Thanks for the reviews peeps! Another chapter that I don't know if I like. I just have so much schoolwork and so little writing time. A couple of little twists in this chapter.

Anyone bearing with me, THANK YOU! Please tell me if you're out there, it helps a lot!

Read. Enjoy. Review.

Chapter Twenty One # Halloween 'I Love You's #

The eight teens screamed loudly as a woman was impaled on a meat hook. In the middle of the sofa Morgan was literally in Greg's lap and he held on to her tightly, his eyes as wide as saucers. On the left Ryan looked slightly disgusted whereas Archie looked like he was going to puke. Nick, Sara and Warrick had squashed up on the right and while Warrick winced Sara grabbed Nick's arm tightly. Nick grabbed her wrist back. Tali was perched on the edge of the sofa on Nick's other side, her eyes wide and afraid.

"I'm gonna puke!" Sara gagged.

"No you're not. You're Sara Sidle, you're tougher than that."

Sara glared at Nick but as someone on screen screeched she jumped and screamed again, grabbing Nick's wrist even tighter.

"Nick?" Morgan's voice was high and wavering.

"Yeah?" Nick's eyes remained glued to the screen.

"Remind me never to go back to Texas with you!"

Nick rolled his eyes. "Aw, man you know this is fiction right?" Nick's nose wrinkled. "Oh man, that is wrong!"

Two horror films later the friends froze on the sofa.

Sara cleared her throat. "Uh, Greg?"

"Yeah?" Greg whispered back.

"You wanna turn off the TV?"

"Sure." Greg didn't move.

Upstairs something creaked and Morgan's arms tightened around Greg's neck.

"What was that?" Ryan hissed.

"Probably just Greg's mom." Archie nodded his head.

"Are you sure?" Tali whispered.

"Don't tell me you believe in ghosts?" Ryan leaned forward and looked at Tali.

Her face was pale. "My dad... he trains the people he works with. He trains them not only to believe in what we can see but to trust in what we can't."

Nick looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "You okay?"

"Fine." Tali rubbed her arm, and even in the dim light he could see Goosebumps on her arms.

"I'm pretty sure there's no ghosts in my house... or freaky ass guys with chainsaws or-"

"Okay, we get it!" Tali shuddered.

"So who's gonna turn off the TV?" Warrick swallowed. Nobody moved. They were all too scared to get off of the sofa.

"I vote Nick." Greg volunteered.

"Me too." Morgan nodded.

"Nick." Warrick nodded.

"Ni-"

"Okay, guys, I'm up, I'm up." Nick shook his head, heaving up off the sofa and padding across the room, switching off the TV quickly.

"You know, I don't know what's got y'all worked up, it's just a-argh!"

They all screamed and Nick laughed. "Got ya!"

With an uncanny aim Tali threw a pillow at Nick. "Asshole!"

He smiled crookedly. "I'm sorry."

Tali just shook her head, the mask hanging around her neck tickling her collarbone. She brushed it off absently, before jumping up into the air. "SPIDER!"

A large, hairy black form was climbing over her shoulder. She batted it away but it clung to her finger. She screamed again and in two seconds Nick was over, peeling the huge spider off her fingers and quickly throwing it out of the window.

"Oh my god! Urgh, urgh, urgh!" Tali shook her hands.

"You okay?" Nick asked, wiping his hands on his trousers automatically.

She nodded.

"You're scared of spiders?" Ryan frowned. "You can handle bombs and assassins but not spiders?"

"Horrible little creepy little horrible things!" she shuddered. "Thanks Nick."

"It's not a problem." He smiled. "Just don't tell Grissom. He'd be angry we threw it out the window."

"Does anyone else wanna get in their pyjamas now?" Morgan asked uncomfortably.

"Why, you wanna come to bed with me?" Greg grinned and Morgan elbowed him.

"No. There's just only so much tummy exposure I can handle." Morgan prodded her belly unhappily.

"It's a nice tummy." Greg grinned, and Morgan's cheeks flushed slightly.

Warrick laughed. "Wow."

"What?" they protested.

"Nothing."

"What?" Morgan's eyes narrowed.

"Nothing!" Warrick insisted.

"Let's just get changed." Ryan rolled his eyes.

The girls went into Greg's bedroom so they could change into their pyjamas and Morgan was first to emerge ten minutes later. Greg smiled slightly as he looked at her in a leopard onesie, complete with hood and tail. Her hair was sleek and loose with a slight curl and every remnant of make-up was gone from her face.

She grimaced when she saw Greg staring and pulled up her hood. "I know, I look like a-"

"Hot blonde in a leopard suit." Greg smiled almost shyly and Morgan grinned.

"Now I remember why I'm going out with you!"

Sara came out of the bedroom next, her brown hair been drawn back into a loose, messy ponytail. She wore a baggy black top with the words 'Nerds R Us' scrawled across the front. Underneath she wore long with trousers with black splodges on.

"You killed a Dalmatian!" Greg cried when he saw her.

"Actually, its cow print." Sara smirked.

"Sure it is, you puppy killer!"

Tali rolled her eyes. "Greg, Sara's the last person you'd expect to see in puppy skin pyjamas."

"Just because she got freaked out by that experiment Grissom did with the pig and the bugs-"

"Freaked out? She's a vegetarian now!" Warrick interjected.

"True." Greg nodded

Nick had to physically stop himself form staring at Tali in her short shorts and vest top.

"Nice pyjamas, Nick." She winked and he smiled. He was only half changed - his long navy blue pyjama trousers contrasting with his fair, toned chest.

Greg was in shorts and a baggy t-shirt much like Sara's expect his held the inscription "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running, please try to keep up."

Warrick had a faded "Bullet For my Valentine" top over some baggy trackies, whereas Archie was wearing a long sleeve t-shirt and sweats and Ryan was wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

"I hate horror movies." he complained. "They freak me out"

"They're supposed to." Greg rolled his eyes.

"I know that! I'm just saying."

"Aw, Ry-Ry's scared!" Warrick teased.

"Not now I'm not." Ryan protested.

"Well I am." Tali admitted. "I have the jeebie-heebies."

"Don't you mean the heebie-jeebies?" Archie's mouth twitched to a grin and she scowled.

"I'm sorry, I'm not Ziva."

"S'okay to be scared." Nick shrugged. "Everyone's scared of something."

Morgan half smiled as Tali grinned gratefully at Nick.

"Its four am!" Archie yawned.

"Sleeping bags anyone?" Greg asked.

Just as Sara opened her mouth to reply there was a large groaning sound and the dim lights flickered and died. Morgan gripped Greg's arm, her fingernails digging into his arm.

"What. The. Hell?"

Footsteps slowly started walking down the hall and everyone froze.

"Okay, that's a creepy sounding walk..." Archie muttered.

"Thanks for that." Sara hissed back.

"Greg, if this was planned I will kick your butt!" Warrick sounded more scared than he would have liked to.

"It's not planned." Greg whispered. The steps came closer and Tali let out a small whimper like sound.

"Tali, are you okay?" Nick swallowed. A door opened down the hall with a long creak.

"No. No, not really." She whimpered. Nick stood up and reached out with his hands. They reached something soft and Tali yelped softly.

"It's okay, it's me." Nick murmured, and Tali gripped his wrist and allowed him to wrap his arms around her protectively. When she felt his bare chest she stiffened slightly.

"Sorry." He whispered so only she could hear, and he could feel her shake her head.

"Don't be."

Nick couldn't help but smile slightly, though he stopped when the footsteps stopped right before the door.

Sara's hand flew out in the darkness to Ryan's and Warrick's hands became fists as a soft glow appeared in gap under the door.

"What's that?" Morgan moaned to Greg whose eyes were wide, though no one could see.

"I don't know." He muttered. The door opened and they screamed as Greg's dad walked in with a candle.

"Oh, Jesus dad, you scared me!" Greg cried and Andrew Sanders rolled his eyes.

"You've all been watching too many horror movies. Someone vandalised a power station, the powers off at least 'til morning."

"Uh oh." Sara swallowed.

"Greg, go get the candles." Andrew nodded, and Greg reluctantly let go of Morgan.

"I'll come." She smiled slightly and he grinned.

"This way."

"No diversions!" Archie called. Andrew looked at the teens with slight amusement.

Ryan and Sara were clutching each other's hands and Archie was as white as a ghost. Nick was still holding Tali and Warrick's hands were starting to relax.

"Don't worry; it's just a power cut. We checked for poltergeist complaints before we bought the house. Greg's idea."

Tali peeled away from Nick with a slight smile. "Really?"

Andrew nodded. "He's a little strange."

"Oh really? I hadn't noticed" Warrick laughed. Greg and Morgan returned with about ten large candles.

"All of them? Greg your mother and I need some." Andrew raised an eyebrow as Greg passed him a single candle. Greg sighed and gave him three more. "Don't burn the house down."

Greg took the matches off his dad and the man shook his head, heading back upstairs, taking the light with him. Greg quickly lit a match, and soon the room was aglow in the soft candlelight.

"Do your parents always stay up until four?" Ryan frowned.

"Only on Halloween. We're not exactly being quiet."

"True."

"Damn, its cold." Nick rubbed his arm.

"Put a top on!" The others sang in unison.

"I was! Don't gang up on me!" Nick pulled on a Cowboys jersey. "Still cold."

They settled down into their sleeping bags, shivering as the heating stopped working.

"Shit." Greg complained. "This...never happened before."

"Isn't Vegas supposed to be hot?" Archie moaned. "You told me it would be hot!"

"Not at night in winter." Sara retorted for Greg.

"My toes are falling off." Morgan sighed. "And I'm in a onesie."

"I have a big ass sleeping bag..." Greg offered.

Morgan considered. "Can you keep your hands to yourself?"

"Of course!"

Morgan stared at him. "Fine. I promise to keep my hands to myself."

She smiled and slipped into Greg's huge sleeping bag. "Much better."

"No funny business!" Warrick begged.

"Please, we're in public! Morgan at least has some decency." Greg scoffed.

"Never stopped the snogging."

"You're allowed to snog in public." Greg sighed. "Social rules."

"Guys, cut it out." Tali sighed.

"Oh for god's sake. Greg, your windows open!" Nick rolled his eyes.

"What?"

"Your window is open." Nick stood up in his sleeping bag and shuffled over to the window. "Idiot, no wonder it's so cold."

Nick shook his head and reached out to close the window. As his hand closed around the handle he looked down and yelled in horror.

"Funny, Nick." Ryan rolled his eyes.

Nick batted something away from his face and quickly shut the window. A soft thud showed a tiny bat bumping against the glance, but unfortunately the draft from the window shutting blew out the candles.

"Nick!" Sara hissed.

"I'm sorry! I hate bats, I didn't mean to!" Nick said regretfully.

Sara's phone started ringing and she frowned, fumbling in the darkness to pick it up.

"Hello?"

"Sara, you're still up?"

At the sound of her dad's voice Sara leapt up and headed into the hall.

"Um...yeah, I'm-"

"At a boy's house on a sleepover. I know. Greg Sanders, right?"

"Yes." Sara bit her lip. "Dad, I'm sorry, it's just..."

"Sara, I didn't call to tell you off. I know it's Halloween; you want to have fun with your friends. I'm not sure I approve of being up at four in the morning, but still... Anyway, there is a reason I called. Did your mom tell you why I'm in LA?"

"Business." Sara whispered, terrified that his next sentence would include the word 'move'.

"Well, in a way I guess. Sara, I'm at an anonymous alcoholic's class, the best in the US." Sara's mouth dropped. "I was offered a space by Calvin at work, he's a good boss, he realised I have a problem. Since I arrived, all I've thought about is what a shit father I've been."

"Dad-"

"No, Sara. I've hurt you in every possible way, and I am so, so, sorry. There is no excuse. No excuse. I've completely failed you, you're afraid of me."

"Dad, I don't-"

"Sara, I'm going to turn myself in."

"No!" Sara protested. "Then they'll take me away!"

"Sara-"

"I...I don't want you to do that." She whispered. "Please..."

"Okay." Sara heard her father swallow. "Sara, I'm sorry. I want you to promise me something."

"Okay."

"The next time I hurt you I want you to go to the cops, okay?"

"I-"

"Sara."

"Okay."

"God...I love you Sara. I'm so sorry, I'm..." Sara heard her father sob. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay."

"It's not. I deserve to be locked up... I don't deserve you as a daughter, or your mother and brother...It's my fault he's in jail, I taught him to be like me...It's not okay, but it will be. I swear, I will do everything in my power. I promise, Sara."

"Okay. I love you, Dad."

"I love you too."

CSIVCSIVCSIV

"Wow, this is creepy." Jess gasped, following Catherine into the old abandoned casino. Don followed her, with MJ and Tony close behind him.

"I just didn't wanna go to a big party again tonight. I wanted something more...twisted. More interesting." Catherine explained. "Sam used to bring me here."

"Sam Braun?" Don clarified.

"Yep. Old family friend. He showed me the way in."

They stared around the abandoned slot machines and restaurant, covered in a layer of dust. A small, abandoned stage stood at the far end of the hall.

"Ghost stories anyone?" Tony grinned. "I know a couple."

"You mean you stole a couple from movies?" MJ raised her eyebrows.

"Maybe."

They sat in a circle on the stage under an old disco ball that shimmered ever so slightly in the musky dim light their torches gave them. From ten to midnight they told story after story, tale after tale until finally they were all struggling to think of horror stories not already told.

"So how's your baby?" Don asked Catherine, completely changing the subject.

"I don't know." Catherine admitted. "I'm only four weeks pregnant. I won't get a scan for another three weeks according to the doctor."

"I still can't believe you're gonna be a mom!" Jess shook her head.

"I thought I'd left the baby boom back in Texas." MJ teased.

"Baby boom?" Tony frowned.

"Let's just say my oldest niece is six months younger than Nick."

"Yikes. Big family?"

"Hell yeah."

Catherine stared at her perfectly flat stomach. "I can't imagine it. A little baby, inside me."

"When you swell up to the size of a planet you will." Tony offered, popping a piece of the popcorn they'd bought into his mouth.

"Thanks, DiNozzo." Catherine said mildly, well used to Tony.

"You're welcome."

"You know...I haven't told my mom yet."

"What?" Don frowned.

"I...I don't know what to say to her. 'Hey mom. I'm pregnant.' How do I do it?" Catherine fiddled with her hands.

"The same way you do everything else." Don shrugged. "With your chin up and standing proud."

"Thanks." Catherine sighed.

"She'll understand."

Catherine sighed at MJ. "That's the trouble."

"Hey, isn't your brother at Greg Sanders' house tonight?" Tony asked MJ, out of the blue.

"Yeah, why?"

"I've heard it's a pretty big deal."

"Please, he's a freshman and a science nerd. Okay, a cute freshman nerd, but still." Jess waved her hand dismissively.

"Well, a lot of people in the lower half of the school went. A lot of our friends' siblings. Anya Boa Vista, Tali David, Abby Scutio..."

"Have you and her got a thing?" Catherine interrupted.

"Me and who?"

"Abby Scutio."

"No." Tony said firmly. "She's an old friend of the family, she's practically my sister."

"Okay...so who is this mystery girl Flack's been telling me about?" Catherine didn't look convinced.

"No one you're going to know anytime soon." Tony said mildly.

MJ picked up her ringing phone. "Hello...you're kidding? Really!" she laughed. "That's hilarious...is everyone okay...oh, that's great! A black eye? Oh, Nicky's gonna get it tomorrow!" she laughed again. "Oh, sure he is. Right...thanks for telling me...how's the party? Good. 'kay. Bye!"

"What?" Catherine, Jess, Don and Tony leaned forward.

"That was Ethan. Eddie Willows just stormed up to him and told him how he's gonna beat up Nick and Greg Sanders and all their friends."

"Then why are you smiling?" Don frowned.

"I'm smiling at what pissed him off. They tried to gatecrash Greg's party. Ended up in the pool."

Catherine laughed. "Serves them right. Those kids deserve a medal."

"Tell me about it." Jess rolled her eyes.

Catherine sighed. "I'm gonna head home. I think it's time to tell my mom about... well."

Jess glanced at her watch. "I'm gonna head over to Kate's. She said the party's goin' on til three, we got a couple of hours."

"I'll come with." MJ grinned, and Tony nodded.

Jess hit Don.

"What?"

"Go with Catherine! She needs moral support."

Catherine went bright red. "I am still here you know."

"I know." Jess nodded.

"Okay." Don shrugged. They pulled up outside Catherine's house half an hour later. Her mom was in the kitchen drinking coffee.

"I'm home."

"Good. Did you have a good time?"

"Um...yeah. I've got something I need to tell you."

Catherine's mom acknowledged Don with a nod and stared into her daughter's eyes. "Okay..."

"Remember that boyfriend I had, Eddie Willows? Well... I... He..."

"What, Catherine?"

Don squeezed her shoulder. "I'm pregnant."

"What?" Her mom whispered.

"I'm pregnant. Don't look at me like that, we used a condom, but it broke!"

"Oh, Catherine!"

"Look, it was an accident, okay, but I'm keeping the baby I-"

"Catherine-"

"No, mom, I'm keeping it-"

"Catherine!"

"Mom, I won't-"

"Cath, listen to her!" Don half grinned.

"Thank you Don. I wasn't going to tell you not to keep it."

"You...you weren't?"

"Of course not! Oh, Catherine..."

"What were you going to say?" Catherine asked suspiciously.

"That I'm sorry that you feel you have to go to your friends before me. I... Well. Is Eddie Willows going to support you?"

Don and Catherine exchanged glances. "I...doubt it."

Lily Flynn sighed. "Well, you'll have to get a job now. Babies are expensive. I don't make enough money for a baby too."

"Fine." Catherine sighed, feeling like she was getting off rather likely. "Thanks for not going mental."

Lily rolled her eyes. "I'd be a hypocrite if I did. And Cath?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you." She smiled.

Shocked, Catherine smiled back. "I love you too."

Okay. I lied. I hate this chapter but I'd feel really bad starting from scratch and making any readers wait for like a month so I posted it anyway. I promise the standard will improve soon. Angst will return with a vengeance.

Please review?

Please?