Authors note: I am submitting 4 chapters at once, which is unlike me. I will not post on an evening that CSI is on so this will have to last for two days. Plenty of backstory to feast on. Remember, I have a plan, and I am a true believer in the power of love.

Chapter 8

Sara was in the kitchen when the house began to stir. Brass was the first to come downstairs.

"So how'd it go last night". He said.

"It went good". Sara said.

They sat in silence for a moment and then Brass got up to pour a cup of coffee. Standing at the sink, looking out of the window, Brass seemed perplexed.

"So what happens from here"? He asked.

"I don't know". Sara responded.

A silence blanketed the room. Sara seemed distant and reserved. Brass quickly turned to her, "I've given more thought to the idea of Gil being here. I don't think he should stay". He said.

"Why do you say that?" Sara returned.

"Because….truthfully, HE'S not the one who has taken care of you and Jared all this time, I have". Brass exclaimed.

"Jim, you are a dear friend and Jared and I appreciate all you have done over the years." she said.

" I don't want to see you or Jared hurt. I'm afraid he's just going to leave you and put you through heartache." Brass said determinately.

"Quit talking like that Jim, you don't know what he's gonna do as much as I don't know". Sara said.

"You two made love last night, didn't you?" he asked.

"Yes". She replied.

"I thought so." He said under his breath.

Sara rose to go to the refrigerator, Brass followed. He reached out and caught her arm. "It hurts me to see him with the two of you. I know I brought him here…at your request, but I thought you would see him again and realize you didn't need him. I never thought it would ask him to raise Jared. I just knew he would want to bolt as soon as he saw you…and the boy." Brass said. Pulling her closer to him he held her resistance at bay, she couldn't move, not only was she being held, she was in shock. Sara broke from his grip and turned to him. "Jim, you agreed a long time ago that there would be a time that we would have to let Griss know he had a son...". Brass cut her off, "I'm worried that he will break your heart and that's not what is best for you right now."

A booming voice came from the doorway, "And you know what is best for her"? Grissom said standing at the doorway. "And what makes you think you know what's best for her"? he said, approaching Brass.

"Because I have been the one here for her and the boy all the time, not you". Brass said defensively.

"If she had wanted YOU to raise our child, she would have never asked you to involve me." Grissom said.

"Yes, but maybe she didn't know what a prick you were and how you were never by her side" Brass replied.

" Jim, I have talked to you about her for years, and I have told you how I felt". Grissom said. "Every minute of every hour of every day I have thought about her and why she chose to leave. The whole time you knew where she was and you never told me!" Grissom slammed down a fist on the countertop.

Their attention was drawn to the stairway, Jared was just coming down the steps. You could see Sara was beginning to weaken. She reached for the arm of the chair to steady herself. Jared noticed and jumped to catch her.

"I don't want EITHER of you here if you're gonna act like that and say things about my mom." Jared yelled.

He helped her sit down, "and as a matter of fact, Grissom, if you ARE my father, you sure haven't acted like one, Uncle Jim has been here for us, and you haven't."

Sara pulled at Jared, "son, YOUR father hasn't been here because of decisions I have made. Everybody just calm down, I'm going out to feed the horses. You all can sit here and argue about what is best for me, I really don't care, because as you all know, it isn't going to do a damn bit of good, I'm gonna do what I want anyway." Sara stormed out the back door almost missing the last step.

Brass turned toward Grissom, "This is bullshit", and hestormed out the door.