Friday Night Lights
Disclaimer: Don't own CSI!
I needed to take a break from my other stories and start something fresh. So please tell me what you think? Please Review!
Nick is suddenly shot after a case. His shooter isn't talking, can the team figure out the motive before anyone else gets hurt?
Prey for Nick
Football is a rite of passage in the south even more so in Texas, especially in Belton. It's a feeling I can compare to nothing else. Being under the Friday night lights, hearing my family, friends, and neighbors, cheering for me and my teammates. It was like we were preparing for battle. The camaraderie of all us is something I've never experienced anywhere else, even here. I remember walking around town in my letterman jacket and people shaking my hand. The tiger jacket was something earned not given and people knew that. Something about being under the lights brought another person out within me, it was like a high. I miss it…
How can he just sit there, celebrating never the less? What is he so happy for? Just watching him makes my blood boil. He thinks that badge or whatever he carries is his shield but that cannot protect him now. Each action has a consequence especially when you cross me. With everything she told him, you would think he would have learned or known better. He was supposed to be smart, you figure you would have to be in order to be a CSI or do whatever he does. Obviously not though.
Everything he is doing just solidifies my anger, he's celebrating while my family is in shambles somewhere because of him. No, no… he has to learn… the hard way. I pull out the solution from my glove box. I just bought it from some little gangbanger for sixty bucks. It's a small thing, but it'll get the job done I'm sure. The way the street light reflects off this little beauty puts my shaking hands at ease. I look up just in time to see him leave, walking out with two ladies.
I grip the gun tight. My adrenaline roaring as just seeing him set my rage to a new level. Seeing him smiling and laughing and now I cannot see straight as tunnel vision sets in on my target… my prey. He thought I was all talk, or a coward. We will see who's all talk now. I grip the gun as I open the door. I shove the gun in my pocket and walk towards him. Hearing his laughter solidifies my actions. I speed up my gait seeing them disperse. His back is towards me, no… no… he needs to see me. See my face, and know that I'm the one that did this, I'm the one who took his life.
"Stokes…"
Earlier… Finn and Sara were nervously waiting outside the courtroom, they were waiting for Nick and Mandy to come back, hoping that they wouldn't miss the verdict. They were waiting to hear the verdict for a case that had everyone stressed out, because of the uncertainty of the verdict. Each verdict had a certain level of uncertainty but this one could truly go either way. The whole case was frustrating, little evidence and what evidence was recovered was not the most solid and the defendant's lawyer tried to attack the character of the CSIs with no luck.
"I'm glad Nick is in a better mood. Do you know what was up with him?" Finn asked Sara. Sara just shrugged seeing Nick and Mandy headed their way.
"I bet it was just the case. I'm sure we will all be in a better mood once this verdict comes back." Sara says running her fingers through her hair.
"Yeah, I hope so… what's going on with Nick and Mandy?" Finn asked and Sara gave her a confused look.
"What?"
"I need some gossip…" Finn playfully whined. Nick and Mandy walk up as Mandy tries to wipe something off her blouse as Nick holds her purse.
"Gossip? I love gossip." Mandy said smiling.
"You know I was married twice and could never get my husband hold my purse." Finn said and Nick smiled.
"Gentlemen hold them." Nick said winking at Finn. "Take this, please." Nick said handing Mandy her purse as he loosened his tie.
"Nick will make a great housewife, someday." Mandy teased as Nick rolled his eyes.
"She's been nonstop all day." Nick said to Finn and Sara as he pointed to Mandy as she chuckled.
"He's made it easy." Mandy said still laughing.
"The verdict is in. The court is in session." The bailiff said and everyone flocked back into the courtroom anxious to find out what the verdict would be. They all sat down only to stand again as the judge came and took a seat.
"Will the defendant please rise? Madame Foreman, did you reach a verdict?" the judge asked.
"Yes, we the jury find the defendant, Charles Smith, guilty of first degree murder." The foreman read and the victim's family erupted in cries of happiness. The CSIs were just as happy but tried to maintain a certain level of professionalism, as they all took a deep relieving sigh.
"Oh man… I need a drink." Finn said and Nick nodded in agreement.
"Let's go to O'Malley's." Nick said happy.
The celebration did in fact carry over to O'Malley's and it was incredibly uplifting for everyone's mood. They were laughing and joking with one another, just smiling. The team needed this win, and this little celebration.
"Let me go get us some refills." Nick said going to the bar, Nick flagged down the bartender and smiled.
"What can I get for you, sir?" the bartender asked.
"I need a scotch, two waters, and a strawberry tini thing." Nick asked smiling at the bartender.
"So I take it the strawberry tini thing isn't for you." She teased back smiling at Nick.
"No, no… but I sure would like to watch you make one." Nick flirted and she smiled.
"Nick, you leave my bartenders alone. You've already cost me enough of them." The general manager, Vinnie, teased. Nick just laughed as he took the drinks.
"You know, I'm a sucker for beautiful women." Nick said smiling as he took the drinks and headed back to the booth.
"Let's say cheers?" Finn said taking her drink. "Cheers to teamwork." Everyone raised their glass even people who weren't in there booth. O'Malley's was the local cop bar, so everyone in the place was celebrating whether they knew it or not.
"Alright, I don't mean to be a buzz kill but I gotta go. I have to testify in the morning. Huntley hearing for the Daniels trial." Sara said less than enthused.
"Good luck." Nick said as they said their goodbyes as Sara left. They drank some more as they all laughed and they joked with each other. Mandy was relentless in her teasing of Nick and the fact that he was a little tipsy made it even easier and more enjoyable.
"Let me get another round." Nick said but Mandy grabbed his arm stopping him.
"Oh no, that's it for me." Mandy said chuckling.
"c'mon, the night is young…"
"But some of us have to work tomorrow." Finn said, Nick sighed.
"Alright, fine. I'll walk you out." Nick said. He settled the tab and held the door open for the ladies.
"Jesus, Nick, all this chivalry is going to be too much. You got any brothers?" Finn teased, Nick laughed.
"Nope, just a sister." Nick laughed. "So Mandy you're coming home with me, right?" Nick teased because it was time for a little payback. "You know, I'm joking. I love to make Mandy blush." Nick said to Finn and she smiled.
"No, I'm fine." Mandy said trying to hide her blush.
"How about a hug for a job well done? A handshake?" Nick said smiling. Mandy walked over to give Nick a handshake but Nick picked her up and gave her a big hug.
"Nick, put me down." Mandy squealed and Nick put her down and Mandy pushed him away. Nick started laughing as did Finn. Mandy turned and started walking towards her car.
"Bye Mandy Dandy." Nick said laughing still.
"See you later, Stokes." Mandy said her cheeks blushing.
"See you later, Finn." Nick said as Finn sat in her car. Nick turned to start heading towards his truck.
"Stokes…" Nick heard someone say. He turned around still smiling from the torture he caused Mandy but seeing a gun raised at him snatched all the laughter inside him and caused him to sober up in record timing. Mandy was about to start her car when she heard a gunshot. She immediately ducked a little and dropped her keys. She cautiously brought her head up to get a look outside. Her stomach dropped as she saw Nick lying on the ground still as a board. Mandy immediately ran to him hearing Finn ordering the man to drop the gun.
"Nick?!" Mandy yelled as she holds pressure on the gun shot with no luck as his blood just flowed through her fingers with great ease.
"My… leg… my legs…" Nick struggled to say as his body was going quickly into shock.
"Just hold on, help is coming. Nick…" Mandy said crying. Nick held onto her arm as his eyes drifted shut even against his best efforts. "Nick, open your eyes. Please, Nick, open your eyes!" Nick opened his eyes stuggling greatly. Mandy and Finn were trying to keep Nick as relaxed as they could as Akers and Mitchell came out and apprehended the man and called for an ambulance.
"I… I…" Nick said gasping for air as his chest moved erractically. The look on his face was one of sheer terror one that could never be erased from their brains. Nick started to cough up blood bringing the urgency of the situation to a new level.
"Nick, you are going to be alright. Just hang in there, help is on its way." Mandy said struggling with her own emotions as Nick's grip on her sleeve got weaker.
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