Chapter Eleven:

Trusting the Watcher

Grissom pulled into the parking lot of her apartment and got out but Sara stopped him.

"I can question Gracen," she said.

"Not without me. Sara, this is a murder investigation in which two of my people were seriously hurt. I'm allowing you to be present only because…I think you need to hear what he has to say and second, I don't want to be yelled at by you."

Her mouth curved into a slight smile.

"If he's sleeping then we are not waking him up. We'll have to wait," she warned.

They started toward the apartment once more and she stopped him again.

"Gracen is not involved in this case," she said.

"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"

Her hand immediately went to the necklace.

"I don't need convincing," she said as she turned toward the apartment.

He grabbed her hand and held it.

She stared at the contact and he finally released it.

"Sara, whether you think he's involved or not, we have to do this by the book. I'm conceding…on your part…for him."

"How is that?" she challenged.

"I could get Brass to bring him in for questioning."

"For something I may or may not remember correctly? I thought we were going to ask for his help…not interrogate and accuse him of anything?" she seethed.

"I just want you to understand that he might be implicated…I just want to prepare you."

"You think I'll find out my latest boyfriend is a murderer!"

"Your last one turned out to be a snake in the grass cheater."

She fumed, ignoring the jab as she got into the elevator.

"I always thought Hank was beneath you….you deserved someone better than him," said Grissom quietly.

"At the time he was the only person willing to...make me an offer."

"That's no excuse...to give yourself to someone...just because they make you an offer."

"No, it's not. It's not like I sleep with just anyone," she spat.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply..."

"We didn't…" she didn't finish.

"You didn't sleep with him," he said aloud.

"No," she breathed.

"You haven't slept with Gracen," he added.

"Not yet," she snipped just as the elevator opened but Grissom grabbed her, forcing her to stop. "Sleeping with a fallen angel is dangerous!" he cursed.

"I can make my own decisions...something you have trouble doing," she said calmly causing him to release his hold on her.

She took the keys and started to unlock the door.

"I mean it. If he's asleep then we're leaving…or waiting."

"Are we going to stand out here all night?" he grumbled.

Gracen was surprised when the door opened and Sara stepped in.

"Short night?" he asked as he headed toward her but stopped when Grissom stepped inside.

"Gracen, we need to ask you a few questions," stated Grissom, feeling the need to take the lead, the reluctance evident on Sara's face.

"Of course," he replied.

Gracen and Sara sat down on the couch while Grissom took the chair.

"What would you like to know?" he asked.

"Sara…recalled a day when she felt someone was following her and she tried to run through the alley but you caught up with her…or I should say I did…you were impersonating me," gritted Grissom trying to remain calm about the deception.

Gracen glanced at Sara. "Yes, I did. I felt uneasy about her after the warehouse incident. Even though I was wounded I still tried to remain close."

"Were you the only person following Sara that day?" asked Grissom.

"No."

Sara looked shocked as well as Grissom.

He expected Gracen to lie.

Gracen took a deep breath. "After the warehouse incident, I was afraid Sara had been targeted by… someone in the sect." He turned and faced Sara. "I followed you to the café but…Sara, you would not have felt my presence…I made sure of it. You were being followed by someone. He started following you as soon as you left your apartment. Your instincts or training picked up on it. When you ran down the alley, I wanted to go after him but I couldn't risk letting you go off by yourself. I didn't know if he was working alone or had someone else waiting to get to you so I ran after you…taking the form of Grissom. I knew you would stop…running from me if you turned back and saw that it was Grissom."

"I tried to run back to the apartment but you told me to walk…it was only rain," she said softly.

He smiled. "Someday we will play in the rain," he offered. "Rain is cleansing."

He quickly returned to the subject.

"My wound was bleeding so I needed for you to go slow. I didn't want to tip them off that I was injured. It took a lot out of me to transform into Grissom…so I kept his form…needing to conserve my strength."

"Do you know who was following her?" asked Grissom.

He sighed. "I think Vivian's family or even Vivian herself hired someone to hurt Sara and he was stalking Sara that day. He was probably working with the man who tried to kill Sara and Nick in the warehouse."

Sara sat quietly but Grissom jumped up and grabbed Gracen by the collar. "You've known about this all this time and didn't say anything? He could try again!"

Gracen pushed Grissom away as Sara stepped between them.

Both waited until they had calmed down.

"The persons trying to harm Sara were human…they are no match for me. I already know he frequents the café….he met Vivian there the other day. When he returns or shows up, I'll be waiting. I've already put a call into Vivian and her family. I don't intend to let this go unsettled."

"What do you plan to do with him…with Vivian?" asked Grissom.

"I'll make sure everything is done legally…he will be prosecuted through your court system. As for Vivian, she is an angel and must be handled through the sect. While I have been ousted, I can accuse her of attempting to harm a human. She will be declared a fallen angel and be banned from the sect. She will have to seek protection from…him…the unholy one."

Sara's eyes widened at the implication.

"You were ousted from the sect. Have you sought shelter from Satan…the unholy one?" asked Grissom.

"No…nor will I ever do that. I am still loyal to my Creator. Vivian will have to make her own choice…if she has not already done so."

"Once a fallen angel…always a fallen angel," Grissom remarked.

He couldn't help the dig knowing that it bothered Gracen.

"Tell me, Grissom. How religious are you? When was the last time that you prayed to our Creator? Are you still angry at God for taking your father away from you and leaving you with a deaf mother?"

"It seems you were checking up on me as well…why was that?" asked Grissom.

"I checked on anyone who crossed paths with Sara. It was my job…as her watcher…to protect her with my life."

"You keep reminding her of that…as if you expect repayment…perhaps you're trying to persuade her to do something," he spat. "Angels are supposed to protect people…not harm or use them."

Gracen was taken aback. He started to say something but then stopped looking remorseful for the confrontation.

It was not in his nature to fight with a human. He never liked doing it unless it was absolutely necessary.

An angel was not to harm a human and yet there were times when the line was crossed.

It had sickened him, not wanting to fall further in damnation, if that were possible.

Gracen raked his hands through his hair, trying to slow his anger.

Sara knew Gracen was getting upset.

Grissom was already fuming and she did not want it to continue.

Both had good intentions but they were doing nothing but butting heads.

Grissom started to ask another question but Sara intervened placing her hand on each of their chest.

Both felt the electricity flow between them.

Both took a step closer toward one another.

She waited another moment and then softly asked Gracen a question.

"Gracen, do you know the name of the accomplice?"

He glanced at Sara and then directed his response to Grissom. "If I tell you, will you give me your word that Sara will be taken off this case…remain in the lab until this man is apprehended?"

"Wait…"

Grissom interrupted Sara. "You have my word…and you also have my promise that if you withhold any information, I don't care whether you are a fallen angel or not you will be charged with obstruction of justice."

Gracen glared at Grissom not liking the threat but he answered, "Chris Randle."

Grissom grabbed his phone and began talking with Brass. He stepped away so Gracen could not overhear the conversation.

Sara folded her arms.

Gracen took the opportunity to try to smooth things over with Sara.

Hesitantly, he stepped toward Sara. "Sara, I wanted to protect you…nothing more."

She put up her hand to stop him.

She was angry at him but not for the reason he thought.

She took a deep breath and then calmly responded.

"I know," she said softly. "I don't like it…but I understand why you did it. Don't do it again. We share…everything."

His eyes lit up, grateful for her understanding.

"Okay. Vivian can't stand you and wants to get rid of you. If she manages to kill you before we're mated, I'm available again. Sara, I would rather sleep with Satan himself than touch that woman."

Sara grinned. "You didn't have to share so much."

Grissom had turned just in time to read Gracen's lips. He turned away to hide his pain.

They plan to be mated…

She'll be bound to him forever…

If that happens, I've lost the only woman I've ever loved…

He took a moment to recover.

"Gil? Is there an address on this Randle guy?" asked Brass.

"Hold on," he managed to get out.

"Do you have an address?" asked Grissom.

"Randle has been staying in various places…no set place. I know Vivian instructed him to do this so I can't catch him but I will. She thinks I'm incapacitated right now so he won't be on his guard as much."

"You've been searching for him at night…while I work," stated Sara.

"Guilty…but I did rest," he added not liking the way she glared at him. "Sara, I promise I won't let anything happen to you."

"I believe you," she said softly.

Grissom pulled Sara to the side.

"I'll go into the bedroom and let you talk," stated Gracen as he disappeared.

"Sara, he's known about this and yet he didn't tell you. He can't be trusted," whispered Grissom.

"He explained. He wanted to protect me…handle it," she explained.

"Do you care for him enough to risk your life?" Before she could answer he added. "Sara, you don't even know him."

"I know him well enough to let him into my bed."

He felt his gut twist again.

"If Gracen wanted to hurt me, he could have already," she whispered.

"Sara…step back and review the facts. Your training will tell you…warn you that he can't be trusted."

"My heart tells me I can."

"Did your heart tell you I could be trusted? That I wouldn't hurt you?" he gritted.

She swallowed. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because I don't want to see you hurt anymore….because I love you!" he agonized.

Note from author:

Is it too late for Grissom to declare his feelings?

Take care!