A.N. Would you believe this is my third post ep for PwF and they have all been completely different? I am either good or crazy. You pick.

This is dedicated to UtB, because it was inspired by a question somebody posted there: How would you solve the current G/S situation (in fifty words or less)? Here is more than fifty words, but since no one asked me, that's OK.

Spoilers: ItB, but more PWF.

Disclaimer: CSI, despite my repeated lobbying to the contrary, still does not belong to me. If it did, I would share them all with you. . .except Warrick.

Summary: "You know by the time you figure it out, you really could be too late."

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~From Grissom~

Catherine had asked him if there was anything she could do

He said no

He meant it

But her offer made him think

Of hamburgers and orange juice

Of orchids and sentiments

He had unfinished business

And surgery in an hour.

Sara slammed her door and threw her bag on the couch

Her hand throbbed

Her head throbbed

Her heart throbbed

She looked at the clock and realized it was time for more pain medication

But that only helped the first two.

Grissom turned off his phone and thought of Cassie James

If he ever saw her again, he would tell her they were both right

He knew what he needed as soon as he found it

But it took almost losing it for him to realize that

Three inches, and the glass would have severed the artery

And Sara Sidle would have been out of his life forever

He needed her.

Sara couldn't swallow pills without water

And even then she hated it

But she couldn't face honey at the moment, and she didn't have any apple sauce

There was nothing on TV and she didn't want to read

She needed sleep

Perfect sleep

But that never came.

Grissom hugged Catherine good-bye

It wasn't much of a hug

She felt compelled to give it

And he to return it

She needed it more than he did

His heart was in a delivery van that was driving across Las Vegas at this very moment

The van didn't know what it carried

But Grissom did.

Sara turned off the coffee maker

The doorbell rang

She answered it

Cause and effect, Newton would be proud

It was beautiful

She thanked the delivery man, shut the door and set it on the table

It was perfect

There was a card

She opened it

And smiled

Cautiously, but a smile nonetheless.

"I know. From Grissom."