Last chapter. I hope you enjoy it.


After Grissom stormed out my office after my time-consuming silence, I got back to work. It wasn't fair on the victims and their families to not have my full attention on this case. I didn't find anything on the phone records, predictably. Whoever this guy was, he was good. He left little evidence for the CSI's to find and there was no link with all the victims. We believe his victims were random.

Once my shift was over I went back to my hotel room and found Connie there. I hadn't spoken to her in a while. When she saw me enter the room she immediately bombarded me with questions.

'What happened?' 'Is she gone?' 'How did she take it?' 'What did Grissom say?'

'STOP! I'll tell you it all.' So I did. I told Connie the truth. I saw the look in her eyes.

'Are you insane? You got her job back for her? After what she did to you!' she yelled at me. So I explained how I had to help her. Of course Connie didn't understand, I didn't expect anyone too.

'Why would you do that?' she asked me once she had calmed down a little.

'Her whole life is here, she couldn't lose that.' I replied.

'Your whole life was here. That didn't stop her!'

I blinked away the tears that formed in my eyes. What Connie said was true. But I was glad Catherine did what she did. I loved being in the FBI, I loved living in New York and I loved my new friends there.

'What happened, can't be changed. But I wanted to help Cath. Just leave it okay?'

'Fine. I'm going out.' She left. I didn't know where she was going but I hoped she would just come back and understand. I think that was a bit optimistic.

A knock at the door an hour later interrupted my thoughts. Answering it, I was surprised who stood at the door.

Catherine had tears running down her face. When the door opened she wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me.. I couldn't say I wasn't a bit surprised.

'Thank you so much,' she cried. 'Ecklie called, said that you owned up. Why did you do that?'

'You didn't deserve to lose your job Catherine. It was no big deal,' I replied.

'No big deal? Sara, you saved my job. I owe you big time! You need anything just ask.'

I thought for a minute. Did I really need anything from Catherine? No. I did this not to get anything in return.

'Just don't let everyone hate me again okay?'

'Done.' She replied and left the room.

6 hours and 3 vodkas later I was awoke by my cell phone ringing.

'Sidle?' I answered, still half asleep.

'Sara?' it was Connie, 'Where the hell are you? Did you not get my messages?'

'Oh..Um.. No I was asleep. What's going on?' I must have been pretty out of it.

'We caught the guy. Woman spotted the guy trying to dump the next victim not far out in the desert. She called the cops and we picked him up a few minutes later. We got his DNA and fingerprints and matched it to the other victims. We just need you to sign off on some paperwork and it is home sweet home.'

'That's great!' I replied a little too enthusiastically. It was great about the case but did I really want to go home? Of course I did. I wanted to be back in New York with the FBI away from Grissom and everyone else. I tried to avoid thinking about Grissom, without luck. How could that man just invade my thoughts anytime he pleases? How dare he! Okay so you are thinking not his fault? Well true. But I just don't want to think about him.

When I finally got the CSI HQ (I think it sounds cooler that way) I had been imagining myself working back as a CSI. I remember the thrill of solving a case, the excitement of getting a good assignment from Grissom, the worthless feeling of not being able to solve a case. All the good feelings were welcome to come back, but the bad memories followed. I remember Eddie, Linley Parker and all the other people I couldn't bring justice too. Being a CSI seriously fucked me up so much more than any family ever could. When I sleep at night I dream about dead people. Not nice fluffy dreams or even no dreams at all, my dreams are filled with death and blood and horrible, horrible sights no one should ever see. I often wondered if my co-workers had these dreams or if they slept peacefully at night.

But anyways, I was back at CSI HQ and I just walked in. Passing me in the corridor Nick and Warrick looked at me blankly without saying 'Hi' or anything. They were ignoring me. And so it began again. I knew it would be difficult for Catherine to stop them hating me. What else could I expect?

I didn't care anymore. By tomorrow I will be home free and will hopefully never return to the city of sin.

I went straight to Ecklie's office where I was greeted by Connie.

'Just sign here Sara and we can leave this hellhole,' she said to me cheerfully. I was glad she wasn't mad at me anymore. I signed the paper scanning it quickly. It was just some regular paperwork you had to sign once a case had been solved. Using my regular loopy signature the case was officially closed. I could officially go home. I had no reason to stay in Las Vegas.

'I'll just get everyone together to thank,' said Connie and with that she was gone. Ecklie sat in his chair, looking like he was thinking of something so say. I thought I would be waiting a while so I broke the silence.

'It was good seeing you again Ecklie.' I held out my hand. He took it.

'You too Sara. I'm glad you are doingso successful with the FBI.'

I left his office in search of Connie. I was to travel back to the hotel with her to check out. I found her in the break room surrounded by the nightshift team. They all went silent as I walked into the room.

'Ready to go Connie?' I asked her. I wanted to leave as soon as I could.

'Goodbye Sara.' I heard Grissom say as I walked out of the room. It was a simple sentence, but it meant to much. Walking away from them again I wiped away a tear from my eye. Connie ran up behind me.

'You okay Sara?' I knew then that I was okay. I let a few ghosts lie in this visit.

I looked at Connie. Her expression was concerned. But I smiled. 'Never better!'

And I left. Never to return..


So what did you think? I wasn't too pleased with the ending but my endings are always crap. If everyone hates it I could always try and rewrite it. Only if people review though- so review.