He must have fallen asleep. He hadn’t meant to. He wanted to be awake should Sara rouse and need anything, he had barely left her side since the moment he had rushed to her unconscious side in the desert. It was only through persistence on Catherine’s part and a minor compromise that Grissom had changed from his work clothes to a pair of jeans and a t-shirt that Greg had delivered from Grissom’s locker. He had even showered in Sara’s hospital bathroom, making Catherine promise to keep an eye on Sara while he did so.

            The doctors had admitted Sara to the ICU upon arrival but after four hours they had moved her to a private room, planning to keep her fro twenty-four hour observation. She was severely dehydrated, sunburned, had a nasty cut across her cheek and multiple fractures to her left arm but she was alive and Grissom would thank God for that everyday for the rest of his life. She’s alive, she’s alive, his heart had sang as he collapsed happily in the chair next to her, taking her good hand in his and smiling.

            The sound of his name had Grissom waking with a start, his eyes darting immediately to the woman sleeping in the bed. Sitting up, Grissom straightened the ball cap sitting haphazardly on top of his head as his slowly focusing eyes finally fell on the owner of the voice. Rubbing the sleep from his face with his free hand Grissom said, “Conrad.”

            Conrad Ecklie stood in the doorway of Sara’s hospital room. He wasn’t surprised to see Grissom there, he had half expected it but he had to admit he was surprised to find Grissom slumped in a chair next to Sara’s bed, their hands intertwined. Even after Grissom had stirred from his slumber and become aware of Ecklie’s presence, he still held on to Sara’s hand.

            “Gil,” Ecklie greeted quietly, looking over at Sara as she slept. “How is she doing?”

            Grissom followed his gaze to take in Sara’s sleeping form, his heart clenching at the sight of her. She’s alive, she’s alive, it sang again. “Better,” he said, nodding his head as if to add conviction to his answer.

            “Has she regained consciousness, yet?” Ecklie asked, smoothing the dark red tie down at his chest.

            Grissom looked at Ecklie and shook his head. The doctors had said she might be out of it for awhile but that she was out of danger. Although Grissom believed their combined medical knowledge, he would feel better if she would wake up and look at him, even if it was just for a moment. She had done it on the helicopter ride in from the desert and it was the first time in his adult life that he had nearly come to tears.

            A nurse slid past Ecklie as she came in to check on Sara and chart her vitals, the Assistant Director excusing himself as he made room for the petite woman. “Hey, umm, can we…can I talked to you outside for a few moments?” Ecklie gestured towards the hall behind him, giving Grissom a small smile.

            Controlling the tired sigh that threatened to escape from his lungs, Grissom said, “Sure,” as he rose from the chair.

            At his movement Sara grasped his hand tightly. “Gil,” she murmured in her sleep her head rolling towards Grissom, a tiny frown creasing her forehead.

            Without thought to Ecklie being in the room, Grissom bent down and placed a comforting kiss upon her forehead causing her features to relax. “I’ll be right back,” he whispered softly at her ear.

            It was then that Conrad Ecklie no longer had suspicions concerning the two CSIs but irrefutable proof. He had heard the water cooler gossip of the lab techs, mostly day shift techs, and had been witness on an occasion or two to the pair’s odd communication skills, seeming almost telepathic at times, but nothing was as substantiating as what had played out before him.

            Grissom gently squeezed Sara’s hand before following Ecklie out into the hall. It wouldn’t be until much later, after Sara had woke and he had told her time and time again how much he loved her that Grissom would suspect he had let something accidentally slip in front of Ecklie. It was the same feeling he had after he had unintentionally outted them to the team.

            Grissom shook his head, deciding he wasn’t going to worry about it at that particular moment. Settling himself into the surprisingly comfortable chair at Sara’s bedside, Grissom slowly followed Sara into the twilight of sleep, their hands intertwined once more.

 

***Author’s Note 2: This is the shortest fic I have ever written. Under a thousand words! That is a personal best for me!!!