Chapter 7

In Trouble

Disclaimer: CSI not mine still.

Rating: M language

Several months had gone by and Grissom accepted Josh's proposal on the land and had a nice three bedroom house built. He even proposed to Sara. They can see Josh's barn from their back door, and Sara walks to the barn everyday to ride her horse. Nick and Josh became very close friends while Nick was teaching Jose English.

"Hey Josh, wanna grab a drink with me I have the night off."

"Yeah sure, let me finish a few things up here and we'll go."

They found themselves at a local country bar near the strip. They started with long-necks then began doing shots of tequila with a few girls. They were defiantly the hottest guys there. They danced a few times with different girls and when Josh made a pass at another guys girl her boyfriend made himself present.

"Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't know she brought her Dad with her." Josh said while Nick laughed.

"Well friend, I think you have had too much to drink. And you need to leave." the man said shoving Josh.

"Hey punk, back off ok. I think we have all had too much drink. So go back to your virgin daiquiri and put a sock in it." Nick laughed at his own slam.

The man laughed then was not so amused. Nick and Josh were laughing so hard they never saw the man swing at Nick. He took a right across the jaw and fell. Josh ran at the large man to defend his friend's honor. Both took a few more hits before the cops showed up. All three were taken into custody.

Grissom was handing out assignments when Brass interrupted. "Gil, I need to speak with you."

"Ok. Everyone dismissed." and they got up and left. "What's up Jim?"

"I need you to come over to lock up and bail out your sons."

"Jim I only have one son."

"Well biologically one, but I count Rick and Nick as the other two."

Knowing that Nick had the night off Grissom stood and grabbed his arm, "Let's go." and they walked out of the break room Brass explaining the details as they headed towards the jail.

Nick and Josh were nearly asleep on the benches of the jail. Luckily it was not crowded and they had a cell to them selves. They never heard him enter.

"Get your asses up right now." Grissom said sternly and clearly pissed.

They moaned as they stood clearly still intoxicated. Brass signed for their personal effects and stood behind Grissom. Grissom grabbed Josh's arm and Brass grabbed Nick's, and the two were literally drug to Grissom's office.

Once there in the confides of his sanctuary Grissom cut loose. They sat on the couch facing him while Brass sat in a chair as Grissom paced furiously.

"Please, oh please tell me what the fuck you two were thinking? No wait, the problem is you weren't thinking were you. Going to the bar for a few drinks is one thing. Getting absolutely shit faced and picking a fight with someone twice your size is suicide. Jesus Nick I thought that you at least had some common sense. You are a public servant of this community. Did you ever consider your actions might have consequences on your job?"

"No." Nick said solemnly.

"Well you know what it does. This isn't something that I can just magically wave my arms and make disappear, it's going to go on your permanent record. I just have to see what I can get away with as an acceptable punishment. Do you understand this or are you too intoxicated?"

"I understand."

"Good, now for you. We may only have known each other for a few months, but I truly care for you. Both of you are old enough to think for yourselves. And you said you never had a father that cares about you, well I do. I can't believe this. What would have happened if the guy had a gun or knife. I would be standing in the hospital or morgue identifying your bodies. Not something a father wants to do, is it Brass?"

"Nope." came Brass' simple answer.

They both hung their heads waiting for more.

"Both of you are going to stay in here til the end of shift. I'm telling Catherine and you both can hear it from her later. I'm going to sit over there and finish my paperwork I'm even more behind on now cause of your little charade you pulled tonight. I don't want to hear one word from either of you." And with that he walked around and sat behind his desk. "Thanks for getting me Jim. I appreciate it and they will once they realize what option two was."

He stood and left the office. Grissom leaned back in his chair and his fingers absently went to the bridge of his nose to fend off the growing migraine. He stared at Nick and Josh as they sat on the couch looking straight ahead not moving. Grissom picked up the phone and dialed.

"Catherine, I need you to come to my office when you get back to the lab. I'll explain when you get here." he hung up and looked over the accused.

Several hours later Brass called and said the witnesses said that Nick and Josh were just taunting while the big guy punched first. No one was going to be charged with anything they were just to be held til they sobered up.

Grissom looked at Nick and noticed he was squirming. He stood and walked up to him. "What's the matter?"

Nick looked up, "I gotta use the bathroom."

"Josh what about you?"

He nodded and Grissom grabbed both by their collars and drug them through the lab to the men's bathroom. He stood them in front of the urinals and stepped back. Both looked back over their shoulders to see Grissom standing and waiting. So they both went and when they were done Grissom drug them back to his office and set them on the couch as he went to get some coffee.

Greg had just returned when he noticed Nick and Josh sitting in Grissom's office. "Hey what are you guys doing here?" he said walking up to them. They didn't answer or even looked at Greg. They had the fear of Grissom in them and were determined to not disobey him. "Hello, what are you guys doing in here?"

"Greg, stop talking to them and get out unless you need something."

"Nope." and he was out in less than a second.

Grissom looked at Nick and Josh they were sitting staring straight ahead when Catherine walked in.

"So what did you need to see me about Gil."

"Close the door Catherine." and he sat behind his desk. She sat in front of it looking at Nick and Josh.

"Why are they here looking like they are being punished?"

"Cause they are being punished. Do you want to know what Nicky did with Josh on his day off."

"No enlighten me." she said glaring at Nick who never moved.

"Well they decided to go to a bar for some beers. Not a problem there. But when they started doing shots they decided with their new liquid courage to pick on a guy twice their size. I picked them up in lockup with Brass."

Catherine stood in front of them tapping her foot and hands on her hips. She tore into them like Grissom had done but acting like a mother. Once she was done both men looked exhausted.

"Josh, Sara and I will take you home. Nick your at the mercy of Catherine. I will decide as to what method of punishment to hand to you Nick. Because this was a public manner and I know you feel bad about it , but I have to take action. Most likely it will be several days suspension with out pay."

Nick just nodded in agreement and left with Catherine.

"Dad I..."

"Stop right now. Just stop, it's done, over, nothing more to talk about. Ok. We'll move on and this is a mistake I hope you learn from." He pulled Josh up and hugged him as Sara walked in.

"Hey are you ready to go get your truck so we can go home?"

"How did you know I need to pick up my truck?"

"Gil told me. Hey, I've been there once before. Just as long as it doesn't happen again. I still need help with my horse."

"I bet you didn't get the ass reaming I did. I bet a proctologist would have been more fun."

"Come on you, to lets go home." And Grissom led his son and faience out into the morning.