Disclaimer: Not mine.

Authors Note: Thank you again to those of you who have sent reviews. You guys are awesome. This is my first fanfic so they meant a lot. Please let me know what you think of this chapter. Thank you! Happy reading.

Grissom ran over to the couch. "Sara! No. God no!" He gently grabbed hold of her and moved her so she was upright on the couch facing him. He spotted the entry wound in her right shoulder, just above her breast. He searched but there was no exit wound. Brass radioed for the paramedics. The team ran over to them as Grissom checked for a pulse. "Nick, untie her hands." Once her hands were free they carefully laid her down. "Where are those medics!"

Just as Brass lifted the radio to his face, the medics came in. Grissom had a hold of Sara's hand, his eyes fixed on her. "Excuse me sir. We need to work on her."

Warrick and Nick pulled him up off his knees and backed him away so the medics could do their job. Warrick put his hand on Grissom's shoulder. "Just let them work man. She'll be okay. She has to." His voice drifted off at the end.

Catherine couldn't stop the tears from flowing. Brass had his arm around her. They all made eye contact with each other except for Grissom. He couldn't move or speak. He just stood there, helpless and stunned.

They got Sara stabilized and onto the stretcher. Grissom looked up at Brass and Catherine. They knew no words were needed. They would meet him at the hospital.

Once in the ambulance, Grissom had Sara's hand again. All he could think about was all the time he had wasted over the years. He knew he didn't deserve her. Of course the last time he told her that, she nearly chewed his head off. He remembers her exact words after she calmed down. "What kind of man do you think I deserve anyway? A man with integrity, smart, attractive. One who loves me as much as I love him. A man who would defend my honor and protect me. Maybe one who can make me smile and feel better without having to say a word; all he has to do is just walk into the room. You're right, I do deserve that and you know what Grissom, that man…is you."

The paramedic jolted Grissom out of his thoughts. "We're here sir." They wheeled Sara into the ER. A nurse took Grissom by the elbow.

"Come on honey. Let them work on her while we get you checked out." She took him over to a gurney and told him to sit. "The doctor will be with us shortly. Do you need me to call anyone for you?" He merely shook his head no. He knew the team would be there, if they weren't already. "Okay, are you experiencing any nausea or dizziness? Any pain anywhere?"

He shortly replied. "I'm fine." He was very annoyed. He wanted to be with Sara.

She took a deep breath. She knew he was not going to be an easy patient. "Fine, huh? Well, judging by those cuts and bruises you might have a skull fracture. That doesn't sound fine." She took down all of his information. "I have to check on something. Stay put."

Not more than two minutes later the doctor came in followed by the nurse. "Mr. Griss-"

He interrupted him. "Any word on Sara yet?"

He looked to the nurse for some kind of explanation. "He's talking about the woman that was brought in with the gunshot wound."

"Oh, no. Dr. Griffith is taking care of her. He's one of our best. Don't worry, she's in good hands." Grissom closed his eyes then opened them again when he heard the doctor speak again. "So I hear you took a few blows to the head. Amy here tells me that you were out for about 20 minutes after one of those. You probably have a concussion. Let's look at your eyes and ears." After examining him, the doctor looked over to the nurse. "Everything looks okay but let's get him up to radiology. I want a full skull series."

Grissom started to protest. "Mr. Grissom, I assure you, as soon as we know anything about your friend we will let you know. Until then, let's make sure you don't have anything broken up there. Okay?" Grissom reluctantly nodded and they took him to radiology.

The team had arrived to the ER as fast as they could. Brass checked in with the nurse at the front desk and was told that Sara was in surgery and Grissom was being examined. Nick and Warrick decided to take a walk and get some coffee for everyone. Brass and Catherine sat down in the waiting room.

"What a day."

"Yeah. Talk about your roller coasters. So, why didn't you tell me about them?"

"Catherine, come on. You know that wasn't my call to make." She rolled her eyes. "I only knew for a few days. Besides, it's not really any of our business. I'm just glad that Gil finally came around to his senses."

"I hate it when you're right." He smiled and took her hand in his.

"Yeah, well, it doesn't happen very often so let me have the glory when I am." She chuckled and squeezed his hand.

Grissom was back from radiology and sitting on the gurney while the nurse cleaned him up and put bandages on the cuts that needed them. The doctor walked in just as she was finishing up. "Good news Mr. Grissom. You don't have any fractures but I do want to keep you here overnight for observation."

"That won't be necessary. Any news on Sara?"

"Nothing new. She's still in surgery. I highly recommend that you stay-"

"Thank you doctor." He hoped off the gurney. He spoke quietly and evenly. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be in the waiting room." The nurse and the doctor shared looks as Grissom walked out of the room.

Nick had dozed off in one of the corners of the room. Brass and Catherine were still sitting beside each other facing the door. Warrick couldn't stop pacing. Grissom stopped in the doorway and looked at his friends. Catherine was the first to notice him. He looked like a zombie. No real expression and he still had blood on his shirt. "Hey. Come here." She stood and waved him over. He walked to her and sat down between her and Brass.

Warrick stopped his pacing. "Nothing new on Sara yet?" Grissom kept his eyes on the ground and slowly shook his head no.

Warrick sighed and took a seat. Catherine couldn't take her eyes off of Grissom. He was leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. She put a hand on his back and spoke. "Gil, can I get you some coffee?" He didn't answer. She and Brass made eye contact. "Gil?" Still nothing. He just kept staring at the floor. Brass stood and motioned for her to step outside the room with him. She hesitantly followed.

"I've never seen him like this before Jim."

"I know. Me neither."

"I just wish he'd cry or yell or hit something, anything." She took a deep breath. "He's just…I mean, I know we're all used to him not showing any emotion…but, this is Sara. He must be ready to explode. He's scaring the hell out of me."

"Yeah, me too. Look, we just have to be strong for him, and Sara." He looked over Catherine's shoulder. "Hey, here comes her doctor." They quickly walked back into the room. The doctor scanned the room. "Mr. Grissom?" Grissom instantly rose from his seat and focused on the doctor. "Ms. Sidle will be fine. She came through surgery like a champ. She's a tough lady. I'll have a nurse come in here to let you know what room she's assigned to once she's out of recovery. Mr. Grissom?"

He was barely able to choke out a "thank you". There was a huge weight that was lifted from the room. They were all smiling until they noticed their friend. Just after the doctor left, Grissom dropped to his knees and began to sob uncontrollably. Catherine knelt down to comfort him. She wrapped her arms around him.

"God, Catherine. I…I love her so much. I don't know what I would have done without her."

"Shhh. She's okay Gil. You're going to see her in a little bit. You guys are going to be fine."

She kept whispering words of encouragement to him. She rocked him until he started to calm a little. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. They've all known how much Grissom cared about Sara but now they knew just how much he loved her.

Brass talked Warrick and Nick into going back to the lab and taking care of a few things. He walked them out to their SUV. When he came back, Catherine had Grissom in the chair next to her. She still had her arms around him. She wasn't aware he had fallen asleep until Brass told her. He whispered to her. "I just saw the nurse. Sara's in room 206. Apparently, Griss' doctor talked to Sara's. It seems he was supposed to stay here overnight for observation. And being the Gil we all know and love, he refused. So, they set up the extra bed in Sara's room for him."

"That's incredible. Should we wake him?"

"I think it'll be okay to. I think he'll get more sleep in a bed than in this chair. Besides he needs to see Sara."

"Okay." She shook Grissom a little. "Gil. Gil, Sara has a room now. Let's go see her."

"Sara?"

"Yeah. Come on, Jim and I will help you to her room."

He was gradually becoming more alert. Brass helped him to his feet. "Come on pal. You'll feel better once you see her."

When they got to her room Grissom stopped. Brass nearly ran right in to him. "Go ahead Gil. We'll see you tomorrow morning. That extra bed in there is for you. They'll give you 15 minutes then you better be in it." He looked confused. "It's the only way they'll let you stay the whole night here. Otherwise, they would make you observe the visitors hours. Besides I hear they wanted to keep you tonight anyway."

He nodded. Then his eyes started to water again. "Thank you guys, for everything. I wouldn't have made it though this without you."

Brass nodded and couldn't form any words without breaking down. Catherine sniffled. "Gil, just take care of yourself and Sara. We'll see you tomorrow." He looked at the door. "Go on."

He walked in and stood next to Sara's bed. He wiped his eyes and took her hand in his, gently rubbing the back of it with his thumb. He kissed her on the forehead and then on the cheek. "I love you so much Sara. And you know what, that scares the hell out of me. It's always just been me. I've never depended on anyone to where I wouldn't be able to live without them. I know that sounds harsh but it's the truth. Although, I know you guys wouldn't be surprised by that." He rolled his eyes and sniffled. "I've even acquired your over-talking problem." He sighed and stroked her hair a few times. He kissed her forehead again. "I'll be right over there if you need me honey." He took his shoes off and climbed into the bed. He was asleep within minutes.

The next morning Brass came in and saw Grissom still asleep. He walked over to Sara's bed and pulled up a chair. He took her hand in his. Sara started to stir. Sluggishly speaking, "Griss?" As she focused on Brass he noticed her confusion. He pointed over to the other bed.

"He wouldn't leave you and the doctors wanted to keep him overnight, so they compromised." She smiled at that. "How you feeling?"

"Groggy and sore. But I'll be okay. How's he doing?"

"Better now that you're going to be fine. You both had us scared beyond belief."

"I'm sorry." She softly spoke as she watched Grissom sleep.

"Look, I'll let you get some more rest. I'll come back-"

"No Brass. Please stay. I want to talk to you about something."