Grissom and Sara headed back to the hotel. That night they invite Mark and Lisa to the hotel for dinner as a thank you. They have a great time. Back up in the room, Sara and Grissom decide what they are going to do with the rest of their vacation.

Grissom wrapped his arms around Sara, "What would you like to do while we are here?"

"Well, Marti Gras is out because it's the wrong time of year. How about we go snorkeling or take a harbor cruise."

"Sounds like fun. Why not both? There should be some information in the lobby. I'll go check. Why don't you stay here while I go? Fill up the bath tub and I will join you when I get back."

He kissed her.

"I love that plan."

"Be sure to put lots of bubbles in the water."

He left to go the lobby. Sara got the bath ready for her and Grissom. She was going to enjoy this.

In the lobby Grissom found some information on cruise and snorkeling. He also collected some information on other things they might do. It never hurt to have a backup plan. The concierge at the desk approached Grissom.

"Mr. Grissom?"

Grissom turned a bit wary, "Yes? May I help you?"

"You have a message from Las Vegas. I was just about to ring your room to tell you." He handed Grissom the message.

"Thank you"

Grissom read the note and the color drained from his face.

"Could you please help me change our flight plans? There is an emergency at home."

"Of course, Sir. When do you need to leave?"

"On the next flight to the states. We need to connecting flight to Las Vegas."

"I will call you when I have arranged the flight. I sincerely hope nothing is seriously wrong."

"Unfortunately, that is case. I need to talk to my wife and we need to pack. Thank you for the help."

Grissom headed up to the room. He was almost in a panic, just like when Sara was missing. He felt helpless.

He entered the room calling for Sara.

"Sara?"

Sara called to him from the bathroom, "I'm in here. Come in and join me."

Grissom entered the bathroom to see that Sara has candles and soft music playing. He was sorry that what might have been was not going to happen tonight.

"Sara, we have to go back."

"What...Where?"

"Home...something...something has happened."

"What? Can't the lab survive without you for two weeks?"

She looked at her husband. There was something wrong.

"Gil, what? Is it Vanessa?!"

Grissom could not say the words. He handed Sara the message and she reads it.

Sara:"Oh, God no...When do we leave?

Sara read the message again just to be sure she had read it correctly.

To: Mr. and Mrs. Grissom

From: Catherine Willows LVPD Crime Lab

Gil, Sara, I hate to interrupt your vacation, but something terrible has happened. Nick has been shot. He is critical condition and if possible we need you to return ASAP.

"Oh my God. How did this happen? Have you talked to her yet?"

Grissom barely spoke above a whisper, "No, I wanted to wait until I was up here to call her."

Grissom called the front desk and asked for a line to the US. He called Catherine's Cell phone.

"Willows."

"Hi Catherine, its Gil. We got your message. What happened?"

"We were on the scene of a homicide in Summerlin. We thought the scene was cleared but the suspect was under the bed. When Nick walked in the room, the suspect charged him and shot before Nick could get his weapon drawn. He took one to the chest. It's lodged in his chest. He's in surgery as we speak. I called his parents. They're on their way to Vegas now. Gil, we need you and Sara here."

"I see. We are on the next flight back to the States. We won't be there until tomorrow. I'll call you whenever I get the chance. How are you doing? How is the baby?"

"We're doing OK. Vanessa misses you. She keeps asking about Momma and Daddy?"

"Kiss her for us and tell her that we will be home soon. I'll call every chance I get. Bye"

"Bye."

Grissom sat on the edge of the bed and tried to take it all in.

"What happened? Is he alright?"

"He was shot at a scene by a suspect. He is in surgery right now."

"How is the baby?"

"Fine. Cath said that she misses us."

Sara began to cry softly. Grissom reached out to her and held her for a long while. The embrace was broken by a phone call.

Grissom answered it, "Yes...I see...Are you sure? OK, I understand. Thank you. We'll be ready."

"What?"

"That was the concierge. We leave in two hours. It's the best he could do."

"You better call Mark and let him know what happened and that we're leaving."

"OK. You're right. He might worry if we just left."

Grissom called Mark and let him know that they were leaving and about what had happened. He understood why Grissom and Sara have to leave. He wished them a safe trip and told him to let him know what happened.

They were on the plane home two hours later.

For Grissom and Sara it was a torturous flight back to Las Vegas. They both knew there was nothing they could do for Nick and they felt helpless.

Grissom sighed, "I hope Nick pulled through the surgery. I'll call Catherine as soon as we get to Houston."

"I feel awful about Nick. I feel...helpless. There's nothing we can do from this stupid plane."

Grissom put his arm around Sara to comfort her. He felt the same way, but getting upset was not going to make the flight go any faster. As it was they had another 18 hours until they were home.

Back in Las Vegas…..

The Doctor came out of the operating room to talk to the team. Nick's family had not arrived yet.

"Have Mr. Stokes parents arrived yet?"

Catherine stood to answer, "No, is Nick alive?"

"I really need to talk to his next of kin."

Catherine felt a knot form in her stomach.

"Oh, God. He's dead isn't he?"

"No, but he is in grave condition. I need permission to get the bullet. It is lodged very near his spine and removing it poses some severe risks."

"His parents should be here in about thirty minutes."

"We don't have that long to wait."

"Well, then get it out. I know that is what they would say."

Just then Nick's mom and dad walked into the waiting room. Catherine was relieved to see them.

"These are his parents. Hello Judge Stokes, Mrs. Stokes, I'm Catherine Willows. I called you about Nick."

Judge Stokes took charge, "How is my son?"

"He is alive at the moment. He is in grave condition. The bullet it lodged near his spine. There is a risk of paralysis if we take it out. If we leave it, it will move and at the very least paralyze him. If it moves too far it could kill him. I need your permission to go in and remove it. There are risks either way. The choice is yours to make."

"If you leave it, he will probably die?"

"There is a high likelihood of that, yes"

"Take the bullet."

Mrs. Stokes had a question, "What are his chances?"

"They are better if we remove the bullet than if we leave it there."

Mrs. Stokes resigned herself to the fact that it was what had to be done.

"Let us know what happens as soon as you can. Thank you Doctor."

"I let you know as soon as I can."

The doctor turned to go back in. Nick's parents turned to each other and then to Catherine.

Judge Stokes wanted to know the details. It was his nature.

"What happened?" he barked.

Catherine explained, "Nick was shot by a suspect at a scene. The police thought the scene was clear but the suspect was hidden under the bed and when Nick went in to work the room, he was shot in the chest. We have the suspect in custody. That's all I really know right now."

Mrs. Stokes hugged Catherine, "Thank you for calling us."

Nick took after his mother. He was a nurturer. He always made sure everyone else was taken care of. He favored her also.

There was nothing to do but wait. Four hours later the Doctor returned to the waiting room.

"Mr. and Mrs. Stokes, Nick is alive. He came through the surgery well. He's strong. We won't know much else for a while. He is not out of the woods yet, but he's over the first hurdle. You can see him in a little while. He'll be in intensive care. As soon as he is settled in someone will come get you.

"Thank you." It was all the Judge could manage.

"Would you like some coffee or something?"

Mrs. Stokes answered gratefully, "That would be great. Thanks."

"I'll go get it."

She couldn't stand to be there anymore. Just then Warrick walked in and saw Catherine. She went up to him and hugged him. She was glad to have a friendly face and someone she to lean on.

"How's Nick?"

"He came through the surgery, but he is still in danger."

"Have you heard from Grissom and Sara yet?"

"They're on their way back. Right now they're somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. Grissom said that he'd call when they got to Houston. He should be there in a few hours."

"He'll be fine. Hey, it's Nicky, he'll be fine. Bet you twenty bucks"

Catherine laughed and hugged Warrick.

"I'm so glad you are here. I was going to get coffee for Nick's parents, want to come along?"

"Sure."

They went to get the coffee and brought it back to the waiting room. About an hour later, the nurse came in and said that Nick was in his room and that his parents can go in to see him. He is not awake and won't be awake for some time. They disappear into the room to see their son.

Warrick was waiting for Grissom and Sara to get off the plane. He saw them finally.

"Grissom, Sara, over here."

Sara hugged Warrick.

"How is Nick?"

"He's stable but critical."

Grissom asked, "What the hell happened? Why wasn't that room cleared before Nick was allowed to go in?"

"It was. We actually think that the suspect was hiding in a secret room we found and Nick surprised him."

Grissom sighed, "Let's get our luggage and head to the hospital."

They got their luggage and took it home. Lindsey was there with the baby.

Vanessa saw her mom and dad.

"Momma!! Daddy!!" She toddles over to them.

"Hi, baby. Mommy missed you." Sara scooped her up and hugged her.

Vanessa wiggled away to see her daddy.

"Daddy!! Want Daddy."

Grissom held his daughter.

"Come here baby. Daddy missed you too. Daddy brought you a butterfly."

Grissom pulled out the stuffed butterfly he bought her in Brazil. She loved it.

Vanessa said, "Nessa's bufly"

"That's right. Nessa's butterfly."

Sara was amazed by her daughter, "She's grown a foot since we left."

Grissom chimed in, "Not possible. We were only gone 10 days."

Sara put her hands out, "I missed you Vanessa."

Vanessa went to her mother, "Mommy, up."

Sara knew she couldn't go to the hospital now. She needed to be with her daughter.

"Gil, you go to the hospital. I will meet you there in a little while. Call if anything changes."

Grissom understood, "OK."

"Once she is down for the night I'll join you guys, if Lindsey can stay."

"Sure, Sara, I'll stay with her."

Grissom thanked her, "Thanks, Lindsey. I remember you when you were her age and look at you know."

"Bye, Gil. Call if anything changes. I'll bring some dinner for everyone when I come."

Grissom and Warrick headed to the hospital.

They arrived and headed to Nick's room. Catherine was waiting outside the door. She hugged Grissom when he walked up.

"Gil! Thank God you're here."

"How is he?"

"The same. His mom and dad are in there now."

"Sara is coming later. She needed to stay with Vanessa for a while. Lindsey is going to stay with her after she goes to bed. Lindsey is a great kid Cath."

"Thanks."

"I'm going to go see Nick and his parents now."

Grissom entered the room. Nick was unconscious and his mom and dad are sitting in chairs.

Judge Stokes was surprised, "Mr. Grissom. They said you were in Brazil."

"We flew back when we heard what happened. I'm so sorry."

Mrs. Stokes hugged him, "Thank you. I know it will mean a lot to Nicky."

"Has there been any change?"

Mrs. Stokes answered, "No, he is about the same."

Grissom answered from experience, "Keep thinking positive thoughts. He is strong."

Nick began to stir in his bed.

Mrs. Stokes turned to her son, "Nicky...It's Mom. Can you hear me?"

"Mom?"

"Nick...how are you?"

"I've been better."

"Dad's here."

"Cisco, hi"

"Hey Pancho."

Grissom decided to let the family talk.

"I'll leave you alone for a while."

Nick called out, "Grissom, is that you?"

"Yeah, Nick, it's me."

"I thought you were in Brazil."

"We came back when we heard."

"Thanks."

"I'm going to let you talk to your mom and dad now. I'll see you later."

"Bye."

Grissom went out to the waiting room and told the other that Nick was awake.

Catherine felt a wave of relief.

"Oh, thank God."

Warrick added, "That's great news."

"I need to call Sara."

Grissom called Sara and let her know that Nick was awake.

"I am so relived. Do you all need anything win I come? Food, coffee?"

"That would be great. Thanks, Dear."

A/N Ok we hare going to change focus just a bit. There will still be lots of GSR, but I am adding a shout out to Nick in here a bit. Hey, it's my story and I can. Please read and leave a comment. I will even add some smut if you ask for it.