A/N: Thanks for still reading and thanks to Karen for the beta reading. I love you. I'm sorry it took so long to get this out. I have been swamped and I wanted to make this good. I have written and rewritten it a few times. I hope you like it. We are almost up to the big meeting between Sara and Ecklie. Please leave a review when you are done and let me know if you liked it.
The night passed uneventfully, but Grissom did not sleep well. He kept waiting for Sara to wake up. He remembered the nightmare she had the day previous. The medication seemed to help her sleep. He hoped the nightmares would go away, but he understood the nature of traumatic situations and he knew there would be more to come. For now he was grateful that she was sleeping.
Sara woke about five in the morning. Grissom was asleep in the chair next to her bed. She was glad he had stayed the night with her. If truth be told she was afraid to stay alone right now. She didn't wake him. He looked better than he had the day before. The sleep and the shower had done him good.
Sara shifted in bed which caused pain followed by a grunt. Grissom was awake instantly.
"Sara, honey, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I just forgot how much moving hurts."
She winced as he helped her adjust in bed.
"Thanks."
"Anytime."
"Gil, what are we going to do?"
"Well, first of all we are going to get you out of here today. Then we will get you home. I have taken a few days off work until you are a bit stronger. You have at least six weeks off for recovery. Then we can think about it."
"I see you have been thinking about this."
"All I can focus on is getting you better. We'll deal with the rest later. You're the most important thing right now."
"Has Ecklie said anything yet?"
"No. I haven't seen him yet."
"Catherine's been keeping him updated."
"What time is it?"
"It's early. You still have a couple of hours before the doctor will be here to release you."
"Am I that obvious?"
He didn't respond, but raised his eyebrow at her.
She feigned a hurt look and changed the subject.
"How's Hank?"
"He's at the sitter's still. She said she would keep him until we were ready to go get him."
"I hope he forgives us."
"I'm sure he will."
The nurse came in to check on Sara.
"Good morning, Sara. How are you feeling today?"
"Much better thanks."
"I have good news for you. The Doctor said if your vitals are good we can take out your IV this morning."
"Finally."
The nurse checked her over.
"Well, let's get that IV out. You are doing very well. All of your vital signs are good."
The nurse took her IV out.
"Thanks, it feels a lot better to have that out."
"You can go for a short walk around the halls if you want to as long as someone goes with you."
"I'd like that. Gil, will you go with me?"
"Yes, my dear."
She smiled at him as he helped her out of bed.
Her legs were stiff and sore. She did not realize how stiff she would be. Grissom never left her side. He held on to her waist as they walked down the hall and back to her room. By the end of the walk she was feeling a lot better. Her muscles worked out some of that stiffness they had.
"That felt good."
Grissom nodded, "You didn't get too tired did you?"
"No, I needed to do that. I have been in bed too long. I'm not used to that."
"I know. I just don't want you to overdo it."
"I won't…I can't."
That worried him a bit.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Please don't worry and don't hover. I don't need that." She said sharply.
She did not mean to be cross with him, but she was on edge.
He backed off, not knowing what to say to her. He had only meant to be helpful.
She noticed the hurt look on his face and sighed.
"Gil, I'm sorry."
"It's not a problem. I understand." He lied.
"I don't mean to snap at you. I'm just on edge. I'll be better when I get home. I just hate hospitals."
She really hoped it was the truth. She wanted to be normal and back to her old self. She wanted to feel safe again.
She wanted to know that nothing would ever hurt her again.
She reached out and cupped Grissom's cheek.
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
"I just need to get back to things being normal."
Grissom wanted to believe her. He wanted things to return to normal as well. He and Sara had taken so long to finally find each other. He wanted that back to normal.
The homecoming was worrisome for Grissom. He wanted to make sure she would be fine. He needed her to be well. He hoped the nightmares would get better as well. It had been a long time since she had had one before Natalie had taken her. He knew about Sara's past. He also knew there were issues she still had to deal with. There were parts of her past she kept locked away.
"I know you don't want to hear this, but are you sure you are ready to come home? I want you to come home, I really do. But when you come home I want you to be ready."
She understood his trepidations. She even shared them, but she had to get out of this place.
"I'm ready. I'll be able to relax more at home and sleep better."
He nodded.
The Nurse came back with her breakfast and she ate in silence for a few minutes. It was not very exciting. Her breakfast consisted of Cream of Wheat and milk. There was also Jell-O.
She quipped, "What is it with Hospitals and Jell-O? I mean do they have stock in the company. They're always serving Jell-O. The only thing that changes is the color and flavor."
Grissom laughed.
Sara thought it was good to see him laugh. He'd looked so worried since she had woken up. He always looked younger when he laughed. It was a sound that warmed her heart and for a moment she really believed that it would all be okay.
"I have often wondered the same thing. When my mother was in the hospital there was an endless rainbow of Jell-O."
She smiled at him. She knew he was remembering when his mother was in the hospital near the end of her life. He had gone to see her many times at the end. He had told her about it later. She didn't know at the time it was happening. It was during the dark times between them. Sara wished she could have been there for him, but that was water under the bridge now.
"I love to hear you laugh."
"Well, then let's laugh more. I think we both could use it."
The doctor came in while Sara was finishing her breakfast.
"Good morning, Sara, Gil, how are you feeling today?"
"Better," answered Sara.
"And what about you, Gil?"
"Better also," he answered truthfully.
The doctor continued.
"I've reviewed your readings and I think we can get you out of here tomorrow morning."
Sara was crestfallen. She'd wanted to get out of here today.
"I want you to have one day on solid foods before we send you home, just to see how you are doing. You can get up and walk around and we have to get that cast changed. It's already too loose, which is a good sign. I just want to make sure everything is working well before we discharge you."
Grissom knew that would be a hard blow. She was counting on getting out today.
"Don't worry, honey. I'll stay with you."
"Thanks, but I really wanted to get out of here today."
The doctor continued, "I know you did Sara, but we need to make sure everything is working fine before we let you go."
She knew it was for the best, but it didn't make the disappointment any less.
"I'll be back to check on you later."
Sara nodded and the doctor left.
Sara tried not to cry, but the tears welled in her eyes despite her willing them away.
"Sara, honey, the doctor just wants to make sure you're well. I know you're disappointed."
"I hate this place. It brings back too many bad memories."
Grissom sat on the bed next to her and pulled her as close as her injuries would allow. Sara welcomed the comfort.
"I love you, Sara."
It was not something she doubted. She was long over doubting whether Grissom loved her. She doubted her ability to hold things together. She knew at the moment she was holing on by a thread. She needed to get home and back to some sense of a normal life.
"You promise to say with me?"
"Always."
She smiled despite her bad news. Grissom had made her feel better. At least he would be with her if she had to stay one more day.
She decided to lighten the mood, "Well I wonder what color the Jell-O will be for lunch?"
Grissom laughed again.
"We shall see."
He kissed the top of her head.
"Move over a bit."
"Why?"
"Well since you are IV free I thought I would lay down with you. I think we could both use it."
Sara moved over allowing Grissom to lie down. He laid on his back and she snuggled against him. It was not their bed, but it felt better to have him with her.
"Better?" he asked her.
"Yes, much better. I needed this. I needed you."
"Now rest."
She did as she was ordered. With him holding her she fell asleep within a few minutes.
"Sleep Sara," he whispered as he fell asleep too.
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Grissom and Sara managed to sleep for two hours before the nurse came in again to take her vital signs again.
"Sara, I need to take your vital signs again."
Sleepily Sara responded, "Okay."
"Did you sleep well?" the nurse asked as she worked.
"Yes. The best I have in days."
"Good, then I won't chase Dr. Grissom out."
"I hope not," Grissom said.
"Sorry didn't mean to wake you, but I needed to take Sara's vitals, which by the way look really good. We have had calls about visitors for you. I told them that visiting hours start at noon."
"What time is it now?"
The nurse checked her watch, "Ten fifteen."
"Thanks."
"If you want to take a shower we can let you. I'll help if you want."
"I'll help her," Grissom chimed in.
"Can he help me?"
"I don't see why not. I will get you a towel and a clean gown."
"Oh, Gil brought me some pajamas from home, would it be alright if I wore those?"
"Sure."
Sara felt better already.
"Let me get you a towel and some shampoo and soap and I will be right back."
She left.
Grissom got up and helped Sara sit up on the edge of the bed.
"You sure you're up to a shower?"
"I think it will feel really good."
He nodded.
The nurse returned and gave the items to Grissom.
"The shower is in the bathroom. I will be back in about twenty minutes so no fooling around in there."
They all laughed.
"I'm not sure I'm up for that just yet."
"Dr. Grissom, make sure she doesn't fall and make sure she doesn't get her cast wet. Here's a plastic bag to cover it with."
She handed Grissom a large plastic bag and instructed him on how to wrap her arm so the cast didn't get wet.
"I'll leave you alone now."
Grissom helped Sara into the bathroom and helped her undress.
It was only then he saw the extent of the bruising on her body. He tried not to react to it but he failed.
"Oh, Sara…"
She tried to cover herself.
"Don't hide from me honey. I just hadn't seen all the bruises before."
"Me either. How….how bad do they look."
He wanted to lie to her and say not that bad, but thought honesty was the best way to go.
"There are large bruises on your back and legs. They will heal honey."
The tears welled in her eyes again. Grissom's face said how bad they really were.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her as she cried. She was tired of crying, but couldn't seem to stop.
He just let her cry until she was done.
"Ready for that shower now?"
She nodded and was surprised when Grissom undressed and got in with her.
"What…what are you doing?"
"I want to take a shower with you. It will be easier to help you if I'm in there with you."
She nodded and welcomed his support.
"Here lean against me so you don't get too tired."
He pulled her against his chest. He felt so good. Sara had always loved the feel of his chest.
The water felt good on her body. Grissom carefully washed her as she let the warm water cascade over her. Then he washed her hair. It felt good to be clean again. He helped her out of the shower, dried her carefully, and helped her into her own pajamas. He then got dressed back into his clothes.
"Feel better now?"
"Yes and thank you."
"Anytime. You know I love to take a shower with you." He winked at her and smiled.
She smiled back. Being in her own clothes did feel better and the shower helped as well. She was tired now though.
"I think I need to get back in bed. That wore me out."
"Come on, I'll help you."
The nurse came in just as Sara was getting back in bed.
She noted Grissom's wet hair but said nothing.
"Hope that shower felt good, Sara."
"Yes, it did. But now I need another nap."
"Rest until lunch. I'll wake you when it gets here. Dr. Grissom I have arranged for a tray for you as well. That way you can stay with Sara."
They were both touched by her thoughtfulness.
"Thank you. I appreciate that."
"It's not a problem. It won't be the best meal in the world, but at least you can eat with her. Get some rest. Lunch will be in about an hour or so."
"Thanks."
The nurse left again taking the wet towels and Sara's dirty gown with her.
"Gil, will you rest with me again. I sleep better when you're holding me."
"It would be my pleasure, Dear."
Sara smiled at the name. He had called her that for years now, but she still loved it.
He helped her get adjusted in bed and then joined her. He made sure she was comfortable and her arm was not bothering her and then they both drifted off to sleep.
