The Breaking Point

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Summary: Sara decides to act and begins her research for recovery

Chapter 08: Plan your Actions

Sara’s eyes began to flutter open. Someone was shaking her shoulder. She was in the foggy place between sleep and waking where knowledge of place and time is unsure. “What?”

“Miss Sidle, we are moving Dr. Grissom to his private room. You have to wake up.”

Now Sara was fully awake. She saw she had been sleeping slumped over on Gil’s bed in the ICU. She was still grasping his hand. He was quite asleep. 'Gil' she thought. 'He must be exhausted.'

She slowly and gently removed his hand from hers. She rolled her neck around trying to remove the kinks; then she leaned over his sleeping form and kissed him once on each eye and once on the lips. She whispered, “I’m right here Gil. I’m right here.” Then she followed the gurney down to Room 203. Room 203 would be their home for the next few weeks.

Gil never woke up during the transfer. After 30 minutes he was comfortably ensconced in his new bed. His left leg was elevated to reduce the swelling and rested in a half caste; Sara noted this and guessed it was to protect the leg until the fractures could be stabilized. The room seemed comfortable enough but it was still a hospital room sterile, cold, too bright and too white.

Suddenly she realized no one knows what has been going on. 'Oh My God, I need to call the lab. They must be worried sick.' Sara hurried out to the nurse’s station. “Do you know where there’s a phone I could use? I need to call some friends.” The nurse pointed towards the waiting room.

Sara walked into the waiting room. She wouldn’t have to call after all. There they were, Gil’s “family” along with a few LVPD cops in various states of slumber looking exceedingly uncomfortable; Cath was holding Lindsay in her lap, Nick and Warrick were sleeping sitting up back to back. Sara couldn’t quite describe the position Greg was in but she didn’t think it was humanly possible.

Just then Brass walked in. “Sara, how are you holding up? How is he?”

Everyone began stretching as Brass’s entrance had woken them all. They all looked in Sara’s direction.

“Well, it was pretty touch and go for awhile. It was a long operation. But he’s in a private room, #203, now. The prognosis is very good. But don’t descend on him all at once. He’s exhausted and isn’t awake right now. But could someone stay with him for a couple of hours. I’ve got to get a change of clothes, shower and get something to eat.”

One of the LVPD cops stood up. “Miss Sidle we will stay and do anything you want. Our wives, kids and sweethearts are grateful to Dr. Grissom for what he did. To tell the truth we never really thought much about the CSIs at the scene. But that was a mistake on our part. Dr. Grissom is number one in our book. So whatever he needs just ask, you got it.”

“Thank you that is very kind. But right now I think someone he knows should sit with him at first. He probably won’t be awake for hours anyway.”

“I want to do it, Sara.”

Everyone turned towards Greg. “I want to, please.”

“Ok, Greg. You can be first.” The young lab tech/CSI in training smiled. Everyone was a bit surprised because they were aware that however much Greg admired Gil he was like many people somewhat intimidated by him.

“Well that’s settled. Ah Jim I need a ride home. Can you me a lift?”

“Sure Sara.” Jim Brass sensed that there was something on Sara’s mind besides getting cleaned up; so he walked her out to the SVU. Before they got in he spoke, “Ok, Sara. What’s up?”

Sara started to cry and then buried her head into Jim Brass’s chest and sobbed. All Brass could do was hold her and try to comfort her as she released the tension from the last several hours. After several minutes, he stepped back and lifted her head up. “Tell me about it. What’s up? It’s alright.”

Her words flooded out in one violent stream. “He is hurt so bad. The doctor said at first he might die. Or loose his leg. He was in so much pain. Then that idiot gave him Demerol without even reading the orders that the doctor had written. He went into anaphylactic shock. She couldn’t do a general anesthetic then because it was too dangerous. They had to do a nerve block instead. He was awake for the whole five hour operation. I was sitting with him the whole time. Then the ICU. I feel asleep. How could I do that? Then I forgot about all of you? Oh Jim it has just been too much…what if he can’t work? That would destroy him. Oh Jim there’s just so much…”

“Shhh…shhh…calm down Sara. Gil is alive. Right. The doctor said everything went very well. He is sleeping now. You are going to go home get cleaned up and take a nap. No arguments. Gil’s ‘family’ is here now. It’s our turn to take care of him. He’s taken care of us so often. He carried our problems for so long; finally, we can return to him just a little of what he’s down for all of us. But first I’m taking you for something to eat. Ok?”

“Ok, Jim. I know you are right. I…you know we finally got together and everything was going so well. I was so happy for the first time in my life. Jim, I love him so much…I…”

“Shhh…let’s go eat.”

********* Back at the Hospital in Room 203 *****************

Greg sat in the chair next to Gil’s hospital bed. Even though his supervisor was asleep he felt that at any moment Grissom would turn his head open his eyes, cock one eyebrow and tell him to the chase. But Grissom just slept.

Greg thought he had never seen such a peaceful look on his face. He looked relaxed and younger. This surprised him a great deal. It finally occurred to him what a strain Grissom must be working under. He always made things seem so easy. He rarely got angry at his team; mostly he was annoyed but he could never remember Grissom ever attacking anyone on the team verbally.

If he had to discipline anyone it seemed always to take place in the privacy of Grissom’s office. He had heard the tales of Ecklie’s rampages and seen quite a few himself. That man was a real piece of work.

Greg was drawn from his musings by quiet groan. ‘Oh my god, is he waking up?’ Greg shifted his gaze to Grissom’s face. When he had first walked in the room Grissom’s face had seem peaceful and relaxed.

Now Grissom’s face seemed strained and flushed. He was perspiring heavily. Greg got up quietly and moved forward and touched Grissom’s forehead. 'It was very warm. This is not normal' he thought. He looked for the call button, found it and pressed it. “It’s ok, Grissom. It will be ok.” He whispered. Within a minute a nurse appeared. “Yes?”

“Ah, Nurse Smith. I think something is not quite right. He doesn’t look good. He feels very warm. Can you check it out please?”

“Ok, let’s see what’s going on with you Dr. Grissom.” She looked at the monitors and noted the pulse was elevated. Respiration had increased and the temperature was 103 degrees. 'This is not good' she thought and used the phone to call the attending physician. By the time the attending physician had arrived and took the vitals again all the findings were further elevated. The temperature had risen to 104 degrees.

“Dr. Grissom. Dr. Grissom. Mmmh. Can’t rouse the patient. Temperature is 104.5. Page Dr. Carruthers. Tell her Dr. Grissom’s got an infection. We may need to put a drain in. Nurse go get a fever pad and get these antibiotics right away. Looks like we are going to have try something stronger. Ah young man you’ll have to leave now. Go to the waiting room.”

'Oh boy' Greg thought. 'Sara is going to kill me. This happened on my watch. She will at least remove certain parts of my anatomy. Well I might as well…maybe I should wait until Dr. Carruthers arrives…Sara will kill me and they will never find the body.' Greg hadn’t felt this panicked in a long time. 'What to do…what to do.' Greg’s thoughts swirled through his mind as he was hung up on what to do.

*********** Sara’s Apartment ************

Sara had been asleep only thirty-five minutes when the ringing of her cell phone woke her. “Sidle” she murmured sleepily. “Uh, Sara this is Greg…I think you need to get down here right away. Grissom’s sick.”

Sara was out of bed in an instant and dialing Brass. “Brass, I need a ride to Desert Palms. Gil’s sick.”

“Be there in five.”


Within twenty minutes Brass pulled up in front of Desert Palms. In less then two minutes for Sara to go through the door of Room 203 and stop cold in her tracks. She had left Grissom not three hours ago. He had looked relaxed and peaceful. Now he was restless, agitated and flushed. He was sweating profusely.

“Dr. Carruthers, what happened?”

“Gil has a bone infection. We may have to operate and graft new bone. We won’t be able to stabilize the fracture for awhile. The bones wouldn’t knit anyway. Sara, I told you this wasn’t unexpected.”

Sara walked over to the hospital bed and ran her fingers through his soaking wet hair. Her palm rested on his forehead.

'It was hot to her touch.' Sara looked up at the monitors. 'Oh my word, 105 degrees.' She collapsed into the chair, shocked. “What can I do? What can I do to help?”

“Sara, we just have to wait it out. We are doing everything we can to bring down Dr. Grissom’s temperature. It’s just going to be a question of time.”

'A matter of time?' Sara thought to herself. 'Well I am not leaving his side now not for anything.'


Across town in the apartment of LVPD Sgt. Aron McCallum

“Aron, why so glum?”

“Aunt Noreen, I am feeling bad about a friend tonite.”

“A friend? Tell me, what is the problem?”

“Remember the shootout yesterday? The one I was involved in?”

“I should say. You were so lucky.”

“Luck had nothing to do with it; unless you count the fact that Dr. Grissom was there. He saved my life, Aunt Noreen. I’m sure he was looking out for Sara Sidle, but he saved all of us. He noticed something, I don’t know how but he warned us gave us a chance to take cover. And then he drew the fire of those hoods. He almost made it out clean.”

“How bad was he hurt?” Noreen was now resting her hand on her nephew’s knee.

“He took two high-velocity bullets to the left thigh. Lots of blood, fractured thigh. Found out through the grapevine tonight he is really sick. High fever. I want to do something but I don’t know what. Aunt Noreen…when he gets out of the hospital he’ll need someone to help take care of him…could you…”

“I am retired. Aron, I don’t do that anymore.”

“Aunt Noreen, please at least go see him, talk to Sara Sidle. The man saved my life. Please. I am under an obligation.”

“Ahct alright I canna refuse you anything. I’ll go tomorrow and see what’s what and what’s to be done. Now finish your dinner.” She smacked the top of his head.

“Yes Aunt Noreen.”


Sara spent the night by Grissom’s side gently stroking his forehead and quietly reading from his favorite book of poetry. The fever was now spiking near 106 degrees. They moved a bed into Grissom’s room and Sara was able to spend as much time as she wanted at the hospital.

Greg appointed himself caretaker of Grissom’s bugs and was growing quite fond of the several tarantulas Gris owned. Cath moved back to the nightshift to supervise and Warrick took her place on swing. Brass acted as confident to Sara and Nicky concentrated on getting her out of the hospital once in a while.

After three days, the antibiotics finally began to gain the upper hand against the infection and Grissom’s fever began to drop. On the fourth day, his temperature returned to normal. In the evening, Grissom was finally awake. While Sara was reading, she felt Grissom’s hand seek her own. “Sara…I am glad you are here.”

“Gil, honey.” She kissed his hand and then his lips. “How are you feeling now? Truth, ok?”

“Sara incredibly tired. My leg really hurts right now. I feel incredibly grimy. “Gil paused a moment as if all his strength had been expended by that short speech. He closed his eyes while marshalling his inner resources. “What’s going on? I think I remember being at the crime scene. Did we finish processing? I got shot didn’t I? You processed the trace off of me right? Things are pretty fuzzy after that. How many…”

“Gilbert Aaron Grissom, trust you to worry about processing and gathering the evidence first. Yes, to put your mind at rest, everything has been processed. In fact, all the young men responsible for the murders and the assault on you have been arrested and charged. So put your mind at rest on that matter. I have been worried sick for the past five days. All I want you to do is rest and get better.”

“But…”

Sara pressed her finger to his lips. “Rest. Do you want anything to eat or drink?”

“Some water, please” Sara got the water from the pitcher on bedside the table. As she held the straw in the cup to his lips, Conrad Ecklie, the Assistant Lab Director walked into the room.

“Well, good evening, Grissom. I’m glad you are finally awake. I need to take your statement and we have some lab matters to talk over.”

“Sara, I am glad you are here too. I need your statement as well.”

Sara could feel Grissom’s agitation beginning to build. She put a restraining hand on his arm. He looked at her and she looked back, signing. /*Let me handle this Gil. Please.*/

“Conrad could you come back later. This is not the best time.”

“Sara look I know Grissom’s going under the knife again tomorrow and you never know what might happen. So I would like to get these matters taken care of now ok.”

Gil was very agitated now. /*Did you know about this Sara? Operation? What’s going on?*/

/*Gil, no I didn’t know…Just relax we will talk to Dr. Carruthers as soon as we get rid of Ecklie…please just relax.*/

“Ok Conrad let’s just get this over with.”

For the next hour and half, first Sara then Gil related what they remembered about the events of five days ago. Conrad had them go over it again and again. Grilling them on the smallest details. The recital of these events was really wearing on Gil’s slender reserves and soon he was too tired to talk further.

“Conrad, that is as much as we know. Ok? Can we just sign the damn statements? I’d like Gil to get some rest.” Conrad handed the statements to Sara and Gil to sign. Gil closed his eyes his last reserves of strength were now gone. He closed his eyes.

“Can you leave now Conrad? Please.”

“I’m not finished yet. Gil, wake up Gil. I’m here to give you formal notice of the lab placing you on temporary disability. Because of your seniority and time on the job you will be at 98% pay for next six months. Here is the paperwork.” Conrad then handed a form to Sara. Gil’s eyes were wide open now. “Sara can initial it for you if you wish. Now for the next matter. I have started paperwork for you on early retirement. I am well aware of the medical parameters of your injury. I’ve looked at your medical records in my capacity as AD. My opinion and your doctors is that you won’t be returning to work. I feel it would be in the best interests of the lab if you would seriously consider this when you come off of disability. Of course, I doubt if it will really be an open question by then. I understand there’s still a good possibility you will loose your leg. Who ever heard of a one-legged CSI?” Conrad was practically beaming by this time as he contemplated at least six months without Gil Grissom and perhaps never to be bothered by Grissom again. “So I’ll leave you to look over the forms and take care of yourself Grissom. You know you do look as if you could use some rest. So this is the leg that was injured. Doesn’t look that bad too me. Take care get some rest.” He patted Grissom’s elevated leg with these words and left.

“That bastard…Gil…Gil…” Gil was almost in agony by this point. Tears were streaming down his face. The dull throb of pain in his thigh was now replaced by waves of sharp burning pain. “Ecklie you are a piece of work,” Sara muttered. “Hang on Griss, just hang on” Sara said as she pushed Grissom’s call button. The nurse came in.

“An idiot smacked Dr. Grissom’s leg. He’s in a lot of pain right now and extremely agitated. Could you give him a sedative or something, please?” It only took a single look for the nurse to nod her agreement. She left momentarily and came back with a syringe which she injected into the IV. Sara breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Grissom’s eyelids droop then close. The clenching fists and fidgeting ceased as he slipped into unconsciousness.