A/N: I have just one thing to say – GSR reunited baby yeah! (But don't forget – this is me!)
Okay, maybe I lied and I have a couple more things to say. Thank you for all the great reviews and comments. All are greatly appreciated!
All my thanks, as usual, to SSC for the beta and help. Thanks for the advice, the additions and changes on this chap, again, you are very correct! Looking forward to your next chappy of BOS, oh yes. It's gonna be a blast! LMAO. I think we are most definitely sharing the hat!
So, just how pee'd off is Grissom gonna be? Let's find out! WHooo!
Chapter 76
"The wind is rushing after us, and the clouds are flying after us, and the moon is plunging after us, and the whole wild night is in pursuit of us; but, so far we are pursued by nothing else..." ***
He rode and he rode hard…He was almost there…
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Sara sat by the window. It was past 10am and thus far, she had been left alone, apart from her dinner tray being removed, only to be replaced by a breakfast one.
But she hadn't taken a morsel of the food that was delivered to her. No appetite came upon her and she refused to accept any form of gesture from anyone, at least at that point in time. After Hank's assault, Sara wouldn't have accepted a scrap of food from him if she were starving to death.
She had finally succumbed to sleep a few hours before dawn, crying herself into unconsciousness and she remained in an uneasy slumber until she was woken, just after 9am, when her breakfast was brought in. Grace carried her food in and as Sara sat up in bed, the two women looked at each other. The young worker bore a rather brutal looking bruise across her right eye and Sara actually felt obliged to apologize for her act of violence. After all, it wasn't the woman's fault for she was doing as she was told and would surely suffer dire consequences if she ever questioned what her master was asking her to do.
But the look in Grace's eye and the weak smile that passed over her lips told Sara that an apology wasn't necessary. Grace placed the tray down and left the room for a moment before returning. When she reappeared she was carrying a dress, rose colored, silk plaid taffeta with great detailing. It's bell sleeves were trimmed in strips of black velvet. Sara might have even loved the dress under better circumstances.
Clearing her throat, she looked to the house guest. "Mr. Pedigrew desires that you wear this dress today, Miss. Would you like some help dressing once you have eaten?" Grace's tone was very soft, almost regretful. Sara knew that the staff must know she was being held against her will but could do nothing about it. They just had to do as they were told.
Sara had shaken her head, averting her gaze from the young helper. "No…thank you."
Grace then left her alone and Sara reluctantly dressed before finding her current position by the window. She looked out over the vast estate. There didn't seem to be much going at the moment and she had only seen two workers pass by since she had begun looking. Her heart began to beat wildly and her head snapped to the door when she heard footsteps but they passed by and then faded away. Breathing a sigh of relief she looked back through the window, dreading the time when Hank would step back into her room, for it would be soon and she knew it. The problem was, she didn't know how she was going to react when he did. The whole idea of that man made her shiver and feel vilely sick. For what he had done to her was unforgivable and she would never be able to forget it.
In a single act, he had defiled her….made her unsuitable for any other…..for Grissom. Sara realized that she was early enough in her pregnancy, mere weeks, that it could be a feasible idea to pass her baby off as Hank's. That would be what most women would do. It would save her family's honor and her baby would be safe from public scorn. However, the very idea of dishonoring her child with the Pedigrew name was even more distasteful. It would be better for her to be killed at McKeen's hand…for her child to never take a breath…than to be affiliated with the vile filth of this family.
She would not marry Hank. The faces of her father and mother flashed before her and another weight lay upon her heavy heart. Sara realized that McKeen was going to do whatever it took to obtain the Grove. If Sara married Hank then her parents would likely be killed to accelerate McKeen's acquisition of the Grove. If she refused, they would kill her parents to obtain her cooperation. Her family, those she loved, would never truly be safe.
Marriage to Hank would mean an unspoken rule that she would be privy to horrible crimes, of destruction, of murder, of rape and abuse….and that she could never tell. What kind of life would that be? To watch numerous acts of violence on those unlucky enough to cross McKeen or Hank. It was a price that Sara Sidle, even for the sake of her unborn baby, could never pay.
If Sara was to die, she would die a Sidle.
Her eyes caught sight of three horses approaching in the distance and she watched carefully as they drew closer to the house. She recognized the central rider as soon as he was close enough. It was Robert and he was joined by two of McKeen's goons. McKeen then appeared below her, stepping from the house and he waited for his new arrival.
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The colonel strode down the houses main steps with confidence and a purpose, Jared by his side. He folded his arms across his chest as he waited for the riders to stop before him. They did and the three men quickly dismounted and removed their hats. Robert looked a little nervous and his eyes passed about the grounds.
"No trouble, boys?" the colonel asked.
The two men shook their heads and Cal spoke. "No, sir, no trouble. The Grove is in a little disarray at the moment and no one even saw us."
McKeen sniggered, looking to Robert. "Are you happy to be here?" the colonel asked the younger man.
Robert nodded. "Yes, Father."
The right side of the colonel's mouth curled a grin. "I thought it was time. You have done well but in all honesty, my boy, I wasn't sure if you were going to crack under the current pressure so, best to get you out now before you crumbled."
Clearing his throat, Robert looked to the ground. "I did my best not to disappoint you, Father…" His head rose, "…I have done everything you asked but…"
"But nothing!" the colonel suddenly snapped, bolting forwards.
Taking an unsteady step backwards, Robert swallowed hard.
"Do you really want to question everything we have done?" McKeen growled. "Have I wasted my time on you? Do you want me to send you away and not give you the chance that you think you have a right to?"
"No, sir," Robert said quickly. "I'm sorry…it…all just got a little too much for me…"
The look on the colonel's face softened somewhat and he smiled. "Then we will have to make you stronger, won't we? For if you stand any chance of being a McKeen then you must learn that we do whatever is necessary to get what we want. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
"Good." The colonel wrapped her arm around his son's shoulder. "So how did Thomas take the news that you were leaving?"
Robert's body relaxed a little and he sighed. "The captain is very distracted with…" He paused for a second, "…Miss Sara being missing. When I told him I was leaving to pursue other things, he, just wished me well."
Removing his arm from his son's shoulders, the colonel rubbed his chin. "And what action is Thomas currently taking in regards to finding his daughter?"
Robert's head was suddenly drawn upwards, towards Sara's window and he saw her there, watching them. His eyes quickly sprang away; he just couldn't bear to look at her. He shuffled uncomfortably on his feet. "They have been looking everywhere and asking around but have had no success. I think Mrs. Sidle went to the sheriff first thing this morning but I don't know what came of that."
"Well, I'll make sure we are ready just in case anyone pay's us a visit," the colonel retorted. "For now…how about I show you around and we have a little chat about where we go from here, yes?"
"Yes, sir," Robert replied quickly, earning a slap on the back from his father.
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Sara watched as the group disappeared. She was surprised to see Robert and still didn't understand why he had been helping the colonel but it certainly looked like he was here for a purpose and here to stay.
She wondered about her mother and father. They must be going crazy with worry, well, her mother at least. She had no idea how her father would be feeling about anything right now for the last time they had spoken, it hadn't exactly been on good terms. That saddened her deeply. Were the last words she ever spoke to him to be ones of bitterness? Well and truly, she hoped not.
But her thoughts were soon cut short when she heard the door unlock. Her head turned painstaking slowly towards it and her heart skipped a beat. She knew it was Hank…and she was right…
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The ride was tiring, fatiguing both Grissom and Dante but they battled on. When Grissom saw the entrance to the McKeen estate, he felt a venom run through his body like he had never felt before. He growled as they darted though the open gate but then suddenly he found his defense mechanism kicking in and he slowed Dante. He knew there would be a guard somewhere on the driveway. Someone like McKeen always had men protecting his property. A little regret panged his gut, he had been in such a frenzy to get here he hadn't considered getting help but then again, there really was no time. He had to get Sara out and he had to get her out now.
His eyes darted around the immediate area as they cantered down the driveway, his fingers twitched as they held onto the reins; his brow bore a thick glint of perspiration. Suddenly up ahead, he saw one of McKeen's henchmen stepping out from the bushes, buttoning up his pants. A call of nature no doubt but the man was distracted and had his back to Grissom.
The rancher pulled his rifle from the saddle holster and lifted it high above his head. The watchman obviously heard the horse approaching and swiftly spun around. Sadly for him, he didn't act fast enough and Grissom swung hard, whipping the man across the head with his weapon and he fell to the ground with a crunch.
Satisfied that man was unconscious and wouldn't be an immediate issue, Grissom pressed on.
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Slowly, Sara pushed herself from the chair as Hank approached her. He had a smug smile on his face and Sara noted he was carrying a velvet box, the kind that housed fine jewelry.
"You are looking very beautiful this morning," he commented, attempting to lean in and kiss her.
She jumped back in an attempt to avoid his gesture but he only smiled which made her feel even more nervous.
"I thought we'd got past this, Sara," he said softly which surprised her. "I was just trying to say good morning to my future wife."
On a heavy swallow, Sara shook her head. "I don't want you anywhere near me," she warned. "Do you not remember what you did to me last night?"
Hank looked her up and down, a sickening, "hmmm…" coming from his lips as if he was very pleased with his actions. "I have something for you." He blatantly ignored her comments and flipped open the box he held, revealing a fine golden necklace studded with diamonds. "I think it would fit you very well," he sighed, looking down at his gesture.
Sara frowned in disbelief. Did Hank believe that she was so shallow that a simple gift would erase her shame? Was he so ignorant that he thought that she would simply accept him back with open arms? She watched as he took the necklace from the box and held it in between his fingers, dangling it in front of her.
"Come here and I will put it on for you."
"No," she replied firmly. "I don't want it. I don't want anything from you."
Hank sighed and his happy demeanor darkened somewhat. "Why are you being like this?"
"You are unbelievable," she gasped. "Why am I being like this?" Bravely, she took a step closer, her eyes now piercing into his. "Why!" she now shouted. "You raped me Hank! You forced me into relations against my will!"
He snorted. "You deserved it."
Sara felt an unrelenting fury burn into her soul and before she knew it, her arm shot out and she slapped him hard across the face.
They both looked as equally stunned by her actions for a moment but Hank was quick to fire back and once he had regained his balance, he dropped both necklace and box and he swung his right hand, cracking Sara hard upon her battered face.
She stumbled backwards, hit the wall and slithered down it. Before she could contemplate her next move, Hank was upon her and dragging her from the floor. "You are really pushing my damned patience, Sara," Hank growled as she tried to struggle in his grasp. He held her firmly against the wall and looked directly into her eyes. "I thought I would have taught you something last night. That you're mine…you belong to me…you will love me!" He shook her. "Get that filthy rancher out of your mind, Sara, he is nothing but scum and should never have even been allowed to look at you!"
Her chin trembled. "He is ten times the man you will ever be," she snarled and Hank glared at her.
"That's right…you may not think him worthy but he is more worthy than you will ever be." Her upper lip flared in anger. "I despise you, do you know that? You sicken me, to the very core of my soul. You think you can force me to marry you and you can impose your lust upon me but I will never be truly yours. Never! I love Grissom and I will always be his, I will always love him. I will never love you. And I would rather die than be your wife."
Hanks eyes suddenly turned a darker shade of black and with lightening speed he yanked her from the wall and hit her hard across the right cheek again. She fell backwards onto the bed with a scream and lay, stunned.
"You are a filthy…little…whore!" Hank spat. "I'll show you exactly who you are going to love AND FOREVER LOVE!"
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Grissom saw the house and halted Dante before they came into full view of any prying eyes that may be lurking. He dismounted and had a good look around before slapping his horse on the back.
"Go hide and wait for my call," he instructed. Dante was quick to disappear into the trees at the side of the driveway.
Cautiously but with speed, Grissom sprinted up to the house, rifle in hand, ready for anything. He constantly checked around him, his heart now beating so fast he could hardly hear himself think. Luckily, he reached the house's steps without being seen and dashed through the main door and into the porch.
He knew that if Sara was being held here it would more than likely be upstairs, out of sight, so that destination was his ultimate goal.
Hovering in the porch, he stuck tight to the wall upon hearing voices. Several servants walked across the corridor but didn't look in his direction. He breathed a sigh of relief as they disappeared and he carefully entered the house.
After a good look around, he went for the stairs. Luckily they were reasonably close to the main entrance. Running up them, Grissom's ears immediately caught the sound of a distressed cry and he knew it was Sara. In an instant he followed the noise and found the room from which the cries were coming. With haste, he tried the door but it was locked. When another scream came, his gut clenched and a fury burned within him. It was like Satan himself had just invaded his body.
Jumping backwards, he clenched his fists, teeth gritting and nostrils flaring. He didn't think twice about charging towards the door, twisting so his shoulder became the first point of impact between him and the fine oak fitting.
He burst through the door sending wood splintering in all directions. After gathering his balance, his eyes darted around the room and he saw the bed in an instant.
A ferocious anger flared through him when he saw Hank's head shoot up to look at him. Below him, the woman he loved, on the bed, dazed, afraid, beaten, her clothing torn…
With a bewildered expression on his face, Hank leapt from Sara's body.
"You God damned bastard!" Grissom screamed as he bolted towards him.
Grissom dropped his rifle; sadly, Hank was too close to be able to shoot him with it. He could have gone for his revolver but his anger had gotten the better of him and the urge to just batter this rich boy consumed him. Hank simply could not react in time when the rancher's strong hands grabbed him and launched him across the room.
Sara could do nothing but try and gather her bearings as Hank crashed into the mahogany dressing table and it shattered under his weight, sending wood and glass flying in all directions. He groaned heavily and attempted to scramble to his feet but before he even had one hand on the floor pushing himself up, Grissom was already on top of him.
"You can't so this…" Hank gasped as Grissom's weight encased him.
The fire that burned in the rancher's eyes was one that no enemy would wish to see, ferocious and unforgiving.
Grissom grabbed Hank's collar as he straddled him and pulled his head up, raising his fist high above the younger man's head he brought it down with tremendous force upon the rich boy's face and his head sprang back to hit the pile of rubble behind him.
"Just watch me!" Grissom shouted back, repeating the action again and again, showing no mercy as he pummeled his enemy. He had become an animal and lost all control. Even when Hank's nose exploded and a spray of blood hit his face, Grissom continued to hit him.
It wasn't until he heard her voice…that, is when he stopped.
"Gil…" Sara mumbled and his raised fist stopped, in mid air and his head turned, his eyes catching her as she attempted to sit up and look at him. "Please…" she whimpered.
Breathing heavily, his hand shook, his chest rising and falling in short angry spurts. He fought with himself not to continue the beating.
"Please…" she repeated before holding out her hand.
He looked back to Hank whose eyes were wide and full of fear. The bridge of his nose was oozing with blood and he was almost limp in his attacker's hands. Grissom wanted to finish him off, he really did but Sara was more important and time was not on their side given their current location. He released Hank and his head hit the floor with a cringe worthy crunch and he groaned.
Inhaling a deep and un-nerving breath Grissom pushed himself to his feet, turned to the bed and slowly approached it. When their eyes met, he felt his heart catch in his throat. Sitting carefully on the edge of the bed, he brushed a gentle but bruised hand over her battered right cheek and the tremble that he felt coming from her as soon as he touched her tore at his heart.
Sara's chin quivered as she opened her mouth, she looked totally stunned. "I…I…can't believe you are…here…how did you know?"
Carefully he scooted closer. "Gregory…he came to me."
Sara's eyes closed and she sighed, "Thank goodness he's alive." She then sniffed hard and shook her head. "I'm so sorry," she cried. "I'm so…so sorry…"
His shaky and painful fingers fumbled down her back and her arms were around his neck, clinging to him as if she was holding on for dear life.
He held on, wrapping his arms around her but not with too much pressure, just in case she held unseen injuries. After all, he did not know the full extent of Hanks attack or exactly what he had done to his beloved. His tearful eyes closed and he inhaled her scent, he had missed her so much. "It's alright," he whispered in response. "You are safe…I'm here, no one can hurt you now."
"I did not want to leave you…I…I…did not want to push you away…had no choice…I couldn't…my family…I'm so…sorry…I'm sorry…"
His hold on her increased, just a little and he clenched his eyes tighter. "Shush…" He rubbed his hands softly up her back. "It's alright." Swallowing hard he continued to soothe her but he couldn't shake the thoughts of Hank on top of her from his mind.
A moan of pain from Hank snapped them back to reality and they pulled apart.
"Gil…" Sara swallowed hard, "…if they catch you here they will kill you."
Tenderly cupping her face in his hands he looked deep into her eyes. "Then we have to go," he began, "alright? We need to get out of here, right now. Can you walk?"
Sniffing hard, she wiped her eyes on the back of her hand and nodded quickly. She wanted to say so much more but there was just no time and she knew it. Not yet anyway.
Grissom helped her form the bed, took her hand, grabbed his rifle and they were running from the room, as quickly as was possible…
*** EXTRACT TAKEN FROM: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
A/N: SO how satisfying was the Grissom whoopa? Hehehehe. Are they gonna get away? How will Grissom react when he finds out what Hank has done? Oooooh, still so much more to come. I'd say hold onto your hats but I think I'm the one with the hat, LMAO! Review please :)