Note from author:
I decided to post another chapter to relieve some of the reader's stress. LOL I am going out of town so posting will be sporadic but you will get a chapter daily. Please be kind and leave a review for each chapter! Some of your answers will be in this chapter but as you will see there is loads of angst coming...but GSR as well...uhm...they will be together in a sense...
Take care and enjoy.
Chapter Eighteen:
Giving The Lamb Away
Catherine placed her hand on Grissom's shoulder.
"How are you?" she asked.
"I'm…" he didn't finish as he picked up his field kit.
"Listen, Ecklie has sent over another person. He's worked with us before so I expect you to leave on time. Okay?" she asked.
He smiled sadly.
"You uhm going to tell us why Sara is not working? You just said she wouldn't be coming in for awhile?"
"She's not feeling well. I was there earlier…before shift," he explained.
"Mom has Lindsey. I could go by there after work and…"
"No. She's not alone…Gracen is with her."
Catherine nodded.
"They're….going to be married," he gulped.
Catherine looked shocked. "I knew it was getting serious but I never dreamed…so soon."
"She loves him," he said softly.
"He's handsome and…wealthy…a good combination but…he's not you," she added.
Grissom grinned slightly. "I just want her to be happy."
"Are you sure you're alright with this? I mean I've seen the way the two of you look at one another…maybe…"
Grissom shook his head. "She's made her decision."
"But…"
"I've chosen to support her decision. I hope everyone else will," he said.
He called Gracen every few hours checking on Sara's condition.
She was still weak but seemed to be making some progress.
It was good news but his heart ached knowing that once she was better they would consummate their joining.
He didn't want to know when it happened.
Another shift came and went.
The others grew concerned.
"Maybe we should go over there and…" Grissom interrupted Greg.
"I've spoken with Gracen and she is better," he urged.
It had been forty-eight hours since she had ingested the blood.
Gracen had called him a few times letting him know that the pain had subsided and it appeared she would make a full recovery.
It had eased his mind but then thoughts of their joining hurt him to the core.
As the hours passed, Grissom felt more and more depressed, agonizing over the loss of her.
He didn't know how he would react when she returned to work, knowing she now belonged to someone…for life.
He was surprised when his phone rang that evening and it was Sara.
"Grissom."
"Griss…I need… you," she managed to get out.
His pulse quickened, not sure what prompted the call but he'd immediately picked up the distress in her voice.
"Sara…I'm on my way. I'll be there in a few minutes."
The phone clicked and he hurried, speeding to her door.
Why didn't you ask for more information?
You don't know what you're walking into…
He started to use his key but she opened the door.
She looked quite pale as she let him in but then shut and locked the door.
"Sara…"
"Gracen is gone," she blurted.
Why would he leave her at a time like this?
She reached for the counter but his arms caught her.
Gently she brushed his hands away as she slowly made her way to the couch.
"Tell me…what happened," he said.
"I've been sleeping on and off…but I thought I heard him talking with someone earlier. I thought it was you so I drifted back to sleep. When I woke, he wasn't here."
"Sara, maybe he went to the store or…"
"No…he said he wouldn't leave me. He hasn't. He refuses to close the bathroom even…he wouldn't have left…me."
"How long…do you think he's been gone?"
"Five hours…maybe seven. I've been awake for five hours and he hasn't returned."
Something is definitely wrong…
Gracen would not have left her for this period of time….
"I've tried his cell phone and there is no answer. I'm worried," she breathed.
He took her hand, not liking how cold it felt. "I'll call Brass and have him check at the main house and then put out an A.P.B."
She nodded.
"You need to remain in bed," he softly scolded.
"Something is wrong…he wouldn't stay away this long."
He didn't want to scare her.
She seemed way too fragile as he stared at her.
Christ if anything happens to him…
He stepped away from her as he phoned Brass.
Brass wanted to know more than what Grissom was telling him but he personally went to the home finding it vacant.
An A.P.B. was then put out.
All of this took place during a span of an hour.
Eight hours and no word…
He glanced down at Sara huddled beneath the blanket he had retrieved from the bedroom.
He sat down on the edge of the couch, taking her hand.
"How are you feeling?"
"Sh….shaky," she admitted.
Shaky from the effects of…
You have no idea how to help her…
Try the basics first….
His hand caressed her cheek.
"When was the last time you've eaten?" he asked.
"Twelve…hours ago," she whispered.
He prepared a sandwich along with a glass of milk.
She seemed better sitting up while he checked in with Brass.
"Any news?" asked Grissom softly.
"None. Gil, maybe he got cold feet and…"
"Gracen would never leave Sara this long. Something is wrong. We need to find him!"
"Am I missing something here? You make it sound like it's a matter of life and death," grumbled Brass.
"It is!" seethed Grissom.
"What are you not telling me Gil? Is Sara alright? Has someone kidnapped her?"
"No…but it is a matter of…" He stopped trying to figure out a way to express the urgency of the matter. "Sara's been…poisoned and Gracen…has the antidote."
"Christ, is she at the hospital?"
"No…she's here with me. We're at her apartment," said Grissom trying to control his temper.
Time was slipping away.
"Shouldn't she…"
"They can't do anything for her…Jim, please! We have to get to Gracen. He is the only person who can save her."
"Look, we didn't go inside the house…but searched the grounds. I'll go back…"
"Be careful. Gracen has enemies. If you spot anyone else there, call for back-up."
He closed the phone and turned to find that she had disappeared from the room.
Hesitantly he stepped to the doorway of the bedroom.
The bathroom door was shut and he could hear water running.
She's taking a shower…
She reappeared, donning a pair of slacks and a blouse.
"I'm feeling better," she announced.
For how long?
An awkward moment passed between them.
"Look, there's no need in you staying any longer."
"I'm not leaving you."
"I can't sit here and wait…I'm going to look for him."
"Sara, I can't let you leave. If someone…if anything happened to Gracen then you could be a target as well."
"He's not….dead. I would know," she said softly. "Something is preventing him from coming to me."
"Jim is going back to the house…he's going to search it…maybe Gracen…"
"I want to help," she insisted.
"You can help by staying here, honey."
She took a deep breath, not sure why she suddenly felt claustrophobic.
"Sara?"
"I need to get out," she breathed.
She flew past him but he caught up with her at the door.
He grabbed her hand, pulling her away from the door.
"Grissom let go of me."
"Honey, I can't let you leave. If Gracen returns, you need to be here."
"I need to find Gracen!"
"We'll find him," he urged.
She cursed when she felt the effects once more, closing her eyes, using the wall as support.
"Sara!"
She tried to escape but he caught her pulling her into his arms.
She struggled but his grip was too tight.
"Honey, stop!"
"I need to…get to him. You don't understand," she cried.
He stroked her hair, pulling her closer. "I understand. Your body…needs to…complete the joining. Gracen explained everything to me. We'll find him, Sara. Just hold on."
"I feel…this pressure…that's building…wanting to consume me," she gritted.
He stroked her hair, soothing her as he gently whispered, "I promise I'll find him, Sara."
Vivian stood in front of Gracen as she smiled at his predicament.
"You should have…joined with me," she whispered in his ear.
"I will never do that," he vowed.
She gulped. "No, you won't."
Gracen glared at Darius as he entered the basement.
He was one of the few fallen angels who dared come into their area.
Most stayed clear knowing that they would need explicit permission from one of the sect members.
Gracen's eyes stared accusingly at Vivian.
"That's right. I gave Darius permission…I let him into your home. Do you want to know the full details how he took me on your bed? The bed intended to be ours one day?"
"I never slept in that bed again after I found you in it one night," growled Gracen.
"Pity. It's not nice to piss off…a female…jealousy can be…such a huge emotion," Darius said as he stood in front of Gracen.
"Well, Gracen. Imagine my surprise when your intended offered herself to me. It's been awhile since I've had a virgin. She needs a little practice but…she wasn't bad…but I've had better."
Vivian glared at Darius but he just laughed it off as he stepped away to check upstairs.
Gracen looked at Vivian.
"That's right. I gave myself to…a fallen angel…Darius. I'm no longer bound by our stupid rules."
"You've surely condemned yourself!"
"We are already condemned! You've pined away for years for your little Sara and now you'll never have her. You'll never know what it's like to lie with someone, feel yourself join with them."
"And you did? Men like Darius have no need for just one woman…he'll use you and then toss you aside."
She laughed. "Then I'll get another one…and another. I can have as many men as I want."
"But you'll never have what you want…will you, Vivian? You'll never be satisfied. The emptiness will always be there…a hunger you can't erase. It was our joining ritual that separated us from them. They constantly hunt for sexual pleasure but find no release from the need. We do…but then you gave that up…for him."
She gritted as she slapped him. "Your Sara will die a slow painful death."
She turned when she heard Darius and one of his men running back into the basement.
Darius grabbed Vivian, jerking her around. "The police just left. They're already looking for him!"
"You're a fallen angel…you can handle them," she spat.
He jerked her further away from Darius. "I won't be told what to do by the likes of you."
"You…agreed! You said you would make him pay," she screamed.
"Yes, I did," Darius glared as he glanced as Gracen. "Take care of it!"
The demon grabbed the sword and sliced it across Gracen's body in one swift move.
Darius grumbled. "You idiot!" He huffed. "What good is he to us now?"
Vivian stared in shock as Gracen's organs fell to the concrete floor.
Her eyes locked with Gracen's.
She felt herself being pushed to the floor, her body sprawled in the blood.
"Darius, stop. Get me out of this…blood."
"You wanted to have a blood ritual with Gracen…then you'll have it."
She gulped trying to scoot away but his powerful hands grabbed her ankles, yanking her back so that she lay at Gracen's feet.
She looked away at the sight of his organs lying next to her.
"You want me to hand you his heart?" offered Darius.
She quickly shook her head.
Gracen was relieved knowing that he would die within minutes.
"Can I have her?" begged the demon.
"She is nothing to me," Darius declared as he left.
Vivian screamed as the demon tore through her clothing, raping her viciously.
Gracen closed his eyes from the sight.
He knew he had to hang on for Sara's sake.
The demon chuckled as he watched Vivian huddle at Gracen's feet sobbing for forgiveness.
He whispered it just as the demon slammed the blade of the sword, beheading Vivian.
Gracen's body slumped.
"Two for the price of one," he chuckled as he ran out of sight.
Brass and Warrick pulled into the driveway.
"Look, we have no legal right to enter the house…so here is where you can stay or…"
"If Grissom needs us to find Gracen then I'm coming," stated Warrick.
Brass glanced at Warrick. "You might want to look the other way," he warned.
He intended to break in but frowned when he found the door unlocked.
"Find a way…to the basement area," he instructed.
Several minutes passed and then Warrick called out.
"In here!" he called.
Brass pulled his gun as he descended down the steps.
"Oh Christ," he muttered as he saw Vivian's body lying on the concrete floor.
He recognized Gracen.
He flipped open his phone and called Grissom immediately.
"Grissom, we found him along with Vivian. They're dead."
Grissom glanced at Sara nervously.
"Wait…he's moving. It's impossible," said Brass. "His insides are lying on the ground and…"
"Jim, listen to me," he whispered, turning his back from Sara. "Gracen is different…supernatural…of sorts. Get him…upstairs into a room. Call Doc immediately."
"We need to call an ambulance…"
"Listen to me…you're right. It's impossible for him to survive that kind of injury…unless he was different. He can't go to a hospital because he's different. I know this sounds crazy but Sara's life depends on helping Gracen. Call Doc. Have Warrick help you…but hurry. Check the perimeter. Whoever did that may still be there. Call for back-up…but don't give any details…just that Gracen Merci was assaulted in his home…nothing more. I'm on my way."
He started to close the phone but then added. "Jim, no one sees Gracen except Doc. Don't call an ambulance."
"But…"
"Jim, please. Have Doc do what he can for Gracen."
"Get the hell over here fast."
He had no choice but to bring Sara.
Her hands began to tremble but he took one, caressing her palm as he drove.
"We're going to Gracen's house," he instructed.
"You found him?"
"Sara, I need you to follow my instructions…explicitly."
She nodded.
"Good."
Doc had already arrived.
Grissom and Sara rushed into the house.
"Warrick…I want you to sit with Sara…don't let her out of your sight. If she…if she gets ill, send an officer to get me," he ordered. "And Warrick…don't tell her about Gracen."
Grissom rushed down the hall.
He stepped into the room, catching sight of the lifeless body.
"What is he?" asked Doc. "From the blood loss and… he should be dead."
"We put his organs back inside…he's a mess," said Brass.
Gracen opened his eyes and was relieved to see Grissom. "Grissom! Please…you've got to listen to me."
"Sara is safe…she's in your office," he said.
"I'm dying," he managed to get out as he glanced at the two men.
"They're friends…they can be trusted."
"I don't have much time."
"Sara…is going to die also, isn't she?" grieved Grissom.
Brass and Doc looked shocked at the question.
Gracen cried out from the pain. "There's only one thing…we can try. It's never been done."
"What?" asked Grissom.
"You…have to ingest my blood…you have to join with Sara."
Doc immediately went on the defensive. "He's kidding right? Gil, you can't do that!"
"Listen to me! There isn't much time. When you were in San Francisco, you and Sara…shared each other's blood."
Grissom looked confused but then remembered the incident.
"Sara and you…were talking about the dangers of…contamination in a crime scene. You sliced your thumb and she did the same….then took a sample to place in a mock crime scene."
Grissom's eyes widened. "We joined our thumbs together…Sara had heard about a sorority that was doing it and so I challenged her to do it. I knew she had a thing about germs and contamination. It was the first bet I'd ever lost."
Doc frowned. "I'm surprised Sara let him do that."
"What has that got to…"
Gracen held up his hand to stop Grissom. "Each of you still have a trace of one another's blood in your system…it is there but too weak for your human science to pick up. Sara's system should not reject you…as long as part of me…is in you. Grissom, I'll instruct you on the dosage…there's not much time left. Once…I'm dead…Sara will die within a few hours."
Gracen took a deep breath. "You'll have to deceive her…you'll have to convince her that you're me."
"You mean…I can shift…change my appearance…"
"No. You won't possess that ability. Tell her I had to change…my appearance…to look like you… in order to get past the police…take her back to her apartment. You'll…need this."
He tried to remove his necklace but couldn't. Grissom removed it from him.
"Put it on. Remember what I told you about the process. You have to convince her, Grissom. She won't let you touch her unless…she thinks you're me."
Gracen grabbed Grissom, pulling him close in order to whisper in his ear.
His words were too soft for the others to hear.
He released Grissom and took a gulp of air.
Gracen grimaced as he pointed to a box on the small table beside the bed. "You need the vial. You must consume this much. Use the other contents in the box as I've instructed before. Do you remember…"
"Yes, I remember."
Grissom took the vial and then glanced at the contents in the box.
"Take the blood…over the next three hours. I'll try to…hang on."
Gracen looked at Doc. "You need to fill this."
"You've got to be kidding?" huffed Doc.
"Doc, please!" griped Grissom.
The blood poured from the wound. Within seconds, the vial was full.
Gracen closed his eyes trying to conserve his energy.
Doc took the vial. "He really expects you to ingest his blood…Gil, you can't be serious?"
Grissom mentally measured the vial and then took some of it.
"I guess if he eats bugs then…what's a little…vampire blood," quipped Brass.
"He's not a vampire," Grissom bit out. "He's an…angel."
They gawked at the body on the bed.
Grissom fell backwards, crashing into the wall.
Brass and Doc grabbed him, pulling him over to a chair.
"Just…don't let Sara…in here. Don't let her find out," he gritted.
"Gil, you don't know what this is going to do to you," worried Doc.
He grabbed Doc's hand. "If it will save Sara..." he didn't finish as he closed his eyes, amazed at the flashes of images.
Sara slipped out from behind the desk, "we've been here for over two hours," she spat. "There's no sign of Gracen."
"Cookie, Grissom has everything under control," he assured her.
"Look, I can't sit here any longer and do nothing!"
She started for the door but Warrick blocked her.
"Rick, get out of the way," she warned.
"Sara…"
Grissom appeared in the doorway. "Sara," he called.
She rushed to Grissom. "We're going back to your apartment…Gracen will meet us there."
"Gracen? He's okay?"
Grissom caressed the palm of her hand. "I'm fine, my Sara," Grissom whispered for her ears only.
Sara's eyes widened.
"Come…with me," he urged.
She did not question when he opened the back passenger side of the vehicle, stepping aside for her to get in. She slid in and he joined her.
Doc started the vehicle, pulling out of the driveway. "Sara…Grissom told me about Gracen…still don't believe it but I've been instructed to take you to your apartment. He'll handle the police…and Brass."
Sara leaned back into the seat.
"It won't be much longer," Grissom urged.
Once they arrived, Grissom escorted Sara inside the apartment as Doc drove back.
Sara curled onto the couch grateful to be home.
Grissom took the remaining contents of the vial.
He sat down taking her into his arms.
"I'm sorry, I had to take on…Grissom's appearance but…I had to in order to get past the police."
"Why?" she challenged.
"I'm wanted for questioning…Vivian's body is in my basement. She was beheaded…by Darius…a fallen angel."
Sara lurched forward.
"I'm…fine…but…Sara, I can't transform…back. I'm too weak. We can't wait much longer…we have to join."
She swallowed. "You mean…you'll have to keep…his appearance…while we…"
"Yes," he said eying her reaction.
"We'll wait."
"No! We can't."
Grissom pulled her into his arms, his lips devoured hers.
Her breathing became sporadic as a slow burning began in the pit of her stomach.
She pushed him away, easing back into the couch.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Something is…different," she said. "You don't…feel…your kiss is different."
Note from author:
Can Grissom convince her? You know what they say about a kiss... yeah, you knew there would be a twist...
Take care!