Working late into the early hours yesterday, I finished this chapter tonight as a reward to all those readers who took the time to review, and for all those who are supporting this story by reading each chapter, but most especially for my GSR friend jenstog who is just so demanding … : ) …graduations this weekend, so I am sure there won't be an update until next Monday or so…that is one reason I made sure this chapter was long and meaty, and left our duo in a happier place than last…Happy Mother's Day to all who have children and to those who open their hearts to care for God's little ones… I am having a great time writing this story, hope it pleases…-Kathy
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
While Sara was having some X-rays taken, the ER doctor approached the waiting room paging "Family of Sara Sidle". Nick was immediately on his feet.
"Dr. Grissom?" asked the physician. Nick's face flushed with emotion – anger?
Even Nick wasn't sure where that was coming from.
"Nick Stokes. Sara is my fiancée," he replied tersely, his chest unconsciously puffing a bit as he did when he felt like he needed to remain in control of a personal encounter.
"Oh…I see," the doctor replied absently, flipping through a chart and glancing curiously at Nick.
Before they could continue, Brass and Grissom appeared at the ER check-in desk. Brass was doing the talking, while Grissom did not appear too happy to be there.
Recognizing the detective from their past dealings at the hospital, Dr. Craig looked at Nick pointedly to say that Sara was doing fine, but there were some additional tests that were needed before Nick could see her. With that, the doctor left before Nick could ask any questions.
Moving quickly towards Brass, the doctor called out to gain his attention. Seeing Grissom's condition, the doctor set aside his motive for seeking the detective, and motioned to them to follow him into an exam area.
Once inside, Brass introduced Dr. Craig to Grissom.
"Dr. Gil Grissom?"
"One and the same," Grissom replied before shaking hands with the doctor, "and I am not in need of medical care."
The doctor smiled. He had seen these work-intensive types before from his dealings with the LVPD.
"Well, then, humor an old man, will you Gil?" he asked in his best bedside manner.
"Besides, I was just about to look for you." This comment had Grissom's head snapping to attention.
"Seems we have a Sara Sidle here to be treated for injuries, and you-"
"are her emergency contact. How is she doctor?" Gil interrupted with the type of intensity that Craig was used to from close-knit families of loved ones.
"Well…" the doctor stammered. He really should be talking to Brass alone before broaching this subject with Grissom.
Sensing his hesitation, Brass simply stated, "Gil and I are Sara's family, doc. She has no one else. Please be confident to speak freely."
With that, Dr. Craig divulged the information about the old fractures and scarring that Sara's X-rays had uncovered.
"Of course, in cases like this the LVPD is usually notified, but since she was one of your own, I thought perhaps you could talk with her…privately…perhaps question her about her current relationship," Craig ended.
Grissom sighed.
"There'd be no need for that," Grissom began, ignoring the intensity of Brass' shocked gaze.
With that, he gave the doctor an abbreviated medical history for Sara, including case file contact numbers, and pertinent information concerning which hospitals in Tamales Bay would retain verifiable records to corroborate his story.
"But…there can't be any official investigation on this, doctor. Sara's history is just that. She has rallied over impossible odds and has a good life here.
I am the only person to date that she has confided in. That is the reason I became her emergency contact.
Just as you uncovered her secret, she wanted to be sure the rest of her coworkers remained in the dark. I'd expect you to honor her wishes."
Slightly confused, the doctor asked about Nick. "She hasn't even told her fiancé?" he asked almost unbelieving.
A flash of pain crossed Grissom's face at the mention of Sara's fiancé. He quickly regrouped and responded, "It is her story to tell."
"I see," said Dr. Craig, although Grissom did not fully realize the depth of the physician's understanding of this situation. Working as he did with the public can give you an uncanny sense about truth in relationships.
The doctor could see there was more to Grissom's relationship with Sara, but let it go for now.
Turning to Brass, the doctor agreed there would be no need to file a state-mandated report in this case, as proper documentation was already done on the old wounds and no new abuse could be corroborated due to the extent of Sara's injuries.
For now, he would not broach Sara on the subject of his experience with victims of domestic violence being abused by their current partners.
However, from what he had seen in Nick's reactions upon their initial meeting, he realized he would like to get some more information about this fiancé before his mind could be fully at rest.
Thanking the doctor for his discretion, Brass turned his attention to Grissom. Extremely aggravated, Grissom sat quietly nursing the pain under his arms while he listened to Brass as he started to relate to the physician details of the incident that caused the major bruising now requiring attention.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It was agreed that Sara would stay a day or two for observation, as some of her ribs were bruised severely. With the surrounding area badly swollen, it was always possible she actually had an undetected fracture which might jeopardize her breathing. They'd know more when the swelling subsided a bit.
So, against her wishes, Sara was moved to a private room.
She was so tired, her eyes would not remain open although her hearing created a mini-movie marathon, playing on the insides of her eyelids, concerning the events happening around her.
A bit earlier, Nick had been shown in, and he instinctively pulled her into a painful hug. Even when she whimpered a bit at the jolts of pain moving through her chest, Nick would not release her. It wasn't until the nurse insisted that he let go of her.
She sunk into the pillow, eyes closed, trying to fight back a tear. Sara didn't want Nick to feel badly, he just was showing her again how much she meant to him.
While Sara rested, Nick couldn't take his eyes from her pseudo-sleeping form.
Grissom.
Grissom is your emergency contact.
Why hadn't you ever mentioned that?
Exactly what other items did you fail to mention about your relationship with Grissom, Sara?
Nick bolted angrily out of his seat and paced towards the window. Sara was oblivious to his movements as her pain medication had taken effect.
This is crazy.
Sara loves me.
NOT Grissom.
Sara is going to be my wife.
I have to trust her.
I have to get this jealousy under control.
Nick took a deep breath and returned to his chair, pulling it closer to Sara's bed before taking her hand in his.
That was when his beeper went off.
Sighing, he kissed her lightly on the lips. She never stirred.
Nick went into the waiting room to take the call. Arguing for a moment, he realized Catherine was right.
With Grissom and Sara out on emergency sick leave, they were short-handed.
And it wasn't like Sara was going to do much more than sleep.
Nick stopped in for one more quick kiss, professed his love, and left his sleeping beauty to rest.
He made one more stop at the nurses' station, leaving his contact information should they need to call him about any change in Sara's condition.
About to reach the exit of the ER, he spotted Brass sitting in the waiting room.
He had been there a while waiting on Gil while he was being examined and X-rayed. Nick did not realize Grissom was in the hospital building.
"Brass! Great that I ran into you! Sara's upstairs asleep, but I got called out on a case. Before you leave, perhaps you could sit with her for a while, in case she wakes up and needs something."
Brass had been sitting in contemplation over the conversation with Dr. Craig and the whole wedding situation.
He smiled as he realized he would now finally have a chance to talk to Sara alone, something Nick seemed to always interrupt since they got back from their Christmas holiday in Texas.
Brass promised Nick he would go to see Sara straight away. With that, Nick left but continued to feel uneasy about leaving Sara alone. Rushing out of the revolving door, he pulled out his cell phone and hit speed dial.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After speaking to Grissom's ER nurse, Brass decided not to wait for Gil to get back from X-ray. Instead, he waited in line and was the last person to enter the crowded elevator before capacity was reached.
The door finally opened to the floor in which Sara's room was located and Brass was glad to step out into an open space where he could stop and flex his arms easily.
Before moving towards her room, he observed several people in scrubs moving towards the Recovery Room wing, a well-appointed woman with severely-high heels approaching the nurses' station, and an orderly bringing an empty wheelchair to the storage room nearby.
Pausing before Sara's closed door, Brass ran his hand over his face. He was still a bit stunned by Grissom's discussion with the ER doctor.
Man. To think of all she went through in her life, and what a success she had made of herself.
Experiencing all that heartache, and developing into such a caring person.
No wonder they all loved her so.
If anyone needed a happily-ever-after, it was Sara.
Brass smiled, but it soon faded.
She was going to have that happy ending, wasn't she?
He thought back to the phone call she made to him on her way to the ER. It sounded to him that Sara was phoning over Nick's rather loud protest.
Brass had been working at his desk when his cell rang.
Upon answering, he immediately stood and wondered what was wrong with Sara.
He had never heard her sobbing before.
He could hear the end of Nick's rant about her needing to calm herself and relax enough to rest.
Brass was already on the move when he bellowed into the receiver, "Sara! Calm down, honey...where are you? Are you alright?"
His heart was beating as she sketchily described the accident scene.
Her biggest concern, however, was that Grissom was injured, needed help, and had been left all alone at the scene.
Brass vaguely recalled storming out to his unit, firing the lights and sirens as he sped off towards the coordinates Sara had given.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Now standing still in her doorway, he observed her resting peacefully, albeit a bit banged up.
His thoughts ran back to her pleading, "Please...don't leave him alone, Jim...he's all alone..."
There was something in the way she spoke...
Just then, a woman's voice from behind him startled him, making him stand away from the doorway, with the door closing softly behind him.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Grissom was adamant he was not going to be admitted.
His argument with the nurse merged with his testy argument with the intern on call which merged with his boisterous argument with the intern's supervising doctor which finally ended when Dr. Craig entered the room.
Grissom was pleased when the entire entourage was dismissed with a death glare and a wave of a hand.
His smug grin disappeared when he became the sole recipient of the physician's attention.
Tersely, the doctor began, "What IS it with you CSI's? You think you have indestructible bodies that will magically heal themselves? You think that we poor peons in the health care profession aren't capable of making decisions about the recuperative powers of supervised rest?"
Neither man blinked.
"Even you, Dr. Grissom, put lab specimens in incubators and wait a day or two for your experiments to yield some information. You obviously get the concept of some things take time."
Grissom averted his eyes and thought: Yes, sadly I do, doctor…and lately I am aware that, in some matters, I am out of time…
After a few more rounds, Gil reluctantly agreed to a compromise of sorts. He would not be admitted immediately, but would remain in the hospital building pending the outcome of his latest round of CT-scans and a follow-up examination to be conducted personally by Dr. Craig.
Having conceded these points, Grissom reluctantly agreed that the final decision on admission would be entirely in Dr. Craig's hands.
Satisfied that he had all the concessions he would likely get, Dr. Craig sat back a bit more relaxed.
"Now that we have that settled," he smiled a bit at Grissom, "Let me tell you that Sara's condition is stable. I have her on bed rest for the next day or two. After that, she can be released, but no work for a week."
Grissom was pleased she was doing well, yet his chest hurt when he responded, "Well, she was scheduled to have a month's leave starting at the end of next week, anyway…"
He gulped harshly, willing his emotions to retreat as he added, "She and Nick will be getting married in less than three weeks."
Dr. Craig remained silent for a moment.
He thought about his first meeting with Nick.
He thought about all his impressions of this work-weary gentleman before him.
He thought about Nick's heated reaction.
He thought about Grissom's obviously conflicting emotions about Sara's upcoming nuptials.
Was Grissom as concerned about Sara's safety, or…wait…there was something more.
In an uncharacteristic move, he sat forward and looked into the eyes of a man he considered his peer in age, education, intelligence...and marital status.
Yes, he loved where his career had taken him, remembering all those whom he had been able to help.
Yes, he understood most poignantly how men like them could keep others at arm's length, especially that one person whom they could really care about.
He placed his hand on Grissom's arm, looked him square in the eye, and said softly,
"Well, you know what they say: "It's really not over 'til the fat lady sings'."
With that, he turned and left a stunned Grissom alone to ponder his next move.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A little while later, Sara was awakened by the gentle touch of Brass' hand on hers.
"Hey, doll, "he whispered, "Can you wake up now? There's someone here who wants to see you."
Unable to open her eyes, Sara smiled softly.
Oh, I'm so glad he's finally here. There's so much we have to talk about. Like...
Those thoughts went up in smoke as Sara's eyes flew open at the sound of a woman's voice:
"Sara, dear. Oh my heavens!...what have you done?...and with less than three weeks before the wedding!"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
When Gil finally reached Sara's doorway, he stepped back so as not to be seen.
He smiled inwardly as he watched this unknown woman fussing over Sara – straightening her blankets, tidying her bed stand table, fidgeting with her pillows.
This woman is definitely somebody's mother. Being raised in so many foster homes, I recall Sara telling me how she'd always envied people who had such loving parents to care for them. How Sara must be enjoying having someone to fuss over her!
His smile soon vanished, however, as his proximity gave him an opportunity to hear a bit more of Lillian's "lecture".
"And imagine my shock upon arriving at the airport to find my Nicky desperately informing me that you had been injured on the job….again! I guess we can't very well finish shopping for your honeymoon trousseau as we planned, now, can we?, what with you in this condition. And the honeymoon less than three weeks away!"
Sara closed her eyes. Whenever her future mother-in-law talked like this, it made things sound like a death sentence had just been handed down.
Lillian huffed on about Sara's need to stop taking foolish chances and to remember that she now had a responsibility towards Nick – one which included making his happiness her priority.
Grissom stood glued to the spot, knuckles whitening further as he observed Sara's mute posture.
Why was Sara letting her get away with chastising her like that? Didn't the stupid woman realize I could have lost her today? I…I mean, we could have lost her today?
While the focus of his worry continued to lie quietly under the continued waves of stinging assaults, Grissom had decided he had had quite enough.
Without a sideways glance, Grissom barreled into the room like a man on a mission. If Lillian Stokes didn't have such great reflexes, in retrospect Grissom would have realized she would have been knocked on her rear as he sped by.
Reaching her bedside, Gil leaned over until they were face-to-face, effectively blockading Lillian momentarily from getting anywhere near Sara.
He was so close, his soft breath warmed Sara's cheek which itself was on fire from trying to maintain her outward calm while once again reacting mentally to Lillian's never-ending tirade.
He smiled encouragingly before he whispered close enough for only Sara to hear, "Are you alright?"
Gil was surprised when Sara let go of her hold on the hospital blanket and grasped his hand softly.
"I am now…" she returned, her voice barely above a whisper.
She turned her weary gaze towards his concerned face, and when their eyes locked, something sparked inside Grissom.
Now, the protective side of Grissom is a marvel to behold. This usually unflappable personality becomes a warrior bent on taking on all comers, a valiant knight poised to do battle with those who would inflict harm, an immovable force willing to take the slings and arrows destined to bring down those needing sanctuary from abuse.
Ignited by Sara's trusting touch, Grissom whipped around and glared at the shocked woman who stood mere inches before him.
Gil Grissom was now in protective mode.
Glaring and still not speaking, Grissom continued to block this tyrant from maintaining eye contact with Sara.
Lillian Stokes was having a rare moment. She was speechless.
As Grissom continued to glare at her without making a sound, Lillian took, what was for those who knew her well, an unprecedented step.
She moved backwards, as if wishing to avoid antagonizing this madman, until she found herself near the doorway, a good distance away from Grissom and Sara.
Nick's mom was never known as a person who backed down from a confrontation.
But that was before she met her match in Gil Grissom.
As his icy blue eyes continued to maintain his death-glare on her immaculately groomed frame, Grissom maintained his watch near Sara's bed.
Attempting to regain some control of this escalating situation, Lillian began to stammer a bit.
"Um…Sara, dear…perhaps you could…introduce…this…gentleman…?"
If Sara were not so sore from her ordeal, she would have hooted and hollered at the site of Mrs. Lillian Stokes fumbling for control of a situation.
"Lillian Stokes, meet Gil Grissom, CSI graveshift supervisor."
Observing intently as Nick's mother ran the implications of this man's actions towards her son's fiancé, Sara boldly added, "And my friend."
If Gil were not so focused on bidding Mrs. Stokes the most perfunctory of acknowledgements while maintaining his guard over Sara, he might have smiled.
"Well, then," Lillian frowned in a way that made Sara sure Nick was going to hear all about this little tête-à-tête, "I guess I should be leaving you two friends to enjoy your little visit."
"Perhaps an idea whose time has come," countered Grissom, and to make his point, he turned to the visitor's chair that Lillian had moved to the corner when she laid her purse and sweater on it.
Sweeping the chair in dramatic fashion towards Sara's bedside caused considerable pain in his bruised condition, but Grissom refused to let his facial features betray the discomfort.
Having moved as close to Sara as possible, he winked at her as he repositioned it as close to the raised head of Sara's bed while offering Lillian her belongings in a dismissal gesture of his outstretched hands.
Demurring only slightly, Lillian moved forward to accept her things as Grissom almost allowed them to drop to be sure she hurried over.
"Well, then," Lillian began again, eyes narrowly focused on Grissom who now had moved the chair so that he was seated with his back to the door thereby totally focused on Sara, "I guess I will see you later, Sara dear."
With one final attempt to regain some smattering of control of this situation, Lillian smiled and asked a bit too cheerily, "Is there anything I can get you before I return, dear?"
The intent of her final words laid bare the promise that the little matter of Grissom vs. Stokes was far from settled.
Sara sighed imperceptibly as she looked at the manner in which Gil now held her bruised fingers within the shelter of his larger hands. "I have everything I need for now…thank you….Lillian."
Her eyebrows shot upward and her mouth was poised to reprimand Sara again for the use of her first name, when Gil cast her a warning glance over his shoulder.
Lillian thought better of that action, simply nodded, and let the door close softly behind her.
Grissom had just turned his gaze back to Sara when the door burst open again, with Lillian smilingly triumphantly. "I'll just let this open to allow for some fresh air in here, Sara, dear."
And with that final word, she was gone.
For a millisecond, there wasn't a sound in the room.
Then, with their characteristic mind-meld, both Sara and Grissom together burst forth into a fit of laughter.
Gil found himself standing stiffly and moving towards the door.
Sara was holding her sides to brace herself against the discomfort of her belly laughs.
"Do you…do you really think we should keep that closed? After all…we should allow for some fresh air in here," Sara mocked, still chuckling a bit at the memory of a flustered Lillian.
"You, Sara Sidle, are the only breath of fresh air anyone needs."
With that, Sara blushed and said quietly, "Oh, Gil…"