"So does anyone know what this meeting is supposed to be about?" Nick asked as he entered the break room where most of the others had already gathered.

"No," Catherine, Warrick and Greg all said in unison. Catherine and Greg were sitting around the table, while Warrick stood by the counter. Brass was there as well, but kept mostly to himself in the corner of the room as if in a trance, silent.

Sara and Grissom arrived shortly Nick with Ecklie in tow. The group looked up as they entered, and Grissom attempted a small smile before notice Brass in the corner of the room. Sensing Grissom's uncertainty, Sara reached over, taking hold of his hand and giving it a small squeeze.

Regaining his resolve, Grissom started, "I suppose you're all wondering why I asked you here?"

In the corner, Brass seemed to come partway out of his trance and looked up at Grissom. The movement did not escape Grissom's notice.

"Sara and I, we, ah—we decide to resign from the lab."

This had everyone's attention, and all was silent.

"Why?" Greg blurted out.

"What he means is you two don't have to quit your jobs to have a child," Warrick chimed in, giving Greg a soft glare. "Sara's going to be taking her maternity leave soon anyways. There are ways here to balance both. I mean, Catherine's been raising a child as a single parent working here."

"Yeah." Grissom had the distinct feeling that Nick had just spoken because not speaking was beginning to become grating to him.

"And we are definitely aware of those options. It's just—"

Sara interrupted him. "Look, we don't want to leave you guys, but we've all been put in dangerous situations on this job. And I didn't grow up in the greatest of circumstances."

Grissom glanced at her, wondering how much she was going to reveal, but she gave him a reassuring look before continuing.

"I never pictured myself a mother. Five months pregnant, and I still have a hard time picturing it. But I know what I want for this child, and what I want for the future. I can't honestly say that I can give this child everything he or she deserves while I'm working here.

"My career has been my driving force and my life for as far back as I can remember. It kept me going when I had nothing to strive for personally. And now I have that personally."

Her voice had quieted the more she spoke and her eyes had become misted. Remembering that he still held her hand, he gave it a soft squeeze.

"Okay," Catherine managed to speak at last, her voice catching in her throat a little. "So I understand now why Sara's resigning, but you, Gil, why? The lab's been your life's work as far back as I've known you?"

Grissom looked at her, and then noticed how Brass had perked up slightly, giving him his full attention.

"That's true. The lab had been my whole life, but that's changed. Having made this incredible commitment to another human being, Sara, I just…it has enriched my life so much and has brought greater meaning than I'd ever imagined.

"Sara mentioned before how dangerous this job can be, and quitting it won't eliminate the dangers of life, but it will decrease them. I never dreamed of this chance to be a father, and now that it's here, I don't want to mess that up."

Silence permeated the room once more.

"So, that's it?" Greg asked quietly, hurt evident on his face.

"We'll both be staying on until I take my maternity leave," Sara offered.

"So, the two of you are just gonna stay home all day with no way to support yourself? I mean, I know you two were the champions of overtime, but this job doesn't pay that well."

"Sara will stay at home with the child at first. I'm going to be taking up a position as a professor at the University of Chicago."

"Chicago? You're moving, too? What's wrong with Vegas?" Catherine asked. "You could get a job teaching at any university. Why not stay in town?"

"This has gotta be the worst day every," Greg said to himself, staring at the tabletop.

At this point Ecklie spoke up. "Look, it's going to be a big adjustment to make, so to make the transition a little bit easier, I want Catherine to start taking over some of Grissom's supervisory duties as their departure date draws near."

Catherine looked from Grissom to Ecklie.

"Catherine, you'll be taking over Grissom's position once he leaves. I'm already looking into finding new recruits so you won't be short-handed."

Having said his piece, he looked about the room uncomfortably, awkwardly shook Grissom's hand and left.

Shortly thereafter, Greg and Nick stood up at the same time and, with Warrick following, left the room.

"They haven't even left and Ecklie's trying to replace them." Grissom heard Warrick mutter as the threesome turned down the hall.

Catherine remained were she sat, stunned, and Grissom turned to regard Brass who had returned to his trance-like state, slumped in the corner. He watched as Brass seemed to come to some kind of decision, got up, and left without saying a word.

Catherine stirred then, bringing Grissom's attention back to her. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Sara's head turn towards Catherine. She had seen Brass' exit as well. Together, they watched Catherine stand up and walk up to them. She placed a hand, each on one of the pair's shoulders.

"You do what you gotta do." Then she left, too, and the silence that came over the room held such a definite and finite note.

"I miss them already," Sara said softly beside him.

Grissom turned towards the door the others had exited.

"Me too."