Disclaimer: I do not own CSI although I really wish I did. Anything similar to other fanfictions stories is not purposeful and the author has full credit for them.
Author's Note: This is my first fanfic story so I hope you like it. Any suggestions or comments would be helpful so please review. Enjoy (I hope)!
Summary: Sara adopts a little girl and shocks the group. She has difficulty handling her new found motherhood and finds support in Greg. Greg-Sara relationship
Chapter 9:
A few days later, the night before Sara had to return to work, she woke up hearing Bethany's frantic calls of "Mommy!" She quickly got up and threw on a robe. She hurried down the hall to Bethany's room, with Bethany still yelling, "Mommy!" Sara went into her room to find Bethany rolling around, her face scrunched up, obviously having a nightmare. Sara breathed a sigh of relief as she went to calm Bethany down but a soon as she touched her, Sara knew something was wrong. Bethany's skin was all clammy and hot and she was coughing harshly. Sara pulled the comforter off of Bethany and was shocked to find a rash covering her body. Sara's eyes widened as she realized she had no idea what was wrong or what to do.
The hospital, she decided. She began to gently shake Bethany trying to wake her. "Honey," Sara whispered. "It's time to wake up." Bethany began to blink awake.
"Mommy," Bethany mumbled, "I don't feel good." She began to cry.
"I know baby," Sara lifted Bethany out of her bed and carried her downstairs. Sara grabbed her purse and slipped on her shoes before she left the house. She settled Bethany in her booster seat and got into the car.
"Where are we going Mommy?" Bethany coughed violently as Sara began to drive.
"To the hospital," Sara looked at Bethany in her rearview mirror. She was nodding off in her seat and since Sara didn't know what was wrong with her, she didn't think it would be good for Bethany to go to sleep. "Bethany, wake up. Honey don't go to sleep," Sara tried to keep her awake. "Tell me what you want to do next week." For the rest of the trip Sara asked Bethany questions trying to keep her awake. By the time they reached the Emergency Room, Bethany was coughing more than speaking and she was crying again. Sara parked the car and lifted Bethany out of her seat whispering, "we're here baby. It's going to be okay." Sara carried her into the Emergency Room and went to the Admissions Desk.
"How can I help you ma'am?" asked the clerk.
"My daughter is sick," Sara exclaimed.
"Alright ma'am," the clerk said calmly. "You need to register and then you can have a seat in the waiting area. Someone will be with you as soon as possible but it may be a few hours, we are very busy. If your daughter drastically worsens, come see me immediately." The clerk handed Sara the necessary forms and once they were completed, Sara and Bethany sat down in the hard plastic chairs in the waiting room.
"Mommy," Bethany yawned, "I'm sleepy."
"Okay Bethany," Sara decided it was probably safe to let her sleep. "You can go to sleep." Bethany lay her head on Sara's lap and curled her legs up on her chair. Within minutes she was asleep and Sara was left alone with her worries.
An hour later, Bethany was still asleep and they were no closer at being taken than before. Sara was trying to keep it together but she was so close to bursting into tears. She needed someone with her, so she called someone she knew would help her and Bethany.
"Sanders."
"Greg," Sara's voice broke as she tried not to cry.
"Sara?" Greg sounded surprised by her call.
"Yeah," she whispered. "Are you busy?"
"Nick and I are laying out the evidence from a B&E case," he answered wondering why she'd called especially after what happened on moving day.
"Oh." Greg detected a sadness in her voice and a fear that he couldn't understand. "I'm sorry I interrupted you. I shouldn't have called." She started to hang up but Greg stopped her.
"Wait Sara. Why did you call?" Greg asked, worry suddenly lacing her voice. "Are you and Bethany okay?" Sara paused now unsure of her decision to of calling him. "Sara?"
"Bethany's sick," Sara's voice cracked again.
Greg paled and gripped t he edge of the layout table for support which drew Nick's attention to him. "Where are you?" he asked.
"The Emergency Room at Desert Palms Hospital," (A/N: I don't know if the hospital exists or where it actually is) Sara whispered.
"I'll be there as soon as possible," Greg told her.
"No. It's fine. I don't want to make you miss work," she said, although she really wanted him with her.
"Don't worry about work, I'll ask Grissom before I take off. Besides, you shouldn't have to go through this alone," he easily persuaded her. "Sit tight." Greg hung up his cell and faced Nick.
"What wrong man?" Nick asked.
"Bethany's sick," Greg answered. "They're at desert Palms. Sara is worried and upset."
"Well go tell Grissom you need to leave," Nick instructed him. "I'll take care of the case."
"Thanks Nick," Greg practically ran to Grissom's office to explain the situation. Grissom told him to go and Greg, after grabbing his jacket and keys from his locker, drove to the hospital as fast as he could without breaking any speed limits.
While Sara waited for Greg to arrive, Bethany woke up coughing. Sara went and bought her a bottle of water from vending machine. Sara rubbed Bethany's back as Bethany drank the water, trying to soothe her cough. That's how Greg found them when he ran into the Emergency Room.
"Hey Bethany," Greg rushed over and knelt in front of her. He hugged her and asked, "how are you feeling honey?"
"I'm sick," she told him, her eyes filling with tears.
"I know angel," he wiped away the tears that had escaped. "That's why we're here, so the doctor can make you feel better."
Bethany nodded and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "How did you know we were here Uncle Greg?"
"Your mommy called me and I wanted to come make sure you were okay," Greg said, "and keep you company."
"Oh," Bethany murmured as her eyes started to close again. Greg took off his jacket and rolled it into a pillow. He set it on the chair and Bethany lay her head on it and was asleep quickly.
Greg held out his hand to Sara, who took it, and pulled her to her feet. He whispered, "come her," and pulled her into his arms. She stood stiff for a moment then collapsed in his arms and wrapped her arms around his waist and started sobbing in his shoulder. "Hush baby," Greg murmured rubbing her back. "It'll be okay. Bethany will be fine."
"What if she's not?" Sara pushed herself back slightly and looked at Bethany. "What if she's really sick? What if...," Sara began to cry evan harder, "...what if she dies?"
"No!" Greg said harshly and he grabbed her chin forcing her to look at him. "She's not going to die! And if she's sick we're going to take care of her." He loosened his hold on her chin and rested his forehead on hers. "I'm sorry." He hugged her tight and said, "I promise I'm going to take care you."
"Miss Sidle!" a doctor called from across the room. "We're ready for your daughter."
"Come on," Greg whispered and let go of Sara. He picked up Bethany and they walked over to the doctor. The doctor greeted them and led them into an examination room. He examined Bethany quickly while Sara and Greg stood off to the side worried.
"She has scarlet fever," the doctor told them. At Sara's terrified look, the doctor quickly reassured her, "it's quite treatable, don't worry. With medicine and rest, she should be fine in a few days." The doctor handed Sara a prescription and told her she could fill it in the hospital pharmacy.
"Thank you," Sara exclaimed. Greg picked up the very drowsy Bethany and they walked to the pharmacy. Sara picked up the prescription and they all went to Sara's car. Greg set Bethany in her seat and shut the door.
"I guess I'll see you later," Greg said squeezing her shoulder and started to walk away.
"Wait Greg," Sara walked to him and gave him a hug. She kissed him on the cheek and whispered, "thank you."
"No problem," Greg said blushing. Sara headed for her car but stopped when Greg called her. "Sara do you want to have dinner. Or lunch. Sometime."
"Sure," Sara said quietly.
"Great," Greg exclaimed. "Good night Sara."
"Good night Greg," Sara whispered.