The healing process was long, but not long enough to provide Sofia an escape from the rebuilding of the lab.
Nick walked her across the street and into the partially remodeled building. "Hey Grissom! Brought us some help."
"We've got enough help, Nick, what we need is to get you back to work and- Sophia!" Gil hugged her tightly, clearly happy to see she was okay, alive and in one piece. "Paint brush or hammer?"
"Hammer, of course." She laughed trying to maintain her indignant poise.
"Hey, baby!"
Sofia turned at the sound of her mother's voice. Cheryl was attempting to make her way through the boys she brought in from the station. She was wearing a pair of coveralls and was covered in paint from what had clearly been a 'paintball incident' probably started by Brass. As stern as the man was, Sofia had always seen him as someone who could have fun.
Cheryl finally reached her daughter, hugging her tightly, transferring the paint from her hands to her daughter's hair.
Sofia gave her a pained look at which Cheryl laughed.
"It'll come off! Get over it." She put her hand behind Sofia's head and pulled her close to kiss her softly on her cheek. "You feeling okay?"
"Yeah. Kind of hungry, though. Smartass here decided I can never eat around him again." She jabbed Nick in the ribs making them all laugh.
Gil grinned, handing over the hammer he had rescued from Greg who'd been chasing people most of the afternoon.
Sara wandered over to the group. Her dark hair was tied back and covered under bandana. She held her hand out to Sofia.
Sofia stared at her for a moment and than smiled, taking the hand offered to her.
"I know we don't usually get along…" Sara began awkwardly. "But I do feel bad you got hurt."
Sofia squeezed Sara's hand tight. "Not everyone gets along in life, but I am glad no one else had to deal with what I did."
Greg, who'd been sitting on a half burnt chair, shook his head. "Now THAT's just flat out wrong!"
Everyone stared at Greg laughing hard.
Finally Gil was able to get himself together. "Okay!" He shouted followed by a loud whistle. "Our casualty of war is fine and back to work. She's got a hammer and I'm putting her on supervisor duties, so you best beat feet back to you assigned posts!"
As everyone complied with Gil's announcement, Cheryl slid closer to him and leaned to whisper in his ear. "Ya know, you should come work for me."
"Oh ha-ha." He glared at her before grinning and slipping his arm over her shoulder. "Proud of your daughter?"
"Always will be." She smiled softly.