Unfortunate Reunion

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Ch11: Awake


Three days later...


The nurse starts to administer medicine to get Nick out of the coma.

The doctors took his breathing tube out yesterday and his internal incisions were healing great.

"It should be any minute now." she said disposing the needle. "His voice is going to be a little raspy." the nurse said smiling at Catherine. Catherine hadn't left his side; his parents took turn staying as did his siblings but Catherine never left.

She watched as he stirred he turned his head so that he was facing her.

He took a deep breath and his eyes slowly opened.

"Hey, how do you feel?" Catherine asked gingerly. She brushed Nick's hair back, as Nick lifted his head up.

"Where am I?" he said his voice was soft and was slightly raspy.

"You're at the hospital, Nicky." she said holding his hand. He looked sleepily still.

"I was shot," he said. Catherine wasn't sure if it was a question or a statement.

"Yes, you were shot in your house do you remember what happened?"

Catherine asked pulling her seat closer to Nick's bed. Nick slowly nodded.

"Kind of..." he said looking at her. Nick's face looked sleepily but he couldn't sleep, his skin was slightly pale, his hair was astray, and Nick was hooked up to an oxygen machine. He moved his face feeling the oxygen 'nose hose'.

"What happened?"

"How bad is it?" Nick said touching the heavily bandaged area.

"The doctor said you are healing fine. You are going to be okay. You did scare us though."

"Sorry..." Nick said.

"Don't worry about it Nicky. But, can you tell me what happened?"

"Jake called me, he apologized and said that CPS thought Dana was a child molester so he asked if he could and talk to me. I told him to come over... He brought her. He asked why I would spread lies about her. Then he came at me I drew my gun. He asked me if I was really going to shoot him. Dana slapped me and jumped on me and Jake took the gun. He pulled Dana off and aimed the gun at me. Dana started to freak out telling him that he couldn't shoot me so he thought we were having an affair and aimed the gun at her. He pulled the hammer back and I lunged for him. I tried to take the gun away but I heard a pop and felt a terrible pain... I remember seeing Dana on the floor and Jake was running past me. And then I saw you..." Nick said deeply saddened.

"Your brother is under arrest and his arraignment is tomorrow."

"This is my fault."

"Nicky, this isn't your fault. None of this is your fault." Catherine said as Nick started to tear up.

"It is, though."

"Nicky, you were nine. You were a child. This isn't your fault." she said he quickly wiped his eyes and nodded.

"I guess..."

"I know it's a pretty shitty feeling. But your family is here to support you and so is your team. I think it's safe to say the worst is over." Catherine said knocking on the wooden end table, causing Nick to smile.

"I sure hope so."

"Dana has been extradited to San Diego, and then she has charges in five other states on sex abuse. You got justice for all those little boys, and more boys have come forward."

"Good," Nick said smiling as his eyes started to drift shut. "How's the team?"

"They're alright. They were worried about you,"

"Tell them that I'm fine." he said smiling. "Tell them, I'm glad that they were able to remain neutral... for Me." he said almost choking on the last part.

"Nicky, your family is here to see you. I'll visit later." she said standing to leave but felt a weak squeeze on her hand.

"Thanks Cath. I know I have been a pain in the rear these last couple days,"

"Don't worry about it, Nicky. Just focus on getting better," Catherine said as Nick put his one hand through his hands. He felt the pain medicine take over as he ran his other hand over his face enjoying the sensation he felt.

Nick felt like his body was tingly like he was on the shoreline of a calm ocean as the tide gingerly hit his skin with the sand stinging in a euphoric way. He turned his head and saw his parents at the door.

"Take care, Nicky." Catherine said leaving just stopping at his room. She looked at Roger and Jillian who looked relieved. "Take care of him." she said smiling. Jillian hugged Catherine tight.

"Thank you so much, Miss Willows. You ever need anything don't hesitate to ask, or if you find yourself in Fort Worth, Texas we'd love to bring you out to dinner." Jillian said still hugging her and Roger awkwardly padded her on the back.

"I'll stop by later. Take care," she said leaving.

"Poncho... How do you feel?" Roger said touching Nick's shoulder.

"I'm alright," he said his words slurring. "How's Jake?" Nick said. His parents looked at him not sure if they should answer but knew they had too.

"He was arrested this morning for attempted murder." Jillian said and watches as Nick closed his eyes going into deep thought. Nick knew that his brother would be arraigned tomorrow morning and due to the fact that Nick was a CSI, only the best and impartial judge would be on the case Nick had a few in mind.

"Why the wait?" Nick asked.

"They wanted to see how you made out with your surgery." Jillian said holding his hand tightly.

"When can I go home?" Nick said trying to adjust to a comfortable position. He was very sore and stiff, and just the few motions made him feel exhausted.

"Probably in a couple days." it wasn't good enough for him, he wanted to see his brother and talk to him. Nick felt totally useless and helpless. "Just rest. Your brothers and sisters are on the way down to see you." Nick smiled and fell asleep.

Catherine goes to the lab and marches into DB's office and sits on his sofa.

"How's Nick?"

"I need you to call a family meeting. Extended family included meeting in the break room." she said leaving. It was her first time in the lab in three days. She went to the break room and DB followed.

"sent." he said shaking his phone at her before shoving it in his pocket. Within seconds the whole department was trying to fit in the little break room. Everyone from detectives, uniforms, other CSIs, lab rats, Judy from the reception desk, and some of the cleaning staff, all people who Nick has had an impact on.

"The doctors pulled Nick out of the coma today. Nick is awake alert and doing a lot better. He told me to tell you guys not to worry about him and that he wanted me to thank you guys for keeping a neutral gear while investigating." the lab erupts in hugs and happiness.

The crime lab was a well oiled machine and Nick was almost like a mechanic for it. If anyone had a problem you went to Nick to get it fixed. Nick made recommendations for people who deserved them and checked on others when it was a rough day. Nick was friends with everyone so he often played mediator when people were having a disagreement with one another.

DB taps on Catherine's shoulder and motions for her to follow him. She reluctantly leaves the happy group and follows DB back to his office.

"What's up?" Catherine asks.

"Jake pleaded out,"

"On both counts?"

"No, just the charges those were regarding Dana."

"What about Nick?"

"He refuses to acknowledge that anything happened to him. Prepare yourself for a nasty trial."


Jake's arriagnment is the next chapter. Will Jake take the plea or take his chances? Can Nick just sit back in watch?