I Shot the Sheriff

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Ch10: Confession

Nick hums as he walks home. He had abandoned his truck at the lab and didn't want to pay for another cab especially because he knew the team was looking for him. Nick couldn't face them. Nick had given Sam to Mandy to watch for the night he claimed even though it could be his last. Nick shook that thought from his head and the fact that his brain was lightly swimming in some whiskey helped ease that thought from his head. Nick held the brown bag of liquor close to his side as he knew he was getting close to his house.

As Nick got closer to his house he saw a patrol car out in front of his house but he was too far away to make out any of the details of the faces of whoever was inside. Nick knew they were waiting for him but he didn't care, he wasn't going back to the lab. Like all good Stokes' man, he was going to go home and drink.

Tough. Be tough. His drunken thoughts told him, those are the same thoughts that told him it would be a good idea to fight two officers for a beer. He could almost hear his father whispering those words in his ear, which only fueled him to drink more, and be angry. After Nick's father past, his mother would say that the only thing the Stokes' men do is drink themselves to death and maybe that's where he was headed. Nick shrugged at the thought.

However the next thing he knew he heard and saw the sirens of the patrol car coming towards him. He looked away trying to use his hat and coat to conceal his identity. He started to think of what to say to the officers but the car whizzed right past him. Nick smirked to himself almost in shock that they drove past him.

Nick unlocked his door and went in and put his bag on the couch as he got a glass. Nick smiled to himself. Nick took out his backup gun from the end table by the door. He sat down on the sofa and poured himself a thirsty cup of whiskey.

"I told…" Nick said loudly to his awaiting attacker assuming that Sqweegel was hiding in the attic. Nick unloaded his weapon assuming that the bullets had already been switched out.

"I told… they know now. My friends and coworkers that I've known for years will never look at me the same way again." Nick said taking out his knife stabbing it into the table.

"My friends, Mandy will never be able to trust me… and the messed up part is I really cared for Estelle. She wasn't some hook up that you are trying to make her seem like… but she's better off without me." Nick said but before he could get emotional he nursed his drink.

"Please, just wait for this to really take effect before you do… what you do…" Nick said quietly defeated.

Nick scratched his head as he refilled his glass. Glass after glass, until Nick could barely read the label anymore he scratched his head again feeling the alcohol get a hold of him in the best and most powerful way. Nick looked at the once full bottle that had a quarter left of the dark amber liquid. Nick slid his glass off the short coffee table and grabbed the bottle by its neck as he sat back. His vision started to blur and his eyelids became heavy and he drifted off into an alcohol induced slumber.

Nick and Estelle fell into a giggling and laughing mess on the floor. Estelle had her head on his shoulder laughing. Nick watched her laugh, loving her smile and her little silly giggle. Their legs in opposite directions so that they are looking at each other upside down. Her giggles are suppressed into a beautiful smile.

"Does it bother you that I'm 15 years older than you?" Nick asked seeing her face change. He was notorious for ruining sweet moments like this or just creating awkward moments.

"No… does it bother you?" she said back as she played with his hair.

"No… but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't sometimes a little weird."

"I mean I guess you're right, but just because other people may think it's weird too, but I am happy with you." She said smiling softly again.

"Me too…" Nick said smiling.

"You know…" Estelle said seductively moving to get on top of him. "My dad has been trying to figure out who's been making me so happy. I wouldn't tell him though." She said and Nick smiled as he held her hands.

"What are we going to do when your parents find out?" Nick asked, Estelle shrugs.

"I'm not sure. I'm not too worried about you meeting my father. I think you'd guys get along, but my mom…" she grimaced and Nick chuckled.

"No offense, but out of the pair. I'm more scared of your mother." Nick chuckled.

"My mom and me, we've always had a strange relationship…"

"You guys' don't get along?" Nick asked slightly sad that Estelle and her mother didn't get along.

"No, my mom is a little spiteful and vindictive. My mom has always been the 'problem solver' or at least she thinks she is… she has never liked anyone I've dated and the fact that you work for her, really hurt your chances." Estelle says and Nick chuckles.

"Well…" Nick says sitting up pulling Estelle closer. "You're worth it." Nick said softly kissing her gently. Estelle smiled against the kiss holding Nick closer.

Nick felt someone tug on the back of his hair causing his head to snap back, he sees Sqweegel's different colored eyes as he raises his smooth blade. Nick immediately throws his hands up trying to knock the blade away but just feeling the blade cut into his palm. Sqweegel stumbles and Nick falls off the couch still feeling the effects of the alcohol in his system as his brain was swimming. Nick tried to get away when he felt Sqweegel's blade cut his back.

"Ahh…" Nick groaned as he winced in pain. He stumbled against the door feeling Sqweegel make another cut. Nick turned and swung at Sqweegel but missed. Nick tried to push Sqweegel away but felt another sharp stab in his arm. Nick yelled in pain. Sqweegel tried to make another deadly swipe with the smooth blade but Nick ducked and lazily tackled him over, Nick tried to slam Sqweegel into oblivion but Sqweegel squirmed and Nick was still drunk and in pain.

Nick tries to pull away but Sqweegel holds him close not letting him get away. Nick tried to then to punch Sqweegel and scratch his eyes out but Sqweegel was cutting him and reopening the sutured cuts. Nick was blinded by a set of headlights and saw that someone was pulling into his driveway. Help was here, now he just had to get there.

The blood that was flowing freely from his arm had provided a little lubrication and Nick slammed Sqweegel down and was able to pull himself away. However by doing this he left his neck completely exposed. Sqweegel made a swipe and Nick tried to lean back and felt the blade cut into his neck. Nick felt a deep sense of fear and panic in his stomach as he freed his arms.

Nick tries to apply pressure to his neck but the blood was flowing out and tried to get to the door hearing whoever was there coming closer. They needed to stay away or else they'd be in danger too, Nick thought. Nick slipped in his own blood and stumbled falling in front of his bookshelf. He was too lightheaded and tired to move but knew he had to stay awake. He stared at the door just waiting he didn't know what to think, he felt he was as good as dead. The door swung open and he heard Sam's growl as Sam took off looking for Sqweegel.

"Nick?!" Mandy yelled immediately running towards Nick. Nick struggled to stay conscious. Mandy looked at her friend scared seeing him covered in blood as he tried to put pressure on his neck wound but the blood flowed freely between his fumbling fingers. Mandy took off her shirt and cradled his head like she had done when he passed out in her lab. She used her shirt to apply pressure as Nick tried to speak.

"He's still here, you gotta go… I'm sorry…" Nick said thinking that any breath could be his last.

"Just stay with me, okay. Stay awake. Help is on its way." Mandy said as Nick continued to squirm in pain. "Nick, stay awake…"

"I'm sorry…" Nick mumbled, and Mandy could see the color in Nick's face drain away.

"You have nothing to be sorry for…" Mandy whispered to him. She looked at the door and scanned the room. There was suppose to be a patrol car at Nick's house so when Mandy didn't see one she called DB and Brass and told them something was wrong. They were on their way, she hoped that they wouldn't be too late. Mandy looked up again and saw a stone faced frightened Estelle at the door.

"Nick…" Estelle whispered in utter shock.

"Call for help!" Mandy yelled feeling like she was losing him. She didn't want to lose her best friend but she felt totally helpless. Estelle took out her phone but her hands shook too much. Estelle slowly walked to Nick as he struggled to stay conscious feeling very light headed and faint.

"Estelle…" Nick panted Estelle dropped the phone and went to his side. "I… I slept with your mother… the night we broke up… I'm sorry…" Nick said softly but Estelle's face went to pure disgust and she felt unbelievably betrayed by a man she thought she loved did this to her.

"What?" Estelle cried.

"I'm sorry…" Nick said but Estelle left sobbing, while Mandy just looked at Nick surprised.

"Hey…" Mandy yelled but luckily she saw DB and Brass run in. DB went to their aid while Brass ran towards Sam and his new toy. Nick starts fading in and out of consciousness as his body goes limp. He mumbles apologies over and over again.

"Nick, I need you to stay awake the medics are almost here." DB said grabbing Nick's face giving it a little shake.

"I'm sorry…" Nick said passing out.

Oh no! Nick is in trouble. How do you like Nick's confession to Estelle? What do you think is going to happen next? The next chapter is the last one! Please Review!