April 20

Miami, Florida

Sam Braun's eyes narrowed as his rented limo pulled into the parking lot that the Miami-Dade Crime Lab and Police Department shared. Catherine had asked him to talk to Rick about seeing the kids more, but she had been so sad that he thought he had better send a stronger message than just a talk.

"When we find Rick, we have to do things quickly and quietly," he said in a grave voice as he looked at the two muscly bodyguards he had brought with him from Vegas. "He's a cop and might be armed."

The bodyguards nodded and murmured quietly in agreement, "Now, come on," Sam ordered sharply.

The three were silent as they left the limo and made their way into the building, carefully making note that the IAB office was on the Crime Lab floor. Because of the early hour, no personnel were around and the lights were dim, making the journey up to the appropriate floor easy and undetected.

As Sam and his goons made their way through the quiet Crime Lab, they heard the clicking of keys and quickly found Rick's office. Through the glass, Sam could see Rick working silently at his computer.

"Rick Stetler, we meet again," Sam announced as he entered the IAB office with his goons behind him.

Recognizing Sam's voice, Rick's eyes widened as he looked up and saw Sam there with two goons, "Catherine is quite upset that you and she cannot arrange time with the children and she asked me to talk to you all peaceful-like," Sam spoke in a cold voice, his expression stony. "She misses them."

"You don't have authorization to be in my office or in this building, Sam," Rick replied with a scowl as he stood up and moved away from his desk. "Get out of here now before I call for police officers…"

Sam chuckled darkly, "As arrogant and stubborn as ever, I see," he replied in a cold voice. "You see, Rick, I have every intention of talking, but not with my mouth. Communication comes in many forms."

Rick grabbed a baseball bat from behind his filing cabinet, but the two goons immediately advanced on him and disarmed him before smashing his hand and wrist hard with the bat, "Now, now, Rick, you know better," Sam spoke in a soft, cold voice as he came forward and took the bat from Rick.

Giving Rick a cold look, Sam belted Rick in the chest and then stepped back to let his goons work, fully intending for their chat to be short before they went about looking for Lenny and Lindsey.

Manhattan, New York

Uncle Warrick's back in jail for shooting Detective Emily Speedle? John thought silently, shock settling over him as he sat on a window seat in his hospital room to enjoy the sun. It couldn't be true.

Ignoring the shaking in his hands, John silently read the article in the national newspaper he had asked to have. He was supposed to stay in bed unless supervised, but even he had limits on rest. It was the time of day where his mother and grandmother were at home to oversee the expansion of their family apartment and spend time with Mikey, Emily, Maritza, and Nicolas while his grandfather did Victims Assistance Work, David and Ellie were in school, and his father was working at his new assignment downtown. Fortunately, he had his laptop, a Discman with CD's, and books to keep himself entertained.

Footsteps entered the room and John looked up, sighing when he saw Carlos there, "Hey, Uncle Carlos," he said in a quiet voice. "I got tired of being in bed, so I grabbed my pole and walked over here."

"Well, you really shouldn't be doing that, but I'm not your parent," Carlos replied calmly.

John sighed, "I thought you went back to work part-time?" he asked in a confused voice.

Carlos suddenly looked uneasy, "Tommy's going through depression right now, so I decided to wait a bit on that," he replied softly. "He didn't want to bug you because of your finals and you testifying…"

John frowned, but didn't say anything because he had long ago sworn to Tommy that he wouldn't share the past with anyone without the okay, "Tommy found out you were here through the news and I brought him down, but he wanted to wait in the hall in case you weren't up to visiting," Carlos said.

"I'm up to visiting," John replied softly. "I don't care if Tommy can't walk; he's still my buddy."

Looking immensely relieved, Carlos left and returned with Tommy, who was wearing normal clothes, but in a customized chair, "Hey," Tommy spoke softly. "I heard you ended up here after the trial."

"I'm going to run down the hallway to the vending machines," Carlos spoke quietly.

Tommy nodded and sighed once Carlos was gone, "It's harder than I thought being in a wheelchair and being treated different by strangers," Tommy spoke softly, his expression somber. "When I heard you say what you said, I felt a little better. I had to testify the other day and it was all over the news…"

"I saw it," John replied quietly. "I watch the trial when my parents aren't around."

Tommy sighed, "All of them were there and that creeped me out," he replied nervously. "I…"

"I know you're freaked out about Donny, dude," John replied quietly. "I can't believe he's still around."

Tommy nodded, "He's gotta be like in his 20s by now," he replied softly. "Before my birth parents OD'd, they threw Donny out and told him to get his home from his gang. His parents had died a while ago…"

"Ugh, I hated how Donny used to try to push us into joining his gang," John spoke quietly. "If I had actually joined a New York gang, my mom would have lost it. She says we're both better than that."

There was a silence as footsteps entered the room and both John and Tommy looked surprised when they saw Danny come into the room, "Detective Messer, hi," John spoke in a quiet, tired voice.

"Your mom's gonna be mad if she catches you out of bed," Danny commented quietly.

John silently shrugged, "I came by to visit before I go to work," Danny spoke calmly, taking a seat on the empty hospital bed. "Mac told the FBI and NYPD to back off on you a bit for a while and they've agreed to do that. Hopefully, all this mess will be cleaned up by the fall when you come back to the co-op."

Sighing, John showed Danny and Tommy the paper, "When my family used to live in Vegas, my mom did administrative stuff and such for the LVPD," John explained quietly. "Uncle Gil, Uncle Jim, Uncle Nick, and Uncle Warrick would all take turns babysitting David, Ellie, and I so my mom could work…"

"I read about that," Danny replied quietly, eyeing the article about Warrick. "It's a sad thing."

John nodded, "I don't understand how a cop can suddenly go bad?" he asked in a concerned voice.

"Cops are people first and people make choices," Danny replied gently. "It's not your fault."

Tommy sighed heavily, "Donny…he was messed up for as long as I can remember," he said in a worried voice. "He tried to get me to run drugs for him, but I ran away and decided to get away from that."

"Donny's your cousin?" Danny asked quietly, having heard that mentioned during the trial.

Tommy nodded just as Carlos came back into the room with drinks and snacks, "Detective Messer," Carlos spoke nervously, eyeing Danny warily. "Does Tommy need to go back to court?"

"No, the other survivors are giving statements and that should finish up by the end of the week and sentencing should follow," Danny explained calmly. "I'm just visiting a friend and his friend."

Carlos nodded, "Good news, Tommy," he said, gazing at his son. "You can go home tomorrow and do out-patient physio. Your doctor found me when I was getting stuff from the machines and told me."

Tommy's eyes widened in surprise, "The apartment's all ready for you and I left a message for your mom at FDNY," Carlos spoke with a smile. "It'll be so good to finally have you home with us, kiddo."

Deeply relieved that he would be out of the hospital, Tommy started to cry and Carlos enveloped him in a hug for several moments, "Hey, John, when they let you out, come over and we can play dominoes or Nintendo," Tommy said, looking at his friend. "Or I might come up to your place on the elevator."

"Yeah, man," John replied quietly, beginning to tire. "Hey, can someone help me back to my bed?"

Danny and Carlos helped John stand and walk back to his bed, "Now, seriously, stay there," Carlos spoke firmly as John laid back down. "If I catch you out of bed again, I will totally tell your parents on you."

John nodded and sighed tiredly, "I'm going to nap until supper," he replied sleepily.

Nodding, Carlos silently wheeled Tommy out of the room so that John could sleep.

Danny sighed calmly, "Behave yourself and I'll come by again sometime," he said softly.

"Um, Detective Messer, could you stay for a bit?" John asked nervously. "Please?"

Danny nodded and sat by the bed, "Someone from my family should be here in a couple of hours if you have time," John spoke quietly. "I'm just feeling a bit alone and nervous today…"

As John fell asleep, Danny sighed, "Of course," he replied, relieved that he had decided to drop by even though he could spend his day off elsewhere.

Miami-Dade Crime Lab/Police Department - Miami, Florida

The bus pulled away from the stop and Greg sighed wearily, being sure to walk super slowly because he wasn't quite healed up. He had been asked to come in that day to give a statement to IAB about what Warrick had done and he had taken the bus so that he wouldn't bother Jenny or her parents.

Sighing, Greg placed a hand over his healing ribs as he went into the building, signed in, and took the elevator up to the Crime Lab. As he walked down the hallway, Calleigh came out of the staff sleeping area looking tired, "Officer Duquesne," Greg spoke softly. "Did you spend the night here?"

"It keeps my mind off of Eric," Calleigh replied in a tired voice. "You back to work already?"

Greg shook his head, "Just giving my statement to IAB," he replied softly.

"I know it will be hard to talk about Warrick doing wrong because he was your friend, but the truth is always important," Calleigh spoke quietly. "Do you want me to go with you as support?"

Greg thought for a moment and nodded, "I'd appreciate that," he replied softly. "Thanks."

Calleigh nodded and followed Greg down to the offices, but the sight of muddy footprints mixed with blood outside of Rick's office caused them to pause, "Um, what is that?" Greg asked worriedly.

Swallowing hard, Calleigh placed a hand on her gun as she and Greg stepped around the mess and they both recoiled in horror when they saw that Rick's office had been trashed. Blood stains decorated the walls, files were everywhere, the computer was on the floor, and bloody handprints were everywhere.

Greg eyed the footprints and noticed that they went in and out of Rick's office all the way to the emergency exit stairwell, "The footprints go this way," he said in an anxious voice.

"This is CSI Duquesne," Calleigh spoke into her radio. "There's a situation in the administration area of the Crime Lab and I need both officers and any available CSI's to report to the IAB office."

Greg silently followed the footprints, pushed open the emergency door with his sleeves over his hands so he wouldn't contaminate evidence, and followed the footprints down the stairs. As he emerged from the building to the emergency muster area, he noticed Rick's unconscious form by the dumpsters.

The door opened and Greg swung around, relieved to see Calleigh, "Jesse was asleep in the staff bunkroom and is processing Stetler's office," she explained anxiously, her expression shocked as she noticed Rick's battered, unconscious form near the dumpsters. "Oh my…."

Greg got his cell-phone out of his pocket and handed it to Calleigh before going over to Rick and checking him, "I don't get why anyone would attack…" he said, a thought suddenly coming to mind that was disturbing enough to make him stop speaking. "Um…his breathing is really slow…and labored."

Calleigh gave Greg a confused look, but used her radio to ask for an ambulance to come to the muster point. Greg, meanwhile, took off his jacket and placed it over a bleeding wound on Rick's forehead.

Miami-Dade University Hospital

"H, shouldn't you be working?" Eric asked in a groggy, weak voice as he opened his eyes and saw that Horatio was sitting in an armchair beside his hospital bed. "Or are you still on medical leave?"

Horatio blinked briefly, as it was obvious that Eric was referring to the attack from Derek Stokes and others and clearly had memory issues, "That…that was a while back, Eric," he explained gently. "Do you remember anything that happened during Warrick Brown's trial? Anything at all?"

"I wish I could, but I can't," Eric replied groggily. "Since I'm here, I guess it went bad?"

Horatio nodded and sighed, "We don't have to talk about that right now," he said gently, knowing that what had happened would only upset Eric. "I've taken back temporary guardianship of you until you're well enough to completely function on your own again. The surgery to remove the bullet was…"

Suddenly, Horatio's cell-phone began to ring and he quickly answered it, "Caine," he said briskly.

"Horatio, Sergeant Stetler was attacked in his office and dragged down to the dumpsters near the muster point," Calleigh's anxious voice spoke amidst the sound of paramedics talking and using equipment. "Jesse's processing the office and I'm in the ambulance on my way there…"

Horatio's eyes widened in shock and he briefly covered the phone, "Eric, I'm going to go and visit BJ for a moment," he spoke quietly, not wanting to upset Eric with the news. "I…I want you to rest."

"What's happened, H?" Eric asked weakly, noting Horatio's expression. "Is someone hurt?"

Horatio sighed "Rick…he was assaulted in his office and I'm not sure how bad the situation is, but I need to go and find Bobby because he is Rick's emergency contact," he replied softly. "Will you rest?"

Eric paused, "Catherine…did she do it?" he asked groggily. "I know they fight a lot and she…"

"Catherine left Rick several days ago and is currently in Las Vegas," Horatio spoke quietly. "Just relax while I go talk to my nephew and let him know about this. I'll come back here as soon as I can…"

Eric nodded and Horatio speedwalked his way through the hospital, not stopping until he reached the Peds room where BJ was. BJ was asleep in bed and Robert was sitting on the couch reading quietly.

"Bobby, I need to talk to you," Horatio spoke anxiously. "Something very serious has happened."

Robert paled as he looked up from his book, "Calleigh just phoned me and she and Mister Sanders came upon a crime scene at the lab this morning," Horatio spoke somberly. "Rick was attacked in his office…"

"Attacked in his office?" Robert replied in a concerned voice, frowning. "How badly is he hurt?"

Horatio sighed, "I don't know yet," he replied softly. "I think paramedics are bringing him in."

"Rick…he asked me to look after his kids if anything ever happened to him," Robert spoke in a concerned voice. "He filed paperwork and such about it and I decided to just help him out…"

Horatio nodded, "I…part of me wants to call Catherine, but part of me wants to wait until I have something to tell her," Robert spoke anxiously. "I…I also need to call the youth facility and…"

Suddenly, Natalia came into the hospital room with Adam and frowned when she saw that Horatio was there, "Natalia, Rick was attacked at his office this morning," Robert spoke in a worried voice.

Natalia's eyes went wide, "I'm Rick's emergency contact, so I need to go downstairs to the ER and see how bad it is," Robert spoke quietly. "I…could you make sure that the boys are kept busy for a bit?"

Without waiting for a reply, Robert bolted from the room and didn't stop running until he was in the elevator. The ride down to the ER was short and it didn't take long for him to find Calleigh lingering outside of a trauma room where several doctors and nurses were surrounding a gurney.

"Sergeant Stetler's beat up pretty badly and unconscious," Calleigh spoke in a quiet voice.

Robert frowned, but didn't say anything as he and Calleigh watched the staff stabilize Rick.

Up on the OB-GYN floor of the hospital, Emily sighed groggily as she woke and found that she was alone for the first time since being brought in. Everyone at MDPD, her family, and members of CSI had stopped in and made time in their own lives to keep her company, but she felt slightly smothered.

Ignoring the pain in her abdomen as she stretched, Emily grabbed the bed controls and adjusted the bed so that she was sitting up. She then began to sift through the cards that people had left; the flowers and other presents were on other tables and too far for her to reach without someone to help her walk.

From what she had heard, Eric was awake, but he needed help with very basic tasks at the moment and he wasn't going to be cleared to return before December. Horatio had already quietly arranged for Eric to go to an in-patient rehab after he was released that was close to his parents and remaining sisters.

After the first few days, Tim had brought her the laptop so that she could finish off her doctorate work and use Skype to say goodnight to the kids. He had also cut back on his hours temporarily so that he would be able to be with the kids, willingly sacrificing a few of his saved vacation days to do so.

Emily had seen pictures of her new son and had been kept apprised on his progress, but she still longed to see him in person. She had pondered names, but none had come clearly to her as of yet because she had quite a few people in her life who deserved a namesake, but she wasn't sure if they wanted one.

As Emily sifted through the card pile, Tim came into the room leading James and Julliet by the hands, both of whom had their backpacks, "Mama!" they both called out in unison. "Mamaaaaaa…."

Emily smiled as Tim picked up the kids and gently set them on the bed so they could be close, "Oh, come here," she spoke in a quiet voice, sighing happily as the twins both moved up to her and hugged her.

Manhattan Precinct

"If you don't get Yokas and her brat to stop bugging us, we're going to make life very difficult for you," Mattaroski hissed as he lingered around Bosco's desk. "I have papers to protest my firing…"

Bosco scoffed, "You were caught on tape at a party," he replied coldly, refusing to be intimidated by people he used to work with. "You forced Nick and Derek Stokes to serve as prostitutes."

Mattaroski, who was one of the 20 who had been fired, glared at Bosco before offering the reinstatement form, "I can call the others in minutes, Bosco, and we'll give you more than a scar on your cheek," he hissed coldly. "That brat of Yokas's is a dirty skank who doesn't even know who the father…"

"Do you want me to arrest you?" Bosco asked in a cold, but soft voice as he stood up and walked around his desk to face his former colleague. "I'm not taking your form or reinstating you to your job."

Mattaroski grabbed Bosco's collar, "I could arrange for you to have a repeat performance of what happened in Miami, Boscorelli," he hissed darkly. "Tell me, did it hurt when you were raped?"

Bosco paled, but before he could react, Mattaroski was forced off of him, "THAT'S ENOUGH!" Mac's angry voice suddenly rang through the precinct. "You were fired and now you'll be arrested!"

Mattaroski swore as he pulled out of Mac's grip, "You are going to arrest me even though your crime lab is under investigation because of Stella Bonasera?" he spat. "How do you even have time to arrest me when all of your cases for the last several months are being re-examined. You know that Stella's blaming that kid for her breakdown and you know that she's been a little off-kilter ever since that rapist killed…"

"This isn't about DJ Pratt killing Aiden Burn," Mac hissed. "This is about you assaulting the soon to be desk sergeant for this precinct and whether or not he wants to press charges for what you did!"

Mattaroski's eyes widened as he looked at Bosco, "Lock him up," Bosco spoke in a tired voice.

Mac nodded to another officer who had been nearby and watching the whole thing, "I was just coming in to meet with the FBI and higher-ups about how the investigation is going," he explained as the uniform led Mattaroski away. "NYU is reluctant to offer any more students to co-ops and NYPD has frozen that opportunity during the investigation, so I don't know if John will be able to come back in the fall. I am working on another plan to make sure he doesn't lose his opportunity to work in a Crime Lab."

Bosco nodded, "John mentioned the co-op freeze," he replied softly. "He thinks it sucks, but he also knows that there's nothing he can do about it. What plan are you working on to help him?"

"The Crime Lab in Las Vegas, Nevada has started a pilot project where the best and brightest students from universities all over the countries will be given an opportunity to do study at UNLV that will involve a co-op at the Crime Lab," Mac explained calmly. "Sergeant Finney of NYU asked me for recommendations and since John will be 18 by the start of the program, he is eligible for it."

Bosco looked shocked, "You recommended John for a stint at the second best crime lab in the country?" he asked in a shocked voice. "I knew he was a good trainee, but you really think he'd do well there?"

"I do," Mac replied calmly. "Sergeant Finney sent me John's records and I sent them to Las Vegas for review, so John could be invited to continue in the application process if Gil Grissom, Conrad Ecklie, and Sheriff Mobley like what they see from his records. I know I should have asked you and your wife, but…"

Bosco sighed, "It might be what John needs," he replied softly. "If he gets accepted."

"I've been meaning to go visit John and talk to him about it, but I haven't had a spare moment since the 20 cops got arrested and fired from the Bed-Stuy precinct," Mac replied. "They're all out on bail and they'll be facing a trial for their conduct. Nick Stokes will have to testify, but Derek isn't able."

Bosco nodded, "John's doing well, but he needs to rest," he admitted softly. "Everything just…"

Mac nodded, "Did you want to file a report on Mattaroski?" he asked in a concerned voice.

"Yeah, but don't let it get back to my family," Bosco replied anxiously. "They'll be upset over it."

Miami-Dade Crime Lab

A baseball bat decorated with blood had been found in the dumpster near the muster point and Calleigh had asked Greg to process it and the scene while she went to the hospital to get Stetler's clothes. Greg had processed the scene and was now in the print lab with the blood bat, which he had dusted.

Prints had been all over the bat and Greg was now running them through the computer, silently waiting for someone to come by and talk to him about the evidence. He was the low man at the lab.

As Greg waited by the computer, Ryan, who had been called from home by Horatio, came into the room, "I heard about Stetler," Ryan spoke quietly, his voice weak. "Can I be of help at all?"

"I thought you had chemo today?" Greg asked in a concerned voice. "That's what Jenny said."

Ryan sighed, "I was on my way there, but when Horatio called about Stetler, I got the chemo moved to tonight," he explained tiredly. "Sofia is getting baby things and spending time with my family…"

Greg nodded as the computer beeped, prompting him to frown as he read the information on the screen, "Sam Braun?" he said in a confused voice. "I….there's a Sam Braun in Vegas, but…"

"Who exactly is he and why are you looking so nervous?" Ryan asked in a worried voice.

Before Greg could reply, Calleigh came into the room with evidence bags, "I got Sergeant Stetler's clothes, but he's not able to talk today," she spoke softly. "Why are y'all staring at the computer?"

"Sam Braun…he's Catherine's biological father and they hang out a lot," Greg finally managed to say after swallowing hard. "At least they did when I was working there. I…should I let Grissom know?"

Calleigh paused and sighed, "It's always important to tell the truth even if it's hard," she replied softly.

"I mean, do I need to tell Horatio?" Greg asked nervously. "I mean…it involves Catherine…"

Calleigh sighed, "I think you can make the call to Doctor Grissom first," she replied softly. "I'll just be there to help."

Swallowing hard, Greg picked up the phone and silently began to dial the Las Vegas Crime Lab.

Crime Lab – Las Vegas, Nevada

Grissom sighed heavily as he looked at the letters that Ecklie had sent him stating that neither Sara nor Nick could take the leave they needed as parents due to staff shortage. He knew that Sara wanted to take time from the lab to bond better with Gregory and Danielle because she loved them a lot.

Nick, on the other hand, was trying to adjust to being a father after not knowing he had a child at all and he had spent a lot of time staying close to the lab because he hadn't been able to find a sitter and had had to bring Parker with him. Ecklie had tolerated it at first, but seeing Parker hang out in the break room was getting on his nerves and he was on the verge of ordering Nick to get some childcare.

Other things on his plate included Ecklie's demand that he get Greg to return for the purpose of teaching the lab portion of the pilot co-op and the pending hiring of a new CSI named Morgan Brody, a CSI from LA who was Hodges's long-distance girlfriend. Riley had left negative reviews of the CSI lab and of both Nick and Catherine, but Ecklie had dismissed them and had wished her well in her life.

Just as Grissom was going to go find Nick and tell him that his request for paternity leave had been denied, his phone rang, "Hello, Grissom speaking," he said as he quickly answered the phone.

"Grissom, it's Greg," Greg's voice filled the phone. "Sergeant Stetler was assaulted in his office this morning and left injured by a dumpster outside. A baseball bat was used in the assault and it has Sam Braun's prints all over it, which makes me wonder if Catherine had something to do with the attack."

Grissom frowned, horrified that Sam Braun had been involved in assaulting Catherine's husband, "Lieutenant Caine is at the hospital right now and Officers Wolfe and Duquesne are with me looking at the bat," Greg spoke anxiously. "I…I didn't want to wonder if Catherine put Sam up to it, but…"

"You did the right thing phoning me, Greg," Grissom replied calmly, trying to hide his anger at Catherine for resorting to such drastic measures out of anger at her husband. "I'll take care of it, all right?"

Before Greg could reply, Grissom hung up, got up, and walked through the lab to the staff room where Catherine was filling out paperwork at the table, "Catherine, have you talked to Sam lately?" he asked.

"I talk to Sam all the time, Gil," Catherine replied without looking up. "You already know that."

Grissom sighed, "Rick was attacked in his office this morning and a bat with Sam Braun's fingerprints were found in a dumpster near where Rick was eventually found," he explained in a firm voice.

"Are…are you accusing me of sending Sam to beat Rick up?!" Catherine snapped, glaring at Grissom.

Grissom gave Catherine a look, "Did you?" he asked in an upset voice. "I know you're mad at Rick."

"What is all the yelling in here?" Ecklie snapped as he came into view. "This is a Crime Lab, not…"

Grissom sighed, "Rick Stetler was assaulted in his office this morning and Sam Braun's fingerprints were found on a bat near where Rick was found," he explained. "Greg just called me from Miami."

Ecklie's eyes widened in shock, "I never told Sam to beat up Rick!" Catherine snapped. "I asked Sam to talk to Rick because Rick's being unreasonable about me letting see the children I gave birth to!"

"You could have asked the PD to talk to Rick and arrange it!" Grissom replied angrily. "But the mob?"

Ecklie sighed, "All right, you two; stop it," he replied irritably. "Grissom, call Miami and see what's going on and ask about what evidence they have. Catherine, you're on paid leave until we can figure this…"

"I did nothing to get Rick beat up!" Catherine snapped as she stood up. "Go screw yourselves!"

Glaring at Ecklie and Grissom, Catherine stormed out of the room, "We're already short on CSI's and now Catherine's out of the game," Grissom grumbled. "We really need some help, Conrad."

"The pilot project starts in September and if Sanders comes back, I'm willing to let him do field work until then provided he works with someone," Ecklie spoke calmly. "I'll be helping out with field work too and I'll be allowing some lab rats to get field trained, so we should be fine. Since we're talking about the pilot project, though, I got this from a Sergeant Finney of NYU's Criminal Justice Department."

Grissom frowned as Ecklie offered him a folder, "NYU's still reeling from that diner shooting caused by Stella Bonasera that injured 20 and killed 5, but they're willing to send their best," Ecklie explained.

"This student's doing a co-op with the Crime Lab and was recommended by Detective Mac Taylor for his exemplary field and lab work," Grissom murmured as he took the folder and skimmed it. "He'll be 18 in September, but he's so far ahead in his work that he could graduate with a Bachelor's next spring?"

Ecklie grinned and opened the folder, "Looks like that apple didn't fall too far from the tree," he commented, pointing at the name. "Do you remember that lady who used to secretary here and who you sent to school for that degree? This applicant is her son and he took his stepfather's name."

"I paid for the schooling, but I didn't send her to school," Grissom replied. "Danielle Sullivan?"

Ecklie gave Grissom a look, "Detective Taylor said we would be idiots to not consider him for a placement," he replied with a smirk. "Those were his exact words in the reason for referral."

Grissom looked amused, "Further him along in the process," he replied in a calm voice.

"I'll send an email back to NYU about that," Ecklie replied. "Will you investigate the Catherine thing?"

Grissom sighed wearily, but nodded and walked back towards his office to get a hold of Miami.

Miami-Dade University Hospital – Miami, Florida

"Kids aren't normally allowed in the NICU, but I got special permission," Alexx explained as she walked alongside Tim through the NICU, who was pushing Emily in a wheelchair while James and Julliet followed closely. "You can visit him for five minutes, then I think both of you need a good rest."

Emily sighed as she was parked in front of the bassinette where her new son lay hooked to tubes and wires, "I've seen pictures, but this is different," she spoke softly, touching the glass. "James, Julliet, this is your new little brother," she spoke softly. "You two can come and gently touch the box."

James and Julliet came forward and gently touched the glass, prompting the tiny baby to turn in their direction as if he could sense his family there, "I think I know what to call him," Tim spoke quietly.

Emily silently looked at Tim, "If it weren't for Jesse Cardoza, we wouldn't have ever reunited," Tim spoke in a quiet voice. "He got you out of that mess in Los Angeles, so I think you should name our son Jesse."

"He's your son," Emily replied softly. "I was thinking of naming him after you, sweetie."

Tim sighed, "I think Jesse Timothy is a nice compromise," he replied softly. "I'm fine with it. JT Speedle sounds like a pretty good name."

Emily nodded and sighed tiredly, "I think you should go back to bed and sleep," Tim spoke gently.

Before Emily could reply, there was a knock and Tim frowned when he saw Natalia, "I'll be right back," he said in a concerned voice, quickly leaving the NICU. "What's going on? I took the day off."

"Sergeant Stetler was attacked in his office this morning and Bobby's his emergency contact, so he needs to stay here," Natalia spoke anxiously. "Horatio asked me to come and find you…"

Tim frowned, "I went to Emily's room and saw the note," Natalia explained anxiously. "Greg, Ryan, Calleigh, and Jesse are at the lab, but Walter's busy with finals, so Horatio needs an on-call person. I've got to get some paperwork filed for Stetler with Victims Assistance and Bobby's also got his sons."

"And Delko won't be back for a while," Tim mused softly. "If you need me, just page me, all right?"

Natalia nodded and silently left, knowing that Tim needed time with his family while he could get it. She quickly made her way through the hospital and found that Horatio was in BJ's room with BJ and Adam, both of whom were asleep on the bed, "Speedle said he's on call," she spoke nervously.

"Rick is in surgery," Horatio spoke quietly. "Robert is waiting up there for more information."

Natalia looked concerned, "Surgery?" she asked worriedly. "His injuries were that serious?"

"Rick suffered internal trauma," Horatio spoke softly. "Bobby's upstairs waiting for information, but he's also getting in touch with Mrs. Speedle and the hospital where Lindsey is being treated because he is legally responsible for those children. Rick named him proxy should something happen to him."

Natalia nodded, "I knew that and I can help as much as I'm able," she replied softly.

"Unless there's an emergency, your job needs to be helping Bobby with his sons so that he can focus on Rick and his children," Horatio spoke quietly. "I got a text from Calleigh that one of the assailants was from Vegas and that Mister Sanders has already contacted their Crime Lab about the situation."

Natalia frowned, "You don't think Rick's wife had anything to do with this?" she asked worriedly.

"I don't want to, but we should never rule possibilities out unless the evidence allows," Horatio replied.

Just then, Natalia's phone buzzed and she quickly checked it, "Bobby had to leave and go get Lenny because he wants to see his sister," she spoke softly. "Mrs. Speedle told Lenny about Rick and Bobby wants me to wait around for information. He says that Rick included both of us on the proxy thing…"

"You sound surprised," Horatio commented softly. "Rick knows you and Bobby are engaged."

Natalia sighed, "I just didn't think Rick approved of someone trying to replace his sister," she replied.

Horatio gave Natalia a thoughtful look, "Well, Rick obviously approves of you," he replied softly.

Calle Ocho

The Dade Youth Facility was quiet, as this was the time of day where most kids were working on school or projects, but Lindsey had been excused from activities for the sake of a special family visit. She sighed softly as she saw Robert and Lenny come into the visiting area. A worker had told her that her father had been assaulted and was in the hospital, but her uncle would be there for her.

"Hi, Uncle Bobby," Lindsey spoke softly as they came into the room. "Hi Lenny."

Robert, who had used his sirens to get through the streets of Miami to get to Calle Ocho in record time, smiled sadly and sat in a chair across from Lindsey while Lenny sat next to her, "How are you feeling, Lindsey?" he asked softly, noting that she looked healther. "Um, did the workers tell you…?"

"Is my dad going to be okay?" Lindsey asked softly. "My mommy left and he's all I've got left."

Robert sighed, "My hope is that he will be, but my fiancé and I are going to be looking after you and Lenny while he gets better," he explained calmly. "Do you remember Natalia Boa Vista?"

"I like her," Lindsey replied softly. "She's really nice and I'm glad you're marrying her."

Robert nodded, "I'm really tired," Lindsey spoke softly. "I cried about my dad. Can I have a nap?"

Sighing, Robert looked to a worker and she came over, "Lindsey's wanting to rest," he explained.

The worker nodded and Lindsey hugged both Robert and Lenny before leaving the room, "Well, Lenny, did you want to go back to school or go get your stuff from your house?" Robert asked quietly.

Lenny sighed as he got up and followed Robert outside to the truck, "Dad and I are living in a motel so we can be close to Lindsey," he explained softly. "It's really close to the open food markets."

Robert frowned, but silently loaded up the truck and followed the directions Lenny gave him without commenting. The Spanish Rose was the name of the hotel and it was indeed near several food markets, but it was a simple set of rooms and a pool with an office that all looked in desperate need of repair.

"It's room 120," Lenny spoke softly. "Dad gave me a key because he says I can be responsible."

Robert parked at the proper room and sighed when Lenny let him inside; the kitchenette was stocked with dollar store cooking materials and Tupperware while the counters and fridge had food from the markets stacked in both areas. The two beds were made and the table had a laptop, several schoolbooks, and a few novels on it while the closets and bathroom were filled with clothes, toiletries, and two suitcases. Lenny sighed and walked over to one of the beds, swallowing hard before sitting.

"After Mom left, Dad said we were going to live somewhere closer to Lindsey," Lenny spoke softly. "He works til I get out of school and then we come here and we work on my homework together."

Robert frowned, feeling guilty that he hadn't been of much help to Rick since Lindsey had stabbed BJ because he had been angry, "Do you want a snack, Uncle Bobby?" Lenny asked quietly.

"What stuff are you going to need?" Robert asked quietly. "You'll be staying at my house for a while."

Lenny shrugged, "I don't know if Dad's going to make it," he replied softly. "How badly hurt is he?"

"Lenny, your father's in surgery because he was hurt pretty badly, so I can't give you any for sure answers," Robert spoke softly. "What I can do, however, is give you a safe place to stay until we figure that whole situation out. Your father put me in charge of you and your sister if he was ever hurt."

Lenny nodded, "Why don't we just get all the stuff you guys have here and I can help you and your dad find a better place to stay once he's well enough?" Robert suggested, hating the state of the room.

The next half an hour was spent in silence as Robert and Lenny cleaned the room out and loaded things into Robert's truck until the room was empty. Robert then took Lenny to the office.

"I'm checking Rick and Lenny Stetler out," Robert said calmly, handing the keys back to the desk clerk.

Shrugging, the clerk took the keys and shooed them out, too distracted by the computer to offer them any comments. Robert took Lenny back to the truck and after they were inside, he drove off.

Las Vegas, Nevada

A brisk knock at the door prompted Sara, who had been putting Gregory and Danielle to sleep in their baby swings, to get her gun and go to the front door. Grissom's mother had gone on a city bus tour and would be back in time for Sara to go to work, but Sara only felt safe alone because of her firearm.

She was wary of strangers and so she would wear the gun whenever she answered the door. A phone call from Grissom had let her know that she would be doing the work of both her and Catherine tonight because Catherine had been suspended due to Rick being assaulted in Miami by Sam Braun.

The sight of Catherine, however, prompted Sara to open the door, "Catherine, I thought you were doing paperwork at the lab?" Sara asked suspiciously. "I certainly can't entertain visitors right now."

"Grissom called you already, didn't he?" Catherine sniffled angrily. "He's accusing me of…"

Sara sighed, "Can you keep your voice down?" she asked firmly. "Gregory and Danielle are napping."

"I need you to talk to Grissom and get my suspension lifted!" Catherine snapped. "I need the money to send to my kids! It's not like Rick makes anything out there in Miami being an IAB Sergeant!"

Sara frowned, "Rick won't let you see them because you're too aggressive," she spoke softly. "I thought that a provision of you returning to work at the lab was getting counselling and taking your medication."

"Did Grissom tell everyone what I told him?" Catherine asked in a cold voice. "Is my life lab gossip?"

Just then, Gregory whimpered, "Maybe you need to get the help you need so that Rick will be comfortable letting you see your kids," Sara replied firmly. "Now, please go. I need to get…"

"What do you know about being a mother?" Catherine snapped. "You know nothing!"

Infuriated at Sara, Catherine shoved Sara backwards, causing the door to fly open and hit the wall. She shoved Sara into the wall and managed to hit Sara in the face a few times before Sara pushed back.

As Catherine lunged at Sara again, Gregory woke and began to scream, prompting Catherine to grab him and then reach for Danielle. Catherine managed to grab Danielle, but was blocked from leaving by Sara.

"Put my children down or I will shoot you!" Sara shouted, pointing her loaded gun at Catherine.

Catherine scoffed, "You might hit your kids," she replied coldly. "You're not fit to be a mother."

Sara, however, didn't back down and Catherine set the screaming Gregory in an armchair, but wouldn't let go of Danielle. Sara swallowed hard and fired, but missed, allowing Catherine to flee with Danielle.

"Oh, Gregory," Sara spoke anxiously, beginning to feel pain from being shoved into the wall as she hurried to the phone and hit the speaker before dialling 9-1-1. "This is Sara Grissom of the Crime Lab. Catherine Willows just broke into my home, assaulted me, and kidnapped my daughter.

Nearly half an hour later, a heavily bruised and hurting Sara was sitting on the front step of her and Grissom's place wearing clean clothes and holding an upset Gregory. Catherine was gone with Danielle and now day-shift CSI's were processing the house while detectives were waiting to talk to her.

Grissom, who had ignored Ecklie's orders not to go to the scene, suddenly came rushing over to them with an anxious looking Nick, "Sara," he said anxiously, seeing the bruising on her face and neck.

"Catherine's off her meds and she's angry," Sara spoke quietly. "I just want Danielle found."

Grissom nodded, "Honey, those bruises look bad," he spoke softly. "An ambulance is coming."

"It might be easier to find Danielle because I asked Greg to put Gregory and Danielle's prints on file not long after they were born," Sara spoke shakily, holding Gregory close. "I…am I an unfit mother?"

Nick scoffed, "I'm the unfit parent of the bunch," he replied. "I didn't raise my kid from birth."

Sara sighed and winced as Gregory touched her face, "Sara, why don't I take Gregory?" Grissom offered in a quiet voice as the ambulance pulled up to their place. "You should really get checked out."

Tears filled Sara's eyes and she looked downward while continuing to hold Gregory as if he'd suddenly disappear if she let him go, "Sara," Grissom spoke quietly as he moved closer. "It's okay."

Sara silently passed Gregory to Grissom and immediately hugged herself because she was hurting from when Catherine shoved her into the wall. Seeing his friend and colleague so broken reminded Nick of when he was assaulted for protecting Danielle and her kids; the reminder made him hurt a lot.

Two paramedics came over to Sara and so Grissom moved out of the way, "Gil, I told you not to come here," Ecklie griped as he came over to Grissom and Nick. "You could compromise the case."

"I'm not touching evidence," Grissom snapped. "Gregory and Sara were already processed."

Ecklie sighed, knowing that Grissom wasn't going to back down, "All right," he replied calmly. "I talked to the sheriff and Willows is suspended until she's got her mental health sorted out. I also put another message in to Sanders because with Willows out for the count and Sara injured, we need him back. I also might put a call into Sofia depending on how long it takes for Morgan's transfer to be approved."

"I don't think Sofia will want to leave Ryan because she's having his child," Grissom mused softly. "And Sanders is planning to marry Ryan Wolfe's niece and adopt her daughter sometime very soon."

Ecklie rolled his eyes, "We're dangerously short on help, so the sheriff is willing to negotiate with them," he replied in a tired voice. "Every available patrol unit is searching for Catherine and your daughter."

Grissom nodded and sighed as Gregory fell asleep in his arms, "Your house is an active crime scene, so you and your family should find a hotel," Ecklie spoke calmly. "I'll also be contacting your co-founder in that Victims Assistance thing because she can file for you to get anything you might need."

"Sara?" Nick called out, watching as Sara suddenly laid down on the steps. "Griss, something's wrong."

Grissom hurried to Sara's side and found that Sara had a hand on her abdomen and was breathing more anxiously than usual, "We're prepping her for immediate transport," one of the paramedics said.

Miami, Florida

Horatio hadn't left the hospital since Rick had brought in and he now watched as orderlies carefully moved a gurney into a private hospital room while Frank stood guard. Rick was lying unconscious on the gurney surrounded by tubes, IV lines, and wires connected to machines with his body covered by a gown and a blanket while his left wrist sported a cast and brace and his head sported a bandage.

"Horatio, I heard about Stetler as I was taking Emily back to bed," Alexx spoke anxiously as she suddenly came down the hallway. "Timmy took his kids home and then he's going over to the lab to help."

Horatio sighed, "Well, Calleigh called from the lab and it appears that this was a mob hit sent to us from Las Vegas," he replied in a tired voice. "Sam Braun is a casino owner there and a well-known mobster."

Alexx frowned, deeply confused, "Why would a Las Vegas mobster be here?" she asked softly.

Horatio shrugged and silently entered the room just in time to see Rick twitch and cough weakly, "I've had enough, Sam," Rick mumbled, unaware that Horatio, Alexx, and Tripp were there. "Stop…"

"Rick," Horatio spoke softly, approaching the gurney. "Rick, it's Horatio, Alexx, and Frank…"

Rick managed to open his eyes and peer at them briefly before closing them again, "Bobby has Lenny and Lindsey taken care of, right?" he managed to say in a weak groggy voice. "He has my kids?"

"Lindsey is still at the hospital, but Lenny is with Bobby," Horatio replied softly.

Rick sighed, "Sam wanted to know where they were," he said groggily. "To take them away."

Frank frowned and Alexx looked horrified, but Horatio nodded calmly, "Tell Sanders thanks for not leaving me to die," Rick mumbled groggily as Robert entered the room. "He could have…"

"Natalia's with Adam and Lenny now and BJ is resting," Robert spoke softly. "BJ will get to go home very soon, fortunately, so things will be a bit easier. I've come to sit with Rick for a while so he can rest."

Frank sighed, "Chief's ordered 24/7 uniform patrol outside of his room and he might send a uniform to sit with BJ," he explained firmly. "I'll be taking a shift and if there's anything suspicious, we'll…"

It was then that Horatio noticed Robert motioning for him to come over, so he, Frank, and Alexx all did.

"On my way here, I heard a bulletin on the nationwide network," Robert spoke anxiously, his expression full of concern. "Catherine…she went to Sara Grissom's house, attacked Sara after some words, and kidnapped Grissom and Sara's daughter. The police have no idea where Catherine took the baby…"

Horatio looked horrified, "…Catherine did what?!" Rick's upset, groggy voice suddenly asked weakly.

"Rick, you don't need to worry about it," Robert spoke anxiously, returning to Rick's bedside.

Rick scoffed and coughed, but didn't open his eyes, "Don't…patronize me," he mumbled. "Make sure she's not pregnant. She had a hard time with the twins and promised we were done having kids…"

Frank looked both amused and concerned, "Is that the anaesthetic talking?" he asked softly.

"Rick, I will talk to Las Vegas about your concerns," Horatio promised, wondering if Catherine's mental struggles were indeed connected to hormonal changes such as pregnancy. "Just try and rest."

Downtown Miami

"…Sanders, I know you're perfectly happy in Miami, but we're really shorthanded out here in Vegas," Ecklie's voice filled the room where Greg sat beside Jenny, both of them sharing Jessica on their laps.

Greg sighed softly, his eyes on the answering machine and his heart full of gratitude that Jenny's family was out and didn't hear Ecklie's plea, "This is like the 5th message he's left," he mused quietly.

Jenny nodded, "It sounds like they need you," she spoke softly. "You're a very good CSI and lab tech."

"I love you and Jessica," Greg spoke softly, gazing at her. "I intend to keep the promise I made."

Jenny gave Greg a kind look, "You still have nightmares about what happened there, I know," she replied softly, cuddling close to him. "Will you promise me that you'll at least think about it?"

Greg nodded and sighed heavily, "It's easier said than done, Jen," he replied in a concerned voice.

Jessica cooed softly just as Greg's cell-phone rang and he shifted her to Jenny before getting his cell-phone out, "Hello?" he said, setting the phone to speaker. "You've reached Greg Sanders."

"Greg, it's Gil," Grissom's quiet voice spoke. "I was wondering how you're enjoying Miami?"

Greg sighed, "I just got another message from Ecklie," he replied. "Asking me to come back."

"Greg, I know you hate Las Vegas because of what happened between you and Warrick out in the desert, but you're sorely needed," Grissom spoke softly. "Catherine admitted she asked Sam to talk to Rick and Ecklie suspended her. In a rage, Catherine went to my place and got into a fight with Sara…"

Greg frowned, setting the phone on the coffee table so he wouldn't drop it, "Catherine asked Sara for help in getting reinstated, but Sara refused," Grissom spoke softly. "Catherine shoved Sara into a wall and hit her before trying to steal our kids. Catherine let Gregory go, but she escaped with Danielle."

Jenny gasped and hugged Jessica protectively, "Sara collapsed while the paramedics were looking at her and she was rushed into surgery at the hospital," Grissom spoke sadly. "She has internal injuries."

Greg's eyes widened and he looked at Jenny and Jessica, "My mother is living with us and she can look after the twins, but Nick, Ecklie, and I are it for CSI's," Grissom spoke softly. "Ecklie's even setting up a sleep area at the lab so that Nick can stay close to Parker. Sara's going to be out for a while."

"Ecklie won't let me in the field because of the hearing aids," Greg replied in a worried voice.

Grissom sighed, "Ecklie's willing to make concessions until the pilot project starts in September because we are very shorthanded," he replied softly. "Just promise me that you'll think about it, all right?"

There was a click and Greg hung up the phone, "I can't believe it," he breathed anxiously.

"Catherine, I met her and it seemed that she had problems in her marriage," Jenny spoke quietly, touching Greg's hand with her free hand. "She was angry at her family, but I never dreamed that…"

Greg felt himself crying, "I…I never thought Catherine would hurt Sara and then kidnap one of her and Grissom's babies," he wept anxiously, unable to control his tears. "That's not like her at all."

"When people don't get help for their problems, they bottle them up and end up hurting others," Jenny spoke in a quiet voice. "I'm grateful that both my dad and I were able to get help before it got too late."

Greg sighed sadly, "I want to help because Sara and Grissom are my friends, but I've just got so much anxiety about going back," he admitted in a trembling voice. "I don't know how to deal with it."

"You've got friends and family who can help you," Jenny spoke softly. "I promise that we'll help."

Nodding, Greg silently kissed Jenny and then gently kissed Jessica's face, prompting Jenny to silently return the kiss, "I love you," he spoke in a trembling voice. "I trust that you'll help me with this."

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