A/N: Haha, Fluff hat is still on :) I really enjoyed writing this chapter. So I hope you enjoy reading it. Loose ends are being tied and it's time for the nerves to begin in regards to certain bells that may be ringing. Now how is that going to go…

Thank you so much for the brill reviews. More please and don't forget to sign in if you would like a reply from me :)

Many thanks to Calim for the beta and for not thumping me for bombarding her with about 6 chapters in two weeks of 2 different stories. You are my rock!

Enjoy!

Chapter 121

Entwining his fingers over his lap, Grissom watched as several workers continued clearing the freshly fallen snow from the driveway. He knew how vital it was to keep the grove accessible, both for residents and visitors and expected the captain to begin stocking up food and provisions very soon for once the snow came heavily, getting into town would become very difficult.

He recalled when he was a boy and the amount of times he and Robbins would walk all that way because it was much safer for them to do so than to take horses. Numerous animals had been lost by slipping on the ice and breaking bones. His heart beat a touch wilder then…

Robbins…

Sighing, his lips formed a small smile. He'd kept his promise. He'd found Robbin's killer and now he was dead. It was done. And, when he was well enough, he would visit his old friend to pay his final respects and leave him to rest in peace.

It was over.

"Hey…"

Hearing her gentle voice in his ear and a tender pressure upon his shoulder, Grissom looked up to see Sara glancing down at him.

"Are you okay?" she asked concerned. "You look like…well…a little lost…"

He gave her a smile taking her now gloved hand, kissing the knuckles. "I'm fine," he replied, holding her hand against his cheek. "Just thinking about Robbins."

"Oh…" she crouched next to the chair, placing her hands upon the arm. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Nothing to talk about really," he replied. "I just realised he needs to be told so he can finally rest."

Sara gave a slow nod. "I understand. When you're better, we can go to the church yard together, all right?"

A sad smile formed on his lips now and he gave her a nod back, biting down on his lip as he looked out over the estate again. Ruffling her nose, Sara took his left hand and he watched with a frown as she removed his glove.

"What are you doing?" he asked confused.

"You'll see," she replied, carefully walking down the steps.

"Be careful, Sara," he called. "It's icy."

Bending with a smile, she scooped up a handful of snow and then returned to her fiancé. Retaking his hand, she dropped the snow into his palm and gave a smirk.

"You said you wanted to touch the snow…"

Now he laughed, bright and cheerful and so did Sara, just before leaning forward to kiss him softly on the cheek.

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The couple stayed outside for about half an hour, not really saying a great deal. Sara just left Grissom to his own thoughts, after all, it was the first time he'd set foot into the outside world in almost a month and he just seemed to be enjoying the air. The smile on his face told her that much. But, once she noticed his nose turning red and a little shivering in his movements, she knew it was time.

"Gil…" she said softly.

"Hmmmm?" he replied, kinking his head to glance at her.

"I think we should get you back inside." She reached out a finger, tapping his nose. "I can see you're cold and you need to be careful. You'll be in serious trouble if you catch a chill."

He sighed, swallowing the small lump in his throat, taking once last look across the garden before giving a nod.

Sara smiled, thankful he hadn't forced an argument but, just as she was about to head back inside to bring help, her eyes narrowed seeing someone approaching in the distance.

"Is that…Jim?" Grissom asked as the slow moving horse attempted to get through the snow the workers hadn't cleared yet.

"I…" She stared a little harder, "…think so…"

They waited for the visitor to get closer.

"Yes, it is," Sara confirmed now that the sheriff was close enough to make him out properly. She took a breath. "He's probably come to talk with you about the night you were shot. He's been trying several times a week but you haven't been well enough. Or…well…" She tilted her head from side to side, "…mother didn't want you disturbed. She was too worried about your infection."

Giving an uncertain nod, Grissom clasped his hands over his lap and they waited until Brass arrived at the steps.

"So you're up?" the lawman called as he dismounted, almost slipping when his boot caught a patch of ice.

"And you're almost down…" Grissom shouted back, trying not to laugh at the sheriff's attempt to keep his balance. He wasn't exactly the most graceful in his movements.

Sara too found it difficult not to snicker, instead pursed her lips as the Brass slowly walked up the steps, cursing under his breath but loud enough for them to hear.

He gave them a sarcastic smile. "Yeah, thanks," he mumbled.

"Anytime," Grissom snorted.

Now Brass actually did smile and removed his gloves, extending his right hand. "I'm very glad to see you alive, my friend," he said sincerely.

Returning the smile, Grissom shook his friend's hand. "So am I," he replied.

"Are you fit enough to talk?" Brass asked.

Grissom looked to Sara and she pointed over her shoulder.

"He needs to go back inside before he does anything, Jim," Sara said. "This is the first time he's been out of the house and he's cold, so…"

Brass gave a nod. "Sure," he responded with a shrug. "Getting out of this cold sounds like a good idea to me."

Sara hurried into the house looking for help to bring Grissom back inside. She found her mother and father in the living room enjoying a cup of tea by the fireplace.

"Gil's ready to come back in," she called from the doorway. "He's cold and I don't want him to stay out there any longer just in case."

Her parents glanced in her direction and both stood from their chairs.

"No problem," the captain called as they approached their daughter.

"The sheriff's here," Sara added as they reached her. "And he's already chatting to Gil."

"Oh…" Laura mumbled.

The captain smiled, taking his wife's hand. "You have nothing to worry about," he said, giving it a squeeze. "You know that, and Gil will only tell the truth. We have all told the truth and McKeen is dead and buried. Jim is just tying up the one lose end he needs to finish his investigation."

Laura took a breath and nodded. "Yeah," she whispered. "But, it still makes me…." She shivered a little. "I still took a man's life."

"If you can call him a man," Sara growled.

Giving a sad smile, the captain took Sara's arm with his free hand. "Come. Let's get Gil back into the warmth and we can take things from there…"

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Grissom was moved back to his room and returned to bed. He shuffled his butt around, trying to get comfortable. Brass hovered in the doorway giving him a little time to get settled.

Laura passed Grissom a steaming mug of cocoa. "Feel a little happier now?" she asked as he took the mug.

He gave her a smile and a nod before taking a hearty swig of the chocolate liquid. "Yes," he replied cheerfully. "But I'll be even happier once I'm back on my feet."

She ruffled her nose. "I know you will," she said, tapping him on the knee. "But you need to take things slowly. I think you're little attempt at walking should have proved that to you."

"I know," he admitted.

"Good." Laura smiled but then her smile faded when she looked over her shoulder, seeing the sheriff waiting. "I guess I'll leave you to it," she sighed.

"Don't worry, Mother," Sara said, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "It will be fine."

Giving a gentle nod, Laura headed for the door. "All yours, Jim," she said to the sheriff as she passed by.

"Thank you," he replied but she didn't stop. Blowing out a breath, Brass entered the room and closed the door behind him. He approached the bed and pulled up a chair.

"Are you staying, Sara?" he asked as he sat.

"Is that a problem?" she asked.

"No." He shook his head. "I just don't know if you want to go through the events of that night again. I know how upsetting it is for you."

Reaching out, Sara took Grissom's hand. "I'll be fine," she answered. "Gil has recovered and that's what's important. Now, I'm pretty sure I can deal with anything."

Brass gave her a cheerful smile pulling a pencil and several sheets of paper from his pocket. "Do you have something I can rest on?" he asked, looking around.

"There's a book in the cabinet drawer," Grissom directed, pointing beside him.

Leaning to his side, Brass pulled out the book and placed his paper on top. "So, you're feeling better?"

Grissom gave a nod. "Yes," he replied.

"But he still needs to be careful," Sara cut in. "He is by no means fit and well just yet."

Rolling his eyes, Grissom glanced at her.

"Don't look at me like that," she ordered. "You know you're not going to be going out to do the polka anytime soon, so stop being so persistent and do as you're told."

He gave her a smirk. "As long as I can do it on our wedding day, then I'll be happy."

She grinned back.

Brass cleared his throat. "Can we…" He pointed to the paper looking a little uncomfortable at their banter. He felt like a third wheel.

Grissom gave another grin and then focused his attention on the sheriff. "Go ahead," he replied.

"So, tell me about that night," Brass began. "From the point you got to the house."

Placing his mug down on the cabinet, Grissom frowned in thought. "Well, Sara had returned to the house but she'd been a while, so I went to find her."

"Can you remember what time?"

"No." Grissom shook his head. "Sorry, I have no idea."

Brass tapped his pencil upon the paper. "That's fine," he said. "No one seems to remember."

"I can't say anyone was really concerned with time," Grissom added. "We were having a good time until…"

"Okay, carry on…"

"Well, I got back to the house, went upstairs and then, once I reached the landing, I heard the door slam and Sara scream." He turned his head to look at his fiancé and she gave him a weak smile, squeezing his hand a little tighter. "I knew something was wrong immediately so I didn't wait and barged into the room." He looked back to Brass.

Brass nodded, scribbling notes. "And then what?"

"And then I saw that bastard man-handling the woman I love," he growled.

Again, Sara squeezed his hand, this time in an attempt to calm him.

He sighed, and took a breath. "He pulled out a gun and held it to Sara's head. I then spent the next few minutes trying to talk him away from her until he pointed the gun at me. Sara then bit him and I leapt in attempting to grab the gun."

"Okay…" Brass looked up from his paper. "And?"

Now Grissom shook his head. "It's all very hazy from there. I remember fighting with him but that's about it."

Brass's eyes narrowed. "You don't remember getting shot or what happened after that?"

Grissom's head shook again. "No, I don't."

The sheriff's lips puckered. "You're sure?" he pushed.

"Jim," Grissom sighed. "Why would I lie? I simply don't remember. I did almost die…"

"Yeah," Brass replied, slipping his pencil back into his pocket. "How many of your nine lives have you used now?"

Grissom sniggered. "Hopefully, I won't need to use any more." He looked back to Sara and gave her a smile.

"So what happens now?" Sara asked.

"Now…" Brass pushed himself to his feet, "…I close my investigation and we all move on. Everyone's accounts pretty much tally, so my conclusion is that Jeffery McKeen was killed by means of self-defence on the part of Laura Sidle."

Sara sighed with relief knowing her mother would be so glad to hear that.

Brass extended his hand to Grissom and the rancher gave a hearty handshake.

"Thanks, Jim," Grissom said sincerely.

"Just doing my job," he replied. "And that's one scum bag no one will be upset to see the back of."

"I'll agree with you on that," Sara mumbled.

"Well, I must get on," Brass said, slipping on his gloves. "I need to inform the mayor of my decision, so take care you two and I will pop back in at some point to see how you're getting on, Gil."

"Just be careful in the snow, eh?" Grissom snickered.

Brass smirked. "I'll do that and I'll let Laura know the case is closed on my way out."

The couple watched as the sheriff left the room. Sara smiled, passing her hand through Grissom's hair.

"You all right?" she asked.

"Yeah," he replied. "You?"

She nodded even if timidly. "Now, it really is over."

Slouching a bit, he looked her up and down, his eyes finding every contour of her just amazing. "Then we can start planning our future, can't we?" he asked on a happy note.

Her lips pouted. "Are you plotting already?" she snickered.

"Not plotting, my dear, planning…"

Giving him a smile, she reached for the mug. "Here, Mr. Planner, finish your cocoa before it gets cold."

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A little after two, Sara left Grissom to nap. After his exertive morning, he fell asleep not long after lunch. Wandering around downstairs she went in search of her mother, finding her out on the veranda of all places.

"What are you doing out here?" Sara asked, the cold cutting through her thin dress.

Laura jumped, not expecting the interruption. She seemed lost in her own little world.

"Mother, you look freezing," Sara complained, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Come inside…" she urged. Guiding her mother back inside, she headed into the lounge. "Why are you outside without a coat?"

Huffing a breath, Laura just wandered towards the sideboard to pour herself a brandy. "I just…needed a little air, a little time to think. I didn't even really notice the cold to be honest."

Frowning with concern, Sara moved closer to her. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked, knowing something wasn't quite right.

Laura smiled, holding up the canister. "Would you like one?"

"Sure," Sara replied.

After pouring a second glass, Laura handed it to her daughter. "Is Gil sleeping?" she asked.

Sara gave a nod. "Yeah. Tired himself out." She sipped from the glass, feeling the immediate burn in her chest.

Taking Sara's arm, Laura moved them to the couch. "I have a feeling he'll be doing that a lot in the upcoming weeks. I don't think he's going to be satisfied until he's back on his feet."

"I agree. So…" She took another sip, "…what's on your mind. I can see something is."

Shrugging, Laura looked into her to glass. "Just thinking about…what happened. Jeffery…" Sara's face saddened. "Yes, I know I did what I had to do and I know exactly what kind of a man he was but, huh…" she sighed. "I don't know. I still feel guilty in a way and…" She held up a finger stopping Sara from interrupting as she was about to. "I know he got what he deserved. Still, I am a very religious person and it will just take some time."

Taking her mother's free hand, Sara gave it a loving squeeze.

"Gil told me what happened with Hank, you know…the cliff…" Laura looked her daughter in the eye. "So we at least can empathise with each other."

Swallowing hard, Sara took a bigger glug from the glass. "He also got what he deserved," she whispered. "But, I know Gil feels guilty about that just like you do."

Leaning in, Laura gave her daughter a gentle kiss on the cheek. "That's because we are good people."

Both stayed silent for a second until Laura took both their glasses and placed them on the coffee table. "Anyway…" she began, clasping Sara's hands in hers, "…enough about that. Let's talk wedding…"

"Oh…um…" Sara shuffled nervously, not quite expecting that request. "Okay…"

"Have you thought about a date?"

Sara shook her head. "Not really. Gils's just come back to us."

"Well, how about a Christmas wedding?" Laura asked excited now. "Can you imagine the celebration?"

Feeling a nerve pinch, Sara grimaced. "Yeah…..I can just imagine…Mother, I'd be happy with a small affair not a huge bash. And Gil is very proud. He won't want you spending too much money."

"Nonsense," Laura giggled. "You're our only child and you deserve the best. And you know it's tradition for the bride's father to pay for the occasion so Gil will just have to like it."

A lump formed in Sara's throat and she gave a fake smile suddenly feeling very warm.

"We are very proud of you," Laura continued. "And your wedding day should be the happiest and most memorable day of your life."

Indeed, Sara thought, but the whole idea still scared her. Sidles never did things by halves, especially weddings and no doubt the entire town would be invited if her father had anything to do with it. She should be proud of a huge bash, excited, but at that point in time, she couldn't care less if she got married in a barn. All she wanted was Grissom by her side without the fuss, the whispers or the prying eyes. Because she knew there would be all three.

"Plus…" Laura tapped Sara on the knee. "It gives your mother a chance to spoil you. Give an old lady a little something, would you?"

Now Sara laughed. "Mother, you are not old."

Laura replicated her smile. "Trust me, okay? Everything will be fine, Sara. I promise."

Although Sara gave a nod, she knew in her heart that this conversation would arise again. But for now, she just let it be…

*** When her husband was brought in, she turned a look upon him, so sustaining, so encouraging, so full of admiring love and pitying tenderness, yet so courageous for his sake, that it called the healthy blood into his face, brightened his glance, and animated his heart. If there had been any eyes to notice the influence of her look, it would have been seen to be the same influence exactly.

*** - Extract taken from A Tale of Two Cities by Cahrles Dickens. (Slightly adapted)

A/N: So how was that? Too fluffy? Do I need to shoot someone yet? Pah! How will the wedding planning go? And when will it be? Not so sure Griss is going to be thrilled baout a big party just like Sara. Can there be a compromise and will everything work out? Evil hat is pouting, maybe I should let him back in :P LOL! Thoughts please... Have a great day.