Thank you to those that reviewed. I'm still really struggling with this, and it's right that I can't seem to make it flow. I'll keep going though, and just hope that it comes out not too bad.
xxxxxxx
The sound of her heels clicking against the sidewalk echoed off the buildings around her as she neared her apartment building. She paused, reaching into her bag for her key, rummaging around her phone, wallet and numerous items before grasping the cool metal with relief.
"Excuse me, Miss?" Startled, the young girl glanced up, almost dropping her bag as she glanced up in the direction of the hesitant voice. A man was standing off to her right in the apartment's small private car park, a dark baseball cap pulled down over his eyes.
"Could you possibly help me for a minute?" He asked, his voice soft and pleading. Lifting his arm, the girl could see it was encased in thick plaster. "I just need to move this box into my car, but I just can't manage it by myself." He shrugged apologetically.
Glancing around her, the girl sighed and made her way over to him, repositioning her bag more securely on her shoulder.
"Just this box?" She enquired, wanting more than anything to be in her apartment and having a long, hot bath. The man nodded, scratching the back of his head uneasily.
"Yes, thank you. I'm sorry to have troubled you but I really need to get it done and I couldn't find anyone else."
Relenting at the man's apologetic tone, the girl bent down and picked up the box, carrying it carefully over to a dark blue car, the trunk already opened and ready.
"Just in here?" The girl asked, placing the box down and turning around when she received no reply from the man.
She was caught of guard by a sudden hand against her mouth, holding a strange smelling cloth in place. She gagged and struggled but the man held on, cradling her gently until she dropped, unconscious, into his waiting arms.
xxxxxxx
Jumping out of the car, Greg grabbed his camera and their field kits as Nick approached one of the police officers already on the scene. Greg could hear snippets of their conversation as he looked around at their surroundings.
Young girl...no ID...stab wounds to the chest...signs of a struggle...
Greg shook his head in resignation as he stepped closer to the body, kneeling down beside it and lifting his camera. He snapped a picture before peering closely as Nick stepped up beside him.
"This body's older than the last one." Nick nodded, using Greg's shoulder to balance as he squatted down next to him.
"A fishing boat tour found it this morning, called it in." He stated, his hand still warm and heavy on Greg's shoulder. "We'll be able to get TOD when Super-Dave gets here."
"You think this body's related to the other one?"
Nick shrugged, sniffing as he leaning forward for a closer look. "Same MO."
"Apart from the fact that she was dumped in the lake this time."
Nick nodded but said nothing, his fingers unconsciously smoothing over Greg's shoulder as he peered over the body.
Greg snapped a few more pictures before standing up quickly, knocking Nick suddenly off balance. Nick shot him a look as he steadied himself on the ground and began to study the body more closely. Sighing, Greg stepped away and over to the shore of the lake.
In front of him a steep rocky ledge rose out of the water, crumbling away as it reached further in land. Stripes of different colours ran through the rock, reminding Greg of a landscape from an obscure Sci-Fi movie. Treading carefully, Greg moved closer to the cliff face, frowning as he caught sight of a piece of material fluttering near the waters edge. Placing one hand on the rock-face, Greg leaned out towards it.
He frowned, straining forward, his fingers just out of reach of his quarry. Looking down he adjusted his stance before leaning forward again, all his weight resting on the hand against the cliff. Somewhere behind he heard Nick call out to him but he ignored it, all his concentration focused on the scrap of lace blowing in the breeze just inches from his outstretched fingers.
Without warning, Greg's foot suddenly slipped from underneath him and he slammed forward, his forehead connecting with a solid, jutting piece of rock. And then he was falling, a soft yelp smothered as he hit the cold water of the lake.
Still kneeling by the body, Nick watched as Greg fell forward with a loud splash. The he was up and running, sprinting across the uneven rock towards his friend, reaching him and grabbing the back of his CSI vest to drag him out of the water, falling backwards with him onto the smooth, damp ground.
Greg spluttered, coughing water from his lungs, a trail of crimson slowly leaking from a cut on his forehead. Nick gripped him, panting, as Greg held up a dripping piece of cloth.
"Grissom was right." He wheezed with a weary nod, his head resting back against Nick's shoulder. Unable to form words, Nick tightened his hold on the younger man's waist and let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding.
xxxxxxx
Swinging the Denali into a spare space in front of the large hospital building, Nick cut the engine and hopped out, weaving his way through a few cars and approaching the main entrance. He stopped when he saw Greg, sitting on the top step, his arms folded over his knees, gazing up at him. Nodding curtly, Nick waited while Greg pushed himself to his feet and brushed off his jeans.
"You get everything back to the lab?" The young blonde asked, jogging to catch up with his friend who was moving swiftly back towards his vehicle.
"Yeah. It's being analysed as we speak."
Greg nodded, biting his bottom lip.
"I'm sorry, Nick." He offered, his gaze fixed on the Texan's broad, tense shoulders. He desperately wanted Nick to turn around and look at him, and reached out to him when he didn't.
"It's barely a scratch. I'm fine." Greg stated, pointing to his forehead where three white butterfly stitches held together a small gash above his eyebrow. Nick turned to him and shook his head.
"You need to be more careful."
"I said I was sorry," Greg said as Nick took a step towards him, making him take an involuntary step back and bump into the solid hulk of the car behind him. "Why are you making such a big deal out of this?"
"Greg, I can't..." Nick started, but stopped suddenly, his piercing gaze holding Greg's own and making his legs feel suddenly weak.
"Can't what, Nick?" Greg asked, his voice soft and a little shaky. He watched as Nick took a deep breath, anger flashing in his normally soft, chocolate eyes.
"I can't always be there to protect you."
"I don't need protecting"
"No? What about the other night? If I hadn't come along who knows what might have happened"
"I..." Greg tried but Nick cut him off.
"And don't try to make excuses because I don't wanna hear them." He yelled in the younger man's face.
"You can't save me, Nick. I'm not Warrick!"
Nick hesitated for a second, rendered speechless at the sound of his best friends name shouted so accusingly. Then he grabbed Greg by the arms and shoved him hard against the car, making the blonde yelp in surprise and pain. Nick glared into his eyes, his fingers digging into Greg's soft skin. Panting harshly Greg held his gaze, shaking until he felt Nick begin to relax, tension still rippling through his body. Instinctively, Greg's hands came up to rest on Nick's hips as the older man sighed and shook his head.
"I couldn't save him either, could I?"
For once, Greg couldn't think of anything to say.