A/N: And, for this one, I've combined three drabbles into one chapter. Again, I think they work better together than they would separately. I hope you enjoy!
Although it suggests finality, this is not the last chapter in this series. There's still one more to come!
Thanks for reading and reviewing.
I don't own CSI or "Born Too Late."
"Thomas A., I think I see the light"
Sara looked pensive. "Most of the abused women I see who harm their abusers are acting in self defense." She paused. "I looked up the details of your case once, but I didn't read anything beyond what I already knew."
"What do you want to know?"
"Nothing, I guess. If I wanted more, I would've kept reading." She exhaled. "I have faith in our justice system. I've been part of it for years. If the courts forgave you, why shouldn't I?"
"Sara?"
"You did what you thought was right, Mom." She smiled slightly. "You had to stand up for yourself."
"Natalie was sick. She spent years in the foster system. But, she had it worse than I did. Her father voluntarily gave her up. You – you didn't do that to me."
"I wanted to keep you with me, Sara. More than anything."
"I know," Sara nearly whispered. "She was so screwed up, Mom. She tried to get to Grissom through me. And she nearly succeeded. If … I fought my way out of there. If I hadn't …. Gil would have …" She swallowed. "She's sick. The court will never hold her responsible for her actions, and I won't, either."
"And, your father?"
"The courts would punish him, take me away from him and try to protect you."
"Sara, listen. That man controlled our lives for years. He didn't know better, but we do. By forgiving him, we take away his power over us."
Sara nodded. "You're right. He ruled my life for years. I lost so much because of him … I can't lose more. I can't lose Gil."
Laura smiled softly.
"He didn't know better," Sara whispered. "I forgive him."
With that, an overwhelming peace filled Sara. Her ghosts were laid to rest, never to haunt her again.