Thank you for the kind reviews, here is another chapter. Please excuse my English-isms I do try to remove them. I hope you enjoy

The Showdown

Nick took a deep breath as he exited the vehicle, this was their last hope. They left the cars a respectable distance from the building, hoping not to draw attention.

Nick's heart stopped as they spotted Dan's vehicle partly obscured by the fence surrounding the building.

'He's here.' Nick said quietly, pointing to the car.

'We should wait for backup.' Adams said, knowing full well that Nick couldn't be contained.

'It could be too late by then.' Nick snapped, his head filling with images of Dan with the boys. The mere thought of what could be happening to them spurred him on in the face of his own common sense. He couldn't…wouldn't…leave them with that monster for a second longer.

Seeing the look on the CSI's face Adam's knew he was going with or without him, so he sent the two officers, Cruse and Willis, around the back and he and Nick entered through front.

The room was filled with boxes…the goods…Creed had mentioned.

'I'll go left, you go right.' Adams said quietly as they entered. 'Stay close to the wall and if you spot something wait for me.' He looked pointedly at Nick 'Do not confront him on your own.' Nick gestured his agreement and they started forward.

The building was vast, and lined with boxes and crates of varying sizes. Nick was about half way through, carefully checking each corner and crevice for signs of Dan or the boys, when he herd the shout from the back of the room.

'Police, lower your weapon.'

It didn't make sense, had Adams found them already?

Nick raced forward and as he spun around the corner everything seemed to happen in slow motion. His trained eyes analysed the scene before him as events played out.

First he realised it wasn't Adams who had found and confronted Dan, but Cruse and his partner, who now lay unconscious on the floor. His attention was then drawn to Dan who was gripping a terrified, shirtless, Jonathan in his arms. In one hand he held a knife to the boy, in the other a gun, Nick surmised from the fallen officer, which he was now pointing at Cruise.

Before Nick had chance to react, a shot rang out.

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Grissom and the rest of the team arrived to find Brass already there.

'I got the call from Adam's.' He said by way of explanation. 'Dan's car's here. I've got two teams ready to go in and a negotiator on route.'

'Looks like Nick's lead paid off.' Warrick said moving to join them

'Nick's in there?' Questioned Brass

'Ye', it was his initiative.' Conceded Grissom, the worry starting to show.

'Why Adam's? Why didn't he wait for us?' Brass asked trying not to sound hurt. He and Nick had always had a good working relationship and yet he had chosen one of his colleagues to accompany him not Jim.

'I'm sure he had his reasons Jim, we can ask him when we get back.' Grissom's message was clear, especially for someone who had been working with him as long as Jim had. 'When we get back' meant when Nick was home and safe, but Grissom had to admit he had asked himself the same question.

'I want every exit covered.' Brass said now talking to his officers 'You're with me.' He pointed to three of his men and they started to move.

Grissom watched them approach the door, wanting to go with them, but knowing he couldn't. He could see that look reflected in the rest of his team as they stood shoulder to shoulder.

As they opened the door they heard a gun shot echo through the building, they all ducked involuntarily. Brass saw Grissom and his team move towards the door, clearly concerned, but he knew he couldn't allow it. Within a second his was back in control.

'No.' he said loud and firm in Grissom's direction, pulling out his radio he continued to give orders. 'Everyone hold position. We don't know what we're dealing with. Hold for my command.'

They moved forward keeping low and entered the building. Splitting into two teams they made their way slowly forward.

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'Nicccckkkk.' His heart broke at the child's plea. He could hear him sobbing, but was unable to help. As he crouched on the floor his mind processed what had just happened.

As Nick had turned the corner, Dan and Jon's attention was drawn to him. Seeing Nick caused Jon to fight against Dan, trying desperately to get to his friend, making Dan jumpy. With his attention split, the young officer decided to make his move.

It didn't pay off…Dan saw the movement from his right, turned and fired. Nick could do nothing more than dive for cover.

Luckily for Cruise, Adam's had arrived, anticipated his move, and tackled him to the floor just in time. The shot missed its mark, but they were now pinned down behind some crates.

Nick listened to Jon scream for him as he weighed up his options. Officer Willis was unconscious in a venerable position to Dan's right. Behind Willis, Adams and Cruise were trapped.

He was to Dan's left behind some large pallets. He knew as long as he was there Dan would not go after Adam's and Cruise, Dan wouldn't turn his back on him, but Nick could not shoot or move without risking Jon's life. He hit his head against the pallet in frustration as he tried to find a way out. Unfortunately he didn't have long to think.

'Nick?…yes you behind the pallets…come out here now.' Nick waited knowing if he did as Dan asked he would be handing him another hostage.

'I know you can hear me…come out now or I'll shoot this cop and you'll never see little Jonny here again. Move'

Nick quickly removed his holster and placed it with his gun behind the crates. He didn't want to give Dan another weapon, but it he wanted it close in case things turned bad…although at the moment Nick didn't think it could get much worse.

'I know you.' Dan said as Nick emerged. 'You're that science guy who talked to Jon at the hospital and turned up at the house, damn it, why couldn't you just drop it?'

Nick could see Dan was becoming more agitated by the second. It took everything he had to keep his cool and say nothing.

'Are you armed?'

'No.'

'Do you have a gun?' He asked again more forcefully

'NO.' Nick replied again, equally as belligerent.

'Take your shirt off.' Nick slowly removed his shirt and turned around. His tight t-shirt showing he had no concealed weapons.

Detective Adams was watching the CSI closely. He knew if he did something stupid now it could cost them all dearly.

'Why don't you let Jon down?' Nick asked seeing how agitated the boy was at being held in the air with a knife against his throat. 'We're not going anywhere.' He said moving a few steps closer.

Nick was fighting every natural urge in his body as Dan used the hand holding the knife to caress Jon's face. All he wanted to do was get hold of this monster and….anyway, after what seemed like an eternity he appeared to agree with Nick and lowered Jon to the ground.

As soon as his feet hit the floor Jon tried to pull away from his uncle, but Dan threw an arm across his chest pinning him against his legs. Even though this made him bend slightly as Jon was so small, Nick knew if he moved Dan would open fire, so he forced himself to stand there and watch as Dan fingered Jon's bare chest.

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Brass was approaching through the building and the voices were becoming clearer. He still had no idea what he was facing but he could tell it was bad.

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Nick could tell Dan was loosing it. He was sweating and swinging the gun back and forth, trying to find a way out. He needed to calm him down, but as he was about to speak there was a large 'clanging' sound.

Dan jumped and stood straight looking for the source of the noise, Jon feeling he was released ran towards Nick who had anticipated the move and was heading for him.

'NO.' Dan shouted lashing out towards the child with the knife in his hand.

Nick grabbed hold of Jon just as the knife reached him and instinctively spun around. He felt the knife brush against him, leaving a long blood trail across his right side just below is ribs.

As the knife was withdrawn Nick turned to face Dan pushing Jon behind him. Dan had his gun pointing directly at Nick's head. Nick hoped that the noise that distracted Dan meant help was on its way, he just had to keep everyone alive a little longer.

'Don't move.' Dan said, his hand shacking violently.

'Say cool, I'm not moving, you're in control here.' Dan looked around nervously. 'See, Officer Willis is unconscious on the floor, he isn't going anywhere, there are two officers behind the crate to your right, they're not moving either. You have the gun, so Jon and I are going to stand here, on your left.'

Dan was too preoccupied to notice what Nick was doing, but he wasn't the only one in the building.

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Brass heard every word. He could have hugged him. Now he knew where everyone was it made his next job a whole lot easier.

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'Where's your vehicle?'

'Out front.'

'Take his cuffs.' Dan waved his gun in the direction of the unconscious officer. 'Now.' Dan shouted swinging his gun back towards Nick.

Nick was about to move when he heard Brass's familiar tone.

'Police, drop your weapon.'

Nick scooped up Jon turning his back on Dan. He then dropped to a crouch making them as small as possible, protecting the shivering child in his arms with his own body.

He heard a shout, he heard a shot, but he waited, not wanting to risk the precious life in his hands.

'Nick, it's over, it's done.' There was a gentle squeeze on his shoulder and he turned to see Brass's familiar smile…almost smile…appear before him. He stood up pulling Jonathan into his arms so he was facing away from the man who had cause so much harm.

Dan had been shot, he assumed by Brass but it wasn't important, in the upper part of his chest and was clearly having trouble breathing. 'Good'.

Nick's mind was suddenly back to business. He checked Jon over visually, other that a couple of bruises he appeared unharmed 'time will tell.' He thought, his mind voicing worries he pushed away until later.

'William?' He asked Brass quietly, aware of the impact the information would have on his new companion. He shook his head, but he could see they hadn't had time to search the building yet.

Looking around he saw his shirt on the floor, and discreetly pick it up and slid it over his shoulders trying not to jostle the boy now nestled against him. He could feel the blood wetting his t-shirt, he knew it wasn't too deep but he didn't want Brass or Grissom, who he was sure would be making an appearance at any moment, pulling him off the case because of it. It wasn't over.

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Grissom waited as long as he could. He was not one for shows of emotion but when the shout of 'all clear' came through his relief was visible to all. In a matter of seconds he was on his way into the building Catherine in tow, the others forced to wait outside.

As he approached the back of the building he spotted Nick on his own holding a child he recognised as Jonathan Thompson, Brass was at the side of the fallen officer trying to establish a search party and Adam's stood by Dan watching as they tried to save his life.

They headed straight for Nick.

'Nick.' He said gently not wanting to startle him.

'Gil.' Grissom saw the whole case and more reflected in Nick's eyes. The sadness, pain, guilt, hatred, fear…he wondered how one man could take so much.

For a moment he saw a lost little boy who needed him and he wanted to run and leave it to Catherine to deal with as usual, but he couldn't, not today. He walked forward and placed a hand on Nick's shoulder. Neither of them said anything, but as Grissom lent his silent support Nick's resolve return.

'Jon…Jon…' Nick said coercing the youngster out from the crook of his neck. 'This is Catherine, she's a friend of mine.'

Jon knew where this was going, he wasn't stupid, he clung tighter to Nick not wanting to let go. Nick felt the change, and lowered his voice, his smooth accent flowing.

'Jon…I need to go look for William, I know it's hard and you've been so brave, but I need you to stay with Catherine for a little while. Can you do that…for me?' Jonathan seemed to consider his words, and eventually his concern for his brother won.

'Okay.' He said quietly, still not relinquishing his grip.

Catherine moved forward but neither Nick or Jon made a move to separate, so she reached up and placed her hand against Nick's cheek and gently caressed it.

'It'll be alright.' She said softly pulling Jon from Nick's arms. Nick watched her as she walked away talking to him, soothing him, the way only a mother can. His heart hurt.

'Nick…he'll be fine.' Grissom said pulling him out of his stupor.

Grissom watched the change in his features as all anxiety was hidden and Nick refocused on the case. He left his supervisor standing.

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Nick strode over to where Dan lay bleeding, the paramedics had arrived and were trying to stabilise his condition before moving him. He knelt down close to the man he considered a monster, his own fears forgotten, and hissed at him.

'Where is he?' The paramedic jumped slightly hearing the venom in his tone.

'Fuck you.' Dan managed between pants, he was clearly losing the battle for life.

Nick leaned forward and pressed on his chest, it didn't take much for the fallen man to hiss in pain.

'Hay, that's enough.' Said the paramedic, only to be pulled away by detective Adam's, who quietly explained the situation.

'Where is he?' Nick repeated

'Fuc…' He stated to choke and Nick backed away allowing medical care. He could see the look on the paramedics' face as he returned to treat his 'patient' was one of disgust.

Nick placed a hand on his shoulder before speaking.

'Save the bastard.' He said quietly 'Dying is too good for him. He don't get off that easy.' The medic smiled and started to fight to save Dan's life.

Nick stood painfully, his side was still sticky with blood, and his ribs protested, but his focus was too strong to be distracted. He had a child to find.

What no-one had noticed, except Nick, was the involuntary movement of Dan's eye's before he had answered. Each time he answered he looked to the corner of the room, and Nick now headed that way.

It took him less than a minute to remove the boxes stacked there, to his surprise they had been empty. As the second layer was removed a small room appeared. It had a heavy metal door, most likely used as a walk in safe of some description before the building was vacated. Nick tried the door but it was locked.

'Cruse.' He shouted to the young officer who was stood beside Dan. 'He have any key's on him?'

After a brief moment a set of keys were tossed over, they had obviously removed them from Dan after the shooting.

As Nick looked through the keys he could feel his heart pounding. He had no idea what lay behind the door. It could be nothing, it could be William or William's…..' He couldn't think like that. He was alive, had to be.

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Grissom watched from a distance. He saw Nick's assault on Dan, he saw his move to the corner of the room, he watched the removal of the boxes and the call for the keys. He watched Nick's hands shake as he sorted through them, and wished he could help.

He wanted to take away his pain, his heartache over this case, but he knew if Nick was to have closure, he needed to open that door. He needed to find the courage to face his fears of what lay behind it, but he was also determined to be there and support him every step and pick up the pieces should he be needed. So as Catherine tried to distract Jon, Grissom kept watch of his own young charge.

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He found the right key and pushed it into the lock. It turned with ease, after another deep breath he pulled open the door.

The room was small, around twice the size of a standard lift, the only light came from the open door. As his eyes adjusted he saw a small figure laying in the corner of the room, curled into a foetal position, wearing only underwear.

Nick willed his legs forward, there was no movement form the small figure and Nick's stomach clenched as he knelt down. 'Please God let him be alive' Nick thought as he reached out to feel for a pulse.