Chapter 4
He walked down the same hospital hall he probably had been down a thousand times before. He had to check on a patient. He passed the nurses station, nodding at the pretty new blonde nurse. He wondered how long it would be before he convinced her to spend the night with him. And he would convince her.
He turned his head to give her a smile and caught a glimpse of someone out of the corner of his eye. It…it couldn't be, he thought to himself as his smile faded slightly. He knew it couldn't be her. She was dead. He turned to get a better look, but when he did, there was no one there. Guilt, he convinced himself, Just guilt.
But it was more than just guilt. She was there, but she wasn't who he thought she was. She watched him turn back towards the hall, the smug look returning to his face after not seeing her. She knew it wouldn't be long before she wiped that look off of his face forever. He would pay, just like the police officer. They would all pay.
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As soon as she heard the click of the lock, Alex opened her eyes. She hadn't slept at all in Nick's bed. She had felt him bolt upright, but didn't say anything. If he had called her name, she would have answered. But he didn't, not even after she moved, so she pretended to be asleep. And she heard the call from the lab. It was odd to hear him say her father's name as she lay there.
She got up out of bed and started to collect her clothes. She had wanted to talk to Nick, but hadn't been sure how to start the after sex conversation; she'd never had one before. And he didn't seem to want to talk to her—at least not yet. So she would wait. She didn't feel right forcing herself on him for the second time that night.
As she dressed, she replayed the events in her head. She smiled at the thought of the touch of his hand, the feel of his lips on her stomach. It was wonderful yet frightful to feel complete in love for the first time, but knowing that it might not still be there tomorrow.
She debated staying until he returned, but didn't know how long that might be. She also didn't know if he would want her to be there when he returned. She decided to just leave him a note, letting him know he was welcome to come by. Alex was trying to give Nick the opportunity to make the next move. She only hoped it wasn't too long before he took it.
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Nick arrived at the lab's garage to find no one there. He hadn't thought about stopping by Grissom's office; he thought Grissom would already be there and processing. He was just about to go find Grissom when Warrick arrived.
"Hey Nick," Warrick greeted him.
"Hey 'Rick," Nick returned the greeting. "Where's Grissom?"
"Thanks," Warrick responded, feigning hurt.
Nick gave him a patronizing look.
"He had to run to a scene before some evidence crawled away," Warrick answered his question.
Nick was a little relieved. With all that had happened with Alex, he wasn't sure how comfortable he'd be around Grissom. His stomach had been in knots the entire way to the lab. He knew, however, that it was more his apprehension about what he had done than Grissom's reaction that bothered him.
Warrick noticed the change in Nick's demeanor when he found out Grissom wasn't coming. "Something going on, Nick?" he questioned.
Nick was a little taken aback by Warrick's question. He hadn't realized his emotions had been written all over his face. "I…it's…Alex," was all he could manage to say. He wasn't sure how much or how to explain what was going on.
"Ahhhh," Warrick understood. "Women."
Nick nodded. "I just don't understand her actions. She's here one minute, gone the next. Then she returns apologizing or acting like nothing happened." Nick shook his head. "I didn't think love was supposed to be this hard."
Warrick guffawed. "Love is the hardest thing in the world. And you and Alex have been through so much in the last couple years, it only makes it harder."
Nick let out a sigh as he recognized the truth in his friend's statement.
"What you have to decide," Warrick continued after a moment of silence from Nick. "Is whether or not the love you share is worth the heartache that is going to go along with it. And whether or not you two can work through all the heartache together."
After a thoughtful pause, Nick responded, "How did you get so wise, 'Rick?"
Warrick raised his left hand. "One ring to rule them all…" He laughed.
Nick laughed too. It was good a good tension breaker. "I guess we should get started."
"After you," Warrick responded.
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Grissom pulled up to the scene. A young woman had been found and it was obvious that she had been dead for more than a few days. There were some bugs that might hold some clues as to when her untimely demise had been met and that is the reason Grissom had been called.
He got out of his vehicle, grabbing his kit from the back seat of his car. Then he made his way to the body. He was aware of the gathering crowd, but oblivious to the fact that he was the star in one spectator's play.
She hid in the crowd but made sure she had a clear view of him. She had to keep her hand over her mouth to cover the grin that she couldn't suppress. She was just too pleased with herself that her plan had worked.
She hadn't meant to kill the young woman, but she didn't have a choice. The woman had gotten in the way and had to be dealt with. Afterwards, she realized it would be a good test to see if she could attract the great Dr. Grissom. And now it was apparent that she could, which was good to know for when she was ready to take him.
She stood and watched him for a good while. She was studying his movements, the movements of the officers around him. She looked for flaws, a chink in the armor. She knew she would find it, just like she had with the doctor.
Ahhhh, the doctor, she thought to herself. She knew that he should still be unconscious, but would wake-up soon. She knew she would have to return and explain to him why he was there. But she had a feeling, when he saw her, he would know. And she so looked forward to the look on his face when that recognition hit him.