A/N – well here's the next chapter! Again, I don't know how long it will be in between them, it's hard because I don't have Internet at home yet. Keep R&R, and I'll post as often as I can, maybe more chapters at once. I'll try and get lots done this weekend!

Chapter 8:

Catherine was passed out, her head against the uncomfortable plastic chair she confined. Sara was asleep too, after having talked with her friend for a good hour, getting out a lot more than she had been able to in weeks. There was still a lot she couldn't mention yet, but before she drifted into unconsciousness, she knew that in time she would be able to bring herself to deal with everything.

Warrick and Nick made their way back into the hospital room, ready for a few more silent hours of waiting. They had no idea how much Catherine now knew, and because Catherine had promised to keep some things secret from the men for now, there was much that they wouldn't know for now. She hadn't wanted to keep those secrets, but Sara's pleading eyes begged her to, and she couldn't refuse the request of her weakened friend. Warrick immediately noticed the piece of paper that had floated to the ground by Catherine's foot. Not wanting Nick to see it, he went over to check on Catherine, while discretely picking up the paper and putting it in his pocket.

"What was that?" asked Nick, curiously. Warrick tried to hide his surprise and cover. The last thing they needed was for Nick to find out the little bit of information they had about Sara. Especially when they had been keeping it from him.

"What are you talking about?" He said, as he tried to fake innocence. Nick just shrugged, too tired to argue, and leaned back into his chair. Warrick didn't have the heart to wake Catherine up, but moved her so she was more comfortable, prepared to take her home once she awoke.

-+-+-

A few hours passed, and Catherine finally moved. Warrick and Nick had been busy playing cards, trying to pass the time; Sara was still fast asleep. Finally Catherine stirred, her neck stiff from the makeshift bed she lay upon.

"When did you guys get here?" she asked, still waking up, rubbing her neck.

"About 2 hours ago." She quickly sat up and demanded,

"And you didn't wake me?" Warrick gave her a small smile.

"You looked so tired, we couldn't. Don't worry – you didn't say anything in your sleep." He winked at her and she couldn't help but grin. On a more serious note, he then asked, "Did Sara talk at all?" Nick quickly focused on her, poised for her answer, hopefully of good news. She nodded and Nick smiled for one of the first time in days.

"Really?" He asked excitedly, "What did she say?" Catherine took a deep breath.

"She told me a lot actually…" she started. Nick's grin was undeniable. Catherine couldn't help but feel sorry for him, and a little guilty for the secrets she needed to hide.

"And?" he said quickly, the smile still radiating from his tired face. Before Catherine could start, she noticed Sara's eyes on Nick's.

"If you don't mind Cath, I think I tell Nick myself." Catherine smiled and nodded as Nick almost jumped onto her bed hugging her. Even Sara couldn't suppress the small grin at Nick's absolute elation. Warrick smiled at her, understandingly that she wanted to tell Nick herself. Not wanting him to feel left out she said softly,

"It's good to see you too Warrick." He smiled gently, before bending down to kiss her on the forehead.

"It's great to see you too. I'm so glad you're okay girl. We'll let you two talk…" Catherine bent over and hugged her friend too.

"Cath will be filling you all in anyways about some things I told her, I just think I want to explain to Nick myself." Warrick nodded, completely accepting that this was important to her. They said their goodbyes and soon left to the crime lab to fill in the rest of the team. Nick and Sara sat in silence for a few moments. Nick couldn't suppress how happy he felt that she was awake, but was reluctant to bring anything up. He didn't want an episode like last time again.

"Nick?" She whispered quietly. He looked at her intently, his eyes moist with the tears reflected in her eyes.

"I was so scared Sara. I'm so sorry. It's my fault – please just tell me you're okay."

"It's not your fault Nick. You didn't do anything wrong. You think you said a lot, you should've been in here when the shrink was here." She said, trying to joke and coax a smile out of him. "I'm okay, but I know things will get better. I talked to Catherine about Ch… about Chr... Ch…" she kept trying to say his name, but the tears would well up in her eyes when the memories started to flood back. He put his finger on her lips to silence her, and took her hand.

"It's okay, it doesn't matter – we can talk about it later." Sara noticed the fear in his eyes, the terror that she might slip away from him again. She shook her head

"No, Nick. I need to talk about it – I can't keep hiding. But you have to promise me. You have to promise me you won't do anything you'll regret. Please?" Her frail eyes pleaded to him. She knew that he would be furious with what she was going to tell him. She also knew that those few things she had told Catherine would've torn him and the rest of the team up even more. It was best that that information was kept secret until she had more time to deal with it herself.

"I promise Sara. I'll do anything." He squeezed her hand and gave her a weak smile. Sara was a little taken a back at what she saw in his eyes. Something she had never seen before from anyone. She took a deep breath,

"I started seeing someone about 2 months ago. You know who." He nodded, noticing that she was still having troubles saying his name. "Things started out okay, I mean I knew he wasn't a real winner but for once I felt like someone actually cared for me, and it had been so long since I had felt like that." The tears of anguish flowed down Sara's face. Nick knew about her family history and her obvious lack of affection and attention during her childhood. Despite all that, he had always been amazed at how well she had turned out. He reached out and wiped away her tears, broken inside, wishing he could tell her how much he cared, but not wanting her to deal with more than she already was. She continued on,

"Everything was fine until after about a week and a half when I was suddenly called into work when we had that big murder case. I had prepared a nice dinner for us. I had some things we needed to talk about. He arrived; everything was okay. About half way though, Grissom called me in. I told him what I wanted to say. He wasn't happy with the information, or the fact that I suddenly had to leave. He got so angry at me." Nick already knew what was coming.

"He hit you, didn't he?" he said quietly, the fury rising up in his chest. She nodded as the tears continued to flow down her pale face.

"No one noticed. Nick you promised me you wouldn't go after him. Just let it go - I don't want to deal with it anymore, I just want to move on and forget it all. Please." She could see how angry he was, but the moment he looked into her eyes, he nodded.

"Only if he never goes near you again. Are you sure you don't want to press charges? We could get this guy Sar." She shook her head.

"I have my reasons." Nick looked at her questionably, but knew it was a subject that he couldn't broach…for now.