A/N: Hey guys. Here we go with a new chapter. The title for the episode secrets and lies kinda popped into my head while I was writing the next few chapters. Hope that's not a bad sign :P Let's see shall we…

Thank you as always to calim for the great beta and to everyone who has sent me a review. They all make me smile :)

On we go….

Chapter 20

The soft warm glide of his breath as it breezed across her throat. That gentle, contented sound in her ear.

She loved that feeling.

Working her fingers through his hair as he lay sleeping, his head against her chest, Sara sighed softly. Considering how the day had started, the end of it had flipped completely around. He'd turned from an emotional wreck into a confider and, unexpectedly, so had she. And their evening had been pretty nice, too. Well, better than the morning had been.

Sara made dinner. Neither of them ate a great deal but no arguments were made on either side. Instead, they settled in front of the TV, Grissom asking her if she'd like to watch their wedding video. She beamed at the offer. Their union in Costa Rica had been a quiet affair and she couldn't have asked for anything more.

The sound of the ocean, the crisp, clean air, the light, southerly breeze and the sun shining down upon them. It was like being at the end of the earth without a worry in sight. She was so glad they'd hired someone to record their moment though. Because in sad times or happy times, it was good to reflect on how lucky you were and are.

While Grissom had a bath, Sara called Catherine back to update her on things and she'd insisted upon taking them to the hospital tomorrow. Sara couldn't be bothered to argue and just texted Brass to explain he wouldn't be needed.

Suddenly, the lights flickered and Sara's eyes caught a flash through the curtains, a quiet rumble of thunder following not long afterwards. She breathed in heavily. So many things were now occupying her thoughts and Grissom had certainly stirred some emotions within her that she thought she'd managed to bury away never to be visited again. It seemed she was wrong.

They'd both been through such frightening experiences.

September 28th 2007 – Desert Palms Hospital

White noise filled her ears. Bright lights attacked her eyes as they opened, rolled, closed then opened again. She couldn't swallow. Her throat was dry. No, it felt like she'd swallowed razor blades. Her face was burning and her ears ringing. She was hot then cold.

Sara's world was fuzzy and, as the gurney crashed through a door and into a cubicle, the only thing on her mind was Grissom. He'd been holding her hand but now he wasn't.

Where was he?

"Sara, can you hear me?"

Her head tipped to the side, vision still hazy as she looked for Grissom.

"Sara, I'm Doctor Porter, can you hear me?"

She was being leaned forwards. A chill ran through her as clothes were removed but then she felt so hot again.

Hands all over her.

More talking.

Blah…blah…blah…blah…

A hand appeared at her face and her head tipped forwards as the oxygen masked was removed. Oh, she didn't like the light that was suddenly shining in her eyes.

Get it away.

"Sara?" the doctor urgently asked again.

Tipping her head away she saw him then and their eyes met. He looked so distraught and she wasn't going to look away for anything. Mustering up all the energy she could find, Sara managed to lift her hand, doing her best to hold it in his direction.

Grissom looked around as the medical staff worked on her and slowly stepped forwards, receiving a hand in the chest from a nurse who stopped him in his tracks.

"She needs me," he said hoarsely but with authority. "And she might talk to you if I'm with her. She's been through so much."

The nurse looked at the doctor who glanced their way and, as he wasn't having much luck in getting Sara to communicate, nodded and Grissom was let through. Quickly, he was by Sara's side and holding her hand with as much delicate care as he had in the helicopter.

"It's okay," his reassuring words came, his tone gentle but obviously worried. "Try and relax. I'm here and they're only trying to help you."

Sara's surprisingly strong grip on his hand was welcome and he let her cling on as tightly as she wanted. No doubt she was scared to death with all the activity around her.

"Can you tell me how much pain you're in, Sara?" the doctor asked.

Blinking drearily, Sara kept her eyes on Grissom but answered. "Tired," she whispered.

"I understand," the doctor said. "And I promise you can sleep soon. I just need to know where you have any pain."

Grissom's eyes flicked around as numerous machines were attached to her, her heart rate extremely high once the beeping began. She'd been given painkillers in the helicopter, but no one knew how much she was still hurting.

Sara let out a long breath before sucking on her dry and cracked bottom lip. "Headache," she mumbled. "And my arm feels…pulled, sore...heavy."

"May I check your eyes?"

Smiling at her, Grissom gave a nod of encouragement to help her along and her head tipped towards the doctor, the faintest nod coming from her. She blinked as the light was again shining into her left eye and then the right.

"A little dilated," the doctor reeled off to the nurse beside him. "What's her temperature?" he asked pulling back.

"102.2," the nurse answered.

High. Everyone knew it but not really surprising.

"Let's up a little on the liquids and get some more ice packs," he said before returning his attention to Sara. "We're going to make you as comfortable as we can, okay? And then we need to get you down to radiology."

Present

Another boom of thunder brought Sara's world back to the present and she dropped her hand onto Grissom's back, holding onto him. It was not fun remembering and now there were so many other things to think about as well.

She sighed.

It wasn't long after her MRI and X-rays that she found herself in surgery to repair the break to her arm. She couldn't remember much about what happened in the middle since she was drifting in and out of consciousness the whole time. What she did remember was that Grissom was there until the surgery doors closed and there when she woke up later. That she'd never forget.

Her eyes flicked to the clock. 3am. She should try and get some sleep. Grissom had his first physio session in a few hours and she was just hoping he would be up to it and not postpone. He shouldn't considering how their day had ended but she was tired of trying to predict anything.

But she hoped physio would give them something to change the repetitiveness of how their days went. Goals. A path towards using his hands again. Last time, he'd taken it in stride and she hoped it would be the same this time. It would help him in so many ways to have back his independence both physically and mentally.

Running fingers through his hair one more time, Sara reached up and flicked off the lamp, closing her eyes as another bang of thunder came.

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Sitting in the kitchen, Grissom concentrated on getting the oatmeal on his spoon while Sara, lost in thought, sipped on some orange juice. Looking up from his bowl, Grissom stared at her.

"Are you going to eat something?" Sara didn't answer and he frowned. "Sara?"

She looked up. "Huh? Did you say something?"

"I asked if you were going to eat something," he repeated.

Screwing up her nose, Sara shook her head. "Not very hungry."

"Are you all right?" he asked concerned.

"Yeah," she said swiftly, putting her juice down. "Why?"

"Apart from the fact you look a little pale, you seem totally in another world this morning."

Faking a smile, Sara reached to top off his juice glass. "I'm fine. Just didn't sleep very well."

Lowering his hand to the table and resting his spoon on the plate, he continued to stare at her. "Were you worrying about me? Is that why you couldn't sleep?"

Putting the jug down she raised her head to meet his stare. "Partly," she admitted. "Just… a lot on my mind and don't forget I did sleep away most of yesterday."

His eye twitched. "Want to talk about what's on your mind?"

Smiling again, she got up and he kept eye contact as she drew close, leaned in and kissed him. "I'm fine," she repeated. "You have enough to worry about today."

Before he could force the subject, she grabbed her cell and patted her leg for Buddy. "I'm just going to let him out before I get you washed and dressed."

Frowning as she walked away, Grissom worked his jaw. Something just wasn't sitting right in his stomach about the way Sara was acting.

Heading out the back, Sara made sure she'd stepped away from the doorway before activating her phone. Watching Buddy running across the garden, she waited for an answer.

"Donald Moore," eventually came the response.

"Hey, Donald," Sara greeted, running a hand through her hair. "It's Sara Sidle."

Grissom's attention was pulled from watching the doorway to the garden when the inside phone rang. Tempted to get up and try to answer it, he decided against it. He couldn't hold it so why try?

He needn't have worried because Sara hurried back in, Buddy at her heels, managing to pick up the phone before it stopped ringing.

"Hello?" she gasped, trying to catch her breath.

"Hi, Sara, it's James."

"Oh," she breathed, leaning against the counter and looking at Grissom. "Hey."

"Thought I'd call to see how Gil was as I didn't hear from you yesterday."

"He's okay," she said softly. "We had a good talk and it certainly helped."

"That's great," James beamed.

Inside, Sara wanted to say a lot more to the doctor about how she was feeling about the situation but now wasn't the time.

"Yeah. Maybe Gil will tell you about it next time he sees you."

Grissom frowned wondering who she was talking to.

"We'll see, I guess. Do you want to talk to him?"

"That's up to him really."

Nodding, Sara walked to her husband. "I'll ask him, hang on," she said before holding the phone against her chest. "It's James asking how you are." Grissom swallowed. "Would you like to speak to him?"

After a little thought, Grissom shook his head. "Not today. I'd rather do it in the next session."

"Okay," she said, understanding his reasons. She really didn't want anything to upset him today. "He said he'll speak to you at the next session," she told James.

"No problem," he answered. "At least he's willing to continue. I will call you later about the time since we'll be moving his hypnotherapy session to the same day as mine at Gil's request."

Sara blinked. "Oh. I didn't know that but, okay, just let me know and I'll tell him."

"Will do. Talk to you later."

"Bye," Sara said, hanging up and looking at Grissom. "Your two sessions are moving closer together?"

"Yeah," Grissom said quietly. "Sorry. I…forgot to mention it. Yesterday didn't really go as planned and it slipped my mind."

Putting the phone on the counter, she nodded. "It's fine. If that's what you want."

"Just makes more sense to me rather than waiting."

"It might be a lot more pressure," she countered.

"Maybe. I guess I'll have to see how it goes. I can always change it back if it doesn't work out."

"Yeah," she agreed. "Are you finished eating?"

As he nodded, she leaned down and unhooked his spoon before holding out her hand. "Then let's get you dressed."

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Sitting in the hospital waiting room, Sara tapped her foot and looked around. Grissom noticed but, before he could question the fact she looked more nervous than he did, Catherine appeared through the doors.

"Car's parked. So, are you ready for the fun to begin?" she asked, sitting next to Sara.

Grissom hadn't been too chatty in the car, just like normal, but he and Catherine really did like winding each other up.

"Immensely," Grissom returned flatly.

Snorting, Catherine looked Sara over. "Got ants in your pants or something?"

Frowning, Sara tipped her head in Catherine's direction. "Me?"

"Ugh huh," Catherine replied. "You're all fidgety."

Grissom waited for an answer thinking exactly the same thing.

Sara just shrugged. "I just hope this goes well."

Grissom's eye twitched at Sara's unconvincing tone but the appearance of Donald and a nurse by his side broke up the conversation and he glanced at the doctor.

"Hey guys," Donald greeted.

Grissom nodded and then swallowed.

"Hi," Sara replied and Catherine flashed Donald a smile as Buddy sat up with a healthy tail wag.

"How is everyone?" Donald asked.

Catherine looked at Sara and Sara looked at Grissom.

"Some good days, some bad," Grissom said, his eyes staying on Sara for a few seconds before concentrating on Donald.

"Well," Donald began, "let's hope today is the start of more good days."

Grissom nodded. "Let's hope so."

Smiling, Donald nodded to the nurse. "Anna is going to take you down for a quick X-ray, okay? Just as a precaution. We need to be 100% certain that you are totally fit and ready for this to start. A tiny little glitch could set us back."

Grissom frowned but Sara squeezed his knee. "Don't worry. You haven't had any problems, so it'll be fine."

Blowing out a breath, Grissom nodded. "Okay, I guess."

"Good," Donald returned. "Then I'll see you back here shortly and we can head on in to Aaron and get started."

"Are you sitting in?" Grissom asked.

"For the first session, yes," Donald confirmed.

"Just like last time, huh?"

Donald smiled at his patient. "Just like last time."

"Okay," Grissom agreed. "I'm all for encouragement."

"You'll have plenty of that," Donald encouraged. "See you soon."

As Donald stepped away, Sara got up. "Cath, do you mind taking Buddy while I pop to the bathroom? I'll meet you down at X-ray."

Grissom eyebrows soared and Catherine looked a little surprised by the request but as Sara held out the leash, Catherine took it.

"Urm, sure," she replied.

Smiling weakly, Sara kissed Grissom on the cheek. "See you in a few minutes," she said and before he could even argue, Sara was gone out of the waiting room.

A little confused, Grissom looked at Catherine who just snorted and got up, holding out a hand to help him stand.

"I guess when you gotta go you gotta go," she joked. "So, let's go to X-ray and get this show on the road."

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It was almost 15 minutes later when Sara showed up at radiology, sitting down next to Catherine and leaning over to stroke Buddy.

"That must have been a long pee," Catherine said.

Sara's eyes flicked to her. "I guess it was," she said, wiping a hand across her forehead. Man, she was hot.

"Take your jacket off," Catherine said, noticing Sara looked a little flushed.

Clearing her throat, Sara shook her head. "I'm fine."

"Why am I not believing you?"

Looking away, Sara stroked Buddy again.

"Come on, spill. What's going on?"

Biting her lip, Sara's brain looked for an excuse and, thankfully, the door to X-ray opened and Grissom stepped out with the nurse. Not answering Catherine's question, Sara got up.

"All good?" she asked, not seeing Catherine's narrowed eyes behind her.

"Yeah," Grissom answered.

"I'll get you back to the waiting room," the nurse said, "and the results should be pretty quick. Once the doctor has them he'll come and get you."

Grissom nodded as Sara took his arm and they set off down the corridor, Catherine bringing up the rear with Buddy.

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Back in the waiting room, Sara held out a magazine for Grissom to read in hopes of keeping him occupied while they waited.

Waiting was the worst thing. So far, he didn't seem too agitated but that could easily change. And, in all fairness, she just wished the clock would hurry up. She wanted to get out of there and take a long bath, the kind that would last for hours. Sadly, she didn't get many of those these days. She could also feel Catherine's eyes on her but refused to look at her. When Catherine knew something wasn't right it wasn't often she let it lie.

"So, have you given any more thought about coming to the party tomorrow?" Catherine asked, breaking the current silence of the trio.

Raising his head, Grissom first looked at Sara then toward Catherine.

"Maybe next time," he said casually. "I'm just not ready."

Catherine smiled. "Okay. I guess I'll have to bring the cake to you."

Sara smiled as Buddy let out a whine. "I'm sure she'll bring some for you, too."

Grissom snorted and, just as he did, Donald reappeared.

"Ready to get started?" he asked.

"The X-rays were clear I take it?" Sara asked.

Donald smiled. "Crystal. No issues."

She nodded and glanced at Grissom. "Ready?" Inhaling deeply, Grissom nodded. "Are you coming in, Cath?" Sara asked as she and Grissom stood.

Catherine looked unsure. "Is that all right? I don't want to intrude."

"Up to Gil really," Donald said.

Grissom glanced at Catherine then smirked. "I guess I could use someone to make sarcastic comments," he chirped.

Snorting, Catherine nodded down the corridor. "Then lead the way."

A/N: I am certainly enjoying flashing back to the past. Could be a fun angle to explore :) What is Sara up to?