Nick shifted nervously in his office as he waited for CSI Sanders to arrive. The last eleven months had been hell on him so much that his hair had turned white within a month after Sara's loss. He had loved her like a sister and to know that he would never see her again tore at him. He wanted so much for her to flash him her famous gap toothed grin just once more. Running his fingers through his silver strands, he contemplated on what this year meant to him. He couldn't deny that it had made him stronger,hisbest friendhad needed him as an anchor. That fateful night was the last time anyone ever saw him cry. It was the last night he had allowed himself to.

To feel her life drain away as he held her was truly the most horrible thing he had ever felt. Even being buried alive would be more appealing to him now that he thought back on it. Better him than her. It may have sounded morbid, comparing her loss to a horror once inflicted on him, but he didn't care. He would go through it all again; the claustrophobia, the fire ants, everything, if only to see her walk into the lab.

She was always so proud and strong but on the inside she held vulnerabilities that only her closest friends new about. It was only after she was gone that the true stories behind Sara came to the open. Stories thatshe had only shared with a select few. The old group sat for what seemed like hours telling stories about her that seemed to be forgotten skeletons in front of the Sanders' fireplace. Grissom had told them about everything she had said about her past experiences with her family. Catherine supplied a couple of stories about a couple of her romances that ended with her in tears. Warrick had them laughing at a few of his most embarrassing moments with her. Nick had even regaled them with anecdotes from a couple of their shared cases, including the one time she lost her lunch over smelling a decomp's jacket.

Nick shook his head. Greg had stayed silent the entire night. He didn't even say goodbye to his friends when they left. Even to this day, Nick had yet to see the man smile. The door opened and the object of his thoughts walked in. "Greggo, this came in the snail mail for you, it's from the hospital," he said as he handed him an envelope.

CSI

Gregg took it and nodded. He wasn't surprised that he'd get personal mail at the lab. After all it had become his home since... He just didn't like having to face his house without her. He would go there to sleep and that was it. In fact, the bed was the only furniture there that wasn't covered in a sheet.

"Thank you," He replied and turned to head out but stopped at the sound of Nick's voice.

"Greg, meet me here after shift."

Greg frowned. "Why?"

"Dinner is on me."

"Okay," he said with a solute of the letter before walking out of the office and heading to the break room. Once there he sat on the couch and stared at the envelope. It was indeed addressed to him. Shrugging, he used a pocket knife to rip it open. And pulled out the card within.

Dear Whomever,

First I want to extend my deepest sympathies towards you and your loss. Please understand, I mean no disrespect in writing you. I have no idea who you are or even where you are, but I wanted to thank you all the same. You see, it was because of your loss that my life was spared. I wasn't told much about the donor that saved my life, but I was told that she had it in her heart to stop crime. So do I, there have been many lives saved do to your sacrifice. I felt as if I owed it to you to tell you that there is a part of your loved one that still lives on.

Respectfully yours.

Greg carefully folded up the note and tucked it away in his jacked. Wiping a stray tear from his face, he went back to work.