A/N: Hey everyone. Thanks for all your lovely reviews on the last chapter :) Seems I may have struck a chord. Yay! You like my angst don't you? Go on…admit it! So what will Grissom's reaction be to Sara pushing him away? As a matter of fact, how will she react? Don't hate Sara too much; she is only trying to save her family. Think, what would you do? But, is she happy about her decision or even going to stick to it?

Thank you to SweetSouthernComfort for taking the helm of my beta. She does like to drive me crazy! Just ask her how my brain is at the moment with all our discussions. She does love to change my mind. Bad SSC, stop making me nice! But I guess one thing you suggested isn't that nice – so ok, I'll let you off. You can wear the hat for a bit! Tehehehe.

So…on with the show…

Chapter 53

The second Sara was clear from his line of sight; she ducked into the first set of tress to her right, held her face to her hands and sobbed uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her face as she sucked in ragged, heart wrenching breaths. She doubled over, wrapping her arms around her waist and fought for composure.

How could she do that to him? She loved him but, she had to let him go, there was no other choice.

This was the only way.

She hated herself.

Wiping the tears away on the back of her hand, she sucked in several deep breaths and straightened herself out. She had to pull herself together, for if anyone saw her like that, questions would be asked. She needed to clear her head and prepare herself for Hank's arrival and seeking her father's blessing. Even though Hank had made his offer, she couldn't accept it without her father's consent. Well, his marriage proposal anyway. She wasn't about to inform him the reason she was marrying Hank was because his Uncle was prepared to save her home. That would remain a secret.

Her gut rolled as she thought about it. The notion of being with a man that she did not love made her physically ill. But she could learn to love him, right? There was no choice in the matter, she had to and no matter how difficult it was going to be, she had to forget about Grissom and simply let him go.

Her chin quivered as she attempted to gather some self control. "Come on, Sara…" she whispered to herself. "You are strong…you can do this."

After wiping her eyes again, she stepped back onto the path. She couldn't help but look over her shoulder, just for a brief second, but then she berated herself, whipping her head back to face front. She couldn't think about Grissom anymore, it was over.

She took a deep breath and began walking, a new beginning for her family waited…

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Grissom sat on the cabins porch steps, totally and utterly dumbfounded. What the hell had just happened? His head was dizzy, his stomach in knots and the faintest hint of nausea crept up his throat. Something had to be wrong, why would Sara drop him so suddenly and act the way she had? He just didn't believe her actions were legitimate, he couldn't…he just couldn't. She said she loved him and he believed her and this simply wasn't the way Sara Sidle acted. It just wasn't her.

He had to find her. Find out the truth because he was certain foul play had coerced Sara into doing what she had. But why? He tried to think of reasons…

Blackmail? No, there was really nothing left worth taking

Was she being threatened? No…why would someone threaten her over him?

Had she just used him all along? Definitely not, he knew her and that's not who she was.

Then his stomach cramped even more when the sudden thought that her father may have found out about them popped into his brain. But, after a moment's thought, he shook that possibility off. If the captain knew, he would have surely beaten Grissom to a pulp by now.

He sat there for a while, trying to come up with some sort of explanation but every time he found a possibility he shrugged it off because it just wasn't plausible.

Only Sara could tell him what the true problem was…

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Marching towards the house, Grissom's fast pace faltered when he saw Robert at the bottom of the steps grooming a horse. As he drew closer, he immediately knew who the impressive animal belonged to. It was Hanks horse.

"What are you doing?" he asked Robert as he stepped up behind him.

The younger man was startled by the rancher and he jumped, swiftly turning around. He held the grooming brush to his chest and suck in a deep breath. "Sir…" he gasped, "…you startled me."

"Sorry," Grissom apologized.

"It's fine, sir," Robert came back with, patting the horse on the back.

"So…" Grissom began, stepping closer to the horse and eyeing it thoroughly, "…what are you doing?"

"Oh…I was asked to give the animal a little brush; apparently he hasn't had one for a while, so…"

Shaking his head in disbelief, Grissom flexed his fingers in and out. "That's Hanks horse right?"

Robert nodded.

"So he's here?"

The younger man nodded again.

Now Grissom was even more confused, why on earth was Hank here? He scratched the top of his head, "Have you seen Sara?"

"No, sir, but I think she's inside because Hank said he had come to see her. He went into the house, so I presume that's where she is."

Grissom's heart skipped a beat at Robert's statement. Hank was here and he was here to see Sara? He didn't like this; he didn't like this at all.

"Thanks," Grissom mumbled, heading up the steps and into the house. He didn't get far though before he was stopped by Rana, walking from the kitchen with a tray of refreshments.

"Oh…" she began, stopping at Grissom side, "…Mr Grissom, how are you today, sir?" she asked with a smile.

Removing his hat, Grissom half smiled at the server's politeness. "I'm not entirely sure to be honest with you, Rana," he responded.

Rana's smile faded. "Oh, that doesn't sound good, sir. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Do you know where Sara is?" he asked.

"Why yes, sir. She is out on the veranda with her parents and Mr. Pedigrew but…" She lowered her arms a little, obviously feeling the strain of the tray on her muscles, "…I have been given instructions from Captain Sidle that no one is to disturb them."

After working his jaw from left to right, Grissom bit the inside of his lip. "Could you do me a favor, Rana?"

"Yes, sir, of course. How can I be of service?"

"Could you…" He fiddled with his hat, spinning it round and round in his fingers "…just tell Sara I wish to speak with her, whenever she is finished?"

The housekeeper nodded. "I can do that."

"Thank you." He gestured towards the door. "I'll be waiting just outside."

"Alright, sir, I will inform Miss Sara."

He nodded his thanks, placed his hat back onto his head and exited the way he came.

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Grissom paced around outside. He pulled out his watch and looked at the time. He'd been waiting for over half an hour and he was tired of it. Watching as Robert still groomed Hank's horse, he made his decision, he couldn't wait any longer, he had to speak to Sara and he had to speak to her now.

He started up the steps but when he had reached halfway, Hank appeared in the doorway with a smug grin on his face. Grissom stopped and the two men glared at each other but Hank's smile never faltered.

"Where are you going?" Hank's tone was sharp and arrogant. He pulled his gloves from his pocket and slipped them on.

As his nostrils flared, Grissom felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. It had nothing to do with this pompous rich boy what he did. "That's my business, not yours," the rancher shot back with a bite in his words.

Hank strolled down the steps and passed his adversary with a chuckle. "Well, if it's Sara you are looking for, then I'm afraid you are out of luck." He took his horse from Robert, pulled himself into the saddle and smiled down at Grissom as he stepped closer. "She's a little busy."

"And how would you know that?" Grissom asked with a frown. "How do Sara's actions or who she sees, have anything to do with you?"

"Ah!" Hank laughed, holding up a knowing finger. "Now that's my business but…I wouldn't hang around if I were you. She doesn't need to mingle with the trash anymore." He tipped his hat. "Good day, worker," he sniggered, before pulling his horse back and trotting away.

Grissom suddenly felt his blood boiling and he really needed to muster a huge amount of will power to stop himself from lunging forward, yanking Hank from the horse and showing him exactly what he thought of him. How dare such a…a…a stuck up, self centered, disrespectful piece of garbage talk to him like that?

He cursed under his breath, watching as Hank disappeared from view and then turned his head to see Robert staring at him.

"He can be a little rude, can't he, sir?" the younger man commented.

"You can say that again," the rancher countered, scrunching his fingers into a tight fist.

Robert smiled a little and looked like he was about to say something else but the sound of the captain's voice stopped him. "Ah, Gil…" he called.

The two men looked to the house to see the ranch owner emerging. He merrily sauntered down the steps with a huge smile on his face.

Grissom frowned at his boss's facial expression, why did he look so happy? "Captain," he replied with a nod.

"How are we doing this morning?" the older man asked cheerily.

Grissom fought to hold back what he really want to say and simply mumbled, "I've been better."

"Oh?" the captain took a step back. "What's the problem?"

Lightly shaking his head, Grissom cleared his throat. "It doesn't matter," he sighed. "But I…need to speak with Sara, if she's free. Did she get my message?"

"Yes she did but she's not seeing anyone at the moment, she has a lot on her mind and a lot to...well, you will find out later."

Now Grissom's frown deepened, what on earth was going on? "It's important, Captain," Grissom insisted, "I really need to speak with her."

"Sorry, Gil…" The older man shook his head, "…she just does not want to talk to anyone so please, respect her wishes. She will be available later but if it's so urgent, then give you can give me the message and I will pass it on, alright?"

Swallowing the burning, dry lump in his throat, Grissom shook his head. "Its fine…it can wait," he lied.

"You see," the captain began giving his aid an encouraging pat on his upper right arm. You just worry too much. Relax…"

Relax? Right…that was the last thing Grissom was about to do and why was the captain so happy all of a sudden?

"Get my horse would you, lad," the captain instructed Robert.

The young worker nodded. "Yes, sir, right away."

Robert scuttled away and Grissom felt his forehead yet again crease in confusion. "You have a horse?" he asked.

"Yes," the ranch owner replied pulling his gloves from his pocket, "A gift."

Grissom worked his jaw from left to right, he didn't want to ask this question, for he suspected the answer, but he did anyway, "A gift from whom?"

Pulling his gloves tightly onto his hands the captain half smiled, "From Jeffery."

Feeling his pupils dilate, Grissom opened his mouth to speak but he was prevented when the captain quickly continued.

"Now, now, Gil," he said holding up a finger. "I know what you are thinking but things are different now."

Taking a step back, Grissom looked at his boss with an astonished expression. "How could you do that? Different how? You still don't know if he was involved in…"

"Yes…" the captain cut in, "…I do know and he was not involved in anything that has happened. We have the evidence to prove that." He flicked a piece of dirt from his jacket before returning his attention to his aid. "Look Gil…" The ranch owner rubbed his chin, "…I can't get into this now and to be honest, I won't. I need to go into town and you need to accept the fact that Jeffery actually isn't a bad man. Any suspicions we had were a grave misunderstanding on our part. I feel bad for that and a truce has been called. You really need to drop the matter. Speak to the sheriff; see all the evidence, then you may believe what I'm saying."

"I doubt it," Grissom mumbled, causing the captain's right brow to surge skywards. "You said you and the colonel have called a truce?" Grissom continued his questioning as Robert appeared with the captain's new horse. He needed details as to exactly what was going on and why this sudden kindness on McKeen's part. Was this why the captain was suddenly lacking of worry?

"I did," the older man confirmed, taking his horses reins as Robert held them out. "Verbally anyway, I will be popping in to see him."

Grissom's eyes narrowed, "Exactly what kind of truce? That's why Hank was here…" he snorted an unimpressed laugh. "Messenger boy, huh?"

Scoffing, the captain stroked his horse's nose. "I will explain later, Gil. Everything will be made clear tonight I promise. Right now, I have too much to do and very little time to do it. I have to make a visit to Jeffery, go into town, get things organized for this evening and I have to see the sheriff to find out where we stand. But, there is a party tonight. We have an announcement to make and I wish for you to be there."

"I'm not really in the mood for a party, sir, and how can we afford a party?"

"Nonsense, I insist you attend and don't worry yourself. Cost is no longer an issue."

"Not an issue?" Grissom was feeling extremely agitated now, confused and even more nervous.

The captain shook his head but didn't elaborate which frustrated Grissom all the more. "Exactly what kind of announcement are you talking about? Why do I suddenly feel like I'm being left in the dark?"

The captain laughed. "Please, Gil. Will you just relax? Take the day off, you can do nothing around the place today anyway. Just take some time out, unwind and I will see you this evening. Everything will be explained then."

Shrugging his shoulders in a disgruntled manner, Grissom sighed. "If that's what you want but I'm not happy about the lack of explanation."

"Now don't be grumpy, Gil," the captain warned. "We've had quite enough ill feeling around the place lately and I can really do without it anymore." The ranch owner looked to his new ride. "Isn't he beautiful?" he asked with a smile as the horse snorted at the comment.

Grissom took a good look at the horse. He was indeed a very fine animal but he wasn't really interested and that was a first to him. A good horse always captured his attention.

"I think I'll call him Blaze because apparently, he's rather fiery," the captain chuckled, pulling himself aboard. He allowed his ride a few moments to get used to the feel of his new master. "The outer stables are accommodating now, Gil. So you can put Dante and Pandora in there anytime you wish. They can keep this fine fellow company until we restock." He patted Blaze on the head.

"Restock, Captain?" Now Grissom was truly and utterly baffled. "How can we afford to do that?"

"Later, Gil, I have lots to do." The captain smiled, pulled back his horse and trotted off down the driveway. "Relax, Gil!" he called before spurring Blaze and galloping away.

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Grissom gazed at the house, his mind a fog of countless questions and uncertainty. He barely heard Robert as he excused himself and hurried away. He didn't even see which direction he went and just mumbled an incoherent, uncaring response.

He was drawn then, to lift his head and look up. He did so and his eyes immediately found Sara's window. She was there, looking down at him from the comfort of her bedroom. Her facial expression was blank and totally void of any emotion and Grissom's heart dropped when she simply turned and disappeared without giving him the slightest acknowledgment.

What had he done to deserve this?

Conceding to the fact that Sara wouldn't see him, he somberly walked back to the cabin. He would have to wait to speak to her, as the captain had instructed. He didn't like it, in fact it pained him heavily to have to wait but he had no choice. But, he wasn't about to sit ideally by and drive himself insane thinking about it. He would go and talk to the sheriff. Hopefully, he would find out what was happening with Michael and all this so called evidence implicating him in the estates destruction.

He still refused to believe Michael was involved and something most certainly didn't sit well with him in regards to the colonel's sudden rekindled friendship with the captain. He smelled a rat and a big one.

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After taking Pandora to the outer stables, Grissom boarded Dante and headed into town. He went straight to the jail.

Upon entering the office, his awareness was drawn to the left and to the row of four cells about ten feet away. Michael was in the first cell and he immediately stood upon hearing Grissom's entrance.

"Gil?" the sheriff's voice came.

Grissom pulled his attention from Michael and moved to his immediate right to where Brass was seated at his desk.

The rancher gave a single nod as he approached his friend. "Jim," he acknowledged.

Folding his arms, Grissom cocked his head towards the cell behind him. "So, are you really charging him?"

Clearing his throat, the sheriff pushed himself up and rummaged through the numerous pieces of paper on his desk. He picked up several and held them out. "Yes, I am," he confirmed.

Frowning, Grissom eyed the paper in Brass's hand. "What's that?" he asked.

"Messages," the sheriff replied, urging Grissom to take them. He did so with a shaky hand and looked them over, "Correspondence between our friend in the cell over there and Prichard. Things they were going to do, timings and so forth. I guess they weren't always able to catch each other in person."

"You guess?" Grissom questioned on a mumble as his eyes scanned the top document…

"Tonight, my friend. All is ready. I have a buyer lined up so we shouldn't need to have them hanging around. Be ready. 1am. Make sure there are no mistakes this time. D."

Grissom's frown deepened. "Where did you find these?" His question came as he flicked through the other pieces of paper.

"That particular one…" Brass pointed to the first letter Grissom had read, "…we found in Michael's room yesterday, along with several others. We also found some in Pritchard's house. If you hadn't been so quick in wanting to rip my head off yesterday, Gil…" The sheriff's brow rose, "…then I would have told you I'd found these as well as the boots but you were too pig headed to listen."

Grissom felt offended by his friend's words and glared at him. "I'm not pig headed, Jim," he growled, pushing the letters back into the sheriff's hands. "I just know something isn't right…with all of this."

"Well…" the lawman began, shrugging his shoulder, "…it looks right to me."

Running a hand thorough his hair, Grissom thought for a moment. "Can I speak with him?" he asked, looking over his shoulder at Michael. The young man stood looking through the bars at him, his slim fingers tightly gripping around his metal confinement.

Dropping the letters back onto his desk, Brass nodded. "Knock yourself out but don't expect it to change anything."

"You never know…" Grissom mumbled as he walked away and approach the cell. Michael looked him I the eye as he drew close. Nothing but fear and uncertainty was etched upon the younger man's face.

"Have you come to help me?" Michael asked as Grissom stood before him.

As a long sigh seeped through Grissom's lips, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't know if I can," the rancher responded. "I need you to tell me everything that you know."

Michael shook his head. "I didn't do this, Grissom, so I don't know anything. I promise you, I don't…They just grabbed me and found stuff in my room that I didn't even know was there."

The rancher found Michael's plea very convincing, he was so sincere but afraid, very very afraid.

"Please tell me you believe me," Michael begged.

"You didn't set the stable fire?"

"No!" Michael shook his head again. "Why would I do that? What would I have to gain?"

"You didn't help steal the cattle or have anything to do with the destruction at the estate?" Grissom continued, his tone serious but trying to be understanding.

"No, I promise you. I didn't," the younger man cried, his fingers now gripping the bars so hard they were turning white.

Taking one more step forward and completely closing the gap between himself and the prisoner, apart from the bars, Grissom looked Michael directly in the eye. "Did you kill Warrick?"

Now Michael's chin trembled and he sniffed hard. "No," he whispered.

Grissom studied him, every contour of his face, every movement in his eyes, every hitch of his breath. The rancher gave a single nod. "Hang on in there, alright?"

"You believe me?" the young man asked, wiping his nose on his sleeve.

"Yes," Grissom replied quietly. "I believe you."

Suddenly Michael's eyes sparkled. "Are you going to help me?"

Placing a hand on his chin, Grissom rubbed his bearded bearing skin. "I will try but…" He stopped and shook his head. "Just keep your chin up, alright? Just stay strong, no matter what happens, never give up hope."

As Michael sniffed again and nodded, Grissom offered him a weak smile. "I will do all I can." With that said the rancher turned and walked away, moving back to where Brass now stood by the door. He was watching them.

"Happy now?" the sheriff asked.

Shaking his head, Grissom went for the door handle. "Far from it, Jim," he returned with a bite. "He didn't do this. He says he didn't and I believe him."

Brass took his arm and pulled him away from the door. "The evidence doesn't lie, Gil!" the captain snapped. "What is it you don't believe, huh? The link to Pritchard with the stolen cattle? The letters? The fact he had the boots with the missing spur in his room? What? Tell me. He's been deceiving the captain for so long what makes you think he won't do the same thing to you?"

Yanking his arm free, Grissom fought the burn of anger attempting to break through every pore of his body as he glared at the sheriff. "I don't know, Jim," he barked. "But you have the wrong man in that cell. I'll do whatever I can to prove it and if I can't…then you will have to live with the fact you have condemned an innocent man to the gallows."

The rancher said no more, pulled the door open and stormed from the office.

As the door slammed closed behind him, Grissom rushed down the steps and immediately untied Dante from the rail. But he didn't have time to board before the sheriff burst from his office and came rushing after him.

"Wait, Gil!" the lawman shouted.

Kicking the dirt beneath his feet, Grissom turned. "What, Jim?"

"I don't want to fight with you," Brass implored. "We are better men than that and have known each other too long."

Grissom relaxed a little, his friend was right. "Yeah," he responded on a sigh.

"Where are you going?" the sheriff asked.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Grissom shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure."

Brass studied the rancher hard. "What's happening to you?"

"What do you mean?" Grissom asked not understanding Brass's question.

The sheriff stepped down the final few steps and reached out to pat Dante. "You seem different lately, especially the last few days. I mean, yes, a lot has happened, but this thing with Michael, all the evidence is right in front of you in black and white but you push it away. The Gil Grissom I used to know wouldn't do that. He would take the facts over theory without compromise."

Grissom nipped the inside of his bottom lip as Brass spoke to him. Had he really changed that much? "I just have a feeling in my gut, Jim," he conceded.

"Well, you're just going to have to learn to quash that feeling."

The rancher shrugged but then he had a sudden thought. "Where is this Pritchard's place?"

"Why?" The sheriff's question came long and suspicious.

"Humor me, I'd just like to go and see this place for myself."

The lawman narrowed his eyes and shoved his thumbs into his belt.

"Come on, Jim," Grissom continued. "I can find out if you won't tell me you know. Just let me see this for myself. I just want all the facts you speak of. You never know, it may quash this feeling I'm having."

Rolling his eyes, the sheriff gave Dante a final tap before starting back up the steps. "Fine," he called back. "Wait there and I will write down directions for you."

Looking up to the sky, Grissom sucked in a lung full of the warm morning air. He prayed for the day to get better…it couldn't get any worse.

Could it?

A/N: Um, could it? So is Michael innocent? If so, who is the mole? Questions...questions… *Chuckles* Don't forget to review – pretty please!