A/N: I apologize for the slow updates. Needed to get a new laptop. :-/ Thank you all for sticking by this story. See the first chapter for the disclaimer. If you have any suggestions for episodes or vignettes that you would like to see, let me know! I hope you guys enjoy this one, and please review. :)

Chapter 21: Never Say Goodbye

She's gone.

Adam stared at his phone, completely confused by not only the words, but also their precise meaning. Typically, if someone was dead, Adam would get a phone call, at the very least. But yet…

Who? he answered.

And found himself staring at the phone in worried anticipation.

Sara, was the answer he received.

Adam closed his eyes, knowing how much she meant to Greg, as a friend and mentor. But, he'd also been aware of everything Sara had been through, at least, as much as Greg had told him. So, while he knew that Sara was likely still alive, he couldn't help but feel sad.

I'm sorry.

Adam opened his eyes to look around, allowing the silence of the lab to soothe his turmoil over his best friend's news.

It's okay. I know she's not in a good place, and she needs to get herself straight.

Adam nodded to himself in the silence of the lab. But still… she's one of your best friends.

Adam tucked his phone into his lab coat as he saw Mac come around the corner of the lab. When Mac disappeared again, Adam slipped the phone out of his pocket to read Greg's response.

I'm more worried about her than me.

Adam chuckled slightly. He'd almost expected that answer from Greg, knowing that Greg would always care more about others than himself.

Yeah, but that's also why you have me to worry about you.

Adam waited for Greg's response: I thank you for that, but Mom also does a great job of that.

Adam snorted lightly, smiling wide at his phone. Yeah, but I do that differently.

Adam turned back to the computer, working on the evidence in front of him, when his phone vibrated again on the table. He glanced down, biting his lip slightly as he read Greg's message.

I think it's time I come out to visit you again.

Adam shook his head, knowing full well that meant that Greg had already booked the trip. When do you get here?

My paper got accepted for presentation at the Northeast Conference. It's in a few weeks.

Adam shook his head again as he worked to settle the uneasy feeling arising in his stomach at the thought of Greg coming back out to New York. Instead of answering, he went back to work, trying to focus on anything other than him being nervous about Greg coming around.

Adam glanced at his phone as it vibrated again, choosing to read Greg's next message.

Don't sound so excited.

Adam sighed heavily. I'm excited, but I'm also busy, he lied, knowing that there was no way Greg would know any differently.

I'm sorry, I forgot you were at work.

Adam chuckled at Greg's response. You're always really bad about the time difference. And the different shifts.

Says the guy who's always calling while I'm sleeping.

Adam scoffed. That goes both ways, man.

When Adam's phone vibrated again, he found himself barely able to contain his laughter at Greg's response: :-P

A/N: Episode is "Goodbye and Good Luck" (CSI).