AN: Thanks to those still reading and supporting, here is the next chapter.

Chapter 34: Making it work?

Next day

Sitting in a booth at the diner, Sara and Stephanie had just ordered their drinks since they were waiting on the guys, and after the waitress left them alone, Stephanie smirked at the look Sara was giving her. "Ok, I know you are dying to ask, so out with it."

Sara smiled as she asked. "So, what happened last night between you and Nick?"

Stephanie took a moment before smirking. "What do you want me to tell you? That we made passionate love right there on the couch, then he took me against a wall before ending the night in my bed."

"Really?"

Stephanie shook her head with a chuckle. "No, but you should have seen your face." Sara chuckled while shaking her head, then Stephanie spoke again, telling her truth on what really happened last night. "He held me while we talked about anything, everything that we've been up to since we broke up. We ended up crying about what we lost, finally letting all that hurt out so we could start to..."

Sara cuts her off. "Heal together?"

Stephanie nodded. "And afterwards, when I looked at him, I no longer felt the pain of what could've been. I was beginning to see what could be."

Sara's heart skipped a beat for her best friend/sister as she asked. "So, what does that all mean?"

"I don't know, I love him, so much, and I want to be with him again, but I don't want to leave here, I love my job, I love being close to you guys, being there for Billy. But, I also don't feel I have a right to ask him to drop everything to come here, he's worked too hard to get where he is now, so that ultimately leaves us back to where we first started, and honestly I don't know if I can do that again either, it was torture the first time around."

"There has to be something we can do, it can't end like this."

Stephanie sighed. "Well, if you can figure something out, let me know, because I am at a loss right now."

Before she could speak, the men had walked to the table, and after Grissom kissed Sara's cheek, Nick doing the same to Stephanie, they sat down next to them.

Not long after they were settled, the waitress came back and they order their meals, and while they were waiting, they looked around the table and started laughing and smiling, for a moment feeling like it was old times, and it felt good.

After shift

Throughout lunch time and all through shift, Sara couldn't stop thinking about what Stephanie said about figuring something out so it would be possible for her and Nick to be together again without the long distance, while also not causing Nick to lose the progress he made in his career.

Then once again fate had seemed to answer the 'call' because after shift, a member of the CSI team, their assistant supervisor at that, announced he was transferring to New York so his wife could be closer to her mother, who just lost her husband, (His wife's stepfather).

But then again there was one small problem with the soon to be empty slot, it was suppose to be Grissom's, not that he would have taken the assistant supervisor spot just like that, but someone from the team would have been promoted and Grissom would have taken that spot.

Sara sighed while thinking of the predicament she was in, and Grissom, who got called in to help with a member of the swing shift, walked into the break room to hear her sigh, so he asked in concern. "Sara, what's wrong?"

A little surprised to see him there, she asked. "You get called in?" After he nodded, she asked again. "What about the conference?"

"It's only a few hours. They want a timeline from the bugs they had collected. And yes, I brought my suit for tonight, so I'll meet you there." After Sara nodded, Grissom asked. "So, now that I answered your questions, what about mine, what's wrong?"

She was about to say something when some one else walked in the room, so she stood up, asked him to follow her before leading him to one of the empty lab rooms, and after shutting the door, she told him what was going on, then when she was done, Grissom smiled. "The solution to your problem is easy, I don't see you have a choice, get Nick the job."

"But Griss, you've been waiting for a spot to open for weeks."

"Yeah, but Stephanie's been waiting for an opportunity like this to come around for 11 years."

Sara was still torn. "I know that, believe me I do, I just liked the thought of us working together again."

He nodded with a smile. "I know, me too, and maybe one day it will happen again on a permanent basis, but in the meantime, you know what needs to be done, in my eyes this is more important."

"Thank you."

He waved it off. "Like I told you, there isn't anything I wouldn't do for her, and if this is something that will make them happy, then it's worth it. I don't mind the call-in's right now."

"If you're sure?"

"I am."

"Ok. I'll see you later."

After Grissom nodded, Sara walked out of the room and headed for Nate's office so she could talk to him.

Once she was done, she left the lab and picked up Billy from one of his friend's house before heading home, and after a few hours there, where she relaxed before getting ready while Billy played in his room, they headed over to Stephanie's place.

When she made it in front of her door, she knocked, and a few seconds later the door opened, which caused Sara to smirk when she saw who it was. "Why am I not surprised you're here?"

Nick shyly smiled before smiling a little wider at Billy. "Hi Billy, it's nice to see you."

Billy just gave him a nod, and after Nick moved to the side to them in, Billy rushed to Stephanie, who was sitting on the couch. "Aunt Stephanie, guess what I brought!"

Stephanie hugged Billy with a smile. "What?"

"A new puzzle, it has zoo animals on it."

Stephanie smiled a little wider. "Awesome, and I'm looking forward to putting it together with you."

As they pulled back, Sara cleared her throat before speaking towards her son. "Billy, honey, why don't you set it up in the dinning room, and Stephanie will join you in a bit."

Billy liked to separate the different puzzle pieces, mostly putting the edges in one pile and the other shapes in another one.

Billy nodded before he headed towards the dinning room table, then Stephanie looked at Sara with a raised eyebrow. "What's up? The look on your face tells me you're happy about something."

Sara nodded, her excitement mounting. "I think I figured out your problem."

Before she could speak, Nick raised an eyebrow as he sat down next to Stephanie. "What problem is that?"

Sara then looked at Stephanie with a raised eyebrow. "You mean he doesn't know what we talked about?"

A little more confused, Nick asked again. "Know what, what's gong on?"

Stephanie took a breath before speaking towards Sara. "We haven't exactly discussed that yet." Then she looked at Nick a little shyly. "And I wasn't going to say anything until I knew how you felt about us."

Still not sure what was going on, but he smiled. "Steph, you know I still love you." She was about to speak again but he continued before she could. "And I still see a future with you."

Stephanie nodded with tears in her eyes. "I do too, but that's the thing. How is it going to work? I love you too, so much, but I don't want to move, and I can't ask you to move here."

"And why not?"

"Your job, you worked so hard to get where you are now, I can't ask you to give it up."

Now Sara came in the conversation before Nick could speak. "And what if I tell you he won't have to." After they both look at her in surprise, Sara nodded with a smile. "My supervisor is willing to do an interview with you for a spot on the team that will open up very soon."

They both looked even more shocked while Nick asked. "For real?"

Sara nodded before telling them what was going on, but before they got too excited, Nick shook his head. "Wait, hold on, I thought it was all but decided that Grissom would get the open spot if and when it became available?"

"It was, but he's letting you have a chance to get it." Nick and Stephanie looked at one another, both torn on how to feel about this, and Sara could see it, plus she was still feeling it too, but it was Grissom's decision and he made it, so she continued. "Guys, you know him, if there is a way to help those he cares about, then there isn't anything he won't do for them. And if the long distance is the only thing that's holding you back from being together without reservations, then this is your chance to fix it."

Stephanie, agreeing with Sara, asked Nick with tears in her eyes. "What you be willing to relocate?"

Without hesitation, he nodded. "Yes. If it means being with you, then in a heartbeat." He then cupped her cheek with his other hand so he could wipe her tears away as he continued with emotion. "I'm not going to lie, I love working with my team in Vegas, they welcomed me with open arms the minute I got there, and if someone would have asked me a few days ago if I could see myself working at any other CSI lab, I wouldn't have hesitated on saying no. But then I saw you again, and I knew in that moment if there was a chance I can have you back in my life, I would do anything to get it, and if that means moving here, so be it. If that's what you want?"

"It is, but are you sure?"

"I am." He brings her hand up to his lips and kissed it softly before finishing. "It's me and you Steph, ever since you set me in my place at the park that day (The girls chuckled at that), it's always been you, and always will be, you're the love of my life."

"And you're mine." After he kissed her hand a second time, Stephanie looked at Sara, both with tears in their eyes as she asked. "Sara?"

Sara nodded with a smile. "Like I've been saying for years, I want you to be happy, and things have a way of sorting themselves out, this time I believe will be no different."

Stephanie then looked at Nick again after seeing the reassurance in Sara's eyes before she nodded at him. "If this is what you truly want, then take that interview and see what happens."

Nick started to smile. "Ok, I will." He kissed her hand one more time before looking at Sara. "When is this interview?"

"Tomorrow, around lunch time, if you're good with that."

Nick stood up and walked up to Sara before bringing her into his arms for a hug. "Thank you, for everything."

Sara wrapped her arms around him. "You're welcome, anything to make you two happy again."

Once they pulled back, Stephanie gets in Sara's arms for a hug, and after they pulled back, it was time for her and Nick to leave, so after Sara shared a goodbye with her son, they left the apartment.

2 days later

After dropping Nick at the airport, Stephanie drove to Sara and Grissom's apartment, and after knocking, Sara opens the door.

Sara holds out her arms for a sad looking Stephanie. "Did you drop him off at the airport?" She just nodded as she walked into Sara's arms, where Sara hugged her while continuing. "Just remember it's only for two weeks, then he'll back here and you can start the life you two have dreamed about."

It didn't take long after the interview with Nate, that Nick got the call back, impressed with everything about him and didn't want to miss out a chance of him working in the lab.

Stephanie nodded with a sigh. "I guess I've waited 11 years for this again, I think I can survive two more weeks."

Sara smiled as the women pulled back. "I have every faith in the world that you can, even though I know exactly how you feel."

After they release one another, they headed for the kitchen, and while Billy was sitting at the table eating his breakfast, Grissom was at the kitchen island, putting jam and butter on his toast, but had stopped with a smile when he saw Stephanie, who looked like she was about to cry at the overwhelming feelings she was having for Grissom's gesture.

"Grissom, I..."

But Grissom cuts her off with a chuckle and head shake while bringing her into his arms. "None of that, cousin. It's going to be fine, you and Nick belong together, and if me helping you two makes that happen, then I'm happy. I love you, Steph."

Stephanie sighed in content. "I love you too, Grissom."

As they pulled back, he asked. "You want anything to eat?"

Stephanie waved it off. "Nah, my stomach is kind of in knots right now, I'll eat something later."

Grissom nodded while Sara turned to her son with a smile. "So honey, are you excited to see and get to know Nick on a daily basis?"

Billy just shrugged, and after taking a few bites, he asks softly. "Can I be excused?"

Surprised by his demeanor, but ok'd his request, Sara nodded. "Ok, if you're sure you had enough to eat."

Billy nodded before getting out of the chair and running out of the room, all three of them looked at one another while Sara asked. "What was that about?"

Stephanie was just as confused, and Grissom spoke after clearing his throat. "When he heard Stephanie come in, he got quieter and started eating a little quicker, like he didn't want to be in the same room as her, at least that's how I'm seeing it."

Stephanie shook her head in surprise. "But why would he not want to be near me? What have I done to upset him?"

Sara and Grissom looked at one another, both coming to the same conclusion rather quickly, then Sara looked at Stephanie. "It's Nick."

"Nick? What's he got to do..."

Sara took her hand with a smile. "Think about it Steph, for the first time since that boy has become attached to you, he'll have to share you with someone else." Stephanie was about to say something, but Sara was one step ahead of her. "Yeah, there were other men that have came into your life, but they didn't last long. I think he knows and understands that Nick will be different."

Seeing the logic, she asked immediately with worry. "Can I go talk to him?"

"Of course."

Stephanie released Sara's hand before walking out of the room, and headed towards Billy's room before knocking on the closed door.

"Billy, sweetie, can I come in?"

A moment later, she hears his soft voice. "Ok."

When she opened the door, she saw his back towards her as he was playing with his cars on the floor, then Stephanie stepped in the room and started speaking. "You know the first time I held you in my arms, you started to heal something inside of me that I felt was very broken, you opened my heart that made me want to feel love again. Nothing and no one is going to change how I feel about you, or take away the special bond that we have."

There was a slight pause before Billy spoke with emotion. "Until you have a baby of your own."

She gasped a little before asking. "Is this what this is really about?" When she heard him sniffle, she was behind him in an instant and kneeled down while placing her hand on his back. "Do you think that when your parents give you a brother or sister, that their love will be taken away from you?"

Billy shook his head. "No, they said they have enough love to share with both of us, and I believe them."

"Ok, then why do you think that will be different between us?"

He shrugged and said softly. "I don't know."

She smiled as she kissed the top of his head and closed her eyes, sighing. "It won't Billy, I give you my word."

When Billy finally turned to look at his aunt, he had tears in his eyes. "You promise, you have to pinky swear."

She smiled as she held up her pinky. "Yes, I promise."

After he clasped his pinky with hers, they held it together in place for a few seconds before he sniffled and looked down. "I'm sorry."

Stephanie lifts the boy's chin up and smiled as she cupped his cheek. "It's ok, we all need a moment of reassurance from time to time, just know I love you very much."

He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. "I love you very much too."

When they pulled back a moment later, she asked. "Are we ok?"

Billy nodded before asking. "Does Nick like the zoo?"

Stephanie nodded with a smile. "He loves the zoo."

"Then maybe he can come with us the next time we go."

"I'm sure he'll like that very much."

5 minutes later

Stephanie walked back into the kitchen, and Sara asked. "Is he ok?"

The other woman nodded with a smile. "Yes, just had a moment of thinking that we won't have the same bond once I have kids of my own." Sara and Grissom looked surprised at first, then looked worried that maybe Billy wasn't as excited about a new sibling then he let on, which Stephanie saw the look in their faces and had a feeling on what it was, so she reassured them. "Guys, it's ok, he understands how your feelings for him won't be any different with another baby in the house, this was strictly on how he felt about me."

They looked relieved, then Sara smiled. "He's always had a strong bond with you."

"And like I told him, that's never going to change." They nodded in complete agreement before Stephanie spoke again with a smile. "And you won't believe this, but he asked if Nick could come to the zoo with us the next time we go."

Both Sara and Grissom looked surprised before Sara spoke again. "Wow, that's really saying something since he doesn't let just anybody tag along for a zoo trip."

"I know, and I can't help but think that's a very good sign that things are going to work out just fine."

Stephanie walked towards the counter to get a cup of coffee with a spring in her step while Sara and Grissom watched with smiles, feeling just as optimistic as Stephanie did for the future.

AN: Thanks for reading, and please review. Stay safe.