Retribution

Chapter: 17

Sara began to stir. Catherine stroked a stray hair back in place.
“Hi honey.” Catherine said softly.
Sara swallowed hard. Her mouth dry.
“Water...” She whispered.
Catherine leaned to the bed side table and poured a small amount of water into a beaker. She handed it to Sara.
“Thanks.” Sara sipped the water lightly.
Catherine took Sara’s hand and looked deep into her eyes.
Sara could tell that Catherine know something.
“What Catherine? Please tell me.”
“Gil is out of surgery.”
Sara gasped and Catherine continued.
“But he’s very sick. They have managed to stop the bleeding Sara but they say the next 36 hours are crucial. We just have to pray that his wound doesn’t reopen.”
“I want to see him.”
Catherine grinned. “I thought you might, someone will come and get you when he’s settled ok?”
Sara nodded and leaned back, tilting onto her side. It hurt too much to put all the pressure on her back. She breathed deeply, sighing. She didn’t like nightmares. She hoped this one would end real soon.
There was a knock at the door and a nurse walked in. “Sorry miss Willows, I need to change Sara’s dressings. Would you mind waiting outside?” She asked.
“Sure.” Catherine said and began to stand but Sara grabbed her arm, looking at the nurse.
“I’d like her to stay. If that’s ok?” She looked sheepishly at Catherine. She didn’t want to be alone without someone she trusted.
Catherine smiled looking at Sara then the nurse. The nurse nodded.
“Sure Sara I’ll stay, if that’s what you want.”
“Thank you.”
Catherine stepped aside as the nurse helped Sara remove her hospital gown. She gasped as it fell from her body, seeing the full extent of the whip marks. The infection was only slight but non the less, her scars would remain forever. She could not help thinking that Grissom would have to live with that. It would hurt him to know that he was the one who made the marks on her back. The nurse softly cleaned Sara’s back wounds, then moved to her wrists. Tenderly taking off the dressings. Her wrists were a mess. Raw. Sara winced, her cuts burning as they were cleaned and redressed.
“There, all done,” the nurse said helping Sara into a clean gown.
“Do you need anymore pain killers?”
Sara shook her head. “No, thank you, I’m ok.”
Sara sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the nurse. “Can I see Gil now?”
“Let me go check with the Doctor OK? I’ll see what I can do.”
Sara nodded. “Thanks.”
The nurse left the room.
Catherine could see the pain in Sara’s eyes. Emotional and physical. She approached her and knelt next to her.
“You want to talk about it?” Catherine asked.
Sara thought for a moment and then shook her head. Tears filling her eyes. She wasn’t ready yet.
“Ok. Whenever your ready I’m here for you ok?”
Sara wiped away her tears and nodded thankfully.
Sara looked up as the nurse reappeared, pushing a wheelchair.
“I can see him?”
The nurse nodded. “But you have to be chauffeured around ok?”
Sara didn’t even reply. She forced herself off the bed and walked to the chair as quickly as her legs would carry her, sitting down quickly. The nurse pushed and Catherine followed.