A/N – sorry everyone…I know this chappie is long over due, but midterms and work…you know the drill!

Chapter 21:

Endless thoughts were reeling through Nick's mind. He didn't even noticed the tear filled eyes that were staring at him, waiting for any response.

"Nick?" She whispered. She was scared by his silence, desperate for any words – especially words that would tell her how much he loved her, how much he still wanted to be with her. He turned to look at her. She tried to gage his facial expressions but couldn't.

"You went through all of that alone?" Nick finally managed to get out. Sara nodded and looked at her hands. It had been the lowest point of her life, and that included having seen your mother kill your father.

"I didn't… I didn't know how to tell anyone."

"I should've known Sara. I should've been there for you. You sat in the hospital all alone, and lost your baby. You must have been so scared honey." She curled up into his arms and they sat on the couch. No matter how hard she tried, the images running through her head wouldn't go away.

-+-+-

"We need to talk." He said firmly as he sat back down, in his chair. Catherine sighed, knowing exactly where this conversation was going to lead.

"Warrick – would you mind excusing us just for a moment?" Catherine asked kindly. The man shot looks between the two and left quietly, closing the door behind him. "Need I ask what this is about?" Grissom looked at her. Sara's appearance had changed in the last few weeks; her pale face had become more pale and sullen, like a plant devoid of light, her body weakened and way too skinny. Her eyes showed the pain, pain he was finally beginning to understand now that the riddles seemed to have been solved. However, Catherine was another story.

They knew now what she had been hiding all along, and how much it must have eaten her up inside to have to help Sara bear her burdens. She did it graciously, yes, but with a toll on herself. One Grissom knew both women regretted the consequences of. Grissom knew that if he didn't want to lose anyone, he was going to put his foot down and make sure everything was taken care of. No more secrets, no more hiding. He wasn't going to see his friends destroy themselves any longer.

"I want to know who you asked Sara about."

"Gil – I don't know what you…"

"Don't play games with me Catherine." He replied wearily as she took a seat across his desk. She sighed again.

"Gil, you know I can't."

-+-+-

Sara and Nick walked through her door. She stared around the apartment, feeling the chills creep up her spine. Nick noticed her tenseness, how many memories that he didn't know about that would flood into her mind. They both sat on the couch. He thought she had fallen asleep and went to carefully move but she startled him by speaking up.

"Nick – what's going on with us?" she said quietly. He hadn't been expecting that.

"Well, Sara, it's just…" he started to sputter. Her eyes drew downcast. He took a deep breath and whispered to her, "Sara – I don't know if you're ready, I don't know what you need. All I want is for you to be happy and to be safe and to be loved."

"You don't want to love me." She said as she turned her eyes away.

"I can't help but love you Sara."

"Really? After everything I've done?" He nodded and gave her a weak smile. She leaned into his chest and they both lay in each other's arms. A loud noise outside made Sara jump suddenly. He noticed how scared she was, even in her own home, even with her attackers behind bars.

"Sara – what do you think about us both moving into my place? I mean I think this roommate thing has been working out good. Maybe a change of scenery would help you our, help you recover – forget the bad memories and start new."

"Are you sure you want to still live with me?" She said, looking deep into his eyes and biting her bottom lip.

"Would I ask if I didn't want you to?" She gave him a small smile, one that made his heart jump, and eyes want to cry with love. "Is that a yes?" She nodded.

-+-+-

"Gil, you know I can't." said Catherine. "I made a promise. Sara has her reasons."

"Tell me once and for all. Is this case solved? Over? Is it done? I am not going to have my CSI's in danger any longer by these men. We all know there was a third person in the story. I don't know, or maybe even you and Sara don't know his involvement, but if he is, I want to make it clear that I will stop at nothing to get him. Understood? Is he involved?" Catherine sat in silence. Grissom had his answer. He moved to get up.

"Wait." She said. He looked at her quizzically. "Gil Grissom don't you dare go spouting off any theories to anyone about this quite yet. Sit back down." He was slightly surprised at her tone, as though being scorned like a child. He did, however, take his seat.

"We, Sara included, don't know anything about his involvement. Sara is dead sure that he isn't, and I want to trust her judgment. He may have had other small indiscretions, but as far as I am aware, nothing you need to be chasing after him about. I could be wrong. Sara isn't necessarily levelheaded on this subject but I trust her. You have caught two men; two men that were harassing and abusing Sara. Yes, Josh Whitman abused Sara too. Right before we arrested him. They won't bother her anymore. She lost her baby and she needs time to heal. We don't need to drag this on any longer."

"What about 'him'? Is he still around?"

"I made it clear to him that he was to leave Sara alone. For what I understand he's left town."

"Catherine," Grissom started, "I need you to promise me one thing." She nodded. "If this guy, or anyone else comes back and you know about it – you don't hesitate. You come to me immediately."

"I promise." She made her way to get up.

"One second Catherine." She turned around at the door to look at her friend and coworker.

"What?"

"Make sure Sara knows that betraying her brother wouldn't make her at all like her mother." Catherine's mouth gaped in shock.

"How did you?"

"Daniel Sidle. 7 years older than Sara, lived in Los Angeles for the last few years. Your little slip confirmed my theory. There's a reason why I'm a CSI." Catherine just nodded and left his office, leaving Gil to wonder even more if this really was over.