A/N: My usual thanks to mingsmommy for the beta and for putting me straight on my screw ups (you were so right).

Chapter 38

"…I stayed until a little after ten, then I decided it was time to call it a night. I still had to get up early the next morning as usual and really didn't get much done with a chronic hangover so after bidding Taylor good night, I left. He said he wasn't going to be much longer anyway and asked me to pop by during the week just to see how he was doing with the horses.

I smiled as I exited the saloon and a cool breeze felt very welcoming as it hit my face. It, for the most part, had been a very good day but as I walked down the steps to retrieve Dante, whom I had tied to the rail upon arrival, my smile quickly faded. He wasn't there; Taylor's horse was, amongst others, but not Dante.

Quickly, I looked around, trying to see the best I could through the darkness and the various street lanterns which lit the town. I spotted Dante a little way down the street by an alley way just next to the General Store but as I walked towards him an arm reached out from the alley, took his reins and pulled him out of sight.

I froze. Now, I knew something wasn't right but why would someone want to tease me like this? I thought maybe some children had snuck out and were playing around but still, I approached the alley with caution, constantly looking over my shoulder until I reached it. Peering down the sparsely lit passage I saw Dante about halfway down the alley by some wooden crates. I felt my eyes narrowing as I stepped towards him, my pulse somewhat increasing with every step I took.

I was only within a few feet of him and was about to reach out a hand to take his reins when two men stepped out, one from the shadows and another from behind the crates. I instantly recognized them. The same man I saw earlier and one of his accomplices from the forest. I swallowed hard and took a few steps back and that's when I heard footsteps behind me. Turning my head I saw another man approaching from behind and again I recognized him as another one of the men from the forest.

"I've been waiting all day for you. I told you I'd be seeing you around, didn't I?"

I returned my attention to the older man whose face now bore an evil looking grin. "Give me back my horse," I growled, holding out my hand.

"Your horse?" he laughed. "So it's all well and good for you to take him but you would not allow me to do so? Is that right, friend?"

"I didn't take him," I replied quickly, flicking my glance between the men in front and the one behind. "He stays with me of his own free will."

"Of course he does," he sniggered taking a step towards me and I felt my heart beginning to race. "Well, that's alright…" he continued rubbing his hand over his chin. "…you can keep him as it looks like you've soiled him but…" Now he held up a finger. "…I told you, you would pay for what you owe and you will. You owe me a horse and a rifle or the money equivalent of; you get me?"

"Your rifle is with the sheriff," I snarled back feeling my nose curl. "Feel free to pick it up and as for the horse, you had no right to him in the first place so, go to Hell, I owe you nothing."

"Is that right?" He stepped closer and I felt the man behind doing the same. I'm in trouble and I know it, my body tensed in a second.

He mockingly shook his head, tuting at me. "Well, if you can't give me back my rifle or the horse you owe me, then I will take payment another way."

My heart thundered from my chest as I witnessed him slipping a hand into his pocket to pull out a knife. His friend followed closely behind as they moved towards me. I had to get out of there and the easiest way was backwards, there was only one of them.

As I am just about to spin around and try and make a run for it, Dante suddenly reared. No one expected it, not even me and within mere seconds he was up on his back legs kicking wildly at the two men who were advancing on me. He caught the younger man and he hit the alley wall hard. The ring leader fell backwards but managed to dodge the horse's fury.

I saw my chance at this point, spun around and ran for it. The second I moved, I shouted to Dante to get out and he ran after me as I hurtled towards the third man. He's closer than I thought though and I actually ran straight into him and we both ended up on the floor. Dante jumped over us then stopped but I shouted again, telling him to go and get away. I was just fearful that if they got hold of him again they would really hurt him. He did as he was told and ran down the alley, back into the main street and disappeared around the corner.

That's the last thing I saw before I am hauled to my feet and what I presumed was a fist lands square in my gut causing me to double over again.

"Pick him the Hell up," I heard the lead man bark and once more I'm dragged up by strong hands. I struggled which earned me a punch in the face for my efforts. It's hard when you are outnumbered.

My dazed eyes caught sight of the third man across the passageway and he was still on the ground, groaning. Dante got him good, which made me glad but the pleasant thoughts didn't last long as I was held strong and felt the leader as he grabbed my hair. He held the knife in front of my eyes and smirked.

"Time for me to take what you owe," he breathed into me, his foul breath caused my stomach to turn it was so repulsive. I never did like the smell of chewing tobacco. I can't struggle now as he moved the blade to my throat; if I do, I feared he would kill me.

"So, what would you like me to take as payment?" he now sneered at me as he worked the blade over my skin. "I always collect on debts."

My blood ran cold as he moved the knife downwards, across my chest and down over my stomach. He stopped just below the waist and looked down. "How about I cut off the one thing that would really hurt, huh?"

Now panic over took me as he jabbed the knife into my groin. I feared the worst as his grin broadened and his eyes darkened. I saw the muscles in his arms tense as if he is about to strike and know I have to try and fight now. As he pulled the knife back, no doubt to thrust it into me I managed to pull an arm free from my captor behind and drove my elbow forcefully into his gut. A winded groan fell from his lips and he crumbled to the ground.

The leader was irate at my defiance, wasted no time and swiped at me with the knife but I managed to pull back and it just missed me. He growled and lunged at me again. My reaction was quick and I managed to grab his arms and we tussled for control. He was still trying to stab me so most of my attention was squarely fixed on the knife in his hand. A lengthy struggle ensued and by this time I'm shouting for help. We both fell to the ground where my fight to survive continued and as we tumbled to the cold dirt I caught sight of the other men getting to their feet, one by one.

The rest is kind of a blur. The other guys joined in and started beating on me and I remember one of them stomping on my face. Then everything went black. I came to a few minutes later and found Taylor and several of his friends crouched over me. It appears they had found Dante upon leaving the saloon then heard my cries for help and came to my aid.

"Gil…Gil, buddy, Gil…are you alright?" I heard Taylor's voice as I tried to gather my bearings.

Groaning I sat up, well I tried too but suddenly I felt an agonizing stinging pain in my abdomen. My fingers scanned over my clothes and immediately came into contact with something warm and sticky. I knew it was my own blood and suddenly I found myself praying that I didn't have any body parts missing.

I heard Taylor telling me to keep calm and I felt his hands on my shoulders trying to keep me from panicking. He then asked his friends to help him pick me up. That's all I remember before I blacked out again.

The next time I woke it was morning and I'm in my own bed. I felt sore as hell and instantly lifted the sheet which is covering me to take a look at the consequences of my attack. I couldn't see the wound as it was covered by a dressing and heavily strapped. My fingers slipped to the tape and I was tempted to remove the dressing but before I had the opportunity my front door opened and Taylor walked in crunching on an apple.

"Ah, you're up," he mumbled through his breakfast. "You have no idea how relieved I am to see you are finally awake."

"Did you bring me here?" I asked, trying to push myself up but he rushed towards me and placed a hand on my arm.

"Try not to move or you may tear the stitching." He nodded down to my wound. "Good thing you were out when the doc stitched you, it made me feel queasy just watching. And yes," he continued, "I brought you home after we made a house call to the doc. And he says you were lucky."

"How…" I hesitated, "…lucky, exactly?" I still couldn't help but fear the worse.

He sniggered at me and took another bite of the apple. "You didn't lose anything if that's what you're worried about but you have a very nasty gash. You were lucky we heard you and you can thank Dante for bringing the predicament to our attention."

"I'll do that." I smiled but then ended up wincing as I tried to move.

Taylor informed me the wound will take some time to heal and I had doctor's orders to rest for at least a couple of days if I wanted to avoid rupturing the stitches. For once I did as told and rested until the doctor cleared me to start moving around. It took a while for the wound to heal but eventually it did and I was left with the scar you see today."

Grissom stopped and sighed before turning his attention to Sara.

"Goodness, that is quite a story," she remarked as she sat up, lifting her head from his shoulder.

"I told you," he responded with a hearty grin. "Now, do you see why I didn't really want to get into it earlier?"

Smacking her lips together she smiled. "I certainly do, but those thugs could have killed you. Did they get caught?"

"Not immediately, they managed to get away as Taylor was more concerned about me but after my attack, he ensured the sheriff took the horse poaching accusations seriously as well as my assault." Stretching, Grissom yawned heartily. "And…they were foolish enough to try stealing in the forest again a week later and were apprehended by the sheriff and several of his deputies who just happened to be waiting for them."

"Good." Sara offered a firm and thankful nod. "They deserved whatever time they got."

"Indeed," he agreed.

"So," she said standing and taking his hand to pull him up, "I have to say that was a very insightful story and I thank you for sharing."

"My pleasure," he responded, tilting his head forwards to offer her a gentle kiss.

Humming her appreciation she smiled into him until he pulled away. "So, what is next on the agenda for today?"

"Well…" He rubbed his chin as Sara pulled him towards the stable. "…we don't really have to do anything more around the place. I do have to load a few more items onto the wagon. Hodges can help me with the trunks in the morning. Apart from that we can do whatever you want to do."

"Whatever, I want?"

"Yes."

As they entered the stable Grissom stopped and pulled her against him, inhaling her ever so delightful aroma. She smelt like peaches today. "What would you like to do, Sara?"

Pursing her lips she cocked her head and looked at Dante who was attempting to lick Pandora through the stalls divide. Grinning and raising her brow she returned her glance to her man.

Grissom's eyes narrowed as they flicked over to see what she was looking at. He knew straight away what she wanted. "Ooooh no," he responded immediately. "Not that."

"Come on, Gil," she whined. "Give me this, you know I'm capable…you know I can ride him. You did say earlier that you wished you could give me something. Please…"

He searched her eyes with his own and they narrowed even further.

"Please…" She pouted now, grabbing both of his hands and squeezing them tightly.

"Alright," he responded on a sigh, unable to resist her request anymore.

"Really?" she squealed, stunned.

"Yes."

The widest grin found her lips and she leapt forwards, throwing her arms around him and he chuckled into her as she repeated, "Thank you, thank you, thank you," over and over again.

"But…" he stopped her and she pulled away to look at him with an, 'oh there had to be a, but' look on her face, "…on one condition."

"Anything," she said giddily, clasping her hands together and almost bouncing up and down.

"I ride with you."

"That's fine." She smiled. "You can ride beside me on Pandora, right next to me and you can watch me every second if that's what you want."

"No," he cut in. "I ride with you…behind you, on Dante."

"Oh." Her smile seemed to fade a little and she bowed her head.

"Hey…" He reached a finger under her chin and with the faintest of pressure lifted her head back up so she looked at him again. "I just have to be sure you're safe. It's your first time upon a horse that could easily kill you if anything goes wrong." Moving his hand upwards to brush a few stray hairs which lay on her forehead back into place he smiled. "I know you are a very capable rider but, humor me, alright? If all goes well, I'll allow you to ride solo next time."

"Next time?" she asked softly.

"If you manage to master him and we have no incidents, yes, you can then ride him another time if you wish to, alone." He stepped back and held out a hand, "Deal?"

Her smile reappeared and as she ran her tongue taunting over her bottom lip Grissom felt his right brow arching as she giggled at him. "Deal," she laughed happily, shaking his hand.

"Good." He smiled and looked her over. The dress she wore may not be so appropriate for the ride; he wouldn't want it to get ruined. "Do you wish to change before we begin?"

After a moment's thought she shook her head. "I'm sure I'll be fine."

"Are you sure? You may get dirty."

"It doesn't matter." She took his hand and pulled him towards the stalls. "This is such an old thing anyway so I am not too concerned. I have plenty of others."

"As you wish," he said opening Dante's stall and the horse happily trotted from his housing, licking Grissom on the arm as he went. He headed straight for Pandora's stall and kicked the ground as she popped her head over the half opened door.

Grinning widely Grissom patted his horse on the back. "Pandora has to stay here for now, boy."

Dante fiercely shook his head and thumped the ground again.

"Come on," the rancher sighed taking his reins, knowing his companion wished to be with his lady friend. "Let's get you saddled up and when we get back I promise I'll let the two of you have a wander together. I'll even throw in some extra apples for you so you can impress the lady, how's that?"

Now Dante looked to his master and after a little thought frantically nodded his head with an eager snort.

"That's my boy."

Sara laughed as she listened to the conversation. "I definitely feel Dante is a little smitten," she giggled stepping right up to him, giving him a healthy pat.

"He isn't the only one," Grissom responded reaching to the wall for Dante's saddle. He turned back to Sara with saddle in hand and she was smiling broadly at him. It's then he realized what he'd said and felt his cheeks flush. Clearing his throat with a boyish grin he popped the saddle onto Dante's back but as he went to fasten it, he stopped.

"Is something wrong?" Sara asked as he hesitated.

"Not really," he said working his jaw. "I'm just wondering if we will be better without the saddle rather than with it."

Stepping right up to him, "No saddle?" she asked. "Will that be safe?"

Removing the saddle and placing it on the work table he flicked his eyes to her. "You trust me, yes?"

"You know I do."

Her response was fast and it made his chest swell. "So, I believe it will be more comfortable without the saddle. Are you confident enough to ride bareback?" Leaning against the work table he folded his arms. "You don't have to, if you are not comfortable with it."

"If you are with me…" She licked her lips, "…then I'm comfortable with it."

"You're sure?" he asked needing clarification. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable or make her to do anything she didn't want to do, especially when it came to riding his stallion.

"I'm sure." Her response was soft but true.

"Alright then." He pushed himself from the bench and held out his hand. "Shall we?"

Taking his hand she allowed him to lead her from the stable but as they exited she looked at Dante as he walked beside them and stopped.

Grissom stopped also and looked at her.

"You know, maybe I should change," she began, "considering there is no saddle I think it will be more comfortable and practical."

"I agree," he returned. "You go ahead and I'll wait here for you."

Giggling again she kissed him and skipped away. "I won't be long."

A/N: So he finally lets her ride Dante, huh? Will all go well? We shall see. Thanks for all the reviews and comments. More please? :)