Thank you to my faithful reviewers. I am so happy that you are enjoying this story. I was going to end it with this chapter but belive it or not I had a vision while out riding my horse and had to keep going with it. I hope you are still reading.

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Grissom sat in silence on his couch. He released the breath he was holding when Sara sat curled up next to him, and wrapped her arms around him. She gently kissed his cheek and laid her head on his shoulders.

Dr. Roth said that since everything was healing better than expected, she didn't want to risk any more damage by doing another procedure. The first thought that went through Grissoms mind was, 'I'm never going to hear again.'

Sara pulled back to study his face. She could tell that he was in some deep important thought. And she knew exactly what he was thinking. It was the same thing on her mind. Life has sure delt them a crappy hand. With all she has been through since she was a child, and now this. And she could say the same about Grissom. Maybe this was one of life's big tests. If they could get through all of the obstacles in their lives up to this point, they could get through anything.

She moved to straddle his lap, and cupped his face in her hands. He looked up into her eyes as she attempted to sign. At first Grissom was confused as to what she was trying to say. He furrowed his eyebrows and she leaned forward and said into his ear.

"Lets get married."

Grissom pulled back stunned. And the look on his face brought Sara a glimmer of hope.

"Say that again, only a little louder." Confused for a moment Sara did.

"Lets get married." this time she spoke louder.

And when she leaned back to look at him, his smile told her what she was praying for.

"I heard you. It was very soft, and I don't know what you said, but I heard your voice."

The excitement was spilling from him as he spoke. And Sara couldn't help but crash her lips into his. A small starter to the celebration that they had.

Later that evening Grissom drove himself to work. She had gone out for a run before he left, and he hated the fact that Sara wouldn't be at the lab anymore. It was something that they would have to discuss later. When he approached his office he saw that the lights were already on and a figure moved from behind the shelves. This was officially his first night back and Catherine was up to her usual tricks. So he went straight to the break room instead.

When he was close enough to see through the glass, he stopped dead in his tracks. His office was safer after all. Everyone had gathered in the small room to welcome him back. Knowing he had been spotted and a hasty retreat was useless, he proceeded to get this over with.

Everyone greeted him with hand shakes and hugs. But when he noticed Catherine's eyes wander to the door then back to him, he knew who was responsible for this. Grissom turned to see Sara leaning in the doorway. They walked up to each other closing the short distance quickly. He pulled her to him for a deep kiss of gratitude. Then he shocked everyone surrounding him and gave a little speech. Very un-Grissom like.

"I should have figured that this would happen. So I'll get straight to the point, slowly but surely I'll be able to hear again." And everyone smiled and spoke their congratulations. "As you know I'll just be strictly in the lab, unless there is a case that requires my attention. I want to thank you all for your support. I know I'm not the best person in the world when it comes to asking for help, but I appreciate it knowing that you are there." He turned to Sara and signed 'Thank you.' then leaned in and kissed her again.

Catherine waved her arms to get his attention.

"Hey how do you know that you will hear again? Did you get good news from the doctor or something?"

He sat and thought briefly about the sound he heard this morning.

"The most astonishing thing about miracles is that they happen."

Warrick couldn't help himself, "Ok, I'll bite, who said it?"

"G. K. Chesterton."

"Well I have a little quote of my own for everyone's amusement." Catherine spoke proudly.

Grissom watched her speak.

"It's never good to get between a woman and a food item containing sugar."

Everyone but Nick got it.

"Who said that?"

She stood tall and threw her shoulders back, "Catherine Willows. Now can we cut the cake and eat."

They all sat and had a piece of cake but it was short lived when the unexpected arrival of the Sheriff brought all the fun to a halt. Grissom never saw him walk up or heard him say his hello's but, he noticed Catherine pointing her finger subtlety over his shoulder.

"Why Sheriff, what brings you out this time of night?"

"I need to speak with you Gil." His voice was very stern and sincere.

"Ok, I'll meet you in my office."

Nodding he headed towards Grissoms office. Grissom turned back and cleared his throat. That was everyone's cue to get with the program.

"Here's tonight's assignments, Catherine would you hand them out." he stood and headed out.

He walked into his dimly lit office and took a seat behind the desk. He noticed the Sheriff kept looking at the door and knew that something was up.

"Gil, I need you to do something for me."

"Ok."

"I need you too..." the sheriff turned his head back and look to the door again.

Grissom slammed his hand down on his desk causing Ben to snap his head back with a stunned look on his face. He signed as he spoke.

"Can't hear you. Look at me when your talking, not the door. If your concerned about someone seeing you in here, shut the blinds."

Ben sat back and then stood swiftly moving to the blinds to close them. Grissom raised an eyebrow and thought about his actions.

"Sorry, I keep forgetting. Can you hear anything at all?"

"I heard Sara's voice this morning. She spoke directly into my ear. I didn't hear words but it's a start."

"Yes I suppose. Look I know about your relationship with Miss Sidle. I know that you want her to get her job back." Grissom nodded his understanding. "I need help. Maybe we can compromise."

"What kind of help?"

"I have reason to believe that Conrad Ecklie has been skimming the money given to the lab as grants and funding. Most of that money we receive because of you."

"What kind of evidence do you have to even humor such an idea?"

"I asked for a statement from a contributor. The amount on their recorded statement does not match the amount Ecklie signed for. It was several thousand short. So I requested more statements, and each one was two to three thousand short from what Ecklie signed off on."

"How long do you think he's been at this?"

"Just this past year. But with all the money we should have received and what was put in, nearly $15,000 is unaccounted for."

"Whew." Grissom sat back into his chair and locked both hands behind his head. "Give me what you have and I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks Gil. And if you figure this out for me, I'll make it worth your wild."

Ben shook Grissoms hand and quickly left. The first thing that came to mind was getting Sara's job back.

TBC