This is not only my first FacFic, but it is the first time sisnce I left school that I have let anyone read one of my stories, so please be gentle.
'Tom Stone, 12 years old. His parents noticed something wasn't right and took him to the ER. He has bruising on his wrists and abdomen, he's not saying anything.'
'Ok, I'll get my kit.'
Brass had spotted Nick moping in the corridor. Even he had overheard the argument with Grissom about Nick getting too involved in his current case. It ended with Grissom giving the case to Sara.
He figured Nick could use the distraction.
'We're waiting on someone from social services to start questioning him again, but we can collect samples,' Noticing Nick's questioning look Brass added, 'his parents are not allowed in.'
'They're suspects?'
'Everyone's a suspect, you know that Nick. Come on.'
They entered the interview room. Nick approached the small boy sat solemnly in the chair. As he came closer, he caught a look in his eyes that gripped him.
Nick didn't hear Brass introduce him, neither did Tom as they shared an intense look.
Just as Brass was about to ask if Nick wanted to get started, there was a knock at the door. After a few brief words with the officer, Brass left the room.
'I'll be back in ten.'
'I'll wait.' Said Nick, his eyes not leaving the boy, whose attention had now returned to the table.
Outside Grissom was storming down the corridor. He spotted Brass
'Where's Nick?'
'In with the boy, Tom Stone…the suspected abuse case.'
Grissom decided to wait until he had finished. He opened the observation room door and went inside. As the door closed behind him Grissom noticed that Nick was alone with Tom. 'Great, he hasn't even started.' He was about to leave, but stopped when he saw the interaction between the boys. Something told him he had to stay.
Nick took the chair from the end of the table and sat in front of Tom. Tom saw Nick's gentle, concerned expression.
'I'm Nick.' He said softly
'Tom.' Came the small reply.
Tom's body tensed, his breathing increase and he started to fidget in his seat, looking for a way out.
'It's not your fault.' Nick said
Tom stopped moving and just sat there
'None of this is your fault.'
This time Tom started to look up.
'It's going to be alright, none of this is your fault, trust me.'
This time Tom looked directly into his eyes, and Nick could see the tears flowing down his face. It broke Nick's heart to see him hurting with a pain he knew all too well.
Tom practically fell into his now open arms. Nick gently rubbed his back and rocked slightly as he tried to comfort the sobbing child.
Grissom was amazed. Three sentences. That's all it took. Three sentences. His parents had tried to get through to him, the hospital staff, and Brass, but it had taken just three sentences from Nick to achieve what no one else could.
It took a couple of minutes for Tom to settle down. Nick gently guided him back to his chair, but continued to hold his hand. With his free hand he produced a tissue.
'It's almost clean.' He said handing it to Tom with a smile. Tom returned his grin, but it quickly disappeared.
'That's disgusting Nick.' Grissom said to himself, with a smile.
'Do you want to tell me?' Nick said seriously.
Tom shook his head.
Silence.
Grissom was puzzled. Nick had him, why wasn't he pushing. Of course the kid didn't want to tell him, but he had to. The sat like that for several minutes. Grissom was about to give up when Tom drew in a large ragged breath.
'How old were you?'
Grissom's mind swam, it made no sense, how old was Nick when?
'Nine.' Came the reply. Nick turned away, he was almost willing Brass to return, then he realised he could not turn away from this, he needed to be strong for Tom.
'Who?' Asked Tom quietly, hoping Nick would not be mad.
He just wanted to know he was not alone, not a freak, not his fault.
Nick was quiet for a moment, wondering how much he should say. He didn't want to be accused of leading the witness and jeopardise any criminal case, but he had to get Tom to talk. He decided it was worth the risk.
'I'll make you a deal. I'll tell you, but then you have to tell me and the detective what happened to you, ok?'
Tom sat there for a moment
'You'll stay with me?'
'I'll be right here.'
'Alright.' Tears were threatening again, but he held them back, as Nick squeezed his hand.
To Grissom it felt like all the air had left the room. Nick, no, it wasn't possible, he would have known, but deep down he knew Nick was not lying. Grissom tried to focus as Nick started to explain.
'I brought my report card home from school. I remember being quiet pleased with myself.' He said with a cocky smile 'All A's except one, I got a B in history. I handed it to my father who was not so impressed'
Nick remembered it like it was yesterday…
'You got a B in history, I thought we went through your notes on this together.'
'Yes we did but…''I don't want excuses Nicholas, I thought you'd studied but obviously I was wrong.'
'Dad…'
'Don't whine you're not a baby, I don't take time out of my schedule to help you study just for you to get B's. You can stay here tonight and study, you evidently need the extra time.'
'But Dad…' Nick didn't finish his sentence due to the look he was receiving from his father.
'All the kids are out tonight honey,'
'Then call a babysitter, I'm going to get ready.'
Nick could feel the tears welling up, but he refused cry in front of them.
'What are you waiting for, go to your room and get started.' Nick ran upstairs
Grissom couldn't believe it, being the youngest of such a large family he thought Nick had been overprotected, but that wasn't the case. He knew Judge Stokes would be tough on his kids, but that was harsh, he was only nine.
Nick continued…
'I heard my mum call my usual sitter, one of my sisters friends, but she couldn't make it, so she called an agency. Shortly afterwards I heard the door bell and was summoned downstairs to be introduced.'
'This is our son, Nicholas Stokes. This is Miss Archer.'
'Pleased to meet you Ma'am' Nick said holding out his hand
'Call me Beth.' She said taking it.
Nick's dad would normally give new sitters the third degree, background, qualifications ect... but they were running late and they had used this agency before, so they just left.
Nick felt it was impolite to leave Beth alone, but he had to study, so instead of using the desk in his room he set himself up in the dinning room. She had sat with him for a while, before deciding they needed snacks.
'Nicholas, would you come here a moment.'
Nick entered the kitchen to find Beth had made them some popcorn.
'Could you give me a hand? Here you take the drinks.'
She handed Nick two glasses of juice, but she did it with such force that the liquid splashed out of the glass and down Nick's shirt.
'I'm so sorry.' She said to Nick with a smile, his look of distress did not go unnoticed.
'Give it to me, I'll wash it before your parents get home, they'll never know.'
Nick gave her a large smile as he put the glasses down. He was about to run upstairs and change when she grabbed his wrist
'Just take it off here, if you wear something else your parents will know. You can put it back on when it's dry. I'll only take an hour.'
Nick hesitated for a moment, but he really didn't want to get into any more trouble tonight, so he pulled off his shirt and handed it to Beth.
'Why don't you take a break? I won't tell. Just until we've eaten this' She said pointing at the popcorn. Nick agreed.
They were sat with the popcorn between them, watching a 'made for TV' movie. As the movie ended Beth moved the popcorn and sat closer to Nick. He felt uncomfortable.
'Thank you for the popcorn, I'm going to finish studying.' He said rising to his feet.
Once again Beth took hold of his wrist.
'You know you're very polite for your age.'
'My par…parents said its imp…important to be polite.' Nick didn't normally stutter over his words but the way she was holding him made him nervous, no matter how much he twisted his wrist she would not let go.
'Please.' He said looking at her hand.
'How would you like me to tell your parents that you have been bad boy?' Nick just stared at her. Why was she doing this? He hadn't done anything wrong. 'Not studying, spilling you drink, staining your shirt, and leaving me all alone.'
She was right he had done all those things. He could feel the tears welling at the thought of his parent's reaction to his behaviour.
'I won't tell them if you sit with me a while longer.'
Nick sat back down.
'Do you think I'm pretty?'
Nick slowly nodded
'Talk to me, I want to hear that lovely accent again.'
'About what?' He said sullenly, avoiding eye contact.
'Tell me why you aren't out with your family tonight.'
At this point Nick stopped recounting every detail to Tom, he didn't want to upset him or be accused of leading him in his own recount, besides that he had never told anyone in detail, and couldn't be sure he would make it to the end if he had to voice it all.
As Nick remembered that night in vivid detail, he glossed over many of the most painful memories in his actual recount…
Nick told Beth the events leading up to her arrival. As he finished the story Beth placed her hand on his chest.
'What are you doing?' Nick asked in a voice too high to be his own
'How would you like to have some fun with me?'
'I can't, I have to study, my parents will be back soon.'
'They're not going to be back for ages, and you don't want me to tell do you? I mean you've already disappointed them once today.'
'No.' he said thinly, not liking the way she was running her hand over his bare chest.
'Well then, just relax and we'll start.'
She took hold of his shoulders and pushed him backwards. She could feel him shaking beneath her as she caressed the bare skin on his shoulders and chest. She turned him so he was lying across the couch, and without breaking contact, she lifted her leg so she was straddling him.
'No.' Nick said trying to push her off
'Ouch,' she said mockingly, 'I thought you were a gentleman. What will your dad say when he finds out you hit a girl?' Nick froze, it was a rule you never broke, boys do not hit girls, ever.
Tears started to fall down his face involuntarily.
'Don't cry,' she said wiping away his tears, 'they don't have to know.'
With one hand she took hold of his now still wrists and held them above his head, her other hand made it's way down Nicks chest and started to undo his trousers. She felt his body tense as he tried to pull free, but she held him firm.
'Shhhh, it's ok, it won't hurt I promise.' She lowered her head and kissed his chest moving slowly downwards.
Nick shut his eyes tight, hoping she would go away. Feeling every movement of her body against his, the tears streamed silently down his face.
With some difficultly she had managed to pull down his jeans and underwear while still holding his hands above his head. He wasn't struggling much, but she didn't let go.
Nick tried with all his might to stop his body reacting to her. He didn't want this. She was hurting him. He felt her move against him again and again. He wanted to scream but all he could manage was a whimper.
As she pulled away she ran her hand down his bare chest and kissed him before standing up and pulling down her skirt.
'Wasn't that fun?'
Nick glared at her, tears still running down his cheeks, trousers still round his ankles.
'You can't deny it Nicholas, your body told me you wanted it, if you didn't that wouldn't have happened.' she said looking at him.
Nick was suddenly struck by his nakedness, he sat up, his whole body hurt from being so tense. He pulled up his trousers and ran upstairs.
He was in bed fully dressed when he heard the door open. He pretended to be asleep.
'I've brought your books up before your parents get home… Nicholas?' There was no response 'I know you're awake. Don't worry I'm not going to tell them what a bad boy you have been tonight. I wouldn't want to disappoint them. It'll be our secret.' She walked over to his bed and slowly ran her fingers through his short hair and down his neck before leaving '
He heard his parents return half an hour later.
'No, he's been as good as gold. He's been studying all evening, he even helped me make popcorn. Unfortunately I did spill juice down his shirt, but I put it in the wash so it wouldn't stain.'
'You didn't need to do that.' He heard his mother respond. 'Thank you.'
He couldn't believe she was thanking her, but he couldn't tell them, they would hate him, it was all he's fault.'
A few minutes after he heard the door close, his mother entered his room. He pretended to be asleep again. She kissed his head and left. She didn't notice his red cheeks and never heard the quiet sobbing coming from his room.
'I never did tell them.' Nick finished, looking at Tom.
'They didn't notice?' he said in disbelief
'No.' Nick said sadly
Grissom could feel the lump in his throat. How could this woman use Nick words and sensibilities against him like that? He had no control over his body's responses, especially not at nine years old, and how could his parents not notice? Nick isn't that good at lying, they had to notice something wasn't right.
As he watched Nicks gently caressing of the boy's hand, Grissom asked himself if it was Nick's parents he was angry at? He had never noticed, it never even occurred to him, but now it seemed to fit, it seemed so obvious.
He knew Nick had just relived the whole experience, but what he had actually recounted to Tom was a vague description of how this woman hurt him. How she had used his words against him, and made him feel like it was his fault. He hoped one day Nick would feel comfortable enough to tell someone the whole story.
Nick could see the tears in Tom's eyes again.
'You see I did nothing wrong. Even as an adult it is difficult to stop your body reacting in that way, even if you don't want to.'
'Really?'
'Yep, I did nothing wrong, and neither did you.'
Tom went quiet, Nick hoped he hadn't gone too far.
'I did tell someone, eventually.' Nick said hoping to revive the conversation.
'Who?'
'One of my colleagues, here.'
Grissom was intrigued, whom did he tell?
'They are like my family.' Nick added
'Tell me about them.' Nick smiled, maybe a change of subject was in order until Brass returned.
'Well, first there's Greg, he used to work in the lab, but now he's a field agent, like me.' He suddenly had Tom's full attention, and he realised Tom was trying to draw parallels between Nick and himself, so Nick continued to describe his colleagues. 'He's always enthusiastic, it doesn't matter what you ask him to do. He's the one person I go to when I need to take life less seriously.'
'I've got a friend like that.' Tom added, and for the first time since they met, Nick saw the light behind his eyes. 'His name's Adam. He's really smart but is always clowning around in class, making everyone laugh especially when the teachers not around.'
Nick smiled as he imagined Greg at school.
'Who else?'
'Sara, She's really strong, smart and pretty.' He said with a smile. 'She works hard all the time. She is very passionate, but controlled, not like me. It's like having a big sister, someone who knows how you feel but doesn't go mushy on you.'
'My aunts like that. She's kinda like my mum, but doesn't get upset like her. When I broke my arm mum couldn't stop crying, but my aunt took me to the hospital and made sure I was ok.' He looked at Nick, willing him to continue.
'Then there's Warrick. He's my best friend. We're a little competitive sometimes, but I know he's always got my back. Do you have someone like that?'
'Yes, my best friend Michael, he lives next door. He's older than me, so he looks out for me at school and he takes me to the cinema and football.'
'Gil Grissom is my boss.'
Grissom didn't even notice he was holding his breath.
'What's he like?'
'Smart. He always knows how to handle a case. I respect him.'
'What's he like though?'
'I was asked to describe him once and this is what I came up with, I don't know if it will make sense to you, but here goes… when I was at school I loved mathematics… don't look at me like that, it's not that bad.'
Tom let out a small giggle.
'Anyway, I wasn't the top of the class or anything, but I really enjoyed trying to see the patterns, the link that made everything else fall into place, so I worked really hard. There was a kid in my class call Josh. He found it so easy, it wasn't a challenge. It was all about the answer, not the process. The thing is, no matter how much I wanted to be like him or how much I admired him, I didn't want to lose my enjoyment of the process, lose sight of the reason I liked maths in the first place.' Realising he was being too analytical, he finished 'In answer to your question he is a great boss I can only hope to be half as good as him one day.'
Tom was looking at him intently.
'Sorry, did that make any sense?'
'Yes…some of it. I think I know what you mean. I want to be like my dad. He's really smart and he has a big car, but he doesn't remember how to have fun. He's always so serious, I can't remember the last time we did something together that wasn't educational. I want to grow up like him, but I won't forget how to have fun.'
'I'm sure you won't. You know there's one more person I haven't told you about yet. Her name is Catherine.'
'Is she the one you told?'
'Yes, although she practically guessed, she's very perceptive. We were working on a case and she confronted me. She's the only person I've told.'
'Apart from me.'
'Yes, apart from you.' Nick gave Tom one of his famous smiles that Tom couldn't help but return.
'What's she like?'
'She's caring, supportive, never forgets to tell you if you've done a good job. She's like your mates mum at school who you have a crush on, only Catherine's younger and prettier.'
Tom wasn't the only one who smiled at that. Grissom had no idea Nick thought of Catherine that way, he would have to remember that comparison.
'Why did you tell her? Didn't you trust the others?'
'It wasn't that. I know they would be supportive, but after I told Catharine I knew someone was there for me, someone who understood my feelings. I didn't need all my friends running after me, being overprotective. One day I might tell Warrick or the others but right now I don't feel it's time. Tom, you need to tell you parent so they can be there for you, you don't have to go through this alone.'
After a brief pause he added 'Who hurt you?' Hoping Tom wouldn't clam up again.
'My teacher.' Tom said lowering his head.
'Hay, look at me, you have nothing to be ashamed of.' Tom gave him a weak smile
'How about we get this over with?'
'Ok.' Was the slightly less shaky response.
'I'm just going to fetch the detective and your parents.' Nick said as he stood up, but Tom did not let go of his hand. 'I'll be right back, I promise.' Tom let go and Nick touched his shoulder as he headed for the door.
Tom had returned to looking at the floor when Nick opened the door. It had taken him several minutes to locate Brass and convince him to bring the parents in to the interview. He didn't want Tom to have to do this twice. Nick took the seat in front of Tom again and took his hand. Grissom saw Tom give Nick a small glance in recognition of the gesture.
Brass seated Tom's parents behind him by the door and he sat the other side of the table.
'Before we start, please could I ask that you try not to interrupt Tom's account of what happen, I know it will be difficult, but please try.' Nick said this with so much empathy that his parents had to agree
'Sorry, this is Nick Stokes from the crime lab.' Brass said to Tom's parents. Brass had no idea what had happened between Tom and Nick, but he knew Nick had a way with kids and trusted him to take the lead.
Tom turned to see his parents worried faces, his breathing became rapid and shallow, he couldn't tell them. He couldn't, he was going to let Nick down, he let everyone down, he was such a baby. He felt sick and tears started to run down his face.
Nick could see what was happening and grabbed the bin just in time. Nick raised his hand to stop the onslaught of concerned parents, who were now out of their seats making lots of distressed noises.
'Please.' He said as they stopped moving. They took their seats. Nick was not oblivious to the looks he was getting from the other adults in the room, but this was not about them.
He gently rubbed Tom's back until he'd finished being sick and sat up. He handed him some water, and once he was more composed, Nick tried again.
'Tom, look at me.'
'I'm sorry.' He said in a half sob, meeting Nick's eyes
'You have nothing to be sorry about. Listen to me.' He said taking Tom's hand in his own once again. 'There is just you and me, ok, no-one else in the room, just like before. You know I'm not going to be upset by anything you tell me or think any less of you, don't you?'
'Yes.'
'Then tell me what happened, just start at the beginning.'
Tom looked at Nick, his eyes were soft and unthreatening, and he had a tight comforting hold of his hand. He took a deep breath and started.
Over the next half hour Tom explained how his teacher had been marking him down in class and making him stay at lunchtime for extra help. How she had used his fear of being different and being classed as stupid against him, threatening to keep him back a year, so he would have no friends if he didn't cooperate. After a while she would ask him to clean the board and do other jobs for her. This progressed to touching, and then a month ago, full rape. Afterwards he wouldn't go back for the extra classes. He didn't think she would tell on him, he was right.
Last week she took a lesson for another teacher, the lesson was right before lunch and she made him stay behind. She took him to the storeroom, tied his wrists to a pipe and told him if he made a noise she would hurt him. He was so scared he couldn't speak. When she was finished she hit him a couple of times, said it was for making her wait, and if he told anyone they would hate him for being dirty and his parents would never want to hug him or touch him again.
During the whole recount Nick kept glancing at Tom's parents, giving the reassuring looks, while giving Tom all the support he could. Grissom was amazed at his composure and sensitivity, but above all his professionalism. He knew there was no one else in the team who could have handled it better.
'Do you have the cloths you were wearing?'
'They're at home, under my bed.'
'Did you wash them?'
'No.'
'Ok, that's good. We'll send someone to collect them. Now I'm just going to take some scrapings from under your nails, it won't hurt I promise.'
'I had lots of showers.' Tom said sadly
'Its ok, that's normal, I'll take the samples anyway, and maybe we'll get lucky.'
When he had finished Nick looked at Brass, and signalled towards the parents. Brass understood, and he led Tom's parents outside, leaving Tom and Nick alone.
'Tom, this is my number.' Nick handed him his card. 'If you need anything, you call me ok?' Tom nodded. 'Your parents are going to take you home now.'
'I don't know what to say to them.'
'Whatever you feel like saying. Look Tom at me this is important, you have to tell them what you want.'
'What do you mean?'
'If you want to talk about it, tell them. If you want some space, say so. If you want to shout and scream then do it. Only you know how you feel, but you have to let them know, don't shut them out, they want to help you.'
'Ok.'
'I'm going to speak to them for just a moment, do you think you can wait here for me?' Tom nodded
Nick headed straight for Tom's parents who were still stood with Brass, they were arranging the collection of the cloths and discussing what would happen next.
'Thank you.' Mrs. Stone said reaching out for Nick.
'No problem.' The show of gratitude making him blush slightly.
Just at that moment Grissom opened the observation room door and stepped into the corridor. Immediately Nick went pale. How long? His mind was racing how much? did he hear everything?
'What do we do now?' Mr. Stone asked Nick, he didn't answer
'Nick' Said Brass
'Sorry,' said Nick turning his attention back to the matter in hand. He couldn't change what Grissom did or did not hear, he would have to deal with it later.
'What do we do now?'
'He's going to need a lot of support, just be there when he is ready. I think he will need to talk to a professional about this in the long term, but for now he needs you to be there for him. He did really well today, but this isn't just going to go away. You have a son to be proud of, make sure he knows it.'
'We will. Thank you again.'
'Oh and Mr. Stone, it's just a suggestion but maybe you and Tom could do something together this weekend, something fun, I think Tom will have a few ideas.'
Tom's father looked at Nick strangely, but agreed to talk to Tom about it.
Grissom waited as Nick went and fetched him, everyone said goodbye and Tom hugged his mother before they started walking towards the door. Nick watched them leave.
Just before they reached the door Tom broke away and came running back, stopping just in front of Nick. Grissom didn't know why he was just standing there, but Nick did.
Twelve-year-old boys do not hug strange men, but that's what Tom wanted to do. Nick knelt down and Tom threw his arms around his neck. After a few seconds Grissom saw Nick take hold of the boys' shoulders and pull him back.
'Take care, you know where I am if you need me.'
'Thank you.' He looked back at his parents and then to Nick.
'You know at some point they are going to need you to tell them it's not their fault.'
'It isn't'
'I know that, you know that, but they will need to hear you say it, when you're ready.'
'Ok. Bye Nick.'
Nick watched as they left the building, and in a strange way, hoped he would not see them again.
'Nick.' Came the call from behind him. He turned to face Grissom.
'How much did you hear?'
'Everything.' Nick closed his eyes from a moment, trying to sort out his feeling. Grissom knows…Grissom knows your dirty little secret was all he could hear.
He had just spent the last few hours convincing Tom it was not his fault and he had nothing to be ashamed of, why could he take his own advice.
Grissom saw what looked like shame, embarrassment, and even fear pass over Nick's features. He realised Nick had no idea how he was going to react. Did Nick really think he was such an ogre? So without feeling as to not understand how he must feel about being discovered.
He had to reassure him, he had nothing to be ashamed of, that this would not change the way he felt or treated him except possibly for the better. He now felt that he understood Nick a little better, but he wasn't good with people, he could never find the right words to express it. He knew if this had been the other way around Nick would know what to say. That's when it came to him.
'What do you want?'
Nick knew this was not a 'you have interrupted me' kind of question. Grissom was actually asking him if he wanted to talk, hide, shout, or scream… the same options he had given to Tom when it came to talking to his parents.
No one had ever asked him before, and he certainly never expected the first person would be Grissom, but he knew and Nick was finally forced to decide how he felt. What did he want?
Grissom could see Nick's hands shaking, had he said the wrong thing? Had he finally destroyed the fragile friendship that had taken all this time to develop? Should he have kept quiet, not told Nick that he was there? That he knew? He was just about to speak when Nick answered.
'Perhaps we could talk about it later, after my shift?' Nick said hopefully. It somehow seemed right. Catherine had been really upset when he told her. He couldn't go into details because he was too emotional from the case. They had not motioned it since, he guessed she was waiting for him, but there never seemed to be the right moment.
Grissom was less likely to be emotional. It was time he talked to someone, he just hoped Grissom would not turn him down.
'Whenever you're ready, I'll be in my office.'
Nick gave him a relieved smile as he turned to leave.
'Oh, and Nick.' Nick turned back. 'Good job in there.'
Nick's smile beamed back at Grissom and left.