Calleigh paused outside of the hospital room door, mentally warring with herself. Every instinct told her that she should run, that if she opened that door, she was never going to be able to walk away. But Calleigh was so tired of running, of hiding behind her walls. Taking a deep breathe, she turned the handle and stepped quietly into the room.

Eric's head snapped up immediately, a smile gracing his lips when he saw who it was.

"Hey."

Calleigh couldn't help but smile back. "Hey yourself."

He heard the slight catch in her voice, and his smile faded. "Are you okay?" he asked quietly.

She opened her mouth to tell him that she was fine, but the lie wouldn't come this time. So she closed both her mouth and the distance between them, taking his hand in hers. Tears burned in her eyes, but she refused to blink them back or brush them away.

"I thought I lost you," she whispered raggedly. All the emotion she had been holding back stuck in her throat, forcing out a sob as she tried desperately to breathe.

Seeing her pain, Eric reached out immediately, pulling her up onto the bed. Tucking her body against his, he held her close, running his fingers gently through her hair.

"Shh…" he whispered. "It's okay, Calleigh."

She couldn't believe how freeing it was to finally be in is arms. Letting herself cry for the first time in a very long while, Calleigh let Eric comfort her, taking solace in knowing that he was alright and that she might not have missed her chance with him just yet.

As her tears subsided, she wiped her eyes and rested her head on his chest, toying with the collar of the hospital gown.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly.

Eric frowned, tilting her head up so he could see her face. "For what?"

"When we found you, the only thing I wanted to do was run over and hold you, to tell you that you were safe now."

He sighed. "It's okay, Cal – I understand."

She shook her head. "Eric, I knew that if I touched you, if I let you see what was going on inside of me, that would be it. I would have broken down and never let you go." Calleigh took a deep breath. "I have always prided myself on my…professionalism. But when you get down to it, people are more important. I…" Her breath caught, tears once again threatening. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you." She laughed suddenly, wiping at her eyes. "God, that sounds so cheesy."

Eric rested is forehead against hers, his heart pounding at her words. "You're safe with me, Calleigh," he assured her.

"I know. And somehow that scares me more than anything." She shook her head, letting her fingers trace the contours of his face. "God hates a coward," she murmured.

Leaning in, Calleigh pressed her lips to his, sighing at the contact. Eric responded immediately, tangling one hand in her hair as the other clung to her waist. With a low moan, he tilted his head to take the kiss deeper, pulling her closer in the process.

When they finally separated again, Eric smiled.

"I've been waiting a long time for that," he breathed.

"I'm sorry."

He shook his head, leaning in to kiss her again. "You were worth the wait."

8888888888888888888

"Hey."

Warrick looked up to see Catherine and Lindsey standing above him, Catherine's arm draped protectively around her daughter's shoulders. He smiled at the sight, his relief at having found them in time still overwhelming.

"Hey," he replied. "You two okay?"

Catherine thought about that for a minute. "Physically, we're fine. I'm still a little sluggish. As for the other stuff…" She shrugged. "It'll take awhile."

He nodded in understanding. Silence enveloped them, each wrapped in their own thoughts. Finally, Lindsey turned to her mother.

"I'm going to go see Nick and Sara," she said, her words carrying a veiled meaning that Catherine immediately picked up on.

"You don't leave their sight," she warned. "You don't go anywhere without them. You –"

"I know," Lindsey cut in. "I promise, I'll attach myself at the hip, okay?" She hugged her mother tightly, letting it linger. "It'll be okay, Mom," she whispered. "Talk with Warrick. It'll make you feel better."

Pulling away, Lindsey moved toward Warrick, waiting until he had stood up before she wrapped her arms around his torso.

"Thanks, Warrick."

He closed his eyes, running a gentle hand up and down her back. "I'm just glad you're alright, kiddo."

Lindsey stepped away, smiling at both of them before turning and walking down the hall. Catherine watched her closely, worry and relief warring on her face. Once her daughter reached Nick and Sara, she took a deep breath and turned to Warrick.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" she asked.

He smiled. "I'd love to."

They started down one of the corridors, neither really sure of or caring in which direction they went. Walking closely, they let their shoulders touch, both needing the contact. That wasn't quite enough for Catherine, though, and she eventually slipped her hand into his.

The two friends moved slowly, just enjoying the presence of the other, and the fact that, for the moment, everyone they cared about was safe and sound. As they neared the front of the hospital, Catherine led Warrick outside. Taking a deep breath, she smiled.

"It's good to feel the breeze," she murmured.

Warrick couldn't find his voice, so he just squeezed her hand. Catherine felt the tension in his grip, and the way his hand was shaking as she turned to face him. Reaching up, she wiped away the few tears that had escaped down his face, letting her touch linger. She opened her mouth to say something – anything – that would lend him some comfort, but words eluded her. Finally, she simply brought her body against his, wrapping her arms around his torso and laying her head against his chest.

At first he was surprised at the gesture, but then he was relaxing into it. He tangled one hand in her blonde hair, while the other wrapped around her body, pulling her to him as tightly as he could. Resting his head in the crook of her neck, he breathed her in, simultaneously taking comfort from her presence, and lending her any strength he could.

"I love you," she murmured suddenly, her voice muffled by his shirt.

He didn't hesitate. He simply pulled her closer, bringing his lips to her ear. "I love you, too."

They held onto each other for a couple more minutes before reluctantly pulling away. Catherine wiped at her eyes, looking back toward the hospital doors.

"I should get Lindsey home."

"Yeah. You guys must be exhausted."

Catherine nodded, and then looked up at him again. "Do you want to come home with us?" she asked nervously.

Warrick's eyes softened, and he gave her a warm smile. "Best offer I've had," he said quietly.

Returning his smile, Catherine slipped her hand back into his. Then they turned and walked back through the doors, heading back to their friends.

88888888888888888888

The entire lab was at the funeral, along with Hodges' family and close friends. The ceremony was simple and to the point, the C.S.I.'s mother and sister quietly crying in the front row. There had been a lot of discussion as to who would speak, but finally it was Grissom who had been chosen, and he got up to face the crowd.

"David…" He paused, clearing his throat. "Hodges was a beloved member of our lab, and more importantly, he was our friend, a part of our family. He was always there when something needed to be done, and he gave out smiles as readily as he could. He shouldn't have died. And it didn't happen to him because he was targeted, or because he had crossed the wrong person. He was killed because he was doing his job. And with the last ounce of strength that he had, he protected his friends, saving two of them from an unimaginable fate. David Hodges was a good man, and a good friend. He will be sorely missed…and greatly remembered."

As Grissom stepped down and moved back to his seat, Hodges mother and sister were no longer the only ones crying. Tears fell and friends clung to one another as they each said goodbye to one of their own.

88888888888888888888888

"That's you," Sara said as Grissom's flight number was called.

"It is," he confirmed.

They all stood up then – Catherine, Warrick, Nick, Sara, Greg and Jim – as Gil gathered his carry-on bag. For a moment they just stood there, no one really sure of what they were supposed to say or do. But then Catherine stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her friend and hugging him tightly.

"I'm going to miss you," she said fiercely. "And I will hunt you down if you don't keep in touch."

Gil chuckled. "Don't I know it."

One by one, the others said their goodbyes with handshakes and hugs. At last, Sara was the only one left, and the rest of the team backed away, giving the two of them some privacy.

"So…" she said, drawing the word out.

Grissom smiled at her. "So." Glancing up, he gestured slightly to Nick. "You and Nick?"

Sara blushed. "Nothing's happened…"

"Yet."

She wrinkled her nose. "You have to admit, Gil…it's a little awkward to talk to your ex-boyfriend about…"

"About your new boyfriend?" he supplied.

"He's not my boyfriend," she asserted.

Gil reached out, cupping her face with his right hand, his expression serious. "You've almost lost him twice now, Sara. Don't risk it again."

Knowing he was right, she simply nodded, emotion suddenly threatening to overwhelm her. To hide her tears, she stepped forward and embraced him, holding him to her tightly for just a brief moment. Then they were separating again, and the announcement for his flight sounded again.

"Good luck," she said quietly.

He gave her one last smile. "You too."

Without another word, Grissom turned and walked across the floor, heading toward the gate. Sara watched him go with less sadness than she had expected, instead feeling hopeful for his future – for both of theirs.

When he had given the attendant his ticket and headed through the gate, Sara turned away, walking back toward the others. Giving them a genuine smile, she slipped her hand into Nick's, squeezing it gently.

"Let's go home."