Chapter Eleven:
Vartann looked at Nick. "I knew it!"
Nick looked at Sara and then Grissom.
"Wait!" yelled Sara. "I may have slept with him but it was nothing!"
Grissom glared at her as Nick inched his way to the door.
"I mean…he's Grissom," she said in her defense.
Vartann stared at Grissom, "Are you gay or something cause that's the same excuse Nick used when I told him I thought there was something going on between the two of you."
Grissom started to respond when Sara spoke up.
"What makes you think there's something going on between us?" yelled Sara now holding on to the chair.
"Oh I don't know ten years as a detective and the fact that you're wearing his shirt that says entomologists do it better."
Nick snickered as Sara grabbed at the front of the T- shirt and read it upside down.
She glared at Grissom.
Vartann headed toward the door.
"Dan, wait!" she pleaded. "This is a huge misunderstanding. We're not together," she said
pointing at herself and Grissom. "His couch is a death trap. Ask Brass. He has a king size bed.
It's like sleeping in two separate beds… except when I get cold and I snuggle which you haven't
found out yet because we haven't slept together yet… okay it was cold last night and yes I did
curl up beside him but…we had clothes on…I kept my clothes on…I usually don't keep my
clothes on…I sleep in the nude…okay in the summer time…not when it's cold…" she stopped
and leaned against the chair. "I'm overtalking. I'm making no sense…you understand this right
because right now I really don't feel well."
She covered her mouth and ran to the bathroom.
They looked at Grissom.
"Is she okay?" asked Nick.
"No Nicky, she's not. She's been vomiting for most of the night and has a fever. She probably got the flu when she helped out swing shift. Anyone for coffee?" he asked as he headed toward the kitchen.
"I think we better go," said Nick as he pulled Vartann to the door. "Sorry to wake you."
Sara ran back into the room and found Grissom sitting there drinking a cup of coffee while he glanced at the newspaper.
"Feeling better?" he asked as he glanced over his glasses.
"They left?"
"Yes, they did."
She slumped down into the chair and sniffled.
It caught his attention.
"Sara?"
"I just wanted a life…not a big one…just something besides work…something," she said as she coughed.
"You should go back to bed," he said softly feeling remorse for his previous actions.
He stood and pulled her back to the bedroom. She made no fuss when he ordered her to bed. He sat there with her until she closed her eyes and was back asleep.
He reached over and felt of her forehead and suddenly he was back up again. He turned the light on and rummaged through the medicine cabinet and returned with a thermometer.
"Sara…Sara wake up," he urgently said.
"What?" she said a bit irritated.
"Let me take your temp," he said. He thrust the thermometer in her mouth before she could protest and then waited. He pulled it out and frowned.
"Sara, you have a temp of 103."
"Griss, I don't feel well," she admitted.
He returned to the medicine cabinet and took out some medicine before returning to sit on the edge of the bed and made her take it.
"For the fever," he said. He then set the clock to wake up in a couple of hours to check her fever and pulled out another blanket placing it over her. He turned off the air and slipped back into the covers pulling her close to him. She gladly took his warmth and was soon back asleep.
"Just rest," he whispered.
He woke later just before the alarm was set to go off and he quickly reached to turn it off. He grabbed the thermometer and nudged her awake so he could place it in her mouth. He waited a few minutes and then read it. He stared at her.
Temp is still 103…
This isn't good…
This isn't good at all…
He poured a glass of water and nudged her awake.
"Sara, need to take some more medicine. Drink all of the water," he said.
She took it and then lay back down. She was asleep by the time he returned to the bed. He pulled her close to him as he lay there with her in his arms. He continued the regiment up for the next eight hours but as she worsened, he found himself calling Brass.
"Jim, I need your help," he said.
He held her as Brass drove to the hospital. He kept the blanket wrapped around her tightly as he urged Brass to hurry. He watched as she was placed on a gurney and then taken to the first available curtain. He stood there helplessly until a nurse handed him some paperwork.
"If you're family, we'll need you to fill this out," she said. He took it grateful to be busy as he sat there filling out the questionnaire. He returned it to the nurse's station and then took his seat beside Brass.
"Mr. Grissom?"
"Yes."
"Your wife is dehydrated. We're going to give her some fluids. How long has she had the fever? At least twelve hours. I got worried when I couldn't wake her."
"You did the right thing getting her here so quickly. We're going to monitor the fever…it's still 103. We've seen a lot of this with this strain of flu. Has she had any other symptoms?"
"She complained the other night she had a headache…could have still have one…she was a little cranky the next day. There's been some nausea with vomiting. "
"Any medications we should be concerned about?"
"Just over the counter medication in the last twelve hours."
"Any form of birth control medication?"
"No."
"Any chance she could be pregnant?"
"No."
"When we get her to a room a nurse will come out and take you to her."
"Thank you," he said as he sat back down beside Brass.
"Wife?"
"They won't let any of us back there unless we're family."
"I see. So you're the only one who gets to visit?"
"No. You're listed as the father."
Brass smiled.
"That's makes you my son. I'm getting all gooey inside."
He sat there for the next hour waiting to see her when Nick and Greg arrived.
"Hey, Judy told us you wouldn't be in tonight because you brought Sara to the hospital. What happened?" asked Nick.
"Flu…she got dehydrated."
"Can we see her?" asked Greg.
"We're waiting for them to put her in a room. They're concerned about the fever."
"Fever?" asked Nick.
"103 for the past twelve hours," said Grissom sipping on his coffee.
"Then she had a fever when she…" he asked.
"Yes."
"What was she doing with you?" asked Greg.
"I took her home with me. She was sick and I didn't want her to be alone."
"Good thing you didn't," said Brass.
Another hour passed and a doctor came out to see Grissom.
"Mr. Grissom?"
"Yes?"
"Your wife's fever is down but it's still high. We would like to do a lumbar puncture."
"Why?" he asked nervously.
"To rule out meningitis."
"Meningitis?"
"Yes."
He nodded nervously. "Would you like to be with her during the procedure?"
"Yes."
"Follow me."
The guys stood there and watched as they disappeared.
"Did they say Sara was his wife?" asked Greg.
"He did it so we would be able to see her," said Brass. "By the way, he's my son- in- law and Sara is my daughter."
"What about us?" asked Greg.
"They would never believe that," muttered Brass.
She was awake when he came into the room.
"Sara?"
She turned to look at him.
"Sara, I've talked with the doctor and they want to do a lumbar puncture to rule out meningitis."
"Meningitis?"
"Yes." He saw the fear in her eyes.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
"My head hurts…feel nauseated again," she said as she closed her eyes.
"Sara?" He leaned down so he could whisper softly into her ear. "I told them you're my wife. I did it so I could stay with you. I'm going to be with you during the procedure. Okay?"
She nodded weakly.
"Good," he said kissing her gently on the forehead.
The nurses returned and prepared Sara for the procedure.
The nurse pulled Grissom aside.
"It's very important that you keep her very still. We're going to inject a numbing medication but she's going to feel some discomfort...like a burning sensation."
He faced her as she lay in the fetal position. "This is usually the position you sleep in," he said smiling. "Squeeze my hand when you feel anything," he whispered. She closed her eyes as she felt the burning sensation and she gripped his hand forcibly. He gently wiped the tear from her cheek as it slipped down.
"You'll be done soon," he whispered. She gripped once more and he found himself holding her while he whispered softly into her ear. "Can you believe it, I have Jim as a father- in-law…he's listed as your father." It made her smile. "That's it…not much longer Sara."
He was relieved when the procedure was over. She kept her grip as the nurses told her she should lie still.
"Okay?" he asked.
She nodded.
"The others are outside and want to see you," he said.
"Don't go," she pleaded.
"I'm right here," he said as he kept her hand entwined in his. "Head still hurts?"
She nodded.
He gently stroked her hair as he sat there until she fell asleep. There was a slight tap at the door as Brass peaked inside.
"How is she?" he asked.
"She finally fell asleep. She's in quite a bit of pain," he said.
"I'll sit with her. Why don't you…"
"No…She didn't want me to leave her. I'm not leaving."
Grissom glanced at her and then back at Brass.
"I'm not leaving her." he said defensively.
She began to stir and he pulled her hand to his lips.
"Hey, Brass is here," he said softly.
She turned and he smiled at her.
"How do you feel kiddo?" he asked.
"Tired," she whispered.
"Feel up to company?" he asked.
She shook her head. "Too tired…don't feel well…Griss?"
She turned to look at him.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked in a panicked voice.
"My head hurts," she whispered.
He began to buzz the nurse.
"She's still complaining her head hurts," he said.
"Some patients get spinal headaches," said the nurse. "I'll page the doctor and have him come. She needs to lie flat on her back and remain stress free."
Brass and Grissom looked at one another.
"I'm Doctor Graham. Sara, how is the pain? Is it worse?" he asked.
She nodded her head.
"If you could step out a moment, I'm going to examine her."
Grissom stood and she grasped his hand. He looked at the doctor.
"You can stay since you're her husband," he said.
Sara clutched at his hand as she winced from the pain.
Grissom glanced at Brass. "I'll tell the others."
He smiled at Sara as he stepped out.
Brass found the others in the waiting room.
"Hey, how is she? Can we see her?" asked Nick as Greg stood beside him.
"She's in a lot of pain…headache. They called the doctor to examine her for possible spinal leakage."
"That's not good," said Greg. "That's not good at all."
"Where's Grissom?" asked Nick.
"He's with Sara. She wouldn't let go of his hand. She's scared," said Brass.
"People die from meningitis," said Greg.
"Don't say that," said Nick in a low voice. "Sara's strong."
"Listen, they want her to lie flat on her back stress free. I think we're not going to get to see her until they know for sure what it is," said Brass.
They nodded.
Grissom held her hand as the doctor examined her and looked at Grissom.
"There's some leakage…this is the reason for the headache. The most important thing right now is for her to lay still and rest. No stress. We'll give her something for the pain. It will help her sleep."
"Can I stay with her?" asked Grissom.
"I don't see why not. I'll notify the nurses," said Doctor Graham.
He sat holding her hand throughout the night as she slept. He yawned as Brass tapped at the door.
"The nurse said I could stay for five minutes," he said. "Any change?"
"She's sleeping much better since they gave her something for the pain. The results are negative for meningitis."
Brass smiled. "That's good. Did they say what caused the high fever?"
"Really bad case of the flu. Her fever is now going down since she's receiving the IVs."
"Good thing you were with her."
He nodded.
"Guys are still hanging out. Warrick and Catherine are here now. I'll tell them the good news."
"No visitors until we know the headache is gone," said Grissom.
Brass nodded. "Get some rest yourself."
She woke a few hours later staring at him sitting in the chair.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
"Better," she said.
"Headache?"
"Gone."
He smiled.
"You have visitors that have been waiting to see you," said Grissom. "Feel up to it?"
She nodded. He stood to go outside.
"Grissom?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for staying with me."
"What's a husband for," he said with a smile.
Note from author:
Okay…so I had to throw in some angst…it's in my nature…leave a review…don't forget for each chapter. Take care! Penny