Chapter 19

After approximately 6 hours later the doctor came into Ash's room and told them that Grissom was out of recovery and could see visitors. Sara had only been in recovery for 20 minutes, when she stopped breathing and was rushed back to the operating room. The doctors did quick work and managed to stabilise her, after 2 hours in recovery the doctors were pleased that she was doing better and needed a lot of time to rest.

Catherine was the first to see Grissom lying there with his upper leg bandaged. He didn't look at her as she opened the door to his room, he kept looking out into the night sky. She walked around to face him, but he closed his eyes as though he didn't want to see anyone. Catherine looked down at her shoes. "I can go if you want."

Grissom slowly opened his eyes and shook his head. "No it's ok."

Catherine pulled a seat up to the bed and sat down. "You ok?"

"A little sore nothing else." Grissom's eyes closed again. "Have you heard anything yet?"

Catherine watched him closely, knowing how he felt. She knew, they all knew that Sara and he were important to each other and that if either of them should die they would loose a good part of themselves as well. "She's in recovery. She stopped breathing twice in surgery, but they revived her and was in surgery again after she stopped breathing in recovery. She's doing fine now though. She's been in recovery for just over 2 hours."

Grissom opened his eyes and looked out over the city again silently thanking who ever for keeping her alive. Catherine knew he needed his rest and stood to leave. "How's Ash?" He said suddenly.

Catherine smiled. "She's doing great. Just shallow cuts and a transfusion, she's going to be out of here in a few days."

"The doctor says I'll be here a little longer so can you take her home with you? You know, keep an eye on her."

Catherine thought about it and knew that wouldn't be possible. "Can't, I think someone else already beat me to that."

Grissom closed his eyes and nodded knowing that person was Nick. "Ok, tell him to take care of her and he knows what I'll do to him if anything happens to her."

Catherine laughed lightly. "I know. Get some rest Gil, I'll be back later."

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Doctors surround her so no one could see how she was doing. Warrick and Nick stood looking in on her as monitors and lines were checked and forms were filled in on her progress, which they had to smile at her determination to get better. Catherine had taken Ash to Nick's place a few hours ago. It had be 2 days since Sara was fighting for her life, 1 day since Grissom was allowed normal visitors hours and around 4 hours since Ash was allowed to go home. Catherine had seen Sara and Grissom before any of them and assured them that they were going to be fine and suggested that Nick and Warrick wait to see Sara after she was moved from intensive care to a private room. Surprisingly enough they managed to get a room right next to Grissom's. The only worry anyone had at the moment was Grissom, he hadn't mentioned Sara or even visited her and they were all deeply worried about him.

The doctors and nurses left Sara to rest and allowed Nick and Warrick to see her. She was still unconscious, but it was great to see her. Nick sat on one side of the bed and Warrick sat on the other.

"She's getting better." Warrick said as he looked up at Nick.

He nodded in agreement as he pushed some locks away from her face. "Yeah, she's tough."

Warrick leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "God if you were awake you'd sock me one right about now." Warrick teased.

Nick laughed. "Brave men only get this close to Sara Sidle Warrick."

Warrick took her hand and smiled. "Or stupid fools." Nick did the same and held her other hand in his. "Come on Sidle, if you don't wake up I'll take all your cases." He teased.

"You know if she woke up to that we'd both be in the right place when they peeled us off the walls in little pieces." Nick joked.

"Good she's still sleeping then, but she should wake up though and soon. Griss is acting strange." Warrick said turning completely serious.

"Yeah, the nurse said he hasn't left his room, hasn't seen her once. He didn't even react when we talked about her in front of him." Nick's voice was thick with his Texan accent as he continued. "He needs to see her Warrick, he's closing himself off."

"I think we should force him in here or something." Warrick plotted aloud.

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Nick stayed with Sara while Warrick went to talk to Grissom. He was sleeping when Warrick sat down. 10 minutes later Grissom woke up with a start. Warrick carefully pushed him back onto the bed. "Hey Griss, that's was some dream you were having." He smiled at him before taking his seat again. Grissom looked at him for a few seconds then looked out off his room window like he had since he was brought to the hospital room. Warrick sighed. "Griss don't do this to yourself." Grissom continued to stare at the blue sky. "You're all alive, everyone's going to be fine."

A male nurse pushed a wheelchair into the room and approached the bed. "Time for physio Mr. Grissom."

Grissom was helped from the hospital bed to the wheelchair, just before the nurse could leave Warrick whispered something into his ear. The nurse nodded and wheeled Grissom out into the hallway. Warrick followed closely making sure Grissom couldn't make an escape as they approached Sara's room. Grissom knew Sara's room was next to his, which didn't do much for his sleeping. He could only manage 20 minutes of sleep every couple of hours knowing she was so close, but so far.

The nurse pushed the wheelchair through the door and waited for any objection, seeing none he let Warrick push Grissom further into the room. Nick made an excuse to go home and see Ash and once Warrick stopped by Sara's side he followed Nick out muttering he'd be back later.

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Chapter 20

"I'm not sure about leaving them alone." Nick said as they walked towards the elevators.

"It's what they both need, I'm sure of it." Warrick reassured as he pressed the elevator button.

"Ok, but if all hell breaks loose it's your fault." Nick grinned at Warrick as the doors closed and they descended to the ground floor.

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Grissom didn't once look up at her, he couldn't. He knew all those years ago that it was his fault that Richards kidnapped them. Richards was one of the professors at Harvard. He worked there full-time and taught many seminars ranging from forensics to his favourite historical torture techniques. Ash had been taking his classes and he seemed to grow some sort of attachment to her, but she didn't realise. She didn't even notice she was ignoring him until he asked her to stay after a seminar. He came on strong and Ash was left shaken. She told Sara before Grissom and Josh found out. When they did they made it their business to talk to Richards and put him straight. It didn't go well, although he did stop working and seemed to disappear until he grabbed them a year later one by one.

Grissom stared at her monitors and watched the lines go up and down across the screen before starting again. The beeping noise reassured him that she was breathing and could wake up at any minute. Grissom wasn't sure he should be there when that happened. He looked down at his hands and sighed sadly, not knowing what to do. His leg started to hurt as he shifted slightly in the chair. He was about to push himself towards the window when the machine changed pitch. He panicked silently, scared to move, scared to do anything.

Sara's eyes fluttered as she tried to open them with great difficulty. She gave up almost immediately and drifted back to sleep, not noticing anyone else in the room.

Grissom saw her struggle to wake up and watched as she gave in. He slowly wheeled himself to the window and gazed out at the small park below. Children and animals played happily with parents and other family members.

A low knock on the door caught Grissom's attention. He turned to see Catherine enter. "Hey." She said coming to stand next to him. "How you feeling today?"

"Good." He looked over at Sara then back at the park.

Catherine sat down next to Sara and held her hand. "You not woken up yet Sara? I thought you never slept." Grissom smiled covertly still looking away from them. He lowered his head to his hands on his leg. Catherine looked over her shoulder and saw the small smile that appeared then disappeared moments later. She turned back to Sara and took a deep breath. "You know the guys miss you Sara. Greg's been so quiet it's scary. Archie and Bobby are wondering around the lab like ghosts. Nick and Warrick have been in and out of here a lot to see you, but we all miss you Sara." She felt light pressure on her hand and saw Sara open her eyes slowly. Catherine grinned down at her.

"They need a life." Sara managed in a light tone.

Grissom's head snapped up and looked at her. Catherine laughed and agreed. "Yeah, Maybe you can tell them that when you get out of here."

"Will do." Sara's eyes closed again and paused before asking. "Is Grissom ok?"

Catherine turned to look at him. "Come and tell her yourself Gil." Sara's eyes stayed shut when Catherine clearly spoke to some else in the room. Catherine helped Grissom moved to the bed. "I'll get something to drink." She left them alone, but instead off getting that drink she sat outside the room on a waiting room chair.

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