Unfortunate Reunion

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Ch2: Help

Catherine had been calling all around to the spots that Nick had usually went when he was having a rough time. She knew many of the managers and bosses on a first name basis because of this. It wasn't just for Nick, she picked up Greg a few times from certain areas, but when Warrick was around she would get calls from him or for him to pick him up, a lot. She only had to pick up Nick a few times. However, she wasn't surprised when she got a phone from a strip club owner who was also a good friend of Catherine's. She arrived at the small strip club, and was greeted by Mart Glick the owner.

"Hey Catherine," he said giving her a light embrace.

"Hey Marty, where is he?" she asked.

"Follow me. He was already drunk when he got here I swear." he said bringing her to a private booth.

"How long has he been he?"

"About an hour I'd say,"

"Alright thanks," Catherine said peeking her head. Nick was so drunk he was barely paying attention to the dancer; he was paying more attention to his near empty beer bottle. The dancer was swinger her hips and climbing the pole. He was slouched over almost laying down. His tie was gone, his shirt was untucked and wrinkled, and his hair was a mess. He didn't even notice the stripper leave but he saw Catherine and smiled.

"You going dance for me?" Nick asked chuckling.

"No..." Catherine said slightly shocked that Nick would ask her that.

"Then leave me alone." he says realizing his beer was empty and throwing it aside.

"Nicky, what's going on with you?"

"nothing..." he said sitting up as if he was debating whether or not to tell her what was on his mind but didn't. He stood up, nearly falling, and headed for the door.

"Nicky..." Catherine said as Nick left taking a deep breath of the night air. He then continued his staggered steps towards his car with Catherine on his heels.

"Just leave me alone..." Nick said slightly turning. He slipped and shoulder checked the grill of his Jeep.

"Damn Nicky," Catherine said trying to help him up. Nick rested his back against his jeep and pushed Catherine.

"Leave me alone!" Nick cried. He helped himself up.

"Nicky, you can't drive... You're drunk." Catherine said. Nick shook his head and got in his car locking the door and taking off. "Dang it, Nick!"

By the time she got to Nick's house she must have been only ten minutes behind him. She saw his jeep parked in his lawn. She went to knock on his door seeing all the lights in his house on. She knocks on his door. She hears a grumble drunken groan in the response.

"Nick..." she says grabbing his spare key. If it wasn't as evident that something was wrong Catherine would leave him alone. But for someone to see disaster and devastation as often as they, and to have such physical reaction to some news from home. She immediately feared the worst.

Once she got inside she looked around and found him on the floor next to his couch humming. She helps him onto the couch and looks at him as she sits on his coffee table. He burps loudly and blows it in her face, causing her face to twist. She felt her stomach cringe slightly as the scent of hot alcohol burn her nostrils.

"You've always been a whiskey man..."

"You gotta... Gotta... A cigarette?" Nick said barely able to form a sentence. He stared at Catherine, waiting for her answer, but she raises an eyebrow and then he raises one back at her.

"Nick, you know I don't smoke." Catherine says but Nick just laughs raising his arms in surrender.

"Okay..."

"How much have you had to drink?"

"No... I don't know... Or care." Nick said, he stunk of whiskey and beer.

"What is going on, Nick? I'm starting to worry about you. Did something happen back home? Is your family alright?"

"Everyone is just... Fucking peachy," he said standing making his way to the bathroom. He stumbled breaking his wall, Catherine went to help but again Nick physically pushed her away.

"Nicky..."

"I don't need your help. Please leave me alone..." Nick begged with his eyes glassy. He stands and makes his way to the bathroom and gets sick in the toilet. The strong scent of booze quickly filled the bathroom, making Catherine's stomach upset.

Once everything in Nick's stomach was out, he wiped his mouth on his sleeve and rested against the bathtub. He looked up at Catherine with a look of profound defeat in his eyes and one lonely tear made its way down his cheek which he quickly wiped it away. Catherine prepared a cool damp cloth as she flushed the toilet. She put the cloth on her friend's head.

"I'm sorry, Cath..." he said like a child in trouble. Nick's behavior did make Catherine think he was being quiet childish. He sat against the tub with his legs curled against his chest. He was refusing to make eye contact and he looked like he was about to explode into tears at any moment.

"Its okay, Nicky. I won't ask you anymore." Catherine said and watched as more tears filled his eyes. It broke her heart to see her friend like this and not know what to do to help.

"I... I..." he stuttered as more tears broke through his steel gates, his chin dimpled and his lip quivered as he fought tears. Catherine placed the cloth on his neck and sat in front of him on his bathroom floor. "I don't... I don't know... What to do?" was the only thing he could say as he broke down into hysterical sobs. Catherine held his head trying to offer some comfort knowing that whatever was on his mind was a lot more than she had expected, but yet still not knowing what it was.

What do you think is bothering Nick? Catherine figures it out in the next chapter.