Chapter Eleven: Hope

Grissom watched silently from a distance as they moved him. It was unnerving, but at the same time Grissom knew that there was nothing more they could do. The medication they had been giving him kept him in a drowsy state, unaware of what was happening most of the time. Grissom had already been to see him several times, but he doubted the lab tech even knew he was there.

He had been on his way to the lab, leaving early so he could stop by and check on his progress. It had become a normal routine for him. Grissom knew that the others stopped by after shift to see him; he had heard that Greg was more awake around that time and had thought about stopping by that time. He chose to come instead before shift, finding that it helped put his mind to ease.

Grissom sighed as he checked his watch; he would have to get going here soon. He at least wanted to wait until they got him settled in the new room. It didn't take much longer, and he was allowed to come in.

He sat down, smiling at the youth that was watching him. The tech seemed to be more awake now.

"You should be at the lab," Greg commented dryly, "You're late."

"The lab can wait Greg, I just wanted to see how you were doing," Grissom told him.

Greg gave him a small smile, turning away. "Tired," he told him softly, "really tired."

"You're medication's doing that," Grissom informed him.

Greg shrugged lightly, yawning. "Is it?" He raised an eyebrow, "They told me this morning."

Grissom nodded quietly. They had informed him as well, and he had hoped that they hadn't said anything to him about it though. "There's still time," Grissom told him.

Greg shook his head, "Time is gone Griss," he coughed lightly, closing his eyes. "They say I only have a few hours."

Grissom sighed, lowering his head with a sigh. He didn't know what else to tell him. What exactly did you say to someone who was dying? It's going to be okay? No, it wasn't okay, it wasn't right.

He turned back to find Greg watching him. "You will…tell everyone, won't you?"

Grissom nodded, "If you want me too," he said softly.

"Well," Greg fought of a sigh, closing his eyes again. "I'm not exactly going to be able to."

"I know," Grissom told him quietly. An uneasy silence stretched between them, neither one speaking for a moment. Finally Grissom cleared his throat. "You want me to stay here?"

Greg shook his head, "No, I'll be okay. Go…"

"Greg, you don't have to do this alone, I don't mind staying," Grissom told him quietly.

Greg was already shaking his head, "No, I need to do this by myself," he sighed. "I don't…I'm scared, yes…but I need, I need to do this alone. Please understand that…"

Grissom let out a sigh. "I understand, I just wish you would reconsider. Everyone would like to see you again, before…" Grissom couldn't finish.

"You, uh, you'll keep an eye on Sara?" Greg asked, "I think I freaked her out."

Grissom nodded, watching him. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah…" Greg said quietly, not looking at him anymore, "Go on, if you don't show up, everyone's going to freak."

Grissom stood up, squeezing his shoulder. "You hang in there, I'll be back after shift."

Greg nodded, watching him leave. "I'm sorry," he whispered, closing his eyes.


Work was slow that day, work had been slow the last several days. Everyone was distracted, withdrawn. No one had said anything when Grissom came in late, for which he was glad of. He wasn't ready to tell them, and he wasn't going to until he was certain.

It was several hours later that the phone rang, Grissom was afraid to pick it up, but did so after the third ring. "Grissom," he said quietly.

He let out a long sigh, closing his eyes. "Okay, we'll meet you there."

Hanging up the phone he grabbed his case from off his desk, stopping by the trace lab. "Sara, Warrick, you're with me on this one."

It didn't take long to load the car, they drove in together. Brass meet them there with a nod, briefing them as he always did.

"Two DB's, Mother and child, driver of the truck was hurt pretty bad, she was taken to the hospital already. Witnesses say the Mother was driving pretty recklessly."

Grissom nodded, "Sara, you and Warrick start processing, I'll head over to the hospital, see if I can get a statement." That wasn't he only reason he wanted to go.

Brass caught his arm as he turned though, "The truck driver didn't make the ride, they called and confirmed, but they're still taking her to the hospital," Brass told him.

Grissom frowned, "Why?" he asked.

"I don't want to get anyone's hopes up," he continued, his voice quieter. "She's an organ donor, a possible match for Greg."

Grissom nodded, "How much a chance?" he wondered.

"Not much, but they're still going to try."

Grissom nodded, "I'm going over there then, watch the scene?"

Brass nodded, "Let me know what happens."

TBC