Grissom turned as he brushed his teeth to see Sara leaving the shower. Her towel was wrapped around her body but her robe was forgotten. She walked over to him and ran her hands up his back, kissing his clothed shoulder. Placing her chin on his shoulder as she wrapped her arms around him, she smiled sweetly. Grissom leaned over and spit in the sink, Sara unwrapped her arms and ran them up his back again. With the toothbrush was placed in the cup by the faucet and the sink cleaned of spit and toothpaste, Grissom turned to her.

"How are you feeling?"

Sara turned her back to him and Grissom lightly ran his fingers over the tattoo that was just starting to scab over. "Still tender but no longer itchy. It's been almost two weeks, it's healing. My ankle took longer due to how it's positioned."

I found him who my soul loves – 1998, 2005

It rested on her back just below her right shoulder. Grissom always felt like touching it when he saw it but as it was still healing, he refrained. Sara had been through the process before with the flower on her ankle, although it'd been over a decade between tattoos. "When it's completely healed, it won't escape my attention."

Sara smirked as she turned back around, reaching up to remove the claw clip that held her hair up while she showered. "I noticed you avoided it today and I'm surprised. Usually our hands are everywhere and our minds shut down during sex."

"I'm always aware of you my Dear. You may lose yourself but I'm always aware so boundaries aren't crossed." He pulled her closer and moved his hand through the opening of her towel where it caressing her bare hip. "I have to be careful when I hold you down, I could injure you if my hold is too tight."

Honey brown eyes linked with his as she chuckled. "I do like when you hold me down." Reaching her hand up to cup his face, Sara sighed. "If we didn't have to go to work, I'd demand you take me back to bed."

"But alas, we have to work."

Leaning in, Sara kissed him before pulling away. "I need to get dressed. You need to take Hank out and feed him."

The night was full of evidence and paperwork, no actual callouts and those were the nights that Sara loved best. She could go over evidence and collect all the information she needed before setting herself in the chair in the corner of Grissom's office. It was big enough that she could sit cross-legged and work on paperwork and compiling reports to be turned in. Paperwork could be organized for later trials. Grissom never said anything when she set herself in the chair that she'd started claiming as her own. She wore headphones as she worked, listening to music that aided in her concentration.

As the end of shift rolled around, Grissom's phone rang and he answered it. "Yeah?" He glanced at Sara, who was off in her own world. "Okay, I'll gather them." He hung up before standing, walking over to Sara. Gently he pulled one of the headphones from her ear.

"Hey, time to go?"

Grissom smiled at her. "Hopefully after we gather in the breakroom. Ecklie has an announcement to make. Come on." He held out his hands and Sara put the paperwork aside and accepted his hands so he could pull her up.

Sara smiled as he held her for a fraction of a moment. "I love when you hold me."

"I know." He pushed back hair behind her ear. "I'll hold you once we get home. We can watch that new film you TiVo-ed and I'll hold you the whole time."

"Fair." She kissed him softly before pulling away, running her hand down his chest as she pulled away.

The breakroom was full of Night Shift and the lab techs while Ecklie stood waiting as Grissom and Sara joined them. Seeing that everyone was present, the assistant director glanced across the room before speaking. "I want to thank everyone for being here. The last few years we've been juggling mass casualty cases between various CSIs. I recently met with Undersheriff McKeen and Director Kort regarding the issue and we finally have a resolution. We've created a position called the Mass Casualty Event Coordinator. This person will oversee any and all mass casualty scenes and all personnel will report to them. Before I announce who has been selected for the position, do you have any questions?"

Catherine looked straight at him. "Mass casualty cases, how many deaths are we talking for activation?"

"Ten or more people have to be involved for activation. Not all of them have to be dead but there must be ten." Ecklie responded. "Any more questions?"

Grissom looked straight at Ecklie. "Are supervisors reporting to the person?"

"Any and all CSIs will be reporting to the coordinator. Rank and titles mean nothing at such a time. Things have to run smoothly for these scenes to be contained and evidence collected. It requires meticulous attention to detail, knowledge of lab policies and personnel, and talent for handling large flows of information."

"Sounds like Nick." Warrick stated, "or Grissom."

Ecklie glanced over the room. "Actually, after a thorough elimination process and having seen such work before, we have elected Sara Sidle as our Mass Casualty Event Coordinator."

Everyone started congratulating her but Sara didn't know what to say. She watched Ecklie walk over to her and hold out a new badge. "Um, I'm not exactly the best person for the job."

"Your handling of the Bell case and management of three shifts has shown that you are the person for the job." Ecklie held out his hand and she shook it. "Congratualtions Sara." She accepted the badge as the team gathered around her. Reading the job titles on the new badge, Sara seemed somewhat in shock.

CRIME SCENE ANALYST

MASS CAS EVNT COOR

"Congrats." Nick told her and she nodded while still starring at the badge.

"Way to go Sara." Catherine gave her a side hug. "You deserve it."

Sara finally broke her stare. "Do I though?"

"Absolutely."

Greg grinned. "You're going to be the best coordinator ever."

"It's a newly created position so you're going to set the standard for the coordinators that follow." Grissom reminded her.

Warrick gave her a side hug also. "Way to go, Girl."

The techs gathered around and congratulated her for her hard work and dedication to the job. Sara was still somewhat in shock and part of her wondered if it was a dream and she'd fallen asleep in the office chair again. Feeling Grissom's hand on her back grounded her and she smiled at the group. "Thanks guys."

At home that morning, Sara sat on the couch starring at her two badges. She'd forgotten to take off her old badge at work and deliver it to HR for destruction. Grissom was making breakfast for them so she took time to think about the new changes. A hand on her shoulder made her look up to see Grissom holding a plate. She took it after placing the badges on the coffee table. He returned a few seconds later with his own plate and sat beside her.

"You deserve this, Honey."

Sara sighed as she stabbed her fork into her scrambled eggs. "I don't think I do. I managed one scene and only because there was no one else."

"Do you want me to tell you what a professor of mine told me right before I graduated?"

Him talking about his college years always made her smile. "Sure."

"A group of us technically failed the class…"

"You fail a class, I doubt that."

He chuckled and watched her eat what was on her fork. "Sometimes I can surprise you. It was my psychology class and I failed my classmate assessment. It was a major part of the finale so I failed the course. That was until final grades arrived and I found instead of a F, I had a C. I went to him and stated I had an error. He said it wasn't an error, that I had earned the grade. I tried to justify that I didn't but he said something I'll never forget. Those that deserve something are the last to want it. What he meant by that was that because I had everything correct except be able to assess another properly. Hard work is the precursor to advancement. You didn't ask for the position so it means you're more focused on the job than advancement. Ecklie knows that and your hard work shows you're capable."

"I get what you're trying to tell me Gil, but I still don't believe I deserve it."

Reaching out, he rubbed her back. "If you don't believe you deserve it, I'll believe you do for you."

"Thank you." She smiled before continuing. "You said something earlier about holding me all morning."

Grissom chuckled, "I did." Reaching for the coffee table, he removed the remote to turn the TV on. Sara accepted it so she could navigate to their TiVo. She'd taped War of the Worlds and considering Greg had recommended it, it was a good choice. Once the movie began to play, Sara leaned against Grissom, knowing they'd finish eating before he held her entirely.

It would only be two weeks before she was forced to accept her new position.

Monday nights were always a drag but for some reason instead of multiple cases, there was a big one that required all of them. As if it was becoming a normal occurrence, another bus had gone over a steep hill from where the traffic lanes were. Everyone stood at the top of the hill waiting for LVFD and PD to clear the scene. Nick was the one to voice the same thing they were all thinking.

"Can't buses just stop crashing."

Catherine shook her head. "Hey Nicky, the minute they stop is a second closer to us being out of a job."

Greg turned to Sara. "First scene, excited?"

The brunette glared at her friend. "Shut up Greg."

"He's right. You're made for this Sara, we all know it." Warrick tapped her back. "We'll follow you, just tell us what to do."

"Lucky me." Sara stated sarcastically. "When the shifts and cadets get here, I'll start giving assignments."

It took an hour but soon all three shifts stood in a group along with dozens of cadets. All shift supervisors stood together, Daryll and Lena stood beside Catherine and Sara. Grissom looked at CSIs that numbered just under twenty. Just as he was about to speak Sofia squeezed through the group to stand between Nick and Greg.

"What are you doing here?" Nick asked her in a whisper.

"Still certified as a CSI and it's all hands, Undersheriff called me and said to get to the scene." She bumped his arm, "heard our girl is going to be heading this massive disaster."

"Yeah, I bet Grissom is about to announce it."

Grissom looked around. "Alright, this is a mass casualty event so per Director Ecklie, we will be directed by our Mass Casualty Event Coordinator. Directions, assignments, schedules, questions; all of these will go to Sara. Everything will go through her no matter our levels, titles, or ranks. Is everyone clear on that?"

Almost everyone answered 'yes' or nodded, Grissom noticed Daryll said nothing and folded his arms. Sara nodded to him and turned to the group. "Okay, here's what we're going to do. Cadets, four foot sweeps from here for half a mile, both ways. CSI Brown is going to be directing you." She looked around, "Days, debris collection and removal. Supervisor Porter and CSI Fang, you will be conducting interviews of survivors at the hospitals. The rest of Swing will handle parameter and sketches." She looked around at the rest of them. "Nights, evidence collection. Supervisor Willows and CSI Sanders, you will be transporting evidence back to the Crime Lab." With both hands on her clipboard, she looked up. "Any questions?"

"I got one." Daryll looked straight at her. "Since when are you a coordinator?"

"Ask Ecklie, I don't want this anymore than you want me to have it." Her smile was tight, "do we understand each other Supervisor Winters?" When he didn't respond, she looked around. "Okay everyone, assignments given so let's start processing the scene and learn how this happened so we can help the victims."

Everyone dispersed except Sofia, who looked at Sara. "Undersheriff called me to come help since I still have my certification. Which shift do you want me to work under?"

Sara smiled. "Sofia, if you ever have to work as a CSI, you're ours."

"Figured but got to check with the boss." Sofia tapped her arm. "I'll check with Nick and work with him."

"Thanks." Sara brushed the back of her arm as Sofia walked away.

Night turned into day and Sara found herself checking in with everyone periodically. Catherine and Greg would give her duplicate lists of evidence. Sitting in the back of the SUV, identical to a time when searching for a bullet during the Bell shooting, Sara worked on cataloging everything. Apparently, Catherine had brought back forms that Ecklie wanted her to fill out every hour. It really annoyed her that she was keeping track of evidence and information instead of being out with her coworkers doing the job. She'd ordered Greg to bring at least ten dozen water bottles and four water coolers. She'd also instructed Catherine to have PD bring meals for everyone. Pastries around eight in the morning and sandwiches and chips at noon.

"So, big job title." Sara looked up to see Casey standing by the SUV with a water bottle in hand.

Sara nodded, "yeah, given not requested." Looking down, she started filling out one of the forms that was necessary. "Got a commendation last time I did something like this so I guess Ecklie thought I was best for the job."

"What's the deal with Supervisor Winters?"

Shrugging, the brunette continued writing. "I don't know, some beef he has with Gil. Which is surprising since he was promoted less than three months ago after Supervisor Franklin retired."

"So, anything new with you?"

Sara looked up at Casey. "Besides the new job title, nothing."

Casey chuckled, "so, I should get back to my diagrams."

"Okay." She smiled at her friend, "I'm just going to be filling out the paperwork I've been stuck with. Titles come with paperwork. I finally understand why Gil and Catherine hate their job half the time."

Casey tapped her arm. "Breakfast this upcoming Sunday? My treat."

"You know it. Call me."

Sara walked into Grissom's office after dropping off a copy of the book of paperwork with Ecklie. The rest she'd spent hours entering into the system before placing them in files according to their respective categories. He looked up as she sat down in the chair in front of his desk with a cup of coffee.

"I finally have sympathy for you and Catherine." Sara told him. "So much damn paperwork. Five days of paperwork, enough to write a book."

He chuckled as he watched. "Hmm, well now you know why I spend half my time in this office."

"Sucks."

"Catherine said the team wants to get breakfast this morning after working for three days straight." He closed the file that was open next to him. "I told her we'd join."

Sara shook her head in amusement. "When did you become so social?"

"Since a beautiful woman gave me a chance and a future."

"Sweet talker." Sara stood up. "Come on or we'll arrive while everyone is eating."

They arrived at Frank's just after Sofia pulled in, the officer met them at the door by chance. The rest of the team was inside, coffee and juice their only order so far. The boys shuffled to let Sara and Grissom move in the circular booth on one side and Catherine moved a fraction so Sofia could sit on the other side of her.

"How long was that case?" Nick asked them before looking at Sara. "You must know Miss Coordinator."

Sara pointed at him. "Hey, I didn't want the job. It was thrown at me without consulting me. As for how long we were there, five days." She shook her head as Edna came over with more coffee and orange juice, knowing who they were. "I had five days of paperwork. It was a whole damn book and it took me twelve hours to input all that paperwork into the system. So, coordinator position, you're welcome to it Nick."

"Oh no, you got that one fair and square Sunshine."

Picking up her orange juice, Sara narrowed her eyes. "Coward."

"Okay, can we just agree no more bus crashes?" Greg asked. "Three is enough, right?"

Multiple versions of approval were given from 'yes', 'yeah', and 'absolutely' by everyone at the table. Grissom decided to give them some good news since everyone seemed so tired.

"I spoke to Brass, he went home yesterday." Grissom stated as he saw them look towards him. "He's open to visitors so I told him I'd let you guys know."

Judy arrived and took their orders, their conversations turned to little things. One such conversation was about the upcoming baseball game against LVFD. They played with PD since they didn't have enough of a team usually. PD usually played against LVFD but they never played against the Crime Lab.

"Oh come on, you need to play with us." Catherine told Sara. "You're our physics person, you'd have us winning the game."

Sara chuckled. "I'll consider it."

"Grissom, you're playing right?" Nick asked him. "You like baseball."

"I prefer to watch but thank you." He moved his arm from the table to behind Sara as she reached for his juice, ignoring her coffee.

Next chapter we have another filler - they head to Los Angeles to visit Grissom's mom.