Disclaimer: I don't own CSI, and I don't have any possessions worth litigation.

Summary: A killer with angelic aspirations visits Vegas, forcing several of the CSIs to confront their own demons. Written as a possible S5 finale (before the spoilers came out.) Some violence, language, and sexual implications. And oh yes, GSR.

Spoilers: Season 5

Credits: While real life precluded her actual co-writing with me as we intended, Rokothepas was integral and deserves much credit. She insists on not being a co-author, but it should be noted many of the ideas, logic, interpretations and twists were all hers and I wouldn't have thought of them in a million years. Not to mention her endless support ultimately meant this story got finished. Thank you Roko!

Notes: The aftermath, with some ending GSR.

Thanks for the most recent reviews from: LittleSidle, Camilla Sandman, Eaglesei, CSIFan4Life, leddy, Lizzy Sidle, Amanda, Sunset, and Chicklit (hey Chicklit, I'm waiting for your next story!) Thank you all very much for your input and encouragement throughout -- writing is a real struggle for me and sometimes feedback is the only thing that keeps me going. It's appreciated hugely!

Azrael's Wings

8

Epilogue – Recall and Ascent

The upheaval in the media worked in their favor, for once. The city was relieved that Weisman had been caught and the media scrambled for gory details once the connection between Weisman's Vegas and Houston killings was made public. Sara and Greg were evaluated, counseled and dismissed quickly, thanks to Brass' insistence. He wanted that out of the way so he could quietly and quickly put Grissom's shooting to rest.

Grissom was cleared for a clean shoot promptly by the department. The sheriff was much more concerned over the facts that Fromansky had left the scene, and Ecklie had been conspicuously unavailable and uninvolved with the whole investigation. The swing and graveyard shift watched almost in disbelief at their luck as Ecklie received a formal reprimand and investigation and Fromansky was fired.

Ecklie found himself demoted in the whirlwind that followed, and Catherine, to her surprise, found herself the candidate for day shift supervisor, as Ecklie was being forced to swing. Catherine was still deciding what she would do, but since she knew Ecklie's team would most likely follow him, she asked and received permission for Nick and Warrick to go back to graveyard, at their request. Catherine was still trying to come to grips with the fact that she had met the killer, realized he was odd, and had said little or nothing to the others.

Grissom hadn't stuck around the lab long after his initial interview for the shooting. For once he didn't particularly care how the lab worked things out. He collected an exhausted Sara and watched the events unfold from his couch, on his TV and via Catherine and Brass on the phone. Sara slept sprawled across him for a straight eight hours. Grissom was glad for the silence. He still had an extremely difficult time expressing himself to her in actual words. By the time she woke up, everything was settled.

"I'm just sorry you had to kill someone," she said.

"I'd do it again, given the circumstances." That was all he would say on the subject.

She was still troubled by something, and late the next evening, he finally drew it out of her. "Sara," he said quietly. "Tell me what happened in there, so we can put it behind us."

"I remembered," she said simply. "I never knew before, why my mom killed my dad. When I walked into that scene, for some reason it finally came back."

She looked at him steadily. "She killed him for me. She told me, when I found them, that he was coming after me next, and that's why she did it. I guess I blocked it out all these years because I felt guilty. Guilty because I still loved him, guilty because I was angry at her, and guilty because she took all the blame for me."

He processed that information for a long few minutes. "You realize there's no need for you to feel that way now, don't you?"

"I think so. I don't think I'll be having nightmares anymore. And I think…" she faltered. Grissom waited.

"I think I should make contact with her, and let her know I don't hate her, or blame her, anymore." She finally finished.

He nodded wordlessly, and when she went to him, he took her in his arms, burying his face in her shoulder, still amazed she was even there.

"The worst damages can be healed, and anyone can change. You taught me that," she murmured.

"Well, I really am trying." he managed. "I still have my usual difficulties communicating, but I think we're finally getting over the trust thing." She was silent, and after a moment he lifted his head to look at her.

"We have a whole twenty-four hours to relax. I say we spend it communicating without words. You're pretty good at that." She smiled.

He gazed at her relieved, but unsure.

"You can start now," she added.

"I like it when you say 'Now,'" Grissom whispered, and he didn't need any further prompting than that.

End