Chapter Seven:
You know by the time you figure it out, it could really be too late…
She seemed shell shocked.
She had not been prepared for this conversation.
She wasn't prepared for a lot of things these days.
Just existing from day to day seemed to be her primary focus in life and there were days when she wasn't sure whether she was doing such a great job at that.
She started to respond when voices erupted behind them.
"The nurses are on a warpath," warned Nick. "Something about you taking Sara off the floor…without permission."
"Just getting some fresh air," said Grissom.
"In Vegas?" teased Greg.
"I missed the smog. Grissom was kind enough to bring me out here for awhile," she said with a smile.
Greg held up a bag. "I brought you food."
"Shake too?" she asked.
Warrick displayed the shake he held behind his back.
"You guys are the best," she exclaimed.
"We best get you back," said Grissom. "Why don't you guys take her back while I talk with Brass?"
"Want us to face the music," whined Greg.
Sara glanced in Grissom's direction as she felt herself being pushed.
He turned his back so she could not see his expression.
"How is she doing?" asked Brass.
"She's getting better…she saw a counselor," said Grissom. "Any further leads on the shooter?"
"None," replied Brass.
Grissom sat back down on the bench.
"You look like shit," commented Brass.
"I've been avoiding Ecklie," sighed Grissom.
"He's going to have your hide," warned Brass.
"She's still very weak…a few more days," said Grissom.
"Gil, she's out of the woods," said Brass. "She's going to be fine."
"Her kidneys are still not functioning properly. She's still susceptible to infection. She's supposed to meet with a lung specialist…"
"Have you told her how much you love her?" asked Brass.
"I may be too late," he replied.
"Bullshit. The kid has always loved you."
"She deserves better," said Grissom.
"Yes, she does but she chose you so get off your ass and do something about it."
She chose Hank but he hurt her…
She just won't admit it…
Grissom stood outside the hospital room, listening to their laughter.
Greg was in full swing with his antics.
He glanced in and saw that the young man had deposited himself next to Sara in the bed.
Nick sat on the bed while Warrick sat in the chair that had become his spot.
Nick glanced over and chuckled.
"The nurse is looking for you," warned Nick.
Grissom frowned. "Is it…"
"Sara missed a test," explained Warrick "You've thrown off their entire schedule for the evening."
Grissom was called out into the hall by the nurse.
Once he disappeared, Sara spoke up.
"He needs to go back to work," she whispered.
"He's still worried about you kiddo," said Brass as he stepped into the room.
"I'm better," she lamented. "I'm sure Ecklie…"
"Grissom can handle Ecklie," assured Brass.
"Things have been different without him around," admitted Greg.
"I always thought I was his favorite," teased Warrick. "Guess we know the truth now."
His words bothered Sara.
Ecklie could make his life miserable…
Especially if he thinks…
Of course there's nothing between us…
"I want him to leave," she blurted out.
It did not come out the way she wanted and she was embarrassed when Grissom stepped back into the room at that moment.
It was Nick who spoke quickly trying to smooth things over.
"I know you're getting tired of this place…maybe in another week, you'll be home. Before long, we'll have you working a decomp," teased Nick with a wink.
"The nurse is coming to get you for tests," announced Grissom.
Sara plastered on a smile. "The fun never ends."
The others said their goodbyes.
Grissom and Brass stood to the side and waited until the others were gone.
The nurse arrived with a wheelchair.
"I'll see you tomorrow," called Brass.
Sara stared at Grissom.
He picked up his jacket and for the first time since her arrival, she felt a surge of fear envelope her.
You stupid girl…
He's leaving…
He's going to leave and you're going to be alone…
She folded her hands in her lap.
"We're going to take a few x-rays of your lungs and then run some tests on your kidneys," announced the nurse.
Sara nodded. She told herself not to look at Grissom but she did anyway. Their eyes locked with one another.
"Thanks Griss…for everything," she managed to get out.
He nodded.
The nurse wheeled Sara from the room and yet Grissom stood there as if his feet were cemented to the floor.
"You really going to leave?" asked Brass.
"You heard her. She doesn't want me here," grieved Grissom. "Ecklie was outside. He's demanding I come into to work. He won't even consider a uniformed officer."
"You think she's still in danger?" asked Brass.
"I don't want to take the risk of leaving her but…maybe she's right. Maybe I should leave," Grissom said with a hint of pain in his voice.
"Words and actions are two different things. She seemed afraid when you picked up your jacket. Stay. To hell with Ecklie, I'll talk with him myself," offered Brass.
Brass patted him on the back.
He stopped at the doorway. "Besides, you'll be calling the hospital every five minutes, asking about those test results. Take advantage of this time and rest while I get you something to eat."
He felt better with the short nap and food.
Brass had left some time ago and yet she had not returned.
He felt uneasy not being with her.
He had accompanied her through every test and now he wondered whether it was a mistake to have let her go alone.
He paced the room over and over until he stood there letting his mind think of all kinds of horrors.
He swung open the door and disappeared down the hall.
He had no idea where he was going but it felt good to get out for awhile.
He stepped into the gift shop and stared at the live plant.
I wonder if she still has the plant I sent her…
"The lab needs you."
His words mocked him.
He couldn't admit that he needed her.
The entire incident had rattled him so that he sought advice from Catherine.
Catherine had been quite smug when he had ordered the plant.
Of course she chided him for the sentiment on the card.
"Just Grissom?" asked Catherine. "Couldn't you say a little more than just…"
"I sent her the plant…a live plant…a plant she likes…what more…"
"Right. Can't ask much more from you than that," muttered Catherine.
He sighed.
He wanted to add more to the sentiment.
I need you…
I want you…
Please stay…
He wanted to even use a four letter word that often came to mind when he thought of Sara.
It was one that he had never declared to anyone.
Then all of a sudden we get a second chance…
He purchased the small plant along with a magazine and headed back to the room.
The nurse was there at the desk.
"Molly…"
"There you are," she beamed. "Ms. Sara thought you had left."
"I wanted to know about the tests," he said as he set the plant on the counter.
"Her right kidney seems to be functioning normally now. Her lungs look great. There's still some infection however. The tests wiped her out. She was asleep within minutes."
"I'll just sit with her for awhile and then leave," he said.
"She missed you," said Molly. "She seemed pretty low after you left."
"I didn't leave. I just took a walk," he explained.
"She'll be happy to know that," said Molly motioning toward the room. "An officer just went in there a minute ago."
"An officer?" asked Grissom.
"Yes…a uniformed officer…"
Grissom quickly opened the door.
The man stood over Sara with his hands wrapped around her throat as her struggles lessened.
"Call Security!" yelled Grissom as he hurried toward the man.
One punch and the man lay sprawled on the floor.
Sara gasped for air as the man struggled with Grissom.
Grissom moaned as he felt a blow to his jaw but Grissom slammed the man back onto the floor.
The man reached for his gun but Grissom stomped his hand causing the man to wail.
Security arrived as Grissom turned his attention to Sara.
A nurse had already grabbed the oxygen and Sara once again found a mask over her face.
"I'll page the doctor," urged Molly.
Sara coughed and sputtered while she attempted to breathe.
Grissom's hand gently stroked her hair, calming her.
"Just breathe," he whispered. "It's over. Security has the man in custody. Do you understand? You're safe."
Sara's hand grabbed his and he held it tight.
A doctor appeared along with more security.
He was pushed out of the room as they examined her.
Grissom spoke briefly with security, giving them instructions to notify Brass.
He seemed relieved when he was permitted back in the room.
"I've given her something for the pain. She managed to break open several incisions. There's some trauma to her larynx…it's going to be painful for her to talk. She's lucky you came in the room when you did."
The doctor and nurses disappeared.
His hand trembled as he took hers and held it tight.
Brass stepped into the room.
"How is she?" asked Brass.
"They gave her something to help her sleep," replied Grissom. "She tore her incisions…there's going to be a lot of bruising on her neck."
"Ecklie feels like an ass right now," whispered Brass.
"I never should have left her," seethed Grissom. "She could have been killed because…"
"Whoa…you're not Superman and even I doubted that someone might try …look, I can't stay for a longer pep talk. I have an appointment with a wanna- be cop. I'll let you know what I find out. Stay here. I don't think Ecklie is going to be giving you any grief after this."
Brass left, leaving Grissom to continue his bedside vigil.
She moaned several hours later as if she were in pain. Her eyes shot open as she struggled to get up.
"Just a dream," he soothed.
Her eyes were wide with terror as she scanned the room.
"Just you and me," he assured her. "Just rest, I promise I'm not leaving."
She grimaced as she attempted to roll to her side.
"You broke open some incisions. It's going to be sore where they had to replace the stitches."
"Throat…hurts," she whispered.
"You've got some nasty bruises," he said. "I'm sorry Sara. I never should have…"
"Not… your fault. I told… you… to leave," she said. "Didn't…mean…it. Just…didn't…want…Ecklie …to be mad…at you."
"I'm afraid that's several years too late," he said with a smile.
She slowly pulled herself up, throwing off the covers.
"You shouldn't be up," he insisted.
"I don't have a choice…I do but…I'm not doing it," she said as she sat there with her legs dangling off the side of the bed.
"I can help," he offered.
"Just to the door," she said. She stood on wobbly legs. "Call the nurse."
He glanced at her ashen face.
"Put your arms around me," he demanded. He shifted her so that he practically carried her to the bathroom.
They stood there waiting for the nurse but when no one came Sara gently tried to push herself away from Grissom.
"I can do this…on my own," she offered.
"I'm not letting go of you," he declared.
"Griss…"
They were interrupted by Catherine.
"Hey, am I interrupting…"
"Catherine, you're just in time," answered Grissom sounding relieved as he shifted so that Catherine was now supporting Sara.
"Right. I used to do this all the time when Eddie came home drunk. I bet you have a better aim than he did," teased Catherine.
The door shut and Grissom plopped down in a chair.
The nurse quickly came in.
"I'm sorry. We had an emergency…"
"It's alright. A friend is in there with her," replied Grissom.
Once the door opened, Grissom was there.
Catherine stood and watched as he carefully lifted Sara off her feet.
She was gently placed back in the bed while Catherine stood there speechless.
Grissom arranged the covers on the bed and then meticulously arranged her pillows.
"I came to see how you were doing…and to ask you a few questions," said Catherine. "Are you up to it?"
Sara coughed causing Grissom to spring into action.
He quickly poured a cup of water and placed it in Sara's hand.
"The guy claims he was hired to kill Sara after the first hit was blotched. He never saw the person who hired him," said Catherine. "He was paid ten thousand dollars to complete the job. He couldn't tell us why the person wanted Sara dead…he says it's not his nature to ask questions. He just considers it a money transaction for services rendered."
Catherine waited a minute for Sara to digest the information.
"Sara, are you sure it was a woman that…."
"Yes."
"Do you remember anything more?" asked Catherine.
"It happened… in a flash. She had… shoulder length hair,… brown I think…wore perfume…" she coughed.
"You think you could recognize her again if you saw her?" asked Catherine.
"I'm not sure," admitted Sara.
"Ecklie ordered a review of every case Sara has worked in the last six months," said Catherine. "He thinks it might be work related and not just a random act of violence."
"Don't remember anyone…I pissed…off…except…Ecklie," Sara sputtered through bouts of coughing.
"That's enough," declared Grissom.
Catherine tried to contain her smile.
She had heard from the others about Grissom's overprotective behavior.
"Get some rest," said Catherine. "Greg plans to deliver some fruit smoothies in a couple of hours."
"Thanks Cat," whispered Sara.
"Stay with her," ordered Catherine. "We have the lab covered…besides, Ecklie is getting reamed out pretty good for ordering you back to the lab on the day another hit was attempted."
Sara stared at Grissom.
She waited until they were alone.
"Ecklie ordered you…"
"I never listen to Ecklie," said Grissom.
"But…you listened to me," she finished.
"Not…really," he said. "I took a walk through the hospital to pass the time. I was also trying to come up with the right words to explain why I felt I needed to stay."
"Did you?" she asked.
"Yes. I was going to tell you I had finally figured out what to do…about this."
Note from author:
Well, small progress...Sara admitting she wanted him to stay- Grissom being firm about caring for her....okay they still need to have that talk- it is coming....By the way no one has guessed who the killer is yet....I am posting again tonight since I came home early and got actually accomplished something today at the "new" old house. Thanks so much for the reviews. Don't worry, Grissom and Sara are going to know "About this" which will bring quite a smile to within a few days. As you know I always add other angst....LOL I will try to get to a point where I can post twice a day.
Take care!