Chapter Twenty Nine:
"Sir, we need to treat both of you," stated the medic.
Grissom did not reply but choked down a sob. "Just leave…us alone…please."
"Sir, were either of you burned?"
Grissom stepped back letting the medic look at both of them.
"Her hands are burned," noted the young medic.
She sat on the gurney with Grissom by her side as the medic treated the burns.
Grissom did not even realize his arm had been burned when the front of the house collapsed sending charred wood into the air.
There was another burn on his hand where he had blocked the debris from Sara.
Sara seemed to have fared the worst in her attempts to open the front door.
"I could give her something for the pain," the medic offered.
Both shook their head.
Once he was done, Grissom led her to his vehicle. "There's nothing we can do…let's go home."
Once they arrived at the house, he rushed over to the passenger side, helping her out.
Mary met them at the door.
Grissom shook his head as they entered.
Heather was nowhere in sight.
Sara's legs felt like lead as she made her way towards the stairs.
Grissom followed forcing her to lean on him as they took the stairs.
Mary followed, offering her services.
"Mary…when the police come…let me know until then I don't want to be disturbed especially by Heather," he bit out.
"Yes sir," she said softly.
Gently he washed away the dark smudges from her face and then her arms, being mindful of her latest injury.
He removed clothes next, sickened by the smell of smoke.
She was eerily quiet as she lay there.
He quickly cleaned himself, worried about her silence, not sure how to help her.
He spooned his body up next to hers as he gathered her into his arms.
His hand dipped down and protectively covered her abdomen.
A slight sob erupted and he held her tight. "I love you, Sara," he agonized.
He couldn't sleep as he lay there beside her.
She'd fallen asleep a few hours ago from sheer exhaustion, he was sure.
He slipped out of the bed making his way downstairs when he heard the sound of a car door.
He stepped out onto the front porch and met Brass.
Quietly he gave Brass the details of the fire that had killed the Tolivers.
"How is Sara?" asked Brass.
"She's quiet," answered Grissom.
Mary appeared briefly handing each of them a cup of coffee.
Brass took a sip. "Rollins refuses to give up the name of his boss. He denies any wrongdoing and claims the nurse was angry at him for jilting her. He claims she wanted to have an affair with him and he refused."
"Have Nick trace his phone calls for the past six months."
Grissom stood there holding the cup with both hands.
"Why so far back?" questioned Brass.
Grissom finally took a drink.
Brass stepped closer. "You think Rollins was connected with Reed."
"I'm tired of watching Sara go through hell," Grissom bit out. "First Natalie…then Darren Reed…then this mess with Rollins."
"You didn't mention the mess with Heather."
Grissom's face screwed up in anger at the mention of her name. "I'm not sure how much more Sara can take. Losing David…"
He took a ragged breath. "I'm going over to the Toliver place. The fire was too hot last night to try to locate the bodies. I want to be there…I need to be there when…" He didn't finish not sure how he would react when they carried out the bodies.
In the short time, he'd grown quite fond of the boy.
"I'll call you if there's any news. In the meantime, how long are you going to let that…witch stay?" Brass whispered.
"She's going to leave today whether she likes it or not," griped Grissom. "I know she hired Rollins. I just can't prove it…yet."
"I'll meet you over…there," stated Brass as he left.
Heather slipped back into the shadows.
We were meant to be together…
If it wasn't for Sara…
Grissom stepped back into the house as Brass left for the Tolivers.
He glanced up when he saw Sara coming down the stairs.
Bruno lagged behind her, sniffling at the bandages on her hands.
Mary stepped out of the kitchen. "I have breakfast," she offered.
Sara started to decline but Grissom was already leading her into the kitchen forcing her to sit down.
"Mary, I'm going to the Toliver farmhouse for a few hours."
"Why?" asked Sara suddenly.
"The scene is probably cool enough to…locate the bodies," he said quietly.
He grabbed Sara's hands gently but firmly. "I don't want you anywhere near there. I can handle it…understand?"
She nodded.
Heather stepped into the room. "I'm sorry about David."
Sara fled the room, letting the screen door slam.
She sat down on the porch swing, swiping at the endless tears.
Fury exploded inside Grissom as he lurched toward Heather causing her to step back.
He grabbed her by the arm. "Did you have anything to do with this?" he spat.
"The fire? You think I had something to do with it?" she asked incredulously.
"I know you hired Rollins to switch Sara's medication. What else have you done Heather?"
She looked shocked and then pure anger oozed from her pores. "Prove it. Prove any of it!"
His grip tightened on her arm but she stood her ground despite the pain.
"Heather, I think it's time you leave," gritted Grissom.
"You want me out of sight…out of mind," she glared.
"Mary…I'll be gone for a few hours. Call me if Sara needs me," he said as he threw down his napkin and headed toward the front porch.
"You don't even care about our child," she bit out.
"I care about your child….which is more than you do."
"Are you trying to deny that you're the father?" she challenged.
"I know I'm not the father….to your child."
Heather paled.
Could Sara be pregnant?
"We'll see…if I don't miscarry…because of this," she threatened.
His hands clenched into fists. "Then it will be your fault…not mine. No more guilt, Heather…not from you. If you're not out of this house within an hour then I'll have Brass take you back to Vegas. Mary, I'll send Jim over to stay with Sara until I can get back."
Heather screeched as he left the room.
"I can help you pack," offered Mary.
"Call Rollins…never mind. I'll drive myself," she muttered as she stormed into the bedroom, shutting the door with a bang.
Mary turned and began cleaning the kitchen.
Grissom took a deep breath as he watched how she tried to hide the tears.
He knelt in front of her, not liking how tired she looked. "I'll be back soon…then we can make the funeral arrangements."
She nodded, letting her head bob up and down until he pulled her into his arms.
"I don't want to leave you but I have to," he whispered. "One of us needs to be there…for David," he choked.
Her arms slipped around his neck and he held her tight, not caring that he felt as if someone was watching.
His lips touched her forehead and he was surprised when hers pressed against his cheek.
"I love you, honey," he whispered as his thumb swiped at a renegade tear.
"Are you sure…you want to…" Sara didn't finish.
"I'll be back as soon as I can. I'll get Brass to come back and…,"
"I'll be fine. Mary is here."
"I told Heather…to leave. I don't want you alone with her."
Grissom hesitated a moment and then left.
He knew the sooner he got this over with then he could return.
Bruno's ears pricked as he stared at the barn.
Sara rubbed his head.
He bolted off the porch and ran toward the barn.
She took off after him, not wanting him to bother the kitten.
Bruno sat looking up into the loft, his tail wagging wildly.
"Bruno, no," she gulped.
There was a soft muffled sound above.
Sara gritted her teeth as she climbed the ladder, her hands stinging with each grip.
She looked over into the corner and almost cried out at the sight of David.
"David!"
He smiled.
"I'm sorry Sara I didn't come sooner," he said.
"Oh David. I am so glad you came here," cried Sara as she started toward him but halted when she heard a noise behind her.
Heather appeared.
"What do we have here?" asked Heather.
Sara stepped to the side hoping to hide David from view.
"What's wrong Sara? Lost your voice again?" she teased.
Heather lurched at Sara as she glanced back worriedly for David but he was nowhere in sight.
Both sprawled to the wooden floor of the loft.
Heather kicked at Sara but she blocked the punch. She could have easily gotten the upper hand but she couldn't risk hurting the child Heather carried.
She blocked each blow, sending Heather into a tirade.
She was already growing tired and needed to get away, fearful of harming her own child.
Sara scrambled to the edge trying to reach the ladder but she was shoved, sending her over to the edge.
"Heather stop!" yelled Sara. "You almost miscarried. Don't you care about your baby?"
"He doesn't want it….now. You wouldn't leave him alone. I sent Natalie…then Darren…that's right, Sara. I orchestrated all of it."
Heather glanced around, smiling when she caught sight of the piece of wood.
Sara cried out when it came down hard on her arm.
The snap of the bone was sickening.
Sara tried to force herself up but Heather stomped her bandaged hands.
"Grissom!" she cried out.
"Grissom is not here," smiled Heather as she picked up a piece of rope that had once secured a bale of hay.
She walked toward Sara plopping down onto her back and wrapping the rope around her neck.
Grissom slammed on his brakes, noticing that Bruno was following his vehicle.
He turned back, calling for the dog as he drove back into the driveway.
"Bruno, inside," ordered Grissom but the dog ran towards the barn with Grissom following.
Heather yanked the rope harder when she saw Grissom rush into the barn.
"Heather stop!" he ordered.
"She won't die! No matter what I do! She doesn't appreciate you…I do. I can make you happy," cried Heather as she continued to strangle Sara.
Sara's burned fingers tugged at the rope, straining for air.
Grissom yelled just as Sara rolled.
Heather lost her balance and both women scrambled to get to their feet.
Heather grabbed Sara trying to shove her out of the loft as Grissom struggled up the ladder to break up the fight.
Just as he stood, both women teetered on the edge.
"Sara!" Grissom warned.
Heather saw the peril, sneering at Grissom as she grabbed for Sara but Grissom interceded.
He grabbed onto both as they hung over the edge.
Heather continued to lash at Sara as Grissom tried to keep his grip on both of them.
"Heather stop!" he warned.
Sara's hand began to slip from his.
She cried out as he continued to try to get a better grasp knowing that it was her injured arm.
"Gil, let her fall then it can just be the two of us," begged Heather as she kicked at Sara who refused to fight back.
Sara's hand slipped again as Grissom teetered on the edge himself.
He warned Heather once more but she continued to claw at Sara.
He screamed at Sara when her hand released its grip and he almost dropped her.
"Sara!" he agonized as she hung there lifeless.
Heather kicked at her, using her other hand to try to pull Sara from Grissom's grasp.
"I said stop!" he yelled as he yanked at Heather, trying to force her to stop.
Heather screamed when he released her hand to grab hold onto Sara.
Her body landed on the ground below with a sickening thud.
He cried out when he felt his strength waning.
One final surge of energy enabled him to pull Sara to safety.
Mary ran to the barn.
"Call an ambulance," he cried as he held Sara's lifeless body.
She slipped in and out of darkness, seeing shadows of figures as well as distorted voices.
She felt her body being lifted.
"The baby?" Grissom asked.
Heather must have been seriously hurt.
The sounds became muffled as she felt an oxygen mask over her face.
Her eyes tried to drift open but then the darkness crashed down.
Sara fumbled through the darkness, bumping into a chair.
She took smalls steps as she tried to make her way toward a wall.
"Hold still," called Warrick as he turned on the light switch.
Sara looked around.
"Well, this is better than the lab. This must be your new house," smiled Warrick.
She was standing in David's bedroom.
"Yes…it is. Why was the light out?" she asked.
"Come sit here on the bed with me," stated Warrick.
He wrapped his arm around her as she leaned into him.
"Because you're not sure if you feel the same here anymore," explained Warrick.
"I thought I lost David….but I didn't he's alive," whispered Sara. "I can be happy here again…with David."
"But…you were happy here with Grissom?" he asked, pulling her chin toward him.
She nodded.
The room began to darken.
"What's happening?" she said as she grasped his hand.
"Don't be afraid of the dark, Sara."
"I don't know what's…there," she whispered.
"I think you know," stated Warrick.
Sara shook her head. "I don't."
"Sara…Grissom was there when they pulled Martha's and David's body from the house."
"No! I saw him! He was in the loft."
"David got Bruno to go after Grissom so he would come to the barn. He went for help…this time. He wanted to save you," consoled Warrick.
"No, Warrick…please…you're wrong. He's alive! He's…"
David appeared in the doorway. "I am alive Sara…in Heaven…but Warrick and I came back to say goodbye."
She shook her head over and over as her hands flew to her midsection.
"Honey, the baby is fine," urged Warrick.
"Heather….she took David away from me!" cried Sara.
"No…she didn't. Mrs. Toliver set a pot on the stove and forgot about it. The fire was an accident."
"If she hadn't interfered David would have been staying with us…he would be…"
Warrick squeezed her hand. "No, honey. It was his time."
Sara looked in David's direction. "I went to sleep and then Warrick woke me up…took me to my parents…but we came back to say goodbye…oh and I got to help you with that mean woman. She got arrested didn't she?"
"Yes, David, she did," answered Warrick.
David looked back into the hall. "I have to go, Sara. Don't worry, they said I can come and get you when it's your time…but that's not for a really long time," he grinned.
He rushed into Sara's arms as she kissed him feverishly. "I love you David."
"Bye Sara," called David as he ran out of the room.
"He and his Dad are going to play ball while his Mom watches," explained Warrick.
He stood and extended his hand. "I have to go now. This is the last time I get to do this."
"Warrick…why did you…I mean why did you get to come to me?"
"I didn't get to say goodbye to you…I think you needed it more than anyone else. Sara, death is not so…bad. I am with loved ones. You'll be here someday along with Grissom and…oh I almost told you what you're going to have."
"You know?"
He winked.
He started for the door watching as she clutched David's teddy bear.
Warrick turned crossing the room to pull her tight in his arms. "I'm counting on you…don't forget that."
"For what?"
He kissed her on the forehead. "When the time comes, you'll know."
"Warrick…"
Warrick released her. "I have to go."
She held onto his sleeve as his fingers gently slipped through hers.
"Sara…let go."
He closed the door but already he could hear someone coming.
The light began to flicker as she hugged the bear once more before returning it to the bed.
The door knob turned and she could hear the sound of her name being called.
She opened her eyes, and turned toward the sound of his voice.
The conversation was becoming rather heated.
"I don't care what she told you before, she's my wife and I'm entitled to know about her condition," griped Grissom.
"Gil, lower your voice," warned Langston.
"Ray…" Grissom stopped when her head turned toward them.
She blinked several times trying to focus on the two people standing in the corner of the room.
"Gil…I want you to leave," whispered Langston.
He was gone in a flash, Sara's eyes following his every movement.
Note from author:
Okay….probably some hate mail…it was good news and bad news… Okay, so here is the deal. I am posting very early today because I am going to be out late. Tomorrow I will be on the road for most of the day so I am going to try to post before I leave in the morning. Please be sure to leave a review for each chapter...honor system..
Take care!
