Disclaimer: I'm running out of clever ways to say I don't own CSI or the characters...
Meanwhile the visit with the team was a welcome release for all involved, but once everything settled down, it was agreed that Grissom would in fact check in at the lab, recharge at home, and return. Catherine and Greg would stay with Sara until then. Greg was happy to help, but didn't really understand Gil and Catherine's worry.
It wasn't long after everyone left that he understood exactly what the worry was.
A knock at the door was followed by the entry of none other than Dr. Lurie himself, absent the team. Following him was a genteel, middle aged woman in a suit, no hospital uniform. Greg and Catherine recognized him immediately, as they had been very involved in evidence collection during that case.
Greg shot out of his chair upon recognizing Vincent Lurie.
Catherine glared at him, "What do you think you are doing here?" She knew he was supposed to be off Sara's case.
Vincent Lurie surveyed the room, unable to comprehend Gil Grissom's absence. He had carefully crafted this scenario to get back at Grissom. He had been anticipating the moment Ms. Davies would explain that he was now a suspect, of sorts, and he would be forced to leave Sara's side. He desperately wanted Gil Grissom to experience that feeling of helplessness, of being accused, innocence or guilt not withstanding. "Where is Dr. Grissom?" he demanded, momentarily closing his eyes, rubbing his temples.
"He's at the lab, but he can be here in a matter of minutes," Greg shot back.
Ms. Davies was stunned upon seeing Lurie's obvious disappointment in his absence. I don't believe this, he was looking for a confrontation!
Lurie knew he had to proceed; there would be no going back. How in the world can he not be here after what she's been through! He still values his work more than her; he doesn't deserve her! He rallied with everything he had to remain composed as he calmly started in, "I am still the attending physician of record. As I explained to Dr. Grissom this morning, the only way I would return is if an unexpected abnormality presented itself, and indeed it has. This is Ms. Davies with social services."
By now Sara was trembling, Catherine took her hand, and Greg came around to stand next to Lurie.
The doctor was looking down at Sara, smiling condescendingly, "Ms. Sidle, we have some potentially delicate information to go over with you, I think it would be best if your visitors leave now."
"Nobody's leaving, except you," Sara came back with.
"Very well," he nodded to Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis took a deep breath, trying to focus on the task at hand, and softly continued, "Ms. Sidle, I'm so sorry I have to be here."
"I don't need anything from social services, please, leave," Sara interrupted.
"You work in law enforcement; surely you know why we're here, why we have to be here."
Sara was starting to understand; the x-rays. She closed her eyes and began to take deep breathes, fighting off the memories. Catherine was still trying to make sense of it all, as Sara tightened her grip on her hand in frustration.
Lurie continued, "That's correct Ms. Sidle, a patient with an acute arm fracture, and healed fractures of the face, collar bone, upper arm, and multiple ribs, well, we are obligated by law to make sure you are no longer susceptible to your abuser."
By now Greg and Catherine were getting the picture, and were having a hard time with the news. "Bottom line, cooperate with Ms. Davies or we have to turn it over to LVPD straight away."
Thrown face to face with her violent past so suddenly, and seeing the inevitability of rehashing all that, she started shaking with sobs. Catherine intervened, "OK, but wait," she looked up at Greg, but he merely shrugged, "you need to at least give her a minute to collect herself…"
"You mean for you CSI's to invent a story protecting your boss," Lurie said under his breath, with a slight smile. He was unable to resist turning the tables on Grissom, even if he wasn't present to hear it. By now both Greg and Catherine were horrified, and Sara's sobs grew stronger.
"That's it!" Greg shouted, "You need to leave now. We'll help Sara get composed and she might talk to Ms. Davies here, but you definitelyneed to leave, now!" He positioned himself between Sara and Lurie, motioning to the door. Although Greg was not exactly an imposing figure, Lurie had finished what he was obligated to do, and the law didn't compel him to linger in Sara's room, bashing Grissom. He had done all he could reasonably do, the rest was up to Marion Davies. He looked down at Sara sympathetically as she continued to cry; causing her pain was the last thing he intended. Looking at her now still evoked the same feelings that Debbie had in him; the same loss of control. The only person he wanted to hurt was Gil Grissom. Worst of all, due to his inconceivable absence by her side; that may not even happen.
After a pause, Dr. Lurie nodded and reluctantly headed toward the door. Greg looked back, "I'll be right outside the door, if you need me, just yell." Catherine swallowed hard, and nodded.
Ms. Davies was totally taken back by the exchange with Greg and Catherine. She noticed the intensity in the way he stared at Sara. She knew there was something odd about Lurie's personal visit to her office, but now this. What is going on here? Fortunately, she had taken it upon herself to review the chart and the reports before coming in. There was no doubt a history of abuse; therefore, she had a clear cut job to do, thus she continued, "I'll give you girls a few minutes, and I'll be back. I promise it won't be bad, just a few straightforward questions, Ms. Sidle," she paused, with a more serious expression, "one more thing….you can have someone with you for my questions, but I don't recommend it be Dr. Grissom." She then headed to the nurses station to question them about Gil Grissom's demeanor around Sara.
Outside the door, Greg grabbed Lurie's elbow and spun him around, "You may hold a grudge against Grissom for making you a suspect in a murder, but using Sara to get your revenge is reprehensible!"
The doctor cocked his head inquisitively at Greg, "Is that what you think this is?" He straightened up, looked Greg straight in the eye, "Did you not hear anything I said in there?"
Greg took a deep breath, and Lurie continued, "Someone used this woman as a punching bag on multiple occasions; we are bound by law to investigate and report any ongoing abuse to authorities."
"That's impossible; Sara would never stay in such a situation."
"It's like I heard you CSI types say, 'the evidence doesn't lie', well I saw the films myself, they are strongly suggestive of physical abuse, the number and location of the old fractures cannot be explained by a single traumatic event; now the story needs to be told," he spoke with anger in his voice, and then he just turned and walked away.
Greg was stunned. It didn't seem real, but Lurie was right about evidence. He dutifully waited outside Sara's room, and was silent as Ms. Davies returned.
TBC….