A/N: Thank you to mingsmommy for the terrific beta, as usual. I would also like to express my thanks to cropper1818 for reading this through for me and for her reassurance.

Chapter 19

Conceding, Grissom managed to nod. "Alright, do what you will."

Sighing, Sara took his hands. "Can you stand?"

"I can try."

As she pulled on his hands he groaned as he was hoisted into a sitting position. Quickly, she slipped her hands around his waist and held with care.

"You are a lot heavier than me, Grissom, so you're going to have to help me out here." She informed him as she got ready to lift.

Grissom nodded as he felt her arms tightening around him and under any other circumstances he would have found being this close to her rather arousing.

"On the count of three, alright?"

Again Grissom bobbed his head.

"One…two…threeeeeeeee…"

Sara pulled and Grissom did his best to push up on his legs.

"Almost there." She grunted as she took on most of his weight.

When he finally got up, Sara kept her right arm around his waist while she took his left with hers and flung it over her shoulder. "Lean on me, I'm going to get you inside."

He winced as they moved and his free hand went to his abdomen where the pain once again intensified.

It took a while for them to get inside but eventually they managed it and Sara helped him to sit on the bed. She hovered over him and again inspected the wound on his head. Suddenly, Grissom was overcome with the urge to just hold her. Her chest was almost in his face and although he was disorientated, when her scent hit his nostrils, his heart pounded.

He looked up just as she looked down to him and he stared into her eyes, completely lost.

She smiled softly and said something but it just floated over his head. All he could see was her mouth moving, white noise floating past his ears. She frowned and then he jumped as her hand suddenly brushed tenderly over his cheek.

"Grissom, can you hear me?"

Her soothing touch snapped him back into reality. "Huh?"

"I said, I need some fabric, something I can use to strap your head. Do you have anything?"

"In the dresser, over in the corner." He pointed weakly across the room.

Standing quickly, Sara walked across the room. "Take off your shirt," she called, rummaging through the dresser.

Grissom frowned and looked down to his shirt. He was still staring at it when Sara returned carrying a bed sheet.

"I noticed you were holding your stomach," she began as she tore the sheet into strips. "So, I conclude you are hurt there, so I need to take a look. Take off your shirt, or do you need some assistance?"

Shaking his head, Grissom slowly began to unbutton his shirt. He felt odd undressing in front of Sara, even if it was for the right reasons but he didn't feel uncomfortable about it. Eventually, he pooped the last button and the shirt hung loosely from his body.

Sara looked up and the first thing she saw was his chest. Her eyes hung there for a moment before traveling south, that is when her jaw dropped open.

"Oh my…" She whispered.

Looking down, Grissom was also shocked as he scanned over his injured flesh. Four large bruises were forming on his torso.

"May I touch you?" Sara asked a little nervously, looking him in the eye as he raised his head at her question.

He simply nodded; watching as Sara slowly held out two fingers and tenderly pressed onto the damaged skin.

Closing his eyes again, Grissom wasn't sure whether he sighed or winced as Sara's gentle touch sent a shiver down his spine.

She continued to watch his face for any signs of distress as she carefully examined each and every sore spot.

"Well, I don't think you have any broken ribs, just some nasty bruising. I am certain however, with that gash on your head; you more than likely have a concussion."

Grissom's eyes flicked open to meet hers again. "How do you know all this?"

Sara smiled. "I'll explain later; first, I need to take care of this head wound. Why don't you lay back? I need to go and fetch some water."

He didn't even respond before Sara stood and hastily walked outside. Shuffling back with a slight moan Grissom did as requested and relaxed on the bed. Well, tried to. The problem was as soon as his head hit the pillow his eyes closed.

CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI

Sara dashed to the water pump.

Quickly, she picked up a bucket which lay by the appliance and pumped with haste, half filling the pail as fast as she could. Once she had a sufficient amount of water she ran back inside.

She noticed Grissom was now lying on his back and approached the bed, placing the bucket on the bedside dresser.

The sight before her made her heart flutter in more than one way. "Grissom…." She whispered.

No response came.

She rushed to each side of the bed, lighting two candles so she could see better then she carefully sat on the edge of the bed. "Grissom…" She tried again. Still, no response, he was very much out of it and oblivious to the world.

Even in the short time she had known him she could not imagine him ever looking this fragile, even in his unconscious state the masculinity he exuded made her pulse hitch.

Slowly, her hand reached out towards his face and the urge to just touch him was overwhelming. It was only as her fingers approached his skin when another trickle of blood floated down his cheek and snapped her from her thoughts. She had to halt the bleeding.

Swiftly, she checked his pulse, to ensure he was just sleeping. Satisfied he was alright she rummaged through the bedside dresser and found a clean handkerchief. Hers was now drenched in blood.

Grabbing a strip of the torn bed sheet, she shimmied close to Grissom's sleeping form and sat beside him. Softly lifting his head, she managed to maneuver him a little and placed his head on her lap. Carefully, she placed the handkerchief over the cut and held it firmly. Taking the strip of sheet she pushed him up and wrapped it around his head, forming a tight bow at the back so the strip held the handkerchief over the gash.

Sara just hoped the bleeding would stop now the wound was dressed.

Her fingers brushed lightly over the dressing before they moved to the growing bump over his eye and her tips softly passed over the darkening flesh. Taking another piece of the sheet she scrunched it up and dipped it into the water bucket beside her.

With careful tenderness, she passed the now cool, wet, cloth over his face, wiping away the blood and cleaning his skin. When she finished, she delicately slipped from under him and carefully placed his head back onto the pillow.

She needed to get his shirt off but it was going to be tricky. She also had the feeling he would not be impressed at the fact it was ruined due to the blood stains.

Eventually, she managed to remove the garment from his body with a little careful pulling and body rolling but her concern grew as during the removal of his clothing he didn't stir once.

Before continuing, she placed a soft palm on his forehead to check his temperature. He was hot and most certainly had a fever.

She sat back on the bed and took one more piece of material. Wetting it she placed it over his forehead, hoping it would help to cool him down.

Sighing softly, Sara watched him for a moment. His chest rose and fell in small spurts but she was thankful his breathing was almost normal. His abdomen looked sore though and she knew it would be a good idea to place some support around the area. She wouldn't be able to do that until he woke as she needed him to sit up to be able to place some strapping around his ribs and stomach.

For now, she had done all she could. She shifted to the bottom of the bed and stood. Softly lifting each foot in turn, she removed his boots and placed them on the floor. He was about as comfortable as he was going to get for now and she couldn't help but watch him some more.

She thought for a very long time before making her decision to lie down next to him. She just didn't want to leave him alone in his current state. Once her head hit the pillow and she stared at his closed lids, she just knew she could just stay like this forever.

CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI

Grissom's eyes slowly fluttered open, widening upon meeting Sara's face, mere inches from his. Her breath was light and fresh upon his fragile flesh and he inhaled softly, feeling a pang of arousal in his lower body. His eyes closed as he took in her glorious aroma.

When his eyes opened he was no longer staring at closed lids. A pair of delicious chocolate brown eyes looked back at him. It was as if she knew he had woken.

Sara smiled softly at the bemused look on his face. "Hello."

He smiled weakly, swallowing hard.

"How do you feel?" She asked.

"Erm, a little confused," he admitted. "What are you doing in my bed?"

Chuckling, Sara turned her body, propping her left hand against her head to just look at him. She reached up with her free hand and ran her finger over the now visible bruise covering his eye.

He flinched.

"Do you remember now?" She asked.

Rolling his eyes, Grissom thought hard. "Ah…"

He remembered as he carefully prodded the bandage on his head.

"You cared for me?"

Sara simply nodded.

"Thank you, Sara," he cleared his throat, "but…I don't…mean to sound ungrateful… why are you still here?" He hesitated with his question, not wanting to offend her.

"I have my reasons," she smiled. "I just…" She now cleared her throat. "…didn't want to leave you alone. You had a concussion and could have easily woken and caused yourself further injury. I needed to know you were safe."

Grissom was sure he blushed but as Sara reached over again and checked the bandage on his head, he felt any embarrassment fade away.

"I'm going to change this, alright?"

Grissom nodded and watched as she swung herself from the bed.

"Do you know what time it is?" He asked.

Sara took another handkerchief from the dresser and shook her head. It was still dark but the candles were three quarters burned out. "I'm not sure, maybe around five."

Her eyes drifted to him as he sighed.

"You are not working," she said firmly. "I know what you're thinking."

"Sara…."

"Do not argue with me, Grissom." She walked around to his side and sat by him on the small amount of bed that he did not cover. "Can you sit up?"

He frowned but nodded, holding back the argument he knew he should be having with her right now.

"You are in no fit state to work," she continued, reaching for the bandage on his head and untying it. "So, if you would like to keep your mishap last night a secret then I suggest you stop being so persistent."

Grissom's eyes narrowed as she removed the dressing. Was she threatening to tell if he didn't back down?

"Don't look at me like that, Grissom," Sara sighed, pulling the dressing away. "It's for your own good. I am only thinking about your well being, alright?"

He gave in and nodded as she eyed his head wound; wincing as she lightly pressed her finger onto the damaged flesh.

"Well, it's stopped bleeding," she informed him, "but I suggest you keep it covered for at least twenty four hours. I can cover it for now but I'm sure we have proper bandages at the house, so I can get some later."

Grissom nodded again and kept quiet as Sara placed a fresh self made dressing over his cut.

"Thank you," he said softly when she had finished her task, "for caring for me. You didn't have to do what you are."

She smiled. "How do you feel?"

Faking a small laugh, Grissom shrugged his shoulders lightly. "Sore, headache, the usual that comes with being…" Suddenly he stopped, remembering he hadn't told Sara what had happened.

She sat next to him and took his hand, lightly squeezing it with her own.

Again, and even in his current condition, her touch sent a wave of electricity through his body.

"Someone really worked you over, didn't they?" She asked. "What happened?"

He smiled weakly but didn't answer, averting his gaze for a moment, looking down.

"You know you can trust me, don't you?" Sara frowned now.

"Yes," he replied sincerely. Raising his head he looked her in the eye. "I know I can trust you."

"Then talk to me, tell me what happened. What you say to me will not leave this room."

He thought for a long time while she gazed at him. "I was attacked," he admitted in a soft, shaky tone.

"By whom?" She said quickly.

"I don't know." He shook his head. "Four men jumped me outside the saloon."

"Four!" Sara was more than a little shocked as she watched Grissom simply nod at her astonishment. "Why……why would they attack you?"

Running his tongue over his split lip and feeling it burn, Grissom shook his head. "I don't know. They…." He hesitated again, dropping his head to avert her gaze. Did he really want to get Sara involved in this?

Sara's brow puckered a frown and she leaned a little closer. "They what….?"

He remained silent.

Sighing lightly, Sara slipped a delicate finger under her teacher's chin and lifted.

Grissom swallowed hard as her gentle finger raised his head so their eyes clashed again. The look on her face was one of affection yet tinged with concern, concern for him. He couldn't remember the last time someone looked at him in that way.

"Tell me….." Her voice was quiet and almost pleading now.

"They told me to get out of town," he conceded, "or else…"

Her frown deepened as she removed her finger. "Or else what?"

Working his jaw he wasn't quite sure how to say the next part.

"They threatened to kill you, didn't they?" Her voice shook as her eyes clouded with the faintest of tears.

Grissom nodded slowly, shifting to swing his legs over the side of the bed. He winced at the tight pain in his stomach and brought his hand to rest over the bruising.

He knew Sara was stunned at his confession but he was still trying to comprehend what was happening himself.

Suddenly the weight on the bed lightened and Sara moved to the floor. Kneeling in front of him she took his hand again. "And you have no idea who these men were or why they threatened you?"

Grissom shook his head.

"You must tell Father," she urged.

"No!" he said firmly.

"Grissom…"

"I said no." He pulled his hand away and pushed himself up, groaning as pain surged through his lower body.

Leaning against the wall, he inhaled heavily, scrunching his eyes closed, trying to dismiss the throbbing from his wounds.

Sara stood quickly and attempted to steady him, slipping an arm around him. "Jesus, Grissom, you shouldn't be standing."

"I'm fine," he winced through gritted teeth.

"No, you are not fine," she countered. "You are just too damn stubborn, get back into bed."

The rancher furrowed his brow as she glared at him.

"Please." She nodded to the bed. "Get back into bed; you will cause yourself more pain by standing like this."

Conceding on a sigh, Grissom stumbled back to the bed and sat down. He didn't expect Sara to reach out and touch his forehead and when she did, he jumped at the unanticipated contact.

"You have a temperature again and have exerted yourself," she informed him. "Lie back down; we will continue this conversation later."

"There is nothing to continue," he replied quickly.

Firmly folding her arms, Sara stepped forwards, right up to him, towering over him like no woman ever had. "Lie…down," she commanded firmly.

Giving in, Grissom grumbled under his breath before lying down on the bed.

Sara took the now dry strip of sheet which she had used earlier and moved around the bed. She dipped the material into the bucket. After lightly ringing out some of the water she laid it softly over his forehead.

He wasn't sure how to respond to such care and just watched her as she inspected his wounds again.

"Don't move," she instructed. Walking to the shelf on the far wall she grabbed Grissom's drinking cup and headed for the door. "I will return in a moment."

With another frown forming on his features, Grissom sighed heartily as he watched her disappear.

Rushing back to the water pump Sara filled the cup but suddenly, upon hearing a heavy breath behind her, she jumped with a screech, spinning around with wide eyes. Holding her hand to her heart she exhaled a heavy huff and Dante stood before her, panting heavily.

"Good lord, Dante. You scared me," she whined.

Shaking his head the horse stomped his back foot.

"Boy I'm so sorry, I forgot you were out here." She reached up and softly patted him. "I would wager you are thirsty, aren't you?"

Dante stomped his foot again.

Taking another bucket from the ground Sara filled it quickly and placed it front of the thirsty animal. "There, you drink and I'll be back shortly."

With haste, Dante lapped at the water as Sara ran back inside.

Grissom was sat up on his fore arms when she entered the cabin.

"Are you alright?" He asked quickly having heard her light scream a minute or so before.

Sara smiled. "I'm fine, Dante made me jump."

"Oh, I forgot about him."

"Me too," Sara admitted, sitting back on the bed.

Holding out the cup she beckoned Grissom to take it. "Here, drink, you will be dehydrated no doubt. You need to keep up your liquid intake."

He didn't argue and took the cup. The water was actually very welcoming. So much so he finished the whole cup in no time.

"Would you like some more?" She asked with a smile.

"No, thank you, that was plenty." He placed the cup on the dresser.

"Alright, now, you need to sleep. I am going to the house to pick up a few things and will be back in a little while." She double checked the bandage on his head and was satisfied with her work. "I will strap your stomach to give you a little support when I get back, alright?"

"You don't need to do that, Sara. I am sure I will be fine without…."

"Don't argue, Grissom. Please, just work with me on this."

"Fine," he sighed.

"Promise me you will not get out of bed until I return."

He frowned, lightly folding his arms, looking dead ahead. "Promise me," she probed.

"Alright but…" he looked to her, "…promise me this goes no further than the two of us, what has happened..."

Puckering her lips a little, Sara smiled. "For now, yes, but we will continue our discussion later. Are we in agreement?"

Irritated, but willing to compromise Grissom nodded his concurrence.

"Good, then I will see you in an hour or two. Make sure you try and sleep."

"I will."

Sara took one last look at him before she turned and left the cabin. She saw Dante, standing by the now empty bucket.

"Come on boy," Sara said, taking his reins. "Let's get you to the stable."

Allowing Sara to lead him, Dante happily trotted behind as they headed down the path.

Neither saw the hidden figure concealed in the shadows, watching as they departed.

A/N: So how was that? Are they getting close enough for you? Will it last? And ooooh, who is watching? Let me know your thoughts :)