Chapter Thirty Six:

Warrick patted Grissom on the shoulder.

"They can't see me," stated Warrick.

Grissom coughed, sending the others into a panic.

"He's coughing up blood," yelled Nick. "Where the hell is that ambulance?"

"I'm dying…aren't I?" asked Grissom.

"No, you're not!" cried Catherine.

"You've come for me, haven't you?" asked Grissom.

"Who is he talking to?" whispered Greg.

Catherine gently pulled his face toward her. "Gil, listen to me. You've got to hang on. Don't let go!"

Grissom turned back to look at Warrick.

"I'm sorry, I let you down Warrick," coughed Grissom.

"Griss, you never let me down," stated Warrick.

"I did," wept Grissom. "Just like I let Sara down."

"Griss, you didn't let any of us down," urged Nick. "You need to hang on. Jim!"

Brass ran over. "Two minutes," he announced. "You hear that Gil? The ambulance will be here in two minutes."

Grissom shivered. "I'm cold."

"Listen to Brass. Ambulance is on its way," stated Warrick. "Just hold on. Sara needs you to hang on."

"Sara…doesn't need me. She needed them…more than me," he cried.

"Is that why you pushed us out of the way?" asked Greg. "You thought…"

Grissom gasped for air as blood oozed from his mouth.

"Listen, I know it hurts, but you have to hold on," urged Warrick.

"Sara…was the only good thing in my life," Grissom gasped.

"Gil, Sara loves you," sniffled Catherine. "She came to the lab to…"

His body shuddered once and then went limp.

"Gil!" cried Catherine as she held him in his arms.

Medics rushed toward them.

Grissom glanced down at his body as he stood beside Warrick.

"So this is what it's like to be dead?" asked Grissom.

The medic scrambled with an I.V.

"Grissom, you have to go back," stated Warrick.

"There's no reason," replied Grissom.

"You can't leave Sara."

"She's better off. She was going to leave anyway."

"No, she wasn't. Catherine was trying to explain that to you. You have to go back now."

"No…it's too painful."

"It was painful for Sara but she went back…she could have died in that coffin but she didn't. She held on for you."

"I don't know how…to go back," grieved Grissom.

Warrick grabbed him by the arm and shoved him toward his body.

"I'll see you again," he urged. "You've got some things to resolve…then I'll come back."

"I've got two entry wounds," announced the medic to his partner.

"Two?" questioned Catherine. "I…only saw one."

Nick grabbed her by the arm trying to comfort her.

"It's just below the shoulder wound. Left lung has collapsed. We've got to get him stable before we can transport him. Do you know next of kin?" the medic asked.

"Yes…we are. We're his family," cried Catherine.

Grissom's chest rose and then fell.

"He's back," called out the medic.

The others cried out in relief.

"He's not out of the woods," cautioned the medic.

"Nicky, get to the lab. Sara is waiting in my office," ordered Catherine.

Hours passed as they waited for any news.

Langston sat beside Sara as they waited. "Surgery could take a few hours," he cautioned.

"But you said, it should have been over by now," she griped.

"Sara, they'll tell us as soon as they can," he urged. "You need to remain calm."

"I can't stand the waiting," she sniffled. "Is this what he went through…when I was abducted?"

"He was just as impatient as you," stated Brass.

The surgeon appeared. "He's in recovery but it's going to be several hours before we can move him into a private room. I suggest you go home and come back in a few hours."

Sara shook her head as she sat down. "I'll wait."

The guys came and went as hours passed.

There was a slight nudge and she woke immediately.

"Sara, I'm going to take you to my place," whispered Nick. "You need to get some decent rest."

"I can't leave, Nick. I need to see him. I haven't had a chance to talk with him…to explain things."

"That may be awhile," he whispered as he took her hand. "Grissom is in a private room but he told the doctors he doesn't want to see anyone."

"He's going to see me!" she insisted.

"He needs to mend a little and then…"

"Nick, he could have died today. He could have died thinking that I was going to leave him. Too much time has gone by already…I need to clear this up…all of it."

"We've tried to persuade the doctor…but this doctor Roberts isn't budging, especially after Grissom walked out of the hospital last time and returns in critical condition."

"He's critical?" Sara asked.

"He's tough, Sara. He's going to make it," assured Nick.

A day passed as they took turns sitting with Sara in the waiting area since she refused to leave.

"The nurse told me he's doing better," whispered Sara as she leaned forward, exhaustion evident on her face.

Catherine sat down across from her. "Sara, it's not going to do Griss any good if you get sick."

"Why would it matter? He won't see me," she sniffled. "I begged last night but he told the nurse that I should leave…take whatever I wanted…from the house," she wept. "Cath, he doesn't want me anymore."

"That's nonsense."

Sara held her head in her hands.

"Listen, I know I shouldn't pry but you look awful. Maybe we should get a doctor to look you over…"

"Morning sickness is a bitch," she groaned.

Catherine's eyes widened. "You're pregnant? Does Grissom know? Of course not, if he did, he would be out here, insisting that you go home."

"I haven't told him. I've been waiting for things to settle down…but there hasn't been a good time."

"Are you sure you're alright?" she questioned.

Sara shook her head. "I…need…my husband."

Catherine patted her hand. "Let me try something."

Catherine pulled out her phone. "Ray, we need a favor."

An hour later, Grissom felt a slight nudge.

He tried to ignore it but it was persistent.

Catherine's presence startled him.

"Sorry, I had to wake you but they won't let Sara come into your room unless you say it's okay."

"Sara is here?"

"Yes….the guys were here but someone had…to work…I gave them the worse case of the night," she teased.

He glanced down frowning at the ugly gown he wore and pulled up the covers.

Catherine grinned.

"Langston is going to come by. He offered you a discount…family discount that is. Sara is waiting," reminded Catherine.

"Sara…should go. I'm fine. She doesn't have to be concerned…about me," he griped.

"But she is…and because of that I'm worried about her…about both of you."

It got is attention.

"She shouldn't…worry…there's no need," he said quietly.

"She is. She has been ever since he had the wreck. Maybe it's because you fell on your face…or you passed out at the wheel and almost got yourself killed. Maybe you took a bullet without thinking of the cost to yourself. Maybe you haven't been taking care of yourself."

"I'm leaving in a few hours…they can't keep me," he huffed.

She pressed on his shoulder and he yelled obscenities.

"I was just making sure you remembered about the gunshot wound. I don't think you're going to slip out this time….we'll be watching this time," she glared. "Oh and don't expect to come back to work for a few days…or until you have a doctor's release."

Both were quiet for awhile.

"You haven't been sleeping again. Have you?" she asked softly.

"I was sleeping until you woke me," he griped.

She playfully slapped him. "You know we're family, right?"

His lower lip quivered a bit and then he said gruffly. "Call me the black sheep of the family."

"Sorry but that's title was taken…by my father…and my father was much worse," she teased.

"Send Sara home."

"She says she not leaving until she gets to see you. Gil, she means it."

"I'm tired, Cath. Maybe it's better if she leaves…I've caused her nothing but grief. I don't want to sit around and wonder if this is the day she leaves again…I just can't do that."

"Okay," she said, standing.

"Okay?" he griped.

"Yes. I'll tell her that you said it's over and that you're going to serve her with divorce papers."

"I didn't say that!"

"Yes, you did."

"No, I didn't!" he insisted. "She's the one that said…she'd had enough. Just because…"

"Oh that," yawned Catherine as she interrupted him, appearing bored over the conversation.

"Oh that?" he muttered.

"She's had enough of you hiding your feelings. She knows something is wrong and you won't tell her. She said she's had enough…enough of letting you get away with it."

He slumped back into the bed.

"Feel a bit foolish?" she asked.

He glanced angrily at Catherine but then shoved up the covers, irritated by the conversation.

"You…you don't understand," he said quietly.

"Oh, yes I do. You jumped to conclusions and then gave yourself a panic attack."

"She's going to leave me!"

"Gil, Sara said she wasn't going to do that. She told you that…didn't she?"

"She left before," he choked.

Catherine leaned forward. "That's not what she meant when she made the comment. She was tired of you avoiding your problems."

"She had…her bag….it was probably packed. She was probably saying goodbye…this time," he managed to get out.

Catherine's fingers sifted through his curly hair. "Gil, she had brought you a change of clothes. She didn't know if you had any at the lab. She's worried sick about you. She refuses to leave…those chairs are murder on a person's back."

His fingers picked at the small cotton blanket.

"Are you cold?" she asked.

"Hospitals are always drafty," he growled. "The gowns don't cover much of your….ass…assets."

Catherine chuckled. "Glad your sense of humor is returning."

She patted him on the shoulder. "Gil, can Sara visit for awhile?"

"I feel foolish," he sniffled.

"I bet you look silly in that gown too…mind if I see your legs?" she teased.

"Remind me to not let you in next time," he said gruffly.

Catherine smiled but then got serious. "Gil, Sara really needs to see you. She doesn't look well herself."

"Is she alright? Has she slept any?" he questioned.

"Some…but she might be persuaded to go home for awhile if she was able to see you," stated Catherine.

Grissom nodded.

Catherine flew out of the room.

The door opened and Sara appeared.

She smiled weakly as she took the seat vacated by Catherine.

The room was quiet as Sara sat there, studying him from head to toe.

"I can go home in a few days," he said.

"Jim offered to drive us," she said.

He sat up quickly. "I got a rental…until ours can be replaced."

"It's at the lab…you won't be released to drive," she explained. "I already called the insurance agent and the claim has been filed."

"I was going to do that," he insisted.

"It's done."

"Thank you," he said softly.

There was a tap on the door and a nurse emerged with a tray.

Grissom took one look at the food and grimaced.

"You better eat if you expect to be released in a few days," announced the nurse.

"I want to get well…not worse," he mumbled, causing Sara to smile slightly.

He glanced toward her. "Have you eaten?"

"Brass brought something from the cafeteria."

He stared at the tray but made no move to eat any of it.

"Gil, you have to eat," she insisted.

"I don't remember what caused the wreck," he admitted.

"They think you passed out," she offered.

"I'm sorry about the vehicle," he replied.

Her hand slipped into his.

"I do remember the shooting," he said. "I didn't have time to warn them so I…" he didn't finish.

"The guys said you shoved them to the pavement…took two bullets…saving them."

"I wasn't there for Warrick but…"

"So…you would have taken the bullet for Warrick if you could have?"

"Yes."

She burst into tears.

"Sara?"

"You would just leave me…just like that…without blinking an eye…without considering me?"

"I did consider you Sara! Look what I've done with our lives? I…figured you needed Greg and Nick more than you need me."

"You ass hole!" she screeched.

The nurse appeared.

"You let yourself get shot…because you thought…you're my husband, Gil. How do you think I would feel if you died?" she yelled.

"Is there a problem?" asked the nurse.

"Yes! He needs his head examined," muttered Sara as she swiped at her tears.

He chuckled but then stopped suddenly when she added, "Shut up, Grissom," she choked.

She tore off the lid to the Jell-o and handed him the spoon.

"Eat," she ordered.

He took it from her hand, grimacing with each bite.

"The gown is hideous," she declared.

"It's drafty too," he muttered.

"Did you flash Catherine?"

"Wouldn't she have liked that?" he groaned as he shifted in the bed.

"Gil?" she worried.

"I'm sore more from the crash than being shot. I pity crash dummies," he grimaced.

"Especially when you act like one," she said under her breath.

The spoon stopped in midair. "I heard that."

"It's true. You just assumed….not bothering to know the truth."

"You're right," he admitted.

He handed her the empty container.

She offered him a roll and he ate it.

"I'm not eating their mystery meat," he declared.

"Okay," she smiled.

His hand fumbled toward hers and she grabbed it.

"You look tired. You should go home," he urged.

"I'm fine, really," she pressed.

"Those chairs are not comfortable."

The nurse stepped inside a few minutes later. "How did we do?"

She frowned but took the tray away.

She handed Grissom some pills.

"Per doctor orders," the nurse declared.

"The pain is manageable," Grissom stated.

"This is to help you sleep."

He hesitated briefly but took them.

Sara continued to sit with him as he drifted off.

"Go home," he slurred.

"I'll be here when you wake," she whispered.

He opened his eyes, fighting the medication.

"Gil, go to sleep."

"Does Ray know that you're staying?" he asked.

"Yes."

He grimaced once more.

"How is the pain?" she whispered.

"It's…bad," he admitted.

She buzzed the nurse. "Could you give him something for the pain?"

She returned with an injection.

"This should help you be able to sleep," stated the nurse.

His hand fumbled over to hers.

She squeezed it. "I'll be here when you wake."

He drifted off but then briefly opened his eyes one last time.

"You should…leave…me," he whispered. "You'd be happier."

"Shut up," she sniffled. "I'm through running. You're stuck with me."

"Sara?"

"Hmmm?"

"I'm sorry….about the baby."

She froze but then relaxed. "Did you want to be a father?"

"Yes….as long as you…were…its mother."

He struggled to remain awake.

"Could we try again?"

"I thought that's what we're doing…I promised I wouldn't leave."

"Do you think…I mean…would you want…a boy or a girl?"

Sara furrowed her eye brows.

"Gil, what are we talking about?"

"If it's too soon….but I don't want to wait a long time. Did you ask your O.B….when we could try again?"

"What?"

He shook his head as he struggled to pull himself up but Sara forced him to remain lying.

"Gil, we can talk tomorrow."

"We've never talked about the baby," he choked. "You didn't tell me…you didn't let me…mourn…with you."

"Mourn?"

"We lost our baby…why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?"

Her eyes widened. "You know?"

"Ray wouldn't confirm it. He said I would have to ask you but I didn't get the chance because of…Heather. When you wouldn't let me know about your condition, I figured it was because you'd lost the baby. I'm sorry," he cried.

"Gil, I didn't lose the baby."

Note from the author:

Sorry for the delay in posting this morning but it's been hectic around here. I'd like to post two chapters today as well as tomorrow with the final chapter on Sunday so please review quickly.

Take care!