I sat in my dark office, trying to fight an impending migraine that I just knew was not going to leave me peace for some time. I leaned back in my chair, let out an audible sigh, and let myself contemplate my life for a second, but only a second.
Things weren't bad per se, but I defiantly wouldn't call them good. Some days were better than others, but now I had certain…weight lifted off of my shoulders. Things at the lab were pretty much the same….well; I guess it all depends on how you define "same".
The things that had happened almost six months ago were not forgotten, nor were the events that happened the years preceding that. But at least now I was not referred as stupid, douche bad, dill weed, dick headed, bastard that broke our favorite girl's heart. Now I'm just referred to as stupid bastard that broke out favorite girl's heart, but realized his mistakes and tried to make up for them. It's still a tough name to carry, but I'll take it over its predecessor.
I rubbed the bridge of my nose, trying to ward off the pain unsuccessfully when there was a knock at my door.
I sat up in my chair, rested my elbows on my desk, and said "Come in."
My door opened and in popped Nick's head.
"Grissom, we have to be at the court house in twenty minutes…just wanted to give you the heads up that we're rolling out." Nick said in his best monotone voice.
I nodded my head and said "Okay, thanks Nick, I'll be there in a minute."
Nick nodded his head and then left, shutting the door softly behind him. That was one thing that had changed for the better in the past six months. I was…treated better, I guess you could say. I think it had something to do with the fact that Catherine was gone, but I think most of it had to do with Sara. I had gained some respect back, not all, but enough for me to work well with the people in this lab and to do my job as their boss.
I know she talked to the guys before she left, I know that she told them to stop and realize that I was their boss and deserved some respect on a professional level even if I had failed to deserve it. I know she told them, that even after all the horrible things I had done to her, I was still a good man, and deserved to be treated somewhat like one. Nick, Brass, Warrick, and Greg all took her words to heart, and did as she had asked. And I will forever be grateful to Sara for what she had said to them and done for me among other things.
I still loved that woman, and everybody knew it. Sara would forever have my heart, no matter what. No matter how much time or distance stood between us, she would always be the one that possessed all the love I had to offer.
I sighed and got up from my seat. I grabbed my coat on my way out the door, putting it on as I walked down the hallways of the lab. I stopped at one of the processing labs on my way out to let Archie know that I wanted those results from the extra blood spatter from the Jenkins case on my desk by the time I was back.
I continued to on my way through the lab until I reach the parking garage and found everyone –Brass, Nick, Warrick, and Greg- all waiting around the Tahoe.
"Ready to go?" Brass asked me.
I nodded my head and got into the passenger seat, while everyone else filed in after me. Warrick sat in the driver's seat and started up the car, then pulled out of the garage.
The truck was silent for some time until Nick spoke quietly "Did Sara come by herself?"
"No," Warrick said from beside me "She came with Ben and a man named Eric."
Another man in Sara's life that I knew nothing about. I have to admit that I was very grateful to Ben for everything that he had done for Sara, taking care of her when she wouldn't let me. But the thought of her with another man now that I knew nothing about sent a silent shiver up my spine. Still this was the first conversation about Sara that the guys had included me in, and I was happy for that fact.
"Eric, with the New York city P.D. crime lab…same as Sara's?" Greg asked.
"Yeap, the one and only." Warrick said from the driver's seat.
"How is she, I haven't spoken to her in about two weeks." Brass asked from the back.
"She's fine," Warrick answered. "She went to the doctors before she left for her. Everything is good. The baby is doing fine, according to her."
Warrick pulled into the court house parking lot and found a spot.
"I can't wait to see her." Greg said as we got out of the car.
"Neither can I." Nick and Brass said together.
I didn't admit it, but neither could I. I was excited, worried, scared, and happy, all in the same moment.
We all walked through the court house doors together. After we had attained out passes from the front desk, we proceeded to walk to the court room where Chase Butler would be standing trial.
We would all be testifying against him, and so would Sara. I was nervous for her as well as myself.
We found the court room easily and one by one we filed into the dimly lighted room. The five of us stood by the door for a moment, all of us taking in out surroundings. I in particular was looking for Sara.
The room was particularly filled I noticed, more filled than I had expected. I looked for the bench where all those being questioned were sitting…and that's when I saw her. She was sitting next to two men, one I recognized, the other I didn't.
I began to take her in immediately, even though all I could see was her back. I noticed right off the bat that she had cut her hair to the length it was when she was living in Vegas, and she let her hair be its curly natural self instead of the straight hair she always insisted upon. And I could already tell she had a mother's aura around her.
I smiled slightly to myself as I heard Nick say "Hey, there's Sara."
They all began to walk towards where she sat, and I felt I had no choice but to follow, my palms beginning to sweat, my heart rate quickening.
"Sara." I heard Nick said as we reached her sitting area.
I saw Sara turn her head in Nick's direction and my breath was literally taken away when I saw her face. She was beautiful, more beautiful than I remembered. She glowed…and the love I felt for her grew.
She stood with the help of Ben, and I saw that she was very much pregnant. She was wearing a soft green blouse that just flowed around her stomach, making her look heavenly.
The guys all took turns giving her a hug, when it came to be my turn, I expected Sara's smile to falter. But it didn't, it grew and to my great and pleasurable surprise, she pulled me into a hug that made my heart swell.
When we pulled apart, out eyes lingered for a second before Sara said "You guys remember Ben."
"Of course." Warrick said happily, shaking his hand. We all took our turns shaking Ben's hand, when he got to me he looked at me with a look that said "Don't worry, I'm taking care of her, and yes she still does care about you, but don't try anything or I'll break you in half"…it was a long look.
Once all the handshakes had been given Sara said "And this is Eric, a CSI with the New York City Crime lab, and a very good friend of mine."
We all in turn took part in handshakes of greeting, with a man named Eric, that I must say I found it hard to dislike him right off the bat.
Once all the greetings, formalities, and reunions had taken place, we all sat down on the same bench, waiting for the trial to start.
I was happy…ecstatic…tense when my seat wound up being next to Sara's. But she didn't seem to mind and so neither did I.
"All rise for the honorable judge."
And so it began…the very long process of this trial. It was going to be a long, painful day…I could tell.
When they brought in Chase, Sara grasped Ben's hand…and mine. When she was called to the stand, she looked to me…well all of us for the courage she needed, but I gave her hand a squeeze and then she was gone, walking towards the stand to testify against this bastard.
I was the last to testify against an already condemned man. The questions I was asked were what I expected and I was confident that I had put the last nail in the wall that would leave this man to hang and dry for what he had done to so many women and to Sara…the woman I loved. And when all was said and done, the jury left to go and decide the fate of this man. They came back within fifteen minutes which I found to be a very good thing.
"Mr. Foreman, what is the verdict?" The judge asked.
The man in the first seat in the jury box stood and said "In the case of Chase Butler against the common wealth of the state of Nevada we the jury find Chase Butler guilty of five counts of murder in the first degree. In the case of Chase Butler against the common wealth of the state of Nevada we the jury find Chase Butler guilty of the kidnapping and attempted murder of CSI Sara Sidle."
"Thank you, Chase Butler I sentence to life in maximum security prison without the chance of parole." The judge hit the gavel and Chase was taken away in cuffs.
It was a perfect ending…well almost.
Sara began to cry in relief at the verdict and the guys all took turns in comforting her before we walked out into the hallway to say our goodbyes. Now that the case was officially over Sara would be returning home…now that there was nothing to keep her here.
The guys each took turns in saying their long goodbyes to Sara, promises to keep in touch were exchanged and guarantees to come up to New York and visit Sara when the baby were born set in stone.
When everyone had finished, the guys turned to leave, but I stayed behind.
"We'll see you in the car Sara." Ben said as he and Eric left, but not before both of them gave me a knowing and warning look.
"Sara I…"
"I know Gil…"
"I've missed you." I said simply.
"I've missed you too."
There was a moment of silence between us.
"Can we keep in touch?" I asked hesitantly.
Sara looked at me thoughtfully for a moment and then said "Yeah I think we can."
"I don't want you to go again." I said softly.
"I know." Sara said, before we both stepped into each other for a long and drawn out hug.
When we broke apart, much to my dismay, Sara looked sad and hesitant. "I should be going now."
I nodded my head "Be safe."
"I will," She said softly. "Goodbye Gil."
My heart was tearing again "Goodbye Sara." And my heart torn more and more when she turned and began to walk away. "Sara." I called out before I could stop myself.
She stopped and turned her head to look at me with question in her eyes. "Do you think we'll ever see each other again?"
She gave the question some thought before smiling her one hundred watt Sara Sidle smile that I hadn't seen directed at me for years, her eyes lighting up before saying "Yeah…I think we will." And somehow…my life suddenly didn't seem as gloomy as I had remembered it. Not with this promise…not when I knew why she left…and not when I knew why she was coming back.
A/N So that's it folks...there's the end. This last CSI episode gave me the push to finish it, and some inspiration for further stories. I am very grateful to all of you who read my story and left me all the comments of encouragement...thankyou. Well then, with the end of this story i can't help but think a short sequel might be coming, but only if people want one. So then i will leave off by saying, i already have another CSI story coming up soon. I hope you'll all enjoy it and read it. I hope you have enjoyed reading this story as much as i have writting it.