Hola, ya'll! Here is the next chapter! It took me longer than I thought...mostly because of Harry Potter!...and holy man-parts batman...book 7...wooo!

Aaanyways, I have a warning for this chapter: slight spoilers for the Strip Strangler episode...the one from the first season.

enjoy! and as always reviews are greatly appreciated : )

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…some months before…

"Do you remember that case we had with the strip strangler?"

Grissom looked over at her, his eyebrows slightly raised. "Yes."

Sara was silent for a moment, staring off into a darkened alley. "Do you remember what you said to me?"

Grissom's eyes crinkled in bemusement, he watched her wondering where this was leading. "I think I said a lot of things. Is there a particular moment you have in mind?"

He saw her mouth quirk into a small smile before she tilted her head, subsequently hiding her face from his gaze, "The moment after my plan to play as bait failed."

"Ah," he shuffled his feet, rocks escaping under his soles, "I'm sorry to say I cannot recall anything specific about that moment…I remember being very…" he paused as though searching for a word "worried for your safety."

Sara let out a dry chuckle. Then she abruptly faced him, her eyes bright and cold. "You said to me that one of the hardest things to do was to do nothing."

Grissom remained silent. Her eyes pressed into him as though willing him to say something.

When he didn't say anything she sighed, her eyes became unreadable. "Sometimes, I think for some people it's easier to do nothing."

Her words covered him like ice. He couldn't think of any response to that. Nothing she'd want to hear.

His mouth felt dry, "Sara…" He didn't know what to say.

She glanced away nodding at the wave an officer sent them. The scene was open for buisness. Looking back at Grissom she held up a hand, halting what was sure to have been an awkward side step to a more comfortable discussion.

"Forget it. Let's get inside." She picked up her case, then left him standing by the government issued vehicle. He watched her enter the house, and when she left his view he imagined her stepping over the crime scene tape.

His shoulders hunched, he soon followed her inside.

He watched her the rest of night, (always when he knew she couldn't see him staring) trying to understand why she had brought up the strip strangler case. He felt as though he had taken a misstep and he was finding it difficult to plant his feet on level ground.

It was several days later that found him at her doorstep. She let him inside, confusion marring her brows.

His eyes burned into her as she asked him why he had come. Not answering he took two steps towards her, invading her personal space. She made to move back, her breath catching. But he was too quick; an arm snaked around her waist, his other hand gently cupped the back of her neck. She looked up at him speechless, her eyes dark and questioning.

"You were right, Sara. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to do something…" he whispered before he pressed his lips on hers. Over, and over. It was not long until she responded in kind.

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Sara gave three hard knocks on the hard wood door. She waited a moment before repeating. It was another minute later until it opened. A short, weathered elderly lady looked out at her.

"Sara." Mrs. Renold's wrinkled face broke into a wide smile. "What a pleasant surprise! I thought you said you'd be gone until tomorrow."

Sara smiled warmly at the elderly lady. Mrs. Renold's had been Sara's neighbor since she'd moved to Vegas. Mrs. Renold's was constantly bringing cookies and other baked goods to Sara's door, claiming her own children and grand children were too far away for her to spoil. Sara always thought the old gal worried after her because Sara worked long hours and lived alone.

"I decided to come back early."

"Alright, darling. It'll be just a moment." Mrs. Renold's shuffled back through her apartment while Sara stayed at the front door. When Mrs. Renold's returned she held a wriggling bundle of fur.

"I think she missed you." Taking the cat with both hands, Sara smiled down at the feline. Sara looked up at Mrs. Renold's who was studying her with a thoughtful expression.

"Are you alright, Hon?"

Sara meant to just smile and tell her a simple 'I'm fine,' but when she opened her mouth a sob escaped. Covering her face with her free hand, she let Mrs. Renold's usher her inside the apartment.

A cup of tea later, Sara was starting to feel decidedly embarrassed.

"I'm sorry…I didn't mean to go off like that."

Mrs. Renold's shook her head with an understanding smile tilting her lips. "Don't apologize for being human, sweetheart."

A comfortable silence elapsed between them. Sara smiled accepting a refill of herbal tea.

Mrs. Renold's didn't ask why Sara had cried. The reason didn't seem to matter to the elderly woman why. She offered Sara only comfort. Mrs. Renold's apparent lack of expectations may have been the reason why Sara spoke.

"I'm pregnant." The words slipped from her mouth, Sara looked at Mrs. Renold's quickly. Mrs. Renold's only smiled; her eyes slightly dewy.

"How wonderful, Sara!"

"Yes…it really is." Sara paused realizing she really meant it. It really was wonderful. Then she sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Which is why I think I'll be moving."

There were definite tears in Mrs. Renold's eyes now. "Moving somewhere bigger I suppose? Somewhere with the father?"

Sara could hear the question under her tone. If it had been anyone else…

Sara cleared her throat, looked away, then back into the watery blue eyes. "The father…isn't really interested. I think I'll be moving back to San Francisco on my own." Sara felt her chest tighten, she blinked away tears. Saying it made it seem much more final some how.

Mrs. Renold's said nothing for a long moment. She peered at Sara with soft eyes. Finally she shrugged her thin shoulders, "Well, do whatever you think is best, dear."

And somehow, Mrs. Renold's acceptance made Sara feel worse.

--

Sara had left Catherine's early. She had called a couple days before to ask Mrs. Renold's to watch over Asha, but this was before Catherine had revealed she knew Sara's secret. After that Sara found being in Catherine's home was no longer a safe haven but a place that was suffocating her with Catherine's quiet, but meaningful looks.

After four hours of fitful sleep, a quick hot shower, and a cup of coffee, Sara found herself once again at the crime scene. She passed her shift with little thoughts outside the evidence. Not to say she didn't notice Catherine's arrival, a frown on her face with a raised eyebrow as if to ask a question. Sara could only look away. Nor did she not notice a certain red head that had started making regular appearances at the crime scene. And she couldn't deny the increase of her heart rate when she saw him. She stole glances of him, feeling compassion for him as his face betrayed his exhaustion.

He approached her once asking for cotton swabs. She looked at him confused before handing him some. Why hadn't he asked Catherine? He paused before leaving, his mouth poised to say something. But he didn't. He walked away.

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tbc, my pretties.