Missing Moment #10

From S15E18: The End Game

Summary of episode: A final showdown between the CSIs and the Gig Harbour Killer, whose motives are revealed. Meanwhile, Nick Stokes makes a decision that affects the team moving forward.

Summary of chapter: Greg and Morgan deal with their emotions after finding Finn's battered body.

The CSI team was trying their very best to hold it together. They were all gathered at the underground carpark of Finn's apartment building, sorrow written all over their faces. Morgan and Sara had their arms looped over each other's shoulders as they struggled to contain their emotions. Nick and Greg were leaning against a pillar with their eyes closed in defeat. Meanwhile, D.B was on the phone with Conrad Ecklie. The night shift supervisor appeared to have aged significantly since the confrontation with the Gig Harbour Killer.

The rest of the CSIs watched helplessly as the paramedics lifted the limp body of Finn onto a stretcher and into the ambulance. Greg had already given the paramedics an update about Finn's state when he and Morgan found her, as well as the fact that he had given Finn CPR. As the ambulance drove away, D.B ended his phone call and walked over to his dejected team.

"D.B." Nick acknowledged his supervisor in a monotoned voice.

"Hey guys." D.B raked his hand through his hair and smiled sadly at the rest of his team. Sara and Morgan quickly wiped away the stray tears from their eyes and walked over to join D.B, Greg, and Nick.

"I know it is hard…. But Finn is a fighter. She'll make it through." D.B tried to reassure his team. However, he was having trouble convincing himself that it was the case too. Too much blood…Too much blood…He recalled the battered state that the two youngest on the team had found Finn in, as well as pool of blood in her apartment.

No one said anything in response, so D.B continued. "I know that you guys want to be there for Finn, but we still have a crime scene to process…" He reminded the team gently.

"Not to mention get a warrant to search Paul Winthrop's apartments and take that bastard's statement when he is out of surgery!" Sara commented bitterly. The ebony haired CSI would never forget the moment where she had barged into the apartment to find Paul Winthrop pointing a gun at her supervisor's. "He's going to PAY for all he has done." An image of a smiling Finn popped up in her mind, and Sara's heart clenched.

"Yes that too." D.B sighed and patted Sara on the shoulder. "Conrad's going to rope in the dayshift members to hold down the fort and he's going to help us get the warrant. Nick and Sara can you two take Winthrop's apartment and office once we get the go ahead?" The two CSIs in question nodded tersely.

"Greg and Morgan," D.B turned to face the youngest two on the team. "I need you two to process the crime scene in Finn's apartment." D.B knew that it was a hard thing to do, but someone had to process the place. Hopefully there will be some evidence left to definitely tie Paul Winthrop for the attempt murder of Finn. Although the fact that Paul Winthrop had tried to assault a prominent figure in the CSI department was already damming enough.

Morgan nodded absentmindedly at D.B's statement. Greg winced slightly, but he agreed nonetheless. He was going to find the evidence to convict Paul Winthrop for his horrific deeds.

"I'll contact Finn's mom and meet her in the hospital." D.B continued. "Don't worry, I'll keep you guys informed the moment she's out of surgery." D.B promised.

Five minutes later, Greg and Morgan found themselves standing outside Finn's apartment. Nick, Sara and D.B had all left to pursue their individual tasks. The main door had been cordoned off using yellow police tape, and a police officer was standing on guard. Greg and Morgan immediately identified the officer as Mitch, the same officer that was on duty when the CSI team had investigated the death of Damon during the murder memorabilia convention.

"Hey Mitch." Morgan said politely. Mitch tipped his cap slightly in a gesture of acknowledgement to the two CSIs.

"Heard about what happened to CSI Finlay." Mitch told them with a frown. "I hope that she'll be alright."

"Thanks Mitch. That means a lot." Greg replied with a sad smile. Mitch raised the yellow tape and the duo ducked under it.

Entering the room, Greg and Morgan immediately noticed that it was a resemblance of the other crime scenes by the Gig Harbour Killer. The evidence scattered all over Finn's living room were each numbered. The only difference was that the strings were not put up yet.

"Looks like D.B interrupted Paul Winthrop before he was finished." Morgan spoke up, trying her best to remain professional. There was a bundle of strings in different colours lying on the ground, supporting Morgan's theory. The CSI shuddered at the thought that Finn's skin might have been harvested by Paul to support his sick tendencies had the CSI team not stopped Paul.

Morgan started to snap photographs of the crime scene, ignoring the pounding of her heart.

Greg on the other hand, zoned onto the puddle of blood on the floor. He gulped, as he kneeled down to examine it further. The rational part of him knew that the amount of blood barely made up a pint, so Finn hadn't exactly suffered massive blood loss. Yet, the emotional part of him was aching at the fact that Finn had been hurt in the first place.

With shaking hands, the male CSI took out a cotton swab from his evidence kit. He had to get a sample of the blood back to the lab. Although he was quite certain that the blood belonged to Finn, DNA would confirm that suspicion. He remain squatted down, although the hand holding the cotton swab didn't move to gather the blood sample.

He just couldn't bring himself to do it.

"There seem to be signs of forced entry." Morgan had moved to the main door and observed the faint scratch marks on the lock.

"Greg?" Receiving no reply from her partner, Morgan paused in what she was doing. Seeing Greg staring motionlessly at the pool of blood, Morgan's eyes softened. His hand was shaking. She walked over to Greg in three large strides, careful not to disturb the evidence.

"Oh Greg…" Morgan murmured, placing a comforting hand on her partner's shoulder.

Greg shivered at Morgan's touch, but his eyes remained on the pool of blood. Images of the bruised and battered Finn came into his mind "We could have found her sooner….I should have realised something was wrong…." Greg chided himself, feeling guiltier and guiltier by the second. He was kicking himself for not realising things sooner. After working so many years in the crime lab and several years as a CSI, he should have realised that Paul Winthrop had his eyes set on Finn the moment he had rigged Finn's car. Stupid, stupid Greg. He told himself.

"It isn't your fault Greg." Morgan's voice came firmly behind him. "None of us anticipated what could have happened." While Morgan was frustrated with herself as well, she understood the circumstances of which things occurred.

"But I should I have known…After so many years of dealing with serial killers, I should have realised…." Greg sighed.

"It isn't your fault." Morgan repeated, squatting down as well. "If anything, you probably saved Finn's life." Greg's hesitant eyes shot up to meet Morgan's at her statement and he looked at her quizzically.

Morgan smiled sadly. "When I saw Finn in that trunk…I practically froze in shock. My mind went blank. But you…you were cool, calm and collected. You were the one who gave her CPR, and to tell me to call for the ambulance…I would have been at a loss of what to do had it not be for you." She stroked Greg's cheek gently with the back of her gloved hand. "So think what you want Greg; we can't change the circumstances of what happened. But your quick thinking actions probably saved Finn's life."

Greg sucked in a deep breath as he heard Morgan's words. Knowing that her partner needed some time to recover, Morgan patted him on the shoulder reassuringly before she stood up and continued with her evidence gathering.

Morgan first went around to check the other rooms first. There were no signs of struggle in Finn's bedroom, nor the bathroom. Moving fleetingly from room to room, Morgan noticed that in the kitchen, there were partially chopped carrots on the chopping board. She sighed as she snapped a picture. Finn must have been preparing food when Paul Winthrop surprised her.

At the corner of her eye, Morgan noticed that Greg had collected himself and was doing his own evidence collecting.

It was all so surreal. The blonde CSI reflected. To be entering Finn's apartment now on official business, instead of as a friend… Morgan took pictures of the multi-coloured strings from different angles, before bagging it up. As she walked past the couch, Morgan spotted a little red car sitting innocently on the side table. Picking it up with a latex hand, she handled it delicately with a sad smile.

A month ago, she had been here, en route to the Crime Lab to pick Finn up…

Flashback:

Finn's car had been scheduled for repair, so Morgan had volunteered to pick the other CSI up on the way to work. As she had errands to run, Morgan reached Finn's apartment building an hour before shift started. She was too early, Finn and herself had agreed to meet half an hour from now. Morgan drummed her fingers on the steering wheel after parking her car.

Pulling out her phone, Morgan decided to give Finn a call. Moments later, the older blonde CSI picked up.

"Hey Morgan!"

"Hi Finn!" Morgan greeted. "I was running some errands around this area and apparently, I'm way too early." She said sheepishly.

"You're here already?"

"Yep."

There was some rustling at the other end of the line. "Hmm…How about you come up first Morgan? I still haven't showered so I might take a while…"

Morgan thought about it. "Are you sure I won't intrude?"

Finn laughed. "Of course not. Come up. I'm in apartment 6C." With that, Finn cut the call, leaving no further room for argument. Morgan locked her car, and made her way to the lift.

Five minutes later, Morgan was knocking on the door of Finn's apartment. It was the first time that she visited Finn. The oak door opened to reveal the older CSI, still dressed in slacks and a loose shirt. "Hey Morgan! Come in!" Finn pushed the door open and stepped aside so that Morgan could enter.

The first thing that Morgan noticed was the neatness of the apartment. "Wow. You keep your place much better than I do for mine." Morgan commented with a laughed. Guiltily, she thought about her own apartment. Since hardly anyone visited her, Morgan's belongings were chucked around. Besides, she was working overtime often especially when on cases, and was always exhausted when she reached home.

Finn shrugged. "I do try…" She said modestly, gesturing for Morgan to have a seat. The older CSI offered Morgan a drink of water. "Thank you." Morgan replied.

"Make yourself at home! I'll have a quick shower alright? Be back in ten!" Finn quipped, before disappearing down the corridor to where Morgan assumed was her bedroom. Left to her own devices, Morgan quickly felt restless. She was always on the move when working in the lab or at crime scenes, so sitting down with nothing to do was something she wasn't used to. Bright eyes scanned Finn's living room quickly.

Spotting a couple of picture frames on the wall, Morgan stood up and ambled to them, drink still in hand. There were several photographs of Finn and her family- her parents and her brother. That was taken a couple of years ago, for Finn was much younger. There was another more recent photograph, which showcased Finn with her brother and a little boy. A few other pictures scattered on the shelves featured the CSI team. Morgan beamed when she caught sight of the group photograph taken at the Christmas Party last year.

She picked up the photograph, her eyes lingering on each of her fellow teammate's faces. They were all decked in red Santa hats, grinning at the camera. Hodges and Henry both donned shades for the occasion, and had posed back to back with their arms crossed in the centre of the picture. The rest of the CSIs surrounded them. Morgan had her arm around Greg's shoulder while his arm rested on the side of her hip. Sara and Finn flanked their two sides, wine glasses in hand. Finally, Nick and D.B were on Finn's other side and were grinning merrily at the camera. Morgan smiled fondly at the memory, her eyes lingering on her and Greg for a moment longer. It had been a good Christmas last year.

Snapping out of her thoughts shortly, Morgan placed the photo frame back where she found it and continued her exploration. She rounded the living room and came back to the couches. Something unusual caught her eye. A little red toy car sat on the side table next to the couch. It was a little out of place and stood out in Finn's apartment. Curious, Morgan placed her drink down, lifted the toy car up for a closer examination.

"That belongs to my nephew." A voice resonated in the otherwise quiet room, and Morgan almost jumped. Spinning around, she caught sight of Finn whom had already showered and was dressed to go.

Morgan never knew that Finn had a brother, let alone a nephew until her little snooping session just now. This made her realised how little she knew of Finn's life beyond work.

"My brother's son." Finn explained. "The last time he visited he decided to leave the toy car here with me so that I'll always remember him." Finn laughed softly at the memory. Morgan smiled. "I see…That's so sweet of him…"

End of flashback.

Meanwhile, Greg was holding it together the best that he could as he collected the evidence. He had collected samples of the blood on the floor as well as on the weapon, and had bagged them up. Settling the crime scene that Paul Winthrop had been preparing, the CSI stood up and moved to where Morgan was standing, intending to check on his partner's progress.

When Greg caught sight of Morgan, she was fiddling with a little toy car. As if realising Greg was there, Morgan blinked back a stray tear quickly. However, Greg had a sharp eye and noticed. Immediately, he was over by Morgan's side.

"You alright?" He asked in concern. Morgan bit her lip, lowering her head so that her long blonde hair became a curtain, shielding her face from Greg's view. Morgan took that few seconds to try and conceal her emotions. Seeing the little toy car had introduced another personal attachment to the situation, and she was trying hard to keep things professional.

"It belongs to her nephew." She said in a whisper, eying the toy. In her mind's eye, she kept picturing a little boy playing with the toy car in Finn's apartment… Her lips quivered slightly.

Greg sighed, opening his arms. "Come here Morgan…" He engulfed Morgan into a hug. The emotions that Morgan tried so hard to conceal came pouring out, and she allowed the tears to fall.

It just wasn't fair.

Why Finn? Finn was one of the nicest people she had ever known. Finn had a strong sense of justice, helped to solve crimes day in and day out! She didn't deserved this.

Greg struggled not to break down himself as well, instead focused his energy to try and console Morgan. She gripped onto him for dear life, as if afraid that if she were to let go, Greg would disappear as well. He stroked her hair gently, reassuring her that it would be okay.

After a while, Morgan had calmed somewhat, and stepped back. She brushed the remainder of the tears aside.

"Feeling better?" Greg asked. Morgan nodded tentatively, her eyes red from her emotional breakdown.

"I'm fine." She said, avoiding Greg's concern look.

"I know it's hard…"Greg trailed off. "But someone once told me that hope is the best thing that we have. And it is the same for now too. Hope is the best thing we've got. We need to keep the faith." He cracked a small smile. Morgan's lips quirked to the side slightly at Greg's words. She had told him that, when he had been quarantined with Sara after being exposed to the pathogen.

Morgan took a deep breath, and nodded. They had to be strong, they had to keep on hoping.

Please be alright Finn.

Quite an emotional chapter to write, hope you guys enjoyed it.

Thanks for all the reviews! We have a few more chapters to go!

Happy New Year in advance everyone, hope that 2017 will be a blast for you! ^^

-TrixieNancy124