A/N: Lots of well deserved support for Grissom, in the last chapter. The poor guy, just can't catch a break. Hopefully, the second half of this chapter, will be a balm after the last tough chapter. As always, your comments and PM's are very much appreciated. I think you will possibly enjoy the 1st half of next week's chapter more than this one. But we'll see. Many, many thanks for my beta, JellybeanChiChi, for without her invaluable help, this story wouldn't be what it is.

CHAPTER 13

Once making his way slowly and painfully to his cell, over the following forty-eight hours Grissom tried his best to avoid drawing too much attention to himself. Despite his best efforts, he'd had several small "accidents." He'd been tripped twice in the dining area, which had resulted in him landing heavily on his left knee.

It was this, that caused him to limp slightly as he followed the guard down the corridor to an empty interview room, his hands handcuffed in front of him.

It was with some surprise when the guard opened the door, and Grissom was presented with the unexpected appearance of Wilbur Jacobsen.

Jacobsen, was a man in his sixties, with a shock of white hair and watery blue eyes. He'd been Grissom's lawyer for the last three years.

"Gil, I'm so sorry we meet under these circumstances," he said solemnly as he shook hands with Grissom, after the guard had unhand-cuffed him, and left them alone.

"When Hobson told me what had happened, I wanted to see you," Jacobsen continued, watching his client carefully, taking note of the fresh cuts and bruising on Grissom's face, and a healing graze on his cheek. "I know life in here is not easy for you," he finished sadly.

Grissom gave a little non-committal shrug. "It looks worse than it is. Considering that I'm responsible for inmates being here, there are bound to be a few ruffled feathers." He chose not to mention the beating and near drowning he'd faced two days prior.

"So, what Hobson says is correct; that you brawled with this Sullivan character?"

Grissom sighed heavily, glancing down at the floor.

"I'm not proud of that, Wilbur," replied Grissom, looking up again, but settling his gaze on the wall to the left of the lawyer. "He was hurting Sara. If I hadn't turned up when I did, I dread to think what he might have done to her."

"You genuinely believe he'd have seriously hurt her?" the lawyer asked raising an eyebrow.

Grissom nodded.

"There was...just something about him, Wilbur," Grissom mused, his tone thoughtful, as he tried to find the words to best describe how Jake Sullivan had made him feel. How he'd made Sara feel. "He insinuated that there was more going on between them, than just working a case together. He even followed Sara and I to lunch. He'd frightened Daniel, so when I saw him being rough with Sara…I saw red and lashed out. I may not be proud of it, but I don't regret it, either."

"I can't imagine how you or Sara must be feeling over this. I was shocked that Judge Carrigan would even consider this course of action. Although I can't help very much, I'll get Hobson to talk to the warden on the issue of your safety. I can also stop by and see Sara..."

Grissom shook his head.

"No. Don't tell Sara," he insisted. "She'll only worry if she knows that I've had a less than enthusiastic welcome. She doesn't need any added stress over this mess I caused."

Wilbur nodded his white head.

"As you wish, Gil. Although you know that she'll be upset, when she finds out that you kept this from her. At least, let me call by the house and at least reassure her that, you're...as well as can be expected? I'm sure she will be anxious for news and may want to visit.."

"No visiting," Grissom was emphatic on the issue. "I don't want her seeing me like this. This is not how I want her to remember me, whenever she looks at or thinks of me." Grissom paused, his gaze shifting to the floor, as he gathered his thoughts. His heart ached at the thought that settled in the front of his mind.

Coming to a decision, Grissom continued. "There is something you can do; ask Sara to check the set of drawers in the garage by the tarantula terrarium; she'll know which one. Tell her..." Grissom hesitated, closing his eyes briefly as he fought to regain control over his emotions. "...tell her, that I... wanted to make this year special enough to erase the horror we faced last year..." Grissom's voice faulted.

Jacobsen seemed to understand as he clasped Grissom on the shoulder, in a show of camaraderie.

"Of course I will, Gil. I'll also talk to Hobson when I return to the office. There is nothing I would like more than represent you myself, but I am locked into three cases that demand my attention."

"I understand, Wilbur."

"I trust Hobson. He's a good lawyer, but I do want to check on him from time to time," Wilbur said. "In the meantime, stay strong, my friend. I have every confidence that justice will prevail, and you will be cleared."

With that final assessment, he shook hands with Grissom once more, before calling for the guard that the interview was over.

On returning to the office building, Wilbur headed straight for Hobson's office. He entered the office, without knocking startling Hobson mid-phone call.

"...well aware of that, and I'm dealing with it. I have to go, Mr. Jacobsen's just… Yes, I'll call and let you know the arrangements."

He quickly ended the call and turned his attention to the senior partner.

"My ex-wife," he supplied in explanation of the interrupted phone call. "Trouble with our teenaged son."

"While I'm not disputing that family is important," Wilbur briefly acknowledged his junior partner's predicament. "We also have a duty of care to our clients. I've just come from visiting with Gil Grissom. You are aware, are you not, that he is being targeted by the other prisoners?"

He waited a beat, before continuing. "I can see from your surprised look, that you are not. I have to say that I'm a little disappointed in how you're handling his case, Hobson. I think, it would be in your best interest, if you were to have a word with the warden about the issue of our client's safety. Preferably before something worse, were to happen to him."

Wilbur gave a satisfied nod, before turning and promptly leaving the office, and leaving the younger man to start after him bleakly.

To say that Sara was having a bad week was an understatement.

She was still finding it hard to deal with Grissom's unexpected imprisonment. Without Grissom beside her she had difficulty sleeping and felt she was in a permanent state of exhaustion. Nor was she eating well, due to her constant worry over her husband. Just thinking about Grissom in that awful place made her nauseous and quickly running to the nearest bathroom.

Returning to work after the sentencing hadn't been easy; first having to run the media gauntlet, and their probing questions whenever she neared the building, and then having to face her colleagues. A handful had been supportive, including her supervisor, Karson Hess. Others, as she had expected, hadn't been as positive towards her since they believed Grissom was guilty.

Daniel was usually unsettled when daddy was away, but this time his anxiety and sadness seemed different. Sara knew she was stressing, and that Daniel couldn't help picking up on it. Only a few days after Grissom was imprisoned, Sara had been too slow in changing Daniel. He was still feeling out of sorts, as he wriggled fussily as she tried to change him. He managed to wriggle free and began his escape at a fast crawl.

"Come, on Cricket, I miss Daddy, too," Sara soothed softly as she caught her wandering son, and was promptly rewarded for her efforts by a warm jet of pee in her lap. Sara sighed and gently shook her head, a wry smirk gracing her face. It wasn't the first time, she'd been "christened" by Daniel, and she highly doubted it would be the last.

"While I applaud your aim, Cricket, you should remember I'm the one who feeds you so don't mess with mommy." She punctuated her point by blowing raspberries on his tummy. "Who's gonna mess with mommy? You?" Her playfulness was rewarded with soul-healing laughter and giggles.

After she finally managed to secure the diaper, she placed him in his playpen and quickly headed upstairs to change.

Getting caught in traffic left her with barely enough time to make it for Daniel's scheduled hearing check up – something her and Grissom had always done together. As with previous visits the appointment had gone well, with no indication of otosclerosis present. Her initial instinct, had been to reach for her cell to call Grissom. It was only after she'd pressed his assigned number that she realised he wouldn't be able to answer.

She'd spent the next ten minutes sitting in the car, trying to regain control over her fluctuating emotions. Get a grip, Sidle, she said to herself. You need sleep. You need focus. Your family needs you.

Finally regaining some semblance of control, Sara wiped at her reddened eyes. She could do this. She had her own resolve and the invaluable help of Betty, her mother-in-law. Sara always accepted Betty's help while Grissom was away teaching. Just to keep herself strong, Sara would tell herself his absence was no different.

"He is coming back home," she said aloud to herself.

With her composure once more restored, Sara checked on her son in the review mirror, and with a confirming nod meant more for herself, she made her way out of the parking lot, to drop off Daniel at day care.

It was the end of the week, and Sara sighed with the relief of finally being home, as she sank onto the floor beside Daniel, with a smile. The second Sara was settled, Hank, who had been returned a few days prior by Jim Brass, greeted her with subdued enthusiasm. He quickly searched the house for Grissom, and Sara could feel the pup's disappointment. He returned to her a few minutes later with his tail between his legs, his head low and his ears drooping. He was missing Grissom, too.

Daniel giggled with childish joy, as Betty played with him, a bright smile of her own on her face.

"Thank you for picking Dan up from day care," Sara signed. "I didn't expect the court case to run over as it did. Then having to deal with the press..."

Sara paused as Betty placed a hand on her arm, to stop her explanation, and shook her head, smiling tolerantly.

"Sara, my dear," she signed, shrugging her shoulders slightly. "I've waited twenty-five years to become a grandmother, I don't mind helping when I can. Daniel is my only grandchild, and I love spending time with him. He's a treasure, just like his father."

Sara offered a bleak smile of appreciation. "Thank you," Sara signed feeling genuinely touched by Betty's words. She would have said more, but the unexpected ringing of the doorbell, startled her. She quickly signed an explanation to Betty, before raising to her feet, and answering it.

Wilbur Jacobsen offered her a sympathetic smile as Sara opened the door.

Sara's face didn't register a smile back. "Oh my God. What happened? Is Gil OK?"

"Sara, don't jump to conclusions," Wilbur said with a smile. "I talked to Gil this morning and wanted to share things with you. May I come in?"

"Of course," Sara said, as she stepped aside to allow him inside. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"I'm fine, Sara."

"My son and mother-in-law are in the other room," she said, leading him to the kitchen area. She took a seat and he followed suit. "So, you've seen him? How is he holding up? Does he want me to visit?..."

Wilbur patted her hand which he'd taken into his own. "He was a little subdued, which is to be expected," he answered, deciding to err on the side of caution. "But other than that he seemed okay." He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "However, he feels that it isn't the right time for you or anyone, to visit just now."

Those words made Sara visibly upset, enough for her to take a breath. "I would really like to see him."

"I understand, but this situation has been a massive shock to you both," he replied. "And this is a period of adjustment for you both. Give him a little time, Sara, and I'm sure, you and Daniel will be able to visit him very soon."

Wilbur patted her hand sympathetically again, as Sara tried to gather her spiralling emotions under control.

"OK. I guess I understand. But he should know … I need to … I miss him."

"And he misses you," the lawyer continued. "He asked me to tell you whether you could check the set of drawers near the tarantula terrarium in the garage. He said he wanted to make this year special enough to erase the horrors of last year."

The words might not have made sense to Wilbur, but they did to Sara, who nodded her head in the affirmative.