Chapter 27

Grissom was worried. Sara hadn't said a word since the doctor left. She was shutting off again to try and protect herself. They may have taken a step forward last night but he felt like this was taking two steps back. And if the interview didn't go well tomorrow he wasn't sure Sara could ever recover.

An hour after the doctor left, a worried Catherine knocked on the door. She handed back Lucas to Sara who sprung back in to life at the sight of her son. It didn't miss Catherine or Grissom's notice that her newfound happiness didn't quite reach her eyes. Grissom wondered if this haunting sight resembled Sara manner for the last few years in that house with Lucas.

Catherine motioned to Grissom to come outside for a moment.

"What's going on?" she asked in a hushed tone.

Grissom ran a hand through his hair. "A social worker is going to come by tomorrow. He'll talk to Sara and Lucas and decide if social services need to intervene. Worst case scenario they may take Lucas away."

"But she's doing really well. Surely they'll see that." Catherine said, trying to convince herself more than Grissom.

"Maybe, but she'll be under a lot of pressure."

"It'll be ok, Grissom. You just have to make sure she knows you're there for her and she will hold it together. Is there anything we can do?"

"The doctor said the social worker may want to talk to some friends. Just to see what sort of support network she has. Could you come and talk to him at some point?"

"Of course, you don't even have to ask. We'll be here right after shift tomorrow. I'll go and let the guys know." She reassured him giving him a small pat on the arm.

Just as Catherine was about to turn away Grissom called her back.

"Yes?" she asked turning around.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Everything. Don't think I don't notice how much you do for me, not just covering for me at the lab this week but being there when I needed someone these last few years. You've really helped the guys too. You've helped hold us all together. I know loosing Sara wasn't easy for you either."

"It's nothing Grissom, honestly." She smiled, giving a tight hug which he returned gladly.

"I'll make it up to you one day, Catherine."

"Don't worry about it. Just take care of Sara for us, okay?"

"I promise," he smiled at his best friend.

She let him out of the embrace and headed down to the cafeteria to fill the boys in on their latest mission. One she was determined they would not fail in.

...

Grissom was right. All the progress Sara had made since being found disappeared that night. No matter how much he pleaded she refused to eat. She wouldn't talk to him about tomorrow either. She spent the evening telling stories, drawing and talking with Lucas, determined to make every moment count in case it was their last night together. If Lucas had noticed his mother was feeling uneasy he didn't say anything ad just accepted her need for close cuddles.

Once Lucas was asleep, Sara just lay down and stared at her son. Her back was to Grissom and if it hadn't been for the quiet cries she let out he would have thought she was asleep. Eventually he gave up trying to get her to talk to him and he joined her on the bed and wrapped him arms around her firmly letting her know she was not alone. Sara accepted the embrace and lent back into Grissom drawing on his comfort.

Finally Sara fell asleep but it was troubled. She kept twitching and crying out like she was trying to fight an attacker that was invisible to Grissom but very real to her. He knew what was going on since she had had nightmares like this on her first couple of nights in hospital. They had not completely gone since then but they were nowhere near as violent. He wished he could wake her up and end her torment but the doctor told him he should let her be. This was her mind's way of working through things.

...

The next morning the team along with Brass arrived at the hospital where they found their way up to Sara's ward again. Grissom met them outside and thanked them all for coming.

"How's Sara?" Greg asked in a concerned voice. He was especially jumpy this morning.

"She's holding it together. I thought I'd give her some private time with Lucas." Grissom answered.

They all nodded in understanding.

Just then the doctor they all were beginning to recognise as Sara's regular, Dr. Teeson, approached along with a young suited man who looked barely old enough to be out of college.

"Hello everyone, this is Mr. Stevens. I guess you all know why he's here." They nodded, and Brass and Warrick extended a hand for Mr. Stevens to shake. Nick didn't shake hand with the man, he didn't trust him or like him one little bit. Greg was too distracted and unsettled for pleasantries and Grissom and Catherine just gave the man small tired smiles.

Dr. Teeson led them all to a small conference room just off the hallway and left them to it.

The room had a small circular conference table in the middle, big enough for them to all sit around though. It was quite dark since it was in the centre of the building and had no windows so relied on artificial light. Nick didn't like it in here already, although his mood didn't make that difficult.

Once everyone was seated around the table Mr. Stevens started talking, "Thank you everyone for coming to speak to me and helping in this case. Let's get started. Gentleman to my right would you mind telling me your name?"

"Detective Jim Brass." Jim replied gruffly.

"Well Jim..."

"That's detective brass to you son."

"My apologies Detective Brass," the social worker said without much conviction. Mr. Stevens went around the room gathering everyone else's names before returning to Brass and asking, "How would you describe your relationship with Miss Sidle?"

This question threw the tough cop. He was expecting the question but he wasn't used to express his feelings, especially to strangers. He knew he had to convince this man Sara was safe with them though.

"Sara is a lovely girl," Jim admitted to an agreeing mumble around the room. "She's like a daughter to me," he then admitted in a quieter voice that was still loud enough to be heard.

"I understand," Mr. Stevens said kindly. 'Like hell you do' Jim thought but knew to keep his mouth shut.

"How did you deal with the news she was missing, Greg?" asked Mr. Stevens.

Greg looked down at the table trying to avoid eye contact with the man. "Badly," he whispered finally.

"How so?"

"I was in denial for a while I suppose. I was angry at myself. I felt like I should have done more. I stopped doing things I enjoyed, especially if they reminded me of Sara."

"So how do you think you will be able to help Sara through this ordeal if you couldn't even hold you self together, Mr. Sanders?"

This was Nick's limit. He had been trying his best to sit quietly and hold his temper in at this man who in his eyes wanted to hurt Sara more than she already had.

Now he couldn't help but yell, "Look here mister! Greg did hold it together. He hasn't broken down or given up on his life. He felt emotion for a lost friend, just like every single one of us here did. If I were you I would take that as a good sign. A sign that we care about her rather than a sign of weakness. What sort of friends would we be if we were okay with the idea that she was dead?!"

Nick sat back in his chair and sighed. He was glad that that was off his chest but he didn't like to think of the problems it may cause them when this man was deciding Lucas' fate. Mr. Stevens didn't react. He just looked down at his notepad with a small smile that made all the rest of the table's stomachs twist. Unbeknown to them, this was the exact reaction Mr. Stevens had been looking for. A sign they feel strongly for her and that she was more than a colleague.

"Okay then," he continued as if nothing had happened, "Mr. Grissom how would you say Sara is coping with her ordeal?"

"She is a very brave woman. She has been making large strides in her recovery both physically and emotionally. I believe with enough support she will be back to her old self in no time." Grissom answered calmly.

"Very well, Mr Grissom. Now, Ms. Willows would you agree with Mr. Grissom's opinion?"

"Definitely," she replied sharply. "She would be doing much better if she wasn't terrified her son was about to be taken from her though!"

Warrick took her hand and squeezed it in warning and as help to calm down.

"So would you say Miss Sidle will make a good mother, Miss Willows?"

"Of course she will. She has fought tooth and nail for him for two years even to the point where she has almost died. If that's not a sign of motherly love I don't know what is."

"Good, good."

The room was in silence for a moment as he wrote something else down on his notepad. He then continued, "If Miss Sidle is going to rely on you all there needs to be a lot of trust within the team. That obviously wasn't an issue before her kidnapping. She trusted you all with her life everyday and vice versa but now this happened. Does she blame any of you for what happened?"

This was the question that winded them. They wish they could say confidently that she did not blame them but despite Sara's reassurances that they weren't to blame every single member of the team believed that they were. Their silence was enough of an answer.

"Now why would she blame you all? You've made it clear you are her friends and that you will defend her. What happened? Mr. Brown, you've been quite quiet so far. Would you like to elaborate?"

"Sara says she doesn't blame us for this but we all feel guilty for it anyway. We were very close to finding her three years ago but we failed her."

"Well that would make anyone angry. I'll ask her for her input in the story later. What about the original kidnapping? Is there anyone here she would blame for that?"

At this question Catherine had to leave the room.

"I think this interview is over don't you think, son?" Brass growled.

"Okay, well thank you all for your input. I would like to talk to Miss Sidle now if that's okay?" Mr. Stevens asked.

Grissom gave a stiff nod and showed Mr. Stevens the way back to Sara's room. The others, including a teary eyed shaking Catherine who was being guided along by Warrick, followed knowing it was unlikely they would be allowed in the room while the interview was taking place but they wanted to nearby anyway, for moral support.

...

As the group walked up the corridor towards Sara's room they were greeted by a singsong sound and Dr. Teeson 'shhing' them with a wide grin on his face. It soon became evident what was going on. Sara and Lucas were singing. They all stopped outside, including Mr. Stevens, not wanting to interrupt the moment between mother and son.

(Sara bold. Lucas normal)***

As you go through life you'll see

There is so much that we

Don't understand

And the only thing we know

Is that things don't always go

The way we planned

But you'll see everyday

That we'll never turn away

When it seems all your dreams come undone

We will stand by your side

Filled with hope and filled with pride

We are more than we are

We are one

If there's so much I must be

Can't I still just be me

The way i am?

Can I trust in my own heart

Or am i just one part

Of some big plan?

Even those who are gone

Are with us as we go on

Your journey has only begun

Tears of pain tears of joy

One thing nothing can destroy

Is our pride deep inside

We are one

We are one you and I

We are like earth and sky

One family under the sun

All the wisdom to lead

All the courage that you need

You will find when you see

We are one

...

There wasn't a dry eye in the group standing outside the door. At an appropriate moment after the two had stopped signing Dr. Teeson knocked and entered.

"Miss Sidle, is it okay if the social worker came in to talk to you?"

Sara just nodded and pulled Lucas closer as if that would stop them taking him away. The feeling of dread at the pit of her stomach was making her feel nauseous.

The young man and Grissom entered the room both trying to hide the fact they had been crying moments before. At Grissom's entrance the social worker tried to protest but Sara grabbed Grissom's arm making it perfectly clear Grissom was not going anywhere. Deciding there was no point in arguing the social worker relented.

"Hello, Miss Sidle. I'm Mr. Stevens. How are you today?"

Sara just shrugged.

"Please relax; I'm only here to help you and your son. From what I've heard from your friends here you have very little to worry about." Mr. Stevens smiled.

Sara looked to Grissom who was sitting beside her bed holding her hand. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and smiled telling her silently that things were going to be okay. Sara, feeling slightly calmer now, turned to face the social worker.

"So Miss Sidle, how do you feel you are coping in the aftermath of your ordeal?"

"Okay, I suppose. It's been difficult but everyone's been really supportive, especially Grissom."

"How would you describe your relationship with Mr. Grissom?"

"We've known each other a long time. He's a mentor, a friend and a soul mate."

"Would you call him your boyfriend?"

Sara hesitated, "I've never thought of it that way but I suppose the label fits." She smiled at the idea.

Mr. Stevens smiled too. It was nice seeing some families that could have some happiness when he was so used to seeing the broken ones. "Would you be living together after you left hospital?"

"Yes, we decided it would be best."

"Good I'm glad. How would you describe your relationship with the rest of the team?"

"I love them. They are like family to me."

"I'm glad you feel that way, they seemed to feel similarly. One issue that came up in the interview though, was that they blame themselves for what happened, Ms. Willows in particular. Do you blame them?"

Sara sighed, "No I don't blame them in the slightest. I hope they see that soon. I hate how much this has hurt them."

Originally Mr. Stevens planned to probe into this area more but it was obvious Sara's answer was genuine so he let it slide.

"I hope you and you're friends can move past this horrible chapter too. It is obvious you all care for each other a great deal. Do you mind if I speak to Lucas now for a moment?"

"Okay." Sara said, now worried again.

"Lucas?" Mr. Stevens asked. The boy looked at him.

"My name is Mr. Stevens but you can call me Adam. How are you today, Lucas?"

Lucas smiled, "I'm good. Grissom bought be a new colouring book this morning. Do you want to see?" he asked eagerly.

"Sure why not?" Adam replied.

"This is a picture of Captain America and this one is of the hulk. I had to use my entire green crayon on that picture but Mummy promised to get me a new one soon. You can't see the rest of the pictures yet though. I've not finished colouring it in so I don't want to ruin the surprise."

The social worker chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm, "That's lovely Lucas. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

"Okay, as long as I can ask you some too."

"Lucas, don't be cheeky," Sara chided.

This was definitely turning into one of the more unusual days at work for Mr. Stevens. "It's quite alright Miss Sidle. Go ahead Lucas. You can go first?"

"Why do you wear that suit? It looks uncomfortable." Lucas asked not looking up from the picture of Iron man he was now colouring in.

"I have to wear it. My boss says so."

"Well that's mean of him. Couldn't that money be spent better on something else?"

"You are quite right Lucas. I'll tell him that the next time I see him." He said, taken aback at the young boy's wisdom and insightfulness.

"Your turn."

"what?"

"It's your turn to ask a question." Lucas reminded him.

"So it is. Okay how about do you like your mum's friends?"

"Friends?"

"Yes, Mr Grissom and her other friends outside. Nick, Catherine, Warrick, Jim and Greg?"

"Oh them. Mum always said they are my family; they're my aunts and uncles. I like them lots. They are really nice to me and they make mummy happy again. Especially mister Grissom."

"Do you like mister Grissom?"

"No."

Sara's heart shuddered at Lucas' answer. Grissom's hold on her hand tightened.

"You don't like mister Grissom?"

"No, of course I like him." Lucas replied rolling his eyes. Sara and Grissom both let go of the breath they hadn't realised they were holding. "He's much nicer than Mr. Carter the other man who used to be around all the time. I meant to say no, it's my turn to ask a question. You can't ask two."

"Sorry Lucas that was my mistake. Ask away."

"What's your favourite ice cream flavour?"

"Strawberry." Mr. Stevens replied, bewildered by the boy's choice of question.

"Good choice." Lucas replied with a grin. "That's mine too. You should visit the ice-cream shop on the ground floor. Miss Emma there is very nice and the strawberry is amazing!"

"I'll keep that in mind, thank you. It's your turn again since I asked two."

Lucas put on his thoughtful face, trying to think of a good question. "Okay. Why are you asking me questions?"

"What?" Mr Stevens asked, caught off guard again by the bright toddler.

"I don't mind or anything. I'm just curious."

"Well I'm asking questions because I want to make sure you and you're mum are okay."

"Okay. You could have just asked me that to start with. Why do adults always make things so complicated?"

"Ah, you can't ask me that it's my turn." He said, thankful for the rule. He had no idea how to answer that.

Lucas rolled his eyes again. He obviously had some of his mother's feistiness. "You didn't have to answer. It was wihorical."

Mr. Stevens furrowed his brow confused at the boy's last remark.

Grissom stepped in, "Lucas, it's rhetorical, sweetie."

"Oh, sorry. I only learned that word yesterday. Uncle Nick explained it to me but he speaks funny so it's harder to understand him."

"Lucas, He is from Texas. He doesn't speak funny, he speaks with an accent, it's just different. Be nice." Sara told him but not in an angry tone.

"Funny is not a bad thing mum. I like the way he speaks."

Sara rolled her eyes at her son who always had an answer for everything. Now Mr Stevens could see where Lucas picked up his eye rolling habit.

"Okay, Lucas. Last question I promise. Are you happy?"

"Yes, Mr Adam I am."

"Well that's all that's important. You take care of your mum now okay."

Lucas nodded.

"Well Miss Sidle, you seem to have a very happy, clever and healthy boy here. I don't see why there would be any problem. I'll give you my card incase you need any advice but apart from that. Good bye and good luck."

"Thank you Mr. Stevens." Sara said sincerely.

"It's quite alright. Would you like me send your friends in?"

"Yes please, that would be great."

"I'll get right on that. Use them Sara, they care a lot about you." He said on a more serious note. He genuinely wanted this family to do well. They had tugged on his heart strings.

"I know." Sara replied with a wide grin. She was now slightly emotional.

Mr. Stevens nodded and left the room.

Sara pulled Lucas right up onto her chest and gave him the biggest bear hug she could. Lucas laughed but played along and it wasn't long until she had tugged Grissom into the hug too.

"We did it Grissom. Everything is going to be okay. Thank you."

"It was all you Sara and for the last time, call me Gil."

Sara chuckled, "It's going to take a while to get used to that."

Grissom smiled and tightened his hold on the two people he now cared for most in the world.

A small cough at the door broke the hug up. The gang all stood there with worried looks on their faces.

Catherine was first to speak. "He didn't say anything. Just that you wanted to see us. Is everything okay?"

Sara nodded and showed her trademark Sidle grin that everyone missed so much. "Everything is absolutely fantastic Catherine."

Everyone relaxed immediately at the news and one armed hugs and pats on the back were passed around the group.

"I'll let everyone go and get some sleep soon, I promise. I just wanted to say thank you. Not just for talking to the social worker but for everything you have done since I was found and for being such great friends and practically family." Sara said now with tears of joy rolling down her face.

"You're not going soft on us now are you sidle?" Nick asked jokingly.

"Of course not," she replied sticking her tongue out at him. Everybody laughed.

"Real mature, Sara." Greg teased.

"Whatever Greggo."

"Oh Sara," Catherine almost cooed. "It's so good to have you back" she said while wrapping her arms around the younger women.

Sara felt a tugging at her sleeve, followed by a younger voice. "Mummy, can I show everyone my new colouring book yet?"

...

AN.

Sorry if the grammar is bad but once again I have written well in to the night. It's taken me all day (and parts of a lot of other days) to write this so I wanted to get it up. I'll double check it tomorrow for any massive mistakes.

I don't normally put songs in stories because I don't find songfics that interesting. I'm going to be a hypocrite and put one here because it was playing in the background while I was writing this and I thought it sort of fit. Bold writing is Sara and normal is Lucas singing. The song is we are one from the lion king.