"Sara!" A voice called from the distance before a man popped out of a tent. "Sara, have you seen the—" His speech cut short. "Hi…" He looked at Grissom.

"Charlie, this is Grissom."

"Holy cow, you made that hike alone? I thought you were hanging out in the city until we returned." Carlie extended a hand to the newest member of the team, "Excellent you could join us! I just came across several Dynasty's Hercules, want to come see?"

Grissom's eyes lit up. "I would." He darted his eyes toward Sara who nodded with ease. The two men made their way back toward the tent. Within seconds, he was part of the team, with such ease and boyish enthusiasm. She was still a bit speechless.

Grissom sat around the campfire, now having become acquainted with the rest of the field team. Sara sat on his left. One by one the team filtered out, each making their way to their respective tents until it was just Sara, Grissom and the campfire flickering between them.

He reached into his pocket and touched the ring. He looked over at her, her gaze elevated to the sky. He studied her form for a moment, the visual of her profile in the dim waning fire and star light.

Then he flowed her eyes, looking up into the expansive night sky above them, littered with stars and planets and far away galaxies. He settled into his seat a bit more and got comfortable. He reached his hand out and took her's in his without averting his sight on the night above them. He took his other hand out of his pocket, leaving the ring behind.

Her thumb stroked over his hand. Feeling his pulse and his warmth. She glanced toward him now, a small grin curving the corners of her lips.

"You never get a view like this in the city."

He nodded in turn. "I used to relish being called out to remote scene's in the desert. Nothing quite provides such perspective."

There was a long bout of silence between them. The rustling trees and crackling fire filed the void. "I'm still surprised you really came." She admitted finally.

"Me too." He spoke honestly, finally taking his eyes off of the sky and looking over at her. Their eyes locking, "But I would have lived to regret it, I'm certain of it."

She squeezed his hand softly and turned her body slightly to face him. Her other hand reached out and touched his cheek.

Within days Grissom was in full swing with the crew and routines. He proved to be a valuable asset from the get go and found himself enjoying every minute of the lifestyle. Sara and Grissom had been tasked with tracking and observing the Dark Larva Cricket and the Neocerambyx Gigas Beetle. Each day, the ventured out on short hikes to collect specimens, photograph habitats and observe patterns. Just the two of them. And after being completely cut off from her for all these months, he was relishing every moment of it.

He still had the ring in his pocket. Even after all these days, he hadn't given it back to her. But it wasn't due to hesitation or fear. No. He just wanted to do it right this time. The first time, as beautiful as the moment was that lived in his mind, it wasn't quite what he had planned. How often do you get a second chance at proposing to the same girl?

He'd just been waiting for the right moment. And that moment had finally found him. The pair sat on a log, taking a break from the hike. He watched as her gaze laid firmly on the ground beneath her, observing the small insects that scurried around. And then, like out of a dream, several blue morpho butterflies swarmed head of them and rested on a nearby tree.

"You see that?" He asked, causing her eyes to lift.

"Oh wow." She responded, squinting slightly to get a better look. "Are those Morpho butterflies?"

"They are." He confirmed with glee that she'd known so all on her own, "The Morpho butterfly has always captivated me. Like a transient muse. It speaks to my heart, my spirt. It reminds me of the ephemeral splendor of life. I mean, just look at its brilliant flash of color."

She looked over at him, admiring the poetry of his words to find that he was no longer sitting next to her, but knelt on the ground beside her. Her brows scrunched in confusion.

"Griss?"

"You have always captivated me. You speak to my heart, my spirt. You remind me of the ephemeral splendor of life." He became encouraged with how easily his words were flowing. How naturally his voice spoke his heart's truth. "You are my Morpho Butterly, Sara. I have loved you, and I have lost you, and I have found you again." He pulled the ring out from his pocket now, "And I'd prefer not to experience what it was like to be apart from you like that again. So…" He could feel the slight stutter creeping in but he kept it at bay, "Will you? Will you marry me?"

She smiled as she gazed into his eyes, her hand now resting on his cheek as she nodded slowly.

"Let's do it… Really this time."

He grinned easily and placed the ring on her finger, letting his hand linger for a moment on her skin. He thought back to the first time he'd asked her that question—or rather suggested the question—when they'd gone in for a kiss only to be met with the clanking of plastic bee keeper helmets. This time, there was no such barrier. He leaned in and gently placed his lips to hers.

"Let's get married here, in Costa Rica."

"Yeah?" Sara questions a bit hesitantly. Seemingly a bit unsure of his haste.

"I'm ready to start living. And I want to build that life with you."

"Okay." She smiled softly,

He kissed her again.

"Some physicists, they have this theory about a superposition. That there are infinite versions of our universe playing out across space and time. I don't much subscribe to it but, if it is true, there's a version of me that didn't come here. That's standing over a victim in the morgue with Doc Robbins right now. And…I feel utterly sorry for him."

She smirked at his admission. Enjoying the candid thoughts that flowed from his lips.

"Maybe there's a version of us out there that is still keeping our relationship under the radar. Navigating the lab cloaked in secrecy."

He pondered this for a minute, "You know, I think I'm happy with the version we're in here." He gave her a knowing look and a small head nod to indicate they should start their trek back to the campsite.

Sara glanced at her hand from time to time as they hiked back. A mannerism that didn't go unnoticed by Grissom. It filled his chest with warmth. He felt invincible in that moment. He had Sara back, really back. And he was thoroughly enjoying the adventure they'd embarked on. Being in nature like this, surrounded by exotic specimens, brilliant scientists, and worthwhile experiments made his heart soar.

By the time the crew was packing up to hike back down to the base of the volcano, he felt fully acclimated to being a scientist detached from death and crime. And finally, he fully began to realize what Sara had meant when she said she couldn't go back to Vegas. He too, could no longer see himself happy in any capacity there.

Once settled back into the city center's research facility, Grissom and Sara found a comfortable rhythm to their weeks. Days were spent in the lab, evenings often with the team, and weekends had the two of them exploring the vast terrain of the country they now inhabited. Walking through markets, exploring corners of the city, going on short hikes and canoeing or kayaking down rivers.

They'd been in Costa Rica together for two months when on one of these canoe trips, Grissom turned to her. "Pierre offered me a position guest lecturing at the Sorbonne… in France." His voice trailed off tentatively. "I, uh, I know we haven't really discussed what we want to from here…"

"Let's do it." She said enthusiastically, "You would be a fantastic professor."

Grissom's eyes sparkled as he looked at her with such awe. Amazed that she seemed so readily available for every and any adventure that came their way.

"Yeah?"

"I've never been to France."

He smiled, "We could go a couple weeks before the beginning of the semester to travel around. We can see Monet's gardens, travel through northern France. It's beautiful."

She bit back a smile, unable to help herself, "Since when are you interested in beauty?"

He shot her a look before it clicked for him, his features softening, "Since I met you."

They rowed along in silence for a while more, enjoying each others company among the gorgeous backdrop of the tropical land.

Eventually, Grissom spoke, "Maybe we should… you know… before we move on to France."

"Get married?"

He nodded a bit sheepishly.

"Let's do it next weekend."

"Alright." He glowed.

"Do you… uh… do you want me to take your last name?"

"You know, according to Costa Rican cultural rituals, the bride actually typically keeps her maiden name. But I also like the idea of calling you Mrs. Grissom."

She smiled easily, "Maybe I'll just keep my maiden name legally. And socially…"

"You can be Mrs. Grissom."

"Mrs. Grissom." She repeated before laughing a little, "The real Mrs. Grissom would very much disapprove, I assume."

"Hmm." Was all he said. As if the very idea of his mother's approval or disapproval meant nothing to him.

Grissom and Sara stood together, facing one another. Her hands rested in his reassuring grasp as the officiate spoke.

"I, Gilbert Arthur Grissom, take you, Sara, to be none other than yourself. Love what I know of you, trusting what I do not yet know, I will respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me, though all our years, and in all that life may bring us." He stared deep into her eyes, feeling the warmth in her hands rise.

Sara thought back to all the years and all the little moments that led them to this day. She thought back to the lecture hall in San Fransisco over a decade ago now. The giddy school-girl like crush she had on him immediately. How she uprooted her life from San Fransisco all on a hunch that he felt the same way. She thought of those early years in Vegas. Alone and confused at the height of his emotional unavailability. Then, that night in 2005 that brought him to her door, into her arms and the beautiful, loving romance that ignited in its wake.

The officiate gave Sara a small nudge, pulling her from her daydream.

"Gil, you know that I love you. I feel I've loved you my whole life. Today, I take you as my husband, with your strengths and faults, as I offer myself to you with my strengths and faults. There is no one in this world I would rather embark on this adventure with. With every beat of my heart, I promise to do right by you. And to love you until the end of my days."

Simple gold wedding bands were exchanged. Grissom's hand lingered as he placed the ring on her slender finger.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. Gilbert, you may kiss your bride." Grissom lifted his hand to Sara's cheek and gently pulled her toward him, their lips touching softly. He felt so overwhelmed in that moment, he pulled back and looked into Sara's eyes. Watching as she flashed her famous grin his way. His heart melted.

He pulled her into a tight hug, gripping onto her.

"So you're headed off then?" Oliver spoke as he stood in the lab door watching as Sara tidied up the last of her experiment. A faint hint of disappointment evident in his words.

"Mexico first, then off to France."

"What's in Mexico?"

"I don't know. Grissom won't tell me."

"Do you ever find it peculiar? That you call your husband by his last name?"

She smiled at the question. Husband. She was still getting used to that denotation. "It's just habit from a past life." She offered. Oliver knew their story, she didn't have to explain. When the two became friends on the Sea Sheppard he'd been a willing and helpful confidant in the thick of their break up.

"Well I'm headed out to the field sight in the morning so I won't see you before you leave." Oliver walked toward her and wrapped his strong arms around her. "Take care of yourself, Sara. And keep in touch. Maybe we'll work on another project together soon."

"I'd like that." She smiled as they released each other.

February 2009: Mexico

"It's about a four hour hike from here." Grissom spoke as he reviewed the terrain map in his hands. Sara readjusted the pack on her back.

"To where?" She tried again but Grissom only replied in the form of a silent smile. She'd been trying to get him to give up their end destination since they departed Costa Rica. But he wasn't budging.

The two hiked on through forest and mountainy terrain, taking breaks every now and then to rest their legs and drink some water.

"These hiking legs could have come in handy out in the desert that day." She didn't need to elaborate. He knew exactly what she was talking about. The very fact that she was able to bring up the abduction so casually reassured him that she really had healed herself since leaving Vegas. Leaving Vegas had done wonders for her, for both of them.

"Did you mail out the post cards in the last village?"

"I did." He confirmed simply. Grissom and Sara were working hard to be communicative with those they left behind. The team, his mother, the Crows, keeping all parties apprised of their whereabouts and adventures.

These last postcards revealed the status of their relationship, that they were married. Though they had video called with his mother to update her prior to the postcard at Sara's insistence. Grissom still needed handholding when it came to the appropriate level of communication that she deserved.

"This place must be really special if you were the one to volunteer such a long hike." She smiled knowingly. As willing as he had been for all of their adventures, he had his limits.

"It is. I was here once before. During college—" He glanced at her with suspension. "But that's all I'll say. I don't want to give it away."

"I really thought I had you there." She laughed. "Whoa." Shara spoke suddenly as she looked up, "Are those Monarch Butterflies?"

"We're getting close." Grissom spoke with heightened anticipation.

"Oh… wow." Sara fell speechless as they approached large Oyamel trees completely covered in Monarch Butterflies. Grissom caught up to her and stood beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

"It's called the Mountain of Butterflies." He spoke as she gazed in awe at the trees that looked alive with each flutter of the butterflies' wings. Like the tree itself was breathing. "When I was a freshman in college, there was a team of zoologists from Canada who were trying to find the overwinter location of the Monarch Butterfly—Ken Burger and Catalina Trail. They'd been searching for nearly a decade at that point. I joined the team of volunteers just as the tail end of the search. We found this location just a few months into me joining. I was 19 at the time—God it feels like forever ago." He looked at her now, watching as she took in the overwhelming site.

"They migrate here in mid October." He continued, "But February and march is their mating season, so we came at the perfect time to see a lot of activity." He smiled widely as she turned to him.

"I—I have no words." She said simply, still awestruck. The pair sat together and watched as the butterflies swirled through the air like autumn leaves. Sara took out the camera and snapped a few photos, trying her best to capture the spectacular sight. Knowing full well that no photo could do this scene justice.

"Tell me about it. About their lifecycles."

Grissom detailed the courtship and mating behavior of the Monarch Butterfly for her in detailed latin terms. "It can last several hours and after mating, the female seeks out milkweed plants to lay their eggs. A single female can lay hundreds of eggs over her lifetime."

"Sounds exhausted." She joked.

"Eggs hatch in just three to five days."

"Why do they migrate?"

"It allows them to exploit different ecological niches and avoid unfavorable weather conditions, ensuring that they can continue to reproduce across a wide geographic range."

"So to thrive, they must leave."

"In a sense. Yes."

"Sounds like us." She leaved her head against his shoulder, her gaze strictly fixed on the orange and black hues swirling above.

"You want to mate for several hours?"

She laughed at this, lifting her head to look at him.

"How about lay a few hundred eggs?"

"I'll pass." She quipped back.

"How about just one?"

"Hu?"

"Have you ever thought about it again? You know—"

"Kids?"

He nodded to her immense shock. "Actually…" She began, his ears perked up at the sound of anything but no leaving her lips. "Two week's after you arrived in Costa Rica, I was a few days late and I really thought I might have been…"

"Pregnant?"

She nodded, "But I wasn't. It came a few days later."

"How did… uh…" His awkward tendencies were bubbling back up, but he didn't need to finish his sentence, she knew where he was headed with it.

"I don't know. At first I was terrified at the very thought. And then as the day passed, it sort of grew on me. The idea. But then, honestly, I was relieved when it turned out to be negative."

He nodded knowingly.

"You still think about it?" She asked him after a very long pause.

"Abstractly, I suppose. Every now and again. I think of the human experience. And I rather enjoy the idea of engaging in the full cycle of life with you. You know, before I met you, I thought all I really needed in this world was books and science. I was completely content living vicariously through the people I worked with, the stories I read. Never having to experience any of it for myself. Through you, I've learned how to live, truly live. And well—I think having a child with you would give us the ultimate human experience."

Sara softened, a smile bending and tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Gil…"

His eyes flickered up to hers, he'd been avoiding her gaze as he spoke until then. It was the only way he knew he could get his sentiment across.

"Okay."

"Okay?" His eyes widened in complete and utter shock.

"Okay," She shrugged, "Let's do it." She smiled.

His lips founds hers with haste, kissing her deeply with the full magnitude of love and passion he felt for her in that moment.

"But," She began to add as they broke the kiss, her eyes locking onto his, "I don't want to go down any medical avenue so, if it happens it happens but if it doesn't…"

"Then it wasn't meant to be. I'm okay letting science take a backseat on this one."

She smiled and nodded again, "Okay, so… we're trying."

Millions of Monarch Butterflies swarmed above them, performing their own matting rituals. Before the pair eventually left their spot to begin to trek back down the mountain, Grissom collected one male butterfly.

"We can frame him next to the bee." He offered as he secured the specimen and placed it in his pack.