Disclaimer: Still not mine.

Chapter Fifteen

8:15am

When Sara woke the next morning, the bright sunlight pouring through the window was practically blinding her. Rolling onto her back, she threw her arm over her eyes and groaned.

"Sleeping Beauty has awoken!" She heard Greg's voice from across the room.

"What's going on?" She opened her eyes slightly to see Nick, Greg, and Catherine sitting at a makeshift table in front of the couch. "What time is it?"

"Just after eight." Catherine told her, putting her cards down.

"In the morning?" Sara asked. "How'd I sleep so long?"

Nick and Greg took this as their cue to let Catherine and Sara talk. "We're going to go get some breakfast. Want anything?" Nick stood up.

Sara shook her head, still confused.

"Coffee." Catherine replied.

"All right. We'll be back." He said, heading into the hall with Greg trailing behind him.

"Catherine?"

"You were having a nightmare and I couldn't wake you." She explained. "I called a nurse because we were really trashing around. You stopped breathing for a few seconds." Catherine paused. "The doctor wanted to do CPR but you started breathing again. They thought you were okay so they just kept you under observation, waiting for you to wake up. They gave you morphine because you hit your wrist and seemed to be in pain. That's why you slept for so long."

Sara didn't respond at first, instead resorted to chewing on her bottom lip. "Can I still go home today?"

"I think so. Dr. Walker wants to check you out first but I don't think there's any reason why you shouldn't be able to go."

Sara nodded. "When did Nick and Greg get here?"

"Around six. They finished their case early. Warrick and Grissom are going to stop by when they're through."

Before Catherine could continue, there was a knock on the door and Dr. Walker walked in.

"Good morning, girls."

"Good morning." Catherine replied while Sara smiled weakly.

"Ready to get out of here?" She asked Sara.

"Yes, please."

"Okay, I'm just going to check your vitals and injuries before I let you leave."

Sara nodded and grabbed Catherine's hand, realizing for the first time that it was bandaged. "Catherine?"

"Not now, honey."

"Vitals look good." Dr. Walker announced. "Your wrist and ribs are healing nicely. You're going to have to take it easy until your rubs heal completely though. You don't want to damage them more. That means no work for at least another week and when you do go back, you aren't to go out into the field until you come back for an exam and I clear you."

Sara reluctantly nodded, knowing that there was no use arguing.

"Okay, I want to do a quick pelvic exam and then you're free."

"I'll go wait outside." Catherine said.

Sara shook her head. "Can you stay? Please?"

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, Sara. I need you to bend your knees as much as possible." Dr. Walker said as she took a seat on the stool at the end of the bed.

Sara winced as she brought her knees up as far as she could. She felt Catherine squeezing her hand and tried not to cry as Dr. Walker started the exam.

Catherine looked down at Sara, who had her eyes squeezed shut. "Sara?"

"It's hurts, Cath. It didn't hurt this much the first time."

"Dr. Walker?" Catherine tore her eyes away from Sara. "Is something wrong?"

"Everything looks to be okay." Se replied, standing up. "Sara, do you remember the first exam?"

"Not really but I do know it didn't hurt that much."

"Okay, well, there's a good possibility that that's because you still had some pain medication in you but it was also right after you woke up and realized what happened. You were most likely still in shock."

"So you're sure nothing else is wrong?" Catherine double-checked.

"No, the tear is healing nicely and the bruising and swelling has gone down a considerable amount." Dr. Walker replied. "I'll leave your paperwork at the front desk and this is the prescription for the pain medication. So unless you have any more questions, you're free to go. I'll have a nurse come take the IV out and bring you a wheelchair."

"Thank you." Catherine responded for the both of them.

"Take care, Sara, and make sure you come back in if anything else comes up."

"We will." Catherine replied as Sara nodded slightly.