The comforting voice.

Or the comforting light.

Sara wasn't sure which one came first but as her eyelids began to flicker wildly, she realized that she didn't care. If her eyes and her ears were working together, in unison, to pull her out of the thick, grey cloud that consumed her entirely, then she would be more than happy to give equal credit to both senses. She just wanted to escape her dark, silent world. It didn't really matter how it happened–as long as it did. And the sooner the better.

I'm floating, Sara realized, as she battled her way through the fog, towards the anxious but gentle voice that called to her and the bright, intermittent light. Floating. Floating. Floating in fuzziness. But why is everything so fuzzy? she wondered. And why can't I go any faster? Sara began to ponder her questions, thinking up possible explanations for her current state. But it was hard to think–very hard, and she was too impatient to deal with her hazy brain. So she concentrated on one, desperate thought. I have to get out of this place! she told herself. Follow the voice. Get out of the dark. Turn on the light. Listen to the voice!

Sara listened.

And her eyelids flickered, again and again. The light started to come in quick flashes and the voice became louder, stronger, closer. Sara started to feel very connected to that voice. As she followed it devotedly, she began to feel very heavy, and she wondered briefly if the voice was transforming her and pulling her into a completely different realm. That would be okay, she decided, feeling warm all of a sudden. As long as I get away from here. As long as I reach that voice. I need to get there! If I don't, then I may never be found again.

So she tried to relax and she allowed the voice to guide her through, even though she became more confused when she started to feel even heavier–and achy. It hurts! she gasped and hissed to herself, as the achiness turned, almost instantly, into distinct pain. She wanted to cry out but she was still trapped in silence. Make it stop, she tried to beg the voice. This isn't supposed to happen, is it? Why does it hurt? Make it stop! Please!

Sara was almost ready to halt her journey, in an effort to stop the pain, when she realized that the comforting voice sounded very familiar. That can't be right, she thought, ignoring the pain for a moment. I don't know anyone in that other world. I don't know anyone in this one either. How could that voice be familiar if I only know myself? And I don't even know myself, really. Sara was puzzled but somehow, she still knew that the voice was familiar and that she was connected to it. I have to reach it, she reminded herself. No matter how painful it gets.

She decided to listen closely, to focus with every ounce of energy she had. That was the best strategy, she realized. It was the only thing she could do to get through the fog and the pain and reach her destination. If she kept on listening to the voice, then perhaps she would be able to figure out where she was going–and where she'd been.

"Come on, honey," the voice was saying softly. "You're almost there. You're doing great." The voice paused for a second and then Sara felt a little bit of pressure on her fingers. It was a careful but insistent squeeze and with it came the realization that the voice was so much more than a voice. "Can you squeeze back, Sara?"

I can feel it, Sara wanted to cheer. I feel you there! She tried to move her fingers, to squeeze in reply, but she couldn't manage it. So heavy, she grumbled silently. But if I concentrate, then I might be able to do it. As she tried to focus on moving her fingers, the voice, and the soft, urgent touch came again..

"Sara? Can you hear me? I'm right here, honey."

I can hear you! I'm trying to squeeze back. She tried to form the words, but there was something in her throat, something that felt odd and thick, something that blocked her speech. I can't squeeze and I can't talk, but I can hear you. What's going on? Are you lost too? As Sara tried to make sense of what was being said to her, one particular word stood out.

Honey.

Sara's heart started to beat at a faster pace, a pace so fast that she was sure she could hear it. It seemed far away but for some reason, she could make out a beeping sound. It came in a quick rhythm, matching the rapid thump in her chest. That's odd, she thought, as she struggled to listen. The noise was becoming louder, the pressure on her hand was becoming stronger and Sara was sure that she felt even more connected to the voice that called to her. I'm trying, she wanted to cry out. I'm trying to get to you! I'm trying to understand why you're so familiar!

Honey.

She thought about it again–carefully. And then, suddenly, she knew! She knew where she was going and where she'd been and who was sitting there next to her, waiting for her. Grissom! Sara's heart fluttered wildly, along with her heavy eyelids. Grissom, I'm here! She tried to move her fingers again, forcing every little bit of energy she had into her fingertips. Tell me you feel that! Tell me I'm not dreaming this!

"Sara?" Grissom's voice faltered. "God, Sara–"

Griss? Did you feel it?

"Sara–"

I hear you, Griss. I feel you. And I want to be with you!

"That's it, Sara. It's okay. You're going to be okay."

Sara forced her eyes open just as an intense, shooting pain rattled her entire body. I'm here, she thought, bracing herself against the agony. It hurts. But I'm here. A low moan escaped her lips as she searched for Grissom's face in the white fuzziness. She could still feel his fingers, stroking her hand–and now her hair–gently, but her eyes couldn't find him. Griss! Where are you? she panicked. Grissom! She could feel herself shaking in pain and in fright. I need to see you!

"Honey, do you know where you are? Just squeeze my hand if you do. Do you know, Sara?"

I would if I could see you! she silently replied, as she fought to focus on the shadowy shapes that were starting to appear in front of her. She noticed that some of the shapes were moving, and she quickly became aware of the fact that other people that were now gathering around her. I see them, she realized. But where is Grissom? She tried to force air into her lungs, and just when she was about to lose herself in a full out panic attack, she slowly turned her head.

And there he was.

Grissom. Hot tears instantly flooded Sara's eyes. He's here! His face wasn't quite clear yet, but she knew it was him, and she knew that he wasn't going to go anywhere. She squeezed his hand again, indicating that she knew where she was and that it meant everything to her that he was there.

Hospital. I'm in the hospital, Grissom. And I'm with you.

"Okay, Sara," Grissom said gently, in a hoarse voice. It sounded like he hadn't slept in a month, and as Sara searched his face, she realized that he looked that way too. Putting one soft, warm hand against her cheek, the very tired-looking and tired-sounding Grissom continued. "You're going to be fine," he whispered. "Just stay with us for a little while."

She was about to attempt to reply when a few other people stepped closer to her, some wearing white and some wearing blue. In Sara's hazy view, they looked like one giant, fluffy cloud that surrounded her. She tried to listen to what the cloud-people had to say but she found herself completely focussed on Grissom. He locked gazes with her, stroking her cheek and her hand while the cloud-people worked on her. She wasn't quite sure yet what was going on with those strange people but she definitely knew that she had been in an accident and that she was in the hospital. I was hurt badly, Sara reminded herself, as her head started to clear and the memories came flooding back.

Stars. Headlights. Flying. Accident. Pain. Stay awake. Hard to breathe. Listen to Grissom. He wants me. He needs me. He loves me. Hold onto that hope. Sleep.

At first, she could only remember pieces, but it wasn't long until she remembered all of the pain, the lost hope, the fear in her heart and every word that Grissom had said to her. She remembered all of it, despite the concussion. And as she stared hard into Grissom's eyes, she realized that she could see the whole night in them.

She was tempted to search those blue eyes forever but a very bright light brought her back into the present and she let out another deep moan. The cloud-people were now clearly recognizable as doctors and nurses and they were hovering closer and closer. Sara tightened her grip on Grissom's fingers. Stop it, she wanted to cry out, as the bright light was forced again into her eyes. But the thick obstruction in her throat prevented her from forming any words at all. It's a tube, she noted suddenly. To help me breathe. Her eyes widened. I wasn't breathing on my own! Sara turned away from the light to look at Grissom and he rested one gentle hand against her forehead.

"Pupils look good," one doctor announced, a split second later.

"Good breath sounds," said another. "The lung is holding up well."

"Heart rate and pressure are stable," came the first voice again. "Miss Sidle?"

Call me Sara, she thought sluggishly, as she turned–reluctantly–away from Grissom's reassuring eyes to look at the fuzzy blue doctor.

The doctor smiled briefly at her before launching into a detailed description of her condition. Sara only heard half of it, her favourite part being: "Things are looking good. We're going to take the tube out of your throat so you can breathe on your own." After that, he gave her a few instructions, that seemed to come out in nothing more than a mumble, and before Sara knew it, she was coughing and gagging as the uncomfortable tube came out. Grissom was right at her ear the entire time, talking her through it and showing how much he cared. He was ready with a cup of water, and he helped her raise it to her lips.

"Only a little bit," he advised softly, as he brushed her hair away from her face.

Sara took a little sip. The water felt wonderful as it trickled down her raw throat and she immediately nodded her head to Grissom, wanting more. After taking another small sip, she rested her cheek against Grissom's palm, leaning into him and letting out a pain-filled, raspy sigh. "Griss–"

"Shhhh," Grissom stopped her. "Just rest, Sara," He smiled broadly and his eyes were bright red with unshed tears. "Don't worry, we have all the time in the world to talk," he told her warmly. "I'm not going anywhere." He tightened his grip on her hand and she nodded weakly.

So tired, Sara mumbled to herself. But how can I be tired when I just woke up? I don't want to sleep. I want to talk to Grissom. We have so much to talk about. Her eyelids flickered. Stop that! I want to stay awake! She groaned desperately. "Griss, I don't–" She gritted her teeth as another jolt of pain crashed through her. "That–uh, it hurts–"

His thumb caressed the top of her hand. "They've given you something to help ease the pain," he explained, his voice still in a whisper. "It's going to put you to sleep again, for a little while, so you can rest and get better. But I'm not leaving you, honey. I'll be right here when you wake up."

They gave me something? I don't remember that! Sara's world was starting to become fuzzy again. I don't need to sleep, dammit! I need to stay with Grissom! She bit her lip, fighting the urge to cry out, but a moan escaped. "Grissom–"

"I'm right here, Sara. I've got you." His whisper was fading.

"Griss–Grissom," she sighed, forcing the words out as she drifted away. "Thanks," she breathed. "Thanks for getting me here, Griss."

He didn't reply. Instead, Sara felt his lips brush gently against her tear-stained cheek. Then, with another weak sigh, she closed her eyes and the lights quickly went out again. But Grissom's soft, comforting whispers remained, and even in her deepest sleep, Sara was sure she could still hear them. He was there with her. And he wasn't going to leave.

TBC

Author's Note: Hi! Sorry again for the long wait! It took awhile to get this chapter going but it was so much fun writing Sara's thoughts again! The next chapter will have everyone in it, including Nick, Warrick and Brass, who have yet to play a big part in this story :) Thanks for all the support! I love writing this story and I'm so happy that you guys are reading it!

Special thanks to: DaVinci13, jtbwriter, kjt1, LSI, ToMyGrave, sara kicks ass, drakien, Miss Adelon, berta101, Aimee5, jbr12476, leddy, Aidrianna, Chicklit, gabesaunt, tvspaz626, Adenara Yatman, DolphinAnimagus, Almeida's-Angel24, csiobsessed, snackattack, Trialia, GracefulBee, lalaforte, Lanta, Lin, Wiccagirl24, Sidle Chick, silence89, CarbyluvYTDAW, tarrabeena, Sonoali and anyone I missed!

Thanks!

Jazz