Chapter Thirty Two:

Forgiving the Unforgiven

There was a knock on the front door and Grissom answered it.

He glanced over his shoulder to see Sara's reaction but she made no move to attack Heather.

Heather was surprised to see Francis standing nearby.

She gulped trying to hold back her emotions as she faced Grissom.

"I've brought you the dagger," she breathed as she glanced over her shoulder fearful Darius would appear out of nowhere.

Grissom let her enter and then shut the door quickly.

"You shouldn't have let her come in," glared Francis.

Heather pulled out a jeweled dagger.

Francis charged toward her but she backed away.

She glanced toward Grissom silently pleading with him to let her remain.

"Francis…stop," ordered Grissom.

"You cannot trust a fallen angel," he declared.

"Darius is fully healed. He will be coming," she warned.

"I will take his head if he tries to harm Grissom or Sara," barked Francis.

"The cut doesn't have to be deep…to kill…a fallen angel…if you use this," Heather instructed.

Francis snorted. "You expect us to believe that after you caused the death of their unborn child? Only a fallen angel would stoop so low as to harm something so innocent."

Heather's eyes dropped to the floor but then looked at Grissom. "I didn't know. I didn't know Sara was even pregnant until you said you still desired her…if Gracen had raped her then the urge would have been broken and…ask Francis, he will at least confirm that this much is truth."

She looked at Francis. "After they raped me you not only didn't desire me but you didn't even look for me…didn't even care that I was still alive. The sect declared that I was dead and you accepted it."

"You turned. You became one of them."

"You didn't even try to get me back!"

"You've been with them for years, Elena. You changed your name…picked up a nice profession…giving yourself to anyone and everyone. I'm glad I didn't find out that you were alive….I'm glad our son never knew what you'd become."

Heather swallowed. "I was tied to a bed…raped over and over…checked regularly to see if I'd become pregnant. I hoped that someone would come….anyone…even if they were coming to kill me but instead no one came. Once I was pregnant Silas released me. He knew that if I tried to return to you…you would send me away. I was disgraced…so I stayed to protect my unborn. I gave birth to Darius and then…I couldn't leave my child. I stayed to care for my son…the only family that would claim me. You wouldn't!"

Heather caressed the dagger. "I prayed Darius would be sweet…like my son, Joseph…"

"Don't speak our son's name!" yelled Francis. "Darius killed him!"

"He was killed," she whispered. "To punish me."

Heather's hand gripped the dagger.

Grissom caught the movement. "Heather, give me the dagger."

Heather turned toward Grissom and smiled, "You were the only person who was ever nice…to me."

"I valued our friendship," stated Grissom.

A single tear slipped down her cheek.

"Darius or the others will not allow you…to kill him. But, one thrust…and he will die," she instructed.

"It's a lie! You want Grissom to place his trust in you…give him false hope so your son, Darius, will get the upper hand and kill him."

"No! That's not true! I've tried to protect Grissom from Darius."

"Is that why you tried to seduce me? Get me to have sex with you?" asked Grissom.

Francis snorted. "You are vial like them!"

Heather swallowed. "Darius warned me that if I didn't get you away from Sara then he would kill you. I couldn't let that happen. If your bond with Sara was broken then I thought you would…stay away...like before. I was only trying to protect you!"

"Grissom, she can't be trusted," warned Francis.

"I don't care if he believes me. He sees only hate…for me."

Heather's hand tightened around the dagger. "Darius has to be stopped."

"That's the only truthful thing you've said," growled Francis.

His contempt toward her was obvious but she turned to face him.

"Do you have any idea how hard it was to watch you from afar? To see Joseph and…"

"Shut up! I can't stand his name on your lips! Go back to your brothel…lay with your…"

"Francis!" Grissom yelled as he saw how his words cut into Heather.

He knew how hard it was to hear heartless words from someone you loved.

Sara's words still haunted him.

"Heather, may I have the dagger?" whispered Grissom.

Heather glanced toward Sara and then back to Grissom.

"I'm sorry my actions hurt you," she cried.

"I know," he said as he took a step toward her.

"I won't do that again."

Francis was shocked when Heather turned the blade toward her body.

"Heather…give me the dagger, please," whispered Grissom.

"I wouldn't harm an innocent child," she cried.

"Darius did. Heather, please," Grissom pleaded.

She thrust the blade into her chest.

Blood oozed down her blouse.

Grissom grabbed her as she collapsed. "Heather!"

She clung to him as she cried out in pain.

"Why?" agonized Grissom.

"My punishment…for hurting you. Besides you needed proof that it would work. I'm a fallen angel," she wept. "If I die then it will be the proof you need. I couldn't risk…I was afraid you wouldn't believe me."

Grissom cradled her in his arms. "I believed you, Heather."

She gasped through the pain as Grissom gripped her hand. "I'm sorry…I was too weak…to kill Darius myself. I gave him life…I couldn't…" she cried out from the pain. "I've tried to protect you. You were the only person who cared about me...and I hurt you. I'm sorry," she cried.

"Francis!" choked Grissom.

Francis stood there in shock.

"Forgive me, Gil," she wept.

"I forgive you," Grissom whispered. "Sara does as well."

"Thank you…for not letting me die alone."

"Francis," whispered Grissom in a pleading voice.

He started toward Heather but she gasped one last time.

Her body slumped as Grissom continued to cradle her.

"Elena?" Francis whispered. "Oh God, what have I done?"

Francis took Elena's body into his arms as he wept bitterly.

Sara stood there looking rather pale.

Grissom gently pulled her into his arms.

"I did forgive her," whispered Sara.

"I know," he replied as his lips rested on her forehead.

The next few days were horrendous.

He was brought in several times by Ecklie for questioning about his involvement with Lady Heather.

He kept to their scripted answers.

He knew that Doc would conceal Heather's angelic makeup.

Already the body had been released to Francis.

The investigation was more of a formality since her death was ruled as a suicide.

Each leaned on the other as they returned to work, still uneasy that Darius had not made an appearance.

Francis was quiet but remained at the townhouse refusing to leave them.

He was spotted on a few crime scenes by Brass but he kept his distance not wishing to interfere with their work.

A week went by without incident.

Grissom glanced up as he spotted Sara loading the remainder of the evidence into the Denali.

He'd had difficulty concentrating; his thoughts too jumbled when he heard her voice or was near her.

Once they were in the Denali and headed back to the lab, she breathed in deeply before speaking, "Is there something bothering you?" she asked.

He smiled slightly, "My mind wouldn't focus tonight."

"Have I done something?"

"No," he assured her as his hand took hold of hers.

"Maybe…maybe you should let me work with one of the guys," she offered.

He gripped the steering wheel. "I think it would make it worse."

"I'll stay in the lab."

"Sara…"

"I'm distracting you. You can't focus on your job because you're waiting for Darius to…"

"I want you," he interrupted. "I…I think it's started again…the urge."

She looked surprised but then licked her lips, understanding some of the things she'd been feeling.

"You too?"

"Yes…and no. My…mind…says yes while…" she didn't finish.

"We can wait," he said simply not sure if he really believed it.

They met the others at Frank's for a bite to eat.

Sara yawned as she toyed with the salt shaker.

"I bet each of us sleep good," grumbled Brass as he slid in between Sara and Greg.

"Hey," griped Greg.

"I like you too," retorted Brass and then waved the waitress down for a cup of coffee.

The food arrived and Sara sighed when the salt shaker was empty.

Nick chuckled as she got up to grab the shaker from a nearby table.

She froze when Darius grabbed it from the table and then extended it to her.

"Let me," he smiled.

There was a flurry when the men rushed forward, pulling Sara away from Darius.

"My my…I was only handing Sara the shaker. You can't call it assault," he grinned.

"Get out," warned Grissom.

"Look, I don't want to cause any more pain than necessary. Sara, you can avoid all of this…blood shed…and death if you'll come with me," offered Darius.

"She's not going anywhere with you!" snarled Grissom.

"Then I'll take her by force," he replied. "Sara, is that really what you want? To see your friends…"family" gutted like Gracen?"

Sara swallowed as she glared at Darius.

Darius extended his hand. "Come with me, Sara."

Grissom smacked it away as Darius fumed.

"Get out," warned Brass. "Or I'll have you arrested."

"And bring attention to all of us? Why not only am I at risk here but Sara and Grissom as well. I'll call your bluff," snickered Darius.

Two men approached Darius. "I could easily take her if I wanted."

Sara's hand latched onto Grissom's wrist. His hand slipped into hers as he pulled her to stand behind him.

"The sect isn't going to like this," reminded Grissom.

"I am not afraid of the sect," scoffed Darius.

"You're afraid of me," declared Francis as he appeared behind Darius.

The two men turned toward Francis but Darius motioned for the men to back down.

"I hear you had a meeting with my mother….your Elena. How did that go?" asked Darius.

Francis' face was unreadable.

"When you see my mother again tell her…I'm very disappointed in her," glared Darius.

"Heather is dead," stated Sara.

Darius' eyes shifted for a brief second but then turned dark once more.

"I told her if she ever tried to return to you, then you would kill her," sighed Darius.

Sara stepped to the side so that she was facing Darius. "She killed herself…as punishment for what you did."

"What did I do?"

"You gave her the antidote to kill my child."

"I'll give you another, Sara. One that is better, stronger," he offered.

"Heather said she ripped out her uterus when she became pregnant by…you…her own son."

The look returned in Darius eyes as he turned from the others but Sara caught it.

"Then you know what lengths I will go to get what I want…an heir."

"Then you also know what lengths I'll go to avoid giving you an heir."

He grinned. "You have such a fire within."

"So do you and it's going to consume you…straight into hell."

Darius stepped toward her but Sara stood her ground.

"I promise I won't kill Grissom or any of your friends if you come with me."

"I promise I will kill you."

Darius chuckled.

"Come," Darius said as he motioned for the others. "Sara's food is getting cold."

He handed her the salt shaker and she boldly took it from his hand.

They turned and disappeared as well as Francis.

Nothing was said as they ate their food.

Grissom's hand gripped her thigh but she refused to look in his direction.

She felt the eyes of the others on her but she couldn't look at any of them.

She had just placed their lives in danger because of her careless action of getting involved with an angel.

When they got home, Grissom pulled Sara into the bedroom, closing the door behind them.

"You shouldn't have gotten so close to Darius," Grissom finally said, breaking the silence.

"He never intended to do anything. He just wanted to rattle us," she remarked as she started to undress.

"Really? How do you know this?" feeling irritated at her reply.

"I certainly wasn't going to let him get the pleasure of seeing me cower at his presence."

"You could have remained quiet…not brought any attention to…"

"He came there for me, Grissom. I didn't have to do anything for his attention to be on anyone else…but me."

Grissom growled as he grabbed her wrist. "He touched you!"

Sara looked shocked at his anger. "His finger…"

"He wants you Sara! Don't encourage him…"

Her eyes widened at the allegation. "You think I encouraged him?" she asked incredulously.

"No," he anquished. "I don't want him near you. I don't want him to touch you," he growled as he pulled her into his arms, seeking her mouth with his.

His lips descended further as Sara tried to gently stop him.

"Gil…."

"Don't make me stop," he pleaded.

She pressed her body into his, giving him permission to continue.

He could not seem to stop himself as he stripped her, needing to feel every inch of her.

Hours passed as he made love to her, drifting off to sleep with his arms wrapped protectively around her.

Once she was certain he was asleep, she slipped out of his embrace, grabbing her housecoat.

She leaned against the counter, trying to get a grip on her emotions.

Darius did frighten her.

She was never afraid of dying but his threats toward Grissom and the others had frightened her to the core.

Her phone rang and she picked up.

"While he's sleeping, can we talk?" asked Darius.

She looked out her window and he waved at her.

"Leave us alone, Darius."

"How did my mother die?" he asked.

"I told you. She killed herself."

"By her own hands…I find that doubtful," he replied.

"Believe what you want."

"I believe you."

Sara snorted. "Like I care."

"I kept her alive all of these years. I protected her."

"You raped your own mother…I'm hanging up…"

"I didn't know she was my mother…I was reintroduced to her…as Heather. I didn't know her identity until later…an unfortunate event."

"You expect me to believe you? Next, you'll deny killing Joseph and his wife as well as Gracen."

"She protected them while she loathed me."

"You're a cold blooded killer."

"Only when I am provoked. Don't provoke me, Sara. I could easily walk in there and kill Grissom right in front of your eyes."

She swallowed.

"Francis can't protect you. The only reason I don't kill him is because I take great pleasure in knowing that he mourns my mother's death."

"You're cruel," Sara whispered.

"I don't want to be. If you come to me, I promise I won't harm any of them."

"I'd rather be dead."

"Do we have an agreement?"

"You didn't hear me, did you?"

She looked out the window and noticed he was gone.

She whirled around when she heard a slight noise from behind.

Sara gasped when he stood directly behind her.

"You see Sara, I can easily kill Grissom in his sleep. Do you want that? Do you want him dead? How about Brass? I know you care for him. One of my men is with him right now. He's waiting for me to give him the order and Brass is dead."

"Don't, please."

He stepped toward her. "I won't hurt you. I'll even…" he morphed himself to look like Grissom. "I can use his appearance if you prefer….or do you prefer…" he morphed into Gracen.

"What shall it be, Sara? You could have them both. I could look like either of them…at any time."

"Please don't hurt any of them."

His hand cupped her cheek.

"I can be merciful to them."

She closed her eyes as a tear slipped down her cheek.

"What proof do I have that you'll keep your word? That you won't hurt them?"

"I'm not hurting them now. Sara, you couldn't stop me from walking in there and gutting Grissom."

Sara quickly stepped toward the door.

"You really want to wake him? You saw how angry he became over a simple touch. He sees me here and he will start something that I will have no choice but to finish."

She glanced toward the front door.

"Don't expect Francis to come to your rescue. He's being detained. Oh don't worry, I'm not going to kill him…unless I have to."

Her eyes darted around the room. The dagger was in the bedroom in the dresser.

"Don't put your faith in that dagger," he whispered.

She paled.

"It could only be used once. It seems my mother wasted it on herself. You have no weapon that can destroy me."

Her eyes drifted to the bedroom door, not sure if she believed him.

"Go get it. I'll stand right here on my knees and let you stab me...just remember, you get only one hit...then I get to retaliate. You can yell for Grissom to bring it. I don't care. The result will be the same," he stated with confidence. "I'll butcher them...is that what you want?"

"If you harm any of them…."

"I won't if you give yourself to me," he countered.

He sighed. "I'll give you a week."

He started to leave but then halted.

"Heather…did she suffer?"

Sara was surprised he would even ask such a thing.

"Yes."

She watched as his eyes changed but then they darkened once more as if it was a fleeting glimpse of remorse that he experienced.

"A week," he called out as he made his way to the door.

The door no sooner closed than Grissom stepped out of the bedroom.

"Is everything alright? I thought I heard voices," he stated.

She flew into his arms as she struggled with keeping Darius' visit a secret.

"Sara, what's wrong?"

"I love you," she whispered.

"Are you alright?" he asked fearfully as he glanced around the room.

"Yes."

"Something isn't right," he lamented as he looked out the window.

Both jumped when the door knob to the front door turned.

Francis stepped inside.

He looked rather battered.

Grissom and Sara rushed to his aid, forcing him to sit down while Sara ran for the first aid kit.

"What happened?" whispered Grissom.

"Darius' men…came out of nowhere. They were on top of me before I could react. The cowards have to fight in gangs."

"How many were there?" asked Sara.

"Too many. I thought I was a goner until they just stopped."

Francis looked at Sara. "When they let me go, I feared the worst. I thought they had gotten to you. From now on, we stay together."

"What's going to stop them the next time? They outnumber us," said Sara as she pulled out some bandages.

"We have the dagger," stated Grissom.

She focused on bandaging wounds while Francis leaned back trying to conserve his energy.

"I'll give you a week."

She could think of little else over the next several hours as she pretended nothing had transpired.

"I'll stay with Francis," stated Sara. "You go into work."

"I'll call in also," offered Grissom.

"Gil, no."

"I'm not leaving you. Francis needs to recover and…"

"I can protect her," he vowed.

"I need a night off. I need…some time to myself," she explained.

"Are you feeling alright?" asked Grissom suddenly.

"Yes, I'll be fine…here with Francis."

Grissom didn't know what to make of her request.

The last thing he wanted to do was push her anymore than he had already done.

He felt guilty for making love to her but his need was too great.

He pulled Sara to the side. "Did I hurt you?" he whispered.

"No…you didn't."

"You weren't ready. I should have waited but Sara…"

Her hand on his chest caused him to stop.

Sara glanced at Francis as he disappeared into the guest bedroom.

"I wanted you also.

Hours passed as Grissom lay with Sara in his arms.

She woke when he dressed for work, watching him as he tried to be quiet.

He turned and caught her staring at him.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't."

Grissom sat down on the edge of the bed. "I don't like leaving you."

"I'll check in," she offered.

He leaned down and kissed her.

Her hand pulled his head down further to deepen the kiss.

He grinned. "I don't mind being late."

He stepped out of the bedroom a few hours later, grabbing a bagel as he headed toward the door.

Sara smiled as he glanced back at her. "Keep it locked."

It didn't stop Darius before…

"I will."

She took a deep breath as she tapped on the bedroom door.

"Francis, I need to talk with you."

Note from author:

angst alert...that is all I am going to say...geez, you guys, remember it is me that wrote this...I am watching over Sara...LOL

Take care!