Last one :) Thank you to everyone who read, reviewed and enjoyed this story. I'm already planning my next one, which should be up in the next few days.

x x x x

Epilogue

"Jesus, what does she have in here?" Greg wheezed, landing heavily against the doorframe as he attempted to haul the box inside.

"You need to hit the gym, brother." Nick stated, sailing past him with his own load.

"Says the man carrying a box of throw cushions." Warrick mocked, noting Sara's handwriting daubed across the cardboard.

"Pillows?" Greg asked incredulously, dropping his own box and turning it around. "I get a box of books! How did you get pillows?"

"Are you guys going to argue all day or are you going to move boxes?" Sofia asked, poking her head around the door.

"Hey, where are the girls?" Warrick asked, nodding in greeting at the newly arrived detective.

X x x

Sara ran her hand over the chest of drawers, feeling the freshly sanded wood beneath her fingertips.

Rather than buy all new furniture, she had fixed up most of her old stuff and done her best to get rid of the smoke damage.

Except the bed, of course.

Speaking of, a pair of hands wrapped around her waist and dragged her backwards onto the brand-new mattress, still soft and springy. She emitted a startled squeal as she fell against a warm body.

"I like it here." Catherine giggled, shifting their positions and rolling on top of the brunette. "I intend to spend a lot of time here."

Sara grinned, leaning up to steal a kiss. In response, Catherine ran her hands up and down Sara's arms.

"I'm glad that you decided to stay." She mumbled, touching her nose to the younger woman's affectionately.

Sara smiled, biting her lower lip.

"Me too. I …"

Whatever she was about to say died on her lips as Nick poked his head into the bedroom.

"Hey lovebirds, save the hot stuff 'til we've gone yeah?" He joked. "There are boxes to carry."

"Screw the boxes; I want in on the hot stuff." Greg retorted from the living room, although the young man found himself collared by Warrick before he could sneak a peak of them together.

With a soft chuckle the girls clambered off the bed and dusted themselves down.

"Maybe Nick has a point." Catherine smirked, patting Sara on the butt as she slipped out after the boys with a cocky smirk. "We don't need an audience."

Alone, Sara wandered into her new flat and surveyed the space. The living area wasn't much bigger than her previous home, but the bedrooms were separate – two, in case Lindsey was likely to stay over.

Her guitar was already taking up pride of place beside the bookcase, the delicate patterning glowing in the morning sunlight.

New home, new relationship, new beginning.

She had received a visitation request from Kirsty, coincidently on the same day she had signed the lease for this apartment. She didn't know what the letter had said, she hadn't read it. She had looked up at Catherine, lazily stretched across the sofa reading a magazine with her golden hair simmering in the sun, and she had thrown the envelope away.

She didn't need to hear what Kirsty had to say. It wouldn't change anything.

"Hey." Greg's voice startled her out of her thoughts and she spun towards the door. "Sorry." He apologised with a bashful grin, holding up his hands defensively as he came into the room. "The couch is here."

Sara nodded, turning automatically to the empty space where it was going to live. She'd gotten most of the furniture set up before the boys had arrived, but it would be nice to have somewhere to sit.

"Hey Greg." She called quickly before he could leave. "Thanks."

To his surprise, she climbed around the boxes abandoned on her floor and hugged him.

"What for?" He asked, returning the embrace tightly.

"For looking out for me. For sticking up for me and Cath." She mumbled, stepping out of his arms.

He shrugged bashfully, flicking his brown eyes up to her face.

"You really want this don't you?"

"Yeah, I do." She smiled, a soft pink blush creeping up her cheeks.

He couldn't help but notice that she looked different recently. In all the years he'd known her, he had never seen her so relaxed, so content with her life.

"Well then you're welcome." He nodded. "And besides, as long as I know you're with her, I don't have to worry about anyone hurting you anymore."

As if her ears were burning, Catherine's head appeared around the door.

"Sara, hon, the couch is here." She smiled brightly.

Sara nodded, matching the expression.

Cath sent them a knowing wink before disappearing back into the hall, having noted their comfortable movements and close proximity. She had to admit, she had a lot to thank Greg for after everything that had happened.

Sharing a small smile, the two CSIs made to follow her.

Halfway into the corridor, Greg caught her lightly by the arm.

"Hey Sar," he cocked his head to the side with an innocently inquiring expression. "Since we're doing the whole gratitude thing, I'm just putting this out there…"

"No Greg, you cannot watch."

~Fin~