Chapter 5

Sara's mouth swung open. She couldn't believe it. Catherine Willows was standing in her hospital room. Catherine Willows was grinning down at her. Sara raked her brain, something snagged at her. The reason why Cath was back in Vegas to begin with.

"Sara Sidle speechless," the tall red head said as she sauntered in the room. "I never thought I'd see the day." She grinned down at Sara, before turning to Nick and Greg. "DB asked me to tell you, you're both needed at the Eclipse. Morgan and Finn are done at Sara's. They're gunna grab a couple of hours sleep and meet you there."

"Is there any news?" Greg asked.

"They're taking everything to the lab. Morgan's found a couple of prints, and Finn thinks she found the source of the fire. But they'll know more once it's processed. Once you guys are at the Eclipse, he can free up Hodges and Henry to work the evidence from Sara's," Catherine replied.

"They need a break too," Sara signed. Catherine looked over at Clarke as he interpreted before her gaze swung to Sara in surprise. "Hodges and Henry," Sara continued.

"They went home when you did, Sara," Nick said. "They're ok. Besides, I don't think anyone could pry Hodges away from processing your evidence."

Sara laughed, then coughed as her throat tightened. Protesting at the sound.

"No talking," Dr Jenkins said. "Means no sound, Ms Sidle." He looked down at her. A patronising stare to which Sara responded with a glower most people in the right mind would cower from. Dr Jenkins seemed to be in his right mind. He cleared his throat and said, "I'll come back and check on you later. If everything's ok, we can let you leave tomorrow."

Sara watched the young doctor practically run out of the room. Catherine was supressing a laugh and Nick and Greg were just grinning like fools.

"It's nice to see somethings never change," Catherine said, still trying to supress her mirth. She winked as Sara met her eyes. It wasn't until that moment did the younger woman realise just how much she had missed her friend.

They hadn't always gotten on. There was some definite hostility between the two women when Sara had first joined the team. But that was then, and this is now. And Sara was glad. Catherine Willows was one of the best people to have in your corner. Smart, tenacious, and loyal to a fault.

Catherine had been there, for all of them. Guiding them, leading them. Even before it was her job. Even after the job was taken from her. Her 'take no shit' attitude had long earned her Sara's respect, even before the two women were friends.

"We're going to head over to the Eclipse," Nik said, picking up his jacket from the chair. "We'll come by and see you later." He gave Sara a quick kiss on the cheek before making his way to the door. Greg smiled at her and followed after him.

The Eclipse. There was an explosion. Something about Lady Heather. Sara made to ask Catherine about it when Betty caught her eye. The lined face was soft in relief. Happy. Yet there was still some anxiety hidden in the depth of her eyes. Short grey hair, so like her sons. The same bright blue eyes which felt like they were looking right through her. But there was an innocence in her mother-in-law, that wasn't present in Grissom's face. A naivety which came from her faith, that not even the death of her husband had diminished.

An artlessness that Grissom had lost over the years in law enforcement, but was still prominent in the woman before her. There were somethings she did not need to know about her son's previous dalliances.

Sara looked between the two, Catherine's look shrewd and decerning. Betty's just kind and open. No words came to her, at least none that she felt comfortable signing in her mother-in-law's presence. Thankfully, Clarke spoke. Saving her from having to think of anything.

"Did you say," he said to Catherine. "That Sara could stay at yours?"

"Yes," Catherine replied, taking Nicks empty chair. "There's plenty of room."

"Thanks, Cath," Sara signed. Catherine shook her head in disbelief.

"I knew you were learning ASL," she said. "I didn't realise just how good you've gotten."

"Why? You've seen me sign before," Sara signed, a little indigently. True, the last time Catherine had seen her sign she was… rusty. But still.

"It's been a while," Catherine said, shrugging her shoulders. She looked between Sara and Betty, as if she wanted to say something but was reluctant to in the present company. Betty, not noticing, signed.

"It helps that she's had a lot of practice over the years." Betty smiled fondly at Sara. "We skype at least once a week. Don't we, Sara?"

"Yes," Sara replied. Catherine looked between the two women and Clarke, shaking her head a little at the peculiar circumstances.

"This is weird," Catherine commented. "Having an interpreter."

"Tell me about it," Sara signed.

"Welcome to my world," Betty said at the same time. Clarke, ever the professional, recited both in time. Sara and Betty grinned at each other while Catherine shook her head once more. Sara wanted to ask about the explosion. About what she thought she had overheard while semi-conscious.

"This is Clarke," Sara signed instead. "He's Betty's interpreter."

"And Sara's, until she gets her voice back," Clarke said with a smile.

"Catherine Willows, nice to meet you." Catherine held out her hand to the younger man and they shook. Betty stifled a yawn, trying to cover it up with her hand.

"Why don't you go and get some rest, Mom," Sara signed to her. Judging by the state of her clothing, the older woman had come straight to the hospital.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," Sara replied. "I'll let you know once they let me out of here."

"Why don't you stay at mine, as well," Catherine interjected. "There's plenty of room."

"I wouldn't want to impose," Betty singed.

"Not at all, there's room for both of you," Catherine added to Clarke. "The perks of owning half a dozen casinos." Catherine smirked a little and Sara chuckled. It was nice to see Catherine embracing her inheritance, now that it was available to her. Betty looked a little uncertainly at Sara, so Clarke intervened.

"I'll stay with Sara, Mrs Grissom," he said and signed. "I'll let you know if anything changes."

Sara could see the older woman battling her fatigue and her desire to ensure Sara was truly ok.

"I'll be fine, Mom," Sara signed. "I'll probably fall asleep the moment you leave, and wake up in time for my discharge." She cupped her mother-in-law's face, willing her to believe the lie. Sara had no intention of sleeping once Betty left, but she couldn't let her know that.

"OK," Betty signed. "You sure you don't mind, Catherine?"

"Of course not," Catherine said and handed Betty a key. "Go and get some rest, Clarke and I will keep an eye on her for you." Betty took the key and thanked her. She gave Sara a kiss on the cheek, warning her to tell her if anything changed. Sara assured her that she would, and the older Mrs Grissom left the room.

"It's nice to see you two have buried the hatchet," Catherine said as she watched Grissom's mother exit. Sara smiled, remembering the rocky start to her relationship with the older Grissom. They hadn't always seen eye to eye, mainly due to Betty not understanding the strange marriage the couple had. But also, a little to do with the over-protective mother instincts for her only child.

It took a while, but Sara was now closer the Betty than anyone. Save Grissom. Or at least that was the case… before the divorce.

"When did you start calling her mom?" Catherine asked, looking back at the brunette in the bed.

"A few years ago," Sara signed. "It sorta slipped out, but she didn't seem to mind. Now she won't listen if I call her anything else." She chuckled a little as she thought about that day. Sara wasn't sure who was more shocked at the omission; Betty, or her. Still, it was nice. For the first time, Sara had a mother to look after her. Rather than the other way around.

Catherine smiled at her. Her face was more lined that it had been when she left, but no less beautiful. Thin eyebrows, slightly pointed nose, and an upside-down mouth. Catherine's eyes slid to Clarke, who was still standing beside Sara on the other side of the bed. Sara looked over to him. The younger man didn't look tired, in fact he was bursting with energy, but Sara was still a little unsure of having him present for the conversation she needed to have with her ex-supervisor and colleague.

"If you need to rest, Clarke," Sara signed. "I'll understand. You've travelled just as far as Betty."

"I'm fine, Sara," Clarke said, and, as if he knew her trepidation, added, "nothing you say will leave this room." Sara nodded, not entirely relieved. She had never fully appreciated just how personal having an interpreter could be. She looked over at Catherine who, with only a fleeting glance at Clarke, started talking.

"You want to know what happened at the Eclipse?"

Sara nodded.

"When I got there, they were already processing the scene. Hodges and Henry would make great CSIs by the way," Catherine added with a smile. Sara only shook her head, her own lips quirking up. She knew that already. "There wasn't much they could tell us there; Greg had already come back here by the time I arrived. But they pointed me in the direction of the witness." Catherine hesitated slightly. "She said…"

"I know what she said," Sara interrupted. Catherine looked up in surprise. "I overheard Greg and Nick speaking," Sara explained. If Clarke was curious as to what they were referring, he didn't let on.

"Well, naturally, Ecklie wants to speak to her. But they haven't been able to get a hold of her so far."

"Which is why he wants to speak to Grissom," Sara concluded. If Grissom came here, if she saw him again. Sara wasn't sure how she would react. Sure, she had been planning on confronting him, but not under these circumstances. Instinctively, she looked down at her hand, searching for the gold band she still refused to take off. It wasn't there.

"Here," Catherine said, as if she knew what Sara was looking for. She produced a bag which had been set on Sara's bedside table. "Your personal effects should be in here."

Sara searched the bag and found what she had been seeking. Almost on impulse, Sara clutched the ring in her hand. Catherine looked as if she was going to comment, but, after a quick glance to Clarke, she held her tongue.

"Most everything is being taken back to the lab to be processed, I'm sure Nick or Greg will find something when they get there."

"Is someone going to go and speak to Lady Heather?" Sara asked.

"Most likely," Catherine replied. "Though what they expect to get from her is another thing. I doubt Heather would speak to any of us willingly."

"Another reason why Ecklie want's Grissom, I suppose." Sara meant the comment to be dry, but Clarke, not knowing the history, posed it as a question. Catherine seemed to understand.

"He is the 'Heather expert'," the other woman replied sarcastically. Sara snorted, hoping her friend would see the pain her poorly timed joke had caused. "Brass called him," Catherine continued. "We're still waiting."

So, Brass had called Grissom. Twice. Once to tell him of Sara's accident. And once to tell him of Lady Heather. Sara couldn't help herself from wondering: if Grissom did show up, why would he come? To check on Sara? Or to help Lady Heather?

Sara wanted to ask Catherine what she thought. If she, who knew Grissom better than anyone other than Sara, thought he would come for her. Or his friend. But she couldn't. Not then. Not there. Not with Clarke still in the room.

"Have you spoken to him?" Catherine asked, softly. Sara only shook her head. The FBI agent glanced at Clarke once more. Having an interpreter really did hinder personal conversations.

Catherine and Sara spoke for a little while longer before the former CSI took her leave. Sara was starting to grow tired. Her heart was hurting, her mind was spinning, and Sara didn't think she could entertain any longer. Catherine swooped down, kissing her cheek, and assured her she would let the guys know she was resting. After checking she no longer needed him, Clarke left with Catherine.

Alone with her thoughts, Sara's mind wondered to Grissom. Where was he right then? Did he know what had happened? Did he care?

A nurse came in to check on her. After he had administered her next dose of medication, Sara drifted into a dreamless sleep.