A/N: Back, at last! Sorry, just been so busy with work and the annoyances of…. One day I may get some peace and quiet. New chapter a foot. I hope you enjoy. Feels quite appropriate as New Year's is almost upon us, lol. All thoughts welcome so please feel free to leave a review :D Thank you as always to Calim for the beta, I think she's wiping her brow at my lack of writing lately. A well-deserved rest. Well deserved!

On we go….

Chapter 154

Grissom was amazed yet again by the spread laid out for dinner. It was more than dinner, it was a banquet. Coated ham, stuffed pheasant, venison, vegetables and potatoes, eggs and beets, pastries and cakes.

As he pushed his plate away, he slumped back and held his hands to his stomach. He'd never felt so fat.

"Had enough?" Sara asked him, glancing at all the food still waiting to be taken.

"Ughhh…," he gurgled. "I think…I need bigger pants."

The happy, opened mouthed smile she flashed him sent goose bumps across his arms and he'd be content just whisking her from her feet and spending the rest of the evening in the privacy of their bedroom. But he knew that wasn't going to happen.

"The food is just fantastic, Laura," Garrett commented, helping himself to another piece of ham.

Laura gave her brother a bright smile. "Good food comes from hard work and good staff to prepare it, so I'll be sure to pass on your thanks."

"And the leftovers, no doubt," the captain added.

She looked across the table at him. "You know they deserve it, Thomas, so don't complain."

He laughed, wiping his mouth on a napkin before holding up a hand. "I'm not complaining," he argued. "As I've come to learn over the holiday season, our staff gain a little weight and that comes in useful to keep them warm during the winter months."

"Such a great plan," Grissom snickered. "Get fat, keep warm. I think I'll be nice and cozy over the next few weeks…" he slapped his stomach again and a light burst of laughter erupted around the table.

Rolling her eyes, Laura reached for her wine glass. "It's nothing like that, Thomas, and you know it."

Smirking, the captain dropped his napkin onto his plate and looked about the table with a sense of pride. The fare was delightful, the mood happy and energetic and he couldn't ask for better company. And then he thought of Albert Robbins. This had been the first Christmas without him and now the first New Years. A damn shame. But, as he glanced about the room, taking in all the smiles and happy faces, he decided not to bring it up. No need to make people somber.

Noticing everyone seemed to have finished eating, the captain slowly stood. "Shall we move to the hall?" he asked everyone looking his way. "We have a little musical entertainment and I'm sure a little dancing is in order."

Grissom leaned into his wife. "Dancing? After all that food?" he whispered. "Is he mad?"

Sara looked at him. "Don't be a spoil sport. I'm sure once your food has settled you can get up and dance the night away."

"Oh, you do, do you?"

"I demand it," she told him. "I would like a New Year's dance from my husband, thank you."

"Fine."

Laughing at his teasing tone, she stood as he pulled out her chair.

"Thank you," she cooed happily then took his arm, leisurely heading toward the doorway.

Suddenly, Dickens appeared from nowhere and scampered across the floor. Anna and Tyler spotted him immediately and quickly gave chase, giggling as they went.

"I never thought a kitten could bring so much joy," Sara said with a laugh.

Grissom smiled. "I'm glad he's come in handy," he replied.

"Awww, come on…," she began, pausing before they entered the hall, turning to face him. "Are you telling me you don't think he's cute?"

"He's a cat, Sara, and cats usually serve a purpose and that purpose isn't normally being kept as a pet."

"Kitten," she corrected him.

Rolling his eyes, he smirked. "Fine. Kitten."

She smirked back. "You still haven't answered the question. Tell me you don't think he's cute." His lips pursed. "You can't, can you?"

"All right," he conceded. "You win."

Smiling with victory, she snorted, retook his arm and they joined the rest of the family in the Great hall. "My…," she began, looking around, "…how different it is from the wedding," she finished with a laugh.

Just a part of the huge room had been set up for their party with tables, chairs and flowers to add a little color. Several servants stood in the corner by the bar awaiting instruction and the string quartet Sara recognized from her wedding day, sat over to their left, striking up a tune just as the captain nodded in their direction.

Grissom smiled at her. "I think that sort of decoration would have been a little excessive for this evening, don't you?"

"Yes," she agreed. "And this is certainly not as stressful."

"So, shall we sit and have a drink?" Grissom suggested.

"Let's," Sara agreed, and they headed towards the family. "I hope you've prepared yourself…"

Now he frowned. "For what?"

She smirked. "A whole evening with nothing but the family and alcohol? This is where your entire life story is expected to be told, Gil. Especially because you are new to the family."

He stopped just before they reached the table. "You're serious aren't you?"

Looking up at him, she kissed him on the cheek. "Well you don't have anything to hide. Do you?"

His eyes narrowed at her question. No, he didn't have anything to hide but he had never been one to talk much about himself. She of all people should know that by now.

Laughing at him, she tugged on his arm. "Relax. A few drinks and you'll just be like all the ladies at the table. Gassing away and no one will bat an eye at what you're talking about..."

CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI

Laughter filled the room as the captain finished telling the family his story about the first time he had taught Grissom how to shoot. They'd gotten onto the subject because Garret had been admiring his gun collection earlier and was commending him on the stash.

Now Grissom blushed but smiled along once the captain had revealed the first gun he'd fired had shot him about six feet backwards and onto his ass.

"I still feel that blast sometimes," Grissom joked, picking up his champagne glass and finishing the contents. In a second, a servant was by his side refilling the glass and he nodded his thanks.

"Ahhh…" the captain sighed happily. "But in all honesty, I'll take the blame. I don't think I was such a great teacher back then. Giving you a gun and expecting you to know how to fire it was a little bit too much to ask."

"Especially at the age of 12," Grissom added, placing his glass down.

Sara frowned, eyes shooting to her husband. Even though he'd told her how old he was when he first learned to shot, it still shocked her. "I still think that's too young," she said, glancing back to her father.

"He was out hunting by the time he was 13, my dear," the captain told her.

"Really?" her eyes fell back to her husband and he nodded. "I really am a late learner then aren't I?" she questioned.

"What do you mean by that?" Laura asked, holding out her glasses as the servant reached her.

Grissom flinched a little giving his a wife a 'why did you just say that' look.

"Oh…um…" Sara stuttered. Yes, she had briefly revealed to her mother about handling a gun when she had hit her husband below the belt. But, his injury had taken the limelight so her lesson went unquestioned. Now…she'd made the mistake of bringing it back up.

"I'm teaching her how to shoot," Grissom admitted.

Laura's hand hung in midair even though her glass had been filled and she looked a little shocked at the admission. The captain did also and his eyebrow hit the ceiling.

Everyone at the table silenced and looked at the couple. Sara swallowed and reached under the table to clasp her husband's knee.

"You've been using a gun?" Laura questioned, her hand finally lowering. "I mean…," Her head shook, "…I know you vaguely mentioned a lesson or something but…I didn't realize it was serious…"

Sara slowly nodded. "Yes, Mother. It's…serious. Gil thought it would be a good idea for…"

"I'm not sure if I like that idea," Laura interrupted. "Guns are for men who…"

"Forgive me," Grissom stopped her but kept his voice very soft. "Sara is now my wife and, after what has happened and all that we've been through," he paused, clearing his throat and shuffling a little as Sara squeezed his knee, "I feel that it would be best if…she is able to protect herself should she ever need to. Plus, being heir to the estate…a lot of responsibility comes with that…"

Sighing, Laura took a gulp from her glass then looked back to her husband.

"I agree with him," the captain said before his eyes slowly met his wife's.

Laura blinked at him and Sara breathed a sigh of relief.

"It is perhaps something I should have done myself but I am confident in Gil's ability to teach our daughter and…" He paused then looked back over to Sara. "I would be happier knowing that she can protect herself even though I would hope she would not need to."

Flashing her father a smile, Sara pulled her hand up to take her husband's. "Thank you, Father and Mother. Gil is a great teacher. You don't have to worry, I promise."

"When it comes to guns, Sara, I always worry," Laura answered. "But, all right," she conceded. "I trust you are in safe hands with Gil so we'll leave it at that for now."

"Well," Rose began, getting up, "I feel like a dance. Would someone care to help me get this party started?" She looked around the table, her eyes coming to rest on Grissom and he smiled.

He looked to Sara and she smiled her permission.

"It will be my pleasure," he said, looking back to Rose and pushing himself up.

They headed towards the dance floor and people began following. The captain with Laura, Amelia with William, Violet and Garret. Nicolas held his hand out for Catherine and she took it with an immense sense of glee as Gregory approached Sara.

"May I have this dance?" he asked sweetly.

"Are you sober enough?" she snorted.

"Yes," he moaned, rolling his eyes. "We are behaving," he insisted.

"At least until later?" she queried, taking his hand.

He grinned and she laughed, allowing her cousin to lead her towards their now dancing family just as a waltz kicked in.

Rose smiled at her partner as they moved across the floor. "I trust you will look after my granddaughter while she is in possession of a firearm," she said, smoothing her right hand over his shoulder.

His right eye twitched. "Do you doubt me?" he questioned.

"No," she answered quickly. "But guns are serious business not often found in the hands of a lady. It must have been recently that you decided to teach her…"

"It was," Grissom cut her short. "Just a few days ago to be precise and I know the hazards of guns all too well, Rose. I would never put Sara in danger and I will make sure she is taught correctly. I just want her to be able to look after herself as I can't be there 24 hours a day."

Smiling brightly, she tapped him on the nose and it surprised him. "You are so refreshing," she sighed happily.

He frowned. "Why?"

"Because," she continued as they passed by Sara and Gregory who flashed them a smile, "there is marriage on one hand and on the other is love and devotion. Many who take their vows don't usually get all three. You care for Sara more than I think I've ever seen anyone care for another."

Now he smiled. "What about you?" he asked.

"Me?" she laughed.

"Sure," he said softly. "Didn't you have a happy marriage?"

Her lips pursed. "A little personal that, isn't it?"

"No more than you are being with me," he challenged.

She gave him a bashful smile. "Let's just say that when I got married, the love grew as the years went by."

"You weren't happy?"

"I was happy," she answered quietly. "Thomas' father was a good man and he loved his family. We wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for him and, even though our marriage was arranged, we had a very fulfilling life together."

Giving her another smile, he nodded. "Glad to hear it."

They passed by Sara and Gregory and again, Sara giving her husband yet another smile before laughing as Dickens scampered by them, Anna and Tyler in hot pursuit.

"So…," Gregory began, "…are you happy, Cousin?"

Studying his face, she smiled. "Immensely," she replied cheerfully.

"Is he looking after you?"

She laughed again as they passed by her mother and father. "Yes, Gregory. Gil is more than I could have ever dreamed of. Leave him alone."

"I'm just checking," he replied with a smirk. "You know I always worry about you."

"Well, you don't have to anymore," she insisted. "I'm being well looked after."

He smiled. "You deserve it."

They came to a stop as the song finished and she kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

Gregory blushed spotting Grissom heading their way. "I'm always here if you need anything. Just remember that."

"I will."

Reaching his wife, Grissom gave her a smile as she tuned to him and Gregory pointed across the room.

"I'm going to see if the children want to feed the kitten," he said before stepping away.

Sara snickered as she took her husband's arm. "He is such a sweetheart," she sighed as they headed back to the table. A few others in the room did the same while some changed partners and continued dancing.

"So is your grandmother," he replied.

"Oh? Has dear Nana been probing?" she asked as they reached the table.

He smiled. "I think she's just making sure I'm looking after you."

"And are you?" She smirked as his left eyebrow inclined but her attention was drawn to the doorway when she spotted new arrivals. "I think we have guests," she said, nodding towards the door.

Grissom turned to see Brass with Deputy Vartann beside him. His smile grew. Taking Sara's hand they headed towards them. "Good evening, Jim," Grissom greeted brightly. "Glad you could stop by."

Brass smiled at his friend, reaching out to take Sara's hand, planting a gentle kiss upon the back. "You look delightful as always, Sara," he said sincerely.

"Thank you, Jim," Sara replied with a bright smile then looked him over, noticing he wasn't really dressed for a party in his usual work jacket and pants, firearm at his hip.

The sheriff noticed her eyes. "We can't stay long," he told her. "We are on duty and the town will be very boisterous as it usually is on this fine evening."

"I see," Sara said, understanding now. "But surely you will have a drink with us?"

"Of course," he replied, giving Grissom a healthy slap on the arm. "I love you in these suits, my friend. A proper gentleman."

Grissom rolled his eyes. "Thanks," he retorted then looked to Vartann. "Good to see you again, Anthony. Did you decide to stay in town?"

"Yes, sir," Vartann answered. "Sheriff Brass offered me a full time position so I accepted."

"In need of help, Jim?" Grissom teased.

Brass' eyes narrowed. "More like…taking things a little easier. It's been a tough year so the mayor agreed that I could hire some permanent help before I fade away."

"Good," Sara said. "You deserve to take things easy for a change. Plus, I'm sure the town will appreciate a little extra protection. It's good to feel safe."

Hearing a throat being cleared, the group turned to see Catherine standing behind them.

"Good evening, Sheriff," she said happily.

Giving a nervous smile, Brass nodded to Catherine. "Good evening, Lady Catherine," he answered.

Catherine's eyes fell to Vartann and her smile grew. "I don't think we've been introduced…"

Sara tried to hide her grin as she watched Catherine's eyes working over the deputy, a sparkle in them that would make most men's knees crumble.

"Oh, Vartann, Ma'am. Anthony Vartann," the deputy answered, taking Catherine's hand as she eagerly offered it to him.

"A pleasure to meet you, Anthony," she cooed as he kissed her knuckles.

"Same here," he answered with a smile.

"Would you like to dance, Deputy?"

Vartann glanced to his boss and Brass smirked.

"Go ahead," the sheriff urged.

With a nod, Vartann took Catherine's hand and she led him towards the dance floor with a spring in her step.

Sara laughed the second they were out of earshot. "If I didn't know Catherine like I do, I'd say she was a little smitten."

"Good luck to her," Brass chortled as they stepped into the room.

"Maybe she is," Grissom added as a servant approached them. "There is a true love out there for everyone…"

Leaning into him, Sara kissed his cheek. "I'm so glad I've already found mine…"

He smiled and the servant held out the tray of champagne to Brass. "A drink, sir?"

Brass' eyes worked over the crystal glasses. "Do you have anything a little darker?" he asked.

The servant nodded. "Of course, sir. Scotch?"

"Perfect," Brass replied.

"I will be right back, sir."

As the servant headed to fulfill the sheriff's request, the group moved to the table as Brass looked around the room. "Having a quiet one for a change?" he asked.

"Yes," Sara answered as she sat. "Most people came for the wedding but it's nice to just have a small affair. We have those we love here and that's all we need."

Brass sat next to Grissom and plonked an arm over his shoulder. "So, how are we finding married life?"

Grissom frowned at him. "We are finding it just like normal life but with a little more privacy."

Snorting as the servant returned, the sheriff took his drink. "Really?" he laughed. "That simple, huh?"

"Gil just wants to go back to work," Sara teased, flashing her husband a grin as she took two fresh glasses of champagne from the servant. "Isn't that right?" she asked, holding out a glass to him.

His eyes narrowed as he took the glass from her. "I am who I am," he replied.

"Ah…," Brass continued, sipping his drink, "…but you are so much more than that now, Buddy." Grissom's eyes shot to his friends. "You know it but you're too proud to admit it."

Biting down on his lip, Grissom looked around the room and for the first time an intense fear hit his gut. Could he actually live up to Sidle expectation? Was it really who he was?

*** - A wonderful corner for echoes, it has been remarked, that corner where he lived. Ever busily winding the golden thread which bound her husband, and her father, and herself, in a life of quiet bliss. He sat in the still house in the tranquilly resounding corner, listening to the echoing footsteps of years.

*** - Chapter taken from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (slightly adapted)

A/N: Ah...Grissom. Will he ever believe he's worthy? (instant image of Waynes world in my head!) HA! :P