Chapter Ten: Spreading the News
Hours passed like days. Catherine finally got Grissom to rest after a lengthy argument and finally a threat that she would have his visiting hours restricted by the staff unless he took care of himself. He had agreed, on the condition that he could sleep in her room. The couch in the corner turned into a small pullout cot. She made it up for him, and convinced him to get some sleep, that he was no good to Sara sleep-deprived. He complied, reluctantly of course, but he was finally sleeping, sort of, as best of sleep as one could get under the circumstances. Catherine took the opportunity to call the boys and fill them in.
Everyone had heard the news through the grape vine. The day shift had been assigned Sara's hit and run case, but everyone from night shift knew, to a point, what had happened, but none of them really knew any details. They had all been waiting around patiently for Catherine's call.
"Hey Nicky. It's Catherine." She said into her cell phone from the hall outside of Sara's ICU room.
"Catherine? What's going on? How's Sara?" He asked rather hastily.
She knew how scared they all must have been waiting for her call. But Sara, Michael and Gil were her first priority.
"She's in rough shape Nick. It's so weird seeing her like this." She wisped out, the grief showing through in her voice as it cracked.
Nick and the others knew it was bad, but he didn't know just how serious until he heard Catherine's voice. It was scary.
"Cath, what happened? Day shift is keeping very closed lip. We've only heard bits and pieces."
"She was in hit by a car in the parking lot of the grocery store. The driver got away."
"What about Michael and Grissom, are they okay?"
"Michael is with Lindsey. He's going to stay with us for a while, and Grissom, well he's doing about as good as can be expected. I finally got him to get some sleep."
"Well good. That's good that they're okay. What about Sara? How bad is it?"
"All the doctors are telling us is that it's touch and go. She's in the Intensive Care Unit at Desert Palms. It's bad Nick. It's really bad. She's on a breathing machine. They were finally able to stabilize her heart rate and blood pressure about an hour ago. They're keeping a close eye on that. She was in surgery for over five hours. They weren't sure if she'd even survive, but she seems to be hanging tough so far. She's still hasn't woke up. The doctor said that if doesn't wake soon it could cause some serious damage."
"Oh my God. So what happens now?" Catherine heart broke again for Nick, she could hear him sniffling back his own tears.
"Now? We wait. She has to heal."
"Can she have visitors?"
"Yeah, they're letting her. They're not supposed to, but she's a cop so they're giving her special treatment. Not that we mind."
"Definitely. Well I'll pass the word to the rest of the team. If you think her and Grissom are up to it, I'll stop by after shift."
"Yeah, I think he'd like that. And a nurse told Gil that hearing familiar voices can sometimes help. It's not a proven study, but it's a nice thought."
"Ok. I'll pick you both up some breakfast."
"Thank you Nicky."
"No prob. Tell Sara to hang in there and that I love her. I'll see you soon."
"I will. Bye Nicky."
She hung up and just stood at the door looking into the darkened room, with the only lights coming from the machines. Watching the forced rise and fall of Sara's chest and the fitful sleep Grissom appeared to be in.