A/N: Everyone have a great holiday, Merry Christmas, or Happy Hanukah or that other holiday which is around this time of year that I can't remember the name of. More will be posted on the 26th.

"Anyone home?" A voice called after the sound of the door opening.

"No, come back tomorrow." Nick responded.

"Nice to have you home too little brother." Carrie said walking in.

"Carrie I'm taller than you and have been since I was fifteen." Nick pointed out.

"You're still my little brother. We haven't met Caroline Talbot."

"Sara Sidle." Sara shook her hand.

"Welcome to the family."

"Thanks."

"So where's Leland and the kids?" Nick inquired.

"Annabelle and Tommy didn't want to get up, so he's corralling them and Zoe's practicing for her piano recital next week and if I hear that song one more time I'm going to scream so I thought I'd just head over here."

"You're the one who thought piano lessons would be good for her." Heather pointed out.

"I know." Carrie sat down. "Hey Em."

"Carrie." Emily smiled. "So how did that case you were telling me about go?"

"Jury's still out." Carrie replied.

"How long does that make it?" Heather asked.

"8 days excluding weekends." Carrie told her. "I don't think the problem is whether he's guilty or not because the evidence proves he is, but they're having trouble determining whether it was murder one or manslaughter."

"What did the judge have to say?" Nick asked sitting down.

"He's going to give them until Tuesday and then tell them if they cant all unanimously agree on murder one, but can on manslaughter to find him guilty of manslaughter."

"How'd you feel about that?" Nick inquired.

"As long as the guy is off the streets. I'd prefer murder one, but if manslaughter is all we can get. It's what my boss told me to offer as a deal he wouldn't take anyway."

"How is Bert anyway?" Nick asked.

"We're trying to cut back. Stella and his doctor are concerned about his blood pressure."

"Bert?" Sara questioned.

"Bert Landers, the District Attorney." Carrie explained. "My boss, he got elected when Dad was asked to be a judge."

"We keep telling you you should run." Heather said.

"Maybe when the kids are all in high school but right now I'd never get to spend any time with them."

"Just let us know when you want to run we'll put posters up." Heather offered.

"I'll take you up on that."

"Did you see Jack on your way in?" Emily asked.

"He's running around with Lou, Justin and Robbie. I guessed Luke was in here with you."

"He's taking a nap." Emily confirmed. "He'll get rid of all their extra energy."

"If he wants to send some of the direction of my place he's more than welcome." Carrie said.

"That's the Talbot genes." Heather said. "Leland and Clint are both like that."

"I know." Carrie agreed with a sigh. "So Sara how much of the family have you met?"

"I met Maggie when she came to pick us up, Erin, Lara-Jo and Stacey when I was helping Stacey with her homework yesterday and we ran into Clint yesterday when Nick was teaching me how to ride a horse."

"He let you ride Stardust?" Heather questioned.

"Yes."

"Must be love, he never lets any of us ride her. Except when he's not here and doesn't know anything about it." Carrie said.

"Hey." Nick protested.

"We know she's your baby." Emily patted his arm. "But you need to learn to let go."

"It's unhealthy." Heather added.

"Now I remember why I moved to Vegas." Nick said.

"I thought it was because that bug guy offered you a job." Carrie said.

"That too."

"What's his name anyway?" Heather asked.

"Grissom." Sara supplied.

"Right."

"He's a forensic entomologist." Emily said. "By the way Nick thanks for that book it was really helpful."

"If want to ask questions about bugs, talk to Sara she knows more about them than I do."

TBC