Nick quickly walked back into the lab in search of Catherine. He needed to tell her what Sara had told him. And once he found her, he told her everything.
"Looks like we need to call in the big guns."
"The what?"
"You'll see Nick."
Catherine made her way to Grissoms office. She sat behind the desk and opened the top drawer. Once she found what she was looking for she was on the phone. Her first call was to the airlines. The second went through to Marina Del Rey, California. If anyone could get his attention it was his mother.
As promised several days later Grissom was relaeased from the hospital. Although the bandages were gone, his hearing remained gone as well. He was gathering his belongings when he felt he was being watched. Turning, he saw Brass standing in the door.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm your ride. You pissed off your girlfriend again so I'm here to take you home."
It took a moment for Grissom to respond as he tried to process what Brass was saying. It had been several years since he had to read lips. And he was a bit rusty.
"Fine. I'm ready."
"Good lets go."
Brass drove Grissom to his townhouse. Sara's car was not in the driveway and for a moment he was relieved. But the reality of it was that of all the times that he needed her, it was now he needed her the most. He turned to face Brass when he tapped his arm.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah, thanks for the lift."
Grissom climbed out of the car and slowly walked to his front door. He inserted the key and entered. The smell of her flooded his senses as he walked through the house. He checked the bathroom, her things were still neatly organized on the vanity. Grissom moved to the master bedroom and checked the closet. Her clothes were still neatly hanging. He sighed loudly. At least she hadn't totally given up on him yet.
He went into the kitchen and made himself a cup of hot tea, then settled into the sofa with a book. While he was reading Sara walked in. She wasn't ready to face him yet, so she kept out of his line of sight and made her way into the bedroom to grab a change of clothes. Before she left she stood at the door and watched him for a minute. In a way he looked peaceful. But she knew that he was dying inside. At that moment she felt pity for him. She walked out hoping that soon he would realize how much he did need her.
A few hours later Catherine opened his door and let herself in. She set the luggage she toted into the guest bedroom. She then turned and left, leaving his mother standing in the entryway.
Abigail Grissom walked into the bathroom. Instantly she noticed the feminine products on the vanity. Catherine had attempted to fill her in on what was going on between Grissom and Sara. But the minute she said that it was a possibility that he would be deaf and was losing Sara at the same time, she instantly knew he needed her help.
She finished and walked into the living room. Grissom had fallen asleep sitting up. She stood and watched him for a second then decided that he needed to deal with his problems instead of sleeping. Instead of waking him gently she kicked his shin.
Grissom awoke with a start. The shocked look on his face said it all.
/:Mom:/ he signed. /:What are you doing here?:/
/:I should be asking you the same question.:/
/:What are you talking about?:/
/:Catherine called me. I know everything.:/
/:Define everything.:/
/:Your hearing. Sara. Gil don't screw up the best thing that has ever happened to you.:/
He sat and let her words sink in. Sara was the best thing that has happened to him. And he has done nothing but drive her away.
/:I know. But I don't know how to fix it. I screwed up big time.:/
/:Gil, from what Catherine has told me, Sara loves you. So much in fact that she lost her job over it.:/
/:What?:/
/:I don't know the details. Catherine just told me that she was fired standing up for you. That sounds like love to me.:/
He didn't respond.
/:I need to go.:/
Grissom jumped up and hurried out the door. He pulled out his cell and sent Catherine a text message.
'Where are you? We need to talk. GG.'
As he climbed into his Denali his phone vibrated in his hand.
'At the lab. C.'
He text back, 'Stay put. I'm on my way.'
Catherine looked at her phone confused. Warrick and Nick walked into the break room to bid another shift farewell.
"What's with the look?"
"That was Gil. He's coming in to talk to me. About what I don't know."
"He call you?"
"No. Text message."
"Didn't he just get out of the hospital today?" Nick asked.
"Yeah. I dropped his mother off at his place an hour ago. I'm sure he wants to talk about Sara."
"Well good luck with that. I'm outta here. Later."
"Bye Nick. So Warrick, want to stay and help me?"
"No thanks. I'm beat. Without Griss and Sara, last night was rough. See you tonight."
Catherine watched them leave and finished her paper work. Just as she stood to leave when Grissom appeared at the door.
"My office."
He turned and never waited for her to answer. She followed him to his office. Grissom was standing in front of his desk.
"Shut the door please."
Catherine turned and shut the door then took a seat infront of him.
"I can read lips but it's been a while so you will have to be patient with me. What happened that caused Sara to get fired?"
"Well, she came in very upset. More like pissed off. Then Ecklie came in and told me that I was going to be in charge since you well, you know. And she went off on him."
"Ok. Went off how?"
"Well...she back talked him, he suspended her, then said something about her attitude, then she cold cocked him."
Grissom smiled. He couldn't help himself, he only wished that he had been there to see it.
"I had Nick drag her outside that's when the anger came out against you."
"I know. I hurt her again. I didn't mean to."
"Gil, you never mean to, you just do it. A relationship is about two people. Both have to work at it. She's willing to be there for you, and right now you need her."
"I know."
They sat in silence for a minute till Grissom spoke again.
"I'll talk to the sheriff about me and Sara. But I need your help with Sara."
Catherine smiled.
"Gladly."
TBC