DISCLAIMER: Don't own it... No money made... Just for fun and enjoyment.

SUMMARY: Sequel to Displacement. The CSI team and their recently hired coroner Stephanie are back to work solving cases, sharing companionship and generally making their way through the dire world of criminal investigation with humor and friendship... This one will show the development of the relationship between Grissom and Sara and there should be some other surprises down the road as well. Romance/Drama/Angst/Mature Situations

RATING: M for Mature - I'm starting this one out at "M", since we won't be waiting quite so long for the smut this time out ;)

A/N: Wow! I was on a roll in the last 24 hours (4 chapters). So, since I am so far ahead of the posts now, I thought I'd go ahead and throw out another chapter :D

REVIEWS: I am always looking for ways to improve my writing, and your reviews let me know if I am hitting my mark. Thank you in advance for the time you take to review this story.


Chapter 7

The morgue was oddly quiet and empty for a Sunday night, so Stephanie was keeping herself busy by continuing to catch up on her journal reading. She was a good two months behind on the New England Journal of Medicine, and they had two very interesting articles on autopsy that she been looking forward to reviewing. So, she was completely engrossed in the article detailing the historical significance of the art of autopsy to several eras of medical science when Sara came to stand in the doorway of her office. It was not until she leaned back in her chair and propped her feet up on the corner of her desk that she realized there was anyone else there. Despite her surprise at finding Sara standing there with a comical smirk on her face, Stephanie met her with a bright smile. "Hey, there."

"Are you guys sure there's no blood relation?"

Stephanie dropped her feet and put the folded journal down on the desk before responding to the strange question, "Huh?"

Sara laughed as she entered the room and took a seat in front of the desk, "It's just that Gil does the exact same thing when he's reading. You two seem to share a lot of mannerisms."

Stephanie shrugged and chuckled at Sara's observation, "Yeah, well, I spent the first fourteen years of my life following him around like a hungry bird. I must have imprinted on him or something."

Sara flashed to a children's book she vaguely remembered, "'Are you my mommy?'"

Her laughter preceded her response, "Exactly!" Stephanie shook her head, "He must be rubbing off on you too… Nobody else ever gets my little references." They both smiled, but Stephanie could sense that the small talk portion of the conversation was over. "So, is this when the real interrogation starts?"

At first, Sara appeared to be shocked by Stephanie's accusation, but then she demurred, "That obvious?"

"Only to his other star pupil." The comment did not go unnoticed by Sara, but she only smirked at the joke, "So, what's the subject of this little visit?"

"Well, it's a slow night up there, and I thought I'd come by so we could-…" She stopped mid sentence and then changed her demeanor before continuing, "Are you buying any of this?" Stephanie shook her head that she did not, "Okay, fine. I got Warrick to cover my shift last night and-…"

"Yeah, I know, so what?" Stephanie figured it was time to get to the heart of the matter.

"That was you?" Vindication and shock filled Sara's face.

"Of course it was. So what?" Stephanie had no idea why that was such a big deal.

"Why are you answering Warrick's cellphone?"

"It was going off on the coffee table, he was outside, so when I saw it was you I picked it up before it went to voicemail and handed it to him when he came inside. No great mystery there." Stephanie recalled the entire event in a matter of fact tone that completely confused Sara. "I figured if you were calling it was important and he wasn't coming in for a while, so I hollered at him to get the phone."

"He was at your place?"

The continuing questions finally struck a chord for Stephanie and she instantly realized the problem. Sara doesn't know about Warrick yet! "Ahhhh… Okay, now I see the problem."

Sara sat forward on the edge of her chair, "Would you care to enlighten me?"

Stephanie paused for a minute, until she was certain Sara was going to come over the desk at her throat, "I'm just not sure I should. I mean, it's not really my place to-…" She was interrupted by the arrival of another person in her office door.

"Because I should have told you myself." Sara nearly jumped out of her skin when Warrick's voice spoke from behind her. "Sorry, Steph… I've pretty much gotten to everyone else."

Steph got up from her seat and walked around her desk, clutching her New England Journal of Medicine, "I think I'm gonna go con some coffee out of Greg. Help yourself." As she walked by Warrick to exit the office, she put her other hand on his shoulder in a gesture of reassurance before leaving the room.

Sara shook the surprise off her face and looked out at Stephanie as she pushed through the Autopsy Room doors, "What the hell's going on, man?"

Warrick leaned against the desk and faced Sara, heaving a deep sigh before he started to explain, "Look… I've got a bunch of shit goin' down right now, and Thomas and Steph are lettin' me crash at their place for the time bein'." He stroked at his chin, half covering his mouth as he did it, trying to find the words to continue.

"Things have gotten that bad?" The concern in her voice almost made him want to cry.

"Probably worse… She's already filed. I just haven't had the stomach to call the guy Steph and Thomas recommended yet." His eyes were filling with unshed tears, and Sara knew that it was her turn to help him hold it together for a change.

She stood up and went to Warrick, taking him into her arms and allowing him to let go, "I'm so sorry, War… I know you thought you could make it work… I am so sorry."

In her embrace, he found the permission he needed to release all of his agony, and the tears started falling down his cheeks. He bitterly thought to himself that he felt more comfortable in the arms of his friend than he ever had with his wife. That thought caused him to chortle, "Aw, man. How could I have screwed things up so bad, Sara?" He found the strength to pull out of her arms with his words, and she handed him a handkerchief from her pocket. As he wiped away the tears he laughed again, "I mean seriously… What made me think this was a good idea?"

She shook her head at him and shrugged, "I don't know, but we've all done some pretty messed up stuff… Especially when our hearts were involved." The knowing look she gave him made him smile that time.