SECOND CHANCE

VII – AT LAST

Time was really fast and night already clouded Las Vegas. Blinking lights passed as a vehicle was quickly moving along the streets of Vegas.

"What's going on?" Cath blurted out as she looked at the determined look on Grissom's face as he drove his Tahoe along intersections and avenues.

"A while ago, you told me that I'm not gonna find Sara through her pictures, so I just read Hank's diary instead…"

Cath bowed and shook her head because it is not the one she's trying to tell him.

He continued, unaware of her reaction, "… I've found something."

"Well, that's not exactly what I'm intending you to do. I was expecting you will work in the field. But, anyway… what is it that you found?"

"I'll tell you when we get there."

Cath just sighed. After a minute or so, Grissom parked his car in front of a small warehouse. There were several police cars everywhere. Brass, Nick and Warrick were already there.

"Wont miss the action," Nick greeted as they approached them.

"You finished with your cases?" Grissom questioned them.

"Done already." Warrick replied. "It wasn't really murder but suicide. The vic implanted the knife on the kitchen edge and let it stab him."

"Yeah, he did that for insurance that his elderly mom will get but we know about suicide incidents." Nick added. "Mom was furious because she was drowned in poverty and she doesn't want to live in the hospice care. She only wants her son."

"Sad story." Cath commented. She shared meaningful looks with Warrick. "But anyway, Grissom…" She broke the contact and turned to Grissom. "… you were saying?"

Grissom turned to Brass. "You already cleared the place?"

"Yup. We're waiting for your signal."

Grissom nodded. Then he turned to Catherine. " I called Brass when I read a part of Hank's diary which includes a picture of him with the warehouse as background. I almost missed it, but when I looked closer, I saw blood and smudged thumbprint on the photo. Thumbprint's Hank's, the blood's Sara's. He might have took Sara there and browsed through his diary and touched the picture, pointing this warehouse." He indicated the warehouse at his back. "We're lucky."

"Brilliant."

Grissom nodded again. He looked at his watch. "well guys, it's time." He signaled to Brass. Cops already moved and took their positions. Brass signaled, 'Three… two… one…'

Then they busted in the warehouse and quickly looked for some signs of life. The CSIs followed at their backs, holding their guns, getting ready. Then they got him.

They spotted Hank off-guarded near to Sara, tied to a chair, gagged and blindfolded. He was surprised and his instant reaction was that he grabbed Sara and held her hostage. The cops stopped.

"Hank Peddigrew, you're under arrest for the abduction of Sara Sidle." Brass was the first one to speak.

"If you get nearer, I'll kill her." He got a gun and held it near her temple. He can hear Sara's sobs.

"Hank," It was Grissom from the back, taking the floor from Brass, "I know what you feel… Please don't make things much worse. So you see, I'm dropping my gun…" He lowered himself and put the gun down to the floor next to him. Everybody was standing still and holding their breaths. The CSIs were at the back, still holding their guns, if something goes wrong.

"Hank, please. Sara's one of my best. You cant just ruin both your lives."

"You're the reason Sara's away from me." He pointed the gun to him. The other CSIs tightened their grip on their guns. "You're the one who took her away from me!"

"No Hank, listen." You're ruining yourself to Sara. If you act like this, how can she notice you? Hank, don't complicate things. Just put the gun down. Please."

Grissom held his hand out to him. Hank lowered his gun and a little later, he gave it to Grissom. As Grissom had the gun in his hands, he suddenly punches Hank in the face. Hank stumbles to the ground. Even Grissom was old, he wasn't that old because the blow was so hard that he made Hank's lips and nose bleed.

"That's for hurting Sara! And how ca she like you if you're a good-for-nothing loser! If you get near her again, I swear I'll be the one who'll kill you even if it puts me in jail!" He was breathing heavily as he let out his anger.

Before Hank could stand up, police were bearing down on him and handcuffing his hands behind his back.

The CSIs let out a little "Woohooh!" at the back. Cath sneered. Nick wore the biggest grin and Warrick couldn't just help it but smile.

Grissom looked at Hank as he was placed at his back and then turned to Sara. He removes her gag and lowered her blindfold to see him. then he hugged her tight.

"Grissom, I'm so sorry! I couldn't do anything!"

"It's okay, Sara." he whispered.

"Ouch."

He stopped and looked at the wound she got on her arm. It was bleeding and from the look of it, no one cared to clean it. He took out his hanky and tied it around her wound. Tears were running down her face. Grissom wiped it with his thumbs and hugged her again.

"IT's okay, Sara. I'm here."

A cop untied her bunds on her arms and at the moment she was free, she instantly hugged Grissom back tightly. She felt the smooth texture of his black polo and the other hand going through the curls in his hair.

"I was scared. He's going to kill you. I'm scared, Grissom. I'm scared of what he'll gonna do." She managed to say between her cries.

"it's okay now, honey. I'm here. It's okay." Grissom let out as his mouth touched her hair. He can feel the curves on Sara's back as he comforted her and the other hand feel the smoothness of her hair. He can feel her so small in his arms. He closed his eyes. "it's gonna be alright."

Sara was now speechless and just drowned in Grissom's arms, crying. She was dumped in his chest and there her tears fell but Grissom's clothing were there to catch it and wipe it out. They stayed there in that position, feeling safe in one another's arms. Sara still afraid, shaking and crying, and Grissom, still whispering words of assurance, comfort and certainty. But as far as Sara knows, as long as Grissom's there, she's now safe.

The CSis just looked at the scene and smiled at each other. Relieved for the first time. The three hugged each other for a moment for a job well done.

>>> this will be the second to the last... reviews for the final moment of muh first fanfic... thanx guys