The Breaking Point

Summary: Things can go downhill in a hurry.

A/N: Thoughts will be shown as ['xxxxx']. Signing will be shown as: /*Calm down*/.
Gaelic will be shown as {"xxxx"}.

Chapter 11: With a Little Help from My Friends

~~~~~~~~~~~ Aron McCollum's Apartment ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Police Officer Aron McCollum had invited his friend Max Carruthers to dinner. Max or
Maxwell was a Level II CSI from Reno. He wanted to talk to Max about his boss Grissom.
Aron had only worked with Grissom on a few occasions mostly when he was called to clear a
crime scene or to protect the crime scene while Grissom and his team collected evidence.

Max had originally been born in Vegas and been friends with Aron through high school and
both went to school at UNLV Max to study forensics while Aaron studied for a Criminal
Justice degree.

Upon graduation Aron was able to join the LVPD but Max couldn't secure a position in the
LV CSI lab because there were no slots available when he had applied. He had worked in
Reno for four years before being able to return to Las Vegas. He renewed his friendship
with Aron and they frequently had dinner with one another, double dated and just hung out
together.

Max was a little uncomfortable talking about his boss to anyone. He was not a little
intimidated by the man. "Aron I really don't want to talk about my boss to people outside
of work. Why are you so curious about Dr. Grissom?"

"I want my Aunt Noreen to help Dr. Grissom. She's an excellent nurse. She knows so much
not only traditional medicine but the old Gaelic medicine. By the end of her career she
became firmly entrenched in holistic methods. She's semi-retired now. I've heard things
through the grapevine that things are not going well with Dr. Grissom. I need information
about the man to convince her to help him."

Max considered this, weighing the possibilities. "Ok. I tell you what I know. Dr.
Grissom had always been in the news; he taught a few classes at UNLV and gave seminars on
various disciplines in forensics. I have only been at CSI about a month. I know he's
madly in love with Sara Sidle. I know that I have learned more in my month at CSI LV than
my four years in Reno."

"So nothing else Max?"

"He's a good man. He stands up for people. He stands up for his CSIs. He's
compassionate and gentle. I've only seen him loose his temper once…with Conrad Ecklie.
He broke a coffee pot that day." He thought a moment.

"Wait now I remember…I came to visit my sister and to stay in Vegas during my vacation. I
had been working in Reno for about three years. I came to pick her up for a really late
dinner and I saw Dr. Grissom being brought into the hospital…into the ER by your Captain
Brass."

"Initially the EMTs thought he had a stroke but after examination by my sister Dr. Maxine
Carruthers, the stroke turned out to be a extremely severe migraine…I remember there was
some kind of scuffle involving a suspect brought in for treatment and Capt. Brass had come
running out of Dr. Grissom's cubicle."

"I don't know what possessed me but I peeked in and saw that he appeared either delirious
or convulsive. He was mumbling at times and yelling at times. I was worried so I came
closer…Grissom grabbed my hands and began talking louder and louder until he was almost
shouting; I was scared."

"I couldn't understand what he was saying. Captain Brass came back in the cubicle. Now I
remember exactly what was said by Capt. Brass because I thought the situation was surreal.
Brass said, 'don't worry I'll handle this now. Gil slow down my Irish is not as good as
yours. You do this to me all the time…usually when we're both drunk…slow down…' Capt.
Brass forgot I was even standing there. He just kept talking to Dr. Grissom. He slipped
into this Irish language as he called it. So I don't know what was said. My sister came
in with some medications and kicked me out into the waiting room. That's all I know…Now I
work for the guy. He's a good boss. I hope he comes back."

"Wow…he must know Gaelic…Grissom isn't an Irish or Scots name probably his mother's side
of the family. Now I know Aunt Noreen will help him. She has a weak spot for the auld
country. Once she sees Doctor Grissom she will weaken totally. I mean he looks so much
like my Uncle Robert…Max I could kiss you."

"Don't even try." Max stammered. "I'm not that kind of guy…don't even try."

Aron just laughed. He felt better than he had since the shootout. ['I can help this
man…this man who saved my life.']

~~~~~ Grissom's Townhouse ~~~~~

Greg came from the spare bedroom aka "The Bug Room". He volunteered early on to feed the
denizens of Griss's Bug Room. The hissing cockroaches, the six preying mantis and the half
dozen various hued tarantulas had been all fed. He was just waiting for the rest of the
members of the night and swing shifts to show up. It had been a long time since such a
meeting had been called; in fact the last time had also involved Grissom, the Strip
Strangler case.

Grissom had been suspended because he chose to follow the evidence. He had gone against
the Sheriff and the FBI. Greg was glad now that he hadn't been a CSI then. Greg had
learned most of the details from the other lab techs and the rest of the lab grapevine and
from Ecklie shooting his mouth off.

Very few secrets remained secrets in the lab for long even those about Grissom. Greg was
an astute observer. People often discounted him because of his antics, his quirkiness.
But he watched and he learned.

He knew the signs when Grissom had the beginnings of a migraine. The eyes became
strangely flat and tired. Griss pinched the bridge of his nose and snapped at people for
absolutely no reason. Loud noises made his shoulders jerk. Greg would see him retreat to
his office mumbling about paperwork but then later when he walked by he would see Griss
with his head down on the desk with no light on. Usually about this time, Cath would
magically appear in full blown mother hen role. She would drag Grissom out his office
muttering about meds and why do you let this happen. She would snap at the nearest csi or
tech "Taking Grissom home… migraine."

He saw Grissom pack up some of his things before leaving that day. The telltale signs
were there…the eyes, the reactions to loud noises, the pinch… ['God Griss…']he
thought['…Suspended and a migraine.'] This time he had a somewhat defeated air about him. He
had heard the other CSIs going off on Grissom when another victim was found about how long
it was taking to catch the guy…the lab buzzed for days about the decoy fiasco run by
Culpepper. ['Everyone is pretty stressed out…']he mused. He felt bad for Grissom he took
everything on himself. ['What would happen now? Would Catherine take over?'] Then he saw
something that was definitely weird. Cath announcing just loud enough to be overheard
about an emergency at home. Fifteen minutes later Warrick and Nicky sneaking files out of
the lab? Sara carrying an evidence box? ['Where were they going? Why would the graveyard
shift have to sneak case folders and evidence out of the lab? Nobody is working on
anything but the Strip Strangler case. Where…']Greg had smiled…['Where else but to Grissom
and where would Grissom be…at his townhouse.'] He had done his part, too…Processing the
evidence on the sly and the other techs sworn to silence. They were all in awe of Grissom
and viewed as some kind of forensic god…They knew he would be back and didn't want to be
on his wrong side. But events had quickly overtaken all care.

The migraine, his exhaustion and his naïve sense of his own invulnerability had led to the
end of Syd Goggle and almost the end of Gil Grissom. Goggle had hit Grissom's left arm
hard with a large wrench knocking him to the floor of the laundry room; he had picked up a
large shovel and was prepared to brain him when Cath showed up and shot Goggle five times
dead center cut.

By the time the crime scene was sorted out and processed Grissom had disappeared. Of
course the Sheriff, the Mayor and the FBI all enjoyed themselves on CNN; but eight young
women were dead; the man who killed them was dead and the CSI who had been instrumental in
bringing this case to a close was missing.

Cath had covered for him saying he had decided to extend his "vacation" and taken off for
some giant amusement park back east with some new absurdly named roller coaster. But
where was Grissom?

A week passed and she lied for him again saying he had again extended his vacation. In
truth, no one knew where he was. Sara was frantic with worry. Brass and Cath wracked
their collective brains trying to figure where he had gone. They had called a meeting of
the night shift and decided to meet in Grissom's townhouse to escape the Ecklie spies that
seemed to lurk around every corner.

Greg who had volunteered to take care of his bugs arrived before everyone else. He had
used the spare key from Cath. While he was feeding the tarantulas he thought he heard a
noise. ['Who…what…']He thought and gulped. He saw Grissom's putter in the corner of the bug
room. He picked it up and crept towards the master bedroom. He pushed the door open and
saw him sprawled across the bed.

"Grissom." He cried out as he had run towards bed. Grissom was sprawled on his stomach
one arm sprawled across the bed the other underneath him. He was mumbling something
incoherent into the quilt that covered the king size bed. Greg had called Cath and Brass
and then Sara immediately.

Grissom's clothes were definitely rumbled and soiled. His hair was longer than it had
been and was brushing the top of his dirty shirt collar. Greg had wanted to turn him over
but feared to hurt him. If something was terribly wrong he didn't want to be alone when
he found out what it might be.

Brass, Cath, Warrick, Nick and Sara had arrived almost simultaneously. Emotions played
across their faces as apprehension battled joy. Sara voiced it first "Damn it Griss where
the hell were you?"

Grissom had cocked one eyebrow up and simply said "Away". She had punched in the arm
nearest her for that remark, his left. He had immediately collapsed on the bed. At first
she had thought he was teasing but they soon realized that Grissom was still carrying a
souvenir of his encounter with Syd Goggle.

His left arm was broken. They had cleaned him up and taken him to a free clinic to get
his arm cast. They fabricated a story about a fall at an amusement park and life at the
lab returned to normal. The Strip Strangler case was closed and faded into the legend and
lore of the LVPD CSI. But for Greg it had been a glimpse behind the Grissom façade. So
Gruesome Grissom was not a robot. He had feelings.

Greg had looked differently at Grissom after that; he had an inkling of what lay beyond
the façade. Over the next three years that followed he became aware of the signs of
stress in his supervisor's face and demeanor. He became quite good at noting the
impending fracture of the façade and tried in his own way to be not so annoying at those
times. He made sure that plenty of Hawaiian Blue was at hand and that hopefully Sara was
somewhere nearby. He had expected something to happen a few weeks ago but then the
"Shootout at the OK Corral" occurred. He began to contemplate this when he heard voices
coming up the walk to the front door.

The coffee was ready as were several boxes of Krispy Kremes. The meeting could start as
soon as Sara arrived.

~~~

Cath, Nick, Warrick and Greg were making small talk sipping coffee and eating donuts when
Brass breezed through the door. He was followed quickly by Sara.

Brass looked around. "Good we are all here." Brass looked over at Sara. She nodded her
head. "First, I wanted to thank you all for coming. I know Griss is your friend. He has
always carried and supported us. Now I think he really needs our help. Sara has to go to
a seminar in New York City for a month or be demoted."

The shocked looks traveled from one face to another. "Ecklie" was spoken by one voice
with the same vehemence as if they had all uttered 'Damn, crap, shit or the more popular
f…' "It doesn't matter who or why. She won't be here to take care of Grissom. He is
supposed to be released from the hospital next week. We have found someone to fill-in for
Sara, a retired nurse by the name of Noreen McCollum. Her nephew Officer McCollum has
agreed to stay with her at Grissom's townhouse. But they will need to be spelled on
occasion until Sara gets back. So Sara and I wanted to know if you would be willing to be
on call. Greg can you continue to take care of Grissom's bugs?"

Greg shot them a need you ask look.

Cath spoke up first. "Brass you know we will do whatever we can to help Gil. But I get
the feeling that this meeting is more than what you just discussed. "

Brass looked in Sara's direction and she began to speak. "Gil…Grissom is having problems
with pain. You all know what he is like whenever he becomes sick or has a problem He
shuts down or becomes extremely 'grumpy'…" That elicited a shared laugh from the group.
They had all suffered from these famous moods. The normal lab behavior being to tread
lightly until whatever it was passed.

Sara continued "What the doctors are doing is not working. We need to think outside the
box. We need to support Gil; don't let him push you away…I am not expert on alternative
medicines or holistic practices but while I am gone I plan to become an expert on whatever
I need to be. Whatever Gil needs to recover…whatever sacrifices I need to make…I will
do…I love him." By now Sara was close to tears. She felt so bad she wasn't going to be
here for Grissom.

The group closed ranks around Sara. They all felt how unfair life had become. How upside
down the world had become. Each in his own way was reliving memories of Grissom and what
he had done to help them…they were still grappling with the raw emotions they felt as the
result of the shooting. They weren't sure what to do but together as Gil's team they had
always managed to solve any problem. But they would try together.

~~~~ Grissom's hospital room ~~~~

Today was a day for a lot of firsts. The feeding tube had been removed as well as the
Foley catheter. No more IV lines. All medications would be administered by syringe or
mouth. Today the physical therapist would be coming in to help Grissom begin sitting up
and perhaps standing up. Grissom was pleased because this was an indication to him that
his release was imminent.

He had grown tired of sponge baths and was hoping that the next day or two he might take a
real shower for the first time in almost a month. Gil was eager to trim his beard, maybe
change the style. If this f***ing pain would just go away. He had been unable to eat any
of the items on the menu for lunch.

Dr. Max had come in an hour before lunch was served and raised his bed so that he was
sitting up. He had been so dizzy he almost passed out. This change in position had put
additional pressure on his leg and the pain had increased from the constant throb he had
been experiencing into new waves of fresh pain which the injection he had earlier did
nothing to alleviate.

Lunch had come soon after this. It was mostly liquids of various kinds. But his stomach
was still churning from the previous events. He tried some of the broth and a little of
the tea and had succeeded only in vomiting all over himself. He suffered through the
cleanup and another sponge bath. The most wonderful thing that had happened so far was
the early afternoon injection of painkillers. It only took the edge off the pain but at
least he had a faint buzz.

He was too exhausted for anything and this realization only depressed him further. As he
brooded he didn't notice the arrival of Noreen. She slipped quietly in with her canvass
bag of goodies. ['I never saw such a depressing sight in my life. I heard about his day so
far. Well things will start changing. Now.']

{"Ta shiu cheet! (Hello)"}

{"Dia duit… maith… (Hello Good…"}


{"(You remember…['what my nephew said was right.'])"}

{"(How did you know? I haven't spoken Gaelic in years. ['Except when I totally f***ing
drunk.'])"}

{"(It doesn't matter. I have brought something for you to eat and drink)."}

"No…I can't"

"Try it at least…" She poured some tea into a mug and handed it to him. Grissom was
leary but it did smell good. He was tired of only being able to keep water now and not
always that, so he took the chance. ['This is good…soothing…I wonder if I can…'] He thought
as he held out his hand for another mug. This time Noreen put a hearty spicy broth in a
mug and handed it to Grissom. He took an exploratory sip. ['Wow…']Another sip. ['Spicy but
good…']He had taken three sips and then he put the mug down to wait.

['Now he's waiting to see…']Noreen thought['…No need to worry now boyo. It will stay down…']"It
will stay down. Now finish up…slowly. Then have another mug of tea, then a nap and I
assure you it will be better still when you wake up." When Grissom had finished both he
felt incredibly sleepy, the dull throb in his leg had faded into the background. His
breathing began to lengthen and become rhythmic and deep. He was asleep. ['Now I read…we
will have plenty to do when he wakes up.'] She pulled out a well worn leather volume from
the bag. She checked to make sure Grissom was comfortable, removed his glasses and put
them on the bedside table. She settled more comfortably in her chair and began to read
the Poetry of Robert Burns.

~~~~~~~~~ To the airport ~~~~~~~~~~~

Brass had agreed to drive Sara to the airport. He helped check in her luggage. He sat
with her near the gate while they talked of nonsense and danced around the thoughts
uppermost in their minds. "Sara…Don't worry we are all here for Gil. I like Noreen. She
will keep him on his toes. You know when he does get out of the hospital we definitely
need to find something for him to do besides paperwork. A bored Grissom is a dangerous
animal."

"Worse than a hurting one."

"Sara…Sara" He hugged her and continued. "We will figure it out…a lot of people care about
Gil…even if he doesn't think he's worth the bother. We were all so happy for you two. I
think everyone was looking forward to a wedding. I was worried about Gil. He needs you
Sara. I think if you two hadn't gotten together finally Gil would have imploded. He's
that close to burnout." ['He's that close to burnout…']Brass thought['…Burnout…mmm.']

"Sara…this may sound all fouled up but you have an opportunity to really get close to Gil
now. No job to mess things up. You both will have a lot of time to spend together.
Maybe he won't return to the job…you two can make a life for yourselves. Gil is a very
smart man. He can do a lot of things. You will have to be there for him. We will all
try to be there for him. Gil is one of the good guys. We need people like him in our
lives."


"So go to New York. Look at it as the opportunity to go to one of the world's biggest
research labs. Come back to us with plans. Come back to Gil a strong woman. You can do
it." He heard the boarding call. "And now its time to go. Take care of yourself. Call.
See you in four weeks." With a last hug he handed her the carryon bag and waved goodbye.
['Four weeks…that's a long time. I wish I felt as sure as I sounded a few minutes ago.']
When he saw the plane back out and taxi down the runway, he turned and walked out to
parking lot and drove back to Vegas.

~~~~~~~~~ on the flight to New York ~~~~~~~~~~~

She sighed. She pulled out a nearly new lab record book. She had bought it for this
express purpose. She had started writing in it when Gil was shot. A long time ago when
she had gone to that first counselor when she was put in foster care the doctor had
mentioned that sometimes it helped to write things down that were too painful to talk
about. She had tried that off and on over the years. Sometimes it really did help. She
knew she needed it now.

Already quite a few pages were covered with her scrawl. Maybe someday she would share it
with Gil. She felt it would be an important part of her recovery and maybe Gil's. She
opened it to the first page and saw her bloody fingerprints.

Gil's blood. She had the same visceral reaction of panic, rage and sorrow. ['It doesn't get
any easier does it…']She began to read and relive the events of the past month. As she
reached the last written page she heard the landing announcement. She had a chance to
scribble a few thoughts on the next page about a list of things she had to find out about
yoga, acupuncture, acupressure, yoga massage, vegetarian diets, organic healing diets,
holistic healing…the descent of the plane caused her to cap her pen and put the book away.
She was ready now. ['New York City here I come.']

~~~~~~~~~~ Desert Palms ~~~~~~~~~

The door to Grissom's door opened quietly. An orderly with a wheel chair was waiting...
Noreen looked at her watch and realized it was time for Dr. Grissom's first official
physical therapy appointment.

She leaned over and whispered into his ear {"(Time to get up, Dr. Grissom.)"} He slept on.
She tried to shake him as gently as possibly so as not to jar his leg. ['Still no
response…'] she pinched his nose shut while covering his mouth with the palm of the same
hand. Grissom's eyes fluttered as the need for oxygen became paramount.

"Ah you are awake…time for PT."

A sour look passed over Grissom's face "We will have none of that, Doctor." Noreen
motioned for the orderly to come over with the wheelchair. Between the two of them they
transferred Grissom from bed to chair with as little fuss as possible.

In a few minutes, Gil was wheeled into the PT room. Noreen had managed to schedule his
first appointment so no one else was there.

The physical therapist began his spiel. "Ok, Doctor. The first thing we are going to do
is some stretching exercises for your ankles, knees and hips as well as your arms,
shoulders and back. You've been bedridden for quite a while and have become pretty stiff.
You are scheduled for a return engagement this evening to see if we can attempt standing.
You will have a PT session three times a day for the next three days. After that you will
be discharged from the hospital. I recommend that you continue with your own therapist.
Shall we get started?"

Just the slightest hint of a smile showed on Grissom's face. ['Three more days…'] That smile
soon disappeared from his face and the physical therapist began stretching his muscles and
manipulating his joints. However, things went from not so bad to bad to worse in a matter
of seconds the minute the therapist started to flex his left knee. While he was careful he
had to maintain a firm grip on Grissom's left thigh. The pain in his leg was only
lessened by the release he felt when Gil's fist connected with the therapist's jaw. This
was followed by a string of Gaelic swear words that even caused Noreen's ears to crimson.

Noreen signaled for the wheelchair only to discover the orderly had left the room. She
rushed over to the therapist who was starting to come around. "Wow, Dr. Grissom you've
got some right. I'm really sorry I hurt you. I think we're finished for today." Grissom
wasn't listening; he was trying without much success to regain control over his temper,
his pain and his tongue. Noreen helped him to his feet and turned to face Dr. Grissom who
was still struggling with his self control.

Noreen went to her bag and pulled out a thermos and poured some hot liquid from it into a
mug. She walked quietly over to Grissom whose breathing had grown ragged in the last few
seconds. When he looked up at her she saw pain, anger and embarrassment washing across
his face. {"(Now…now…Gilbert…whist…now drink this you'll feel so much better.")} She
helped him hold the mug in his shaking hands as he sipped the hot liquid…['Maybe we should
try his friends or…'] She looked up and saw the therapist was about to come back in. She
held up five fingers signaling 'give me five minutes' the therapist nodded and waited
outside. {"(Now drink it all up…that's a good 'un…shhh…now tell me why you punched the poor
young man?)"}

Another couple of minutes passed before Grissom was able to compose himself enough to
speak. When he did speak it came out in a low rough whisper. "I didn't mean to hit him…I
didn't mean to hit him…I…"

Noreen was now seated behind Grissom one hand gently stroking his hair while the other
helped to hold the mug. "Shhh. I know Doc I know…it was just all that anger…he dinna
mean to hurt you…you know that…it's been hard hasn't it…and your dear Sara canna be here
for you…shhh. Let it all out…" And Grissom sobbed. He cried for himself…he cried for
the loss of control…he cried because he thought he would never have what he wanted…he
cried because he hurt…he cried because he wanted Sara…here…now. "Shhh…" The therapist
looked through the little window in the door.

['Wow I should I known that was coming…It's always the quiet ones. No damage done besides a
hell of a bruise. We'll try again. I owe Dr. G a lot…he found the evidence that cleared
my brother. He said that he was just doing his job…but it was my brother he helped. He's
a doctor now. Dr. G did that. He saved all those cops. He helps people. Not like some
of the slime who come in here for help. You can punch me again Dr. G. I can take it.'] And
he waited and rubbed his jaw. It was twenty minutes before Grissom had calmed down.
Noreen signaled for the therapist to come back in. Grissom looked up. "I want to
apologize…it took me by surprise…I'm sorry." He held his hand out to the therapist.

"Hey, Dr. G. I got to learn to duck. You want to try again?"

Grissom nodded his head slowly. The therapist and Grissom worked slowly this time.
Although tears were streaming down his face at the end, they managed to get through the
last exercise. Then the therapist and Noreen transferred Grissom back to the wheelchair.

Noreen kept up a small stream of soothing talk as she wheeled Grissom back to his room.
Grissom was totally exhausted not only physically but emotionally. Instead of getting him
transferred back into bed she spoke "Dr. Grissom. I think you could use a shower tonight.
I'm also going to wash your hair and I think your beard could use a trim. Now don't look
so shocked. You have nothing I haven't seen before. I think it would be very soothing
for you. They put everything in the bathroom. So let's go." Grissom's face was several
colors of red but his embarrassment was overridden by the idea of a cleansing shower.

With his help and hers they maneuvered him into the shower chair. She gave him a small
towel to drape over his lap for modesty's sake. She turned on the water and adjusted the
temperature. Noreen wore a plastic smock and shower sandals to keep from getting wet.
First she washed Grissom's hair. She used a special herbal shampoo of her own invention
which was both cleansing and soothing to the scalp. ['My…he has such silky fine hair…oh and
his beard is so soft….Sara is a lucky woman.']

She used a soft cloth to scrub his back and arms and chest. She handed him the herbal
soap and a wash cloth. "Do your legs if you please." She had put a heavy rubber
restraint around his middle to keep him from falling forward as he slowly washed his legs.
"I'll do your feet before I trim your beard. Don't forget the private bits…I'll turn me
back." She did but not before she sneaked a look when Grissom removed his towel to clean
his genitals and groin. She smiled. ['Yes that Sara is a lucky woman.']

She turned off the water. She handed him a new towel and showed how to stand holding the
special grab bars so he wouldn't put any pressure on his injured leg. She toweled him dry
and handed him a robe of his own.

His surprised look prompted "Ah the one called Catherine brought some of your things
earlier. She got him back into his wheelchair and then she washed his feet. She wheeled
him away from the shower and settled him near the sink. "Now Dr. Grissom how do you want
me to trim your beard?"

"Can you do like a goatee?" He showed her what he meant by tracing his fingers along his
jaw line and around his mouth. She knew exactly what he meant. Robert her dear husband
had worn it that way for quite a while. ['Made him look quite the pirate she had always
thought.']

After fifteen minutes she wiped his face with a towel. ['Oh my… oh my…you are going to be
so irresistible Dr. Grissom. A piratical entomologist…If I was fifteen no ten years
younger there would not be a Doctor Grissom for you to come back to Sara…No I would not
leave this man in my clutches.']

"Ok here are your pajamas. I'll help you." There was no protest this time as Noreen
managed to maneuver the legs of the pajama halfway up his thighs then had him push up off
the seat using the arms of the wheelchair while she pulled them completely up. She left
him to tie the drawstring. She helped him off with the top part of his robe and helped
him into the pajama top. She buttoned it up and helped him put his robe back on.

Before she wheeled him back to bed he held her arm. "(Thank you from the bottom of my
heart…You are the very image of my Aunt Nora…Thank you.)"

"Acht...You are weary from the events of today. Come on I'll put you to bed and you will
have some more tea and some more broth."

"To bed, Noreen. What will Sara say?"

She slapped him on the shoulder before she wheeled him over to his bed. She buzzed for an
orderly who came in warily and helped transfer Grissom back into the bed. She put a mug
of tea and one of broth on the hospital table and gathered the wet towels and linens and
put them in the laundry bag.

Grissom finished his meal and felt quite drowsy. He almost felt contented for the first
time in weeks. His pain had begun to fade into the background; his stomach was full and
he felt refreshingly clean. ['But no Sara.'] He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep to
the soothing Gaelic of Noreen's voice as she began reading again.

TBC