A/N: Hi guys, sorry for the delay in posting, life has been hectic. I really hope the next chapter won't take so long. Please review and let me know your thoughts, thanks!

Chapter 2

Placing the lamp on the nightstand, Grissom sighed heavily; when he kicked off his boots they thumped heavily on the scratched wooden floor before flopping to rest by the door. With a soft run of fingers over his beard, he walked to the mirror on the far wall by the small store room and stared at his reflection.

It had been a long day, a very long day. He felt tired but he knew sleep would not come upon him easily. His mind was overrun with questions and uncertainty. His glance drifted to his chest and the silver locket clinging to his skin. He needed some kind of guiding light and now, would be a good time. He clasped the locket tightly in his right hand; it had been left to him by his mother. A mother he never knew in life only in spirit…..

On the 17th of August 1829, Mary Grissom died but not before giving birth to her much expected Gilbert. She always knew her little one would be a boy and on that day, right before her last breath escaped her body, she swore she would always look over him.

She kept that promise.

Exactly five years to the date, on his fifth birthday Gilbert O'Connell Grissom embarked on what was by his father's words the journey of their lives….

"I finally managed to pay for our tickets, so, it's settled. We're going to America, Gilbert." His father said one morning. "You'll like it there."

"But, Father, I won't have any friends."

"Well, you will have me. We'll have each other." Young Gilbert frowned at his father's words.

"Family is what matters the most, son. As long as we're together, nothing will go wrong. I know you are scared but trust me; you're my flesh and blood. I will always be here for you and I won't let any harm come upon us, okay?" Anthony looked into his son's piercing blue eyes, trying to pass him some reassurance. Gilbert climbed onto his lap, slipping his small hands around his father's neck. "Yes, Daddy."

The buzz of people, animals and carriages at the pier, was like nothing he had ever witnessed before. He walked by his father's side, while maintaining a tight grip on his hand, trying to soak up all he was seeing into memory. The smell in the air was like nothing he had ever come across before, damp and salty. It wasn't completely unpleasant, just different and it intrigued him.

They made the trip from their small town of Cobh to Liverpool with no real problems, other than his father's sometimes persistent cough. During the entire trip his father had reassured him that he shouldn't worry, so he didn't. He had always been truthful to him; always maintained his promises, so now was not the time or the place to question his judgment.

When his eyes finally settled on the boat, any possible worries were banished from his curious young mind. His whole face lit up and a huge grin lit his features. It was the biggest, most beautiful boat he had ever seen and he had seen a lot of boats. Well, they were mainly small fishing boats and they sure were fun to sail on but they had nothing on this beauty. The boat had to be bigger than seventy feet. The whole hoof was made of dark brown polished pinewood with some funny engraftments that he couldn't quite decipher but what really caught his attention was the size of the main mast. It was huge and it wasn't the only one, there were three more in different sizes with their long white sails ready to be hoisted.

Suddenly he woke from his daydream. The sound of a loud whistle startling him, followed by an even louder voice:

"FINAL BOARDING FOR AMERICA. HAVE YOUR DOCUMENTS AND TICKETS READY. FINAL BOOOOARDING. FINAL BOARDI…."

His father passed a hand through his brown, unruly curls to get his attention and he looked up.

"Are you ready, Gil?"

He did his best to try and hide the lump that somehow had managed to form in his throat and nodded. He was not going to admit that despite the beauty surrounding the boat, he was scared….very scared.

He quickly decided that fear was something he had been brought up not to dwell upon and after all, he was a man already. He was proud, he was five.

Sensing his son's apprehension, Anthony picked him up and held him tightly to his chest, slightly, softly rubbing his back. Gil clung to his father's neck and after awhile gave him a quick peck on his cheek, smiling when he encountered his father's green eyes again.

"I'm ready, Da."

"That's my brave lad."

Carrying his son and the small case with their belongings to the vessel, Anthony prayed to his beloved wife, silently.

He prayed that she would guide them safely through the trip.

He prayed that she would look after Gilbert.

And he prayed that his cough was insignificant and not something more serious….

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Grissom rose early after a troubled sleep and stepped out onto the porch carrying a bucket. With a gratifying roar he stretched long and hard, as he watched the sun rise from the earth. The air was already pleasant to feel and smelt fresh and clean, which more than likely meant a hot day was approaching. The birds were already singing him a delightful song, he couldn't help but grin. Casually strolling down the porch steps he walked to the water pump and filled his bucket. He had always been taught to look after himself especially when it came to hygiene. Although it wasn't always possible to wash daily, he tried if he had the means. The bucket was almost half full when an approaching ruckus caught his ears. With a frown he stopped pumping and placed the bucket down on the ground as the noise drew closer. His eyes widened as a stampede of cattle headed his way and hurried past him.

He jumped aside quickly to avoid being trampled. "What the…." He mumbled as cow after cow rushed by the side of the cabin and disappeared down the path. Grissom did a double take back up the path. Did that just happen?

With haste he ran back into the cabin and dressed quickly before heading towards the main house. By the time he reached the stables there was a frantic bustling of activity between the workers.

"Gil!" A voice bellowed and Grissom turned to see the Captain marching towards him, slipping a pair of leather gloves on his hands. "You're just in time, we have a little problem."

"Yes, I noticed, it ran right by me. What's going on?"

The Captain shook his head. "I'll explain on the way, if we don't hurry we'll lose our stock." A stable boy appeared behind him pulling along his horse.

"Captain, sir, your horse."

The Captain took the reins from the horse and swiftly mounted. "Are you in?" He asked Grissom with a grin, knowing he couldn't resist.

Returning the grin Grissom whistled loudly, startling everyone around him, even more so when his own horse came bolting out of the stable all by itself to stop immediately in front of his master.

The Captain shook his head as Grissom mounted his horse. "My boy, I wish I knew how you did that."

Grissom smiled but said nothing and The Captain saw a sparkle return to his eyes. A sparkle he had not seen in many, many years. Grissom gave his horse a quick kick and sped off down the pathway and the Captain knew he would have to labor to catch up. But with a ruffle of his nose he met the challenge.

"Yah!" He kicked his horse and chased after Grissom, following the path of dust Grissom had left in his wake, several workers struggling to keep up behind them.

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Sara opened her eyes with a smile on her face, despite being awakened by the clatter of chaos coming from her cousins' room next door. She rolled her eyes knowing they were more than likely highly hung over from their previous evening's activities. But the thought of recalling what she did in the middle of the night made her grin. She just couldn't get him out of her mind and the thought of him made her oddly happy. It was strange because she didn't even know him and yet, she did and something was drawing her to him.

She found herself humming while she dressed and casually headed downstairs where she found her mother on the porch, pacing back and forth. She frowned.

"Mother? What's wrong?"

Laura jumped and held her hand to her heart. Deep in thought she hadn't heard Sara approach.

"Oh Sara, you startled me," she gasped.

"Sorry. Is everything alright?"

Laura continued pacing. "Some of the cattle got out again, your father is out there trying to sort it out."

"Again?" Sara was shocked; this was the third time in a month.

Laura nodded.

"But how?"

"Until your father returns," Laura began, "I do not know."

"Maybe I should go and help." Sara suggested.

Laura smiled and took her daughters hand. "Do you really think your father will have you herding the cattle?"

"Well, I can, he knows I can and without Robbins he….."

"My dear, I am sure your father has all the help he needs and remember what he said the last time you tried to help."

Sara sighed. She really wished her father would let her help out, but he would never allow it. Last time she had tried to help he was very firm with his words that no daughter he had raised would be participating in farm work and she could never win an argument with her father….

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By the time The Captain and his workers had caught up to Grissom, he had already begun rounding up the herd. The Captain pulled his horse to a halt and watched in awe. For a single man to round up twenty or so heads of cattle was quite a sight to see.

"You know, Gil," the Captain called, "I'd forgotten just how good you are at that!"

Grissom looked over and merely grinned as he continued his task at hand.

"Go give him a hand, boys," Captain Sidle instructed his workers.

"Yes, sir," the two young men said together and galloped towards Grissom.

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It took about an hour to get all the cattle back to their rightful home in the top field. Once they were secure enough, Grissom approached the patch of broken fence, evidently their escape route.

With a frown he got to his knees and carefully examined it. "I don't think this fell apart by itself," he commented, noticing the wood had been forced from its fixtures.

With a heavy sigh the Captain firmly folded his arms. "It's not the first time this has happened."

Grissom stood, looked up and down the fence and then back to the Captain. "What do you mean?"

"This is the third time in a month. The first time, we lost half the stock."

Grissom fondled his beard deep in thought. "Twice is possible, fences do falter, high winds cause issues, but three times? Captain, something isn't right here."

"I know," The Captain agreed. "This is one of the things I need to talk to you about. We have been having prob…."

"Captain!" Came a voice from behind and The Captain's conversation was cut short as a horse thundered towards them.

Grissom and The Captain turned as the horse drew to a quick halt by them and the rider dismounted. Grissom watched the rider carefully; there was something familiar about him.

"Conrad," the Captain called, "nice of you to join us."

"Ecklie…" Grissom whispered under a muted breath, trying hard not to screw up his nose.

"Sorry, sir, I was in town this morning, I have only just been informed or I would have been here sooner."

"Well, all has been taken care of apart from the fence so if you can get that sorted…"

Ecklie nodded, "Straight away sir." Then his eyes clashed with Grissom's and the two men just stood, staring at each other.

The Captain stood back and noticed how the air had suddenly turned thick and uncomfortable. "I see the two of you remember each other."

"Indeed," Grissom replied. He remembered Conrad Ecklie alright. A downright bully, high and mighty pain in the ass. Always thinking he was better than he was and always wanted to run the Grove. By the looks of it, he hadn't quite got there.

"But, come now, gentlemen," the Captain continued. "I know the two of you have had your differences in the past; but, you were both mere boys then, now you're grown men and I am sure you can put what ever happened in the past to rest. It was a long time ago, right?"

Grissom felt his eyes narrow; he was sure Ecklie was grinning at him.

"Sure thing, Captain," Ecklie replied removing his glove. He held out his hand to Grissom. "It's been a long time, Grissom," he waited for Grissom to accept his hand shake.

Grissom looked at The Captain who raised his brow.

Even though Grissom was doubtful of Ecklie's gesture he shook his hand, but he did not remove his glove. "It has indeed Conrad," Grissom tightened his grip and felt Ecklie squirm at the tightness of his hold, 'not long enough…..' Grissom thought.

Ecklie pulled his hand away. "A mighty fine grip you have there, Grissom," he sneered, attempting to get some feeling back in his fingers. "I see time has not done you badly with your physique."

Grissom grinned. "I try."

"Well," the Captain began, "Conrad if you would like to get fence taken care of, we'll meet you back at the house. I think it will be in everyone's best interests if we all sit down and have a little chat. We need to find some answers and I still need to receive one." He looked to Grissom who just smiled; his decision was still not made.

Ecklie just frowned; he didn't like the sound of whatever the Captain was eluding too.

"Yes, sir," Ecklie agreed, "I shouldn't be too long."

Pulling up his horse the Captain mounted. "Good. Gil?"

Although Grissom didn't want to because it was Ecklie, he still offered. "Would you like me to help with the fence?"

"I'm sure Conrad will be fine. Come, I still have lots to show you and we still have much to discuss."

"As you wish." Grissom grabbed his horse and pulled himself into the saddle. He exchanged glances with Ecklie one last time before turning and following The Captain from the field.

Ecklie scowled as he watched them disappear but as soon as they were out of sight, he grinned. Never did he think he would ever see Gil Grissom again, let alone have him within arm's reach. Maybe after all this time he would be able to give Gil Grissom exactly what he deserved…