CSI: The Fighter: vignette #10

May 2004

Captain Jim Brass was almost afraid to walk into the hospital room. Most situations he could deal with. Hardened criminals getting their arms reset after a street fight. He could deal with that. But this? He knew these two, had worked with them for years, even attended their wedding.

And he knew what waited behind the door. Heartbreak. He'd seen it before, in similar cases. Their eyes would always hold a haunted look that told the world everything they could have, and almost, lost. He wasn't sure he could deal with that. But he had no choice.

When he entered the room he wasn't surprised to find Greg resting comfortably in Nick's arms. Nick was holding him close, protectively.

Brass was reminded of spunky Greg just after they'd been married and for years, even, before then. And he realized Greg hadn't been his old self in a long time. Now, he looked weak and fragile, as if a mere touch would make him crumble.

"Hey guys," he greeted.

"Hey," Nick was the only one to greet him back.

"I'm going to try to make this as brief as possible," he said, pulling up a chair and sitting down, pulling out his notebook and pen. "We talked to some of the people there though most of them didn't know anything about what was going on. They were just there to watch the fights. Tried to talk to Ecklie, but he's down for the count at the moment and the doc's not sure how long it'll be before he comes to, if ever."

"Good," Greg mumbled.

Nick absently rubbed his arm in a soothing gesture but didn't say anything.

"Talked to the other fighter, he said Ecklie was gonna pay him five hundred bucks to fight you, Greg. Said something about Conrad wanting to get you out of the way so he could have some guy that you were tight with. Now, come on, we all know that doesn't make an ounce of sense. So, why don't you tell me the truth because I'm getting tired of the run around."

Greg went from weak and vulnerable to charged and angry in a split second. He broke free from Nick's arms and lunged toward the detective intent on attacking him.

Brass scrambled from his chair and did a quick half-run backwards to escape the crazed man he thought he knew.

"That stupid son-of-a-bitch will never understand what real love is!" Greg screamed.

Nick moved fast, grabbing Greg and pulling him back into a tight embrace he couldn't escape from.

With tears building in his eyes he looked at Brass. "This is what he's become," Nick whispered, harsh pain evident in his voice. "This is what Ecklie did to my husband. The reasons why don't matter anymore."

"Love is when you care for someone else more than you care for yourself."

-Jenny Hayden Starman

"Love is a noble act of self-giving, offering trust, faith, and loyalty.

The more you love, the more you lose a part of yourself,

yet you don't become less of who you are;

you end up being complete with your loved ones."

-unknown