Stay With Me
Chapter 9: Don't Go
A/N: Has it been two months already? The song is called "Waiting on an Angel" by Ben
Harper. Thanks to Ann for the inspiration, Graveshifter's for nursing me through writers
block and encouraging me, Angie for the great beta job Also thanks to Manda for being a
great friend, constant support, and just an awesome writing partner.
//Waiting on an angel,
One to carry me home…//
The rest of the nightshift had assembled in the chairs of the waiting room,
forgoing sleep and other off duty activities for news on Catherine. Grissom had muttered
something about a seizure; but little else did he tell them, preferring to retreat inward,
inside his own thoughts.
"You got him to come?" Warrick sent her a thankful glance, and sat down in the
chair next to hers.
"It wasn't me." Sara replied, nodding towards Lindsey, who had snuggled herself
up next to Nick. Hands flying rapidly and talking vividly about his life in Texas he kept
the child occupied, her eyes bright with delight. Sara smiled, her lips curving upward just
slightly. Nick really did have a few endearing qualities. Not that she'd ever admit that to
his face.
"Sara? You okay?"
"Huh? Yea why wouldn't I be Warrick?"
"It's nothing really…you just seem...different. Grissom looks…and you look --
what did you guys talk about while you were over there?"
"Wins and losses," she mumbled back, letting her chin rest in her hands.
Silence developed between the two, filled only by the sounds of ringing pay
phones and receptionists chit-chatting. Unable to hide his curiosity, he raised a
questioning eyebrow, but she shrugged it off and let her eyes close slowly.
//Hope you come to see me soon…//
Grissom. He had positioned himself farthest from the group, across the large
waiting room, and closest to the nurses' station. Warrick was right, Sara too could sense a
change in Grissom's quiet demeanor. Eyes closed, she could picture his normal routine in
her mind. His foot tapping, brow furled in deep concentration, he would attempt to
rationalize the situation. Removing his glasses slowly, he'd lean his head back and rub
his temples, but say not a word trying to battle his demons from within. Sara hadn't ever
known Grissom's behavior to change. But moments later, when she opened her eyes
again, she found him pacing the floor, worry etched on his face.
//Cause I don't want to go alone,
No I don't want to go alone//
Grissom counted the scuffmarks he made on the floor as he paced back and
forth…. 2, 3, 4. He wasn't sure how long he'd been standing, to drawn into his thoughts
to care. He couldn't let his will waver; he couldn't give up…5, 6, 7. He didn't care if his
presence alarmed the nurses, their eyes following his every step. He had his mind on one
thing, and the whispers and chuckles of the nurses could do nothing to stray his mind
from it. Every footstep marked another moment, a second that felt like an eternity,
another desire to know that Catherine was ok…8, 9, 10.
//Now angel won't you come by me….
Angel hear my plea.//
Down the hall, he saw the doctor exit the double doors, snapping off his gloves
and sighing heavily. Fear ran through Grissom's veins. He was unsure of whether or not
he should approach Dr. Jameson. To do so would catapult himself into a potentially heart
shattering situation. He had spent his entire life avoiding them, emitting a persona that
was calm and indifferent, keeping people at a distance. How Catherine had managed to
pierce his armor and find a place in his in his heart, he wasn't sure. But she had, and it
was the only thing driving him forward.
//Take my hand and lift me up…
So I can fly with thee…
So I can fly with thee.//
"Mr. Grissom." Grissom never trusted the facial expressions of doctors, and this
one was no different. Jameson's look, as he approached him, was stern, neutral, and
unflinching.
"How is she?"
"Ms. Willows had a mild seizure. Not uncommon among coma patients.
Considering the injuries she's sustained, I expected this. She's stable for now. We'll keep
an eye on her for the next few hours, and see what happens."
//I'm waiting on an angel,
and I know it won't be long//
She felt heavy. Pain cut through her haze, shooting through every fiber of her
being and it awakened her senses.
'I love you to much for you to die…don't die.'
Catherine struggled to get back to that voice. To Grissom. Little by little, she
could feel the darkness lifting, and her eyes fluttered open, light stabbing at them.
//To find myself a resting place
in my angel's arms,
in my angel's arms.//
"May I see her?" Grissom asked as a nurse approached them.
"One moment Mr. Grissom."
Dr. Jameson turned his attention to the nurse while Grissom eyed the doorway to
Catherine's room just down the hall. His eyes darting around, he searched for a way
around, first glancing towards the room, then at the doctor, then back to the room. Slowly
he inched his body away, angling around the now preoccupied doctor, and closer to his
destination. Once he was around them, he quickened his pace, not looking back until he
was sure he was safe.
So, speak to a kind stranger
cause you'll never know
Everything was fuzzy, and for a moment, Catherine started to panic. Her head was
throbbing so badly that it felt as if it were a balloon, blown up so huge, that it was ready
to burst. Once again she closed her eyes, for a moment, attempting to recall the events
that had so obviously landed her in her present situation. But nothing came.
Ever so slowly, as she opened her eyes again, the room came into focus; she saw
the bedside table, the chairs, even the IV bag hanging above her. A man, there was also a
man, standing in the doorway….with tears in his eyes. Looking in his direction, she
mustered a small smile… "Grissom, hey."
//It just might be an angel come
knockin' at your door
knockin' at your door.//
He stopped the moment he opened the door. Blue eyes, filled with fear and pain,
stared back at him from across the room. Grissom felt the tears forming in his own eyes,
and did nothing to stop them from sliding down his cheeks.
"Grissom, hey."
"Cat," he replied as he came and sat down next to her. Letting out a small sigh, he
gently took her hand in his and began rubbing the back of it with his thumb.
"I haven't been called that in years," she muttered back, her eyelids drooping
slightly. "Not since…"
"I know Cat, I know. I'm sorry…"
//I'm waiting on an angel
and I know it won't be long…//
"No, I like it."
"No you don't."
"I do when you say it."
Catherine yawned, barely able to stay awake. But she fought off sleep, focusing
in on Grissom's voice. A smile crept onto her face as she listened to him talk, about
nothing…about everything.
//To find myself a resting place
in my angels arms
in my angels arms.//
Grissom realized Catherine was struggling to stay awake, and for a moment fell
silent. He ached to kiss her. To take her away from the hospital and kiss away her pain.
Like the knight on the white horse, prince charming coming to wake up the sleeping
beauty and ride off into the sunset…
//Waiting on an angel, one to carry me home//
"Mmm…Gil…why'd you stop talking? Don't stop. "
"I won't baby," Grissom whispered to her, stroking her hair. He'd talk for hours if
it kept her happy. He also knew he should get the doctor, but was unwilling to leave
Catherine's side.
//Hope you come to see me soon
Cause I don't want to go alone.
Don't go alone. //
"Hurts…"
"I know…want me to go get the doctor?"
Catherine tightened her fingers around Grissom's hand, "Stay." She had no desire
to be by herself, even for a second. She'd been that way for far to long.
//Don't want to go alone.//
TBC.
Chapter 9: Don't Go
A/N: Has it been two months already? The song is called "Waiting on an Angel" by Ben
Harper. Thanks to Ann for the inspiration, Graveshifter's for nursing me through writers
block and encouraging me, Angie for the great beta job Also thanks to Manda for being a
great friend, constant support, and just an awesome writing partner.
//Waiting on an angel,
One to carry me home…//
The rest of the nightshift had assembled in the chairs of the waiting room,
forgoing sleep and other off duty activities for news on Catherine. Grissom had muttered
something about a seizure; but little else did he tell them, preferring to retreat inward,
inside his own thoughts.
"You got him to come?" Warrick sent her a thankful glance, and sat down in the
chair next to hers.
"It wasn't me." Sara replied, nodding towards Lindsey, who had snuggled herself
up next to Nick. Hands flying rapidly and talking vividly about his life in Texas he kept
the child occupied, her eyes bright with delight. Sara smiled, her lips curving upward just
slightly. Nick really did have a few endearing qualities. Not that she'd ever admit that to
his face.
"Sara? You okay?"
"Huh? Yea why wouldn't I be Warrick?"
"It's nothing really…you just seem...different. Grissom looks…and you look --
what did you guys talk about while you were over there?"
"Wins and losses," she mumbled back, letting her chin rest in her hands.
Silence developed between the two, filled only by the sounds of ringing pay
phones and receptionists chit-chatting. Unable to hide his curiosity, he raised a
questioning eyebrow, but she shrugged it off and let her eyes close slowly.
//Hope you come to see me soon…//
Grissom. He had positioned himself farthest from the group, across the large
waiting room, and closest to the nurses' station. Warrick was right, Sara too could sense a
change in Grissom's quiet demeanor. Eyes closed, she could picture his normal routine in
her mind. His foot tapping, brow furled in deep concentration, he would attempt to
rationalize the situation. Removing his glasses slowly, he'd lean his head back and rub
his temples, but say not a word trying to battle his demons from within. Sara hadn't ever
known Grissom's behavior to change. But moments later, when she opened her eyes
again, she found him pacing the floor, worry etched on his face.
//Cause I don't want to go alone,
No I don't want to go alone//
Grissom counted the scuffmarks he made on the floor as he paced back and
forth…. 2, 3, 4. He wasn't sure how long he'd been standing, to drawn into his thoughts
to care. He couldn't let his will waver; he couldn't give up…5, 6, 7. He didn't care if his
presence alarmed the nurses, their eyes following his every step. He had his mind on one
thing, and the whispers and chuckles of the nurses could do nothing to stray his mind
from it. Every footstep marked another moment, a second that felt like an eternity,
another desire to know that Catherine was ok…8, 9, 10.
//Now angel won't you come by me….
Angel hear my plea.//
Down the hall, he saw the doctor exit the double doors, snapping off his gloves
and sighing heavily. Fear ran through Grissom's veins. He was unsure of whether or not
he should approach Dr. Jameson. To do so would catapult himself into a potentially heart
shattering situation. He had spent his entire life avoiding them, emitting a persona that
was calm and indifferent, keeping people at a distance. How Catherine had managed to
pierce his armor and find a place in his in his heart, he wasn't sure. But she had, and it
was the only thing driving him forward.
//Take my hand and lift me up…
So I can fly with thee…
So I can fly with thee.//
"Mr. Grissom." Grissom never trusted the facial expressions of doctors, and this
one was no different. Jameson's look, as he approached him, was stern, neutral, and
unflinching.
"How is she?"
"Ms. Willows had a mild seizure. Not uncommon among coma patients.
Considering the injuries she's sustained, I expected this. She's stable for now. We'll keep
an eye on her for the next few hours, and see what happens."
//I'm waiting on an angel,
and I know it won't be long//
She felt heavy. Pain cut through her haze, shooting through every fiber of her
being and it awakened her senses.
'I love you to much for you to die…don't die.'
Catherine struggled to get back to that voice. To Grissom. Little by little, she
could feel the darkness lifting, and her eyes fluttered open, light stabbing at them.
//To find myself a resting place
in my angel's arms,
in my angel's arms.//
"May I see her?" Grissom asked as a nurse approached them.
"One moment Mr. Grissom."
Dr. Jameson turned his attention to the nurse while Grissom eyed the doorway to
Catherine's room just down the hall. His eyes darting around, he searched for a way
around, first glancing towards the room, then at the doctor, then back to the room. Slowly
he inched his body away, angling around the now preoccupied doctor, and closer to his
destination. Once he was around them, he quickened his pace, not looking back until he
was sure he was safe.
So, speak to a kind stranger
cause you'll never know
Everything was fuzzy, and for a moment, Catherine started to panic. Her head was
throbbing so badly that it felt as if it were a balloon, blown up so huge, that it was ready
to burst. Once again she closed her eyes, for a moment, attempting to recall the events
that had so obviously landed her in her present situation. But nothing came.
Ever so slowly, as she opened her eyes again, the room came into focus; she saw
the bedside table, the chairs, even the IV bag hanging above her. A man, there was also a
man, standing in the doorway….with tears in his eyes. Looking in his direction, she
mustered a small smile… "Grissom, hey."
//It just might be an angel come
knockin' at your door
knockin' at your door.//
He stopped the moment he opened the door. Blue eyes, filled with fear and pain,
stared back at him from across the room. Grissom felt the tears forming in his own eyes,
and did nothing to stop them from sliding down his cheeks.
"Grissom, hey."
"Cat," he replied as he came and sat down next to her. Letting out a small sigh, he
gently took her hand in his and began rubbing the back of it with his thumb.
"I haven't been called that in years," she muttered back, her eyelids drooping
slightly. "Not since…"
"I know Cat, I know. I'm sorry…"
//I'm waiting on an angel
and I know it won't be long…//
"No, I like it."
"No you don't."
"I do when you say it."
Catherine yawned, barely able to stay awake. But she fought off sleep, focusing
in on Grissom's voice. A smile crept onto her face as she listened to him talk, about
nothing…about everything.
//To find myself a resting place
in my angels arms
in my angels arms.//
Grissom realized Catherine was struggling to stay awake, and for a moment fell
silent. He ached to kiss her. To take her away from the hospital and kiss away her pain.
Like the knight on the white horse, prince charming coming to wake up the sleeping
beauty and ride off into the sunset…
//Waiting on an angel, one to carry me home//
"Mmm…Gil…why'd you stop talking? Don't stop. "
"I won't baby," Grissom whispered to her, stroking her hair. He'd talk for hours if
it kept her happy. He also knew he should get the doctor, but was unwilling to leave
Catherine's side.
//Hope you come to see me soon
Cause I don't want to go alone.
Don't go alone. //
"Hurts…"
"I know…want me to go get the doctor?"
Catherine tightened her fingers around Grissom's hand, "Stay." She had no desire
to be by herself, even for a second. She'd been that way for far to long.
//Don't want to go alone.//
TBC.