Disclaimer: Nothing has changed. I still do not own CSI. SOB

A/N: Well here it is. Last chapter. I know this was a short story, as far as multi-chapters go, but it always felt like the right place to stop. Some people felt like I didn't show enough of the search for Greg and Sara, but this was a character piece, plus I am crap at writing action. Just can't do it. Also, unlike Grave Danger in which Nick is buried in the desert and the team had clues to follow, in this case it was in the city so out of their hands. Plus it worked for me. And before you rib me about the end, it is all about potential. On that note, please move on over to home truths, which brackets this tale.

Epilogue

Greg swam up through layers of drowsiness, that held him down with syrupy arms of steel. It took an eternity of effort for him to open his eyes and even then he had to blink what felt like a million times, before the pictures, blurring and wavering madly, settled down into a useful image.

Swallowing was difficult, as his throat felt like he had choked on the Sahara desert. He did however remember the sensation from the time he had been in hospital after the lab explosion.

His hand felt like it was glued to the bed sheet and for one panicking second Greg was convinced that he was paralysed. As shock raced through his system, he realised that his 'paralysis' had a different reason than he thought. Beside his bed was a wheelchair. And in the wheelchair sat Sara Sidle, one hand holding onto his. Much like it had been in that horrible alley, when the world seemed to crash down around them.

It was the most beautiful sight in the world. Moving ever so softly, he turned his hand in hers until their fingers were once more interlaced. The movement was not soft enough, though, as Sara jerked slightly and blinked up at him.

Then cognition rushed into her eyes and a brilliant smile raced over her face, that fairly illuminated Greg's world.

"Hey." she whispered.

"Hey yourself." Greg whispered back, then couldn't help himself. Dreading her answer, yet all the same knowing deep down what it was going to be, he asked: "So, San Francisco. Offer still stand?"

The End