Chapter 7
"First off I need to tell you that Mr. Sanders crashed on the table twice. Now, we managed to revive him, but we won't know how the lack of oxygen, from the many times his heart stopped, affected his brain until he wakes up…if he wakes up."
"If?" Nick paled more than the sheets.
"Yes, that's the other thing I have to mention. Greg went into a coma and… his body is failing to hold up on his own- more so his heart- therefore resulting in him needing life support."
Fucking life support!? Nick clenched his fists in anger. God, if Nigel wasn't dead, he would've beaten the shit out of him. Life support meant slim chances; and slim chances meant that there was a possibility Greg wouldn't walk out of this hospital.
"Later on, if he doesn't show signs of improvement, then I will give immediate family the choice to pull the plug or not."
Nick wanted to throw-up. The thought of giving up on Greg was something he never wanted to happen. Something he would never even think of doing. Greg was a fighter and he'd get past this; bounce right back to his goofy self…right?
"Now, on to the other stuff," Dr. Magee sighed heavily; this was gonna be devastating for them. The guy they operated on was just a kid and it seemed like they were a family. No family wanted to hear what she was going to reveal. "Alright, Greg sustained five broke ribs, one of which punctured his left lung. Now we repaired the lung, but again, he's not holding up on his own. We have him on a ventilator to help him breathe. The gunshot wound he got was more serious; it penetrated his spleen, which is why he bled out so much. Unfortunately, we had to remove his spleen and we transfused about two pints of blood back into his body. And, sadly, the wound got badly infected resulting in a dangerously high fever. We have him on cooling blankets now, plus antibiotics, but if it rises anymore, then we have to put him in an ice bath. I also understand that he was sick before the kidnapping?" The doctor looked up at the team and frowned sadly. They were all as white as a ghost; they looked like they were about to puke…and cry. Their eyes were red and she knew they wouldn't be able to take much more. But it was her job to tell them.
"U-Umm, yeah," Catherine stuttered. "He had a cold."
"Okay; well, two days in- what I heard was- a dirty, musty room did not help his case. He extracted pneumonia. Now, it's not too bad, but we are still keeping a close eye on it. There was also moderately bruised kidneys and dehydration; second degree burns, a severe concussion, an inflamed throat and a broken wrist. Two broken fingers, chafed skin around his wrists, severe bruising over 95% of his body and multiple lacerations." Dr. Magee looked up again and found the other patient with tears trailing down his cheeks, while the two women were sobbing and the older man just had a completely stunned look on his face.
"And I know you don't want more bad news, but I'm not positive…I'm not sure he'll wake up."
"What?" Nick said. This week was just getting worse and worse.
"It's just my professional opinion, and frankly anything could happen, but…his condition is too severe and I'm not sure his body can handle it."
"Oh god; Oh my god, Greggo...c-can I…can I sit with him?"
"Unfortunately, no, because his immune system isn't strong enough, we can't have any unknown anomalies into the sterilized room. I can, however, allow you to see him through the window if you'd like."
"Yes," Nick said immediately. "Please…I...I just need to see him."
"Alright," Dr. Magee said standing up. "I'll send a nurse to bring you to him when he's all settled in."
"Um…a-alright, thanks," Catherine whispered. She turned to Nick and placed a hand on his shoulder. He was stiff and his face was as white as a ghost.
"Nicky? Are you gonna be okay?"
The Texan scoffed a sarcastic laugh. "No; my best friend is practically dead and it's all because of me."
The blonde frowned. "What are you talking about, Hun?"
But before Nick could answer, a nurse knocked on the doorframe and smiled sadly. "Mr. Sanders is ready, if you'd like to see him."
They three looked at each other before nodding. They wanted to see their youngest family member, but truth was, they were terrified of what they were gonna see. If the doctor's descriptions were bad, just thinking about the image made their hearts hammer against their chests painfully.
~+CSI+~
"Oh my god," Sara gasped in devastation.
"What? What is it?" Nick asked worriedly.
"Nick, maybe you shouldn't-"
"No! I need to see him."
"Glancing at Grissom, Sara gave in and let Catherine wheel Nick to the window.
"Oh, no," Nick stood up shakily and plastered his hand to the window. "No, Greggo."
Tears began to form as he took in the sight before him; it was literally heart-breaking. Tubes and wires. That's all he saw; and underneath those tubes and wires, he saw a shrunken, pale body lying completely motionless in the bed.
"Greg."
His face was a sickening color of green, black, blue, purple and yellow, but a thick coat of sweat was clearly visible. Two blue tubes ran from an intimidating machine, connecting to a single white tube that was running from Greg's open mouth. A long piece of tape ran underneath his nose, across his cheeks and out of sight behind his head, holding the tube firmly in place. Monitoring stickers were placed on his bare chest and his temples showing a slowly beating heart and nonexistent brain activity. If it weren't for this situation, Sara would've been blushing, looking at Greg's well-toned muscles. There was a large bandage wrapped around his head, covering his, thankfully, washed hair, revealing tufts blonde curls instead of red. Another thick bandage was wrapped around his midriff, stopping right underneath his chest…his chest that was barely moving. His wrists were bandaged as well, except for his left one which had a white cast, propped up on a nearby pillow. Nick's gaze moved lower and noticed that two of Greg's fingers were also bandaged. When did his fingers break? Oh god, Greg, I'm so sorry, man. A blood pressure cuff was wrapped around his bicep, and on the monitor they could see how low it was. Dangerously low. And worse, whatever area of his body that wasn't covered in bandages was bruise after bruise after bruise. He looked practically like he had after the beating…just five times worse.
Nick's legs weakened and he collapsed back into the chair. Why didn't I protect him? God, I'm such a horrible brother.
"Nicky?" Catherine said.
"Oh god. This is my fault; all my fault. He's not trying, because of me, what have I done?"
The two supervisors looked at each other in concern and confusion.
"Nick, what are you talking about?" Grissom said.
"Nothing. Never mind."
Grissom frowned. He wasn't gonna push Nick now; the kid was under a lot of pressure and shock. Maybe later.
"Come on," Catherine said calmly. "Why don't we go back to your room so you can get some rest?"
"No, I'm staying here. I'm not leaving Greg alone."
"There's nothing you can do here," Sara persuaded.
"I said I'm staying….here."
"Fine," Catherine huffed. "But if the doctor says you need to rest, you're going back. No arguing."
"Whatever."
The three other CSI's looked glanced at each other before looking at their youngest. What was going on between the two brothers?
"I'm gonna head back to the lab with Grissom," Catherine said before crouching next to Nick. "He'll be okay, Nicky, I promise."
She waited for a response, for Nick to turn his head and said something, but he just stared straight ahead with a blank expression in his eyes. Sighing, she patted his knees as she stood up to leave.
"Call me if anything changes," she whispered to Sara.
Sara nodded and with that, the two older CSI's left the hospital quietly; they prayed both their boys would make it through this. When they disappeared, Sara looked down at Nick who was completely still.
"I'm gonna go get some coffee, do you want some?"
Silence.
"Nick?"
"I'm fine."
Taking a deep breath, Sara looked at her friend sadly. The man was heart-broken; his little brother was in a coma and there was a chance he wouldn't wake up. What if Greg died? What would that do to Nick? God, she didn't want to see that happen; Greg had to keep fighting. He just had to.
~+CSI+~
He didn't know he'd fallen asleep until he felt someone shaking his shoulder. He knew it was Nigel. He knew that being at the hospital, saving Greg and escaping Nigel's little hideout was all a dream. He just wanted it all to go away. He ignored the touch and burrowed further into his state of sleep.
Dr. Magee looked at the Texan in sympathy as she watched him sleep in his wheelchair. The poor man looked exhausted and her heartstrings were pulled when she saw how devoted he was to his brother. She knew they were actually teammates, but as her many years of being a doctor in the middle of Las Vegas, cops were practically a family when it came to them getting injured. Maybe she could let him in for a little while; yeah, he deserved to sit with him and let the kid know he wasn't alone. Walking up to him, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and shook it lightly. He groaned, but that was it; he made no attempt to wake up.
"Nick? Nick, wake up."
"Huh!? What's wrong? Is Greg okay!?" Nick jumped up and looked through the window. When he saw his friend in the same state he was in earlier, he relaxed and wiped a weary hand down his face.
"Dr. Magee, what's going on?"
"Nothing's wrong, Mr. Stokes; I was wondering if you'd like to go in and sit with Greg for a little while."
"I-I thought you said-"
"I know what I said, but I think if we get you in some sterile scrubs, gloves, and a mask, we can let you go in."
Nick let out a breath of relief and smiled. "Yeah, I would like that very much."
So, in seven minutes, Nick was standing outside Greg's room, sterilized and eager to sit with his friend.
"Alright; I'll have a nurse come get you when time is up, because, like it or not, you need to rest."
Nick nodded, though, not really paying attention. He only cared about sitting with Greg right now. And when he finally was, he felt happier than he had in days. He scooted the chair closer and, while minding the many wires, he took Greg's freezing cold hand in his. And he was wearing rubber gloves, so if Greg was that cold, it was bad.
"Damn G, it's like you stepped out of a freezer."
Of course, there was no response; not even a change in the brainwaves. Nick smiled sadly and gripped Greg's hand tighter, hoping to make it warmer.
"Oh god, Greggo, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry man. None of this should've happened to you; you didn't need to be dragged into this mess. And those things I said to you, god, none of it was true, alright? You're my brother, so please don't ever forget that, okay Greg?" Nick sniffed and shakily, but carefully stroked Greg's cheek with the back of his fingers. "It'll be okay, G, I promise you that."
Suddenly, there was a loud beep by his side that made him jump in fear. Looking up, he noticed that the single line in Greg's brainwaves became mountains. Frowning, he looked back down and squeezed Greg's hand in excitement.
"Greg? Greggo, can you hear me man?"
The brainwaves moved again and Nick smiled. "You can; thank god, buddy. Don't worry I'm right-"
Then, out of nowhere, Greg's heart began to beat rapidly…like he was scared. Something was wrong; was it because he was there? His breathing became harsh and just as he stood up, a nurse came rushing in, pushing Nick out of the way. As she assessed Greg, trying to calm him down, she turned to Nick and smiled sadly.
"I'm sorry, you're gonna have to leave."
Swallowing thickly, he backed out of the room in shock. He ran his hand through his hair and watched as Greg's heart slowed to a normal pace. "Shit."
~+CSI+~
Catherine lifted two prints off of the knife and ran it through AFIS. In seconds, two names popped up: Nick's and Nigel's.
But who killed Nigel? It was possible that Nigel could've committed suicide, but that was doubtful considering the condition of Greg. Nigel wasn't done with the kid. She'd just have to ask Nick what had happened during those mere minutes before they arrived. She had some answers though; Nigel's prints were on Nick's gun as well as gunshot residue on the psycho's sleeves. Catherine held up the container that held the bullet that'd been removed from Greg during his surgery and she tried not to think about whose blood was coating the metal as she cleaned it off. It matched the .45 gun and she knew that Nigel had shot Greg. After she was done, she moved onto their clothes; Greg's were the worst. His shirt was covered in dirt and blood. So much blood. Nigel really wanted to kill him. How could he do something so cruel to an innocent kid? The psychotic bastard.
~+CSI+~
1 Week Later
Nick was sitting outside the window staring in at his unconscious friend. He'd been that way since the day he'd been forced to leave Greg's room after his heart started beating crazily…because he was scared of Nick. He traumatized the kid and now he was paying for it. He'd already been discharged from the hospital days ago and the team had urged him to go home and get some rest, but he refused. He wasn't leaving Greg alone.
"Nick?"
The Texan looked up and found himself looking at his team who had concerned looks on their faces. Nick wasn't looking too good from their eyes. His face was pale with a five o' clock stubble; his eyes were dark with guilt and pain with purple circles underneath them.
"Yeah?" Nick said, returning his gaze back to motionless Greg.
"You need to go home and rest, eat something. You look horrible," Sara pleaded.
"Gee, thanks for the compliment," Nick replied in a monotone voice.
"Come on, Nicky you aren't thinking str-"
"I'm not leaving! Just go, alright? I'm fine!"
"Excuse me?"
Everyone went quiet and turned around to find Dr. Magee staring at them with a forlorn look on her face.
Nick stood up and walked up to her, immediately knowing something wasn't right. "What's wrong?"
"Why don't you all sit d-"
"No," Nick growled, not caring what anyone else had to say. "What's. Wrong. I know something isn't going right, so don't try and sugarcoat it."
Dr. Magee closed her eyes and exhaled. The poor man was really scared for Greg and she knew this news wasn't gonna do any good. For his emotional or physical health.
"I had some tests done on Greg and I have some…bad news."
"What could be worse than what he's going through right now?" Nick shouted.
"I know, but…things are getting worse for him. Nothing's improving…his health is deteriorating and he's in pain. I think it may be time to-"
"No. Don't even say it. We aren't giving up on him; he'll get through it."
"I'm sorry, but only his immediate family has the decision of whether or not to let him go. Where are his parents? Didn't someone call them?"
"No…uh, Greg's parents died in a car crash when he was eight and his grandfather passed away a few years ago…he put me down as his family," Grissom whispered.
Nick remembered the day like it was yesterday. The day Greg found out his grandfather died; the kid adored the man, was raised by him and just like that, a heart attack took him away.
*Flashback*
He heard sniffing coming from the locker room as he passed it. Frowning, Nick backtracked and poked his head in the doorway. What he saw made his heart break. Greg's head was down, his hands folded in front of him and his phone clasped tightly in between.
"Greg?"
The man jerked up and looked at the Texan and he could tell Greg had been crying…or very close to it. His face was pale and his eyes were red-rimmed with unshed tears. Greg tried to smile convincingly so he could get Nick to leave him to mourn in peace, but he ended up failing.
"Hey Nick. How's it going?" Greg got up on shaky legs.
Ignoring the question, Nick moved further into the room. "You alright, G?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be? I'm fine. What make you think I'm not fine?" Greg said nervously.
"Greg, I can tell when you're lying…and you're lying…and your hands are shaking like crazy."
"No they're not," Greg said, quickly hiding them behind his back. Fuck not now; please not now. Stop freaking shaking!
"G," Nick said in a firm tone. He wasn't gonna back down.
"Nick, I'm fine. Nothing is wrong alright? Don't worry about me," Greg made to leave the room, trying to brush past the Texan, but Nick blocked his path, placing his hand on Greg's chest and holding him back.
"Nick, let me through. Ecklie is on my ass right now about some evidence since half the lab techs are out sick and if I don't get them done, I'm gonna lose my job, so just…" Greg tried moving again, but Nick held his ground, keeping his eyes on Greg. He knew something was wrong with the kid and he'd be damned if he let Greg walk around all depressed. Greg being sad and not bouncy was something he never wanted to see.
"Nick!"
"Greg, tell me what's going on."
"Nothing's going on! Why are you assuming something is wrong?" Greg was starting to get agitated and Nick's constant prodding on his situation wasn't helping. He didn't think he could hold it in any longer. If he could just get past the man… "Everything is just…" but he couldn't. Greg's chest heaved with harsh breaths before he broke down in tears and his knees weakening. Nick quickly caught Greg around his waist and carefully lowered him down to the floor.
"Come on Greggo, tell me what happened. You're scaring me man."
"M-My grandfather he…I just found out that h-he had a heart attack…he's gone…oh god, I have no one left."
Nick nearly broke down in tears himself as he heard this. The poor kid thought no one cared about him? Who the fuck told him that? He tightened his grip on the man he considered a little brother and he felt Greg do the same; hold on to him like a lifeline.
"It'll be alright, G, I promise. You're not alone; you have me, you have the team, we're your family…and you're like the annoying brother I never had."
Greg choked a laughed which made Nick feel a little better. "I promise, man, you'll be alright. You need anything, I'll be there for you; the whole team will." He rubbed circles on the man's trembling back and pulled him closer, smelling the faint scent of the kid's beloved blue Hawaiian coffee on his shirt mixed with sandalwood. He smiled faintly at this as he comforted Greg for nearly ten minutes. That's when he realized Greg was his family as well. The CSI team was one giant family and he'd never let Greg forget that…ever.
*End Flashback*
Nick broke out of his trance just in time to hear Dr. Magee finish her sentence.
"…choice, Mr. Grissom. You decide whether to pull the plug or not."
Nick's eyes went wide as he turned to Grissom angrily. "I swear to god, you better not say yes or I'll never forgive you. Greg will live; you all can't just give up on him like this!"
Grissom looked at his CSI sympathetically. "Nicky, Greg's in pain. Do you really want him to spend the rest of his time here in agony? You have to let him go; it'll be better that way."
"No! He'll pull through; he always does! Just give him a couple more days, please."
Grissom sighed heavily and placed his hands on Nick's shoulders. "I'm sorry Nick, but I think this is for the best- for him. And I know you know that, too."
"No," Nick choked. "You can't just…"
"If you want, Mr. Stokes, you can be with him when it happens," Dr. Magee said quietly. "I'm sure he'd be very happy to know that he's not alone in this."
Not answering, Nick just nodded. As much as it hurt and he felt like he was giving up on his little brother, Grissom was right-like always. Greg was in pain; it had been on his face for the past week no matter how deep he was in unconsciousness. He didn't want Greg to be hurting, because he was being selfish, not wanting to let him go.
Within the next few minutes, everyone said their tearful goodbyes to an oblivious Greg who had no idea what was going to happen. And when Nick came up, he nearly collapsed onto Greg's body, though, trying to hold in his tears.
"I'm sorry, Greggo, I'm so sorry that all of this happened. This is my fault; it should be me in here, not you. Oh god, G." He grasped Greg's limp hand as he watched the nurse unhook the machine, leaving it strangely silent in the room. Nick listened in horror as Greg's heartbeat immediately began to slow down and he began to beg for his little brother not to quit.
"Come on, G, don't do this. Please keep fighting; don't let Nigel win! If you die, he would've succeeded in his goal to kill you. Please, keep fighting man…don't leave me." First Warrick, now Greg- two of his brothers gone, just like that; god this life was a mess.
He couldn't hold the tears in any longer and as he cried, Greg slowly began fading away, inching closer and closer to death. He could hear the others crying behind them, but he didn't really care. They didn't understand how badly this was affecting him.
"Greg, no…don't."
Beep …... Beep …... Beep …...
"Come on Greggo, don't give up."
Beep …... Beep ….. Beep …..
This was it; Greg was going to die right in his arms…
Beep …... Beep …... Beep ….…...
…and he couldn't do a damn thing about it.
Beep …Beep….
TBC
Oh no, poor Greg! And evil me! Ok I don't know if this was too sappy or OOC for anyone but if it is I apologize. Also I tried my hardest to research all the medical stuff, but you know the internet…they never give straight answers half the time. Oh well. OMG wasn't last weds CSI so good?! Morgan and Greg should've kissed don't you think?! They were so close! Ugh, they need to happen already! Oh well, the next chapter will be up soon! (p.s. All mistakes are mine.)
