Title: Moving on
Author: Stacy L.A. Stronach
Pairings: Gil/Warrick pre-slash & past Warrick/Tina
Fandom: CSI: Vegas
Characters: Gil Grissom, Warrick Brown
Prompt: 007 Days
Word Count: 740
Rating: G/FRC
Series: My Gal Sadie, Part 5, Chapter 2
Spoilers: General spoilers for S5 but I think it's common knowledge now. Anyhow. Vague warnings for vague spoilers.
Author's Notes: Part of the "My Gal Sadie" series; Part 5; My Gal Sadie is more vignettes/ficlets rather than longer stories. The first few are pre-slash but we'll get slashy, eventually. Series will be posted in order and it is suggested you read them in order; it'll be easier.
In my universe, CSI ended about 10 minutes before the end of S6. Gil|Sara never happened. Yes, my powers of denial are strong.
Summary: The days following Tina's death.

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12 days later

The days immediately after Sadie's birth and Tina's death pass by in a haze for Warrick. They bury Tina five days after her death; Warrick only remembers bits and pieces. It had been a large funeral, Tina's family, friends, and colleagues all wanting to pay tribute to her too short life. The day had been a typical bright, clear Las Vegas day. Warrick isn't sure how he made it through...

His friends and family have gathered around him. He's had visits from aunts, uncles and cousins, along with his team from the lab and even some of the techs; many of them went to Tina's funeral, too. And, of course, his Grams has been there for him, big time. Between her and Catherine, Warrick figures he knows just about everything he needs to to look after Sadie for the first few years of her life. Nick visits often, helping as much as he can with Sadie and bringing food with him almost every time, despite the fact the last thing Warrick's felt like doing is eat. Jim drops in quite a bit, ostensibly to check on Warrick, but Warrick's pretty sure he's there to see Sadie; he brings her a gift of some sort whenever he stops by and he always fusses over her. The others had come to visit as well, bringing food or gifts for the baby. Although Warrick has a special spot in his heart for Greg, who brought over a couple bags of his favourite coffee, God bless him.

The biggest surprise for Warrick has been Gil Grissom-he'd taken a week of his vacation time to stay with Warrick and Sadie. He'd helped Warrick with the funeral arrangements and has just been there for him. Gil had even paid close attention to all of Grams and Cath's instructions in baby care and can feed and change Sadie almost as well as Warrick does.

Grams had wanted to stay with Warrick but he didn't want to put her through having to help out with a baby; she'd raised her own kids and Warrick. It was time for her to just be a grandmother, so when Gil offered to stay, Warrick had quickly taken him up on the offer.

Gil also managed to get Warrick three months of parental leave and even now that he's back to work, Gil continues to stay at Warrick's. He's told Warrick a couple times to just let him know when he didn't want him there anymore. Warrick hasn't yet, he finds Gil's presence comforting, but he's feeling selfish now and he knows he needs to get used to doing things by alone, even though he hates the thought of Gil leaving.

"Hey, there, Daddy, I think your girl is hungry," Gil says, interrupting Warrick's thoughts.

Warrick smiles and takes Sadie, getting her settled before taking the bottle from Gil. "Thanks, Uncle Gil."

Gil grimaces and shakes his head. "I'll go get dinner started while you feed the princess," he says, turning around to go into the kitchen.

Warrick nods, wondering how he'll ever repay Gil for all his kindness. "Gil, thank you." The words don't seem to be enough, ever, but it's all he has right now.

Gil looks at Warrick over his shoulder. "As always, you're welcome, Warrick," he says before continuing into the kitchen.

Later that evening, the two of them are sitting on the couch, watching a documentary about insects in the Amazon rainforest. Warrick almost hates to admit it, but it is actually an interesting topic. When the show is done, Warrick looks at Gil. "Gil, I really appreciate everything you've done for me and Sadie-"

"But it's time for me to go home?" Gil finishes for him, smiling.

Warrick frowns. "Man, you've given up your own life to help us out-I feel guilty keeping you here. And if you don't leave soon, I might not let you go until she's in college!"

Gil chuckles. "I've been glad to help and I understand. You need to get into a regular routine for the both of you. And I have been missing my own bed," he's still smiling. He doesn't want Warrick to feel guilty for asking him to leave or for Gil's having helped him out. "I'll take my stuff home after lunch and head into work from there."

"Okay. I don't know how I would've gotten through all this without you, Gil. I can't thank you enough."

Reaching out, Gil squeezes Warrick's shoulder. "You're strong, Warrick, you'd've made it. But helping each other out, that's what friends are for, right?"

"Yeah, I guess they are. And I've got some of the best friends in the world."

"And if you need anything, anything at all, I'm just a phone call away, okay?"

Warrick manages a smile. "Okay."

"Now that that's settled, what do you want to watch now?"

"You choose," Warrick replies, leaning back against the sofa, his eyes still watching Gil and he wishes things could be different, that he could keep Gil here with him. But he'll take what he can get....

~~end

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