A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting guys, real life has been a bit of a tinker again ;-) Hope it's worth the wait. And, sweetsoutherncomfort, I'm keeping my evil hat on, so there! :-p Thanks for your support hun.

Thanks to mingsmommy for the beta, I know you are busy so thanks for sticking by me :)

Chapter 45

Drawing a heavy breath through his scarf, Grissom coughed out the heavy smoke as he lugged his sixth bucket of water from the well to the stable. He threw the liquid into the flames with a determined grunt but it made absolutely no difference to the blazing inferno before him and the water evaporated after just a tiny sizzle.

"Gil!"

Turning on his heels, the rancher saw the captain and Sara dashing towards him. Grissom ran towards them, his eyes holding nothing but defeat and despair. "It's gone too far," he gasped. "We can't stop it."

The captain shook his head. "We can try, Gil, damn it!"

Sucking in several much-needed breaths, Grissom's eyes shot to Sara's and he caught the distraught look in her eyes as she took her father's arm and held on tightly. He nodded; although he knew their attempts to distinguish the fire would more than likely be futile.

The captain offered a shaky nod and the trio ran towards the well and Grissom began filling the three buckets that were available. He coughed again, his eyes now beginning to water and he rubbed at them the back of his free hand.

As Sara went to grab the first filled bucket the captain grabbed it from her. "No, Sara. You stay away from the flames," he warned. "This smoke is deadly."

She looked to Grissom and their eyes met. He knew his boss's words were true and she should keep a safe distance from the inferno. "He's right, Sara," he offered softly. "Here…" He stepped away from the pump. "…You can pump till the others get here."

She appeared upset but nodded all the same and began pumping, filling the two empty buckets as her father ran towards the fire with his load. By the time he returned Grissom was on his way with the other two buckets filled with water. The heat was intense and almost unbearable as he got as close as possible before throwing the liquid into the fire. Again, it didn't help but he ran back to the well with haste to collect more.

As they refilled they heard people approaching and all looked over to see the entire population of the estate heading their way carrying a multitude of utensils. Nicolas, Gregory, Michael, Robert, Conrad, Laura, Rana, plus another dozen live-in workers.

Grissom immediately stepped forward and started barking orders after telling Sara to keep filling the buckets. "Alright." He began tightening the scarf around his face. "You six…" He quickly pointed to six workers in turn. "…Michael and Conrad, use the well around the other side of the stable and start dousing the flames there. Cover your faces," he warned, "or you will end up chocking to death and…be careful." He took a breath. "Do whatever you can," he finished, his voice softening.

The men quickly nodded and Conrad took charge of his group, telling them to follow him as he ran towards the burning building.

"Nicolas, Gregory and the rest of you are with me…" He stopped suddenly, his eyes scanning the group. "Where's Warrick?" he asked.

"I don't know," Nicolas responded stepping forward. "I couldn't find him, he wasn't in his quarters."

Grissom frowned but he didn't have time to think about it now. "All of you put your buckets by the well and start getting water on the fire." He nodded towards the well and Sara as she filled the buckets.

He looked to the two women of the group and then his eyes touched his lover. "Laura, Rana, you can help Sara but you three ladies, all of you, including you, Sara, please, stay away from flames."

No one argued and did as requested. The three women took turns at filling the buckets and passed them to the line of men as they waited for their load. Grissom and the captain could do nothing but wait their turn for water, just like everyone else and watch as the fire raged on. Sadly, their attempt at extinguishing the flames wasn't having much effect. The water just couldn't come fast enough.

After several rounds of water Grissom looked to his boss as they again waited for refills. "This isn't working," he coughed, wiping a band of sweat from his forehead and smudging black soot across his skin.

The captain's face crumbled as he gnawed on his bottom lip, looking back to his stable as it continued to burn. "Maybe try around the back?" he suggested on an almost whimper. It was obvious he just did not want to give up hope.

Although Grissom knew the fire had engulfed the entire building now he nodded, grabbed two buckets and waited for two more to be filled. "Nicolas take those and come with me," he commanded and the younger man did as instructed.

They ran around the back of the stable but Grissom suddenly came to a grinding halt, his pupils dilating when he saw across the way. The workshop was on fire too. Nicolas stopped and followed his stare.

"Oh no…"

The rancher sprinted towards the work shop, water from his buckets sloshing out onto the ground. Nicolas was quick to follow and they both skidded to a stop just before the second burning building.

With mouth agape, Grissom glared into the flames feeling his gut clench. So much work and now look at it. He dropped his buckets, his shoulders slumping heavily as he looked back to the stable. Both fires were out of control and he knew…he knew they could not put them out. They were powerless against such ferocity. He looked to Nicolas who seemed to be waiting for some form of guidance. Shaking his head he walked away, squinting through smoke as his blood shot eyes watered, sending a single tear floating down his right cheek.

It was over.

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6:00 am

As the sun came up, everyone stood and caught their first glimpse of the full devastation of the fire as it continued to smolder on. Both the stable and the workshop were completely destroyed. Two heaps of burning rubble were all that remained. They had given up trying to fight the fire shortly after Grissom had found the work shop inferno, conceding to that they were simply helpless against the flames. It was a hard decision to make, especially for the captain, but people couldn't risk their lives for a worthless cause.

"Who would do this? Why? The poor, defenseless horses, why, Gil?" The captain looked to Grissom as he stood by his side and the younger man shook his head.

"I don't know," Grissom sighed feeling his gut tightening at the thought of the destruction and murder of the beautiful animals. Clenching his fists together he fought for composure. "But I wish I did."

He looked to Sara, who was standing by her mother. Her arms wrapped tightly around herself as she glared into the mass of rubble. The incident had no doubt left her shaken and the loss of Melissa was more than devastating. He wished he could just hold her, let her feel the comfort of his presence and suddenly it all became too much for him. He wanted to hit something. Find whoever was responsible for this atrocity and…and…give them exactly what they deserved. He had never been a violent man, but at that very moment he was prepared to change his feelings on the matter.

As he was about to excuse himself for a little time alone to gather some composure, Conrad stepped up and looked to Grissom, then the captain. "I think I should maybe have a check around," he suggested a little uncertainly. "Just to make sure the rest of the estate is in order."

Sighing softly, the captain nodded his agreement. "Good idea."

Turning around Conrad approached Sara and pointed across to where Dante and Pandora were pottering about some distance away. "Miss Sara, do you mind if I borrow Pandora?" he asked softly. "I highly doubt Dante will be very accommodating and…" He swallowed heavily. "…There are no other horses left."

Holding her hand over her mouth, Sara fought back a sob and Laura was quick to slip a comforting arm around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Sara held on tightly as she dug her head deep into her mother's shoulder.

"Take her, Conrad," Laura spoke for her daughter. "Just don't be long."

"Yes, ma'am," he replied and quickly walked away to retrieve Pandora.

Grissom bit down heavily on his bottom lip and nipped at the dry flesh as he witnessed Sara's despair. He should be the one offering comfort. Unable to bare her sorrow, he decided he needed a few moments alone.

"Captain…" He began, clearing his throat, "…I'm just…going to…" He sighed as his friends distraught eyes clashed with his, "…Take a minute. I just need a…"

"Its fine, Gil," the captain reassured him. He nodded towards the direction of the house. "Go. Take a few minutes."

Gil nodded and with shoulders heavily slumping, he slowly walked away.

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Grissom sat on the front steps of the house, head hung in defeat, his eyes fixed to the ground between his knees, his dirty fingers entwined tightly. Until he felt her presence and his head slowly rose.

Standing quickly, he approached her and fought his burning urge to pull her into his arms but as he caught a glimpse of the captain and Laura approaching over her shoulder, pulling Dante alongside them, he knew he simply could not. She looked lost and exhausted and it pained him to see her so sad.

"Are you alright?" he asked tenderly, keeping his voice as quiet as possible knowing his boss was drawing nearer.

It seemed Sara struggled for an answer as her mouth opened but no words came out.

Working his jaw from left to right Grissom sighed softly. "I'm so sorry about Melissa," he whispered. "I should have tried harder; maybe I could have got some of the horses out."

"No," she responded firmly. "You did all you could and if you hadn't have stopped me from going into the stable…I would…" She hesitated "…Probably be as dead as the horses." She faked a laugh. "Well, at least we won't have to worry about the breeding program."

He studied her face as she spoke her words with frustration and pure bitterness. "Sara…"

Sniffing hard, she turned away as he took a step closer but he stopped as her mother and father reached them.

Holding out Dante's reins, the captain patted the horse on the back and offered him to his master. "I didn't think it was such a good idea to leave him alone back there."

Taking the reins, Grissom nodded his agreement. "Thank you," he responded, stroking his horse on the nose.

"It's a miracle that Dante and Pandora were not in the stable," the ranch owner began as he attempted to brush some of the charcoal stains from his shirt. A pointless endeavor, really. "It's a good job you spotted the fire but…" He looked to Laura, his daughter and then back to Grissom. "Where were the two of you up in the middle of the night anyway?"

Slowly, Sara turned back around to face her lover and the two of them just seemed a little lost for words as their eyes clashed.

"Well, um…" Grissom tried to think.

"Captain!" The shout of Conrad's voice broke the conversation, for which Grissom was thankful and the group turned to see Conrad galloping their way. He pulled Pandora to a quick stop and leapt off, rushing towards his employer. "You have to see this," he gasped, sucking in heavy breaths.

The captain and Grissom shared an uncertain glance before both men returned their full attention to Conrad. "What is it?" the rancher owner asked.

"Just…" Conrad swallowed hard, "…come, please. Grissom you need to come too."

Captain Sidle and Grissom looked at each other again. Grissom knew something was very wrong and offered a nod before hauling himself aboard Dante. "Do you want to ride with me, Captain?" he asked as Dante shuffled on his feet.

After looking Dante over the ranch owner pointed to Pandora. "Thank you, Gil, but I'll ride with Conrad."

"As you wish," Grissom responded.

Sara and Laura looked on curiously as the captain and Conrad boarded Pandora.

"We will return shortly." Captain Sidle nodded to his wife before urging Conrad to get moving. He complied quickly and Grissom followed with an uncertain feeling brewing in the pit of his stomach as to exactly what awaited them at their destination.

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The group rode to the cattle field and dismounted. The second the captain's feet touched the ground he ran to the open gate, he could already see through the fence that the field was empty. He looked around the field in bewilderment as Grissom stepped up behind him equally perplexed. The two men looked at each other and then to Conrad.

"Where the hell are all my cows?" the captain bellowed.

"I don't know," Conrad replied immediately. "The field was empty when I got here."

Shaking his head the ranch owner kicked the gate in anger and Grissom took a step back unsure of who was next to feel the brunt of his boss's fury.

"How on earth can they just be gone?" he demanded.

Neither Grissom nor Conrad could answer that question but Grissom suddenly scanned the immediate area, his eyes falling to the dirt beneath his feet. He bent down to get a closer look and noticed multitudes of animal prints leading from the field. Sighing, he straightened himself out and leaned forwards over the fence.

"I know exactly what has happened," he said in an almost whisper.

The two men looked to him as he continued.

"We were all so occupied with the fire."

The captain took a step closer to his second. "I don't understand, what you mean?"

"Don't you see, Captain?" Grissom pushed himself up and kicked the ground. "We were too busy with the fire. Someone simply came along and took the cattle, more than likely whoever started the fire." He sighed heavily as the anger began to build within him again. "They had all night and knew they would not be disturbed. They simply walked the stock out, so easily…so well planned. All of it."

Now the captain snapped and leapt forward, grabbing Grissom's shirt. "Who, Gil?" he shouted. "Tell me who did this!"

Taken aback in shock as the captain shook him Grissom's hands quickly covered his friends and held on strongly. "Captain, stop!" he cried. "I don't know, please…"

Quickly, the older man released his grip and stepped back. "I'm sorry, Gil…" he said swiftly, running a shaky hand over his chin. "I didn't mean…"

Taking a heavy swallow, Grissom stepped up to his friend. "It's alright," he reassured him. "I know this a lot to take in."

Sniggering bitterly, the older man turned away. "A lot to take in…?" Spinning back around, he looked to his two workers in turn. "If we don't find out who did this, I'm ruined, we're ruined, everything is…it's all gone."

Both men bowed their heads and Grissom turned back to the field. Slipping his hands into his pockets, he flicked a stone with his boot and walked into the empty field. So much devastation in such a small amount of time but the captain's words were true. This could well and truly be the downfall of Providence Grove.

As he looked up to the sky he could still see heavy patches of smoke drifting into the air from the fire, but as he returned his line of sight to the large patch of empty land before him, his eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of something a little way off in the distance.

Stepping forward, he tried to focus; narrowing his eyes in an attempt to see what it was that was on the ground by the fence.

"What are you looking at?" the captain asked, seemingly noticing Grissom's stare.

Pointing off into the distance, Grissom took another step forward. "There's something over there," he informed his boss, offering him a quick glance, then he began walking towards it.

Conrad and the captain followed as Grissom went to inspect his suspicions but as Grissom grew closer his heart rate increased as the object became more and more visible. His pace suddenly increased and then he was running, he knew exactly what he was running towards.

It was a body.

A/N: Dun…dun…dun…Told you the evil hat is on didn't I? And it is here to stay. Be prepared, things will only get…hmmm *checks notes* eeeeep – worse. Sorry. Please leave me a review, let me know your thoughts. Thanks :)