Thanks to everyone for their reviews on these latest chapters. I always get that warm and fuzzy feeling when I see I have reviews. It's great, keep 'em comin'.

Thanks as always to Amanda Hawthorn and thegreatbluespoon for their beta work on this. And as always as a parting gift, there is a quote from thespoon at the end.

T&T: Youth and Reckoning

Chapter 25

Grissom's attorney was able to arrange for AJ to testify on video tape with his face blurred and voice altered. AJ wasn't too happy about the entire agreement, but his father didn't offer him much of a choice. The day after the video was made, AJ heard that Ty had been arrested. He had done his part, but still didn't like the idea of rolling over on his friend. Ty was eventually indicted because of AJ.

AJ wiped out his community service in no time. He regained the trust of his parents to an extent. They placed a curfew on him, and AJ made every effort to abide by it. Many times, he would just stay in and invite Jordan over. Grissom only allowed them to be alone in the den with the door open.

Kassie took a summer internship at the Venetian in the Guggenheim Heritage Museum. She was learning how to become a curator, all while staying at home with her parents. Pepper also moved in. He finished his bachelors and decided that, instead of moving back to Oregon, he'd stay with his fiancé.

Sara was excited to have her family back together again, plus one future son-in-law. She had a hard time convincing her husband that there was no reason that Kassie and Pepper couldn't share her room, but he eventually caved.

They celebrated the Fourth of July together by having a back yard barbeque. Pepper had his grandparents send him some steaks from the cattle they raise. He took it upon himself to cook the steaks along with one soy burger, while Kassie and Sara set the table.

"So, um, later Pepper is going to a jackpot roping outside of town, and AJ wants to go with us." Kassie subtlety asked Sara about letting her little brother tag along.

Sara set some silverware next to a plate and eyed her daughter. "Well, I don't have a problem with it, but you'll need to clear it with your father."

Kassie smiled, "I just thought that it would be nice for AJ to get to know Pepper a little more."

"I think that's a good idea, but remember, no drugs and definitely no alcohol." Sara knew that Kassie was well aware of what happened to AJ.

Grissom and Pepper joined them in the dining room. "Steaks are done." Pepper announced. "And one plant burger." He smiled at Sara's disgruntled look towards his comment.

Sydney and AJ came crashing in moments later. He was using one of the ropes that Pepper had given him, and caught Sydney's leg. Just when she stepped through the loop, he pulled the slack and Sydney fell to the ground. AJ burst out laughing, while Sydney laughed from the floor.

Grissom shook his head at his two rowdy kids. "I don't know where they came from," he mumbled under his breath.

They all sat down and ate together. Sara dropped the hint of AJ going with Kassie and Pepper. Grissom immediately responded. "I don't think that's a good idea."

AJ was about to protest, but Kassie beat him to the punch. "Look, Dad, it's not what you think. There's a roping out at a private ranch, then later they are shooting off fireworks."

"And who's going to be at this 'roping'?" Grissom wasn't about to let his daughter get the best of him.

Kassie shrugged. "I don't know who, exactly…"

"Cowboys?"

"Yeah."

Grissom pursed his lips. "And they're notorious for drinking."

"He'll be with us." Kassie continued to protest. "Sydney's going with her friends to watch the fireworks over Lake Mead; I don't see why AJ can't go with us."

Sara watched as Grissom brought a hand to his head. "Gil, Kassie and Pepper will keep an eye on him." He continued to rub his temple, and she knew he was fighting off another oncoming migraine.

Grissom took a deep breath. "Fine." He was getting tired of arguing.

Kassie smiled at AJ as they continued eating. Sara helped Grissom into the bedroom and sat him down on the bed. "Okay, Gil, this is the last straw with this." He groaned and lay back on top of the covers. "You've switched medications I don't know how many times, and still nothing's working. Would you please let me take you to the doctor and get a scan or something?" She pleaded with him as he remained still. Sara waited for an answer from him, but when she didn't get one, left. "It's like arguing with a brick wall."

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

That afternoon, Sydney left for the lakeside celebration, while Pepper and Kassie took AJ to the ranch for their own celebrating.

Kassie and AJ watched from the stands as the steer ran from the two horses chasing him. They cheered with the rest of the crowd as the cowboys caught the head and rear legs, turning in the fastest time of the evening. Pepper put up a hundred bucks to get a shot at the pot, but he and his partner couldn't beat the top score. They ended up third overall and split eight-hundred dollars between the two of them.

The place was quickly engulfed in darkness and the light from a bonfire became the only source of light. Several galvanized water tanks were filled with ice and kegs of beer. A stereo system was set up and blaring a variety of music as everyone began drinking and socializing.

AJ sent several text messages to Jordan and Sydney, telling them exactly how to get there. Pepper was talking with other ropers while Kassie sat on the tailgate of his truck. AJ jumped up and joined her. "So, you're not drinking?"

Kassie slowly turned her head to look at her brother. "No, I don't really care for beer."

"Ah." He swung his legs as they hung suspended in the air.

"AJ!" They both turned and noticed Jordan running towards them. AJ hopped off of the tailgate and hugged her. "Wow, this is much better than the lake. Too many old people, but this is my kinda party."

Kassie smiled as she watched them walk off into the crowd. "Hey…Sydney!" She called to her sister she noticed walking as if she was looking for someone.

Sydney came over. "Just the person I was looking for."

"Was the lake dead?"

"Pfft, very." Sydney began scanning the crowd, "Rifle was right behind me."

Kassie also began looking for the red head. "There he is." She pointed as he emerged with a beer in each hand.

Rifle handed one to Sydney not noticing the older sister. "Here, there's beer everywhere!" Confused when Sydney didn't take the cup, he asked, "What's wrong?" She subtlety pointed to her sister sitting on the tailgate. "Huh…oh…um…hi, Kassie. Um…" He wasn't sure what to do with the beers in his hands.

Kassie shook her head. "You drink, too?" Her question was directed towards both her sister and Rifle. She waited for an answer, knowing it would never come. "Sydney, I can't believe you." Kassie jumped from the truck and took the beers from Rifle, dumping them on the ground. "No drinking."

Sydney watched her sister go mingle with the crowd. "She's always been a stickler for the rules."

"Still want a beer?" Rifle asked without looking to Sydney.

"Hell yeah." They disappeared into the mass of bodies.

With the intent of keeping away from Kassie and Pepper, AJ and Jordan were already throwing back several beers as they started walking around. Jordan stopped at two and AJ was sipping his fourth. They were walking between two trucks when Jordan pulled on AJ's arm, stopping his forward progress.

"What?" AJ turned to look at Jordan. All she did was motion him over with a single finger. He smiled and downed the remainder of his beer. "Mmmm."

Jordan was leaning against the front fender of a truck and AJ finished pinning her to it with his body. She wrapped her arms around him as he began kissing her neck.

Fireworks began lighting the night sky illuminating the area with every explosion. Jordan would glance up at the sky while occasionally looking around the area. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed another couple. They had the same idea that she did, but they were already in the act. AJ continued making out with her as she observed the other couple. As she watched, her leg rose up and wrapped around AJ. He groaned and pressed his body closer to hers.

"Oh…get a room!"

AJ slowly turned his head and glared at his sister. "We're outside, go find your own make out place, Syd."

Sydney was strolling around cuddled into Rifle's side. He had an arm around her, and a beer in the other. "Would you really let me make out with your sister?" Rifle asked hopefully.

"No!" AJ fired back. "I don't even like to see you kiss her."

"It doesn't bother me to see you make out with Jordan." Rifle took a drink.

"She's not your sister."

"Okay." Sydney decided two intoxicated, jealous guys were nothing but trouble. "Come on, we'll just keep walking."

AJ and Jordan waited until they were out of sight before they continued. The fireworks ended, but that was all. The party kept going, and it seemed the more alcohol consumed, the louder things became. AJ could hear his name being called, but chose to ignore it. Until the voice was right behind him.

"AJ!"

"What!" He spun around from Jordan and came face-to-face with Kassie.

She crossed her arms and glared at him. "We're leaving. Where's your sister?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. She and Rifle were looking for a more secluded spot."

Kassie groaned. "Pepper, would you stay here with them while I go find Sydney?"

"Sure." Pepper leaned against the truck while Kassie left. He smiled at AJ when he noticed the hicky on Jordan's neck. "Um…"

AJ glanced at the spot where he had been kissing, and his eyes opened widely. "Oh hell!"

"What?!" Jordan's hand immediately went to the side of her neck. She began to panic as Pepper and AJ snickered. "What? Tell me what's on my neck!"

Pepper pointed to the mirror on the door. "Look." He couldn't hold the giggle in.

Jordan glanced in the mirror and saw the large red spot on her neck, "Oh, my God!"

AJ and Pepper burst out in laughter as Kassie returned with Sydney and Rifle. "What's so funny?"

"Look!" Jordan pointed to her neck.

Kassie just rolled her eyes. "I think that's the least of our worries."

Pepper stopped laughing. "What do you mean?"

"Look at them." She referred to the four teens. "They've all been drinking, and look at AJ." Everyone looked down. AJ was laughing so hard he was on the ground coughing, and then threw up. "He's drunk!"

"Okay, I know how to help." Pepper pulled AJ to his feet. "Let's go."

After they managed to get all four into the back of Pepper's truck, he and Kassie climbed into the cab. "Mom and Dad are going to kill us." She groaned and let her head fall back against the headrest. Pepper only smiled and continued driving.

Half an hour later, Pepper parked in front of an IHOP. "Ta-da."

"This?"

"Yup, this is where I used to get sober after a rough night."

Kassie looked out the back window. Sydney was leaning against Rifle's chest, while Jordan was sitting alone. She climbed out of the truck and walked to the back. AJ was passed out. "God…AJ…wake up." She began shaking him.

AJ moaned. "Sleepy."

Pepper dropped the tailgate. "Come on, guys. Coffee and pancakes await you."

The four managed to get out of the truck without injury and into the restaurant. Pepper ordered six coffees and everyone a stack of pancakes.

"I don't drink coffee," Sydney informed them.

"Well, tonight you do," Kassie ordered. "Drink up."

AJ began opening packets of sweetener and dumping them into his coffee. Kassie and Pepper watched him. After he had five packets in one small cup, he stirred it and slowly sipped it.

"How is it?" Pepper only used half of a packet in his, and to him that was sweet enough. AJ only smiled.

Kassie rolled her eyes and watched as the others managed to doctor theirs up enough to make them bearable to drink. "Never again am I inviting you guys to anywhere there might be alcohol."

"Why?" Sydney seemed to ask as if there was a problem.

"Look at you kids." Kassie spat out in disgust. "I can't believe it. Especially you, Syd. When you were little, you were always sweet and never seemed to ever get out of line, and now you're fifteen and drinking. And you…" She pointed to AJ. He was bent over and staring into his cup, gently blowing into the hot liquid. "You really went from one extreme to the other."

"Are you disappointed in us?" Sydney calmly asked, but her voice caught as she still sought the approvement from her older sister.

Kassie sighed and was just about to answer when their food arrived. After the waitress left, she answered. "Sydney, think about where you come from. Both of our parents used to serve the community. They are very intelligent and graduated from great schools; Dad's a PhD for Christ's sakes, do you think he got there by drinking at fifteen?" She paused and let her words soak in. "And have you ever seen Mom drink?"

"No." Sydney practically whispered.

"What are you going to go to school for? I mean, surely you don't plan on living at home the rest of your life."

"Kassie." Pepper knew by her tone of voice that she was getting beyond upset. "Let's just get them sober and go home so they can sleep it off." She glared at him then began eating her food.

Everyone was eating their pancakes with syrup poured over the stack and with a fork. AJ, on the other hand, was rolling each one up individually and dunking it into the puddle of syrup he poured onto the plate.

After everyone was full and seemed to be walking straighter, Pepper drove back to the house. Kassie went in first to make sure her parents were already in bed. Once she determined the coast was clear, she helped everyone upstairs. She had Jordan sleep in Sydney's room, and Rifle in AJ's room.

Pepper went straight into bed, while Kassie was arranging her siblings. He knew she was upset when she returned and got into the bed. "Sweetie…"

"I can't believe them." She spoke in an elevated whisper. "I've been away to school for only two years and it seems they just turned wild. I know that Mom and Dad talked to them about drinking and drugs. Hell, I remembered Mom talking to me about it."

"Kat…" Pepper blurted out her nickname she was given in school hoping it would get her attention faster.

"I mean, AJ's already been to juvie for drinking and doing drugs, and how Sydney hasn't been caught yet is beyond me."

"Kassie…"

"Hell, I'm surprised she and Jordan aren't pregnant yet."

"Kassie!" Pepper finally got her to stop.

"What?"

"Listen to yourself. It's not you or your parent's fault they are doing what they are doing. They were just exposed to it all at a younger age. Look around, they're growing up in Las Vegas. The whole town is full of alcohol, drugs, and sex. It can't be avoided." He tried to help Kassie calm down.

She propped her head up on her arm. "Pepper, if we have kids, where would you want to raise them?" Pepper was suddenly speechless. "I said 'if.'" Kassie clarified.

"Oh…um…I don't know. Maybe at the ranch in Oregon." He stammered out.

Kassie took a deep breath and smiled. "I just wish they hadn't fallen into what they had, that's all."

Pepper brought his hand up to caress her face. "Give them time. I'm sure it's just a fad right now. They're both very smart; they'll see the light of day...hopefully."

"But I don't want it to be too late, and they're dead. That's what happened to Jason." Her voice cracked. Pepper scooted closer to her and wrapped his arms around Kassie, offering all the comfort he could. She sniffled, "I just can't let that happen to them."

"I know. Shhh…everything will be okay." He held her close as she cried.

XXXXXX

Grissom felt well enough later in the evening and sat on the back porch with Sara as several venues lit up the sky with fireworks. They silently held onto each other as they watched the colorful explosions.

"I'll go to the doctor."

Sara turned her head to look at his face. "Seriously?"

Grissom gently kissed her forehead. "Yes, and it won't just be a phone call this time." He joked.

"Do you want me to go with you to the appointment?" She wrapped her arms around him.

He swallowed hard. "If you want to. You seem to be more comfortable at those places than I do."

Sara placed her head against his chest and sighed. "I love you." She didn't move her head, nor release her hold on him as she patiently waited for his response.

Grissom kissed her hair and gave her a gentle squeeze with his arms. He remained silent as the sky lit up with several stray fireworks. His hands began rubbing small soothing circles on her back and he sighed as he held her. "I love you, too."

Sara's eyes instantly welled up with tears and they were quickly absorbed by Grissom's shirt. He felt the moisture and pulled back to look at her. "I'm fine." She wiped her eyes.

"Let's go to bed." Grissom offered, but didn't move until Sara nodded.

"haaaa, they're gonna do it! Lol." thespoon

Yeah, after he pops a Viagra or two.

Okay, who hasn't had that early morning sobering breakfast at the IHOP or Waffle House? If you haven't experienced it yet, I recommend that you try it. It's fun as hell.

TDCSI