A/N this chapter is for Robyn my brilliant beta and for everyone who has taken the time to review- thank you

“Gil,” Catherine said his name again softly trying to gain a response.

“They’ve just taken her to recovery…. she’s going to be okay,” his voice was shaky and on the verge of breaking but the words found there way out. Catherine’s hand shot to her mouth and tears of joy sprang to her eyes. Nick and Warrick stood in disbelief staring at the older man while Greg had just thrown his arms around a slightly shocked Brass. They had all been preparing themselves for so long for the worst news that they hadn’t thought of what they would do should the best happen. “They said we can wait in the family room upstairs,” said Grissom, his voice now returned after getting out the information. He didn’t believe until he heard those words from his own mouth that she was actually going to be okay. Even when he’d seen her wheeled out with so many machines hooked up to her he didn’t believe it but somehow after saying it he did. He allowed himself too.

“Are you coming up?” asked a nurse in green scrubs entering the room.

“Yes.” Catherine gave Nick a quick shove out the doorway and the group filed out except Grissom who hung back .

“Jim.” Brass tuned around. “I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything,” replied Brass.

“Cath, I need to do something too. They said she would still be asleep for a couple of hours. I’ll be back before…”

“Do what you need to,” interrupted the blonde. She wondered if maybe he couldn’t deal with being stuck in a room waiting again with everyone staring at him. She wasn’t sure she could either but taking Jim with him leg her to believe it was something he needed to do for Sara. She didn’t know what but the look in his eyes told her he needed to do it.

Grissom needed Brass to drive he was too distracted to get to his destination on his own..

“So where we going?” asked Brass as the pair walked down the hallway toward the car.

“I’ll direct you,” answered Grissom. Brass gave a slight shrug but got behind the wheel all the same.

After twenty minutes of being directed by his passenger Brass pulled up on one of the quieter roads in Vegas. They were in a residential area away from the tourist traps.

“Why are we here?” asked Brass as Grissom got out of the car.

“That’s why,” answered Grissom turning and pointing across the street to a small jewellers shop. Brass followed Grissom into the shop where an assistant greeted them.

“Didn’t think you’d be back so soon,” smiled the older lady at Grissom.

“Come here a lot?” asked Brass under his breath.

“I’ve still got the ring,” she smiled and Grissom nodded. Brass watched as the lady reached under the display case. Peering over Brass saw she was reaching under a large tray of engagement rings, all with large diamonds ranging from expensive to what Brass would class as ridicules. She pulled out a tray of white gold rings.

“I believe this was the one,” she smiled picking up a ring and handing it to Grissom for inspection.

“Yes it was,” he replied holding it in his palm. It was a small band with a simple diamond set in the middle.

“Beautiful and understated just like Sara,” said Grissom as he noticed Brass looking over his shoulder.

“I didn’t know you had such poetry that didn’t refer to murder,” said Brass as Grissom gave him a half scowl and handed the ring back to he assistant.

“You’re a very lucky man,” said the petite women popping the ring into the box.

“Don’t you mean she’s a lucky woman?” asked Brass.

“No. If he’d had the courage to buy it the first time I would have but after talking, you’re a lucky man,” she smiled at Grissom who nodded.

“I am,” replied Grissom handing his card over while Brass pretended not to see the price.

A twenty-minute journey back and they were once again pacing the corridors of desert palm hospital. Grissom had been allowed to go sit with Sara while Brass had joined the group in the waiting room managing at least five minutes before blurting out where they had been. Grissom was sat in a large plastic coated chair in the high dependency unit. Lying on a bed next to him was Sara. Her pale skin matching the white of the sheets but the bruise on her chin and her split lip standing out. He could no longer see where the bullet had hit her for the blankets laid over her. A steady beeping and the steady pumping of the ventilator reminded him she was alive. She looked so fragile and small in the bed with a tube going down her throat breathing for her and wires and IV’s attached to her body. The beeping began to increase in frequency and Grissom looked around panicked but a nurse came over holding her hand up.

“Looks like she’s waking up,” she smiled and Grissom noticed Sara’s eyes beginning to twitch.

“Sara, honey, it’s okay. You’re okay,” he said stroking her forehead. As he did her eyes pried themselves open with a look of fear.

“Honey, it’s okay,” Grissom reassured. “You’re in the hospital,” eh said as she began to panic at the tube going down her throat.

“Sara, we’re going to take that out in a minute. Okay?” said the nurse as a doctor came over. Grissom was moved out he way as they worked but he held onto her hand avoiding getting her IV line tangled in the stand as he had earlier. A few seconds later Sara coughed violently as the tube was pulled from her throat and Grissom was next to her again. She fell back against the pillows the nurse had propped up panting and coughing as she was given a sip of water.

“You’re okay,” croaked Sara wheezing as she did.

“I am,” smiled Grissom smoothing her hair down. “And you are too. That’s what’s important.”

“Getting shot…hurts,” Sara rasped putting a hand over her side.

“The surgery went well but you’re going to be sore for a while. But there is no long term damage.” explained Grissom.

“Everyone’s waiting outside to see you,” said the nurse pointing to the window where five faces where currently squashed between some blinds. Sara gave a slight smile at the image in front of her. The gap in the blinds was no more than half a meter squared but somehow everyone had their face pressed up against it with Greg’s squashed in the middle.

“One minute,” said Grissom to the nurse then turned to Sara. The nurse went outside and the faces disappeared.

“Sara, I know this may not be as impressive as throwing myself in front of a bullet but I hope it shows you how important you are to me and that I would do it for you too,” he pulled out his pocket the small ring box and cracked it open.

Using all her energy Sara gave a half smile and reached out to his arm gripping it then squeezing it.

“Sara, I’m sorry for upsetting you. I love you and the thought of losing you …I’m not ready to say goodbye yet,”Grissom said fighting tears.

Sara’s smile cracked. “I wasn’t going anywhere. I didn’t have time to say goodbye.”

She stroked his arm as tears glistened in her eyes. Grissom slipped the ring onto her finger avoiding the pulse ox on the one next to it. There was a moment of silence where they just stared at each other until Sara broke it.

“Why did you send me a cocoon?”

“It seemed to have symbolism when I found. Now it’s just a stick.” Answered Grissom with a smile.

“Are you wearing the ring?” Catherine’s voice broke through as the group piled in.

“Couldn’t hold them off any longer?” smiled the nurse as Grissom moved back and the group gathered around the bed.

“That was in no way awkward,” smiled Greg.

“How you doing girl?” asked Warrick.

“I’m fine,” smiled Sara.

“Oh, I can’t wait for the wedding!” Catherine exclaimed. “I get to wear a new outfit. I didn’t for warrick’s wedding,” she said casting look at Warrick.

“You can wear one to my divorce,” Warrick he offered. Catherine looked apologetic but Warrick smiled. “I knew it was coming and to be honest, I'm glad,” he said as Catherine patted his arm sympathetically.

“You know, he avoided the expensive rings,” said Brass suddenly getting hit in the arm by Catherine.

“I think when you get out a celebration is order,” Greg smirked.

“Lurie?” asked Sara out of the blue.

“Rotting in jail,” replied Nick. “Congratulations,” he added proudly, giving Sara’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Of course, you upset her in any way and I will hunt you down,” Nick threatened light heartedly looking at Grissom.

“You know, of course eventually she’ll realize it’s me she loves and we’ll run away together,” added Greg playfully.

“I’ve just been shot. You could at least give me an hour before you start making fun,” said Sara.

“Yes wait until they’re married because I’ve already chosen my outfit. I don’t want you scaring them off,” warned Catherine.

“Thanks. I think,” smiled Sara as Grissom leaned in and kissed her to various noises of clapping cheering and one loud ‘yuck’ from Greg.

THE END