Compromised Treatment
Chapter 2: Bear-y Touching

Reality checked up on Sara as she felt her free arm being lifted up in the air. She looked down and saw that she was already wearing a pair of sweatpants and a blouse consisting with only one sleeve so she didn't have to move her broken arm that much. Grissom was now assisting on putting her cast around her arm. He muttered a gentle 'sorry' as he heard her winced slightly.

They left the bathroom and were greeted by a smirking Greg. He kissed Sara's cheek and took her hand before saying, "Mind if I steal your girlfriend for a while, boss?"

Grissom's eyebrow lifted as Sara pursed her lips, trying to hide a smile.

Greg pulled Sara and helped her to sit on the bed. "Okay, you ready?" he asked, grinning.

"Having a heart attack is not on my list for today, Greg."

"No, no! You'll love this, I promise!"

Sara simply nodded with a hint of nervousness.

"Bring it in!" Greg yelled loud enough to reach the hallway.

Sara's breath was instantly taken away when a bear mascot – a waving 6'4 bear mascot – entered the room wearing a multi-colored baseball cap and a t-shirt with the words, "WE MISS YOU, SARA! GET WELL SOON!" written in bold letters. Catherine and Greg watched Sara in amusement as her mouth nearly dropped on the floor. After Sara had mentally read the shirt, – her mouth still slightly ajar – she managed a smile and looked at Grissom quizzically.

"I have nothing to do with this," he admitted with wide eyes.

Just then, Archie entered the room with a bouquet of flowers.

They're not making this easy aren't they? Sara thought as she remained lost for words.

"Hey Sara!" greeted by the Asian lab rat. He then scooted over to hand the bouquet to the mascot before giving Sara a hug. "Just thought I'd stop by since my girlfriend's visiting a friend here."

"I appreciate it. Thanks, Arch."

Archie stood next to Catherine as Greg led the mascot closer to Sara.

"Sara, this is Bearemy. Remember? We once went to a Build-a-Bear workshop at the mall to buy a gift for my goddaughter?"

All she can compose was a simple nod. She recalled the noises and the kids stampeding their way to the massive mascot. How Greg had done this, she'll never know.

"Bearemy, this is Sara."

Bearemy handed Sara the bouquet and she gladly accepted it. He placed his paws on his cheeks and titled his head from side to side before spreading his arms wide. Sara grinned like a little girl and welcomed the massive bear in her own arms. She closed her eyes as she managed a giggle. Once they were apart, Bearemy took Sara's free hand and lifted it to his mouth; Sara's first tear cascaded down her cheek.

Grissom watched the scenario in front of him. It was the first time Sara had tears of joy since her abduction. She looked happy – no doubt about it.

She was touched by the gesture.

"Oh, and here's the best part. Press his belly."

"What?"

"It's ok. Do it." Greg insisted, vigorously nodding his head.

Bearemy tapped his belly as Sara did what she was told.

"Hang on!"

Sara and Grissom's head jerked up as they heard Nick's grungy voice from the mascot's belly.

"Dude, you pressed the wrong button!"

It was Warrick.

"Hurry up, before Ecklie catches us! And Hodges, put the brush down. We're not video taping you."

Greg's comment from the recorder made Sara chuckle.

"Ready!" said Nick.

"Hey Sara!" chorused Hodges, Henry and Archie.

"We're so glad you're recovering and we hope to see you soon!" said Archie.

Henry followed, "Get well soon, Sara! Don't outdo yourself."

"Hodges?"

"I haven't exactly prepared my speech, plus I have this problem with my throat. Sometimes deteriorates my- "

"What speech?" Nick said impatiently. "This isn't graduation, Hodges. Just say something nice to Sara."

"Alright! Um… see you at work, Sara."

The three CSI boys along with the two lab rats groaned in unison.

"And… record."

"Hi, Sara!"

Voices now belonged to Wendy and Mandy.

"My, God! You go girl! I wouldn't think I'd survive from under that car!"

"I know, right! I admire you're strength, Sara! Looking forward to see you again here at the lab!"

"Get well soon!"

"Sara! Doc Robbins, here! I know I've already said this when I visited but, I'm so glad not to see your body in contact with my autopsy table. Heard you're out of there soon. Well, at least that's what Gil told me. Stay strong and take care, always."

The door creaked open. "Hey, what's going on?"

"Super Dave! Right on time, man!"

"Oh, you're recording now? Ok, um… Hi Sara! I really miss you – I mean, I miss working with you." David chuckled nervously. "Hope you got my card. That pretty much sums up my message. See you soon!"

"Hey cookie!"

Brass knew that Sara loved being called 'cookie' whenever she looked for comfort from him.

"I know that Gil's been taking care of you ever since so… just hang in there. Don't be a pain in the ass just yet, ok? Let yourself recover before you come back to your old self. We miss you here."

"Hey Sara. Well, what can I say? You are unbelievable. I envy you - in a way. I sure wouldn't want to go back being the only female in the team, I mean, not that I mind having these guys to myself," Catherine chuckled. "After all, two sharp women are better than one, right?"

Catherine was now standing behind Sara with her hand on her back. Sara looked up to her and flashed her with a thankful smile.

"Oh fine! I'll go first!" said Warrick before clearing his throat. "Hey, Sar! I always knew you'll win this fight. You're one tough cookie and I've always believe in your strength, girl. I know a fighter as yourself would never go down that easy. See you at work, Sara."

Then a Texan accent dominated the recorder.

"Sara, as I said before, we both know at that moment, it wasn't your day, darlin'. I know exactly what you're going through. I've been there; I know what it feels like. Sometimes, it still haunts me, but I guess that's normal. Anyway, I want to do something different for this, so here goes…"

They heard Nick cleared his throat then a strong melodic voice emerged from his lips.

Just like when you have fallen
I will be there when you rise
In all kinds of weather
I will be there when you rise
Ohhh... It's the most peculiar feeling
I don't know what's coming
After we die
Ohhhh...I will be there when you rise.

"Oh no, not the singing!"

"Smooth move, Nick. I bet Sara's crying right now," shot Warrick.

Warrick was right. At that moment, Grissom's arm wounded around Sara's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze as she forced her emotions out – still with a smile engraved upon her lips.

"Hey Sara! Don't cry just yet. Been saving the best for last, you know. But seriously, we hope you like our 'Get Well Soon' present, courtesy of yours truly: Greg Sanders, of course, and Archie for editing the tape. Oh and in case you're wondering, Grissom wasn't exactly a willing participant for this. Talk about overly protective of you, eh? Had me and Cath as delivery guys for his clothes. But no hard feelings. We got to snoop around his house, right Cath?" Greg laughed at his own joke. "I'm not gonna say that I'll miss you 'cause I see you everyday, but we definitely miss you here at the lab so, make sure you take care of yourself. I know how much you miss wearing latex gloves." Greg sighed. "See you soon here, Sara."

The click of the stop button was heard and Sara was still weeping her eyes out. She never even realized that the people around her had enclosed her body into a group hug. Grissom kept his arms around Sara as Bearemy hugged the couple together.

In a few moments, Sara calmed herself down and busted into a fit of stifle giggles.

"I don't... know what to say."

"Ah, you know what they say. Action speaks louder than words," Greg said.

"No, seriously, I… I…"

Sara struggled to find the right words and ended up with: "Thank you. It's means a lot to me. This. I mean… no one has ever surprised me like th-"

"Oh, my word!"

The sight of the giant mascot startled the nurse as she entered the room. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt but Dr Evans would like Ms Sidle to sign some papers and –"

"Oh, you are so right on time!" Greg quickly rushed towards the nurse. "Here." He offered her a camera and the nurse reluctantly accepted it. "Just click that thing right there."

"Greg! What are you doing?" asked Sara.

"This is going on the bulletin board!"

"Do I look like I want to remember that I was once hospitalized?"

"No. You look like someone who wanna remember this big chunk of fluff right here!" Greg patted the mascot's arm.

"Is everyone ready?" said the young nurse already in the position.

Sara looked at Grissom for a diversion but he only gave her a reassuring smile and caressed her back.

Greg and Archie hopped on the bed and knelt in position behind Sara. Grissom remained standing with his arm on Sara's back and his other hand on Catherine's shoulder as she joined. Sara linked her free arm with Bearemy's and the mascot posed casually with his other paw in a welcoming gesture.

The nurse did a countdown and everyone smiled – even Grissom – as they heard the shutter.

Greg hopped off the bed to retrieve his camera. He stared at the photograph for a second before his loud guffaws echoed the room. Archie and Catherine scooted to see what he was laughing out loud about and found themselves imitating him. Sara, Grissom and the nurse exchanged questionable looks.

"You goofheads just ruined a good picture!" Catherine exclaimed.

"Your laugh says otherwise, Cath," said Archie.

"Oh this is definitely going on the bulletin board! Nice pearly whites, boss!" Greg finally decided to share. "How come you never smile like this at work?"

"There's nothing to smile about murder… Greggo."

Archie patted Greg's back. "Smooth."

"May we see the picture?"

Greg handed the camera to Sara. As soon as she saw the photo, she laughed.

Grissom couldn't bear it anymore. "Why's it a big deal whenever my lips turn upward?"

"Because they always lay flat, Gil." Catherine said in an obvious tone.

"Can I get a copy of this?" asked Sara abruptly, earning a crooked look from Grissom. She stared at the photo for longer, particularly fixing her attention to Greg and Archie's poses. Greg gave two thumbs up and showed his own pearly whites in an enormous grin while Archie grinned as well with both of his hands connected in a shape of a heart just between above Grissom and Sara's heads.

"I want to have this framed."

TBC

A/N: Build-a-Bear is like Disneyland for me! It's pure heaven! LOL Anywho, I hope this chapter lightened up your mood since as we all know, CSI Season 11 premiered last Thursday and I still can't get over the fact that Grissom and Sara are living apart! :( But no complaints about Jorja Fox coming back as a regular! (squeals) Plus, her 3 second kick-ass scene on that episode was my highlight! Who knew Sara has the fists for some smakin'? Oh and Nick's song for Sara in this chapter is called "Rise" by Will Dailey. :)