Several weeks later at the lab, Gil Grissom sat behind his desk, finishing up his paperwork when Jim Brass knocked on his door and made him look up.

"Hey, Gil," he started quietly. "Mind if I come in?"

"Not at all, Jim." Gil indicated the chair across from him for Jim to sit down. "Something up?"

Jim entered, looking along the walls, taking in the odd assortment of bugs and embryos floating in jars before slowly seating himself in the chair. Gil watched his friend with wonderment.

"Naw, not really. I—I guess I just wanted to come and see you."

"Oh." Gil nodded, mostly to himself, not really knowing how to respond and hoping Jim would continue on his own.

After a moment of awkward silence, Jim blurted out, "So it's true, what they—I mean, you're, um…" Jim lapsed into silence, unable to finish his thought.

"Yeah, I am," Gil responded after a moment, understanding what Jim was trying to ask.

"And Sara?"

"Yes."

Jim nodded his…acceptance? understanding? defeat? Gil didn't know and thought that all were equally applicable.

Another moment passed and Jim looked up at Gil once again. "Well, then…I'm truly happy for you, both of you."

Gil made to interrupt him, but Jim cut him off.

"Really, I mean it. You two deserve this. I, ah—I'll see you around." With that Jim got up and Gil stood up with him but could only watch as his friend exited in silence.

Later that day Gil Grissom entered his townhouse; his shoulders were slumped over in fatigue, as he walked into the living room, putting his briefcase on small table in the corner of the room. He let out a breath as he glanced about the room, taking it in as if he were observing a crime scene, a quiet sadness reflected in his eyes.

Seconds later, two arms encircled his waist as he felt Sara's face press against the back of his shoulder, and he smile in spite of himself.

"You look lost."

Grissom looked down at her arms holding him, and he turned around within her embrace, looking into her deep brown eyes.

"Not lost," he said quietly. He stood quiet a moment before continuing, "Jim came into my office today."

In less than a second, concern clouded her eyes. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, fine," he soothed. His hands began to rub her back in assurance. "He just—I mean…"

He looked away. "I don't know what I mean."

Grissom faced her again and gave her a small smile. Sara continued to look at him even as he lowered his gaze to her slightly rounded stomach upon which he delicately placed his hands. Sara placed her hands gently over his.

"Have you told all of them yet?"

"No, I haven't. I don't even know how Jim found out. I've only talked with Ecklie about it, although I'm sure Ecklie had to discuss it with the sheriff…"

She nodded her encouragement, and he let out another sigh.

"It's just tough. I've spent my entire life this one way, maintaining this objective barrier, trying to keep myself from, from the rest of the world…"

"I know."

"You ruined that for me," he told her with a smile.

She grinned widely at him and brought her forehead to rest against his.

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

He chuckled quietly in response.

"Besides," Sara continued, "you called me, remember?"

"I wouldn't forget."

For a moment, the two of them just stood their in each other's embrace, silently appreciating the other for bringing so much meaning and depth to their lives.

"So what're we going to do, about Jim?" Sara broached awhile later.

"About all of them, you mean. I guess... guess we'll just have to tell them, explain our decision to them."

"Yeah."

Her voice had been barely more than a whisper, and he pulled his head back to see her eyes glistening. He brought his hands up, gently cupping her face, and softly wiped his thumb across her cheek as her tears began to fall. He placed a tender kiss on her lips and pulled her against his chest where they rocked each other until they were both too tired to stand any longer and went to bed.