A/N – I am so sorry! This chapter is long overdue. I promise ill make it up to you all!

Chapter 22:

Nick brought in the last box into his place and collapsed on the couch next to his favorite girl. A week had passed; 7 days that had an enormous effect on Sara. She wasn't completely healed but with time, she was getting there. Her smile was more frequent and melted his heart every time he saw it. She was still a little squeamish when people touched her suddenly, tending to jump back quickly but apologetic afterwards and pretty normal considering the emotional roller coaster ride she had just been on.

The day finally came when Grissom allowed her back at work. They all kept a cautious eye on her. Gracefully, she would smile softly whenever she saw their eyes meet hers with concern and weariness. The previous evening she had been sitting studying some photographs. Grissom was over at the other side of the room. Her neck stiff, she looked up to see his eyes on her. It hadn't been the first time he had done that. Immediately he would divert his attention somewhere else. The old Sara would have been annoyed at all the coddling, but now it only made her feel more loved. After the 3rd time, she finally spoke up,

"Grissom – I don't think anything's going to happen to me while I'm staring at these pictures." She said quietly, with a small smile. He gave his typical Grissomish sheepish look back.

"You never know…" She just rolled her eyes and went back to work, catching him again 10 minutes later.

Thoughts streamed through Grissom's mind all the while; thoughts that Sara couldn't see while he watched her carefully return back to the normalcy her old life. Their relationship had definitely turned in a different direction he had never imagined possible. Maybe a small part of him regretted that they had never had a romantic involvement, but he knew that he could never have given her what she needed. Nick was much better suited to the job and he was happy for them. But their friendship had changed too. He saw her in a different light than he used to. He felt more protective of her, and was aware of emotions he had never let himself feel before; not romantic ones, but rather loving her in a way that only their special relationship would bring.

The way Grissom, Warrick and even Nick treated her was nothing compared to how Brass had changed. More and more, Sara found herself drawn to him, almost like the father she had never had. They had always had a special bond, but since everything that had happened, especially the news about her miscarriage, Brass had stepped into a role in her life that she had never imagined would be filled. Every time he hugged her, she felt loved like a daughter being embraced by her dad. He warned Nick that if he broke her heart, he would break his legs – something that surprised the both of them, seeing as though they weren't dating, only…living together.

Sara knew she was blessed for the people in her life. Catherine had become a great friend, and her relationship with her other colleagues had never been closer. Back at work, Sara was content with herself, helping her move past what had happened. Above all, it was Nick that had saved her. She had never realized how deeply she cared for him. Nothing had happened "romantically" between them, but they both were aware of each other's deep feelings for the other, knowing that with time they would be able to approach the chemistry that had grown between them. Sara still needed to heal but life was finally on the mend.

She sat on the couch, next to Nick, in silence. She had officially moved in. Her apartment was empty and up for sale, all her boxes scattered across the living room and bedroom of Nick's, and now her house. Her thoughts strayed to Daniel. She prayed that he wasn't involved in whatever had happened with Chris and Josh. She never had had a chance to talk with him, to find out what he had been doing the last 20 years of his life…

"What are you thinking about?" Nick asked, his brow furrowed. She turned to see him studying her face. How often people took to looking at the depth or reaction of her eyes or the subtleties of her expressions - it had all changed in a matter of weeks. What was once overlooked suddenly became what defined her. They saw her differently than before.

"I was thinking that I'm a pretty special girl to be living here with you." She said shyly. Nick couldn't help but smile, but knowing truthfully that it couldn't have been what she had been really thinking about, but happy just the same, seeing how genuine she was.

It was almost as if they had come to a silent agreement not to talk anymore about what had happened. It wasn't that Sara didn't want to, well she didn't, but rather she desperately wanted some normalcy to return to her upside down life. Was that even possible anymore?

-+-+-

"Nick, Warrick - you have a burglary on the strip. Catherine's with me." Grissom announced and handed them their paper.

"Sweet!" they both said in unison. The team all laughed. It was nice having everyone back again – despite the grief that loomed over them, there was a newfound sense of unity and commitment to one another, along with gratitude that they were back together as a group, as a family. Grissom continued, Sara looked at him expectantly,

"How is the evidence coming on the Randall case?" He asked her.

"Well, I don't know what else I can do with that – it's was a pretty open and closed case." She looked at her boss expectantly, hoping that the words would pass his lips allowing her to return to her work on cases outside of the lab. She was beginning to feel claustrophobic in the CSI building for hours on end and wished to be out and about with her friends again. She knew she had to be ready, but she felt that day would never come unless she leaped into it again and moved past her fears.

Just as Grissom was about to say something, Brass poked his head inside the door.

"Gil – I need to talk to you. Now." He turned to look at Sara, who bore a frown on her face, masked with uncertainty as she looked at the concern in Brass's eyes. Grissom turned back to his crew.

"You guys can all get going – I'll let you know if anything's happening. Sara – just stay here for now while I talk to Jim okay?" She nodded and headed down to DNA to finish up the loose ends on the Randall case. Apprehensively, Jim and Gil walked to Grissom's office and sat down.

"Here's what I know," Brass started.