Chapter Thirty Nine:
The Shepherd Learns About The Flock
Grissom's head began to ache as he listened to theory after theory between Brass and Francis.
He headed to the bathroom as they continued.
"Headache?" questioned Francis, concerned about Grissom's silence.
"I have a prescription…somewhere. Sara kept track of it," he said sadly.
Sara…
He couldn't sit and listen to them anymore.
His last words spoken to her were like shards of glass to his heart.
He didn't mean them and he would give anything to take them back.
He didn't think he could handle her death despite her betrayal.
I want her to know that I still love her...
I want her to know that I still yearn for her...
He leaned against the counter and splashed some water on his face but it did little to ease the shaky feeling.
He felt himself slipping to the floor just as Brass shoved him to sit down on the commode.
"Where have you looked?" he asked.
"It's not in the medicine cabinet," Grissom answered.
Brass looked underneath and then grimaced when things began to fall into the floor. "Got a lot of stuff under here. "
"Sara's things."
"Well, at least you didn't do what I did...I threw all of my exwife's things in the trash."
He couldn't bear to see the things lying around and yet he couldn't bring himself to part with any of it so he piled them in any empty closet or drawer he could find.
Brass rummaged through the mess, pulling out several pregnancy kits.
Grissom stared at them. "She wanted another baby. She purchased several of those."
Brass looked at the contents. "This one has been opened."
Grissom leaned back.
Brass opened the package just as Grissom was about to object.
The used pregnancy stick landed in his hand.
"I thought Sara didn't know that she was pregnant…before the miscarriage?" asked Brass.
"She didn't," replied Grissom.
"Gil, this is a positive pregnancy test," stated Brass as he held it up.
Grissom grabbed the stick.
He looked shocked at the revelation.
"She was already pregnant….maybe Darius didn't catch it this time and she's passing your child off….as his."
Grissom jumped up but collided with Brass.
"Jim, I need to get to her."
"Where are you going?" asked Francis as the two men headed toward the front door.
"To get some answers," replied Grissom.
They insisted on going with Doc.
Doc gripped the steering wheel as he pulled into the driveway of the mansion.
"Do you really think Darius is going to let you anywhere near Sara?" asked Doc.
"Darius is desperate. Tell him we know how to help Sara," stated Brass as he looked at his friend who was quiet.
"And when he finds out that you can't, he's going to kill all of us."
"Not unless Sara dies," reminded Brass.
If Sara dies I hope he kills me thought Grissom as he tried to squash down his feeling of loss.
Brass looked at Grissom who had remained quiet during the ride.
"Any reason you didn't want Frances to come along? We could have used him,"asked Brass.
"I did want to risk inciting a fight…angel versus fallen angel," Grissom explained.
"How are you feeling?" asked Doc.
"I'm fine," he lied.
He had no idea how he was going to react when he saw Sara again.
Even if their bond was still intact, she had given herself to Darius.
He could still see her body entwined with Darius as they had rushed in to save her.
Her words cut him to shreds.
He gritted his teeth.
I love you but I hate what you did to me, Sara…
"Griss…keep a level head," warned Brass.
He nodded.
The guards blocked them at the bottom of the stairs.
"He goes up….but not you two," warned the guard.
"They're with me!" griped Doc. "Your boss isn't going to like you detaining us when he needs us."
A call was put in and the guard cringed when Darius bellowed through the phone to let them up immediately.
They hurried when they heard Darius yell for them.
He held Sara as she cried out in pain.
"Help her," ordered Darius as he tried to comfort her.
"Sara, can you hear me?" asked Doc.
She refused to answer as she curled into a fetal position, clutching at Darius.
"How long has she been like this?" asked Doc.
"Almost an hour," grieved Darius. "At first I couldn't wake her and now…the pain has been unbearable…she screams…" he didn't finish as he balled his fist, angry that his men thought he was beating her and were enjoying the sound of her pain.
Darius rocked her back and forth. "Doc is here. They are going to try to help you, Sara."
Gently Darius eased her onto the bed, ready to hold her if she screamed once more.
Grissom's palm began to tingle.
Without thinking, he rushed over and took Sara's hand, aligning their scars.
The pain hit once more but it was not as intense.
She clutched the hand that held hers, needing something to brace against the pain in her stomach.
"I've got you, Sara," whispered Grissom.
She moaned softly as the pain slowly ebbed away, bringing much needed relief.
Grissom's hand stroked her hair as he continued to hold her hand, his fingers caressing the frail cold hand.
Doc sat there and observed her for several minutes.
"She seems better," whispered Doc.
"He just held her hand," griped Darius.
"He's connected to her. You're not," explained Doc.
"I bonded with her," Darius announced boldly. "My blood runs through her veins just as hers with mine. The baby carries my bloodline."
Grissom jumped up and shoved Darius against the wall.
"You killed our child," he seethed.
"Yes, I did," admitted Darius.
"I should kill you," glared Grissom.
"Gil!" yelled Doc.
Grissom released him.
Doc turned their attention to Sara.
"Her pulse rate just slowed…too slow," Doc stated.
"Do the blood tranfusion," stated Darius.
"Sara didn't want…that. Besides, you don't get to decide. He does."
"Why him?"
"Because he does have medical power of attorney."
"I don't give a damn what he has. I said…."
"I agree. She needs a blood transfusion...we should do the blood ritual again," admitted Grissom.
Darius gawked at Grissom, surprised that he agreed with him.
Darius looked down at Sara's lifeless body.
He could see the small bulge moving about.
He couldn't resist caressing the bulge as he leaned down and kissed Sara's forehead which was not as hot.
"This had better work," he barked at Grissom.
Grissom was surprised to see the fallen angel show any tenderness.
From everything he had read or been told, they were ruthless with no goodness.
"Do you think Darius has any idea what Sara did?" whispered Doc to Grissom.
"We don't know what Sara did…exactly."
Sara shifted in her sleep, her free hand resting on her abdomen.
"Do you think there is anything wrong with the baby?" whispered Grissom.
"Baby?" Sara murmured.
Her eyes shot open as she tried to focus on the face in front of her.
Her eyes shifted to Darius.
"I didn't harm or kill any of them yet," he protested.
She tried to pull her hand forward but then realized Grissom was holding it.
She struggled when Doc produced a scalpel intending to hand it to Grissom.
"No!" she choked as she tried to yank free but Grissom refused to release her.
"Sara, it worked for Grissom. It could work for you," Doc spoke up.
"Release me," she pleaded.
She tried to yank her hand again but Grissom's grip was firm.
Darius stepped forward.
"Darius….make him stop," she panted.
"Sara, it will make you better," Darius urged.
"No! Your heir…your bloodline…need to stop," she urged frantically as she tried to jerk free once more.
"Is the baby in distress?" questioned Darius.
"No," answered Doc.
Sara struggled frantically, "Stop! Stop!"
"Sara it's going to be alright," soothed Grissom.
He leaned forward and whispered for her ears only. "I found the pregnancy test."
It did not stop her struggles.
Grissom feared she would harm herself as she continued to thrash about.
"Hold her," cautioned Grissom.
"Darius, please!" she cried.
He shoved Grissom to the side.
Darius dropped to his knees in front of the bed and gathered her in his arms.
It bothered Grissom the way she freely went into the very arms of the man responsible for the death of their child.
None of this made sense as he teetered on his feet.
Brass stepped forward to give him support.
"It's going to be alright, Sara," Darius soothed. "I won't sacrifice you….I release you…from the agreement."
Grissom was surprised by his declaration.
He squeezed Sara's hand as a gesture to let her know he was still there.
She yanked once more but Grissom refused to release her hand.
"Make him let go," she cried.
Darius stroked her hair. "I want you better. He can make you better."
She stilled suddenly and they thought she had given in but she yanked one final time, managing to break the contact.
Grissom fell back, astonished at her strength.
"Sara, no!" warned Darius. "I'll hold her….just do it," ordered Darius to Grissom.
Her hands gripped Darius shirt as she pleaded, "Darius, please. Don't let them do this. It could harm the baby. Please…I can't lose this one. I won't lose this one," she wept.
"You're dying," choked Darius. "I won't let you die. If you do this…I'll release you," he offered.
There was utter silence in the room.
Grissom seemed hopeful that they would be able to leave with Sara until she spoke, "Not at the risk of losing my baby and you. They'll kill you for letting me go. I won't risk it. I won't go."
"Sara, listen to me. You're sick. They can help you. If you remain here, you know the baby will be taken from you. You will have to pledge your allegiance to us…you can't do that. You are not fallen. I won't let them take you…rape you…damn your soul. Go….let Grissom do the ritual again. You won't survive without it."
"Then come with us," she urged.
"You can't be serious."
"Even if I go, the others will come after us…they won't if you come…they fear you…even though you are not one of them. You are not evil."
"Yes, I am."
"A fallen angel does not care for anyone…you do. You care for this baby…and me."
He closed his eyes, angry at his weakness until he felt her soft breath against his skin and his heart melted.
"I do, Sara. I do care for you," he admitted as he stroked her hair. "Which is why I won't let you die."
She clung to him, making Grissom jealous and he stepped away from the spectacle.
Darius stroked her hair as he pressed his lips against her temple briefly.
"I want you to take her. I'll try to cover…for as long as I can," ordered Darius.
Brass stepped forward to take Sara but she refused to release Darius.
"I won't leave you," she wept.
"Stay and you surely die, Sara. Go and you will live…keep your child. He won't be treated…the way I was."
She grew weak and slumped back against the bed but her hands still gripped his shirt.
He gently pulled her hands from his shirt despite her protests.
"Take her," he ordered again.
"I won't leave you. This baby needs you."
"What can I offer him Sara except pain and cruelty?"
"You can protect him. You can show the others that one can still be redeemed…if one asks for forgiveness…from the Holy One."
"There is no one here Sara to save. They are all fallen...just as you will be if you remain," he stated as he started to move away from the bed but she grabbed his wrist, slipping her hand into his and refusing to let go.
"I forgave you. Forgive yourself."
He shook his head. "My mother hated me. She gave you the dagger in order to kill me. She killed herself to pay for my…sin. I can not be forgiven...by her."
"Your mother could not kill you because she loved you despite what Silas and the others made you into. She forgave you, Darius."
"Are you sure you forgive me? I killed your son, Sara. I ordered her to give Grissom the antidote that caused you to miscarry."
"I forgive you."
Grissom gritted his teeth.
"I…don't," Darius admitted. "And neither does Grissom."
"They will try to take him from me," she cried.
He knew she was right.
He also knew that they would turn on him as soon as they learned he had let Sara go.
Her breathing came in gasps as her water broke.
Darius glanced at Doc.
"If you're going to do something then you have to do it now. Sara's going into labor," warned Doc.
"Please Darius," she whispered. "You promised you would protect him."
"If I come with you then…there is no turning back."
She gripped his hand as she doubled over in pain.
Doc raced forward to examine Sara. "Somebody needs to make a decision!"
He knew once the baby was delivered then Sara was doomed.
He lifted her in his arms as he reached under the mattress, taking the dagger. "We're going out the back. I suggest you stay close…in case we have to fight our way out of here."
Brass and Grissom exchanged looks.
Darius shifted Sara into his arms while Doc covered her with a blanket.
"We take my car," he ordered.
"Hey, I drove my car," griped Doc.
"Mine is bullet proof. They may shoot," warned Darius.
"We take your car," replied Brass.
"Explain that to my insurance," grumbled Doc.
They made it down the first two floors undetected but one of the guards was near Darius' vehicle.
"Move out of the way," he ordered.
The guard stepped aside but then halted not sure what to make of them leaving in one vehicle.
Darius placed Sara in the back seat while the others jumped in.
The guard sniffed into the air and then grinned. "Where are you going?"
"When do I answer to you?"
"She's in labor. Silas ordered us to report when she delivered. He wants her…next," smiled the guard. "You answer to Silas," he sneered.
He lunged at Darius but Darius stepped to the side.
Darius tried to get into the vehicle but the guard grabbed Grissom.
Darius shoved him away but then the guard drew a knife intending to kill Grissom.
Darius pulled out the dagger, driving it deep into the guard.
The guard's lifeless body slumped to the ground.
They jumped into the vehicle and sped away.
He looked into the rearview mirror as Brass held Sara.
Her eyes connected with his.
"I had no choice," Darius gritted.
"I know," she said as she closed her eyes fighting off the urge to scream.
Brass grabbed her hand and she squeezed it hard, panting through the pain.
Darius had difficulty focusing on the road as he glanced back and forth through the rear view mirror.
Doc sat on the other side of Sara and gently coaxed her through a contraction.
Grissom gritted his teeth, not able to see what was going on in the back seat.
They made a few sharp turns. Brass pulled Sara into his arms, her head resting on his chest.
Darius swallowed as he saw Brass and Doc exchange looks.
"How is she?" asked Darius as he checked for any followers.
"She's unconscious," said Doc.
Darius gripped the steering wheel as he looked into his rearview mirror and to his surprise was not being followed.
He turned off several streets and Grissom looked at him.
"Where are we going?" asked Grissom.
"Your house," replied Darius.
"They'll find us immediately," he gritted.
"We'll be expecting them," replied Darius.
As soon as they arrived Brass started to carry Sara but Darius shoved him out of the way, gathering her into his arms.
Immediately she woke, not sure of her whereabouts.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"Grissom's," stated Darius. "You'll be safe here, Sara."
"Don't leave me," she begged as her head went limp against his shoulder.
"I'm not," he promised as he quickly headed toward the door.
Grissom unlocked the door and they hurried inside.
"Bedroom," Grissom directed but Darius was already taking her through the doors.
Darius moved out of the way so Doc could examine her.
"Darius…she needs…"
Darius raked his hand through his hair.
"Which one…of us?" he asked.
Doc glanced at Grissom and then back to Darius.
"Grissom…is still bonded with her," remarked Doc.
Darius stroked Sara's cheek.
He nodded in agreement.
Sara stirred.
"Where are we?" she asked as if she didn't remember the previous conversation.
"We're at Grissom's," answered Darius. "You're home, Sara."
She took a deep breath and exhaled.
"Sara, we think it's best if we do the blood transfusion," stated Doc.
"No," she said as she rolled to her side.
"You're weak," urged Doc. "The baby is not due for five more weeks…that's more than two months in a normal pregnancy."
"He's coming…now," she clarified.
Darius didn't like it when she was being obstinate.
"Sara, I came…as you requested. Now, let Doc do this."
"Where is Francis?" she asked.
"What does he have to do with this?" he griped.
"Francis," she repeated.
Darius' jaw twitched as he looked toward Grissom.
"I don't know," admitted Grissom.
"I want to talk with Francis," urged Sara.
Darius cursed out loud. "Sara…"
"Francis," she implored.
Darius griped openly. "I let you get away with too much!" he spat.
She took his hand and pleaded silently.
"Okay," he griped softly.
She closed her eyes making Grissom uneasy.
A call was placed by Grissom.
Darius sat on the edge of the bed, holding her hand while they waited.
He knew she was in pain but she refused to admit it.
Darius released her hand, her eyes fluttered open.
"I'm not going anywhere," he assured her.
She nodded as she closed her eyes once more, trying to find a comfortable position.
Darius and Grissom exchanged looks. "Hold her hand," whispered Darius. "I can't...ease her pain but you can."
Grissom immediately took Darius place, grateful to be near her.
She sighed as his hand slipped into hers, the relief almost immediate.
She drifted in and out, her eyes opening only briefly to scan the room, needing to see Darius.
Her eyes locked with Grissom a few times as he continued to hold her hand, caressing the palm of her hand.
An hour later, Francis appeared.
"What are they doing here?" Francis yelled.
Darius returned the glare before he turned and softly shook Sara.
"Francis is here," Darius stated.
"He is?"
"Gil, what have you done?" asked Francis.
Since Sara had left, Francis had warned him Darius would try to cause his fall.
"Francis…"
"I won't be a part of this!" bellowed Francis. "They are condemned!"
"Shut up!" glared Darius.
"He has to know," Sara whispered.
"Know what?" asked Darius and then he remembered her nonsensical talk about Elena.
"Francis," Sara urged.
Francis growled but Grissom got up and shoved him toward the bed.
"Darius is your son. Elena stayed because she wanted to protect Darius…your son."
"That's a lie! He is an abomination. I don't know why you want to say such lies but…"
"It's true! She was already pregnant. He is not fallen…like them."
Darius snorted. "My actions say different."
"He is as close as you can get to Satan himself," scoffed Francis.
"They took him…from Elena. They made him…"
"No one made me kill…rape…I did those things on my own," Darius corrected.
"You were beaten into submission. Silas himself saw that you were different. He did everything he could…to make you…a fallen angel. But you're not like them."
"Yes, I am," stated Darius.
"I have to agree," gritted Francis.
"You have the same blood," she countered. "You are the same blood line."
Francis scoffed.
"There is no way I would have survived the ritual twice. His blood flows through me…as well as Grissom's," urged Sara.
"I don't know what you're trying to pull," griped Francis.
Sara released Grissom's hand and reached for Darius.
He took it immediately.
"I wouldn't lie to you...accept the truth," she pleaded.
Sara gripped Darius's hand to get through the pain.
"Sara, stop. He won't help us. Let us do the blood ritual again," offered Darius.
Darius stroked her hair as she winced.
"If she is still bonded to Grissom…then it should be him," stated Darius softly.
Doc nodded.
"Wait! Grissom this is a trap. He wants to defile you! You can't…rejoin with her after she's been with him! She's just as…dead…as he is."
"Stay out of this!" warned Darius.
Francis stepped forward. "Grissom is the last of my blood line," stated Francis. "I won't let him fall victim to…"
Sara screamed out, silencing everyone.
She doubled over in pain.
"Baby is coming," she panted.
"No! It's too soon," grieved Darius. "If you bond with her…it may stop the contractions."
Grissom stepped toward the bed but Francis blocked him.
"Get out of his way," yelled Darius.
"The child belongs to a fallen angel. It's condemned…also. You should never have brought them here!" yelled Francis.
"Sara was already pregnant!" snarled Darius. "It's mine…through blood only."
Note from author:
Well, it is out...all out so the question is how do they deal with it...