Author's Note: By popular demand, this is a continuation of Falling. I really intended it to be a oneshot, but what my readers ask for, my readers usually get. Plus this idea was kind of nagging at me anyway, and I probably would have written it even without the response it got. Again, this chapter is dedicated to Ciara for pointing me in the "write" direction.

I actually have a chance to reply to my anonymous reviewers this time, although I won't be able to for this chapter, as much as I want to.

To Your Spell-Binding Lover: Thanks so much! (Haha – "less than three". I get it.)

To jd: Wow, it made my day that I made your day. Thanks for reviewing.

To Nikky's Girl: You got your wish! But there's just one problem with your name. I'm Nikky's Girl (unless we're talking about a different Nick, which I doubt, given the nature of my writing). Thanks for reviewing.

To MollyMKS: Glad you liked the proposal. That one actually came out of my head, believe it or not. He's definitely cute, and it's definitely not fair.

To Allie: Suzanna Kirkwood was a wonderful opportunity for the writers to get them together, but as usual, they missed it! (Bangs head on table) Thanks so much!

Spoilers: 'Homebodies', 'Nesting Dolls', and a reference to 'Boom' but no spoilers

Disclaimer: Trust me, if CSI was mine, you'd all know it, because I'd be rubbing it in each and every one of your faces.

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I was nervous. I'd seen Sara go into the locker room, ready to go home. It was now or never. I only had a few minutes until she came out, so I had to have perfect timing. I made my way to a corner near reception where I could easily hide, but come out relatively quickly too.

I remember the day we met. I'd been throwing dummies off a hotel roof. She'd come from San Francisco to investigate Warrick. I have to say, I was a bit hostile at first at the thought, since she was investigating my best friend, but I think I fell in love with her when I met her. She was so beautiful, so dedicated, so serious. There was an instant chemistry between us, and I think she felt it too.

I remember when we had out first real connection. The body of Suzanna Kirkwood had been discovered, and I knew it was hard on Sara. The two had become friends after a bit of a bumpy spot at the beginning. Sara'd just stood there, looking at the body for a few minutes, and without a word, she turned and walked to her car. She sat there for another few minutes before I went over to see her. I didn't really care what Grissom thought about me just up and leaving. Honestly, I didn't even think he'd care. He knew what a tough job we had, and I think he understood that some cases got to us more than others. Even though he tried to hide it, I knew he always held a special place for Sara in his heart. I went over to her car and tapped at the window. She'd been sitting, stone-faced, and I could tell she was trying with all her might not to cry. She'd looked at me fiercely, and I could tell right away she wasn't happy about being disturbed. I smiled at her a bit, trying to comfort her, and she sighed in defeat. I knew then that it would be okay for me to get in the car. I came around to the passenger side and hopped in. I asked her if she was okay, and then she just started sobbing. I felt so bad for her. I knew that I'd made her start crying, and I also knew that she hated crying in front of people. I'd reached over and taken her hand and just let her cry it all out. Then I'd gone to Grissom and asked if she could have the night off, and he said yes. I had then taken her by the hand and brought her to my Denali. I drove her home and she fell asleep on the way. I watched her sleep for a second. She was so beautiful. I got out and came around to her side and reached over her to unbuckle her seatbelt. She smelled so good. I thought it must have been her shampoo, since she was allergic to perfume. I picked her up carefully and carried her to her apartment building entrance. I realized I didn't have her key and was debating whether to look in her purse when she woke up. I put her legs down carefully and steadied her when she stood up on her own. I kept holding her hand. She reached into her purse for her keys and was about to let herself in when she stopped herself. She hadn't let go of my hand either, and neither of us was about to. I pulled her into a hug, knowing that she really needed a friend right then, even though I wanted to be so much more than a friend to her. Then we'd kissed. I don't really know how it happened, but I'm glad it did. We kissed softly under the harsh buzzing light for a few minutes, but then I realized that I should probably get back to the scene, although I would have much preferred to stay with Sara and take care of her.

I had a lot of time to think as I was driving back to the scene, and while I was processing it. Everybody knew that this was going to be one of the really emotional cases, and the mood was definitely solemn when I got back. Nobody was really talking, except for the occasional "I've got a partial over here" or "Make sure you get that to DNA as soon as possible". I decided that I loved Sara Sidle and I wanted to make sure she knew it. So the next time I saw her, I asked her flat-out, "Do you want to go out with me?" She agreed.

Our first date was promising, so we went on a second, then a fourth, then a seventh, and then we finally decided to be exclusive, although we both knew that the other hadn't had a date for a long time. I hadn't been with anyone since Kristy Hopkins, and I seriously doubted that she still had eyes for that sad excuse for a human being two-timing scumbag Hank.

Sara was the best thing that ever happened to me. I loved her so much, and I wanted to give her everything she ever wanted. I knew that her favourite drink was a double Americano from Starbucks, and it was so loaded with caffeine that it was the best drink for our job. I brought her one whenever I knew we were going to pull a double, and the way her face lit up every time she saw me made my heart skip a beat. I thought it was so cute that she always tried to pay me back for it. Didn't she realize that it was the least I could do? She made me the happiest man in the world. Why wouldn't I want to make her the happiest woman in the world (even if it was only the caffeine)?

Sara's next blip on the radar was a big one. We'd suspected this one guy of beating up, then shutting up, his wife. Sara let it get personal, and ended up suspended for a week. I came over after shift (and sometimes before) to see her. One day, I had the next off, so I came over to her apartment planning to stay for a long time. We went for a long leisurely walk in a park, and stumbled upon what may very well have been the biggest hill in Las Vegas. "Race you," she challenged, and took off running. I'm sure she thought I let her win, but the truth is, I didn't. She had too much of a head start for me to catch up, plus I was holding a rather full cup of coffee and hers was nearly empty. We sat at a bench on the top of the hill and talked for a while, finishing our coffee. I must have looked like such a kid when I asked her if she wanted to roll down the hill. She laughed her beautiful laugh and we rolled down. At the bottom, we'd ended up quite close to each other and started kissing for a while. Now I challenged her to a race. Somehow, she managed to get up and start running before I was even off the ground. That time, I could have beaten her, but I let her win.

I was beat that day. I'd pulled a double and had a really rough time with a case. It frustrated me. We had tons of circumstantial evidence but nothing concrete, and the guy brought in a guy who was definitely not credible as an alibi and got off. I asked Sara if she minded if I slept on the couch for a while, even though we both knew I was way too tall for it. She invited me to sleep with her on the bed instead. I was nervous at this suggestion. I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable. She must have seen the look on my face, because she assured me that it would just be sleeping. I followed her to her bedroom and lay down. I couldn't resist joking, "Don't worry. I'll be the perfect gentleman."

I don't think I've ever had a better sleep.

So, now, I returned from my thoughts. I was hiding in the perfect spot. She couldn't see me, but I could see her, and I knew I could sneak up on her unnoticed. As planned, Judy paged Sara on the intercom. Everything was going well. Sara rounded the corner and picked up her message and package. I saw her read the message, and I was about to come out when she crumpled it up and threw it away. I was heartbroken at first, but I almost died of relief when I saw there was another note underneath. She read it and gasped. I came out of my hiding place behind her with the ring in my hand. She opened the package, still unaware of my presence and gasped again. It seemed like an eternity until she opened the black velvet box that I'd wrapped in butcher paper and tied up with twine. The suspense was killing me, but she finally opened it. She seemed surprised at what she found inside, just a little piece of paper that said Turn around, but she obeyed.

I was standing right behind her, fumbling with the bare ring in my hand. She looked like she was about to die of happiness when she saw me kneel down in front of her and ask her only two words. "Marry me?" I said as I slid the ring on the third finger of her left hand. She pulled me up and kissed me passionately, and then said the two words that I'd never wanted to hear more in my life.

"Of course."

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Author's Note: So, yes, it was intended to be a oneshot, but several of you asked for more, so…here! Review to let me know if I just wasted my time.