Disclaimer: The characters from CSI described throughout this fic belong to CBS, Alliance Entertainment, and stuffy executives that are not me. The storyline and all original dialogue do belong to me, and if I see this popping up someplace else, I'll hunt you down and bite you. All mistakes are mine and mine alone.

Rating, Beta Props, etc. – See Chapter 1. Thank you Cybrokat (who completely rocks socks) and Jennie!

A/N: Well, this is it, the last chapter. There is one more set of lines out there, but I've chosen not to use them in this fic. I may use them for something else. :) Thank you to everyone for reading and reviewing! I hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

And wow, this chapter is a big bowl of Corn Flakes and Marshmallows, topped with a whole box of Cracker Jacks and some Cheez Doodles. Yeesh. Fluff-city.

First and last lines of the YTDAW Improv challenge were provided, and are italicized. Microsoft Word says 3,460 words. Thank God for no more word limits! I'm not so good with them, huh?

"So you were in a frat." Sara smiled softly at her second employer as he scoffed and corrected her.

"Brotherhood, m'dear. Brotherhood. It was the fifties, and things weren't nearly like they are today." As Samuel Clemson continued his reminiscing, Sara's mind wandered, but only slightly.

Samuel Clemson had been thrilled to see her when she knocked on his office door. She expected a huge bear hug from the sometimes cantankerous black man, but he had surprised her with his reserve. He had grasped her hand firmly in salutation and led her to the bar. It was there that she sat now, two hours later, her ass slightly numb.

But it was worth the minor discomfort to listen to the man speak of his past, of his present and of his family. The fact that he was married with three children to boot surprised Sara. She had always assumed Sam was a loner; his lifelong link his club and his Marlboro's. It seemed her instincts on men needed an overhaul.

She blinked, focusing back on Sam's oration about the deep South and how different it was from here in Vegas. She placed her hand softly on his, ceasing his ramblings.

"Sam, can we continue this another time?"

"Oh, oh, of course, Miss Sara. I… tend to get caught up in my own memories sometimes." There was a sorrow in his voice, the sorrow of age and wisdom and pain, and for a moment, Sara could almost see the younger version of the man before her as he struggled through those difficult times.

"That's okay," she said with reassurance. "I love hearing about it and I would stay to listen to your stories all afternoon, but I need to head over to Warrick's and talk with him about starting up again next week."

"He hasn't been in since you left. Neither has Pete, which is surprising for that one. I'll be glad to see you reunited again on my stage."

"I'm sure your customers will be pleased as well. Along with your bank account." Sara winced at her own words; she probably shouldn't bring up how much money he had lost during her little road trip.

"My bank account has nothing to do with it, although I won't complain to see it bustin' at the seams again." He turned his dark eyes towards hers. "It is an honor to have you perform under my roof. A treat and a pleasure, so don't you think otherwise, y'hear?"

Sara nodded uncomfortably as she stood. "I'll see you next Thursday then."

"Until then, Miss Sara. Oh! Have you come up with a name for you folks yet?"

"I need to talk to the guys about it, but I've come up with one that I think we'll all agree on."

"It is?"

"T.O.E."

"Toe?"

"Nope, tee oh eee."

Clemson gave a slight shake of his head. "Okay. Does it stand for something?"

"Yeah, but I'm not going to tell you what." She winked boldly at him as she walked through the door, hearing his rough coughs of laughter as she left.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The knocking was soft, but firm. This must be Sara. Warrick checked the clock on his microwave. She was two hours later than he'd expected, but still close enough to fall within his range. He owed himself a double-double animal style over at In-n-Out. With fries.

He opened the door slowly, wary of the conversation ahead of him. He still disagreed with her relationship with Grissom, but he accepted the fact that he had little say in the matter. Sara and Grissom would do whatever they damned well pleased, and if it made them happy to be in a relationship together, then so be it. Warrick swore he could see the forest for the trees on this one, and he worried that Sara wouldn't recover when they finally split. Although, it was possible that Grissom would be the one who wouldn't recover.

Or - they could just run off into the sunset together and elope. God, Baby Grissoms was something that Warrick was not ready to consider at this moment.

As anticipated, Sara stood in his doorway. The chocolate chip cookies, however, were unexpected.

"For you," she said simply, passing them to him in a mock-formal manner. "May I come in?"

Warrick half-grinned as he asked, "What are these for?"

"Can't a girl make cookies for her friend?"

He blinked. "You made these?"

Sara smiled sweetly, but it only lasted a second before she broke into a half-bark of laughter. "I would say 'yes' and impress the hell out of you, but I can't lie. I bought them over at Thompson's Bakery on 12th street. They're… well, they're a bribe. And a thank you for standing up for me to that shithead Ecklie and losing a week's pay for it. I wish I could have seen it."

"Well thank you and you're welcome, and… why do I need a bribe?"

"I was over at The Black Velvet today. I spoke with Sam, and he'd like us back if we want to. I told him I couldn't guarantee anything until I talked with you and Pete… but we're scheduled for next Thursday night."

Warrick scowled slightly. "Sara…"

"I know that we didn't exactly leave things on good terms, and I know you're not happy about me and Grissom, War, but…"

Warrick cut her off by resting his hands on her shoulders softly. "Sara. Look. I'm not upset with you. Far from it. I…" He paused, wanting to choose his words carefully. "I just don't want to see you get hurt."

"I don't want to get hurt, either." Her voice was quiet, small and soft. God, sometimes she was just so fragile it ripped right through him.

He pulled her close in an embrace almost instinctively. "I was angry, and I'm sorry. It isn't fair of me to make decisions for you, but I care about you. You're my friend."

Tears dripped slowly down her face as she leaned her head against his chest. "I was so afraid you'd still be mad. That I'd have to choose. That we couldn't perform together anymore. That about killed me, you know? And then Gil, well he told me about what you both did. And I thought that maybe you'd be okay with it, with us."

He rubbed her shoulder softly while she spoke. "I'm okay with it," he said.

"Yeah but I didn't know, and really I understand why you wouldn't approve. I mean, it isn't like he's been a saint about all this… but …"

"I know," he murmured. "He loves you."

"You think so?" she asked.

"I know so, because I do too." She shifted a little in his arms, but he continued quickly with a chuckle. "Babe, I thought about it while you were away, and I realized you're like the sister, like the family I never had. You're just… different to me than any of the other women I've known. See, when I was growing up with my grandmom, it was just me and her. She passed away when I was nineteen, and it's been me and only me ever since."

Warrick continued, "I've had my share of women companions. Now, don't you laugh, because this isn't like that, okay? It took me a while to justify why I was so pissed off at Grissom. I knew I was, I just couldn't figure out why. I finally realized that I didn't trust him, and I was convinced he would disappoint you again. And I didn't want to see that happen."

She looked up at him, and he smiled down at her in reply. "I don't know why, Sara, but I have this need to keep you safe, so you won't ever be hurt again. You've had enough of that, and you deserve better. I figure I'm like the big brother, overprotective of his little sister whose always running off and getting herself into trouble. That's how I feel."

"Warrick…" she murmured as she laid her head back down on his shoulder. She lifted it back up quickly and shot him a look of defiance as she said, "Wait, I do not go and get myself into trouble!"

"Oh yes you do. Look, I don't know about your family situation, but I know you're always here for the holidays. And since they're coming up in a few months, I was thinking…" His voice trailed off. He hadn't meant to go this route, but now that he was here, it wasn't such a bad idea after all. She was looking at him with that analytical look she gave the evidence all the time.

"I was thinking that… well, we could be like family. For each other. Like brother and sister. Spend the holidays together instead of alone. We could host a big party for the team, and Pete too. Have tofu turkey and all the vegetarian trimmings. You can even bring your boyfriend."

Her eyes filled again with tears. "Oh…"

"No matter what happens, I consider you my family." His voice was wavering. Damn. Keep it together, man.

She hugged him tight, her tears staining his T-shirt. She never did answer, but then again, words probably weren't required.

They stood there, together, two people, one originally brought to investigate the other, both now finding a comfort and a friendship that neither would have ever suspected. It was a little awkward and a little unorthodox, but it worked for them, and really, that's all that mattered.

Sara finally pulled away, wiping her eyes. "God, I'm such a dweeb."

"Yeah, well I'll let you get away with it this one time."

She smacked him lightly on his arm for that remark as she walked past him into his living room.

"So," she said with a heavy sigh, "can you get a hold of Pete so we can practice for next week, or what?"

Warrick smirked as he went for his phone. "Okay," he said.

"Oh, and I have a name for our band. Or group. Or whatever we are."

"Yeah? Really? What?"

"T.O.E."

Warrick choked on his laughter. "T.O.E. huh? You sure people won't think it's 'Toe'?"

"Not if we make it our logo as well. And c'mon – there are three of us. It fits."

"Okay, but we'll have to explain it to Pete."

"Yeah, probably twice. So you like it?"

"I do."

"Good, because I have some other ideas about what we sing. And I have sheet music for you in my car, which I of course, forgot. Be right back!" She scooted past him towards his door, full of her boundless energy from months before.

Warrick smiled as he watched her leave. Yeah, she might not be perfect. But she's family.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Two months had passed since Sara had returned to Vegas, and Grissom and Warrick had been suspended. It was that time again, and she walked into Grissom's office slowly. "You got a minute?" she asked.

"Sure. What is it?" He lowered the papers he was reading and the hints of a smile traced his lips. Last weekend's dinner and the subsequent activities that followed were still fresh in his mind as well as hers. Heat crept onto her cheeks as his eyes darkened. Oh yeah, he remembered.

"Forms, for Warrick and me for Thursdays. I need your John Hancock, please."

"Certainly," he drawled. After signing them quickly, he returned them to her, his fingertips 'accidentally' brushing against her arm.

Her body reacted instantly; she needed to see him again, soon, or they both would most likely explode and just attack one another right there in his office. Free time was a precious commodity for both of them, and they really hadn't spent much time together since their return. His unending patience with the situation, their unstable work schedule, and with her need to sing was impressive to her, and she'd shown him just how impressed she was last Saturday afternoon before shift.

"I have another request," she murmured huskily, eyes averted.

"What is it?" His voice was low, deep and sensual. Yeah, christening his desk was in their immediate future if they didn't see each other soon.

"I'd like you to come tomorrow night. To the club."

"Oh?" He was surprised. They had both agreed that for now, it was in their best interests for Grissom to remain here while Sara performed. It worked better for both of them, and Sara made a point of showing her appreciation to him. A win-win situation if there ever was one.

"If you can. I'm inviting the rest of the team as well, but I know how things get. And really, I'd just like you there."

"I'll be there, then."

"And after my last set, I'll be heading home. Perhaps you could join me there for a little while before returning to work."

"I can't guarantee it," he said, eyes downcast, "but I will make every possible effort." His face lifted, and the desire arced between them. Sara's tummy did its now familiar little flop. Yup, tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Gil sat at the scuffed wooden table and sipped his drink slowly. Nick and Greg were off to his left, but both were engrossed in scanning the crowd for women. At least, Gil assumed that was what they were doing. Catherine was to his right, her attention focused on the baby grand piano on stage. The man who played it would be returning soon, and Catherine's face held a look of longing.

"What are you waiting for," Grissom said to her as he lowered the glass.

Cath frowned and murmured, "I don't know. Him, I guess."

"It's feasible. We've proved that."

"You and Sara are different, Gil. She's different. Look how devoted he is to her. He isn't like that with me."

"Would you want him to be?" he asked, still not facing her, his attention focused on the red curtain onstage.

She coughed lightly. "Probably not. At least not like that."

"I'll tell you about a conversation she had with me a while back. She said that Warrick was as important to her as I was, and that I should be prepared to have him in our lives for as long as he wished it. She said he was her family."

Catherine frowned. "I see."

"I don't think you do. They are like you and me."

"You aren't like that."

"Aren't I?" Gil gestured towards the stage. "He looks out for her, he wants to protect her, and he loves her like the sibling he never had." This time he turned and faced her.

Her eyes were wide with surprise. "You feel that way? About me?"

"Always have."

She turned away then, looking down at the mottled patterns of the threadbare carpet in The Black Velvet. "I… well, wow."

Gil placed his hand on her shoulder, marveling at his ability to do so and at the positive response it brought from Catherine. Sara had taught him a lot in the past few months. People needed physical contact. "So, you okay? Feel better?"

"Maybe. I still don't know what to do about it."

"Don't send him a plant. Whatever you do, don't send him a plant."

They both laughed, shattering the seriousness of their conversation. It was good timing, as Warrick and the drummer, Pete, walked out onto the stage.

"Did you see the sign outside for them?" Catherine asked him as her eyes followed Warrick to the piano. Gil watched as Warrick searched the crowd, finally finding their table and smiling in their direction.

"What sign?"

"The one advertising their performance tonight. Did you see their logo?"

"No."

"Their name is 'T.O.E.' As in 'Trinity of Evidence'."

"That's what it stands for?" Greg asked from across the table. "I wondered what it meant. That's cool."

"You didn't recognize the diagram, Greg?" Catherine said to him with a scowl, and Greg shrunk a little in his chair. Luckily for him, Sara was taking the stage and they all turned their attention to where it belonged - on her.

At the end of their final set, and the applause had died down, Sara still remained on stage. The off-white gown she wore was new, and Gil was physically aching to remove it from her within the next thirty minutes. Their performance tonight had gone well, despite a few technical glitches that most everyone else in the audience didn't notice. Why weren't they leaving?

Sara spoke into her microphone. "I'd like to sing one more song tonight, if you don't mind. This one is special to me and I'd like to dedicate it to the people who are most important to me, my friends who are here tonight. They are my family, and I wanted to let them know how much they mean to me."

Sara made a gesture and the house lights dimmed again. In fact, all the lights dimmed and only a dim spotlight shone on Sara and her gorgeous gown.

She turned her head in Warrick's direction, and he started a slow melody on the piano.

"When I was young, I never needed anyone…"

"And making love was just for fun…"

"Those days are gone."

"Living alone, I think of all the friends I've known…"

"When I dial the telephone, nobody's home…"

"All by myself"

"Don't wanna be, all by myself, anymore…"

She was amazing. The emotions she conveyed through the lyrics were aching, and it was the best that Grissom had ever heard from her. When she reached the final chorus, he had tiny prickles running up his spine from the intensity.

He wasn't alone in his reaction; the audience was visibly affected as well. Catherine had tears in her eyes. "Jesus," she had murmured.

When the song ended, the crowd rose as one, the applause, whistles, and various yelps of 'Yeah!' growing more deafening by the second. Gil stopped his own hands to observe the people around him. His body filled with warmth and pride - that was his Sara on stage, and she had brought the house down. The thought hit him that perhaps his Sara was in the wrong career after all, despite her expertise as a criminalist. It would be her decision, if and when the time came, but he would stand by her no matter what she chose. He smiled when her eyes met his from across the room. His life would never be the same as long as she was in it, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

Catherine hollered in his ear above the din. "You know, someone's going to hear her one day and offer her a contract." She always did have a knack for reading his mind.

"I wouldn't be surprised," he yelled back.

"She'll take Warrick with her, and then where will the lab be?"

"It'll work out." The applause died down as Sara, Warrick and Pete took their last bow and left the stage. Grissom, Catherine, Nick and Greg all sat back down.

"Damn, that was something, huh?" Greg said.

"She is just really good," Nick said. "I'll bet someone picks her up and we'll be watching her at the casinos in no time. We might even hear her on the radio."

Apparently the whole team is now psychic, Grissom thought to himself. Still, it was obvious. Sara had talent that wouldn't go undiscovered much longer, especially not after tonight's performance.

"What about the rest of us? If Sara and Warrick can go off and sing and play, what about us? We should do something with our talents, too."

Grissom looked at Catherine and winked. "How about jello wrestling?"

THAT'S IT! THE END!

A/N: Well that was fun, huh? I know some of you might be sad to see this end, but it was time. My muse is banging on my brain to write new and different things, and my conscience really wants me to finish Equilibrium. So that is the game plan for now. That you all for reading! I hope you enjoyed it! -- Sharon

Disclaimerage:

"All By Myself" (at least the version I'm referring to in this fic)

Performed by: Celine Dion on her "Falling Into You" CD

Written By: Eric Carmen and Sergei Rachmaninoff
Produced By: David Foster
Published By: 1975 Eric Carmen Music, Inc. adm. by Songs of Polygram Int., Inc. (BMI)

Lyrics were taken off of Celine Dion's website. It is absolutely an awesome song and fitting for Sara to sing.