Disclaimer: I own nothing- pull back the lawyers…

A/N: Thank you to everyone who R&R, your comments were appreciated; please continue. I have some of the next part done, but Writer's Block is starting to set in, so it may take another couple of days for Ch 3. Also any constructive criticism is welcomed. I can handle the truth- when used with tact and respect. Anyway- on to the story!

"Sara?"

"What happened?"

"She's okay, right?"

Sara could hear voices all around her. She was groggy and cold. Willing her eyes to open, she could make out figures.

"Sara, can you hear me?"

"Nick," she said dryly, trying to sit up.

"Here," Nick said holding out a glass of water, "drink."

"Grissom…?" She questioned.

"They've admitted him and taken him up to a room." This time the voice belonged to Catherine.

"He's on floor three, room 310," Warrick announced.

"Thanks," Sara said getting up off the floor, still feeling a little woozy, but not letting it show.

"We'll be up in a minute," Catherine called after her.

"Quietly opening the door to room 310, Sara sneaked in and walked over to a sleeping Grissom.

"Gil," Sara whispered stroking his hand. With a closer look, Sara could see the burns all over his face and arms. His eyes were puffy and bruised and his head was still covered in blood; there were several scratches all over his face. Sara couldn't hold back the tears that were filling her eyes.

"Excuse me, Miss," said a sweet looking younger girl. "I'm just checking his vitals."

"How's he doing?" Sara's voice cracked.

"His vital signs are strong, but I'll send Dr. Bryant in here for a full report."

"Thank you," Sara smiled weakly as the girl exited the room.

"Feeling better, Miss Sidle?" Dr Bryant asked floating into the room and handing her a pair of scrubs, which made Sara look down at her top that was covered in vomit.

"Thanks." She accepted the scrubs.

"From what we can tell there is no internal bleeding. He's sustained injuries to the neck and head which is causing his coma-"

"He's in a coma?" Sara asked sharply.

"Yes." The doctor's eyes did not meet Sara's.

"Is he, going to be okay."

"At this point, it's a waiting game. He could come out of it in hours, days, weeks; or he could never-"

"Please, don't," Sara held up her hands to stop the doctor.

"I'll leave you two alone. For now, only two guest at a time. I'll be back in a few hours to check on him. Make sure you talk to him; let him know you're here." Dr. Bryant closed the door. Sara sunk into the chair and pulled it close to the bed. He always knows when I'm near, she thought.

"Gil, don't leave me; please," pleading, Sara laid her head on his hand and sobbed.

It was dark outside and her back and neck ached, Sara had no idea what time it was, or how long she'd been asleep. Catherine was asleep in the chair opposite her. Not caring that Catherine was there, Sara gently brought Grissom's hand up to her lips and kissed his fingers.

"I miss you," she said quietly, as not to disturbed Catherine, who incidentally was already awake. "I guess we're not going camping this weekend," she said stroking his cheek. "You'll just have to show me those bugs another time. Catherine is here too, you know; I suppose everyone else as well." She sighed. "We all need you, Gil; I need you. I'm- I'm sorry about last night." Sara reached into her pocket and pulled out a small ring, slipping it on her left hand.

It took all of Catherine's will power to stay still. Well, well, well, she thought to herself, it's about time, she smiled to herself. She was the only one from the lab who knew they were together, (as far as she knew). She had to be. If Warrick had known, he would've come to her right away and Greg; he couldn't keep a secret to save his life. She doubted Nicky knew since he was so caught up in his new girlfriend and there's no way the Lab Rats had picked up on it. No, she was completely sure she was the only one who had known. Not that they knew she knew; she stumbled in on them in the supply room having a heated discussion that had ended in a passionate kiss. So, far, she had been able to keep the secret to herself.

"I'm sorry," Sara sniffed quietly, snapping Catherine back to attention. Sara kissed Grissom lightly on the cheek. "You're right," she said softly into his ear, "I have nothing to be afraid of. I'll be right back." With that, she slipped out the door.

"Engaged, huh?" Catherine sat up as soon as the door closed." She shook her head. "Never thought I'd see the day when Gil Grissom promised to be with someone forever. I still can't believe you haven't told me out right that you were even together; some best friend you are." She paused, "I knew though. Remember a few weeks ago when you raged into, and out of, the break room and slammed a pint of blood into the fridge? I never told you, but the lid popped off. Lucky for you, it was a personal experiment. I didn't tell you because I knew you were upset already, but I went ahead and cleaned up the blood and donated some of my own to you efforts." Catherine smiled and continued. "While I was- taking my own blood- a very angry Sara came stomping into the break room, not even noticing I was there. She doesn't know this," Catherine leaned in closer, "but I heard what she said. "Gilbert Grissom is going to get it! I am so going to make him pay for the fiasco in bed this morning!" she mimicked Sara's voice. "She'd never ever called you Gil, let alone Gilbert; she was pissed," Catherine laughed, remembering. "I almost forgot there was a needle in my arm. You know, when you wake up, you're going to have to tell me what exactly did happen in bed that morning. So, anyway, after I filled up the rest of the jar, I went searching for you, to make sure you were okay and I found you, both… quietly screaming at one another, the next thing I knew, you slammed poor Sara up against the wall and kissed her very soundly. It took everything I had to keep quiet. Don't worry, though, I didn't tell anyone. But, ah, if you're engaged, it might need to come out sooner or later.

"Sara! What's going on? How's he doing?" An eager Greg ran up to her.

"Uh-" Sara tried to collect her thought.

"They won't let anyone else in. Brass and Warrick are back at lab with the Rats trying to get stuff cleaned up. Nick is asleep in the waiting room. I couldn't sleep anymore. Is Catherine still in there with you?" He said all in one breath.

"Yes. You can go in and see him if you want. He's... he's hurt- badly, so don't be surprised. I- I'm going to change, but I'll be right back."

"Okay," Greg nodded. "Hey, can you let Nick know what's going on?"

"Sure," she said before disappearing into the bathroom. After changing, Sara walked down the hall to the family waiting room where Nick Stokes was laying across the chairs.

"Nick," Sara whispered.

"Have you heard anything yet?" Nick sat up.

"He's beaten up pretty badly. He has some broken ribs and wrist; bruises, cuts and burns all over him." Sara didn't think she had any more tears left and yet they were running down her cheeks.

"Shhh," Nick said softly, pulling Sara towards him. "He's going to be okay, Sara."

"How do you know, Nick?" She collapsed into his arms. He's in a coma, he could never come out." Nick was completely startled at this news, Grissom's in a coma? he thought to himself. Quickly regaining himself he looked Sara square in the eyes, "I just know, Sar. I just know," he was gently stroking her hair when he saw a silver ring on her figure with a soft diamond. "Hey, Sar, what on your finger?" he asked.