Chapter 7: Where Now?

Visiting hours were almost over. Grissom and Nick were the only ones who were still there. Nick had the night off and Grissom didn't work at night anymore.

As soon as Grissom leaves, I'm telling her how I feel. Nick thought while not even half listening to the conversation going on around him. He looked at his watch, only ten minutes left.

Silence.

He looked up and both Grissom and Sara were looking at him, waiting for some answer he didn't know.

"What?" he asked, confused.

"Grissom asked if you had a ride home," Sara told him, a smile hidden just beneath her words.

"It's getting late and we have to leave soon. I wasn't sure if you had a ride home or not," said Grissom.

"Are you leaving right now?" Nick asked, looking down at his watch again.

Damn. 8 minutes.

"Yes, why? Are you late for something?"

"No no. Just wonderin what time it was. But thanks anyway about the ride."

"Ok. Well I'll see you guys around."

"Yeah, ok," Nick said. He shook Grissom's hand and gave him a hug.

"Bye Grissom."

He bent over and gave Sara a hug goodbye.

"I'll visit tomorrow." With that and a wave, Grissom left Sara and Nick alone in the hospital room.

"Only a few minutes left. What do you want to talk about?" Sara asked.

I can't do it. What am I supposed to say anyway?

"Nick...?" she asked.

"Actually, I don't have a ride home. Maybe if I hurry I can catch up to him," Nick said, sweating slightly.

"Okay...Are you okay, Nick? You're starting to sweat an awful lot," she said laughing a little but being serious.

"Look Sara. There's something on my mind that I want to talk to you about."

"Everything okay Nick?"

"Yeah. It's just the reason that I think why I knew to come to you."

She looked at him strangely.

"It's because I care about you so much. Much more than I probably should."

"What do you mean?"

"I like you. Sara." He breathed a little. It was out. But what about her response? He didn't think about that.

"Nick. I can't do this right now. I need to find out where I need to go, before I think about where I'm going with other people."

"I understand. I'm sorry. I shouldn't've told you," he moved towards the door. "I'll come visit tomorrow. Get a good night sleep. Bye." And he left. Where do I go now?

Sara lie in her bed, alone in the room. She wasn't tired anymore. Her appeared at her window and entered.

"Hello Ms. Sidle. How are you this evening?"

"I'm alright, thanks. And how are you?"

"I'm doing fine thank you. I'm here to talk to you about your treatment. For attempted suicide it is required that you spend three weeks in an institution. We'll be moving you there tomorrow. We just need to monitor you, to make sure that-"

"That I don't try to do it again. I know."

"Well good. Here is a list of items that you are allowed to bring, along with a list of restricted items. Visitors are allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and selected weekends, between the hours of 2 and 6 PM. They must check in and out. They will be searched to make sure they aren't-"

"Sneaking anything to me. I think I have the idea."

"Okay. Are you in any pain?"

"Some."

"Okay." She checked her chart. "You'll receive more medication soon. Good night."

"Good night."

The doctor left. Sara lay by herself again. She buried her face in her hands and cried.

What have I gotten myself into?

Sara stood outside. It was cold. She held pamphlets in one hand and her suitcase in the other. The pamphlets were to help her stay focused and to motivate her to stop cutting. One was information on the group therapy session that she had to do once a week for the next 8 weeks.

She let out a breath. She missed work. She missed her friends. She missed Grissom. He only visited once, on his day off. They talked the full 4 hours. Nick only visited once. Catherine, Warrick, and Greg visited when they could.

Where do I go now?