Title: Faith of the Heart
Author: Cindy Ryan
Paring: Sara/Grissom
Summary: Sequel to Barely Existing. Grissom takes Sara to NYC to meet the team that saved her.
Jack Malone smiled as he closed his cell phone and walked to the center of the bullpen. "Come on, let's go."
Four agents looked blankly back at him. "Where?"
"To dinner. That call was our friends from Vegas."
Sam's face lit up like the Christmas tree a few feet from her. "Sara accepted his propsal?"
Jack nodded. "Yeah and we're invited to the celebration."
"That's wonderful."Vivian stated as she walked to the coat rack and grabbed her jacket and purse.
"Nice to see a case have a happy ending for once."Martin agreed as he shrugged into his coat.
"Come on."Danny urged as he walked toward the door car keys in hand. "I'll drive."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea."Martin said with a grin as he fell into step behind Taylor.
Danny shook his head good naturedly as the group reached the elevator. "I only got that one ticket."
"Which one?"Sam asked with a grin as the elevator doors opened and they stepped inside. "The one for speeding?"
Jack smiled as he leaned back against the wall. "That one I know about."
"How about the one for nearly hitting the cab?"Vivian interjected.
"Now that guy cut me off."Danny protested as he hit the button for the ground floor.
"What's this about nearly hitting a cab?"Jack asked just as the doors slid closed.
An hour later Grissom stood at the head of the large table and clinked his spoon against his water glass to gain everyone's attention.
Once the conversation died Grissom cleared his throat as he looked at the group.
"While it was a terrible event that led us to cross paths."Gil began as he briefly met Sara's gaze."I just wanted to thank you all for being here tonight. It means a great deal to Sara and I that you joined our celebration."
Grissom reached down and took Sara's left hand in his before continuing. "If I haven't said it before I'll say it now, thank you. You brought Sara back to me and her friends when there wasn't a lot to go on. I know how tough that is. I won't forget that, ever."
"You're very welcome."Jack replied as Grissom retook his seat. "I'm just glad that things worked out for the best."
Sam glanced across the table at Sara's engagement ring. "The happiness in this room is why we do this job. It's why we endure the tough cases. Because we know that once in awhile the hard work pays off."
Danny grinned at Sara as he said. "You know setting the wedding date in the dead of winter wouldn't be such a bad idea."
Martin elbowed Danny though a smile splashed across his tired features. "You're assuming you're invited."
Sara laughed and Grissom smiled at the sound.
"Of course you're all invited."Sara replied."As soon as we get back we'll look at our schedules and pick a date."
Jack cleared his throat and raised his glass motioning for the others to do the same. Ironic that he was about to make an engagement toast. He was hardly a relationship role model.
"To Sara and Gil."Jack stated with a smile as he looked at the beaming couple. "And the many happy years that are ahead."
Glasses clinked merrily and conversation returned and endured well into the night.
End.