Chapter 4: Grissom and Rabbits

Sara spent the last three days in the hospital being visited by her friends and "guarded" by Grissom. There had still been no word on Hank's whereabouts but Sara could care less, she was going home.

"Ms. Sidle, if you experience extreme discomfort contact the hospital. You may take baths but be careful not to get your casts wet. Take these two weeks to relax." McClenon said.

"Don't worry, she will," Grissom said as he wheeled her out of the hospital.

"And no work!" The doctor called after them.

'That's what you think.' Sara thought as she sat in the wheelchair.

When they got to the car Grissom helped Sara stand and balance on her right foot. When he tried to pick her up and put her in her seat, however, she drew the line. "Grissom, I can get into the car myself. Why don't you fold up the chair and put it in the back."

"But…" he started.

"Griss, I'll be fine." Sara slid into her seat. She fumbled with her seatbelt for a few seconds before being able to lock it in place.

"You okay?" Grissom asked as he got into the driver's seat.

"Yeah. Now drive, I want to go home." She smiled.

When they got to her apartment complex Grissom helped Sara from the car to her wheelchair. Grabbing his duffle bag he pushed her into the lobby.

"Hey Mr. Zerbe," Sara said. "Can we have the keys to the elevator?"

"Sure," Zerbe said, shocked at Sara's appearance.

Although she was healing there were still dark bruises and scratches on her arms and face. Not to mention the fact that her arm was in a sling and her leg is in a cast.

"God Sara what happened to you?" He asked.

"Nothing," said Sara sweetly as Grissom grabbed the key and pushed her into the elevator. Sara got one last look at the confused doorman before the door slid shut.

'Home sweet home.' Sara thought as Grissom pushed her through the front door of her apartment.

When Grissom turned around to lock the door Sara stood up and hopped to her couch.

When Grissom turned around and saw the empty chair he looked around, confused, before seeing Sara sitting on the couch.

"God Sara, you can't do that." He said. "You almost gave me a heart attack."

"Aw, I didn't know you scared so easily. I'm sorry Mr. Bugman." She said in a childish voice.

"Sara, you can't go hopping around. It's not good for you."

"Jeez Griss, my right leg is fine. What do you expect me to do at a crime scene? My crutches might track something in and contaminate the scene. I'll have to hop."

"Sara…"

"Plus," she cut him off. "What do you expect me to do when I have to go to the bathroom? You can't carry me everywhere."

"Yes I can." He said sounding petulant.

"No Grissom, you can't. What you can do, however, is get me some pajamas. These clothes are disgusting."

"Okay." Grissom said as she pointed him towards her bedroom.

Her room was clean, but empty of anything besides the necessities. 'The room of someone who is never home. Just like me.' He thought. He pulled a pair of sweatpants and an extra large t-shirt out of her dresser.

"Are these okay?" He asked when he walked back to Sara.

"Yes, they're great." She said.

"Um, do you want me to leave while you change?" Grissom asked.

"You don't have to." She replied.

Grissom sat down and tried not to stare at the beautiful woman in front of him. He knew that she wouldn't appreciate it if he offered to help so he stayed quiet.

Sara removed her sling and unzipped the Forensics jumper that Grissom had brought for her to leave the hospital in. She struggled to get it over her cast. But she was determined to get it off.

She pulled on the t-shirt that Grissom had brought her. She was glad that he had picked this one, it was her favorite.

It was fairly easy to slide the jumpsuit off her legs. But putting the sweatpants on, one-handed, over a cast, was quite challenging. Once she was dressed she sat down.

Grissom decided that now would be a good time to say something. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. That was hard work but yeah, I'm fine. Do you want to watch a movie or something?"

"Sure." He replied. "What have you got?"

"Well I'm not in the mood for anything deep so how about some mindless action?" She suggested.

"Sounds good."

They settled down next to each other to watch 'Elektra' until sleep overcame them.

Sara awoke later that night to find herself leaning on Grissom. She sat up as quickly as she could, trying not to disturb him.

"You didn't have to move." Grissom said.

"Oh, you're awake. I'm sorry, I was just so exhausted. I didn't mean to use you as a pillow."

"Sara, it's okay. Do you want something to eat? I can make you one of my famous omelets."

"Mmm, sounds good. But remember, no meat."

"I remember."

As Grissom cooked their omelets Sara flipped channels on the TV. 'Boring, boring, boring,' she thought before clicking the TV off.

"Order's up." Said Grissom, walking back into the living room with two plates.

As soon as they were done Grissom's phone rang. "Grissom." He answered it.

"Griss, it's Catherine." Came the voice on the phone. "We need you to come in for a bit."

"Well I can't leave her alone." He whispered into the phone.

"Griss, it's about Hank. Bring Sara along. She can sit in the DNA lab with Greg."

"Fine."

"Thank you." She hung up.

Grissom shut his phone and turned towards Sara. "Sara, I have to go into work. Do you want to come?"

"Duh," Sara said. Then she realized what she was wearing. "Um Griss, I need clothes. I don't want to go to the lab dressed like this."

"What do you need?"

"Can you get me some cargo pants and a tank top? They should fit."

Grissom brought her what she asked and then he helped her to change her clothes. Sara savored his soft touch as he helped her slide the tank top over her head.

Grissom brought the wheelchair to where Sara was sitting and helped her move from the couch to the chair.

"Thanks." She said. Then she realized, "Griss, I need a shoe."

"Oh yeah." He chuckled as he ran back into her room and grabbed one of her right sneakers from her closet. Walking back to Sara he tied it onto her foot. "Ready to go?"

"Yes."

When they got down to the car they repeated their routine from the day before.

Once they were situated in the car Sara wanted to listen to the radio. "Griss can you turn on the radio, I can't reach."

"Sure." He turned it on and 'Holiday' started playing.

"Oh, I love this song." Sara said. She started to sing along.

Grissom thought that she had the most beautiful voice he had ever heard.

When they got to the lab Grissom wheeled her into Greg's DNA lab and kissed her on the top of her head, telling her to stay put. Then he walked to the break room where the rest of the team was waiting.

"Did he just kiss you?" Greg asked openmouthed.

"Yeah." Sara said, blushing.

"Ugh, whatever, do you feel better?"

"I'm great." She replied.

"I wonder why," the spiky-haired lab tech muttered. "Well, I'll be back in a second; I have the results of a search that Catherine asked for." He stood up.

"Wait Greg, I'll take it." Sara said.

"And how exactly do you plan on getting to the break room?"

"I'll hop."

"Well, then have at it, my little rabbit." He helped her to stand then he handed her the results.

He laughed at the sight of her bouncing down the hall to the break room.

As Sara was hopping towards the break room Grissom,

Catherine, Nick, Warrick, and Brass were finishing their meeting.

"There has been no sign of Hank or his truck. When PD went to his house it was empty. It looks like he's skipped town. I had Greg run a search to see if Hank owns anymore properties. As a matter of fact, where is Greg, I asked for those results an hour ago." Catherine said.

"I've got the results." Came a voice from the door.

"Sara, what the hell are you doing?" Grissom asked, exasperated.

"Come on, sit down." He led her to a chair.

"What are you doing here?" Nick reiterated.

"I asked Greg if I could deliver the results." Sara said.

"And he let you? You were supposed to stay put." Grissom said.

"Well, I kind of complained." Sara said with a mischievous smile. "So what is this search for?"

"You mean that you didn't read it?" Warrick asked.

"Surprisingly, no I didn't. It's kind of hard to read and hop. I never said I didn't try. All I could tell was that it had something to do with Hank. Have you guys found him yet?" She asked.

"Sara we're sorry," Warrick started. "He seems to have skipped town."

Sara started to worry. 'What if he comes after me again? He said he'd make me pay. I assume that he meant to kill me when he ran me off the road. What if he comes back to finish the job.'

"Sara what's wrong?" Grissom asked, seeing the stressed look on her face.

"Nothing." Sara said. 'If I tell them what I'm thinking they'll learning. I don't need them worrying about my safety on top of trying to find Hank.'

With that thought Sara decided that she would not voice her concerns. She could fight her own battles.