AN: Here we are, at the end. Thanks again to everyone who's reviewed and supported this story - would not have been possible without all of your encouragement. You guys are simply wonderful and appreciated beyond words.

Sounds like there was some decent interest in doing a prompts story. I plan to create the story link soon - again will be something like "CSI: Prompts" if that's not already taken or something similar. Feel free to send your prompts to me via private message or by reviews linked to the story itself. All prompts are welcome, only ask that there be no crossover prompts and that prompts be C/S character focused (versus other characters and/or pairings) if possible. Nothing against the other CSI characters and/or pairings, just would rather stick with a C/S focus if possible. Lastly, if you want your prompt to be anonymous, please state that in the prompt - otherwise I will be giving credit for the prompt idea to you at the start of the chapter.

Until we meet again, everyone take care.

Enjoy.

EPILOGUE

CATHERINE POV

"When did this happen?" I ask with an exhausted sigh, dropping down onto the couch and placing my legs atop the suitcase in front of me. "How is Lindsey old enough to be headed off to a summer internship?"

Sara smiles, looking over at me from her place at the kitchen counter.

"I still can't believe that she's in high school, let alone going to be a senior next year."

"My God we're old," I mutter with a groan.

Sara tosses a dish towel at me, landing harmlessly in my lap.

Looking over at her, I watch as she picks up the packet of paperwork next to her, reading through the pages for what has to be the billionth time.

"No matter how many times you read through them, you're still not allowed to go with her."

Sara smirks at my comment, her eyes still roaming over the pages in front of her.

"I'm so jealous, though," she confesses honestly. "This is NASA we're talking about. A whole summer of aerospace engineering, quantum physics, astronomy…"

Laughing, I shake my head. "You and I are so very different."

Sara smiles back at me, lifting her eyes to show me the page that outlines the different activities planned out for the program. "I would've killed for something like this when I was growing up."

Sara rarely talks about her childhood, about anything in reference to her growing up, and I take in her features carefully. Seeing nothing but enthusiastic intrigue and interest, I relax.

"You and Linds," I shake my head. "Two of the nerdiest nerds I've ever crossed paths with."

Sara sorts, tossing another dishrag my way.

"I'm so proud of her," Sara says seriously, shaking her head as she closes the packet back up. "This is not an easy program to get into. They only accept a couple students out of thousands of applicants each year."

"So am I," I tell her sincerely, having loved watching Lindsey blossom and develop into the beautiful, intelligent, kind young woman that she is today. The road hasn't always been easy, but I couldn't be more proud.

Seeing Sara toying idly with the other copies of paperwork set out on the counter, I watch her suddenly stiffen. Remaining frozen in place, she doesn't say a word.

"Sar?" I question after a few silent moments.

Concern filling me as Sara doesn't even seem to hear me, I head into the kitchen to cautiously stand next to her.

"Hon?" I question, placing my hand gently on her shoulder.

Startled from her thoughts, Sara turns to find me looking at her with concern.

"You okay?" I ask worriedly.

"Hmm?" she gets out, placing the papers back into a neat pile. "Yeah, I'm fine."

She doesn't look fine, in fact her eyes look like they're doing everything they can to hold back the emotion slowly pooling within them.

"I, uh," she clears her throat. "I'm going to go check and make sure we have everything ready in the car for the trip to the airport."

She's already checked the car half a dozen times, letting me know this is Sara's way of escaping.

Letting her go, I watch her with anxious eyes, both loving and hating how Sara always holds herself together no matter what's going on inside her.

Looking down, I try to figure out what the hell just happened.

Seeing nothing but paperwork, I'm about to give up on figuring out my stoic partner when a certain form catches my eye. It's the form on top, the one Sara was looking at when she went still. Glancing over it, at first nothing seems unusual. It's a standard demographics sheet with Lindsey's information on it, filled out in my daughter's neat handwriting.

Then, at the very bottom, I suddenly understand.

Under emergency contacts, Lindsey has my name listed, my phone number, and under "relationship" she's put "Mother."

Below my name, I see Sara's, along with the brunette's cell number. Under relationship, Lindsey has neatly written "Mother."

Closing my eyes, I feel the moisture welling within my own.

As amazing as it's been watching Lindsey grow over these years, it's been equally amazing watching her relationship with Sara grow. The two are almost inseparable, always hanging out when they are both home, going off on adventures together when they both have the day off. I've never heard my daughter laugh so much and light up so brightly than she does when she's around Sara.

It took Sara awhile, but the first time she said "I love you" to Lindsey I remember distinctly. It was a few months after Sara moved in with us, the two of them watching a movie on the couch before Lindsey's bedtime. It was nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary, just a typical weekend movie night. When it came time for bed, Sara helping a sleepy Lindsey up the stairs, I headed to our own room to change into my pajamas.

Crossing out into the hall just as Sara was finishing turning off Lindsey's lights, I heard the words that Sara often still struggles saying to this day. But, that night, there was no hesitation, no tension, only honesty.

Pure, sincere, heartfelt love.

And, over the years, their relationship has only grown even closer, the two of them finding more in common with one another than I think either of them had ever anticipated.

Now, years later, Lindsey ready to head off to NASA headquarters in Washington DC for the summer, I flash back to the two of them sharing their first full day together – right in this very house, building a model of the solar system.

How fitting.

Smiling, I wipe the moisture from my eyes, heading out to find Sara leaning against the porch railing, looking out into the bright Nevada day.

Circling my arms around her from behind, she relaxes into my touch.

Who would've thought, after the way we started out, that Sara and I would end up here. Together.

In those early days, I'd have thought one of us killing the other was a much more likely outcome for us than this. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined this life that we've built, this deep and inexplicable love that goes beyond words. Beyond soul mates.

Holding her tightly, I simply rejoice in the fact that we did somehow find each other.

This woman, who persevered through most her life having essentially no true family of her own, has completed ours.

"Hey lovebirds," Lindsey calls loudly as the front door swings open, her suitcase in tow. "It's time to head out!"

Smiling at us, she ruffles Sara's hair playfully, knowing how much Sara hates it.

Turning, Sara places a gentle kiss along my lips, earning a groan from Lindsey and a smile from the brunette. Then, separating herself and grabbing her keys, she locks up the house, turning to face us.

"We all ready?"

Her statement remains open ended, all of us taking this moment in, smiles along each of our faces as we perhaps realize just how far we've come.

How far we've come and all the journeys yet to go.

I can't wait to see the next chapters that unfold.

THE END

AN: Thanks for reading.