A/N: Apologies for another very long delay between chapters, from Jellybean and myself. This chapter was a joint effort and Jelly really worked her magic as beta and co-author is this. There is another chapter ready to post after this one. Trust me, you are in for a treat with both chapters. I will post the next chapter either in a few days or next weekend. Thank you for your patience, we both really appreciate it.

Chapter 71

"Thanks Greg," Sara said as she got out of Greg's car after it pulled into the CSI lab lot. "I appreciate the ride."

"No prob, Sar," Greg said. "You sure you're doing OK?"

"Yeah, Kahlil is right. It's a good idea to get a head start on paperwork before shift ends."

Greg looked at his friend and pursed his lips. What was unspoken between them both now and on the ride to the lab was the palpable tension at the scene where Sara worked. Although she had arrived at the scene early with Kahlil, the two of them needed help, so Greg lent a hand.

And so did Karen.

Even after so many weeks, Sara and Karen could not find any comfortable ground to stand upon. Karen still played victim at the hands of Sara, who she believed orchestrated the firing and jailing of their fellow colleague, Patrick Davies — also known as Karen's friend with benefits. Instead of owning up to the fact that Davies was a manipulative and murderous piece of garbage, Karen doubled down on how horrible Sara was. How Sara was a slut who got knocked up by her boss, who was the actual manipulative murderer.

But Karen was always smart about who she shared those thoughts out loud. Never with Karson or Kahlil, and she learned very quickly not with her new co-worker, Greg, but there were plenty of other gossip hounds at the lab who loved a good story of deceit and despair.

And what Karen never said aloud to Sara, was loud and clear in the subordinate CSI's actions, gestures and attitude. It had come to the point that Sara could only work with Karen for so long before she had to remove herself from her presence. It wasn't that Sara wasn't a fighter; it was because she was tired of fighting someone who was too far gone in believing her own nonsense.

One hour and 47 minutes — that was the breaking point that both Kahlil and Greg recognized. Although the two of them had only been working together for a short time, their empathetic natures meshed very well, and together they could diffuse the situation between the two women without looking like they were patronizing or taking sides.

It was Greg who suggested breaking for something to eat, and Kahlil who quickly suggested Sara start on the paperwork since most of the grunt work was done. He would stay with Karen to do some final tasks and Greg could get food and drop Sara off at the lab.

Before letting Sara turn away from the car, Greg grabbed a bag from the back seat. "Don't forget the bizarro smoothie and disgusting muffin you ordered."

"It's bran muffin, Greg. Just because it includes zucchini and pumpkin seeds doesn't give you the right to judge it as disgusting," she said with a smile.

"Oh my God, yes I can," Greg said laughing. "And the fact that you put spinach together in a smoothie with pineapple and cranberries is a crime against produce."

Sara shook her head, her smile even wider. "You're a goof."

"And you're a weird prego," Greg replied.

"Go rescue Kahlil from Karen."

"Yes ma'am." And with that Greg pulled away.

Taking a deep breath, Sara entered the lab. She had to admit, lately it was easier to arrive with another person with her. Alone, it always seemed like she was being watched, judged. And she didn't know if it was her hormones, her imagination or a distinct reality that led her to those uneasy feelings. Regardless, she had to push through that.

Thankfully, there were some lab people who made those reservations subside. She was happy when she saw Karson, her supervisor, approach her.

"Just you, Sara? Or is the rest of the cavalry coming?"

"Just me," Sara said. "Kahlil suggested I start on the paperwork. Just heading to my office."

"Good idea," Karson said walking with Sara as they talked. "By the way, Jim Brass dropped by. He delivered something in your office"

"Oh, he was going to pick up some paperwork from Doc Robbins for Gil."

Any other thoughts were forgotten as Sara stood in the doorway of her office, rooted in her spot. A look of total surprise blanked her face.

On the desk was an elegant bouquet, made up of four different kinds of flowers of pinks and purple. As she drew closer to the desk, she spied a small white envelope nestled in-between a pink Camellia and purple hyacinth, and a sticky note on the back of her chair with familiar scrawl.

"Your husband can be a real PITA. He made me drive him to 3 different places to get these specific flowers and don't get me started on arranging them. But you're worth it, kid."

Lightly chuckling at Brass' comments, she gently plucked the envelope from the delicate blooms. Again, it held familiar handwriting, but the words made her eyes mist and put a smile on her face.

I don't think I could ever forget the day we first met. My heart was beating so fast because I couldn't believe that someone so brilliant, full of life and attractive would ever give the time of day to someone like me. You still make my heart race, and I am amazed every day by your brilliance, strength and beauty. Thank you for loving me. You have my eternal love forever. — G

Karson whistled softly on witnessing the elegant gift. Smiling, he nodded towards the bouquet. "Those from Grissom? They're pretty."

Still admiring the blooms, touching the odd one here and there, her voice was soft as she answered her boss. "They are."

"Special occasion?"

Sara simply shrugged, and Karson nodded, understanding that Grissom didn't need a reason for sending his wife flowers.

Getting back down to business, Karson closed the door and asked. "How is today's case going?"

Sara gestured for him to sit down and she gave him the professional rundown. As Karson listened intently as she filled him on her case, he'd come to notice a definite shift in Sara over the past weeks. An apathy of sorts that he would never have associated with her, in the past. She still did her job, and did it well, but the drive that had once defined her as CSI was increasingly absent. He had come to know her well enough, that something was weighing on her mind. Karson wasn't surprised after all that Sara and her family had endured.

"So, how is Grissom doing after his attack in the park?" Karson queried as he sat across from Sara.

Sara was lost in thought, so Karson repeated his question. "Sara? How is Grissom doing?"

Sara shook her head as if to try and clear it, she offered a brief smile, but she still seemed distant. "He's … trying … working to get stronger."

Karson looked across his desk at her, his head slightly askance. "Yeah?" he asked, allowing his concern to enter his voice. He shifted forward in his chair, placing his elbows on the desk. "I know I'm your boss, and you every right to tell me to mind my own business, but I'd like to think that if there was something on your mind, if you wanted to talk about it, I'm happy to listen and try and help if I can."

Sara glanced at Karson, knowing that she could trust him. "He's...being so... cavalier about the whole thing, like it's all normal and it's business as usual." She hesitated to mention speaking with Dana, their lawyer. She wasn't sure if that would change Karson's attitude towards her. "It's just never seems to end."

Her voice became stronger as she continued. "All in all, he's been improving. His individual and group therapy sessions really helped him, and … then came that day in the park."

Karson nodded with understanding. "How's Daniel doing after what happened in the park? The little guy would be frightened after watching his Dad being hurt?" Karson probed, sensing there was something more on her mind.

"Fortunately, he was asleep through it all. We're both grateful for that." Sara bit her lip, before looking directly at Karson. She took an audible, deep breath. "He's asked me about leaving Vegas. Starting fresh somewhere else, and put everything that's happened here, behind us."

Karson remained silent for a few moments. He wasn't at all surprised or shocked, that they would consider leaving the place that had caused them nothing but heartache and misery. At the same time, he knew he would miss her.

"I can't say that I blame him, or that I'm surprised," Karson responded. "Honestly Sara, I don't know how you've both overcome what you've gone through. If you leave, I will definitely miss you. And so will other people at this lab. But you have to do what you think is best for you, and your husband. Do you have any thoughts on where you might go?"

Sara shook her head. "It's a conversation in its infancy, as Gil would say." The phrase made them both laugh. "Nothing's definite yet. Only that it won't be until after the baby is born, at least."

Karson smiled. "I wish you both nothing but the best, Sara. It's about time something went well for you." He hesitated, he's eyes cast downward to the box next to his feet, before returning his gaze back to Sara.

"I owe you an apology for the part I played in these monstrous events…"

"….Karson, there's noth -..." Sara tried to interrupt.

Karson shook his head and held up a hand, and Sara paused.

"You told me when Jake first arrived here, that having had experience working with him wasn't an advantage. You were clearly uneasy working with him, and as it turned out, it was entirely justified. If I hadn't pushed you to work with him..."

Sara shook her head. "There is no way of knowing what would have or would not have happened, if you'd picked someone else to work the case with him. Rory Dunbar was determined to hurt Gil, any way he could. If it wasn't Jake that gave him the opportunity, he'd have devised some other way. We both appreciate the fact that when the truth finally came out, you did everything you could to help."

"Although I still feel I played a part, I appreciate what you're saying. There was no other avenue to take, once the dots were connected, pointing to his innocence, Sara. I would have been remiss in my obligation as a lead investigator to allow his persecution to continue."

"Karson, if it wasn't for you, Patrick Davies would have gotten away with murder." Sara had said that statement with conviction, but just the mentioning of Davies' name still her flooded her mind, heart and soul with a tornado of questions and emotions.

Karson paused, gathering his thoughts, before bending slightly and lifting an evidence box upon his desk, baring Grissom's name. Removing the lid, he took out a small evidence bag, with an SD card inside.

"The contents of this box, including this SD card, don't need to be saved. However, after Nick and I both viewed what's on this, I wanted to make certain that it can't be used against Grissom any further. I know you are private about the legal matters happening right now, but, between you and me, Ladd Sayers has proven himself as someone who plays politics with an innocent man's liberties, and if he got his hands on this… I just don't want him to have any more false ammunition against Gil and you."

Curiously Sara took the small evidence bag. "You and Nick have both watched what's on this?"

"Yes," responded Karson with a sigh. "And it's horrific viewing, Sara," he continued, his tone somehow both sympathetic and appalled at the same time. "I would suggest you don't watch, but that isn't my decision to make. Just be aware that it is very distressing. Destroy it, or keep it safe, its entirely up to you. I just don't want anyone else getting a hold of it."

Sara didn't know how to respond. "I don't know what to say, Karson. Are you sure about this? It is evidence in a case."

"Positive."

Sara sighed then nodded her head. "This is… I appreciate it."

Karson stood up. "This was a lot. If you need to leave early…"

"No. I have work to do. The guys are counting me to get a leg up on this paperwork."

"Then I'll let you to it."

With that, Karson quietly exited Sara's office. She stayed quiet studying the SD card that was no bigger than the tip of her thumb. Yet, even without seeing it herself, she knew the contents were larger than life.

She wasn't sure what to do with the card. She could only imagine what it possessed. Not willing to make a decision, she put the SD card safely in her purse, she put her full attention on her paperwork.

Some two hours later, Kahlil arrived to their shared office space and reviewed Sara's progress. They talked about the case and was able to close it up by the time shift ended.

"The flowers are beautiful," Kahlil said as Sara gathered her belongings. "Would you like them to stay here, or shall I help you take them to your car?"

"Hmm," Sara said. "Is it selfish of me to take them home today?"

Kahlil snickered. "If I may, my friend, I do not believe selfish is a moniker you could ever carry."

Sara had to admit. While there have been many struggles since leaving graveyard, getting to know Kahlil was a definite bright spot. Smart and reserved, the two of them made a good team where he used even keeled kindness to push Sara to complete tasks rather than focus on negative outside energies.

"I'd give you a flower for your wife, but…"

"That is something a husband should get his wife," Kahlil continued. "If only I can recall the florist who has the best chrysanthemums …"

"Petersen's Nursery on Starky."

"Of course," Kahlil said snapping his fingers. "Have a lovely evening, Sara."

"You too, Kahlil," Sara replied, flowers and purse in hand.