Everyone's great mood was obvious when Brass arrived.
"What are we celebrating?" He asked as he joined the group.
"Nick saw Eli, and he's doing well. Tina has agreed to let us get to know him." Sara told him, her grin still plastered across her face.
"And Sara is out of her room!" Greg added excitedly. "She'll be home in no time at this rate."
"You're looking much better." Brass told Sara as he squeezed her shoulder. "Thanks for letting us join you for dinner tonight."
"It was Catherine and Grissom's idea." She said. "But the pizza was mine. There's lots left, help yourself." She added, gesturing to the box in front of her. Catherine quickly pointed at the other boxes and Brass reached for one.
"What, no pepperoni?" He asked as he eyed the boxes.
"Nope, vegetarian pizza today." Catherine told him. "We don't want to turn Sara off her food."
"I was just teasing." Brass said. "Cheese is good."
"The pizza is incredible." Greg added. "Good call, Sara."
"Yeah, it's been a while since I've had pizza. But it's all I could think of since lunch." She explained. "I still can't believe Catherine convinced them to let us have dinner down here."
"Have you ever tried saying no to Catherine?" Nick asked.
"I'm pretty sure she's one of the only ones who has." Catherine teased. "Sara's no pushover. Unlike the rest of you."
"Glad you're using your powers for good then, Cath." Nick said as he grabbed more pizza. "So what else is new with the rest of you?" he asked, as Catherine eyed Grissom. Everyone watched as the two of them had a silent conversation before Grissom finally spoke.
"I'm moving back home." He told them. "We haven't worked out the details, yet, but after some discussions this afternoon I've decided I'm staying. WLVU has been asking me to lecture there for a number of years and I think it's time to take them up on their offer." He explained. Everyone was watching him except Greg, who was carefully watching Sara. When he caught her glance, she nodded slightly. This was a good thing. It was what she wanted. Greg nodded back, as subtle as Sara had been. While he was glad that Grissom was trying to make things right, he was not yet ready to forgive him for the pain Sara had been through - and he was going to make sure he was keeping a close eye on her to make sure that she wouldn't be alone again if things turned out badly. The rest of the group congratulated Grissom on finally making the right call, although Nick argued that he should come back to CSI.
"I don't think I have it in me to be a CSI anymore. I miss our team, but I don't miss the job." He explained. "I think I'll enjoy teaching again."
"Well it will be good to have you around again." Brass told him. "What about you, Catherine. You thinking about sticking around, too?" He asked.
"Give it a couple more years. I'm enjoying my work right now. But when it's time to retire, I'll be back. And I'm back to visit pretty often." She told them. The conversation continued for over an hour before a nurse appeared at the doorway.
"It's great to see you looking so much better, Sara. But it's time to head back to your room soon." She said. "I'll be back in 15 minutes to take you up."
"It's ok, I'll bring her up soon." Grissom said.
"No, Gil, why don't you go enjoy some time with everyone before they have to go to work. I'm just going to sleep anyway." She told him, and he noticed how tired she was as she turned to the nurse. "I think I'm ready to go up now." She received quick hugs from everyone, and Catherine tucked the pizza box in Sara's lap.
"Thanks everyone. It was a great night." Sara told them, and then the nurse grabbed the handles of the chair to push Sara inside.
"How are you feeling?" The nurse asked when they got into the elevator.
"Good. Tired, but good." Sara said. "It was good to get out of my room, and see everyone. But I'm ready to sleep now."
"It will take some time before you get your energy back, but you'll be back to normal soon." The nurse promised. "For now, we'll get you to your room, and we need to quickly check you over then we can let you sleep." Sara nodded, already feeling herself doze off in the chair. When they arrived at her bed, she was able to stand and move herself from chair to bed as the nurse placed the pizza box with her other food. Sara promptly dropped her head to the pillow as the nurse raised the side rail. She quickly checked Sara's temperature, oxygen and pulse, and then handed Sara her meds which were quickly dry swallowed.
"Do you want some help to get into your pajamas?" The nurse asked, and Sara shook her head.
"No, I'll sleep in this." Sara told her. "If my husband comes back, he can stay. Everyone else can wait until tomorrow." She told her groggily.
"No problem. I wouldn't be surprised if he comes up in a few minutes." The nurse said. Sara nodded sleepily as she closed her eyes, and she was asleep in seconds.
In the courtyard after Sara left, everyone was packing up their things and the unfinished pizza.
"Take those into work. I'm sure someone will want them." Catherine told Nick.
"Thanks. It will vanish." Nick told her. "We've got a couple hours before shift. Anyone want to go get some coffee?"
"I can't, I need to head home before work." Greg told him. "I'll see you later. Have a good night everyone." He said and then quickly left.
"What about the rest of you?" Nick asked.
"I'd better not. I need to get some sleep. I've got an early morning work meeting I need to call in for." Catherine explained.
"Brass, Grissom? Or am I going to be going alone?" Nick asked.
"I suppose I could join you." Brass told him. "Gil, come with us. Sara's probably already asleep. You'll be back before she's awake." Grissom hesitated a few seconds.
"Ok. Let me go up and check on Sara. If she's asleep, I'll come." He agreed.
"Great. I'll see you at the diner. Don't bail on us, ok?" Nick told him.
"I'll see you soon, Nick."