Sara and Greg had been sent to process the sniper's "nest " found by the LVPD. Catherine had insisted, in spite of Grissom's protests, that Nick and Warrick stay and process the scene of the shooting. He couldn't really argue with her, when she pointed out that they had seen and heard everything that had happened . The fact that Warrick was putting his blood covered pants and shirt into an evidence bag helped her argument. Catherine had also noticed Warrick changing into the coveralls he kept in his kit. Grissom insisted that she check everything, since the guys would be witnesses in court to Jim's shooting .

"Make sure you can testify to every piece of evidence personally. Understand?" He told her as her turned to go to the hospital.

He was relieved that he could go to the hospital. Every cop not involved in the investigation would be at the hospital. When a cop was shot they all took it personally. He know how much blood was in a human body and the amount of blood on the street made him worry for Jim's life. Had someone contacted his ex-wife, did the daughter know? Gil couldn't get to the hospital fast enough. He also knew that if he were stopped for speeding no cop in Vegas would give him a ticket after learning his destination.

The ER entrance was crowded with media, cops and the usual ambulance chasers that arrive after this type of incident. Gil expertly navigated the back hallways and staircases to the surgery wing of the hospital. Cops were in the waiting room, near the elevator and standing in the hallways. A rather loud nurse was telling them, unsuccessfully to keep the hallway clear.

"Any news?" he asked the first cop he saw.

"You a reporter?" the cop asked back suspiciously

"No, CSI" He answered showing his ID badge "My people are at the scene now getting answers."

"Your "people" hid behind a car and a garbage can and some civilian woman crawled out and helped him is what I hear. Good thing she was a doctor."

Gil had no reply. CSI were not prepared to be under sniper fire. Nick and Warrick followed protocol. If Jim died their entire department would be under fire from the press, the city and especially the cops. Nick and Warrick would come under a great deal of scrutiny. There would be a good chance their career in Las Vegas would be over. There were a few cops in Las Vegas that wouldn't cry if Gil Grissom left town.

Gil finally over heard two cops talking . A nurse had updated them just minutes before he had arrived. Jim was in the OR with a bullet wound to the chest and arm. The bullet in his arm had severed the artery. He was in critical condition. Gil got the impression he was not expected to pull through. The men kept coming in and out of a side door. He realized they had been donating blood when he saw the band aid on the bend of their arms.

"Might as well." He and sighed as he headed in the direction of the other "donors"

It took longer then usual to get his blood. He had "rolling veins". The technician thought this was humorous. Gil just gritted his teeth and let the man poke and prod his arm, until he gave up.

"Can't get you're blood today. Veins won't cooperate." the tech laughed

"Just give it to me." Gil smoothly inserted the needle into the vein that would draw his blood into the collection bag.

"I have never seen a donor do that, how did you learn to do that?"

"Cadavers." the tech walked off looking at Gil over his shoulder. Gil relaxed as the blood drained from his arm. He thought about the few days off he had taken the week before. No one would believe it if he told them what he had been doing. He was going to buy a house. He was contacting realtors. To the average person that did not seem like a major event. In Gil's case it was monumental. You had to talk to realtor, tell them your expectations for the future, fill them in on personal details. He had not enjoyed the process but change was painful. He was going to change some things in his life. He had never lived in a house. Always apartments. Very nice apartments, but nothing permanent. Even before the divorce, his parents had lived in apartments. After, it was just more practical to have a place with no upkeep. He was giving himself a reason to stay around,. Trying to"get a life".

He had dozed while giving blood and the tech woke him. Gil walked to the waiting area, holding his arm in the prescribed position. He pushed open the doors and his heart stopped. The room was empty.