Disclaimer: I don't own CSI, I just write fan fiction about it.

A/N This is that last chapter and it's really, really long, so I hope you don't mind. I'm sorry it took so long to get up.

Chapter 13

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"How are you doing?" Catherine asked.

"Oh, fine."

"And Sara?"

"The doctors said they would come and speak to me when everything was done. She looked pretty bad, but the doctors didn't say anything yet."

"I hope everything will be alright," Catherine said, "I'm sure it will be and after this, everything will go back to normal."

"What is normal?" Grissom asked, "Is normal me getting up, showering, eating, coming to work, processing scenes and following the evidence, and then going home to start the cycle over. I'm not sure I want to go back to normal, maybe I need a change."

"For you?"

"I need to get out of this rut and like you said before, get my head out of the microscope… I just don't know how to do it."

"Well, if you're talking about Sara… you could try to say more than 'Hi' and 'Good Job' to her. If you're talking about you and the lab in general… try to be more friendly; you make people think, well… they don't know what to think of you."

"I know, I know. I just can't seem to be able to do that. I try to open up and be friendly, but I always do it with the wrong people or at the wrong time."

"You wouldn't happen to be talking about Sophia would you?"

He nodded.

"Well, I think that's because you're afraid of people… people and their emotions. You went to Sophia because you knew what to expect from her. You knew she was intelligent and you could have a conversation with her without her getting grossed out about meat, for example. Besides that, you think she's beautiful… you act like your in heaven when you're around her. It's like she has you hypnotized." Catherine tried not to be too blunt on the last statement.

"In ways, you're right. I guess, she's very intelligent and…"

"And so is Sara!" Catherine interrupted him.

"I know, I know. Sara is intelligent, too, but Sara… is Sara."

"Okay, so you like Sara, but you think Sophia is cute and smart? How shallow." Catherine didn't seem to notice that her daughter was still there, watching Grissom and her talk.

"No, it's just that I don't 'understand' Sara. She's, well, complicated."

"Life is complicated, Grissom. You deal with it, you face it, you don't run away."

"I'm sorry," he pleaded.

"Tell her that," Catherine said and turned around, noticing Lindsey sitting next to her. "Sorry, Hun, I didn't mean to ignore you."

"No, it's fine… I don't mind, you were talking to Grissom."

"Alright, so what do I do now?"

"Get your head out of the microscope and turn your head away from that rude, blonde's pretty face. Please, just listen and don't talk. Here, have a muffin," Catherine was pretty fed up with Grissom. She wasn't fond of Sophia and she didn't hide it. Sophia started with the team and expected a welcoming party. Everyone else had to work hard to earn the respect of their co-workers; Sophia just expected to be respected before she even knew anyone's names. Perhaps it was a bit out of jealousy, too. She would see Grissom and Sophia talking as if they had known each other for years and she barely got to see him anymore. No, she didn't like him, but she missed him as a friend. He had always been there for her when the going got tough and now he was slipping away. Besides that, she saw the looks on Sara's face and knew something was up. Grissom wasn't helping much by spending time with a woman he hardly knew.

Grissom bit the muffin and tried to lighten things up, "This is good, did you make it?"

"Me and Lindsey," Catherine replied, also trying to make things less tense. "Tonight before we came. So, how's the Barry Steingard thing going, I heard about it from Greg earlier."

"Well, we didn't get any results yet, at least, not while I was working it. Warrick and I processed the scene and took the evidence that needed to be processed back to the lab. We were interrupted, so I don't have any information on the case besides what we recovered from the scene. Actually, it wasn't that much."

"Well, at least you got the guy who kidnapped Sara… Garrett Torren."

"Yeah, Greg filled me in on everything before you got here. It helps us a little with the Barry Steingard case. We know that whoever killed Barry was not Garrett Torren. Greg told me that he was very defensive of Barry and that he confessed to everything and would cooperate if Barry didn't go to jail. I guess he didn't know that Barry was murdered."

"He could be lying," Catherine suggested.

"Both Greg and Brass said he looked and sounded like he was telling the truth. I'm thinking it's someone who knew Barry and it possibly could be related to Sara's kidnapping. The son has motive, so would Tobey Rogers."

"Yeah, I see what you mean. Both will probably be brought in again for questioning; you trained us well… I'm sure Greg or Warrick already thought about that." She smiled.

He nodded, "Thanks." He exhaled and then said, "I'm truly sorry about Sophia. I know I hurt you and Sara."

"You're forgiven. I realize she probably used voodoo to seduce you and get you to flirt with her all the time." She laughed, "Just kidding. Just don't do it again or I'll take one of the microscopes and shove it up one of your nostrils."

Catherine was interrupted by one of the doctors from the hospital; she felt a little embarrassed and hoped the man hadn't heard all of what she just said.

"Are you Gilbert Grissom?" the doctor said, coming closer to them.

"Yes, I am."

"You're Sara Sidle's boss, correct? I'm here to give you an update on her condition."

"Yes, I am. Is she alright?"

"She'll be fine, but she's taken a harsh beating. She has a black eye and several deep scrapes on her left cheek. Two of her ribs are broken and she has a minor concussion. It looks like she was beaten with something metal, I can't say what for sure though, but she's lucky whoever hit her head didn't hit her head on. It only nicked her scalp and caused some minor damage. She also has some other injuries and I'll let you see the report in a little while for all the details."

"Can we see her?" Grissom asked.

"Not at this moment, no. We still have a doctor and a few or the nurses in there checking her out and addressing her wounds. I'll have someone come out and notify you when you can go in and see her."

"Thank-you."

Once again, Grissom slumped back into the uncomfortable hospital chair and sighed.

"Hopefully we'll get to see her soon. It's a good thing she's alright; I can't even imagine what you'd be like if she wasn't okay."

"Me either, so let's try and not think about that scenario."

"Yeah, sorry. Look, call me when they let you go in and see her. Lindsey's bored and we've been here for like two hours. I'd better get her home and ready for bed."

"Okay, I'll call your cell. Lindsey, thanks for the muffin; it was delicious. And thanks for coming. I'll talk to you later."

"Your welcome," Lindsey said, "Sorry about what happened. I hope everything works out."

"By Gil, I'll talk to you later."

The two of them walked out the door and into Catherine's Tahoe; they headed back home so Lindsey could finish up homework and get to bed. Catherine decided to get some rest too; it had been a hard day. As she slipped under the covers on her bed, her jeans and t-shirt still on because she didn't expect to sleep long, she left her cell phone on the night table, awaiting Grissom's call.

Meanwhile, back at the lab, Greg and Warrick were working on Barry Steingard's case. Grissom called and told them that they might want to question Toby Rogers and David Roberts, Barry Steingard's step-son. They figured they'd start that and see if anything new came up.

"But Toby Rogers was being held here at the time the murder took place, it's impossible for him to have done it," Greg said.

"I'll have Brass bring in David Roberts then and if nothing turns up, we'll go back and see if our evidence is processed yet."

"But why would his step-son kill him?"

"That's what we're going to find out."

Not a long time later, they were back in the interview room.

"David," Warrick said, greeting the man. "We have a few more questions for you."

"I'll answer as best I can. I really hope I can help you guys out."

"So, where were you earlier today, about right after your step-father was questioned?" Greg asked calmly.

He looked like he was thinking, "Well, I was at home for a little while and then I went to get some groceries."

"Man, what did everyone suddenly devour all the food in their house. Every person we talked to said they stopped to get some groceries or ran some errands. Do you have an alibi?"

"Well no, I couldn't even tell you which one of those little convenient stores I went to, they all look alike and it's not like I have a favorite."

"So you're saying that you weren't seen by anybody all day… you expect me to believe that? How do I not know you are lying to me right now?"

"Why would I kill my own step-father?"

"Well, that's what we would like to know."

"I didn't kill him; I swear! My step-father was a good man and he had nothing to do with what went on today with the missing CSI, okay? He wasn't like that, he didn't do stuff like that to people. At least, the man I knew didn't."

"Well, maybe you didn't think your step-father was the man you thought you knew, even though he was. You thought he kidnapped the CSI or helped and you couldn't take it. He was a good man and you wouldn't stand to have a father, even though he wasn't your real father, who was a criminal. So you talked to him and you told him that. You took his gun and he turned around, even he was ashamed of what he did and how he made you feel, and then you shot him, for both of you."

The man now broke down, unable to keep the truth from the CSIs any longer, "Alright, yes, I was mad at him, but he told me to do it. 'Son, I love you, even if I'm not your true father. I ruined myself. I hurt an innocent person and I hid the truth. Let me die, for the sins I have committed,' he told me and then handed me his gun. He turned around and waited for me to aim and shoot. He was honest and caring and I respected that. I also respected his wishes and did as he said. He told me it was for the best." Tears ran down the man's cheeks.

"David Roberts, you're under arrested for the murder of Barry Steingard," Warrick said and then officer came over and placed the handcuffs on him.

"Will I be stuck in prison, or will I get the death penalty?" David asked.

"I don't know," Warrick said and the man was taken away.

Warrick and Greg walked out into the deserted hallway.

"Wow," Greg said.

"Yeah, wow. I guess we better tell Grissom. Should we call or see if he's still at the hospital?"

"I'm sure he could probably use some company," Greg said, "Anything to get out of the lab and we can see how Sara is doing."

Half an hour later, Grissom was still waiting for any news. An hour and a half had already passed since Catherine left and frankly, he was bored. He had gone there empty handed and by now had already read a couple health magazines, a week old newspaper, and some brochures on cancer and diabetes. He was quite happy when he saw Warrick and Greg walk in and look around for him.

"Griss," Warrick came over and took a seat, "Everything okay?"

"No news yet, but she's alive. That's really all I know. The doctor said a while ago he'd bring the report out for me to look at, but that hasn't happened yet. What's been going on at the lab?"

"David Roberts killed Barry Steingard."

"I had my suspicions. Good job, you guys."

"So we can't see her yet?"

"No, a nurse came by twenty minutes ago and said the doctor would be out to speak to me again soon, so hopefully we can see her in a little while."

When Grissom said this, he looked up and noticed that the doctor was standing in front of him, "Sorry for the long wait. She's sleeping right now, probably because she's been through a lot and we have her on pretty heavy medication for the pain. I guess it wouldn't hurt if you went in there now. There will be a nurse standing by, keeping an eye on her; if you don't mind."

"Not at all, thank-you."

"I must be going now," he handed Grissom a manila folder; "Here's everything for you to look at."

Grissom nodded and stood up.

"She's a floor up and the third door on the right. For right now, I think it would be best if you go in one at a time. Just for safety reasons."

"Of course."

The three men walked to the elevator and got in.

"Grissom, you can see her first," Warrick said, "Greg and I will wait outside."

Greg made a face at this comment; Warrick elbowed him in the ribs, "Ow!" he yelled.

Warrick rolled his eyes.

"Thanks, I appreciate it," Grissom said and the elevator stopped at the second floor.

The three of them made their way down to the third room on the right and stopped in front of the door. Warrick and Greg sat down in two of the five chairs that sat against the opposite wall.

"I won't be long," Grissom said.

The other men nodded and Grissom walked in. He didn't feel right, seeing Sara in a place like this. It was all white and bland and silent; the only noise what that of the machines that were hooked up to Sara. He sat down next to her in one of the chairs and simply looked at her. Grissom really wasn't sure what to do or what he was going to do when Sara was released from the hospital and came back to work.

"Sara," he said, "How could I let this happen to you?"

He took her hand gently for a moment and then figured he should go and let Warrick and Greg see her. He stood up and walked out of the room.

"Hey, how does she look?" Warrick asked, sort of like a concerned big brother.

"Not too good, but not too bad. She's asleep, so you really can't talk to her right now."

"That's alright. I'll be a few minutes." He said and Grissom took his seat next to Greg while he went in to see Sara.

Warrick walked into the room and sat down. "Hey Sar. You really had us all worried; we're all glad you're alright, especially Grissom." He laughed, "He really cares about you, you know… he's just afraid. I've seen him when you smile; you can tell he pays a lot of attention to you. When you're all better, we should hang out sometime; we hardly ever see each other anymore, being on different shifts and all." He smiled and then stood up, "Gotta go, Greg wants to say hi."

This time Greg came in. He didn't sit down, just stood by the side of the bed. "Hey Sara, it's a good thing you're okay or else I wouldn't have such a great teacher to help me out at work." Greg set his book bag on one of the chairs and opened it up. He pulled out a book; the book that Grissom gave Sara for Christmas a while ago. "Oh yeah," he said and set the book down on the chair, "I found this in the break room trashcan; I'm pretty sure you weren't thinking right when you threw it away… it being from Grissom and all, so I thought I'd give it back to you." He smiled, "You should have seen how worried he was when we found you."

Greg walked out the door and looked back once more to see her again before he walked out of the room. Sure, Greg had a crush on her, but he knew about her crush on Grissom and was learning to respect that and his crush on her was turning into something more like how a little brother looks up to and loves his older sister. She had taught him a lot since he'd been put on Grissom's team with her.

"I told Catherine I'd call her when I heard anything from the doctors, so I'd better call her now," Grissom said and he pulled out his cell phone.

"Willows," Catherine answered the phone.

"Hey Catherine. We're allowed to go in and see her now; Warrick and Greg are here, we all just went in to see her. I didn't know if you wanted to come. She's asleep, but…"

"Sure, I'll be right over. Lindsey is asleep, but before bed she make a card for Sara. I'll bring it over."

Grissom heard a click and the conversation was over. He turned back to Greg and Warrick.

"She's coming over now."

"Hey, you don't think we could stop and get something eat before we head home from here, do you? I haven't eaten anything in ages and I don't feel like going to eat by myself and my fridge is pretty much empty." Greg said.

Grissom nodded, "You guys can go ahead. I think I'm going to stay here for a while."

"Whatever floats your boat," Greg replied.

"I guess I'll go with you, bro," said Warrick and he and Greg said 'good-bye' to Grissom and walked out the door.

Grissom just sat there; waiting. He wanted to wait in the room, incase Sara woke up, but he decided to wait outside for Catherine; it wasn't likely that Sara would wake up anytime soon anyway.

"Hello," Catherine yawned, it was three o' clock in the morning and she had hardly slept at all the past few days. In fact, she was lucky she got to sleep for an hour and a half before she came here or else she probably would have fallen asleep in the car and gotten into an accident.

"Good evening," replied Grissom and soon found that he was yawning himself.

The next morning, Grissom and Catherine had spent the night sitting in the two chairs in the hallway near Sara's hospital room, but now they were sitting across from each other in the hospital cafeteria. They were finishing up when Grissom asked.

"Do you think she's awake yet?"

"Probably," Catherine replied, "She's gotten plenty of rest, the medicine's effects are probably wearing off. You could go see."

"What am I supposed to say to her?" Grissom asked.

"'Hi Sara, how are you doing? I've been really worried about you,' "Catherine said, "Or something like that?"

Grissom gave her a weird look that said, "I'm afraid." But he wasn't going to tell her that.

"Look, I'll go in and see if she's awake. If she is, I'll talk to her for you, but you need to talk to her, too. Got it?"

"Yeah, thanks." Grissom was a bit relieved.

So Catherine went in to find that Sara was awake.

"Hey," Catherine greeted her.

"How is everyone?" Sara asked.

"Whoa, wait… the question is, how are you doing? Everyone is fine, though we were all really worried about you; Grissom especially."

"I'm doing okay. I just woke up a little while ago and I'm in some pain, but it's nothing I can't deal with. The medication is helping with the pain a bit."

"That's good. I'm glad you're okay. With everything that's going on, nothing feels normal anymore. The team split, and the addition of Sofia, and this… It's all so hectic. Grissom's been here since you got here. Actually, he rode in the ambulance with you, so Warrick told me. I don't know if you remember it at all..."

"No, not really. Wait, you mean he was here all night? Why?"

"Because he cares; trust me, I know he can be really unemotional, but he tells me everything and what he doesn't tell me, I figured it out. If anything would have happened to you, he would have died."

Sara really wasn't sure what to say…she seemed to be in denial.

"No, I think he's made it clear that he doesn't feel the way about me that I feel about him."

Catherine shook her head, "You two are both so afraid of the truth that you hide all of your emotions and acting like that will get you nowhere. I told him I'd come and talk to you and then he said he'd come and talk to you. I hope he doesn't screw up." She stood up, "I hope you feel better, Sara."

Catherine walked out into the hallway and told Grissom that she was awake and he could go talk to her.

"Good luck," she said, "Both of you need to get your damned heads out of the microscopes!" She exclaimed quietly.

So now it was Grissom's moment to fix some things. He walked in silently and went to have a seat in one of the chairs next to her bed, but found that it was already occupied by a book.

"Hi," Sara said, "What's that?"

His face went a bit red, but he suppressed it, "That book I gave you a few years ago, but I don't know how it got here. How are you, though?"

"I'm alright."

It was becoming a bit awkward.

"Catherine told me that you stayed here all night," Sara continued.

"Well, yes." He looked down to the floor, "I was worried."

"Thanks," she said and he smiled a small smile.

Grissom opened up that book and found a note in it, but it was not a note that he wrote; it was written by someone else.

Sara obviously saw and asked, "What does it say? Who's it from?"

Without thinking, he read the note allowed, "Sara, I found this in the break room and thought you must have misplaced it; I know it means a lot to you, being from Grissom and all." Sara felt her face getting red. "I know you've been having some hard times with stuff lately, I'm not sure what, but I can tell. If it has to do with Grissom, I hope things work out. Everyone in the lab knows that you two belong together. Hope you feel better. –Greg."

Grissom looked as if he were going to die and Sara's eyes were fleeing to the window on the other side of the room, looking for a way to escape the situation.

After a while, Grissom said, "I don't know what to say."

"What are we going to do?" Sara finally asked.

Grissom gave her a confused look.

"What are we going to do when I go back to work… whenever I do?" she was thinking about saying 'if I do,' but decided not to. She wasn't going to try and run away from her problems anymore.

When Grissom talked to other women, it was so much easier, so why was it so hard to talk to Sara?

"I think it's time that I take Catherine's advice and figure out what to do…" he stood up. "I've got to go do something."

"Oh, okay."

"I hope you feel better."

"Thanks," she said and she watched him go out the door.

Grissom went out into the hallway and talk to Catherine about what had just happened.

"I have an idea though," he said and they headed to the parking lot. It was then that he realized he had no car again, "Could you drop me off at the lab, please?"

"Sure, just promise me you won't do anything stupid…"

"I won't."

He went and picked up a few things and then got an idea. Quickly, he ran out and got in his car and sped off down the road.

A few hours later, he was back at the hospital and headed up to Sara's room. He knocked on the door.

"Come in," Sara said and he opened the door.

"Hey, I… uh… got you something."

She gave him a look of slight confused and surprise.

He handed her a bag; it wasn't small, but it wasn't too large. It wasn't too light or too heavy, which really didn't help her figure out what it was before she opened it. Even so, she liked the idea of being surprised. She opened it up and took out a DVD. It was Phantom of the Opera. The next item that came from the bag was a necklace; it had a silver chain and a rose charm.

"You really didn't have to…" she was amazed.

She pulled out the last thing that was a card. It read, Sara, I'm glad you're okay. I seriously don't know what I would have done if you weren't okay. A few years ago, you asked me to dinner and I decline. Well, everyday after that happened, I've regretted it. You said that by the time I figured out what to do that it would be too late. Is it too late to say 'I love you'? –Grissom

Sara finished reading the card and smiled, "Dinner sounds great."

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A/N...

The end.

Uh, wow, that was a really long chapter... tell me if you don't like the ending. I doubt I'll add more, but I might come back and edit the end. I'm not so sure I'm satisfied with it yet. Lol. Well, please review and thanks to everyone who read and reviewed. You guys are awesome!