A/N: Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the reviews. I love you all!

Chapter 18 – Catherine's POV

Everything is white.
Why is everything white?
Ah, I'm in a hospital room.
My head is pounding and my body aches.
As I wake up, everything comes back to me.
Waiting, Grissom, the explosion…
I remember Green's expression as the cabin blew up.
Although he knew he was going to die, he was still triumphant. I know why he did it, but I'll never really be able to understand the way he thought.
Someone walks into the room and I try to sit up, but my muscles scream in protest so I just lay here.

"Don't try to move, god knows how long you were sat in that chair."
I groan.
"Too long."
Grissom smiles.
"I'm glad you're ok."
"I'm glad you showed up when you did. 10 seconds later and I'd be.."
"Just don't think about it, Cath. You're ok, and that's the important thing. I just came in to check how you were and say hi. But there's someone here to see you who's much more important than I am."

He stands up to leave again, and I manage to grab his arm.
"Gil…thank you."
He smiles.
"Well, I couldn't let you die, could I? Who'd deal with the lab politics and my paperwork?"
I laugh, and he leaves, just as someone else bursts into the room.

"Mom!"
Lindsay throws her arms around me.
"Baby, I'm so glad you're here. Are you ok?"
"I am now."
She looks up and I can see she's fighting back tears.
"I thought I'd lost you mom. I was so scared. And the worst thing was, if you'd died, it would have been all my fault."
She no longer fights the tears and sobs into my shoulder.
I hold her for a while, feeling tearful myself.
"Lindsay, although getting into that van probably tops every stupid thing you've ever done, it was my decision to give myself to Green. You're my daughter, and if it meant I had to die for you to live, there's no question. I love you, and I'd do anything to protect you, so don't even think about blaming yourself. Green was a very sick man, and if anything had happened to me, it would have been down to him. So you see honey, don't blame yourself, none of this was your fault."
"I love you mom."
"And I love you Linds."

She sits up, her tears finally dry.
"I think we should invite Sara over for dinner."
I'm secretly delighted, but intrigued as to what's brought this on.
"And why's that honey?"
"Once he took you, we went back to the lab and I couldn't stop crying. I was so scared and there was no one there for me, everyone was too busy trying to find you. Then Sara came and sat with me, and stayed with me till I was ready to talk to the police. She helped me feel ready to tell them what happened."
"He didn't…he didn't…"
I can't bear to say it, but Lindsay seems to know what I mean.
"He didn't sexually assault me mom. Anyway, once I was ready to talk to the police, Sara held my hand the whole time I gave my statement. And then she let me stay at her apartment, and even let me share her bed when I was too scared to sleep on my own. She was so nice, and made me feel so much better. And she said I could stay at her apartment whenever I wanted. In fact, she promised."
"That sounds just like Sara. You don't know where she is, do you?"
"No mom, I don't."

With that, she cuddles up to me again. I don't think she slept much last night, because her breathing evens out and she's asleep within minutes.
I stroke her hair absentmindedly, revelling in the fact that I'm here, with my daughter, and I'm alive.
I'm a little disappointed Sara isn't here though. It's wonderful to have Linds here, but if would have been perfect if Sara had been too.
I've slept loads already, but my eyes are closing.
Maybe Sara will be here later…

Sara's POV

Finally, I leave the lab.
With the press, and the case, and everything, I haven't had the chance to go and see Catherine.
I turn the radio up and sing along as I drive to Desert Palms.
I've gone through so many emotions the past 48 hours…
Anger, fear, sadness.
Now, I'm just unbelievably happy and relieved.
I reach the hospital and go to the front desk to find out what room Catherine is in.
I feel nervous as I walk to her room.
What if she's decided she isn't interested in me anymore?
Those thoughts are pushed from my mind when I reach Catherine's room.
Lindsay is snuggled up next to Catherine on the bed, fast asleep.
Catherine is asleep too, her arm wrapped around Lindsay.
They look so cute, and so peaceful, I can't bear to wake them up.
Instead, I pull up a chair next to the bed and stroke Catherine's hair lightly.
I'm exhausted. I haven't slept in twenty four hours at least, and despite six cups of coffee in the past four hours, it's hard to stay awake.
Normally, I can stay up forty eight hours without a problem, but I've been on such an emotional rollercoaster, it's all catching up on me.
I pull my chair closer to the bed and rest my head on the edge of the bed, wrapping my arm around Catherine.
I'll just take a nap.

Catherine's POV

I wake up feeling a lot better and a lot more rested.
Maybe they'll let me go home tonight.
Afternoon sunlight is streaming through the window and playing across my daughters face.
She must have been exhausted, she's still asleep.
Hold on, if Lindsay's here, who's behind me?
I turn my head, and see Sara's sleeping form, her head resting on the bed.
I lean down, my muscles aching, and kiss the top of her head.
Slowly, she wakes up and her eyes meet mine.

Her smile is huge as she reaches out and brushes a strand of my hair from my cheek.
"Morning sleeping beauty."
I return her smile and lean into her touch.
"I could say the same thing to you."
Her expression turns serious.
"God I've missed you so much. I know you've only been gone a day or so, but it's felt like weeks."
"I know what you mean. All I could think about was you and Lindsay. I take it Grissom told you what happened?"
She nods.
"We almost lost you."
"All I can say is, thank god Grissom acted so quickly."

She doesn't reply and I sit up slowly, not wanting to disturb Lindsay.
"Baby, what's wrong?"
She leans forward and pulls me into a hug.
"I just can't believe you're here," she breathes, her head resting in the crook of my neck, "I can't believe this is real."
I pull away from her so I can see her face again.
She looks happy, confused and sad.

I lean closer to her again and brush my lips against hers, but pull back before either of us deepens the kiss.
Lindsay is asleep next to me, and anyone could walk in.
Still, it was nice to at least kiss her, even if it was just for a moment.

I pull her closer for another hug.
"Does it feel more real now?"
My face is resting against her neck and I can't help but kiss the soft skin.
I feel rather than hear her laugh.
"That definitely makes it feel more real."

We pull away from each other as a doctor enters the room.
"Ok Ms Willows, there's just a few more things we need to check before we let you go home.."

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