A/N: Ok, here we go. Mwahahaah…sniff. Lol. Thanks so much to SSC for the awesome beta and great additions, you keep making this fic just that little bit more extra special! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews…see…they do make me post quicker! More please?

Hang on to your hankies…you have been warned :)

Chapter 66

Somewhere behind her, Sara heard her name being called. It seemed distant and she barely heard it but it was there. Her mind was frenzied and she swallowed hard, turning to see her mother looking down at her.

"Are you coming?" Laura asked.

"Oh…" she barely whispered, "…yes, Mother. I was just…" Trailing off, she slowly climbed the stairs.

"Sara, are you alright?" Laura looked over her daughters face and frowned.

Clearing her throat, Sara offered an uncertain nod. "Yes, Mother. Why?"

"You have gone awfully pale. Do you feel ill again?"

Sara shook her head. "No…I'm…fine…just had a…thought about something, that's all." She swallowed again, her mouth suddenly feeling terribly dry. "Nothing to worry about," she finished unconvincingly and headed up the stairs.

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Captain Sidle sat at his desk in the study and scanned over the multiple papers he had spread over the desk. As he pointed to each one he spoke aloud, his smile broadened with every single word… "Paid…paid…paid…"

There was a knock at the door and his attention was brought to Gregory as he entered. "Nicolas is just washing up, he won't be long." Gregory's eyes scanned over the desk. "What are you doing, Uncle?"

"Ah…" The captain approached his nephew and flung his arm over his shoulders which caused the younger man to look a little surprised by the gesture. "I am just ensuring that I have paid everything that I owe."

Gregory frowned. "I don't understand. Paid?"

"Indeed, my lad," the ranch owner beamed. "Come…" He tugged on Gregory's arm. "Let's have a drink and I will explain. I'm in the mood to celebrate. At least just a little."

"Um…okay." Gregory still seemed confused but followed his uncle into the living room none the less.

The captain walked to the bar and grabbed a bottle of his finest brandy from the shelf. "Would you like some?" he asked as he began pouring the superior liquor into a glass.

Approaching his uncle, Gregory laid his hands upon the bar top. "It's unusual for you to allow us to drink unless it's an occasion or with dinner, Uncle."

"Very true." The rancher smirked as he concentrated on pouring a second glass. He picked it up and held it out to his nephew, his brow rising. "But does that ever stop you?"

Gregory smirked and took the glass. "I guess not."

Sipping the brandy, the captain smiled into his glass.

"So what's going on, Uncle?" Gregory asked. "You look a little too happy and what did you mean earlier about McKeen's boys and what's with all the bills?"

"Well…" The captain stepped from behind the bar, swirling his brandy around and around. He took another sip before continuing, "…I have repaid any and all debt I have with Jeffery and we will not be requiring his help any more in regards to rebuilding the estate or in any other matter to be precise."

Gregory's mouth opened and then closed. He struggled for a response. "Um…I'm a little confused. How? I mean…what….?"

"I have come into some money, Gregory," the older man said simply to prevent his family member becoming any more confused than he already was.

"Really?"

The captain nodded. "Yes, really."

"How?"

About to respond, the captain was cut short when Nicolas entered with a rather loud yawn.

"Keeping you up?" the captain asked and Nicolas grinned.

"Sorry, Uncle, just a little tired," the younger man admitted. "So, what are you two talking about?"

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Nicolas and Gregory sat on the sofa, each with a glass of brandy in hand, listening to their uncle as he explained his new financial situation and how he had spent his afternoon.

He'd initially gone to see the sheriff to chat about his concerns and issues but then Catherine had arrived with both concerns and announcements. She seemed to believe that Colonel McKeen was involved in her father's murder and even, more than likely, Providence Grove's issues.

He had listened to her suspicions and her ire. She was amazed and angered he could take McKeen as a partner. The captain admitted he had maybe been a little blind and desperate to save his reputation and home but if McKeen was behind his estates demise then why was he being so nice? Why would he help him rebuild? What would be his motivation? There was something missing…

The sheriff added his two cents, stating he would be bringing in the McKeen boys who were seen with Daniel Pritchard the night he was killed. If there was anything to find, Brass guaranteed he would find it and especially if McKeen had a hand in all the chaos of late, then he would be brought to justice. He advised both Catherine and himself to just sit tight and keep their heads down as things may soon blow up in the days to come.

After their discussion, Catherine announced she had a little surprise for him. Little was most definitely the wrong word. He had found her choice of words quite humorous afterwards and in fact, he still did. Anyway, she informed him that her father had left him a substantial amount of money in his will.

"How much?" Gregory cut into his uncle's explanation of events with quite a perky tone.

The captain laughed and sat in his chair. "Enough," he stated, placing his glass onto the coffee table. He looked at his nephews, "Enough to rebuild the estate and enough for me to be able to pay back Jeffery and never need his assistance again. Frankly…" He leaned back in the chair, "…considering all I have heard today, I'm glad I no longer need him as a partner. Yes, there is still much I personally have to figure out and maybe Jeffery was never actually my friend but...I'm waiting on what the sheriff may discover."

Nicholas' forehead wrinkled in obvious thought. "But why would Sam Braun leave you money? I know you were good friends but….."

The Captain gave a soft smile. "Years ago, Sam found himself in a bit of a situation. I guess that I can tell the story now. As a young man, he found himself in heavy debt after being taken by a corrupt man in a false business deal. He was on the verge of losing everything and I helped him out. When he offered to repay me years later, I simply told him to not bother. Sam and I had grown up together and it was just something that friends do."

"I guess Sam never forgot your generosity," Nicholas added.

"Much to my immeasurable relief," the Captain finished.

The two young boys exchanged a quick clash of eyes then looked back to their uncle. "So what happens now?" Gregory asked.

"About what?"

"You know, the estate and, well…does this mean Grissom will be coming back? I'll admit he was good for the estate and…" He stopped in mid sentence and the captain's eyes narrowed.

"Carry on…" the rancher urged.

Shuffling in his seat, Gregory clasped his hands tightly over his knees. "What about Sara? I…well…you know, she liked Grissom too, so it would be good to have him back and…if you no longer trust the colonel, then what about Hank? Do you think Sara is actually happy with her engagement?"

Pushing himself to his feet, the captain sighed as he clasped his hands behind his back and slowly walked towards the window, peering outside into the darkness. "I really can be a blind fool sometimes, can't I?" he mumbled his question.

Neither of the boys answered, probably afraid to do so but their expressions spoke for them.

The captain snickered to himself at the lack of response but as he turned back to his family members, his facial expression became more serious. "You say…Sara liked Gil?"

"Um…well…" the younger man stuttered, "…I…" He looked around, taking his eyes from his uncle, "…they got on well…"

Moving back to stand in front of the boys, the captain folded his arms. As of yet, Gregory had yet to return his attention to him. Why did he have the suspicion his youngest nephew knew more than he was letting on? "And what do you think?" He looked to Nicholas.

Nicholas pointed his own finger into his chest. "Me?" He seemed surprised by the question.

"Yes…you."

Gregory's head slowly turned and his eyes fell upon his brother, he looked a little nervous as Nicholas began to speak.

"Well…I'm not a fan of the colonel, never have been. He thinks he is just better than everyone. As for Sara, I don't know what's going on with her but I know she isn't happy. I mean, you can just see it. Um…well, we can anyway…"

His nephews were right. The captain knew it. He'd been so obsessed with the estate, saving it and rebuilding it, he hadn't cared about anything else. Sara wasn't happy, he realized that now but if she wasn't happy with Hank then why had she accepted his proposal?

He scratched the back of his head and swallowed the dry lump which had formed in his throat. He needed another drink. Moving back to the bar he poured another glass of brandy.

"Another drink, boys?" he asked.

Both looked at each other, shrugged and then nodded.

With a grin the captain picked up the bottle and walked back to his chair. Sitting, he refilled their glasses and sat back. "I'm not entirely certain what will be happening with Sara, boys," he began. "I'm sure she will appreciate your observations and concerns but hopefully when she returns, we will be able to clear up a few things." He placed his glass to his lips and downed the contents.

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Sara lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. She and her mother had turned into bed well over an hour ago at her insistence. She wanted to avoid her mother's suspicion and questions, pretending to want to sleep seemed to be the best option.

And pretending was the perfect word, she couldn't sleep. Her whole body felt numb yet her brain was in such a tizzy, it was almost unbearable. Her hand came to rest over her stomach and she fought back a sob. What was she going to do?

Unable to stay in bed, she pushed herself up and looked to her left to the bed next to hers.

After checking her mother was asleep, the unmistakable sound of a light snore confirmed that she was, Sara slipped her legs out of bed and lit the candle on her nightstand. Quietly, on her tip toes and with candle in hand, she moved to opposite end of the room and knelt by her trunk, placing the candle on the floor. Popping the catch, she pushed the lid open and rummaged inside.

Eventually, she found what she was looking for and pulled it from the trunk. With a gentle sigh, she closed the trunk and shuffled across the wooden flooring, huddling into the corner of the room. The floor was cold and Sara shivered, but she didn't want to wake her mother and this seemed like the easiest option.

She stared at the book…Grissom's book…the only piece of him that she had left. She ran a finger over the front cover, remembering how he read to her before she flipped it open. Not to any particular place, just which ever page was fated upon her.

Hers eyes scanned over a paragraph and she read silently to herself…

"If you hear in my voice … any resemblance to a voice that once was sweet music in your ears, weep for it, weep for it! If you touch, in touching my hair, anything that recalls a beloved head that lay on your breast when you were young and free, weep for it, weep for it! If, when I hint to you of a Home that is before us, where I will be true to you with all my duty and with all my faithful service, I bring back the remembrance of a Home long desolate, while your poor heart pined away, weep for it, weep for it!"***

Sara's eyes drifted closed and she quietly gasped, attempting to keep her emotion inside. A single tear drifted down her cheek and she softly shut the book...

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Morning arrived ever too slowly for Sara. She had returned to bed only to just toss and turn all night long, unable to fall asleep for even a single second. She fought so hard through the night to not break down and only silent tears fell upon her pillow.

As overwhelming as her current predicament was, she tried hard to act as normally as possible and while their things were being loaded back onto the coaches, she solemnly accompanied her mother to breakfast.

Her appetite was nonexistent and her stomach rolled in a light bout of nausea and as her mother ordered, she just stared off across the room...

"Sara?...Sara?"

Flicking her eyes to her mother, she shuffled in her seat. "Huh?"

"What would you like for breakfast?" Laura asked.

"Oh…um…" Sara cleared her throat, "I'm not actually all that hungry this morning."

Laura's face contorted in suspicion, her eyes narrowing. She looked back to their server. "Just bring her some toast and coffee, please," she requested.

"Yes, Ma'am," the young woman replied before scurrying off towards the kitchen.

Returning her attention to her daughter, Laura studied her face.

Sara swallowed the heavy lump in her throat as her mother stared at her. She knew she was trying to read her and the one thing Sara knew about her mother, was that she was good at working things out. So that worried her, immensely, and Sara wasn't sure how long she could keep her secret.

The clock, most definitely…was against her…

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Colonel Jeffery McKeen was not easily made to feel…edgy…nervous…

He was very much a man in control, a man who dictated rather than a man who listened or took orders.

But he felt very different today. His nerves were pinching, an unfamiliar tightening brewing in his gut.

He didn't like that.

And he certainly hadn't liked what had happened yesterday.

Firstly, Thomas had come to him and quashed their partnership. Paying back all he owed, with interest, and informed him that he no longer required his help. That was quite a shock, especially when he learned that the source of the captain's money had been Sam Braun. Just…typical.

He knew that his control over his friend was rapidly slipping.

With the Captain's newfound wealth, the financial bonds between the two men had been effectively snapped. What was worse was Thomas' insistence upon a written and signed receipt of the monies paid.

Jeffrey could have simply looked upon this detail as being good business sense; however, there was a new look on Thomas Sidle's face that suggested a newfound distrust rather than simply the intelligence of a cautious man.

Of course, McKeen had suggested that the repayment of loan was not entirely necessary. After all, they were soon to be kin with the upcoming nuptials of Hank Pettigrew and Sara Sidle. They were still partners; what better partnership could there be than one forged by the bonds of family?

Thomas reply still echoed in Jeffrey's brain. "If our children marry, then naturally, there will be a bond between us. However, I want to ensure that any partnership or joining of our families is equal and willing and not a position of power. If marriage to Hank is indeed my daughter's desire, then my full blessing will be upon their union."

Colonel Jeffery McKeen was not a happy man.

Every indication was that Sara Sidle was less than enthusiastic at the prospect of marriage with Hank. This had not bothered him at first. Sara was simply a little insurance, a bonus for his nephew. Now with the debt totally obliterated, the marriage was the only path for his obtaining the Grove.

Jeffrey McKeen was not stupid. Hank had been pursuing Sara for months and never had she showed any interest until her father's financial plight had made her compliant to Hank's wishes. And now, with that threat obliterated, Sara had gained her free will. Thomas' words also suggested that he would not force his daughter's hand.

And that wasn't McKeen's only problem…when the sheriff had turned up the previous evening and taken two of his boys in for questioning in regards to the murder of Daniel Pritchard that just put the icing on the cake.

Everything was suddenly crumbling.

The colonel protested but sadly his complaints went unheard. The sheriff had enough reason to question them and wouldn't be stopped.

It angered McKeen how he couldn't get Brass under his thumb. The stubborn lawman had always refused any form of friendship or attempted bribe. This time, the colonel didn't try with financial means but instead tried to remind Brass exactly who he was friends with.

That didn't work either.

The sheriff took his two men away and as the land owner paced around outside, he pulled his watch form his pocket and glared at the golden time peace. It was 10am. His men had been gone since 6pm the previous evening.

"They won't talk you know."

Snapping his head up, the colonel glared at his newest employee as he stood before him. Placing his watch back into his pocket, he scratched just above right lip, to where an irritating itch had formed. "You better be right, Jared," he replied.

The younger man smiled as he stepped forward. "All the sheriff has is a little conjecture that they were with Pritchard the night he was killed. There is no law against socializing. And they would not dare betray you, they are well aware of the consequences if they did."

"Well, as you're so confident you can get your backside into town and get me some news then, can't you?"

Jared's smile grew and he nodded his head. "Yes…sir…"

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The Sidle coaches rolled into Washington. As they entered the main city, Sara watched as the peaceful countryside rapidly disappeared, turning into a vibrant almost crazy bustle of activity. Market stalls were everywhere, shops and vendors, horses and carts, coaches and dozens of people on foot.

Sara had never been into central Washington before, just the outskirts and the countryside. She wasn't sure if she was going to like the city, it already looked too chaotic. She wasn't a fan of chaos, she liked peace and order. Without it, she would probably lose her mind.

She already felt like she was losing her mind though, especially with her previous night's realization. She couldn't shake her current predicament from her mind or Grissom either for that matter.

Grissom may have contributed to her newly discovered condition but the truth of the matter was that she alone was responsible for her downfall. Had she not accepted Hank's proposal, then she and Grissom would have married quickly and the knowledge that they had cavorted prior to the safe bounds of marriage would have been lost to an annals of time. Sara hadn't given any thought to the idea that she might have conceived when she effectively pushed Grissom to leave the Grove.

In spite of everything, it was this realization that pained her the most. Before Grissom, she had never really known love. Now she fully understood the full truth of it. She would never get over Gil Grissom, her heart was forever his from the first moment she saw him, to her last dying breath.

The thought of being so close to him caused her body to swell in goose bumps and she had already considered going to see him. But, alas, she hadn't had enough time to think about it properly…

…Yet.

Her mother's suggestion of maybe doing a little shopping when they arrived hadn't sat so well in her gut though. But, she had to divert as much attention from herself as she could, so she agreed, just to make things easier. The more she dwelled, the sooner she knew her mother would work things out.

As the second coach continued on to their lodgings, the coach Sara and Laura were traveling in pulled up outside a row of stores; Nugents was the first place Sara passed her sight upon and she found her eyes closing without provocation. How could she do this?

Shop for a wedding she did not want…to be with a man she bore absolutely no feelings for?

Buy items she had absolutely no desire to buy, need or crave?

It was not going to be any easy day…

Not

At

All…..

She couldn't take it much longer…

She just couldn't…

***Extract taken from: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

A/N: Ooooh, is it all falling apart for McKeen? And has the Cap actually located his brain? Hmmmm…Too bad Sara doesn't know she no longer has to marry Hank to save her father though…ooopsy! LMAO :)