Chapter 2 Falling Food Trays and Finding Evidence

A/n Hey guys I would like to thank UnspokenLoves for reviewing. I really hope that you guys continue to enjoy this story and please review. Spoilers minor spoilers for Nesting Dolls. Just a warning this chapter talks about child abuse. I know that in the show Catherine and Sara don't usually get a long but in my fic they are friends.

Greg sat by Sara's bedside waiting for her to wake up. All he wanted to do was take her hand into his and hold it, but he knew that he couldn't do that yet because she was a crime scene and needed to be processed first. Greg was broken out of his reverie when he noticed Sara stirring and trying to open her eyes. Greg leaned over the bed to encourage her. "That's it open those big beautiful brown eyes for me, please Sara?" After a little bit of trying Sara managed to open her eyes but closed them against the harsh light. Greg noticed this and turned off the light. This time Sara opened her eyes completely and didn't close them.

"Greg," she called in a whisper.

"I'm right here Sara," Greg said as he reached for a glass of water and held the straw to her lips so she could drink.

"Thanks where is everyone else?" Just as Sara asked this Catherine walked into the room carrying her kit and a camera.

"Hey Sara, how are you honey?" Sara just smiled a small smile and shrugged.

"Ok I guess," Sara said softly.

"Greg said that I need to do a rape kit so I'm going to do that first ok? Then we will do the rest is that ok, sweetheart?" Sara just nodded and waited for the exam to start.

"Hey Sar, do you want me to leave while Catherine does the exam?" Greg asked hesitantly.

"No would you please stay that is if you don't mind and if it is ok with Cath?"

"Sure it is as long as you're comfortable with it," Catherine said with a smile. Greg just smiled and stood up to give Catherine room and went to Sara's other side. Finally Catherine had finished the exam and collecting evidence.

"I can give you a name to compare everything to," Sara said softly.

"What is it?" Catherine asked pulling out a pen and a notebook.

"His name is Mike Williams he works in booking I think."

"Yah I think I remember him," Greg said softly.

"Ok that is enough for now Sara. Brass may need to ask more questions and could you identify him from a line up?" Catherine asked.

"Yes I can."

"Ok well then I will take this stuff back to the lab and the boys and I will come back to see you later if that is ok?"

"Yes and once I am out of ICU would you please bring Lindsey by?"

"Sure I think she would like that well you get better and I will see you tonight," Catherine said as she leaned down and gave Sara a kiss on the cheek and a gentle hug, so as not to cause her anymore pain.

"I'll walk you out," Greg said as he stood up and followed Catherine out, after making sure that Sara would be ok for a few minutes.

"Yes I will be fine and I will see you tonight Cath," Sara said as she gave Catherine a small smile.

"Take care of her Greg, and let her know that we are all behind her. Grissom also wanted me to tell you that you have the next week off to take care of Sara."

"I hope that she will let me," Greg replied wistfully as he leaned in and gave Catherine a hug and watched as she headed into the elevator and back to the lab.

Greg stopped in the doorway to Sara's room and stood looking at her she looked so small and fragile in the hospital bed. Greg vowed right then and there to help her and protect her if she would let him. "Hey Sar, I'm gonna get some coffee do you want some?"

"Sure thanks Greg I guess it won't be your famous Blue Hawaiian but some of the hospital coffee will do," Sara said with a smile.

"Well then, be back in a bit," Greg said as he turned and headed out of the room and on a search for coffee. About five minutes after Greg left for coffee a smiling young man came in carrying Sara's food tray.

"Here you go Ms. Sidle."

"Thanks very much," Sara said as she sat up and began to eat her meal. She had just finished her salad and was rearranging the plates so she could get to her pasta when the sleeve of her gown got caught on the tray and it crashed to the ground causing the glass plates to break. Greg had just gotten off of the elevators on the ICU floor when he heard the crash from down the hall; afraid that something was wrong with Sara he ran down the hall just managing not to spill the coffee. The sight that met his eyes was totally unexpected Sara was sitting horrified on the bed just staring down at the mess on the floor. "Sara!" Greg cried not realizing how loud his voice was until he saw Sara visibly flinch and curl into a ball.

"I'm sorry please don't punish me Dad please! Please! I didn't mean to make a mess," Sara said as tears rolled down her cheeks. Greg walked slowly over to her bed so as not to startle her and placed the two cups of coffee on the table.

"Sara, honey I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell it's ok come here," Greg said as he gathered her into his arms and began to rock her back and forth gently.

"I'm so sorry daddy I didn't mean to do it. I need to remember that I am worthless and that I am nothing."

"Sara, c'mon shh it's ok. It's Greg your safe your at Desert Palm Hospital." That seemed to break Sara out of her memories and her shaking lessoned.

"Oh Greg, I'm so sorry for falling apart and I am sorry for knocking the tray off the table. I shouldn't be so clumsy go ahead teach me a lesson," Sara finished bracing herself for the beating that she knew was coming.

"Oh Sara, sweetie, I am not going to lay a hand on you. You didn't do anything wrong it was an accident. Um Sara?"

"Yes Greg?"

"When you were curled up in a ball and crying you kept apologizing to your father instead of Mike is their something you're not telling me?" Greg could see that Sara seemed to withdraw as soon as he asked her that question. "Sara sorry if I am pushing you, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to," Greg said as he gently wiped the tears from Sara's cheeks. Sara took a deep breath and was about to open her mouth to explain when the door opened once again and in walked an orderly to clean up the mess all the while dismissing Sara's apologies and saying that he would bring Sara a new tray as he walked out of the room.

"My parents ran a bnb and most of the time I was able to stay out of their hair and they forgot me. However, not always sometimes my mother would get drunk and hit me but my father was the worst. He made me feel as if I were nothing and he punished me for everything I did. He believed that beating me, starving me, and raping me was the way to teach me that I am worthless and that no one would ever want me."

"Well that isn't true you are a wonderful person and I am honored to have you as a friend," Greg said as he pulled her closer and began to stroke her hair.

"They resented my mind. Then when I was thirteen my mother had enough and she murdered my father. The blood was everywhere including on me. I was put into the system until I was fourteen and then my foster parents took me in and they loved me very much but I chose to graduate a year early and go to Harvard at age sixteen," Sara said as tears ran down her cheeks and she began to sob uncontrollably.

"Oh Sara, I am so sorry you don't deserve the childhood you had. I promise that you are safe and I won't let anyone hurt you again."

"Oh thank you Greg but please don't tell anyone what I told you ok?"

"Sure thing Sar, your secret is safe with me," Greg said as he gave her a hug and a kiss on her forehead. Sara knew that she was far from heeled but she was in her safe Haven when she was with Greg. "You look tired I'm going to let you get some rest."

"Please don't go will you stay here with me until I fall asleep please?"

"Sure for you Sara I will do anything," Greg said as he gently helped her lay back down on the bed to sleep as he settled back in his chair and picked up her hand and began to run his thumb across it hoping to calm her. He glanced down at her face when he noticed that her breathing had changed. Greg was relieved to find her fast asleep. "Sleep Sara, I promise I will be here when you wake up sweetheart," Greg whispered as he leaned down and gave her a kiss on her forehead before leaning back and getting comfortable for what was sure to be a long night.