A/N: Okay, I promised I would post before tonight's episode so, here we are. Time for a few things to…come out, so to speak. But what will be the consequences of the revelations?

Special thanks to SSC for the beta and numerous additions on this one. She did set me straight on a few things as I seemed to be going in two different, well, clashing directions. But now it's all good, evil hat is sitting pretty, hehehehe.

Enjoy :)

Chapter 70

Kurt was pleased that Sara and Laura retired as soon as they reached the hotel. Sara was groggy when she was woken to enter their lodgings, so Laura insisted they retire immediately, despite the fact they had not had supper. Sara didn't offer any objection and they went straight to their room.

The young worker wandered around the hotel's bar area in search of his boss, just as he had done the night before. He found him quickly, in a darkened corner of the eating area and was glad he wasn't late this time. Hank didn't like it when people were late. He sat down and looked to his employer as he glared at him.

"Glad to see you are on time tonight," Hank commented, looking over his shoulder to check Kurt hadn't been followed.

Kurt nodded his head. "Yes, sir, we traveled quickly, so we are lodging here."

Hank's eyes narrowed. "That's very fast traveling."

Again, Kurt offered a nod. "Mrs. Sidle seems very keen to get home."

"Hmmm…" Hank thought aloud, picking up his glass and finishing what was left of his scotch. "Well…" he continued, "…I presume Sara will get back to the Grove early as you are now so close to home, so I'll make sure I get there first. Do you have anything else to report?"

Clearing his throat, the younger man nodded with haste. "Actually, yes, I do. Something I thought you would want to know."

Hank's face bore a serious look of curiosity. "What?"

Kurt leaned forward. Placing his hands onto the table, he entwined his fingers. "Sara snuck out this morning but I followed her."

"Where did she go?"

"To a place just outside the city in Alexandria County…a small estate. It looked like a horse farm."

Hank's brow formed a deep frown. "And what was she doing?"

"I don't know," Kurt replied, shaking his head. "She didn't stay long. I saw her talking to a youngish man but she was no longer than half an hour."

Rubbing his chin, Hank paused in thought. "Did you find out who owned the place?"

The young worker hesitated, shuffling uncomfortably in his chair. Finally he replied. "Yes, sir, I asked around and found out who owned the land."

Holding out his hands, Hank urged his employee to continue, "And?"

"The place belongs to the rancher who left the Grove," Kurt said with a nervous tinge in his voice.

Hank looked stunned and his right eye began twitching. "I'm sorry…what?"

"The rancher," the young worker unsteadily repeated.

"You mean that toad, Grissom?" Hank growled.

"Yes, sir."

Leaning forward, Hank looked Kurt right in the eye. "So what was she doing there?" he spat through gritted teeth.

Kurt shook his head. "I'm sorry, sir, I don't know. I couldn't risk being seen, so I couldn't get too close."

Sitting back, Hank rubbed his forehead, his deep frown still very much evident. "What are you doing, Sara?" he muttered to himself.

"Did I do right by telling you?" Kurt asked. "I'm sorry if I didn't."

Puffing out his cheeks, the young rich boy seemed to relax a little. "Yes, Kurt, you did good," he praised. "I just wish I knew why the hell my fiancé had gone to that piece of trash or what she said. My uncle won't be happy about this, and neither am I." Waving his hand in the air he grabbed the attention of a server who quickly scurried in his direction.

"Yes, sir? What can I get you?" she asked.

"Scotch," he answered. "A large one." He looked to his worker. "Want a drink?"

Kurt looked shocked. "Um…sir?" Hank Pedigrew was not the type of man to show generosity to the hired help, he did not even socialize with them when it would be appropriate or even expected.

"I am pleased with your initiative and the fact you did follow dear Sara when you could have easily ignored it and not told me she went anywhere." Hank smiled. "You did a good job, Kurt. I do reward when you please me, well…sometimes."

"Then I'll…um…have a scotch also, sir. If…that's alright?"

Hank's smile broadened, "Make that two large scotch's," he informed the waitress. She nodded and scurried off towards the bar.

"So you really have no idea why Sara went to see that scumbag?" Hank asked, looking back to Kurt.

The younger man was quick to shake his head.

"Then…" Hank continued, "…I look forward to tomorrow and finding out…"

CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI

Sara felt every single nerve ending in her body twitching as the Sidle coaches rolled down the driveway of Providence Grove.

They were home.

She was thankful that her mother hadn't pushed for further information in regards to her and Grissom. Well at least not yet anyway. She had slept most of yesterday and all through the night, exhaustion finally creeping up on her. But even that morning and on the final leg of the journey home, Laura hadn't forced any form of conversation upon her. Her mother's only concern was asking if she was alright.

Sara admitted she was very nervous about talking to her father and a little afraid, especially if she told him about her love for Grissom but Laura assured her she would support her as much as she possibly could. Her father was a kind man and good to his employees but Sara wasn't sure how he would react to the knowledge that she was cavorting with one of them.

The coaches reached the front of the house and pulled to a stop.

As Sara exited the coach, she looked towards the main entrance of the house and saw Hank. He was leaning against the side of the house with his arms firmly folded across his chest. She immediately turned away, her eyes catching her mother's as she stepped from the vehicle.

"What's wrong?" Laura asked, immediately sensing her daughters concern.

"He's here," Sara whispered.

Laura looked over Sara's shoulder and immediately saw Hank.

"He looks as though he has been waiting for us to get back. How could he have known we were returning today?"

Shaking her head, Laura sighed. "I don't know, Sara. What do you want to do?"

Puffing out her chest, Sara felt anger brewing within her. The fact Hank was waiting for her pretty much confirmed that he had been spying on her and now she had to deal with him, before she had the courtesy of talking to her father.

She was annoyed, how dare he? But, he was here. "I should go and speak with him."

Laura suddenly looked concerned. "Are you sure? Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, Mother." Sara shook her head. "I'll be alright. If I need you I'll call you."

"If that's what you want."

Sara nodded and stepped away, approaching her soon to be ex-fiancé. She stopped in front of him and he pushed himself from the wall. He didn't look very happy.

"We need to talk," he said before she even had time to say hello.

"You're right, Hank, we do…"

CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI

Sara walked around the house to the rear and climbed the steps onto the veranda. Hank followed closely behind. She stopped and turned to face him.

He shrugged his shoulders. "So would you like to explain what's going on? You go on a trip at my expense to buy things for our wedding and you are back so early and…I have confirmation that you haven't bought anything. How is it I send you on a trip to buy things for the most special day of our lives and you come back with nothing?"

She turned away from him and approached the rail. Looking out onto the garden she sighed and just wished Hank would disappear. She felt his presence as he came up behind her.

"Are you going to answer me?" he questioned.

"It wasn't your trip, Hank, and I don't appreciate you spying on me…you must have been spying on me…You have no right to do that."

"I have every right," he snapped. "As you are to be my future wife, I have the right to know everything you do, every minute you do it."

She shook her head in disbelief at what she was hearing. Did he actually think he would own her, that she would crumble to every demand he made?

"I've changed my mind about the wedding, Hank," she replied, trying to stay calm but deciding the upfront, honest approach was probably the best way to make him go away. "That's why I didn't buy anything." Whirling around, she faced him and awaited the onslaught she presumed was going to come.

Glaring at her, he took a step closer and she tensed, fearing his reaction for a moment. "Changed your mind?" he barked. "Why have you changed your mind?"

Suddenly, Sara had an overwhelming urge to slap him. She was tired of being pushed around by him, tired of him using her own family and his money to dictate her life. "I think you should leave," she responded, managing to stay calm, just about.

He sniggered. "Leave?"

"Yes…leave."

Now he stepped right up to her, looking her right in the eye and Sara felt her nose curl as his foul breath hit her nostrils.

"You need to think very carefully about what you are doing, Sara," he warned, tipping his head so his mouth was now right by her ear. "Are you prepared to destroy your father? Because if you back out of the wedding, that is exactly what you are going to do. No more money, no more help and…he will have to repay everything my uncle has already done for him." He pulled back and smiled. "You don't want that, do you? To put him through all that after he has found salvation?"

Now Sara felt physically shaken by Hank's statement, he was such a monster. However, his callous actions just infuriated her all the more. He was just blackmailing her…all over again…

"Sara? Is everything alright?" Laura's voice came from behind them and Sara jumped with Hank quickly stepping back.

They both looked to see Laura hovering in the doorway to the house.

Licking her dry lips Sara nodded. "Yes, Mother," she shouted. "Just give me one minute, alright?"

Laura took a moment, passing her eyes over Hank before she replied. "Alright," she responded and slowly disappeared back inside.

Hank returned his attention to Sara. "You need some time to think, that's all. Maybe I have just been trying to push the wedding a little too fast. I know you will come to your senses." He slipped his hands into his pockets. "I will give you until tomorrow to make up your mind. Your father's deal with my uncle is the Groves only way out. Just make sure you realize the consequences if you call this off. Do you understand what I am saying?"

Oh, I understand, Hank. I understand perfectly. And my decision still stands."

He frowned. "What?"

"I can not marry you, Hank, and I won't. And your threats, they only make me realize all the more that I can never bring myself to love you. The engagement is off…there will be no wedding."

Snorting through his nose he stepped close to her again. "You are a fool; you don't know what you're saying."

As a fake smile passed over her lips, Sara side stepped him to give herself some distance. He turned and watched her as she looked up to the sky and took a breath. "Oh, I know what I'm saying and yes, I may be a fool but I'm my own fool, not yours."

"You don't have the right to call off the engagement," he blurted.

Looking at him again, she frowned, feeling her heart skip a beat.

He grinned. "Don't you think you should seek your father's permission first? Really, it's his decision and not yours, so maybe we should ask him…and you can give him your reasons as to why you are destroying his life…"

Furiously, Sara glared at him, realizing the extent of his duplicity. "If I marry you, I destroy my life and my father will be your pawn for the rest of his days."

As Hank's grin broadened and he stepped towards the door, Sara's eyes widened. She hadn't even spoken to her father yet. He would know nothing about her feelings and she just knew if Hank approached him about this, he would end up trying to turn it around. She had to explain it to her father herself; it was her obligation and her right to do so.

"Hank…" she began but he didn't stop and disappeared inside the house. Sara rushed after him and bumped into her mother who was waiting just inside.

Laura looked a little confused as Hank had just walked right by her and scurried into the hallway. Catching her daughter's presence, Laura looked to her. "Is everything alright?"

Sara shook her head. "I think Hank is…I told him the engagement is off," she stuttered.

"Ohhhhh…."

"Where's Father?"

Laura pointed out into the hallway. "In the study, I just spoke to him. He didn't even know Hank was waiting outside."

Without a moment's hesitation, Sara dashed away and Laura was quick to follow her. When they reached the study, Hank was already in there, deep in conversation with the captain. Sara noted her father's expression was rather blank and she had no idea what he was thinking or what Hank had already said to him but she caught, "she doesn't know what she is saying."

Feeling anger flaring through her again, Sara didn't hesitate and cut in on the conversation. "Yes I do, Hank," she just about shouted and both men looked in her direction as she started towards them.

The captain rubbed his forehead as Sara stopped in front of him. "I don't…I'm not sure what's happening here, Sara. Hank say's you wish to call off the engagement. Is that true?"

Swallowing hard and feeling her mother step up behind her and place a gentle hand at the small of her back, Sara nodded. "Yes, Father," she replied, trying her best to keep her focus on him, rather than on Hank.

After flicking his eyes to Hank for a moment, the captain gave Sara his full attention after a lengthy sigh. "Are you going to explain to me why? Could you not have come to me before making this decision?"

Laura stepped from behind Sara, "Thomas, maybe I can shed…"

The captain held up a firm finger and she silenced. "Please, my dear. Sara needs to tell me this herself."

Angrily, Sara's eyes floated to Hank. She really hated the smug look on his face. It represented his stupidity and ignorance….that she would still marry him in spite of everything. A smirk played at Sara's lips. He was wrong, dead wrong. And if her refusal to wed him meant losing everything, then that was a price worth paying.

A brief sadness washed over her. She would most likely lose everything anyway.

"I'm sorry," Sara whispered, looking back to her father. "I was going to talk to you but…I didn't…get the chance before Hank came to you."

"Surely you can't allow this to happen, Captain," Hank cut in. "You know I am right for your daughter…everything she needs…will ever need…"

As the captain silenced, obviously in thought, Sara tried to read his eyes as he looked into hers. Her gut rolled with anxiety.

"Come on, Captain…" Hank began as the silence continued, "…think about your deal with my uncle…"

Suddenly, Sara witnessed as her father's eyes flickered and then darkened. It was as if something had just clicked inside his brain. Laura seemed to see it too as she looped her arm through Sara's and held on tightly.

"Sara…tell me, why do you wish to call off the engagement?" The rancher's voice was calm, although it held a very evident quake.

Cutting in again, Hank seemed to grow frustrated and slipped in between father and daughter, looking at the captain. "Is this necessary? She wants to marry me and is just…being…"

"No I don't!" Sara snapped, causing everyone to jump and Hank spun around to face her. "I don't love you, I love someone else! And if you…you…you… hadn't practically blackmailed me into marrying you then, there never would have been any engagement!"

The room fell deathly silent, a knife could have sliced the tension in the air…Sara couldn't believe she had actually just blurted that out but she was so angry…so frustrated but she had also admitted her love for another man.

Oh dear.

But, the truth had to come out, she could no longer hide the way she felt about this whole horrible situation.

Hank looked like he'd just lost a thousand dollars but found a cent. His lips twitched, his eyes darted from side to side as if he was trying to work out an answer to an impossible question. His mouth opened but he couldn't seem to work out what to say.

The captain slowly stepped around so he could see both his daughter and Hank, his brow furrowed in deep confusion as he looked at Sara. He looked as equally stunned.

Hank suddenly seemed to realize his advantage was waning. "What are you talking about?" he muttered, a fake, nervous laugh swiftly following. He was obviously in denial. "As I have said, she doesn't know what she is saying, Captain."

Sara shook her head, disbelieving that Hank was still trying to continue with this charade…even after her confession "You know exactly what I'm talking about," she spat. "You said…" She took a breath, "… your uncle would help my father but…only if…I married you…you forced me…" Her last word was spoken on a sob and she placed her hand over her mouth, feeling tears welling in her eyes.

Hank didn't have the opportunity to respond as the second Sara finished; the captain lunged forward and grabbed him by his jacket. "Is that true?" he hollered.

Laura pulled Sara back in an instant and out of harm's way. They watched on as the captain shook Hank. "Answer me! Did you force my daughter into this engagement?"

Looking a little shocked, Hank grabbed the captain's hands as they clung to his jacket. "Captain…think about what you are doing…think about what's at stake here…" He tried to tug the rancher's hands free from his clothing but the captain's grip was firm.

The captain's nostrils flared and he gritted his teeth. "Answer…the question…" he demanded, pushing the younger man hard up against the wall.

"Father!" Sara cried attempting to calm him a little but he ignored her.

All Hank did was smile. "Call this off, Captain…just think how you are going to pay Uncle back, huh? How much do you think you owe him for the works already done?"

It seemed as though that was answer enough for the ranch owner, although Hank hadn't actually said the words. Captain Sidle yanked him from the wall and pushed him heavily through the doorway. The younger man stumbled as he was thrown out into the hallway but managed to catch his balance before he fell.

"Don't do this!" Hank warned, steadying himself and stepping backwards towards the front entrance.

The captain advanced on him. "You better get the hell out of my house, Hank, before I physically throw you out."

"You are making a huge mistake here, Captain," the younger man countered, continuing to move backwards. "I implore you stop and think about this."

As Sara ran after her father, she watched as he stalked Hank down the hallway. She witnessed as his fists suddenly clenched. She knew he was angry.

"The only mistake I made, Hank, was ever letting you anywhere near my daughter!" he shouted.

Hank reached the front door, turned and quickly bolted outside and down the steps. It seemed as though he had got the message.

Following, the captain stopped at the top of the steps and watched as Hank unfastened his horse. "One last chance, Captain," Hank called as he pulled his ride free. "We can talk and clear things up; you don't have to ruin your life over this."

Sara appeared behind her father and she just knew he was about to bound down the steps and go for her ex fiancé. She was right and he shifted forward but she was fast to act and grabbed his arm. "Please, Father, don't," she begged. "He isn't worth it."

He offered her a quick glance and then returned his attention to Hank. "I gather you haven't been home in a few days? I think you need to talk to your uncle and find out just exactly how much I owe him." He pointed a stern finger at the rich boy. "If I see you on my land again, Pedigrew, then I will not be held responsible for my actions. Now get the hell off my property!"

Now Hank looked confused. "You are a fool, just like your daughter," he said, pulling himself up onto his horse. "You have just condemned yourself. Yah!" Thumping a firm kick into his Palomino, the horse bolted and galloped off down the driveway.

The captain ran an unsteady hand through his hair, his shoulders slumping as he sighed a heavy, uneven breath.

Sara felt herself shaking when her father turned to her.

"I'm so sorry, Father," Sara whispered. "I'm sorry…"

Placing a tender but trembling hand onto his daughter's cheek, he smiled. "Why are you sorry, my child?" he asked softly.

She relished in the soft feel of his hand, warm and comforting against her cool, pale skin. She had just destroyed any hope he had of recovery but he wasn't showing any form of malice for this. "Because I have ruined everything…"

Laura quietly approached from behind but remained silent, allowing Father and Daughter their moment.

"No you haven't," the captain disagreed. "If I had been paying any attention at all, I would have seen you were very unhappy a long time before this day."

Sara's chin quaked. "How will we survive now?"

The ranch owner smiled and wrapped his arm around his daughter. "Come…let's go inside. I think we all need to calm down a little and then…we can have a good talk…about everything…alright?"

With a heavy swallow, Sara looked to her mother who offered her an encouraging smile.

She looked back to the captain. "Yes, Father…"

A/N: Oooohhhh, temper, tempers. LMAO. So it's out. Sara loves someone and it's not Hank. How is Daddy going to take the news of who she loves? And what is Hank going to do now? Get some armor I'd suggest because McKeen is not going to be a happy man!

Reviews please! You know you want to….