A/N: Well, finally here is the next chapter. This almost didn't happen as for the first time in months I actually have the will and time to write, my lap top decided to die. Luckily I have backed up the fic and have borrowed a lap top. My life has just been hell the last few months and working over 70 hours a week has just totally wrecked any chances I have had to write. So, I do apologize for the lateness in posting but I really am doing the best I can. Please be assured I have absolutely no intentions on giving up on this story as it has been my passion for so, so long and it will be until it is finished. Even though it may take a little longer than I had planned.

My undying thanks to my best friend and beta SSC. You keep me going most of the time babe and as sparse as your free time is lately it makes your input and advice all the more special. I love you hun!

So enough waffle, please leave me your thoughts in a review and here we go….

Chapter 93

The wind assaulted Grissom as he approached the stables and a shiver ran down his spine. Grabbing the top of his coat, he pulled the collar up and around his neck. Winter was surely setting in early and he had a dreadful feeling in his stomach that another storm may be on its way.

He had seen the captain disappear inside as he approached and his gut pinched with nerves. Although he had decided to make the move to talk to his former mentor, he had absolutely no idea what he was going to say or even if the two of them would be able to engage in sensible conversation.

However, he had come to realize that Laura was indeed correct about the current situation and he had to try and make an effort, as long as the captain was as willingly obliging.

Entering the stable, he rounded the corner and approached the stalls. He immediately spotted the captain by the far stall looking at the wall. He was staring at the photograph of himself with Grissom and the hands from the Grove. Quietly, Grissom stepped up behind him, glancing over his shoulder only briefly at Dante, who was watching both of them with a curious look. Pandora stood silently beside him. Grissom tried to reassure Dante with a smile but Dante was always more observant than most horses.

"I remember when this was taken," the captain said sensing Grissom was behind him. "Times were good but Sara was sick," he finished as he turned to face the rancher.

"That's right," Grissom answered quietly unsure of what would come next.

The two men stared each other in the eye, silence filling the compound for a long moment. Grissom felt a nerve pinching at the bottom of his right eye as the older man's face remained unreadable.

Cocking his head, the captain studied the younger man before him, from head to toe but then he stepped around the rancher and headed for the open stable door. "Walk with me, Gil," he requested but he didn't stop.

Grissom did as requested and followed the captain even if his steps were ones of uncertainty.

The two men exited the building and Grissom followed as the captain walked to the fencing surrounding the exercise field. The ranch owner leaned over the fence and looked off across the way, noticing Hodges as he fixed parts of the boundary fencing some distance away. He sucked in a deep cool breath and entwined his fingers over the woodwork. "You have some fine looking horses here, Gil," he stated. "I shouldn't be surprised…I guess…" His head turned and he looked to the rancher. "I…"

The captain was unable to finish anything he was about to say as a shout, a distressed plea, broke the conversation.

Both men startled, spinning around to see Laura shouting at them from the cabin steps. Grissom felt his heart strum when he heard Sara's name, his feet reacted before he could even think and he was away, running towards Laura. The captain quickly followed.

Skidding to a halt by the cabin steps, Grissom looked into Laura's eyes as she grabbed his arm. "What's happened?" he gasped, short of breath, looking into her very much panic glazed eyes. Although he had asked the question, he already knew the answer. It was most definitely Sara.

"She's taken a turn…all of a sudden…" she began as her husband reached them. She continued, "…I…I…can't get her to breathe. She is just gasping over and over, but it's like breath can't enter her…she won't listen to me…"

Without a second's hesitation and with his heart now racing, Grissom rushed past her and leapt up the cabin steps. The captain and Laura followed quickly behind him.

When Grissom entered the cabin he found Sara on the floor, facing away from him. Presuming she had fallen from the bed, he was down and by her side with the utmost urgency. "Sara!" he cried as he rolled her from her side and into his arms. Her head just lolled limply back, her eyes rolling to the back of her skull then drifting closed, her lips groping for something they couldn't capture. "Sara? I'm here…can you hear me? Honey…please, hear me…" he whimpered, his gloved, shaky hand splaying across her right cheek.

The slightest of gasps fell from her sore lips.

"Come on…" Grissom urged, "…breathe, Sara, take a breath…"

All the times before, Sara had breathed for him. Grissom held his own breath waiting for Sara to take hers, the seconds weighing on him. "Please Sara, please…." he whispered. "You have to breathe….breathe for me."

No breath entered his beloved's lungs. Her lips stopped moving and she became still.

"No Sara…" He felt the sting of tears. "Honey, no…damn it…you have to breathe."

Quickly, he flipped her over, her limbs folding over in their slackened state. Her skin was rapidly becoming gray, a sign that she needed air urgently. Using the heel of his hand, he struck her firmly in the center of the back, between her bony shoulder blades. The first two blows were ineffective, only bouncing off her. Grissom pinched up his face, balled up his fist and aimed it slightly left of her backbone, directly in the path of her lung.

He hit her with all his strength, hearing a soft sigh for his efforts and he repeated the blow towards the right lung. Left and right, over and over…trying vainly to force the obstruction away.

"What are you doing!" Laura screamed, lurching forward.

"He's trying to save her," the Captain protested, holding her back.

All of a sudden, Sara cried out, one of the most heart wrenching cries Grissom had ever heard and the coughing came. Relentless splurges, over and over and over, so violent Grissom struggled to even hold her. A trickle of blood came from her lips. She coughed and coughed and the stream from her lips grew brighter and wider. Shakily, Laura wept and tried to wipe it away. "Oh my heart," she sobbed.

Grissom trembled with an intensity that he didn't know he possessed. Sara still coughed, but thankfully the obstruction from the pneumonia was no longer occluding her breathing. He heard the tears from the woman he loved more than his own life, soft and weak but none was less heart wrenching than the one that came from her after he had hit her.

He had done what he had to do, but it gave him no peace. Sara was already bruised from Hank's attack and there was no question that his blows would only serve to cause additional pain. He only hoped, prayed that she didn't realize what he was doing…that she didn't see in her sickened state the sight of him hitting her.

He was covered in sweat, as was she, though hers was the dank feverish sweat of illness. A sob threatened to escape his throat but he suppressed it, barely.

He dropped his face near hers, his own lungs heaving a breath. "Sara, please know….I'm sorry. You….are my heart and I would have never….."

A noise interrupted his thoughts and Grissom looked up to meet the eyes of the captain. A strange haunting look softened the older man's features, and he looked as if he might cry.

"Let me help, Gil…" The captain pleaded, stepping forward.

He could only nod, wiping his nose with his sleeve.

The captain reached towards Sara. "I'll put her to bed," he offered.

"No," Grissom pushed out the word. "Not yet. I have to hold her for just a minute."

It wasn't a lie. He had to feel her breathe, feel her heartbeat, feel her life. Her thread of life was so fragile now that he feared the slightest insult would surely break it.

The captain stepped back. His look to Grissom conveyed his understanding.

Grissom suddenly had an idea and pointed across the room. "In the kitchen is a bag…" He silenced for a moment as Sara almost fell from his hold, her body continuing to wrack back and force with vigor. He gritted his teeth, trying not to hurt her as he pulled her strappingly back against him and continued, "…I need it and a knife…"

"Alright…" The older man didn't argue or question Grissom's request. He was off into the kitchen and back within seconds.

When the captain returned to Grissom's side, the rancher had up righted himself against the cabin wall, taking Sara with him. It was difficult trying to keep her stable sitting in the middle of the floor. He had no leverage. Now, she lay cradled in his arms, lying against his chest, her head on his right shoulder, springing backwards and forwards. His arms wrapped tightly around her, attempting to prevent her from shooting away from him with every painful jolt of air that was flying from her lungs.

"What now?" the captain asked edgily, holding the small bag in his left hand and a sharp, flat bladed knife in his right.

"Take one of the seeds from the bag and split it open with the knife," the rancher replied. His arms wrapped tightly around her as her pain became more than evident to everyone in the room.

With haste, the captain moved to the bedside table and fumbled with the bag, unfastening the string tie. Slipping his fingers inside he plucked out one of the seeds and held it up to see what it was. He frowned. "Is this what I think it is?" he asked, returning his attention to the rancher.

Grissom looked up, gnawing a little on his bottom lip. "It's the only thing I can think of to calm her down," he admitted. "We have to stop her coughing and I'm sure this will work."

"She could also react badly to this…" The captain held the seed higher. "Sara has never needed drugs like this before; it may make things even worse than they are already."

Grissom sighed heavily. "If you have a better idea you need to tell me very, very quickly."

The captain looked uncertain and exchanged a glance with his wife. As she stepped up to him, she offered him a weak smile and leaned close, placing her lips next to his ear. "I trust him, Thomas, are you going to be able to? You used to, remember….?"

The ranch owner's eyes flicked from side to side. It was such a crucial decision. Should he allow his daughter to take this drug? Fine, it could help, calm her, cease her pain, but…he had heard rumor of the bad effects opium could bring upon people, especially those who had no experience with it. The worst case scenario, it could even kill her if she overdosed. Although, it was just something he had heard from old veterans and their war stories. He had heard accounts of opium dependence, of people whose lives were ruined by the drug.

Then again, if she continued like this, soon enough she would be struggling to breathe again. She was barely managing it now. His daughter was in pain, miserable terrible pain and if anyone needed some help…it was her.

Giving his wife a slender nod he made his decision and moved towards the bedside table. Laura watched as he took his knife and slit open the seed. He took a deep breath then and turned towards his daughter and Grissom, slowly walking across the hard wooden floor towards them, seed in hand.

Grissom watched the captain as he edged almost painfully towards them. Would Sara react towards her father? Was she coherent enough to even know it was him…that he was there? As the captain knelt before them, barely a foot away from his daughter, Grissom swallowed the relentless lump in his throat.

However, Grissom's worries were not necessary; Sara's eyes were firmly closed and she had no idea who was approaching…for now…

Captain Sidle looked at his daughter, his eyes clouding with tears. So much pain, so much devastation falling from his Sara. It began to hit him now…exactly how much she had been through. A wave of guilt shot through him, he'd been so selfish…

"Captain?" Grissom's voice urged and the rancher held out his hand. The older man looked at him. "If we are going to do this then we need to do it now. I can't see her lasting much longer like this…"

Sara's constant coughing boomed through the cabin and Grissom cringed, her pain reaching the very pit of his soul.

Puffing out a hot breath, the captain leaned forward, extended his arm towards Grissom and opened his hand. "Take it," he urged even if hesitantly.

Reaching out, Grissom plucked the seed from the captain's palm but as he stared at the small, split bulb, he frowned. How was he going to get Sara to swallow this? She hadn't stopped coughing for what seemed like forever.

The captain too sensed the problem and he and Grissom exchanged yet another uncertain glance.

Sara was still oblivious to all around her and continued in her rampage of barking coughs but then, surprising all, her coughing seemed to slow becoming less frequent and harsh as it had been. It was only a partial comfort; her coughing was lessening because she was losing even the strength to cough. Grissom saw his chance. He could get it in her mouth now and did so quickly.

But, the second Grissom popped the seed into Sara's mouth she coughed and it went flying across the room to land somewhere unseen. Grissom cursed under his breath and Sara's coughing worsened once again, though it was now ineffective and less intense.

The rancher felt his heart strings tingle and a burning hit his eyes. This was so hard; he felt his efforts to be futile. He just wanted to make her better, was that so much to ask?

Captain Sidle too felt the pain. Somberly standing he faced his wife and her eyes told her own story. But the ranch owner wasn't about to give up…not now…his Sara would not be taken…not now..not now...

He took another seed and split it, just like he had done before. Retracing his steps, he again knelt by his daughter but this time he reached for her hand.

Grissom felt himself tense when he realized what the captain was doing. Sara's state was bad enough and her reaction to her father's presence could make things worse. Any worse than they already were was an unbearable thought.

At first, Sara didn't even notice, her eyes were closed and she was too busy coughing while clinging to Grissom's arm with her free hand. She held so tightly he could feel her nails tearing through his shirt.

The captain swallowed the heavy lump in his throat and then whispered to his daughter. "Sara…Sara can you hear me?"

In a flash, Sara's eyes popped open but they held nothing but alarm as they stared at her father. Oddly given the startled look on her face, her coughing actually slowed, until it was barely even there anymore. Just small, nervous bursts.

Her face did quickly express her feelings though…pain…exhaustion…and then…shame…

She panicked. Both her arms flailing now to grab at her lovers and her head rolled from side to side. "No…no…no…no…" she mumbled over and over in between her short coughs.

"Captain…" Grissom warned, attempting to keep her still…comfortable, "…this isn't a good…"

Determined, the captain cut in… "I need to try…she needs to know…"

A look of confusion crossed Grissom's features. Know what?

"Sara…Sweetheart…" the captain continued, "…listen to me. He leaned forwards, grasped again onto one of her tense hands and held it tightly.

"No…" she sobbed, "…I'm sorry…I'm sorry…all my fault…so ashamed…"

Biting down hard on his lip, Grissom contemplated how long he could let this continue, for it was not helping.

"No, Sara…" the captain replied firmly but tenderly, "…no. Listen to me…this is not your fault…" He squeezed her hand tighter. "I'm the one who is sorry…I'm the one who was too damned stubborn to listen…I'm sorry, Sara," he choked, "…I'm sorry…"

A single tear slipped from his right eye at the same moment Sara stilled and her eyes opened. She looked right at him as he fumbled to wipe his tear away. "I need you to hear me, Sara, when I tell you I love you and the things I have said…I didn't mean. Everything became such a mess…for all of us and I shouldn't have taken it out on you or…on Gil. I'm so sorry." A weak smile passed over his lips. "You must be strong…please be strong…we all love you…let us help you be strong again. Do you hear me?"

Sara didn't say anything but she didn't freak out again either. She just lay numb, coughing just a little, starring at her father.

The captain exchanged a quick glance with Grissom before he continued with his task. "Sara…" he began, "…you need to rest and I mean properly rest." He held up the seed. "I need you to swallow this for me. Do you think you can do that? It's very small."

Again, Sara remained silent but ever so slowly, her mouth opened as if giving her answer.

Grissom's brow rose in surprise. Sara was actually responding to her father in a positive way. His worry was how long it would last or after this episode would she feel the same? Would she even remember this moment?

Turning to his wife the captain pointed towards the glass of water by the bed. "Water, Laura, please," he urged.

She seemed a little dumbstruck but after a few seconds pulled her composure together and quickly shifted to the bed and recovered the glass. With urgency, she rushed to her husband. "Here…" She held out the glass and he was fast to take it from her. Giving her the tiniest of smiles, he returned his attention to Sara.

No more hesitation crossed the captain's mind as he leaned forward and edged his hand with the drug towards his Sara's mouth. He knew time was very much of the essence and the life of his daughter at stake.

Sara's mouth still hung open but not as widely as it had. The short coughing spurts had concluded but she now had to breathe through her open mouth. Everything else was too congested.

Carefully, the captain slipped the seed between her lips and then edged the glass to her mouth, tipping in a small amount of water. Sara grimaced but managed to swallow and the poppy seed was gone.

Standing back, the captain exhaled a long breath and looked to Grissom. The rancher pulled Sara closer, and held her tightly against his chest. They could do nothing but wait and let the drug take effect…

CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI

Sara was sleeping.

Grissom cradled her, her head resting limply against his chest. Her lips were pale and parted, small breaths easing in and out of them. Her breathing remained slightly labored and wheezing, but it was now regular and more even. Her skin was moist with perspiration again for the fever was once again raging. A feeling of anger struck Grissom. This damned pneumonia, between the coughing fits, obstructions and high fevers, his poor Sara scarcely got any relief.

But the fever was better than the coughing and both were preferred over the horrible obstruction that nearly stole her life.

Laura slipped her hand into her husband's and they watched as Grissom scooped Sara's unconscious body fully against his and lifted her from the floor. His muscular arms barely strained as her limp body slouched loosely against him, her arms flailing off below her. Slowly and with as little noise as possible he moved to the bed, placing Sara carefully upon it. He still held one hand behind her and with the most delicate care ensured her head was carefully and gently placed upon the pillows before he released her.

He kissed her softly on the forehead, covered her with the blankets and stood back then. Finally, she looked peaceful. Well, she'd stopped coughing, most probably due to the fact that the opium had sent her into a definite unconscious state. It had taken a while. She remained conscious as her coughing eased and at one point she mumbled something about floating. Grissom watched as her eyes wandered in a circular motion over and over until finally they settled and she drifted into sleep.

Removing his gloves, Grissom swiped a sweating hand across his chin and turned to face the couple behind him. "She will probably be out for some time," he sighed. "I presume you intend to stay, so it may be a good idea for you to go into town and find lodgings."

Laura looked to her husband. "I'm not leaving her side right now, Thomas." She flicked Grissom a glance. "I can't…."

Grissom folded his arms across his chest but remained silent.

The captain leaned into his wife and kissed her softly on the cheek. "I'll sort out the rooms. The staff will need to eat and rest but I won't be long. I'll bring some supplies back with me."

Laura smiled and was grateful for a total lack of argument from her husband, on any part. "Thank you," she whispered.

He gave her the tiniest of smiles back, Grissom the quickest of glances and headed for the door…

Laura ran a sweaty hand across her forehead, her muscles aching as she knew Grissom had to be as tired as she was. "Let's get her bathed," she muttered to Grissom. "And then we will all rest."

*** "But, there were other echoes, from a distance, that rumbled menacingly in the corner all through this space of time. And it was now, that they began to have an awful sound, as of a great storm with a dreadful sea rising."

*** - Extract taken from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (modified).

A/N: Well, I hope it was worth the wait. What next I wonder? Still a lot to come... Mwahahaa!