A/N: Hey y'all! I know the last chappy was kinda...out there. But this one gets down to the point. I think...idk. I write as it comes...lol. Anywhoo, Enjoy!

Hannah opened her eyes and looked out the window at the bright skyline. She looked at the chairs by the wall across from her bed and saw Greg sleeping, his head against the wall. Sara was lying across his lap and he had his arm around her waist.

Hannah slowly reached over to try to get a glass of water. Her muscles were stiff and she could hardly reach. She grabbed the cup with her fingers and it slipped and rolled off of the table along with the full pitcher of ice water. The crash made Sara's head shoot up and Greg slowly opened his eyes as she moved.

"Uh...sorry guys." Hannah whispered, still frozen in her position with her arms across the table.

"Here, let me get that for you." Sara said taking the cup to the sink and filling it with water.

"Thanks." Hannah said as Greg walked over to her bedside.

"Hey kiddo. How did you sleep?"

"Eh, I did okay. I had another nightmare though. But it didn't last long. I had another dream about Jeremy too." She said smiling.

"Really? Which one was that?"

"The one when he showed me all of those pictures of my mom. And he told me stories about her and dad."

"Oh, that's one of your favorites isn't it?" Greg asked as Hannah nodded.

"Yeah. He told me how happy they were. He told me how great dad was. Especially with mom. Of course I didn't believe him. But my favorite part was when he told me how beautiful mom was."

"He was right. Your mom was very beautiful. You look just like her you know." Greg said smiling as Hannah blushed at his compliment.

"Well, I'll bet she never looked like this." Hannah said looking down. "You know, I had a dream once. It was the night after my dad hit me for the first time after Jeremy died. My mother came to me and held me because I was crying. I had the same dream after I broke my arm. Except it wasn't my mother, it was Jeremy."

"I had a dream like that too when I was little. It was after my grandmother died. After that I didn't feel as sad." Sara said breaking her silence.

"But it was weird. I think in a sense I knew my dad was dead before anyone told me. It just didn't click until you told me."

"What do you mean you knew?" Greg asked confused.

"Well after I was shot, I had that dream a third time. And this time both mom and Jeremy were there. We were in a room. Everything was beautiful. I remember looking through a window and seeing my dad. I ran to Jeremy, and he told me that it was okay. That I didn't have to be scared anymore. He told me that my dad couldn't get inside." Hannah said as tears welled in her eyes.

"Hey kiddo. Come here." Greg said opening his arms to her. "It's okay." He said as Hannah cried.

"I just- I miss him so much. I wish he was here Greg."

"I know. Me too." Greg said as there was a knock at the door.

"Excuse me. Miss Carson?"

"Yes ma'am." Hannah said sitting up.

"Hi. My name is Nina Morales. I'm from family services. Ms. Brooks gave me your file. I've been sent to evaluate you as part of hospital protocol."

"Good morning." Hannah said shaking her hand. "I take it this isn't a physical evaluation."

"No it isn't. Would you mind if I talked to you for a few minutes?"

"Um, sure. Can Greg and Sara stay with me? Please?"

"Well I would rather talk alone. But sure. If it will make you more comfortable, they can stay." She said placing a paper on her clipboard. "Okay then. Just relax okay? This is just you and I talking. Since I am state appointed, everything is confidential, but only to a certain extent. Do you understand?"

"Yes ma'am." Hannah said passing a glance to Greg.

"Do you mind if I call you Hannah?" She asked as Hannah nodded. "Okay. I have been asked to talk about what happened the other night as part of procedure. Is that okay?"

"Sure."

"Okay. If there is anything you want or need to say, just feel free."

"Yes ma'am." Hannah watched the woman take notes. "Look, I know that what happened was a tragedy. And I know that my dad was unstable. I know why and I don't blame him either."

"Hannah-" Greg whispered as he put his hand on her shoulder, but Hannah just shrugged him away.

"What do you mean you know why?"

"My dad hated me. End of story."

"Well your father may have been unstable, but I'm sure he loved you." The woman said as Hannah shifted on her bed. She untied part of her hospital gown to reveal her shoulders.

"Oh yeah, he loved me a lot." Hannah said pointing to her bruises. The woman's eyes were filled with horror and her expression went blank as if she didn't know what to do.

"You- You uh, said you didn't blame him. Why?" Ms. Morales managed to choke out a few words trying to get past the lump in her throat.

"Because. I know that if I had never been born, my mom, dad, and brother would all be alive and happily living their lives."

"Well there is always a reason for everything."

"I know. My- my brother told me that." Hannah said glancing at Greg. "My brother Jeremy used to tell me stories. About mom and dad and everything about them seemed perfect. That is until I was born. In some way or another, it is my fault." Hannah said as Greg once again tried to stop her.

"Hannah, stop. None of it was your fault." Greg said as Hannah just turned to him and as she spoke she raised her voice a little.

"Okay then, let's start with mom. She dies giving birth to me. If I never existed, she would still be alive. Going down the line, Jeremy was killed when we were going out for my birthday. Another thing that wouldn't have happened if I was never born. And finally dad. He was so torn up that he became violent." Hannah said as tears welled in her eyes. Her voice got even louder. "He killed himself because of me! I wish I had died and not my mom. None of this would have ever happened!" Hannah said bursting into tears as Greg took her in his arms and held her tight.

"Don't ever say that. You are so beautiful and you have helped so many people."

"Greg, I had something to do with the deaths of my parents, my brother, and almost you."

"Hannah, if you never lived, where would I be right now? I wouldn't be so far ahead in my work, because you wouldn't have been there to push me to talk to Grissom. And I would never be with the girl of my dreams." Greg said looking at Sara who also had tears in her eyes. "I'm with her because you helped me."

"Everyone says how great I am. And how nobody could possibly hate me because I'm 'such a good person', but you know what? One person did. And you know what else? It kills me. It kills me that I'm such a good person but I have ruined so many lives. I killed the one person my dad cared about when I was born. One life ruined. Jeremy lost his mother. Life number two. And most of all, you lost the only best friend you had. And I know how much mom cared about you too."

"No, don't say that. You could never ruin my life." Greg said holding Hannah tighter. "I love you too much to even think that at all." Greg said as Hannah looked up to the sound of a knock at the door.

"Excuse me. I need to speak to Hannah." A doctor said poking his head into the room. "I could come back later." He said glancing at Ms. Morales.

"No, please." Hannah said wiping her eyes.

"Well if Ms. Morales isn't finished I could-"

"Oh no doctor, I have all I need." She said closing her notes and standing up. "Hannah I think a lot was uncovered today. A lot that I think you probably couldn't say with your father around. Am I right?" She asked as Hannah simply nodded. "Keep talking to people. If you need, you can come and see me anytime. If so, that will be totally confidential since it is your choice alright?"

"Yes ma'am. Thank you." Hannah said as Nina left and the doctor pulled a chair up to Hannah's bed.

"Alright. First of all Mr. Sanders, when I told you at first of Hannah's injuries I said that the bullet went through her spleen and it had to be removed. Do you remember?"

"Yes I do. Why?"

"Well I talked to the surgeon who did the operation to get a prescription for antibiotics and he said that I was misinformed. Hannah's spleen did in fact rupture, but it was reparable. I'm sorry for the confusion."

"It's alright. I'm just glad we know."

"And Hannah how are you doing this morning?"

"Well, I was really stiff this morning, but I'm alright I guess."

"That's good. I'm going to have a nurse check you out. If everything is okay and you promise to be careful for a while, you may be able to be released tonight."

"T-tonight?" Hannah said slowly, looking at Greg.

"Yes. Usually we keep gunshot victims for at least two days, but you are healing rather quickly."

"Um, th- thanks." Hannah said almost blankly as the doctor stared at her.

"Are you alright? I figured you would be excited."

"Yeah, I'm just a little tired." She said smiling.

"Alright. I'll have a nurse come in and look at you. Then I want you to get some rest." The doctor said standing up. "Mr. Sanders, I think you should go back to your room to get your bandages changed and I will make up your release forms. You can come back in afterward."

"Okay. Thank you doctor." Greg said as he and Sara made their way out of the room. Greg had his bandages changed and he decided to stay in his room with Sara for a while. They were looking in the newspaper for affordable apartments with little success as they heard a knock on the door.

"Excuse me? Greg Sanders?" A thin short woman poked her head in.

"Yes."

"There are some people here to see you."

"Um, okay. Do you know who it is?"

"No sir. I only know Ms. Brooks. She is a social worker here."

"Okay. I'll come out." Greg said looking at Sara. They walked out of his room and caught the nurse coming from Hannah's room. "Excuse me nurse. Is Hannah going to be released tonight?"

"Most likely. She is sleeping now. But I think she should be with her foster parents by late afternoon." The nurse said smiling as Greg's expression turned blank.

"Thanks." Greg said walking to the social worker fro the night before. "Ms. Brooks, good morning." He said smiling as Sara walked up next to him. He looked at the couple standing behind Ms. Brooks. "Hello."

"Good morning Mr. Sanders." Ms. Brooks said shaking his hand. "This is Mr. and Mrs. Anderson. They are the ones I told you about that want to take care of Hannah."

"Oh yes. Hello." Greg said slowly glancing at Sara. "Um, this is my girlfriend Sara Sidle."

"Nice to meet you both. Miss Sidle, I think I've seen you and your coworkers on the news before." Mrs. Anderson said shaking her hand.

"Yes ma'am." Sara said smiling.

"Oh please, call me Mary. My husband Richard and I have been wanting to take a child in for a while. We kept trying to find teenagers because our house isn't exactly child proof. We heard about Hannah and we couldn't wait to meet her."

"Have you seen her yet?" Greg asked watching the woman run a hand through her almost white hair.

"No. Ms. Brooks thought you would want to meet us first."

"Well, now that we've all met, I think we can take a walk in if we're quiet." Greg said opening the door to Hannah's room. They walked in and Greg opened the curtain around Hannah's bed. Mary's eyes widened when she saw Hannah.

"Oh my goodness. You poor girl." She whispered almost to herself as Greg walked closer to Hannah's bedside.

Hannah moaned as she turned over onto her back. Greg saw a tear running down her cheek and he gently wiped it away. She started to breathe heavier as more tears came. Greg wiped them away and whispered to her.

"Hannah. Hey kiddo, wake up." Greg said placing a hand on her face. Her eyes shot open and more tears came out. "Hey. Another nightmare huh? It must have been a bad one."

"Greg? Wha- I- In my dream- You were dead. It was so real. I thought you were dead. I was so scared." Hannah whispered as Greg held her close and she finally noticed the other people behind him. "Who is that?" She asked as Greg silently got up.

"Hannah, they are the couple that would like to take care of you for a while."

"Greg-"

"Hannah, it's only for a little while." Greg said as Hannah looked up at the elderly couple.

"Hello. It's nice to meet you." She said first shaking Mary's hand, then Richard's.

"Hello my dear. We didn't mean to wake you. We just wanted to see you."

"It's alright." Hannah said looking down. "Can I be honest with you? I mean just flat out honest?"

"Of course."

"You are very nice. You look like very nice people. I'm just afraid if I live with complete strangers, things will change too much."

"Thank you for telling us this Hannah. We will do our best to prevent things from changing too much for you. I promise Hannah, you will be very happy with us."

"Thank you." Hannah said taking another drink of water.

"We'll leave you alone to rest now. We'll see you later and we can talk some more okay Hannah?"

"Yes ma'am."

Greg and Sara followed them out into the hall. Greg saw Aaron and his mother coming up the hall and he smiled to himself. 'Just the person to cheer her up' he thought to himself as the walked closer.

"Aaron, Ms. Michaels, How are you?"

"We're good. How's Hannah? I feel so bad about not seeing her yet."

"She's good. Aaron, I'll bet she will he very happy to see you. I think she needs a little cheering up." Greg said glancing at the couple waiting to talk to him.

"Mom, you can go in first. I need to talk to Greg for a minute."

"Alright sweetie." She said walking into the room.

"Greg, who are they?" Aaron asked worriedly.

"They are her new foster parents."

"Oh man. No wonder she's in a bad mood. But I think we can help her."

"What do you mean?"

"We'll talk about it later." Aaron said going into Hannah's room. Greg went back over to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson.

"Mr. Sanders, if you don't mind my saying so, I can tell you care about Hannah a lot, how come you're not taking her?" Richard said finally breaking his silence.

"Please, call me Greg. I want to, but Sara and I have to work out our schedules and we are going to look for a bigger apartment together so Hannah can stay with us. But for now she needs a place to stay."

"I see." He said as Mary turned to them.

"Greg, that boy who just went in there, is that her boyfriend?"

"No. I mean not really. They have been best friends since they were born. Aaron's mother was best friends with Hannah's mother. When she died, Aaron's mom said she would do her best to take care of Hannah. She did. We all did. Her father restricted that though. I'm just glad she won't have to deal with him anymore."

"I can't begin to imagine what that poor girl has been through. It's just so horrible." Mary said looking into the window. "How do you fit into all of this? I mean how did you come to be so close to Hannah in the first place?"

"Before she was born, her family was the one I never had. Her brother was my best friend. When Hannah was born, I fell in love the moment I saw her." He said smiling remembering how small she was. "When Hannah's mother died, her father sank into depression and lost himself. Jeremy took care of Hannah like she was his own daughter instead of a sister. When Jeremy was killed in a car accident, her protection was gone. Jeremy couldn't protect her anymore, and since her father blamed me for Jeremy's death, I couldn't protect her either. But then we would find ways to see each other and I would check up on her when I had the chance. Then a few months ago we started working together."

"You work together?" Richard asked, puzzled.

"Yeah. She is an intern at the crime lab with my shift."

"Night shift? How did she manage that?"

"Long story short, she organized her entire schedule including school to fit it in."

"Wow. I think that is what she meant about the whole change thing." Richard said looking at his wife. Mary was a world away, watching as Aaron walked toward Hannah's bed. His mother met him halfway and whispered to him. After that she left them alone to talk and she made her way to the cafeteria.

"Aaron, hey." Hannah sat up as her friend walked in.

"Hey. You haven't had another party without me have you?" He said flashing her a smile, but her face stayed blank. He noticed that she had been crying. "What is it?" He walked closer when she didn't say anything. "Hannah?" She just lowered her head when he reached the bedside. "Talk to me."

"I just- I don't want to talk about it okay. Can you just- I don't know. I think I'm alright." She said forcing a half smile and scooting over, making room for Aaron to sit with her.

"Come on, talk to me. You know you can tell me anything."

"I just don't know what to do. Everything is so screwed up now. The hospital is releasing me tonight and I have to stay with the Andersons. I mean, they seem like nice people, but so much is going to have to change. I know for a fact that they aren't going to let me stay at the lab. What am I going to do about that? I love it there. I just can't give that up."

"I know Hannah." Aaron said looking at the floor. "Look, I think I may be able to help."

"What are you talking about?" Hannah asked, her eyes wide.

"I have to talk to Greg about it first."

"Oh come on Aaron! You can't leave me hanging on this!"

"Okay, fine. There might be a way for you to stay with me and mom for a while. I talked to mom about it last night and she wants to try it."

"Really? Oh my God Aaron thank you so much!" She said throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him.

"Uh...Hannah... Can you loosen up a bit? I kinda need to breathe." Aaron choked out and Hannah hugged him tighter. "Uh... Hannah... I can't breathe..."

"Sorry, I'm just so excited." Hannah said smiling as she released her grip on Aaron.

"It's okay. But don't get your hopes up. There is a chance that it may not work."

"I know. I just want to hope it will." Hannah said as her smile straightened.

"Hey, what happened to that smile? I thought you were excited." Aaron said faking a sad look.

"Cute. Really cute." Hannah said smiling again.

"I try. I guess I'm just that kind of guy." Aaron said as Hannah laughed. She leaned in to hug him again but he smiled and pulled away. "Are you going to be gentle this time?" Aaron asked as Hannah nodded. They broke apart as they heard the door open.

"Hey you two. Get a room." Greg said smiling as he walked towards Hannah's bed.

"That's not funny you know." Hannah said staring at Greg.

"Oh come on Hannah. You know I was kidding."

"I know. Hey! You're out of the wheelchair!" Hannah said laughing.

"Yup. I was released a few minutes ago."

"Oh. I guess I'm next huh?" Hannah said as her smiled straightened again.

"Hey, don't worry. I have it covered. Remember?" Aaron said smiling.

"Yeah." Hannah said smiling a little smile.

"Do one of you guys care to tell me what you are talking about?" Greg said puzzled.

"Mom and I want to try to have Hannah stay with us for a while. Until you and Sara can find an apartment."

"Wow. That would be great. If it could actually work."

"Why wouldn't it? We have a spare room, it is close to school, and we know Hannah will be taken care of."

"Yeah, well incase you two haven't noticed, some people might have trouble with a girl living in the same house as her friend. Especially because you're a guy."

"I don't care. I still want to try it." Aaron said getting up and walking to Greg. He leaned over and whispered to him. "I don't care what anyone says. I promised Hannah I would help her and I intend to. This has to work Greg, it has to." Aaron said turning to Hannah who was just staring at them.

"Man, I hope you're right." Greg said walking to Hannah's bedside and sitting where Aaron was. "So, how are you doing?"

"I'm good I guess. I keep having nightmares though."

"They're not getting any better huh?"

"Well, sometimes they aren't so bad. Then the next one is horrifying. It comes and goes."

"Well, it will stop eventually." Greg said as they heard a knock on the door.

"Excuse me, Miss Carson? You have some visitors." A nurse said poking her head in.

"Oh, okay. Thank you." Hannah said as the nurse disappeared and a few seconds later Catherine and Grissom came in. They were about halfway to the bed when the nurse came back.

"Um, I'm sorry, but there are only a maximum of two to three visitors allowed at one time."

"Uh, I'll go stay with mom in the cafeteria." Aaron said standing up. Greg stood up and started to follow him.

"Yeah, me too. I'll see you later kiddo."

"Okay guys, thanks." Hannah said as Catherine pulled a chair to one side of the bed and Grissom pulled a chair to the other.

"How are you doing kiddo?" Catherine asked smiling.

"I'm okay. Tell Lindsey that Tiger is helping a little."

"I will sweetie." Catherine looked at Grissom, and Hannah looked down at the blanket that covered her.

"Hannah? Is something bothering you?" Grissom asked as Hannah looked up. "I mean, of course you must have a lot of things going through your mind, but..."

"I now what you mean Grissom." She said smiling.

"Good. Well, is there?"

"I was just thinking about- Well..."

"What is it sweetie?" Catherine said leaning forward.

"I lost my job at the lab because I ruined Mr. Ecklie's experiment, didn't I?"

"What? Is that what this is about?"

"Well, I overheard you guys talking and I never really got to talk to you about it. And I'm sure the sheriff agrees with him though."

"Of course not. Why would you believe a thing like that?"

"I don't know. But... did you get to talk to the sheriff yet?"

"I did briefly. He wouldn't tell me anything though. I knows that you heard what Ecklie said so he wanted to talk to you himself."

"Really? Oh man... this is rough." Hannah said softly. A smirk formed on her face and Grissom and Catherine smiled. "So, if I'm clear, when can I come back to work?"

"You know, I knew you were going to ask me that." Grissom said smiling. "Greg was right, you are like Sara."

"Well?"

"Well, not for a while. It will take you a while to heal."

"Only a few weeks."

"I will make you a deal." Grissom said as Hannah's eyes shot over to his. "You heal and take the rest of your summer break off. After school starts, depending on the situation, you can come back to work."

"What? Grissom it is almost two months until school starts again!" Hannah said objectively.

"I know... but you are a tough kid. You can handle it." Grissom said as Hannah huffed.

"Fine. Deal. I'll come back when school starts."

"The second week of school. That way you have some time to get to know your teachers and everything."

"You are enjoying this aren't you?" Hannah said smiling and Catherine cracked up laughing.

"Yes I am as a matter of fact."

"Okay, just wanted to make sure." Hannah said as there was another knock at the door. Hannah looked over to the door and sat up quickly when she saw who it was. "Sheriff Mobley. Hello sir."

"Hello Hannah. Gil, Catherine, good afternoon. I just wanted to congratulate you on your help on the West case Hannah. And everyone at the department sends their wishes."

"Thank you sir."

"And I wanted to speak to you about what happened on Thursday with Conrad Ecklie." He said his tone turning grim. Hannah sensed this and suddenly became worried. "I wanted to let you know that Conrad has been suspended without pay for a week for not following laboratory procedure. And as for you position at the lab..." He started, hesitating. "We are all anxious for you to come back." He finished, smiling along with Catherine and Grissom. Hannah looked from Catherine to Grissom, almost in disbelief.

"Thank you sir." Hannah said unable to stop smiling.

"No problem Hannah. I would have told Grissom, but I just wanted to tell you in person. I have instructed Ecklie to write a formal apology over is suspension as well."

"Oh, that isn't necessary. I'm sure he is sorry already."

"I know, but we all know what happens when someone underestimates you, don't we Hannah?" He said smiling. "From what I've seen, all those who do are proved wrong every time."

"Well, thank you sir." Hannah said blushing.

"My pleasure. Well, I have to get back to the station. You guys did your job on the West case, now I have to go do mine. You get to feeling better Hannah. And as I said before, we all can't wait for you to come back."

"Thank you sheriff Mobley." Hannah said as he left them alone. Hannah turned back to Catherine and Grissom and smiled. "Oh my God! I can't believe it!"

"Congratulations kiddo. Not only did you beat Ecklie at his own game, which is one heck of a triumph on its own, but you also have the sheriff on your good side. That could come in handy." Catherine said smiling.

Hannah smiled at the compliments. For years she had dreamed of working with such extraordinary people, and she got that. She had dreamed for years of being rid of the burden of her father, and she was. She was glad that everything was starting to go well for her. Maybe this was a chance to start over again. She didn't want to pass it up.

A/N: Okay, so we are back to me having sucky endings. But I didn't want to make this dreadfully long. Anywhoo, I just wanted to get this one posted for all you nice people. I hope y'all liked it! And I will have some up as soon as I can. Plz r&r! Check for updates!

Sweet Jorja