A/N: Update of four of I don't know. I reached my goal! Now I might actually beat it this time. Go me.

Chapter 27

BOX ROOM

9:00 AM

Nick was trying not to panic. Just about thirty minutes ago he was placed in the box, without breakfast. Luckily he had eaten something from the stash Lindsey was able to get them. Sara had returned ten minutes or so before he was taken out. She had returned when food was given.

Before falling asleep the men decided everyone but Sara would save food for the absent person. The others were explaining to Sara. During that time they had made a list of conversations to avoid in order to keep peace. Most of it was food, gambling, politics, cases, and certain family topics. Brass, though opting to remain out of the conversations concerning family, understood and sympathized with the younger CSIs needing to remember their loved ones. Grissom was temporarily undecided about joining Brass or the others. The others understood but were also slightly confused; he did after all have some family members he could talk about that they knew.

As Nick fought to remain calm knowing Ecklie wanted him to panic he began to feel something on his leg. His mind took him back about nine years ago when he was buried alive. Panic filled him as he began to scream and twist and turn. The only problem was, was that it was his mind that had caused the feeling of something on his leg. His mind that had reverted back to the past in such a familiar setting. His mind that betrayed him at that moment.

BASEMENT

They had been silent. Praying and hoping Nick would be alright. Then they heard Ecklie mention music and Nick's screams filled the air. Warrick held Sara as she cried softly. Grissom and Brass tensed as Greg zoned out, for the millionth time.

"Now that you have an update on Nick. Let's do Lindsey. This time you get visual." Ecklie's voice stopped the screaming as it was turned down. The televisions flicked on to reveal a beautiful bedroom. Lindsey, in a nightgown covered in a robe, was sitting cross-legged in the center of the bed. Behind her sat Isabelle who was braiding her hair. "Mistress Ecklie –"

"Last night won't leave this room." Lindsey interrupted. "What we discussed and what happened remains between us."

"But ma'am, I … I have –"

"I know. Blame me." Her hair done she turned to face the girl. "Isabella when was Nick moved?"

" Eight thirty, mistress. He and the prisoner Warrick or Brass, not sure whom, are to switch at noon. Why do you ask?"

"And Allan? What happened to him last night?"

"Mistress I shouldn't be –"

"Isabella, Master Ecklie wishes to see you." Allan entered. Lindsey stood pulling her robe around her tightly. When Isabella left Allan smirked. "Were you worried?"

"No." She told the truth. They watched praying nothing would happen. That she could keep her tongue. "Not worried."

"Then what? You asked about me. Why?"

"Cuz I'm nice." Giving a 'screw you' smirk, one they knew well due to Catherine, she went to the bathroom, where she proceeded to apply some make-up. He went to follow but the door shut in his face. One of the televisions changed to the bathroom the other staying on Allan. "Mr. Ecklie is not here to enforce his rules and I'm no longer afraid of you."

"So you're hiding in a bathroom, why?"

"I'm not afraid." She stepped out the television turning to another angle of the room. To their surprise she changed in front of him without showing anything off. "My mom made sure of that."

"Oh really."

"Yes, and Jon. But most of all Sarah."

"How dare you –"

"I'll mention my daughter all I want!" She smirked. "Allan, don't you see. I have a higher position."

"You will always be below me. You agree to it."

"After you beat me so bad my only choice was to say yes." She smirked. They could tell she didn't care what happened. "Even if your little plan succeeds I'll be thinking about Jon as you screw me. When I raise your child, if that ever happens, I'll imagine Jon as the father. Make no mistakes, Allan, because I promise you I'll use them. Just as you used me. I'll always love Jon more. Heck I might even go as far as to say I love your father –"

"Bitch!" He grabbed her pinning her to a wall. His hand was tight around her throat. "How dare you rank my father better!"

"Everyone's better then you!"

"You don't know him!" He threw her at the bed and she slumped to the ground.

"What is she doing?" Warrick whispered.

"Looks like trying to get killed." Greg responded. Grissom mumbled 'searching' effectively shushing them.

"I know you." She replied. Allan backed off her looking her. They watched waiting to see what would happen. Then it did. He smacked her hard across the face.

"How dare you –"

"Stuck a nerve."

"You're dead." His hands were around her throat. She didn't fight only screamed for help. A large man entered pulling Allan off.

"Mistress Ecklie is not to be harmed. Would you like us to retrieve your father, mistress?"

"No!" Fear struck her face at the thought. The televisions went black and Ecklie said something about being called. Everyone was silent processing what they saw and heard.

"If he isn't shot when they find us I'll do it. And trust me I won't miss his head." Sara whispered angrily. Tears were streaming down her face.

"We've learned two things." Grissom stated calmly. "Both important in there own way."

"What?" Brass asked. Greg responded looking at Grissom.

"That Allan and Lindsey used to date and he abused her. Catherine must have helped her break up with him. Or at least Lindsey knew him before, weather that be platonic or not is really just a guess."

"He tried to kill her for revenge." Sara whispered remembering Ecklie mention that. "But when?"

"And how?" Warrick sat beside Grissom. Greg was holding Sara as she softly cried. Brass looked at Grissom.

"Lindsey will tell the story." He spoke. "When she finds it appropriate. We have to remember the bombs as well, were they meant to kill or to frighten, and if they were meant to kill that could be how Allan tried to kill Catherine. If not then we have to look towards the past. A year and a half ago to be exact. Now, anyone know our second clue to this mystery?"

"No. What?" Brass spoke. "I'd sure as hell would like to know why I'm here."

"Revenge." Warrick suggested.

"Yes." Grissom smiled glad to be 'working'. "He knows taking Catherine while we are out there and alive means he can't have her. So he plans to seek revenge for the last time and prevent another capture. I'm curious about Allan and his involvement. Lindsey mentioned being higher then him. Conrad calls her daughter. He spoke of her and Allan marrying. Taking Sarah's child. And who knows what to Lindsey."

"Like a family."

LINDSEY'S ROOM

Allan stood glaring at Lindsey who was sitting up in the bed now. The guard stood at the doorway a hand resting on the gun at his hip. Lindsey looked into Allan's eyes and saw pain. Guilt filled her as she realized what she had done to him. Never did she imagine being the one to cause someone pain like that. And yet she did for the same reason he did it to her … pleasure. It gave her pleasure to see him so disturbed by her words. That alone made the guilt even worse.

"Al," Standing she went to him. "Please forgive me. I … I had no right to bring your father into this. I know what … what he did to you and your sisters."

"Did you ever love me?"

"Of –"

"The truth, Linds," He looked away from her. "Would you have said yes to me if your mother hadn't convinced –"

"I didn't need convincing." Placing a hand on his cheek she looked at him. "All mom did was ask me who it was I wanted to have raise my children. Being pregnant with Jon's child gave me my answer. Jon was sweet, king, loving, smart, and didn't beat me. Allan I loved both of you. I still do. I would have said yes if you didn't beat me. If you didn't beat me I never would have had Sarah. In a way you gave me my devil child."

"I don't know how else to control you. All I learned from my father was beat or be beaten."

"The first four months, Allan, you had me. We worked as a team. We lost that when you first smacked me. Why are you with –"

"Leave." Ecklie ordered. Lindsey spun surprised. Neither had heard him enter. Allan obeyed the bodyguard following him. He went to the television stand and put a DVD in. He then stood to the side and motioned to the chest.

"What's going on?" She asked as she sat in front of the television. He pressed play and she gulped. She stood on the balcony being chocked by Ecklie. Automatically she knew what he was showing her. This wasn't going to turn out good and she knew it. She knew it and she tried to deny it. Tried to say nothing bad would happen. Just a lecture or something.

LAST NIGHT

After he had left Lindsey had asked to see Isabella. About ten minutes later, after she had changed into the silk nightgown she found, Isabella knocked on the door. The girl entered nervously her head bowed.

"Mistress, please forgive me but I had to. If I did not tell Master Ecklie he would have punished me."

"I understand, sweetie," Hugging the girl Lindsey lead her to the bed. "I called you here to get to know you."

"Mistress whatever is said I must tell Master Ecklie."

"You follow my orders, right?" She received a nod. "Well order you to, from now on, not update him. If anything happens I'll take the blame."

"You are to kind ma'am."

"Lindsey when we're alone."

"Lindsey." She smiled then frowned. "He threatened me. I must tell him or … I don't want to imagine it."

"Isabella I promise you I will let you get harmed if I can help it. Does your family work here as well?"

"No. He … he holds out families somewhere else to assure our loyalty."

"Do you know where?"

"Yes. In a cabin about five miles away."

"Is there a way to sneak out of here?"

"Yes," she looks at her curiously. "Early in the morning we, as servants, are bringing food and other stuff in through the gate. At the time security is down so it is easy to escape over the walls. But it is dangerous. You should rest now."

"I can't. Not … not alone." She looked a bit embarrassed.

"I'm sure if you inform Master Ecklie he would have Mr. Greenwood or himself keep you company."

"They are my reasons. I don't want them to surprise me in the night."

"Then I will stay here every night till you say so."

"Thank you." The two lay down on the bed. "I'm going to escape in the morning. Will you pretend to be me till I'm over the wall?"

"It will be dangerous." With that the two were silent till they fell asleep.

-END-

Lindsey didn't move. Now she knew Allan had come to prevent it. Now she knew Allan had come to prevent it. She hoped no one had harmed Isabella for this. He paused the tape on the two sleeping forms as she tried to not show her fear.

"Now, Isabella will be an example."

"It was my fault. She was only doing as I asked."

"I told you I'm not an idiot. Escape is impossible."

"Anything is possible. Uncle Gil always –"

"Turn around."

"Wh-what? Why?" Fear struck her as she moved away. She didn't get far as he grabbed her and flicked her onto the bed. HE climbed on top of her and turned her holding her down with his knee. She fought but it was pointless. The cold steel on her wrists ended her efforts.

"This is your fault."

A/N: Please review.