Two to go! Let me know what you think x

x x x x

"Hey Catherine?" The blonde spun on her heel, letting Wendy catch her up in the hall. "How's Sara doing?" The lab rat asked breathlessly. Cath nodded, continuing down the hallway.

"She's fine, they just want to keep her in for a few days; it's just a precaution."

"Great, that's great." Wendy looked relieved. Catherine ducked into her office, but Wendy didn't leave, choosing to linger in the doorway. When Catherine looked up she raised an eyebrow.

"Was there something else?" She asked expectantly.

"No, no." She shook her head. "Well... I just wanted to say that I'm really happy for you. Both of you." She gushed.

"Oh. Thank you." Cath frowned.

"Anytime." Wendy grinned, shuffling back out. Catherine shook her head, chuckling softly. Apparently she wasn't the only one taking some time to adjust to this new lifestyle.

X x x

"Hey, how's the hero?" Hodges asked without looking up. Nick and Warrick looked at each other over his head. "Greg told me what happened." He explained, finally looking up.

"She's fine."

"Yeah, she's a tough cookie." Warrick added.

"Oh, so you've seen her?"

"No, not yet. She was still in intensive care, but Catherine's seen her."

"Ah yes, mommy dearest." Hodges grinned.

"Don't call me that." They all turned, finding Catherine leaning casually against the doorframe." The lab tech shuffled sheepishly.

"Hey, you think your girl's up for visitors today?" Nick asked, flashing a charming smile.

"Yeah I don't see why not. I stopped by before shift, she's restless. She'd probably appreciate the company."

"Cool." Warrick and Nick shared a smile. "So, she'll be back on side soon, yeah?" Cath smiled.

"One thing at a time."

X x x

"Hey girl, what happened to you?" She looked up, startled by the voices. However it didn't take long for her shock to turn into joy.

"Hey, please tell me you've come to take me home?" She asked, wrapped her arms around Nick's neck.

"Sorry, your mother's ordered us to leave you here." The Texan joked, stepping aside to let Warrick have his hug.

"Damn girl, what were you trying to do to us?" He asked, dropping a kiss into her hair. She dropped back into the pillows, sighing heavily. Nick laughed at her disgruntled expression.

"Can't wait to leave huh?"

"No." She sulked. "Where's Greg?" She asked hopefully, looking towards the door. Nick and Warrick exchanged a look.

"Oh, he's um..."

"He's..."

They were saved from answering by a clattering and a muffled groan from the threshold, where a giant teddy bear filled the doorway.

"He's here." Warrick answered between chuckles. Sara beamed at Greg, whose head appeared above the bears as he stumbled inelegantly into the room.

"Hey, I brought you something." He grinned.

"Is it flowers?" Sara asked coyly. The boys laughed, while Greg hopped across the room and dropped the giant bear onto the bottom of the bed, launching himself at the brunette for a hug. She winced as he hit the tender area of her stomach, but she hid it well, returning the embrace.

"We've missed you." He said, finally releasing her.

"I've only been gone a day."

"I know, but still." He smiled playfully. "Do you like him?"

"I love him. Thank you." She leant over and kissed his cheek, causing him to blush furiously.

"Aw." He smiled bashfully.

X x x

Once the excitement of visitors wore off Sara began to lag and it was not long before she was laid asleep against Nick's shoulder. He carefully moved off the bed and lay her down against the pillows, making sure she was comfortable before letting her go altogether.

"Sleep tight honey." He kissed her forehead tenderly before standing up straight and turning to leave with the others, where they nearly walked into a smirking Catherine. She flicked her eyes from Nick to Sara, to the thing at the end of her bed. One eyebrow rose slowly.

"Why do I get the feeling you had something to do with that Greg?" She asked with amusement. The young CSI just smiled.

They said their goodbyes and left Catherine to watch over her sleeping daughter in peace.

Although not for long.

X x x

She had just got herself settled next to the bed and there was a shuffling of shoes and a muted cough. She turned, surprised to find Gil Grissom lurking behind her uncertainly with an armful of flowers.

"Not a plant?" She asked jokingly, biting back a smile at the way he suddenly became flustered.

"Should I have brought a plant instead?" He asked, panic creeping into his voice. Cath chuckled softly, causing him to frown.

"Never mind." She shook her head, holding out her hands. "Here, I'll put them in some water." She took the bouquet and disappeared into an adjoining room, leaving him alone with the sleeping brunette. He walked cautiously over to the bed, reaching out a tentative hand to hers. "She won't bite you know." The blonde pointed out, making him jump, as she wandered back in with the flowers now in a clear vase of water.

"I know." He nodded, back. "How's she doing?"

"Good. She's just tired at the moment." Cath said, sitting back down heavily and taking her hand. Grissom scrutinised her for a moment.

"So are you." He stated at last. She laughed dryly.

"Yeah, well. I didn't get much sleep yesterday." There was a long moment of silence before Grissom finally spoke again, soft and sympathetic.

"You really love her don't you?" Catherine looked at him like he'd just sprouted antlers. "I mean, I know you love her, but as a daughter, rather than..." he gave up trying to backtrack, letting his hands fall to his sides.

"Of course I do." She stated obviously. "Gil, I've loved her since the day she was born."

"Then why did you give her up?" It struck her that she had never really explained it to him before, so she gestured for him to sit down and he pulled up another chair, glancing once more at Sara before turning to Catherine attentatively.

"I didn't." She began simply.

X x x

Once she finished explaining they sat in companionable silence, just watching Sara sleep peacefully. Grissom was just about to offer some kind of apology for not understanding her position sooner when there was a quiet knock at the door and both turned to find a dark-haired woman with uncertain eyes hovering in the doorway.

"Excuse me; I'm looking for Sara Sidle." There was a hint of something in her accent that Catherine couldn't quite place. "I'm her mother."

X x x

"Why don't I go get us something to drink?" Grissom said, placing a supporting hand on Catherine's shoulder as he slipped past her. Catherine stood up to greet the woman, the shock still painted on her face.

"Laura?" She greeted softly, offering her hand. "My name's Catherine, I..." She trailed off. What on earth was she supposed to say? Thankfully, she didn't have to. As soon as she spoke something flashed across Laura's face.

"I know who you are." The soft-spoken woman said, her eyes glancing around Cath to dance over Sara's body. "Thank you."

X x x

Catherine couldn't deny the feelings of jealousy that were burning inside her as she watched Laura fuss affectionately over Sara. She had to admit, blood or not she was her mother. But still, she felt sorry for the older woman. Laura had had a difficult life, that was clear from her face, but she had loved Sara like her own for thirty years and now this stranger had come in a stolen her thunder. It must be hard for her.

"You did a wonderful job with her." She offered up, feeling weakness of the words even as she spoke them. Laura turned to her, a sad smile on her face.

"Thank you." She nodded appreciatively. "She's so beautiful isn't she?" One shaking hand trailed tenderly across the girl's cheek.

"Yes, she is." Cath agreed, moving around the bed to perch on the end, resting one hand on Sara's leg.

"Jack told me about you." She explained, not tearing her eyes away from Sara. "I tried calling her at her work but they told me she was here."

"She's going to be okay." Catherine felt the need, as a mother, to assuage the woman's fears straight away. "She just needs a few days rest." Laura nodded, not really listening.

"I put her in here once. When she was a child." She swallowed hard. "I didn't mean to, I just ... lost my temper."

"Laura..." Catherine tried to stop her, to tell her that it was okay, but she continued oblivious.

"I nearly drowned her. I could have killed her." Tears were starting to fall and she edged away from the bed.

"Laura it's okay." Cath tried again, but it was no use. The dark haired woman looked up, meeting Catherine's empathic gaze.

"I'm glad she's found you." She leant down and kissed Sara's head so gently, barely grazing the skin. She stepped back, edging away from the bed. Catherine leapt to her feet, begging her to stay, but Laura was already halfway to the door.

"Laura please don't go." She pleaded, following her across the room.

"Tell her I'm sorry." She mumbled, stumbling out of the door and into the busy corridor. Catherine was about to follow when a quiet mumble halted her footsteps.

"Mom?" Cath bit her lip, debating how to answer the confused plea. Sadly, she turned back to the bed, where Sara was watching her through bemused eyes.

"I'm here Bella." She whispered, walking back to her daughter's side.