A/N: Hi everyone. Apologies for the delay but real life, especially work is consuming me 24/7 at the moment and my time to write is very few and far between.

Thanks to my gal, SweetSouthernComfort for your beta and input on this chapter. She's a hidden evil I'm sure of it. :) (Blame her, lol!)

Well, I hope you enjoy and don't be too tough with the pitchforks :)

Chapter 98

Around two hours into the journey Grissom had exchanged places with the Captain and now sat atop of the coach with Joe. He'd been up top for several hours and now felt more refreshed than he had when their travelling began. The cool air had done much to revive him.

The rancher had managed almost two hours sleep before he awoke and he did feel a little better, though his neck was a bit sore from the less than ideal position he had slept in. Nevertheless, his headache had gone and the pain in his ear had not returned, much to his relief.

His rifle lay upon his knee, ready should he need it and his eyes constantly scanned the area. It had started to get dark some half hour before so vision was now becoming very limited. He could still make out the wagon and Taylor's men in front of them but only just. He relied more on his hearing now than his sight. He did smile though when he caught Dante giving Pandora an encouraging rub with his nose, their silhouette was pretty unmistakable. Pandora was stumbling slightly but otherwise she was managing well. Grissom knew the filly would need a lot of rest and attention once they arrived at the Grove.

A frost was setting in, upon the trees and ground, glistening in the tiny amount of moonlight that was managing to seep through the clouds above. Winter most certainly had come upon them with a vengeance but, at least it hadn't started raining again…yet.

Inside the coach, Laura sat next to her daughter, the captain and Rana opposite. Rana hadn't slept, she wouldn't knowing that her services may be needed at anytime but the captain and Laura had their eyes closed and had been sleeping for a while. Sara too was still in slumber and had been so since entering the coach. Grissom was surprised he had managed to slide out without waking her but she hadn't stirred at all when he replaced his body with her mothers.

Alas, the comfortable silence inside the coach was brought to an abrupt end when Sara began moaning in her sleep again.

Laura and the captain's eyes opened simultaneously and they both looked to their daughter. Rana inhaled sharply, and looked at Sara, but didn't make a move towards her. Her lips moved quickly, silently, an obvious prayer.

"No…no…" Sara grumbled, beginning to shake her head, "…no…get off me…please…"

The captain swallowed hard as his wife looked to him. "I think we should get Gil," she whispered. "She had some bad nightmares at the cabin and if that happens again I have a feeling he's going to be the only one that can calm her."

"I remember when I used to be the one to look after her," he responded somberly.

A sad smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he remembered years past when times were simpler and he was the only man in his daughter's life. Nevertheless, he sent a signal to the driver to stop the horses. Within a minute, Grissom had dismounted the cabin and was looking into the coach.

"Everything alright?" he asked, weapon in hand.

Laura popped her head out of the door. "Sara is having nightmares again…may be a good idea for you to come back inside for a while."

Grissom's face contorted in concern and he looked to the captain. The older man nodded and slipped from the coach. "I'll go back up top." Despite his sorrow at being unable to help Sara, the captain did not want to be reminded of what had happened during her captivity at McKeen's. Anger still seethed at the whole affair and sometimes even at Grissom but it was abating thanks to a lot of prayer and Grissom's likable nature.

Grissom loved Sara. That much the captain couldn't argue with. And even in Sara's illness, it was apparent that she loved him back.

The rancher didn't even have a chance to comment as the captain immediately pulled himself up onto the top of the coach. Laura shifted herself to sit where her husband had been and on a light sigh, Grissom sat next to Sara, gently pulling her to him. The coach pulled forward and they were away again.

Sara was definitely more feverish, which accounted for the new onset of delirium. He had noticed that since that horrible experience with her at the cabin that she wasn't struggling to breathe as much. He hoped that was an improvement. However, until the fever subsided her recovery was not certain.

Once more, Sara began mumbling… "Please don't…" she began, "…I don't want…" Her eyes popped open and she stared at Grissom blankly. Beads of sweat were sprinkled across her forehead and cheeks.

"Shush…" He hugged her close, softly running a hand through her dampened hair, "...it's alright…" he soothed, "…you're safe and I'm here." She was sweating rather badly now and Grissom considered removing one of the blankets from around her. "She's very, very hot," he said. "Do you think I should take a blanket off?"

He looked to Laura and she frowned. Neither of them seemed to be sure.

"Best to leave her wrapped up," Rana cut in and they both looked to her. "She be running a temperature but on the inside she be cold." The maid smiled. "Must be thinking what you can't see, Sir."

"Are you sure?" Grissom asked swiping his hand over Sara's forehead. She feels pretty hot to me and I remember something Robbins once said in regards to illness… if she's hot, she's dehydrating, no?"

Frowning, Rana leaned forward. "May I, Sir?" she asked reaching out a hand.

Grissom nodded. "Please…" he encouraged. He had a feeling he was right about Sara being too wrapped up at that point although someone supporting him on that opinion would aid his confidence.

The aid's frown grew as she gently placed her hand on Sara's forehead, then her throat. The look of concern on her face then grew. "You do what you feel best, Sir," she said pulling back. "She very hot."

Without a moment's hesitation Grissom started unwrapping a blanket from Sara's body. Laura tipped herself forward to help him noting his urgency. "She needs cooling down," he started. "Very quickly… her temperature is…. It's too much…"

Rana reached under the seat and pulled out a water canteen. "Be sure to keep her hydrated. She must keep her liquids up as she sweating. Here…" She popped off the top and held out the canister, "…see if she will drink."

After removing the insulation from Sara, Grissom swiftly took the canteen and maneuvered himself a little, placing his hand delicately under her chin. The last thing he needed was her choking. "Sara…" he appealed quietly to her, her head on his shoulder as she looked up at him and her eyes flickered as he spoke. He knew she could hear him, her eyes told him that. "…I need you to have some water…you need to drink, sweetheart. You think you can try?"

Sara sniffed hard, possibly to alleviate the congestion currently forming in her nostrils. After just a moment she opened her mouth, just barely but Grissom knew that was his cue. Great concentration etched upon Grissom's face as he carefully edged the canister towards Sara's lips. This wasn't as simple as it would be if she were simply lying in a bed. One bad jolt from the coach and he could end up accidentally thrusting the bottle down Sara's throat. That would not be a pleasant thing to have to deal with.

"Nice and easy," he whispered as the rim of the container rested upon her sensitive, sore lips. He cautiously poured a little of the water into her mouth. "Just a little at a time, Sara."

As the muscles in her throat contorted, Sara closed her eyes as she tried to swallow the water. The first mouthful went down easily, followed by a second then a third. Just small amounts, but Grissom knew anything was better than nothing. Sara managed about six mouthfuls before she closed her mouth and several coughs followed.

"I think that's enough for now," Grissom said handing the canister back to Rana.

"A little is better than none," Rana replied, taking the bottle from Grissom and screwing the top back onto the container.

He smiled and Sara shifted, placing her head upon his chest. He wrapped his arms back around her as she began mumbling about something that he couldn't make out. Despite this, she didn't seem to be in great distress. His eyes clashed with Laura's and she smiled. Smiling back he closed his eyes and prayed for morning…for the Grove, and safety…

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Several hours later Sara became unsettled again. More cries in her sleep, more nightmares. Grissom held her close, doing his best to calm her. She seemed more feverish than ever.

"Get off me," she whispered hoarsely. "Get off me. I don't want to. Just kill me. Just kill me and get it over with…..I don't have anything left."

Grissom soothed her, or at least attempted to. Generally, Sara would settle but this time his efforts seemed ineffective. She wasn't screaming as she had done, but rather a sort of silent pleading that bothered him more than the louder counterparts had.

After the fourth time he thought maybe she really had fallen into a deep slumber but she moaned again. His right hand passed over her face and his features crumpled more worry.

"Ooooh," Sara said suddenly. "That's a nice house, Robbins. Can I stay? Please."

"I think we should stop, as soon as possible," he said to Laura, giving her a look that had her even more concerned. "This is going on too long. She's burning up continuously and constantly sweating and her temperature is higher than it ever has been." He pulled her closer, not that that seemed possible, his own band of cold sweat now forming on his brow at Sara's latest hallucination.

Rana only shook her head. "The fever is reaching the summit. After this, it will either subside, or Miss Sara will be with the angels," she explained.

Laura didn't even question Grissom's request or acknowledge Rana's declaration. Her eyes began to tear up and she wiped at them impatiently. She immediately banged on the roof to the coach and it slowly came to a halt.

The captain appeared at the door within seconds, opening it.

"We need to find lodgings, Thomas, as soon as possible," Laura said immediately, leaning towards him. "I know you wished to travel home in one go but…Sara isn't doing so well. She needs some proper rest."

Looking to Grissom and then to his daughter the captain offered no form of argument, just a simple nod. "There is a hotel not too far from here I think, in the next town, we can stop there."

Laura placed her hand on his arm. "As quick as we can…" she implored.

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The Sidle convoy traveled with speed now and reached the hotel within the hour. As they pulled up and Laura looked through the window, she recognized the place immediately. It was the same hotel she and Sara had stayed on their so called wedding trip. At least she knew it was hospitable.

The door to the coach opened and the captain looked inside. "Were here," he announced. "Give me a few minutes while I organize us some lodgings…" His eyes passed over his daughter, "…how is she?"

"Not well." Grissom's expression's answered the Captain's question far better than his words. "She's not moving much, just rambling but she's tired."

"She was talking about….." Laura's voice trailed off and she sniffled, "…Robbins, your father and other things from years ago…"

"She's in need of some proper, comfortable rest," Grissom continued, his eyes worried and exhausted.

Sara's hand had escaped what was remaining of her blanket cocoon and was reaching upwards.

"I can't reach you," she said sadly. "Robbins, you can reach me, can't you?" A smile graced her features, soft and serene. "I'll be there soon."

Grissom wanted to say something to her but the lump in his throat blocked the words. He put his cool but sweating forehead against hers. God, she was so hot. How could anyone be so hot? It was because they had moved her, she had been doing better. They had taken a chance for safety and now Sara would pay the ultimate price.

Or would he? Her life in heaven would far beat his on earth without her.

With a sad and confused nod the captain cleared his throat. "I'll be right back."

Grissom watched as the captain disappeared and then felt Laura's hand as it touched his arm. "Won't be long…" she said with a smile, "…then we can all get some rest."

"Yeah," Grissom sighed.

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It didn't take long before the captain returned. "Alright," he began, "I got us some rooms. Let's get Sara inside then we can sort out what we'll need for the evening."

Laura was quick to agree with her husband and exited the coach, hastily followed by Rana. Grissom slipped out from underneath Sara but kept a hold on her and with such gentle tenderness he scooped her into his arms, pulling her from the coach. She didn't bother to hold onto him. "Let's go," he insisted, beginning to walk as Sara's head flopped into the hollow of his neck. Laura walked by his side as he followed the captain towards the hotel and Rana quickly followed the group.

"I've told Joe to stay with the others at the coach until we decide what we need," the captain said.

Grissom's eyes narrowed as suddenly the dull pain in his ear returned and he could barely make out what the captain was saying. He tried to focus, more on keeping his balance and a hold of Sara than anything but as quick as the odd feeling came, it vanished again and his hearing returned. He grumbled under his breath but continued. He had enough to contend with without having to worry about himself.

They entered the reception area with haste and numerous sets of eyes fell upon the group both from staff members and other customers.

A young male approached them holding numerous keys in his hand. He was quick to notice Sara and her current state. He looked to the captain.

"Is she alright?" he asked. "She doesn't look so good."

Grissom ignored the question; he was too busy scouting out the area and the people around him with his eyes.

The captain had failed to inform the clerk of Sara's condition upon checking in, but he didn't feel he really should be obliged to. "She has pneumonia and is in need of rest," the captain responded.

"Oh…" he replied, taking a step backwards and looking a little sheepish. "Well…" he cleared his throat, "…umm…maybe other accommodations would suit you more…" He retreated a little further.

The captain glared at him and Grissom's eyes also shot to him now. Moving towards the younger man, the captain took his arm and pulled him roughly aside. "What are you saying to me right now?" he growled angrily but as quietly as he could. "Do you have any idea who I am?"

The man swallowed hard and shook his head.

"What's going on here?" an older voice sounded from the bar area and a smart dressed man in his fifties appeared. He looked over the group and the captain stepped towards him.

"She has pneumonia," the young clerk said quickly but quietly.

The captain gritted his teeth in frustration at the young man's persistent interference but kept his attention on the smartly dressed man. "Who are you?" he asked him.

"This is my hotel," the man answered. "My name is Franklin Girard and who might you be? I don't appreciate fusses being made in my hotel and...we don't usually accept people with contagious…"

The captain stepped closer towards him before he had time to finish and a small group gathered around them. "My name is Captain Thomas Sidle," he said with confidence. "And we are not trying to cause a fuss. We just require rooms for rest and unless I'm a little dumb, isn't that the faculty you are supposed to provide?"

Franklin paled. "Thomas Sidle?" he asked.

"Yes," the captain confirmed firmly. "Do you know who I am?"

The manager nodded. "Yes, Sir. I know who you are. Umm…" He shuffled nervously on his feet, "…may we talk in private for a moment?"

The captain looked to his party and began to feel very disgruntled. "I really don't have the patience for this," he griped. "And…my daughter is very uncomfortable right now...she will not make it to another hotel…" The venom in the ranch owner's voice was enough to make any mans blood turn cold.

Looking to Sara and noticing the fierce look Grissom was now giving him, Franklin sighed. "Show them upstairs," he said to his young helper.

"What?" The young man questioned, sounding shocked at the decision.

"Just do it," Franklin whispered, looking at the growing crowd of already paying customers around them.

The young man nodded. "As you wish… Follow me…" he said to Grissom.

Grissom began to follow him as he headed for the stairs but stopped when he heard Franklin talk to the captain again.

"I really want to speak with you, Captain, before you go up," the hotel owner said and it was more of a demand than a request.

"Fine," the captain snapped. "Go on up, Gil, you too Laura. I'll follow shortly," he said.

Grissom didn't argue and started up the stairs, Laura and Rana followed him.

Franklin beckoned the captain to follow him to get away from the crowd and prying ears and he was led into a small office behind the reception area.

"Are we going to have a problem?" the captain asked as Franklin closed the door.

The hotel manager reached to a bottle on the desk beside him and held up the bottle. "Bourbon?" he asked.

After a moment's thought, the captain shook his head. "No, thank you." He was tired enough and drinking probably wasn't the best plan of action right now.

"And no…" Franklin continued, "…we are not going to have a problem. Well…" He poured a glass of alcohol for himself. "…I hope not." He sipped from his glass and then wiped his mouth on his sleeve. "I recognize your wife," he continued, "and your daughter. They were here not so long ago, correct?"

The captain studied him; he wasn't sure where this was going. "That's right."

"You need to understand that its normal house policy not to allow sick people to reside here. Especially ones with such a contagious illness as pneumonia. People could catch it and…" Franklin sipped from him glass, "…that wouldn't be very good for business you know…"

The captain folded his arms across his chest but didn't interrupt.

Franklin put his glass down and stepped towards the ranch owner. "So I am taking a huge risk here. Not only to my customers but to my reputation should the illness spread. So, there are conditions..."

"Such as?" the older man asked.

"Your daughter is to remain in her room and not leave it until you depart. I will ensure the reception area is clear when you check out."

"Alright."

"Access to her room must be limited. None of my staff are to go in there until you have left and I will ensure all appropriate items used are incinerated, such as linens which you must pay for."

"I will ensure you are paid handsomely for your…generosity," the captain responded.

The younger man smiled. "I have no doubt but it's not exactly just money I desire at this point in time. Well, apart from whatever you owe for your stay."

"Oh?" The captain was confused. "Well, what else do you want?"

The manager's smile grew and the captain wasn't sure if he was going to like whatever was coming next…

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The Sidle group followed there escort up to the second floor and down a long, lamp lit corridor.

"These four rooms are yours," the young man said pointing, 209, 10, 11 and 12." He opened 209 and stepped back. Grissom didn't dally and rushed inside with Sara. Rana quickly followed him but Laura remained in the corridor. "Here…" The young man held out the keys and Laura took them from him.

"Thank you," she said.

He offered her a nod. "I will presume that Mr. Girard will offer you the normal courtesies so if you require anything, please come to reception."

"We'll do that," Laura replied. "Would it be possible to get a bath brought up?" she added.

The clerk thought a few seconds. "I'll see what I can do." He offered her a weak smile and quickly stepped away. It was as if he didn't seem too keen to stay in the area. Laura couldn't blame him really.

"Sir…" She stopped the retreating figure. "I understand your concern and appreciate your allowing us to stay. If you simply tell us where to find the things we need, my servants will get them so you are not in any danger."

"I… will see what I can do," the clerk repeated again and then was gone.

She sighed and entered the bedroom.

It was an average sized bedroom with a double oak bed, two chests of drawers and a writing desk with a chair. A cozy fire place lay in the middle of the room, fresh wood in a bucket besides waiting to be used and a small clock ticked on the mantel. Grissom had already placed Sara onto the bed and he was sitting on the edge, feeling her forehead.

"Rana, can you go down to the coaches and sort a few essentials for tonight?" Laura asked.

"Yes, Ma'am."

Here…" Laura held out two keys. "All the boys will have to share but I'm sure they won't mind. You have the other room. Please, just make sure you bring up a change of clothes for Sara as well as her night attire."

"No problem, Ma'am."

Rana left quickly without question and Laura approached the bed. "Is she still hot?" she asked as Grissom pulled the hood from Sara's head.

"Very," Grissom responded, beginning to remove the remaining blanket from Sara's body.

Stepping forwards, Laura began to help him in an attempt to continue to cool her daughter down. In the cold outdoors, the remaining insulation was essential but now, it was a hindrance. "I've asked for a bath to be brought up. I think she needs it."

"Yeah," Grissom agreed, pulling the blanket free from Sara's sweat laden body.

Sara opened her eyes and her head lolled from side to side. "So hot…" she mumbled.

"I know, sweetheart," Laura started, helping to remove Sara's coat. "We'll get you cool soon, I promise and then we can put you to bed and you can get some nice, proper rest."

"A party." Sara smiled again. "Robbins is having a party and I'm invited. Granddaddy is there and….

Grissom sighed. "She's delirious," he whispered.

"Gil," Sara suddenly said. "I want you and Father to know that I tried very hard to stay…"

"I think so," Laura agreed on her own sigh but then she thought with Sara mentioning her father. Where had Thomas got to?

Upon finishing her thought, the captain walked through the still open door. "Finally found you," he muttered. "I think I took a wrong turn…"

"Is everything alright?" Laura asked, standing.

He nodded. "Kind of, we have conditions, Sara can't leave this room but we can stay and… there's a little something I have to do."

A suspicious look struck Laura's face. "What do you mean? What do you have to do?"

"Right now it's not important," he said. "I'll explain later. Is she any better?" he asked looking to his daughter.

Laura shook her head. "No. I think she wants to…..attend Robbins party."

"What?"

"Exactly." Laura emitted a sharp breath of nervousness.

"But Robbins is…"

Laura squeezed his arm. "I know."

The captain rubbed his beard and watched as Grissom continued to undress his daughter. "Maybe it's time you took over," he suggested to his wife.

Grissom heard and looked over his shoulder. Sara was now just down to her dress but until the captain had spoken, he hadn't even considered stopping. He didn't want to stop but he knew continuing with Sara's father looking over his shoulder probably wasn't the most appropriate thing.

Laura placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Why don't you go and see how that baths getting on?"

Grissom frowned. Leaving Sara…..like this? Hallucinating about having parties in places where she didn't belong yet? Talking to people who were no longer here?"

"I'll come with you," the captain suggested.

Grissom looked back to Sara and she stared at him. "Are we going for a walk, Robbins?" she wheezed. "It's very hot in here you know….cooler where you are. Take me too."

"Sara," he said, fanning her. "Listen…"

"How do I go?" she asked him.

He gathered her up, though the heat coming off her body was so much that it almost pained him to hold her. "Sara, it's not time for you to go. The party isn't today. You have to stay with me. I need you to stay with me."

"No," Sara moaned. "Won't be the same. Gil won't understand. Can't understand. My baby is at the party…"

"Gil is right," Laura spoke up, tears flowing down her cheeks. "She's delirious. She's way too hot. We have to cool her off. Gil, you have to leave. Rana and I will take it from here."

Grissom slowly stood up, and hesitantly walked towards the Captain.

"Bye," Sara said aloud. Then a look of distress crossed her face. "Goodbye…"

"Hey, it's alright," Laura wrapped an arm around her daughter as soon as she noticed her distress. "Gil is just sorting you out a bath, he'll be back…." She looked to both men. "Hurry…before her mood changes for the worst…"

Although hesitant to leave Sara's side Grissom quickly stepped away and the captain followed him. Sara sniffed hard and Laura held her daughter bringing her into her chest. "Shush, sweetheart. He won't be long and you can have a nice cool bath and then we can get you all snuggled up in bed, ok?"

"Yes, cool…" Sara mumbled, "…so hot…"

"I know…" Laura sighed, rocking Sara back and forth, "…I know…"

*** "He did not begin, but, in his indecision, met her glance. The young forehead lifted itself into that singular expression-but it was pretty and characteristic, besides being singular-and she raised her hand, as if with an involuntary action she caught at, or stayed some passing shadow." ***

*** - Extract from A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

A/N: Eeeeeep… Hmmmm… Not looking good is it? Evil hat was going to be put away but he refused, heheheheehe. Let's hope she makes it through the night. Review please!