Author's Note: A huge thank you goes out to all of my reviewers...letting me know how I'm doing really helps with my creativity. I know I've been a little slow getting back to writing my older fics, as well. I've just been kind of tired lately, and the medicine I'm on is screwing up. It's no big deal, but it is making me kind of lazy. I've been trying to keep up with my older and newer fics. Newer is easier, for now, but I'm hoping to have new chapters up for my older ones, very soon.

Anyway, on to the next chapter. And NANCY1, as for your guess...you're a really great guesser.

Downstairs in the cafeteria, Gil and Sara were sitting with their cups of coffee as Gil read and reread the letter that Sara had given him, but a couple of lines stuck out in his mind, since Gabby had almost fully recovered from her surgery.

"Piper has also become the best and most loyal friend ever, and has been rather depressed that she can't be released from the hospital...I want to see if you two can take care of her until she is well enough to return to her home."

Gil finally lay the note on top of the table and took off his glasses, rubbing his forehead. Sara looked at him, worried. He always got the worse migraines in times of major stress. Did this letter finally push him to the brink?

All was silent for a few moments, when Gil finally spoke up. "I'm not saying 'yes' and I'm not saying 'no', but we do need to have a talk with Piper's parents before we can give the girls any hope in this."

Sara slowly smiled to herself as she took her hand and laid it on the table. Gil's hand soon found hers, and together they sat in silence, wondering what the next day would bring.

Upstairs, Piper and Gabby were feeling better. They walked the halls for a little bit, until Gabby tired out, so they both went back to their room. After Gabby was settled in bed, Piper perched on the side of the bed and smiled evilly. "I've got a great idea!"

Gabby leaned over, expectantly. "What? Tell me!"

Piper whispered to her quietly, so that if any nurse, doctor, or unsuspecting parent came in, they wouldn't know what was going on. As Gabby heard the plan, it took all the energy she had in her not to giggle over it.

After having coffee, Gil and Sara walked hand-in-hand back upstairs and down the hall to Gabby and Piper's room. Sara leaned in, whispering, "we won't talk about it in front of the girls, but when her parents are here this weekend, we will need to talk to them."

Gil nodded. "Duly noted."

Up ahead, Sara spotted a quarter on the floor. Noticing closer, the quarter was facing her with 'heads' up. She bent down to grab it, but it slid away. "I had it," she said, trying again, but the quarter slipped away. She looked back at Gil, who had his hand over his mouth, trying hard not to laugh out loud. "Okay, what's so funny?" she asked him, and that's when she heard it. Behind the door, two little girls, laughing wildly. But before her and Gil could get into the room, they'd jumped back onto Gabby's bed.

Gil bent down, picking up the evidence: a quarter that had a piece of clear string glued to it. He shook his head. "Where'd you guys learn to do this?"

Both girls sat there, looking innocent. "Do what?" Gabby asked, but her lips curled up almost all the way to her ears. Gabby and Piper looked at one another and, after that, they burst into laughter. Gil and Sara couldn't help but stand back, smiling at the two.

Here Gabby and Piper were, in the hospital and going through cancer treatments, and yet...they were still children. They'd grown considerably, but right now they were kids...just being kids. Sara looked up at Gil, and that's when the two of them couldn't help but getting in on the fun.

So for the rest of the day, they tricked anybody who darekd walked by the door...especially the doctors. They also came up with more pranks to try later. But at the end of the day, both girl's were tired and, after they each lay in their separate beds, drifted off to sleep in no time.

Sara and Gil looked at one another that night, silently conveying what each other was thinking: They were the luckiest parents in the world to have a daughter like Gabby...and they would be honored if Piper was able to join their family, even for just a short while.

And there's chapter 8! Again, sorry it's so short, but it's necessary.

Next, the Grissom's meet Piper's family. What will her parent's say to Sara and Gil when they ask about fostering her for the time being? And also, what was that surprise that Catherine had in store for Gabby? All will be revealed in the next chapter—maybe even more, if I get some really great reviews (hint hint, nudge nudge)...hehe...