Well, I am back 'home' in Baton Rouge, completely broke, had my wallet stolen (which doesn't help the financial situation) and yet, would still do it all over again. So, feeling miserable, have decided that the next couple of chapters (after this one)are going to nice and light, and maybe even a little bit fluffy!
daynaa - I loved it - just watch your wallet when you go! Hope I haven't kept you waiting too long.
Cassandra - Eddie won't go too far - he's too lazy.Although he may be a little grumpy at being left outside. And you're right about Horatio - he knows!
wraiths-angel - you'll find out soon enough! Hehehehehe
Catherine, Warrick, Sofia and Greg headed into the garage – the door was propped open, and the building was verging on decrepit – but the issue of an illegal search was still questionable. Reasoning that they were only looking for their friends, they carried on,
They made their way into the actual garage, searching each room in the process, until the arrived at the cars.
'They're not here,' said Catherine, her torch sweeping over the walls.
Sofia was stood watching the rain pour in from a hole in the roof and flow in torrents across the floor, 'they have to be here somewhere.'
'Hey,' cried Greg, 'what's that?' His torch picked up on something over by the other wall. He went to get it, and tripped up over a tool box, sending several spanners, monkey wrenches and various other tools, flying over the floor.
Catherine, Warrick and Sofia all winced at the metallic sound as it grated over the concrete.
'It's Cheryls badge,' he said, picking both himself and the badge up from the floor.
Catherine stood staring at the golden badge, her light shining on the 4201. 'They're here,' she said, before starting to look around the room again.
'Shut up,' Sofia hissed suddenly.
The four of them froze, and then they could hear it – banging.
'Where's that coming from?' Warrick asked.
'It sounds like from the Hummer,' said Greg, walking over to the car.
'It's coming from under it,' Warrick corrected, crouching down next to it. The other three crouched down next to him and peered under the car.
'There's a pit under there,' said Sofia.
'And the cover is weighted down by the Hummer,' said Greg.
Catherine gasped, 'that's not the problem,' she pointed to rear end of the pit (which was the higher end) at the clothes poking out, and the water gushing in.
'We're going to get you two out of there,' She shouted as loudly as she could. 'We need to find the keys,' she told the others.
Sofia stood up and looked in the car, 'we're not going to have to look far,' she told them, pointing into the car. She pulled the door open, jumped in and started the car, putting her foot down so the car went crashing through the rotting wooden door.
AS she pulled the car to a stop, Warrick and Greg both lifted the heavy metal sheet up from off the pit. As the flipped it away, Cheryl and Nick swam to the sides, gasping for air – there was about an inch left from the top, and they had clearly been struggling to breath.
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Cheryl pulled herself out, and flopped down onto the cold concrete, lying there gasping for much needed air, as Nick dropped down next to her, far too relieved to be out of there, than to be worried about the fact she was lay on the middle of the floor soaking wet and still in her underwear. She was scooped up by Greg – the whole situation had completely sobered him up – and carried into the back seat of her Hummer, where Sofia had turned the heating up full and located a blanket.
Minutes later, Nick was helped into the back by Warrick and Greg, and he curled up under the blanket with Cheryl – both trying to stop their teeth from chattering.
'We should call for an ambulance,' Catherine muttered, joining the two in the back.
'I'm fine,' Cheryl managed to tell her through chattering teeth.
'Me too,' said Nick, 'we just need a hot shower to warm up.
'I think some clothes might be a good idea, too,' said Catherine.
'Where's Grissom?' Cheryl asked.
'Still at the Christmas party,' Catherine told them, 'we had no idea where you were – we thought you were on a stake out.'
'He's going to kill us,' Nick groaned.
'Him, Ecklie… everyone will be furious,' said Warrick as he joined Sofia in the front.
'Not if they don't know you were here,' said Catherine slowly.
'What are you scheming this time?' Warrick asked her warily.
'No one was hurt, and we know where the car is – it's not like we would be processing this scene today anyway, so let's get to the Lab, clean ourselves up, and then go to the party.'
'Catherine, we should take them to a hospital – that water was freezing and they're wearing next to nothing – they've probably got hypothermia, or something.'
Cheryl and Nick looked at each other, 'we're fine, Rick,' said Nick. 'Personally, I'd rather just go to the party and forget all about this.'
Warrick looked at his best friend – Nick's eyes were telling him what his voice wasn't – that he had just had to relive something he never wanted to. He sighed, 'fine.'
'I'll drive the Hummer,' declared Greg.
'You will not!' Exclaimed Cheryl, 'I can smell the alcohol on you from here!'
'I'll drive the Hummer,' said Warrick.
'Greg, you can come back with me,' Sofia told him.
'Aw,' whined Greg, 'that means I'm going to get wet walking back to your car.'
'Greg, you are drenched as it is,' Sofia told him dryly, 'you can't really get any wetter.'
Greg stuck his tongue out at her, then followed her to her car.
'Are you sure you two are alright,' Catherine asked after she had manoeuvred herself into the front seat.
'We will be,' said Cheryl – she was beginning to warm up, slightly – as she nestled into Nick.
Catherine glanced at Warrick and smiled.
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Cheryl was sat in front of a mirror at the crime lab, after having one of the hottest showers of her life, dressed in her new dress, putting on make-up, whilst Catherine did her hair.
'You look beautiful.'
Cheryl smiled shyly, ' do you think I look alright? I never wear dresses.'
'I have no idea why not. But you look fabulous.'
Cheryl smiled again, and leant back, shutting her eyes.
'You alright?'
Cheryl opened her eyes and found the other blonde on the graveyard shift staring down at her. She let out a loud sigh, 'Yeah. It's just, sometimes, I feel like I don't have a life. Don't get me wrong – despite all the dead bodies, and rape and abuse cases, I really love this job. But sometimes, it feels like it's all I ever do. I'm either working a case, or sleeping. I still haven't unpacked. The only room I have decorated is the bathroom. I haven't been out… at all. It's after midnight now, and technically, it's Christmas day, but I have spent the entire night in, well, you know. I haven't had a date since…' she trailed off.
'Since?' Catherine encouraged.
'Since Tim, when I was living in Miami. And that was about five months ago.' She let out a frustrated groan, 'it's not like I miss sex, don't get me wrong, I do, it's more that I miss someone. I just want someone to hold me when I get in from a hard shift. Like tonight. But this job is stupidly lonely. And I know that this is a city that never sleeps, but really, what guys would be happy with someone who works all night and sleeps all day.' She threw her hands up in the air in exasperation, 'sleep! Sleep? The last time I got eight hours in one go, was when I got shot.'
'Seems to me, you should be looking a little closer to home.'
Cheryl raised an eyebrow, 'huh?'
'Well, someone who works the same hours as you.'
'Someone off this shift?'
Catherine shrugged, 'yeah.'
'Well, I suppose Simon has asked me out probably once a week on average.'
'Simon? The DNA guy?'
'Yeah. Apparently he used to work at the Miami Crime Lab too. Not that I remember him, but he was on the night shift there, so…'
'I was talking about Nick.'
Cheryl burst out laughing, 'Nick? Are you serious?'
Catherine nodded, 'why not? You two are always spending time together.'
'Yeah, but I spent almost as much time with Greg, too. The two are like my best friends. Besides, I think Nick sees me more of a sister anyway.' Cheryl glanced at herself one last time, and got to her feet. 'Come on, everyone will be wondering where we are.'
'You go on ahead – I just want to reapply my mascara,' Catherine told her.
Cheryl nodded, 'don't be too long. Sorry for venting, Cath. I'll catch you later.' She headed out of the locker room, feeling a slight bit better.
Catherine watched her leave, 'sees you as a sister? Sure, because all boys want to sleep with their sisters.'
Warrick walked in catching the end of Catherine's statement. 'Who wants to sleep with their sister?'
'No one,' she said, shaking her head.
Warrick stared at her, in a way that he was almost staring into her soul. 'Catherine Willows, I have seen that look on your face before. Just who are you planning on using your cupid-style matchmaking skills on this time?' He looked back down the corridor at who Catherine was staring intently at with a small smile on her face. It was Nick and Cheryl, looking like they were admiring what the other was wearing. 'Oh, no you don't, Cath.'
Catherine looked up at him with an innocent expression on her face, 'don't what?'
'Those two. Leave them be. They'll work out that they like each other soon enough.
Yes, I'm feeling quite... I don't know... but it's making me want to write more.So that's what I'm going to go do! Thank you for reading, and I hope y'all are still enjoying!