4
"Go."
"You don't look so great, sweetheart."
Catherine glared at him, from where she was sitting up in bed. "Thanks a lot."
Gil sat on the edge of the bed. "You know what I mean, Cath. You look exhausted. And I know you didn't sleep much." His hand caressed her cheek. "I don't want to leave you if you're not well."
He was truly concerned. Her skin was pale, and she had dark rings under her eyes. Although the morning sickness had ebbed during her fifth month, it was starting to return again.
"Gil…"
"You promised me, Cath."
She blinked. "Huh?"
"You said neither of us is going without the other."
"I must really look awful if you think I'm dying."
"I just think you should have someone with you."
Catherine nuzzled her cheek against his warm hand. "I'm fine, honey. Besides, I do have people with me. The kids are here."
"Just promise me that you'll call if you need me. Even if you think it's something trivial."
"Always."
Gil pressed a deep kiss to her lips, which Catherine returned with much enthusiasm.
"Behave yourself, understand?" he told her, getting up from the bed.
"Right back at you, honey." She shifted on the bed. "Hey, Gil?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
He grinned back at her. "Love you too, Cath."
--
Gil found himself having a lot of trouble concentrating that evening. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong from his gut. He was also sure he'd be a lot happier if he were at home with Catherine and the kids.
He took a deep breath and stared at the crime scene photos, trying to puzzle out what he was missing. It wasn't a particularly strenuous case – just a random break-in – but he just couldn't concentrate and he couldn't find the evidence he needed to solve it.
When his cell phone rang, he let out an exasperated noise at the intrusion and snatched it up. "Grissom."
Nick and Warrick ran into Grissom, who was barreling down the hallway. He looked particularly frazzled and distressed, and like he had no time for interruptions.
"Griss? What is it?" Warrick asked.
"Catherine. Hospital. Now."
Warrick followed him, jogging to keep up. "You're in no shape to drive. I'm taking you."
"She's bleeding, Warrick. I have to be there. Now."
Nick glanced worriedly after the two men, and then went to inform the rest of the graveshift team.
"Catherine Grissom."
The nurse looked up at Gil, and her eyes went to Warrick and back to Gil again, no doubt taking in their concerned expressions. "Can I help you?"
"I need to see my wife!"
Warrick rested a hand on Grissom's shoulder, trying to calm him down. He'd never seen his boss so terrified or broken down before. "This is Gil Grissom. His wife is Catherine Grissom. She was admitted a little while ago."
"Dr. Grissom?" Another nurse appeared at their sides. "Dr. Gil Grissom?"
Gil turned around to the woman. "Yes?"
"Come with me."
Warrick and Gil followed the woman, Gil firing questions at her.
"Where is she? What happened?"
"Your wife is in distress, Dr. Grissom. We've been trying to stop the bleeding but we're going to have to perform an emergency c-section."
"Now? But she's only just passed seven months!"
"Dr. Grissom, right now, we need to give your wife and your child the best chance of survival we can. The best thing we can do for them is to deliver the baby now."
"Can I be there? Can I see her?" Gil asked, fear in his voice.
The nurse nodded. " You can see her before she goes in. Follow me and we'll get you scrubbed up." She turned to Warrick. "I'm afraid you'll have to wait here, sir."
"That's okay." Warrick turned to Gil. "Don't worry about anything. Just concentrate on Cath and the baby."
"Thanks, Warrick," Gil murmured, following the nurse.
"Catherine?"
A pale and drowsy Catherine Grissom looked up as her husband raced to her bedside. She had already been sedated, and was drifting off. "Gil…I'm sorry. It just…I tried to be…"
"Shh…" he whispered, stroking her forehead and kissing it gently. "It's not your fault. It's not. Everything's going to be fine."
"Gil…I need you to listen to me."
"What is it?" He tried to smile at her, his heart racing.
"If something happens…take care of the baby."
"Nothing's going to happen," Gil promised her. He refused to allow it. He refused to even think about it. "Nothing."
"They said…they might have to do an emergency hysterectomy." Her eyes started to slip closed as the medication took over. "Love you, Gil."
Gil leant down, pressing a hard kiss to her lips and then kissing her forehead. "I love you too, sweetheart. Everything's going to be fine. Just relax and soon we'll meet our baby. I love you, Catherine."
"Dr. Grissom? We have to go now," said the nurse.
"Who's operating?" Gil asked, his eyes still on Catherine's sleeping form.
"Her doctor. Dr Grad."
Gil felt somewhat comforted that someone who knew Catherine was operating, but his insides churned up as he watched them take his wife away.
A defeated Gil Grissom was led out into the waiting room, his shoulders slumped. He barely felt Warrick's arms help support him as they went to sit down on the chair.
"It's bad, Warrick."
"I know, Griss. But she's tough. She'll hang in there."
Gil looked up. "The kids…"
"They're fine. Nancy's got the little ones. Lindsey's on her way. Nick and Greg know."
"I can't lose her, Warrick. She's everything to me."
Warrick said nothing, not knowing what to say. Instead, he supported his friend when the older man was wracked with sobs.
