Chapter 10

The bar wasn't crowded, there were a few regulars sitting at the corner table. Sara recognized most of them, and noticed Brass sitting alone at the far side of the bar. She turned back to look at Grissom and then approached Brass. Grissom took a seat at the other end of the bar to give them both some space.

The conversation began with Brass asking, " Why are you here"?

"I was concerned about you and the way you left". Sara said.

"There's no reason for you to be concern, HE'S here now, you can go on and live your life like you want to, I'm through will it all". Brass growled.

"Look, I am not apologizing for loving him, I have always loved him and you KNEW that. I just didn't know that you were having these feelings for Jared and I. I REALLY don't think it's feeling for us that you're mad at. I think you're afraid that Grissom's going to come in and take over your spot in Jared's heart, and you have to know that's not true. The boy loves you like a father, and all that Jared knows is that Grissom is his biological father, you are the one that's been here for him his whole life. I just want you to stop all this fighting, if for no-one else's sake but mine. I am not going to leave this earth having everyone fighting over how I feel about them."

Brass just stared at his beer, shaking his head. Grissom was straining to hear what was being said but the music from the radio was blocking out most of the words. He heard enough to get the drift of the conversation. Sara rose to leave, Grissom also got up, and as Sara approached him he started to follow her. Sara turned and said, "No, you stay here and get this worked out between the two of you. As I told him, I am not going to leave this earth with a feud on my conscience. I want you two to settle this, at least for now." And she left the bar, leaving them to talk.

Grissom motioned to the bartender to bring two more beers. He sat down directly across from Brass and began to speak. "Why did you bring me here? Didn't you know that if you had some sort of feelings for the two of them that, well, there would be problems?"

"Look, I brought you here 'cause SHE wanted me too, and I'll do whatever it takes to make her happy." Brass said.

"Well, then, it's obvious that I AM the one that makes her happy, so do what you said you were set out to do and quit causing all this pain!" Grissom replied.

Brass sat silently and looked at his beer. Grissom got up and paid the bartender, he took his bottle of beer and left. He wasn't sure how he was going to get back to the farm, but if he had to walk, he was going to go back.

As Grissom walked down the side of the road in the direction of the farm, his mind was reeling. Sara was his soul. Things were not what he expected them to be. He had dreamed of finding her, but his dreams were illusions. Just fantasies that he could walk right back into her life as if nothing had ever happen in the past.

The heat was bearing down on him. He wasn't sure he could make it back to the farm before dark. He heard a car slowing down behind him. As he turned he noticed it was Brass. "Get in." Jim motioned. "I'll take you back."

The men rode in silence back to the farm.