Well the next several days pasted in a blur. All I remember was Sara, bruised, beaten, and lying in a hospital bed. Again. Sara was touch and go for a minute. The doctors lost her a few times but she pulled through. Thank God. She had massive internal bleeding and a punctured lung. They had to open her up and fix the internal bleeding and the lung. She will have a scar due to the incision but I am just glad she is alive. I was told the one lung will never be fully up to par either. Which means she can't enter the decathlon, but basic activities and such are permitted. As far as mentally, Sara wasn't herself. She didn't have her usual stamina or ambition. The doctor made her talk to a psychiatrist, which was all fine by me. Better Sara talk to someone than keep all this inside. At each session I went to the hotel and got a hot shower and something to eat, which was required by the doctor if I wanted to stay past visiting hours. If I had it my way I would never leave her side.
I sent Warrick, Catherine, and Nick home four days ago when Sara was moved from intensive care. They really couldn't afford to miss more work. I told Catherine to run night shift until I got back with Sara. So it was just me and Sara. She wouldn't say much to me, and sometimes a whole day would pass and she wouldn't say a word. So here we were, in a quiet comfortable silence.
Then the doctor, a nice lady in her forties, came walking in to disrupt my thoughts. I immediately stood up and took my place in the corner to get out of her way. She was nice and treated Sara really well. They had a rough start though. When Sara was in intensive care and she just came to, the doctor tried to examine her. Sara scared all of us by jerking back so forcefully that she nearly fell out of the bed. She started to scream and tried to run away. Nick and Warrick stopped her before she reached the elevator luckily. After they sedated her the doctor explained that it was a defense instinct. Sara was abused for so long and so many times that she assumed everyone was out to hurt her. I was glad Catherine was there with me. She eased my mind somewhat. I wanted to run for the nearest exit when I saw how bad Sara was. I wasn't good at this, but Catherine insisted that I stay, so here I was standing in the corner as the doctor examined Sara.
"Good morning Mr. Grissom." She said.
"Morning Dr. Washington. How are you?"
"I've had better days." She checked some things on the monitor then went around to face Sara. "Sara sweetie, how are you feeling?"
"Fine." Came Sara's reply. Yeah right. Even I knew Sara was in a lot of pain. I could tell the way she slept. Her rest was never restful it seemed.
"Come on I need you to sit up." She doctor gently touched Sara's hand, which was the limit. Can't touch more than the hand.
"Later." Sara said. I couldn't see her eyes but I knew she was staring out the window. She always did.
"No now. Come on swing your feet over the side." She said this but the doctor wouldn't touch her legs or anything but the hand to help her. "Sara I need to listen to your chest. Come on honey."
Sara struggled to a sitting position. There was a sharp intake of breath as the wave of pain hit her. Once she steadied herself, she let her feet fall carelessly over the side.
The doctor placed the stethoscope on Sara's chest. I saw Sara flinch and wondered if it was cold or if she was scared by the physical contact.
"Take a slow deep breath. Good another one. Again." Satisfied, the doctor removed her instrument and slung it around her neck. "I think you can be out of here in about two more days, provided you eat more."
"Good. Are you done?"
"Now that I have you up, I need to see how you're healing. Do you want Mr. Grissom to leave?"
"It's nothing he hasn't seen before in our line of work." She said.
If she only knew how different this was. It wasn't like any case I have ever had, no this was personal.
The doctor looked Sara up and down with her hands up to show Sara she meant no harm. "Sara I am going to lift your shirt and have a look okay? I won't hurt you. Promise." Sara tensed as the doctor raised her shirt.
"It hurts." Sara whispered.
"I know sweetie." The doctor held up Sara's shirt with one hand and glided the other over Sara's thin body. Sara drew in a sharp breath. "Does that hurt?"
"Your hands are cold."
"Sorry." Dr. Washington removed her hands and put Sara's shirt back in place. "Well you feel warm. Let me take your temperature." She pulled out one of her electronic thermometers from under one of the carts and placed it in Sara's mouth. "How are you doing Mr. Grissom?" She asked turning to me.
"Good." I said never taking my eyes off of Sara.
"You look like you need your rest. Why don't you go back to the hotel? Sara will be fine."
"No really I am okay." She was about to practically kick me out but the thermometer beeped saving me from another lecture.
"All right Sara, you have a slight fever. How do you feel? The truth this time."
"Tired."
"It's your body needing time to recover. Well I want you to eat a good breakfast. No arguments. You need your strength." The doctor turned to me. "As for you, I want to speak to you outside." I nodded and Dr. Washington turned back to Sara. "And Sara its procedure for Susan to come see you at least one more time."
"I don't need a shrink."
"She'll be in at four." The doctor patted Sara's hand then motioned for me to join her outside. I closed the door gently behind me. We walked a safe distance from Sara's door, so we couldn't be overheard.
"When is the last time you slept?" Dr. Washington asked.
"Doctor, I am fine really. I have gone without less sleep. How is Sara?"
She frowned at my subject change but answered. "Well considering she let me touch her is a very good sign, but the fact that she lies about being in pain is bad. Mr. Grissom I don't mean to pry but are you and Sara together?"
No doubt my eyes conveyed my surprise. I shouldn't be so shocked since I never left her side; someone was bound to think we were a couple. I just didn't know how to respond. My dreams often had us together but in reality, Sara was farther away from me now than she has ever been. "No." I said softly.
"Does she talk to you?"
"Some but not much."
"Do you talk about what happened?"
"Never. Why?"
"The psychiatrist said she isn't talking to her. They sit in silence for the entire session, so we thought she was talking to you."
I had no idea that Sara was keeping this all inside. She seemed to be getting better. We talked a little more. She would smile, or at least try to anyway. I began to worry but eased my own mind and the doctor's. "No but Sara was never one to share and especially with me."
"Well, she is healing nicely as far as her bruises. I think she will be released within the next two days. As for you, I really should send you home, but seeing as you are good for her, you can stay. I'll make sure you get a tray for breakfast."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to make my rounds." Dr. Washington walked down the hall leaving me to my thoughts.
"Grissom!"
My head shot up so fast I could have given myself whiplash. "Greg?"
Greg Sanders practically ran over to me. He was dressed in a simple shirt and jeans.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Sara. Is she okay?" He asked breathlessly.
"Greg...how?"
"I drove Grissom." He looked at the floor. "Catherine gave me the next two days off. She said I could bug the crap out of you instead of her. I hope you don't mind."
I stared at him in utter disbelief. I never thought Greg and Sara were so close. I knew that Greg flirted blatantly with Sara but I thought it as nothing more. I thought the two were just coworkers. I guess I underestimated him. Again.
"Grissom?" Greg asked. "You're not upset because I came to see Sara are you?"
"No. Not at all." I shook my head. "You just surprised me."
"So how is Sara?"
Greg's eyes were full of emotion. I have never seen him get to emotional before. He looked like he was on the verge of tears or either he was very pissed off. "Sara is fine Greg. Well better than when she was brought in."
"I heard she was in intensive care for a few days."
"Yeah she had some internal bleeding. Greg," I looked at the young man then to Sara's room. "How much do you know about what happened?"
"Just what I dragged out of Nick. Sara shot some guy in self-defense, you guys cleared her, and some asshole beat her up to get back at her."
I frowned at his language. But then again if someone taped my words from the past few days, I bet my mouth wasn't too clean either. "He wasn't the only guy that beat Sara. The guy she shot, was an ex-boyfriend. He hit her too Greg."
Greg shoved his hands in his pockets. "Hit her, like in an abusive relationship?"
"Afraid so." I said.
"So that's what she meant." He said almost to himself.
"What do you mean 'that's what she meant'? When?"
"Before Sara came here, we were supposed to go to breakfast together but she canceled and said she had an old rape/abuse case to look over. I assumed it was an old file she was working on. I mean it wasn't usual for Sara to go back through her cases, especially those cases. Now I know why." Greg rocked on his heels. "Can I see her?"
I snapped out of my daze. "Yes but Greg I want to warn you that she is pretty banged up. She doesn't look like the Sara Sidle at the office. Okay?"
"Yeah."
I lead Greg down the hall into Sara's room. She was now back under the covers and peering out the window.
Greg stepped just inside the door. "Hey Sara. Watch anything good on TV lately?"
Sara physically jumped under the covers. She rolled over as fast as she could. "Greg?! What are you doing here?"
He crossed the room to her bed. "To see you of course. You didn't think I came the whole way here for Grissom did you?" He turned to me. "No offense Gris but I didn't miss you that much."
"None taken Greg." I frowned.
"So Sara, did you miss me?"
Sara forced a smile at her friend. "If you only knew how I missed your wit and charm. Break open any cases?"
"At least one a day."
"That's because Nick can't solve them on his own." She joked. "How is everybody?"
"Oh good. You know, Catherine getting pretty comfortable in your chair Gris." He called over his shoulder.
"Thanks for the update Greg."
"No problem. Nick and Warrick are lost without you. They can't wait to get you back. They said something about a party."
"Great." She replied sarcastically. "Would it be a bad thing if I didn't show up?"
"Not if you elope with me."
"Sounds like a plan."
I watched the entire conversation in awe. I couldn't believe Sara was so pleased to see Greg. Her spirits seemed higher. At first I was hurt and somewhat jealous of Greg. I mean I have been here for days and Sara just spoke to me about what she read in a science journal. Even that was a complicated subject matter, because it lead to previous cases, which somehow lead to why Sara was here. Then again everything became complicated with Sara and me.
"I left them in the car but I brought you some chocolate covered cherries, your favorite. I can get them later."
"Oh thanks Greg."
"And your favorite song." He produced a CD case from his back pocket.
"My favorite song?"
"Yeah, the one you showed me how to dance to."
"That's hardly my favorite song Greg."
"Well its my favorite now."
"So I take it Valerie enjoyed your moves."
"You're a very good teacher. I have a date with her next Friday."
"Very nice." Sara looked over to me to explain. "He is in love with Valerie Good from ballistics. She invited him to a dance club." She turned back to Greg. "You'll have to tell me everything about the first date."
"Yeah that was a good night for both of us. Valerie thanks you."
"Good how?" I asked. Surely he wasn't implying that he slept with that girl on the first date.
Greg smiled. "Been out of the playing field that long Grissom." I scowled at him and he visibly moved closer to Sara. "What I meant to say was the younger generation isn't so traditional."
"Are you implying that I am old Greg?"
"No, no, no. I mean, Sara help me out."
"Sorry Greggo, but this is the most entertainment I have had in a long time. You're on your own." She smiled. It was genuine this time and I took notice of that.
"Gee thanks babe."
Sara started to laugh. "Don't call me babe, isn't that Valerie's nickname?"
"It was when I woke up beside her."
"Greg! That's horrible." She started to laugh harder but stopped abruptly to place a hand on her side. "That hurts."
I rushed over to her side almost pushing Greg down. "Sara you shouldn't be laughing with broken ribs. You could hurt yourself." I turned sharply to Greg. "Stop making her laugh."
Greg backed away. "Sorry Sara."
I was about to lay into him but Sara stopped me. "Relax Grissom." Sara smiled sweetly. "I'm fine, I just won't do that again."
"Do you want me to get Dr. Washington?" I asked running my hands over her side. I was completely oblivious that I was touching her but she let me know real quick.
"Stop Grissom." Her words were cut short and louder than a speaking tone. I removed my hands and dropped them to my side.
"Sorry I shouldn't have snapped at you. I'm fine really." She looked deep into my eyes. It felt like she could peirce my soul with those brown eyes. "When was the last time you slept? Look don't even answer, I can see the black clips under your eyes. Now I know why you lurk in the darkness, so I can't see that you look horrible. Why don't you go back to the hotel? Greg can keep my company." I started to object but she waved her hand. "Just go, please. I know you don't sleep well in that chair and you need to eat something besides my left overs."
"If you ate more I wouldn't have a choice but to find somewhere else to eat." I smiled.
"Don't turn this around just go. I'll be fine. Promise." She gave me a smile to let me know that she was going to be okay.
"If you're sure?" I asked.
"Positive."
"Okay. Greg anything goes wrong call the doctor for Sara and the mortuary for yourself, because I'll kill you if anything happens."
Greg's eyes got wide. "That's being fair. What if there is an earthquake? They are common in California and also acts of nature that I can't possibly control."
"In that scenario, I better find out that you used yourself as a human shield for Sara. And you died protecting her."
"You are so caring Gris. I think you should work more on your people skills." He said mockingly.
"I don't have people skills Greg. Get over it." I hesitantly stepped out and left Sara in the care of Greg Sanders. I was just joking about what I said. I knew Sara was in good hands with Greg. He was really a great person. Annoying at times but still a great person. Besides I knew Sara would enjoy the company.
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tbc...