A/N: Back :) I will admit I've been focusing a lot on getting IAFU finished and I'm not that far away from that. So once that's done I can totally concentrate on this. Not sure how I keep managing to write two stories at once. Oh well. Back to work soon so I'm trying to make the most of it no matter how it comes. So, let's have a little fluff and keep Evil Hat away for a little bit longer :) Thank you for your reviews and to calim for a great beta and your thoughts. My rock as always :D
Chapter 6
With the visit to see his children over, Grissom held Michael's hand as they headed back to the ICU with rather mixed emotions running through his veins. Relief washed through him but also worry. Although the babies were doing well, it would be a while until they were totally out of the woods. Hopefully, those woods wouldn't be shrouded in too much darkness.
"Are we seeing Mommy again?" Michael asked as they headed into the elevator.
"Yes, Mike," Grissom replied, Catherine flashing him a smile as he hit the button to go up. "We're going to show her the video of the babies and hope it cheers her up a little bit."
Michael smiled. "They are Mommy's babies," he said proudly. "Michaels's brother and sister."
Grissom smiled down at him, running a hand through his hair. "That's right."
"Daddy have babies, too? Then we can have more babies."
With his eyebrows rising, Grissom's gaze shot to Catherine as she snorted.
"Um," Grissom stuttered. "I think two babies is enough for now."
The doors pinged open and Grissom was glad for the relief stepping from the elevator and heading down the corridor. Moving through the doors into the ICU, he immediately spotted Brass chatting to two nurses at their station.
"I forgot Jim was on his way," Catherine said, waving at the captain when he turned to them.
"Me, too," Grissom agreed.
"Hey," Brass greeted, waving his fingers at Michael and earning himself a giggle.
"Hi," Grissom replied.
"The nurse just updated me on Sara. How are you feeling?"
A small shrug heightened Grissom's shoulders. He really didn't want to be too negative in front of his son. "Doing the best I can."
Nodding, Brass crouched in front of Michael. "And how's my little detective doing?"
Michael nodded. "We had babies," he replied holding up two fingers. "Two tiny babies."
"Is that right?" Brass answered with a smirk. "Two, babies, huh? And did you say hello?"
"Yes. I help Daddy with the babies until Mommy gets better. They can have my room. I stay with Daddy."
Placing one hand on her heart, Catherine gently took Grissom's arm with the other when she heard a small whimper leave his mouth. She'd never heard a two-year old be so caring and sentimental. For a moment it baffled her then she remembered who his parents were. He couldn't be anything but special.
"That's great," Brass whispered, ruffling Michael's hair before pushing himself up.
Trying to keep his emotions intact, Grissom took a breath as Brass looked at him. "Just a social visit, Jim, or is there an ulterior motive?"
Brass' lips twitched. "I still need a statement about the store. McKeen is really on my ass and I know you have a lot on your mind but ... can you give me 10 minutes? Please?"
Sighing, Grissom looked at Catherine for a split second. "Satisfying McKeen's lust for blood is really the last thing on my mind right now, Jim," Grissom growled. "What does he want from me?"
"Hey," Catherine cut in. "Let's not do this here, okay?" She nodded down to Michael.
Sighing again, Grissom nodded. "Look … I need to see Sara. I'll talk to you after that."
"Okay," Brass agreed. "I'll wait out here for you."
Nodding, Grissom retook Michael's hand.
"See you in a minute," Catherine said, holding out her phone.
Smiling weakly, Grissom took the offering and led Michael towards Sara's room, vanishing inside. The room was reasonably quiet, a nurse coming towards them as they entered.
"How is she?" he asked quietly, glancing over her shoulder. It looked like Sara was sleeping.
"Not much change," the nurse replied. "The doctor will be by shortly and he'll update you about surgery, okay?"
"Thanks," Grissom whispered.
Smiling, she pushed a chair close to the bed for Michael and helped him up. "I'll be back shortly," she said. "I have medication for you."
Grissom didn't argue and as the nurse stepped away, Sara's eyes slowly opened to immediately rest upon her son as he reached out.
"Hey, baby," she whispered, taking a hold of his hand.
Michael smiled. "We saw babies, Mommy," he said excitedly.
Sara's eyes flicked to her husband's for a second. "Did you?" she asked innocently.
Michael nodded quickly then pulled his hand free to make a shape. "Tiny babies. Just this big."
Inhaling as deeply as her lungs would allow, Sara gave her husband her undivided attention. "How … are they?"
A proud smile graced his lips before he leaned close and kissed her forehead. "Doing well," he replied with a lump in his throat.
"Yeah?" she whimpered.
"Yes."
Looking at Catherine's phone, he pulled up the video, hit play and held it out for her to see. Watching as the footage rolled before her, Sara whimpered again, tears brimming in her eyes as she pulled her hand up to swipe a finger over the screen. Grissom's eyes became watery, too, but when she smiled, a warm tingle hit his spine.
"She weighs 2lbs."
Blinking, Sara shot him a glance. "So light," she said quietly. He nodded as she looked back at the screen, watching as her son appeared. "He's even smaller."
"He is," Grissom confirmed. "But they are both getting stronger with each hour that passes."
"Wish … I could hold them."
"I know," Grissom said softly, pulling the phone back when the footage stopped but she startled him, moving faster than he thought she could and grabbed his hand.
"Please play it again," she requested.
"Sure," he whispered, restarting the footage.
As Sara watched the video again, Grissom heard footsteps and looked over his shoulder.
"Hi," Steven greeted. Grissom smiled at him. "Get some good footage?"
"Yeah," Grissom replied.
Michael looked up at the doctor. "I like the babies," he said. "When they get bigger we can play."
Steven smiled at him. "Yes, you can," he agreed.
"I still need my ice cream," Michael continued. "Can they have some, too?"
A snort fell from Sara's lips and the two men looked at her.
"He sure … likes his … ice cream and he won't forget … you said he could … have some," she said, smiling at her husband.
He returned the gesture.
"They are a little young for ice cream just yet," Steven said.
The video stopped again and Grissom clasped Sara's cheek. "Okay?"
She nodded sucking in a content breath. "Can you … get a copy though?"
"Sure." Slipping the phone into his pocket, he looked at Steven. "You bring news?"
"I do," Steven clarified. "You'll be going back in surgery in the morning, Sara. 9am."
Her mouth opened but a frown hit before words came out. "What's … the procedure?"
"Two procedures actually," Steven began as Grissom reached to take his wife's hand. "Firstly, the comminuted fracture in your knee cap will be pieced back together. Because we have identified a fracture in your patella, we will use pins and wires along with a 'figure-of-eight' configuration tension band. The band will press and keep all the broken fragments together. This is the least intensive procedure we can use and we're hoping it will be sufficient because it will minimize recovery time."
Licking her dry lips, Sara closed her eyes. "And … if it doesn't work?"
"Then we would have to do a second knee surgery using screws. This procedure is more painful physically and for recovery."
Grissom squeezed Sara's hand a little tighter. "So you don't like to do that unless it's really necessary?"
"Correct," Steven clarified.
Feeling as though the weight of the world was already upon her shoulders, Sara opened her eyes. "And … the second procedure?"
"Your left ankle," the doctor replied. "The bone will be realigned and fixed with screws."
"Turning me into … a workbench," she snorted.
Amazed by his wife's courage, Grissom gave her hand another squeeze and she looked at him, her eyes becoming a little drowsy.
"You're tired," he whispered.
As she smiled the nurse returned, a pill pot and beaker of water in her hand.
"Your medication," she said, holding them out to Grissom.
Releasing Sara's hand he took the pills and water. "Thanks."
"How about we go and get you ice cream, Mike, while Mommy gets some rest," Grissom suggested before popping the pills into his mouth.
Much to Grissom's surprise, Michael shook his head and reached for his mother's hand again.
"Not leave Mommy," he argued. "Stay here."
Sara just smiled, her eyes closing again.
Sighing, Grissom frowned then glanced at the door. He knew Brass was waiting for him but he couldn't leave Michael in the room on his own.
"Is Catherine okay to sit with him for a minute?" he asked. "I just need to speak with my colleague."
Sara's eyes popped open again, looking back at him. "Who?"
"Jim is waiting to speak with me but it's nothing you have to worry about." Leaning in, he kissed her cheek. "Rest," he ordered.
"Hmmm," she mumbled, softly gripping onto Michael's hand as her eyes fluttered closed once more.
Grissom turned his attention to the doctor seeking an answer for his previous question. He had the feeling Michael was pretty unmovable and he really didn't want to have to force him away from his mother.
"It's fine that Catherine comes in," Steven told him. "We're still tight on controls though so let's limit it to just her, okay?"
"Thank you," Grissom said appreciatively. "Be a good boy until Daddy gets back, okay?" he asked of his son. "Aunt Catherine will be right in."
"Yes, Daddy," Michael answered.
"I won't be long," Grissom told them, leaving the room.
Smiling as Michael looked up at him, Steven took his stethoscope from around his neck. "Would you like to be my assistant?" he asked.
Michael's eyes lit up like the North Star and he giggled loudly, his eager fingers reaching for the tool. As quickly as he could he tried to slip the bits into his ears causing Steven to laugh.
"Do you give him … your stethoscope?" Sara asked without even opening her eyes.
"Um … yeah, how did you know?"
She smiled, running her hand over her stomach. "Because he's fascinated by … useful things, and, he's… always loved stethoscopes."
"Doctor," Michael giggled, placing the chest piece near his heart. "Doctor make Mommy better."
Sara's smile remained but her world was growing drowsier and drowsier. But at least those she loved dearest were close by and that made her feel just a little bit happier.
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
Outside Sara's room, Grissom slowly approached Brass and Catherine who were sitting on chairs in the corridor. They both stood when their friend drew near.
"Cath, do you mind staying with Mike while I talk to Jim?" he asked. "The doctor said it's okay and he won't move from Sara's side anyway. I can't do this in there."
"Sure," she said with a knowing smile. "Stubborn just like his mother."
"Something like that," Grissom returned.
After a quick nod, Catherine walked towards the room and Grissom stared at Brass.
"So, what do you want?" he asked unenthusiastically. "You already know what happened."
Brass held up a hand. "I'm not trying to be an ass, Gil, but regardless of the victim you know the drill. You should know better than anyone that I have to do my job. And as much as I can assume what happened, I don't have all the facts do I?"
Puffing out a breath, Grissom took a seat and Brass sat beside him.
"To cut a long story short," Grissom began, "they shoved a letter in my pocket while I was in the store. I was given strict instructions not to let anyone else see it. I opened it in my car and it told me to meet them around the block, alone, without telling a soul, or Sara would die. And, that's it."
After clearing his throat, Brass swallowed, loosening his tie a little. Hospitals were always stuffy.
"So you just drove around the corner, picked them up and away you went."
"Yes," Grissom clarified. "I had no time, Jim. And you know they were not dicking around. She's my wife and I will do absolutely anything I have too to protect her."
Brass nodded slowly, a sympathetic smile hitting his lips. "You left the note in the car?"
Grissom frowned. "You don't believe me?" he growled.
"I believe you," Brass said swiftly, both of his hands rising to keep the situation calm. "But you know what McKeen is like. After we worked out you'd aided them in getting away he was all ready to charge you as an accessory."
Whipping his head back, Grissom went wide eyed. "Are you fucking kidding me?" he snapped, getting to his feet.
The captain's eyebrows hit the ceiling. It wasn't often he heard Grissom cussing, especially with such venom. Two nurses looked their way and Brass waved a reassuring hand their way.
"We're fine," he called. "Sit down and calm down, Gil," he requested. "Please."
Feeling his heart pounding, Grissom clenched his fingers together into tight balls. "How do you expect me to calm down after what you just said? What if it was his wife?"
Biting down on his lip, Brass nodded to the chair and with a very unhappy huff, Grissom sat back down.
"So he wants to charge me?" Grissom spat.
"No," Brass said calmly and Grissom frowned in confusion.
"But you just said …"
"His mood has changed today. We have more facts, have been able to talk with most of the hostages and his daughter has been a pretty big influence on not wanting to blame anyone else apart from the two assholes that we're truly responsible for what happened. But we and he still needed your side of the story so we can get this closed and allow the victims to be laid to rest."
"Oh," Grissom mumbled, suddenly ill at ease about his outburst. After everything, he'd forgotten about the officer who'd been killed - McKeen's son in law.
Pulling a pad and pencil from his pocket, Brass got ready to write. "So, tell me what happened after you picked them up."
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
It was about 15 minutes later when Grissom said goodbye to Brass after telling the rest of his story. It wasn't easy reliving what had happed and all the horror but he didn't want to dawdle in saying what he had to.
Now feeling more emotional than he already had been, he headed back to Sara, stepping into the room to find Catherine in the corner with Michael on her lap, giggling at him as he pressed the drum of the stethoscope into her tummy.
"I'm not sure you'll get much of a beat in there," she told him.
"No babies?" Michael asked.
"I hope not," Catherine said with a smirk, looking towards the doorway and spotting Grissom.
He gave her a wave before moving to the bed to see Sara was sleeping. With a soft smile, he headed towards his friend. "Has she been sleeping long?" he asked.
"She was already asleep when I walked in," she replied. "Took me a few minutes to convince this little one to move away from the bed though."
Michael just smiled and moved the drum to Catherine's arm.
"How did it go?" she asked.
Hands slipping into his pockets, Grissom nodded. "Okay," he said quietly. "Hopefully, that will be the end of the interrogations."
"Well, McKeen can't seriously expect to press any charges, Gil. You did what anyone else would have done."
"Yeah," he sighed, glancing over his shoulder as several nurses came in to check on Sara. He suspected she would be sleeping for a while. "Do you need to get back to the lab?" he asked.
Catherine shook her head. "Not until tomorrow but then, I guess, I might be stepping up for a while, huh?"
"I can't think of anyone better to step into my shoes."
She smiled. "Have you thought about what you're going to do with …" She nodded down to Michael who was merrily chatting to himself and blowing down the drum.
Grissom blew out a breath then shook his head. "I don't know," he admitted but he had the feeling Michael wasn't going to leave very easily and he couldn't blame him for that. "I don't know when they are going to discharge me yet so.…"
He was cut short when the doctor stepped in. He had a quick chat with the nurse before approaching the trio.
"I think it might be time for you to get some rest, Gil, or you're going to overdo it," he said.
"Ice cream then nap," Michael said. "Nap time soon."
Grissom ran his hand through his son's hair. "I'm glad you have your priorities in the right order."
"Yes," Michael agreed.
"The doctor's right though," Catherine added. "You need to get some rest." She looked at Steven. "Do you know when he'll be discharged?"
"If he does as he's told we'll consider it the day after tomorrow," Steven answered. "But if you don't rest your body, Gil, you could end up relapsing. You are not made of stone no matter how much you want to be."
Holding up a hand, Grissom gave him a mock smile. "I know," he admitted. "I have a question."
Steven kinked his neck in curiosity. "Shoot."
"Is Michael okay to stay here with me tonight? I feel it's polite to ask and probably best for both of us."
The doctor nodded. "That's not a problem. I just hope he's not too picky when it comes to meal time."
Catherine snorted. "Are you kidding? He'll eat anything. Well, apart from cabbage. He doesn't like cabbage."
"Cabbage is smelly," Michael said, screwing up his nose. "Like when Daddy makes a fart."
Grissom's eyebrows rose as both the doctor and Catherine laughed.
"Right," Grissom said, clearing his throat. "And I think that's our cue to go and get ice cream."
A/N: Gotta love the fluff. I love Michael :D Please let me know your thoughts.