A few weeks later …

January 11th, McKeen's sentencing is here. McKeen's fate will be decided today.

Judge Newberry begins, "Jeffery McKeen before the jury verdict comes in I just want you to know this is one of the most despicable things I've ever witnessed a law enforcement official do. I'm also certain that as time goes on we will find you are tied into even more things. We've already linked you to Detective Samuel Vega." Judge Newberry sighs and she continues, "I just want you to know that if jury comes back with guilty today my sentencing will be quite harsh as to make a statement that no law enforcement official in this city should ever behave this way again. Not only were your actions and endangerment to those involved but an endangerment to the city. Now bailiff bring me the verdict."

The bailiff walks from the bench to the jury box and obtains a folded piece of paper. The bailiff walks back to the bench and hands Judge Newberry the folded paper.

Judge Newberry unfolds the paper and reads, "Jeffery McKeen the jury finds you guilty on all counts. Now I will deliver my sentence. You will receive life in prison without parole. Not only that but if we find anymore crimes tied to you there will be more life sentences added. There is one more part of your sentence that was recommended to me by Undersheriff Conrad Ecklie that you be kept in isolation. Now normally I wouldn't add this to part of a sentence but with the ties you've had and the things we may not yet know about I think it's for the best. Not to mention that somehow in prison criminals still tend to still make moves and I want what happened to be the last thing you are ever involved in. Bailiff take him back for transport. Court is adjourned." Judge Newberry pounds her gavel like the last nail in the McKeen's coffin.

Mark, Brass and Sara and getting up to leave the court and Ecklie stops them and says, "Guys tomorrow there is going to be a commendation ceremony for the 3 of you. The mayor, the sheriff and I all discussed it in length and you all were pivotal in breaking this case wide open." Ecklie starts to walk away but turns around and continues, "Thanks for breaking protocol guys and looking into this even after I said the case was closed, if it wasn't for you guys who knows how far McKeen could've dragged the department down."

As Ecklie walks away Mark and Sara look at Brass who says, "There's something I never thought I'd hear Ecklie say in a million years. Let's get lunch."

The next day Mark is putting on a tie for the commendation. Catherine walks in the bedroom from the bathroom and asks, "Are you ready to leave?"

Mark sighs and replies, "Why do they have to make a big hoopla about all of this we just did our jobs. I don't need any special ceremony."

Catherine steps in front of Mark and takes over tying his tie and says, "Believe it or not you went above and beyond. Now let's go I promise to won't make you stay longer than you have to." Catherine leans up and kisses Mark and continues, "If you're good maybe we'll have our own commendation later."

Mark smiles and says, "Well if you say so dear."

At the commendation Mark, Brass and Sara are seated on the stage with Ecklie, Sheriff Liston and Mayor Mobley.

Sheriff Liston gets up to speak. She addresses the crowd, "Welcome members of the press, citizens of Las Vegas and fellow law enforcement. I know a lot of us are still grieving over the Eddie Willows case that brought light to corruption within our own department. While that was not an easy pill to swallow, for any of us, it was a blessing in disguise. I am not in any way diminishing the deaths of Eddie Willows or Jade Withers but had it not been for the great investigators in our department we never would've been able to clean up our department. Trust me when I say we will get every last person out of our department tied to Jeffery McKeen. When I was elected I ran on the basis of cleaning up this city, however I must say I didn't know that the man that used to work next to me would be part of that trash. Would Captain James Brass, CSI Mark Anderson and CSI Sara Sidle please stand." Sheriff Liston shakes the hands of each of them and pins on them the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor. Once she is done she motions them to be seated again and returns to the podium and continues, "What I have pinned on these outstanding individuals is called the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor. The requirements for this medal are as follows: awarded for bravery and valor 'above and beyond the call of duty'. Now while many of you many think that solving a case may not be above and beyond the call of duty their tale is truly remarkable. Former Undersheriff McKeen had told former Lab Director Ecklie now Undersheriff that the case was to be closed. Normally when upper administration says that a case is to be closed you walk away no questions asked, which now we know this procedure needs to be amended. Anyway Captain Brass felt the early closure was suspicious kept investigating quietly and when he felt it was necessary he brought in CSIs Mark Anderson and Sara Sidle. Without the hard work of these fine individuals this city wouldn't be one step closer to being cleaned up. Please stand now and show your thanks for these fine law enforcement employees."

After the ceremony most of the law enforcement present is attending a reception at Ray's Place.

Sheriff Liston finishes a toast for Brass, Mark and Sara. She says, "I cannot thank you guys enough!"

Mark responds, "Sheriff…"

Sheriff Liston interrupts, "Oh please Mark call me Sherry."

Mark nods and continues, "Sherry we were just doing our jobs no need to make a big fuss out of this."

Sherry responds, "Mark, this is a big deal! Getting rid of the corruption is exactly what I wanted to do. Anything you guys need seriously just let me know and it's yours. Please enjoy the party."

A few hours into the party Nancy walks over to find Sara at the jukebox. She says, "Hey good looking how are you holding up?"

A drunken Sara responds, "Much better now that Nick bought me all those shots."

Nancy chuckles and says, "Oh I see. So what are you doing at the jukebox?"

Sara turning on her charm responds, "I was looking for a song we can dance to." Sara turns back to the jukebox and says, "And I found it!"

Sara grabs Nancy's hand and leads her to the dance floor.

Nancy questions, "What did you play?"

Sara replies, "You'll see in a second."

A song starts to play and Nancy and Sara are gently swaying in each other's arms.

Just then Catherine looks up and sees them and smiles. Catherine nudges Mark and she motions her head towards the dance floor. Mark looks up and smiles as well. Then he kisses Catherine's temple.

Just as the chorus starts playing Sara starts singing to Nancy, "How would you feel, if I told you I loved you? It's just something that I want to do. I'll be taking my time, spending my life. Falling deeper in love with you. So tell me that you love me too?"

Nancy looks into Sara eyes and responds, "You did all this just to tell me you love me for the first time?"

Sara chuckles and says, "Well, it worked for Mark when he told Catherine."

Nancy shakes her head and responds, "I love you too goofball!" Then she closes the distance between them with a kiss.

Warrick at the table with Mark, Catherine and Nick speaks up, "Did any of you think we'd ever see Sara so happy?"

Nick looking all giddy rubs his hands together and says, "Well, Sara just told Nancy she loves her for the first time!"

Catherine questions, "How do you know?"

Nick replies, "Sara and I were at the bar and she told me she wanted to tell her but wasn't sure how to do it. So I bought her some shots to relax her and then she goes to the jukebox and plays a song about love." Nick looks up at Mark and tips his beer towards him and says, "I think she's stealing a play out of your book by the way since that's how you told Cath."

Mark blushes slightly.

Catherine leans over and captures Mark's lips in a sweet kiss. Once they separate Catherine looks at Nick and Warrick and says, "Well, you two might be wise to take more than a few pages from his book."

Warrick chuckles and says, "I bet I can say something else that will shock you."

They all look at him expectantly.

Warrick continues, "I saw Sara leave early the other day. I knew this thing with Nancy had to be serious. I've never known Sara to leave work early."

Catherine speaks up, "I was so happy when Nancy told me she had feelings for Sara. I hadn't seen Nancy so interested in someone since Alan passed. I knew Sara was going to be good for Nancy but I guess I never realized how good Nancy was going to be for her."

Mark looks up and says, "What happened to Brass, Grissom and Greg? I feel like we've lost half the team."

Warrick responds, "Apparently Grissom got a little drunk so Brass took him home." Warrick points and continues, "Greg is over there talking to that smoking hot blonde."

Nick laughs and says, "Some things never change. But Gris getting drunk on the other hand seems weird."

Catherine says, "You say that like the man have never been drunk in his life."

Nick responds, "In my mind he hasn't the man calculates out every move."

Catherine laughs and says, "Nicky my boy you are so naïve at times but that's why I love ya."

The next day …

Mark is at the kitchen table doing some paper work and Catherine is on the phone with Nancy.

Lindsey walks in and sits at the table and asks, "Mark can I ask you a question?"

Mark not looking up from his paper work says, "Of course kiddo. What's up?"

Lindsey starts, "So the medal you got yesterday was it because of my dad's case?"

Mark puts his paper work aside and focuses on Lindsey and says, "Kind of. It was more about what happened because of the case."

Lindsey asks, "Because of the bad undersheriff?"

Mark nods.

Lindsey says, "Oh."

Mark picks up on the hint of sadness in her voice and says, "Kiddo I know your dad's case was kind of overshadowed by the undersheriff but that doesn't mean anyone thinks any less of your dad's case or your dad for that matter. He will always be missed."

Lindsey smiles and says, "Thanks."

As Lindsey leaves Catherine comes up behind Mark and says, "You know you're good for her right?"

Mark turn his head and says, "If you say so dear."

Catherine sits down next to Mark and faces him. She responds, "No I'm serious. You need to have a bit more confidence when it comes to seriously talking to Linds. You're really good at it. She loves you and not just because you do fun stuff you do like play video games and pool."

Mark smiles and questions, "Really?"

Catherine chuckles and says, "Abso-fucking-lutely!" Then she closes the gap between them with a kiss.

Once the separate Mark says, "I see you've been watching Sex and the City again."

Catherine laughs and says, "You know you love it."

Mark attacks Catherine's lips with his and eventually his hands take a life of their own and he caresses her breast.

Catherine jumps and lets out a throaty laugh and says, "Unfortunately you'll have to wait until after dinner Mr. Big."

Mark pouts as Catherine gets up from the table and kisses his forehead and starts making dinner.

A/N: The McKeen case is finally over.

The song Sara sings to Nancy is How Would You Feel by Ed Sheeran.

When Catherine and Mark are talking about Sex and the City, Mr. Big is a character from the series if you haven't seen it.

Well 44 is done. I have been working on the ending so the end may be near, but there is always the possibility of a sequel in the future if I choose to do one.