Chapter Ten: Sooner or Later

Sara had prepared herself for what she would see beyond the door. This wasn't her first time in a hospital; it wasn't her first time seeing someone injured, someone who was close to death. The cases took her here often enough. She had seen countless of injuries, and heard countless of reasons. Still, this was different.

Coming into the room, she smiled slightly despite herself, watching him for a moment, coming to another pause. Greg was hooked up to an IV, as well as several other items, heart monitor, pain medication…it wasn't unusual for this situation, predictable even, but still unnerving.

He was nearly asleep; she could see his eyes flutter open slightly, watching her as she sat down.

"You weren't planning on falling asleep just to avoid me were you?" she asked, leaning forward, her voice quiet.

Greg raised an eyebrow, "My favorite CSI girl? Why would I do that?" his voice was muffled, his words slurred. A sure indication that the medication was kicking in. "You're not wearing a mini skirt, got to remind myself not to listen to Warrick."

Sara laughed, rolling her eyes. "I thought you already knew that," she teased.

"Yeah? Guess I'm still learning huh?"

"You'll catch on sooner or later," she told him.

He gave her half a smile, closing his eyes. "I don't think there will be a later Sar," he told her softly, reverting to her old nickname she had acquired years ago.

"You don't know that Greg," she reached over, grabbing his hand gently. "There's still time."

Greg only shrugged, opening his eyes again. "I suppose, I'm not one to ruin the party, but the odds aren't in my favor."

Sara shook her head, wondering if the others had gone through this as well. He certainly wasn't angry anymore, but she wasn't sure if the depressed Greg was the one she liked any better. "You should have said something earlier, you know."

Greg laughed softly, watching her. "I'll have to get the nurse to change the station, it keeps repeating itself," he joked, growing more serious at the look she gave him. "I know," he told her quietly, "that's what everyone's been saying. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Telling Grissom was hard enough, and I didn't even want to do that."

"You could have said something to me," she offered, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I would have listened."

Greg closed he eyes, sighing. "Would you? You've been avoiding me the last few weeks."

Sara bit her lip in order to keep from crying right then. She was glad that Greg had his eyes closed, unable to see her reaction. Composing herself quickly, she nodded, squeezing his hand gently.

"I know," she admitted. "I've been a jerk, I'm sorry."

"I don't really blame you," Greg told her, eyes still closed. He was becoming harder to hear. "I screwed up."

"Greg, I don't care about that anymore. I did for a while, but that's my own fault. I asked for your help on something, it was still my responsibility. I've been avoiding you, yes. Not because I've been mad at you…mostly because I've been mad at myself, and I haven't been able to bring myself around to apologizing. I'm sorry."

"I don't expect pity Sara," Greg announced, opening his eyes.

"I'm not pitying you Greg. If I was, then I'd probably ask you to go out with me, or something like that."

"In that case, lay it on thick," he gave her a wide grin, causing her to laugh.

"I said if I was, which I'm not."

"Strike three," Greg laughed, "have to think of a new approach."

"You just have to be more persistent," Sara told him. "Don't give up so easily. Some girls like a challenge."

"Really?" Greg wondered, "Catherine says I should try blackmailing you."

"What, are you accumulating dating tips from all our co-workers now?" Sara wondered, laughing.

Greg shrugged, "You know, whatever works." He let out a yawn, his eyes closing once again.

Sara gave him an apologetic smile, even though he couldn't see her. "I've kept you up longer than I should have," she told him quietly. "Get your rest, okay?"

"Don't worry," he answered, "I'll have plenty of it soon enough."

"Don't say that," she told him harshly giving his hand another squeeze as her voice lightened. "I'll come back tomorrow?"

It was more a question than a statement, so she was glad to see him nod. "I'll see if I have room in schedule for you."

"Thanks," she commented dryly, nodding to the nurse who had entered the room.

"Visiting hours are over miss," the nurse told her gently with a smile.

Sara nodded, turning back to Greg, "Take it easy lab rat, I'll be back later." She gave the nurse a similar smile as she left the room, watching from the corner of her eye as she tended to Greg.

As promised, Warrick was still waiting for her when she came out. He scooted over as she sat down, not saying anything, only watching her. "Sara?"

Not able to stand it anymore, she suddenly burst into tears, bringing a hand up to cover her face, leaning against him. Warrick wrapped an arm around her shoulders, holding her as she cried.

"He's going to be okay Sara," he told her, trying to calm her down. "He's going to be okay."

TBC