(A/N: sorry for the YEAR-LONG wait... i'd lost the files for this story when i was having issues with something. i'm not going to do a speedy rap-up... i've got something bigger planned for you guys who are STILL along for the ride D=! )

-Nick-

He heard the gravel crunch as he jumped out of the SUV. He saw Catherine and Langston trying to dig up a spot. Nick reached out and took the shovel offered to him and joined them as he wished, beyond all wishes, that he could at least look at Greg's smile again.

"There's several boxes made of metal still radiating heat from the morning." Catherine looked up at Nick. "We don't know if he's still alive, but this was the coldest box, so, we think it's the newest one."

Nick ignored her and kept digging in. He wanted to find him, to push open that box and pull Greg out and into the safety of the living world. He could see the paramedics out of the corner of his eye. He oculd see them anxiously waiting to see if they could help the CSIs.

There was a soft "thunk" and Nick felt the revibe of metal.

He and Catherine kept digging until they uncovered a metal box that was about five feet tall. There was a single letter engraved on it's surface.

G.

Nick noticed there was a small hole and the hole was the leverage they needed.

He reached down and pounded on the metal. "GREG!"

There was no response.

Catherine jumped onto the surface and began to use metal cutters to open the box. "Greg!" she called out as she snipped.

Every clip opened the box wider and wider. There was a sudden noise that made them stop.

A little groan with a gasp.

Nick went around and shone his flashlight inside to see those familiar curls. He reached in and put his hand on Greg's hand. "Greg, c'mon. Stay with us. Don't leave just yet."

Catherine pulled the lid enough to get Greg free. As they lifted him out, she saw Nick do something she'd never seen him do. He gently touched Greg's face before his fingers etched their way down to his shoulder to support his back. It was the gesture she'd only see lovers do and that she used to do all the time.

Slowly, Nick laid him on the stretcher and the paramedics whisked him to their white truck. They were starting to hook him up to IVs and yelling questions at him.

Nick dropped to his knees, finally feeling a lighter-than-air feeling. Slowly, he sat down, covering his face. He knew why he couldn't smile. He could feel it in the air as they heard the paramedics yelling and hollering for things from each other and Greg. He felt the fear gripping him as he slowly dropped his hands. Slowly, he looked at the sandy dirt on his hands and his heart virtually grabbed him and held him there as the others ran passed him to help the paramedics restrain Greg as he convulsed into a seizure.

He finally felt a hand on his shoulder and realized the ambulance was gone.

Ray slowly knelt beside him, his hand never leaving Nick's shoulders. His face showed the bad news and Nick looked away, his face growing cold with infuriating wrath. "The most we can do is hope Greg survives."

Nick knew better than to pray for a miracle. Their line of work had no miracles. It only had dead ends and unhappy people. It bred revenge from the prayers for the miracles. It gave rise to close friends and a tight-knit posy. But Greg's life was something Nick wasn't banking on to lose this easily.

Greg was very careful. Even at home.

Nick got to his feet and went to the car with Catherine, who held the door open for him. "What can we do?"

She gave him a gentle hug. "The most we can do is pray that we've done good by him." She touched Nick's hand with the ring. "This class ring was something Greg admired. Don't lose it. In case he wakes up, you should hold his hand with this one." She put her hand over the ring and smiled at Nick. "We can still hope."

At the lab, Nick was changing out of his dusty cloths and bringing his shirt down when he noticed the whole team was gathering to get updates from Catherine. Nick stood at the back and took out his cell phone.

He selected the contact and sent the message Greg had always sent him when he was in his dark hours.

"Stay strong. Strength comes in numbers. Don't cry alone. Be good and fight back. Smile in the face of danger. Wave your flag of pride! Show them who's stronger!"

He smiled when they all looked at him. He made a fist and did a little fist pump before he picked up his jacket and pointed outside. "I'm goin' for a walk. Anyone wanna come?"