As Sara sat the phone on the bedside table she contemplated how to tell Grissom that Warrick, the member of his team that he was the closest to, had slipped into a coma. She dreaded that. She knew he would be devastated. The only worse thing was to tell him he'd died. NO she thought. Keep this as positive as you can. Gil needs that right now. She watched him sleep a few minutes longer. He was so peaceful when he slept. He looked years younger. His face was soft. He reached out and caressed his cheek the way she had years before at a scene when he was upset. He stirred.

Grissom said sleepily, "Hi"

"Hi."

"Did I hear the phone ring?"

"Yeah."

"Are you going to tell me or are we going to play twenty questions until I guess."

She didn't laugh. He knew then something was wrong. He sat up and looked at her.

"Sara, who called?"

"It was Nick. Warrick…"

He held his breath waiting for her to say that Warrick had died.

"Gil, he's in a coma. They don't know if he'll wake up."

He exhaled, "I thought you were going to say he died."

"Honey, he still might. We just don't know."

Grissom could do no more than nod his head. Sara saw the anguish on his face. She knew how close Grissom and Warrick were. Grissom had believed in Warrick when no one else did. He saw the diamond in the rough and was willing to shape it and polish it. He had become a great investigator and a good man. Sara reached out for Grissom. He held her and let the tears flow.

"Shhh, it's ok Gil."

"It's not fair."

"I know it's not."

Sara could feel him getting mad. He was angry at the world right now. He was angry at himself for sending Warrick on that call. He was angry at the suspect who shot Warrick.

"Sara, I don't know if I can do this job any more. I sat by and watched what happened to you, and Nick and Greg and now Warrick. I just can't take it anymore."

She was shocked to hear this from him. She knew it was probably just the stress. Forensics was his live. It was his calling. He could not give it up. She knew that. He was just angry and lost. She understood that.

"Gil, you don't mean that. You're just upset."

"I do mean it. I'm tired."

"What are you saying? You want to retire?"

"I'm ready to take my family somewhere safe where crime and craziness can't touch them."

"Gil…"

"I just don't care anymore. Let the whole fucking city kill each other. I'm done."

Sara had rarely heard him use that word. She knew then that he was serious. She was worried about him.

"Gil, you don't mean that."

"Don't I? This city has nearly cost me everything. It almost took you twice and the others. I am not strong enough anymore."

He reached for her again. He kissed her. It was not a gentle kiss but one of need. He needed her. He needed to be safe and loved. She obliged him. It was quick and passionate. When they were done he laid there and held her. He was still sad. He knew someday he would quit. He just didn't think it would be this soon. He wanted to quit. He wanted to run away.

"Sara, I don't want this job anymore."

"I understand."

That was all she could say. She was at the same point in her life.

"What…what…I don't know what to do."

"Gil, we can do whatever we want."

"I feel….lost."

She did not speak. She laid her head against his chest and listened to his breathing. Grissom was the one to break the silence.

"We should go to the hospital."

"Yeah."

He sighed, "I don't want to tell the others yet."

He had decided. He was leaving. She knew she could not change his mind and she wasn't sure she wanted to.

"OK."

"Are you OK with this?"

"Yes, I really am."

"You don't want to go back either do you?"

"No, I just don't know what else to do."

"You don't have to do anything you know. We can….we have enough to make it."

"I know. I'm as lost as you are."

They reluctantly got out of the safety of their bed and went to the hospital. When they walked in they saw Catherine. She was pacing back and forth in the waiting room.

"Hey, Cath." Sara hugged her.

"Hey, Sara. Hi Gil."

"Hi. Any news?"

"Nothing yet. He's not any better, but he's not any worse."

"Have they said anything about how long they expect it to be before he wakes up?" Sara asked.

Catherine sighed, "No, they haven't given much information. It's just a waiting game."

Grissom sat down heavily in the waiting room chair. He was exhausted. Catherine knew something was up with him. They had known each other for nearly twenty years now. There was a change in him. He was defeated. She looked at her friend. She had never seen that in him before. Not when Sara was missing. He never defeated. Now he was.

"Gil, are you OK?" Catherine asked.

"No." It was all he could manage right now. Sara gave her a silent shake of her head as if to say not now. Catherine picked up on it and let it be for now. They didn't need to do this right here, right now. It could wait. But, she couldn't help but feel a sense of loss somehow. She knew something had changed.

Sara changed the subject, "Hey, Catherine, why don't you and I go get some coffee. Gil, do you mind?"

He shook his head but remained silent.

The two women left to get coffee. When they were out of earshot Catherine questioned Sara.

"What's going on?"

Sara didn't want to betray her husband's wishes to tell the team later so she was careful.

"Gil is having a really hard time with this."

"No kidding."

"He's just trying to figure out what….I don't know….."

"You two need a break. He needs a break."

"Yeah" was all Sara could manage.

They found Grissom in the same position they had left him when they went to get coffee. Sara handed him a cup of coffee.

"Thanks." Was his only response.

"Gil, do you want to go see him?" Sara asked him finally.

Grissom looked up at her with sad eyes and nodded his head.

They walked into his room and saw Warrick lying in his bed. Grissom was quiet for a long time. He was thinking, which was not unusual for him.

"Sara, I can't watch the people I care about suffer for this job anymore."

"I know." She put her hand on his shoulder. She knew all that was left was to tell the team that he wasn't coming back.

"I'm going to clear my caseload and then….I'm done."

"I know." It was an honest answer. She knew he was done.

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The weeks passed with no improvement. Warrick still laid in a coma. The team took turns going to see him. Grissom had not told them he was leaving. He didn't know how.

It was Catherine that finally broached the subject.

"Gil, what's going on with you?"

He sighed, "I've made a decision, I'm leaving."

She stared at him.

He continued, "I can't do this job anymore. I've looked into teaching positions and I will be teaching at UNLV starting in the fall."

"I knew."

"What?"

"I knew you were going to leave. I didn't want to believe it, but I knew."

She hugged him and offered her support. He would miss her.

"I have to tell the others. I'm just clearing my caseload and then…."

"I'm here if you ever want to talk about it."

"Thanks."

Telling the others would be easier now. Catherine was the hardest. They had seen each other through some hard times and they were good friends. Brass was the next one he needed to tell.

He called him.

"Brass."

"Hey, Jim, it's Gil. Are you busy for breakfast?"

"No, what's up?"

"Meet me at Jerry's in say an hour. We can talk then."

Brass was confused but agreed to meet Grissom.

An hour later the two sat in a booth.

"Gil, what's up?"

"I've decided to leave the lab." He'd said it.

Brass looked at him. Grissom looked at his coffee.

"When?"

"As soon as I've cleared my caseload. I'd say a couple of weeks. I filed the paperwork for retirement yesterday. I just can't do it anymore. The cost is…..too high."

"What do you mean?"

"I have watched this job hurt the one's I care about and I just can't do it anymore."

"What are you going to do?"

"Teach…. UNLV. Maybe I will consult when I'm needed."

"What does Sara have to say about this?"

"She understands."

"So you will be staying in Vegas though?"

"Yeah, its home. Not to say that we won't take vacations…long ones."

Both men smile. Besides Catherine, Brass was Grissom's oldest friend. He would miss working with him every day.

"We'll see each other." Brass offered

"Yeah, we will."

"Good luck with the teaching."

"Thanks. It's been a while. I'm looking forward to something more….."

"Boring?"

"Safe"

Brass nodded.

"Have you told the others yet?"

"I told Catherine."

Brass nodded again.

"Well, I better get back to the station. I have some reports to finish."

"Yeah, Sara will be expecting me home."

"What has she decided to do?"

"She hasn't yet."

"Oh. I'll call you soon."

"OK and thanks for……everything."

They looked at each other for a moment and shook hands.

Brass watched as Grissom drove away.

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Grissom opened the front door as was pummeled by his daughter.

"Hi, Daddy."

He picked her up and kissed her.

"Hi, Beautiful, where's Mommy?"

"With Billy."

"Thanks."

Grissom put Vanessa down and went in search of Sara. He found her in the nursery feeding Billy. Grissom stopped in the doorway, leaning against the door frame. He watched for a moment before he said anything.

He whispered, "Hey"

She looked at him and smiled.

"Hey. He's almost done."

Grissom nodded, "I'm going to take a shower."

"Ok"

She returned her attention to their son as he went to take his shower.

Twenty minutes later he emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel. Sara sat on the bed waiting for him.

"Billy went to sleep. Vanessa's bus just came to pick her up."

Grissom looked at his wife. She didn't have to say it. He knew what she was thinking. She stood and closed the distance between them. The first kiss was soft. Her fingers found the wet curls at the back of his neck. He kissed along her neck down to her collarbone. She tingled from the sensation. Grissom slid his hands under her shirt and smiled to find she wasn't wearing a bra. He pulled her shirt over her head and admired the view. He cupped her breasts as he kissed her again. Sara moaned as he did it.

"You still have too many clothes on my dear."

Sara laughed and helped him divest her of the rest of her clothes. He laid her down on the bed and kissed her again. She accommodated him as he nestled between her legs and slipped inside her. She let him set the pace as they found their rhythm. He murmured her name as he made love to her. She felt her orgasm building. Grissom increased his pace.

"Gil, I'm…." and she went over the edge.

Grissom let her ride her climax for moment then continued his pace. He was nearing his limit as well. Sara pulled the curls at the back of his neck. He moaned and pushed harder and harder. Sara pulled him into her as he let himself go.

Sara pulled him down onto her and held him tightly. She didn't want to let him go just yet.

"Gil, I love you."

"Love you too"

Grissom was sleepy now. He was beginning to doze off. Sara heard his breathing change to a slow even rate. She held him as she slept. She eventually dozed off as well. She knew Billy would be up so she took advantage of the chance for a nap.

Sara woke to the sound of Billy crying. She rolled over to get up and found Grissom gone. She heard him on the monitor tending to Billy.

"What's up little man?....Oh I see what you need…."

Sara heard the sounds of a diaper being changed and then heard Grissom coming back down the hallway.

"Hi, mommy. Look who's awake"

Billy looked at his mother and smiled. Grissom crawled back into bed with Sara and Billy. He could get used to this. It would be nice to do this whenever he wanted. That would be one benefits of retirement.

"Sara, I turned in my retirement paperwork. I'm going to retire at the end of the month."

"OK."

"Are you sure you're ok with that?"

"Gil, I'm ok with it. I just want you to be happy."

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't think I am going back either. I think I just want to stay home and take care of my children."

"Ok." Grissom was hoping that's what she would do. He didn't want to push, but he knew she was fragile and be away from the job as well.

"I just can't do it anymore. Maybe I will go back to school when the kids are older or I could teach or write. Right now I just want to take care of my children…. And once in a while my husband."

Grissom got the meaning she was sending him.

"I am going to ask for an extended leave of absence from the lab like for a year. I'm not going to totally give up totally but I don't want to go back now. It will give me time to decide."

Just then the phone rang.

It was Catherine. Grissom answered it.

"Grissom"

"Gil, Catherine. He's awake!"

Grissom breathed a huge sigh.

"When?"

"Just about 20 minutes ago. He's still pretty out of it, but he's awake."

"We'll be right down."

"OK we'll see you then."

Grissom hung up the phone.

"Gil, what is it? Warrick?"

"Yeah"

"Did he…" She couldn't finish the statement.

"No, he woke up. I don't know any more than that. I need to go."

"Go. I'll come later."

"Thanks…I love you." He leaned over and kissed Sara.

Grissom quickly got dressed and went to the hospital. Catherine and Nick were waiting for him.

"What's going on?"

Catherine answered, "I was in visiting and he opened his eyes. He hasn't spoken yet. The doctors are in with him now."

"Thank God he woke up."

Nick responded, "I just hope there's not been much damage."

They all nodded in agreement. The realization of that hit them.

The doctor came out just then.

"Are you here for Warrick Brown?"

Grissom answered. "Yes, what can you tell us?"

"He is awake. He is coming out of the coma slowly. As far as permanent damage, we just don't know yet. We will do a CT scan in about two hours. That will tell us more. It's still a waiting game."

"Thank you Doctor."

Grissom sat down and sighed.

Catherine spoke first, "Gil, this is good news."

"No, not yet. We still don't know."

Nick added, "Gris, let's wait and see what the scan says."

Grissom nodded once in response and retreated into his thoughts. The time passed. Catherine and Nick knew him well enough to leave him alone when he was like that. They decided to go for coffee.

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The doctor came back out to talk to Grissom after the scan.

"Dr. Grissom, I understand you have Warrick's medical power of attorney."

"Yes, I do. Why?"

"We did find there was some damage to Warrick's brain. We won't know the full extent of that damage until he is more able to communicate and is more coherent than he is right now. That will improve with time. That's all I can tell you for now."

"Thanks."

The doctor turned to go as Catherine and Nick returned with coffee with Sara following.

"Was that the doctor?" Nick asked.

"Yeah. It looks like there is damage to Warrick's brain. We won't know what the ramifications are until he is fully awake."

Sara reached out and held Grissom's hand. He gave her hand a squeeze and they waited.

The nurse came out and asked if they would like to see Warrick now. He was back in his room. Grissom was the first to go in. They had taken out the ventilator and Warrick turned to look at Grissom.

Grissom was the first to speak.

"Hey, it's about time you woke up."

Warrick smiled and tried to speak but nothing would come out.

"It's ok. Give it time"

Warrick nodded.

"I need to tell you something Warrick. I'm leaving the lab. I just can't do the job anymore. I wanted you to know. I'm going to teach at UNLV."

Warrick nodded in understanding. He mouthed the word 'paper'.

Grissom handed him a paper and found a pen for him to write with.

Warrick wrote 'I understand. Good luck. When?'

"End of the month. I'm just closing out my cases."

Warrick nodded again.

"Do you want to see Catherine and Nick? They are waiting outside for you."

He nodded again.

"I'll go get them."

He turned to go.

A raspy voice said, "I'll get a cake."

Grissom chuckled at the reference. It was a conversation they had nearly ten years before.

"Ok, buddy."

He summoned Nick and Catherine to come in. Sara was next. And then it was time to leave.

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Warrick's condition continued to improve, but it was clear that he would not be able to return to work. There had been damage to the cerebral cortex and Warrick had trouble with fine motor control. It was going to take time. Warrick moved it with Nick for them time being. He could not live alone and wanted to leave the hospital.

No one said much about Grissom leaving. They all knew it. They also knew he didn't want a party when it was time. He just wanted to go. They were not going to let that happen, but they would not make a huge deal out of it either.

The day drew near. It was decided that they would take him to the coffee shop one last time as a team. Sara would pick up Warrick and meet them there.

Catherine walked into what would become her office when Grissom left. They boxes were packed. He surveyed his office one last time. It was strange to know he would not be returning here. It had been his home away from home. There were so many memories here both good and bad. Memories of Sara, Catherine, Nick, Warrick, Greg, Brass. He remembered the laughter and the tears. He smiled at the memories.

Catherine put a hand on his shoulder, "Doing ok?"

"I'm doing fine. I know this is the right thing. It's just strange."

"We're going to miss you. It just won't be the same." Catherine's voice cracked.

Grissom hugged her and said, "Come on. Everyone is waiting at Jerry's."

Catherine nodded. Grissom picked up that last box and turned out the lights for the last time.

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A/N:

Thanks for reading. I did decide to have Warrick live. I have an Epilouge to follow.