Sara had just finished with Hodges in trace when a familiar voice came up from behind her.

"Did you get the lab results back for that knife we found at the scene?" asked Cath.

"Yeah, Hodges said it was bee's wax, with characteristics unique to northern Nevada especially around the Pahrump area."

"Hmm. We've got a knife with the victim's blood all over it, an unknown contribution and bees wax. Well that means either bees stabbed our victim or the perpetrator works in a field that has something to do with the insect order of Hymenoptera."

Sara gave her an inquiring look.

"What?" Grissom joined them on their walk to the break room. Cath pointed to him. "He rubs off."

Sara laughed. She had a moment eerily similar to what just transpired with Warrick some time ago. The memory brought her down a couple of notches. She hoped it didn't show in her face. Nick, Greg and Warrick were already in the break room as the three of them made their way there. Sara was beginning to dread her dinner hour.

"No way man!" Nick exclaimed. "You are not finished with God of War II already."

"Don't hate me because I'm a gaming genius," said Greg. "Level 6 is wicked."

"No joke?"

"No lie."

Their conversation carried on in true geek boy fashion.

"Hey," Warrick gave regard to Grissom, Cath and Sara. He noticed something in Sara's face that gave him concern. He didn't know what to do about it. He wanted to ask her, but not in front of the rest of the team. They were all oblivious to the fact that something was bothering her. He watched her as she made her way over to the coffee machine. Warrick had a feeling she was reacting to him being in the room. She seemed anxious, much like that night they'd had dinner. That had started out awkwardly yet somehow the evening had turned out to be okay.

Sara could tell when she was being scrutinized. She wanted to turn around to see who it was, but she knew it would be Warrick. Maybe he picked up on her being uncomfortable. She'd realised too late he was the one for her in every way. And now, she could do nothing about it. Sara always found herself living in regret.

"Are you two done?" Grissom asked Nick and Greg.

"Uh, yeah." Nick replied in a sheepish tone.

"Okay, new assignments. I know we're all working on cases, but we may have to double up tonight. Warrick, Greg, how's that call at the Sahara?"

"We're nearly finished. It's looking like a straight up murder-suicide." Warrick answered his question.

"Good. Greg, you can wrap it up. Nick?"

"Yeah, I got a B&E. Jacqui's running prints now. It's looking like meth-heads trying to get some more stuff to sell. I found a pipe at the scene, looks like the burglar dropped it on his way out."

"Great. I may have to toss you another case. A possible forgery, I've got Ronnie running analysis on it already, he'll catch you up. Cath?"

"Well, Sara and I found some trace on the knife. Belongs to our friends in the bee family."

Grissom smiled. "Bees? Can I take a look?"

"Yeah, sure. But Sara and I could be closing in on a possible suspect soon."

"That's fine. I'll just observe. Warrick 419 at the Wynn, you're solo for the rest of the shift."

"Okay." Warrick wasn't about to argue. After all he could use some time by himself.

Everyone except Sara got up to leave. She hadn't left her spot against the counter since she entered the room, nor had she said anything the entire time. A look of absence shrouded her face, giving off the illusion of thinking about nothing at all, when in reality the wheels in her mind were turning; contemplating several things at once, the case, possible suspects, Warrick. She didn't notice his presence until his voice broke her trance.

"You okay?" Warrick asked her.

Sara was startled at the sound of another being and dropped her mug of coffee breaking it into several pieces.

"Damn." The heat of the drink stung her hand, inciting the natural reaction to bring it to her mouth.

Warrick jumped out of his chair to assist her. "Are you okay?"

She nodded.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." He chuckled a little at the sight of Sara sucking on her hand.

She frowned. "What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing." His lips twisted in an effort to keep from grinning. "Sorry."

"It's okay, I think I'll live." She gave an assuring smile as she knelt down to clean up the mess. He joined her.

"So," he hesitated. "How are you? I mean... I haven't really seen you. Around, I mean."

"Yeah, I've been busy... working and stuff."

"You're not maxing out on overtime this month are you?"

"No." They both stood when the floor had been sufficiently tidied and started to dispose of the mess.

"Good. What other 'stuff' have you been up to? I mean besides going out with Detective Tony Vartann?"

She giggled. "Yeah, uh, about that. Thanks for, uh, you know…" Her embarrassment got the better of her and she began to blush.

"Don't mention it. It was no problem."

He was always the gentleman, so modest.

"Well, you didn't have to. I'm sure Brian would've let us wash dishes or something. Not a very good first impression for your wife though."

"She doesn't care," he laughed. "She's used to picking up the bill for those miscreants she represents."

"Thanks all the same. I'll pay you back."

"No need to. What were you doing out with Vartann anyway?" His curiosity had gotten the better of him.

"We were out on a 'date', if you could call it that. God, that was the lousiest date I've ever been on. He didn't even have a plan. He just showed up at my door and said, 'You wanna go any place special?'"

Warrick couldn't help but laugh. "Tony's not the brightest crayon in the box when it comes to women. Why do you think he's still single?" He paused. "So, when did he ask you out?"

She was hesitant to answer, not really knowing his motive for asking. "About a week ago, I guess. I don't know, I don't really remember."

"How did he do it? Did he ask on the job or did he wait til after shift?"

"I told you I don't remember." She didn't like where this was going. "Besides why are you so interested?"

"I just..." She had called him out on his jealousy. That was her, always thinking ninety miles-an-hour. "I can't believe you actually said yes to him. I just don't picture you with a guy like Tony Vartann."

"Well, you never know unless you try, right? People would've said the same about you and me." She realised what she had just said. "I mean if, anyone would've ever figured it out, when we, uh. You know what I mean."

"Did he ask you out again?" He was still pressing her for information deciding to let her reference to their previous relationship slide.

"I didn't give him the chance. Rick, stop."

"What?"

"Stop grilling me about my personal life," she said rather harshly. "It's none of your business anymore, okay. So just..."

That hurt he thought. She was right though, it wasn't a matter he needed to concern himself with, but once again he couldn't help but care. "Sorry," he said repentantly. "It's just, I don't know, seeing you with him..."

There was an ache in his voice, as if he was betrayed. As if she had cheated on him. There was an uneasy quiet that inhabited the moment, and she couldn't look into his eyes anymore. In them she could see his pain where usually he kept a cool, collected gaze. This silence needed to be broken for the sake of both their sanities.

Being the first to do so she asked, "How's Tina?"

He understood how quickly their conversation had escalated, at work, in the break room nonetheless. He willingly followed her lead into a different subject. "She's in Reno, conference."

"When does she get back?"

He tried to smile, "Tomorrow."

"She's really nice."

"She can be."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sara was a little put off by the frustration in his tone.

"Nothing." He was lying through his teeth. Vowing himself to Tina had been anything but happy for him and it was showing. Within the first couple of weeks Rick realised his new carpe diem attitude coupled with his impulsive personality had gotten him in trouble once more. However this kind of trouble was unlike any other he had experienced. After a few weeks of marriage he began to grasp why he felt so despondent. He wasn't in love with Tina. He hadn't been in love with anyone since college. Then there was Sara. She had taken his heart and he wasn't even aware of it. Now he was torn between loyalty and love. Still he remembered what Grams had drilled in to him: for every action you take there will be consequences to suffer, be it good or bad. She had raised him right, to take responsibility for his own actions. The only other person to make him do so was the woman he loved. Her voice ran through his head all the time.

There was so much to say. He had tried to become enraged with her for letting him in. But how could he, it was what he'd wanted all along. He wanted to tell her he loved her. He wanted to tell her if he could go back he'd do things differently. He didn't have the will then to fight for her at all cost. But now, NOW he did. Now, he couldn't. He'd given himself to another, taken his own heart hostage. Now he was willing to fight for her, but instead of going head to head with another man for her, had to battle himself. Which when he looked at it wasn't so bad. At least he knew his competition this time.

Greg burst into the break room, "Hey Rick!"

"Yeah."

"It's starting to look like our murder-suicide is more of a homicide."

"What?"

"That 419 at the Wynn."

"Yeah?" His interest had peaked.

"Was just identified as our first victim's wife."

That solicited a disbelieving look from Warrick's face. "How do we know that? The scene hasn't even been processed yet."

"Brass found a suicide note on the nightstand accompanied by a wedding photo of Mister and Missus Ezekiel Royce. I'll meet you in the car." With that Greg hurried himself down the hall.

Warrick turned to Sara, "Uh, um..."

"Go." Came softly from her mouth.