Thanks for staying faithful to this story!!! This is the sequel to 'Because You're Worth It' If you haven't read it then, read it first!!!!!! None of this stuff will make any sense to ya otherwise!!!! This chap will be a lot about Rigsby's past.

Disclaimer: I still own nothing!

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Small Steps

Chapter 1: I'd Do Anything

Rigsby pov.

Four weeks.

That's how long it's been since I found out the love of my life was pregnant.

Because of rape.

I remember watching her fall apart in my arms as she asked me what I would think if she kept the child.

I knew Grace wouldn't abort the baby; she was too devout in her religion to even consider it.

And later, Grace told me that she wouldn't be able to take going through nine months of caring for the child then to just hand it off to someone else.

If she were to give the child up for adoption everyone who knew her and loved her would slowly watch her die.

And, none of us wanted that.

Lisbon had told Grace to stay home for a week, to rest and let everything sink in. But Grace being Grace, insisted on coming to work.

Lisbon had sighed and Jane told her it would be no use, that Grace would sneak in again.

Grace's father informed me that he and his wife were moving to California to be closer to their daughter.

I guess I should've known that. Grace's family would want to take care of her and give her as much support as possible.

Grace's father told me to watch over her while they were in Arizona, planning their move.

Alex was staying and his wife and daughter were flying in from Chicago.

That just proved to me how close Grace was with her family.

(Flashback)

I had grown up with a violent father. He beat my mom and I often and he had a major drinking problem. And one day my mom decided she wouldn't have him hurting us anymore.

She took a baseball bat from outside and crept into the living room where my father was passed out. The bat was above her head and you could see her arms shaking.

Though at the time my dad showed no signs of it, he was awake.

My mother's eyes slipped closed as she decided whether or not to follow through with her plans. During those few seconds, my father jumped up and took the bat from her.

And the weapon intended to kill a heartless man was used to murder an innocent woman.

I was out with my friend Adam when I found my mom was dead and my father was in jail.

Only seven at the time, I didn't quite understand what the woman in the dress and shiny shoes meant.

Mom was dead?

Dad had finally snapped enough to murder her?

(End Flashback)

My mother was the only one who protected me.

And she died because of me; to keep me safe.

To this day I still wonder if she knew that he would kill her and yet she did it anyway to save me.

But now my father was in jail, a life sentence.

I hadn't seen him since the day I visited him in prison. Almost.

(Flashback)

"Wayne, your father wants to see you."

It was the lady with the shiny shoes and expensive looking cloths.

I nodded 'no' and she gave me a half-hearted smile.

"We can go and get ice cream after. Maybe we can but some candy at the store."

The lady, Ms. Donaldson, had asked me to call her Ruth. She liked to use bribes to get me to comply to her wishes.

She was an older woman, maybe in her fifties. With large eyes and a soft smile, she could be a perfect stereotypical grandmother.

Ruth wore her hair back in a bun all the time and always had on a crisp, clean suit.

"You don't have to stay long. Only five minutes okay?" She tried to compromise.

I once again nodded 'no' and Ruth sighed.

"It's my job to protect you while you father is in trial. But I also have to obey your father's more civil wishes to do with you."

As a young child, I hated the way her words sounded.

They sounded as if I would move from place to place, with no one who really cared.

Ruth leaned over my shoulder to see what I was drawing.

"Who's that?"

There was a clear enough picture of a woman in a field.

"My mother."

My voice was barely a whisper.

"Oh."

At that Ruth left the room and I didn't have to go in to see my father…….yet…….

(End Flashback)

For Ruth and I it had become a routine, she would say my father wanted to see me and I would refuse.

But eventually I had to go and see him and that was a memory I tried to block from mind. It was a painful memory that no child of seven should have to deal with. But even now it is still with me, just buried deep inside my mind.

So, Grace and I had something in common; I became an agent as a result of my past.

Grace did also.

I saw my career path as a good opportunity to find people who were in situations I had been in. Or to catch another father in the web of lies when the truth was, he abused his family.

Ruth stayed in my life for years after she found a family to take care of me.

Up until three months ago.

She had died of brain cancer. With the little money she had as a retired child service's worker there was no hope of her living. But, Ruth made it through two years with chemo and such. And I only found out about her cancer five days before she died.

She said nothing to me as to not interfere with my job. But I would've helped out in any way I could have. Ruth was my mother of sorts. She took care of me and protected me from harm and gave me a good life. Well, she more gave me a family that become my tool or key to a good life.

"Hey…? Are you okay?"

I was dragged from my nostalgic thoughts and dragged back into the real world.

I looked up and saw Grace standing near my desk with a worried look on her flawless face.

"Yeah…..Just remembering…. So what have you been up to?" It was all to stall from her asking what I was thinking about.

"Finishing up a case file and answering phone calls." Grace's voice was uncertain and I could tell it was from my distant demeanor.

A chair screeched across the floor as Grace pulled it up to my desk.

"Have your parents found a place yet?" I asked curiously.

"They've been thinking about a small home in Sunnyvale. You know, outside of LA by enough yet closer than Arizona."

I looked up from my papers and saw Grace smiling lightly.

I decided to make small-talk. "What's your dad going to do for work?" Yeah, They would have to make money somehow.

"My mom is going back into nursing. Dad's happy about the early retirement." There was a smile in her voice and a certain…..cheerfulness…..?

"It'll be good to see my niece Elaina. She was only three when I last saw her. Now she's seven." A reminiscent look was painted on Grace's face.

I could tell that Grace already had a maternal side to her. Whenever the whole team went out to eat as a victory reward for closing a case, Grace would smile wistfully at mothers who held onto little children.

Small hands would grasp onto their mothers as they wove through the crowds of people. Grace would watch small redheads clutch onto their mother's shirt and little brown-eyed children grasp teddy bears.

Jane picked up on Grace's longing state for children and casually asked her how many of her own she wanted.

Grace blushed a bright pink and answered three. At that time she wasn't used to Jane's odd questions. Now everyone could see into his real meaning for the his random questions; they were to read us, to understand us.

I wondered silently if Grace would ever get her wish of three children or if after this ordeal she would want no more. Would she want little fingers wrapped around her own as an innocent being slept in her arms? Or someone to cry to her when they scratched a knee. Who knew.

"What time is Alex and his family due back at?" I asked curiously while sifting through a pile of papers that never seemed to shorten on my desk.

"Oh about four thirty. His wife, Nina, wants to make dinner. She was born in Italy and makes the best authentic Italian food I've ever had."

Even though I knew I had a food centered mind, food was the last thing on my mind lately. As of now Grace was the star of my thoughts.

"Hmm. Are Alex and his wife staying with you?" I wondered out loud.

"No, they're staying at a hotel near me. I don't think I'd be able to take Alex in my apartment for too long. He's sweet but can get irritating."

I smiled, "He's just worried about you."

'We all are' I said silently in my head. How could we not be? We saw Grace attempt to act as if nothing had happened. Most of the time she was fine but even Lisbon tapping her on the shoulder made her jump. Grace had become more on edge and her eyes would dart around a room we were in checking if there was someone watching her.

Grace sighed and nodded as she spoke, "I know."

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We had been sitting silently and finishing documents; just enjoying each others company when Grace's phone went off. I felt her shift as she reached for it on the corner of my desk.

"It's Alex."

She stood and moved toward the window where sunlight streamed in like a curtain of brightness. The redness that so reminded me of fire-in her hair- glinted in the dazzling rays.

"Hi."

I looked down at the papers on my desk as I tried not to intrude in Grace's conversation with her brother. I found this hard. The sound of her voice and not being able to see her react to whatever Alex was saying was difficult. I looked up and saw Grace looking at me eagerly.

"Nina and Elaina are landing?" There was a pause then Grace spoke again.

"That's good.--------Okay."

When Grace said 'okay' you could hear the smile in her voice.

"I will. I promise" Grace sounded irritated and exasperated all at once. "Love you too."

An audible 'click' was heard as Grace closed her phone.

"Alex and Nina want you to join us for dinner. I said I would ask…I didn't know if you were busy---"

I cut her off. "I'm free…That is if you want me to come." A small smile played across Grace's lips as she nodded her head in a quick jerk.

She sat back down at her seat near me and picked up my hand. My eyes traveled from her face down to her hand that was now holding mine.

Grace's delicate fingers were threaded into mine and warmth radiated between us. I felt the smile that was on her face paint itself onto mine. The joy she had emanated to everyone around her.

Even after everything that happened to her, she somehow managed to smile still. I had no idea how she did that. It just showed how strong she really was.

My thumb lightly caressed her knuckles and I looked up to see a grin on Grace's face.

"What are you so happy about?" I asked curiously and she shook her head as if it wasn't important to say.

I cocked my head as I saw her give a hidden, quick flashing smirk.

"Nothing whatsoever?" I asked knowing that she wouldn't lie even if it was a banter-full lie.

"I don't know, I'm just happy." Grace shrugged as if she also had no idea as to why she was happy.

My brows furrowed in contemplation as a smile tugged at my lips. She was happy? How?

Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones. Yeah, that was it. And maybe a few minutes from now she would be crying for no reason. But part of me hoped that was not it. That maybe I had something to do with Grace's sudden contentment. But even thinking that felt condescending.

Grace moved, leaning her head over my arm to see her watch which was on the wrist of the hand I was holding. "I should be leaving soon. Alex will want me to make sure Nina has everything she needs for dinner."

I nodded my head and reluctantly let go of Grace's warm hand. "I'll see you about five thirty?" I once again nodded to answer her question.

Grace smiled and leaned down, kissing me lightly on the lips. "Bye." She turned but ran directly into Lisbon.

"Oh!" Grace's eyes were wide with surprise as her hand covered her heart. I could almost sense Grace's erratic heartbeat.

Lisbon's right eyebrow was quirked upward in a look of quizzical authority. "Sorry boss. It won't happen again." Grace said quickly and Lisbon shook her head with a sigh.

"I'll let it slide this time."

"Thanks." Grace smiled but there was still blush evident. I laughed carefully under my breath as Grace lithely moved past Lisbon and headed to the exit.

Lisbon turned to me and saw humor in my eyes. "Don't think the warning doesn't go to you too." I sat up and nodded but let out a gusty sigh when she turned away.

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Grace pov.

After running into Lisbon I felt slightly embarrassed by my actions. Not because I didn't want to kiss Wayne but because I was at work. And Lisbon had been kind to me, us, to Rigsby and my relationship slide. The least I could do was try not to let her see anything.

I turned off my car and took the keys out of the ignition with a sigh. Alex was probably going to pry and make sure I do nothing strenuous even though he'd consider walking too energy demanding. I loved my brother very much and I knew he was just worried but he drove me up a wall. Then back down it and up it again.

He just drove me plain mad.

I opened my apartment door and my nose met a delicious scent. Tomatoes with herbs and garlic. The spicy scent of kielbasa hinted to a meat sauce being made.

"Elaina." I called when I heard girlish giggles coming from my living room. Little footsteps rang throughout my hallway as a girl with bouncy black curls ran up to me.

"Aunt Grace!" She squealed happily when I pulled her into a hug.

"Wow Laina! You've grown up so fast!" The little girl of seven nodded her head in a swift bobbing action. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Alex and Nina round the corner.

Nina was a woman of medium height who had a very Italian look to her. Dark hair cascaded over her shoulders in waves of ebony. She had deep green eyes that looked like pine tree needles during fall. Not only was she a beautiful woman, she was one of the kindest people on this earth.

"Hello Grace." Nina said gleefully as she stepped forward and hugged me. "How've you been Nina?" I asked, my eyes drifting to Alex and back redolently. Nina laughed and shook her head lightly.

"Things have been fine. Alex has been good." I saw Alex shake his head and roll his eyes in exasperated humor. Over the years he had gotten used to Nina and my self's jokes.

"Yeah Aunt Grace, I've been good too!" I turned my attention back to the black-haired beauty beside me.

She was what I wanted someday; a beautiful, healthy child.

Then I remembered I would be getting that soon enough. My world started to spin a bit but I pasted on a smile and snapped back into reality. The least I could do was act content around my family.

"I'm sure you have!" I leaned down and scooped the young girl into my arms. She giggled lightly and kissed me on the nose.

Alex was standing behind me with his hand on the small of my back. I could almost see him watching every move I made to make sure I was fine.

Part of me wanted to grumble about that, the carefulness of everyone suddenly. It was like they thought I would break at the slightest mention of what happened to me. But I knew that I wouldn't break per se.

I was stronger than that but I still had my limits. People saw the smile I pasted on everyday but had no real idea of what was going on in my head as of month ago.

But there was one thing… person who made me genuinely comfortable, relaxed and totally at peace.

I sighed as I put Elaina down on a chair in my kitchen. Nina stirred a pot full of tomato sauce and meat when she called for Alex. "Could you mix this for me and put the pasta on?" I saw Alex grumble inwardly; he hated cooking. "Sure." Nina leaned up and kissed him lightly on the cheek then pulled me behind her.

Nina sat across from me in the living room. Elaina had gone off the read to her daddy while he concentrated very hard on making pasta.

"So….. Alex told me what happened to you. I wanted to tell you that I'll be here for you."

I had been getting that a lot lately, the I'll-be-there-for-you speech. Sure, I appreciated knowing that people would be there for me, but it was simply generic. But I smiled and said 'Thank you'

"Have you thought of names?" I sucked air in with a sudden breath. "Oh, is it too early for me to ask?" Nina looked guilty and worried.

"No, no it's fine," I assured her, "Truthfully I haven't thought much about that."

Nina smiled sadly. "Yeah. There is more to worry about than names." I nodded. Nina would know what I was going through. She had been through child birth and pregnancy.

But Alex, her husband, was the father. She had a supporter who loved her and loved the child that was growing inside her. The father of my child was not only dead but a criminal. A criminal who raped me.

"A baby will be the most joyful thing you've ever experienced. They love you and depend on you; it makes you feel very….necessary." Nina smiled reminiscently. She patted my leg.

Most of my life I hadn't needed people. But at this moment I felt like I really needed someone to care for me and make me feel loved. I felt overjoyed yet anxious and scared all at once. My emotions twisted more in these four weeks then they have in years.

"I hear that this Mr. Rigsby is……. A possible choice for you?" Nina smiled while raising her left eyebrow knowingly.

She had an odd way of saying things but that was only because of her culture and language. I had gotten used to her speech as had my family. It was just something about Nina that was unique.

I rolled my eyes; I felt like a young girl who's crush has been revealed to her whole class.

"You could put it that way." I tried to sound serious but the smile tugging at my lips was a dead giveaway at my yearning to talk just about him. Once again the feelings of being a teenager swamped me; love. I felt so adolescent, as if it was the first time I was really in love.

But was I? I thought about him often and wanted to be with him. But was that enough? Maybe the little things I noticed about him signs of my love. Maybe how I saw his eyes light up a bit when he saw me smile. Or whenever we touched his eyes would unconsciously close for a fraction of a second in contentment. Possibly even the way I had now gotten him to eat carrots without going into anaphylactic shock, or so he said he would. (It was a huge accomplishment at the time) And, maybe he loved me.

"Well it's good that you have someone. I hope, for your sake Grace, that he will be the one for you. You never know how much you need other people until youare in a situation like yours."

I smiled and looked down at my hands that lay in my lap. 'Yeah, it would be nice if he was the one I would spend forever with.' My mind trailed to Wayne.

Nina stood and moved to check on Alex who, God knew, could find a way to mess up mixing a pot of sauce.

Elaina who was peeking around the doorway had heard her mother leave the room.

"Aunt Grace…? Are you having a baby?" I guessed she had heard. Nina said she was reading to Alex but her trilling voice hadn't filled the house so I knew she was listening.

I really hadn't wanted to tell her just yet but, I couldn't lie to the girl. Elaina's eyes were filled with innocence and wonder so how could I not answer her question.

"Yes." Wow, that was brilliant and thought out. I couldn't have come up with anything more substantial. But I couldn't lie to her.

Elaina's eyes lit up in amazement. "Is it a boy or a girl?" Elaina was practically bouncing up and down in her seat.

"I don't know yet. When I find out I'll tell you." Elaina smiled and jumped into my lap.

"I'm gonna have a baby cousin!" Elaina said loudly as she hugged me. "Yes." I said laughing and I hugged her back.

If my baby, whether a boy or girl, was like my niece I think it would be the most delightful thing that ever happened to me.

A daze of sorts came to me and I saw a pale being lying in my arms. Little fingers were curled into a fist and delicate eyes were closed with pastel eyelids covering them. A peppering of dull red-blonde hair covered a small head. The skin of the child was smooth and creamy and the color of rose petals. My eyes closed and a distant smile ghosted across my face.

So beautiful and pure. Babies were innocent and one of the few things that could take my breath away.

" Laina you're not bothering your aunt, are you?"

Nina's voice drew me from my reverie. "Oh, she's fine." I said smiling lightly. Everyone would have to find out sooner or later that I was expecting a child.

"Dinner is ready. Laina , why don't you set the table for me?"

Elaina, who loved to be helpful, skipped off to do her assigned chore.

"I was thinking----" Nina started but a knock on my door stopped her.

A small, suggestive smile crept over Nina's face as she smartly cut me off to the door.

"Smooth." I muttered now not bothering to even go to the door. I sat on my couch and closed my eyes with a sigh.

Quiet voices filled the hallway and then the living room. "Grace." I shot up from my seat with my eyes wide open. Wayne looked at me worriedly as I had been zoned out.

"Hi." I smiled and saw his eyes scan me carefully.

Worry.

"You know you shouldn't do that." I spoke out.

Oops. I hadn't meant to say that.

"Do what?" Wayne looked at me concerned and I sighed. He was just proving my point.

"Worry about me. I'm fine…… Really." My voice was sure but I knew my eyes gave away the fact that I was not fine. At least not in the inside.

Wayne dropped the subject for later examination, or forceful discussion, whichever you preferred.

Elaina walked into the room and grinned at Wayne who smiled back.

"And who could you be?"

Elaina's smile was now practically stretching across her whole face. She loved attention.

"Elaina Mae Van Pelt."

Wayne smiled at the girl who was a spitting image of her mother.

"Well, I guess we can all sit down for dinner." Nina said giving me a small smile.

I took my seat as did Wayne. Elaina sat next Wayne with a huge smile on her face.

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Okay, y'all, I am back! I hope you thought this was an alright start to the sequel of 'Because You're Worth It'. So, review if you liked it or hated it. And the next update shall be up soon. If I get a good amount of reviews, the next chappie may come sooner.