Thanks for the reviews guys, this is the end of the road ... although perhaps not for Sara and Nick ... :P

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed :)

x x x x

"Sara?" Grissom poked his head into the lab, relieved to see that the elusive brunette was actually in this one.

She looked up and smiled. It was the first time he had seen her genuinely smile for as long as he could remember.

"Hey, I've been looking for you." He commented, coming further into the room.

"Yeah I uh, I needed somewhere quiet." She laughed softly, gesturing to the deserted area of the lab. He smiled knowingly.

"How are you getting on?" He asked, resting his hands on the back of her chair.

"Good, I think we're getting somewhere." She answered absently, her fingers tapping away on the keyboard. Gil pursed his lips, shaking his head slowly.

"That's … that's good but, I was talking about you." He clarified gently. Her hands stilled, poised over the keys.

"Oh." She mumbled. He watched her for a long moment while she figured out her answer, when finally she turned to face him. "It gets a little easier every day." She assured him quietly at last.

It wasn't much, but considering how little he had taken an interest in her life in the past, he would take what he could get.

"Good." He nodded. "Well, if there's anything I can do … you know where I am."

She smiled, grateful for his efforts however strained they might be.

"I know." She promised. He smiled, straightening up. In an unprecedented show of affection, he patted her shoulder briefly before turning to leave.

X x x

"Well I never." The voice made him jump. Leaning against the glass walls outside the lab was a smirking Catherine Willows. She was shaking her head at him in amusement. "I didn't think you had it in you." She continued, jerking her head in the direction he had just come from.

"You shouldn't spy on people." He chastised with a frown, continuing down the hall.

"You're helping." She called after him softly, waiting for him to stop and turn. She offered a comforting smile. "Just by being here for her."

His expression relaxed and he nodded imperceptibly, a silent thanks for the reassurance. He remained in the hallway, watching Catherine slip into the lab that he had just left. He was tempted to leave her to it, but decided to take a peek at the two women first.

Unlike his chaste actions around Sara, Catherine had draped herself around the girl, perched on the arm of the chair. And, to his surprise, Sara was reacting to her touch. She was leant against Cath, her head resting against the blonde's shoulder as they chatted animatedly about the case.

With a fond smile, he cast a final glance over his girls and left them in search of his boys.

Maybe he was starting to get the hang of this parenting lark.

X x x

"Hey." Nick grinned, sidling into the locker room. It was way past the end of shift and everyone else had left earlier. He thought that he was the only one left, but apparently Sara had been lurking somewhere in the lab too.

"Hi, I thought you'd gone." Sara greeted. He laughed softly.

"Yeah, right back at you." They shared a smile, slipping their jackets on in silence. "Hey, Sar?" Nick spoke up at last, a hopeful twinge to his voice. "I could seriously go for a drink right now?"

She turned to him, an understanding smile creeping onto her lips.

"I have one thing I need to do first." She said, grabbing her bag and scuttling out of the room.

Nick nodded slowly, confusion clouding his features. He finished getting ready, closed his locker and followed her into the hallway.

X x x

Since the lab was quiet, it did not take long to find her.

She was leaning against the counter, her back to the door. He crept closer, leaning around her to see what she was doing. Sara froze when she sensed someone behind her, but relief flooded her face when she realised who it was. She stepped aside, showing him what she'd done.

The ultrasound scan, now in a white-painted pinewood frame, was sat next to the rose.

"It's where it should be." She stated simply. Nick slipped his hand into hers, and they stared silently at the photo for a good five minutes.

"Come on." He whispered at last, tugging gently on her hand.

They remained in contented silence as they walked out together – hand in hand – leaving Charlie to bask in the dawn sunlight.

~ fin ~