-- Chapter Five: The Fall --

Author's Note: I don't usually write messages/comments to reviewers, but, I felt I had to.

chimaera-104 – Thanks, Palms are awesome. I hope you enjoy what's coming, meanwhile, I hope you like this one.

Jorja Fox – Lovely name, loved you as Dr. Maggie Doyle by the way. LoL. Anyway, thanks for your nice review.

adpi24 – I'm glad that you enjoyed the chapter. And thanks – I suck – I feel so special. Well, it's s different concept, so yeah, I guess you do know the ending before the story is even told. I hope that you do continue to read, you might find some surprises along the way. *wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge*

Kady Rilla Wholi – Yeah, they're having a baby… but you must remember that Jessie is adopted.

oOoOo - Well, yeeha! Hope you find something you like in this chapter too.

A Bloom – FABULOUS darling, thanks for your positive review. Yeeha!

SLWatson – Thanks for your review. Laugher is always good, and I'm glad you laughed.

PeTiTeCaT – That's right, when the time is right. I'm happy that you liked that part.

EmmyMik – I'm glad that you liked the chapter, any specific sections that you enjoyed the most?

~*~

- Two Months Later -

The shift was unusually quiet as Nick walked through the lab's narrow corridors. Again, he was pulling a double, since their current case was a disaster. Grissom scrambled to deal with politics, while Warrick, Catherine, and Nick were madly processing evidence and running leads. With a case that was gaining much profile, the lab needed all the help they can get, and Greg was no exception. The young lab tech was making his transition from lab rat to field officer and with great timing too; but despite his great enthusiasm, DNA tests were still waiting to be processed.

Nick rounded the corner, clutching the folder as he headed for the locker room; he could not wait to go home, to his wife. Sara was undergoing all the joys of pregnancy, and morning sickness was no exception, but, it made their lives that much more interesting. She was on early leave, since the various chemicals used in the lab were not the ideal environment for any pregnant woman. Nonetheless, Sara still insisted on working; she worked from home, where she laboriously reviewed reports as well as wrote recommendations regarding investigations and complaints.

Nick stopped as he heard a familiar voice; he looked up from his folder, and exhaled deeply. He moved cautiously towards the DNA lab,

"Honey, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be at home - sleeping," he gently asked his wife. Sara sat by Greg, as he processed evidence he himself collected from their current case.

Sara bit her bottom lip, and replied, "I heard you guys needed extra help." Looking down on the ground, "what? I still work here you know," Sara protested.

"I was bored. In fact, so bored, that I watched the whole Star Wars series...twice," Sara continued to protest, while she looked guiltily around the room.

"Ouch," Greg commented, unaware of the cold glare that Nick sent his way.

"Sara, you know that all these chemicals aren't good for the baby," Nick said affectionately. Silent as he inspected his 12-week pregnant wife, Nick's expression didn't change; instead, he frowned at his wife's protests.

"I know, but you cannot imagine how boring it is to do reports and reviews at home," Sara said stubbornly.

Concerned, Nick continued, "and you have to stop 'snooping' around the cases, it's not a good mind set." He referred to the many things that Sara continued to do at home in order to stay in touch with work. Daily, she still kept the police scanner on, and continued to receive case updates from Greg. This, in turn, made her the more restless at home, and it forced her to share the experience of worry and stress with her colleagues and especially her husband.

After much protest and a brief staring contest, "uh, fine. I'll see you at home," Sara groaned. "Thanks for the entertainment Greg," Sara waved, walking out the lab and into the hallway.

Nick heard her distant voice, but still did not move, glaring at the now defenseless lab tech. "Greg, you know that she's not supposed to be here. What were you thinking letting her stay," Nick asked angrily, slapping the man upside the head.

"Hey, have you ever tried saying 'no' to a pregnant woman, especially a pregnant Sara," Greg answered, hands rising in surrender. Nick scoffed angrily, and stormed towards the locker room.

- Three Days Later -

"Nick, how are you doing on those fibers? We're going into court tomorrow," Grissom reminded him.

The team was assembled together to review the case, and as usual, power play politics played a enormous role in moving the trial forward. It was definitely running down the wire, and everyone had his or her 'game face' on. The evidence was sprawled around the lit table, surrounded by Catherine, Warrick, Grissom, and Nick.

"They're in trace-," Nick mumbled, but his ringing cell phone interrupted. "It must be Hodges," Nick continued bitterly, rolling his eyes for an added effect.

"Hello?" he answered. "What? When? Is she okay? Desert Palm Hospital, Dr. Green, uh huh, okay. I'll be right there," Nick continued, as his face began to pale.

Everyone looked at him, puzzled.

"Sara's in the hospital," he panted, hastily searching for his next action.

"What?" Grissom asked, bringing his glasses away from his face, concern engraved across his face.

"I have to go," Nick managed to answer. Catherine then got up and ushered Nick towards the door.

"I'll drive," she offered.

~*~

Sara laid in her a bed, staring coldly at her stomach. Gone was the warmth that she once felt when she swept her hand across her mounting belly. Lifeless. She had not cried yet, but her eyes were full of sorrow, guilt, and fear.

'This is my fault,' she thought. 'If I had only stayed at home and did as Nick and everyone asked me to do.'

"Sara!" a frightened voice called. She blinked. "Nick!" she sobbed loudly, reaching her hand out as her husband rushed to her side. His presence caused her to express her inner emotions; reaching out for Nick's support.

"Shh, it's okay," he said, his voice soothing and smooth. Sara shut her eyes as tears fought to break free.

"I lost our baby. I was just on my way to see you-" Sara cried, burying her body in Nick's protective arms. Her chest tightened, while her breathing came intermittently. "Nick, the blood, so much blood," she wept.

"Are you okay?" Nick asked, his eyes forming a glossy surface. He cupped her face and asked, "Shh, what happened?"

"I was just getting ready to meet you for lunch, but I didn't feel too well, then I felt dizzy, and then the blood, oh God, the blood," Sara managed to explain, in between audible cries. "Oh God, I'm sorry Nick, I should have listened to you. Oh no, what I have done? I lost our baby." She wailed, clutching her husband tightly, once again, shutting her eyes closed. She hoped that this was all just a horrible dream, wishing that everything were as they were supposed to be.

"It's not your fault Sara," Nick reassured, his eyes now full of hot, salty tears. "There's nothing you could have done differently. The important thing is that you're alright, I don't know what I would have done if I lost both of you," Nick whispered.

By the door, Catherine stood with uncontrollable tears streaming down her face. She watched as her friends processed their emotions, leaning on each other for support.

~*~

After hours of crying, Sara's tired body had finally surrendered to some much needed sleep. Sara leaned comfortably against the pillow, while Nick sat by her side and held her hand. It was late, and Nick wanted to get a cup of coffee; he kissed his wife before sneaking out into the hallway. As she carefully shut the door, a man approached him.

"Mr. Stokes?" the man asked. He wore a white jacket, around his neck, a stethoscope. "I'm Dr. Green, I just came to check on your wife," the doctor replied.

"Hello," Nick answered, forcing a reassuring smile.

"Are you all right? Cases like these are emotionally draining," the man asked.

"I'm all right, considering…" his voice trailed off while his eyes averting the doctor's stare. Moments of silence passed while Nick struggled to compose himself, "How is Sara?" Nick asked in a troubled tone.

"She lost a lot of blood, Mr. Stokes. She underwent a complete spontaneous abortion."

Nick just looked at the doctor plainly, his expression perplexed.

"A miscarriage. Sara was just less than 12 weeks pregnant, in which case, the rate of miscarriages are higher. And, judging from her medical history, it seems that she was healthy and could have easily carried this child to term," the doctor explained. "But upon reexamining her, we found an exceedingly low sugar level, were you aware of this?" the doctor asked.

Nick looked shocked, no words forming in his mind, nor coming out of his mouth. Both men stared at each other, while both struggled to process thoughts.

The doctor hesitated to continue, "she also registered high blood pressure. Which I imagine is work related, she's a criminalist, right?" the doctor questioned. Nick finally nodded in response.

"So you're telling me that it was because of stress?" Nick inquired.

"Among other things, but, you have to understand, pregnancy is neither a simple nor a common biological process, there are many things that need to work in sync. Almost 25 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, and it's unfortunate that you and your wife have to undergo such circumstances," the doctor sympathized. "If you'd like, I could refer you to a grief counselor," the doctor suggested, placing a hand on Nick's shoulder. He inspected Nick's face, observing the man who was tired, pallid, and with eyes that drew hopeless emptiness.

"Thank you – for everything," Nick sighed. He extended a hand to the doctor, which was warmly accepted. The man then proceeded into Sara's room, while Nick stood by the door.

He stood in silence; he loved his wife, but he hated the extremes through which she pushed her body.

'Sara, what are you doing to yourself?' Nick asked himself.

- The best-laid plans don't always go as planned. –

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A/N – You know what to do, any feedback would be much appreciated. - oceanwave