A/N: Hi guys. As RL has returned with a blast my writing is back to being a little slow. Apologies for that. But hey, here is another lovely chapter for you all, finally :)

This chapter is quite a long one, so hopefully that will make up a little for the lack of posts I'm throwing out right now.

Mega thanks to my bestest bud in crime SweetSouthernComfort for an amazing beta, some fantastic additions and perfect guidance on this chapter. She always makes it extra special and I love you babe.

An extra note – Please keep your pitch forks at bay! We are trying to keep this story to the times, how Sara's ordeal would have been thought of and dealt with back then and how emotionally traumatic is would have been. I do however promise a change in the wind very soon.

So, keep the faith xx

Chapter 103

Grissom laughed to himself as he watched one of the Heather's girls coil a hand around Conrad's waist and lead him towards the back of the bar.

Then, he heard the familiar voice coming from behind him…

"So is your business finished?"

With a ruffle of his chin he turned to face Heather. He nodded. "It is," he informed her.

"Good." She smiled and was swiftly by his side, slipping her arm through his. "So…now that your alone and hopefully on…personal time, can I help you with anything?" They walked through the bar, Grissom leading her in the direction of the exit.

His tongue peeked out from his mouth and he drew it along his bottom lip. Then, he managed a smile as they reached the swing doors. "No, thank you. I have some personal matters to deal with that only I canactually deal with. So, I must go."

"Shame," she responded with a pout, "Maybe some other time?"

His smile remained. "Maybe for a drink but nothing more." He tipped his hat and was about to leave…

"I know that underneath that smile of yours, you are rather troubled, Gil. I can sense it." She placed a soft hand on his arm. "How is Sara?" Heather asked, now halting his exit.

Now his smile faltered and he sighed, his eyes darting around for any eavesdroppers who could hear the conversation. He wasn't sure what to say. Heather no doubt had heard the rumors but she didn't know the facts. "She's…" he hesitated, "…It's difficult. She has been through a lot."

"I understand."

Grissom's eyes questioned hers as her statement seemed more knowing than it should.

The lady of the house smiled, leaned forwards and kissed him on the cheek. She whispered into his ear. "Not even you know everything about me, Gil. So I am true when I say I understand."

She pulled back to see a confused looking rancher now. "I believe you have things you need to do, no?"

"Umm…" Grissom licked his lips, "…yeah. I should get going."

Heather nodded. "I'll be seeing you soon." She gave him another smile before turning and disappearing through a crowd of rowdy locals.

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Grissom exited the saloon still a little confused by what Heather had said to him. He tramped down the wooden steps but was forced to stop when two drunken men bumped into him on their way into the bar.

He sighed as they passed him but felt his gut tighten when one of them grabbed his arm. He shrugged the man off and continued down the steps.

"You were a little late, hero!" the man cackled. "Hank turned your lady into a filthy whore. She not here? Pity, she'd be right at home."

Slowly, Grissom turned to face the men who had stopped four steps above, both were now giggling. His eyes bore into them and his fingers clenched tightly, the temptation to grab his pistol was overwhelming.

With his nose flaring, he took a step up. "What did you say?" he spat making it very evident he was ready to draw.

"I said, where's your whore, asshole, you deaf?"

The second man, who didn't appear to be as drunk as the abuser wasn't smiling anymore when he noticed Grissom's sidearm and his edgy hand.

"Hold on Mister…" The second man held out a defensive hand. "Shut up, Shane!" The man pushed his friend and he almost toppled over. He too wasn't smiling now.

"Hey!" Shane shouted. "What the hell ya doin?"

In a flash Grissom drew his revolver and both men jumped, holding up their hands.

"Oh crap…" Shane mumbled.

"Hey look…he didn't mean it…" The younger man tried to defend his friend.

Grissom took another step closer. "He didn't mean it?" he growled. "He just said it twice for fun, huh?"

Both men struggled to find a response now.

"You like humiliation do you?" Grissom asked, one more step closer, his fingers still flexing, teasing the trigger.

The two men still failed a reply.

"Let's see shall we." The plain faced rancher pointed his weapon to their mid sections. "Take off your pants…both of you. Gun belts too. If I as much see your finger near your weapons, I will blow your hands off."

Exchanging confused glances, the name callers froze. "What?" Shane questioned. He shot his friend a very worried glance. "I'm not wearing anything under…" he mumbled.

"Now!" the rancher demanded, flicking back the safety on his pistol.

"Alright…alright…" Both flustered with their belts and within thirty seconds, their pants were around their ankles. The gun belts clanked to the wooden floor.

Grissom smirked with satisfaction. "Kick them over here."

Both men did as told and stood, half naked, with hands aloft.

A small group had gathered behind Grissom now, no one interfering more just laughing at the sight before them.

Grissom's right brow reached for the sky as Shane's evident embarrassment was uncovered to the world. He was indeed, wearing nothing below his pants. "Little cold?" Grissom asked.

The man went bright red despite the winters chill surrounding him.

The rancher carefully bent and picked up both pairs of pants and leather belts, promptly throwing them over his shoulder with such precision they landed directly in the horse's water trough.

He inclined his pistol towards the saloon. "Well…in you go. Enjoy your night."

Both men looked at each other. "Like this?" Shane questioned, daring to lower his hands to cover his personal possessions.

"Exactly like that," the rancher directed. "Unless you'd rather dance with lead…"

The men cringed and looked towards the saloon entrance. "This is your fault," the youngest man said, swinging an arm to hit his friend in the chest.

"Move…" Grissom stepped a little closer and both men backed towards the doors. A few more steps and they fell inside.

Grissom backed off. He'd just about retreated half way down the steps when a roar of laughter, cat calls and whistles ignited the frigid night air.

The two men burst back out of the saloon, numerous customers giving chase, laughing and name calling after them. They ran past Grissom, glaring as they went and Shane managed to call him an ass before they ran out into the street. The customers stopped at the bottom of the steps and cheered as their prey vanished into market.

The rancher couldn't help a smile but it didn't last long. The purpose of his reaction wasn't for fun although he was sure it would take the two men sometime to live down their experience. It actually gave him a feeling of satisfaction although deep down he knew it shouldn't.

Watching as the group of customers returned to the saloon, Grissom knew it was time to get back. He walked to his horse and gave him a healthy pat.

As he began to untie Dante he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Well that was interesting…"

Slowly turning, Grissom took a step back when he saw the captain standing behind him, his horse by his side. "Captain?"

"Great observations," the older man replied with a smile.

"How long have you been…"

"Long enough," the captain cut him short.

Pulling the collar of his jacket up, the rancher worked his jaw. "Oh…" He lowered his head, to check Dante's saddle, blowing out a breath, creating a temporary puff in the cold air.

The captain closed the gap between them, running a gloved hand over Dante's back. The horse snorted his appreciation.

"Quite enjoyable actually," the ranch owner declared.

Looking up in surprise, Grissom noted the evident smile upon the captain's face, bright and genuine.

"Really?"

"Oh yes," the older man continued. "Except one thing…"

Now Grissom's frowned.

"I think you were entirely too kind."

Grissom smiled as the captain looked behind him.

"I can just imagine the reaction as they ran through town; let alone what jibes they must have got while they were in there." He pointed to the saloon.

Grissom clicked his lips together. "Well…maybe it will give the town a little something different to gossip about for a while."

"Indeed," the ranch owner agreed.

Pulling Dante away from the rail, Grissom looked to the sky and inhaled a deep, cleansing breath.

"So why are you here?" the captain asked.

Returning his attention to the older man, Grissom nodded towards the saloon. "Conrad invited me for a drink. Put a few ghosts to lie. Did you…sort your business?"

Hauling himself up onto his horse, the captain tightened his gloves and nodded. "For now yes." He took the reins. "Are you heading home now?"

Grissom nodded.

"Then let's ride together."

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The two men trotted down the road from town, basked in the glow of the moonlight.

Grissom was happy he'd caught up with the captain, although he wasn't expecting it to be in town, so now he felt a little nervous. He'd wanted a little more time to prepare and his meeting with Conrad hadn't given him that opportunity.

However, they were alone, the night was almost over and the captain seemed happy enough, so no time like the present…

He was about to speak but the captain beat him to the punch. "So as you have finally managed to venture out of the Grove for something bordering on a social reason, I would presume then that no issues arose once Sara resurfaced?"

The rancher shifted in his saddle. "She was a little cold but I got her back to the house swiftly and without…much argument."

"Where was she?"

"The old barn, kitten hunting."

The captain shook his head but a tiny smile clipped his lips. "I wish that child would think…"

Clearing his throat, Grissom thought carefully about what he said next. "I think that's…the biggest problem."

"What do you mean?" The ranch owner took his eyes from the road to look at his young aid.

Grissom looked to him. "She…I fear is thinking too much but…bad things. She is struggling to…" He sighed and faced front again. "She is keeping everything inside and it's pulling her apart. She needs…something…"

Now the captain fidgeted upon his steed, giving the horse a slight kick which seemed more out of irritation than command. "Do you have a suggestion as to what that may be?"

Biting down on his lip, Grissom breached the nerves pinching at his belly. "I think you know by now, Sir, that…I do truly love your daughter." His head turned to face the captain again but this time the captain didn't reciprocate. "Sara needs…stability…she needs commitment and she needs it now."

Pulling his horse's reins, the captain pulled his animal to a stop and Grissom was swift to follow suit. Now the captain looked him in the eye. "Are you asking what I think you're asking?"

"I do desire to spend the rest of my life with your daughter. So…yes, I am."

"So soon?" the captain now questioned. He scratched the back of his neck. "I mean, yes, we have had our issues. I gave my permission for you and Sara to court but, you haven't even started doing that yet. At least not properly…I think my daughter deserves a proper courtship."

Grissom had foreseen that particular objection and had a ready response. "I have no qualms with normal courtship rituals, Sir. But this situation isn't exactly normal. And I thought the purpose of courtship was to get to know someone. I've known Sara since birth."

"But..."

Grissom was quick to continue. "Sara needs to know I am not going to leave her, Captain. I fear, right now, she does not believe that. I can see it in her eyes. And until I make her that promise I don't know if she will ever be able to let go."

Pinching the bridge of his nose, well and truly deep in thought, the captain blew out a very long breath of cold air.

"You know what an immediate marriage would do?" the captain objected. "There's already rumors that my daughter is pregnant with Pettigrew's child! If you marry her and she conceives early then your child will be attributed to Pettigrew. I won't have that."

Grissom almost cringed at the thought of Sara facing another pregnancy so soon after her pain. "Just because I give the commitment and ask the question, Captain, does not mean immediate vows. I have no desire to rush and to be honest; I don't think that would be best for Sara either."

"But you believe this is best?"

Grissom nodded.

"Two conditions," the older man replied.

Grissom's eyebrow hitched.

"Firstly, Sara sets the date. When she's ready...if she can't have a courtship, she should get to decide the length of the engagement. Whether it's a day or a decade, you got that?"

"That's fair," Grissom agreed.

"Secondly, you do not touch her...again...until you are married. I want your word."

Grissom held up a hand. "On my mother's grave."

"Then my blessing is yours."

"Thank you," Grissom replied with half a smile.

"But…" The captain held up a finger, "…be warned. If you ever, ever hurt Sara, I willkill you."

The rancher smiled even though he felt the threat to be true. "That will never happen…"

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The two men arrived back at the Grove swiftly. Grissom seemed a little nervous while the captain seemed rather content.

Neither, however, expected Laura to be sitting in the hallway when they entered the house. She appeared to be staring into nothing. She did look up straight away though upon hearing the door close.

The captain approached his wife, not even giving her the opportunity to speak. "What are you doing sitting here?" he asked with a smile. "Is our furniture that bad?"

Laura stood slowly but didn't have chance to reply before her husband continued.

"Gil has asked for Sara's hand," he informed her knowing she would want to know the news as soon as he could possibly tell her.

Laura's mouth opened but then closed. Her brow pinched in an expression that neither man was exactly expecting. "Oh…" she mumbled. "That's...nice."

Taking a step back, the captain looked surprised. "Oh?" the captain laughed. "Is that all you have to say now? I thought you would be ecstatic."

Grissom stepped forward, he knew something wasn't right.

"What's wrong?" he asked, reducing the gap between himself and Laura.

She sighed. "Sara ran off again. Not long after you left."

"What?" Both the captain and Grissom snapped in unison.

Grissom looked around. "Well what happened? Where is she? Did she come back?"

Laura pulled her shawl a little tighter over her shoulders. "We…had a little argument." She replied, looking angry now. "That girl…I swear…" She swallowed.

"You know where she is?" Grissom asked.

Nodding, Laura took a breath. "She is out in the outer stables, Gregory is watching her. He and Nicolas went out to look for her once I'd discovered she was gone again and found her there. I didn't go after her for I feared my fury would have just made things worse. I thought it best to wait for you."

Grissom ran an unsteady hand over his beard. This wasn't particularly the situation he was hoping for. He blew out a gust of hot air. "I'll…go bring her back," he sighed.

"Wait…" Laura stepped forward and took his hand. "…come with me first."

Both rancher and the captain looked to her with uncertainly.

Laura glanced at her husband. "Just something I need to give him," she reassured.

The captain nodded and Grissom allowed himself to be lead up the stairs even if all he wanted to do at that moment was find Sara and get her safe and sound.

The lady of the house took him to her bedroom and directed him to wait outside while she found what she needed to. Within a minute or so she re-emerged through the door holding a box in her hand.

"My heart does flourish, Gil…" she began, "…upon my husband's words that you want to take Sara as your own for all time." She took a breath, slow and shaking. "She is so...angry right now that I hope your proposal will fill her heart with happiness."

"I hope so too," he whispered.

She smiled and held out the box. "I want you to have this. I am assuming that you do not have one yet."

With curiosity, Grissom reached out and took the small wooden box from Laura, flipping open the lid.

The rancher didn't even realize his mouth had popped open as he stared at the glorious piece of jewelry. A perfectly crafted golden ring with a large glittering diamond situated firmly onto curving tiny prongs. A cluster of four diamonds flanked each side of the rings center. It was lavish, gorgeous.

And more expensive than he could ever afford.

He looked up, his eyes clashing with Laura's, a heavy lump forming in his throat. "I…"

She placed a soft hand upon his arm. "She will fit that very well."

"I can't accept this, Laura," Grissom said, closing the box. He held it back out to her as she stood back. "I…have things I can sell. I can buy my own ring, nothing like this, but I want Sara's ring to be from me." A tinge of embarrassment hinted through his words.

Snorting, she took his free hand and held it over the box, keeping her hand over his. "Proposing without a ring? Were you actually going to do that?"

Grissom worked his jaw. Maybe he hadn't thought this through enough. It's not like he was experienced in marital rites of passage.

She continued. "This is tradition, Gil. This ring belonged to Thomas's mother and was intended to be passed down. I would expect it to be passed to Sara's children or grandchildren someday. Her hand squeezed tighter upon his. "Take it…" She removed her hand and took a step back.

Grissom wasn't one for defying tradition, but he still felt conflicted about the ring. He suddenly remembered the ring Sara had given him all those months ago, a ring which he let slip through his fingers. An action, he now, wished he could change.

Laura noticed his turmoil. Her hand reached out to his neck, slowly reaching slightly beneath his shirt to cup his Mother's pendant.

"Someday, this..." she paused, "...will be worn by someone other than you. It will be loved, treasured and preserved. It will be passed through your lineage, as it should be. Accept this. Sara would want you to."

Managing to swallow the lump in his throat, he nodded and slipped the box into his jacket pocket. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

Laura gave him another smile. "Go find her…"

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Grissom reached the outer stable. Leaving Dante outside and telling him to wait, he quietly opened the door. He stepped inside to be immediately greeted by Gregory's head poking out of the first stall. The younger man inclined a finger, urging Grissom to come to him.

Closing the door Grissom did as requested and moved into the stall.

"Where is she?" Grissom whispered.

Gregory pulled on his jacket, he was freezing now and his teeth chattered as he spoke. "In Pandora's stall. She's asleep, sort of...don't see how in this cold...but she kinda tosses some, cries out, wakes up."

"You left her sleeping in the cold?" Grissom questioned.

"She has a blanket and…um…" Gregory felt bad now… "Aunt Laura told me under no circumstances to approach her…in case she ran off again. I'm sorry…I…"

Sighing, Grissom placed a hand onto the younger man shoulder. "It's okay. You did what you were told. Get yourself back to the house…get warm. I'll bring her back."

"You sure?" Gregory rubbed a hand over his now healed bullet wound, shivering.

"Yes," Grissom responded firmly. "Go…before you freeze to death."

The young man nodded and swiftly exited, closing the door behind him.

Grissom moved out of the stall and headed towards the end of the stable, grabbing a lantern from the wall as he went.

When he reached Pandora's stall, lantern aloft, he stopped in the open doorway and sighed. Sara lay sleeping on the hay laden floor in the middle of Pandora, head upon her horses belly, the blanket covering both of them.

For a moment, Grissom found himself unable to move. The simple sight before him hammered him with such a mixture of emotions. She looked vulnerable as she slept, slightly shivering from the inadequate cover. Yet she was so beautiful in the lantern light despite how pale she was. He would have been happy to pull her into his arms and hold her until the end of time. But then, as the icy remnants of a gust of wind seeped through the front of the stables, he remembered that Sara should be in her warm bed, not inadequately covered by a stiff stable blanket lying on a hard floor, using Pandora as a pillow.

He felt suddenly angry. Horses slept standing, so even Pandora was using her own body to protect Sara from the cold.

He sighed, hung up the lantern and entered the stall. Pandora's ears pricked the second he entered her home and the horse opened her eyes, lazily turning her head to look in his direction. He crouched down besides them then and nudged Sara through the blanket.

"Sara…" he whispered.

"Hmmm…" She stirred slightly, her brow forming a frown.

He tried again. "Sara…Honey wake up…"

Quickly, Sara's eyes flew open and something between a cry and a squeal flew from her lips. Her eyes seemed glazed as they clashed with Grissom's. She blinked hard, trying to accustom her eyes to the darkness. Once she realized who was staring back at her she quickly scrambled upright, startling Pandora and the horse was quick to try and get to her feet.

"Whoa…" Grissom reached for Sara and yanked her from the floor just in time otherwise Pandora would have kicked her.

Sara took a breath, coarsely shivering now.

"For the love of God, Sara…" Grissom was quick to remove his jacket, instantly wrapping it around her shoulders. "You are absolutely freezing." He slipped his hands inside the jacket to encase her arms with his hands and quickly rubbed, trying to get some heat into her icy skin. "Why do you keep doing this to yourself?"

She just stared at him and he noticed.

"Nothing to say?" he sounded angry now.

"Did you have a good time at Heather's?" she asked.

Her question was one he wasn't particularly expecting at that point and was totally irrelevant given their current position. "I don't think that's of great importance right now, Sara," he grumbled, pulling the jacket tighter around her.

"I do…" she mumbled quietly, placing her hands upon his chest and softly pushing him away. "I'm fine, Gil…" she protested. "Stop fussing."

"Fine?" he questioned. "Sara, you are chilled to the bone, I could feel you shivering. I can hear you wheezing…"

"I fell asleep," she admitted.

"In somewhere other than your bed for the second time tonight," he protested. "Why are you not sleeping?"

"I sleep fine," she wheezed and it only angered him more. The darkened circles and swollen eyelids testified the truth. She fell asleep because she was exhausted and her troubled mind could not allow her body to rest.

Grissom shook his head. "No," he said firmly but then he sighed. "Sara you…"

Their conversation was interrupted when something banged against the door. An unhappy horse missing his filly and the warmth.

The rancher cursed under his breath. "Wait here a second while I let him in. Then I'm taking you home where we can talk about this in the warmth. Properly and like adults."

Sara didn't have the opportunity to argue for he stepped away in order to allow Dante access to the stable. She bit down hard on her already sore lip and as soon as he was out of her sight she spun around to face the wall. As she did so something in his jacket banged against her thigh. With her brow pinching, she slipped an arm out and her chilly fingers dipped into the pocket…

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Grissom opened the stable door. "Come on…" he urged his horse and Dante happily trotted into the stable. Grissom followed to find Sara no longer in Pandora's stall but standing outside. Dante passed her to join his love.

Sara was staring at him with a very strange look upon her face now. Suddenly she pulled her hand out from behind her back and held out the box, which was open and revealing the ring.

"What's this?" she questioned with a tremble in her voice.

His jaw worked nervously. "Sara…I…" he sighed heavily. "…you weren't supposed to find that…"

She thrust the box in his face and it startled him. "Is this what I think it is?" she half snapped, half cried.

His shoulders slumped. This wasn't exactly the way he hoped to propose. "Sara…I love you and I want to…"

"No!" she violently shook her head. "You don't…you can't…" She reached for him and grabbed his hand, pushing the box firmly against his palm until his fingers flexed around it.

Fighting back her tears, she looked him in the eye. "I want you to take that and it give back," she cried. "I want you to forget about it and I will too." A tear slipped from her eye and she sniffled.

Grissom stood slack-jawed. "Sara, let's talk about this."

Her breaths came faster and more labored from the wheezing. "No," she started backing away. "Don't you ask me that. Don't you understand that it will break my heart if you ask me that?"

A sob fell from her lips and with a speed that surprised him, she moved, shooting past him, running for the exit.

"Sara!" he shouted but she didn't stop.

With his heart pounding, he ran after her…

A/N: O….K….I will just hide behind evil hat and hope you don't find me. Review please :)