A/N: Elizabeth and Saskia2 – Thanks for the information, but the key here is that Ecklie has a giant grudge against Gil Grissom, and always has. Doesn't help that he broke his nose. Since Catherine was the only witness to Rydell's murder, there has to be a minor investigation. Nobody but Gil and Cath saw Rydell threatening Sara's life at the time of his death. Therefore, Ecklie's going to take the opportunity to drag out a huge investigation. There's not much or any pressure from the authorities, just Ecklie, who is over Grissom's head in this matter. Also, third-person self-defense, which you suggested as being legal for any citizen, is only valid when the defender and the defendee are relatives (Citizen's Self-Defense Act of 2005). I had planned to bring this up in a situation later on, but found it frivolous. It's basically why Anna was created – having a child together would technically constitute that Sara and Grissom were related. However, when Rydell progressed into assaulting Sara (through some sick turn of my demented psyche), the defense became obsolete.

So, to those who were critical of Anna's existence, those who thought it cliché, she had a reason to be there. The story just took a different turn, as they often do.

This story has been a great ride, and I've never had as much criticism on any other subject. I guess it's that those drawn to CSI are trained to pay more attention to detail:) In any case, thank you to those who have supported me. Now, I leave you with the last chapter of my story, however mushy it may be, and I head off to sit for 16 hours in frigid weather and snow to obtain tickets for the Crosstown Shootout in Cinci. W00T!

-

Files dropped to the floor as Gil shuffled things about on his desk, hurriedly. His hands were shaking as he bent to clean up his mess. Pushing the case files back to where they belonged, he sat down in his chair and closed his eyes, running a hand through his hair. A delicate hand on his shoulder caused him to jump.

"Hey now…calm down." Sara smiled and leaned forward to place a soft kiss on Grissom's lips. "I'm nervous too, but you're an absolute wreck."

The corners of his lips turned slightly upward. "Yeah, I guess. It's just…I've never met her. What's she going to think of me?"

Pushing his arms out of the way, Sara took a seat in his lap, cupping his clean-shaven cheek with her palm. His arms slid around her waist as he leaned his head on her shoulder. "Gil, the only home Anna's ever known was abusive. She was told daily that her parents didn't love her because she wasn't actually theirs. Being placed in a new home with two new parents will be scary…for all of us. But I know, deep down, that she'll love us."

His smile broadened. "Do you think so?" He paused. "I've been wondering if…"

"Hmm?" Sara raised an eyebrow and turned her head to look at him fully.

"I wonder if she's like us. I know the nature versus nurture debate is continually ongoing, but there must be something about her that's similar to our traits. We already know she's just as beautiful as her mother." He reached up to push a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"Stop it." In spite of herself, Sara Sidle blushed. "And I really don't know. We'll just have to see."

Grissom nodded, going quiet for the moment. "Do you think we should get married?" He didn't even have to look at her to understand how uncomfortable she'd become.

"Gil…" She swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "Is it our style? I mean, can you see yourself getting married? Can you see me…as a wife? A house in the suburbs? Three bedrooms, two baths, white picket fence? A dog in the yard?"

"Three bedrooms, Sara?" He smirked slightly.

She cursed her cheeks for blushing again. "I don't know. From your tone, you've obviously been mulling this over since we won custody. And honestly, I have too. How about we just take this one day at a time? We can both be there for Anna, raise her together, and see where it takes us. After some time, if we want to get married, we will."

"And maybe create an occupant for the third bedroom?"

"…maybe." Sara grinned.

-

Sara, who never wore a skirt, tugged nervously on the hem of the one she donned for this special occasion. It flared from her hips and rested around her knees, leaving her lower, and surprisingly shapely legs, exposed to the world. Grissom smirked and leaned over to whisper into her ear.

"You look…what's that word? Hot. Stop fidgeting."

Her elbow collided with his ribs. "I'm not trying to look hot. I'm trying to look matronly." She crossed one leg over the other as she sat, making sure to cover the scar on her thigh from the abduction. Her hand slid into Grissom's and squeezed softly as the door before them swung open. A somewhat shy-looking little girl stood next to her social worker. She wore a blue dress, her curls resting at her shoulders, dirty tennis shoes on her feet. As she looked up from her gaze at the floor, she recognized Sara and smiled.

"Are you…?" She spoke quietly, her gaze shifting to Grissom. He looked nervous to Anna. But she saw the stuffed animal under his arm and immediately liked him. "Is that for me?"

He looked puzzled for a minute, then remembered. Pulling the gift from behind his elbow, he handed it awkwardly towards her. "My name's Gil. It's a ladybug."

Anna dashed forward and took it, hugging it to her with a smile. "It's a Coccinella septempunctata. I like insects. Especially beetles."

Sara watched Grissom's chest swell with pride as she wrapped her arm around him. "Anna…do you know who we are?"

Nodding and feeling more comfortable with these new people, she looked up at them. "You're Gil and Sara. My real parents."

Tears threatened to spill from Sara's eyes as she bent at the knees and opened her arms to the little girl. Anna moved cautiously forward and allowed Sara to hug her tightly. After a moment, she wrapped her arms around Sara in turn, feeling safe. The feeling of warm breath in her hair met her as Grissom wrapped his arms around mother and daughter and placed a kiss in the girl's hair.

"Sara? Gil?" Anna asked, pulling away slightly. They looked at her and she could see tears streaming down their smiling faces. "Can we go home?"

"Yes, Anna. We can go home." Grissom stood, bringing Sara with him as they thanked the social worker and headed down the hallway to begin their happily ever after.