Chapter 4

By Your Side

Disclaimer: Not mine just enjoying them

Rating: M

Im trying to make this like a small novel and update often. I appreciate the reviews. Enjoy.

Nick opened the door while holding 2 cups of coffee, he paused and smiled at the sight before him. Grissom laid as still as always in his hospital bed. But that's not what he was awing over. Sara was fast asleep, sitting in the chair next to his bed. She was holding on to his hand, and her head was neatly laid on his thigh with her face looking towards him. Nick slipped in silently trying not to wake Sara. A week had passed since the incident. Brass was being released and was going to see Grissom before Nick took him home.

He took a seat in the other chair as Brass slowly opened the door and crept in. Nick offered him the other cup of coffee that was meant for Sara, but she obviously wasn't going to drink it.

Thanks, Jim mouthed to Nick as he sat down. Then he whispered, "Any change?"

"No." Nick sighed as he thought he heard something. He glanced at Sara and she was sleeping comfortably. Then he noticed something that caught his eye. Under the covers towards the foot of the bed was movement. Slight at first then what appeared to be more like a stretching motion. Nick elbowed Brass and pointed at Grissoms's feet. He got up and moved over to Sara and gently shook her. "Sara wake up. It's Nicky, wake up."

She slowly came to and sat up to yawn. She looked at Nick, "I didn't realize I was that tired." She noticed Brass and waved at him and said, "You are looking better. Getting out today?"

Brass just smiled and nodded. He then pointed at Grissom's feet and said, "Look."

She followed his finger and thought she was dreaming. Grissom's feet were constantly moving now. Just little things like stretching and curling his toes. In the last week he hasn't even moved a finger let alone wiggle his feet. She jumped up and leaned over his head and held onto his hand for dear life. "Grissom your moving your feet." She was trying to hide her excitement but was failing miserably. "Can you squeeze my hand? Come on Gris just a little squeeze, for me." She continued to coax him when she noticed his feet stopped moving. Not wanting to think it was just a spasm he continued her attempt to get him to respond.

After several minutes of listening to her talk to him and seeing nothing Nick decided to settle her down. "Sara. Come on honey. He's getting better by the day. Doc says so, it's only a matter of time. We will just have to be patient."

Nicks words brought tears to her eyes as she looked at Grissoms pale face. She turned and began to cry on Nicks shoulder when a nurse came in. She stopped and waited a minute for Sara to compose herself. Sara and herself had become friends over this ordeal and they had shared some of life's little quirks it deals you. She came in every other day and massaged Grissoms muscles and was teaching Sara in the process. It was the one thing that Sara thought she was doing to really help him.

Nick and Brass said their goodbyes and Sara proceeded to get her deep tissue massage lessons while using Grissoms body as her patient. She only dreamed of practicing other techniques on his body.

Sara hadn't been to the Lab since Grissom's hospitalization. And Ecklie was beginning to breathe down her neck. They were short handed with Grissom out and with her remaining vigil at his side was wearing on the rest of the lab. Only did the graveyard shift staff understand. They were all happy that they had finally found each other then to have tragedy strike. Catherine was running block for Sara and issued her vacation request. God knows that she had enough. But she didn't know if Sara had enough to last. It seemed as Grissom might never wake up. And if he did, he would need care at home witch Sara would be there too. That could be months and Ecklie isn't about to let that happen.

After 3 weeks Catherine and the boys got together with Sara and established a plan.

"Ok, Ecklie isn't going to just let you sit around all the time and watch you use up your vacation. So for 4 nights a week and only for 8 hours a night you will go in a process evidence from other cases." Catherine laid it all out while they all listened. "That way you are only using a few days a week of your time off and while in the lab if you needed to leave suddenly it wouldn't be a problem." She looked from Sara to Grissom then back again.

"Ecklie will never go for that. I know I can't afford to loose my job but right now I don't care." Sara sighed and leaned back into the chair.

"Well him and I came to an agreement with the Sheriff. He knows that he can't afford to loose Grissom and you. This way everyone kinda gets what they want. And before you start, while you are in the lab here is the list of people who will sit with Gil while you aren't here." Catherine handed Sara a list with the names of everyone on the night shift. Sara sat there stunned. She looked at everyone who in turn all gave her a big hug. "With a little help from everyone we'll get you two though this." said Catherine as she pulled away.

"Ok. I guess I don't have much say so I? Looks like you have taken care of everything for me." Sara smiled and said "When do I start?"

"Tonight."

She smiled and thanked them once again. As they left she looked around the not so empty hospital room. After 3 weeks she had accumulated a lot of stuff. Along the far wall was a small cot the nurses brought her once they realized that she wouldn't leave. A small wardrobe had about a weeks worth of clothes, and in the bathroom was everything that she needed. Even her shampoo and conditioner was in the shower. She couldn't help but smile. Looking at her watch she realized that it was nearly 8 o'clock. If she was going to go to the lab she would need to get cleaned up now in order to get in on time.

She emerged from her shower and saw Brass sitting waiting for her. "What are you doing here Jim?

"I'm here to watch Gil while you go to work. I volunteered for the first watch. I can't help but feel guilty about what happened. I should have been more aware of the surroundings."

"Hey, Gil wasn't the only one involved. You and the other 2 officers were injured. Don't blame yourself." She checked her watch and said, "I need to go going." Turning and leaning over Grissom she said, "I'm going to the lab for a few hours. Brass is here to look after you so be good." Glancing at Brass she seen him smile and turned back to Grissom. "I love you." She kissed him on the cheek, stood, took a deep breath and walked out the door to meet Catherine.

Next chapter to be posted shortly I'm on a roll.

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