Jackson and Greta are my original characters, but I don't own CSI.

Thank you csinycastle85 and csijenniferlynn for your reviews!

A bit more happens in this chapter, and I wanted to bring Sara back. And I always liked the relationship between Wendy, Hodges and Henry, so I reunited them here. Hope you enjoy...and please review!

Wendy sat across from Catherine, Nick and Greg while Ecklie looked at her employment jacket. "Still a Level Two?" He asked.

"Yes, sir. I have a few more cases before I become a Level Three." Wendy smiled nervously.

"But you have worked a solo case?" Catherine asked.

"Yes. And I have worked with the LVPD Crime Lab before." She smiled at her old friends.

Conrad nodded and cleared his throat. "Well...your jacket is impressive."

"Thank you, sir."

"And you have worked in the field with the team?" Conrad asked.

Wendy smiled hesitantly. "Yes. Ray...er, former CSI Langston invited me to help with a couple of cases. And I worked on a case with Henry and Hodges and Mandy when we were still lab techs."

"Mandy is still working in fingerprints," Nick said. "Henry and Hodges were promoted."

"Oh, good." Wendy sighed quietly.

Her former colleagues glanced at each other and her. After a few moments, Conrad spoke. "Let's address the elephant in the room, shall we?"

Wendy nodded. "Me and Hodges," she said quietly.

"Look," Nick said. "I invited you back because I know you're a good criminalist. Your boss and coworkers had great things to say about you. And, like Greg, you worked hard, worked your way up and are a good CSI." Greg nodded and smiled at his friends.

Wendy smiled gratefully. "Thank you."

"Besides that," Greg added, "We have three Level One CSIs. Morgan is on maternity leave, Sara and I are co-supervisors...in other words, we need a CSI who knows the job."

"I understand," Wendy said. "And I appreciate the confidence."

"But..." Conrad said. "Will it be a problem for you and David Hodges to work together?"

Wendy took a deep breath. "I think... I had to move out to move forward. I've been good. Like Greg, I found that I am a good CSI and I can do the job. And I loved my job in Portland, but I missed this place every day. I realized I have a home here. And...Hodges is part of that." She looked at the understanding faces of her old friends. "It won't be a problem," she said confidently.

Meanwhile, David Hodges joined Sara and Henry at a B&E crime scene. He replayed both his meeting with Wendy at the lab and their last meeting when she told him she was leaving in his mind for what felt like the hundredth time. He always wished he was stronger - that he'd told her how he felt and asked her - maybe even begged her - to stay. Now she was back, and he knew he didn't want to let her go.

He numbly photographed broken glass and drops of blood, still thinking about Wendy and all that happened in the years since she left. He sighed to himself. "Do your job," he muttered.

"I am," Henry said hesitantly.

Hodges looked up at Wendy's good friend. "Did you know she's back?"

Tentatively, Henry said, "Wendy?" Hodges glared at Henry. The former DNA tech cleared his throat. "Uh...yes. She called me. Said Nick and Conrad called her, said the team needed the help. And she said her sister got a good job at WLVU. She teaches psychology. Anyway, she asked about you."

Hodges eyes brightened. "She did?"

Henry relaxed a bit. "Yes. I told her you were engaged but broke up."

Hodges nodded. "You told her about Elisabetta."

Henry sighed. "Look...Wendy wants to be back here. And, obviously, you want her back here too. So why don't you talk to her?"

Sighing heavily, Hodges said, "You're right. I need to step up. Wendy's back, and maybe we..."

Sara cleared her throat. "Maybe what? You can stop photographing the same spot?" She nodded to the glass and blood Hodges had photographed for five minutes.

Hodges chuckled nervously. "Yes. I'll process the rest of the store." He smiled and moved to the cash register.

After perhaps the most awkwardly silent car ride either of them ever had, the three returned to the lab. As Henry and Hodges rounded the corner, they spotted Wendy looking at the DNA lab.

Henry cleared his throat. "This place just can't keep DNA techs."

Wendy turned and smiled widely. "Hi!"

The two friends hugged. "Welcome back!" Henry said. He pulled away and nervously asked, "You are back, right? You get the job?"

Wendy smiled and glanced at Hodges. "I did," she whispered.

Hodges felt like his heart was doing somersaults. "All right!" Henry said. "It is going to be so great to have you back!"

Wendy glanced at Hodges. "I hope so."

Hodges smiled thoughtfully. He nodded to the former lab techs. "Congratulations," he said to Wendy. When she smiled skeptically, he added, "I'm serious. I...we really missed you."

Breathing deeply, Wendy said, "Thanks."

Henry glanced between the two. "Well, I think I'll start on this evidence," he said as he held up the evidence bag he brought in. Smiling at Wendy, he said, "We'll catch up later."

"Okay," she said with a smile. She looked at Hodges and smiled hesitantly. Both stood in uncomfortable silence for what seemed like hours.

"So..." Wendy said.

"Yeah..." Hodges said. "Seriously, it is going to be good to have you back," he said sincerely. "I mean, as a field mouse." Hodges winced slightly.

Wendy chuckled. "Thanks." More silence followed.

Greg rounded the corner and smiled at the two former lab techs. "If you're having trouble adjusting to the field..."

Hodges rolled his eyes and Wendy smiled. "Hey!" She said as she hugged Greg. "Thank you again for the new job."

"Oh, you're welcome," Greg said. "You, Hodges and Henry together again. It's going to be good."

Wendy pulled away. "Speaking of good news, what's this about Morgan on maternity leave?"

"Yeah," Greg said. "Jackson's got a baby sister." He pulled his cell phone out and showed Wendy a picture. "Her name's Greta."

Wendy gasped softly. "Oh, wow! What a cutie pie! And look how Jackson's grown! Does he like her?"

"He loves her," Greg replied. "Not too crazy about changing diapers, but he can't spend enough time with her."

"Aw, that's so great!" Wendy said.

"Yeah," Greg said with a warm smile. "Uncle Hodges babysits sometimes." He grinned slyly at Hodges.

Wendy raised her eyebrows and looked at her blushing former colleague. "He does?"

Hodges smiled nervously. "She and Jackson are great kids."

Wendy laughed. "That's awesome. Really." Smiling at Greg, she added, "They are adorable. Congratulations!"

"Thanks," Greg said. Sensing his friends needed a little help, Greg said, "You have any plans for tonight?"

"Oh," Wendy said, surprised. "Well, I was going to treat my sister to dinner and tell her about getting the new job."

"Why not join Hodges and everyone at our house?" Greg asked.

Both Wendy and Hodges looked surprised. "Well..." Hodges said. "I-I'd love for you to come."

Wendy smiled in surprise. "Well, thanks. But I haven't seen my sister today. She wants to know..."

"Bring her over," Greg said. "We'd like to meet her." Hodges nodded in agreement. Greg smiled and said, " Besides, she's got to meet the crew sometime."

Wendy sighed deeply, knowing Greg was right. "Okay. Let me call her and we'll be there around seven?"

"Sounds good," Hodges said before Greg could respond.

Wendy smiled. "Okay."

"Okay," Hodges said.

"Okay," Wendy said with a soft laugh. Greg gave her his address and she thanked him. She smiled at Hodges. "We'll see you later."

"See you later," Hodges said. He smiled as he watched Wendy walk away.

Greg cleared his throat. "The evidence?"

"Hmm?" Hodges said. Greg gestured to the bag in his hand. "Oh! Yeah," Hodges said. "I'll get this processed right away." He headed to the trace lab and looked forward to dinner with Wendy.

TBC...