Disclaimer: I own nothing of CSI

I'd like to thank Vegas Nevel 3 for giving me this idea!

Heart Stopping

"Bye, drive safe, enjoy your conference. We'll see you in a few days." Jackie said as she gave him a kiss.

"Thanks. I'll miss you guys." Nick said as he said goodbye to all the kids.

"Bye Dada." Hundley said with tears running down her little cheeks.

"Don't cry kiddo, I'll only be gone a few days." He told her softly.

Hundley sniffled.

"Stay here." The little girl pleaded.

He looked at Jackie.

"Maybe I don't need to go." He told Jackie.

"Go, she'll be fine." Jackie whispered in his ear.

"We'll talk to daddy on the phone every day sweetie pie." Jackie promised her.

Hundley just continued to sniffle.

"Go." Jackie whispered to him again.

Nick gave the kids one last smile and then headed out.

He had been looking forward to this entomology conference in Barstow, California for a long time but he had to drive because the lab was short on funds and couldn't afford for him to fly.

Before he got out of town he stopped and bought something to drink and then hit the road again.

At a stoplight he took his wallet back out of his pocket to make certain he had his driver's license with him, he did, but he didn't have time to put it back in his pocket the light turned green so he just tossed it on the seat for now.

He rolled down both the driver's side window and the passenger window to get some air from the gentle breeze blowing, and turned up the radio.

Everything was going fine until suddenly he felt the car jerk, his truck had a flat tire but before he could correct it the truck went careening down a steep embankment, the truck flipped through the air once before coming to a rest, his wallet flying out the open window.

Nick was knocked out cold from hitting his head during the flip.

His promise to Hundley to see her in just a few days very well might not happen now.

TBC…