The Search by SLynn
Disclaimer: Not mine, not mine, not mine.
Spoilers: Everything up to 'Nesting Dolls' in Season 5 although I doubt seriously I drag all that up.
Notes of thanks at the bottom!
Endings
The day after Greg was supposed to be released from the hospital Sara went to visit him again.
Grissom had gone by specifically yesterday to take him home only to find out he wasn't going home. He'd gone into the lab that night and let them all know. He didn't have the details as to why because Greg wouldn't give them, but he'd guessed that it was complications from the pneumonia. Serious ones if they weren't willing to release him.
She'd gone to the nurse's desk as she had several times before to sign in. It was a formality by this time, the nurses were all use to the various members of the crime lab coming and going to Greg's room but today she was stopped.
"I'm sorry miss," the woman told her, "You can't see him today."
"Why not?" she questioned sounding put off.
"He's in surgery."
Sara stared at the woman like she might have grown a second head.
"That can't be right," she finally said shaking her head, "I'm here to see Greg Sanders."
"I know who you're here to see," the nurse returned with some attitude of her own, "And I told you, he's in surgery. You might be able to see him tonight but I can't guarantee that. Dr. Garrett may decide to put him on quarantine."
"What is it for?" she asked growing worried, "He was fine yesterday."
"I really can't discuss that with you."
Sara nodded curtly, really angry now and made her way to the pay phone. Calling Grissom she quickly explained the situation. He too was surprised at the news and told her to stay there and he'd join her.
Grissom was there in twenty minutes. The entire time Sara paced the waiting room and glared at the nurse on duty.
Once he arrived he went straight to the desk and asked to speak with Dr. Garrett. The nurse obliged but not before casting one last look of disapproval at Sara.
After another half hour of silence in the waiting room Dr. Garrett came through the double doors and joined them both in the chairs.
"Dr. Grissom," he said shaking his hand and acknowledged Sara with a nod, "What can I do for you?"
"We were just told that Greg Sanders is in surgery," Gil began.
"Yes," Dr. Garrett answered with another nod, "Actually, he's just gotten out. Fairly routine considering."
"Considering what?" Sara interrupted.
"He has a condition called empyma. It's a rare occurrence but can happen with acute cases of pneumonia. Basically he has fluid filling the pleural space in his lungs making it hard for him to breathe. We've inserted a chest tube to drain that fluid. Once done it will be removed and he should be fine."
"How much longer will he be in?" Grissom asked still concerned.
"At least another week and then he'll need a week's recovery time at home."
"Can we see him?" Sara asked.
"I don't see why not," Dr. Garrett answered standing and ushering them past the desk. "He's still under right now but should be waking up shortly. He'll probably be disorientated and you can't stay long. Tomorrow he'll be able to see visitors like regular."
"Thank you doctor," Grissom said once more shaking his hand as they stopped in front of the room.
Grissom opened the door first and stepped inside followed closely by Sara.
Greg was still asleep like Dr. Garrett said he would be and it was startling how young and sick he looked. Despite the sunburn he appeared almost pale. He was still hooked up to an oxygen tank and IV and there as a visible bump on his chest, covered by his gown, that must be the chest tube they'd been told about.
They both stood quietly for several minutes neither speaking nor moving just watching him until he began to stir.
Greg's eyes fluttered several times before they finally came open. It took a minute for him to come round fully and then another few for him to realize he wasn't alone.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his words heavy and slurred.
"I think the better question is why you didn't tell us about this surgery," Grissom said but not unkindly.
"It wasn't that big of a deal," Greg answered after a violent yawn.
Both Sara and Grissom shook their heads at him in disbelief.
"You scared me," Sara started and then corrected herself, "You scared us good."
"I'm sorry," Greg said turning towards her, "It was really routine. Like half an hour or something like that."
"Routine?" Sara questioned, angry without reason, "Greg they stuck a tube in your chest."
Greg just shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.
"Sara," Grissom said warningly and she took the hint. Now was not the time to argue with him. Greg was still a bit too out of it to care.
"I didn't mean to worry anyone," Greg continued looking from one to the other, "That's why I didn't say anything. I figured it would be done with before anyone noticed."
Grissom gave him a half smile, figuring he'd say as much but Sara still looked fairly angry.
Before anyone could say anything more the nurse from the front desk was in the room ready to usher them out.
"Mr. Sanders needs his rest," she said tersely making Sara scowl even more.
"Maria," Greg said to her, "they're alright. I don't mind them here."
"Doctor's orders Greg," she said giving him a smile.
"We'll see you tomorrow," Grissom said standing to go.
Sara, not at all happy, made her way over to his bed and squeezed his hand once but said no more. Greg smiled at her and watched them go through heavy lidded eyes.
The next few times Sara or any one came to see Greg it was obvious that he really was finally getting better. Clearing the fluid from around his lungs had helped immensely and he was recovering faster each day until it was finally time for him to go home.
Sara and Nick both volunteered to take him to which he was initially reluctant, wanting to do it by himself. That was before he realized he had no way of getting home other then by a taxi so he relented.
Greg was really happy to see his house and his dog again. Chloe was equally happy to see him. She nearly knocked the three of them over when he came through the door, jumping and whining in excitement.
After stopping to pet her sufficiently Greg looked around the living room and kitchen.
"What happened?" he asked turning to Nick and Sara.
"Don't look at me," Nick said pointing to Sara.
"You rearranged my house?" he asked with a laugh as he moved to sit down.
"Just a little," she said joining him on the couch causing Chloe to yelp and try and get between them.
"I think she's jealous," Nick commented sitting down in the nearby armchair.
Greg smiled at that, petting Chloe once on the head before shooing her off the couch.
"So how much time did you spend here?" Greg asked looking from Nick to Sara.
"Enough to realize you don't know a thing about proper nutrition," Sara returned with a smirk.
"Yeah you had some kind of experiment in that fridge of yours," Nick added.
"Well I don't eat in a lot," Greg sighed getting up to check for himself.
When he opened it he laughed and turned back around.
"Did you clean everything?" he asked, directing his question to Sara.
"Why do you assume it was me?"
"Because I've seen Nick's place and it isn't this clean."
"Hey," Nick said sounding offended.
"And you shopped," Greg continued looking through the refrigerators contents. "What is this stuff?"
Sara stood up and joined him.
"They're called vegetables. You might not recognize them because these haven't been fried."
"Hmm," he said still looking inside, "so that's what they look like."
Sara slapped him playfully on the arm before moving away.
"Did you go through my personal belongs as well?" Greg asked as he shut the door and leaned against the counter.
"No," Sara answered and he gave her a scrutinizing look. "No, I didn't."
"I don't think I can trust you," Greg returned, "After all, you read my notebook."
"I told you," Nick said with a laugh as he moved towards them.
Sara said nothing to that, just put a hand up to her forehead and looked down with a small smile on her lips.
"I said I was sorry," Sara finally got out.
"Guys," Nick interrupted, "I've got to go. My shift starts in an hour."
"Thanks for the ride," Greg said.
"Any time," Nick said clasping him on the shoulder before saying goodbye to them both and heading out the door.
"I'm beat," Greg said yawning once and moving back towards the couch.
"I'll go too," Sara offered, "Let you get some rest."
"No," he countered, "Stay. Please."
Sara smiled at him and joined him back on the couch. For a few minutes they just sat in a comfortable silence, Chloe between them despite Greg's attempts to move her from the couch.
"Catherine told me my father called," he said quietly.
Sara nodded and said nothing to that.
"Thanks for filling her in," Greg continued turning to her slightly. "I know it put you in an awkward situation and I'm sorry about that…"
"Greg don't apologize," she said cutting him off.
"No, really," he continued undeterred, "Thank you."
"Fine. Does this mean we're finally even on the notebook thing?"
"No," he answered with a laugh and she smiled knowing he'd be forever tormenting her over it and not really minding much.
Again there was silence.
"I talked to him."
Sara looked at him again, seriously taken back.
"Catherine told me he called and that she filled him in on what was happening but that she didn't know what to say or do once we'd gotten back so I asked her for his number and I called."
"What did he say?" Sara asked and then immediately recollected herself, "I'm sorry, that's not my business."
"No, it's fine," Greg said shaking his head seemingly relieved to have someone to talk to about it, "He was surprised. I mean, of course he didn't know who I was at first but it was okay I guess. We didn't really talk much. I just told him I was okay and…"
Greg stopped and rubbed his forehead with his hand looking down. Sara put her hand on his shoulder in support and he nodded and smiled at her kindly.
"He wants to meet me. Wants me to meet his wife and kids, my sisters. I have three more sisters."
He'd laughed as he'd finished the thought but it wasn't his normal laugh. This one sounded strained. Worried even.
"What are you going to do?" she asked seriously.
"I don't know. I told him I'd think about it but I don't know if I'm ready yet."
Sara nodded and understood that.
"I want too," Greg said sounding just a serious as she had, "I do. I don't want to go my whole life and not know him but I've already gone my whole life thinking he didn't want to know me."
"That's what your mother said, you don't know if that's even true."
Greg nodded, he'd considered that himself.
"I guess it's time, huh?"
Sara nodded and smiled once more at him.
"I think I will," Greg said sounding resolved. "My terms."
Sara thought she knew what he meant but couldn't be certain. Instead she just nodded once more at him.
"Thanks Sara," he said turning to her again.
"For what?" she asked really not understanding why he'd be thanking her.
"For listening to me. For being here."
"Well you've been there for me," she said shrugging off the compliment, "I'm just returning the favor."
"I'm not there for you as a favor," he said once more serious, "I'm there for you because you're my friend."
Sara, embarrassed by his honest sentiment, didn't know what to say. So she said nothing, leaned in and kissed his cheek before standing up to go.
"You need to get some sleep," she ordered as she moved towards the front door.
"What?" he questioned joining her, "You're not going to tuck me in?"
Sara laughed at him, all the ease back in his voice.
"Not tonight," she returned. "Maybe tomorrow if you're lucky."
"Really?"
"No," she answered and they both laughed.
"Goodnight Greg," she said giving him a hug before opening the door to go.
"Goodnight," he echoed and watched her as she walked to her car, only shutting the door once she had it started.
Sara sat there for a moment, even after he left the doorway, just taking it all in. This quite possibly had been the longest few weeks of her life. It had been such an emotional rollercoaster. Surprised at her own emotions, her own feelings, knowing that the ride was far from over.
In a way the search had really just begun.
The End
A/N: This one took a lot longer to get out then I thought it would and was much harder to write compared to 'The Body'. I am working on another one in this line about Greg going to visit his father but I can't say how long it will be until I start it. I'm fairly well wrapped up in my first series and want to start another story that has been popping in and out of my head. Thanks once more to everyone who has read this and even bigger thanks to everyone that has reviewed. Again, thanks Tripp3235 for reviewing this for me for inaccuracies, I appreciate the help.
Tripp3235 – I think this one gave me more heartache then any other I'm writing because I just wanted to end it sooner then I knew I could. I'm still such a complete angst monkey. Thanks again for all the help!
Duckie24 – yeah, I think this one came out much more emotional then the last, glad you liked it.
Sillie – I know this one didn't come out as fast as the others, sorry about that! Hope it was done soon enough for you and that you enjoyed the ending!
Emmithar – thanks for all the reviews, I wish I could review and update as much as you do! I love your stories btw, I'm know I've said it before but I can't seem to say it enough.
lins – I thought it would be fun to show the more emotional side of all our favorite fictional television characters!
white rose01– thank you so much! I don't know what to say… huge compliment, thanks again! Oh and thanks for reviewing 'Conversation' as well. It was my first slash piece and I liked the way it came out and I do plan on writing some more of that particular pairing.
Gizzi1213 – Emmithar and I are in a secret competition to see who can out angst the other. A girl has got to have a hobby. Hope I didn't get you too upset!
a writer of fics – Hope the ending suited you!
Grrlnorth – review wherever you want, I just love hearing from you! And thanks, glad you liked it so far!
Ahn-Li Steffrani – yes, they got found… finally. Sorry if the wait was too long!
BeyondMyStar – It seemed like longer in this one, didn't it? It did for me at least and I knew it was going to take a week!
Strata – I included Greg's father for my own selfish 'sequel' reasons.
LuvinNickyStokes – I know I say this every time, but I'm still luvin your name! I don't plan on writing an actual story around the house itself but I'll probably conclude that story line in the planned follow-up for this one.
Stormchilde – don't bite your nails, it's a bad habit.. I do it too! Not sure if I'm popular of if this site is unstable.. I'm betting on the later!
Storyspindler – don't worry about reviewing, I just like that people read these things. I'm glad it's over, this one has been hard to write. Glad you liked it though!
chrissy8 – it's finally done!