Catherine and Grissom arrived at the hospital moments apart, and headed to Sara's room together. They were greeted by a fresh, clean Sara with a smile on her face.
"Good, you're here. I need real clothes." Sara said eagerly, as Grissom handed her the bag he had brought. She quickly pulled out a tshirt and stretchy pajama pants, and Catherine and Grissom excused themselves so she could change. A few minutes later, Catherine knocked tentatively and Sara called them back in.
"Thanks. It's good to feel human again." Sara told them.
"How did PT go?" Grissom asked.
"It was a bit more challenging than I was expecting." Sara admitted. "But the shower helped, and I was able to stand up on my own."
"Is that a good idea?" Catherine asked her, and Sara sighed.
"The nurse was right there. And I honestly didn't even realise what I was doing at first. But I'm not allowed to get up again without help."
"What if we were to help?" Grissom asked.
"Not until after PT again this afternoon. But the nurse did say that I could go outside if one of you would be willing to take me?" Sara asked them hopefully.
"Of course!" Catherine told her, and Grissom nodded in agreement.
"Great. Because I already asked the nurse to bring the wheelchair." Sara said, nearly bouncing with excitement. A few minutes later the nurse appeared with the chair.
"Let me help you transfer." She told Sara, lowering the bed rail and encouraging Grissom to help assist Sara to the chair. Once she was settled, the nurse firmly admonished her and her friends to ensure that she did NOT leave the chair at any time, and they were off.
"Where do you want to go?" Catherine asked, as she pushed the chair while Grissom walked beside Sara.
"Outside. Anywhere, outside." Sara said.
"I think there's a garden or a courtyard." Grissom told her. "I saw a sign for it when Brass and I went for a walk."
"Sounds good to me." Sara told him. When they got to the elevator, they found a map and located the courtyard, and then headed down. As Catherine opened the door and Grissom wheeled Sara outside, she took in a deep breath and sighed happily.
"Fresh air feels good." She told them.
"It's pretty bad if stale city smog feels like fresh air." Catherine teased.
"Maybe it's the sunshine, then. Whatever it is, it's good to be out of that bed and that room." Sara said as Grissom and Catherine sat down on a bench shaded by a flowering tree.
"It's nice that they have this space for patients." Grissom commented. "It's peaceful. We should see if you're allowed to bring your lunch down here tomorrow." He suggested, and Sara smiled and nodded in agreement.
"I like that idea. There's a picnic table over there we could use."
"Why wait for tomorrow? We could do dinner out here if you like. I promised to bring pizza." Catherine reminded her. "And maybe we could invite a few others to join us. It won't be too crowded out here. And then when you've had enough you can go back to your room instead of asking everyone to leave."
"That's a good idea. Why don't we ask your doctor when we head back inside?" Grissom suggested. Sara hesitated for a few minutes before answering.
"That might be ok. But not for too long." She agreed. "And not too many people. Maybe just Nick and Greg, and Brass?"
"Entirely up to you. We can wait a few days if you'd prefer, too. I can bring pizza just for you if that's what you'd like."
"I don't plan to be here in a few days." Sara said firmly. "But pizza with the guys sounds good for tonight. Maybe a bit later than hospital dinner time though, I don't want them waking up too early."
"I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you want to go to sleep earlier." Grissom told her. "Rest is important."
"I've already had two naps today. I think I'm good." Sara told him. "And I'm feeling a lot better."
"Good, I'm glad. We were all a bit worried this morning when you asked for no visitors." Catherine told her.
"Just needed some time to myself, that's all. Had a nap, a bunch of scans, PT, another nap and a shower... nothing too exciting." Sara told her with forced lightness. "I haven't even had time to watch any of the movies Greg brought, or to read anything."
"We could watch a movie when we go back in, if you'd like." Grissom suggested quietly.
"I don't want to go back in." Sara told him.
"Don't you have PT soon though?" Catherine asked.
"Can't we make them come down here?" Sara replied jokingly.
"Why don't I go ask your nurse for you?" Grissom suggested, surprising both Catherine and Sara. "It can't hurt to ask. And I'll ask about dinner, too."
"That's a good idea. Why don't I go, though, I'm more persuasive. You can stay with Sara." Catherine suggested, standing up. "I'll be back in a few minutes." She said, and left them sitting together alone.
The two sat in a somewhat awkward silence initially, avoiding eye contact, before Grissom spoke.
"Are you ok with me being here?" He asked her quietly.
"Are you ok being here?" Sara asked in return.
"Of course. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." he answered.
"Well, I'd rather be anywhere but here." Sara muttered, then quickly added "I hate hospitals. But if I have to be stuck here, I guess I'm kind of glad you're here. If you want to be, that is."
"Sara... I want to be here for you. And I'm here for good, if you will let me stay." He told her quietly, fearing her response as she looked down and refused to make eye contact.
"I don't know why you would want to be..." Sara said, ducking her head to hide her face from him. "I don't know how you can even stand to be near me." she admitted, a tear escaping and trailing down her cheek.
"I love you. I don't know how I could stand to be away from you." Grissom told her, wrapping his arms around her gently and drawing her into an awkward hug. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you when you needed me."