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 Thirteen: Bring Me Back To You

"As long as I know that you'll be there when I wake up, I won't be able to get lost in darkness, because I'll have the light in your eyes to bring me back." Sara had told Grissom after he had expressed that he was afraid she wouldn't wake up from the surgery. That she'd get lost in the darkness and he'd lose her. They were sitting in the Connecticut hospital preparing themselves for the surgery ahead.

"You'd better, 'cause I believe you owe me a wedding when all of this is over." Kissing her lighting, he pulled back to gaze into her eyes. "I'll be here. I'll be here waiting for you to come back to me." He responded running his fingers over her forehead.

"You had better be, 'cause I've got the priest on retainer." She joked, before another coughing fit hit her hard.

"Easy baby. Here drink this." Quickly he helped her to sit and handed her the cup of water.

"I wish everyone could be here. It's so great that Catherine came with us, but I still wish my boys could be here too. I guess I didn't realize how much I came to depend on their quirkiness before something major." Sara sighed. She missed everyone.

"See guys, I told you she loves us!" Came Greg's very distinct voice coming from the other side of the door. Instantly Sara's eyes grew wide in excitement, Grissom simply smiled and gave her an 'I'm innocent' shrug.

"They're here?" When he nodded, she squealed, which made him laugh. "How…What…When…Who…" She practically screamed.

"Wow, easy you're going to strain yourself. Let's just say that when Sam Braun said he wanted to make sure you would be as comfortable as possible, he didn't just mean your hospital bed. He flew them all out for the surgery. Day shift, Swing, Mitch and Kristen (The new CSI's that were hired to fill Grissom and Sara's spots.) are all pulling in extra shifts to cover graveyard for the next two days so that they can be here." Grissom told her proudly as he helped her tie the scarf on her head. She was still very self conscious about anyone but Grissom seeing her with hair. Sara was on the verge of tears, happy tears, but tears none the less. "You look so beautiful. I love seeing you this happy." He told her. Despite the reddening around her eyes, the pale complexion of her lips and face, her bald head and the fact that she now weighed about ninety pounds, Grissom still couldn't help but find her to be the most alluring woman he had ever met.

"Thank you. I know you had a hand in this somehow. So thank you. I love you." Giving him a quick kiss she added anxiously, "Now what are you waiting for get them in here. I miss my boys." That was all he needed to get him out of his seat and hurrying the door.

"Come on, I know you heard her. Get your asses in here." Grissom called out the door to the very eager team pacing the hallway. One by one everyone filed into the room; Greg, Nick, Warrick, Brass, Doc Robbins, David and Catherine.

"Well what the hell are you all doing you standing there. Get your Vegas asses over here and hug me!" Sara demanded, which everyone readily obliged.

After about an hour of visiting with Sara, everyone was ushered off to the waiting room by the attending nurse, giving Grissom and Sara a quick moment alone.

"Promise me that you'll come back to me."

"No promise needed. I will be coming back to you. I'm not going anywhere without getting a taste of my wedding cake first."

"I love you Sara."

"I love you too. Promise me that you'll eat and rest while I'm in la-la land." She told him sternly. The doctor's had informed them that the procedure would last about 8 hours and then it could be another 12 hours before Sara woke up, so knowing Grissom's habit of not taking care of himself when she was in the hospital, she had to demand.

"I will."

"Grissom." She warned. "I will ask Catherine. And so help me if I wake up from this operation to find out that you weren't taking care of yourself, well, let's just say that you'll be glad you're in a hospital. I mean it. I don't wan to have to worry about you."

"I promise. As long as you're going to come back to me, the least I can do is eat something." He said with a smile.

"Okay."

"Uh, Mr. Grissom, I'm sorry, but we need to get Miss. Sidle prepped now, so I'm going to have you ask you to join the others in the waiting room. I'll keep you updated as best I can during her procedure." Came the voice of the nurse as she entered the room.

"Okay." He answered before turning back to Sara and giving her a fierce reassuring kiss. "I'll be here when you wake up."

"So will I." She promised before kissing him once more and pulling him into a tight hug. "I love you Griss."

"God, I love you too Sara. I love you too. Now you just dream about that wedding cake of ours and I'll be waiting to hear all about it." He whispered before pulling back and reluctantly walking out the door, blowing her a kiss before exiting.

Grissom joined everyone else in the waiting room and they all sat there in their usual tradition as they awaited any word on Sara. Ever since the first time Sara was admitted to the hospital, everyone would sit in the waiting room, drinking coffee and telling stories about Sara, things she's done, said, specific memories they had or just overall descriptions of the woman they've all come to love. It eased their worries and distracted them as much as could be while they waited. Now, was harder than ever though. This was the riskiest surgery she's had so far and the longest time she'd be under the knife. After being informed by a nurse that so far all seemed to be going well in the OR at hour three of the surgery, they headed down to the cafeteria to eat, after all Grissom did promise.

Once the eight hour mark rolled around and they hadn't heard anything, everyone was starting to get scared. They all pretty much sat in silence, indulged in their own private thoughts and fears. Grissom held tightly to Catherine's hand as he kept thinking of her promise to come back to him. Praying had become second nature to him again, ever since all of this started, and that's what he was doing. Praying. Tears began to stream down his cheek and onto his and Catherine's joined hands, but he didn't notice, or at least he didn't care. Another hour passed and still no word. No tears were not just in Grissom's eyes, they were in everyone's. They hadn't heard anything since that first nurse talked to them nearly seven hours before. Right as Grissom was about to give up hope going into the tenth hour, a man dressed in blue scrubs and a long white doctor's coat, a Dr. Hopkins entered the room followed closely by Dr. Wallace. Both men mirrored each other in their tired, lost expressions. Taking a deep breath the men moved into the room, gaining the attention of all its occupants.