Chapter 15

Saturday September 17th, 2005
12:15 p.m.
Heaven's Paradise

"Wow," commented Nick quietly to himself when the manor house to Heaven's Paradise rose up before him as he slowly drove up the driveway and pulled to a stop at the bottom of the staircase leading to the front door. Nick simply sat in his truck for a few minutes just taking in his surroundings before getting out and making his way to the front door.

"May I help you sir?" asked James after opening the door.

"Hey I know you. You're the guy that showed up at Catherine and Warrick's wedding a few months ago," observed Nick.

"Indeed," replied James. "Now that that is out of the way, how is it that I may be of assistance to you, Sir?"

"Right. I'm here to see Jessica," explained Nick.

"I'm afraid that Miss Harrison is not here at present," James informed him.

"Oh," Nick commented sadly as he seemed to deflate a tiny bit causing James to take pity on him.

"But I believe you are likely to find her down at the stables. They are a fair distance from the house so the easiest way to reach them would be drive down. Simply follow the road around the garage and you will arrive at the stables in a matter of minutes," offered James.

"Thank you," replied Nick gratefully before turning and making his way back to his truck.

"You're welcome young man and good luck," James encouraged quietly as he closed the door on Nick's retreating back.

A few minutes later, just as James had said, Nick found himself nearing the stables. As he was pulling up, movement off to one side caught his attention. Nick stopped the truck just outside the stable yard so he could take a few moments to watch Jessica ride without her knowing he was there. A few minutes later, the peaceful tranquility of watching horse and rider move as one was shattered when a huge crash sounded from somewhere within the stables, spooking Jessica's horse. Nick watched in horror as Jessica tried valiantly to get her bolting horse under control.

Quickly running out of options, Jessica managed to get the horse aimed at the adjoining pasture's fence, figuring Heaven's Pastime would either stop or jump the four and a half foot pasture fence. The last thing that Jessica was prepared for was for Pastime to disappear out from under her by turning left while he skidded to a stop feet from the fence, catapulting Jessica off over his right shoulder. Unfortunately for Jessica, the stop was not soon enough to allow her fall to avoid the fence. Her body crashed through the top and middle rails and her head crashed onto the lowest rail as she hit the ground, the wood giving way under her helmet.

Even though the fall happened in a matter of seconds, Nick was out of his truck and at Jessica's side moments after she hit the ground. "Jessica!" he called out to her, praying she was still alive. "Jess? Baby can you hear me?" he pleaded desperately as he noticed how shallow her breathing had become.

"Nick?" asked Jessica blearily before falling unconscious.

"Shit," Nick cursed as he grabbed his cell phone. "Stay with me Jessica," he ordered her as he punched the numbers on his phone. "I need an ambulance at the stables of Heaven's Paradise. I have a rider down. She's been thrown through a wooden fence. She lost consciousness a few minutes ago. She hit her head pretty hard…"

As Nick was on the phone with emergency services, one of the stable hands who had heard the crash and had seen Jessica lying on the ground, called Roberto, who dropped everything to get over to Heaven's Paradise and Jessica, especially after learning that there was a man with her, a man whom none of the stable hands had ever seen. Roberto arrived in the stable yard just as Jessica was being loaded into the ambulance. He watched as Nick climbed into the ambulance after her, recognizing him as the man from the photograph Jessica kept by her bedside.

Roberto followed the ambulance to the hospital, arriving a few minutes after it. By the time Roberto made it inside, Jessica had already been wheeled into the trauma unit and Nick was pacing the floor of the waiting room. "So you're him," commented Roberto after watching Nick pace for a few minutes.

"Excuse me?" Nick asked in confusion as he stopped in his tracks.

"You're the one that is destroying the spirit of the girl he claims to love. You've already nearly destroyed her spirit, are you here to finish the job by destroying her body as well?" demanded Roberto coldly.

"Look buddy, I don't know who you think you are…"

"My name," began Roberto cutting off Nick's tirade, "is Roberto Sutton. I am Jessica's fiancé. Which means I have every right to know what you are doing here."

"I came here to talk to Jessica. Jessica's accident was merely that, an accident. I was sitting in my truck watching her ride when I heard a crash, which spooked her horse, leading to Jessica being thrown," explained Nick.

"A likely story," commented Roberto disbelievingly.

"Look buddy, believe whatever you want but I'm not going anywhere until I get the chance to talk to Jessica," argued Nick.

"Excuse me gentlemen," interrupted a voice from the doorway before Roberto could respond, causing both men to turn towards the door where an older man in scrubs was standing. "My name is Dr Edwards. Miss Harrison is a very lucky young woman. Aside from a minor concussion, a sprained wrist, a collapsed lung and some broken and cracked ribs, she sustained no life threatening injuries. If it wasn't for this," the doctor held out Jessica's severely cracked helmet, which Roberto took, "there is no way Miss Harrison would have survived the fall."

"Is she awake?" asked Nick in concern since the last time he had seen her she was unconscious.

"For now. She is being moved to a private room at which point she'll be monitored to make sure that there aren't any complications from the concussion," explained the doctor.

"May I see her?" asked Roberto.

"I'm sorry Mr. Sutton, but she is asking for someone named Nick," replied Dr Edwards.

"That would be me," offered Nick stepping forward and shaking the doctor's hand. "Nick Stokes."

"Follow me then Mr. Stokes," instructed Dr Edwards as he led Nick from the waiting room. "A word of warning Mr. Stokes," cautioned the doctor as he stopped outside Jessica's door. "Do not be surprised if Miss Harrison does or says some things that are out of character for her. She's been through a lot and she's been pumped full of quite a bit of Demoral to deal with the pain. The next time she wakes she may not even remember this visit or anything that's said."

"Thank you Dr. Edwards, I'll remember that," replied Nick before opening the door and entering Jessica's room.

"Nick?" asked Jessica groggily, turning her head towards the sound of the door clicking shut as she tried to fight the side effects of the medication.

"Yes Jessica, it's me," replied Nick as he walked over to the bed and sat down on the side opposite Jessica's bandaged wrist. "I'm right here Baby," he reassured her, taking her good hand in his, kissing it lightly.

"Oh God, it's really you? You're really here? When I saw you I thought…I thought…" Jessica's words trailed off as tears overcame her.

"Shh Jess. I'm right here. You're going to be perfectly fine," soothed Nick as he wiped away Jessica's tears with one hand while keeping a hold of her hand with the other.

"Don't leave me Nick," pleaded Jessica desperately as she started losing the battle against her medications. "Promise me you won't leave me. Promise me that you'll be here when I wake up."

"I promise Jess. I'm not going anywhere Baby. I'll be right here when you wake up," Nick said in reassurance.

"I love you," murmured Jessica as she drifted off to sleep, finally allowing the medication to take over.

"I love you too Baby," replied Nick quietly. /-/I just pray that you still mean it when you wake up./-/

Much to the annoyance of the hospital staff both Nick and Roberto insisted on staying with Jessica until she woke, neither man wanting to leave Jessica on her own or with the other man. Roberto did not trust Nick or his motives where Jessica was concerned and Nick had made a promise to Jessica not to leave her and he was going to keep that promise until she told him otherwise.

It was late morning on the day after the accident and Dr. Edwards was starting to get worried. Jessica was still sleeping and he feared that if she did not wake soon, she might slip into a coma.

"Dr. Edwards?" called Nick, stopping the doctor on his way out of the room after his most recent check on Jessica. "I think she's waking up."

"Nick?" asked Jessica blearily in confusion. "What are you doing here?"

"Good morning Miss Harrison," greeted Dr. Edwards, before Nick could say anything, retaking his spot next to Jessica's bed. "Mr. Sutton, Mr. Stokes, if you would be so kind as to wait outside while I examine Miss Harrison…"

Reluctantly both Nick and Roberto made their way out into the hall to wait while Dr. Edwards checked Jessica over. Twenty minutes later Dr. Edwards stepped out into the hall, informing the two men that Jessica was doing fine and that she had asked to see Roberto. Without even a glance in Nick's direction, Roberto stepped across the hall and into Jessica's room. After closing the door behind himself, he quickly made his way to Jessica's side, kissing her forehead lightly. "How are you feeling Amada?"

"Like I've been thrown through a wooden fence actually," commented Jessica dryly.

"Do not joke about it Amada," snapped Roberto angrily. "You could have been killed and the one responsible will be dealt with, as well as that vicious beast…"

"Don't you dare lay one finger on Pastime, it was not his fault nor was it the fault of the stable hands. It was an accident, nothing more. Besides Roberto, you have no say in what happens at Heaven's Paradise Stables. You run my family's vineyard, not the horses as I have never let any one else but me be in charge of the stables," snapped Jessica angrily causing her heart monitor to beep loudly.

"Amada, please calm down," urged Roberto. "I meant no disrespect, it's just you gave me quite a scare. You know how I feel about you dealing with the young horses Amada. They are dangerous and unpredictable…"

"I am not having this discussion with you again Roberto. No matter what you say or how loudly you protest you will not change my mind nor will you keep me away from my horses or out of the saddle. End of discussion Roberto," Jessica informed him coldly.

"Of course Amada," Roberto agreed reluctantly.

"Good. Now then, was that actually Nick who was in here earlier?" asked Jessica curiously.

"I was the only one in here with you earlier Amada," Roberto said, hoping to convince Jessica that she had only imagined Nick to be in the room earlier.

"Don't lie to me Roberto and don't try to handle me either," instructed Jessica. "There was another man in here earlier, Dr. Edwards confirmed as much, and it sure looked and sounded like Nick so if you would be so kind as to go and fetch him I would like to talk to him."

"Amada, I really don't think that's a good idea…"

"Roberto, Nick came all the way here from Vegas and I'm the first one to say that he hurt me, quite badly at that, but there has to be a reason behind his coming and I won't find out what that reason is if I don't talk to him. Besides, we have issues between us that really need to be dealt with. They've been festering for months and if I don't take this opportunity to deal with them…"

"All right Amada," sighed Roberto. "I don't like it and I don't agree with it but I will go and inform Mr. Stokes that you wish to see him."

"Thank you Roberto."

"You're welcome Amada," replied Roberto before stepping out into the hall where Nick was still waiting. "Jessica wishes to speak with you," Roberto informed Nick, who immediately stepped towards Jessica's door but was stopped short, his hand on the door knob, when Roberto spoke once more. "If you hurt her again…" he trailed off, leaving the threat unfinished.

"I know," replied Nick before entering Jessica's room closing the door behind him. "Jess? You okay?" he asked in concern when he noticed Jessica sitting propped up in her bed, her head back and her eyes closed, a look of pain on her face.

"I'm fine Nick," replied Jessica quietly as she lifted her head and opened her eyes to look at him.

"Are you sure? You look like you're in pain," commented Nick as he stopped at the foot of Jessica's bed. "I could call a nurse…"

"No, please don't," interrupted Jessica. "They'll just give me more Demoral, which will knock me out and quite frankly I'd rather stay conscious for the time being."

"That's understandable," Nick agreed, not quite sure what to say to Jessica now that he had the chance and there was no way she could walk away.

"I wasn't imagining things then, you really are here," observed Jessica.

"I am," agreed Nick.

"Why?" demanded Jessica, who was determined not to cry.

"Why what Jessica?" asked Nick in return. "I think there are a lot of whys that need answers," he pointed out.

"Fine. Let's start with why are you here?"

"I came here in the hopes that we might be able to talk," replied Nick.

"Why, so you could destroy the little that is left of my heart Nick? Because you sure did one hell of a fine job of ripping out the majority of it a few months ago," snarled Jessica, losing the battle against her emotions as silent tears fell from her eyes.

"Jess, you have no idea just how sorry I am for the way that I treated you," commented Nick sincerely.

"And what, I'm supposed to just forgive you because you said you're sorry?"

"No Jess, you're not and I honestly don't expect you to nor do I want an easy forgiveness from you. It wouldn't be right but I do think that you deserve the truth about why I behaved the way that I did towards you," offered Nick.

"Was it me?" Was it something I did?" asked Jessica nervously, her insecurity coming through loud and clear in her voice.

"No Jess. It had nothing to do with you or anything that you could have possibly done," Nick said trying to reassure Jessica as he sat down on the bed beside her, taking her good hand in his tentatively.

"Then what Nick? What happened?" Jessica asked desperately. "Everything seemed to be going great between us, especially in Dallas but then once we got back to Vegas…"

"Things only went downhill from there and I'm sorry about that Jess. Everything that's gone wrong between us since then has been my fault because I let my stupid pride get in the way of my feelings for you," explained Nick.

"What, was I not good enough for you?" asked Jessica quietly, her voice full of hurt as she waited for Nick to confirm her worst fears. "The virgin not to your liking?"

"You've got that backwards Jess," replied Nick as he lifted her chin so that he could look in her eyes. "I started to think that I wasn't good enough for you. And you have no idea how honored it makes me feel knowing that you gave me such a special gift," he finished, wiping away a few of her tears.

"Why in the world would you not be good enough for me Nick?"

"We come from two completely different worlds Jess," replied Nick. "I come from a middle class family from Texas and you…"

"And I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth," finished Jessica sadly. "Is that what all of this was about Nick? Because I have money?"

"Mostly," agreed Nick. "I couldn't understand what someone like you could possibly see in someone who is so far beneath you that we don't even travel in the same circles."

"Nick, I hate this life. This life of wealth and privilege isn't me. The girl you met the day I walked into the lab in Vegas is the real me," Jessica told him. "Yes I have money but I haven't lived off of it since University. The money I made working as a CSI is the money I lived off of. I would give up everything, the money, the house, the vineyard, even the horses to have just five more minutes with my parents Nick. I watched as they were tortured and murdered. All the money in the world will never erase that for me. I'd give up everything in a heartbeat Nick, if you'd only ask."

"I can't ask that of you Jess. I can't ask you to give up your past for me," argued Nick.

"And yet you would use it to turn me away?" asked Jessica sadly. "Nick, the money means nothing to me without…"

"Without what Jessica," Nick said, trying to keep the hope out of his voice.

"Without you," whispered Jessica. "It means nothing without you."

"What are you saying Jess?"

"I don't want you to leave me again Nick. I can't stand the pain of living without you," replied Jessica as fresh tears continued to fall.

"I'm not going anywhere unless you want me to Jess. I can promise you that," reassured Nick. "Besides Sara would kill me if I ever did anything to hurt you again and remember she knows how to do it without incriminating herself," he commented finally managing to get a smile and giggle out of Jessica. "Come here," he instructed as he moved closer and helped Jessica sit up and then took her lightly into his arms. "I'm never going to leave you unless you tell me to, okay?"

Jessica nodded into Nick's shoulder. Neither Nick nor Jessica noticed Roberto standing in the doorway watching them and neither one saw him leave.

Saturday October 1st, 2005
10:00 a.m.
Heaven's Paradise

It had been two weeks since Nick's arrival at Heaven's Paradise and Jessica's accident and they were slowly rebuilding their relationship. They both realized that if they wanted to avoid issues like the ones that had risen between them before that they both needed to be more open about their pasts, so that is what they did. Jessica spoke of her parents and their deaths, what her life was like growing up without them, how she met and became friends with Sara and why she became a CSI. Nick spoke of his childhood and what it was like growing up in Texas, he spoke of the abuse he suffered at the hands of a babysitter when he was nine, what led to him becoming a CSI and how he ended up in Vegas.

Jessica's recovery was progressing as Dr Edwards had hoped. Her ribs were mending and her wrist was healing although both still caused her pain. Dr. Edwards had reduced her pain medication and gave her one she could take when she needed it and that would not knock her out.

"Here you go Jess," Nick said handing Jessica one of her painkillers and a glass of water.

"Thanks," replied Jessica as she quickly swallowed the pill and drank the entire glass of water like Dr Edwards had instructed her to. "What is it Nick? You've got this look as if you want to ask me something but you're not sure if you should because you're afraid of how I might react."

"That's because I do and I am," replied Nick, sitting down on the couch beside her. "Jess, it's about Roberto. I found this in your purse when I was getting your medication," he explained handing Jessica the engagement ring from Roberto.

"I guess I really should give this back to him," commented Jessica taking the ring from Nick. "When I approached Roberto about honoring my parents' desire, I never thought that I'd…that we'd…I thought that…"

"You thought that I hated you," finished Nick. "Look Jess, the past two weeks have been wonderful but if you want to be with Roberto, I'll understand."

"You'll do no such thing Nick Stokes," instructed Jessica leaning forward towards him, a determined look in her eyes. "I agreed to marry Roberto because he was the safe choice Nick. I know that he cares deeply for me and he might even love me but my heart belongs to you, it always has and he knows that."

"If you're sure…"

"Of course I'm sure Nick," reassured Jessica closing the distance between them and kissing him gently on the lips before sitting back again. "Now do you want to drive or shall I have Mathew bring the car around?"

"I think I'll drive as long as you tell me where it is exactly that I'm going," replied Nick with a grin. "I'm not used to this whole chauffeured car business yet," he finished as he held out a hand to help Jessica up off the couch.

"That's okay Nick," laughed Jessica. "I'd rather have you drive anyway."

Nick and Jessica made their way out to his truck and Jessica guided Nick to Las Nubes, where they were met at the doors and shown into the parlor.

"Jessica?" asked Alicia walking into the parlor a few minutes later.

"Hello Alicia," replied Jessica.

"My dear, how lovely to see you," Alicia continued taking Jessica's hands before kissing her on the cheek. "You look well, and who is this?" she continued looking over at Nick, her mind already racing with possible answers, and possible explanations for her son's behavior of late.

"Thank you Alicia," replied Jessica. "This is Nick Stokes. He's a friend from Vegas. He works with Sara and Mr. Grissom."

"Ah of course," Alicia smiled. "Please, have a seat," she continued waving towards the chairs behind her.

"Thank you," replied Jessica as she and Nick took the seats. "Nick this is Roberto's mother Alicia."

"Nice to meet you Ma'am," greeted Nick.

"A pleasure as well Mr. Stokes," Alicia replied with a smile. "So how are you both doing?" she asked glancing between them.

"I'm doing better Alicia. Dr Edwards says I'm right on track with my progress," Jessica informed her. "Listen Alicia, is Roberto around? There's something I need to talk to him about."

Alicia smiled softly. "Of course my dear. He should be down walking the vineyards. Would you like me to send someone to get him?"

"I think I'll go find him. I don't think what I have to tell him is going to go over to well with an audience," commented Jessica as she rose from her seat.

"Can you manage alright Jess?" asked Nick in concern.

"I'll be fine Nick," Jessica reassured him with a small smile.

"Of course," Alicia replied with a smile. "Oh and Jessica dear," she began getting the other woman's attention. "I wanted you to know, whether you marry my son or not, I'll always consider you a daughter of mine. I haven't mentioned that before, I should have. Probably getting emotional in my old age," she teased with a smile.

"Thank you Alicia," replied Jessica sincerely with a light squeeze on Alicia's hand as she passed. "That means a lot to me, especially since I think I'm about to break your son's heart."

Alicia shook her head softly. "How can I blame you if you do, when I see what happiness this man brings to you. And I know he will find his own happiness, like you have with Nicholas."

"Thank you," repeated Jessica, throwing a look at Nick before making her way out towards the vineyards in search of Roberto.

After Jessica was gone Alicia turned back to Nick. "Please Mr. Stokes, have a seat," she spoke before ringing a bell. Moments later the butler appeared. "Stefan, would you be so kind as to ask Katia to find something to drink for Mr. Stokes and I?"

"Of course madam," Stefan replied before leaving.

"So, you are friends with Sara and Dr. Grissom? I'm assuming that means you work with them?" Alicia continued turning her attention to Nick.

"Yes I do," replied Nick.

"Really now?" Alicia smiled. "Would you be so kind as to actually explain what it is that all of you do? I'm afraid I get so little information from Jessica about her career.

"Well, I guess you could say we're lab rats, which translates into criminalists. We investigate crime scenes and examine the evidence," offered Nick by way of explanation.

"How interesting," Alicia smiled, as a woman entered the room with a tray. Setting it on the table she nodded towards Alicia before leaving. "Would you like a drink?" she asked as she picked up a glass. "Ice Tea," she continued.

"Thank you," Nick said as he accepted the drink. "You seem very accepting of Jessica's choice, even though it's your son that is going to be hurt by it."

Alicia regarded him for a moment before nodding. "I suppose some people might find that strange, young man. But then again, I am not most people. I grew up here at Las Nubes, my parents worked for the Aragon family. I was barely fifteen when I met Roberto's father, he was home from school and I was the idealistic, impressionable child. At least I believe those were the words Alejandro's great-grandfather used. Pedro Aragon had trouble accepting changes, you should have heard the stories of how he reacted when his only daughter came home married to a chocolate seller who was not Hispanic," she trailed off with a laugh. "Of course things only got worse when he learned that Victoria was actually never married. That incident led to the near destruction of Las Nubes, but he did accept Paul as a member of the family finally. And Paul and Victoria married; had a good number of children and their children have had children and so on and so forth. But this is my story so I should return to that rather than scare you with the numbers of our extended family," she paused with a smile.

"As I was saying, I was fifteen when Alejandro returned from school, and I fell head over heels in love. But I was the daughter of a poor work hand, and he the son of an Aragon. For the Aragon blood is more dominate here at Las Nubes than any who marry into the family. At least figuratively it is. And no child of an Aragon every crossed Pedro, it would be like sinning against the church, it simply isn't done." Leaning back in her chair Alicia regarded the man for a few moments as she sipped her drink. "Alejandro and I were like any classic love song's couple. It was as if we had known each other all our lives, when in reality we had never met. My family were migrant workers from the south, and of course he was from the Aragon family. But nothing could stop love, and so nothing could stop us. Or so we believed," she paused as she got lost in memories. "My father learned of our relationship, and though I told him that Alejandro had promised to marry me, my father was terribly angry. Especially when he learned I was with child."

Frowning softly she glanced across the room before returning her gaze to Nick. "In order to avoid family shame, my father arranged for me to marry the son of another migrant worker, and I was taken to San Diego to marry this man. During the journey, I lost my first child, but at the time I did not care. I had lost my love, and everything I loved in this world, my family as well. To me I had no reason to live. I married this man my father had chosen, and died a little more each day. A few years later, my husband died, in a bar fight no less, and I returned here to see my mother. During that trip, I met Alejandro, both of us older, neither of us wiser. Alejandro thought I had betrayed him and threw away what we had to leave and marry this...southern gringo as he had been told. I in turn took his anger to heart and intended to leave, perhaps go east. My mother defied my father, seeing how unhappy I was, and told Alejandro's mother the truth, all of it, that I had carried Alejandro's child, only to loose it because of my father and that journey he forced me to take. Alejandro's mother in turn told her husband and they sent for Alejandro, to see if we had indeed had a relationship."

"You see, in those days, it wasn't uncommon for someone to say they carried a child of an Aragon. As you can imagine, the Aragon family is quite wealthy, and any child, be they legitimate or not is brought into the family fold. Our family is a family first, our business second. But as I was saying," she paused for a moment. "Alejandro was brought before his parents, and the family elders. From what he has told me now, and what I've seen when these things happen today, it is quite intimidating to stand before your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and such and have them ask you if you were in a relationship of a physical nature with a girl. Alejandro informed them that he had been in a relationship with me, until I left him. His mother shook her head before telling him what my mother had told her. That it was never my decision. By the time Alejandro caught up to me, I was just about to board a plane that would take me to Spain, I had family there and they had promised to take me in. My father's family was quite poor, but my mother's family had not been, while nowhere near as wealthy as the Aragon family, they were higher up the chain than my father," Alicia trailed off once more.

"So you see young man, I have been in Jessica's shoes. I know what it is like to love a man with your heart and soul, I would not have her live through the life I lived with my first husband. It is not a life at all. And in truth, the Aragon's brought Jessica into the fold years ago. She is a daughter to me Nicholas, as is Sara. And I can do nothing to help Sara escape her problems, seeing as it is impossible to undo her loss of sight, the least I can do is help my other surrogate daughter." Pausing once more Alicia took a drink. "And in truth, my son is better off not marrying her. He needs to marry someone who loves him as much as he loves her."

"All I can hope to do is to live up to your expectations for Jessica. I can promise you Mrs. Sutton that I will never hurt Jessica the way that I did ever again. I can't imagine my life without her in it anymore," Nick said hoping to reassure the woman.

"I hope so," Alicia replied softly. "Because Mr. Stokes, let me assure you, you do hurt her again. Sara will be the least of your problems," Alicia finished with a look that normally scared her husband into submission, and his father and grandfather.

"Message received loud and clear Mrs. Sutton," gulped Nick. Being threatened by Roberto was one thing, that he could handle, but being threatened by the woman in front of him was somehow much more frightening.

"Good to see," Alicia replied with a smile. "So, now that I have you as my prisoner, you must tell me about your Dr. Grissom. I had far too little time to get to know the man and need a good deal of information to assure myself that Sara will be well cared for."

"Well..." Nick began

It had taken Jessica much longer to find Roberto than she had anticipated and her ribs and breathing were starting to pay the price. That man was far too good at hiding for her tastes at the moment. She was halfway through searching the vineyard when she finally found him inspecting one of the vines. She called out to him but he either didn't hear her or he was ignoring her, her money was on the latter as he had just continued walking down the row away from her.

"Roberto, would you please talk to me?" Jessica called out, jogging to catch up with him and putting her hand on his arm to stop him. "Roberto please."

"We have nothing to discuss Miss Harrison," replied Roberto coldly stopping to stare at Jessica.

"Aren't you being just a little harsh Roberto?" snapped Jessica. "Roberto please, I just want to talk to you. It's important. Please?"

"Fine," agreed Roberto tiredly. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Roberto I..."

"Figures," mumbled Roberto as he turned to continue walking the way he had been before Jessica stopped him.

"Roberto, please. I'm sorry all right. I just...I don't know how to do this," pleaded Jessica, stopping Roberto once more.

"Do what exactly Jessica?" demanded Roberto.

"Break someone's heart," replied Jessica sadly as she held out Roberto's engagement ring. "I'm sorry Roberto but I can't marry you. My heart belongs to Nick."

"He has hurt you before Jessica, what's to say he won't hurt you again? Can you live with that uncertainty? I would never hurt you the way that he has Amada. I love you; I could never do what he did to you. I know you; I know how to care for you. I understand the world you come from and it is a world that he could never possibly be comfortable in nor could he understand what it's like to live in your world. You deserve better than him Amada. You deserve a man who can keep you in the style in which you belong. You belong here, with me. I love you Jessica."

"I know you do Roberto and that's what is making this so hard but you have to understand that this...this isn't my world, not any more, if it ever really was. Roberto, I walked away from this life once and found a life that suited me. I have never been comfortable in this world. Nick may have made mistakes, but then so did I, and he loves me as much as I love him and he's willing to give it another try and I would be denying my heart if I didn't give him another chance. If Nick asked me to I would give up everything this life has to offer me, the money, the status, the fame, all of it. As much as you may choose to deny it, my life is in the lab and out in the field working crime scenes. That is who I am. I know you love me Roberto, but you have known all along that my heart belongs to another. Are you going to deny me my chance to find happiness simply because you do not like my choices?" questioned Jessica.

"Of course not Jessica," replied Roberto, taking the ring back from Jessica.

"If it's any consolation Roberto, I truly am sorry," Jessica tried to comfort him.

Roberto merely nodded before turning and walking away.

Jessica watched him leave before turning and making her way back up towards the main house, which took a lot less time to accomplish than initially finding Roberto had. Course she would have made even faster time if she had not had to keep stopping every few minutes to wait for the pain in her ribs to subside. She was standing just inside the vineyard when she saw Nick come out onto the terrace. After catching her breath Jessica made her way towards the house. When Nick saw her coming he raced down the stairs towards her.

"Nick what is it? What's wrong?" Jessica asked in concern when they met halfway between the house and the vineyard.

"Baby, Catherine just called," he began trying to find the words to break the news to her.

"Nick, why is Catherine calling you unless..." Jessica's words trailed of as a thought entered her mind. "Nick, please tell me it's not Sara. Nick please..."

"Jessica...Baby...It's Sara," he began softly still in his own shock before pulling her into his arms. "She's missing, when Grissom returned home from work he found the door unlocked and she was gone. But Sahidi was still there, tied up in the master bathroom. They aren't sure how long. But there was a bible left on the coffee table."

"NO!" cried Jessica into Nick's shoulder. "Nick's it's John, he's got her."

"I know Baby, I know," Nick whispered as he held her close.

"We have to get her back," Jessica said determinedly as she pulled back from Nick slightly and wiped her eyes. "Can I borrow your phone please?"

"Of course," he answered automatically handing it to her.

"Thanks," replied Jessica flipping the phone open and quickly dialing a number. "Phillip, get the plane ready. I'm flying to Vegas as soon as I get to the airport and I want a car waiting for me on the other end understood? Good," she finished closing the phone and handing it back to Nick. "Let's go," she said as she started towards the car.

Shaking his head Nick just followed after her, not sure that he wanted to know.

"Jessica!" Alicia called from the doorway as the other woman turned back to her. "Good luck and let me know when you find her," she continued before waving them on.

"She sort of heard Cath over the phone," Nick explained once they were in the car.

"That's okay Nick. She considers Sara and I her daughters. She has a right to know what's happened," Jessica said as she directed Nick towards the correct airport.

Saturday October 1st, 2005
2:15 p.m.
CSI Break Room

Sighing heavily Catherine fell back into her chair with a groan. Seven hours. Seven hours had past since Grissom called for CSI. Seven hours since they learned Sara was missing. Seven hours since they found Grissom standing against his own wall staring at the bible resting on his coffee table.

Glancing over at the man in question, she sent a silent prayer that they found Sara. Hell, she sent a silent prayer that by the time they found Sara, Grissom would still be the man she left behind. It was actually kind of freaky to watch him, just sitting there with Sahidi's head in his lap, absently running a hand along the dog's head and back.

Tearing her gaze from him she glanced at the others in the room. /-/Dear God, let them find her./-/ If they didn't, none of them would survive. Greg was pacing the room waiting for the results on what evidence they had found. And Warrick, her dear Rick was sitting looking at maps for some kind of answer to where the two of them were, his leg bouncing without conscious thought. Reaching a hand over she laid it on his knee and he looked at her before smiling half-heartedly.

The only person not there was Nick. Nick who had been on his first vacation in years. Who she had to call and break the news to over his cell phone...

"Hey guys, what's the latest?" asked Nick as he stopped in the door to the break room. Jessica had stopped just outside the door and was leaning back against the wall trying to breathe deeply through the pain in her ribs while she fumbled to take one of her painkillers.

"Wow man, that was fast," commented Warrick. "We weren't expecting you for at least another hour or so."

"How did you get here so fast Nick?" asked Greg curiously.

"Jess," replied Nick.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Catherine, completely lost at this point.

"I think he means me," offered Jessica nervously as she stepped into the room next to Nick.

"Oh my God. Jessica!" Catherine cried as she stood and made her way to the woman to hug her. "God girl, where have you been? Damn it's good to see you, and that gift, you are so going to be tortured with Richard Gere marathons," she rattled off as she stepped back. "We've been going crazy worrying about you, and oh you missed the wedding..." she began to babble before Warrick rose and placed a hand on her shoulder to pull her back.

Smiling at Jessica over Catherine's shoulder he shook his head. "Hormones," he mouthed.

"I can see that," smiled Jessica. "Congratulations you two."

"Thanks," Catherine smiled before looking over at Grissom and breaking out in tears.

"And this would be my cue to take her to the restroom. Welcome back girl," Warrick smiled before leading his sobbing wife out of the break room.

"Thanks Warrick," replied Jessica.

"Are you okay?" asked Nick quietly in concern when he noticed how pale Jessica had gone.

"My ribs are hurting and the medication hasn't kicked in yet," replied Jessica just as quietly, not really wanting the others to know about her injury with everything else going on.

Nick nodded and led Jessica over to the couch, taking the seat next to her and putting his arm behind her shoulders.

"I see she's still an emotional roller coaster," Nick mused softly. "Well, I suppose that's the official welcome back for both of us," he continued smiling at Jessica before turning his attention back to Greg and Grissom. "So to repeat myself, what's the latest?"

Greg shook his head softly. "We're waiting on results." he sighed before glancing over at Grissom.

A few silent moments later Catherine and Warrick returned, the woman much more calm as she moved over to kick Nick off the couch and sink into the space next to Jessica while Warrick turned an extra chair around for her to prop her feet up. "Hi again girl," Catherine smiled at Jessica as she ran a hand over her nine-month-pregnant 'bulge' as Greg had deemed it.

"Hi," greeted Jessica in return. "Nick?"

"Water?" he asked.

"Yes please," replied Jessica as she dug into her purse and pulled out her pills, quickly taking one and drinking the glass of water. "Thanks," she said when she felt this one kick in almost instantly. Before anyone could ask her any questions about what it was she just took and why, Jessica rose carefully from the couch and made her way to Grissom's side, kneeling down next to Sahidi, laying one hand on his head and the other on Grissom's free hand. "Gil?"

Grissom turned his head to look at her, surprising the occupants of the room who had been trying for seven hours to bring him back from wherever he went. For a few moments Grissom just stared at Jessica before blinking a few times. "Jess?"

"Hi," Jessica replied quietly.

"Oh God, Jess I'm so sorry," Grissom cried as he lowered his chin to his chest. "This is my fault. I've been working so much, not staying with her. Oh God, I'm so sorry," he cried

"Gil, it's not your fault. John is obsessed, always has been. He would have found a way and you and I both know that no matter how hard either of us tried Sara would not have stayed in protective custody for the rest of her life. That wasn't Sara. And you know as well as I do that if she saw you like this you would never hear the end of it. We'll get her back Gil," soothed Jessica. "We did it once and we'll do it again, only this time will be a little different than the last time."

"What if we don't?" he whispered looking up at her.

"Don't think like that Gil," reprimanded Jessica. "We will get her back. I'll be damned if I found my way back to Nick only to lose my best friend in the process. Gil you will have anything and everything you need at your disposal to get Sara back. I promise you that."

Grissom closed his eyes and pinched his lips together for a few moments before nodding. "Alright," he began opening his eyes. "John was bringing her back west in the first place, he had somewhere in mind. Sara mentioned something about mountains once when she was having a nightmare. It may be something; it may be nothing. But it's more than we have right now. Greg, how long until the results should be in of what we did manage to find at the townhouse?"

Greg stared at Grissom for a moment before shaking his head. "Fifteen minutes." he answered with a smile.

"Good, keep on top of those. I'm going to contact Sara's brother, let him know what's going on and see if he knows anything about his uncle." Having said his piece Grissom rose and made his way from the room, Sahidi following behind him.

As Grissom made his way out of the break room, Jessica too rose to her feet and wandered over to the table Warrick had been sitting at when she and Nick had arrived and glanced at the map he had been looking at.

"Jess?" Nick called in concern when he noticed her lean forward, one hand on the table, the other going to her forehead and her eyes closing. "Jess what is it? Is it your ribs?" he asked when he got next to her.

"A cabin..."

"What?" he asked in confusion, not understanding what Jessica was talking about.

"Sara used to talk about a cabin in the mountains," answered Jessica as she turned to look at Nick. "We need to focus on the mountains."

"Umm, okay," Nick began surprised. "Did she ever say anything else about this cabin?"

"I'll go grab some maps of the Sierra Nevada Mountains," Warrick spoke before disappearing from the room.

"Umm..." began Jessica as she tried to wrack her brain for anything she could think of. "There were cots. They were out under the trees so you could sleep outside during summer and I think I remember her saying that there was a river or a creek nearby."

"Okay then, well it can't be too high up because of the lack of snow year round. And most rivers and creeks are marked on the map so...maybe we can bring it down to something soon," Nick smiled

"Did her brother know anything about it do you know?" Catherine asked from her place on the couch.

"N...Not that I...I know of," Jessica managed to get out before she started to collapse to the floor. Luckily Nick was standing next to her and was able to catch her before the fall caused her any more injury.

"Jess?" Nick called worriedly. "Come on Baby, come back to me," he urged as he sat down on the floor, Jessica unconscious in his arms. "Greg, quick get me some water," he ordered, never stopping his rocking. "Come on Baby, come back to me."

"Dear God, what happened?" Catherine asked concerned as she tried to sit up in a hurry only to realize she couldn't. Greg came with the glass of water before she tried to get up again at a normal speed.

Nick took the glass from Greg and carefully started to pour some of the water into Jessica's mouth. "Come on Baby," he encouraged. "That's a girl, just take it easy," he soothed as Jessica started coughing. "Shh, it's okay Baby," he reassured her as Jessica began crying. "I know it hurts, and you're tired. You'll be okay; this is just a minor setback. You pushed your body farther than it could handle. You're going to be fine," he told her as he continued to rock Jessica as she cried quietly.

"Nick?" Catherine asked concerned as Warrick returned with the maps.

"What happened?" Warrick asked as he dropped the maps on the table to kneel next to the two. "Should we call for EMS?" he asked concerned.

"I got the phone," Greg spoke up unsure.

"She'll be fine, guys. She's just over done it, and this is her body's way of telling her," Nick explained.

"Are you sure?" Catherine asked concerned as she held a hand for Warrick to help her up. "Why don't you lay her on the couch, it's got to be more comfortable than the floor."

"Thanks Cath," replied Nick as he carefully picked Jessica up and laid her down on the couch, sitting down with her so her head was in his lap. "She was in an accident a couple weeks ago and she's still recovering. Collapsing like that is her body's way of telling her she's done too much. Normally she can catch herself before it gets to this stage but given the day's events..."

"That's completely understandable," replied Catherine with a smile as she commandeered a chair and resumed her earlier position with another chair for her feet. "An accident a couple of weeks ago, and no one told Sara?" she continued with a frown. "Nicky, you are so dead when she gets a hold of you, you know that right?"

"I've been a little occupied Cath," replied Nick. "I was there when the accident happened and I was more concerned about Jessica surviving it then calling Sara."

"Mmm hmm," Catherine began with a smile. "I'm still not going to help you when she kills you."

"When who kills who?" Grissom asked from the doorway.

"Sara kills Nick for not calling to let her know Jess was in an accident two weeks ago," Catherine replied helpfully.

Grissom looked at Nick for a moment before shaking his head. "I think all of us will stay out of that one, but no worries, at the most, she'll make you their personally gopher," he continued with a smile before shaking his head. "Talked to her brother. He is beyond angry, and is contacting their parents to see if they have any ideas of where John might go."

"Need to call him back. Jess remembered a cabin up in the mountains that Sara would talk about," Catherine began after a beat. "There were cots under the trees they could sleep on and a creek or river nearby. Nothing more than that was ever shared by our girl."

"So the mountains did mean something," Grissom repeated before shaking his head and digging his cell phone out of his pocket. Hitting speed dial he walked out to the hallway before popping his head back in. "Is she okay?" he asked concerned.

"She'll be fine Griss," answered Nick. "She just needs some sleep so her body can recover."

"Okay," Grissom answered with a slight frown before the other end of his conversation picked up. "Chris," he began turning back out into the hallway.

"Anyone else wondering when Grissom met Sara's brother?" Nick asked curious as he glanced up from Jessica briefly.

"Nick, the dog," Catherine replied with a grin.

"Oh...yeah," Nick shook his head. "Seems I missed a lot when we weren't talking huh?"

"That's putting it mildly Nick," Catherine replied softly. "But there is plenty of time to make up for it when we get her back.

"I'll deal with that then Cath," he replied glancing down at Jessica who was sound asleep with her head in his lap.