Sara Sidle was in pain and ready to admit it Sara Sidle was in pain and ready to admit it. Twenty-four hours after her operation she had developed a fluid build up where they had removed her lymph nodes and she was now waiting to have the fluid drained. Her arms was supported by a pale blue sling that took the weight of the extensive bandaging, however, she had discovered that any movement of her body sent pain shooting through her arm. The pain seemed comparable to when she had walked the desert with her arm broken in two places but at the moment she had the luxury of painkillers.

Still not fully awake from the anaesthetic and painkillers that were pumped into her Sara had a vague idea that Catherine had been there holding her hand but no idea that she had gone home to sleep before her shift at work. Sara was aware that Grissom was occupying the seat next to her bed every so often his hand would reach over and gently stroke over where the IV line pierced the skin on the back of her hand. Her left arm felt separate from her body like a weight had been dangled off her shoulder causing pain to emanate from that area every so often.

"Right, we're back," smiled Abigail coming into the room with another nurse called Keylie who had been in recovery when Sara came out of surgery. "Basically what were going to do is insert a tube into the fluid and drain it, then the tube will stay in for about fourteen hours after to make sure we've got it all," explained Abigail speaking slowly and directly at Sara who was nodding, however, despite hearing the words they had no meaning to her. She understood the words but couldn't take in what was going on around her.

"I'm afraid this will sting a bit," apologised Keylie as Grissom went to move so they could work. "No you stay," smiled Keylie as she gently removed Sara's sling while Abigail took the weight of Sara's arm. This was the first time Grissom had a good look at her arm. The bandage went from the top of Sara's shoulder down to about an inch above her elbow and around her chest at the top where the shoulder was been supported. Sara winced, as the bandage was slowly unwound. While part of Grissom wanted to look away his eyes and the scientist in him were interested in what they were doing. So while gripping Sara's right hand in his own he glanced over while absent minded telling Sara about the life cycle of a millipede to distract her. Her arm was a mess of swelling and bruising that covered her entire shoulder. He could just make out where stitches and 'strerri strips' where around her armpit. As her arm was lifted Sara whimpered slightly causing a gut reaction from Grissom as he placed a hand on her check stroking it gently as tears began to cascade down her cheeks as the drain was inserted.

Time suddenly seemed to blur to Sara as the pain took over sending her into waves of consciousness then slowly began to subside by the time she became aware of her surroundings again her arm was back in a sling and Grissom was perched on her bedside a cup of coffee in his hand and Greg Sanders occupying the chair flicking through a magazine.

"Well it's about time," said Greg catching Sara staring at him. "As much as I enjoy hearing you mumble about millipedes I prefer some conversation," grinned the younger C.S.I.

"Are you okay?" asked Grissom putting his drink down.

"Yeah," replied Sara becoming fully aware for the first time the pain now a dull ache thanks to the drip and drain that now hung over the side of her bed. "What…day is it?" asked Sara realising she had no idea.

"Sunday, p.m," answered Grissom. "They sedated you after they put the drain in, the doctor says it should be able to come out later now they've drained all the fluid," smiled Grissom.

"Got to say you're looking better than Catherine described," smiled Greg.

"How did Catherine describe me?" asked Sara her voice crackly from lack of use. "Pale, moody, actually like you've just pulled a triple," grinned Greg as Grissom poured Sara a glass of water.

"Thanks," said Sara her throat finally quenched. "So have I missed much?" she asked immediately wanting to turn the conversation away from herself.

"Not really," replied Greg. "Oh wait, Nick ran away from a rabbit," he added with a huge grin.

"Any reason why?" asked Sara managing a weak smile at the thought. "According to Nick it was dark and he saw a large shadow coming towards him. According to Brass it was light out and Nick drew his gun when the pet rabbit ran into the room," smiled Greg. "They all send their love," he added as Sara rolled her eyes at him. "I better get going. I've got to change before shift," smiled Greg. "Hope you get the drain out soon," he added leaning over to hug her but just ended up patting her hand as everywhere else seemed to have something attached to it.

Monday morning and Sara was minus two attachments, her drain had been moved and she no longer required the pulse ox on her finger. Now all she had was the IV going into her right arm and the dead weight that was her left. She was currently awaiting her drip to finish before the IV line was removed and her going home could be discussed. A woman from physio called Helen was coming up to arrange an appointment and bring some sheets on exercises Sara needed to do. So far the only movement Sara had managed was her fingers and an occasional flex of the wrist, which it turned out, pulled the skin around her shoulder causing discomfort.

"Hello, again," smiled Louise, Sara's latest nurse, bringing in a tray of dressings and bandages. "Now that the drains out I'm going to replace that with a pressure bandage which will feel uncomfortable but should stop any more fluid build up and help support your arm while you get usage back," she said manoeuvring a pillow under Sara's arm. "Ready?" she asked taking the weight of Sara's arm, as the sling was unhooked and the weight fell onto the pillow pulling slightly at her shoulder. This was the first time Sara was able to examine her wounds in fully conscious state. As the bandages were slowly unwound she was able to see the bruises and swelling around the stitches where her tumour was removed. Louise placed dressings over the stitches on her arm and around where her lymph nodes were removed. Then a new bandages was wound tightly around her arm making it pulsate at the pressure been placed on her already painful arm. Sara however showed no signs of this on her exterior instead she just starred at the wall in front of her as the bandages were completed spanning from her shoulder to her elbow.

"Sara Sidle?" asked a lady appearing in the doorway.

"Yeah," replied Sara as Louise smiled at her.

"Just in time," grinned Louise as the brunette entered the room her arms laden down with files and clip boards. "This is Caroline she's going to be your physiotherapist so I'll let her carry on from here. I've just put the pressure dressing on," she finished directing the last bit at Caroline before giving Sara a quick wave.

"Well, might as well start as we mean to go on," said Caroline placing the files down on Sara's bedside table, "You need to start using your arm again to make sure the muscles don't waste and that the skin doesn't tighten. So we can start with getting the sling back on something you'll need to learn to do before I give you permission for you to leave," she said picking the sling up from the side. "Also call me Carol," she added.

"It's easier if you lay the sling next to your arm so you just have to lift it a bit," as she said this Sara lifted her arm about three millimetres from the bed that took an amount of effort Sara would consider inappropriate for such a simple task. Carol then quickly slide the sling under her arm. "Then you can lift your arm using the sling," she indicated the strap to Sara which the lifted and pulled over her head so her arm was back in its sling position. "That seems fine. Your first appointment for physio is in two days. Here's an appointment card, and here are some exercise sheets that you need to be doing starting now. Basically it's just wrist movement in beginning to straighten your arm. I'm sure you realised despite those parts weren't operated on, moving them still affects the parts you did." Sara nodded. "Right, well, I'll leave these with you," she said holding the sheets out and Grissom accepted them.

"More good news" smiled Louise coming in, "Doctor says you're good to go. So we'll just get your prescription sorted and then we'll turf you."

"Best news I've heard," smiled Sara. "Thank you," she added as Louise nodded.

"I better start packing," said Grissom who had been sat back taking it all in.

TBC.