A/N: I really have been in the writing zone lately, which I guess is good. I just hope it lasts. And I really enjoyed writing this chapter. Gracious thanks to Calim for the super beta :) And thank you as always for your comments and reviews. They always make my day, please keep them coming.

So, Grissom wants to get out of bed. How is that going to work out?

Chapter 120

The snow continued to fall as the days and weeks passed by. But things around Providence Grove felt a lot different than they had several weeks prior. Colonel McKeen had been buried even if the events surrounding his death were yet to be totally finalized. However, a weight seemed to have lifted, not only from the grove and its people, but from the entire town itself. Not many were sad to see his demise.

Workers around the estate were happy and already chatting about the upcoming Christmas festivities. Their glee had been aided some by their boss, who despite his recent misfortunes, had taken a turn for the better and given each and every one of his staff a small bonus for their efforts, dedication and support during the harsh times the grove had suffered in past months.

And then there was Grissom. Lowly rancher who, only four months before, had unselfishly given up his way of life to help a wealthy, even if desperate man, reacquire his status in life. And he didn't do it for praise or pay, commendation or reward, he did it simply because it was who he was.

Grissom never expected things to turn out like they had and, as his head turned to glance at the mantel clock striking the morning chord of 7:00am, he inhaled a satisfied breath.

So much had happened. But, the most important thing for him, the only thing, was Sara. Did he expect to come here and fall in love with the captain's daughter? No, he didn't. The captain had always been like a father to Grissom and he knew it. Whether the rancher could ever forgive himself for his indiscretion, he didn't know, but one thing he did know was he would spend the rest of his life making up for it if he had to.

And, he had fallen in love.

He loved Sara Sidle to the very depths of his heart and beyond. He would never love another and he would die for her. That he'd already proven but it was never about that. It was about sacrifice and understanding and how much they were both willing to give for and to each other. After all, Sara had almost died because of him. Not that anyone would ever see it that way but, deep down, Grissom knew his actions had caused the ultimate incident. If he hadn't run away and just stuck by his gut when Sara left him for Hank, then, possibly, a lot of what had happened could have been prevented. Maybe.

So much had happened but, there was only one thing on his mind. His future with Sara. Their future.

Now, three weeks after taking a bullet in the gut, he was ready to face the world. Maybe not all gung ho like normal but he was tired of lying in bed and no matter how much he knew Laura would argue with him, he was getting up. His decision was made.

The infection was all but gone and his wound was healing nicely. He'd even been left alone these last three nights to sleep with an ever present bell by his bedside to ring should he need anything.

Grissom wanted his independence back, he needed it back. He hated being mollycoddled. He was hard working, always had been, always would be. He'd always fended for himself and to be taken care of, hand and foot, for almost a month, was driving him crazy. And it would be great if he could just take a pee by himself.

Continuing to watch the clock, a smile reached his lips when the large hand reached two and he looked to the door. Every single morning, at precisely 7:10am, Sara would arrive and this morning was no exception. Always the same, every morning, on the dot.

"Good morning," she announced, skipping towards the bed with a smile on her face seeing him awake and looking rather hospitable.

Pushing himself up with just a slight grunt, he nodded and smiled back. "Good morning," he replied.

His smile grew as she glanced over her shoulder to check if they were alone before giving him a tender kiss on the lips.

"Hmmm…." he mewed contentedly when she pulled back. "If only my whole day was as welcoming as my mornings."

She snickered, brushing a hand over his cheek. "How are you feeling this morning?" she asked.

"Good," he answered positively. "And…," he coyly looked around, tapping the side of his nose,"…I have a plan."

Sara frowned, her lips pursing. "A plan?" she questioned. "A plan for what?"

Giving an enthusiastic nod, he beckoned a finger for her to come closer. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously but she did as requested and leaned into him.

Placing his lips by her ear he whispered… "I'm getting out of bed today and you're going to show me the snow."

Pulling back slowly, she gawked at him. "Gil…" came her warning but he shook his head.

"My mind is made up, Sara," he whined. "I can't sit here any longer. I'm stronger now. I can at least stand for a little while."

"Umm…."

Sara didn't have the opportunity to finish her thought for Rana entered carrying a breakfast tray, Laura right behind her.

After placing the tray on the bed, Rana pulled open the drapes before leaving. Laura glanced over her future son in-law then passed a look to her daughter feeling a little something different in the air.

"Is everyone all right this morning?" she asked, noting the determined look on Grissom's face and the slightly fearful one upon her daughter's.

Grissom grinned, picking up his fork to poke at the eggs, scooping a spoonful into his mouth while Sara squirmed a bit uncomfortably. "Would you like to tell her, dear…?"

Laura's eyes narrowed. "Tell me what?" She looked around, confused. "Did you mess the sheets, Gil?"

Almost choking, Grissom spat the egg out at her accusation.

"Gil!" Laura hollered. "Manners!"

Quickly wiping his mouth on a napkin Grissom looked at her flabbergasted. "No…" he cried, clearing his throat, "…I did not soil the sheets…"

Sara couldn't hide her grin. "That serves you right," she teased.

Grissom glared at his fiancé.

"All right…." Laura rounded the bed and they both watched her. "What's going on?" Stopping at the opposite side to her daughter, Laura crossed her arms.

Lightly scratching the end of her nose, Sara nodded to her man. "Go on…tell her what you're going to do…"

"You're mean," Grissom accused, putting the fork down as Sara snorted.

Turning to face Laura, Grissom swallowed hard when he saw the serious look that suddenly overtook her face. Yes, Laura Sidle was not a woman to be messed with. Now his plan didn't seem so rock solid but he was determined.

"I'm getting out of bed today," he began. "I would like to talk a walk." The fingers of his left hand nervously dug into the bed sheets as Laura's brow slowly rose while her face remained blank.

"Are you now?" she questioned.

He gave a nod, shooting a quick flick of his eyes to Sara. "Yes."

Laura tapped her foot upon the floor. "And what makes you think you're capable?"

Rolling his eyes, Grissom pushed the tray away. "David said I could," he shot back.

"No," Laura argued shaking her head. "David said he would come by later and assess you to see whether or not you were fit enough yet. He didn't say you could get up."

Grissom looked back to Sara who was now nibbling on her thumbnail. She knew better than to get into an argument that involved her mother.

"I need to get up, Laura," Grissom moaned. "My backside is so numb. I'm worried I'll never be able to feel it again. My back hurts, my feet are constantly tingling and…I need my independence back. I'm losing my mind lying her twenty four hours a day." He sighed deeply. "I know I'm ready…"

Laura puckered her lips, exhaling a gentle breath. "All right…"

Blinking hard, Grissom looked stunned. "All right?" he questioned not sure if he'd just heard her right or not.

"Yes, if that's what you really want. But…" She held up a finger, "…there will be conditions. You can't simply get up, Gil. It won't be that easy."

Sara closed in on her fiancé, taking his hands with a smile and giving it a loving squeeze.

"I just want to get out of this room…" he sighed.

Laura thought for a moment and then nodded to the bed. "Eat your breakfast. You're going to need the energy. I'll be back…"

Both watched as Laura left the room with a grin on her face.

"I'm confused," Grissom admitted.

Sara reached for the tray and pulled it back onto his lap. "Me, too, but mother is mother. She doesn't always make sense but I'm sure she knows what she's doing and she didn't say no so…." She pointed to the plate. "Eat and, afterwards, I guess we'll find out what's in store…"

CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI

Grissom did as he was told and ate his entire breakfast, every single bit of it. He certainly was making up for lost time. In fact, he couldn't recall his appetite being as fierce as it had been the past few days.

Sara gave him a proud smile as she took the tray away to place on the table. "I'm so happy you're eating properly again," she said just before her mother returned but this time she wasn't alone. The captain and Nicolas were with her.

"So, my lad…" the captain began as he approached the bed, "…Laura tells me you are intent on getting out of bed…"

Pushing himself straight, Grissom gave a nod. "Yes, sir," he answered. "It's time I get myself mobile."

"Now, are you sure you're ready?" the captain asked, wanting clarification, tapping the bed post. "Don't you think it would be wise to get David's clearance first?"

Shaking his head, Grissom pushed the bedcovers from his legs. "No. I'm ready now."

As the captain glanced at his daughter, Sara gave him a modest shrug. She wasn't entirely comfortable with Grissom trying to get up before the doctor said he could but ultimately it was his choice. "I think we should let him try, if that's what he wants."

"All right," the captain agreed. "Let's give it a try…"

Grissom smiled, looking to each person in the room.

"Can you turn yourself around, Gil?" the captain asked. "Swing your legs over the side."

The rancher gave an enthusiastic nod placing his weight on his hands and attempting to pull his legs around. He winced. His limbs were so heavy and stiff.

Sara moved to join her mother, slipping an arm through the older woman's as they watched.

Reaching out the captain swiftly grabbed Grissom's right arm to aid his balance. "Sore?" he asked, noting the deep look of concentration on the man's face.

"Yeah," he admitted as his legs settled on the side of the bed, the effort pulling on his wound.

"You can change your mind," the older man said. "You have all the time in the world to do this…"

Now Grissom shook his head feeling as if the heat in the room had risen a few degrees "No. I want to do this now."

Running a hand over his chin, the captain thought for a moment then gave a light sigh. "Okay then…Nicolas…" he called.

Nicolas moved to join his uncle, looking the rancher over.

"Help me get him up off the bed, will you?" he asked.

"Sure," Nicolas replied with a nod.

"You take him under the right arm and I'll get the left, okay?"

Nicolas gave another nod and got himself into position, moving close to Grissom to get a good grip on his body. The two men each took an arm and Sara watched on nervously as Grissom prepared himself, puffing out his cheeks on a long exhalation of breath.

"You're sure about this, Gil?" the captain asked again, just making sure.

"Yes," Grissom said swiftly.

"All right then…" Giving a nod to his nephew, the captain grasped tighter upon his future son-in-law. "After three…you need to push yourself up…"

Grissom gave an uneasy nod, swallowing hard.

"One…two…three…"

Both men took a lot of Grissom's weight as he pushed himself from the bed and the rancher's eyes instantly widened, a heavy groan passing through his lips as soon as his feet hit the floor and the strain on his stomach became instantly painful.

"Easy…" the captain said urgently, swiftly flinging Grissom's right arm over his shoulder while slipping his left around the rancher's waist. Nicolas kept ahold of Grissom's left arm, just in case.

Grissom's chest heaved, his hand grabbing the captain's hand as it lay near his wound, eyes clenching shut. Damn it did hurt.

Sara watched on anxiously. She didn't want to interfere not unless she really had to. He had to try.

The captain instantly noticed the discomfort on Grissom's face. "Are you all right?" he asked concerned. "Do you want to sit back down?"

Gasping as a stream of perspiration rushed down his cheek, Grissom shook his head. "Nooo… I…need to do this…."

Yes, he had to do it and he was damn determined to try even if it felt like his stomach was on fire.

"Let's take a few steps towards the door then," the captain guided keeping a firm grip on the rancher.

Trying not to cry out, Grissom forced his right leg forwards and gasped again. As his left leg moved his arm clenched around his stomach and his eyes slammed shut.

Sara was immediately worried and could see how much he was hurting. "Don't cause yourself further injury, Gil, please," Sara pleaded, taking a step closer to him. "It's not worth that."

He shook his head attempting a few more steps but it really was too much. "Gah!" he groaned as a tear streaked from his eye.

"Okay, Gil, I think that's enough…" the captain whispered knowing this wasn't going well. "Nicolas, let's get him back to the bed…"

The younger man nodded, swiftly flinging Grissom's left arm over his shoulder and quite literally, they lifted Grissom back toward the bed as quickly as they could.

"We can try a little more later. Just a bit at a time, Gil," the captain said, trying to keep the rancher positive as he slumped back onto the bed. "Until your body gets used to the strain again, you need to take it very slowly and it's going to take time."

Grissom kept his eyes downcast and didn't say anything. He just breathed in deeply, his chest rising and falling quickly. Why did it have to be so hard?

Sighing at the lack of response, the captain stepped back, looking to his daughter as he did so.

Slowly, Sara approached the man she loved and crouched down next to him. "Please don't be sad," she whispered, taking his hand. "You did the best you could. It's going to take time, Gil, you need to understand that. It's not as easy as just getting up and walking around."

His head rose, his eyes a little watery through a mixture of both pain and emotion. "I just…wanted a little fresh air," he said sadly. "Just some time out of this room. Breathe the cold, touch the snow…"

Puckering her lips with her right eye twitching, Sara looked up to her father. "I have an idea…" she said tapping him on the knee.

The captain's right brow inclined at the look on his daughter's face. He knew that look. She was plotting.

She pushed herself up and approached her father, Grissom's eyes following her. Leaning close to the captain's ear, she whispered something before pulling back. Even Laura was looking on with curiosity. The captain snorted at whatever Sara had said and then shrugged.

"Why not…" he chuckled, glancing to his nephew. "Nicolas, come with me."

Nicolas look confused as his uncle left the room but followed him all the same.

Grissom's eyes narrowed as Sara walked to the wardrobe and pulled out a robe as well as a scarf, socks, slippers, gloves and a large, thick, black woolen blanket.

"What…are you doing?" Grissom questioned, wiping his nose on the back of his hand.

"You'll see," she replied, approaching him with the clothing, placing the smaller items beside him. "Arms out…" she requested, crooking a finger.

With his brow pinching, Grissom glanced across at Laura who stepped closer to find out what her daughter was doing.

He shook his head. "Sara, I don't….understand…."

"Trust me, okay? Can you do that?" she asked softly.

With a gentle sigh passing through his lips, Grissom held out his arms and Sara flung the robe over his shoulders, slipping his arms into the sleeves. She knelt, placing the socks and slippers on his feet, pushed herself up to put the gloves on his hands and then wrapped the scarf around his neck. Lastly, she placed the blanket on his lap as he watched on with a frown.

"I think that should keep you warm," she said with a smile.

Grissom's frown grew but when the captain returned carrying a dining chair, the rancher's brain kicked into gear. Two workers followed Nicolas in and waited by the door.

Placing the chair next to the bed the captain clapped his hands together. "So, are we going outside? Or have you decided you would rather just stay here and feel sorry for yourself?"

They were going to carry him outside. Grissom looked toward Sara and smiled.

"You won't be able to walk but…" Sara began, holding her hand out to him, "…at least you can get some air and see the snow…"

He took her hand and this time she helped him from the bed and into the chair which was just a short shimmy away. Sara wrapped the blanket around his legs then stood back.

"All right, boys, if you please," the captain called to his staff.

Two of them hurried to both sides of the chair, slipping their hands under each arm while Nicolas moved to the back.

"Hold on, Gil," the captain advised. "We wouldn't want you toppling out."

Doing as asked, Grissom coiled his fingers around the top of the chair(')s arms.

"Try not to drop him," Laura jested and Grissom's widening eyes shot to her. "I'm joking, Gil," she laughed. "You'll be fine."

The rancher took a breath and nodded as he was hoisted from the floor.

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Carefully, Grissom was carried down the stairs and out through the main door. Nicolas and his helpers gently placed the chair at the top of the steps which had been cleared of snow.

The captain nodded to his nephew and took his wife's hand, urging them back inside, leaving Grissom and Sara alone.

Grissom sucked in a deep breath, smiling as he exhaled a puff of cold air that drifted all around him. Sara reached for his hand while he looked out over the white washed land. His head turned and the look he gave her was so bursting with affection, she felt a tingling in her tummy.

"Happy?" she asked, brushing a hand over his cheek.

His smile beamed and he nodded. "Thank you," he replied.

She shivered a little and he noticed immediately.

"You should go and get a coat," he advised, realizing she'd bundled him up but all she was wearing was a dress and nothing else.

Sniffing as the cold reached her senses, Sara gave him a smile. "I'll be all right."

His right eye twitched. "Please," he pleaded. "For me? You'll get cold. I still worry about you and the cold…"

Snorting, she leaned forwards and kissed his forehead. "Okay, I'll be right back. Don't go running off now, will you?"

He laughed. "If only I could."

*** Now, from the days when it was always summer in Eden, to these days when it is mostly winter in fallen latitudes, the world of a man has invariably gone one way - the way of the love of a woman.

*** - Extract taken from a Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (slightly adapted)

A/N: Awwww, so fluffy :) But poor Griss, he doesn't want to be pampered. Bless. Thoughts please…