Title: Angel of Mine
Summary: If asked Stanley Tanner would say that Greg Sanders was a hero. An angel. His hero. His angel.
Characters: Stanley Tanner, Greg Sanders
Spoilers: Fannysmakin'
Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Angst
Disclaimer: CSI belongs to Anthony Zuiker. Title belongs to Monica
If asked Stanley Tanner would say that the worst was not the pain, as he had had enough of that to know how to deal with it (whether it be from car accidents or grade school bullying). No the worst part was the smell. With a nose accustomed to scenting out the perfect moment to pull a steak from the barbecue grill before it burned, Stanley could hardly bear the stench of blood that was such a contrast to the delicate, subtle smell of fresh steak and coal. The sharp scent of blood and grime on the pavement. And the smell of rubber and shoe polish as a boot connected with his chin. The tang of sweat and latex as a masked face neared his.
Nauseating odors swam around his head, making everything unbearable. The kicks, the pain, the knowledge that he was going to die.
The stench of fatality was a constant reminder that he was staring death in the face.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with Thee.
Blessed art Thou among women
And Blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus.
And then the smells disappeared. Everything did, except for the sound. Sound that, in quiet Tennessee was so insignificant was now his only connection to reality.
Sounds that were now choking him. Sounds of laughter and of pain. Of boots connecting with the ground, and others with flesh. Of police sirens and--
Police sirens...A man shouting...The pain lessening...The world spinning...
Someone had come to save him. He was going to be okay.
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
Amen
Later Stanley lay in a hospital bed. Pain and reality dulled to a low thud.
Stanley was happy to be lulled to sleep by the drones of the heart monitor.
Greg Sanders...
If asked Stanly Tanner would say that Greg Sanders was a hero. An angel. His hero. His angel.
CSI Greg Sanders...
The world slipped by.
How you changed my world you'll never know
I'm here for now, you helped me grow
-- Angel Of Mine, Monica
