Disclaimer: I do not own, I rent… okay, not even that; I just play…
A/N: Sorry this chapter has taken so long; things are really crazy around here. For those of you in the US or Canada who've shopped at Best Buy this time of year, you know how crazy the store can get. Thank you for your patients.
A/N2: The explosion and conception happened in July and Sara is now 4 months pregnant, (just to clarify the time line)
A/N3: I do not own the riddle, if you want the website, please let me know, I'll send it to you; it won't let it show up.
xoxoxoxoxo
Grissom, come quickly!" Greg yelled, running down the hall toward Gil's office.
"What, Greg?" he asked in a tired voice.
"It's Sara…" that was all Gil needed to hear. He bolted out of his seat and down the hall. "She fainted," Greg finished. "Vartann said be was bringing her back to the lab after the follow up with Mrs. Castle and she started to get pains and went all ridged. She threw up twice since they've gotten back; now she's lying down in the break room." Grissom's heart almost stopped as he stepped into the room. Peacefully lying on the couch, Sara had a wet cloth on her head. Kneeling down beside her, he softly caressed her cheek and kissed the tip of her nose.
"Sara?" He whispered.
"Hey," she whispered back opening her eyes. "Greg?" she asked.
"He was worried. Are you okay?
"Yeah, I just- started to get a little sick; probably the heat. He really didn't need to get you," she said only half annoyed. Gil wasn't convinced. This morning she was throwing up violently after shift, which is why he didn't want her coming in to work in the first place.
"Maybe you should go to the doctor," he said pointedly.
"Maybe you shouldn't worry so much," she snapped back.
"Sara, please," Grissom pleaded. "You're still throwing up and it's way too frequently. I really think…"
"No," she sat up, "First of all you give me a bullshit assignment and then…" she sighed. "Look, I know that this is new; remember, it is for me too. I just need you to trust me, to know what I can handle," raising her hands to stop his interruption, "I know that hasn't been my strong point, but I'm trying, really. I just need you to let me do my job, okay?"
"Sara," he paused, trying to find words that wouldn't make her more upset. "Okay, I admit, I was worried about you. I mean, last night you were horribly sick and then again this morning; but, I also meant what I said earlier, I need your eyes. This is turning into major case and the sheriff has been on my back; it's not that I don't trust Catherine, Warrick, Nick, or Greg; but I needed you." Gil smiled slightly. Sitting beside her on the sofa, he kissed her hair gently. "Are you absolutely sure you're okay?"
"Yes." She was less sure than she tried to sound and Gil wasn't buying it, but instead of picking another fight, he simply nodded. "I'll make an appointment if it'll make you feel better."
xoxoxoxoxo
Sitting on the exam table, Sara was feeling queasy and not because of the pregnancy. After almost an hour of vomiting and dry heaves at the doctors that morning, Dr. Aiden had sent Sara over to Palm Spring for testing and Sara was scared. She called Gil who had been out on assignment and said he'd be there as soon as possible.
"Sara?" a knock came at the door. Catherine's head appeared in the crack. "How are you holding up?"
"Catherine-" Sara nodded for her to come in.
"Where's Gil?"
"Stuck at the lab," Catherine closed the door. "I told him I'd come and stay with you until he could get here."
"Thank you," Sara said tearing up. "I'm scared, Catherine. I don't know… I mean, what if… I feel like…" she finally gave in to the sobs.
"What did the doctor say this morning?" Catherine asked in a soothing voice, sitting down beside her.
"She doesn't know what's wrong," Sara blurted through her tears. "What if it's something we can't fix?"
"I remember when I was pregnant with Lindsey," Catherine smiled wistfully. "I was so scared; Eddie was always off doing his thing, never around," she paused, "but Gil was always there when I needed him; whether it was three a.m. cravings or being in so much pain I couldn't lay straight, he was there and he'll be there for you… even more so since it's his kid," she added with a chuckle. "Things are going to be okay, Sara."
"How do you know?"
"I don't… but, I have a good feeling about it."
xoxoxoxoxo
Two days later Sara was lying in bed. It turned out to be the flu; somehow she had been exposed to it and was now extremely sick. The doctor had order her to be out of work until she was fully recovered for protection of both herself and the baby. Gil, of course was ecstatic about this new rule; Sara, however, was going stir-crazy.
"Grissom," Gil flipped open his mobile.
"I'm bored," Sara's voice came whining through, which made Gil smile.
"I'm sorry. I left some forensic journals for you on the counter."
"Read them," Sara rolled her eyes.
"How are you feeling?"
"I told you, bored."
"Not what I meant," this time Gil rolled his eyes.
"My fever went down," Sara said before coughing very loudly.
"But not completely gone?" he worried.
"I think I'll be better by at least Friday." She tried to sound optimistic; it was Wednesday. "I have medicine you know."
"Yes, Dear; whatever you say. So, how bored are you anyway?" he asked in a teasing tone.
"Very," she said dramatically. "I'm going to die, Griss."
"You could always do my paperwork," he suggested.
"Ah, you know what, I'm actually not feeling all that well," she said quickly.
"That's what I thought. Hey, I have a call on the office phone, I'll you later."
"Okay," she coughed again. "Love you."
"Love back," he said closing the phone.
xoxoxoxoxo
The baby shower had been postponed to the week following because of the flu and the women of the nightshift, Lindsey, and Mrs. Robbins, were sitting in the break room watching a very flushed Sara opening presents. Catherine had, on her own decided since they were denied a proper wedding shower, this would be a joint wedding-baby shower so they had decorated in both white and silver and sage green; according to Jacqui 'green' was the new pink. The area around Sara was strewn with gift paper, boxes, baby clothes, bottles, diapers, rattles, baby blankets, along with personal gift for Sara which included, maternity and post pregnancy clothes; comfortable slippers, which were called a 'pregnancy blessing' from Catherine, a jewellery box from Lindsey which had a picture of Sara and Gil from her first Christmas in Las Vegas on the top and a matching necklace and earring set from the lab girls. Sara carefully picked up the last box, wrapped in comic strip paper with a confused look on her face.
"That is actually from Greg and Nick," Jacqui informed them.
Lindsey giggled, "It was actually Greg's idea but he didn't know what to get so he asked Nick who apparently has tons of sisters." Not knowing what to expect, Sara carefully opened it too see a two beautiful baby dressing; one a soft green and other a baby pink, two bottles, burp rags, and two bibs; one that said, 'I love Uncle Nick' and the other that said, 'I love Uncle Greg'. On the bottom was a note that read:
Hey Sara and Baby Girl Sidle-Grissom,
Welcome to the world. We can't wait to see you.
We love you,
Uncles Greg and Nick
P.S. Sara, we have one other surprise just for you. But you have to go on a little hunt. Use the comic strip as a clue to your first stop in finding your 'treasure'. Good luck.
"How fun!" Lindsey squealed, as Sara picked up the wrapping paper, which she could see was specially made.
"How about Sara, you ready for a treasure hunt?" asked Catherine.
"Did you know about this?" Sara eyed her.
"Yes," she admitted.
"Ooo, how creative," chimed in Mrs. Robbins.
"What does the first square say, Sara?" asked Jacqui.
"It says, 'Go to the place that we first were reunited there you will find your second clue. However, to get the clue, you must first answer this question: What "sweet" substance might you get if you blend...
- Holmium
- Cobalt
- Carbon
- Tellurium
- and Lanthanum?
"Where we first met?" Sara scrunched up her face, "Oh, the Monaco!" With that, the eight women headed towards the exit.
"We can take my SUV!" Catherine called out when the reached the car park. Catherine got into the driver's seat with Mrs. Robbins in the font passenger. Lindsey, Mandy, and Mia jumped into the back seat, while Jacqui, Sophia, and Sara slid onto the middle bench. "Ready?" Catherine asked once the door was shut; speeding off towards the hotel.
"Do you think it'll be something inside or out?" Lindsey asked pointing at the comic bubble.
"I don't know," Sara laughed. "Technically it was outside… but, who knows. I don't know anything that can be made up of these chemicals," Sara said, rereading the riddle to herself.
"I didn't know we'd be driving around for this," Mia noted to the girls in the back.
"Did you all know about this?" Sara asked.
"Er…"
"Um…"
"Yes," Mia answered soundly.
"I kind of knew," Lindsey giggled. "I wasn't suppose to, though."
"Oh?" Catherine looked at her daughter through the rear view mirror.
"I can't help it that they can't make their plans… discreetly," she shrugged.
"Uh huh." Pulling in to the Monaco parking lot, Catherine parked quickly and said, "Everyone out."
"Let's search the outside first," Catherine suggested.
"I thought Nick said…" Lindsey stopped quickly as she got looks from Jacqui, Mia, and Mandy.
"What's that, Lindsey?" Sara said coming up behind the young teenager.
"N-nothing, Sara," with that she skipped off happily.
"Maybe we should ask the hotel clerk first," Sara suggested, leading the way into the hotel. "Hi," she stepped up to the desk. "This may sound strange, but, is there a clue here for a Sara Sidle?" she asked the petite woman, who was staring at her computer screen. At the mention of her name a tall, older man with greying brown hair and a blue blazer came trotting up too them with cheeky smile and a twinkle in his eyes.
"My name is Aaron; I am the manager of the Hotel Monaco, which one of you is Ms. Sidle?"
"That's me," Sara cautiously raised her hand.
"And do you have your riddle solved, Ms. Sidle?'
"Who has the paper?" Sara asked the group.
"I've got it," Mandy said, handing it to her.
"Thanks."
"Let me know when you've got it," the clerk said with a smile.
"Come on, let's go over here and figure it out," Catherine said pointing to the couches near the window.
"Okay," Sara took out a notebook. "What's the question again?"
"What "sweet" substance might you get if you blend: Holmium, Cobalt, Carbon, Tellurium, and Lanthanum?" Catherine read off the comic.
"Sweet substance?" Sara raised her eyebrow.
"Oh, I get it!" Mandy piped up.
"Me too!" said Mia.
"It's not what the chemicals make, Sara, it's…" Jacqui started to explain.
"Now I remember!" Lindsey interrupted.
"Oh, duh," Sara said jotting down answer. "I've got it!" She called out to the clerk.
xoxoxoxoxo
A/N4: Any of you got it yet? It's okay, I didn't either. All will be revealed in the next chapter. P.S. Sorry about all the false alarms, it wasn't working with me.
