A/N: Hey everyone. I am very sorry for the delay in posting. With one thing and another it's just not been easy to get this chapter ready any sooner. Thanks to mingsmommy as always. Special thanks to SSC who I could blame a little as she did steal my hat! Hun I would like to thank you for your help, support and friendship. I know you have a lot to contend with yourself so your continuing presence makes me all the more grateful. And gimmie back my hat!

Hope this was worth the wait and that you enjoy. Please leave a review and let me know your thoughts. Have a nice day :)

Chapter 49

Brass and Grissom rounded the corner of the house and approached the veranda steps.

Captain Sidle could be heard, arguing with Laura. It was obvious he was the one doing most of the talking, or was it shouting? So, whether one could call it arguing or not was a different matter and as the two men climbed the veranda steps, the captain suddenly turned his back and stormed into the house.

Grissom bit down on his tongue as he watched Sara approach her mother and pull her into a loving hug.

The two men gave the ladies a minute before approaching them.

"Is there anything I can do?" Grissom asked as Laura slipped from her daughters embrace and wiped a tear from her eye.

The lady of the house smiled. "No, Gil, but thank you. This is between me and my husband."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded.

"Alright," he replied, flicking his eyes to Sara who bowed her head.

"Um, Laura…" Brass began, "…do you mind if I chat with you? I can wait if you like, but I still need to speak with you and the captain at some point today."

"No, it's fine, Sheriff," Laura replied as she stepped towards the house. "Come on, let's just get it over with. Sara, are you coming?" She said no more and disappeared through the door.

Sara looked at Grissom, who offered her a quick nod. "Go and support your family, Sara," he encouraged.

"Are you going to be alright?" she asked as Brass approached her, looking eager to head inside.

Running his tongue over his bottom lip, the rancher nodded. "I'll be fine."

A weak smile passed over Sara's lips as Brass urged her inside. But soon she stopped, looking back to the man she loved. "Can we talk later?" she asked.

He nodded again. "I'll be…um…organizing Warrick's burial somewhere past the cabin, if anyone wants me." With that said, he turned away and hurried down the steps.

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Grissom's mind wandered as he walked past the front of the house. What were the captain and Laura arguing about? Was it because of McKeen? Was McKeen here last night? Was he involved? Was Jared?

One thing he did know was that no proper funeral could be organized for Warrick, given the estates current financial crisis. Plus, as he was a simple worker, none would be expected. But the young man needed laying to rest and respects should be paid.

As he walked, the sound of someone calling his name caught his ears and he stopped. He turned to see Nicolas and Gregory rushing down the main entrances steps and towards him.

"Yes, boys?" he inquired as they stopped before him.

"Grissom, can you tell us what is going on?" Nicolas asked. "We haven't been told anything since we spoke to the sheriff earlier and Uncle is...well, a mess."

Exhaling heavily, Grissom rubbed his hand over his beard. "Best you stay out of it."

"Oh come on, Grissom," Gregory moaned. "This is our family, we want to help."

Grissom thought for a moment, looking the two young men over with curious eyes. They were good boys really, but the less they knew about what was going on… the better. It was simply for their own good that they know as little as possible. "Well, I can think of one thing you can help me with right now."

"Anything," they said simultaneously.

He pointed towards the barn and cleared his throat. "I have to…dig a grave for Warrick."

"Oohhh…" Nicolas and Gregory looked at each other. "Sure, we can help, I guess," Gregory stuttered.

"Yeah," Nicolas added. "We hadn't known him long but he was a good man, and he had become our friend. We can help you."

"Thank you."

The boys nodded and followed him towards the barn.

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After collecting several shovels from the barn, Grissom led his two helpers past his cabin and towards a patch of land that usually went undisturbed.

It was so peaceful. The birds were singing and the slow flowing of water running downstream from the river could be heard through the warm afternoon air.

"Here will be fine," Grissom said, pointing a few feet ahead of him.

The two boys nodded as their teacher stepped forward, thrust his spade into the ground with a determined grunt and started digging. They watched as Grissom continued to dig, masterfully jabbing his tool into the dirt and piling it in front of him. After a minute or so, he turned around, wiped his brow on his sleeve and frowned.

"Are you waiting for an invitation?" he asked with a hint of sarcasm.

"Oh…" Nicolas said, looking to his brother, "…sorry…sure." He tugged on Gregory's arm and the boys were quickly by Grissom's side.

"We better get a move on," Grissom said as the three men began digging together. "The heat will not be kind to Warrick, so time is against us."

Nicolas and Gregory exchanged an uncertain glance. "What do you mean?" Gregory asked. "He's dead, how much more unkind can you get?"

Impaling his spade into the earth, Grissom placed his hands on his hips and stretched his neck, kinking it from left to right in an attempt to relieve some of the tension. "The more the heat gets to him the more he will…" He looked to Gregory, "…how do I put this?" Grissom wished to remain as respectful as he could. "Decay, I suppose. It will not take long to create an odor and I don't think any of us wants that to happen considering we still have to move him."

Screwing up his nose, Gregory returned his attention to the task at hand but with a little more urgency this time. The thought of moving a rancid body obviously didn't sit well with him.

Grissom followed suit and continued to dig, blowing out a hot puff of air as he did so.

"Are we ever going to find out who did this?" Nicolas asked.

The sour, incensed tone of the words made Grissom lift his head and he carefully studied the young man. Nicolas's brow seemed knitted in deep thought and he plunged his shovel into the dirt with an angry, and irritated force.

He looked up, into his mentor's eyes. "I don't like my family being threatened, Grissom, and I don't like just sitting back, watching all this happen. I feel like…" His shoulders slumped, "…like I have to do something."

"I know," Grissom responded and he did. He knew exactly how Nicolas felt but there wasn't anything that Nicolas could do or he would end up putting himself in the line of fire. Grissom knew now that whoever was behind the Grove's destruction was no longer playing around. It was serious, deadly serious now, and he couldn't risk putting anyone else in danger; regardless of how much they wanted to help. "But you just need to keep your head down for now. Let your uncle and the sheriff do what they need to do. I am sure if they need your assistance they'll ask for it, alright?"

The younger man nodded, although this gesture didn't seem too convincing. Nothing else was said and the three men hurried to finish their task.

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About an hour later, the 4ft by 7ft grave was about three quarters finished. Grissom was inside the hole as Nicolas and Gregory stood at the edge and watched. They were now taking it in turns as it was difficult for more than one of them to dig at a time given the space they had to work in.

Grissom stopped for a moment and leaned on his spade, he was getting tired now. Wiping his sweat laden brow on his sleeve, he inhaled sharply.

"Do you want me to take over for a while?" Nicolas asked.

Although the rancher wanted to continue, he needed a rest and nodded. Nicolas offered him an arm and he scrambled from the hole. As soon as he was clear, the younger man slipped into the grave and continued with the digging.

"How's it going?" Sara's soft voice came from behind and Grissom turned to see her as she approached.

"Will you boys be alright for a moment?" he asked his helpers, without taking his eyes from his lover.

"Sure," they both replied together.

Grissom stepped away from them and towards Sara.

She looked over his shoulder as he stopped in front of her. "It looks like you're almost finished," she commented before looking into his eyes.

"We are," he replied.

"The sheriff just left," she continued. "He explained about what had been found, the bag and the spur. Now, I think he is going to the colonel's to talk with him. He said he would be back later."

"Let's…take a walk." He looked back to the boys. "I'd rather they didn't hear any of this. Nicolas, especially, is too eager to get involved."

"Fine," Sara agreed.

"I could use a change of clothes and a wash, so, shall we go to the cabin?" Although Grissom didn't say it out loud, it was also a place they may be able to grab a few moments of privacy. When the tiniest of smiles formed on Sara's lips, he knew she was thinking the same.

She nodded her agreement, and after Grissom shouted to the boys to tell them he would return shortly, the couple walked away.

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They strolled together in silence until they reached the cabin. Grissom urged Sara inside first and his eyes quickly scanned around the immediate area just to ensure no one was watching. Satisfied there was nobody around, he entered the cabin, closing the door behind him.

Sara turned to face him and for a long moment they just looked at each other. Eventually, she stepped up to him, placed a hand on his right cheek and held it there.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her thumb rubbing over the growth of his beard.

He offered a single nod and looked deep into her eyes, carefully studying the emotion brewing there as her hand slipped from his face.

Reaching for her, he slid his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. Her arms went up, wrapping around his neck and they both sighed together at the contact of body against body.

"Are you alright?" he countered, his nostrils flaring and catching the scent of the lavender oil she loved so much.

Her chin trembled a little but she offered him the same response he had given her, a single nod.

Again, he searched her eyes. "Did you find out why your father was arguing with the colonel?" he asked, his finger tips brushing upwards against the material of her dress.

Slipping an arm free, she curled a stray strand of hair behind her ear before nodding again.

"He tried to get him to sell again didn't he?" Grissom cut in before she had the opportunity to tell him.

"Yes," she breathed, reaching to fiddle with the second button on his shirt.

"I thought so."

"And…" Sara blew out a hot breath. "…He refused, again, but he won't talk about it."

Grissom's shoulders slumped as Sara pulled out of his embrace and sat on the bed. "Well, maybe I can try and talk to him later, once he has calmed down a little."

She offered half a smile. "Nice thought, but you know how stubborn he can be."

He stepped up to the bed and reached for her hand, pulling her back up and into his arms again. Tipping his head forward he brushed his nose over hers. "I can try, can't I?" he whispered, shivering as her soft breath tickled his skin.

After running her tongue teasingly over her bottom lip she grinned. "I had the feeling you would want to," she responded.

"I want to."

Sara's smile blossomed; she tilted her head and ran her lips slowly over his.

His whole body tingled as her hand slid up his back to his neck to toy with his soft brown locks. There was one certain thing that he did know. Sara Sidle drove him crazy. "I…" He cleared his throat. "…Need to think about getting back and…you shouldn't stay here too long, we could get caught."

"Too bad," she sighed, kissing him again before placing her head on his shoulder.

He tightened his arms around her, just for a moment and kissed her hair. "Things will get better, I promise." He tried to reassure her, even if he didn't entirely believe his own words.

"Well, it can't get much worse." She pulled away and walked to the window. "You should change, I know you want to get…Warrick sorted," she said, glancing out over the estate. She turned to face him. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Walking to his dresser Grissom took out clean pants and a shirt, "Actually, yes." He returned to her, dropping his clothing on top of the sheets.

Sara's brow rose. "What?" she asked.

"You can start getting people together. Whoever wishes to come and pay their respects. The burial should start shortly."

"I can do that."

"Thank you," he replied sincerely. He was so glad she was there, in his life. They couldn't have much contact, but just the thought that Sara was there for him as he was for her, offered him a little contentment.

She smiled, leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. "You're welcome."

He smiled back. "Could you also get someone to meet me at the barn with Dante? I will need his assistance again."

"Sure. I'll have Pandora come too. I don't think she'll be happy about being left alone again."

"Good idea," he agreed. "I will let you know when we're ready, alright?"

"Alright, I'll go and…" She pointed to the door. "…Start gathering people."

He nodded and she gave him another quick kiss before turning and walking to the door. With caution she opened it, poking her head out to look around before venturing outside.

"I'll see you shortly," Grissom said as she looked over her shoulder at him.

After a quick nod, she was gone and the door closed behind her.

Grissom exhaled a long, hot breath as he began unbuttoning his shirt. His own words were now milling around in his head. "Things will get better…" He prayed to God that he was right…

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When Grissom arrived back at the graveside, Gregory was being helped from the hole by his brother.

"How's it going?" Grissom asked, straightening the collar on his shirt.

Placing his hands on his hips, Nicolas looked behind him. "We're finished, it's all done." He sucked in a long satisfied breath and looked proud of himself.

"Good," Grissom replied, walking forwards to inspect the burial place. Nodding his approval he stepped back. "Come with me," he said, walking away.

The two boys looked at each other but did as asked and quickly followed behind.

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The rancher led his two helpers back to the barn, and they stopped just outside the door.

Grissom leaned against the building, slipped his hands into his pockets, tipped his head back against the woodwork and closed his eyes. He felt totally exhausted but he knew even if he actually got the opportunity to sleep a little later, he probably wouldn't be able to.

"What are we doing?" Gregory asked obviously in need of some form of direction.

"Waiting," Grissom mumbled.

Looking confused Gregory shrugged his shoulders, "For what?"

Grissom's eyes flicked open when he heard the light canter of hooves and the boys turned to see who was coming their way.

"That's what we are waiting for," Grissom replied, pointing to Michael as he approached, pulling Dante and Pandora at either side of him. "We need to take Warrick to his resting place."

Gregory's eyes widened at that comment and his face suddenly turned an odd shade of white. "What…?" he stuttered, looking over his shoulder and through the barn door. "You mean…we have to…you know…like…move him?" He swallowed hard.

"That would be the general idea, yes," Grissom said as he stepped towards Michael, leaving Gregory looking awfully queasy behind him.

The younger man grabbed his brother's arm and tugged.

"What?" Nicolas asked.

Gregory shook his head. "I don't think…I can, you know?" He kinked his head towards the barn. "I've never even seen a dead body, let alone tried to move one."

"I'm sure you'll be fine," Nicolas responded, patting him on the back. Gregory didn't look or feel as hopeful as Nicolas sounded.

"Sara asked me to bring the horses," Michael said as he reached Grissom. "Do you need some help?"

Grissom reached out to take Dante's reins. "That would be good, thanks."

"Sure thing," the young worker replied and followed as Grissom entered the barn. Nicolas followed and after some hesitation so did Gregory.

They approached the wagon and stopped by it. It went deathly quiet for a moment as they looked over the body. But then Gregory stepped back and turned around, his whole body tensing. "I can't do this Grissom," he whispered.

Releasing Dante, Grissom stepped up to Gregory. Taking his arm he gently urged him back towards the door. He genuinely felt for the young man, and he wasn't about to force such a painful task upon him if he couldn't deal with it.

"You don't have to, Gregory," he said as he ushered him back outside.

Bowing his head, Gregory sighed, disheartened. "I'm sorry, I really wanted to help but I can't...it makes me feel…I think I'm going to throw up…"

"Its fine," Grissom cut in. "It's not easy to deal with death. And you have helped, you really have. Don't beat yourself up."

The younger man raised his head and his eyes met Grissom's.

"There is one more thing you could do for me, if you wanted to," Grissom continued in an attempt to make Gregory feel a little better.

"There is?"

Nodding slowly, the rancher pointed in the direction of the house. "I asked Sara to gather everyone. You could help her and then bring everyone to the gravesite in say…about an hour. We should be ready by then."

Exhaling a more content breath, the young man nodded. "I can do that."

"Good." Grissom offered his apprentice a smile and a reassuring slap on the top of his shoulder.

"Thanks, Grissom," Gregory added.

Now, Grissom frowned, "For what?"

"For understanding." A small smile passed over Gregory's lips. He turned on his heels without another word and headed in the direction of the house.

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The colonel didn't waste any time in getting back to his estate after leaving the Sidles. He knew the sheriff would be following shortly, so he needed to ensure he, and everyone else, were prepared for the questioning.

But he was enraged and really needed to calm himself. How could a piece of worker trash like Grissom dare to be so insolent? That young man was now treading the finest of lines, and one more provocation from him would be his downfall. No more warnings…

He ordered Jared to stow the horses before getting everyone to gather outside the house within fifteen minutes.

Storming into his abode, the ranch owner was still incensed. So much in fact, he wasn't watching where he was going and he crashed into one of his workers carrying a basket of laundry towards the kitchen.

The worker was knocked flying, sending dirty linen everywhere before tumbling onto his butt. The colonel stumbled but managed to keep his footing, and his nostrils flared in anger as the worker looked up at him with a fearful expression on his face.

McKeen did not look amused.

"Sir…" the younger man stuttered, holding up a defensive hand as his boss towered over him "…I am so…so sorry, please forgive my clumsiness…I didn't…" He swallowed hard, "…see you."

"Get…up…" McKeen growled, tightly clenching his fists.

Shakily, the man pushed himself to his feet. However, the second he was standing, the colonel slapped him hard across the face and he fell back to the floor again. The young man cowered beneath his master, pushing himself to his knees but he kept his eyes firmly fixed to the floor.

"Look at me," the colonel demanded.

The worker complied with haste and with his chin trembling, he raised his head.

"If you ever…" the colonel spat, pointing a stern finger, "…ever run into me again, I will beat you so hard you will be lucky if you are ever able to run into anything ever again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir," the younger man whispered immediately. "I'm sorry."

"You will be," the colonel added. "Now get up and clean up that damned mess before I really lose my temper and I don't like losing my temper. Then…get out of my sight."

"Yes, sir," the worker repeated, scrambled across the floor and began picking up the linen. Once everything was back in the basket he picked it up and rushed away towards the kitchen.

Shaking his head as the worker vanished, the colonel muttered under his breath and headed for his study. He needed a drink.

"Feeling a little agitated?"

The ranch owner heard his nephew as he passed by the stairs and looked over his shoulder to see Hank smiling at him.

"Whatever gave you that impression?" the colonel retorted.

Sniggering, Hank continued down the stairs until he was by his uncle's side. "It's not often you personally go beating up the staff, now is it?"

Smoothing his hands over his jacket, the colonel smiled. "I was in the mood."

"I'm sure." Hank smiled back. "I gather all did not go well with the captain?"

"You gather correctly."

Hank studied his uncle's face. He rarely held anything but such a blank expression. "So…?"

A sinister grin passed over the colonel's lips and he placed his hands onto his nephew's shoulders, "So, now it's your turn."

Now Hank grinned.

"Are you ready for this, my boy?" McKeen asked. "You need to be sure about this because if you are not convincing…"

"I'm ready, Uncle," Hank replied quickly. "I've wanted this for a long, long time and now…well…let's just say…she simply won't be able to turn me down, will she?"

The colonel licked his lips, his grin broadening. "Let's hope not."

A/N: Oh dear. Is the evilness about to commence? What is Hank going to do? *Bites nails* *Looks at next chapter* *Laughs hysterically* Hehehehehe.