Chapter Ten:

Falling or Fallen

He drove her home that morning knowing that Gracen was now staying at Sara's.

He wanted to confront her once more about her personal involvement with him but she had already heard the facts.

Sara was an atheist and did not seem affected by the fallen angel theology.

At the moment he couldn't bear the thought of her crawling into bed with Gracen.

He still did not know if Gracen had already initiated the mating ritual and what it pertained but he was going to find out.

He felt Sara knew more and the only way he was going to find out was be direct.

Once they reached her apartment, she started to get out but he quickly reached for her hand.

"Sara…what has Gracen told you about the mating process?"

"It's like marriage except that the couples are bound together until death."

"How is that possible? I mean that's intriguing…a shame they don't share their secret with humans to reduce divorces. Maybe Catherine would have thought twice before getting involved with Eddie."

She grinned. "It does make you think."

"So…how does the process work?"

She rattled off the process not seeing his face fall as she talked about the euphoria that she would feel once her blood was mixed with Gracen's and then the consummation bonding them together for life.

He cleared his throat. "So…angels don't believe in premarital sex."

"No."

Well, that is sort of a relief…

"We can do…other things until then," she shot back and then slipped out of the vehicle.

"What other things?" he said aloud, feeling his stomach return to knots.

She unlocked the door and smiled when she heard music.

"I guess I didn't break the CD," she quipped.

"I found it lying on top of the plants. Strange place to keep a CD," he remarked as he sat in the chair near the stereo.

She dropped her things onto the counter and grabbed a glass of juice.

"How was your night?" he asked.

"Good," she managed to get out as his arms enveloped her.

It felt great to feel hugged.

It felt even better to come home and have someone waiting there.

He softly kissed her on the neck.

She let out a moan and he chuckled.

"You are so sensual, my Sara."

She turned, placing her hand on his chest. "How do you feel?"

"Much better. The antibiotics are helping."

She opened his shirt and examined the wound which did look much better.

She kissed the injured area.

He closed his eyes and groaned. "Careful not to make me take a cold shower."

"I'll take one with you," she offered.

He stepped back. "Make a decision soon…for both of our sakes."

Sara grinned but it faded quickly. "Tell me about Vivian…and the sect."

He returned to the chair but pulled her into his lap.

"Vivian's parents convinced my parents that it would be good if we were betrothed to one another."

"How did you feel about it?"

"Honestly, I never thought about taking a mate. I was content to work within the sect…I ignored my father's request for years. I was too busy…with work." He smiled. "Especially after I found you. I'd not taken on a watcher in over a hundred years. It was not normal for a person in my position to do field work…I usually delegated to someone else…but there was something about you that tugged at my conscious. I kept going back, drifting into your life from time to time, checking up on you. The day I found you huddled in that damn crawl space, I knew I would be your full time watcher…it just took me some time before I accepted my fate."

He closed his eyes. "I can still see you now, afraid you were going to make a sound giving your hiding spot away. Your father kept yelling for you. He was such a drunken fool! He had been given a beautiful child and yet he acted as though he…" he stopped not wanting to bring up those painful memories for Sara. "You were so frightened."

She swallowed. "My father had been on a drinking binge for days. He hadn't come home that night so my mother went to look for him. She expected to get a phone call some day that he'd drunk himself to death or…killed someone."

Gracen pulled her closer.

"I heard him when he came through the front door, yelling for my mother. I tried to explain that she had gone looking for him but he flew into a rage, throwing things. He…hit me and I ran out of the house. There was no place to hide…except for the crawl space underneath the house."

He kissed her on the head. "You were so afraid of spiders…and him."

"I was more afraid of him. I just knew he would find me and…Mom was not there."

"I heard you whispering a prayer."

Sara turned, her cheeks wet from tears. "I…forgot….about that."

"Sometimes in the worst times, humans cry out to the Creator…he hears you. I heard you."

How did I hear her?

I never heard anyone before?

I heard the prayer and came…

"Gracen?"

"Hmmm?"

"Were you there?"

"The moment I heard the prayer I came. I was right outside the crawl space entrance."

"I heard voices…Dad was talking to someone."

"It was me…I told him I was admiring his Inn and wanted to stay a few days and paid him cash on the spot. He took off with the money, no doubt to buy more alcohol."

"I didn't come out until Mom got home," said Sara.

He kissed her on the lips. "I wanted to take you in my arms and hold you…protect you from that monster. He didn't deserve a daughter like you. I watched over you...outside the opening...until your mother came home."

"I feel safe…in your arms. I don't remember feeling this safe before," she yawned.

"You're safe, my Sara," he said as he rubbed her back. "Let me put you to bed."

He started to lift her but she protested. "You're still hurt."

"You're light as a feather," he whispered.

She struggled out of his arms but took his hand and led him to the bedroom.

"I'll shower and be back in a minute," she said as she grabbed her gown.

She was back within a few minutes, her hair still wet from the shower.

"You feel ice cold," he murmured.

"I took a cold shower," she admitted.

He pulled back the covers.

"You didn't sleep?" she questioned, noticing the bed was still made.

"I was waiting to sleep with you," he replied.

She took her place in the bed, giving him room to lie beside her. She gasped when he eased his body over hers, keeping his full weight from her with his arms. He gently nudged her legs apart, letting his body press deep into her. Her eyes widened at the feel of his manhood pressed against her opening.

Gently he lowered his weight, letting her get used to the feel of him.

"Is this alright?" he asked.

"Yes," she whispered.

His hand stroked her hair. "I want you to get used to me…to the feel of me so close to you."

She nodded as she took in a deep breath.

She'd never been with a man before despite the near fatal attempts in the past.

"When we consummate our joining, our hands will be locked…like this," he showed her, taking her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers.

He held her in place for a moment and then released her, opening her hand to display her palm. "I'll slice the palm of your hand…right here…mine as well and then we'll clasp them tightly together…like I showed you."

"Even though each of us…has taken each other's blood?"

"You will have to ingest my blood first…I've already done that," he explained.

She bit her lower lip. "Gracen, I've never been with anyone."

He grinned. "I know…Hank Pettigrew was almost a problem."

"Grissom sort of diverted that disaster."

"And a fire alarm," he added.

Sara swallowed. "I thought I was destined to die a virgin. I mean I finally decide to just…do it with someone and then that damn fire alarm goes off. We stood outside in the rain for hours before we were permitted to go back inside and then Grissom called….ordering me back to Vegas."

"I knew about the fiancé. I couldn't let you…it would have devastated you."

Her eyes grew wide. "Did you have something to do with the fire alarm?"

He nodded as his eyes grew dark. "I wasn't going to let you give yourself to someone like him…I wanted to choke him with my bare hands but I knew I couldn't so I pulled the fire alarm."

"By the time we got back into our rooms, Grissom paged me to come into work…even though it was my night off."

"Hank purposely took you to the Vineyard…a nice romantic getaway…since his fiancé had to work that weekend. I hounded Grissom…until he made the call."

"How…did you hound Grissom?" she asked perplexed.

"He couldn't see me of course but I stood over him….whispering what Hank intended to do…with you. He'd found out abbout the fiance as well but didn't know how to tell you...I just sort of helped him get you away from Hank."

"So…if you hadn't done that then Hank and I would have…" she stopped, not finishing her statement.

Sara looked embarrassed.

He kissed her lightly on the lips. "I'm sorry but I couldn't let your first time be with someone…like that...especially since you were not married to him."

Sara's eyes misted. "Thank you. After I found out about her….I was sort of relieved. I didn't really have any feelings for him but I needed to…start somewhere. Grissom and I…" she stopped, not bothering to finish her statement.

He pulled her closer, pressing her head onto his chest as he stroked her hair.

"Sara, you should only give yourself to someone who has given their life to you. Hank…was too much like Noah…a user," stated Gracen.

"You…were…there too when I walked in…on Noah?" she whispered.

"Yes," he kissed her temple. "I didn't like being so cruel."

"Cruel?" she questioned.

"I nagged you…urged you to go to Noah's room so you would see what kind of man he really was."

She stared at him in disbelief.

"I wanted to comfort you, Sara. Even though you couldn't feel me, I sat beside you on that bench….while you cried," he whispered. "My heart ached for you."

Both were silent for a moment.

"What happens…after I ingest your blood?" she finally asked.

"Once you've taken my blood into your system…your senses will be on overload…you will see and feel things that I've endured…it will be painful at times while other times it will be blissful."

"Was it that way for you…when you ingested my blood? Did you see and feel things that I've endured?"

"Yes," he bit out.

She stiffened but he continued to stroke her skin with his fingertips.

"I know everything, Sara about your past just you will know mine."

He purposely rolled over nudging her legs apart as his body pressed into her.

"Once you're ready for this…"

"How will you know?" she asked.

He chuckled. "I'll know. You'll practically throw yourself at me."

"Aren't I already doing that?" she asked.

He kissed her on the nose. "Much worse…you'll be driven."

"What about you?" she challenged.

"Someone has to keep a level head…actually I'll be driven as well but not enough that I would lose control. Once we are joined…make love the tension will ease. Our bodies will truly be one even after the intercourse."

He shifted his body and she felt his need for her.

"Sara, are you afraid?"

She shook her head.

"Gracen…if you don't move, I'm liable to…shift myself and…"

He pulled away just as he kissed her.

She expected it to be a light kiss but he plunged deeper and deeper and she instinctively arched her body toward his.

"Gracen…." She did not finish as he kissed her again and again.

She tried to shift him back on top of her but he grabbed her hands pressing her into the mattress.

He released her lips, both of them gasping for air. Their bodies shuddered from the sexual tension.

"Soon my Sara. Soon," he whispered as he rolled to the side but pulled her into his arms.

"Wow…that was…" she gulped for air.

"Wait until our joining," he said, kissing the palm of her hand.

He looked down and she was fast asleep.

She rolled several hours later and found Gracen absent from the bed.

She rose, grabbing her housecoat as she padded into the living room.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"Yes, I did," she said with a smile.

"Good, because I let you sleep a little too late. Grissom will be here soon to pick you up."

She glanced at the clock and then rushed back to the bedroom to shower and get ready.

She returned a half hour later to be handed a cup of coffee.

"I have something for you," he said.

"Something for me?"

"Yes…it's a gift…whether you decide to follow through with…this or not."

He handed her a jewelry box.

She opened it and gasped at the necklace.

"This has been handed down for centuries in my family. It is said it came from Heaven…I want you to have it."

"Gracen…"

"Sara…whether I continue as your watcher or become your mate, I would be honored if you would wear this. It would mean so much to me. It belongs to you…no one else."

"But…"

"Please."

He placed it around her neck.

"I have one just like it…see."

He displayed the gold chain hidden underneath his shirt.

"My parents wore them….then they were passed to me."

"Thank you," she managed to get out.

She was ready when Grissom arrived to pick her up.

He said nothing to Gracen but it was obvious there was tension between them.

Once they were in the Denali, Grissom began with small talk.

"You look rested," he commented.

She glanced at him. "You look…tired."

"I had some work I had to do…didn't get much sleep," he admitted.

"The person from swing seems to be doing a good job. Greg has not complained."

"Greg likes her."

"Oh."

"She's doing a good job," he finally added. "Nick is getting out of the hospital. He won't be able to return to work for a few more weeks."

"I heard his parents are leaving as soon as he is discharged," added Sara.

"He's been pushing to be released…I think he's ready to be motherless again," grinned Grissom.

Sara laughed.

"Anymore headaches?" he asked.

"No….they're gone."

"How is Gracen?"

"He's better…much better," she replied.

"I guess you're getting to know him better."

"Yes, I am."

He noticed a glint around her neck.

It was rare for Sara to wear any jewelry.

Once they arrived at the lab, they headed toward the door but he stopped her.

"New necklace?" he asked as he examined it.

"From Gracen," she said softly.

"It's beautiful…is this part of the mating ritual…a necklace instead of a ring?"

"I…don't think so. He said it's been handed down in his family and he wanted me to have it."

"If it's been handed down in the family, I guess he considers you family."

He intends to take Sara as a mate…

Over my dead body…

She tucked it under her blouse, not wishing the others to see it but it was hard to conceal.

The others noticed it immediately, inquiring about the mystery man.

Catherine promptly spit out twenty questions in a matter of minutes and Sara was relieved when Grissom directed her to the lay out room to help on his case.

She pulled on rubber gloves and stared at the contents on the table.

"This is the warehouse case," she commented.

"Yes…I thought you needed an excuse to get away from Catherine. I'm sure Greg wouldn't mind some help," he explained.

She noticed her blouse covered with Gracen's blood.

She swallowed as she remembered the events.

"Are you okay?" he asked quickly, picking up on her distress.

"Yes," she said softly. "Mind if I help?"

His eyes raked over her.

"I'm fine…really. Maybe fresh eyes…would help," she offered.

"Examine the contents found on the assailant," he directed.

She took the labeled bag and dumped out the contents.

An hour passed and nothing new had been discovered until she looked at the photo of the assailant.

She stared at it intently.

"What is it?" asked Grissom.

"I recognize him…but I can't remember where I've seen him," she said.

Grissom made his way over to her side. "Doc still has the body…maybe seeing him up close will jar your memory."

She stepped into the hallway but stopped when she noticed he was following her.

"I can do this on my own," she said.

"Yes, you can but you're still technically on restrictive work duty…I'm restricting you to viewing the body of someone who almost killed you and Nick….unless I come along."

She smiled briefly. "Let's go see John Doe."

Doc was pleased to see her, taking a moment to discuss her ribs as well as her head injury.

"I see the goose bump went down…ribs still sore?" he asked.

"Yes but they're better," she confided.

"I didn't like it when Gil said you needed antibiotics but still insisted on returning to work so soon," Doc griped.

"I don't like to sit idle…besides Grissom has me on restricted work…lab only…no fieldwork yet."

"Good. Let me know if you're still not feeling well in ten days and I can extend the prescription."

"Thanks Doc."

Sara's eyes flitted toward Grissom briefly but then focused on the drawer being pulled out displaying the body.

Sara stared at the face for several minutes.

"The cafe...he was there a lot…when I got coffee," she blurted out.

"The cafe near your apartment?" questioned Grissom.

"Yes."

"I guess we're headed to the cafe for coffee…and find out if anyone else recognizes him."

"He had a mug with their logo so he's been there a lot," she added.

They each grinned at one another.

"Do you two want to get back to work?" teased Doc.

As they walked down the hall, Sara pulled Grissom aside. "Do I get to go with you?"

Grissom contemplated for a moment. "Since you'll be with me…and the fact that they have decent coffee there, yes."

"Griss…there's something else," she said once they were in the Denali.

"Do you remember something else about the man?"

"Something that happened…after the warehouse incident," she said. "I went to the café to get a cup of coffee…I thought I saw someone following me…so I ran down the alley but then it was only you….Gracen as you," she clarified.

"Was Gracen following you then?" he asked.

She thought back to their conversation.

"You hurt your knee…hands," he said, reaching out to examine the palms of her hands.

"Just a few cuts….just what I get for running."

"Did…you not recognize me?" he questioned.

She smiled. "I thought…I did but then…I guess fear overtook common sense and…"

"Yes…and no. Gracen said he was following me….but I think there was someone else. This John Doe…sometimes he didn't sit alone. He had someone with him. I don't know Grissom. My head was…not right then. It could have been my imagination."

"We'll find out. Let's question the employees of the café and then talk with Gracen. Maybe he remembers something about that day. He may be able to help us."

They stepped into the café and spoke with the manager. She recognized Sara as well as John Doe.

"They usually came in right after you did," she commented.

"Can you describe the other man?" asked Grissom.

"Black hair...tall, nice looking young man," she replied.

Grissom smiled inwardly.

Gracen…

The manager then added, "Of course the burn mark on his hand was incredible…not sure how he got it."

Grissom frowned realizing it was not Gracen she was describing.

"Anything else?" questioned Sara.

"He wore this gawdy ring…fake if you ask me. He came in here yesterday with a woman this time…very pretty. They seemed to be having a heated discussion…about religion."

"Did you happen to catch anything else they said?" asked Sara.

"I just kept hearing her screech about grace and mercy. I stay away from religions and politics," she huffed.

"Grace and mercy?" asked Sara.

"Yeah. We get all kinds debating this and that."

They took their coffees and stepped outside.

Grissom noticed Sara was quiet.

"Did any of that ring a bell?" he asked.

"Grace and mercy," she whispered.

He looked puzzled, wondering if she was reconsidering her views on religion.

"Gracen's last name is Merci. Gracen Merci," she repeated.

"Sara…we need to talk with Gracen."

Note from author:

Well, we are about to find out who tried to kill Sara... Sara is going to be making her decision soon...

Take care!