Disclaimer – Please see chapter 1.
A/N – Thank you so very much to everyone who has responded to the story so far, I really do appreciated the reviews you leave me. Sorry for the long delay in posting new chapters, I will try to make sure the following ones are posted with less time in-between. This chapter contains spoilers for episode 8.17 & possibly 9.01 The chapter will cover Gil's wait for Sara at the hospital, as she flies home. I'm not really sure if this story will conclude in the next one or two chapters or if I am going to carry it on just yet, but I will let you know as soon as I decide. Not beta'd as usual, so all mistakes remain mine, I apologise if you do spot any. Please R&R Enjoy!
bugloverlvpd:- Inbox (1 new message) chapter 10
Arriving at the hospital and parking up he noticed quickly a couple of the labs denali's, and a few police patrol cars also parked up, pulling out his cell phone and making sure it was on vibrate he put it back in his pocket and walked quickly into the main doors of the hospital.
As he was just about to ask at the reception desk where about Warrick was in the hospital he spotted Jim walking towards him "Any news Jim?" Gil asked immediately.
"Come outside, I just need to make a quick call then I'll fill you in on things" Jim said turning to now walk out the main doors followed by the entomologist.
Jim made a quick call to the station asking for ten officers on duty to get down to the hospital ASAP, to guard Warrick Browns room, the others to fend off any unwanted press that were soon to arrive as the news got out about a member of the LVPD being shot.
Flipping his cell shut Jim turned to Gil and looked solemnly at his friend who looked like he'd aged 10 years in the last couple of hours"Warricks in surgery right now, but the doctors have warned us not to build our hopes up for him making it through the surgery, let alone any kind of recovery" he sighed heavily as he saw Gil's shoulders slump even more than they already had before.
"There's a bullet wound as I said before to his neck, one to the right side of his chest and one in his pelvis area" he paused before delivering the last bit of news on their seriously injured co-worker "They don't expect him to make it through the night Gil"
Gill looked very sad and solemn when he spoke "Are all the team here?" he asked.
"Yes, Catherine is in a real state and can't stop crying, Nick is trying to comfort her but the guy is in shock himself at finding Warrick. As for Greg, well the kid just looks lost and a little scared right now. Oh and a few of the lab tech's, Doc Robbin's, David Phillips and Ecklie just turned up five minutes ago" Jim said bringing his friend up to speed with information.
"Okay lets get on up there then shall we" Gil said walking back into the hospital, as Jim walked at his side.
"Did you ring Sara?" Jim asked.
"Yeah, she's on the first flight home out of San Francisco. I'm just waiting on her calling so I can pick her up from the airport" Gil said his steps faltering just a little as he recalled how she sobbed quietly as he told her the bad news.
"How'd she take the news, she gonna be okay Gil?" Jim asked concern clear in his voice, he always had a soft protective paternal spot for Sara in his heart and mind.
"Not good. She cried as expected...But god Jim it was awful telling her the news and not being with her to comfort her" Gil rubbed his hand over his face to steady his emotions as he punched the button to the lift to take them up to the surgical OR floor and waiting room.
Gil went into more detail with Jim on how Sara had reacted to the news, and Jim offered him his support if he needed it when Sara arrived, or with his team if worst came to the worst.
When the lift dinged and the doors opened on the correct floor, Gil could see a few lab workers stood in the hall looking solemn, and he spotted Conrad Ecklie looking like he was eagerly waiting for someone to arrive.
Letting out a long heavy sign as Conrad spotted him and started briskly walking towards him, he looked at Jim and mumbled "I could really do without Ecklie being a usual ass right now"
Jim patted Gil on the back and mumbled back "I'll see what I can do buddy" as Conrad came to a stop in front of them.
"Gil, Jim. Can we find somewhere a little more private to talk" Conrad said as he glanced about for an appropriate looking room "The waiting room is full" he added as he spotted a nurse.
Going over to the nurse Conrad spoke "Excuse me I'm the assistant director of the crime lab, one of our men Warrick Brown was brought in earlier, do you have a private room or area where I could talk with my colleagues?"
Looking over at the two official looking gentlemen stood behind the man who had spoken to her, she knew about the high profile case of this Mr Brown, and him being a LVPD worker and the man's current critical condition.
"Sure, you could use Dr Latham's office, he's the one that is currently working on your co-worker in OR 2" she replied indicating down the corridor.
The three followed her to the door slightly down from where they had been, and she opened it throwing open the door for them "Could one of you come get me from the nurses station when you are finished then I can come back and lock it up again" she said as she left them.
Immediately as all three entered the office and the door closed Conrad whirled around and said a little agitatedly "I don't like this Gil" he said running his hand over his bald head in agitation "First he goes after Gedda, then he gets himself involved with the death of a woman he spends one night with." he paused to catch his breath from his quickly spoken words "Then he's found at the scene of Gedda's murder with the evidence pointing directly to him seeking revenge for the woman's death..."
"He was cleared of any direct involvement in both deaths, and you know it Conrad. Warrick is an innocent man" Gil interrupted with an annoyed tone at Conrad's attitude to Warrick.
"Come on Gil you know as well as I do, he only got out of this one by the skin of his teeth" Conrad shot back.
"Warrick is still an innocent man, and a damn good CSI too. Don't forget that" Gil said as his voice raised in defence of his friend and co-worker.
Conrad snorted at his subordinate, they were always locking horns with differences of opinions, especially where the night shift team were concerned "Oh I wont, or the fact that he's also a gambling addict too, and left a newbie CSI at a crime scene where she got shot and eventually died as a result" he sneered at Gil.
Oh Gil's temper was up now at that last comment, as he squared his shoulders and stepped up towards Conrad, anger making his eyes look like lazers wanting to blast Conrad Ecklie into a million pieces.
Jim intervened grabbing Gil's elbow firmly holding him back "Don't Gil, he's not worth it".
Then Jim turned his head and glared at Conrad "That was a low blow, have you no compassion man? The guy you are so easily writing off may be dying, dead right now even as we speak" he said raising his own voice in an angered tone himself, he liked Rick and always saw him as a decent guy who would always help if asked.
Jim hoped he had shamed Conrad into giving up on his rant, and shoving a little more compassion to their fallen co-worker, and his friends who were having trouble coming to terms with a probable impending death.
Turning around away from the other two men Conrad seemed to ponder the police captains words, as Jim released his grip of Gil who also turned his back to try to reign in his jumbled emotions.
"Okay, so what now?" Jim asked of Conrad.
Both other men now turning back around more composed locked gazes as Gil signed heavily, but Conrad spoke "Well for one thing the press will be swarming this hospital any time now like the vultures they are" he said shaking his head.
"I thought the press were your friends Conrad" Gil couldn't help throw out at his nemesis.
"Gil" Jim said in a warning tone with a glare to his best friend, before he turned to Conrad "I'm already on it, my guys are on their way as we speak, ready to cover the entrances, ward and Warricks hospital room"
"Good. The Sheriff and my guys are at the scene collecting evidence right now" Conrad said then he locked gazes with Gill "I don't want any of your guys near this one Gil, strictly hands off. Is that clear?" he said authoritatively.
"Crystal" Gil said sarcastically, then added "Any reason I should know about, why the Sheriff has taken control of the crime scene on this one?" he asked as his strong curiosity to the odd turn of events took over his waning anger now.
Conrad frowned first at Gil and then Jim "No, should there be?" he asked as he saw the mistrust in both men's eyes "It's probably because it's one of our guys" he offered for some kind of explanation, although he now frowned himself in doubt at his given excuse.
"No" both Jim and Gil echoed quietly sharing a quick glance with each other "Is there any new updates on Warrick's condition?" Gil asked Conrad.
Shaking his head Conrad said "No. We better get back out there. Your team is in the waiting room, and by the looks of things not in very good shape Gil" Conrad said going to the door and opening it, leading the other two out.
Jim went down to the nurses station to let them know the use of the office was finished with, Gil walked into the waiting room, but not before Conrad told him he was going out to the crime scene and would be back later.
Catherine was sniffling in her tight embrace with Nick as they sat side by side in to seats, Nick had his head turned towards the window staring out in a trance like state, not really registering anything around him.
Greg was on the other side of the room with his body bent over, his head in his hands as he stared numbly at the floor.
Lots of others from the lab sat dotted around in small quiet groups whispering or just sitting watching the clock, and that's what everyone did from time to time, some offered to get drinks from the vending machines, and brought them back, giving them out with few words spoken.
Gil had offered his team members little notions of support, and uncomfortable comfort as best he could offer at this time, he was still unaccustomed to dealing with his own emotions at times, let alone other peoples.
This is so much easier when Sara is here with me giving me encouragement and silent support. Come on honey, I really need you right now, He thought as he pulled out his cell phone and checked the display to make sure he hadn't missed her call.
"Want to go for a coffee Gil, stretch our legs a little" Jim asked him as he sat next to him.
Glancing around the room at his solemn looking colleagues and friends Gil nodded and stood up walking over to the door as a slightly apprehensive surgeon fresh out of surgery, face mask around his neck and wearing green scrubs stepped into the room.
A chorus of murmurs, and a couple of quiet gasps sounded in the formally totally quiet, emotionally charged room as people held their breaths for news of Warricks condition.
Gil's heart beat hard in his chest when he noticed the look on the surgeons face, realizing it was not going to be good news coming from this man, Sara honey where are you, I need you right now, I can't do this on my own, he thought as a cold feeling ran through his entire body at the impending news just before the surgeon spoke.
"Family and friends of Robert Reynold?" the surgeon asked glancing around the room at all the expectant and sad looking people.
A young female woman and a elderly couple stood and stepped forward, that Gil hadn't noticed were in the room before, they walked towards the surgeon indicating they were the people that would be getting whatever news the surgeon had.
Standing back from the door Gil and Jim watched as the surgeon lead the family out to another room.
Letting out the breath he had been holding Jim said "You okay Gil?"
"Yeah" Gil said on a long relieved breath.
"Lets get that coffee then, I could use it right now" Jim said leaving the room followed by Gil.
A/N Yeah I'm mean to get you all going with that last little bit, but the next chapter will have Sara and Gil reuniting and listening to news of Warrick's condition together, so they can deal with any emotions and fall out together.
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