A Better Place

If blood will flow when flesh and steel are one
Drying in the colour of the evening sun
Tomorrow's rain will wash the stains away
But something in our minds will always stay -Fragile by Sting

Grissom sat in his car that was parked in the hospital parking lot. Starring down at his phone, the doctors words kept repeating in his head.

"He's alive for now... but the chances of him making it through another day are slim."

For a split second he thought that he should have stayed with the group, to support his coworkers, his friends... but then his thoughts went to her. He needed to tell her, she needs to know, she would want to know. Noting the time, he figured she would be getting up soon. Every morning she ran the winding wooded path behind her mother's house, it lead to a small clearing with the most amazing views. He had never been there before but the way Sara described it, he felt like he had. Grissom clicked through his phone and let out a sigh when Sara's name appeared on the screen. She had come a long way since the day she left Vegas. She was broken then... but now she was getting better... becoming whole again. He began to wonder if this would cause a setback... but what could he do? He had to tell her... because not telling her was not an option. He pushed the button on the phone and with every ring his heart began to beat faster.

"Hello."

"Honey... its me. Something has happened and you need to come back."

"Gil... what's going on?"

"Listen... you need to get on the next flight to Vegas. Something's happened to Warrick... and I need you."

"Let me call the airlines and I will call you right back with my flight information."

"Okay."

"Gil... I love you."

"Love you too... bye."

Later that afternoon, Grissom found himself walking hand in hand with Sara across the hospital parking lot. When they reached the front doors, Sara paused, causing Grissom to stop as well.

"Are you okay?" Grissom asked as the concern in his voice matched the look in his eyes.

Sara began to bob her head up and down. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Anything?"

"When we get in there, can you stay with me... and not let go?"

"I plan on sticking by you the entire time."

Sara gave him a small smile and once again they made their way to Warrick. As they entered the waiting room for the ICU, they saw the small group. Nick was the first to approach them. He hugged Sara with a sad smile on his face and tears in his eyes. Greg was the next to say his hellos, followed by Catherine. One by one, her old coworkers greeted her. Grissom had let go of her hand, but as promised he didn't let go of her. His hand now rested on the small of her back as they stood there in conversation with Brass. Soon, the nurse appeared to let them know it was okay to see Warrick... two at a time.

Brass stepped aside. "You should go. We have already been back to see him... and said our goodbyes."

Sara nodded and stood there starring at her feet. Grissom took her by the hand and lead her to Warrick's room. She knew Grissom had tried to prepare her with what she would see but it didn't help. The room was filled with machines and she lost track of the number of tubes and wires that were attached to him. She reached out and ran her thumb across his forehead.

"Oh Warrick."

Grissom's hand, that was on Sara's back again, slid up to squeeze her shoulder. "Do you want me to give you some time alone with him?"

Sara brought her arm up to her face to wipe away the tears that had started to fall. "No... I really need you to stay."

They stood in silence as the beeping machines filled the air and watched as the breathing machine caused Warrick's chest to rise and fall. After what seemed like a lifetime, Sara leaned down to whisper in his ear.

"You are a great friend Warrick Brown and an amazing man." She leaned in closer and placed a kiss onto his cheek. "Sweet dreams." Standing up, she turned to face Grissom. "I'm ready... can you take me home now?"

Grissom wrapped his arm around her and lead her towards the door. As they entered the waiting room again, they said their quick goodbyes and went home to wait. Around 4 AM the phone rang, Grissom answered it and the conversation only lasted a few minuets. As he hung up the phone he turned to Sara.

"That was Doc, they let him..."

"So Warrick is..."

"Yeah."

As the service ended and the crowd spilled out into the parking lot, Conrad Ecklie looked around. Spotting the person he was searching for, he made his way over to the group. It was made up of the night shift CSI, present and past. Ecklie cleared his throat to get Grissom's attention.

"It was a nice service. Warrick and I had some problems in the past but he was a good man and a good criminalist. He will be missed."

Grissom nodded his head in agreement. "Thanks Conrad."

"I was talking with the undersheriff and he thinks you and your team could use a few more days off." Ecklie's eyes darted between Grissom and then Sara. "He knows how close you all are and thinks you may need more time to grieve."

Grissom let an aggitated breath out as he began to speak. "Thanks, but no thanks. My team and I will be back to work tonight... as scheduled."

"Gil, look, this isn't up for debate. Take the next few days off." Ecklie began to jingle the car keys in his hand. "Otherwise... they are going to have a counselor clear all of you before you can come back. We both know that that will take a lot longer than a few days."

"Fine... my team and I will be back to work on Monday."

"Good and don't worry, we will get the guy who did this." With that said, Conrad made his way to his car.

"I am convinced if you looked up douche bag in the dictionary, you would find a picture of Ecklie." Brass said as he glanced down at his watch. "I need to... I have things I need to take care of. Don't worry, I will keep you up to date on what's going on with the investigation. Talk to you later." Brass pulled out his phone as he made his way to his car.

Nick glared at the silver sedan as Ecklie pulled out of the parking lot and disappeared out of sight. "This is bullshit Grissom."

"I know, but you heard what Ecklie said and there is not much we can do until we get back into that office." Grissom reached up and scratched his fingers through his newly trimmed beard. "I think right now, what you need is to take it easy and try to keep calm."

Nick took a deep breath in and slowly let it out. "Your right, but what I need right now is a beer."

Catherine looked at Nick with concerned eyes. "Where are you going? You really shouldn't be alone right now."

"I'm going home." Nick reached in his pocket and fished out his truck keys. "If anyone wants to join me, that's fine... but I don't think I will be good company." Nick looked around at all the people who showed up for Warrick's funeral. "I got to get out of here. See ya." Without waiting for anyone's response, he walked away shaking his head.

"I really don't think it is good for him to be alone right now." Catherine repeated her concern for Nick as she watched him climb into his truck.

Sara looked over at Grissom asking the unspoken question and Grissom responded with a nod. "Griss and I will go and check on him. We just need to stop home first."

"I was thinking I might stop by too." Greg ran a hand through his hair. "There is something I need to do first... but I'll get there eventually."

"Okay, let me check on Lindsey and then I will meet you at Nick's place"

A/N: This is part one of a two part story.

The line 'He had to tell her... because not telling her was not an option.' Is bothering me. I feel like I have read it before and if it is yours please tell me and I will take it out. I thought about leaving it out but I did a quick search and couldn't find it.

Anyways as always I would love to know what you think and if you even want to read more of this.