A/N: That was a really good finale, but (again) the ending kind of left me feeling empty. It was like someone wrote an excellent script, but just fizzled out at the ending. I hate that I felt so much up until the end - then I felt nothing. It isn't like Tarantino to have a script wrap up so nicely (maybe that's why I felt a little cheated - I didn't want Nick to die(glad he didn't), but I wanted to see something more out of Sara and Greg. I wanted to see Sara go to pieces like Warrick did. I wanted to see Catherine comfort someone other than Warrick). But they did make it clear how divided the swing and night shift is. What's up with Hodges (they wrote him as extremely weird . . . the Duke's of Hazzard Game?)? Sorry for the long rant.
"How can you guys sit there and play that game for hours on end?" Sara asked as Warrick and I sat engrossed in out Madden 2005 Football game.
"If you would just tell Nick that the Cowboys don't have a chance in hell against my Steelers, then the game would be over. Logic, baby, logic," Warrick replied. Truth be told, my Cowboys were kicking his ass by more than a little bit.
"Rick, Sara and I are going to go make out for a little bit. We already told Greg that he could watch," Mia said as she kissed Warrick's neck. Her ploy for more attention didn't do anything to sway Warrick's focus.
"I thought you guys were making supper in the kitchen. That little kiss ass, Sanders," Warrick teased.
"What? Two beautiful ladies asked me for help . . . did you really think I could say no?" Greg replied. All I could do is laugh.
"Sanders, you never ever make a move on a brother's lady," Warrick teased.
Our friendships weren't what they were years ago. They had become something better. Things were still strained in the lab. Catherine was learning to balance politics and management. Grissom was learning to be a little less of a push over. There was still tension between Warrick, Greg, and Sara and Catherine, but they managed to keep it professional.
As a teenager, my best friend's parents stayed together for the sake of their children. The lab had pulled together in much the same way. I could never picture Catherine and Sara being friends, but I at least didn't have to worry about constant fighting. If only my biological family could get it together as my 'real' family had.
"If we don't eat soon, I'm going to be late for my own graduation," Sara replied. I could hear her disappear back into Warrick's kitchen.
"Dr. Sidle . . . exactly how many abbreviations do have after your last name?" I teased.
"She's a bachelor of science, master of science, and doctor of philosophy. BS, MS, PhD . . . think she can collect anymore?" Greg replied.
"You should be proud of her," Mia replied as she jokingly punched Greg's arm.
"I didn't say I wasn't," Greg replied as he pretended to be hurt.
"That's my girl," Warrick said. I wasn't sure if he was talking to the video game or to Mia.
We ate supper as Sara nervously flipped through her notecards. Being as studious as Sara Sidle always was, she was asked to speak on behalf of a rather small doctorate class. I think she said there were a whole ten of them across the fifteen different science and liberal arts departments. She barely touched her food. When she did, Sara looked as if she might throw up.
"I swear to God . . . I'm having a panic attack," Sara said as she bent over so her head could be tucked between her knees. I tried my hardest to give her attention while still paying attention to my driving.
"It's okay . . . it's okay. You'll get up there and do a great job," I said I rubbed circles on her back.
"She has this phobia about speaking in public places," Greg replied from the back seat, "Sar, remember to picture the beaches and the white sand."
"I don't want to picture it," Sara replied.
"What the hell?" I asked.
"She's supposed to focus on her 'happy place' to relieve the anxiety. We did this exercise before the academy meeting in Washington DC last year. Deep breaths," Greg said softly.
"Her happy spot is a beach? Just picture yourself in Greg's bed, Sara," I teased. Instead of the laugh that I was hoping for . . . maybe even expecting, I heard her inhale sharply.
"I don't think you found her happy spot," Greg snapped, "Come on, Sar. It's really going to be okay. No one listens to those speeches. I can't remember anything from my high school or college graduation."
"I gave a speech at my high school graduation. What do you mean nobody listens to those?" Sara asked as she shot up from her tucked over position, "Nick?"
"Whoa, that was a long time ago," I replied, "Something about enterprising or upsizing or downsizing."
The graduation went off without a hitch. Grissom joined us in the claustrophobic auditorium. Between us and the parents of the students receiving their masters degrees; there was barely any breathing room. The seats were so close together that I was nearly on Greg's lap.
Sara's speech went flawlessly. Upon announcement of her name, she had five extremely loud coworkers standing up and cheering for her. She looked in our direction and smiled.
"For your graduation, Dr. Sidle," I said as I handed her a brown paper bag.
"Champagne and caffeine pills . . . condoms too?" Sara asked with an arched eyebrow after digging through the bag.
"For your narcolepsy," I replied. I was surprised that she kissed my cheek. I was surprised that Greg, Warrick, Mia, and Grissom hadn't noticed.
"For your ego," Sara said with a smile, "Eight on Wednesday night. I'll be waiting. Oh, I like Shasta daisies."
With that, she walked over to where everyone else was standing. All I could do was shake my head in disbelief. That was the Sara Sidle that I remembered.
We took pictures that are now framed and sitting on my nightstand. Catherine even came out to the crappy diner for breakfast at three in the morning. It was like being transported back in time. For a moment, I remembered the hallucinations I had in the coffin. I remembered thinking about everyone being together. I was nearly overcome by the emotion.
Now, I just need to figure out what the hell Shasta daisies are.
FIN