Chapter 17

Thursday October 6th, 2005
10:38 a.m.
Redding, California
Mercy Medical Center

Sara frowned slightly when she felt the sun hitting her eyes. /-/Gil Grissom when are you going to start remembering to not open the blasted shades when you get up? Wait a minute; I'm not in Vegas, I'm supposed to be in a creek with a distinct lack of life!/-/ Opening her eyes she tried to sit up so she could find out where the hell she was.

"Sara, honey it's okay."

"Gil?" she asked turning towards his voice. "How...what..." she trailed off frowning in her confusion.

"You're at the hospital in Redding," he began with a smile before taking her hand. "You've been unconscious for seventy-two hours."

"I think three days works just as well," she teased softly.

"Fine miss picky, three days," he teased back. "You fell and hit your head on the rocks in the creek," he continued serious.

"Wait, I fell in the creek...where's John? What happened?"

"What can be taking so long?" Catherine grumbled before a single shot rung in the air.

/-/Oh dear God. Screw the FBI, I'm not staying put./-/ With that thought, Grissom started running up the drive. Hearing more gunfire along the way he quite literally felt his blood run cold. /-/Please, you know I left the church and no longer believe in a higher power, but God, don't take her from me. Please./-/

Following the sound of shouting and gunfire Grissom soon found himself next to the creek; about a quarter of a mile up he could see the FBI and John squaring off. Well he assumed it was John having never seen the man. Glancing around he was about ready to head back towards the house when he spotted the bright yellow fabric in the water about a quarter mile the in opposite direction of the FBI.

"Sara," he whispered before rushing down and jumping into the creek. Picking her up he made his way back to the shore before setting her down gently. Her head was bleeding, and she was ice cold, but she was breathing and seemed to be woundless in regards to bullets. Looking up he saw Jessica making her way towards him followed by Nick. "She's alright, but we need to get her checked out," he called so they could hear.

"Oh thank God," commented Jessica as she stopped next to Grissom, Nick stopping just behind her. "Nick?"

"I'm right here Jess," replied Nick from behind her.

"I…I don't…don't feel…" Jessica never finished her sentence as her body once more shut down on her, sending her to the ground unconscious. Thankfully Nick had quick reflexes and he managed to catch her before she actually hit the ground next to Grissom and Sara.

"Seems I'm not the only one who's going to be sitting next to a loved one in the hospital," Grissom sighed softly.

"Dr. Edwards is not going to happy about this," sighed Nick as he positioned Jessica in his lap.

He quickly explained what had happened, leaving out the part about Jessica. "Acushla, what's wrong?" he asked softly when she frowned.

"I did make it to the creek after all," Sara sighed.

"What?"

She looked up at him with a sad smile. "I was going to the creek before the first shot was fired. When I woke up, I thought I imagined reaching the creek..."

"Why were you going to the creek?" he asked confused, even more so when she looked away from him, almost guiltily.

Sighing she turned her face back towards him. What was the sense in avoiding his expression since, technically she couldn't see it. /-/Please dear God, I know I don't deserve anything in life, I've made mistakes to last a lifetime...make that thirty. But please, if I lose him, if I lose them after they learn this...I'll never survive. Please./-/ "I was going to the creek..." pausing for a breath she looked down, even unable to see him she couldn't bear to be looking at him. "To drown myself."

"Sara," he began after she whispered the last three words. "Honey, why?" he asked as he reached over to tilt her head up, utterly confused.

Swallowing she looked away. "I made a promise to myself the morning I woke up to find I was there...with John." Looking back at Grissom she continued softly, "I wouldn't let him touch me again."

"Oh honey," he whispered as he reached up to cup her cheek and brush his thumb against her cheek. "It's okay."

"Oh God Gil, I thought I'd never see you again," she cried before he pulled her into his arms.

"I know Acushla, I know," he whispered against her hair as she cried.

Thursday October 6th, 2005
11:15 a.m.
Redding, California
Mercy Medical Center

"You ready?" he asked softly before seeing her nod. Opening the door he smiled at the group gathered in the hallway.

"About time, I'll have you know I paid good money for these tickets!" Greg spoke up before grinning.

"You do realize Catherine looks like she's about ready to hit you," Grissom teased.

"I just look like it?" Catherine asked glancing over at Greg with an evil smile.

"Shutting up now," Greg answered looking back at Grissom. "So, can we see her? Please? Now?"

"Stop begging Greg, I could have sworn I schooled that out of you," Sara called from inside the room.

"You did, they just managed to school it back into him," Grissom smiled before stepping out of the way so the three could enter the hospital room. Glancing back at Sara he smiled softly. After her confession, and subsequent bout of tears that would cover the rest of the year in her words, they had talked for a while to sort out a few things, mostly make apologies that the other swore they didn't need to make. Then he had remembered the group waiting eagerly to see her and asked the nurse to let them know they could come back.

"Umm Cath...I don't know about you, although considering you are as pregnant as you are, this can not be comfortable..." Sara began drawing Grissom's attention back to the bed and his eyebrows to raise as high as possible. Catherine was hugging Sara, and somehow, God only knew how, she was halfway on the bed and her feet were no longer on the floor, it was almost as if her enlarged belly were acting as a seesaw...

"Umm Cath…having trouble breathing here...not to mention lack of feeling in my body...Cath...Cath..." Sara continued forcing the name out in shallower breaths.

"Okay Sweetheart, I think it's time to let go," Warrick spoke up before prying his wife off their friend who was turning an odd shade of icy blue.

"Thank you," Sara smiled slightly as she took a number of deep breaths and got her breathing back to normal, not to mention her coloring. "So, now that we've established that Catherine is truly just as dangerous nine-months pregnant then as she is not pregnant. How are you guys?" she asked with a grin.

"Catherine keeps threatening me," Greg pouted before running around to the other side of the bed as the woman in question turned to glare at him.

"Hey, don't look at me for protection," Sara replied turning towards him. "I've had my blue period for the lifetime, I'm not getting in her way."

"Grissom?" Greg asked hopefully before seeing his look and pouting even more.

"He looks like a lost puppy dog that's lost its bone, doesn't he?" Sara asked with a smile.

"Oh yeah," Catherine agreed with a wink at Warrick and Grissom. "So girl, how are you feeling?"

"Well, considering that I survived a psychopathic uncle only to be nearly crushed by a pregnant woman…just great," she teased.

"Seriously girl," Catherine rolled her eyes.

"I'm okay, other than the knee I scraped up, and a slight headache from that rock…at least I think it was a rock," she frowned before shaking her head. "I'm good."

"Good to hear," Warrick smiled.

"Ready to hear how we found you?" Greg piped up.

Sara turned to look at him and cocked her head. "Do I get much choice?" she asked with a smile.

"Nope. So you see we're all panicking and all and Catherine called Nick to let him know."

"And Nick was with Jessica so no need to call her. And knowing Jessica she threw him and herself on the Harrison jet and got there in an exceptionally short time," Sara spoke up.

After a moment of dead silence, she looked around the room. "What am I missing?"

"You knew that he was with her?" Catherine asked

"You knew she had a jet?" Greg spoke at the same time.

Sara shook her head. "Okay point one, Nick and I start talking again...umm duh. Point two, I'm the only person in Vegas with Jessica's address other than Grissom and I highly doubt he would have just handed that over to Nick. Point three. I've known the woman since I was in middle school!"

"Good points," Greg mused. "So anyway, as you guessed they arrive and we're still going okay where to look, where to look. Jess remembers the cabin, your brother finds the deed, Jess calls up this FBI agent she knows..."

"Brian?" Sara asked sitting up and glancing around. "She called Brian?"

"Okay I'm just going to not ask," Greg sighed. "And just how many other things are you and Jessica keeping from us that are like major pieces of news?"

Sara cocked her head and thought, tapping her finger against her chin. "Hmm let me think now...well I suppose the only thing would be that Jyn and I had that brief love affair when we were both in Frisco, but I had to end it when I went to Vegas," she shrugged. "So, other news?" she asked turning towards Catherine and Warrick.

Hearing a choking noise she turned back towards Greg and raised an eyebrow. Behind her Catherine and Warrick tried not to laugh at the sight before them. Greg's mouth was open, his arms at his side and he was staring at her quite literally choking...on his own words no doubt

"You're not serious?" Greg finally got out, seeing her smirk he slid to the ground with a thunk.

"Umm, did he just pass out?" Sara asked glancing over at the others.

"Yes," Catherine replied before breaking out into laughter, eventually leaning against her husband, as she was laughing really hard. "God girl that was good."

"What was good?" Sara asked confused as the couple stopped laughing to look at her in shock.

"You were joking about the...well the whole love affair thing...right?" Catherine asked after a moment.

Sara blinked at them a few times as if trying to find a way to voice the answer before shrugging. "Of course I was," she grinned.

"Damn girl, remind me to never play poker against you...again," Warrick sighed with a smile.

"Why do you think I never play out when she seems to have good cards? I can never tell when she's bluffing," Grissom spoke up.

"You know, odd little thought here. But just how are we going to play poker? I mean last I knew, we had yet to get Braille playing cards. Oh and did I mention they come in pinochle decks as well?" she asked as she remembered it.

"Wasn't Greg supposed to be taking care of the cards?" Warrick asked looking over to see the man still unconscious.

"That explains it," Sara nodded. "So anyway, no one's playing poker with me again without trying to figure out if I'm actually bluffing. Greg is unconscious thanks to thoughts about Jyn and I having a torrid love affair, which I so do not want to know what is running through his polluted mind. And we were in the middle of the explanation about how you guys found me and I had just asked about Brian. So...please someone continue..."

"Oh yeah, little tangent there ruined our train of thought," Catherine smiled. "So yeah, she called Brian. I'm assuming you mean Brian Flynn."

"That's the one," Sara smiled. "Figures, I'd call him if it was her. And to explain questions I'm sure were left unexplained. Brian was the FBI called in on Birchwood. He had a thing for Jyn once upon a time, she told him she wasn't looking, he settled for friends," she shrugged. "And she just might kill me for revealing that information so...you never heard it."

"Figment of our imagination. Only thing we talked about in here was Greg's active imagination," Catherine replied.

"Sounds good. So then, called Brian, probably set up a plan, you guys went to…hmm Redding's probably the closest to Fort Jones, which reminds me I think the cabin is suppose to go to me or Chris now..." she trailed off with a frown. "Oh well, deal with that later. Moved to Redding, came to the cabin in the morning, no doubt the lot of you were told to stay put. You probably heard the shot that John was firing to get me to stop running towards the creek, no doubt all of you said screw it and came running to find out what happened. After that I'm lost seeing as I was unconscious at the time floating down the creek so to speak. Hey that rhymed."

"She's been reading too much Dr. Seuss again," Catherine whispered to Warrick dramatically.

"And who do I get those Dr. Seuss books from?" Sara countered with a grin.

"Sadly, I brought this all upon myself. But the first books I found in Braille were Dr. Seuss, besides, it was a way to prepare you for when your godchild started asking you to read to him or her."

"Okay, enough Dr. Seuss, we get enough from Grissom and Greg. No offence Griss."

"None taken."

"So I believe the rest of the story would be, Grissom found you, soon to be joined by Jess and Nick. Then us, then Brian yelled at us and you were brought here," Warrick continued.

"Sounds about right," Sara nodded to herself. "So, where are Jyn and Nick?"

"Right," commented Catherine nervously. "About Jessica…" she trailed off looking between Warrick and Grissom.

"What about Jess?" Sara asked glancing around as worry set in hearing Catherine's tone.

"She's okay, Acushla," Grissom began not wanting her to panic before stopping. How did one tell her that her friend was thrown through a fence?

"What do you mean she's okay? That implies she wasn't okay before. And that gives me a feeling that I really don't want to be feeling," Sara rushed out starting to panic.

"Sara…Jessica's been admitted," Catherine told her gently.

"Breathe, Acushla," Grissom ordered softly when all color drained from her complexion before he moved over and took her hand while sitting on the edge of the bed. "Before we called to tell them about you, she was in a riding accident."

"Oh thank God," Sara sighed before realizing it was deadly silent again. "Okay I didn't mean that the way it sounded, I meant thank God it was a riding accident. No I didn't mean that, I meant thank God it was a riding accident and not something else. Oh dear Lord I'm over-talking myself," she groaned before dropping her head into her hands.

"Want to try that again, Love?" Grissom teased softly.

"You have no idea," she began looking up at him. "Initial thought was that John had done something," she whispered.

"In that case, that's definitely a thank God it was a riding accident," Warrick agreed softly.

"You have no idea," Sara replied before glancing away. "So, let's see, knowing my 'sister', she was riding one of the horses needing to be broken in, had an accident somehow and now is in the hospital. So there are obviously a few details I'm missing...mind filling in?" she asked glancing back towards the three. "Oh and is our lab rat still unconscious over there?"

"Greg's still out of it," replied Catherine. "Sara, we only know what Nick and Jess told us about her accident but yes she was riding one of the young horses when it happened. She ended up going through the pasture fence. Luckily Nick was watching her so he was the first one to her and called the ambulance. We don't know much more than that but we do know that she was out of the hospital when I called Nick to tell him you were missing."

"She went through the fence?" Sara asked turning to stare at her in shock. "And no one called me! Oh I am so going to kill those people when I get back there, starting with Nick and going all the way down to the stable hands. They are all dead. Oh and Roberto...oh I am hurting that man, and I know his mother is going to help me, not to mention his great-grandmother. Oh that man is so dead. And James...oh they better thank their lucky stars I can't see them to chase them. They are so unbelievably dead."

"Sara," Grissom spoke softly. "Relax Love, you can kill them all later, no need to plan it now."

She looked at him before frowning, then sighing. "Fine, but no one better get in my way when it comes to Roberto, Nick, James, and Elsie. Dead people. All of them."

"Deal," Warrick replied shaking his head. "Let's never piss her off," he whispered in Catherine's ear.

"I already knew that."

"For Jessica's sake you might want to just maim Nick a little instead of killing him," commented Grissom. "From the little I've seen, he's the only thing keeping her going at the moment."

Sara sighed dramatically. "Fine, he can live," she continued in theatrical flair before grinning. "And it's about time he worked things out with her. She and Roberto...so would not have worked out. You can only survive a relationship for so long with the whole love slash worship thing only on one side. At least in today's society."

"What was that about love slash worship thing?" Greg asked as he sat up.

Sara looked over at him. "Oh just telling them about Jyn's love life and Roberta," hearing the thunk she looked back at the others. "Did I say Roberto or Roberta?"

"Roberta," replied Warrick.

"Hmm, note to self. No more trying Spanish accents," Sara mused. "So, where are they? And someone find my doctor so I can learn when I get to leave this bed and go visit them."

Sharing a look with the others, Catherine decided to be the one to tell Sara the truth. "Sara, Jess collapsed at the scene. She's here in the hospital, a few doors down from you actually. No one but Nick and her doctor have been allowed in to see her. From what Nick's told us she's being kept under heavy sedation."

"Mm hmm," Sara nodded after a moment. "Well then, find Dr. Edwards, I need to get that man in here for a talk. And tell Nick to tell her as soon as she's back among the waking, I'm good and waiting to see her."

"Why do you want to talk with the Doctor?" Grissom asked confused.

"I have my reasons," she replied with a nod. "And relax, I won't interrogate him about her condition," she continued. "Much."

Seeing her smirk Grissom shook his head. "I don't want to know, I don't want to be involved. I'll contact the poor man and find a gurney for our fallen CSI. Who knew, to shut him up you just had to mention Sara and Jessica having a torrid love affair," he continued to himself as he left the room.

"I'll go," offered Warrick, giving Catherine a quick kiss on the cheek before stepping over Greg to get out the door.

"Really, had we known that all these years, we could have said we were having one," Catherine agreed with a grin.

"I think that would have shut the entire lab up," Sara replied rolling her eyes.

"The entire lab? Try the entire Law Enforcement section of Las Vegas," Catherine countered.

"Can you see Brass' face after that?" Sara asked with a smile.

"Can you see David's?"

"Or Ecklie's?" Sara laughed.

"Now that is a sight," Catherine laughed. "Well, here comes the gurney for Gregory. I'll leave you be girl."

"Thanks," Sara smiled before listening as Greg was lifted then rolled out of the room. A few minutes later Dr. Edwards entered the room.

"You wished to see me Miss Sidle?" asked Dr. Edwards. "How can I help you?"

"First, come on Gary, since when do you call me Miss Sidle?" she teased.

"Since you aren't currently my patient and this isn't my hospital or my office Sara," replied Dr. Edwards. "Now what can I do for you?"

"Hmm, would have thought that would have made it even more likely for us to be talking on a first name basis seeing as here we are old friends and not the whole patient doctor relationship thing," she countered with a wave of her hand to indicate the doctor patient relationship thing she meant. "Two things, one how is she doing? Honestly. They don't know much, hell I'm sure Nick doesn't completely understand what she's going through. I've been through a fence; hell I've been through a wall. She's in a hell of a lot of pain, so how's she doing?"

"She's in worse condition now then when I released her two weeks ago," Gary sighed. "I did a check up with her 3 days before she was admitted here and she was doing remarkably well but it seems that all her progress was ruined in the span of 3 days. From what Mr. Stokes tells me this was the second time in three days that she collapsed, her body having shut down. Once in Vegas, shortly after they arrived there and then the day the two of you were admitted. I have her sedated for the time being, much to Mr. Stokes' objections, and she will remain sedated until I feel she is back to a point where she won't be a danger to herself."

Sara thought over what he said for a moment before nodding. "Best approach to it really. And if Nick has any more objections, tell him to talk to me."

"I'll be sure to do that," Gary agreed. "Is there anything else?"

"Sara nodded slightly. "Would you be willing to work me into your schedule once you're back in the Valley? I have a feeling I'm going to have to stick around for a while thanks to trials and such and depositions and all that fun, and I want to get a few things checked out, especially after everything that has happened in the past year."

"I don't think that will be a problem Sara," agreed Gary.

"Thank you."

"You're quite welcome Sara," Gary replied before turning and making his way from the room.

Monday October 10th, 2005
2:45 p.m.
Redding, California
Mercy Medical Center

"Dr Edwards how much longer are you going to keep her sedated?" questioned Nick in concern from Jessica's bedside. He did not like seeing Jessica lying in a hospital bed under heavy sedation.

"She will remain sedated until I feel she has recovered sufficiently not to do further damage to herself Mr. Stokes. You told me you would make sure she took it easy and yet she still managed to have two episodes in the span of three days," snapped Gary.

"I am aware of what I told you doctor but you have to understand the circumstances surrounding those episodes as you call them. It was a time of severe stress for everyone," argued Nick.

"And you should have known to keep that stress from her given her condition Mr. Stokes," Gary argued back.

"Keep the truth about the fact that her best friend, her sister, had been taken by the same madman that had nearly killed her the first time he got his hands on her? I don't think so doctor. There is no way this side of heaven or hell you could have kept this from her or kept her from doing anything about it."

"Nick?" came a quiet and rather raspy voice from the bed before the doctor could answer.

"Jess?" Nick asked turning his attention back to the bed.

"Wha…What happ…happened?" asked Jessica, trying to moisten her throat.

"Here Baby, drink some of this," Nick instructed as he held out a cup and straw to her, letting her drink some water to coat her throat.

"What happened? Where am I?"

"You're in Mercy Medical Center in Redding," supplied Dr Edwards. "You collapsed a week ago. The second time in three days I might add."

"Oh God Nick. Sara. What happened to Sara?" demanded Jessica as she tried to get out of her bed.

"Sara's fine Jess," Nick told her as he gently pushed her back into the bed. "Worried like hell over you but fine."

"Can I see her?" Jessica asked looking between the two men. "Please?"

"Doc?" asked Nick.

"I'll go inform her of your desire to see her if you agree to stay in that bed of yours," demanded Gary.

"Of course," agreed Jessica immediately.

"Alright then," Gary sighed as he turned and made his way from the room only to return a few minutes later, followed by Grissom who was pushing Sara in a wheelchair.

"All right, where's the blasted bed?" Sara spoke up when she heard the door close behind them. "And why do I have to be in this damn wheelchair?"

"It's for your own safety Sara," Gary informed her.

"And your doctor said you have to be in the chair until you are released tomorrow, Acushla. Reach out and you'll feel the end of the bed," Grissom continued softly.

She looked up at him with a frown. "I don't exactly want the end of the bed Gil. So get your butt around from the back of the chair so you can walk me to the head of the bed before I say screw it and try to find it myself which can result in quite the disaster as you well know from Saturday."

Grissom shook his head before moving around and offering his arm to lead her to the edge of the bed where Jessica was sitting up thanks to help from Nick and a look from Gary to watch how much she moved.

"Jyn?" Sara asked reaching out to find her hand and capture it in her own. "How you doing Chica?" she asked softly as Grissom stole Nick's chair and brought it over so she could sit down.

"Other than feeling like I've been sleeping for a week and some pain, I'm good. How are you?"

"Other than a scrapped knee that is healing nicely and a minor concussion I'm good too," Sara smiled. "Oh and just a note, you have been sleeping for a week," she dropped to a whisper with a wink. "Oh and I have to warn you now, Greg thinks we had a torrid love affair during our years in Frisco."

Grissom shook his head and he chuckled. "The poor man is still passing out at the sight of Sara when she raises her eyebrow at him knowingly."

Sara sighed happily. "Ah, life is good."

"Do I want to know?" asked Jessica as Nick shook his head, he had heard the whole story from Warrick a few days earlier.

"Greg wanted to know if we were keeping any other important details about you and I from them after I asked about Brian so I said nope, other than the affair we had while we were both in Frisco," Sara explained with a grin. "Poor thing started literally choking on his own words before passing out. He woke up briefly when I was rambling about something else and I made it relate to the whole idea about our love affair and he was back on the floor again. They eventually brought a gurney and rolled him out, it's been moved into my room indefinitely as every time he walks in he goes down."

Jessica raised an eyebrow at hearing Sara's explanation. "Okay…that's…that's…okay, I don't know what that is but at least we know how to shut him up in the future."

"Oh I know," Sara grinned. "But, now that we know we're both alive and well, and I can just hearGary trying not to pace in his anxiety, we better scat so you can rest."

Gary snorted lightly before shaking his head. "You know, there are times I seriously have doubts about her being ninety percent blind."

"Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week," Sara shot back with a grin.

"I'm just so tired of resting," snapped Jessica. "I've been in an enforced sleep for a week."

"Girl, I understand completely. But if we want to return to Vegas before Catherine pops you got to do what he says," Sara agreed with a half smile.

"Fine," sighed Jessica in agreement.

Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, Sara let go before reaching up to take Grissom's arm. Once back in the wheelchair she grumbled about the stupid hospital rule as he wheeled her back out of the room.

Sunday October 23rd, 2005
4:37 p.m.
Heaven's Paradise

Just shy of two weeks after Jessica woke up, she found herself back home with Nick and Sara. Dr. Edwards had confined her to a wheelchair to avoid any more relapses, and given the option of that or staying in the hospital until she was healed, she agreed. Sara on the other hand was up and moving around with Sahidi and her cane, trying to keep her mind off depositions and arraignment dates and everything else that was now happening in San Francisco in the case against one John Harwood, a.k.a. The Birchwood Rapist. And as for Nick, he was running around as their personal gopher, along with spending as much time as possible with the woman he loved. The others had returned to Vegas the day after both Sara and Jessica were released to return to the Valley, as they needed to get back to their jobs before they didn't have any jobs to return to.

Sunday afternoon found Sara actually sitting down and playing solitaire with her recently acquired set of cards in Braille, while Jessica and Nick sat in the gardens enjoying some peace and quiet until the phone rang and James came out to the terrace where Sara sat with Sahidi.

"Miss Sidle, Mr. Grissom is on the phone," he spoke before she held her hand out for the phone.

"Thank you James," she smiled before bringing the phone to her ear. "Hi you."

"Hi back," she could hear the smile in his voice. "Have news for you."

"Oh really?" she asked as she moved the five of clubs to the six of diamonds.

"You are the proud godmother of a beautiful baby girl."

"What!" she shrieked as she sat up suddenly and Sahidi rose.

On the other end he chuckled. "Abigail Sharina Brown was born twenty minutes ago. She's got a whole head of blonde hair, blue eyes but Catherine is convinced that when they change colors they'll be Warrick's, weighs just under ten pounds and is twenty-three inches long."

"Oh my goodness, I can't wait to tell Jess and Nick," Sara grinned.

"I could bet. We've taken tons of pictures, Greg's official job and all, of mom, dad, Lindsey and Abby. Make Nick check his e-mail in about an hour and they should be waiting. And you can torture him into describing them to the most minute detail."

"You know I am. Give Cath my love and tell her to give Abby a kiss on her forehead for me."

"Of course. I'll talk to you later tonight?"

"Of course. Love you."

"Me too Acushla," he replied before she hung up. Turning to James she handed the phone back. "Might I get an escort to where Jyn and Nick are?"

"Of course," James replied before letting her take his arm. A few minutes later they found the two in question.

They were lying on a blanket in the garden, talking softly before the two arrived and they saw James standing there with Sara. "Just dropping her off," James smiled before turning and returning to the house.

"Fortunately I can find my way back without a helper," Sara grinned. "I have news from Vegas," she continued as she moved over to the bench not far away.

"Hey Sara," greeted Nick.

"What news?" asked Jessica, who had her head on Nick's shoulder.

"Abigail Sharina Brown was born about a half hour ago," Sara replied. "She's got her mom's hair, Catherine swears she'll have Warrick's eyes, and pictures are going to be arriving in your e-mail in a little while Uncle Nicky."

"Well then why don't we make our way back up to the library and we can check out the email?" suggested Nick as he rose from his spot next to Jessica, helping her to her feet as well.

"Sounds like a plan to me. And you have to describe her to me," Sara smiled before falling in step with them. "By the way, I don't hear the wheelchair," she continued after a moment.

"That's because we left the blasted thing up at the house," commented Jessica. "Nick's carrying me piggy back so I don't have to walk and I'm free of the chair."

"Ah, I see," Sara nodded.

A few minutes later they were in the library e-mailing Greg every two seconds asking where the pictures were until they finally got an e-mail back with the message 'Hold you horses already, I'm not the flash you dingbats'.

Rolling their eyes Nick moved on to open the pictures and Sara listened to them ooh and aah for a few moments before clearing her throat.

"Blind woman needing description here," she teased softly.

"Well she's gorgeous, little chubby cheeks and a rosebud mouth," Jessica replied.

"They weren't kidding about her having Cat's hair. She's got a whole head full, mostly down I think but she's definitely a blonde like her mom and sister."

"Mm hmm, I heard much of this before. So, skin tone?" she asked with a smile. "I mean considering I won't be able to see her when I hold her and know these things that way, you must share."

"Skin tone…I would say a creamy mocha color? What do you think Nick?" asked Jessica.

"I'll go with that," agreed Nick

"Thank you, now the picture is complete," Sara grinned. "Well, I have a game of solitaire calling from the balcony, not to mention I'm seeing Gary later tonight for an appointment so I will leave you two be. Oh, and don't forget, we have to be in Frisco Wednesday Jyn," she called as she approached the library door. "Want to hit Ghiradelli Square after the mess downtown?"

"Me pass up chocolate? Have you completely lost your mind Chica?" questioned Jessica with a laugh

"I'd take that as a yes if I were you Sara," Nick teased, earning a smack on the arm from Jessica.

"Just for that Nick, you're buying us the chocolate," Jessica informed him.

"Hallelujah!" Sara's cry echoed back to them

Jessica broke out into a fit of giggles at Sara's reply, causing Nick to give into temptation to tickle her senseless, Jessica's giggles and shrieks of laughter following Sara from the room.

Thursday October 27th, 2005
10:08 p.m.
Heaven's Paradise

"So what exactly are you doing for Halloween?"

"I told you, I won't tell you anything," Sara giggled.

"Mean woman."

"I know I am," she smirked as she idly scratched Sahidi's back.

"God I've missed you."

"Me too, but I'll be home for Thanksgiving," Sara smiled softly as she fought the bout of loneliness that hit at his admission.

"I know; I'm counting the days."

"I'm counting the hours love," she countered softly.

"I can bet. How are things with the DA going?" he asked changing the subject."

"Getting there. I'm tired of having to see Tanya every other day. But she assures me that things are going good. And his psych evaluation should be finished soon, which will get the trial going faster. Although it still looks like it won't be until the New Year before it actually gets started."

"When do you think you'll have to be back for the trial?"

"Probably after the holidays. Why?" she asked with a smile sensing he was up to something.

"Well, I have an invitation to extend to you."

"You do?"

"I do."

"Well, spit it out already Grissom!" she ordered before laughing.

"My mother would like us to visit for Christmas. She would like the chance to meet the woman I've been quote, mooning over for the past few decades."

"Past few decades?" Sara burst out in laughter. "Just how old does your mother think I was when you met me?"

Grissom laughed over the phone. "She tends to exaggerate at times. But she does know that you were a student when we met."

"I see. Well," Sara paused to think. "Tell your mom that it would be my pleasure to spend the holidays with her."

"Gladly."

Hearing the grin in his voice she shook her head before looking up when she heard the grandfather clock downstairs. "It's ten-thirty. I have to go, and you're break is up."

"I know," he sighed. "Have a good night, Acushla."

"I'll try. Have a good night at work."

"I'll try. Sweet dreams Sara. I love you."

"I love you more."

"Night."

"Night." Hanging up the phone she looked down at Sahidi and sighed. "The days are taking far too long to pass baby boy."

Monday October 31st, 2005
6:54 p.m.
Heaven's Paradise

The first Halloween Sara and Jessica had spent together in six years was a throw back to their teen years and their days together in Frisco. After the summer they first met, Sara had commented that they needed to visit a Haunted House for Halloween. Unfortunately there were no good ones around the area that they could find, and they came up with the idea to turn Heaven's Paradise into one, one day a year. Parts of the vineyards were turned into bat and cobweb strewn paths that criss-crossed and hid ghosts and other ghouls. That first year the entire household had gotten involved and it became a tradition that was looked forward to from the youngest child to the ninety-year-old Selena who had been with the family for quite literally decades, although she didn't really do much work-wise anymore, their choice not her's.

Even some of the horses were involved, with special blankets that were painted so that in the dark they looked like horse skeletons rather than living, breathing creatures. And riding them were skeletons and one headless horseman played by the barn manager. Then of course they had the werewolves and vampires and mummies and other Halloween creatures that were not exceptionally frightening to small children.

And then there were the two witches who invited the children to their house, Sara and Jessica themselves. They had a blast every year since the first year when they had created their Halloween alter egos. Jessica was a witch with flame red hair and sapphire eyes, and wore a mint green dress that had a fitted bodice and wrist-length sleeves, and flared out from the waist to the ground; all in a light flowing material.

Sara meanwhile had emerald eyes thanks to contacts, and knee-length blonde hair that was almost white. She wore a dress in a similar style to Jessica's. Her's however was sky blue, and the sleeves were different, instead of being fitted, her's flared from the shoulders down and then past her hands, so the actual end of the sleeve was about three times larger a circle than the top of the arm where it met her shoulder. Also both women were wearing velvet robes over the dresses, with the robes open to reveal the dresses, Jessica's being hunter green and Sara's a dark midnight blue. In the hours after the sun set, some people swore that they could only see Sara from the moonlight playing off her hair and the dress, while they could only see Jessica by her hair.

Both carried wands they had made on their own that first year, and had a blast making. Both intricately carved with vines, sometimes it came in handy having hippies for parents. Then there were the companions that completed the image. That first year Sara had nearly grinned until her face froze like that when she realized that she could turn June into a unicorn. A specially designed, completely weightless, horn was created that rested on a pure white browband attached to an equally white bridle, specially kept for Halloween. Meanwhile, Jessica had her own unicorn, a pure black mare, aka Heaven's Desire. Where June's set up was white, hers was black, including a black horn. To anyone not knowing what they were looking at, you could almost swear that the two animals were indeed unicorns.

They had decided this year that they needed a way to dress up Sahidi so he would fit in with the...otherworldly theme and the poor thing was whisked away by the younger kids who returned with a sight that made Jessica gasp before doubling over in laughter. Sara had merely stared at her waiting for an explanation, which only took five minutes to get. They had sprayed the dog down with black Halloween hair color that would wash out of course, and then attached a collar and a dog tag that read "child of Cerberus".

Rolling her eyes Sara had taken Jessica's arm, as they decided Sahidi's collar would take away from the appearance, and they went out to where they would meet the children who came to visit. And so the night began, and pictures were taken by Alicia who had come, not to mention she had come bearing a video camera to get the show on tape for Victoria, Alejandro's grandmother and the woman who brought Paul Sutton into the family so many years before.

By the time ten-thirty had rolled around, the two women had moved to sitting on the horses and we're being led through the 'exotic world' by their 'personal slaves', two of the stable hands who actually enjoyed walking around in leather pants with leather bands around their wrists to signify they were 'slaves'. It came in handy for times like now, and it provided those teenage girls who came a chance to dreamily enjoy the night since the two men in question were quite literally drop dead handsome. Not to mention cleaning out stalls certainly helped in the muscle department.

Sahidi was walking beside June on a long leash, when Sara turned to look at Jessica. "Jyn girl, got a thought for you."

"Oh? What about?" asked Jessica, turning to look at her best friend.

"Well to be honest this originally came to me when I was at the cabin," Sara began. "But I was thinking, and this would especially work as I'm going to take a really wild guess and say you're going to be coming back to Vegas."

"Sara?" Jessica asked in complete confusion. "What are you talking about and what does it have to do with whether I'm returning to Vegas or not?"

Sara shook her head. "God, I miss being able to see. I bet the expression on your face was great," she teased. "But okay, this is what I was thinking. The foundation, it's a fabulous thing and we both know it. What do you think about...maybe...opening a branch in Vegas?" she trailed off.

"I hadn't given it much thought. Actually to be honest Sara I haven't given the foundation any thought at all recently. Not since the accident. It was a way for me to try to forget everything in Vegas. I thought if I started a foundation then I could lose myself in that instead of in forensics since I quit the force after I returned here," replied Jessica quietly, not looking at her friend so she wouldn't have to see the look of disappointment in her eyes.

"Really? Well, all things considered I think it's allowed to be forgotten with recent events Jyn girl," Sara smiled. "And hey, so it was started for that reason. Doesn't mean you can't go back to forensics. And doesn't mean it still can't do a lot of good. I still can't believe you actually thought up starting one, it's the best thing I've heard of in years, you know. And not just because I'm in the name," she teased.

"I've been thinking about starting it up for years, I just never had the time," Jessica replied honestly. "But it was knowing that you suffered a similar fate to that of my mother that was the final push when I was looking for a way out."

"Well, then I think for once I'm actually glad about my past," Sara spoke after a moment, holding up a hand to stop any protest Jessica might make to that statement. "Think of all the people the foundation can help. That alone is enough to make everything worth it. Which brings me to the point I brought this up in the first place."

"And what might that be?" questioned Jessica quietly.

"What do you think about opening a branch in Vegas? I can't imagine you staying here with Nick there, not that we won't come back every year for this," Sara began waving her hand to indicate the orderly chaos surrounding them. "And numerous other times of course. Okay, to be honest here, this all came up because I was trying to decide on what the hell I'm going to do with my life now and I thought hmm I wonder if Jyn would like to open a branch of the foundation in Vegas. I could work there, I can still type hella fast and my having a disability might help women who are disabled to come forward and get the help they need because they wouldn't feel that those who aren't disabled wouldn't understand them. Trust me, they do think that. Been there and done that with a case and that reminds me I need to go back to the school and apologize to the Principal," she trailed off to herself before shaking her head. "But yeah, so I was thinking maybe I could talk you into opening a branch there and we can help the people in Vegas and since you're going to be coming back to Vegas, and there's no use denying it, I know you too well my girl, it would be something you could do occasionally if you go back to the lab, or full time if you decide to give up forensics for good or even for a few years and I'm going to shut up because I'm babbling."

"You know how much I loved my job Sara. I only gave it up because it was too hard…even just the thought of walking into a lab brought back memories I didn't want to remember. I thought the foundation was a way to fight that but they only followed me. I think a branch in Vegas is a great idea Sara, and if you're sure you want to work there then I'm all for it. I would love to go back to forensics, I just don't know if it's possible," sighed Jessica in defeat.

"And why might that be?" Sara shot back surprised.

"Sara, have you forgotten that I quit. Besides I don't even know if Grissom's offer is still on the table and let's not even go into what everyone's going to think. They're going to look at me differently after this. I kept this part of my life secret for a reason Sara, a reason that has nothing to do with the deaths of my parents. Do they see me or do they see the money?" asked Jessica.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, back up, the horse it's getting ahead of the carriage," Sara began shaking her head. "First, girl we've been down at the Lab off and on for the past few weeks, and I'll have you know that Mac made sure to tell me that if I wanted, though he seriously doubted, I had a job at the lab. He wasn't sure how it would work out, but you know Mac, he thinks about his employees before the lab sometimes, especially when it comes to you and me. And I do believe I heard him mentioning that you my dear girl were on a leave of absence. Which last I checked, meant that you are still employed by the San Francisco Crime Lab," Sara pointed out with a smile. "Next, the offer, hello you're talking to the woman who suggested it in the first place...oh I probably shouldn't have said that," she winced mentally berating herself. "Okay, that came out very wrong," she began trying to figure out how to explain it another way.

"You told him to give me the job?" Jessica demanded, not quite sure how she should feel about this revelation but for some reason she was feeling rather hurt.

"No, no," Sara rushed to get out gesturing with her hands rather wildly. "I told you that came out wrong," she groaned. "Okay here's what happened, honest to God girl. We were talking after we found out my sight had dropped to only twenty-five percent. I told him that we might as well make it official and get my resignation from the lab over and done with, but I hated leaving him missing a member of the team. He assured me he would find someone who while not being able to take my place would be a good addition to the team and not to worry. But you know me, when do I not worry. So I spoke without thinking, that if I was going to have anyone, quote take my place, I wished it would be you because you are the best CSI I know other than Gil.Okay and maybe Nick and the others are amazing, but I tend to be partial and put you two at the top of my list. And yeah there's the gang in Frisco, but they're tied with the others, you and Gil are always first and I'm freaking babbling again," she sighed heavily. "Okay, let's try this again. I mentioned that and Gil was like, well in all honesty I'd love to have her join the lab, she works well with the group and it would fulfill a secret motivation on his part as it would keep the two of us together and that could be one hell of a good thing after what had happened since I disappeared and all that crap. I pointed out that hello, he can offer you the job but you know Gil he was like well should I or shouldn't I so I told him to freaking offer you the job before you return to Frisco and he regrets not having offered it to you in the first place. And you know I'm just going to shut up now before I risk jamming my foot any further up my mouth than it already is."

"Sara, they don't need me in Vegas anymore. They have Greg and as for Frisco, what Mac doesn't know is I gave my resignation in to Assistant Director Gerrett two days after I signed my leave of absence," replied Jessica.

"Hmm, I see. Well you should probably break that news to Mac sometime soon," Sara began bobbing her head from side to side. "As for Vegas. Girl, last I checked Greg is a CSI one. They lost a CSI three. And as much as we all love Greg, he just doesn't have the...oh what's the word I'm looking for...oh duh Sara, experience. So I honestly don't see why if you submit your application you wouldn't be hired. I mean come on let's look at your list of recommendations. FBI, San Francisco, you worked two major cases, you've worked in Vegas and know the lab and it's employees. I mean really what man would pass being able to have as good a CSI as you. Even Ecklie would kiss the ground you walk on and beg you to work for him."

"And how badly do you think I freaked everyone in Vegas out when they learned that your good friend, who they all thought was just another CSI living paycheck to paycheck, was really an heiress with more money than she knows what to do with? As comfortable as Nick seemed to be here, I know deep down he still has issues with all this," argued Jessica.

"Probably about as badly as everyone freaked out when they learned that I, Sara Sidle, the woman who never shows any weakness and works for four days straight, is in fact a victim of every form of sexual crime there is," Sara replied with a look. "Jyn, you can't change how people think of you by running away and letting them build their daydreams. Trust me, been there and done that girl. And yeah, so you're an heiress. Doesn't change who you are. You give them some time to see that you aren't any different from the normal, everyday Jessica Lynn Harrison they met and knew; they aren't going to make a big deal about it. Hell Jyn, I've known you twenty years, you see me giving a hoot that you're rich? Other than the fact that it helps provide for whatever new ideas I come up with for our Haunted House here?"

"It's easier said then done Sara," sighed Jessica.

"Yeah, so are relationships. And every other facet of life, Chica," Sara replied softly. "Look at it this way, you go back, you'll prove to anyone and everyone that you Jessica Lynn Harrison, do not back down from a challenge. That you aren't about to give up the family you gained just because some of them don't like the fact that you were born into a unique and special family, who happened to be totally loaded. And come on, wouldn't you love to see Ecklie's face when he finds out that you can buy the lab and fire him?" she added with a wink.

"Well, I did sort of threaten Ecklie behind his back when I was trying to convince the others to drop what they were doing and go after you," admitted Jessica. "And I do have to admit it would be priceless to see his face when he learns that I could destroy his career with a single phone call if he goes through with his…I don't think I should say anymore."

"His what?" Sara asked as she swung her face back towards Jessica, from where she had glanced over to check on Sahidi, so fast that she nearly fell off June in the process. Allen immediately saw the near disaster and caught her before she did fall. Once she was back comfortably, and securely seated she turned back to Jessica one eyebrow cocked as high as it could go.

"Sara, Nick made me promise not to say anything...but the reason he had to go back early is because Ecklie's been made Assistant Director and you know the antagonism between him and Grissom. Sara…he's threatening to split the team up," Jessica explained.

"Wait, back up the horse again," Sara began shaking her head. "He was made Assistant Director before I even called you guys. And he's only now doing this? Has he lost his ever loving mind?" she squeaked.

"From what Nick said, he's been watching them. Keeping close tabs on the group. He's just waiting for Grissom to mess up somehow, even in the slightest way. He's biding his time until he feels the time is right to jump all over Griss," continued Jessica.

"Hmm," Sara mused to herself. "Wait until he realizes that Grissom and the team are responsible for the capture of The Birchwood-Night Stalker Rapist," she continued to herself. "Okay then, I honest to God dare the man to do it. Because it sure as hell is going to backfire in his face," she continued to Jessica with a little smirk that said 'I know something the rest of the world doesn't.' "But, I do believe I hear the graveyard ahead, and no doubt we have quite the followers, so let's get on with the business at hand. We have spells to cast and children to frighten," Sara grinned.