Ovarian Grievance

Pairing: Sara and Nick

A/N: This is based loosely on what happened to me the past three months.

Sara is recuperating from her surgery and receives visitors throughout the day.

A/N: I had my surgery back on March 29, 2006 which was a Wednesday. I was still groggy so I missed much of the CSI: NY episode that was showing. However, the day after, I was able to watch the CSI episode.

Disclaimer: I don't own Sara, Nick or any other CSI character. If I did own the show, the final scene from 'Way to Go' wouldn't exist and the show would have beaten 'Gray's Anatomy'. I only own my original characters and this story plot.

Visiting Hours

The Next Day

Sara was wide awake the day after her surgery. Tina came by to remove the Foley, take another set of Sara's vitals, check and replenish her IV fluids about two hours ago. Another nurse stopped buy to give her breakfast of lemon Jell-O, vegetable broth, coffee and a cherry popsicle. (AN: In defense of this meal, I had the Jell-O, broth, clear beverage and popsicle diet AKA clear liquid diet the day after my surgery – breakfast, lunch and dinner). She ate the popsicle first since it would melt. Then she ate the Jell-O, broth and drank the coffee. The coffee was nasty and tasted like rocket fuel.

I hope Greg pays me a visit today, she thought. Maybe I could ask him to bring me a thermos of his Blue Hawaiian. This is the stuff the hospital makes from liquefied mud.

A nurse came in and took the tray from the table and left. Sara turned on the television and proceeded to channel surf.

"It's a part of a nutritious breakfast!" the TV shouted as Sara changed the channels. "Some assembly required. Las Vegas Police are still looking for the missing teenager. Operators are standing by, so call now. You just shake, swirl, tap and buff. Have you called Jenny yet?"

"Looks like the little lady sure could use some company!" a male voice with a thicker than normal Texas drawl said.

"Nicky, thank goodness you're here," Sara smiled. "I got bored changing channels."

"Good thing I came in time," Nick chuckled. "I would want to see my beautiful and intelligent fiancée to pull out her hair after going nuts!"

"Where are your parents?" she asked.

"Sara, I am offended," he pouted. "I came here to see you and you just want to see my parents."

"Aw Nicky, I wanted to see you," she felt bad for insulting him. "I just wanted to know where your parents were."

"I was joking," he replied earning him a slap in the arm and he winced. "Sara, you're supposed to be recuperating, not beating up your fiancé. Anyway, my parents are looking for a parking space. We have brought you a surprise visitor."

At Nick's mention of a surprise visitor got Sara's curiosity working. She wondered if it would be Catherine, Grissom, Brass, Warrick or Greg. If it was Greg, she could complain to him about the crappy coffee and beg him to bring her a thermos of Blue Hawaiian. The sound of Nick's cell phone disrupted Sara's thoughts.

"Stokes!" Nick answered his cell. "Mom, where are you?"

"Nick, we have found a parking space," Jillian replied. "How's Sara doing?"

"It looks like she's doing fine," he responded. "She's looking forward to see you, dad and this surprise visitor."

"We'll see you soon, bye," she said.

"Bye," he grinned and hung up.

"I take it that I will see your parents and this surprise visitor really soon," Sara smirked.

"At this time, it's probably difficult finding a decent parking spot," he agreed.

There was a brief silence between Nick and Sara.

"Nicky, how did you sleep without me?" Sara asked. "I know that last year, you couldn't without having nightmares."

"I slept pretty well," Nick smiled. "As for the nightmares, I have my moments, but they aren't as much as they were last year. Sphinx and Nefertiti kept me company. Nefertiti slept on your pillow."

"I am happy that you haven't had any nightmares," she smiled. "I know she loves to sleep on my pillow."

"How did you sleep?" he asked.

"I was still groggy from the anesthetic," she responded. "I was looking forward to watching an episode of FI: Boston I had missed the first time. I was dozing off and waking up so I didn't catch much of the story. Did you watch it?"

"Yeah, and it was an awesome episode," he smirked. "They'll repeat in another channel, so I won't give you any spoilers. I will tell you that Katie and Alan worked together and there was a little flirting."

"The writers better put them together," she softly chuckled. "I am looking forward to the next season of FI: Forensic Investigation, FI: Atlanta and FI: Boston."

"Sara, their season finales were last month and you are looking forward to a new season," he was astonished.

"I have to find out if Holmes of the Seattle series is going to chose Rebecca or Princess Ashley," she gave him an innocent look.

Both Nick and Sara weren't aware that Bill, Jillian and another person had entered Sara's hospital room. Bill loudly cleared his throat to get the young couple's attention.

"Hey Mom, Cisco and Greg, you are finally here!" Nick smiled.

"Greg is the surprise visitor?" Sara asked.

"Nick and his parents picked me up at my apartment and brought me here," Greg answered. "How are you feeling? Nick told me about your surgery on our way here."

"I am still sore and coming to terms that I will have to deal with only one ovary," Sara's mood dipped slightly. "I am going to be fine."

"So Sara, how did you sleep last night?" Jillian asked.

"With the grogginess I was feeling," Sara said. "I slept like a baby."

"What did you have for breakfast?" Greg asked.

"They have me on the clear liquids diet," Sara shrugged. "I don't know when they will have me eating solid food. I had a popsicle, Jell-O, broth and coffee that tasted like rocket fuel."

"It's that bad," Greg winced when he heard Sara's comment on the coffee. "Do you want me to bring you a thermos of my Blue Hawaiian?"

"Yeah, please do," Sara smiled. "If I have to drink that disgusting swill they call coffee again, I may leave this hospital with an ulcer."

"Your wish is my command," Greg bowed.

"That is really cute," Bill whispered to Nick.

"You should have seen him before he became a CSI," Nick whispered back. "He was weird at times."

"I could tell," Bill smirked.

"Uh, I am going to call Grissom, Brass, Warrick and Catherine," Greg said. "I'll leave you four alone to talk."

"Ask them when they are coming to visit me?" Sara asked as he left.

Nick pulled a chair towards Sara's bed, sat down and took her hand. She looked at him and smiled.

"Jillian, let's leave the two lovebirds alone for a while," Bill whispered to Jillian.

"Why?" Jillian asked.

"I don't think we should disturb an intimate moment," he whispered. "Didn't we also promise Nick that we would give him and Sara some time alone?"

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"I was hoping that we could go for a walk and get Sara a 'get well' card," he whispered.

"Let's get her a bouquet of flowers," she whispered. "There's a florist nearby."

The older couple left the room after letting the younger one know they're stepping out for a while. Nick and Sara were alone in the room and looked at each other in silence.

"Tina came by a few hours earlier to remove the Foley," Sara broke the silence.

"Did she talk to you?" Nick asked.

"We talked for a little while she removed the Foley and took another set of my vitals," she replied.

"I bet she will tell Warrick and he'll run here to see how you're doing," he chuckled.

"She didn't say anything about him," she stated. "I am not sure if she called him during her break."

"I think Warrick would be here within an hour or two," he smiled.

"Not unless he's at home or the lab talking with Greg on the phone," she chuckled softly.

There was a brief pause as they looked into each others' eyes. Nick release his hand from Sara's and moved the chair slightly closer to her bed.

"Sara, have you had a chance to get up and walk?" Nick asked.

"No, I still have these plastic inflatable things wrapped around my legs," Sara hissed. "As soon as a nurse comes by to remove them, I could get up and walk with supervision."

"Tina didn't remove them, yet?" he asked. "I thought she took care of that."

"It was still early in the morning and she wanted me to get some more rest," she responded. "I just want to get out this bed and walk around."

"Would you also like to get some fresh air, too?" he asked.

"I might tomorrow," she smiled.

"Am I interrupting a moment here?" a male voice that came from nowhere asked, nearly scaring both Nick and Sara.

"Greg, can't you knock first?" Nick asked with slight anger. "Do you want Sara to pop her internal stitches and the staples? She would have wound up in the OR again and have the damage repaired. Would you like to have that on your conscience?"

"I apologize for scaring you and almost hurting Sara," Greg was embarrassed. "I just wanted to tell you that I called Catherine and she will be by before shift with Lindsey."

"Did you call Grissom, Brass or Warrick?" Sara asked.

"Warrick is coming in with Catherine and Lindsey," Greg replied. "Brass and Grissom are coming tomorrow. Apparently, they have a meeting with Ecklie today that was more important. However, I got a call from Hodges and he was to see you tomorrow."

"Are you joking?" Nick asked. "Why does he was to come and see Sara?"

"He wants to see how she's doing," Greg replied.

"Guys, I am here," Sara protested. "I appreciate that you don't treat me like I am an invisible woman. I heard that Hodges wants to pay me a visit."

"We're sorry, Sara," Nick looked at her apologetically. "We weren't aware of your presence."

"I am stuck in a hospital bed," she hissed. "For the time being, I am not going anywhere."

"So, do you want him to see you?" Nick asked.

"I'll let him see me, on two conditions," she begrudgingly agreed. "I want you here with me and he has to be brief."

"You got it," Nick smiled.

Bill and Jillian had arrived a few moments later. Bill was carrying a bouquet of flowers and Jillian held a pink envelop with Sara's name written on it.

"Sara, these are for you," Jillian said as Bill put the bouquet on the table next to the teddy bear. "Here's a card that you'll love."

Sara opened the envelop slowly and saw a beautiful and simple looking card. It had flowers and butterflies on the front. Inside, it was blank except for a handwritten message saying 'Sara, we hope you get well soon! Love, your future family!"

"Thank you," Sara smiled with tears.

"You're quite welcome," the older couple said in unison.

A nurse entered the room to give Sara some Ibuprofen and to check on her.

"Ms. Sidle, do think you are ready to walk around the station?" the nurse asked. "Dr. Calabrese called and she'll be here in about an hour to examine you."

"I could try," Sara smirked. "Being stuck in this bed is driving me nuts!"

"Let me remove these things from your legs," the nurse said as she lifted the blankets and removed the inflatable plastic things that were wrapped around Sara's legs. "I'll help you up."

"Can I join her?" Nick asked.

"Sure, you can," the nurse replied.

"Before anything, I have to go to the bathroom," Sara grimaced.

"Well, we wouldn't want to you to pee in the hallway," the nurse chuckled.

Sara tried to get out of the bed, but felt the sensation of the incision on her lower abdomen. The nurse gently helped her out the bed and into the bathroom. Once Sara was finished with the bathroom, she was accompanied by the nurse and Nick. She also had her IV on tow. They walked around the nurses' station slowly until they returned to the starting point.

"Are you up for another round?" Nick asked.

"Not right now, I'm a little tired" Sara replied. "I might go for another round later in the afternoon."

"That's fine, Sara," the nurse said. "You don't have to be a marathon runner. Just take it easy for a while."

They returned to the room and Sara was helped back into the bed. Nick's parents and Greg were still in there talking about work.

"Nick, let's get going," Jillian said. "Sara needs to rest and Greg has to get ready for work. We can see her later or tomorrow."

"Besides, Dr. Calabrese might want to examine Sara without a bunch of people around," Bill insisted.

"Sara, get well soon," Greg smiled as he gingerly hugged Sara and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Bill and Jillian hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. They told her to rest and that they'll see her tomorrow.

"Darling, I love you and I'll see you soon," Nick smiled. "Don't give Warrick, Catherine or Lindsey any trouble."

"I don't think I will," Sara giggled. "I love you, too, Cowboy."

When Nick hugged Sara, it was very gentle. However, when he kissed her, it was a little more passionate. It wasn't until Jillian cleared her throat that Nick realized it was time for him to go home. He joined his parents and Greg and the left the room. Sara was alone again in her hospital room. She turned on the television and flipped the channels until she saw What Not to Wear on TLC.

"Good morning Sara, how are you feeling?" Dr. Calabrese asked as she entered the room. "How did you sleep?"

"I'm feeling sore," Sara took a breath and replied. "I slept pretty well. Sometime ago, I walked around the nurses' station. I only did one lap, but I hope to get up to maybe two or three before I go home."

"That's terrific! I'm going to look at the incision," Dr. Calabrese told her. "Afterward, I'll listen to your lungs and heart. If you lower the blanket down to your knees for me and lift your gown up, I'll begin."

Sara lowered the blanket and slightly pulled up her gown. Dr. Calabrese slowly removed the bandage from the abdomen and examined the wound. She then replaced the bandage with a fresh one and allowed Sara to lower her gown. She prepared her stethoscope and listened to Sara's lungs and heart. Sara took some deep breaths when Dr. Calabrese put the stethoscope in a few areas of her upper and middle back.

"The incision is healing fine," Dr. Calabrese finally spoke. "I think you will have the staples removed before you are discharged. Your heart is fine. However, I noticed that you might have a small amount of fluid in your lungs. That's normal after surgery. I want to use that breathing apparatus so you don't get pneumonia. You don't need to be on oxygen anymore."

"How many times do I have to do this?" Sara asked.

"I think you could start by trying for at least 50 ml for today," Dr. Calabrese responded. "Do this exercise ten times an hour, if you can."

"I'll try my best," Sara responded.

"That's good," Dr. Calabrese smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow. Say hello to Nick and his parents for me when you see them."

"I will," Sara smiled back.

Dr. Calabrese left the room and Sara started did the breathing therapy. A few minutes later, nurse came by to bring Sara a lunch of grape popsicle, cherry Jell-O, imitation beef broth and a cup of coffee that was both insipid and tepid.

I should have told Nick to bring me a thermos of organic vegetable broth, Sara thought. I don't think I could take this sad excuse for nourishment any longer. I want real food!

When she finished her sad lunch, she watched a soap opera that bored her out of her skull. She gave up and turned off the TV and wanted to sleep. There were footsteps of three very familiar people that broke Sara out of the sleepiness. She looked and saw they were Warrick, Catherine and Lindsey.

"Hey girl, how are you feeling today?" Warrick asked.

"I am more awake than yesterday," Sara smiled. "The incision area is sore, but with the pain meds, it's a little bearable."

"Glad to hear that," Catherine beamed. "The lab isn't the same without you."

"Don't forget that Nick is taking some time off to take care of me," Sara added.

"Well, I'm sure the lab isn't the same without Uncle Nicky," Lindsey chuckled.

"Hodges is whining more than ever," Warrick announced. "He is bugging Grissom too much since you and Nick have been gone. We are almost powerless to stop him and Ecklie allows him to do that. You and Nick are the only ones that can put him in his proper place."

"He's coming to visit tomorrow," Sara grimaced. "Nick will be there and we'll talk to him. Enough about Hodges, I want to know what you have been up to."

"I got all As on my report card," Lindsey grinned.

"Congratulations, that's wonderful," Sara smiled.

"Warrick and I finished our case last night," Catherine said.

"It took us a while because we needed Grissom's expertise on bugs," Warrick commented. "It was a tricky decomp case."

"Oh, those dreaded decomps," Sara softly chuckled.

"Who else had visited you besides Nick and his parents?" Catherine asked changing the subject.

"Greg did and he promised to bring me a thermos of Blue Hawaiian," Sara replied. "He was a surprise visitor that Nick and his parents brought with them."

"I bet he was," Warrick smirked. "Sara, I'll make sure that Greg makes good on this favor."

"Will Grissom and Brass visit you?" Lindsey asked.

"From what I was told," Sara replied. "They should be here tomorrow."

"They had a meeting with Ecklie," Catherine explained. "I am pretty sure that Grissom thought it was a chewing out session."

"It was just a supervisor's meeting," Warrick clarified.

"I think he sometimes begs to be chewed out," Sara giggled.

"Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't," Warrick said. "Sara, did Tina take care of you at some point during your stay?"

"She was here this morning when I woke up," Sara explained. "She checked my vitals, replenished my IV fluids and removed the Foley."

"Did she say anything about me?" he asked.

"She didn't say much," Sara replied. "Why do you want to know?"

"Relax, Sara, I was just curious," he succeeded in calming her anxieties.

The visit lasted another half hour with light joking and some stories. Lindsey gave Sara a tin of cookies with a funny get well card signed by her and Catherine. Warrick gave her another card that had a picture of a kitten in bed. A few hours later, Sara was greeted with a dinner of orange popsicle, lime Jell-O, imitation chicken broth and lukewarm tea. A nurse stopped by to check Sara's vitals, replace the IV fluids and give her some pain medication. Sara watched a little TV and fell asleep.

TBC