Chapter 12
Thursday June 17th, 2010
Desert Palms Hospital
Room 317
11:15 a.m.
"You look like hell."
Hearing the bluntly stated fact, in a very hoarse voice, Warrick lifted his head from the mattress confused, until he saw the set of brown eyes watching him. "Oh crap."
Sara smiled at him as he shook his head. "Don't move, I'm getting the nurse," he continued before disappearing from the room. Frowning she looked around the hospital while waiting for him to return. She felt like she'd gone twenty rounds with Evander Holyfield...
"Ah...Ms. Sidle, you're awake," the nurse smiled as she came in and began checking Sara over. "Your doctor's on his way now," she continued and Sara just stared at her. Minutes later she recognized her primary care physcian and listened as he explained her condition to her...fractured wrist, severe bruising, no visible head trauma other than the nasty cut...no, she wasn't seeing things, yes, her hearing was fine, yes, she was in pain, no, she didn't want any more medication then absolutely necessary, she'd have enough pain meds and other meds in the near future. Yes, he could make an appointment for the next morning with an oncologist, yes, she'd eat something, yes, she'd contact the nurse if she needed anything. Could they just leave her the hell alone?
Fortunately they just smiled and left the room. Her PCP was used to her annoyance with doctors. Glancing over she saw Warrick leaning against the far wall, watching her. "Hey..."
"Hi," he answered before pushing off the wall and walking back over to drop into the chair beside her as she turned her head to look at him. "How are you feeling?"
"Like hell, but I've been worse," Sara admitted honestly.
"I know. Bill and Billy filled me in on a few other occasions when you were busy in la-la land."
"Oh," she answered before smiling slightly. "Jill and Wheezie probably beat their butts when they found out."
"Probably," he agreed. "Baby...we need to work on communication as of late," he continued as he laced his fingers with the fingers of her good arm.
"Had a feeling you knew," Sara sighed. "I was going to tell you Warrick," she continued quickly.
"About? The cancer or your son?" he continued softly, no anger in his voice.
"You know about Bertie?" she asked surprised. "Who?" she continued confused.
"Him. He informed us yesterday," Warrick explained as he traced patterns on the back of her hand. "He knows too," he added carefully.
"Ah...hell," Sara groaned.
Warrick smiled softly. "He took it rather well, all things considered. Well, he took it in classic Grissom fashion, went for a walk, and we haven't seen him since. But at least we didn't get a call that he was at a girlfriend's drunk or something..." he trailed off as she nodded.
"I suspect he'll be coming soon," she nodded. "I'm sorry I never told you about Bertie."
"Baby, I'm not saying it doesn't really throw one, finding out that the woman you plan to marry has got a son just shy of half my age; but I can understand why you didn't tell me...and I can even get why you didn't tell me about the cancer, your doctor and the others made sure to have all of us understand that you intended to tell us over the weekend and take care of loose ends."
"And this weekend happened," she nodded before sighing. "Why are you here? Why haven't you declared me not worth it and run for the hills?" she asked not looking at him.
"You think of some of the most interesting topics of conversation after waking up from nearly getting beaten to death, don't you?" he countered before lifting her chin so she would look at him. "Baby, if you ever ask me a question like that again, I'll lock you in the house and not let you out until it's completely out of your mind."
"But..."
"No, none of these self doubts," he argued evenly. "Sara, we've gone through hell to get to the point in our lives where you actually said yes to my proposal. A proposal I extended four times remember..." he reminded her tenderly. "It's no secret that you and Griss had a rather short physical relationship in Boston, you told me that years ago. Finding out a child might have resulted from that union...bit of a surprise. But I'm not breaking up with you over that. I still love you regardless of if you had a child with the devil himself..."
"I might have," Sara pointed out carefully. "Except the devil's name is Thomas."
"Speaking of the devil," Warrick began slowly. "He's in custody, Gibbs wanted to kill him I believe, and the rest of us were willing to help, but he's in their hands now. If he turns up dead on the way, we can all plead that we had no idea how it happened."
Sara smiled faintly. "Good, maybe this time he'll get what he deserves..." Frowning, she shook her head slightly before grimacing. "It came at too high a cost though."
"Yes it did," he agreed before reaching up to smooth the lines in her brow. "Sleep Sara."
"I've been out of it for too long as it is," she argued.
"And you need all the strength you can get," he countered.
"Will you be here when I wake up?" she asked. She'd been fighting the pull to sleep, determined to talk to him.
"Always," he promised as he brushed his fingers through her hair.
"Love you," Sara whispered as she drifted off. His answer the last thing she heard.
"Love you forever Sar."
Thursday June 17th, 2010
Desert Palms Hospital
Room 317
6:23 p.m.
"Good morning."
Opening her eyes completely, Sara blinked once, and then twice, when she saw Grissom sitting in the chair next to her bed.
"Evening, really," she continued as she looked at him.
"Good evening," he answered finally.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like I went twenty rounds with Holyfield. You?" she countered, yet wanted to know just what he was thinking. A decade ago, she never would have had to ask, but times, and people, change.
"Like I met up with Mr. Holyfield and was punched in the gut."
"You haven't been this honest with your words to me since Boston," Sara mused before looking down at her cast. Greg had already signed it...
"No, a mistake on my part," he agreed softly. "Why didn't you tell me Sara?"
"I couldn't."
"That's B.S. and you know it," he pointed out.
"Fine, I wouldn't," she argued. "Damn it Griss, Thomas had sworn he'd come after us. Bertie could be his; he could be yours. I pray he's your son. But, the truth is he may very well not be. I couldn't tell you 'Oh, hey Gil, remember that night before you left Boston? You know you're last night in town. Well about nine months later I gave birth to a son. Oh, but he might not be yours, see what you didn't know was I had this boyfriend for two years before you and I met, and he sort of would beat the crap out of me on a weekly schedule, but he was onboard ship while you were in Boston so you never met him. Except, you see, he came back just days after you left, and didn't like that I had told him I was leaving him, so he proceeded to rape me and nearly kill me. So, my son might be his child too. But here's the real kicker, see legally he's not my son anyway. Legally the name on his birth certificate as his mother and father are two of my best friends. They agreed to take him because I'd make one hell of a horrible mother, and I'm only twenty-one, and to top all that off, I've got to get used to a new identity and that creep who nearly killed me swore he'd get revenge so we figured this child I gave birth to, and would die for, would be safer in the middle of nowhere Kentucky with a nice normal two parent, one dog family that won't raise suspicion than with a single, very young mother who's in graduate school.'"
"Are you done?" he asked when she had paused for a breath.
"Yeah, I'm done," she agreed before sighing. "Sorry."
"That 'sorry' could be covering a lot of things," Grissom smiled.
"It's sort of an all-covering one. I honestly don't have the energy right now to go into a detailed summery of my transgressions, and I doubt you actually need one."
"No, I don't," he agreed quietly. "He's a good kid Sara. You know I never thought I'd be a father, but I'd be honored if I was his."
"Never thought I'd be a mother either, but I thank God the mistakes of my youth led to the world being blessed with him," she agreed softly. "The mistakes of my youth being getting involved with Thomas," she added.
"I know," he smiled. "I should let you sleep though."
Sara snorted her disbelief slightly. "You're letting this all go too easily, Grissom."
"Maybe I've learned that I need to stop fighting battles that shouldn't be fought," he countered softly. "I've already lost you to Warrick, even though I'm happy that you're happy, it's true. I'd much rather keep you in the few forms I have left, as my friend, and possibly the mother of my child, than lose you completely."
Sara watched him for a few moments, reading him as much as she could before nodding. "You know that even if Bertie is your son...you'll never be his dad," she pointed out gently.
"I know. It seems to be a boat we'll share, Aunt Sara," he agreed tenderly before rising. "Get some rest, Sara. You've got enough of a battle ahead of you without worrying about things between us. As far as I'm concerned, the past is in the past. We can't change it. The future is the only thing we can control. And I think I'm happy with how it stands right now."
"Geez, you're scary like this. We better not let anyone else know about you like this, they'd try to take you for all you're worth."
"Then we better keep it our secret," Grissom agreed with a smile before bending over and placing a kiss on her forehead. "Goodnight, Sara."
"Night, Griss," she answered before watching him leave. It was definitely time she started taking back all of her heritage. It was so much easier as a child. Closing her eyes she decided sleep was the best way to deal with the last twenty minutes...sleep, and perhaps a few Valium until the real Grissom returned...
Then again, maybe he just did.
Friday June 18th, 2010
Desert Palms Hospital
Room 317
1:23 p.m.
"Go on Liz. You need to talk to her," encouraged Nick as he and Liz stood outside the door of Sara's room. "You need to hear it from Sara. I'll be here waiting for you, I promise."
Liz nodded in reluctant agreement, taking a deep breath before putting her hand on the doorknob. With a glance at Nick she turned the handle, hesitating a moment before entering the room.
Sara looked up when the door opened before smiling. "Hey, you," she continued as she laid down her spoon, giving up the deception of actually eating the stuff they called food.
"Hey," replied Liz quietly from her spot next to the door.
"Want a fruit cup?" she offered as she sat back against the pillows.
"No thanks," commented Liz, not really looking at Sara.
Sara tilted her head to the side as she looked at her friend. "Want a seat?" she offered before pushing the tray away.
Liz slowly walked over to the chair next to Sara's bed, sitting down on it carefully, the whole time looking like she was ready to bolt in an instant and never making eye contact with Sara.
"Beth... what's wrong?" she asked softly, not sure what it was that was bothering her. It could be any number of things, and those just related to things she knew about. There could be other things she didn't even know about yet...
"Nothing's wrong Sara," countered Liz
"B.S." Sara snapped evenly. "Beth, this is me. You can't lie to me if your life depended on it. Just like I can't hide my feelings from you," she continued softly.
"Why do you care, Sara?" asked Liz. "It's not like you need me anymore," she continued barely above a whisper
"What are you talking about?" Sara asked confused. "Beth, girl...you're my best friend. Of course I need you."
"I should have seen this coming. I was a fool to let my guard down. It was only a matter of time before it happened," commented Liz more to herself than to Sara.
"Elizabeth!" Sara spoke up as she leaned over to touch Liz's arm. "Hey, talk to me here...please."
"There's nothing to talk about, Sara," snapped Liz, a note of hurt entering her voice. "It's become painfully obvious that you don't need me anymore and that I'm back to being the outsider looking in. It's just never hurt this much before."
"Beth...what do you mean I don't need you anymore. Girl...you're my best friend, I trust you with more than I do anyone else, other than Warrick. Nothing's gonna change what you are to me..." Sara trailed off with a frown.
"It sure hasn't felt like that recently," mumbled Liz as she played with a fraying strand of fabric from the gauze around her wrists.
"Oh, Beth," Sara sighed as she sat back. "Honey...I was going to tell you, well, tell you what I could. Honest. God my whole plan for the weekend was to tell you guys about the cancer..." she trailed off with another sigh. "That sort of went to hell in a hand basket..."
"That's not what I'm referring to Sara," commented Liz quietly, her eyes never leaving her hands. "You don't need me now that they're here. It's all right Sara, I understand. Really I do. I mean it's my own fault for letting my guard down. It's not like this hasn't happened to me before it's just…it's never hurt this much..."
"Elizabeth!" Sara raised her voice slightly to stop Liz's statement. "Honey," she continued in her normal voice level. "Beth..." she paused trying to figure out how to say what she wanted to get across.
"I should go," Liz said getting to her feet.
"Liz, they've been in my life all along, and I still needed you," Sara spoke quickly, stopping her.
"Only because I was convenient," replied Liz sadly over her shoulder.
"No, damn it," Sara yelled. "Elizabeth Constance Fabrey, stop your ass right there!" she ordered as Liz reached the door, stopping she rested her head against it, but didn't make a move back to the bed, or one out of the room.
"Damn it Liz, will you please just listen to me, and not jump to conclusions? I promise, if after I have my say...if you still want to say screw it and walk out that door, convinced that you're not a part of our family anymore, then I'll let you go. There's nothing more I'll be able to do. But at least give me the chance to talk Beth..." she trailed off with a sigh.
"Fine," replied Liz quietly before turning around and sliding down the door so that she was sitting on the floor with her back up against the door, blocking anyone from getting in.
Sighing Sara raised her good hand to pinch the bridge of her nose. "Bill, Gilly, Jill, and Billy are like my older brothers and sisters. What happened so many years ago formed a connection between us that will never be broken...but the truth is they have their lives and I have mine. Just like any siblings would. And the other truth is, Bill and Billy are best friends, Jill and Gilly are best friends. I've always been the little sister they love, but at the same time, I was always the little sister left behind in some sense," she began softly. "When I came to Vegas, I found what I thought was another family here, one that didn't know about my past, one that wasn't formed because of Thomas. That one went out the door in five-years time, and what sanity I had went with it. But even with the family we had here on night shift...I never had a best friend. I had big brothers and a freaky overbearing mother figure in Catherine, and then there was Griss, who was like a dad to the others, but could never be for me. After the lab went down, we had to find out places again. And Warrick and Greg and Jim would be the first to tell you, or the world, just how bad I was. It's a blasted miracle Warrick was able to drag me back from where I was, but he did. Even after he did though...I was afraid to really let myself be me with them. I was afraid to trust completely because I couldn't lose everything again. And then you came along, and no matter how I tried...girl, you just came and because I saw in you someone like me, those walls came crashing down. Liz...you are my best friend, and whether you stay here, or leave and go to Miami or somewhere else, nothing will ever change that fact, or the fact that I do need you in my life. If they're my older siblings...you're like my twin. That freaky bond the world never understands between two people who can be so different or so alike, but would give their everything for the other..." sighing heavily Sara shrugged before wincing. /-/Note to self, don't move much, it hurts. Remember the Holyfield thought.../-/.
"I'm sorry," came Liz's quiet apology from the vicinity of the door.
"That makes two of us," Sara smiled a little.
"You have to know Beth, if I could have told you...I would have. You and Warrick would have known, the others might not, but you two...well yes, Grissom might have been in on the knowledge..." she conceded.
"I shouldn't have over reacted the way that I did," commented Liz her voice still quiet, who was still sitting in front of the door. "I never should have questioned your friendship and for that I'm sorry. I feel like I owe you an explanation for why I reacted the way that I did. I've always been the outsider. Even when I was part of the popular group in school I was always still the outsider. Calleigh and you are the only ones that have never made me feel that way and when everything happened…I just figured that you wouldn't want me around anymore."
"Oh honey, you'll never be an outsider in our group. If you disappeared...I think you'd have the entire group hunting for you to find out what's wrong," Sara smiled. "Besides, you know I love you more than Greg's hair," she teased with another smile.
A small laugh managed to escape from Liz as she pictured Greg's hair as of late. "Think we could convince Mia to hide his hair products and get him to a barber? I swear that man uses more on his hair then I do."
"I swear he uses more on his hair than I do, and I'm getting my hair dyed every two weeks," Sara agreed with a giggle.
"Are you going to leave it dark or let it go back to your natural color now that everyone knows?" wondered Liz as she slowly got to her feet and made her way back over to the chair next to Sara's bed.
"Well, part of me can't imagine it back to blonde," Sara mused. "On the other hand, I think I'll wait and see what's going to happen after I'm on chemo anyway. I might have the whole issue decided for me if I lose all my hair nonetheless," she shrugged.
"That's true. I can't really see you as a blonde anyway," commented Liz as she suddenly sat on her hands.
"Well, I was never the same shade of blonde as you and Linds," Sara smiled. "Try picturing me with Bertie's hair," she continued with a smile. "Or, better yet," she continued as she looked across the room. "The Scary Four brought photo albums. They figured it was time I got the life embarrassed out of me by all those embarrassing photos from our younger years. When we got the new identities, I left all my photo albums from growing up with them for Bertie. They brought the few dozen books covering my life up until I left Frisco when they made the decision to come after my call."
"I think we'll leave the photo albums until after you get out of here and I can convince Warrick to give me a night off, which probably won't be for a while as I seem to have used up a couple in the past few days," replied Liz with a shrug, or as good of a shrug as she could do given the fact that she was still currently sitting on her hands.
"Liz, you're as bad as me. You have enough vacation built up to last more than the few days. True you don't have the twenty-two weeks I had before Ecklie was fired, but you have enough to last a few days more at least," Sara smiled. "And you got a deal about having fun when I'm out of here. We'll have Linds and have a girl's night. Something tells me we're going to need one," she continued with a smile. "Which reminds me, you're the first to know outside Warrick...I'm going in for surgery Monday," she continued softly as she watched Liz.
Liz nodded in understanding. "You know I'll be here," she said quietly.
"I know. I'm going in Sunday, to see if they can save any of my eggs, but it doesn't look likely..." Sara nodded. "But you know, either way, I think I'm going to be happy. So it works," she shrugged before wincing again. "Okay, remind me to not shrug anymore during the next few weeks." she continued with a shake of her head.
"You have a deal if you remember to slap my hands if you ever see them going to my wrists for the next little while," replied Liz with a smile.
"Deal," Sara smiled. "So, I've been curious since you opened that door. What happened?" she asked softly.
"I scratched them raw. I got them to the point where they were bleeding," Liz sighed as she sat back in her chair.
"Ah, duck tape," Sara nodded. "Did you hear he's being taken back east tomorrow?"
"No," replied Liz looking up at Sara. "NCIS hasn't been very forthcoming with info for the rest of us. All we've been told is that because the copycat's been captured and this other serial has been taken care of we're back on our regular shifts now. And with Warrick busy here, and me being off for a few days, they've had Nick step in as Swing Supervisor for the moment."
"Ah...okay. Well Gibbs wasn't supposed to tell me about Thomas, but he mentioned it when they stopped by to say goodbye and warn me the next time we meet, it better not be over a case, especially if I'm the one in danger. I told him to keep Gantry locked up and it shouldn't be an issue," Sara shrugged. "He's going up for the death penalty this time. All of us will be able to take our identities back," she added softly.
"So, will you be staying Sara Sidle soon-to-be Brown or are you going to go back to being Rita Jacobs soon-to-be Brown?" questioned Liz.
"I have no idea. Well no..." Sara began shaking her head. "I'll either be Sara Sidle, or Sara Jacobs...I'm never going back to Rita. As for the soon-to-be Brown part...If Rick has his way, it might be sooner than planned," she smiled softly.
"I'm not surprised, Sara. You gave him and everyone else quite a scare recently," commented Liz. "I wish I could find someone like Warrick. You're very lucky, you know that right?"
"I know," Sara nodded as the door opened and Nick stuck his head in. "Hello, stranger!" she began with a smile.
"Hey. Just wanted to make sure you were both still breathing," commented Nick with a smile.
"Yup, we're alive and well," Sara smiled. "Well, all things considered," she added considering neither could really be classified as 'well' in the medical sense.
"That's good," replied Nick. "I gotta run since Jim asked me to cover for Warrick for the time being. Liz, are you going to take today off as well and stay here?"
"I think so, if that's all right with you and Sara," replied Liz.
"Its fine with me," commented Nick. "You know Warrick told you to take as much time as you need. I just wanted to know so that I could let Jim know. You'll find your way home?"
"I can get a cab later if I need to," replied Liz.
"Is it all right if she sticks around for a bit longer?" Nick asked turning his attention to Sara.
"Of course, but if she's going to be sticking around, let Warrick know he needs to bring some real food when he stops by later," Sara added as she glanced over and glared at her untouched lunch. "She doesn't need to get sick eating this crap, and I want to enjoy a few days of food freedom before they have me on liquids only or something," she added as she looked back at them and smiled.
"I'll make sure to let him know," agreed Nick with a smile. "So, I'll see you ladies later then," he said looking between Sara and Liz, his gaze staying on Liz a little longer than on Sara.
"Bye, Nick," replied Liz.
"Bye, Nicky," Sara added
With a shake of his head, Nick closed the door leaving the two friends alone once more. "So." Sara began with a smile. "What do you want to do?"
"I have absolutely no idea," laughed Liz in response. "You know I have problems sitting around doing nothing, that's why I work as much as I do, but I think Warrick might have my head if I go into the lab after he told me to take a few days off. I gave everyone quite a scare the other night when I disappeared on them the way that I did and he wasn't too happy to learn of what I did to myself either."
"Ah well, let's not worry about that now. Nick can be unhappy all he wants," Sara nodded. "Well then, want to learn the best game in the world? My nephews decided to put their wood-working skills to work and finally make me a set of boards since I've been after Billy for years to make me one."
"Is this that game all of you were playing in the hotel the other day?"
"Yup, Gilly taught the trio when she first started dating Bill. And they taught me after I was dating Thomas, we never taught him, not his cup of tea. I've had the urge to play this game hundreds of times over the years, and wanted to teach all of you, but I haven't been able to without a board," she shrugged.
"Do you have one here?"
"Bertie came by this morning and dropped it off. It's the box on top of the albums."
"I see it," Liz said after glancing around the room. She got up and walked over to where it and the albums were piled, picking the box up and walking back over to the bed, sitting back down next to Sara. "So, how exactly does this work?"
"Well, normally you have more than two players, so the board actually forms a triangle or something," Sara began with a smile as she opened the box and began pulling out pieces of wood, hooking two together. "When we reach the end of one, we'll just hope over to the other one, but anyway, so you have marbles, your pieces to move around, and you move your pieces using cards," Sara continued as she started shuffling the cards. "So..."
Monday June 21st, 2010
Desert Palms Hospital
Waiting Room
3:15 p.m.
Scattered around the waiting room were a number of the employees of the Las Vegas Crime Lab, along with the Studers and Quinns, and Nick, Catherine, and Grissom as they waited for news that Sara was out of surgery. Seats everyone, except Warrick, had not moved from since they sat down to wait. Warrick on the other hand had changed between sitting, and getting up and pacing about every fifteen minutes. Now he was leaning against one of the walls, listening as Gilly told another story about Sara before they knew her. Well, before everyone other than Grissom knew her.
After the first ten silence filled minutes, they had announced that they were going to return a favor. It turned out Sara had been telling them all about everyone in the room for years, her other family. And they felt it was only fair that they provide enough embarrassing stories for them to drive Sara insane with while she was going through treatments.
Liz was sitting next to Nick, who was holding her hand to keep her from picking at her bandages when the surgeon came out, Warrick straightening to speak with him. After a few moments of hushed conversation the doctor looked over at them and smiled. "She's fine; we're moving her up to recovery now."
"Thank you, doctor," Warrick nodded before the doctor made his way from the room.
"Alright, anyone want to get some real food?" Greg asked with a smile.
"Might as well, she's not going to be up for a couple hours yet, I'll call you guys when she is," Warrick offered.
"Count me in, Greg," commented Liz.
"Me too," agreed Nick.
"Food?" Nate and Aramis chorused.
"That's their yes," Jill and Gillian laughed.
"Well, off to eat we go," Greg grinned as he rose and everyone made their way out of the waiting room, Liz pausing to give Warrick a hug before leaving.
Thursday June 24th, 2010
Desert Palms Hospital
Room 317
9:15 p.m.
"Good morning, Mr. Stokes," Sara smiled softly as the door opened and his head popped in. "You're the last of the three to come say goodbye," she added with another smile as she turned off her TV.
"Unfortunately, duty calls," Nick replied as he sat down next to Sara's bed.
"I know." she nodded. "So back to Texas you go?"
"Unfortunately."
Sara nodded. "Nick, can I ask you something?" she asked after a moment.
"Of course," he replied
Sara glanced away for a minute as she thought. "What are your feelings for Liz?" she asked looking back at him.
Nick sat back in shock. Nobody had even bothered to ask him that in the past few days since the events in the break room a week prior, they'd all just offered him some friendly advice. "I care for her a great deal," he replied honestly.
Sara nodded. "Is it wise to be in a relationship though?" she asked after a moment, holding a hand up to stop his response. "Nick, I'm the first to say you are great for each other, I am...but you live in Dallas, and she lives here. You have a career and life in Dallas, and she's got one here...I just don't want to see either of you hurt, you know?"
"I'm well aware of the fact that we have two separate lives in two separate cities, Sara," sighed Nick as he ran his hand through his hair. "I'm actually on my way over to her place to talk about what happens now."
Sara nodded. "Be careful, Nick...just...be careful."
"I will, Sara. I promise," he replied. "So, how are you doing?"
Sara shrugged. "Other than not keeping anything down, I'm good," she smiled slightly. "I'm inheriting a son," she continued with a fuller smile.
"I take it Bertie's staying in town then."
"Yeah, he graduated last month. He's looked into classes at WLVU, and he asked Warrick, Lindsey, and I if he could stay with us. Lindsey didn't care, and Warrick couldn't say no, and it's pretty much a given I'd be thrilled to have him around more often. Even if I'll never be Mom, I'm looking forward to having him around, getting to spend time with him while I can," she smiled once more.
"Well, I think you'll make a great mother to him anyway," commented Nick with a smile.
"Thank you," Sara smiled as she shifted on her bed before the door opened to reveal one of the nurses. "Hi, Misty."
"Morning Sara, time for your medication," Misty answered as she came further into the room.
"Crap," Sara sighed before looking over at Nick. "You might want to head out now, Nicky; it isn't going to pretty if yesterday's events are any indication."
"Might not be a bad idea," agreed Nick with a laugh. "I'm due at Liz's anyway. Keep in touch. Don't want us to become strangers again," he finished as he rose from his seat.
"We better not be. I can't survive another disappearance of you three," Sara smiled.
"Neither can I," replied Nick as he leant down and gave Sara a hug before making his way from the room.
Thursday, June 24th, 2010
Liz's apartment
12:15pm
Nick had been in town for seven weeks, having stuck around longer than really necessary due to Sara being in the hospital. He'd called in last week after learning of Sara's condition and they'd agreed to give him an extra week to stay in Vegas so that he was here for her surgery but they couldn't spare him for much longer as he was needed back in Dallas, not just to run his shift but the Rangers wanted to bury their fallen member and they couldn't do that until Nick returned with his sister's body.
As hard as Liz had tried to prevent it from happening, she'd fallen in love with the Texan that had presently taken over her kitchen and was making them something to eat. She knew it was only a matter of time before this day came and they had to decide what to do about their relationship. It had been a week since she'd first slept with him, but the past week had shown her what a relationship with Nick would entail and it was something she'd never experienced before and would probably never have again with someone else. There was just something about being with him that she couldn't put words to. It was a feeling of belonging and acceptance without question. It was a feeling of being home. No other guy had ever made her feel like this. It even had her considering giving up her life in Vegas and moving to Dallas with him, which was part of the reason why Nick was here in the first place. They needed to decide what happened next and they needed to do it today, as Nick was due to fly out tomorrow morning.
"Hey Nick, I think that's your cell ringing," Liz called into the kitchen when a phone started off and she knew it was neither her house line nor her cell.
"Can you get it for me, Liz? I've got my hands a little full in here," Nick called back causing Liz to laugh.
"What is it with you men? You always make it sound like you're waging a war in the kitchen," she called back as she picked Nick's cell phone up off the coffee table. "Nick Stokes' phone."
"Who is this?" said a female voice on the other end of the line.
"Liz Fabrey, a friend of Nick's. He's a little tied up at the moment can I take a message?" asked Liz with small laugh when she caught sight of Nick's antics in the kitchen.
"Yeah, tell him to call Rebecca. His girlfriend," snapped the woman on the other end, causing Liz to sober quickly. "Of course," replied Liz swallowing thickly. "Goodbye." she finished before hanging up.
"Lunch is served," Nick told her as he came out into the dining area with two plates of spaghetti and a bottle of wine under his arm. "Everything all right? That wasn't Warrick was it?" he asked in concern. When he got no response from Liz, he walked over to where she was still standing in the living room, looking down at the cell phone in her hands. "Liz what is it? Who was on the phone?" He was shocked by the amount of hurt he could see in Liz's eyes when she lifted her eyes to his.
"Your girlfriend, you bastard," snapped Liz, hurt clearly evident in her voice as she shoved the phone into Nick's chest. "Get out," she ordered pushing past Nick to walk over to her balcony doors where she stopped, looking out over the city.
"Liz, please..." pleaded Nick following her over to the balcony doors. "Can we at least talk about this?"
"There is nothing to talk about, Nick. You're already spoken for and I was a fool to get involved with you in the first place," replied Liz not taking her eyes away from the windows in front of her. "Get. Out."
"Liz, please. It's been over between Rebecca and me for months. I was going to break up with her before I came but I never had the chance. I don't love her, Liz. I love you," argued Nick taking Liz by the arms and turning her to face him.
"I don't want to hear it, Nick," snapped Liz pulling away from him and walking over to her front door. "To think I thought you cared about me. All you cared about was getting me into bed. Could I be an even bigger fool than I already am? I want you out of here now and I never want to see you again," she ordered putting her hand on the door, pulling it open. "Get. Out."
"No, Liz," argued Nick as he walked over to where she was. "I'm not going anywhere. Not until we talk about this."
"There is nothing to talk about, Nick. You have a girlfriend. She's the one you should be focused on, not me. Please leave," instructed Liz.
"No."
"I don't love you, Nick."
"I don't believe you," countered Nick stepping directly in front of Liz.
"Believe it, Nick, because it's the truth."
"No."
"It's over, Nick. There is nothing here for you anymore. Go home to Rebecca," snapped Liz as she started to lose control of her emotions.
"I told you, Liz, that I don't love her anymore. I haven't for a long time. You're the one that I love. I love you so much I don't know how I survived without you for all these years," argued Nick, once more taking Liz by the arms, causing her to let go of the door.
"And I told you that I don't love you. Accept it and go home, Nick."
"And I told you that I don't believe you, but I will leave and never bother you again on one condition," counted Nick, figuring she would never go through with what he had in mind.
"Which is?"
"I want you to look me in the eye and tell me that you don't love me," instructed Nick.
"Fine," agreed Liz, raising her eyes to meet Nick's, her eyes cold and distant making Nick wonder where the girl he knew had gone so suddenly as there was no trace of the Liz he knew in the eyes looking at him. "I don't love you, Nick. I never have. Now, please leave."
"Alright, Liz, I'll go," replied Nick sadly as he grabbed his jacket. He never thought she'd be able to actually do it. "Goodbye, Liz," he said as he stopped next to her at the door, trying to decide if he should give her one last kiss before he left but he decided against it and stepped out of the door that Liz was holding open.
The minute she closed the door behind him, Liz collapsed to the floor, letting out all the pain and hurt that she'd been bottling up while trying to get Nick to leave. "You knew not to let him get that close and you did it anyway. You are such an idiot,"Liz chided herself through her tears. She didn't know how long she sat in the corner next to her front door and she had no idea how she'd made it from there to her bedroom, all she knew was that her heart was broken like never before. She didn't even know if she'd ever be able to put it back together again because a big piece of it left with Nick when he walked out the door.
Friday June 25th, 2010
Liz's apartment
11:33 p.m.
Letting himself into Liz's apartment, Warrick glanced around one more time before shutting the door behind him. If she wasn't here, he'd try another option afterward. But it was currently the only logical place she would be considering she wasn't at the hospital with Sara, or at the house according to Lindsey, and didn't come to work. For the second day in a row...
Moving further into the apartment, he saw two uneaten plates of spaghetti and a bottle of wine on the dining room table, and frowned once more. Two plates, company...Nick was going to see her after seeing Sara, Nick had told him that the morning before...
"Damn," he whispered before moving further into the room and heading towards her bedroom. Pausing in the doorway he sighed when he saw her sleeping on the bed. "Liz?" he called softly.
"Go away," she replied quietly, her voice hoarse.
"Not going to work girl," he countered. "Can I come in? Or do you want to come out and I'll get us both something to eat?"
"I'm not hungry."
"Yeah, I don't let Sara get away with that, you think I'm going to let you?" he countered evenly. "Come on girl, one or the other. How does some water sound to start? You end up in the hospital next to Sara because of dehydration; I'm not going to save you from her, you know?"
"Fine," sighed Liz quietly as she sat up, swinging her legs around so that her feet were on the floor, her back towards where Warrick was currently standing, her gaze fixed on her hands.
"That's a girl, now turn around and take a step forward. There are plenty of places to go after all, restroom, living room, doorway to punch me in the jaw to get me to shut up..."
Liz pushed herself up off her bed only to collapse back down onto it when she was hit by a dizzy spell.
"And this is why you need to eat, Liz girl," Warrick reminded her gently as he appeared next to her side and helped her to her feet. "Couch, restroom, or chair in the kitchen?" he asked as he led her around to the end of the bed.
"Restroom first please. I think I'd like to at least splash some water on my face."
"Deal. Besides, I can't imagine your bladder is happy to have been forced to wait while you slept the past twenty-four hours," he smirked slightly. "I live with two women who make me go on feminine product runs, I've got no issues in that department," he teased lightly.
"Twenty-four hours?" asked Liz in shock. "I've been out of it that long?"
"It's almost eleven-thirty, girl. I couldn't come sooner because I had to run shift," he admitted.
"Oh God, I missed work," commented Liz when reality started breaking through the fog that she'd been living in.
"Yes you did," he agreed softly.
"I am so sorry."
"Liz, it's ok," he countered as she stepped away to wash her face.
"I think that chair in the kitchen is starting to sound good right about now," commented Liz after drying her face as she started feeling a little dizzy once more.
"Sounds good to me. Then how about my famous cinnamon-sugar toast, maybe later a nice omelet?" he offered as he wrapped an arm around her waist once more and they made their way out of the room.
"Sounds good but I think I'll start with some juice while you get the toast going," replied Liz as they made their way into her kitchen.
"Deal," he smiled before helping her sit. Turning he grabbed a glass and the juice before pouring and passing it to her. "So, my girl, any fantastic dreams about vacations in Aruba with my Sar-bear?" he asked knowing she'd smile at the nickname. Sara despised that nickname Greg had given to her...and she'd promptly decked him for it. It had become a standing joke between the two of them ever since.
"If only," replied Liz sadly before taking a sip of juice. "Did you know? You know what, never mind, I don't think I want to know. It's my own fault for going against my better judgment," she continued as she played with her glass.
"Did I know what?" he prodded gently as he set the first set of toast down. "And sometimes your judgment isn't always right, Liz. Sara woke up sure I'd run for the hills now that I knew everything. She was wrong; perhaps you were right to go against your own judgment, regardless of the results..."
"Even though the result was having my heart ripped out?" wondered Liz quietly
"Sometimes the only way we can grow is through pain," he offered softly as he sat down next to her.
"I just never knew you could hurt this badly and still live," she sighed quietly before continuing. "He has a girlfriend."
"Damn," Warrick sighed. "Girl...I'm so sorry. Would you like Greg, Hodges, Jim, and I to go beat the crap out of him for you?"
"Thanks for the sentiment but I don't really want to have Mia, Katrina, Jacqui, Lindsey and especially Sara after me because the lot of you are in jail for assault," replied Liz. "I just wish I'd known from the start. Maybe then things would have turned out differently. I knew not to get involved. I even tried to fight it but other than you and the others at the lab, I've never had a guy take an interest in the real Liz before," she finished with a shrug
"First, perhaps it would be better if the lot of us got to him before Sara," Warrick smiled. "And second...they say hindsight is twenty-twenty, but we never get blessed with it in the beginning, and it seems to me that he didn't deserve you. Yeah, that sucks to hear right now, trust me I've been there, girl, but it's true. The man, who does deserve you, is going to love the real Liz, and not even notice the Liz Fabrey you hide behind on occasion, and that one we won't have to kill. Well, we might if he tries to take you away from us, but that's a whole 'nother matter."
"Thanks," replied Liz with a small smile. "I just thought that he was the one."
"I know, Lizzie girl," he agreed as he pulled her into a quick hug. "Okay, time to eat. We need to get you packed because you are coming over to have a girl's night with Lindsey."
"I am?"
"Yes you are. Lindsey's been driving me insane without you or Sar around. I need a nice female influence on her so I can lock myself in my room and watch sports and not have to worry about Ricky sneaking in to see her in the middle of the night or something."
"So, it's not so much a girl's night but more of a Warrick regaining his sanity night?" teased Liz
"Exactly," Warrick grinned.
"Well, I guess a sane supervisor is better than an insane one," mused Liz as she finished her toast.
"Very," Warrick smiled.
"Would you mind doing me a favor and cleaning up this mess for me while I go throw some things together for this impromptu 'girls' night?" questioned Liz.
"No problem."
"Thanks," she replied as she rose from the table and disappeared back into her bedroom, closing the door behind her. She emerged a few minutes later in a fresh pair of clothes and her duffle bag tossed over her shoulder. "Ready when you are."
"Ready now," Warrick smiled before opening the door. "And hand over that bag, Missy."
"Why do you have to be so damn nice?" questioned Liz teasingly as she handed the bag over to him.
"Because my grandmother raised me that way. Besides, being nice got me Sara, I think I'll stick with it," he laughed as they made their way to his car.
"You truly are the last of a dying breed Warrick Brown," complimented Liz as she waited for him to open the car door before getting in. "A true Southern Gentleman."
"Thank you, I do try," Warrick winked at her. "Come on girl, let's go get some pizza or something and surprise Linds, which reminds me, as soon as Sara's out on outpatient treatment she wants to do the graduation dinner we missed out on."
"Sounds good to me, both the pizza and the dinner for Lindsey," replied Liz before Warrick closed the door. "Good, good," Warrick smiled once he was in the driver's seat. "By the way, you missed out on the latest development in life on La Porte Court."
"Oh and what's that?" asked Liz curiously, glad to have her mind on something else for a while.
"Bertie's moving in."
"Well that's good, isn't it? I mean he is Sara's son after all. What does Lindsey think?"
"She didn't really care one way or the other. She's leaving in August anyway to go to Florida, as long as she doesn't lose her room, she's happy," Warrick smiled. "We're actually talking about converting one of the sections of the garage into an area for him. That way he's got his own room."
"That sounds like a good plan. That gives him privacy while still being a part of the house," agreed Liz.
"Yeah, plus he's used to things a different way than how we do them. We don't want to make him feel like he's got to change you know? Gonna be interesting though, he's completely immersed in the religion, whereas Sara's still getting back into it. She's got enough to get the Sabbath off each week and such. Something tells me after all this is over, she's not going to take no for an answer when it comes to her life and her culture," he mused.
"I couldn't agree with you more," commented Liz.
"Anyway, want to go see Sar in the morning with me and Linds?"
"If you wouldn't mind, I've probably worried her by not seeing her the past few days," mused Liz worriedly
"She's been sleeping a lot the past two days, probably hasn't even noticed that it's Friday yet, in all honesty," Warrick assured her.
"How's she taking to the chemo?" asked Liz as they pulled up to the pizza parlor.
"So-so, just extra tired, and having trouble keeping things down," he explained as they got out. "But at the same time, she could be extra tired from her body trying to heal her injuries from Thomas, or the fact that she is battling cancer as it is..." he shrugged lightly.
"So in other words she's managing in typical Sara fashion," laughed Liz as they ordered, happily ordering an extra large pizza with various types of meat, that Sara would never even consider eating.
"Exactly," Warrick agreed with a grin.
"Well, shall we get this pizza to Lindsey?" asked Liz as the pizza man handed her the box.
"Sounds like a plan to me," Warrick agreed as he got the breadsticks.
"Good because I'm suddenly getting very hungry," commented Liz as they made their way back into the car.