Disclaimer: I still don't own anything. Not CSI, not The Calling or their song "Could it be any harder".

A/N: Sorry this has taken so long to update. I had to make sure that chapter two lived up to chapter one.

Chapter 2: Could it be any harder

Greg heard the gunshot, and was about to fire off a few rounds of his own when he felt the sharp, fiery pain near the bottom of his rib cage on the left side.

His head spun, he couldn't think. He could hardly breathe. He dropped his gun as his knees gave out and he collapsed against the wall.

Sara, who was still behind him, tried to shoot the perp, but he had already dashed out the back door. She heard an engine start up and then fade as the vehicle departed.

She hurried to Greg's side. He was in a crumpled heap next to the wall. She gently touched his shoulder and he let out a pathetic moan. He managed to pull himself in to a sort of sitting position. It was then that Sara felt the full gravity of the situation. Greg had his arms wrapped around his stomach, and his right hand was desperately clutching his ribs. Sara could see the blood that was already seeping between his fingers.

Sara tried to keep from panicking. She had to stay calm, had to help Greg. She carefully took hold of him and laid him down on his back. She looked around frantically for something to stop the bleeding. Seeing nothing, she placed one hand on top of the other and applied as much pressure as possible in a vain attempt to halt the torrent.

She looked down at Greg's face. His eyes were half open and he was disturbingly pale. As she watched, his eyes flickered open and he gave her a weak smile.

"Hey, " he whispered. "It'll be okay." His eyes started to close again. He let out a pained breath.

"No!" Sara cried. "Don't you dare leave me!"

Greg shook his head slightly. "I'll…always…be with you."

With that he closed his eyes. Sara couldn't help it anymore. She just broke down and cried, still clutching Greg's limp form.

You left me with goodbye and open arms

A cut so deep I don't deserve

You were always invincible in my eyes

The only thing against us now is time

Could it be any harder to say goodbye and without you,

Could it be any harder to watch you go, to face what's true

If I only had one more day

As Sara cried, she ran her hand over Greg's face. As her fingers slid across his neck, she felt it. At first she thought it was her imagination, but then she checked again, and it was still there. A pulse. It was weak and erratic, but it was there. But how long would it last?

I lie down and blind myself with laughter

A quick fix of hope is what I'm needing

And how I wish that I could turn back the hours

But I know I just don't have the power

Could it be any harder to say goodbye and without you,

Could it be any harder to watch you go, to face what's true

If I only had one more day

Sara was starting to wish that she hadn't pushed Greg away all those years. It probably wouldn't have changed what was happening now, but at least, maybe, she wouldn't have all these regrets.

I'd jump at the chance,

We'd drink and we'd dance

And I'd listen close to your every word,

As if it's your last, I know it's your last,

Cause today, oh, you're gone.

Could it be any harder…

Could it be any harder…

Could it be any harder to live my life without you

Could it be any harder, I'm all alone, I'm all alone

Like sand on my feet,

The smell of sweet perfume

You stick to me forever, baby

And I wish you didn't go,

I wish you didn't go, I wish you didn't go away

To touch you again,

With life in your hands,

It couldn't be any harder…

Sara couldn't stop crying. Sure, there was a chance he'd live, but be realistic. They were in the middle of nowhere, with no cell phone service, and there was pretty much no way she'd get him to the car and back to town in time.

When she had all but given up, she felt someone wiping the tears from her cheek. She looked down and saw Greg, smiling up at her. She could see the pain in his eyes, but also a shadow of something else. Concern? He was worried about her?

"Don't cry," he whispered. "Everything'll be okay. I promise you that."