Epilogue… sort of

Work and life went on. Sara took what time she could snatch to visit Sofia, and the detective did the same. The next months passed easily… more easily than Sara had expected, she admitted to herself.

She still, from time to time, had trouble believing how easily everything had changed. Or, to put it more precisely, how easily she had changed. Not that it had been all easy by any means.

Some part of her kept expecting a backlash, a rebellion in her solitary soul, but at the moment it seemed that her soul, like the rest of her, was content to bask blissfully in Sofia's presence.

And Sofia didn't seem bothered either, Sara had to admit.

Sara found that Sofia seemed to find touch just as reassuring as she did; tucking her feet under her thigh on the couch, reaching out across the breakfast table to absentmindedly link their fingers, once or twice sitting at her feet and leaning against her legs when they were watching TV.

Sara did the same thing… taking Sofia's hand or her arm when they were walking somewhere, or finding the blonde sprawled on her stomach on the floor in front of the TV and lying down crosswise so she could rest her head on her back while she read. Sara did it without really thinking about it, and that was what surprised her. The ease was reassuring…

The sun rose before Grissom and Sara made it back to the lab, depositing various bags of evidence with the techs for processing. After signing off on a few more things, they headed down the hallway but came to a stop as they rounded the corner and ran into Brass and Curtis.

"Hello Sofia" Grissom smiled, "back on another visit?"

"Hello Grissom. No not exactly" Sofia replied.

"I just hired her" Brass chuckled, "one of my detectives just transferred to day shift."

"Oh" Grissom said with a comic expression. "Well looking forward to work with you again."

"Thank you Grissom and likewise, but you'll have to wait a few days for that" Sofia answered. "I just bought a house and Brass has kindly given me some days off to get in place" she explained with a friendly smile, chuckling softly at Grissom's stunned look.

"My my Brass didn't know you have such a soft spot for the detective" Sara teased friendly.

"In case no one's ever told you before, you have a twisted sense of humor" Brass said, but with a mischievous tone.

"Congrats with the house" Grissom said casually. Sara felt a flush creeping up her cheeks as he continued, "I'm sure Sara will be glad to give a hand if you need help with anything, she's quite handy with most tools."

"I'm sure she is" Sofia said, clearing her throat to cover the laugh.

Sara caught Sofia's expression, and a grin started slowly. "I'm off work the next two nights so feel free to give me call if you need help."

Sara's toothy grin triggered her own smile, "well thank you Sidle, I might just do that" Sofia said, giving the brunette a wicked grin.

"Well I'm exhausted" Brass said, unsuccessfully fighting back a yawn. I'm going home to catch a nap," he said, giving them a wave before leaving.

Grissom let out a huge yawn, causing Sara to chuckle. "Think I'll follow Jim's example and get some rest" he exclaimed. "Sara, enjoy your days off and Sofia, welcome back" he said as he went down the hallway.

They watched Grissom walk down the hallway, when he turned the corner Sofia looked back at Sara. "Your belongings arrived a few hours ago, safe and sealed, and are now stacked in the living room to wait for your arrival."

"Okay. What about your things?"

"On its way as we speak. Ready to go?" Sofia asked softly.

Sara had a gentle smile on her face. "Absolutely."

They walked out of the lab together, again an echo of earlier times, though no case called them now.

"See you at the house" Sofia said, lightly touching her arm.

"No, you'll see me at home" Sara said softly.

Sofia smiled broadly and ran her fingers through her hair. "Home… I can think of no other place I'd rather be" she sighed happily.

Lifting a hand to Sofia's cheek, Sara kissed her, a long soft kiss that felt like home, because that was what she was…

The end

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