AN: Thanks for the support, here is the next chapter. Warning: A few questionable words.

Chapter 44: What's wrong?

Luckily it only took 15 minutes after Nick made that call to Sara that she responded back, unfortunately though she had to go back to court after lunch, and when he didn't want to tell her over the phone on what was going on, she asked where he was at.

When she made it to Nick's crime scene, he was standing in the driveway, and as she walked closer to him, she asks with a small smile. "So, what's going on, what's the big problem?" Her smiled died down when she saw the look on his face. "Nick, what is it?"

There was no easy way to say this, so he took a breath before replying. "We don't know where Grissom is."

Sara's heart just dropped and she looked panicked while taking her phone out of her pocket. "What do you mean you don't know where Grissom is?"

Nick explained while Sara was on her phone, trying to get a hold of her husband, but both times were the same result, right to voice mail, causing her to curse before she started to have what felt like a panic attack, her breathing became erratic, which Nick could tell, so he walked up to her and placed his hands on her shoulder, trying to calm her down.

"There you go, nice and easy."

When she was finally calm, she started to have tears in her eye. "I can't lose him, Nick, I can't."

He shook his head. "And you're not going to, we are going to find him. Let's look at it as if it's a case. Do you know if he's been stressed out about anything?"

"No more than what the average person stresses out about, that I know of." She closed her eyes to think about the past few days, weeks, months, and nothing came to mind that made her think his behavior was any different than usual, she then opened her eyes and shook her head. "Dammit, I don't know, you think I could tell after being with him for so many years."

Nick tried to calm her down again before asking. "It's ok." After encouraging her to take a few more calming breathes he continued. "But if he was stressed, do you know the places he would go?"

Sara did a small smile. "There are a few." But then she shook her head out of confusion. "But he wouldn't just ditch a crime scene." She then gasped. "Unless, he was forced to, do you think that he was..."

Nick cuts her off. "Let's not go down that road right now." She nodded while he asked. "So, what places would you say he liked the most to de-stress?"

She gets another small smile on her face as she replied. "Outside of our home, specifically the kitchen, one place I would say, would be the park, he loved to hear the kids laugh, it doesn't even have to be our kids to make him smile, he just loves the sound. Another place, the zoo, especially around the butterfly exhibit, he could talk about them for hours and still wouldn't be done with all the facts about them." Nick lightly chuckled with a nod on that one before Sara took a breath and finished. "And any place that has a roller-coaster, we can't leave a city that has any sort of amusement park before he takes a ride on their biggest coaster."

Nick took a breath as he nodded while removing his hands from her shoulders. "Ok, those are good places to start looking."

When she saw that he was taking his phone out of his pocket, she asked. "Who are you calling?"

"Stephanie."

Sara shook her head. "Nick..."

But he cuts her off. "Listen, she's not only his cousin and deserves to know, but we can ask her to look at one of the places, the more people we have to help, the faster we can find him."

Knowing he did have a point, she nodded. "Ok, but just her, I don't want a bunch of people in our business, not if we can help it."

"Alright."

After telling Stephanie what was going on while trying to keep her calm too, he asked if she could check the park before hanging up.

While placing the phone back in his pocket, Sara turned so she could walk to her vehicle. "You check the zoo."

"Ok, let me know if you find him."

"You do the same."

"I will."

She then took off running to her vehicle, not willing to wait another second on trying to find the man she loved, hoping his disappearance wasn't as bad as where her mind was going, and with all the things she's seen while being a CSI, those thoughts could get pretty dark.

She shook her head, trying to rid her mind of those thoughts before she could concentrate on her driving.

When she made it to the amusement park, she didn't see the CSI issued vehicle in his normal parking spot, but that didn't mean he wasn't there, and she wasn't going to stop there, so she parked her vehicle in a parking spot, make sure she had her phone, got out and walked to the entrance with a purpose, not leaving until she knew she looked everywhere.

As she walked through the area, she was showing his picture to every worker she passed, getting the same negative response, then finally, after about 35 minutes, one of the coaster operators pointed to a bench, saying he's been sitting there for awhile and hadn't moved an inch.

Sara turned towards the bench the young man was pointing to, and her heart started racing as she ran towards it, him, calling out his name. "Grissom!"

She didn't think much of it at the time, but she noticed he didn't turn his head until she was closer to him, and he looked to be in shock as he stood up almost automatically right before she was in his arms and held him tight before sobbing in relief.

He closed his eyes, not hearing her but feeling her shaking, as he held her tight.

When she was calm enough, while still in his arms, she was a little upset. "What the hell are you thinking, Griss? You scared the living daylights out of me when we couldn't get a hold of you."

He closed his eyes again, then took a breath before speaking softly, almost brokenly, knowing exactly what this will reveal to her. "Can you repeat that?"

"I said what the..."

She stopped speaking immediately, a realization hit her like a ton of brinks while pulling back so she could look into his eyes, and the sight of him looking lost, scared even, broke her heart, causing her to gasp lightly as she cupped his cheek so she could run her thumb along his ear with a question in her eyes, even though she felt she already knew the answer to it.

He nodded before whispering. "It's true, I feel I am losing my hearing. And I wanted to come here to enjoy the sounds of the coaster and the kids/adults yelling, cheering, laughing." He tried to hold on to his emotions as much as possible as he finished. "I'm sorry I didn't make it to the crime scene."

Sara shook her head. "It's ok, Kevin's on the case."

Grissom nodded in understanding before whispering. "And I'm sorry I scared you, I just needed..."

She cuts him off, which he could hear again. "A little time to yourself to process this."

As he nodded, Sara gets a text from Nick, so she texts him back, saying that she found him and that he was ok, and any more details about what happened will come later when they are both ready to share.

While she was putting her phone away, he finally realized something. "Wait, aren't you suppose to be in court?"

She cursed then sighed. "I have to go back after lunch."

"It's ok, we can talk later."

With a determined look in her eyes, she nodded. "Damn straight we are going to talk later, mister." When he looked at her shyly, she sighed again, in deep relief, as she cupped his cheek again. "I'm just glad you're ok, I was really scared, you don't even want to know how dark my thoughts took me." He was about to speak, but she continued softly. "And just liked any other obstacle we've had to go through in our life's journey, we'll get through this one together as well, you are not alone, no matter what happens next, you got it?"

He nodded as he whispered. "Got it."

She smiled as before she pecks him on the lips. "Good."

After they pulled back, he asks. "You have time to take a walk with me?"

She smiled brightly as she took his hand. "I'll always make time for you, lead the way."

He smiled brightly in return before they started walking around, just savoring the sounds of enjoyment like never before.

They eventually made it to her vehicle, and she cupped his cheek before speaking in her 'boss' tone. "As your supervisor I'm ordering you to go home for the rest of the day."

He smirked, but his eyes showed her he was taking the 'command' serious. "Yes, ma'am."

She smiled before finishing. "I'll text Billy and ask if he can pick up his siblings after school."

"Ok."

"And I love you."

"I love you too."

They peck each other on the lips before he helps her in her vehicle, then they smile at one another as he closed the door before he headed for his vehicle, which really wasn't that far from hers so she made sure he got in safely before she drove away.

When the kids arrived home after school, Grissom asked if they wanted to join him in the family room to watch a comedy with him, which was a rarity because usually right after school it was homework time before anything else, but they didn't question it, even Billy joined in, and as they watched the funny movie, Grissom closed his eyes and locked his children's laughing into memory, wanting to remember that sound, even if he could never hear it again in time.

Once the movie was over, the younger kids left the room, but before Billy could, Grissom spoke after clearing his throat. "A cooking duo in the kitchen for dinner?"

Billy nodded with a smile. "You are so on." He then sighed. "I better start on my homework."

After Grissom nodded, Billy left the room, then he gets up and moves to the DVD player, takes the comedy out and replaces it with one from his silent movie collection, a genre he surprisingly prefers over pretty much anything new out there, along with listening to classical music, which he does get teased a little, saying he was born in the wrong decade, but he knows it's not to hurt his feelings.

About 30 minutes later, Sara finally comes home, joins him on the couch in the family room and they just cuddled as they watched the movie together, not caring what was on the screen, just happy to be together.

Once the movie was over, it was time to prep and cook dinner, and like Grissom promised, it was him and his oldest working together, laughing and having a carefree time, but there was also a little seriousness too, because they wanted the taste to be perfect.

After they ate dinner, and while they were enjoying dessert, Sara got the children's attention before speaking to them. "Before we leave the table, I want to inform you guys that you have a doctor's appointment before school on Friday."

Both Faith and Even groan before Faith asked. "Didn't we just go to the doctor?"

Sara nodded. "Yes, but this is a different kind of doctor, it's one who specializes in ears."

Faith then pointed out. "But I thought we already went to that doctor too?"

That was true, the kids went about six months ago, but in the light of what's happening to Grissom, they both wanted to be extra cautious, and that's what Sara was implying, but she did it in a somewhat hard tone, causing the younger ones to flinch a little, not use to hearing their mother's voice that way. "And you're going to do it again."

Grissom placed his hand on hers and spoke softly. "Sara."

Sara took a breath and nodded before she looked at the kids with a smile. "I'm sorry guys, but it is important we are on top of this, we just want you be as healthy as you can be."

After a short pause, Faith spoke again, understanding a little more then Even did. "Because of Grandma Betty?"

Sara nodded while Grissom spoke. "Yes, you're absolutely right butterfly, and while there is only a slim chance that you guys could actually become deaf, there is still that possibility, so like you're mother said, we need to be on top of this, especially as you get older, where your chances increases."

Then Sara spoke with emotion as she took his hand while looking at her two youngest, but also hoping her husband could hear her words too. "But know that no matter what happens in the future, being deaf is nothing to be ashamed of, we are going to love you just as much as we do now. And I'm truly sorry for snapping at you, I hope you can forgive me."

Grissom squeezed her hand, indicating he heard every word, causing her to smile, which only grew wider when Faith and Even got off their seats and ran to their mother. Husband and wife released hands, and Sara hugged them and gave them kisses on the cheeks, even tickling them a little.

Once they pulled back, Sara chuckled. "Why don't you two go play now."

They nodded and ran out of the room, and when it was just three of the Grissoms, Sara looked at her oldest. "And what I said to them applies to you too, including a doctor's appointment Friday morning."

Billy nodded in understanding before wanting to talk to them about the appointment. "Yeah, about that." Before Sara and Grissom could speak, he continued quickly. "I'm not trying to get out of it, or anything, but can we reschedule it for the afternoon, or even after school if that is possible?"

There was a slight pause before Sara asked with a smile/smirk. "Why?"

He tried to hide his blush and smile while shaking his head, but they couldn't help but notice his small stutter. "Uh...well...uh, no reason."

They chuckled while Grissom looked at his wife with his eyes sparkling. "Hey Sara, doesn't our son have Home Economics in the morning?"

"Yeah, I believe you're right, Dr. Grissom, and isn't he the only guy in a room filled with all girls?"

They both looked at their son with raised eyebrows, and he stood up with a small groan as he grabbed the plates. "Come on, you know that's not why I am in that class."

Grissom then smirked. "But a perk nonetheless."

Sara chuckles before asking with a known look. "So, who is she that you can't wait to see?"

Before he could reply, Grissom placed his hand on Sara's shoulder and spoke softly. "Excuse me guys, but I'm going to go lay down."

She turned her body to look at him, and could see the look on his face, his hearing went out on him again. Plus, admittedly he did look exhausted, so she nodded and squeezed his hand. He got up and kissed her forehead before leaving the table, Sara watching his every move until he was out of sight, once again feeling her heart ache for her husband.

A moment later, she gets out of her zoned state when she hears Billy's voice. "Mom?"

Sara cleared her throat as she looked over at him with a smile. "Yes, baby?"

"What's wrong?"

Trying hide her worry, she stands up, grabbing some of the dishes. "What makes you think something is wrong?"

"It's a feeling I'm getting, and I know your trying to hide your worry."

She shook her head as she walked past him. "Billy..."

But he cuts her off in a pleading tone. "Please mom, I'm not a little kid anymore, you don't have to shield me if something isn't perfect going on in this family, I can handle it. And I want to help if I can."

Sara looked into her son's eyes, then she nodded with a sigh. "You're right, you are two years away from going to college and being your own man."

After she sets the plates down on the island, she turns to look at her son, but before she could speak, he had already formed a theory in his head. "It's dad, isn't it?"

"Yes."

Not able to stop the tears in his eyes, he went with the worse case scenario first. "Is he dying?"

Sara immediately shook her head and cupped her precious son's cheek. "God no, it's not that." She then sighed again. "But..."

He cuts her off. "It's serious."

"It can be life changing, yes."

Now he felt he got what the issue was, especially because of the after dinner conversation. "His ears?"

Sara couldn't help but smile, he was definitely a chip off the old block, then she nodded again. "Yes, but listen, just because it's happening doesn't mean him going deaf is a foregone conclusion, there is still a surgery he can do."

Billy nodded in understanding, but he also wanted to be practical about it too. "And if the surgery isn't successful?"

Sara removed her hand from her son's cheek and spoke with a determined tone. "Then, while things will no doubt be a little different, it won't change how I feel about him. He's my soul-mate, the father of my children, the love of my life, the man I vowed to spend my days with for better or worse. As long as I am by his side, he'll never have to go through this alone."

She then walked passed him, but stopped just before she reached the door when Billy spoke with a sniffle. "Nothing will change for me either. He'll still be my dad, the man I look up to the most, the type of man/father I want to be like someday."

Sara smiled through her tears as she turned around to look at her son, happy that he will still feel the same towards his father, no matter what.

"And I have no doubt you will be. I love you."

He sniffled one more time with a nod. "I love you too, mom, and tell dad that I love him as well."

She nodded with the smile still on her face. "He knows, but I will."

He nodded one more time with a smile before she turned around and walked out of the room, and after checking on the younger kids, she went upstairs and headed for the master bedroom.

When she got there, she opened the door quietly and peaked her head into the room to see his eyes closed, and she was going to back away so she didn't disturb him, but stopped when she saw him sign. 'Sara?'

She smiled as she moved her hand to the light switch to turn it on and off, causing him to slowly open his eyes, which he looked even more exhausted than he did when he was downstairs, and older than he actually was, only breaking her heart even more.

'Come in?'

She nodded as she walked into the room, closing the door behind her before walking towards the bed, and once she got on it, she bit her lip while trying to think how she was going to tell him Billy now knew.

But Grissom could see the worry/nervousness, so he signed with concern. 'What's wrong?'

She sighed before she signed. 'Billy knows, I mean he asked, and I couldn't...'

He cuts her off with a smile. 'It's ok, and thank you. I'm sure telling him would have been the hardest one to get through.'

Sara nodded in agreement before moving so she was laying on the bed horizontally with her head on his chest while facing him so she could look into his beautiful, yet tired, blue eyes, and once she was settled, he moved his hand and cupped her cheek, mouthing 'I love you' while running his thumb up and down it.

She smiled as she cupped his cheek, running her thumb up and down his ear, mouthing. 'And I love you.'

'For better or for worse.'

'For better or for worse, babe.'

While they didn't keep track on how long they laid like that, they knew they were silently preparing themselves for what happens next, and whatever the outcome the next step was, they knew their bond and love for one another, which was only tightening even more, will help them through it.

AN: Thanks for reading, and please review. Stay safe.