Everything was pretty much a blur for everyone on the team. Seeing one of 'them' dead, in the body bag, and back to the lab was heart wrenching.
"Nick, I know this is tough for you, but just tell me what happened," Jim was asking him.
"Me and Warrick were the last ones to leave the diner. He left, and I stayed. About five minutes later, I heard... Gunshots. I walked out of the diner right away and pulled my weapon out. I walked down the alley and then..." he couldn't continue.
"Did you touch anything?"
"No, but I did get sick near the car, and I walked right up to the door. That's it."
"Ok, that's all we need for now"
Nick stayed standing be the police car and was watching the day shift start arriving. The team was hands off as it was one of their own.
"Come on Nick, I'll give you a ride home"
It was Grissom. He looked just as horrible. Nick obeyed and climbed into his truck. The ride home was silent, and when they reached Nick's house, all they said were goodbye. After dropping Nick off, Grissom drove around for a while. He couldn't bring himself to go home. He found himself driving to Catherine's. Afterall, wasn't it his job to make sure everyone was holding up ok?
Grissom knew how close Catherine and Warrick were, and could sense this was not going to go well. When he knocked on the door, it swung open immediately. It was Lindsey.
"How's your mom holding up?" he asked her almost immediately.
"You better come in," She said stepping aside. When Gil looking into the family room, the TV was on low, but loud enough that you could hear. It was on the news, and a picture of Warrick's face flashed on the screen. Then he saw Catherine. But she wasn't alone. Even though she was a crumpled mess on the couch, she was surrounded by Greg, and Nick, who appeared to have just arrived. They were all staring at the screen, everyone of them looking broken. When Grissom walked into the room, Catherine looked over.
"Oh Gil," She whispered as she stood up and went over to hug him.
"Why,..? He's gone. He's really gone."
She crumpled to the floor, and sobbed. Everyone was crying by now, even Gil had tears in his eyes. He helped Catherine off the floor, and to the couch. She curled back into the fetal position and wept. Nick cleared his throat,
"I think we should all stick here together for the night." He was trying hard not to cry. Grissom was hesitant at first, but then he realized they all needed one another right about now. He took off his jacket and joined Catherine on the couch.
"I'm just calling the lab to let them know where we are." Griss dialed the number and put the phone to his ear.
"Hi Judy, Gil here...Yes actually we will be staying at Catherine Willow's this evening...mmm... Thank you." He shut the phone and sighed. 'Dont cry Gil, not here, not now.' As much as he told himself this, he couldn't hold it in much longer. A tear slid down his cheek. He sobbed quietly in the still room. Sniffs and sobs coming in every direction.
"I just can't believe this" Nick said.
"None of us can Nicky," Catherine whispered.
Grissom glanced at his watch and read 1:24 AM. They were all exhausted. The room grew still again, the only think you could hear were cries from everyone. Eventually, everyone managed to cry themselves to sleep. All but one. Gil Grissom.