Chapter 9

Wednesday May 2nd, 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada
Desert Palms Hospital
7:21 a.m.

Sighing, Sara let her head fall back against the wall. It had been over an hour since they found Elizabeth...and still there was no word. Elaine had left nearly forty minutes earlier to pick up the girls and contact Avalon and deal with Chief Priestess Alexandra...and Sara had called the rest of the gang, all immediately getting flights out. Well actually Rebecca was driving which made her feel a bit sorry for the people on the highways of California and Nevada. And she still had to call the gang there in Vegas...

"Sara?" Nick called as he came jogging down the hallway towards her.

"Nick?" she looked up to see him there. "What are you doing here?" she began before frowning. "Wait a minute, what the hell did you do? I mean yes she was a wreak after the ceremony but she wasn't ready to...to... Fuck Nick, what did you do to my Bets?" she demanded as she pushed against his chest, already having stood up.

"Sara, I didn't know," Nick said as he tried to stop her from hitting him.

"Didn't know what?" she asked as she stepped back and sunk back into the chair she had just vacated, all the fight in her gone. She was exhausted and worried sick...she didn't have the energy to beat the crap out of him...she'd let Catherine do that...

"She was trying to tell me and I wouldn't listen. If I had known...God it all makes sense now," Nick said as the pieces started falling into place as to why Elizabeth had always pulled away or tensed up when he touched her, she was only reacting on instinct given what had happened to her.

"What are you talking about?" she asked completely confused now.

"About what she's been through," Nick said as he sat down next to Sara.

"What exactly are we talking about Nick?" she asked tiredly. "Are you talking about the ceremony or her past?"

"Her past," Nick said. "I'm still fuzzy about this ceremony everyone keeps referring to."

"The ceremony is part of our religion," she sighed. "It's complicated and difficult to explain under these circumstances. As for her past, I don't even know all the details. just that she, like each of us in the family, had demons that haunted us. I suspect now that they were much worse than I ever imagined all these years to have pushed her to this..."

"I didn't know what I was seeing in that cave Sara and obviously jumped to the wrong conclusion and I pushed her away. I wouldn't let her explain and broke things off. A few hours later Cath and I got called out to a crime scene and as we were processing it, your friend Elaine showed up and gave me a dressing down before handing me a book to read. Looked like some kind of scrapbook since the first thing I opened to was a newspaper article. It was after I was finished reading it that Cath discovered the almost empty prescription bottle with Beth's name on it as well as a straight razor. Grissom's gonna have my head when he finds out I left her at the scene alone," Nick said.

"Jesus," Sara groaned. "That's what happened...damn Nick part of me wants to smack the back of your head so hard you end up in the room across from her..." she sighed. "But, on the other hand I can understand where you got the wrong impression from. You don't know anything about Avalon; you wouldn't understand the King Making...oh," she began with a small smile, "I'm sure that Gil isn't going to hold it against you too much."

"She did say one thing that doesn't seem to sit right," Nick commented.

"Bets or Cath?" she asked confused.

"Beth," Nick said. "She said that she was given no choice in her role in this ceremony and yet it was the last thing she wanted and that she tried to fight him off. Granted given what I know of her past now I can understand why she tried to fight him off but why agree to take part in the ceremony in the first place?"

"Oh Goddess," Sara cried softly. "In our faith...it's the greatest honor to be chosen as the Virgin Huntress. All Priestesses take their place as Virgin Huntress unless they are chosen for another path in this life. She was given a choice but at the same time wasn't...to say no would betray our faith. But I don't think the Lady would have agreed to this knowing how it would end up..." she trailed off with another sigh. There would be repercussions from this throughout their world, even more so if Elizabeth didn't live...Goddess forbid.

"I feel responsible for this Sara. She came to me and I turned on her," Nick sighed.

"I can't help you with your guilt, Nicky," she countered softly. "I've got enough to deal with in regards to my own. I was the High Priestess for last night's ceremony, I'm the one..." she trailed off shaking her head. "It doesn't matter now. Where the hell are the damn doctors?" she hissed looking back up towards the door.

"I'm sure they'll be out soon," Nick reassured, sounding more confident then he was feeling. Sara gave a slight snort in response but remained quiet.

"Sara?" Elaine spoke as the door opened a few minutes later, Sara immediately standing. "Mr. Stokes," she added when she saw him, before the door behind her opened to reveal the doctor.

"Mrs. O'Brian?" the doctor called and Sara promptly bypassed Elaine with a small smile to go to the doctor.

"Doctor," Sara nodded when she joined him. "How is she?"

"I'm afraid Ms. Luciano is in serious condition Mrs. O'Brian. She's lost a lot of blood and the anti-depressants have left her in a coma. Also given the condition in which she arrived here and some things that were noticed after we cleaned her up, we felt it prudent to do SAE exam. The results came back positive."

"Jesus," Sara whispered. Life was going from bad to worse...and she just might kill a Druid while they were in this hellhole. "What are her chances?" she asked softly.

"It all depends on when and if she wakes up. Right now the most important thing is her making it through the next twenty four hours," the doctor said.

"Okay," she nodded slowly. "Can we see her?"

"You can but only one person in the room at a time. She's in room 3 in I.C.U."

"Thank you," she nodded before he left. Turning towards the others she smiled sadly. "How bad?" Elaine asked gently.

"Bad, the meds and blood loss put her in a coma...and they did a SAE, positive... Police are going to treat this as a rape case even with her unconscious..." she sighed. "Jesus Christ," she hissed as she sunk back into a chair, thankful for the fact the room was empty minus the three of them.

Nick stood up and stalked across the room, slamming his fist into the far wall, his emotions spiraling out of control.

"Where are the girls?" Sara asked softly, not rising to follow after him. He needed his space...

"With Amanda," she answered softly. "Wha do we do now Sar? 'Ave ye contacted the others?"

"They're on their way," Sara nodded. "We need to contact Avalon, get Jeremiah out of here before...he'll have to face our justice first, and the Lady will decide if he should face their justice. Get word to the others, only you and I know each of the women and girls by name, we can keep them from being found out. We might end up being interviewed during the investigation Elaine, Nick at least knows that we were there..."

"I know," she nodded. "And we will face it when we must. But we do na answer ta their rules, we answer ta the Goddess."

"I know," Sara nodded. "I'll call as soon as I know something."

"If there is no news I will cume back ta relieve ye this afternoon. Do na fear little one, the Goddess would na take her from us."

"I know that here," Sara answered softly holding a hand over her heart. "But not here," she added tapping her temple.

"I know," Elaine nodded before grasping Sara's hand. "I'll have the faith for both o' us in this then little one. Watch over her, I'll return soon."

"How are you two holding up?" asked Catherine as she entered the waiting area.

"Catherine?" Sara asked surprised. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?" she continued before stopping. "Oh, wait...or are you here on work?"

"I'm here to pick up the SAE kit," Catherine said.

Sara sighed, choosing not to comment further. Elaine meanwhile nodded towards Catherine before leaving silently.

"Hey Nick, got a message for you from Grissom," Catherine said as she watched Nick pace.

"What's that?" asked Nick as he finally stopped in one place and looked at Catherine.

"As of now, you're off this case and off the clock. He doesn't want you working cases while your mind is here with Elizabeth," Catherine said.

"That's good of him," Sara spoke softly before rising. "I'm going to see her now," she continued glancing between them. "Sara...I never meant for this to happen," Nick said turning to face her.

"This isn't your fault Nick, you were working with the wrong information and assumptions based on life as you know it. None of us blame you, even Bets didn't blame you," she added softly.

Nick merely nodded as Sara made her way out of the waiting room.

"Are you going to be okay Nick?" asked Catherine as she led Nick over to the chairs, sitting down next to him. "I don't know Cath...I just don't know," Nick said as he dropped his head into his hands.

"Call me if you need anything," Catherine said a few minutes later, rubbing his back.

"Thanks Cath," Nick said quietly.

Saturday May 5th, 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada
Desert Palms Hospital
3:42 p.m.

Elaine returned and sent both Sara and Nick home for a few hours sleep. By the time they each returned, Rebecca had arrived, neither of the two women living in Vegas wanted to ask what her average speed was when driving. Jasmine arrived a few hours after, Juli having to stay behind for a while in Atlanta for work, the deal made with the Dean of Medicine. After shift was over, Catherine, Greg, Warrick and Gil came down to wait with the group for a while.

Nearly three days passed, and during that time the rape case was put on the back burner due to lack of evidence. Jeremiah, if they even had a chance to get him through the system, which he wasn't in to begin with, had disappeared less then twelve hours after Elizabeth was found. Both Elaine and Sara were taken in for questioning by Catherine to see if they knew anything and Nick was asked about what he had seen in the mountains that night. In the end they didn't get any information out of Elaine or Sara either, both passing lie detector tests with flying colors even as they lied through their teeth, though the CSIs and Police didn't know that they were lying.

So the rape investigation was put on hold until Elizabeth woke and could give her own statement. And the investigation into her possible suicide was classified as just that, an attempted suicide. Time passed and they all settled in to wait for any change in Elizabeth's status. And nearly three hours later when she woke up, Sara was by her side. A quick call to Nick by Sara and one to Juli by Elaine had them on their way, both having been sent home hours before.

By the time the two did arrive, Sara and the rest of the 'musketeers', and Elaine were in the waiting room watching for them. Both of the babies were sound asleep, fortunate as Sara paced back and forth waiting for the doctor to return, Sara having been kicked out of the room after notifying them that Elizabeth had woken.

"Sara," Nick called quietly a short while later.

"Nick," she smiled when she saw him. "We haven't heart anything since I called you but the blasted doctor should be here soon..."

"I know," Nick said with a slight smile. "I meant for you to turn around since the doctor is standing behind you."

"Oh," she whispered before spinning on her heels to face the doctor, who pulled her aside once more.

The others waited in silence while Sara and the doctor talked before the doctor finally left and she turned towards them. "She's alright all things considered, they want to keep her a few more days for observation then she's going to be sent to Psych for the mandatory 72 hours. She's asking for you Nick, and the doctor said that an officer is already on the way for her statement..."

Nick nodded before standing up and making his way across the waiting room and down the hall towards Elizabeth's room. "Beth?" he called as he opened the door.

"Hi," Elizabeth replied quietly as she turned to look at Nick, although her eyes were downcast. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

"Beth, don't apologize," Nick said as he walked over to her bedside and sat down, taking one of her bandaged hands in his. "You have nothing to be sorry for. If anyone should be apologizing it should be me. I jumped to conclusions when I saw you in that cave. I'm a trained investigator Beth and I couldn't even see the signs that you were in trouble and I took it out on you afterwards when you came to me for comfort."

"Nick...I left Elaine and Cassie a letter..."

"I know about the letter Beth," Nick interrupted.

"Then you know that I don't blame you for what you did. You didn't know what was going on therefore you had every reason to react the way that you did. I understand that. What I did had nothing to do with you. I should have told you about everything sooner but I was afraid," Elizabeth said as tears started falling down her cheeks.

"Afraid of what?" asked Nick in concern as he reached up and gently wiped the tears from Elizabeth's cheeks.

"I've buried so much of my past that I was afraid to admit what happened to me and that if I told you, you...you wouldn't want anything to do with me anymore. We learned the hard way not to trust anyone with the truth about our pasts when Jasmine had a relationship blow up on her because she'd told them about her past. I didn't know how to tell you the truth about what happened to me. I never thought I'd find someone like you and when I did...I didn't want to ruin it by bringing up my demons and yet by not bringing them up I destroyed what chance we may have had in the first place."

"You haven't destroyed anything Beth. I did, and I'd like to make it up to you if you'll let me. Let me help you fight these demons that haunt you," Nick pleaded.

"You still want me after reading what happened to me?" asked Elizabeth uncertainly.

"Beth, while the article didn't go into a lot of detail I got a pretty good understanding of what you've been through and I'd like to help you come to terms with it. I'm not going anywhere unless you tell me to," Nick said.

"Really?"

"Really," Nick reassured as he ran his hand gently along Elizabeth's cheek, wiping away more tears in the process.

"Thank you," Elizabeth said quietly as she placed her hand over his.

"You're welcome," Nick said as he carefully pulled Elizabeth into his arms.

A knock on the door a few moments later alerted them to another presence, and a moment later the door opened to reveal Sofia. "Nick, Elizabeth," she greeted. "I need to ask you a few questions Elizabeth..."

Elizabeth nodded as she sat back, Nick taking hold of her hand once more.

"You want Nick to stay?" she asked glancing between them.

"If you wouldn't mind."

"No," she nodded before crossing the room to take a seat. "Do you know why you're here?"

"My doctor tells me I tried to commit suicide," Elizabeth said.

Sofia nodded, "When the doctors examined you they found evidence of sexual assault..."

Elizabeth and Nick shared a look before Elizabeth turned back to look at Sofia.

"Do you remember anything that happened within twenty-four hours of your attempted suicide?" she pressed gently.

"Bits and pieces," replied Elizabeth. "I don't really know how much though."

"It's alright," she reassured. "Is there anything you do remember in specific?"

"Specific how?"

"Well," Sofia began, "do any of the bits and pieces you do remember seem important, that you think might help with the investigation?"

"I don't...don't think so," Elizabeth said. "As I said, everything's just bits and pieces, fragments of images."

"Alright," Sofia agreed. "If you think of anything, please call me."

"Of course," Elizabeth replied.

"Okay then," Sofia smiled as she flipped her notepad close. "Now that that's over. Elizabeth, I'm so sorry this happened to you. If you need to talk or anything, give me a call all right? And just so you know we have managed to keep this as quiet as possible within the system..." she smiled sadly, slipping from her cop persona to the real her.

"Thank you Sofia," Elizabeth said, wiping away another tear.

"Your welcome," Sofia smiled. "Nick, it's good to see you," she nodded towards him as she made her way to the door.

"Beth, why didn't you tell her you know who it was that raped you?" Nick asked curiously, no hint of accusation in his voice, once Sofia had left them alone.

"Because Avalon will deal with him as the Goddess and Lady deem fit," Sara answered as she entered the room. "He's already in Avalon Bets," she added softly.

"I failed," Elizabeth wept as she dropped her head into her hands as her body starting shaking with sobs, Nick quickly sitting next to her and wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close, feeling her tense for a moment only to relax a few minutes later.

"Oh Sweetheart," Sara whispered before moving to sit in the chair Sofia had vacated. "Bets, can you look at me?" she asked softly.

Elizabeth shook her head, which was currently buried in Nick's chest.

"Okay, can you listen to me?"

Elizabeth gave a small nod.

"Bets, you didn't fail," she began gently. "What happened isn't your fault. Jeremiah should have listened to you and he didn't. You didn't fail, hedid."

"But I didn't tell him to stop," Elizabeth sobbed. "I kept silent. I lethim do that to me."

"Beth there was nothing you could have done," Nick said. "You said you tried to fight him off, that should have been his signal to stop, even without your telling him too," he reassured as he pulled Elizabeth closer.

"Exactly," Sara agreed. "Yes, he couldn't hear you talking but he should have listened to you just the same, in other ways. He was responsible for your safety and he didn't keep that responsibility...everything that's happened isn't your fault Bets, none of this is your fault, you're innocent."

"But I put myself in that situation, Cass," Elizabeth countered quietly. "I agreed to the role."

"What choice did you have, Bets?" Sara argued. "You know this is one of the greatest honors for a Priestess, how could you say no when there was no other Priestess to participate in the ceremony..."

"They could have found another priestess even if she was from another state," snapped Elizabeth. "I can't do this anymore Cass. The Goddess has asked too much of me. I have been to hell and back and there's nothing left. I have nothing left to give her."

"Then you will have to do what you have to for yourself," she agreed softly. "Bets, you need to take care of yourself, whatever path it takes...what matters is that you are happy."

Elizabeth nodded. "I have to go back to Avalon, don't I? Face him again?"

"Not necessarily face him, but the Lady needs to hear from you what happened before she can give judgment..." Sara trailed off.

"I don't know if I can, Cass."

"Would you feel better if I came along?" asked Nick as he ran his hand gently through Elizabeth's hair. "That is, if your Lady will allow it," he continued to Sara.

"She will," Sara nodded. "She is deferring to me in many regards for this, if you would feel more comfortable with him there Bets, then he can be there. But you will have to swear that you will never reveal anything about Avalon once you've left the Island," she added softly, glancing back at him.

"You have my word," Nick said.

Elizabeth nodded as she seemed to burrow further into Nick's arms.

"Alright," Sara repeated. "I'll make arrangements, as soon as you're released from the hospital we'll go. It shouldn't take more than three days there and back..."

"Knock knock," came from the other side of the door before it opened to reveal Rebecca's head coming around the edge of the door. "Can we come in?"

"Shh, it's okay," whispered Nick in Elizabeth's ear when he felt her tense suddenly when Rebecca opened the door. "Betsy?" Rebecca repeated softly.

"I'm here," said Elizabeth quietly, her voice emanating from the vicinity of Nick's chest.

"Hey you," Jasmine smiled as she pushed Rebecca into the room, pulling Juli in behind her. "How are you feeling?"

"Been better," Elizabeth admitted.

"I bet," Rebecca agreed. "You know what we need?"

"What's that?" asked Nick.

"Actually you're kinda not invited," Rebecca shrugged. "But we girls need a Pogo day and a karaoke night. I'll even bring my Kurt collection and Jazzy can bring the popcorn and we can have a nice afternoon of melting over his butt," she grinned.

"No me without him," Elizabeth said.

"Well than, he can come," Jasmine shrugged. "Didn't know if he was up to being tortured by Pogo..."

"Meet DallasCowboy1971," Elizabeth countered a small smirk playing on her lips.

"No way, you're DallasCowboy?" Sara grinned. "God I love you, you're the only person who can beat that one there at Pool."

"You're the dude who's been beating me in pool!" Rebecca shrieked lightly. "Oh dat's it, we are so having a showdown you and me, I'm making Sar pick the bar and then all of youze have to bear witness when I take back my title."

"You do remember that while Sar can't beat you in the game, she does beat you every time in real life right?" Jasmine teased. "So, shouldn't you be more worried about Nick andSara taking your title?"

"Bite me," Rebecca shot back with a frown.

"None of us do cannibalism girlfriend," Jasmine countered with a smirk. "But we should probably let our Betsy get some rest. At least before the doctors kick us all out on our butts, fellow doctors or not in Jules and my case."

"You might want to make it a quiet exit," Nick suggested as he looked down at Elizabeth, who had fallen asleep in his lap.

"Okay, get me out of here before I start crying, they looks so sweet...God where's a camera when youze need one..."

"Come on miss strong Brooklyn girl, no need to start crying..." Jasmine shook her head as she turned Rebecca around and pushed her towards the door. "We'll bring breakfast by Sar, get some rest and when she wakes up give her more hugs for us and to call us when she is ready for company," she added grabbing Juli's hand before disappearing out the door, Juli pulled with her.

"Well that was rather normal all things considered," Sara mused. "Though Jules was a bit quieter than normal..." she continued to herself before shrugging. "I'm going to go and make sure they do head on back to the house and make sure Elaine goes home to get some sleep. And I got to contact Avalon..." she sighed. "Let me know how she is?" she asked knowing it was very unlikely he would be leaving any time soon.

"I'll call you later tonight," Nick said.