AN: Thanks to those still reading and reviewing, here is the next chapter and the start of a new chapter for them as well.

Chapter 26: Accepting?

Later that evening

When shift was over that day, Sara and Grissom went to Ashley's to not only pick up Belle but to have dinner with her, Nick and Quinn before the family of three went home, and for the first time in a while when it came to Belle going to bed, she elected to read herself to sleep tonight, which as much as they loved this time of reading their daughter to sleep, Sara had too much on her mind and Grissom was worried what was on his wife's mind, so it was perfect for everyone involved.

While their daughter was upstairs in bed, Sara was sitting on the couch looking at the TV but not really absorbing what was being shown on it as Grissom was in the kitchen getting them some drinks, one for her to keep her stomach calm and a scotch for him, which doesn't happen very often, but thought he would be a little different tonight.

He walked into the living room and held out her glass. "Here honey."

Sara shook off the daze she was in before looking up at her husband and smiled while taking the glass from his hands. "Thanks, babe."

He nodded as he sat down next to her on the couch, then after taking a sip from his glass, he asked warmly. "Is everything ok? You seem distracted today. Was it something that Peter wanted to talk to you about?"

She took a sip of her drink, then looked at him while nodding her head. "You can say that again."

Now he was a little worried. "What happened?"

"Peter wanted to inform me that he is leaving CSI, and that he wants me to take his place, which according to him I'm already approved, all I have to do is say yes."

Grissom took a moment to go through what was being said, then he cleared his throat and replied. "Wow, I mean I know you said something about him mentioning this a few months ago, but…."

Sara cuts him off with a nod. "I know, but when he was talking about leaving last time it was more about his upcoming fatherhood. This time it was different, he said he can't deal with the dead anymore, and come to think about it, he's looking more drained than I've ever seen him."

"Which is understandable, I can't really blame him, this job can take a lot out of you."

"I agree, like I told him we all have our limits, and he finally reached his." After Grissom nodded, they both took another sip from their respective drinks, then she asked. "So, what do you think?"

"About you accepting or not?" She nodded before he continued with a smile. "You already know how I feel, you know I have faith that you can do this, which has been proven mightily in my mind during the last two weeks."

"Thank you." She then sighed. "But you know there is still things to consider, I'm pregnant again, and as a supervisor I'll have more things on my plate to deal with. Not to mention the team itself."

"What do you mean about the team?"

"Griss, not counting me, there are three members on our team who have only known Peter as their boss, outside of those last two weeks, and two of them for sure I know is completely loyal to him, they might not take to kindly that they'll be getting a new boss, even though yes it's someone they've known and worked with for many years, but it will be different, they'll see me differently."

Grissom smiled as he cupped her cheek. "Then if that's the case, make your own team. Don't get me wrong, Peter is a good boss and I respect him, but my loyalty will always lie with you, no matter what."

She smiled in return before commenting. "You really want to see me in the supervisor spot, don't you?"

"Honey, the choice is up to you, and I'll support whatever decision you make. I just don't want you to regret it if you don't accept it, because this opportunity might not happen again, or at least not for a long time, depending who is chosen if you don't take the spot."

"I understand, but what about….."

He cuts her off. "About what could be pilled on your plate?" He then smirked. "Well, that's why you have an assistant, let him or her take some of it off, and as for your pregnancy, you'll be boss so you can decide whether you want to go out in the field or stay in, depending on how you feel that day. You being pregnant shouldn't hinder you being a supervisor, especially if it's something you really want."

She shook her head with a small chuckle. "You seem to have all the answers, don't you?"

He smirked in return. "That's why you married me, isn't it?"

She smiled with love in her eyes as she cupped his cheek after placing her glass down on the end table. "That, and for so many other reasons. Thank you."

"You're welcome." After a soft kiss, he asked. "So, for the record, did I help?"

She nodded with a smile. "You did."

"And have you figured out your answer?"

"I have not but knowing that I have your support really helps."

"Always, honey."

After another soft kiss, Sara asked. "You ready for bed?"

He then asked with a raised eyebrow. "Do you mean sleep, or bed?"

Knowing what he was asking, Sara replied with passion in her eyes. "Bed."

Grissom nodded. "I'll be up shortly, I'm going to clean and lock up."

"Ok."

They kiss one more time before Sara gets up from the couch, grabs her drink and heads for the stairs so she could go upstairs. Grissom wasn't that far behind her, and when he joined her in the room, they spent an intimate time just being husband and wife, enjoying/savoring the love they have for one another.

Next morning

Grissom was cooking at the stove when Sara comes in the room, walks up behind him and wraps her arms around his waist before kissing his shirt covered shoulder.

"You are so good to me."

He smiled as he placed his hand on hers. "And you deserve every bit of it."

After she kissed his shoulder a second time, she released him before walking to the fridge, and he asked. "So, have you made a decision yet?"

"I have."

He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, expecting her to continue, and when she didn't and was just smiling at him, knowing what he wanted, she asked. "What, you expect to know before everyone else?"

He smirks. "I thought knowing what is going on before everyone else was a perk for the husband?"

She smirked in return. "And you know what they say about people who assume."

Grissom chuckled before giving her a genuine smile. "Ok, if you really want me to wait to hear the news with everyone else, then I won't bug you about it."

As he goes back to cooking, Sara spoke softly as she walked up to him after getting the milk and juice. "Griss, what you said last night about supporting me no matter my decision, you really meant that, right?"

He turned to her and cupped her cheek with pride and love in his eyes. "100%, you do whatever feels right for you and I'll be behind you."

Seeing the truth in his eyes, she smiled. "Thank you. I love you."

"I love you too."

As they pulled back from their kiss their daughter walked into the kitchen, and not long after, the family was sitting at the kitchen table eating their breakfast, enjoying the food and company before they started their day.

After dropping Belle off at school, they headed for the lab, and not long after, while in the locker room, Sara tells Grissom she's going to go talk to Peter.

He nodded before she left the room, and Nick, who was the only other one in the room, asked him. "What's that about?"

Grissom cleared his throat before shaking his head. "I wouldn't know."

Nick shook his head with a chuckle. "Ok, I have to call bull for that one. When do you not know anything when it comes to Sara?"

Grissom took a breath before replying. "When it's not my place to say anything."

To Nick that confirmed there was something going on, so he now got a little worried. "I mean, she's ok, right? You would tell me if…."

Grissom cuts off the worried young man before he got himself into an unnecessary panic. "Nicky she's fine, her health is perfect, better than perfect even. I just can't say any more than that, it's not about me, so like I said, it's not my place."

While Nick was relieved to hear that Sara was ok, he wasn't too happy about the response he got, but on the other hand he respected Grissom's choice on not saying something if it wasn't happening to him personally. Nick has to admit, Sara picked a good man to keep all of her secrets, he was like a double locked safe. So, in the end, Nick just gave the other man a nod of understanding before Grissom shut his locker and left the room, then he followed a few minutes later.

Not long after everyone was in the breakroom, Sara and Peter walked in before Sara goes and sits down in the chair between her husband and Nick.

Peter took a moment for everyone to quiet down so he could address the team. "Morning everyone, before I begin handing out the assignments, I do have an announcement to make." There was a pause before he continued after clearing his throat. "I did a lot of thinking the last two weeks, and I've decided to resign my position as the dayshift supervisor."

Those who didn't know this was coming, gasped, and Luke exclaimed. "Was this really your decision or are you being forced…."

Peter cuts him off while shaking his head. "No Luke, this is completely my decision, so as of next week you'll be reporting to someone else, someone you all know quite well as a matter of fact, Sara."

Grissom smiled with pride as Nick congratulated her, along with the youngest member of the team, CSI level 1 Finn Hamilton.

Peter continued while Luke and level 2 CSI Lizzy McNeal still looked completely shocked on what was going on. "And I hope you all will give her the respect and dedication that you have given me through the years. Know this wasn't an easy decision, but it's something I feel I have to do." He finished after another short pause. "Alright everyone, let's get to work."

After he handed out the assignments, he turned and walked out of the room, which once he did the amount of tension coming from Luke and Lizzy was palpable, and Sara spoke while looking at them. "If there is anything either of you two want to say, please say it now."

Luke cleared his throat before speaking while standing up. "I think we should just get to work."

Sara nodded, not wanting to cause any trouble. "Alright, let's go then."

With Sara working the case with Luke and Lizzie, Sara and Lizzie stood up as well before the three of them left the room while both Grissom and Nick were giving her sympathy looks.

Grissom then looks at 23 year old Finn. "You ready?"

And Finn, who was 5'8, slim with a little muscle and brown medium length hair nodded with a smile. "Yeah, let's go."

Grissom nodded in return, happy that unlike Luke and Lizzy, Finn didn't seem to have a problem with Sara being the next supervisor, or at least he wasn't getting that vibe from the younger man.

A moment later, Grissom and Finn were out of the room, and after Nick took care of his coffee cup, he was out of the room too, which unlike his teammates, he was working a solo.

End of shift

Sara was in her office finishing up her side of the paperwork when there was knock on her door.

"Come in."

The door opened and Sara heard his voice before she saw who it was that walked in.

"Hey."

Sara looked at Peter, and even though he said one word, she could tell by the tone this wouldn't be a pleasant talk.

"What is it?"

He sighed as he walked further into the room after shutting the door. "I was kind of hoping my plan would work, but it failed."

"You mean putting me with Luke and Lizzie?"

"Yeah, they both came and talked to me, and neither one wants to be a part of the new team."

"I can't say that I'm not surprised, even before your announcement. Luke's been with you for as long as I have, and Lizzie was a few years later, you're the only boss they have ever known. Like I said it's about loyalty."

"Yeah, but I was kind of hoping that your transition to being supervisor would be as smooth as possible."

Sara smirked as she signed her name on the report. "And when is life ever smooth as possible?"

Peter chuckled while Sara stood up from her seat. "Good point."

She walked around her desk and handed him her report. "I'll try and talk to them, see if I can smooth some feathers over."

He took the report with a raised eyebrow. "And if you can't?"

She smiled while grabbing her shoulder bag. "Then I guess I'll have to take yours and Grissom's advice, rebuild the team."

Peter nodded with another smile. "Alright, good luck."

She nodded before they walked towards her office door so they could walk out of the room, and once they were, she locked her office up, said goodnight to Peter then they went their separate ways, her to the locker room and him back to his office.

When Sara walked into the locker room the rest of the group was there, so she greeted them all, which they all greeted back except for Luke and Lizzie, so after Finn had left the room, Sara gave Nick and Grissom a look saying she wanted to talk to Luke and Lizzie alone, which they gave her a look of understanding in return before they walked out of the room.

Once it was just the three of them, Sara looked at the other two and spoke. "I get it guys, when you work with someone for so long and they leave it's hard to accept someone new, despite it's with someone you've worked with from the beginning."

Luke shuts his locker with a hard slam and looked at her. "You just don't get it."

"Get what?"

"With you being boss there will never be a chance for anyone to advance in their careers."

Sara shook her head. "Luke that's not…."

He cuts her off. "Tell me I'm not wrong, when Peter first asked you to take over as supervisor, your first thought wasn't your husband or Nick being your assistant." When Sara didn't answer, Luke continued as he walked towards the door. "See, so unless I was your husband or your new best friend, I see my career going nowhere on this team. I wish you all the best, but I won't be a part of it."

When it was just Sara and the 27-year-old, 5'6, slim build, curly red-haired woman, Sara asked. "Lizzie is that how you feel too?"

She sighed as she closed her locker before looking at Sara. "I know this job is not about getting promotions, that it shouldn't be your main focus, but knowing there wouldn't ever be a chance to move up and I'll be stuck at a certain position, just doesn't sit right with me either. Good luck, Sara. I will miss working with you."

Knowing there wasn't anything she could say to change her mind since it seems like it was already made up, Sara nodded. "Me too, and good luck to your future."

"Thank you."

Sara gave her one more nod before Lizzie walked out of the room, she then sighed before turning and walking out of the room herself, moving down the hall until she reached the exit of the building, seeing her husband and Nick standing by Grissom's vehicle once she was.

They gave her a smile as she got closer to them, which she gave them a small one in return, then when she was standing in front of them, Grissom asked. "You ok?"

She sighed. "Yeah, I'll be fine."

While Grissom felt that Sara had more to say, Nick spoke with a wide smile. "How about a round of drinks as a celebration, my treat?"

There was more than one reason Sara wanted to decline, so she shook her head. "I'm sorry Nick, but maybe some other time."

Nick moved closer to Sara and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Don't let a couple of people rain on your parade for getting the promotion. Peter made the decision, so they are either going to have to accept it or move on to another shift or lab."

"Well, they are not accepting it."

"Then that just means you can get your own people. What we do requires us to have people around us that we can trust, especially when you're out in the field, and if there isn't trust in the first place, or it's lost, what's the point, right?"

She nodded with a small smile. "Yeah, thanks Nick "

Nick nodded with a smile while they get into a hug. "You're welcome, and I'll let you off the hook tonight about the drinks, but a raincheck is in order."

Sara chuckled as they moved back from the hug. "You got it."

Nick said goodnight to the both of them before he headed for his vehicle while Grissom led Sara to the passenger side of his vehicle and opened the door for her, she then gives him a soft kiss on his cheek before getting in the vehicle.

He closes the door and walks towards the driver seat and got in, closing the door once he was, and as he placed the key in the ignition, Sara asked with a smirk. "So, any ideas on how to deter Nick from our drink night until we are ready to share the news that I'm pregnant?"

Grissom chuckled while shaking his head. "Not at the moment." Sara just nodded before a sigh came out while looking out her window, and that gave Grissom an incentive to ask what he thought when she joined them at his car a few minutes ago. "What you told Nick about Luke and Lizzie not accepting the change, there is more to that, isn't there?"

Sara wasn't even going to question how her husband knew that, so she replied while looking at him. "They said that with me boss the chances of them getting promoted past level III is pretty much non-existent. They believe I already have a person in mind for my assistant." Before Grissom could speak, Sara continued. "And honestly they aren't wrong, the minute Peter offered me the job, even before I really thought of my own decision on whether I was going to take it or not, I thought of two people." She then smirked. "Even though I knew one of them wouldn't even consider it."

He gave her a loving smile. "And you know my reasons why."

"Yes, but it will not stop me from thinking how great it would be if it was you and me at the top."

He moved his hand to cup her cheek and run his thumb up and down while replying softly. "I know honey, and it is a nice thought, I'll admit. But beyond my own personal reasons of not accepting, it will open a whole can of worms I know we both don't want to deal with. We are pretty much already rocking the boat as it is with us being married and on the same team, I don't want it tipping over completely."

She nodded with a smile. "I understand all of that, but a girl could still dream, right?"

He nodded with another loving smile. "Of course." They lean towards one another to kiss before he spoke again. "And you know Nick was right, you need to have trust with the people you work with."

She nodded. "I know that too." She took a breath before finishing. "And I guess there is nothing wrong to getting new 'blood' on the team."

Grissom shook his head with another smile as he finally turned the key so the SUV would start. "No there isn't." There was a pause so Grissom could concentrate on backing up, then when he stopped so he could pull out onto the road, he smirked. "So, when are going to tell Nick he's getting a promotion?"

Sara just chuckled while Grissom drove out onto the road in the direction to Quinn's place so they could get their daughter and go home.

AN: Thanks for reading, and please review. Thanks again for the continued support, more to come. Hope you all are having/had a safe, wonderful weekend, until next time, always remember, GSR4ever!