Nick and Greg refused to leave Sara's room lest they miss seeing her wake up again. Both were well and truly exhausted by lunch time, but they stayed. Catherine had chatted about her work and Lindsay for well over an hour, helping to ease some of the tension in the room. Brass had gotten up to go for a walk at one point, and encouraged Grissom to come with him to get some air and stretch. After much encouragement, he agreed but for no more than 15 minutes - just long enough to go to the cafeteria and back. As soon as he was out of earshot, Nick spoke up.
"OK Greg, what's up? You haven't said a word since we got here."
"That's not true. I talked to Sara. And Catherine."
"You haven't said a single thing to Grissom. Aren't you glad he's back?""
"Fine, yes, it's good he's back. For Sara's sake. But I'm still pissed at him and I don't want to say something I'll regret." Greg huffed. "If he hadn't pulled this disappearing act, Sara wouldn't even be sick."
"Boys." Catherine spoke firmly but quietly. "Can it or take it outside." She pointed at Sara. Both nodded, and their conversation stopped. "Good. Now when are you two going to go home and get some sleep? You're both working tonight, aren't you?"
"Yeah, we are. Ecklie said we can take turns with Sara if Grissom goes home overnight. Otherwise back to the schedule." Nick told her. "And Finn and Morgan both have days off coming up, not us."
"Fair enough. And you're all probably backlogged with cases." She pointed out, and they both nodded.
"What about you, are you getting your work done?" Greg asked her pointedly. Catherine gestured to her laptop.
"I've been working while I've been here, and they've kept my workload light. But I'll probably have to head back next week or start using my vacation days."
"No" a quiet, raspy voice whispered as Sara slowly opened her eyes for a moment. "Not for me."
"Sara!" Greg squealed, reaching to give her a hug. Nick burst into a huge smile and squeezed her hand, saying her name at the same time as Greg.
"You're worth it, you know." Catherine told her, reaching forward to pat Sara's leg. Sara managed to shake her head slightly.
"You totally are." Greg insisted. "Even Ecklie agreed, he gave us time off to stay with you." and at that Sara managed a small smile.
"How are you feeling?" Nick asked her, concerned.
"Tired. Sore." Sara whispered. "How long?"
"You've been here a few days." Nick told her. "Don't worry about that. You're good now." Greg reached and grabbed the call button, pushing it twice in his excitement.
"We've missed you." he told her. as he gave her another hug. "You scared us! It's been boring without you at work. Everyone misses you!"
"Greg, ease up on the hugs." Catherine said, seeing Sara wince. "Be gentle." Greg let go quickly but didn't go far.
"Can you open your eyes again?" He asked excitedly.
"Too bright." Sara whispered, and Catherine quickly got up to turn off the lights. "Better" and Sara opened her eyes, seeing the worried but happy faces of her friends. "Did I dream him?" She asked the three of them.
"Grissom!" Catherine exclaimed. "No, you weren't dreaming. Brass just dragged him out to get some food."
"Am I dying?" Sara asked, confused.
"No, you're going to be fine." Nick told her firmly. "But we didn't want you to be alone. Someone has been with you every minute since you came in. And Catherine tracked down Grissom and got him back here. We thought it would be what you wanted."
"But if you don't, we can kick him out!" Greg interjected quickly. Sara shook her head.
" 'Sok. For now." She told them then closed her eyes again. A moment later the young nurse from a few days earlier came in.
"Sara, you're awake! It's so good to see you. I'm Brielle, I'm one of the nurses that has been caring for you. And aren't you popular, your room has practically been a party for your whole stay with us. How are you feeling?"
"Tired." Sara admitted, opening her eyes to take in the young nurse attached to the bubbly voice.
"Well that's to be expected. How is your pain?"
"It's fine. Why'm I here?" she mumbled.
"You had to have an abscess removed. But you're going to be just fine. I'll arrange for one of the doctors to come speak to you if you think you're going to be awake for a bit?" Sara nodded. "That's great, I know Dr. Mark has been so keen to meet you. He's gotten to know your friends quite well in the meantime. Now would you like me to get you a drink? Or is there anything else you need? You've got an IV and an NG tube for now until you're ready to start eating and drinking but the sooner we can get those out the better. Why don't I get you some juice? Is apple juice ok?" Sara nodded. "I'll be right back." She said, leaving the room and nearly bumping into Grissom on her way out. He entered the room and nearly dropped his food in surprise when he saw Sara's eyes open.
"Sara! You're awake!" He exclaimed, quickly setting the food aside and reaching for her as Catherine stepped aside.
"Mmhmm" She agreed, nodding slightly. "You're really here?"
"Yes, I'm here. I'm staying."
"Why?" She asked, and everyone in the room froze.
"Because I should never have left." Grissom said firmly. "I'm sorry. I am so sorry, Sara. I'll spend every day trying to make it up to you." He promised, and he watched as a tear slid down her cheek, quickly reaching to wipe it away.
"M tired." Sara whispered.
"That's ok dear, you get some sleep." Grissom told her, gently holding her hand while Greg still clung to the other.
"It's ok, Sara, go back to sleep." Greg whispered to her quietly, the others murmuring in agreement.
"K. You too." She said, squeezing both hands holding hers. Everyone sat in silence until the nurse returned.
"Oops, looks like I'm a bit late. But I'm sure she will be up again soon. I've brought some drinks for her, and there's ice in the common area that you can get for her. Dr. Mark will be in later today to hopefully get to speak to her. Please let me know if she wakes up again." She told them, then left.
"OK boys, you heard Sara. She told you to get some sleep. Greg and Nick, you two are going home to sleep. Grissom and Jim, you two can fight over who gets the cot, and the other one goes home for a bit. You can swap in 4 hours. Since I'm the only one of us who actually slept properly, I'm going to sit here and get some work done, and keep Sara company when she wakes up. Got it?" Catherine told them. Immediately they all started protesting. "Nope, Sara's the boss. And she told you to go back to sleep. No arguments."