Author's note: Lol, so, here is the next chapter. Sorry it's taken so long, but I was trying to figure out exactly what the next few chapters would be about. With that done, we may move on. So, without further adieu, chapter two!

Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to my buddy Cyela! Dude, we miss you so much! We'll see you soon!

--------------------

Gil Grissom sat up from his paperwork just in time to see the blur that was Sara Sidle rush past his office door, kit in hand. Curious and needing to stretch his stiff legs, he rose from his chair and made his way to the hallway. His eyes followed Sara down the hall, watching as she entered the layout room.

Slowly he made his way through the small throng of people that littered the hall, mostly unfamiliar swing shift lab techs and CSIs. He brushed past them, paying little mind as a delivery man bumped into him, and continued his journey toward the layout room. His eyes stayed glued to Sara as he watched her opening her kit through the glass walls. She took out a swab and set it neatly next to her print powder and brush, then carefully removed an envelope from her pocket and set it on the table. Opening the flap and picking up the swab, she ran the cotton tip over the sticky seal. As she finished, Grissom leaned against the door frame.

"I thought you closed your homicide?"

Sara graced him with a quick glance before turning back to the envelope, "Yeah, I wrapped it up last night. This is something else."

Pushing himself from the door frame, Grissom walked into the room. He made his way to the table, stopping when his shoulder met hers. Sara took a slow breath and managed to stop herself from flinching away.

"What do you have?" Grissom's voice was low as he leaned closer to the envelope.

Sara looked up as she placed the swab back into its package, "I found it on my windshield."

Grissom frowned, "What is it?"

"A note," said Sara, opening the print powder and carefully dipping her brush into it. She slowly shook off the excess powder before she lowered it to the envelope. When she was done, she removed the note and printed it as well.

"A note about?"

"My mother."

The sound of the brush skimming across the notes surface was the only sound in the room as Sara finished. Grissom gave Sara a sideways glance, but Sara kept her eyes down, concentrating on the paper in front of her. Finally, she grinned. A print came into view from under the course bristles.

"Grissom, will you hand me my camera?"

He picked up the camera and placed it in her hands, watching as she quickly snapped to overheads.

"I'm going to transfer these and run the prints through AFIS. Run the DNA too," she picked up her stuff and stood straight, backing up towards the door, "I'll… see you when shift starts."

She turned and started for the door, but the sound of Grissom calling to her made her stop.

"What… did the note say?"

The room was silent. Sara dropped her head and for a second Grissom thought she wouldn't answer. Just as he was about to apologize, he heard her whisper a reply.

"She's dying."

She took another step toward the door and once again was stopped by the sound of his voice, "I'll help you process if you'd like some help."

Sara turned to face him, throwing him a questioning glance. She shrugged.

"I was just doing paperwork anyway," he added.

"Okay," said Sara nodding, and she motioned for Grissom to follow her. They walked down the hallway together, an awkward silence settling over them. Sara was the first to speak.

"Grissom, you really don't have to do this."

Grissom nodded slowly, "I know, but I want to. I mean, I know how much this means to you."

Sara stopped and gave him a small smile, "Thank you. That really means a lot."

She handed him the camera and allowed her smile to get a little bigger, "Transfer these to a computer and send them through AFIS for me?"

Grissom took the camera and smiled, "I'll meet up with you in a bit."

He turned from her and walked away, leaving Sara staring after him, wondering what exactly was going on.

--------------------

"I got nothing with DNA," said Sara as she walked into the fingerprint lab.

"Well, then you're in luck," said Grissom as he stepped away from the printer, "Because I got a hit."

Sara smiled as she took the still warm sheet from Grissom's hand. He watched as she read the results, watching her eyes brighten and her smile grow. When she was done, Sara looked up and, for the first time in a long time, gave him her trademark smile.

"Janice Morrow. Worked for the California State Women's Correctional Facility before transferring to Vegas."

"She's a state hired psychiatrist," added Grissom.

Sara bounced on her toes with renewed vigor. She felt like she could hug the man standing in front of her, but she opted to pat him on the shoulder instead. Her hand lingering, she continued to smile up at him.

"Thank you," she said.

Grissom smiled, not saying anything. Their eyes locked as they stood alone, but they didn't stay that way for long. Grissom's pager went off.

"Catherine," he mumbled as he looked down at the number, and Sara quickly removed her hand.

Grissom checked his watch, "Shift is about to start."

Sara nodded and gave Grissom one last shy smile, "See you in the break room."

He nodded and as an afterthought spoke up, "Are you going to go talk to Ms. Morrow?"

"Yeah, after shift."

"If you… need someone there…," but he didn't know how to finish.

A familiar silence settled over them. Sara bit her bottom lip as she took a step towards the door, "Find me after shift," she said, and with that, she left.

He watched her until she disappeared around the corner, then turned towards his office to collect the nights cases and forget the trip Sara would have to take in the morning.

It was going to be a long shift.