I am so sorry it had taken me so long it get this chapter out. February is proving to be a stressful and problematic month for me. I really wanted to be happy with this chapter before posting it because… it's the last official chapter! I do have an epilogue written and I'll try to post it in about a week. So, once again, thanks to everyone who's been so patient and supportive… Enjoy!

Chapter Nine

Three days passed slowly as the lab returned its routines and began to function again with some semblance of normalcy. However 'normal' the lab appeared to be, the night-shift CSIs were still struggling with the quiet left by Greg's absence and Sara's emotional distance, which seemed to increase with each passing day as Greg's condition did not change.

Spending her nights in the lab and her days split between visiting Greg and attempting to sleep had already begun to take a toll the young woman. The once outspoken and confident brunette had withdrawn, socializing little and immersing herself into her work. Although she hated the loneliness that had come from Greg's absence, Sara could not face the others- their presence only reminded her that their friend, the man she loved, might not wake up.

She tried so hard to stay strong, to keep going and living, but she was becoming more tired with each passing day- both physically and emotionally. Sleep was rare, and restless if it came at all, and her silent apartment was another reminder of the pain of loss she had experienced too many times since she was a child.

On the fifth night after Greg's admittance into the hospital, Sara had barely found the energy to crawl out of her bed, after another sleepless day, and go into the lab, where she felt equally as listless.

Standing in the break room, she didn't bother to turn around as she heard the door open behind her.

"Practicing your telekinetic powers?" Nick asked with a slight laugh.

"What?" Sara glanced at him sleepily, not understanding his question.

"You're staring at the coffee. I was wondering if you were trying to pour yourself a cup without actually picking up the pot." He gave her a boyish smile. "If that's the case, you aren't having a lot of success." Taking the coffeepot, he poured her a cup and then one for himself.

"I don't know what I'm doing, Nick." She shook her head slowly.

His smile faded as he watched her. "You look horrible, Sara."

"I know."

"Is there something I can do?"

Sara sighed, shaking her head. "No. I need to get through this myself. It's just that, so far, I'm not doing a very good job of getting through this."

"You're hurting, that's understandable. I hate to say this, but give it time. It will get easier."

She gave a dry laugh. "I've grown to hate that word."

"What word?"

"Time. We don't have enough and yet everyone tells me to take more of it."

"Sara, look at yourself. You're a mess. Is this really living?" Nick asked softly, compassion evident in his tone.

"No." She admitted, staring blankly at her coffee. "I don't know what to do."

He gave a shrug. "I don't either."

She looked back up at him, her brown eyes distant, and then away, avoiding his gaze.

Gently taking her arm, Nick led her over to the couch and sat her down beside him. "Do you know what one of the first things I thought was when I saw you the first time?"

"What?" Sara replied half-heartedly.

"Well, to be honest, the first thing was 'she's cute', followed by 'she's Grissom's friend- keep your distance', and finally, 'Greg's going to like her… too bad he doesn't stand a chance'."

"Really?" She glanced over at him. "You didn't think he had a chance?"

"We all assumed that there was something between you and Gris…"

"That feels like a lifetime ago…" She gave a short laugh.

"I know, it really does." Nick looked from her to the doorway as Catherine and Warrick silently entered the room.

No one spoke at first as the newcomers filled their coffee cups and watched Sara uncertainly. They could see just as easily as Nick could that the young woman was slipping away.

"It's almost hard to remember what it was like then… we were young… Greg was young." Sara said quietly, perhaps more to herself then anyone else.

"He wasn't even twenty-five when you came." Nick added softly. "We weren't even thirty…"

"Young punks…" Catherine mumbled into her coffee cup.

Sara laughed, still staring down into her coffee. "A lot has changed since then…"

"True, but some things will never change." The redhead replied, turning serious again. "This lab has an obligation to the people it serves- including its own members. We're here for you, Sara, you've just got tell us how we can help."

"That's the thing, I don't know what there is you can do- short of waking Greg up."

"Just talk to us, Sara." Nick replied.

"I don't know what there is to talk about." The brunette glanced up at Catherine. "Words just feel so…"

"Empty?" Catherine asked, genuine sympathy in her voice. Seeing Sara nod in response to her question, she gave a long sigh. "I'm sorry, Sara. I hope those words can mean something."

"They do." Sara gave a brave smile. "I'm glad I've got you guys, I don't know how I would have made it through the last couple days without you."

"You have made it through." Warrick said, speaking for the first time since he had entered. "Love is a powerful thing, Sara."

The brunette nodded understandingly, but her gaze drifted back to her coffee. A contemplative, still, silence fell over the room. They remained in that silence for several minutes, until Grissom hurried through the door and approached the group.

"What's going on?" Catherine asked the supervisor, relieved for a distraction.

"I just got off the phone with the hospital."

"About Greg?" Sara looked up at him hopefully.

He nodded.

"And…?"

"It seems that his condition has improved over the last few hours. The doctor is very optimistic."

"That he's going to wake up?" Warrick asked.

"That he'll wake up, soon." Grissom nodded again. "I explained to the nurse that it was important for a… friend… and member of the crime lab be around if he is to wake up. I told them you'd be there within a half-hour, Sara."

Sara frowned. "I'm not following."

"I want you to be at the hospital with Greg."

"Grissom, I…" She shook her head, handing her untouched coffee back to Nick as she stood.

"There's nothing to discuss, Sara. You should there if he wakes up and I'm sure you want to be there."

"I do."

The supervisor nodded toward the hall. "Then go."

"Thank you." Sara smiled, touching him gently on the arm before leaving.

Grissom gave a small smile as he watched her hurry out of the room and down the hall.

"Do you really think he's going to be okay?" Nick asked once the brunette was out of sight.

"I think he's going to be fine- they both will." Grissom replied, turning to the other CSIs.

Catherine sank onto the couch in the spot Sara had just vacated. "It will be a big relief to everyone to have Greg back. I don't know how much longer Sara could have held on."

"I think she could cope with losing him. It is the… uncertainty… of the situation that had made it so difficult on her." Nick said thoughtfully.

Warrick nodded understandingly. "You can't move on if there's no ending to move on from."

"At this point, let's hope there's no ending in sight."

Sara paced back and forth along the side of the hospital room, from the door to the wall. Her exhaustion had been replaced with anxiety that she could not shake. Sighing, she glanced out into the hallway before turning and starting to cross back across the room.

"You're going to wear yourself out at this rate, Honey." The nurse glanced from a monitor she was studying to the brunette.

"I'm just restless." Sara paused and looked over at Greg, smiling sadly. "You have no idea how badly I need him to wake up."

"You're the one who's been visiting him everyday, aren't you?"

"Yeah."

"Well, he's a very lucky man. I hope he knows that, and, if he doesn't, I'll be sure to tell him."

Sara smiled. "Alright." Sinking back into a chair, she watched the nurse. "How can you stay so optimistic in a place like this?"

"You're a CSI, like Mr. Sanders, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Are you a pessimist?"

"I try not to be."

"There you go."

"But it's so hard sometimes. I mean, everything I've ever encountered tells me that…" She broke off, looking down at the floor.

"Tells you that people die?"

Sara nodded slowly.

"That's certainly true. I think we both know that very well. But, Honey, you've got to remember that people also live. Some people do get a happy ending."

"You're right." The brunette gave her a brave smile.

"I know I am."

Sara laughed, but stopped suddenly, gaze fixed on Greg.

"What is it?" The nurse frowned in concern.

"I'm not sure. I thought…" She stood and went over to the side of the bed. "Greg?"

Sara looked down at the face she had watched for the last few days and felt her heart jump to see a small, almost unnoticeable, movement of his eyelids. She turned quickly to the nurse, who gave her a smile.

"I guess I'm psychic. I'll go get the doctor."

As soon as the nurse had disappeared into the hallway, Sara turned her full attention back to Greg.

"I'm right here, Greg. Come on, please wake up." She watched him carefully, all her dread and fears slipping away as his movement grew stronger. "Greg, can you hear me?"

His lips parted and tried to form words as his eyelids fluttered. After several tries, Greg opened his eyes a sliver and looked up.

"Sara?" His voice was soft, barely a whisper, and was filled with confusion.

She gave a relieved laugh. "Hey, Greg."

"Hey, Beautiful." He smiled weakly. "Where am I?"

"Desert Palms."

"Again? What happened this time?" Greg gave her a dry smile.

"It's a long story… I'll tell you everything after the doctor checks on you." Sara ran a hand down his cheek. "Let's take things one step at a time. I'm just glad you're awake."

"How long have I been here?"

"Five days."

"Five…?" His eyes widened, now completely awake. "Wow…"

A soft knock on the door caused both to look over as the doctor slid into the room. "Mr. Sanders, good to see you've regained consciousness. I'm Dr. McRoe. How do you feel?"

Greg looked up at the doctor, considering the question that had been posed. "Mostly confused… and my side has this dull pain."

"That's to be expected. You were shot." The doctor replied.

"Are you alright?" Greg glanced back at Sara.

"I'm fine- thanks to you."

Greg nodded contemplatively. "Then it was worth it."

Dr. McRoe gave a slight smile. "We're going to keep an eye on you for a few more day before releasing into someone's care. I'll have a nurse give you some more pain medication in a little while."

"Can I have something to eat?"

"I'll have the nurse bring you something."

Greg watched the doctor leave and turned back toward Sara, to find tears sliding down her cheeks. "You're crying."

She nodded, giving a small laugh.

"Why are you crying?"

"I'm happy that you're okay." She looked down at him and smiled. "I was so scared… Just know that if you ever scare me like this again I will hurt you."

He raised an eyebrow. "Your logic worries me sometimes."

"You have no idea what the last few days have been like…" She shook her head slowly.

"No, and I don't ever want too."

Rubbing away the tears, Sara sat down on the edge of his bed. "But you're here now, that's all that matters."

"No. You're here with me- that's what matters." Greg took her hand.

She leaned in and kissed him gently on the forehead before laying her free hand on their clasped ones.

"So, you're going to tell me a story…" He grinned at her.

Sara looked at him thoughtfully. "It's a good story- full of murder, revenge, friendship, but, most importantly, love..." She smiled. "It all starts on a night like so many others before it…"

To be continued...