Denial
A/N: I regret to inform you that this is the last chapter. I can't believe it's done. Thank you all for your reviews and thank you to everyone who added this story to their alerts list or favorite story. It really brightens my day to see that my story has been reviewed/favorited/alerted. Okay, enough with the sappy stuff.
Anyways, it was difficult for me to decide what happens. I mean, I could kill Warrick or Grissom. Or I could have the undersheriff live. There were a ton of different combinations that I thought about, and I finally decided on my original idea. Oh yeah, and all the medical stuff is going to be 99.999 fake. (there's still a chance I'll guess something right) And I probably have dates mixed up. But bear with me.
Disclaimer: I do not own CSI. If I did, then Billy Petersen would NOT be quitting! (did anyone else hear that he's leaving the show? Yeah. So, no more Grissom. He's going to remain as an executive producer, though. BUT NO GRISSOM?? It'll be terrible…)
Epilogue
Two months laterIt was August. The days were getting shorter and the weather was cooling off. He sat there with his arm around the woman he loved. She was beautiful and he couldn't think of any place he'd rather be. His other arm was around her daughter. Lindsey. She was just as pretty as her mom. And he loved her just as much.
Warrick sat on a bench. His neck had healed and his stitches in his chest were mostly healed. The doctors told him not to run off on his own doing stupid things for a while, but they were able to take his arm out of the sling. The three of them were sitting in court. Sara was testifying against the undersheriff.
Former Undersheriff Jeff McKeen was sitting at the defendant's table, glaring at Sara. He had, sadly, recovered from his injuries and was fit to stand trial. He still looked awful. He had difficulty breathing and one of his lungs had collapsed on the way to the hospital, nearly killing him. But that bastard had lived.
Sara stepped down, moving to sit next to Catherine. She looked shaken from having to relive that night, but she was trying her best to keep it together. The next witness was none other then Gil Grissom. His leg had healed, but he walked with a limp. He told the jury about how McKeen had broken into his home and kidnapped him and his fiancée. And how the bastard shot Hank.
He told them how he was thrown in the trunk and how his leg had snapped on their way to the warehouse. He told them how McKeen threatened them and tied them to chairs. How he had set up an elaborate scheme to bring Warrick to the warehouse to kill him. The jury was silent as Grissom continued to testify. After Warrick shot McKeen, the rest was a blur and the ADA finished his direct.
The defense attorney stood for his cross. He asked Grissom how he knew it was McKeen. He then asked if McKeen had killed anyone. Grissom said that it did not matter if McKeen succeeded, but only that he had attempted with near fatal results. The attorney had nothing else and thanked Grissom.
Grissom sat next to Sara, pulling her close to him. She rested her head on his shoulder, holding his hand. The trial had been going on for a few days and the courtroom was packed with law enforcement and the press. Next week, the detective that worked as McKeen's messenger would be in court on accessory charges. That detective was currently testifying against McKeen to get a reduced sentence.
CSICSICSI
A week later, the jury had finally made their decisions. The courtroom was filled with people, both civilian and law enforcement, who were eager to hear the verdict.
The jury filed in silently. When they all sat, the judge spoke. "Has the jury reached a verdict?"
The foreman of the jury stood up. "We have, your Honor."
"On the count of the attempted murder of Warrick Brown, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty, your Honor."
"On the count of the kidnapping of Gil Grissom in the first degree, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty, your Honor."
"On the count of the kidnapping Sara Sidle in the first degree, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty, your Honor."
The judge banged her gavel. "Sentencing will be in the morning." With that, she left the courtroom. McKeen looked shocked. He still hadn't moved since the foreman had first uttered the word "guilty."
Grissom, Catherine, Sara, Warrick, and Lindsey, however, were ecstatic about the results. McKeen would be in prison for life, with no chance of parole. Maybe it didn't make up for all he had done, but at least he wouldn't be able to hurt anyone else.
CSICSICSI
Sara and Gil were sitting on the couch, watching some boring movie that they weren't really paying attention to. They were both just enjoying each other's company, relishing every moment they had together. The movie ended and they continued to watch the credits.
"We should get married," Sara said out of the blue.
Gil looked down at her, his surprise evident. "Right now?"
Sara grinned her famous grin. "Not now. Soon."
"Oh."
"You don't want to?" her grin faded into a look of concern.
"No! I do. It's just… sudden."
"Why not? I mean, we both love each other. This way, it'll be official."
Gil grinned. "We don't need a piece of paper to show that we love each other."
"I know that. It's just so we can frame it." The grin was back.
"When do you want to get married, then?"
"Dunno. Maybe we should ask Catherine. I know nothing about weddings."
"Okay, we'll ask Catherine in the morning."
"Let's go to bed," she told him, standing up. She pulled him up after her, dragging him to the bedroom.
Hank was sound asleep on the bed, his leg completely healed. "Hank, move," Gil commanded and the dog barked in quiet rebellion before jumping off the bed, landing expertly on the carpet. "Good night," Grissom told her when they were in bed. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
CSICSICSI
Since he was released from the hospital, Warrick had lived with Catherine and Lindsey. Of course, he slept in the spare bedroom. Lindsey, currently, was asleep—well, she was supposed to be asleep. She was actually on the phone, chatting with her best friend. That left Warrick and Catherine alone downstairs.
They had been "official" with the lab since Warrick was in the hospital the second time. No one mentioned it, however, and Ecklie still hadn't figured it out. So, they were still aloud to work the same shift. Warrick was forced to be a lab rat for a week or two more before the doctors said that he was ready for fieldwork.
The two of them had never felt more in love. They were a family already. With Eddie and Tina, the two of them had fallen hard and fast. But both of them had been disappointed. Eddie was just trouble and Tina had cheated on Warrick and gotten pregnant with another man's baby. But Warrick and Catherine loved each other. They had known each other for so long that they always knew what the other was thinking.
The best thing, though, was when Catherine watched Warrick with Lindsey. He was always patient and encouraging. He acted like a better father then Eddie had been. And Lindsey loved him, which was important.
Yes. Catherine really loved Warrick.
And Warrick loved her back.
A/N: Okay! Well that's the end. Sorry if it was short… I didn't know what else to write. Oh yeah, and sorry for the overly cheesy stuff. I wanted to end the story on a happy note, though. So, how many of you thought I would kill someone? Be honest! I, myself, was shocked that I allowed McKeen to live. I mean, he tried to kill Warrick! Twice! I don't know what's come over me… Please please PLEASE review! I mean, it is the last chapter, so you should feel obligated to review. :)
PS: Who wants a sequel? I have plans for one. I will probably write the first chapter in a few days, but then updates may be scarce because I am going on vacation soon. So, tell me if you want a sequel. Tell me if you're against a sequel, too.