Sara headed to the locker room, she wanted to do something before her shift started, opening her locker, glad someone had already removed the laundry that had been there, she tucked the postcard from Lindsey above the mirror, hoping it would help if ever she needed it at work, next to it, she stuck one of the photos, the others in her purse. Running her hand over her empty gun holster, she sighed, but then shook it off, heading to the bathroom before going on to the break room to begin her first shift back.

Taking a seat in the far corner of the room, Sara tucked herself away, hoping to avoid an onslaught of too much attention. Soon Warrick and Catherine came in, heading straight for the coffee pot, engrossed in a conversation, then Nick followed taking a seat at the table, as Catherine handed Sara a cup of tea, no one else having yet said anything, lastly came Grissom, with the dayshift transfer Frank just behind him, this was also his first shift working grave.

'Hi everyone… 'Grissom began 'We've got 2 new cases tonight, a trick roll and a suspicious circs.. what cases do we still have open?'

'I've still got the double from last night, ballistics and prints are now back, so I've got things to chase up' Catherine started, taking a sip of her own drink

'Ok, anyone else?'

'Nothing immediate for me' Nick said

'Ok, Nick, take the suspicious circs with Frank here, he's transferring from dayshift, Warrick, can you take the trick roll please? Welcome back Sara, Catherine, do you need any help with the evidence in the lab?' Grissom asked, sending a warm smile to Sara before turning back to Catherine

'No, not in the lab, sorry, I've got some doors to knock on with O'reily '

'Ok, if you need back up on that Warrick can help you later if that's ok?'

'Yeah' Warrick and Catherine agreed

'What would you like me to do?' Sara asked eager to do whatever she could to help

'You can either start looking at cold cases, or you can help me with some experiments'

'What kinda experiments?' Sara questioned

'The good kind, always' Grissom grinned

'No offence Gris, but I think your and Sara's definition of good are very very different' Nick teased, placing his arm on Sara's shoulder, before grabbing the assignment slip from Grissom and leaving the room, Frank following behind.

'Hey!' Grissom called after Nicks retreating back

'I've seen some of his experiments Sara, stick with the cold cases… good to have you back Sara' Warrick smiled warmly, grabbing his bit of paper before leaving the room

'Oh come on, it will be fun Sara!' Grissom exclaimed

'Ok' Sara also smiled 'Just for an hour or two, then I best start looking at the backlog'

'Deal'

'Have fun kids' Catherine giggled on her way out, heading towards the labs to get the last of her reports before speaking to O'reily.

Walking to one of the back labs near the garage, a bounce in his step, Grissom asked 'How are you feeling today Sara?'

'Good… happy to be back… thank you for doing what you did… with my contract and everything…'

'Anytime… shall we' he gestured for Sara to walk through the door first

'Thanks… so, what kind of experiment have you got going on today?' Sara asked, her scientific brain eagerly switching on

'Well, we have 3 conflicting stories pertaining to a murder which was reported 3 days ago, but there's was bug activity that further contradicted the stories, there was also one of those volcanoes that kids make for the school science fair, so I've been trying to determine if the volcano can have an effect on the bugs that would be present, and their age…' before Grissom could even finish the sentence, Sara could smell the experiment he had set up, or rather, all 3 of them. Turning quickly she left the room, Grissom close on her heels

'Sara?'

'Sorry…' Sara tried to get her breathing under control 'The smell was a little… unexpected… and it's pigs… again…give me a minute, and then I'll be ok, I'll grab a facemask…'

'Are you sure?' Grissom asked, kicking himself for not having thought how Sara's hormones might not have agreed with the aroma of decaying flesh.

'Yeah… just give me a minute… I don't wanna screw up my first night back'

'You won't… really it's just selfishness on my part, I've missed having you around, and no one ever has time to run experiments with me… I thought it could be fun, I've got a chess board set up in there, and it's not the same playing against myself…if you'd rather start on the cold cases or evidence reviews…'

Sara smiled weakly 'No… no, I want to do this Grissom, I'll be ok in a minute, I just wasn't prepared is all…. I'll be back in a minute, ok?'

'Ok'

Sara walked back towards the locker room, deciding it would be best to grab her medications, and to keep them with her, she slipped on a lab coat, and then grabbed a couple of face masks, before returning to Grissom.

'Ready?' Grissom asked, making a few notes about his observations

'Yeah, what would you like me to do?'

'If you could take notes on Piggy 3…' he pointed to one of them, not making any comment on her appearance, hair tied back, face mask on, whilst he continued to write his own notes

'Ok, what am I looking for?'

'How much do you remember of the 'Frisco seminar where we met?'

'Enough…'

'Good, that's what we're looking for, unusual beetle growth and decay, as we know the acid from the volcano has slightly accelerated the rate of decomposition… after this, I have about 40 lemons in my office, and I've already put some in the showers changing room'

'Good, cuz we're gonna need them and it hasn't even got that bad yet'

'No… it hasn't… but, hopefully we'll have enough answers soon, at the moment I don't know which suspect to believe… we need to make notes every 20 or so minutes… during the day I've got video cameras set up, and Shelby coming in once an hour or so… the less people in the room the better, but at least were not outside this time'

Sara just shook her head at this, remembering all too well the case that he was referring too, and the trouble they had gone too for finding justice for the victim, Kaye Shelton, and how hard it had been to convict the husband. Once Sara had made her notes, and then compared her findings to the progress of the other two pigs, Grissom had set up the chess board

'Shall we?' he asked

'Please, I want to play black though'

Grissom responded by moving one of his white pawns, his eyes half on the board and half on the room.

'Gil?' Sara began about an hour later, they had been quiet up until that point, pausing in their game now and then to check on the progress of the decomp, now into their 2nd game, Grissom having won the first, but having to work hard to get it.

'Yeah Sara' he said, moving his bishop

'I'm sorry for letting things get so bad'

'I know you are, it's ok, I'm just glad you're getting the help and support you need now, we talked about this…'

'I know… I know we did, I'm still sorry though… thanks for not walking away from me… for supporting me… I know it can't have been easy… I won't mess up again'

Grissom just smiled, moving another piece, and taking one of Sara's pawns

'Gris?'

'Yeah'

'I know why, I just… I don't know how… my new position in the lab… '

'It was a mutual decision, I spoke to Conrad after I learnt he'd been to see you in the hospital… initially I was angry that no one had told me what was going on… that Catherine and Nick tried to cover it up, and then dragged more people into it… I didn't want to lose you, not knowing what Ecklie had already told you… I fought for your position, and then we actually sat, and talked like adults believe it or not…then we went to the board, and they agreed.'

Leaning across the table, Sara placed a kiss on Grissom's cheek, forgetting for a moment her face mask was in place 'Thank you'

Grissom blushed a little, eyes fixed firmly on the board, as he moved another piece

'Anytime'

The rest of the time went well, once again they split the time between recording the observations and playing chess, this time Sara won the game, not long into the 3rd game, Sara's alarm went off, prompting her to take her medicine

'Sorry…' she was a little embarrassed about it still; having people know she was on some heavy duty medication was different to having an audience.

'That's ok; I think it's time for a nature break and some coffee anyway… I've got a stack of paperwork in my office besides, I'll just set up the video equipment… you go ahead, and then perhaps you could get started on cold cases if no one has any evidence they need help with'

Sara nodded in understanding, slipping out of the room; she headed straight for the break room, where she could grab a drink and take her next dose. Sinking down into the sofa, she thought about having a well-deserved break, until she noticed the stench of decomp had followed her, and she practically ended up running into the locker room, breaking into Catherine's locker for some clean clothes, and then turning on the shower, getting the water as warm as possible, thankful for the lemons that Grissom had already placed there.

Hearing the door to the room open, Sara ignored it, it was part of having a semi communal shower room, the traffic in and out, hearing the lockers clatter, she heard someone call out her name

'Sara?'

At first she tried to ignore it, but as her name was called again, she found she couldn't

'Hey Greggo… how'd you know it was me?'

'Cuz Catherine's locker is open and I know she's not back yet…'

'Oh…' Sara carried on showering, deeply breathing in the scent of the lemons

'Have you been with Grissom?' Greg asked

'Yeah… look, Greg, I've missed you and all, but do you think we could talk when I'm not in the middle of a shower?'

'Sure… unless you want me to join you?' he joked

'Sure, you can join me' Sara quipped back 'When I'm deemed fit enough to not be on these prescriptions anymore, you can share as many showers with me as you like, I'll even let you wash my hair' she joked thinking that day would never come.

'Ace, I'll hold you to that Sara, it will come round soon enough… I promise I won't tell Catherine… I'm gonna stick on a pot of decaf coffee for you… see you in the break room' he called, grabbing what he needed from his own locker before leaving the room.

Finishing her shower, Sara dried herself off, slipping into yet more of Catherine's clothes, leaving her hair wet, she went in search of Greg.

'Here…' Greg handed her a mug 'I hear you're gonna help play matchmaker for Nick and Warrick… wanna help me?'

Shaking her head, Sara couldn't help but laugh 'From what I hear, Warrick doesn't really need my help'

'Still… You'd help me right, your most favourite person in the world?'

'You're not my most favourite Greggo…'

'Oh' he pulled a sad puppy dog face '2nd?'

'Nope'

'3rd?' he asked, his face getting sadder and sadder

'Maybe…'

'So who are your favourite people then?' Greg asked grinning, enjoying the light banter with Sara

'Catherine, and Lindsey… I know I don't know her that well yet… but she's important to Cat, so she's important to me… then there's bump… and Jim… Grissom… you're my favourite Gregory Sanders though' Sara winked

'Good to know… but you still haven't answered my question Sara'

'Fine… yes, I'll help… who do you like?'

'Well…' Greg blushed a little 'Now that I know you're taken… I really like Nick… it's driving me spare knowing he's sweet on someone else… so, you either need to help me let him see the error of his ways, or find me someone else'

Sara choked on her drink; she really hadn't seen that one coming

'Nick?' she questioned

'Yeah' came the Texan drawl from the door way, both Sara's and Greg's heads snapped upwards, a deer in the headlights look falling upon them.

'Oh…' Sara tried to recover herself 'Greggo was just telling me about one of your cases from last week' she covered, having heard the story from Catherine the other morning.

'Oh… that… that wasn't funny Greggo….how was I supposed to know the white powder was actually flour for once… anyway, shouldn't you be in DNA, come on, I've got evidence to hand over, my suspicious circs was a bit more complicated than we thought it would be… Franks already in the drying room with the clothes…'

'Sure…' Greg emptied his coffee mug, not daring to look at either of them; he followed Nick out of the room.

As soon as they were gone, she burst out laughing, and then quickly composed herself. Walking down to the evidence vault where cold case evidence and files were stored, she pulled out her phone, dialling Brass number; she'd promised to check in with him half way through the night

'Brass'

'Hey Dad' Sara said, still smiling about Greg's confession

'Hey Kiddo, how's work going?'

'Good thanks, had to shower already, I said yes to helping Grissom with an experiment… now I'm heading down to cold cases… Ecklie pretty much wrote a whole new position for me!'

'I know kiddo, Grissom gave me the heads up when you were with Catherine earlier… so, how are you two love birds now?'

'Never better, we actually sat down and talked, cleared the air. She's been great, you've been great…'

'I'd do anything for you Sara, you know that, right?'

'Yeah… I do, thanks, Dad… so, what have you been up too?'

'Well, I've been going over a cold case of my own, found some interesting bits of information, and I've been sorting out the paperwork to make this official… we can have a court date any day next week…. Either Judge Peterson or Judge Davies…'

'Not Davies' Sara cut in, her voice sharp, she leant against the wall

'Sara?' Brass asked, picking up on something in her voice

'I'll… just… next week is ok, just please only use Peterson… I'll explain later, ok?'

'Ok…. Are you going to be ok Sara? Do you want me to come and pick you up… I'm sure they'll understand if you want to leave early…'

'No, it's ok Jim, I want to get started on one of these cases… just pick me up after shift?'

'Sure thing kiddo… see you in a few hours'

Sara hung up the phone, resting against the wall for a moment longer; she shook it off, and then walked into the vault, looking down the aisles and aisles of boxes for a logical place to start. The newer the cold case, the more likely it could be solved, but the older cases had been awaiting justice for such a long time, and the more they gathered dust, the harder it would be.

Deciding to start by case type, Sara looked through the filing system in place, which in itself she thought could do with updating, and picked a 15 month old assault case linked with a downtown motel. First she looked to see if any other crimes had occurred at the motel, she found 17 over 20 years, 13 of which had been solved, and that at first glance looked unrelated, then she expanded her search to similar crimes in motels within a 10 mile radius of the motel, and found over a 100, 80 of which were solved, a further 14 unlikely to be related, leaving her with over 10 to compare with her unsolved case, presuming she hadn't inadvertently already crossed the others off her list, just because at first glance they seemed complete or unconnected. It was going to be a long night, taking this approach to work, but it was work that was needed. No matter how old the crime, someone was always waiting and deserving of justice, and someone else would be awaiting jail time and for the authorities to catch up with them.

Sara quickly got absorbed into the work, cross referencing the files, and making notes of physical evidence she would have to look at, soon enough she had a long list, and knew she would need help with it. Stretching, she looked at the clock, there were only 90 minutes left of shift. Getting up she headed to the bathroom and to grab some food, needing to stretch her legs a little bit. On her way back to the vault, she bumped into Catherine who was sporting a rather large grin.

'Case closed?' Sara asked, slipping her arm around Catherine's waist

'Case closed, and now my two grubby suspects are awaiting the D.A and are going down to county until trail, but it's gonna be a slam-dunk'

'Good, there the best kind of cases'

'Yes they are' Catherine couldn't wipe the smile off her face, as she leaned up to kiss Sara, not caring who was around to see them 'Mmmm, you smell nice…'

'Lemons… Grissom….'

'Ah, well, thanks for showering… are you wearing my clothes?' Catherine asked, her hand playing with the edge of Sara's shirt

'Yep… what are you going to do about it?'

'Oh I don't know… I could always strip you out of them later' Catherine whispered, her voice husky, her lips brushing against Sara's ear.

'Tempting…' Sara turned her head so she could kiss Catherine's neck, but then she pulled away, she was aware of their surroundings 'But I need to head back to the apartment for a bit… Brass is picking me up after shift… I'm sorry…'

'It's ok Sara, as happy as I am now with another solved case, I know I need to sleep soon… we can do something later perhaps?'

'I'd like that… are you starting another case now, or doing any paperwork or anything?'

'No… nothing that can't wait anyway'

'Can you help me please? Looking at one cold case has led to me needing to look at least another 10, and that's if my logic was in the right place…' Sara looked at the floor; it was rare that she asked for help at work

'Sure… let me grab a coffee, then you can show me what you've found so far ok?'

'Thanks Cat'

10 minutes later Sara was explaining how she had come up with the number of cases to look at, and what the next steps would be 'It could be nothing, you know how these cases can be… eyewitnesses aren't reliable, and evidence can be overlooked, sometimes we look to widely, others to narrowly… these cases could be connected, they could just be coincidence, but eventually they'll all need looking at…3 of the cases came close to being solved, and then were dropped, I don't know why… and if any of these tie in to already solved cases, we'll have even more digging to do, and then we have to fight to get a perps sentence adjusted to fit the new crime discovered, and that can be a whole different headache in itself… it's no wonder we have cases that never get solved properly… I'm tired just thinking about the work we'll need to do, but I'm also determined…'

'I know you are baby, that's what makes you such a good criminalist, your solve rate is one of the highest'

Sara blushed a little at the complement, and then set to work.

Soon enough the end of shift approached, and they had made good progress, they now had proof that 3 of the cold cases were connected, and possibly another 2 were, and they were hoping that by the start of next shift they would either have fingerprint or DNA proof of who it was, it they'd since been put into the systems.

Walking out into the parking lot together, Sara admired the colour of the sky at the early hour, hand in hand with Catherine as they waited for Brass to come and pick Sara up.

'I'm so glad you're back at work Sara'

'Me too' Sara pulled Catherine into a hug, holding her close 'me too' she whispered again

Hearing a car pull up, they pulled apart a little

'Morning love birds' Jim called pulling up next to them and rolling down his car window

'Morning Jim'

'Morning Dad'

Catherine pretended to shiver 'Ok, that's always going to be weird…'

'Get used to it, we're making it official next week' Brass beamed

'Yep' Sara eagerly agreed 'You know, I might even take on his last name, just to confuse everyone around here…'

'Sara Brass… that doesn't sound right… if you're gonna change your name Sara, Willows has a much better fit' Catherine smirked, kissing Sara once more before she got into the car

'Don't think I haven't thought about it' Sara quipped back, as Jim drove off.

'Good shift?' Brass asked as he drove

'Yes actually, I've made some good progress on some cold cases, just waiting for the reports to come through… and I made Grissom happy by helping out with one of his gross experiments again, I think he's missed having someone to do them with'

'Good' Brass turned the car onto one of the side roads towards Sara's house

'How about you, what cold case did you run down?'

'Ahh… that, I'll explain once were back and you've had something to eat ok?'

'Ok' Sara rested her head against the window, watching the world go by.