The Growth of a Family
Pairings: Nick and Sara
Nick, Catherine and Greg investigate a suspicious suicide at The Mirage. Across town, Grissom and Warrick investigate a child molestation case that has a connection to Nick's past.
A/N: This chapter has reference about child molestation and may be disturbing to some readers. Consider yourselves warned!
A/N2: Hodges is the whine connoisseur mentioned in this chapter. Whine Connoisseur is my nickname for him.
Disclaimer: I don't own Nick, Sara or any character in CSI. I only own my original characters.
The Awful Reunion – Part One
Nick, Catherine and Greg's crime scene
"The young woman from room 204 heard an altercation between the victim and some other person," Brass said.
"Damn, we have a homicide made to look like a suicide," Nick muttered.
"Nick, the victim could have committed suicide," Catherine reasoned.
"Catherine, I agree with Nick and Brass," Greg said. "I did a GSR test on the hand and there's no way she could have had a self inflicted gunshot wound."
"Besides, women usually don't kill themselves with a gun," Catherine realized. "The killer staged the crime scene to make us think she did. "Since this is a through and through, I am going to get lucky since my specialty is blood spatter analysis. See if you can collect any hairs and/or fibers, Nicky! Greg, take more photos of the scene."
"Nick, I really miss Sara's presence in the field," Greg said as they processed the crime scene. "I can imagine she is going stir crazy in the lab."
"She had been through it before when she was pregnant with Abigail," Nick shrugged. "I am not sure if it's easier for her this time around."
"The worst part is that she has to deal with Hodges," Greg groaned in sympathy for Sara. "No person should work around Mr. Whine Connoisseur for that long, pregnant or not!"
"Hey, she can handle Mr. Whine Connoisseur," Catherine chuckled. "I saw her slapping his arm after he started putting his grubby paws on her belly. She was trying to avoid spending long periods of time with that man for weeks"
"I have been around pregnant women when I was a preteen, teenager and adult," Nick shook his head. "I still don't get why friends, family, strangers or Whine Connoisseurs need to touch a pregnant woman's stomach."
"I know from experience, Nicky," Catherine sighed. "I didn't like it one bit, but I dealt with it. Can we continue processing this crime scene?"
Nick and Greg were about to answer when a young man frantically entered the room and obviously upset. He almost went under the yellow crime scene tape. Nick immediately stopped him.
"Sir, you aren't supposed to be here," Nick tried to stop the man. "This is an active investigation and you could contaminate evidence. Did you know the victim?"
"She was my fiancée," the man huffed. "We came to Vegas to get married and she was three months pregnant."
The last statement hit too close to home for Nick. He was briefly distracted by the thought of his pregnant wife. He didn't want anyone to hurt her like the young woman who was recently taken away by the coroner.
"Are you okay?" the man asked Nick.
"Yeah, but you need to get out of here and let us do our job," Nick calmly replied.
"Where did they take Tabitha?" the man asked. "She was my fiancée!"
"She has been taken to the morgue at the Crime Lab," Nick replied as he read for any signs of suspicion on the guy.
Brass saw the interaction and calmly approached Nick and the man. Nick sensed that the older man wanted to take over and he was grateful.
"Nicky, you continue to collect evidence with Catherine and Greg," Brass said. "I'll deal with this young man."
"Thank you," Nick whispered and went to join the other two CSIs.
A few hours later, the three collected more than enough evidence and went back to the crime lab to drop it off to various labs. Nick still had a bad feeling in his gut about that man he spoke to until Brass kindly intervened. When they arrived at the crime lab and dropped off everything, Nick went to find Sara so he could talk to her and give her something to do relating to the case.
Grissom and Warrick – Desert Palm ER
"Mike, please show them where that woman touch you," a woman in her mid thirties told a trembling little boy.
"I don't want to, mommy," Mike said with tears in his eyes. "Veronica told me something bad would happen to me if I told anyone."
"We'll protect you," Warrick tried. "That woman should be the one worried about having something bad happen if she did anything to you. It wasn't your fault."
"I am still scared," Mike screamed. "Mommy, I want to go home!"
"Let these men do their jobs, sweetie," his mother soothed him. "We'll go home, I promise."
"Would it be better if I show you a drawing and you tell us where she touched you?" Grissom asked. "First, my colleague Warrick is going take a few pictures of you for evidence. Smiling isn't necessary."
Mike laughed, but the laughter soon died down as Warrick started taking photos with a special film. Grissom approached the boy with a form that Doctor Robbins would use to record trauma on a victim. Warrick observed how the man who used not show much interest in children except Lindsey, was such a natural after Abigail Melanie Stokes and his own twins were born.
"Gentlemen, is there something I can help you with?" a woman in her mid forties asked as she approached them. "Did something happen to Mike that the police are involved?"
"Ladies, I have to ask you to leave for few moments while I run a few tests," a doctor came in. "Sirs, you also have to leave so we can have privacy."
The four adults left the room, but Grissom and Warrick wanted to speak with the older woman. They took her outside of the emergency room so they could talk.
"Ma'am, you asked us if you could help us with something," Warrick said.
"Yes, I did," the woman said. "You seem to be interested in what's allegedly wrong with little Mike. Who are you guys?"
"My name is Gil Grissom," Grissom said. "This is Warrick Brown and we are with the Las Vegas Crime Lab. This is an investigation we are conducting."
"You know how children can call attention to themselves," the woman replied. "Sometimes, they can't distinguish the fantasy world and reality."
"Ma'am, a little boy was taken to the emergency room for sexual assault," Warrick said. "I don't think he would lie about something like that."
"Sir, my name is Veronica Abernathy," the woman hissed. "I believe he is playing around with law enforcement." (A/N: Veronica Abernathy was Nick's last minute babysitter that mentioned a few times in the prequel 'A New Addition'. Please don't flame me in your feedback, I am not a sadistic bitch. I have written her appearance in this story for a reason, but you probably won't hear from her again.)
"We still need to analyze any findings the doctor collected from that boy, Mrs. Abernathy," Grissom said.
"Miss. I have never been married," Veronica said. "I can tell you that he is living in a fantasy world."
Warrick wanted to respond, but a nurse came looking for them. He had a look that could have been interpreted as either of concern or anger.
"I need to speak to either you gentlemen," the nurse directed his comment to Warrick and Grissom.
"Warrick, you stay and talk with Miss Abernathy while I go with the nurse," Grissom said and whispered. "Get a DNA sample from her."
The younger CSI nodded and Grissom walked with the nurse back into the ER.
"Did you find anything on that boy?" Grissom asked.
"The doctor ran some tests on him," the nurse shook his head. "She saw some recent bruising indicating abuse. Also, I think he is telling the truth. Somebody touched him in an inappropriate way."
"I am going to take samples of DNA from his mother and Ms. Abernathy," Grissom said. "I'll also take samples from Ms. Abernathy's employees."
"According to Ms. Abernathy," the nurse corrected Grissom. "She is the sole proprietor who recently opened a day care center in Las Vegas. She plans to hire more people in the future."
"Is the boy still there or the doctor discharged him?" Grissom asked.
"He still here with his mother and the doctor," the nurse said as he led Grissom back to the room.
"Dr. Mills, what's going to happen to him?" Grissom asked.
"We'll keep him here overnight," Dr. Mills said. "His mother consented to the admission. She will cooperate fully with your investigation. My nurse and I will give you a few moments."
"Thank you," Grissom gave a small smile as Dr. Mills and her nurse left the room.
"I think Veronica did this to my son," Michael's mother said.
"We don't know that until DNA proves whether or not she molested him," Grissom sighed. "I do need a sample of your DNA to rule you out."
"I understand," she said as she allowed Grissom to swab the inside of her mouth. "I love my children, but my teenage stepdaughters have their sports or dance practice so they can't babysit."
"Ma'am, I am going to have to take you to the station," Vega said. "Don't worry, it's routine and we're not arresting you."
"Okay, little tiger, you get some rest and be a good boy," she said to Michael. "I will be back in the morning to pick you up. I love you!"
"I love you too, mommy," Michael said.
A few moments later, Michael's mother accompanied Vega to the police station while a uniform escorted Veronica there. Warrick and Grissom returned to the crime lab to drop off their evidence to the DNA and trace labs.
Nick and Sara – Crime Lab Break Room
"Sara, I had just spoken to Janine," Nick smiled. "Abigail is being a very good girl. They saw 'Beauty and the Beast' on TV. Janine read 'Cinderella' and 'Little Red Riding Hood'. Our little sleepyhead fell asleep soon afterwards."
"That's good to know," Sara beamed. "While you were out with Greg and Catherine, the Whine Connoisseur touched my pregnant stomach again."
"What did you do in response?" he asked.
"I gave him a good swat in the arm," she smirked. "Next time it happens, I will tell him that there is an alien in my tummy and he'll zap the next weirdo that touches my tummy."
"That's a good one," he chuckled. "I am sure Hodges will think twice before touching your stomach again."
Before Sara could respond, Nick's pager went off and he looked to see who paged him. He looked at Sara and gave her a small smile.
"Who was it?" Sara's curiosity got the best of her.
"That was Brass," Nick said. "He wants me to meet him at the station. It could be a break in the case. Would you like to take a walk with me over there? You can get away from Hodges, even if it's for a short period of time."
"Cowboy, you've talked me into it," she smiled, embraced and kissed her husband. "I love you, Nicky!"
"I love you too, Sara!" he smiled and her kissed her. "Let's go before Brass has a heart attack."
About fifteen minutes later, they were on their way to meet Brass to find out about any updates. They saw a woman in her mid forties being taken away by a few uniforms and Vega in handcuffs. Nick froze at the sight causing Sara to be worried.
"Nick, what's the matter?" Sara asked.
"It has been more than 25 years," Nick whispered. "I still remember what she looked like. That's Veronica Abernathy, my last minute babysitter."
"She is the bitch that sexually assaulted you when you were nine," she whispered back.
"Officers, please wait," he said. "I need to say some words to this woman."
"Stokes, I'll give you a few minutes before we book her," one of the officers said.
"Thank you," Nick said to the officer and to Veronica. "I know you don't remember me, but I sure as hell remember you."
"I have babysat and cared for children for many years," Veronica replied. "You look somewhat familiar. Refresh my memory."
"Think back to Stokes Manor in Dallas, Texas," he said sharply. "It was April of 1981 when a woman named Cynthia Stokes needed a last minute babysitter for her youngest child that night. You were visiting your aunt and uncle who were my neighbors."
"You're Nicholas Stokes!" Veronica said. "Now I remember you! You were well behaved child."
"Well, you were a rotten babysitter!" he hissed. "There are some things you should never do to children, like sexually assault them."
"I don't know what you are talking about," she stared at him. "You are making this up, like a false memory."
"You destroyed my ability to trust strangers as future babysitters," he continued. "Let me tell you something, what you put me through was no false memory. For twenty years, I had nightmares and kept 'our little secret' to myself. Now, quite a few people know about it."
"Who did you tell, you little liar!" she shouted.
"A few of my colleagues know about it," he held his head up high. "I told my wife when we were dating. I finally told my mom and one of my sisters. You're lucky my dad and my brother hadn't found out or you would have the shit beaten out of you. My children will learn about the terrible secret that I had to live with for those twenty years when they are old enough."
"Officers, why is she being arrested?" Sara asked trying to cut the tension.
"She sexually assaulted a five year old boy," Vega replied.
"Nick, Brass paged two about twenty minutes ago," Catherine said. "We've been waiting for you."
"Tell him I'll be there in a moment, Catherine," Nick said to her and to the officers. "Take that vile human being out of here before I do something I will regret."
The officers proceeded to take Veronica to a holding cell. Nick and Sara turned and looked at the group of people heading to another part of the building.
"Nicky, are you okay?" Sara calmly asked.
"I'm fine," Nick replied. "I hope she will be punished for what she has done."
"Was she that babysitter you mentioned a few years ago during the Dylan Buckley investigation?" Catherine asked.
"She was," Nick calmly said. "Now, a five year boy will help countless Veronica's other victims get justice and closure."
"You still have to meet with Brass," Catherine said. "That is if you are up to it."
"Catherine, I am fine," Nick protested. "Let's see what he wants. Can Sara come with me?"
"Of course she can!" Catherine said.
"I am treating you to breakfast after shift," Sara whispered. "Don't argue with me, you deserve a sweet treat after confronting that sick bitch."
"Thank you," Nick whispered back.
They met with Brass and Greg to speak with the victim's fiancé and to show him the evidence. He immediately confessed to killing her and was arrested for murder. He claimed that they were shouting and he accidentally shot her. Then he put the gun in her hand to make it look like a suicide and went gambling. When Sara learned the fiancée was pregnant, she left and Nick followed her. He held her and rubbed her back as she quietly wept.
An hour later, Nick and Sara were sitting at the favorite diner for breakfast. Eating their chocolate chip pancakes, they were relieved that a rough shift ended.
TBC