UnProfessionalism 4: Milestones

Disclaimer: Don't own CSI.

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Ch3: Big Boy Questions


Nick watches his clock waiting for his shift to finally end so he could pick up Austin. Nick's latest case involved children so all he wanted to do was go and hug Austin. However Nick had to wait for the social worker to see and speak with the children involved. Apparently it was a busy day for social workers too. Nick had just missed the social worker as he ducked away to let Finn know that he was coming but that he would be late. Nick had the case file to give the social worker so here he waits… again.

Nick began to pick at the loose flap of leather on his boots. Soon he would have to buy new boots. Nick felt he like he walked holes in all of his boots, but when you are on your feet a minimum of ten hours a day it is to be expected. Nick leaned back resting his back and his head on the cold cement wall. Nick looked at the ceiling, closed his eyes and relaxed a little.

"Are you Stokes?" the social worker asked but Nick was in the middle of a daydream and didn't hear her. "Umm… are you alright?" she asked touching his shoulder. Nick opened his eyes and saw the worried social worker looking at him.

"Um… yeah, sorry." Nick said slowly standing.

"Do you have the case file?" the social worker said sitting down, Nick joined her. "I'm sorry… I'm Allie Marlow." She said sticking out her hand, Nick shook it.

"Call me Nick, Ms. Marlow." Nick said smiling.

"Call me Allie." She said yawning. "I'm sorry." She said embarrassed, Nick just smiled.

"We were called to the scene that the kids were playing kickball and the neighbor, Jefferson, came out drunk and threw his beer bottle at one of kids and started to chase some others. Parents called us." Nick said giving her the case recap.

"How is the kid he threw the bottle at?" Allie asked reading the case file and witness statements.

"Martin Browne, fifth grader, has a minor concussion. He's still at the hospital but he will be fine." Nick said shrugging.

"What's going to happen to Jefferson?" Allie asked a little upset.

"He has been charged with assault, child abuse, and endangering the welfare of a child…"

"Good."

"Not quite…" Nick said leaning forward, Allie looked confused. "Pending on the judge and the fact that it is Jefferson's first arrest. The DA might plead him down."

"How can that happen? These kids are scared of this man."

"I know and I am not happy about this either but it's over my head." Nick said disappointed.

"Where's my son? Mr. Stokes, where's my boy?!" Nick heard a distraught father yell as the man pushed past a young deputy. Nick immediately stood and stopped the man from getting any further. "Where's my boy?"

"He's here, he's safe." Nick said the man instantly got calmer.

"Phew… oh my god." The father said relieved. "Is he in trouble?"

"No." Nick said.

"Can I see him?"

"Yes," Nick said putting his hand on the man's back directing him to the investigation. "Deputy Springer, can you bring him to the interrogation room?" the deputy nodded and the father shook Nick's hand.

"Thank you, I just worry a lot. I'm a single dad; my little guy is the only thing I have left."

"I feel your worry; I'm a single father too. This officer is going to bring you to your boy." Nick said sending him away. Nick sat next to Allie again, Nick smoothed his hair. "Sorry, about that."

"You have kids?" Allie asked in a happier tone.

"Just a boy." Nick said showing Allie the background on his phone. "This is gone we went finishing." The picture was of Austin smiling big holding a fish that looked huge in his little hands.

"What's his name?" Allie said taking Nick's phone looking at the picture.

"Austin."

"He's adorable." Allie said handing Nick's phone back smiling. "This is my little guy first day of kindergarten."

"What's his name?" Nick asked it was nice to talk about his son and hear stories of children and know that they wouldn't turn dark.

"Tristan."

"Very nice. How do you work nights with a little guy at home?" Nick asked.

"I don't…" she chuckles tiredly, Nick looked confused at her. "I switched shift with a coworker because Tristan didn't feel well last night, and now the night's person never came in." Allie said tired.

"I feel your pain." Nick chuckled. "Being a single father is hard but Austin makes it worth it." Nick said looking at the picture on his phone. He could talk about Austin all day.

"I know, I'm the same way with Tristan. And now that he's off in school… they grow up quick." Allie said putting her phone away.

"Well, I think we've covered everything we could. The rest of the evidence is still being processed, if anything comes back strange I will give you a call." Nick said smiling.

"Alright. I'll see you later, I guess." Allie said smiling slowly and awkwardly walking away.

Nick watched the social worker leave. He was completely smitten by the social worker, he had never hit it off so well with someone before but maybe he was just feeling this way because he hadn't been in a relationship in so long. Nick didn't want to bring anyone around Austin just for them to leave, and with Nick's jobs he was just about unavailable. However Allie didn't look like the usual social workers but rather she was gorgeous. She had wavy dark brown hair, a gorgeous smile, and she was dedicated to who work.

"Are you leaving?" Db asked Nick but Nick once again was lost in thought as he continued to watch the social worker leave. "Hey, I thought you were leaving? It's not polite to stare." DB whispered and Nick realized he was staring and turned around to see DB.

"Yeah, yeah…" Nick said smiling giving DB the file.


Later Nick picks up Austin and they fall into their own routine. Austin has his own room, his own toys, his own clothes, everything he needed Nick had it. Nick didn't want it to be like that this was his dad's house because it was Austin's house.

"Daddy, do you want to throw the football?" Austin asked eagerly.

"Sure thing, kiddo." Nick said finishing his coffee. Maverick followed them out. Nick loved this time that he actually got with Austin. Nick couldn't help but smile when he saw Austin smile as he talked to Maverick before throwing the ball back.

"Daddy, do you love mommy?" Austin asked, Nick instantly forgot the football spiraling towards his chest, as his mind tried to wraparound what Austin had just asked. He felt the ball hit his chest and Austin ran over to get it before Maverick did. "Dad, you didn't catch." Austin chuckled.

"Huh? Austin what did you ask me?" Nick said sitting on his porch Austin ran over and sat next to him.

"Do you love mommy?"

"Why would you ask me that?"

"I don't know 'cause everyone else in my class there mom and dad live together, but you and mommy don't. I am the only one with two houses." Austin said Nick wasn't sure if he was upset.

"I love your mom like a friend, and just because we don't live together don't mean we love you any less. You know we love you right, Austin?"

"Yes, daddy." Austin smiling.

"Good, I love you kiddo." Nick said ruffling Austin's hair, kissing Austin on the top of his head.


Please Review! I felt like Nick deserved his own chapter to show his job and how he spends his time with Austin. Next chapter will be similar but have Finn and a little more drama. How would you feel if your kid asked you what Austin asked Nick?