A/N: Hey everyone. Thank you very much for all your great reviews and please keep them coming. I know the last chapter was very emotional and there is still some more tears to be weapt before i find Mr Fluffy hat. But I will, Promise :)

My love and thanks to my ever wonderful freind and beta, SSC. I am getting very excited for she will be writing several chapters, very soon and oooooohhhh...ever wondered what would happen if we wrote together? Well, you are about to find out. Eeeepppp. Thank you for all your help, hun! You continue to make this story a great one :)

So here we go...

Chapter 81

Grissom felt his whole body trembling as the news hit his ears. His eyes flicked to the captain but the older man's face didn't seem to hold any emotion.

"Is she going to be alright?" the captain asked his wife with urgency.

Laura nodded. "She should be…" she hesitated before continuing, "…physically anyway."

All that the captain offered was a small nod but then he looked at Grissom. "I expect you to be off my land by the end of the day." He then turned, approached the stairs and slowly disappeared down them.

Grissom's blinked hard as he tried to take in the captain's words. Sara had lost the baby and in the captain's eyes the baby was the only thing allowing Grissom near his daughter. It was his obligation to marry her because he had got her pregnant. But now the baby was gone and seemingly so was any chance Grissom had of remaining with Sara.

His attention was then brought back to Laura as she approached him and placed a hand on his arm. "I'm not entirely sure what to say to you right now but I do know you could use a little medical aid. Let me tend to you."

Swallowing the dry, painful lump in his throat, Grissom tried to gather some composure. "I want to see her."

"She's sleeping, Gil. She is totally drained, exhausted and she will be...bleeding for some time yet. I don't think you should…"

"Please…" he cut in, "…just for a moment. I…just…need to…"

After a moment's thought, the lady of the house sighed, "Alright but just for a minute, okay?"

Grissom offered a single gloomy nod and followed Laura into the bedroom.

The room was in semi darkness, the drapes now drawn but the sunlight still tried to seep through and Rana sat by Sara's bedside, watching over her.

Sara lay on her back dressed in a silken, rose nightgown. The cotton cream sheet covering her was pulled up to her waist. Her left arm lay by her side while the right wrapped around her stomach. Some of her fingers had been bandaged; no doubt Laura had dressed any wounds she could. She looked far from peaceful though, her face was extremely pale and her facial features bore a permanent grimace.

The housekeeper looked up upon hearing Laura and Grissom enter.

"Rana," Laura whispered. "Could you bring some fresh water and towels and get rid of the soiled sheets please."

"Yes, Ma'am," Rana replied. She stood and scooped up the dirty laundry. Grissom's eyes shot away from the blood soaked linen and he fought back the wave of nausea that passed over him. He felt Laura slip an arm around his waist as he suddenly swayed from side to side.

"Just take a few deep breaths," she advised, "Nice and slow."

Doing as told, Grissom sucked in a few gusts of air and gathered his bearings. Once satisfied he was stable he stepped away from Laura and moved close to the bed. He hovered over Sara's still form and felt his whole body slump. She looked so fragile, so incredibly pained and he could do nothing, nothing at all.

After a minute or so of simply looking at her he leaned forwards and gently placed his lips on her forehead giving her a soft, delicate kiss but as he pulled back, for a third time, warm blood trickled from his nose.

Pulling out his handkerchief again he held it over his injury just as Rana returned. Laura slipped her arm through Grissom's and tugged. "Come with me, Rana will look after Sara until I get back."

In all seriousness, Grissom didn't want to leave but he knew staying by Sara's side, especially in her current condition wouldn't be allowed, so with reluctance, he allowed himself to be guided from the room.

But before stepping foot outside her bedroom, he turned to regard the hovering Rana. "Rana," he said softly. "Will you at least tell her, when she wakes up, that I came to see her?"

Rana's only response was a gentle nod.

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Laura took him downstairs and into the kitchen, several staff members who were getting on with their daily routine of preparing meals quickly made themselves scarce, leaving Grissom and Laura alone.

"Sit down," Laura urged, pointing to one of the chairs under the kitchen table.

Grissom did as requested and watched Laura as she pumped some water into a bowl and grabbed a cloth. She approached him, placed the bowl on the table and sat opposite, pulling her chair close so their knees were touching. Reaching to his hand she pulled it away from his nose and placed his bloody handkerchief onto the table. After dipping her cloth into the water she placed her hand on Grissom's chin and gently tilted his head back, just a touch.

She wiped the blood away from his face. "This will hurt, Gil, but we need stop the blood flow or your nose will keep on bleeding. Are you ready?"

After sucking in his gut and preparing for the pain, Grissom faintly nodded.

Laura placed the cloth over Grissom's nose and then pinched, really hard, just below the bridge, nipping skin and bone really tightly between her fingers.

The rancher groaned and felt his feet tingling as pain shot through his head. His eyes watered, but he tried hard to downplay it.

"You're doing well, Gil, I don't think it's broken but I need to keep pinching like this for a few minutes," Laura attempted to soothe. "Are you alright, can you handle it?"

"Yes, Ma'am," he mumbled in response.

A small smile passed over Laura's lips but then it faded as her free hand reached to Grissom's throat, her finger tips delicately brushing over the injured flesh. "They really hurt you both, didn't they?" she asked softly.

Blinking hard and with his mouth popping open in order to breathe, Grissom gave a single nod.

"Can I ask you something, Gil?"

"Yes…" he replied, closing his eyes.

Laura took an audible breath before asking her question. "Did…Hank force himself upon my daughter?"

Ever so slowly, Grissom's eyes opened, a real tear mixing with those of his pain. He nodded as Laura removed her hand from his nose and he sucked in a ragged breath. "How did you know?"

Tears now emerged in Laura's eyes. "She has…bruises…marks…ones that would only be caused by force."

Bowing his head, Grissom stared at his battered hands.

"Did Sara tell you?" Laura asked softly.

Shaking his head, Grissom bit down on his bottom lip, now clenching his hands together. "She doesn't know that I know. He told me…well," he sniggered sarcastically; "…he gloated to me. He was proud of it, proud of what he had done."

Laura shook her head in disbelief. Sucking in her gut on a shuddering breath, she slipped a gentle finger under Grissom's chin, raising his head so that he looked at her. "Don't blame yourself, Gil," she said on a sob. "You may have things to answer for in regards to your relationship with Sara…" Her tone held bitter disappointment, "…but I'm sure you did all you could in regards to saving her and I'm certain Hank will get exactly what he deserves."

Grissom's eyes flickered. "He already has."

Tilting her head to the side and removing her hand from his chin, Laura's eyes curiously searched his. "What do you mean?"

The rancher tried to swallow the large lump in his throat but his mouth was so dry he failed miserably. "He's dead, I…" he hesitated. "…I killed him…"

Laura's mouth opened, her eyes widened, her brain deep in thought attempting to absorb what Grissom had just said…admitted.

She took his bruised right hand and held it tightly. "I am very much in the dark, Gil. Tell me what happened…please…"

After licking his dry lips, Grissom hesitated but, after a moment's pause, he offered a nod. "When the sheriff arrived at McKeen's it was chaos. I was hanging, everyone was shooting and…I couldn't stop Hank from taking Sara." He took a breath before continuing. "Thankfully I was cut down and able to give chase. We ended up at the top of West Point Gorge. It all feels like such a blur, we fought…one minute Sara was hanging over the edge of the cliff top and the next minute the tables were turned and it was Hank. I…" He ran an unsteady hand through is hair, "…I grabbed his hand…I was going to pull him up but then he told me what he had done to Sara and I…dropped him. I simply released my grip form his and let him fall. I killed him."

Once again, Grissom bowed his head but Laura leaned forward, cupped his cheeks in her hands and pulled him up, looking deeply into his eyes. "You tell no one what you have just told me, Gil. Do you understand?"

Grissom frowned.

"No one, Gil," she warned, but in a tender way. "As far as anyone is concerned, you simply couldn't hold him and he fell. After what he did, he deserved what he got and you do not deserve to be punished for it. You have your own demons to fight but Hank Pedigrew is not one of them. Are we clear?"

He didn't respond, he wasn't entirely sure how to.

"Gil?"

Eventually, Grissom nodded, "Yes, Ma'am."

"Good." Laura half smiled. "Now, all we have to do, is sort out this rather big mess we find ourselves in, don't you think?"

"If it was only that simple," he sighed.

Laura cleared her throat and licked her lips. "Gil…do you love Sara?"

It took Grissom just a moment to answer. "Yes," he replied. "I do."

Considering Sara had been taken by another, especially against her will, most men would simply turn their back on her…not want anything to do with her, ever again. Laura knew that. But she also knew how much her daughter had anguished after accepting Hanks proposal. Sara's heart had always been with Grissom though, that was something Laura quickly realized. But her husband was bound to and had his right to drive Grissom away. She just had to find a way, especially for her daughter sake, to try and quash her husband's anger.

"Then…" She took his hand again, "…I will do all I can."

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Grissom stood on the veranda and looked out over the garden. It was late afternoon now and he had been outside for some time. He had allowed Laura to tend to his other injuries, his cuts and bruises but they didn't say much more to each other. He knew she was disappointed with him but for now, she left him be because it was obvious he was frustrated, sore, worried, tired and so angry. But his anger was all over the place. He was angry at so many different things he just couldn't talk about much, he just needed some time. Laura had to get back to Sara anyway, so she didn't push him and the lady of the house knew one of the biggest issues at that point in time was her husband. She herself didn't even know what was going to happen now, especially when it came to him or his situation with her daughter

Laura did insist Grissom go to the cabin and sleep and after a little reluctance, he did agree. He was exhausted and managed a few hours of rest before waking. He then walked for a while and ended up back at the house.

After rubbing his tired eyes he winced and ran his hand over the scarf Laura had placed around his neck. His throat was sore but there wasn't much that would ease his pain. The neck scarf had initially been wet, drenched with cold water and carefully wrapped around his blackened flesh. The coolness did help to start with but now, the scarf was dry and in all honesty, irritating.

"So this is where you're hiding."

Startled at the unexpected voice, Grissom spun around to see Brass walking towards him.

"I'm not hiding," the rancher sighed.

Chewing on his bottom lip, the sheriff stepped up close to his friend and his eyes looked over his entire body, from top to bottom. Raising his right hand, he took a hold of the top of the scarf around Grissom's neck and carefully pulled it down a little, causing the rancher to grimace.

"You were very lucky," the sheriff said, pulling his hand back.

"I can't say I feel very lucky right now, Jim," Grissom replied, straightening the scarf.

Brass puckered his lips. "Vartann gave me your story but said he wasn't able to speak with Sara, she was unavailable. He wasn't told why she was unavailable though. Is she available now?"

Grissom's eyes narrowed. "Have you spoken to anyone here yet?"

"No, I just arrived. I caught Ecklie at the main door, he said he saw you come somewhere out here, so I thought I'd come find you first."

"Oh…"

The sheriff reached into his pocket and checked the time on his pocket watch. "I have to get back before nightfall. I want the colonel very tightly monitored and guarded."

Grissom just gave a nod even though he had yet to learn what happened with the colonel.

"So is Sara around?" Brass asked again. "I'm sure your stories will be the same but I still need to speak with her."

With his shoulders slumping, Grissom slipped his hands into his pockets. "You won't be able to see her. Not today anyway."

Folding his arms across his chest, the sheriff carefully studied the rancher. "What's going on, Gil? I know something isn't right, I can see it on your face."

Grissom puffed out a hot breath of air. He really could do with someone to talk to and out of all the people he trusted, which wasn't many, James Brass was one person he knew he could confide in but he knew his friend would not be happy with what he was about to hear.

The rancher rubbed a hand across his mouth and began. "Before I left, Sara and I were…we…," he hesitated, "…we had a relationship…were considering marriage…"

"Oh, boy…" Brass cut in. "Well at least now I know your real reason for leaving. What the hell were you thinking, Gil?"

"Can I finish?" Grissom asked on a huff and Brass waved his hand for the rancher to continue.

Turning, Grissom leaned over the veranda rail and Brass joined him, standing by his side.

"Yes, in a way, you are right. When Sara pushed me away and agreed to marry Hank, I was pretty devastated, I couldn't stay here and watch that but as we all now know, there was a lot more to it."

"So you forgive her?" the sheriff asked.

Grissom turned his head and looked at his friend but he did not answer the question. "Sara agreed to marry Hank to save the Grove, Jim, to save her father from financial ruin."

The sheriff's cheeks expanded as he blew out a heavy sigh. "Still…you and her…not good, Gil, so not good. And the captain knows?"

Grissom nodded but then his eyes clouded with tears as the thought of her miscarrying came into his mind. He averted his gaze from his friend and looked back out over the garden, taking note of how the branches of the oak trees swayed as the wind suddenly picked up. "Right now she isn't too well. She is…very shaken and…sleeping. I'd say the earliest you will be able to speak with her will be tomorrow."

"How did the captain take the news…you know, the two of you?"

Grunting sarcastically, Grissom shook his head. "How do you think?" he snapped.

"Well…" Brass began, "…no offence, but you are someone of an entirely different class and didn't seek any form of permission. Did you expect him to be happy about it?"

Without warning, Grissom lunged to his right, grabbed one of the veranda wicker chairs and launched it across the garden with a venomous cry. He hadn't even had chance to think much about what anything actually meant to him. Even though he knew Brass was right, he hated the fact that he was. Life was governed so much by society and birth right. He truly hated the way the world worked.

"Feel better?" the lawman asked.

Grissom's nostrils flared. "Far from it," he retorted.

Brass nodded as if he understood, "So now what are you going to do?"

Before Grissom could respond he sensed a presence and looked towards the house to see the captain step onto the veranda. The two men clashed eyes and the ranch owner approached them.

The captain looked to the lawman. "Are the two of you discussing something I should know about?"

Grissom and the sheriff exchanged a glance but then Brass shook his head as he returned his attention to the ranch owner. "No, Captain," he replied, "Nothing you don't already know."

"How about you tell me all the things I don't know then?" the captain continued sounding irritated. "I'm still waiting for some form of update. Your deputy was more interested in asking questions than giving any answers."

"Sure." The sheriff nodded.

"Let's…" The older man pointed towards the house, "…go inside, I could use a drink."

Again the sheriff nodded but looked to Grissom. "Gil should come too; he also needs to know what's going on and where we go from here."

The captain did not look impressed at that suggestion but nodded nonetheless and walked back into the house.

Brass and Grissom followed behind.

A/N: Poor Grissom, he is not a happy bunny is he? So much pain :( Wonder what the Cap is going to do now…hmmm…Will he ever see reason? Let's see…