AN: This is a continuation of my story, "A Weekend Away". I like the reviews, so send me some.

Disclaimer: I don't own CSI.

LOVE LOST

On their way home from a weekend away, the accident happened. Gil was killed almost instantly. Sara was left fighting for her life. She had multiple broken bones and internal injuries. The team rushed to be by her side. They were devastated by the loss of their leader, Grissom. The team was worried about Sara. It was hard when she had been kidnapped by Natalie and placed under the car. Then, Sara disappeared a couple of months later on her own. Sara was so much a part of them that they couldn't stand to be anywhere else.

Catherine's 'mama bear' instinct took over and she vowed to herself that Sara would not alone. Catherine thought back to their first meeting. All she wanted was for Sara to go away. Then Sara had to investigate Warrick. That had rubbed Catherine the wrong way. Somewhere along the way, though, Catherine had fallen in love with Sara. Catherine knew Sara loved Grissom deeply. Catherine had also seen the pain in Sara's eyes when Grissom rejected her. There were many times she thought, 'I would never treat you that way, Sara, if you would just love me.'

Catherine put Warrick in charge so that she could stay with Sara. All of the team came as much as they could. She was one of them. They all had a special relationship with Sara.

The first time Warrick came in, he leaned over and kissed Sara on the forehead. Catherine walked out in the hall to make some phone calls. As she did that, he sat down and took Sara's left hand in both of his hands. For the first time in a long time, tears rolled down his cheeks. He knew Sara was a fighter but he couldn't bear the thought of losing her. Their relationship had developed into a great friendship. He spoke to her, not knowing if she could hear him.

"Hey, baby girl…Keep fighting, Sara. You can make it. You have too. We need you too much. You are an amazing person and I love having you around." He then said a prayer for Sara. Catherine came back in the room and sat next to him.

"Cath," his voice still shaky, "how are we going to break it to her? Grissom was her world. She's gonna take it hard. " Catherine looked into his eyes and saw the pain Warrick was in. "What if something happens to her? She is one of my dearest friends, probably my best friend."

"Warrick, she's gonna make it. You've got to believe that. She's a fighter, a survivor." Catherine paused, "And as for telling her, I'll be the one to do it." Catherine glanced at Sara, wondering how she would do it.

Before Warrick left, he kissed Sara again and told her to remember what he said. Catherine sat there with Sara, stroking her hair and saying, "Keep fighting, Sara. Keep fighting."

Later that morning, Brass stopped by to see Sara.

"Hey, Jim." Catherine said as he entered the room.

"Hey, Catherine. How's our girl doing?"

"A little better. They are keeping her in a coma to give her body a chance to heal. She has a long way to go though."

"You know, after I was shot, she visited me in the hospital every day. With all that has happened with Ellie, I sort of "adopted" Sara. She didn't seem to mind. And it was good for me. You were there when Gil and Sara sat down and told us about her background later. It made sense then. She and I still get together at least once a month for breakfast."

"She is important to all of us. I don't know if she realizes it though."

"She told me once that we are the ones she considers her family. I hate to run, but I've got to get back. I'll come back by after shift. Take care of her for me."

"Will do. Bye, Jim."

Catherine drifted off to sleep in the quiet room. Catherine awoke when she heard the door open. She realized what time it was. 5:30 p.m.

"Hi, Cath. How is she?" Nick asked.

"About the same really. Greg, can you give Nick and me a minute? I need to talk to him about something."

Greg nodded and walked out.

"Nick," Catherine started tearing up. "What am I going to do? I don't want to lose Sara. I love her so much…"

"Catherine," Nick put his hands on Catherine's shoulders. "Just stay by her side. She will realize it. Looking back at it now, I can see how much you love her and have for a long time. Now, when is the last time you ate? You've got to keep your strength up. You have to take care of yourself too."

"I'm not hungry. I need to stay with Sara. "

Using a firm but gentle voice, Nick told Catherine she needed to go home and rest as well as eat. He promised her that if something happened, she would be the first one he would call.