Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

A/N: Thanks to my wonderful betas Joan and Susan.

CHAPTER TWO: Waiting and Awaking

Sofia stood close to the accident site, watching the rescue effort. She should be concentrating on talking with the three women who had found Sara, but she couldn't get into it. This was the first time in her career that a case had rattled her in such a way that she couldn't do her job. She kept praying she wouldn't have to go back to the lab and tell them Sara was gone. She couldn't even comprehend how to do that. Not Sara. Not their Sara. Not this way.

As Christa, Kacee, and Melanie huddled together in a blanket, Kacee looked at Sofia. "Do you know her?"

"Yeah..." Sofia had to take a moment. "She's a...co-wor...friend." Sofia hadn't realized she considered Sara a friend. It wasn't like they were close. Not close at all, but yet Sofia was hurting as if she was watching her best friend die.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Christa pulled her friends closer to her. The thought of losing one of them caused tears to fall from her eyes. "Is she going to be alright?"

Sofia shook her head. "I don't know." Turning to the ladies, she sighed, "I'm going to get someone to speak with you." She quickly turned away and walked off.

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"Where is she?" Grissom shouted, causing everyone to turn in his direction. His eyes were fixated on Warrick and Greg who stood with Brass at the end of the hall. He made a bee line towards the three men. "Where is she?"

"Gil, calm down. There's a chance it isn't her." Brass stepped past Warrick and Greg. "Sofia should call as soon as she knows something. There's nothing you can do there." He was trying to get Grissom to relax and think straight. "Let's go to my office and talk. We can wait there until we get news."

Grissom just stood there. He couldn't find the right words- if there were. He couldn't just stand there while Sara was out there. He needed to be there to hold her hand to tell her everything was going to be fine. He needed to see her breath, to hear her voice, to hear...he just needed her. "I can't sit and wait. I have to do something."

"I'm going to say this as a friend, there's nothing you can do at the moment. Everything that can be processed has been processed. Natalie's going to be transferred to a psych ward until she can be evaluated, and Sofia should be calling soon." Brass placed his hand on Grissom's shoulder. He had never seen Grissom this distraught, and he feared what would happen if they received the worst possible news.

"Come on Boss, we'll wait with you." Warrick stepped forward and the four walked to Brass's office.

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Nick and Catherine were nearing the rescue site. Both remained silent; lost in their own thoughts, neither knew what to say to the other. It hurt too much to think about what might happen. The Nevada barren desert landscape passed by in a blur when the ring of Catherine's cell phone cut through the silence like a knife.

Catherine sighed and looked at her phone. Her hand began to shake as she reached for it. "Sofia, what do you have? Is it Sara? How is she?" She paused for a moment and listened. Tears built up in her eyes as she turned her attention off the road for a moment to look at Nick. "That's not a problem...no, no, no…do that...thanks, bye."

Nick swallowed as he watched Catherine put the phone down and then suddenly pull off to the side of the road to turn around. He didn't know if he wanted to know. If it was bad news it would be too real once she said it. A part of him never wanted to know, remaining delusional about the whole situation would be fine; however that wasn't an option. Sucking up all his strength he asked. "Sara...is she..."

"Alive." Catherine took a moment. "She's not in good shape but she's alive. Sofia is going to go with the air ambulance. She said we should turn around and head back, she'll meet us at the hospital."

"There was more, wasn't there?" Nick knew there was something Catherine wasn't telling him. He could see it written all over her face. "Is Sara really okay?"

"Depends what you mean by okay." Catherine sighed softly. "Sofia asked that we call Brass for her. She said we all should meet her at the hospital. She's called Ecklie and he has sent Day Shift out to process."

Nick didn't need to ask why. He knew it had to be bad if Ecklie was going to pull them from the case so they all could be at the hospital. He hoped they could make it back in time. "You want me to call Brass for you?"

"No, I'll do it. Thanks for the offer though." Catherine composed herself before picking up her cell phone.

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Brass's office was quiet. Since they had entered the room not one of the four spoke, they were on pins and needles as they awaited the phone call that would challenge their faith in everything they once believed in.

Brass took his focus off the phone and turned it to Grissom then to Warrick. "Rick, why don't you and Greg go get a coffee." His eyes narrowed to let the younger men know to give him a minute alone with Grissom.

With a nod and nothing more Warrick and Greg stood up and walked out of the room leaving Grissom and Brass. "It's a difficult job isn't it Gil?"

Grissom sat there in the chair, his lips were pressed firmly together, his eyes narrow, and his nostrils flared as he breathed. "What is?"

"Acting strong. You shouldn't be ashamed you let your guard down. So you cried. It wouldn't be the end of the word if the others saw what I did. We all have our emotional breaking point and that's fine." Normally Brass wasn't a man of many words. He would give one liners, sometimes two. However he tried to open up more to people when they needed him, though he would be the first to admit it hadn't been going very well. In a moment such as they were all facing, finding words was difficult enough, finding the right words was even harder. "We all love her. And there is no way she deserved this. Everyone will understand if you're upset."

Grissom shook his head slightly as he got lost in his own thoughts.

'How could anyone understand if I cried or got angry? I'm supposed to be the tin man. Show no feelings. Act as if nothing affects me. After all even though the love of my life is alone dying somewhere, that in no way exempts me from losing control to even shed a few tears. That's how others see me, right? I've got to be strong. Any crying I need to do should only be done privately. That's what I do. I can't lose control, no matter what. God, if Sara dies, I will have to act as if it's just another day. I can't lose her and if I do...I don't think I can be a tin man anymore. And if I can't, then everyone will think less of me.'

Instead Grissom merely replied, "I really don't want to talk about this."

Before Brass could think of something to say, his cell phone rang. He was scared to pick it up; afraid of what he might hear. He had to though and reluctantly he answered it. "Brass...Catherine, what..." He held a finger up to Grissom while he listened.

Grissom felt as if his heart had come to a full stop in his chest. He swore he didn't breathe either. His nails had dug into the arms of the chair he was sitting in. The world stood still for a moment and everything became quiet. His eyes slammed shut and he sent a silent wish from his heart to Sara's. 'Please be alive.'

"We're walking out the door now." Brass ended the call as he stood up.

"How is she?" Grissom asked as he rushed to the door.

"Catherine just said she was alive and we should get to the hospital. They've turned back and will meet us there. Sofia is in the helicopter so she asked Cath to call me." Brass stopped suddenly and turned to Grissom. "Gil, she'll make it. You'll see."

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Sofia sat in the front of the helicopter, staring out of the window at the bright lights of Vegas. She had convinced the flight crew she had to be with Sara. Reluctantly they had allowed her. She had wasted no time in getting in. Every once in a while she glanced in the back of the helicopter; unfortunately her view was always blocked.

It was hectic in the back of the helicopter as everyone was trying to keep Sara's condition stable until they got her to the hospital. It was a battle that seemed more difficult than they had thought. They worked to bring her body temperature up and to keep her from going into shock. They knew her injuries were great and her chance of survival was low.

The helicopter touched down and they rushed Sara off leaving Sofia to find the team and tell them what was going on. Every step she took seemed heavier than the next, and she felt as if she would never make it. When she finally arrived, she stopped at the end of the hall and watched the team. How was she going to tell them things may never be the same again? After taking a few deep breaths she walked up to them.

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Hours passed by slowly with few word and each member of the team found themselves in the hospital chapel. They all seemed drawn there; regardless of the fact that not one of them would consider themselves to be religious. They wanted to cover all their bases in hopes for Sara making a full and quick recover. They prayed she wasn't hurt as badly as they thought.

All time had felt lost, when a nurse finally came in to tell them the doctor would talk to them shortly. However, 'shortly' seemed the wrong word. It seemed like yet more added hours were added to the angst they were feeling.

It had been agreed on that Grissom, Catherine, Nick, Warrick, Greg, and Brass would all be there when the doctor came out. Grissom didn't want to leave them out; after all they were just as much her family as his.

Broken ribs, punctured lung, spleen removal, internal bleeding, broken right arm, hypothermia, concussion, bruises, lacerations, lung infection, fractured left ankle, possible brain damage, paralysis, and nerve damages is the list the doctor gave them. He had spent more time explaining it all, however they were in shock as the list continued and his words just seemed to blend together. The doctor also explained how they had lost her for a moment but luckily they were able to bring her back.

One by one they each took turns standing next to Sara's bedside. The sight of her hooked up to the machines with tubes coming out of her became too much. It hurt them to see the woman they knew in a state of frailness- a sight that left them all tearing up. They each whispered encouragement into her ear and began the waiting game. Waiting for her to hopefully wake up and demand to be released so she could go finish her open cases.

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Three days after Sara was rescued, she opened her eyes and found herself washed in a world so white it seemed to glow. She looked down at herself and noted she seemed to match her surroundings. She felt no pain and she felt an unbelievable amount of freeness. She could hear unfamiliar voices while images of her friends played out along the walls. Images throughout her life played like a movie in the sky.

'Where am I,' she thought.

"This is a place between two worlds. You're sent here to wait." A voice came behind Sara.

Sara turned and looked behind her. "Wait for what?" As the person neared her she recognized her. "Cammie? I thought I was hallucinating earlier."

Cammie shook her head. "No Sara you weren't."

"That's good." Sara smiled and looked around. A picture of Grissom worrying caught her eye and she walked over to it. "He looks...I've never seen him look so broken."

Cammie walked over to Sara. "His heart was breaking there. The possibility of losing the one person he has ever loved frightens him." She looked at Sara. "His heart is shredding into a million pieces until he can hold you in his arms once again. He loves you very much; you're very lucky to have each other."

Sara dropped her head. She knew Grissom loved her, she really did but it was hard for her to trust the feelings. Her past relationships hadn't been all they appeared to be. Every man who had entered her life had always left her broken hearted. Since she and Grissom had started their love affair she feared he would do the same.

The sounds of people speaking had long since quieted and were replaced by soft sounds of beeps. She wondered how long she would be there. She turned back to face Cammie but noticed she was alone once again. "Cammie?"

A soft whimper in the corner caught Sara's attention. She took a moment before she walked in its direction. In the far most corner of the room Sara found a baby wrapped in a pale blue blanket. Kneeling down, she touched the baby. "Hey...shh." She looked around hoping to see someone that could help. "It's okay." Reluctantly she picked the baby up. The second Sara had the baby close to her body, he stopped crying.

Sara couldn't believe how comfortable she felt holding the tiny life in her arms. She thought it was the place she was in. She'd never been comfortable before holding a baby. She watched as the child wiggled around. "You are a cutie."

"He is." Cammie stood behind Sara once again. "I know you weren't far along Sara, I'm sorry, he wasn't meant to be."

Sara turned to face Cammie, "He's...mine?" Tears welled up in Sara's eyes. "I don't understand, why am I seeing him? Is it some kind of torture? Did he die because of me?"

"I don't know why you're getting to see him Sara, but for whatever reason...what happened to the two of you wasn't your fault."

"Sara, honey you need to come back to me." Grissom's voice echoed in the room. "Please open your eyes."

"Gil?"

"I'm here Sara. I'm not going to leave you, just hang on."

"What am I supposed to do?" Sara looked from the baby to Cammie.

Cammie stepped closer to Sara and took the baby out of Sara's arms. "You need to go back now. He'll be here waiting for you when it's your time. I'll take care of him until that time."

"But...I don't want to leave him." Sara reached out for her child. "I would've named him Jeffery." She watched as Cammie backed up into a raising fog. "WAIT!" She started to run into the blinding smog.

The fog engulfed Sara making it difficult for her to see and breath. She collapsed to the floor gagging. She couldn't breathe; she grasped her throat as she tried to inhale. She laid on the floor and surrendered herself to darkness.

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Catherine stood in the doorway to Sara's hospital room and watched Grissom hold the younger woman's hand. He had been there every moment he could. The doctors and nurses had told him a couple times to leave and get rest. For two days there had been no change. "How's she doing?"

Grissom looked over at Catherine for just a moment. "They took her off one of the medications a couple hours ago and removed her breathing tube a few minutes ago. All she has to do is to wake up." He caressed Sara's hair with his hand. "She could wake at anytime."

Catherine sighed as she walked over to join Grissom at the bedside. "Why don't you go home and get cleaned up? I'll stay and sit with her until you get back. When she does wake, you're not going to want to leave her."

Grissom knew Catherine was right, but he couldn't bear to leave her now either. He was afraid if he left and she woke, she would be hurt not to see him. He sighed softly as he contemplated leaving for a few minutes to clean up.

"Je...ff..ery..."

Both Grissom and Catherine's hearts skipped a beat. Both thought they were hearing things and it wasn't until they heard it again did they react.

"I'll go get someone." Catherine stated before darting out of the room.

Grissom had half heard Catherine as he jumped up to look down at Sara. "Sara? Sara can you open your eyes?" He waited but got no reaction. "Sara, you're safe and I'm right here with you but I need you to open your eyes." He dropped his head in frustration. He then thought of something and smiled to himself as he placed his lips next to her ear and whispered something.

After a few moments passed Sara slowly opened her eyes and looked over at Grissom. She thought he looked older and began to wonder how long she had been out. He seemed worn down and looked as if he hadn't slept in awhile. "Hi."

"Hi." Grissom couldn't help but laugh. He felt so relieved she was awake and talking to him. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore." Sara closed her eyes for a moment and looked back at Grissom. "What happened?"

"What do you last remember?"

Sara thought for a moment. She was at her car when someone called her name. She had no time to react when she fell to the ground. She remembered looking up at a woman before everything went black. She thought hard there was something else. "Cammie."

"Cammie?" Grissom shook his head. He didn't understand. He wondered what Natalie did to Sara that was so bad that Sara could only remember that far back.

"Dark...it was dark and cold. I could feel rain on my arm. I was tired and it hurt. Cammie was there. She told me to hold on." Sara's memory was hazy and she began to second guess herself.

"Sara, Cammie wasn't there. You were found by three women. They stayed with you until helped arrived." Grissom began to rub Sara's thigh in order to provide her with a bit of comfort.

Sara watched Grissom touch her. "Gil...I...why can't I feel you touching my leg?" Panic started to set in as she tried to will herself to feel Grissom's touch.

"Hey look at me." Grissom moved his hand from Sara's leg to touch her face. Once Sara was looking him in the eyes, he tried to give her a reassuring smile. "Whatever happens I'll always be here for you."

Sara shook her head, "I can't ask you to do that. What if..."

"You're not asking me to do anything. I love you and we'll get through it together." Grissom kissed Sara softly on her lips. He was happy in that moment. He had the most important thing in his life back. As long as he had Sara by his side, everything else that may or may not happen wouldn't matter.

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