Chapter Twenty Eight:
The Shepherd's Jealousy Harms the Lamb
Grissom glanced up when she stood in the doorway.
"I was looking for you earlier," he stated as he looked over his glasses.
"Paperwork?"
"A lot," he admitted.
"So…I guess you're going to stay over?"
"Yes…but you could go on…get some rest."
The thought of returning to her apartment alone made her physically ill.
"I could help," she offered.
"Sara, go home."
"Mind if I stay?"
He looked confused, not sure why she was abandoning the "space" issue.
He set his pen down and started to reply but his phone rang.
He grumbled when it was Ecklie.
"I'll be there in a minute."
He fumbled through some files, grabbing one. "This may take awhile. I'll see you later."
Hours late he hurried to her apartment but frowned when he didn't see her car.
He called her cell and grumbled when it rolled over to voice mail as he drove toward the townhouse, intending to catch a shower before trying to locate her.
It wasn't that he was in need of her but something felt off.
He showered, and grabbed something to eat while he contemplated catching some much needed sleep.
Her disappearance still nagged at him.
His phone rang and he grabbed it immediately.
"Grissom."
"Sara has a secret," purred Heather.
"If you know, then how is it a secret?" he challenged.
"She knows how to break the ritual. The question is…has she done anything yet. Of course, only you can answer that Grissom."
She hung up before he could reply.
He closed the phone but then flipped it open again calling Sara's cell.
She answered this time.
"Sidle."
"I need to talk with you…now," he gritted.
"Griss…I can't."
"Can't or won't?"
"Why are you so angry?"
"Why didn't you tell me you knew how to break the ritual?"
"Why didn't you tell me?" she shot back.
"Answer the question," he ordered.
"Grissom…I'm not having this conversation with you right now," she breathed.
"Where are you?"
"I needed…"
"Space," he griped. "One minute you tell me you want space and then you don't…now it's back to that."
"I'll see you soon."
"Sara…"
She closed the phone, lying back on the couch, wincing as Doc prepared the injection.
"You should have told him," scolded Doc.
"Doc….please…just do it," she begged.
He injected her once more. "Sara, you know I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to treating you…I've already given you more than the recommended dosage," he warned.
The shot did little to take the edge off the pain.
She had appeared at the morgue, looking quite pale.
"The bite marks are getting worse," she grimaced.
She felt the sting of the needle and then the burning sensation eased a bit.
"Sara, I'm not sure if the infection is the reason for the change in your blood work. I'm merely guessing."
He examined the wound in her shoulder again.
"You have to tell Grissom."
"No."
"Don't get up. Stay for awhile so I can monitor your condition," he ordered. "I'll call my wife and let her know where I am."
"I'm sorry Doc. I'm taking you away from your family."
"You're family too," he said as he patted her knee.
Grissom returned to her apartment once more, even going to the door just in case she had hidden her car from him but she was not there.
His temper was at a slow boil as he entered the lab that evening.
He'd tried to call her once more but it only rolled over to voicemail.
He grabbed his messages and headed straight to his office but slowed when he caught sight of Brass talking in a hushed tone with Sara.
Her arms were folded in a protective stance and it appeared the conversation was getting heated.
Sara cursed under her breath when she saw him approach.
"Jim…I mean it," she warned.
"Look Doc didn't tell me anything except you was in over your head. That makes it my business," he said.
"Doc had no business saying anything," she seethed.
"Is there a problem?" asked Grissom.
"Just talking," stated Brass.
"It sounded heated…for just talking," countered Grissom.
"I need to clock in," stated Sara.
Grissom wanted until she rounded the corner.
"Don't look at me," griped Brass. "I know nothing…yet."
"Is there something you should know…or that I should know?"
Brass started to reply but stopped. "Talk to your better half."
He assigned her with him even though he could have handled the case on his own.
She scanned the details of the case.
"This shouldn't take long," she commented.
"Are you going to tell me what you and Jim were talking about?"
"No."
He gritted his teeth but said nothing more.
She disappeared after shift and he wondered where she had gone in a flash.
Already he felt the need for her as he stepped out into the parking lot and noticed her car was gone.
He yanked open his phone.
"Sidle"
"I'll meet you at your apartment," he said hastily.
She glanced at her watch and realized how long it had been since their last coupling.
"Your place," she bit out.
She hung up before he could say anything further.
"Doc, I have to leave," she said rolling down her sleeve.
"No, you're not. Sara, I need to treat this or…
"I have to," she pressed.
"Sara…"
She hurried out of the door without looking back.
Grissom was pacing by the time she entered the house.
He pulled her into his arms immediately, pushing her against the wall.
"You…keep cutting this short," he said between kisses.
She tried to pretend that she desired him as he fumbled with her blouse, oblivious to the reddened skin around the bandage because of his need.
He entered her swiftly, wrapping her leg around his waist so he could get better penetration.
Her thigh ached with each thrust.
She was relieved when he finished, letting him continue until he was fully sated.
During their second bout of lovemaking, they had eventually found their way to the bed and now he lay there with his weight pressing into her.
He shifted, lifting himself as he tried to control his breathing.
She tensed when he rubbed against her shoulder.
"Does this still hurt?" he asked as he started to touch it but she pulled away.
He leaned back staring at her.
"Your face is not flushed," he accused.
His eyes widened as if something registered.
He pinned her hands to the bed.
"What have you done, Sara?" he bit out.
She struggled, not like being restrained.
"Grissom…let me go," she pleaded.
"You don't…feel it anymore…do you?" he barked.
She shook her head slightly as she let out a soft sob.
"Who did you fuck?" he glared.
"I…"
He shoved her into the mattress causing immense pain to her shoulder.
"Stop it!" she cried.
"I should have known," he cursed as he stood there physically shaking with anger.
He never believed he would ever be enough for her. "Get out! Get out of my sight!" he bellowed.
"Grissom…"
He yanked her by the arm, pain shooting through her injured shoulder as he pulled her out of his bed, tossing clothes at her.
She slipped on her clothes in record time, grabbing her shoes that were tossed in her face.
"Would you let me…explain?" she cried.
She trembled, fearful of his anger.
He forcibly grabbed her by the arm again even though she tried to resist, her hip making contact with the table in the hallway causing the family portraits to crash to the floor.
The breaking of glass did not deter him as he continued dragging her toward the front door.
Her thigh felt as if it were on fire as it bumped into the furniture and wall.
"Gil, please," she begged, digging her heals into the carpet.
"Why did I get involved with you?" he yelled. "I knew you would do this! I was right! You're not worth the risk!"
He pulled her resisting body as she pleaded with him to stop but he continued toward the door until she became dead weight, forcing him to turn around to glare at her but he halted the moment he realized she was unconscious.
"Sara? Oh Christ, Sara?"
Her limp body lay on the floor.
He scooped her into his arms, stepping over the broken frames as he made his way back to the bedroom.
His gut twisted at how cruel he had been to her, the clutter on the floor evidence of his violent behavior.
He'd never been this violent before and for a moment he thought he would vomit.
His heart thudded loudly as he checked her pulse, finding it strangely erratic.
It was then he noticed the soiled bandage on her shoulder.
I didn't even think about her wounds…
What was I thinking?
I wasn't...
I was too blind with jealousy...
His eyes took in the reddened area around the bandaged wound and knew that it was infected.
His hand slipped up the skirt she was wearing locating the other bandaged area.
Her cell phone went off and he grumbled but then grabbed it seeing that it was Doc.
"Sara?"
"It's Grissom. She…Doc I need your help. Sara passed out and she's not responding," he grieved. "Can you come? Hurry!"
Minutes ticked by while he waited for Doc to arrive while trying to arouse her.
He was relieved when there was a tap on his door and he rushed to answer it.
Doc's eyes darted to the broken glass on the floor but Grissom ignored the accusatory look.
"Is she conscious?" Doc asked.
"No. Doc, she fell several days ago. The injured area looks infected," he grieved displaying the two bandages.
"Did she tell you about these?"
"Yes. She fell down an embankment in the park and…"
Grissom stopped as he watched Doc remove the bandage from her shoulder.
His eyes widened at the sight of the wound.
"That's…that's a bite mark," Grissom managed to get out.
"She came to me when the infection got worse. I've been treating her but it's not improved."
"Did she…did she tell you how she got them?"
"By the faded bruises, I suspected assault but she never reported it…I guess she was afraid to report it…thinking that perhaps through trace they would notice the changes in her genetic make-up. I tried to get her to tell you but she was adamant that you couldn't know."
"Was she…raped?"
"She denied it…but I'm not sure. She's been pretty rattled about something."
Grissom covered his mouth with his hand.
She wanted to explain and I wouldn't let her…
"Gil…I'm not sure if it's because of the bite marks but her blood make-up has changed."
"In what way?" he asked sounding alarmed.
"It's like a new blood type was merged with hers."
He swallowed.
"I could continue to give her the injections but I'm not sure I should. I just don't know."
"What can we do?"
"Let her sleep….wait and see."
He nodded numbly.
His phone rang and he answered it quickly realizing it was Heather.
"Heather, I need your help," he panted.
"The bite marks getting to be a problem?" she asked.
"How did you know?"
"That's not important."
"Sara is unconscious. We can't wake her. Heather, please," he begged.
"I could be persuaded to help on one condition," she sighed.
"And what is that?" he grumbled.
"I want you Grissom. You let me show you how you should be loved and I will tell you how to help Sara," she griped.
"You know I can't do that, Heather. A true friend would not make such a demand," he spat.
"I'm the best friend you will ever have," she said softly. "You just don't know…how much."
Darius wants to kill you…
I won't let him…
"The bite mark came from a fallen angel, didn't it?" asked Grissom.
"Yes."
"Could it have…would it have…changed her desire for me?"
Heather smiled. "She got more than just a bite. So…she put the information to use…rid herself of you."
"No…she didn't…"
"Grissom…come to me," she almost begged.
"NO! I want Sara. Can't you understand that?"
"Why would you want her now? She's been with a fallen angel…he left his mark…two in fact."
"Who?" he barked.
"Ask Sara."
"Darius," he gritted.
"Grissom…she invited him into her home…she accepted him. You are free."
"Sara would not have done that! I don't want anyone else but her. I still have the same urge…for her."
"That's…impossible."
Sara's infidelity would have broken the urge…
"Grissom…"
Darius grabbed the phone.
"Heather?"
The phone went dead.
He tried to call her back but there was no answer.
He contemplated going over there but did not want to leave Sara.
There was no way he was going to have sex with Heather but as the hours dragged by and there was no improvement, he was reconsidering his options.
Finally she woke, her hand slowly coming to her shoulder.
"Sara?" Grissom whispered.
She edged away from him, remembering his violent outburst and cruel handling.
Doc stepped to the side of the bed.
"How do you feel?" Doc asked.
She looked confused as she tried to sit up.
Grissom attempted to help but she flinched from his touch.
Doc eyed Grissom as he stepped between them. "Sara, you've been unconscious for quite awhile. Grissom called me when you fainted and couldn't get you…"
She threw back the covers attempting to stand but Doc blocked the motion.
"Not so fast," he chided. "I want to examine your wounds and see if there's any improvement."
She felt quite retched but she wanted to leave, not wanting to stay where she was not wanted.
Going back to her apartment was out of the question since she feared Darius would return.
Doc pulled off the bandages giving Grissom a view of the wound which angered her.
"Sara…there is no improvement," Doc said softly. She knew by the look on Grissom's face that Doc had told him the truth about the wounds.
"It feels better," she lied. "I just overdid it…needed rest."
She tried to get up once more but Grissom blocked her this time.
"Honey, you're not getting out of bed," he ordered softly.
"I was right. You're not worth the risk!"
"I'm going home…Doc can…drive me."
Grissom's heart thudded loudly.
He knew if Darius was behind this then he would surely try to get to her again.
"You can't…stay alone," Grissom blurted.
"I won't."
Grissom swallowed. "I'll stay with you," he offered.
"No."
She removed the covers once more and sat up.
"If you would give me a few minutes Doc, I'll be ready to go," she stated.
"Uhm…okay."
Grissom glared at Doc.
"She's not leaving," Grissom demanded.
"You're not the boss of me," Sara miffed. "Doc…I just need a minute and then I'll be ready."
Doc pulled Grissom out of the room.
"She's right, Gil. You can't force her to…"
She screamed out the moment she tried to walk across the room.
She went down hard, hitting her side on the small reading table by the bed.
Grissom tried to lift her but she swatted at his hands. "Don't….don't touch me," she cried.
"Sara, let me help you back into the bed," offered Doc.
"I can't move," she cried. "It hurts…I don't want to move."
"The leg?" he questioned.
She nodded as she rubbed her thigh.
"Let me take a look at it," he soothed.
He lifted the skirt, not liking the discoloration that was now spreading.
"Sara, on the count of three, Grissom and I are going to lift you onto the bed," Doc instructed.
She didn't want Grissom touching her but she had no choice.
Quickly Grissom gathered her into his arms and placed her back in the bed in one swift motion.
She cried out in agony.
"I'm sorry," Grissom grieved.
Without asking, he shifted her so that she was on her side.
It eased the pain some.
"Is the pain better?" asked Doc.
She nodded even though her hands clutched the covers.
Neither believed her.
Grissom raked his hands through his hair.
He felt helpless.
His phone rang and he answered it, stepping into the other room.
"Heather…I tried calling you back," he whispered. "Sara is worse. I need…"
Heather rattled off the antidote.
"Gil…I expect repayment," she said before hanging up.
Darius's finger slipped down Heather's battered cheek.
"Now, was that so hard?" he sneered.
"You're…despicable."
"I get what I want. Sara is fertile…I can…"
"No fallen angel has ever been able to reproduce."
"They are fallen just as much as I am….as well as you…dear mother."
"You won't get away with this," she warned.
Silas chuckled as Darius stepped out of the room.
"He's just like you," she spat.
Silas towered over her. "No, he's not. He'll never be as good as me. He's too soft like you and besides, your sniveling son didn't do this."
He slipped out his knife, slicing her throat as he kissed her on the cheek.
He chuckled as he watched her try to stop the flow of blood.
"Don't worry dearest. I just didn't want you to try to warn them," he sneered licking the blood from the blade of the knife. "Not as sweet as Sara, I bet."
Grissom grabbed Doc. "I have an antidote."
"Where did you get it?"
"From Heather Kessler."
"Are you sure…she can be trusted?"
"Do I have a choice? Does Sara?"
Doc glanced back into the room. "No…you don't."
He took the instructions. "It will take me about an hour to make this," cautioned Doc.
"I'll watch over her," whispered Grissom.
"What uhm happened between the two of you?" asked Doc.
"Doc…Sara needs that antidote…now."
Doc let it go as Grissom returned to Sara's side.
He gently pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry, Sara. Please forgive me."
Note from author:
Some of these chapters are going to bring up questions that will be answered in the following chapters so hang in there! You'll get to know Silas later...as well as more about the other fallen angels.
Take care!