the other group. They were after museum jewelry because they were working for someone who wanted to start a private collection of precious jewels. That man has been apprehended as well. In light of the one death and many injuries, the judge has ruled that all men involved have life sentences."

"Thank you Captain," said Brass as he shook the man's hand.

As the Captain left the hospital, the Crime Lab staff all looked at each other. They shared looks of grief and sympathy, but also looks of happiness and relief since justice prevailed and Greg Sanders did not die in vain.

The End