I know I'm posting this a little early, but I finally got my new video up on YouTube. It's GSR of course, so you know you want to go and check it out; the name's the same: TDCSI.

Okay so, thanks to the few of you who reviewed, you know who you are. I'd personally like to see more, but if you're not the reviewing kind, that's cool too. But I would like to know if you're liking the story, 'cause things are about to get GOOD.

Thanks to Amanda Hawthorn and thegreatbluespoon for their beta work. At the end there is a barrage of quotes from both of them and even one from myself. Enjoy the chapter.

T&T: Youth and Reckoning

Chapter 26

Sara had to wait several days before making Grissom an appointment with the doctor, and then was informed that he couldn't be seen for at least two weeks.

Kassie made a pact with her siblings and their friends. No one was to mention anything about what happened on the night of the fourth.

Sydney absorbed Kassie's words of disappointment more than AJ had. She was determined to do something more productive and make her sister and parents proud. Kassie remembered how much fun she had working with the high school play. She sat down and began writing, letting her creativity run wild.

Kassie was working at the museum while taking some of her classes online. Since Pepper had graduated, he wasn't doing anything. She didn't have any problem with it, but Sara and Grissom would mention the fact that all he did everyday was nothing. Before Kassie could hint about him getting a job, Pepper dropped his own idea of making money on her one evening.

"Jon asked me to ride with him." Kassie's mouth fell open. "It would be a way for me to make some money that we could put it away while you finish up school."

She laughed mockingly. "You're kidding, right?"

"It's not going to be all that bad. We'll be traveling between Washington and Mississippi." Pepper shrugged and smiled trying to ease her worry.

"When are you leaving?" Kassie crossed her arms.

Pepper approached her and rubbed her shoulders. He gave her a small kiss on her cheek. "Tomorrow morning." She tried to back away but he kept his hold on her, preventing any movement. "Kassie, I know we've been together for a long time now. This is just until November, and if we do well, we can make a significant amount of cash."

Kassie sighed and leaned into his body, "I guess." She caved.

He wrapped his arms around her, "It will be all right."

The next morning, a large truck and trailer pulled up in front of the house. Grissom and Sara watched as Kassie kissed Pepper goodbye after he loaded his clothes into the trailer. After they were out of sight, Kassie took Pepper's truck to work.

As Grissom and Sara walked into the house, she informed him of his appointment. "Oh…um, you have an appointment with your doctor tomorrow. He wanted to do a cat scan."

"And you approved?"

"Of course I did." Sara knew he wouldn't be thrilled about the idea. "Gil, just…please."

Grissom sighed and knew deep down that she was right. All he did was give her a little smile to show he understood.

AJ was making the best effort to keep on his parent's good sides. He knew he had been lucky on the fourth, and had to thank Kassie and Pepper for it, only now, Pepper was gone. He spent his days with Jordan, and even a night or two. They would be in his room watching movies and the next thing they knew they were asleep.

Grissom knew the two adolescents were upstairs, and before climbing into bed, decided to double check on them as he had continuously had to in the past. He glanced in the open door to see Jordan sleeping, curled into AJ's side as he dozed. The television was still playing the movie, illuminating the room.

He stepped in and tapped AJ. "Hey, wake up." AJ slowly opened his eyes and glanced at his father. "Jordan needs to go home."

AJ nodded and waited until after Grissom had left before waking Jordan. "Jord…come on, time to get up."

She groaned in disappointment as she stirred. "I like it here."

"I know." He kissed her brown highlighted hair. "I'll see you tomorrow." Jordan climbed out of the bed and let herself out.

Grissom was woken by Sara in the morning. "Gil, you need to get ready." She pulled the covers from his sleeping body, "Your appointment is in two hours."

"What time is it?" he mumbled, his face buried in his pillow.

"Time to get up." She reached down and softly wiggled her fingers along the bottom of his bare feet.

His toes started wiggling before he jerked his feet away from her hands. "Stop."

"Get up." She continued to tickle him.

Grissom gave a few kicks with his feet and groaned. "Dammit." He rolled over and looked upon Sara's smiling face.

"Come on, Gil." She reached for his hands and helped pull him into a sitting position. "You promised."

After her battle to get Grissom out of bed, Sara successfully entered the physician's office a full five minutes early. She informed the receptionist that they had arrived for their appointment and took the clipboard stacked with papers. Grissom was already sitting in a chair, reading the forensics book he had brought. Sara began with the list of questions that she always hated to read through and answer. She didn't need to ask him, she already knew the answers to all of them, even his social security number.

Sara flipped through the 'Better Homes & Garden' magazine for the second time as she waited for Grissom to be called. He was just reading along at a contented pace and not complaining. She knew the instant she said something about it, he would say the infamous, 'told ya so.'

"Grissom."

"Finally." Sara said, relieved at the nurse's voice. She stood with Grissom and followed.

She watched on patiently as he was forced to go through the normal routine of being weighed, having his blood pressure checked, and even found herself smiling when he was asked to change into a hospital gown. After another agonizing wait, Grissom was taken to Radiology. Sara drummed her fingers after she had thumbed through every possible magazine available. Time drew on as she waited, but when a nurse had told her he was getting redressed, a wave of liberation washed over her.

Grissom offered a smile, but his disappointment shown through. "What's wrong?" She asked, now concerned.

He just sighed. "That was horrible."

"The scan?"

"I felt like a hot dog in a bun."

Sara giggled and shook her head. "I'm sure it wasn't that bad." They walked hand in hand back to the waiting room in the physician's office.

While Kassie was at the museum, AJ found himself quietly sneaking into her room. He knew Sydney was downstairs doing dishes as their parents had asked, so knew he had ample time to snoop. After a quick glance around the room, he decided to start with the top drawer of the dresser. He opened the drawer and was quickly appalled at the sight of his sister's underwear and bras, but in order to find what he was looking for, AJ knew he needed to get beneath them. He scowled as he pushed them aside.

"What the…" He picked up a small disk, appropriately colored pink. While turning the object, he found the clasp to open it. AJ curiously gazed at the arrangement of small pills, and the spaces where several were absent. Suddenly, he was able to put two and two together. "Oh, my God, no way!"

He quickly replaced the pills and carelessly covered them back up. Without a second thought, he left Kassie's room. AJ went downstairs, trying desperately to get the image out of his mind.

"What's eating you?" Sydney asked, after noticing his distraught expression. AJ could only shake his head. "What did you do?"

"Nothing." He quickly defended.

"Guilty, tell me or I'm telling Mom and Dad when they get home."

"You don't even know if I did anything!"

Sydney smiled. "I don't have to. The instant I say you were up to something, who do you think they'll believe?"

AJ sighed and looked around to double check that they were alone. "Okay…" He paused and swallowed hard. "I found Kassie's birth control pills."

Sydney quickly shook it off. "So?"

"SO!" He burst out.

"AJ…" Sydney began laughing. "She's been on birth control pills since she left for college." After AJ went from upset to confused, she explained the situation. "She told me that Dad had insisted. That he knew what guys in southern California were thinking. Hasn't Dad talked to you about sex yet?"

"What?"

"Sex." AJ shook his head, refusing to answer her question. "Oh, come on. Not after you and Jordan have been all touchy feely lately." AJ still remained blank. Sydney scoffed. "I'm surprised he hasn't bought you condoms yet."

He then let a sly smile grace his face. "Actually, that's what I was looking for. I figured Pepper would have some I could take."

"You are not thinking about schtupping my friend!"

AJ acted innocent. "And I don't want to think about my friend schtupping you! Or Pepper schtupping Kassie!" He shuddered. "Ew!"

Sydney laughed, "I'm not schtupping Rifle…yet."

"La la la la…la la la la…" He stuck his fingers in his ears as he continued his chant. Sydney laughed even harder.

"What's so funny?" Sara quizzed as she entered the kitchen with Grissom.

"Nothing," Sydney was able to laugh out. Grissom shook his head and left Sara to deal with the kids.

Sara smiled at AJ as he continued to chant for a brief moment longer. "Can I go over to Jordan's?" He quickly asked.

"So you can schtupp her?" Sydney blurted out.

"Ah…" AJ slammed his hand down on the counter top. "NO!"

The comment wasn't lost on Sara. "AJ…"

"I'm not schtupping anything!"

"Oh, my God!" Sydney had to step back and lean against the counter as she began laughing uncontrollably.

Sara frowned deeply on the situation and bluntly said, "Are you sexually active with Jordan?"

"No, I'm not having sex!" He practically yelled.

"Okay, okay." Sara held out her hands to calm him down as Sydney continued to laugh. "You're at that age where there's a possibility, and I just think you need to think more carefully about the consequences."

"Oh, my God." AJ put a hand over his now embarrassed face. "Shut up!" Sydney only laughed harder, and AJ decided now was the time to leave. He stormed upstairs and slammed his door shut.

Sara turned her attention to her daughter. "Are you having sex?"

"Ha ha ha…" Sydney laughed until the question registered, "ha ha…what…no!" She was now defending herself.

"Just asking." Sara shrugged before heading to her computer. She smiled knowing that by being open and catching her children off-guard, they would surely think more about their actions.

That evening over dinner, Sara revealed to the kids that they would know the results from Grissom's test in a few days. Only when she finally did get the call, it wasn't to share the results, it was to inform her that Grissom was now scheduled for a PET scan in four days. A sudden fear filled her body and was emitted through her voice as she tried to ask the doctor why. He just explained that this other scan would be more thorough and detailed.

Sara clutched the phone after the doctor had hung up. Grissom walked around the corner and noticed her distraught appearance. "Honey…"

A lone tear streaked down her face. "That was your doctor." Grissom held his ground to let her continue. "He scheduled another scan."

"Maybe the first one wasn't good enough." He deducted.

Sara shook her head as more tears formed. Grissom quickly stepped forward and embraced her. "It's a different test."

He took in a deep breath. "So, maybe there was nothing on the CT scan, and they want to look deeper as a precaution." Grissom held her until she calmed down. "Better?"

"I'm just worried."

"I know." Grissom rubbed his hands up and down her arms.

The sound of fast approaching footsteps diverted their attention. "Just who I was looking for." AJ proclaimed.

"What can we do for you?" Grissom politely acknowledged his son's presence.

"Well, I know things in the past have been…" He searched for the words.

"Shaky?" Sara offered.

"Right, shaky. Anyway, I was hoping…"

"No." Grissom spat out.

AJ scoffed, "You don't even know what I'm going to ask."

"And I don't need to."

"All I am asking is to go to a friend's house. No more parties." AJ explained despite his father's premature answer.

"Jordan's?" Sara asked smiling.

"No, but she is going to," he smiled.

Grissom was dead set on not letting his son go anywhere, but Sara placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled. He chewed on the decision for a moment. "Okay."

AJ raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Really, I can go?"

"Home by midnight." Grissom sternly said as he pointed at AJ.

After thanking his parents, AJ rushed to Jordan's house. He hung out, while she finished getting prepared. When she was finally ready, they joined up with Rifle, and walked down the street. They arrived at the house and were welcomed inside.

Jordan went to join several friends in the kitchen and mixed herself a drink. The party was low-key, and everyone tried to prevent any loud, obnoxious activity. AJ started a card game and did his best to restrain himself from winning nearly every hand. While he was playing, Jordan would bring him a fresh drink when she noticed the other was empty.

Rifle sat down at the table with someone AJ didn't recognize. "You seem to be winning quite a bit there. Want to go on a real trip?"

AJ thought as he looked at his friend. "I fold." He laid his hand down and followed Rifle and the other boy.

"Got two hundred?" Rifle held out his hand to AJ.

He hesitated momentarily before forking over the cash. Rifle passed it to the other boy, and got two small vials in exchange. "Rifle, even 'E' doesn't cost that much."

"It's not 'E'." He passed one to AJ, then opened the vial he had. "Cheers."

"Cheers." They mimicked a salute, then downed the contents of the small vials. After a moment, they looked at each other. "Meh, tastes nasty. I'm going to get a drink."

They sat on the couch together and started drinking. Jordan would pass them and occasionally ask if they were all right.

Rifle nodded. "The colors are amazing."

Jordan's eyes widened. "AJ, what do you see?"

AJ's eyes were wandering around the room. "Shiny."

She kneeled in front of them. "What did you two take?"

"Diamonds." Rifle replied.

"That's what I see."

Jordan rolled her eyes. "You two are amazing," she stood and left them as they started their trip.

"Dude." Rifle let his head fall back as he stared at the ceiling. "This shit is awesome!" He struggled to his feet and managed to find a few more drinks for AJ and himself.

AJ took the glass that was filled with a clear liquid and gulped it down. "Need more," he stammered to his feet while Rifle began wandering the house.

Jordan was talking with her friends enjoying another mixed drink. She noticed the couch where AJ and Rifle were tripping was empty. She began to search the first floor for them, but it was to no avail. Worry began to creep into her senses as she was unable to locate the guys. Jordan noticed the stairs going to the second story. She headed upstairs and began searching for either of them.

"Talk to me…."

Jordan turned and headed for the source of the horrible, off-key singing.

"Tell me your name…"

"Rifle!" She yelled as she discovered where and what he was doing.

Rifle had his shirt off and was swinging it over his head, while singing a bad Ricky Martin song. "She bangs, and bangs." He laughed as he leaned over the balcony railing, and referred to the trees as a crowd. "You people are awesome!"

"Okay, Rifle. Time to go home now." She approached him as he started leaning over the rail. Jordan grabbed his belt and pulled him back into the house. "Where's AJ?" He only started laughing. "Rifle, where is AJ?"

Rifle began laughing so hard that he threw up. Jordan jumped back to avoid being hit. She waited until he stopped before checking him. Rifle had passed out, so Jordan propped him up on his side and went to find AJ. She double-checked every room throughout the house before heading outside.

"AJ!" She called out repeatedly. Jordan went through the garage and found him. "AJ, what are you doing?"

xxxxxxxxxx

Grissom was reading up in the basement on PET scans; how they worked and what was all involved in the procedure. He was so deep in thought that he never heard Sara enter.

"How long are you going to be down here?"

He smiled at her. "What time is it?"

"Eleven. Are you going to wait for AJ to come home?" She moved over to stand behind him. Her hands began massaging his shoulders.

"Mmm…that feels good." Grissom's eyes fell shut as he enjoyed the massage.

Sara let her hands continue to please him. "Well, I'm not waiting up for him. I think it's about time you started trusting him. He just got wrapped up in the wrong bunch."

Grissom growled as she brought up AJ's unwelcomed past. "I know, but…"

"He's turning over a new leaf. Let him do this, it's the only way." Sara leaned forward and kissed the top of his head.

He smiled and enjoyed Sara's closeness. The phone sitting on his desk began ringing. Sara groaned. "It's the house phone." Grissom leaned forward, breaking contact with Sara and picked up the receiver. "Hello…this is he." As he leaned back, Sara attempted to wrap her arms back around him but suddenly Grissom was back on the edge of his seat. "We'll be right there."

"Who was that?" Sara moved to his side, her voice filled with sudden distress.

Grissom stood. "Desert Palms; AJ just came into the ER."

"sigh will that boy never learn…shakes head…" Amanda Hawthorn

"He'll learn when he's fried his brain. Oh, wait…" the spoon

"Well, now, we've all been here before, haven't we? Remember what happened last time…hmm…hmmm?" TDCSI

And for those of you who might know this little bit… "I know you sang the song when you typed that state M-i-s-s-i…" thespoon

Yes, I did sing the song when I typed it, happy?

Now I'm sure everyone is going to send a barrage of reviews. Just remember, things can be re-written, so please tell me how you want this to go.

TDCSI