Appreciation by SLynn

Summary: An art heist, an arsonist and a lot of angst. Takes place approximately four months after the end of 'Precious Things' This is the fifth in a series. Greg/Sara and Nick/OC

Spoilers: Up to 'Nesting Dolls'

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I'm just borrowing and will return them all when I'm done, virtually untouched.

Notes: Can I just say how sorry I am you all had to wait so long for this. I've had a busy month but updates should happen more regularly from now on. Thanks! Tripp3235 and RivenSky, thank you for pressing me to write even after it grew impossible and for the awesome job reviewing this.

Chapter 28: Hard Choices

The ride from the lab to the hospital was silent. Charlie drove and Amy sat staring out the window. Nick hadn't told her much, there hadn't been time. He'd called a few times before shift ended and given her updates as well, but she wasn't sure if she was prepared for this.

The car came to a stop near the entrance.

"If you need anything give me a call," Charlie said turning toward her.

"You aren't coming in?"

"No," he answered, shaking his head. "I don't think that's a good idea."

Amy gave a small nod and a smile.

"I'll call you later," she said before opening the door.

"Thanks."

Amy stepped out and away from the car and watched momentarily as Charlie pulled away. She knew enough of the story to understand why he thought his presence might not be welcome, but had hoped he'd change his mind.

Steeling herself for the scene to come Amy took a deep breath and headed inside. She didn't need to stop and ask for directions; Nick had already told her that the ICU was on the second floor. Seeing the line at the elevator she opted instead to walk, it didn't take nearly long enough.

The waiting room was full of familiar faces.

Catherine was there sitting next to Warrick, both of them talking quietly to one another. Brass was standing near the wall, unmoving. Nick saw her enter and got up to meet her. Only Greg and Grissom were absent.

"How is she?" Amy asked just above a whisper.

"We haven't heard anything new."

"Have you gotten to see her at least?"

Nick just shook his head and looked down.

"Greg has but he's only been out once and that was to ask Grissom to join him. He didn't say anything else."

"So," Amy asked hesitantly, "what do we do now?"

"Same thing we have been doing," Nick answered, taking hold of her hand. "We wait."

Grissom sat across from Greg in Dr. Davidson's office at a complete loss.

When Greg had stepped out of the ward just over half an hour ago he'd assumed, like everyone did, that he had news for them. When Greg came straight to him and talking low asked him to follow, he assumed that they were now being allowed to see Sara. When they ended up here in this office alone he wasn't sure what to assume.

And now it was worse.

"What am I supposed to do?" Greg asked sounding defeated.

Grissom didn't have an answer for him.

"I know," Greg started and then stopped again. "I know what she wants. We've talked about it before. Hell, I have one. I just don't…"

He stopped talking as abruptly as he'd started. Grissom was getting use to it. Since explaining the situation, Greg had done it several times now. Grissom just didn't know what to tell him.

The problem was that Sara had a DNR on file, an old one. They had to be periodically reviewed and it seemed like Sara hadn't gotten to it yet. So now Greg, who was her emergency contact and still had a legitimate power of attorney for Sara, had to make the decision.

And he didn't know what to do.

"What were the results of the CATSCAN?" Grissom asked.

"They'll have them soon. But even then, I mean…they really won't know until she wakes up. If…"

Once again a heavy silence fell between them.

"What should I do?"

Grissom looked up, surprised again.

"Greg, I can't…"

"No, you have too. You know Sara…you'd know what she'd want."

Greg ran a hand across his eyes as Grissom purposely looked away.

"I can't make this decision for you."

Greg nodded. It's kind of what he'd expected, but still. He was so worried he was going to do this wrong; he never wanted to be in this situation. He never imagined he would be.

"I guess, if I follow the DNR, if I do what she'd written…I just don't want people to…"

"No one's going to blame you for following her wishes."

Greg looked down and nodded.

"I just don't know that, if it comes to it, I can do it. I know Sara wouldn't want to stay like this forever. If it's bad, she wouldn't want that. It just feels like I'm giving up on her and I've already done that once, I can't…"

Greg couldn't finish it. Just stopped and buried his head in his hands, obviously overcome.

Grissom reached out and squeezed his shoulder for comfort; it was all he could do as he waited for him to come back around.

"You're not giving up on her."

Before Greg could answer there was a light tap on the door. Dr. Davidson, the physician overseeing Sara's care, stepped inside.

"I have the results," he said wasting no time and coming over to the chairs they sat in. "She's been steadily improving over the last hour. The scan shows no sign of any type of brain damage. We'll still need to wait until she wakes to make a full diagnosis, but I'd say that judging from this, she's in the clear. We'll be moving her out of the ICU once she wakes."

Grissom couldn't help but smile at the news. It was the best they'd heard all night. Greg however still looked grave, like he didn't dare believe it.

"What about her breathing?" he asked.

"She'll need to continue on the ventilator just to be safe until she's fully conscious. After that, I see no reason for her to continue. The damage there is bad but reversible. She'll have a long recovery."

"When do you think she'll be awake?" Grissom asked.

"Could be now," the doctor answered, "or it could be hours from now. Her brain waves indicate that she isn't in coma. Likely her body has just temporarily shut down to allow her time to heal. My best guess is that it will be sooner rather than later."

Greg finally seemed to be breathing easier.

"Can we see her?" he asked.

"Of course," Dr. Davidson said, "but I'd really like to keep her visitors down to a minimum. I realize there are quite a few people wanting in, but given the situation is still delicate I only want two in at a time and only for another hour. Mr. Sanders, you can stay longer if you like but everyone else…"

"I understand," Greg said, cutting him off and nodding as he stood.

The three of them walked down the hall towards Sara's room. There was an observation window that she was just visible through. Grissom, getting his first look, was startled. Sara looked so small inside, surrounded by machines and wrapped in gauze. She looked fragile.

"If you need anything please page the nurses' station," Dr. Davidson said in parting before shaking both their hands and heading off down the hallway.

"Why don't you go in?" Greg said, turning to Grissom. "I'm going to go let everyone know what's happened, send in someone."

"I can do that Greg," Grissom offered in return. "You can wait inside."

"No," Greg said, shaking his head. "Dr. Davidson is only giving everyone an hour to visit, I can stay past that. I want everyone who wants to come in to have a chance."

Grissom noticed Greg wringing his hands as he spoke and thought he understood. Greg didn't look like he could take being so close to Sara in her current condition. That he might just break down again completely.

Grissom nodded once and turned to go inside. Greg stayed another minute or so at the window before going himself, heading down the hallway back towards the waiting room.

When he arrived, Brass, the closest to the door, moved over to him immediately and began asking questions. Waving him off silently, Greg waited until he had everyone's attention before telling them all the news. Everyone seemed relieved. Felt relieved.

Everyone but Greg who was still worried. Very worried.

He couldn't help it. It all just seemed too easy.

It wasn't long until the hour was up.

After Greg assured them all he'd keep them informed, there wasn't much else for anyone to do but go home and rest. He'd be staying all day and likely into the night. Grissom had already made arrangements for Greg to take as much time off as he'd need.

Finished seeing everyone off, several of who promised to return that evening, Greg made his own way to Sara's room.

He hadn't been inside yet.

Greg stood at the observation window for a few moments, steadying himself. It wasn't going to be easy being so close to her when she looked so broken.

Finally he was ready, or at least he was as ready as he was going to be.

The door creaked open and the silence of the hallway was replaced by the hum of various machines that occupied the room with Sara.

Her left arm was heavily bandaged and he could tell below her hospital gown her chest was as well. The arm was injured in the fire, how they didn't know yet, but the paramedics who had performed CPR had did the damage to her ribs. One had broken and three had cracked in the effort to keep her breathing.

She wasn't badly burned which was a relief. Greg knew too well what that pain was like and didn't want Sara to experience it. Her hands were the worse, but nothing that would scar.

The worst damage was unseen.

She'd breathed in a lot of soot and ash inside that house, burning her lungs and esophagus. Even with the medication, she was likely to have problems breathing for quite some time, but even that wasn't expected to be permanent.

Still, all things considered, it was a blessing. She could have died. Sara could have easily died inside that fire.

Sitting down next to her, Greg gently took her hand and tried not to think about it. Instead he tried to think more positive thoughts. Like the fact that she was getting better. That she would wake up. And in the very least, at least she'd known.

At least she had known that he still loved her.

It wasn't much comfort, but it was all he had.