Huge thanks to both Marlou and Burked for beta-ing Chapter Nine

A few days later, Sara was leaning over the evidence table, her eyes examining the crucial evidence to her most recent case. She knew that the gossip mill had already churned around the lab and news of her impending departure had travelled the circuit at least twice.

She had long since given up trying to justify her reasons to everyone, especially Greg, who was more disappointed in her replacement being male. So many times since he learned of the news, he would watch her longingly, his eyes showing a sheen of sadness that she had been unaccustomed to seeing from him, but she knew this was his way of showing her she would be missed.

Everything had been set in place, her new supervisor, Andrew Dale, informed, her living accommodation arranged. Sara had even spoken to the man she would be exchanging with over the phone. Jared Peters had been the first to call, his deep voice calming her tattered nerves. He was actually looking forward to stepping into her job for the next six months, and reassured her that her new male colleagues were ready to welcome her with open arms.

Sitting back in her chair, she took a moment to relieve the stiffness in her shoulders. So much had happened in just a short time and she found herself lost, often in a dark cavern that immersed her in depression. Her moods shifted between elation and despair, and more often than not, her sorrow won the battle bringing the edge of defeat crashing down around her.

Grissom had all but avoided her, as if he was in some way preparing himself for her absence. In a way she welcomed the silence, her battered heart unable to cope with the emotions that she had so many times deigned to bury. His avoidance made the inevitable pain of separation almost bearable, she was grateful for that at least.

 His avoidance was something she had become accustomed to over the last year, and for him to suddenly change now would almost certainly upset the fragile balance that he had come to depend on to protect himself. Sara understood that aspect of him, and she still loved him despite his flaws. She knew he could never allow his walls to crumble, even for a few seconds, and that's why she had to leave. She had to free him from her bonds, no matter how much it cost her in tears.

Sensing a presence behind her, she turned slightly to see who had invaded her solitude and found herself face to face with someone who had her own agenda.

"Catherine," Sara nodded, her eyes defying the spark of triumph that appeared in the other woman's eyes.

"Sara, I…" Catherine stopped mid sentence, as if she was trying to rethink the words, knowing that either way the deliverance would sting just as much. "I'm sure you've heard this so many times in the last few days, but I do think you're doing the right thing. I really do wish you luck."

"Thanks," Sara nodded, holding Catherine's eyes for a few seconds more. "I sense a but."

"Nope," she muttered, a little flustered as she started to edge from the room. "You and Gil would never have worked, I have to commend you for doing what's right."

Sara watched her retreat, the disguised compliment only a mere weapon to further strike another stake through her heart. Did the whole lab know how much of a fool she had been? Turning away from the vacant doorway, Sara bit down the soaring anger. She had no doubts in her mind that Catherine's comments were designed to hurt her, but she would be damned if she let her think she had won.

A humming on her hip caught her attention, and she looked down to her pager that was hooked onto her belt. Unclipping it, she lifted it up to read the text message, its bold writing casting another blow to her already cracking reserve.

Please come to Director Cavallo's office ASAP

She looked at the message as if it would change any moment, but she knew it wouldn't. This meant only one thing. Cavallo had news of her transfer and at the present moment, it couldn't come quick enough for her. The lab had become nothing but an empty casket, the once vibrant essence filling her with excitement as she waited for a new case. Now it was hollow and numb, holding no interest for her except for the people she loved here. With a heavy sigh, she returned to the evidence on the table, intent on finishing before going into the lion's den.

An hour later, Sara stood outside the same wooden door as she had only a few days ago. Lifting her hand, she knocked on the door and waited until she heard his authorization to enter. For a moment, she almost lost her nerve, wondering for a split second how she was going to survive this, but as soon as his 'enter' cut through her thoughts everything seemed to clear.

Opening the door, she poked her head inside. "You wanted to see me?"

Cavallo looked up, an immediate smile forming on his lips. "Yes, come in."

Sara's body seemed to move of its own accord, working wholly on autopilot. Closing the door behind her, she moved to one of the chairs opposite his desk and sat down.

"I am pleased to tell you that the authorization has just come through," he told her. "Do you have any impending cases open?"

"Yes," she nodded, her voice croaking softly through the sudden dryness in her mouth. "It's the hit and run outside the Mayfair."

"I'm sure your supervisor can hand the case over to another team member," he nodded as he handed her a sheet of paper.

Sara took it and started to read it carefully, her hands trembling as she read the information. "Tomorrow?" she asked suddenly, her eyes widening in a mixture of shock and despair as the sudden realization that this was actually happening struck her.

"Is that a problem?" Cavallo asked, his eyes indicating that this wasn't an option.

"Uh…no…no of course not. I just wasn't expecting it to be so soon." Calming her thoughts, she sat up a little straighter in her chair. "Actually this is perfect. I'm not really that big on goodbyes."

"Excellent," he smiled. "I'll inform Grissom that he should expect your replacement in two days."

"Actually, sir," she started, her voice slightly hesitant. "Um…I know this isn't standard procedure, but would you mind waiting until I'm on my flight before you inform him." Her face fell slightly as she tried to come up with a reasonable explanation for her request. "I really, really hate goodbyes."

Cavallo regarded her for a moment, pondering. "What time is your flight?" he asked, nodding his head towards the airline ticket she held in her hand.

"Oh…" she gasped, her eyes dropping to the envelope in her hand. With trembling fingers, she pulled the ticket out to read the departure time. "10.30 tomorrow morning."

"That shouldn't be a problem," he nodded, a smile now accompanying his study of her. "I assume you are already packed and have taken care of personal arrangements."

"Yes," she nodded. "Jared Peters, the man replacing me is going to rent my apartment for the six months. It seems a little impractical that he should find somewhere to rent when my apartment will be empty."

"I see," he told her, obviously impressed with her answer. "I trust you have also arranged accommodation in Maine?"

"Yeah," she smiled. "I'm trading jobs with Jared, so I might as well trade apartments too."

"Good, good." Standing up, he offered his hand to her as she mimicked his movements. "I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank you for participating in the program. I'm sure our loss will be Maine's gain."

"Thank you," she smiled, his words lifting her spirits slightly. "I'll…I'll see you in a few months."

"Good luck," he told her as she pulled open the door.

"Thanks," she smiled, before leaving his office for the last time, in what would be an eternity.

Her heart leapt inside her as she started to walk towards the locker room, her airline ticket clasped tightly in her hands. The time had come, speeding her towards a separation that would almost certainly rip open her healing wounds. The distance would forge a void inside her, adding to the emptiness and loss that she had been feeling for so long. Yet, the many miles away from Vegas might eventually close the wounds, helping her to once again build up the confidence inside her.

Stepping inside the small room, she looked around at the dark locker doors silently. This room was nothing but a storage space, a place where they began and ended their days. As she looked around, her eyes fell onto the individual lockers of her team-mates. Her eyes caressed the metal, as if willing them to open so she could feel the person inside. She'd always known leaving was going to be hard, but now as she felt the sting of sorrow wash into her soul, she realized just how much she would miss them.

Sara struggled with the tears that ached to control her, their stinging presence casting a guilty awareness to linger inside her heart. She had four hours until the end of shift, ample time to bid her farewells without actually revealing the truth. She only hoped she could say goodbye without breaking down. With silent acceptance, she opened her locker door to pull her bag down from the metal shelf. She found her eyes lingering over the ticket, mesmerized by the freedom this small piece of paper offered her, but at the same time knowing how much pain it would cause in its wake. Taking a breath, she shoved the ticket into her bag and zipped it up, then placed it back onto the shelf and slammed the door shut.

For the next few hours, Sara rifled through her paperwork, her intension to tie up any loose ends she may have left untied. Being in the lab for her final hours seemed to calm her senses, highlighting her departure even more.

"Hey Sar," Nick called from the break room doorway. "Me and War are gonna grab some breakfast after shift. You wanna come?"

Swallowing the growing lump in her throat, she turned slightly in her chair and watched him silently before she could trust her failing voice. "I can't today Nick."

Her answer tugged at his curiosity, and he came further into the room to pull out the chair next to hers. He could see the sheen of tears that made her eyes glisten and immediately launched into his protective mode. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she lied, her heart thumping wildly inside her ears.

"There is. I know you Sara, now spill it, what's wrong?"

For a moment, she contemplated not saying goodbye to him, the impending farewell already causing her heart to ache. She could see his worry, his natural ability to heal with words softening the ache in her heart. She turned to him then, her trembling hand reaching out to clasp his tightly. "I'm leaving."

"Hadn't we already established that?" he asked quietly, squeezing her hand tightly in his. The smile dropped from his face when he caught her eyes. "Sara?"

Sara watched him quietly, his dark eyes emanating such affection that she couldn't bear to see them immersed in grief. Grief that she would cause. She knew she should embrace the moment, say her farewells and hold him close to her before she left, but she couldn't. Instead, she pulled her hand from his and offered him what she hoped was one of her best smiles. "I'm gonna miss you."

"Awww Sar," he grinned, reaching out to pull her into a bear hug before moving back to kiss her cheek. "Better stop with the mushy stuff," he warned, his voice softer as he regarded her with adoring eyes. "Word might get out that you've gone soft."

"Soft," she gasped, their light banter causing a flurry of laughter to escape her lips as she instinctively whacked his arm playfully. "You are so gonna get it."

"Oh I'm scared," he grinned, his eyes lingering over hers for a few more seconds before he pulled away from her. "I'll see you later."

Sara's mood shifted from happiness to one of sadness in less than a second, but she hid the emotions well from his prying eyes. "Later," she smiled, savouring her last moments with the man who had become a close friend.

She watched him until he disappeared from view, his departure leaving her feeling drained of complete emotion. She was going to miss them, all of them, and no amount of delaying the inevitable would change things. Picking up the file from the table, she pushed her chair back and stood to her feet. She had some people to see, and tomorrow would be too late.

TBC