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 ;) Also, there is a sprinkling of language throughout the story.

A/N: I'd like to say you'll find out what's going on quickly, but... What fun would that be? ;)

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 read & review this story.


Chapter 35

With Sara and Brass on either side of him, Gil Grissom made his way into the emergency room of Desert Palms hospital, a place he had spent far too much of his time. They were met by Sofia, who directed them to the corner where Warrick sat with Catherine. Both were still in a state of shock, but Catherine was practically in a catatonic stupor. Warrick helped her to hold the paper cup of coffee in her hands, as she sat with her elbows propped up on her knees. When Warrick caught sight of Grissom and the others he took the cup from her hands and sat it down on the table. He stood up, allowing room for Sara and Brass to sit Grissom down in the seat next to Catherine. They were both beside themselves with shock, and fear, and worry.

Sofia did most of the talking, recounting the tale to Sara and Grissom, and for a change Warrick was grateful for her initiative. He was not certain he would have been able to tell Grissom what had happened, because he was still trying to process the facts himself.

He was shocked out of his mind by Sara's hand on his shoulder. He looked down into her eyes and he realized she was talking to him. "Warrick… Warrick, come with me, please?"

He shook and nodded his head at the same time, saying, "Uh, um, yeah."

Warrick looked to Brass, who gave him a reassuring nod, "I got 'em." And he walked around the corner, away from Catherine and Grissom, with Sara leading the way.

"Warrick, do you have Thomas' cell number?" Her voice penetrated the fog in his head again and he looked into her eyes once more. "I said, do you have Thomas' cell number?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I do."

She put her hand on his forearm and spoke to him with such a comforting tone, "You need to call him. Tell him to get on the next flight, but don't give him all the details. Do you understand?"

He nodded again, "Yeah, I wouldn't even know where to star-…"

"All you have to do is tell him that Stephanie needs him and he's to get on the next flight, and call us back with the flight info. Got it?" Her tone was soothing, but it was firm and he understood his duty to his friends.

As he pulled his phone from his belt, he watched Sara turn and head back to the others. He flipped it open and scrolled back to the name he needed, but his thumb paused over the button, as his heart constricted with the pain of fear. He swallowed back the bile which had risen in his throat, and took a deep breath that he forced back out of his chest in a huff. One more moment to gather his strength, and then he pressed the button.

He was vaguely aware of the first ring. The second was clearer in his mind. And on the third ring, he heard that voice and the lump in his throat firmly stuck into place. "Ah, Thomas, I ah… Yeah… Look, I need you to um… You need to get on the first flight back here… Something's ah… You nee-… Just get back here, she needs you… Yeah… And call me as soon as you have the flight info, we'll ah, we'll send someone to get you… Not on the phone… Ju-just get here, okay?"

The phone bleated as the connection ended and he looked at the display in disbelief at what he had just done. Without realizing it, Sara had returned and stood right in front of him. She laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, and in an instant he had collapsed into her embrace. The last of his resolve melted away after the call was done, and upon looking into that face of understanding and compassion, he was broken. She shushed in his ear and rubbed the back of his neck, as the sobs racked through him.

His breakdown did not last long, because he was drawing strength from Sara as she worked to comfort his pain. Finally, he was able to lift away from her embrace, and he put his hand on her shoulder as he stood straight again. "Think you can go back in there now?"

He nodded and brought his hand up to her neck, running his thumb along her jaw. "Yeah, and thanks for that."

She smiled in that unbelievably satisfying way and said, "Paybacks aren't always a bitch, ya know?"

Sara had done it. She had given him something to smile about, and he nodded his head as he turned to re-enter the waiting room.