Following Morning at 6:30 a.m.

            Jarod found Sara in the stables saddling her horse, getting ready to ride on the beach like she did every morning.  "Ready to ride?"  Jarod said as he snuck up behind her grinning from ear to ear.

            "Excuse me, since when do you intrude on my time and hey, you can't ride…"

            "I never said I couldn't ride, just that I never do.  Besides we need to talk… seriously."

            Sara eyed him suspiciously as she questioned, "What about?"

            "No, we ride first, talk later.  Mount up."

            Sara decided not to argue.  It was such a wonderful morning.  She felt like a cloud had been lifted from over her head.  They each mounted their horses then raced down the beach.

            They approached the section where she had been the night before, clearly visible to the hotel and lounge.  It was nearing seven o'clock when they slowed their ride and Jarod, with a serious look in her direction proceeded with the discussion he had put off earlier.

            "Sara, we had a little incident last night that you need to be made aware of."

            "Oh.  What kind of incident?  Is something wrong with the hotel or is it something to do with the operations?"

            "Well… it has to do with you specifically."

            "And how's that, I wasn't around that much…"

            "We had our conversation overheard by a group of people.  They were, to say the least, quite interested in our conversation."

            Sara stopped her horse and looked at Jarod with her head cocked to the side.  She was trying to decide what question she wanted answered first. "Okay, so let's see, there are a numerous amount of questions I could ask about that statement.  First of all, our conversation was about my innocence, so why would someone be interested in that?  Second, was more discussed after I left and if so, exactly how much?   And third, what group of people?"

            She is not going to like this. Jarod thought to himself before answering.  "Let's see, where to begin, the interest in your innocence would be because they are directly involved. Yes, a lot more was discussed after you left and no, it shouldn't have been but it was.  Lastly, the group was…" He hesitated.

            "Out with it."  Sara took a sharp breath and blew her hair out of her face in agitation.

            "The group from Vegas is here and was sitting on the other side of the trellis."

            Sara's face grew pale, her expression one of mortification.  "Jarod please tell me you're kidding? Please."

            He slowly shook his head.  Sara started to turn her horse around and tried to leave but Jarod caught the reins before she could.  "Sara, don't.  Don't, listen to me.  Look at me, come on Sara, look at me."

            Sara did so, but asked, "How much Jarod? How much?"

            "Matt and Jackson asked some questions about you and your training.  I felt they needed to know.  If we're going to catch the person responsible for setting you up they need to be informed."

            Sara shook her head violently. "No.  Oh Jarod, please tell me you didn't tell them in front of the group."

            "We didn't know they were there and that section is supposed to be empty when we sit back there.  I'm sorry, Sara.  But, they know… and they want to talk to you.  They read the portfolio and know you're innocent.  They just want to see you…"

            "Oh no, I can't.  Oh God, Jarod how could you do that to me?  I trusted you and you just talked about everything that was personal and confidential."

            "No Sara, I didn't tell them details… well, okay, some… but Matt and Jackson had some valid questions.  Sara, the main thing is that your friends understand.  They want to see you and talk to you.  I came with you this morning to forewarn you in case you see them."

            "So, what, am I supposed to just go up to their rooms and say Hi, here I am?"  Sara spoke with a harshness that belied the false smile on her face.

            "Sara…"

            "God, what do I do, how do I face them after…" She started crying and he moved his horse closer as he reached out to rub her back in consolation.

            "We'll figure it out, Sara.  They're just happy that you've been cleared.  You should've seen the looks on their faces… the younger one… Nick I think, I thought for sure he was going to break down."

            "Whh…who is all here?" she asked in a choked whisper.

            Jarod looked at her and smiled. "All of them, Nick, Mr. Brown, Ms. Willows and Dr. Grissom."

            Sara sucked in her breath as she asked, "He's here?"

            "Yes.  He was… well, quiet most of the time.  I felt like we were being analyzed."

            Sara drew up on the horse, gathering herself, sniffling but allowing a small grin. "That's Grissom."

            "Sara, it'll be alright.  Just go about business today like usual.  We'll see about maybe meeting up with them later tonight, maybe at the lounge."

            Thinking about what he had revealed, she sighed heavily.  "I'll get dressed and meet you at your rooms."  Then she smiled a doubtful smile and walked her horse off toward the stables.

            Jarod looked up at the hotel.  He picked out the balcony that he knew belonged to the suite that he knew they were occupying.  Four individuals stared down at the beach and watched her retreating form.  He nodded to them then turned his horse around and headed down the beach.

            Later, Sara knocked on Jarod's door.  He let her in and headed back into his bedroom to finish getting dressed.  He took a quick glance back at her and saw that she was in her business attire; a skirted suit, mini-skirt of course with her legs.  Her hair was pulled back in a French roll with some loose strands framing her face.  She looked lovely and yet, very professional.  You'd never know it just by looking at her that she was a formidable force.  A woman capable of killing a man a hundred different ways and yet, never leave a shred of evidence behind.  Jarod is brought out of his reverie when he hears Sara yell through the living room at him.

            "Hey, Jarod. I made a quick phone call and asked Sydney to come down."

            Jarod came back out fully dressed.  "Well, that's probably a good idea.  He can help us go through the personnel and trainees from the Centre to determine who it was setting you up."

            "I'm supposed to pick him up at the airport at three o'clock."  She turned around and saw he was dressed in suit and tie.

            "I'll go with."  He winked at her.  He knew she wanted him to go with.

            "I was hoping you would say that."  She walked over to the balcony and stepped out.  He watched as she leaned on the railing and could see the stress molded in her stance.  He walked out on to the balcony and placed his hands on her shoulder, lightly massaging them.  "You don't have to worry so much you know… they're not going to bite you."

            "I'm just, I don't know, apprehensive… especially in regard to Grissom."

            "Don't be, it'll be fine."

            "I hope so."