Chapter 5

Sara walked into the waiting room and found Catherine asleep on a chair. She looked at the clock, it was almost four o' clock. Sara felt bad for leaving her friend out here so long. She walked over and bought another two coffees from the coffee machine. Sara sat back down next to Catherine as Catherine stirred at the smell of the hot coffee. Sara waited several minutes for Catherine to become more awake before offering her one. "It's not decaf." Sara said to her as she handed her the cup.

Catherine took it and smiled. "Thanks." She took a sip. "So how is he?"

Sara frowned a bit as she remembered it. "He, he can't hear me." Sara put her coffee down and started to shake a little. Catherine put her coffee down as well and put her arm around her friend.

"Sara, he's going to be okay. I promise. Is the doctor in with him right now?" Catherine asked.

Sara nodded. "He said that it would be better if I waited outside while he ran some tests to see how successful the surgery had been. Cath, I didn't like the way he said it. I'm, I'm …." Sara couldn't finish. She just started to cry. Big, salty tears streamed down her face. Her body was shaking as Catherine gave her a hug. After several minutes, Sara pulled back and she saw that Catherine was crying too. They sat there together crying and holding each other. Although neither felt any better about the present situation, they did find comfort in each other's presence.

Grissom's doctor arrived shortly after both Sara and Catherine had gotten a hold of themselves enough so that they were no longer crying. He approached them and sat down across from them and folded his arms. Sara and Catherine waited patiently to see what the doctor would say. He sighed and began. "Well, I ran the tests and Gil responded quite poorly to most of them. However, we should not get discouraged by this because it does not mean that his hearing loss will be permanent. In fact, I have every reason to believe that he will slowly gain back most or all of his hearing. This process may be slow and gradual, much like his hearing loss was." The doctor paused for a brief moment and continued. "The site of the incision is looking great and should not leave any noticeable scars. He should be rehabilitated enough to go home in about two days under one condition. He tells me that he lives alone. He will need some assistance for up to eight weeks after he is released. You can arrange with the hospital to hire a live-in nurse that signs who can help him with every day chores…"

Sara interrupted him, "That won't be necessary. He can stay with me." Catherine looked over at Sara, slightly shocked at this announcement. "It's fine." She continued, hoping to convince both the doctor and her friend.

The doctor stood up to leave them. "Well, whatever you end up deciding, tell me before he leaves at noon on Wednesday. Alright?" Sara and Catherine nodded.

Catherine stood up and shook his hand. "Thank you very much Dr. Lane." Sara quickly followed suit and stood to also shook his hand. "Yes, thank you." As he walked away, Catherine looked at Sara. Sara stopped her before she could say anything. "Catherine, he is coming to live with me and that's final. He is going to whether you like it or not. I have made up my mind. I will take off work and take care of him." Catherine just smiled. "I always said you were too stubborn for your own good." Not wanting to push this issue any further, Catherine continued. "Fine, you can take care of him. But I think you better tell him about your plans."

Sara smiled and agreed. "I'll be right back."

"I'll be here." Catherine said as she sat down. When she looked back up, Sara was gone. "She sure is fast." She thought as she laughed to herself.