CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
The Coffee Shop Murders
Smokinhottie
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone except...Hannah, Kimberly Wright, and Memee.
Chapter 28
Brass and Catherine walked down the halls until they came to Grissom's room. They paused a moment before going in and Brass turned to Catherine.
"Catherine...do you want to go in alone? Will you be ok?" Brass said quietly and Catherine shook her head.
"I think I can handle this, but I shouldn't be the only one to see him." she said. Brass shook his head.
"No...you deserve to see him first. I'll wait to see him when Nick and Sara get here. Go on...go see him." Brass said. Catherine smiled and gave him a hug before carefully opening the door and walking in.
After she shut the door behind her, she was greeted by the sounds of the machines. She had seen people in the hospital before, but this was different. This wasn't just another victim in a case she was working. This was Grissom, the love of her life, lying in that bed. She fought back the tears as she looked at him. Tape scattered his face and large purple bruises were setting in. A tube ran into his mouth and down his throat helping him to breathe. Blood and IV transfusions were in his arms as well as a bag that Catherine was sure contained pain medication and the sedative. As she slowly walked toward the bed, she could see the rest of his injuries. His entire bare chest and abdomen were wrapped in bandages and she fought to keep her emotions in check. Catherine gently sat on the bed beside him and took his hand. She looked at him for a moment before leaning over and kissing his bandaged forehead. He was deathly pale and cold to the touch as she held his hand in both of hers. She wished that she could some how pour the life back in to him. She wanted so badly for him to open his bright blue eyes, sit up, and take her in his arms. She wanted him to tell her that he would be all right, but she knew that it wouldn't happen anytime soon.
"Gil?...It's me Catherine." she whispered, "I know you can hear me...I just want you to know that I love you and that I'm here." She sighed as she watched him lay there. Just at that moment, the door opened and Brass poked his head in.
"Hey," he said softly, "Look who I found." He opened the door wider and Sara and Nick walked in.
"Hi Catherine," Sara said as she gave her a hug, "Are you all right?"
"I'm ok, Sara." Catherine said as she hugged both Nick and Sara. "What about you? How are you feeling Nick?" Nick shrugged slightly.
"I'll be fine. I'm more concerned about Grissom." He said as he looked at his father-figure laying in the bed. "How's he doing?"
"Well, he just got out of surgery about 45 minutes ago." she said with a heavy sigh, "Brass and I spoke with his doctor and he said that he's going to be fine. They got all of the pellets out and managed to stop all of the bleeding. Most of the damage has been repaired, but we have to wait until he's awake to see how much damage is still left. Right now he is in a coma."
"A coma!?" Sara said in shock. "Why?"
"He has lost so much blood and experienced so much trauma to his body that he has been put in a drug-induced coma by the doctors. That means that they've given him something to put him in a coma like state. It's meant to allow him to relax and regain his strength in order to get better. He's in a sleep like state. He can hear us, just not speak or open his eyes." Brass explained.
"How long is he going to be like this?" Nick said as he and Sara went to Grissom's bedside. Sara sat down by Grissom's left side and Nick stood behind her. Catherine shook her head.
"We're not sure. The doctor said that once he can breathe on his own, they can bring him out of the coma." she said.
At that moment, a young woman opened the door and poked her head in.
"Is this the room where Gil Grissom is? Is Catherine Willows in here?" she said softly. She was tall and slender, dressed in a business suit, with beautiful auburn hair that was pulled back in a low ponytail.
"Yes...I'm Catherine Willows. Can I help you?" she said uncertainly.
"My name is Kimberly Wright and I'm with the Clark County Department of Social Services. I'm sorry to intrude, but I'm here to speak to someone about the arrangements for Hannah DeMingo." she explained
"Is she alright? She's not hurt is she?" Sara said anxiously.
"No ma'am, I apologize. I was referring to her arrangements to have her placed in someones custody." she said, as the door opened and Greg entered with little Hannah.
"Hi Hannah!" Sara said and Hannah smiled as she ran to her arms.
"Hi Greg." Catherine said softly. Greg had spent the night with Hannah to keep her company. He quietly asked Brass about Grissom's condition before he left to go to the lab.
"We need to discuss who will be taking Hannah in to custody. Unfortunately, she has no other relatives and we have nowhere to place her in our system. We need someone to be her temporary guardian." Kimberly explained once Greg had left. Sara nodded before picking Hannah up and setting her in her lap.
"Hannah, how would you like to come with me? You could stay with me at my house." Sara said gently and Hannah looked at the floor.
"My Mommy and Daddy are in heaven aren't they?" she said solemnly and Sara sighed slightly as she looked at Nick.
"Yes sweetie, they are, but you know what? They are ok. They will always be watching over you." Nick carefully explained.
"Just like Jesus and all the angels?" Hannah said with a small smile as she looked at everyone.
"Yes sweetheart...Just like Jesus and all the angels...and you know what? I bet they are already friends and having a good time." Catherine said gently and Hannah nodded.
"Miss Sara? Can I stay with you please?" Hannah said softly "I don't want to be all by myself.
"Of course you can." Sara said with a smile. "You will never be alone Hannah." Hannah smiled and wrapped her arms around Sara's neck.
"Good then it's all settled." said Kimberly with a smile, "You will need to fill out some paperwork. I'll be waiting at the nurses station. Take your time visiting." She walked out the door, leaving the team in silence.
"Mrs. Willows...what's wrong with Mr. Grissom?" Hannah said as she looked at Grissom. Catherine sighed and looked at Brass, unsure of what to say.
"He's not feeling good, Hannah. He's in the hospital to feel better. Just like you were." Brass explained and Hannah nodded. She carefully climbed down off Sara's lap and walked around to other side of the bed.
"Is he sleeping?" she said quietly, as she studied Grissom's face.
"He is, but you can talk to him. He can hear you." Nick said and Hannah nodded again. She sat there a moment thinking before saying anything.
"Mr. Grissom? Mr. Nick says you can hear me...I hope you can...I wanted to say thank you for coming to get me...I'm sorry you aren't feeling good. Get better soon! Oh and guess what? I get to stay with Miss Sara!" she said. Everyone smiled as they watched little Hannah.
"I hope you get better soon!" she said as she tried to get up on the bed, but was too short. Brass picked her up and brought her closer to Grissom. Hannah placed a small kiss on his cheek and Brass set her back down.
"Thank you." she said to Brass, who nodded. Hannah stood there a moment more before she began to rub her eyes.
"Miss Sara," she said with a yawn, "Can we go to sleep?"
"Sure Hannah, let's go home. Nick, are you ready?" Sara said with a small smile. Nick nodded and Sara picked up Hannah.
"Bye Catherine, Brass. You'll call us if he wakes up right?" Sara said as they headed towards the door.
"We will. You guys take it easy." Brass said. Sara, Nick, and Hannah all said good-bye and headed to the nurses station. Brass meanwhile sank into the chair by the bed.
"You should do home and get some sleep. I'll stay here with him. I promise that I'll call if anything happens." Brass said and Catherine wearily nodded.
"Come on," he said as he stood, "I'll take you home." Catherine numbly stood and kissed Grissom on the forehead again, before allowing Brass to lead her out.
