Title: Alive Again
Summary: Sara and Warrick become closer after he saves her life.
A/N: Ok hopefully you guys will like this ending. Too happy? I dunno...but I wanted it to end on a positive note and this seemed the right thing to do. If you have any questions about the child in this chapter please refer to the first chapter. Hopefully there aren't too many mistakes here. I don't reread these chapters as religiously as I used to. *sheepish grin* Happy endings aren't usually my thing but I thought that this would be better than leaving you all with another cliffhanger. Hehehehe. You guys have been amazingly patient with me and hopefully this is a just reward. :)
I didn't mention Grissom at all in this chapter because I wanted to keep things mostly upbeat and I felt that Grissom would be the one person who would have major regrets. Heck, I am a heterosexual woman and I wouldn't let Sara get away. BTW before you ask...no I am not delusional. I know these are just characters in a television show. *shifty eyes*
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! The reviews you all have left are what made this story what it is. Without your encouragement it wouldn't have gone much further than the drawing board. Once again THANK YOU!
Spoilers: Possibly anything all the way up to Early Rollout.
Rating: PG13 for language and some adult situations.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of it. If I did I wouldn't be living in this shoddy little apartment dreaming about winning the lottery. :)
Epilogue:
One year later...
Sara sang along to her Sarah McLachlan CD as she drove down the interstate to the Haven View Center. She had been here several times before to visit Pamela Adler who had been rendered comatose during Sara's first year in Las Vegas. Today she traveled there with the intention of seeing someone else.
The past several months had been a wonderful time of awakening for her. Six months earlier she had officially moved in with Warrick. Felix, the cat Warrick had gotten for her, seemed especially pleased by this move.
She had been worried that they would grow bored of each other, or that he would become frustrated with her moods. Instead Warrick seemed to have an instinctive ability to know when she needed space. He often spent his free time writing songs or playing his piano when she insisted on being alone. It hadn't taken long for her nightmares to disappear altogether. She no longer felt the need to lose herself in her work. Instead she lost herself in her love of Warrick.
They had come a long way together and Sara held no regrets. For the first time since coming to Las Vegas she felt truly happy. Nick often teased her that she smiled too much these days, but she only responded by smiling more.
When she pulled into the Haven View Center parking lot she turned off the car and walked towards the building's entrance holding a package in her hand. Warrick had offered to come with her but she had insisted that this was something she needed to do alone. Sara was greeted with a smile by the receptionist who told her the room number to her destination.
As she walked down halls to the boy's room Sara discomforted by the sterileness of the hospital. The 'whiteness' of the walls, floors and employees seemed almost melancholy. But more than that he medical center was encompassed in an eerie silence. There was no joy here, and even less hope.
When she reached his room Sara opened the door slowly and peered inside. The child lay on his bed as if in a deep calming sleep. Sara knew better. She knew this young boy had been in a coma for over a year and may never wake up. His father, George Mortesen, had made sure of that.
He was a beautiful child sporting a thick head of brown hair and a clear complexion. Sara thought he looked absolutely adorable.
She pulled a chair up close to his bed and sat down in it. "Hi Billy," she said softy.
She stared at his peaceful face for several moments. Today was his birthday. He was only six years old.
"My name is Sara. You don't know me, but I am hoping we can be friends. I know today is your birthday and I brought you a present. I don't know what kind of things you like so I went with a bear," she said as she held up the package.
She unwrapped the package and pulled the bear out of the box. "I don't know why I wrapped it up like that. I guess I just figured you deserved the total package. Here check this out. I got you a card too," she said as she held up the card. "Let me read it for you. You do like bears right? The card says 'Have a Beary Happy Birthday'. Then I wrote 'Happy Birthday Billy, Get better soon. Your friend, Sara'."
She smiled as she set the card down on the table next to his bed. "Now for the Bear. They had all of these talking bears but I thought they were kind of spooky. You are too young to remember this but there was this bear around awhile back called Teddy Ruxpin. He could talk to you and stuff but I thought he was just plain scary. So instead I went with a simple cuddly bear." She lifted one of Billy's arms up and settled the stuffed animal next to his side before wrapping his arm around the bear.
"I think maybe he will keep you company whenever you need a friend and I'm not here," she said smiling. Sara spent an hour with Billy telling him all about herself and what she did for a living. She tried to explain that it was all much more exciting than it sounded.
Finally she stood up and kissed Billy on the forehead. "Billy when you wake up I'll be here for you. You just need to wake up first ok? I promise to come back soon. I'll be here for you."
Sara felt oddly at peace when she left the building and walked to her Tahoe. She had thought that seeing Billy would be difficult and depressing. Sara had spent the last year avoiding this confrontation afraid she would be reminded of the time she had nearly been defeated. Instead she was reminded of the love that had brought her out of her depression. In her darkest hour someone had been there for her and now she vowed that she would be there for Billy. Billy, who's father had beaten him so badly that he ended up in a coma.
On the drive back home she thought about her future with Warrick. Besides being one of the sexiest men alive he was also incredibly generous and thoughtful. Not to mention intelligent and extremely passionate in his beliefs.
She expected him to be asleep by the time she returned to their apartment, but instead he sat at his piano playing a song she didn't recognize.
"Hey sexy," she said sensually as she closed the front door.
"Ah just the person I wanted to see," Warrick said as he turned around and smiled at her.
"Oh?"
"Since we are both off tonight are you up for going to the club?"
"Oh are you playing?" she asked happily.
"Yes I am," he quipped with a wink.
"Are you going to sing too?" she asked trying not to wince.
He chuckled. "The last time I sang you threatened to remove my manhood. I don't think I'm going to go there again. A buddy of mine is letting me join his band for tonight."
"Of course I am up for it," she chirped. "How should I dress?"
He stood up and walked towards her. "I think you should wear that black number you brought home a few months ago."
"What?" she giggled. "Warrick I didn't wear that thing more than five minutes before you were trying to drag me to the bedroom."
"I can't help it, you're a beautiful woman Sara Sidle," he said softly.
"You're not so bad yourself Warrick Brown."
He grinned devilishly. "You know speaking of the bedroom..."
*****
Later that evening Sara took a long soaking bath before Warrick's concert. He walked in as she was laying her head back perfectly relaxed.
"Hey now don't get too comfortable," he warned.
She smiled without opening her eyes. "Don't worry about it handsome. I am just taking in the moment."
"You mind if I shave real quick?" he asked even as he picked up the shaving cream.
"Of course not," she said silkily.
"Oh you didn't tell me how the thing went with the kid. How is he doing?" Warrick inquired.
"It went ok. I should have gone a long time ago. With his father deceased and his mother in jail Billy doesn't have anybody."
Warrick turned to look at her. "He has you now and thats more than he ever had before," he said kindly.
She sighed. "I guess your right. I just hope its enough."
They bantered back and forth for several minutes until Sara was ready to get out of the tub. She dried her hair and let it hang in her natural curl. She then donned the black dress that Warrick had suggested before applying some subtle makeup and a few pieces of choice jewelry. Looking at herself in the mirror she felt pleased with the result.
Warrick stood in the living room waiting for her. Sara thought he looked exceptionally handsome tonight in his black suit and tie. When he stared at her without saying anything she grew worried. She quickly looked down to make sure that everything was in order.
"Warrick? Is something wrong?"
"Sara," he whispered, "You take my breath away."
She grinned widely displaying the gap between her teeth that he loved so much. "You flatter me. If you keep this up you are going to make me vain."
He smiled gently. "Sara I can say these things precisely because you don't have a shallow bone in your body. Now come on woman, we need to get out of here before I change my mind and drag you to the bedroom again."
Warrick often spent some of his nights off playing piano at jazz clubs or offering his DJ services to those who asked. Sara went to see him on those nights they were lucky enough to have off together. Tonight seemed especially important to him however and she wondered what the deal was. He wouldn't tell her no matter how much she nagged.
When she wouldn't stop badgering him he told her that she sounded like Catherine. That shut her up.
For about two minutes.
Finally they reached the club and Sara grinned. She loved this place. It was a nice establishment that often featured great R&B bands. Warrick took her hand in his and led her inside. He picked a table for her near the front stage so she could watch the show and kissed her before going to join the band.
"Hey girlie mind if I join you?"
Sara turned around when she heard the familiar voice.
"Catherine! Of course, please sit down. What are you doing here? Wow you look great."
The older woman laughed. "I look great? Sara you are stunning tonight. I actually managed to get the night off and I like to catch Warrick's shows from time to time."
"You, me and Warrick all off on the same night? What was Grissom thinking?"
"Greg is covering for us."
"Oh god. Greg is covering for three CSIs?"
"Yeah I know. Don't say it though. Just think positive thoughts."
Sara groaned. "Well he is turning into a rather decent CSI even with the hair."
"Oh you know he only went with the mohawk to drive Grissom crazy," Catherine quipped.
"Yeah well I think its working," Sara laughed.
"Ah here comes the waiter. Lets get some drinks. What are you going to have?" Catherine asked.
Sara grinned slyly. "I think I'll have a 'Sex on the Beach'."
This comment brought surprised laughter from Catherine's lips. "I think you need to make that request of your man, however for the night I'll go with the same."
The waiter smiled as he took their orders and brought the drinks back a few minutes later. The two women sipped their drinks while they waited for the set to start. Catherine and Sara had developed a very close friendship over the past several months. Once Sara and Warrick had moved in together Catherine admitted to her that she thought they were perfect for each other. They also found that by cooperating together the guys at the lab wouldn't deny them anything. Two alpha females are much more effective than one.
"Oh here comes the band. Wow your man is looking good tonight," Catherine said with no small amount of admiration.
Sara silently agreed. She and Catherine enjoyed the show immensely. Warrick sat at the piano and played with a practiced ease that looked simply elegant. After several songs the lead vocalist took a few moments to introduce all of the band members. Each member nodded or raised his hand when his name was called.
"Ok folks I've been asked by my piano man to sing a special song tonight." The singer turned to look directly at Sara. "Sara this song is from Warrick to you. Here is the Hall and Oates classic, 'Sara Smile'."
Catherine grinned widely at her while Sara sat mesmerized listening to the song.
Baby hair with a woman's eyes
I can feel you watching in the night
All alone with me and we're waiting for the sunlight
When I feel cold you warm me
When I feel I can't go on you come and hold me
It's you... And me forever
Sara Smile
Won't you smile a while for me Sara
If you feel like leaving you know you can go
But why don't you stay until tomorrow?
If you want to be free, you know all you have to do is say so
And when you feel cold, I'll warm you
And when you feel you can't go on, I'll come and hold you
It's you... And me forever
Sara Smile
Won't you smile a while for me Sara
At the end of the song Warrick stood up from his piano bench and walked off the stage to stand in front of Sara. He reached his hand out for her to accept which she did. Sara thought she was living a dream as he led her to the dance floor.
Warrick pulled her close as the band began the next set.
"Sara, it's you...and me forever."
"I love you so much Warrick."
The End
