A/N: Okay, first off, I'd like to dedicate this story to everyone out there that has been affected by the 'events' of this story. (I don't want to give it away, but you'll understand what I mean if you read it.) Particularly my Godfather/Uncle Jeff, Grandma Jane, and Aunt Becky, may they be in peace. To all of the survivors out there who made it through and to all of the families and friends of those who were not as fortunate.
Second, I'm sorry for what I did to Sara in this, but the story was in my head and needed to be written.
Third, all mistakes are mine and that of Microsoft Word which has been known to suck royally. If there's anything really troublesome that I missed please let me know. Also, all of my information might not be completely accurate, so just work with me on that one and be imaginative.
And finally, please read and review. I put a lot of thought into this story, so please let me know what you think of it. I always love your comments, good or bad. Be honest.
Disclaimer: Still just a single mother of two, writing fan fiction. But soon, I promise, I'll own CSI and GSR will be consummated with a live action kiss (at the very least they owe us that!)
That's it. My rant is done. Enjoy the story!
-Surviving-
Chapter Twelve: A Chance
At the start of the fifth month, Dr. Wallace and his team of doctors got word about a new treatment. It was still in the testing stages, but so far it was having phenomenal results. After explaining the treatment, which would mean a risky surgery for Sara, he left them to think. Not only was it dangerous, it was expensive, and because it wasn't completely approved yet, the insurance wouldn't cover it. It would take a lot of consideration to do. They would have to go to Connecticut to do it if they decided to, which meant that their 'family' wouldn't be able to be there as they had been with everything else. A few nights later, after both thinking carefully, they sat on the sofa, the fireplace casting a gentle glow in the room, curled together, thinking.
"What do think?" Sara asked softly.
"I don't know honey. The scientist in me is screaming 'do it!' because I think if it worked it would not only be worth it for you, but it could be a break through for others as well. But the other part of me, the part that wants to hold onto you, protect you, keep you safe is telling me 'don't do it' mainly because I'm scared. Not that it won't work, but that something could go wrong." Grissom explained softly, rubbing gentle circles into her skin. "I don't want to lose you." A single tear escaped his eye as the words left his lips.
"I know. I'm scared too." Tenderly she brushed the tear from his cheek and laid her head on his shoulder. "I don't want to die. I'm terrified that something could go wrong with this surgery, but at the same time I look back over the last few months and see how much I'm dying a little more each day. The treatment isn't working. The transplants aren't working. If we don't do this surgery I'm going to die Grissom. I can feel it. There's only so long I can fight it. I'm tired. But if we do the surgery I could die too, or it could work and it could really cure me. I think that it's worth the risk. I think that I want to do it. But I'll only do it if you want me to too. I need you there." Her cheeks were covered in tears as she spoke, matching Grissom's own face.
"If that's what you want to do, than I'll support you all the way. I'll be right by your side through everything." He assured, tightening his hold around her.
"What about the money though. Griss, it's one hundred thousand dollars. We can't afford that, not even if we took a second mortgage out on the house."
"Well, I didn't want to tell you this until you made up your mind. I didn't want it to influence your decision, but…"
"But what? Grissom?" The panic in her voice was very clear. All she could think of was how he seemed to make rash decisions when it came to her treatment.
"Well, I was talking to Catherine yesterday and I told her about the treatment and that you were still thinking about it. I told her that no matter what you decided I would be there, but if you chose to do the surgery I wanted you to be able to do it as soon as possible, so…"
"So…?"
"So I had her talk to Sam Braun for me. For a loan." And there's the 'rash decisions' kicking in.
"What!"
"Sara, don't worry about the money. That's not what's important. And if it means paying off Sam Braun for the rest of our lives to give you the chance to have to pay him off for the rest of yours, it's worth it. Every cent."
"Grissom…I…I don't know. That's a lot of money." Her voice was somewhere between appreciation and hesitance which surprisingly made him a lot more comfortable. At least she wasn't yelling. Before either could get in another word, the door bell rang and Grissom reluctantly stood to answer it. Pulling open the door he found himself face to face with both Catherine and Sam.
"Uh, hi. Come in." To say that the man was a little intimidating would be an understatement, especially when he shows up on your doorstep. Quickly he ushered them into the living room where Sara was sitting, staring at the fire. The first thing Sam noticed was the large scarf hiding her bald scalp while Catherine noticed the look of deep thought on the paled woman's soft expression. "Can I get you guys something to drink?" Grissom asked, getting the attention of Sara, who physically jumped upon seeing Sam Braun standing in her living room.
"No, thank you." Sam answered.
"Me either." Catherine added, giving Sara a light smile.
"Uh, hi Cath. Mr. Braun." Sara said, slowly rising to her feet, trying to hide her struggle. Sam saw right through her façade as did Catherine and Grissom.
"Hello Sara, please sit." Sam directed, and well when the most powerful man in Vegas tells you to do something, you do it.
"How you feeling Sara?" Catherine asked, trying to redirect Sara's frightened attentions.
"Umm. Okay I guess. Same as usual I suppose." Shrugging she reached for the protein shake that Grissom had made for her before their talk.
"That's good." Turning to Grissom, Catherine questioned him silently before asking, "Hey Griss, could I talk to you for a minute, about you know...um."
"I already know Catherine." Sara interrupted, referring to the loan. "It's okay you can talk out here. I promise not to fall asleep on you." She joked, trying to break the tension in the room.
"Oh, well, okay. Sorry. Okay, well I'll just get right to the point. I asked Sam here about the loan and…"
"And I said no." Sam finished for her. Instantly Grissom and Sara's hopes dropped. "I'm not going to lend you money for a risky procedure. I'm going to just pay for the procedure and make sure that you are in the best hands the country can provide." He added with a smile that looked something like when the Grinch's heart grew. Sara and Grissom's eyes grew wide in shock and confusion. They weren't exactly sure if they'd heard that correctly.
"Umm…I'm sorry…W-what?" Sara barely managed to ask. Smiling broadly, Sam took a seat on the sofa across from Sara and the newly seated Grissom.
"I said that I'd like to pay for your operation and subsequent treatment. No loan. You have both been through enough as it is and had I known about your condition sooner I would have done something sooner. My Catherine here has filled me in on the ups and downs of your treatment so far and I'd like to see to it that you don't have to worry about the financial side of the rest." Slowly Catherine came to sit next Sam on the sofa as Sara and Grissom stared on, not sure what to say.
"That is of course, if you decide you want to do this new treatment." Catherine added.
"We do. We have. We are planning on doing it, but…" Sara stumbled.
"Sam, as grateful as we are for your offer, we couldn't possibly take it." Grissom added, still very perplexed by all of this.
"Grissom, please. Look at her." Sam said motioning to Sara. Cautiously Grissom turned his attentions to Sara. "You want her to have the best chances possible, I know you do, I can see it in your eyes. Let me do this for you. For both of you. This money, it's pennies to me and it'll far better serve you both than it will on any game of blackjack."
"Take the money guys. You need to do this. Just invite him to the wedding when you get better and call it even." Catherine advised, receiving a stifled giggle from Sara at the thought of a wedding invite being the equivalent of one hundred grand.
"She's right. And I'll have the beef, not the chicken." Sam joked.
"Are you sure about this?" Grissom asked, still not sure himself.
"Yes, I am." There was no doubt evident in Sam's voice. Taking a minute to look at Sara, Grissom finally caved.
"Okay. If you're sure." Looking back to Sara for confirmation, which she nervously provided, he added. "Thank you Sam."
"No thanks necessary. Just have the bills sent to me. It'll be taken care of. Now, all you two need to worry about is getting this lovely woman better so I can treat her to a steak in celebration!" And then with a smile Catherine whispered to him about Sara being a vegetarian. "Okay, or tofu." He added, making everyone laugh.
For another hour or so the four discussed the details of the operation and treatment along with all of the financial details. After about an hour Sara took her medication and Sam witnessed first hand the effects of them when Sara fell asleep, again mid-sentence. Grissom and Catherine didn't seem at all phased by it, which made Sam chuckle.
The next day while Sara was asleep Grissom called Dr. Wallace to inform him that they would be doing the procedure, to have him set it up. Later that day Dr. Wallace called them back while they were eating dinner to let them know the details. He was able to get Sara into the treatment program for a month from then. The surgery would be done in Connecticut with the team of doctor's there, but apparently Sam Braun had paid to have Dr. Wallace accompany them for the best results. After the surgery, Sara would have to remain in the hospital for a minimum of four days and then she could return home and continue the treatment back in Vegas. The treatment that followed the operation would be a three month drug regimen combined with extensive chemo and radiation. A much stronger and harsher treatment that would take a serious tole on Sara's strength and energy, but if she prevailed, the outcome would be worth the pain and discomfort. They were warned of all the intricate details and risks, but as they had discussed it, it would be worth it.