Chapter Nine:

Setting the Record Straight

Sara was speechless but Grissom spoke up. "Memory is a gift. I remembered Sara the moment you mentioned the art gallery."

"I thought she had made an impression on you," said Gracen.

Sara refused to look toward Grissom.

"Turn right," instructed Gracen.

Within a few minutes they were turning into Gracen's driveway.

It was a huge house, set away from the other houses in the neighborhood.

"My family has lived here for many years," he explained.

It was incredibly beautiful.

He unlocked the door and stepped inside. "I'll just be a minute," he explained. "Sara…would you like to help me?"

Grissom glanced around, as uneasiness crept over him.

They ascended the stairs slowly. Sara quickly wrapped her arms around him providing him with her support.

"You shouldn't be climbing stairs," she scolded softly.

"I used to slide down the banister as a child," he said. "My mother used to scold me…like you are now."

He stopped midway trying to catch his breath.

"Gracen," she worried.

"Just give me a minute," he gasped. He looked into her eyes, her concern obvious.

"I won't overdo it," he whispered. "I promise."

They walked down the hall and then stepped into a large bedroom.

Gracen went to the closet and pulled out an overnight bag filling it with clothes.

"Since my parents died, I haven't liked staying here. That will change if you decide…it will feel like a home again."

He finished packing and then pulled her into his arms. "Sara…I want you to take a month…to be sure."

A month…

Can I make my decision by then?

She'd waited for such a long time for Grissom to admit his feelings and now Gracen was wanting her to act within a month.

"I'll stay…at your place for a few days and then I need to come back here."

"But…"

There were footsteps coming toward them.

"I don't think it's Grissom," said Sara.

A woman appeared in the doorway.

"You're back," she huffed.

Gracen looked displeased at the woman standing in the doorway.

She was quite beautiful making Sara feel a bit uneasy as she eyed her up and down.

"Sara, this is Vivian," gritted Gracen.

"Hello Sara, we've known you for years. Gracen has given up a lot in order to…"

"Vivian, why are you here?" he interrupted.

"Waiting for you…why else? I was concerned about you."

"Thank you but it's not necessary."

"You look ill," she said suddenly coming to stand near him.

"We have to leave," he said as he attempted to take the overnight bag but Sara grabbed it.

He refused to let go of the handle.

"What happened?" Vivian asked, sounding concerned.

She reached out to touch him but he stepped back instantly.

Her eyes flared in content but cooled the moment she realized Sara was watching her.

"I'm going to be alright," he said.

"I can still inquire about you, can't I?" she asked mournfully.

"I was...shot but I'm better."

"Did they do it?" she asked quickly.

"No."

They started toward the door but Vivian blocked him. "Could I speak privately with you?"

"No. I keep nothing from Sara."

"I guess she knows then that we were intended to be mated. It was our parent's decision to…"

"You and I had a choice…I made mine."

Vivian glanced at Sara. "Very well, I only wanted to make sure before…you made a mistake."

Gracen stepped toward Vivian. "I've already chosen Sara. I am bound to her."

Vivian gasped. "When?"

"Vivian…I told you years ago I had no intention of going through with the ritual with you."

"But you never said you had…begun the ritual," she cried.

"It was none of your business. I was not bound to…"

"Pure bred is better than…"

"None of us are pure breds anymore which is the reason we are able to feel…procreate…it is our human nature that gives us these pleasures."

"It's not a pleasure, it's a curse," she cried. "I'd rather not feel…especially when my intended has chosen someone beneath him."

"I will not have you talking about Sara like that. I am beneath her. It is our angelic heritage that curses us. I seek to rise above that."

Vivian laughed through her tears. "We will never rise again. Our Creator decreed that. We are a dying breed. You can't hope to take a human for your mate in order to get an heir. The odds are against you."

Gracen caressed Sara's hand. "If the Creator gives us an heir then glory will be to Him since only He can grant us this…not ourselves. Please move away Vivian."

"I could give you an heir. I'm not sterile."

Sara felt a twinge of guilt for Vivian's pain.

"Vivian, I've made my choice."

"I can't...won't protect you from the council. They're quite angry at your actions. It will not please them to know that you intend to follow through with setting me aside," she spat.

"They already know this. I told them of my intentions….you've known for some time. Besides, I didn't expect you to be so noble as to uphold the family name…the name you were to become."

Just as they reached the top of the stairs, Vivian grabbed his arm. "Gracen, you'll be sorry for this."

He brushed her hand from his arm and it infuriated her.

Grissom noticed the woman at the top of the stairs as he watched them descend the stairs.

She appeared to be upset as she attempted to detain Gracen.

"Gracen…you may have bound yourself to her…but she's not bound to you yet. That could be your downfall."

Gracen turned and glared at the woman. "Don't threaten Vivian. I protect what's mine!"

"You used to protect me," she mourned.

"Yes, I did. Even though I told you years ago, you've remained under my roof, under my protection…as well as your family. You've taken full advantage of this…but it ends now. I expect you to move out by the end of the week."

"You can't mean that!" she said coming toward him.

"Move out or…I'll have your things removed myself," he called over his shoulder.

He gripped Sara's hand firmly, feeling her discomfort.

He took the stairs rather quickly and regretted it once they reached the bottom.

He was breathing rather hard as they stepped outside.

Grissom started for the car but Sara called him back quickly. "Grissom!"

Gracen leaned against the door, his breath coming in gasps.

Grissom grabbed his other side as they got back into the car.

"I'm sorry. The woman rakes on my last nerve," he bit out. "I needed to get out before I said things that….shouldn't be said."

He leaned back in the seat, closing his eyes as he tried to concentrate on getting control of his breathing.

He felt Sara's hand caress his cheek and then slide across his forehead.

She oozed fear and he grabbed her hand bringing it to his lips as he kissed it.

He waited for Sara to inquire about Vivian but she said nothing.

He smiled sadly at her.

Little was said in the car as they drove Gracen back to Sara's.

They helped him back inside the apartment.

He was grateful to stretch out on the couch.

Grissom stepped outside into the hallway giving them some privacy.

"We'll talk when you get home," he urged.

"I take it you went against your parent's wishes…to come to me."

"My father was upset but he understood. My mother was afraid for me, knowing the sect would disapprove of my actions and pronounce me as an outcast."

"What does that mean…to be an outcast?"

"It means I cannot expect to have their protection from humans…or demons."

A shiver ran down her spine and he quickly rubbed her back.

"Sara, I don't need their protection. I never have. Vivian just said that to rattle you. Some of us…are not nice."

He brought her chin up so that they were eye to eye.

"Vivian wanted us to be mated…now there is no chance for that. I would do it again even if it means you decide you…don't want me."

She sighed loudly. "Well, I wasn't expecting to see an ex…but then you've impersonated mine…wait I guess Grissom doesn't count because he was never mine…I'm…"

"Overtalking," he finished with a grin. "Vivian was an ex…on paper. I'll rectify that."

"Paper?" she asked.

"The sect kept a record of betrothals…to see who was available."

"Weird."

"There's not that many of us remaining," he explained. "Some do not want to mate with a human."

He caressed her cheek. "We've held up Grissom long enough. Be safe."

He kissed her lightly on the lips.

Grissom turned his head not wishing to see the display of affection.

As they walked back to the Denali, he noticed she seemed a bit off.

"Everything alright?" he asked.

"Yes," she said softly.

"Friends…help one another," he offered.

She looked at him.

"Do you mean that?"

"Yes."

"I just want to learn more about…them," she said.

"I think I know someone who may be able to help," he replied.

"Really…but Grissom we can't let anyone know…about Gracen."

"Father Brannigan would never disclose any information," explained Grissom.

"Father Brannigan…a priest…your priest?"

"I don't attend mass anymore but I've confided in him a few times," he shared.

She was surprised by his honesty.

"We have another hour before work. Would you like to swing by there and talk with him?" he asked.

"You usually get to work early," she hesitated.

"Old habits can be broken," he replied.

She grinned. "Griss they would think you had died."

"Let's find out."

She felt nervous walking into a church.

She followed Grissom to the front and a priest appeared.

"Hello Gil, what can I do for you? I hope this is not a business call," he said.

"No, it's personal. Could we talk with you in private?"

Father Brannigan motioned to another priest.

"He's learning the ropes…new priest," he explained.

As soon as they sat down in the office, Grissom began.

"Father, what can you tell us about "the watchers?"

Father Brannigan squirmed.

"Father, we know there is a sect here. We know that they do not consider themselves as fallen angels but rather…angels waiting for judgment."

"You know more than you should," he replied. "The sect has been here for over a thousand years. They contacted the church but the Pope refused to allow them access. We have been mandated not to trust them. They are fallen angels whether they wish to acknowledge this or not."

Sara shifted in her seat. "Father Brannigan, some angels sided with Satan whereas there were some that did nothing- they did not fight with Satan nor did they defend God."

Sara stole a glance at Grissom, "The angels that did nothing have tried to remain as watchers over mankind. It is these angels that I wish to talk about. They intermarried with humans and had offspring that are half angel, half human and…"

"They are fallen angels no matter how far the generation spans."

"In the Bible God allowed some Jews to take wives or husbands of other nations…they were forgiven," said Sara.

"You are talking about humans to humans…not angels to humans. The Book of Enoch documents the catastrophe that occurred when the fallen angels took females as wives. No good came of it."

"But…like I said some of the angels that you insist on classifying as "fallen" have intermarried and their offspring are normal…not evil. Wouldn't that imply God has given…some reprieve?"

"I can't answer that. I can say we will all face judgment one day. As I understand it, this sect does not allow…angels to…mate with humans."

Sara looked to the floor.

"Angels were intended to be servants of humans. They are not equal. They could not have the same emotions as we do or the ability to procreate."

"But they do now. Surely if they can then your God sanctioned it…doesn't all life come from him?" asked Sara.

"All life comes from Him but He also can take it away the offspring of the fallen angels. He gives all humans free will. Those women chose to procreate with evil and they were struck down. No human should trust a fallen angel."

"What if…the entity has become more human than angelic?" she pressed.

"Only God knows that."

Grissom cleared his throat. "What can you tell us about the human women who have married…bound themselves to angels?"

"There is little research since they do not wish to communicate with us. We have learned there are few births between the unions…most of the fallen angels are sterile."

Sara looked confused. "There are only male angels?"

Father Brannigan answered. "Yes… then over the centuries there were some females born to the mixed unions but most of them have been sterile."

"They have to have a human female in order to reproduce which is why some go outside the sect and take a spouse in order to get an offspring and then return to the sect," added Father Brannigan.

Sara leaned forward. "Wait, angels mate for life…if one dies then the other dies."

Grissom's head shot toward Sara as she continued. "You make it sound like they take a spouse, get an offspring and then dump the spouse. It doesn't work that way….there is no returning to the sect. Since the sect forbids…taking human females outside of the sect, the angel is banished from the sect. He is considered an outcast."

"I guess I've learned something," sighed Father Brannigan. "Sara…how do you know so much about fallen angels?"

"Research…sharing of information," she said.

It wasn't exactly a lie. She had been researching on her own as well as sharing information just as she did now.

"What is the mating…or should I say "this ritual process?" asked Grissom trying desperately not to sound so pathetic.

"We don't have that information," said Father Brannigan.

The men looked at Sara.

Sara stood. "Neither do I," she lied.

Grissom and Father Brannigan exchanged looks.

"Be careful with fallen angels. They can and will deceive you. There is no good in them."

Sara waited until they were outside. "That…was bullshit. Gracen is good."

"Maybe he is only…good to…you because he wants something," stated Grissom.

Sara leveled her shoulders. "If Gracen wanted sex…he could have already gotten it," she snapped.

It was a direct hit but she didn't wait around to see how much it hurt him.

Sara put on her sunglasses and walked away.

Once they were in their vehicle, Grissom finally spoke.

"Maybe he wants…an heir," he said.

She breathed deeply. "Then he could have gotten it from Vivian…the woman at his house. They were betrothed to one another but he broke it off."

"Why?" asked Grissom.

Because some men find me desirable…

Some men want me…

Some men aren't like you…

She gripped the seat, not wishing to lash out but it was too late.

"He loves me…me, Grissom!" she yelled.

"Sara…"

"Don't! I don't want to talk about this anymore. I appreciate the help but…you don't know Gracen the way I do…you want to find him at fault…I don't care! I…love…him."

Her impulsive declaration caught herself by surprise.

I do…

I never realized it until this moment…

I love Gracen…

"I didn't know that you believed in love at first sight," he whispered.

"I don't," she lied.

"Then...how could you love him...or are you confused?" he asked as he gripped the steering wheel, not wanting to see her reaction.

"I've been with him for weeks, Grissom. I know him...I know his heart. I know he's never hurt me and he'd never going to."

He was silent for the remainder of the ride into work.

She seemed deep in thought for most of the night, sorting through evidence on a case that belonged to Warrick.

Her head hurt as she tried to sort through the theological mumbo jumbo as well as her own feelings toward Gracen.

Warrick kept a watchful eye on her as she rubbed her temple for the second time in less than an hour.

"Hey cookie, how is that headache?" he asked.

"Headache?" she replied.

"You…keep rubbing your temple as if you're in pain," he commented.

"It's fine…I've just got a lot on my mind," she breathed. "How is Nick?"

"He's good…still doesn't remember the way things went down…your version has him a hero…he really wants to remember that," chuckled Warrick.

"He was a hero…trying to cover me each time a shot rang out."

"You both could have been killed," warned Warrick.

"How is that case…coming along?" she asked.

"Nothing makes sense…no connection between the assailant and the victim found in the warehouse. Nothing on the assailant…no fingerprints, previous record...no driver's license…regular John Doe turned hit man."

"Always in Vegas," she yawned.

"Take a break…or Grissom will have my hide," he ordered.

"Thanks Rick," she said as she slipped off the gloves and threw them in the trash.

"I'm going to get a cup of coffee," she said.

She took the cup and sat outside on the steps. It was a clear night with a slight breeze.

The door opened and then Grissom appeared, sitting down beside her.

There were only inches between them but it felt like a wall as he turned to talk with her.

"Warrick said you have a headache."

"I don't…it's just a headache," she breathed.

"Are you feeling okay?" he inquired.

"I can work," she protested.

"Okay," he said softly.

Both sat there, enjoying the cool evening, each looking up at the stars.

"I worry about…you," he said gruffly.

"I'm good…to work," she urged.

"I can still…see you in that lecture hall. You wore your hair in a ponytail."

"I was nervous…asked too many questions."

He smiled. "I hung on every word."

"I was trying to get up the nerve to ask you to dinner."

"We settled on a cup of coffee…and dinner."

They each smiled.

Don't let your heart go down this road again, Sara…

Don't let him hurt you…

Her smile faded immediately.

She started to get up and she teetered on the edge of the step.

He quickly caught her, pulling her to him.

Her hands landed on his shoulders in an awkward intimate embrace.

"I've got you, Sara," he whispered.

She quickly broke the contact. "I need to be more careful."

She disappeared into the building while Grissom remained.

He had no idea how he was going to get her away from Gracen but he wasn't going to be too late.

He was going to do something about this.

Note from author:

That's the spirit, Grissom! Is everybody too busy to read? I have been dodging this and that in order to post. I hope that everyone is still reading along. Let me know since things are going to be changing fairly quickly.

Take care!