A/N: Hey everyone, thanks for all your great reviews. Time for your next shot of angst, lol. Something tells me I may be on the receiving end of a lot of cussing in the chapters to come so I will prepare my ear plugs. Evil hat, I'm afraid has been dominating my head and you can blame SSC for a good portion of what is to come too. She corrupts me more than you now, lmao. Thanks for the beta hun and the suggestions. Also for pointing out several major points I just hadn't thought about. Yes, I did, several major plot points I didn't add, ooops. I know them now though :) Don't for get to check out SSC's fic Beyond ordinary secrets if you haven't already. It is such an awesome story and you must read it! GO NOW! She did borrow my hat for a while I think for that one. Let's just hope our plans to write a story together comes off. Oh be afraid…be very, very afraid!

I feel like having a kitten on my lap and me going mwahahaha. Prepare to die Mr Bond…hehehehehe.

Enjoy!

Chapter 73

Hank made record time in getting home. He didn't want to be seen with his current guest on board.

Sara sat almost motionless in front of him, not even attempting escape. What could she do anyway? Even if she managed to get off the horse, he would have easily caught her and more than likely punished her for the effort.

Pulling his horse up outside the main entrance to the house, Hank dismounted and held his arms out to Sara. She looked at him in disgust and fought within herself to accept his gesture.

"I'm trying to be civil, Sara. Don't knock my tolerance or it may just run out." He flexed his fingers in an urge to get her off the horse. "Come, now…"

Sucking in a fearful breath, she held out a shaky hand and allowed him to aid her dismount.

"That wasn't so bad now was it?" he commented with a grin.

She quickly pulled her hand from his and wrapped her arms around her mid section. Jared and Brad pulled up behind them and also dismounted.

Snorting softly, Hank took a grip on Sara's arm again and urged her towards the house. As they approached the steps to the front entrance, the door opened and McKeen appeared with two of his chaperones.

Straightening his tie, his spurs clanked menacingly as he strode down the steps and towards his nephew. His eyes moved to Sara and he frowned. "I didn't expect to see you, my dear," he offered, sounding confused.

"That makes two of us," Sara replied shakily.

The colonel's frown deepened and he turned his attention to his nephew. "What's going on?"

"She knows," Hank said quickly and to the point.

Rubbing his hand over his forehead Mckeen shook his head. "What do you mean, she knows? She knows what?"

Sighing, Hank shuffled on his feet, "Everything. She overheard me talking to…"

Holding up a quick finger, the colonel stopped his nephew in mid sentence and sighed. "What…have you done, Hank?" he questioned.

"I'm sorry, Uncle," he responded quickly, "I…"

"Just get her inside," McKeen interrupted again, taking a quick look around. "Then you can meet me in the study and tell me exactly how you've screwed up...again…"

Bowing his head the younger man nodded. "Yes, sir." He pushed Sara up the stairs and into the house.

Jared and Brad looked at each other, shrugged and began to step away but they didn't get far.

"Oh no you two…" the colonel stopped them. "You wait right there. I'm sure I'll want words with you once I'm finished with my nephew. Don't you dare move, you got that?"

Both men swallowed hard but nodded. "Yes…sir…"

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Sara was urged up the stairs with Hank following closely behind. She looked around the humongous house as she climbed; she had never been in here before. Funny that, she had been engaged to a man and never even seen his dwelling.

"Down the corridor, third door on the right," Hank directed when they reached the top of the winding staircase.

Sucking in a nervous breath of air, Sara did as told and moved off to the right. She stopped by the door and Hank opened it, pushing her inside.

The second Sara's feet touched the immaculate flooring; she spun around and glared at her captor. "This is kidnapping, Hank, you know that don't you? You have no right to keep me here."

He smiled. "Who are you going to tell, Sara?"

Sara's heart sunk. Who was she going to tell?

"Just…" He nodded to the room, "…relax and get comfortable. Do as you are told and you won't get hurt."

With each passing second, Sara became increasingly nervous and afraid; however, anger also flared within her, drowning out her fear. This man and his uncle had tried to destroy her family, her home and were responsible for ruining her relationship with Grissom. That infuriated her but, for now, she bit her tongue. "What do you intend to do with me?"

He licked his lips, looking her up and down which made her skin crawl but he didn't reply. Instead, he turned and left the room and Sara heard the clunk of a lock right after the door closed.

With haste, she ran to the door and tried the knob but the door was indeed locked and locked tight. It didn't even budge when she pulled on it. Swirling around, she leant back against the woodwork and swallowed the heavy lump in her throat. Her eyes scanned around the room and then came to rest upon a large window in the center of the far wall.

Without hesitation she dashed towards it and looked out to see if there was a possibility she could escape this way. She saw Jared and Brad below. Both smirked when they noticed her. Ignoring them, her eyes passed just below the window and off to the sides but her body slumped when she realized there was nothing surrounding the window that she could climb out onto. No trestle, ledges…nothing. She could not get out of the room this way…

Her heart sank lower than it had yet.

She was trapped.

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When Hank reached the study his legs suddenly felt very, very unsteady. He closed his eyes as his sweaty palm enveloped the door knob. His uncles reaction was not one he was looking forward to.

Cautiously, he opened the door and stepped inside.

McKeen was stood by the small fireplace in the center of the far wall, staring into the extinguished timber. He heard his nephew enter and turned to face him with a rather displeased look on his face.

"You know…" the colonel began as he approached his nephew, "…I'm still trying to work this out." He rubbed his beard. "How is it…that I send you with simple instructions and you…you…" He tightly clenched his fists, stopping in front of his family member and glaring him in the eye, "…screw up yet another simple task?"

The younger man held up his hands in defense. "I'm sorry, Uncle," he pleaded. "I didn't know she was there."

"Explain," the colonel demanded. "And explain quickly. What happened?"

Hank nodded and began. "I was talking to Robert. I told him what we had to do but…I think he is losing his nerve, Uncle. He said he didn't think he could continue…you know…doing what he's been doing. He said we had done enough already. So…I reminded him of what he'd done and put my foot down. I didn't know Sara and her cousin were hiding…listening…"

The colonel's eyes widened. "Her cousin?" he growled.

"Um…" Hank stumbled, his heart beating faster and faster with every second that passed. He'd forgotten to mention that. "Yes…he was with Sara."

Now the colonel scratched his head. "I'm a little confused so enlighten me. Where is he now…exactly?"

"I'm not sure," Hank mumbled.

"You're not sure!" McKeen bellowed.

Hank took a step back as his uncle's anger sprayed across his face. "Brad chased him…shot him…but the horse continued. He is certain he is dead. I was trying to restrain Sara. She was shouting for help. What else could I do?"

"So Brad didn't bother recovering the body?"

"No, sir," Hank replied with a swift shake of his head.

The colonel's frustration was very evident when his nostrils began to flare. "Well…that is something I am going to have deal with then…"

Hank wasn't quite sure what his Uncle meant by that but he didn't argue.

"All in all…" McKeen continued, "…this changes very little apart from maybe the absolute final outcome. We just have to get it done and get it done…now."

"The final outcome, Uncle?" Hank asked, uncertain.

The right side of the colonel's mouth curled a grin. "That fate of sweet…sweet Sara…"

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Sara heard the door unlock and turned form the window. She had expected it to be Hank but she was rather surprised and actually felt quite fearful when McKeen walked in and closed the door softly behind him. He looked her over with curious eyes, stepping in her direction.

She pushed her back up against the wall and watched him as he casually walked towards her.

"Enjoying the view?" he asked.

"Not especially," she responded bitterly.

The land owner half smiled as he stopped right in front of her, his eyes inquisitively searching hers and then over her face and down her body before they returned to meet her eyes once again.

"It appears we have come across a rather unfortunate predicament, my dear," he continued as a light smile passed over his lips.

She wanted to laugh at his words, she wasn't quite sure why because they simply weren't funny but she did. However she couldn't quite bring herself to do so. "If you call kidnapping, blackmail, theft, arson and murder a predicament, then yes, I guess we have."

His smile quickly faded and without warning his hand sprang to her throat and a short, terrified squeal escaped her lips as he pinned her to the wall. His hand was warm and strong as it squeezed her flesh and she found herself shaking under his grasp, fighting for a breath until he slightly loosened his grip a little and she gasped softly.

"I very rarely lose my temper, young lady; I don't think…it befits me," he began in a cool and composed voice, "But you, you're something else, aren't you?" He squeezed her throat tighter again and she whimpered as his thumb rubbed over her skin. "You always were the feisty, curious type…"

Sara flattened her palms against the cool wall behind her and her nails scratched into the hard surface. She dare not speak for fear of infuriating him further, so she remained silent.

"Now," he continued, "for some begotten reason, my nephew really likes you, in spite of everything, including you pushing him away. I guess he always has liked you and he is the reason you are still breathing. He wants…you…" His free hand came to rest above her head and he leaned closer, so close she could smell his coffee tinged breath and it made her cringe. "So…it's about time you show your appreciation…" his voice firmed, "…and some God damned respect or not even he will be able to save you. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes," she whispered, feeling her stomach tighten.

His brow rose. "Yes what?"

She swallowed hard, "Yes, sir."

He smiled again and slowly removed his hand from her throat, taking a step back. "Good."

Sara's hand automatically shot to her throat and she gently rubbed over where his hand had been. If his grip had been any harder, he would have surely choked her.

"Now…what to do about you…" he mewed, keeping his eyes firmly locked with hers.

Again, Sara remained silent. She had no idea what to say and feared anything she did would work against her.

"You will be staying here while we make…arrangements…" He held up his hand, his fore finger rising towards the ceiling. "You will behave, do exactly as you're told and be as accommodating as…" He grinned, "…you are required to be. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Sara quickly nodded. She didn't want to but if this was the quickest way to get McKeen away from her then she was just going to agree to anything he said.

He smiled. "I'm so very happy to hear you say that."

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Sara breathed a heavy sigh of relief as Mckeen turned and left the room. Her hand continued to move over her throat and she was certain she would have some bruises form. She leaned back against the wall again, her chin quivering as a nervous huff of air shot from her lungs. Her eyes clouded with tears. What were they going to do to her?

Before she had the opportunity to finish her thought her attention was brought back to the window and she watched as McKeen bounded down the steps, hotly followed by Hank.

Jared and Brad turned to face their boss as he rushed towards them. Neither had the opportunity to say anything for the colonel reached into Jared's belt, took his revolver, pointed it right at Brad and pulled the trigger.

Sara jumped as the gunshot sounded through the air and she felt her legs turning to jelly as she witnessed a spray of blood and Brad crashing to the ground.

Jared scrambled backwards as blood spewed all over him, a shocked expression upon his face. Hank also, who stood behind his uncle, looked quite lost for words.

Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, McKeen slowly wiped Brad's blood from his cheek as Hank and Jared looked on. "Get that piece of garbage off my property and clean up the mess," he calmly instructed Jared. "Get some of the boys to help you." He held out the gun and urged Jared to take his weapon.

Quickly, Jared nodded and took his gun back. "Yes..sir…right away."

"Then I want you to go into town and tell the reverend I wish to see him with the upmost urgency. Get him here, today, you got that?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good." Turning to face his nephew, McKeen looked down at his now blood soaked clothing. "This shirt is ruined," he grumbled.

All Hank did was nod.

"Close your mouth, Hank," the colonel advised. "You look like a fish."

Within an instant, Hank snapped his jaws closed.

McKeen pointed to Jared's body. "He possibly let a witness get away." He now pointed to his family member. "No one does that to me."

"No, Uncle," Hank agreed. "But I'm sure he's dead."

"Hmmm…" Came the colonel's flat response as he started back towards the house. "Come…I have to change and we have much more to talk about now that little irritation is eradicated."

"Yes, Uncle," Hank replied, following.

Sara turned away from the window, her breath sort, her throat dry. She had just witnessed the colonel commit first degree murder. She was afraid before…now…she well and truly feared for her life. Brad has been murdered for such a menial offence…not recovering her cousin's body…

Her hand shot to her mouth on a sob as she thought of Gregory. Was he really gone? She prayed so much he wasn't. Suddenly her eyes flickered and she slid her hand from her mouth, clenching her fingers together. If Gregory had indeed survived his attack then there was hope…he would find help. But what if he hadn't or he was unconscious or lost? Every time Sara felt a possibility of hope it was dashed by uncertainty.

She had come to realize that the colonel would stop at nothing to get the Grove. But why he wanted it so badly she had yet to work out. One thing she did know was that she was now his only chance of getting it, she wasn't stupid and after what she had now learned, she knew what their plan would be. She had to escape, it was her only option, otherwise, she was doomed to be forced into wedlock and she simply didn't know if she could ever live with that. Her child certainly couldn't…

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The captain paced around the living room. It was passed midday and Sara still hadn't come out of her room despite Laura's attempts to ruse her daughter. He stopped when his wife entered the room and they looked at each other.

"Is she still not answering?" he asked.

Laura shook her head. "No, Thomas." She approached him. "I'm worried…I…can't hear anything coming from her room at all."

The captain's brow knitted with concern. "Alright…I've had enough of this. It's time she comes out." Sidestepping his wife, he left the room and Laura quickly followed. They headed up the stairs and to Sara's room.

The captain banged on the door. "Sara! Open the door."

No reply came.

Reaching his hand to the door knob, the ranch owner turned it and the door opened. His eyes sprang to his wife's. "Was the door unlocked before?"

Laura frowned. "I…didn't try it to be honest, I presumed it was locked, I just knocked."

The captain's eyes narrowed as he stepped into the room, Laura right behind him. They stopped just inside, had a glance around and then, with an equally confused expression, looked at each other.

"She's not here…" Laura mumbled, "Where on earth is she?"

As he shook his head, the captain's eyes darted around in uncertainty. "I don't know but…I don't have a good feeling about this. We don't even know how long she's been gone but I swear, if she has snuck out without my permission and gone to…"

Laura stopped him, knowing what he was thinking, "Let's…" She took her husband's arm, "…have a look around…ask if anyone has seen her."

He nodded his agreement. "Right, he sighed, "come on." The captain took his wife's hand and they were quick to leave the room and descend the stairs. They approached the front door but before they reach the entrance, Nicolas appeared looking rather puzzled.

"Ah…Nicolas," the captain began. "You look as confused as we feel."

The younger man scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, can't find my brother anywhere. He wasn't in our room when I woke and he is nowhere to be found."

The captain and Laura exchanged a quick glance. "You can't find Gregory?" Laura asked.

"No, Aunt, and no one has seen him this morning either."

Laura seemed a little stumped. "Have you seen Sara?"

Nicolas shook his head. "Sorry no, isn't she in her room?"

"No, she isn't," Laura replied, sucking in an even breath. "And I suddenly feel very worried. Where is she, Thomas? And where is Gregory for that matter?"

"Have you checked the outer stables?" the captain asked his nephew.

"I had a quick look but didn't see anyone."

The captain rubbed his chin. "Do you check to see if any horses were gone?"

"No," Nicolas replied with a quick shake of his head.

"Then I think we should check," the ranch owner advised, looking to his wife. She nodded quickly and they headed for the stable.

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Upon entering the outer stables the three Sidle members had a good look around the stalls.

Laura searched the far end, Nicolas the middle and the captain, the first few stalls.

"I can't see Pandora," Laura called. "Is she in any of the other stalls?"

Both the captain and Nicolas shouted "No!" in unison and the three relatives looked at each other in turn.

Laura nervously entwined her fingers as she moved through the stable and approached her husband. "Pandora is gone, Thomas. That isn't a good sign. You don't really think…did she go to…?" She couldn't quite finish her sentence.

"I don't think so, not now I really think about it," he replied, shaking his head. "I'd know if she had…I just would. She would surely leave us a note, knowing how much we would worry. This…whole thing…feels odd…different. Something doesn't seem right here."

"What are you two talking about?" Nicolas cut in, standing in the middle of husband and wife.

The captain sighed; rubbing the back of his neck as it suddenly began to ache. "There is a lot to explain, Nicolas," he began. "But the matter at hand is that Sara called off her engagement to Hank last night."

"I heard, Uncle," Nicholas replied.

"Well…we had…let's say…a little disagreement about something and she is now missing along with your brother."

Nicola's nodded although he still looked confused. He hadn't really been told much.

"So where are they?" the captain asked with a shrug.

"I don't know," Nicolas said, shaking his head. "But I can have a look around, go into town and look around the area. Maybe Sara is just a little upset and needed sometime alone. I mean, if Gregory is with her then she'll be alright, Uncle…"

Laura's head snapped to Nicolas. "What if he isn't with her?" she gasped. "She could be…anywhere…alone…Why isn't there another horse missing? If Gregory is with her why didn't he take a horse?" She returned her attention to her husband, "Thomas…she could be injured…unconscious…anything…we don't know how long she has been gone…we…" She flapped her hands in frustration as the captain reached for her and pulled her into his arms.

"Calm down," he whispered, hugging her tightly against his body. "We'll find her…I promise you, she will be alright…"

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Grissom wandered down the sides of the exercise field. Michael and Hodges were running his horses through their daily routine but Dante didn't seem all that interested. Instead, he happily plodded along beside his master.

Reaching into his pocket, the rancher pulled out Sara's letter and carefully unfolded it. His eyes passed over her immaculate writing once again as he read her words for about the twelfth time since receiving them.

Inhaling a deep breath, he stopped and looked up to the sky and then turned around, passing his eyes over the entrance to his small estate. He found he kept looking that way, just in case. Sara said she was coming and he believed that but he still hadn't worked out why or what he was going to say to her when she did arrive.

Feeling a nudge in his side, his attention was drawn from the entrance to Dante as he shoved his nose into him. The horse pulled back and snorted.

"You have an opinion huh?" Grissom asked.

Dante nodded his head causing Grissom to chuckle. The rancher folded his arms and smiled. "And what might that be?"

The horse looked towards the entrance and offered a loud neigh.

Grissom blew out a breath of hot air. "You have any more advice?"

Now Dante shook his head and then stomped his back foot.

"Thanks, you're a great help," Grissom responded on a sigh, looking back to the entrance. "Well, boy, I don't know about you but something in my gut is telling me something is amiss."

Grissom knew his words were true. For the way he and Sara parted, for her to now come to him…now…after everything…something was drastically wrong. Was it the Grove; was it her or maybe even McKeen? Maybe Sara was ill or…He blinked hard as a rather shocking thought sprang into his mind. Maybe she wasn't ill but…

He shook his head. No…surely not, that just couldn't happen…not now...

Could it?

A/N: Oh, did Grissom just have a light bulb moment? But will it matter? Poor Sara, what IS she going to do? Think she'll make a run for it? Time for a little whoopa! Nothing like Sara throwing a punch, lol. How badly do you want more? Let me know! Have a great day :)