Hola peeps! Thank y'all soooo much for the reviews.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING NOTE:

Note – In writing this chapter I found a couple of inconsistencies with my writing, which I HATE so I am VERY SORRY for it. Robert was at one stage described to be 30 and later on to be nine years older than Nick. That would make him twenty five. So, I've swapped round Robert's age with Lily, making him 25 and her thirty. Also, Katie being the name of Nick's sister and Greg's cousin was on purpose, but the fact of Lily being the name of Warrick's grandmother and Nick's sister was not so I've changed Nick's sister's name to LIVY instead. Also my maths was terrible, and I also named Catherine's mom Lily. So just to make everything easier –

Lily Flynn – Catherine's mom

Elizabeth Brown – Warrick's grandmother

Olivia 'Livy' Stokes – Nick's sister

Note Two – if long lists of names bore you feel free to skip them.

Stokes Siblings

Joanne – husband (Neil) – kids – Hailee, Jordan, Chase, Cory, Madi, Casey

Robert – wife (May) – Kids – Bethy, Joey

Katie – husband (Ted) –kids – Cora, Marco, Rory

Livy - pregnant - kid – Melissa

They come and go but may come back later :-)

Probs loads of mistakes but I want to update tonight so no time to proof read. I'm sorry.

Hopefully last part is best, hope its not too bad.

Read. Enjoy (if possible). Review.

Chapter Thirty Six # Christmas Surprise #

"Nicholas James Stokes, come here right now!"

Nick's head snapped up to look at Rosa who was standing on the other side of the kitchen.

"What's wrong, Rosa?"

"Here. Now!" Rosa clicked her fingers and pointed at the floor.

Confused, Nick walked over and Rosa instantly put her hands on his shoulders. "What's wrong, Rosa?"

"What are you trying to hide, Nicholas?"

Nick blinked. "What?"

"Nick, I've known you longer than you've known you. What's wrong with you? You're jittery all the time, you're not yourself at all."

"What do you mean, I'm fine!" Nick protested. Hadn't he been hiding it well enough?

"You jump every time the phone or the doorbell rings, you're quiet all the time, if you're not out with your friends then you're locked in your room..."

"I'm fine Rosa. I'm just...tired." Nick flashed a grin at Rosa.

"I don't believe you." She folded her arms.

"Rosa-"

"No, Nick. It's like you were after the mugging. The only other time you have acted anything like this is when I got back from Mexico when you were nine years old. I'm worried, Nick."

Nick bit his lip. He wanted to tell Rosa. God, he wanted to tell Rosa. He wanted her to hold him like she did when he was a small child, to tell him that everything would be okay, that she'd keep the Johnson's away from him. But he couldn't tell her. He couldn't.

"I'm fine. I just...I'm worried about Muse; he's been acting all funny lately."

Rosa frowned. "Like what?"

"Oh, he's been jumpy and skittish..." Nick shrugged.

"Are you sure he's not just copying you?"

Nick scoffed. "Of course not."

"Nicky..." Rosa frowned.

"Let's just decorate, please?" Nick grinned.

Rosa sighed. "Fine."

CSIVCSIVCSIV

"Nicky!" Rosa yelled. "Your sister's here!"

"Which one?" Nick yelled back.

*"¡No esté tan grosero, consiga su culo aquí abajo ahora mismo!" Rosa called back. "Oh, my mistake, it's your brother."

Nick rolled his eyes. "I'm coming!" he pounded down the stairs and pulled open the door. It was about five pm Christmas Eve, and the Stokes siblings and other families were all about to arrive.

"Nicky!" Robert Stokes grinned, hugging his younger brother and ruffling up his hair. "Merry Christmas."

"Robbie!" Nick protested. "Get off me!"

Robbie just laughed, manoeuvring him into a headlock and messing up his hair even more.

"Robert, leave him alone." May, Robbie's wife and mother of four year old twins Bethy and Joey, spoke up for Nick.

"Thank you." Nick grinned, hugging her as Robbie let go. "Hey guys."

"Hey Nicky." The twins sang in sync, hugging him. As the youngest sibling, Nick didn't often get called 'uncle'.

The next car to drive up contained Tali, Ziva, Warrick and Lily, his grandmother. Ziva and Tali's mom Orah was driving.

"Hi guys." Nick grinned, hugging Tali and fist bumping Warrick. "Come in, come in."

Nick was talking to Warrick a few minutes later when the doorbell rang again.

"...and so then the girl follows the guy-"

"Are you serious?" Nick laughed. "Could you be more stupid, even in a movie?"

"I don't know, man..." Warrick followed Nick to the door as he opened it for a teenage girl with curly dirty blonde hair that cascaded down her back to her waist. She had a short denim skirt on matched with a Vampire Weekend t-shirt, a black leather jacket and Doc Martens, and a girl of about five with the same hair and pretty blue green eyes on her hip.

"Hi Hailee." Nick grinned, hugging the girl before taking the five year old off of her hip.

"Nicky!"

"Hey Madi." Nick grinned. "You're looking pretty today."

"Thanks!" the girl grinned. "Mommy's still in the car, Chase got sick."

"No I didn't!" A boy about eight years old scowled, running up to the door.

"Okay, enough, both of you." Hailee rolled her eyes.

A couple of other boys walked up, ten year old Jordan and six and a half year old Cody. They were followed by a man and a woman with a two year old and Nick introduced them to Warrick as Joanne, his oldest sister, Neil her husband and their youngest daughter Casey.

Shortly after Ryan, Emily, Anna and Oliver Wolfe arrived, followed by Morgan, her mom and step-dad Jerry.

Then Nick's sister Lily arrived, eight and a half months pregnant, with her five year old daughter Melissa. She was the only Stokes girl, bar MJ, without a husband. She merrily explained to Catherine how her boyfriend had skipped out on her as soon as she told him, and saying that it was the best thing that he'd ever done for her. After that Greg, Elise and Andrew turned up with Archie and his parents.

Ethan had invited Eric Delko, Don Flack, Jesse Cardoza and Tony DiNozzo. Tony was next to arrive along with Catherine and her mom, one of MJ's guests. The other friends of Mary-Jane's to turn up were Calleigh Duquesne, Jessica Angell, Kate Todd and Natalia Boa Vista, all of whom came with parents and siblings.

Nick's sister Katie was next to arrive with her husband Ted and her three kids Cora, Marco and Rory. Finally, Sara and her parents entered the house with Tyler.

The conversation in the living room fell to a natural hush which unfortunately coincided with the Sidle's entrance.

Greg cocked his head slightly when Tyler walked in. It was only the second time he had ever seen Sara's brother, the first being only minutes before the car crash. Sara's brother shifted on his feet, his eyes on the floor. Guilt, embarrassment, awkwardness... they were all showing in Tyler's eyes.

Greg pushed himself up off of the floor and walked over. He smiled at Tyler and held out his hand. "I'm Greg."

Shocked, Tyler smiled almost shyly and shook Greg's hand. "Tyler. I'm sorry about the, uh..."

"Meh." Greg shrugged. "No problem." He turned to Nick. "Now Sara's here can we please go and play dares? Please?"

"How old are you?" Nick's niece Hailee asked in amusement.

"I'm four." Greg retorted. "Please?"

Nick shrugged. "Sure. Who's coming?"

Warrick, Ryan, Archie, Tali and Morgan all stood up, joined by Hailee, Anya Boa Vista, Jude Angell and Eddie Cardoza. Ethan and his friends were all upstairs, whereas MJ and her friends were off in a different room. Jude and Eddie were both sophomores, but they'd both chosen to stay on at their old school rather than join Atwater like their siblings.

The teens moved out into the stables and followed Nick and Sara's automatic movement towards Muse.

Nick had had some difficulty adjusting, especially so secretly, to the violation of his sanctuary, his one safe place, with the horses. Sara had helped; the two of them had come to a sort of pact. Don't tell. Keep eyes peeled. Keep each other safe.

Keep calm and carry on.

"Okay, so..." Hailee started, scratching behind Muse's ears. "What rules do y'all wanna play by?"

"Write the dares on strips of paper, stick them in a hat, pick them out one by one." Greg announced.

Hailee laughed slightly.

"What?" Greg frowned.

"You're very enthusiastic, aren't you?" she grinned.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She giggled again. "Nicky, your friends are adorable!"

Greg grinned. "Thanks."

Hailee's smile increased. "Most guys get offended if you call them adorable. Nick, I approve of your friends."

He rolled his eyes. "Your approval means so much to me, little niece."

"Hey, I'm only six months younger!"

"You're still my niece."

"Anyway." Morgan interrupted with an amused grin. "Let's play."

About half an hour later after thinking up a load of dares, they started to play.

Morgan was first to pull out a piece of paper. "Ride around the main arena as fast as you can on Dead by April. I can't ride!"

"I'll help you." Nick smiled.

"Dead by April?" Morgan asked, eyeing the large horse apprehensively.

"He's a big softie." Sara smiled. "You'll be fine."

Morgan sighed. "Fine."

They traipsed out into the cold with the large black horse.

"No!" Morgan moaned as Nick mounted the horse. "He's huge!"

"Damn. My girlfriend has no sense of adventure." Greg pouted.

Morgan gasped in half mocking offense and gritted her teeth."That's it! Nick, help me up!"

She held her arms up and Nick leaned down to help her on. The horse was almost twice her size. She scrambled up and held onto Nick tightly.

"Okay, go!" She grinned, and Nick patted the horse's neck.

"Okay, DA, let's go."

Suddenly they were flying through the cold, Christmas air as Dead by April picked up more and more speed.

"Whoo!" Morgan yelled. "This is awesome!"

Nick laughed as his nerve riddled body surged with confidence and adrenalin. He was in his element. As soon as they were done, Nick slipped off, offering his arms up to Morgan.

"Ah hem!" Greg shoved him out of the way.

The others laughed as Morgan slid down into Greg's arms.

"I da man!"

"Sure Greg. If you're the man, get up on the horse and go round the arena." Nick laughed.

"Fine. I will." Greg nodded, struggling to pull himself up onto the horse.

Nick and Hailee laughed hysterically as Greg clumsily kicked his legs up and over the horse.

"Not bad for a city kid." Looking pleased with himself, Greg straightened up, before frowning. "Nick, where am I s'posed to hold on?"

"You da man, Greg." Nick grinned.

Greg smirked. "I know I am. But I don't wanna hurt him."

"You be careful or you'll lose your balance, city boy." Hailee teased.

"You won't." Sara reassured Greg, who was looking slightly less confident. "You can hold his mane."

Nick nodded at Sara with a smile as she looked at him for assurance.

"Okay." Greg nodded and entwined his fingers in the horse's mane. "Uh...okay...Let's go, DA."

The horse started to move smoothly forwards, though Greg still struggled to keep his balance.

"Hup, DA!" Nick called, and the horse began speeding up.

"You asshole!" Greg gasped as he started slipping.

"Nick, what if he falls off?" Morgan bit her lip.

"He'll be fine." Nick grinned.

"Argh!" Greg groaned, wrapping his arms around the horse's neck. Dead by April rounded the corner and started heading back to the group, but Greg slipped even further with a startled cry. By the time DA slowed to a stop in front of the group, Greg was dangling from the horse's strong neck, his legs and armed locked firmly together.

Nick reached up and stroked the horse's face, subtly keeping his hands near to Greg in case the younger boy fell.

"I...da...man..." Greg panted, easing his legs down, dangling off of the floor. He dropped to the floor. "Whew. That was kinda fun."

"Next dare?" Warrick asked.

"Sure..." Nick grinned. They played inside and out for another hour or two, before Emily ran in.

"Ryan!" she squealed, propelling herself into her big brother's lap. "Is dinner now! You all have to come. It's food time, Ryan, food, food, food!"

Halfway through the sentence she scrambled down, skipping around the room.

"She is adorable." Hailee laughed.

Emily smiled shyly. "Fank you. Are you Madi and Casey's sister?"

"Yeah, I am." Hailee smiled.

"Ryyyyyaaaaan! Let's goooooo!" Emily insisted.

They traipsed back into the main building.

"Wow. That is a long table." Sara stammered.

"Well, there are a lot of people." Nick responded. They all headed down to the end of the table.

Tony sat next to Sara and Catherine sat next to Greg, joining MJ and Ethan's friends with Nick's.

"Oh, god, this is good food." Sara murmured at dessert. "Sooo good."

"This is just Christmas eve!" Marco, one of Nick's nephews insisted. "All the moms and Rosa help on Christmas day and they cook sooo good. Then the next day the dads cook."

"We do the day after." Cora, Marco's older sister added. "It's fun!"

After dinner, the bedroom arrangements were announced. Nick and his friends were all sleeping in one bedroom above the stables, along with the others their age – Anya, Jude, Eddie, Hailee, and Samantha Flack.

They all were given sleeping bags and duvets and headed over early to the cosy room.

Anya and Ryan and Greg and Morgan both immediately took spaces near each other.

"Okay, you guys, no funny stuff." Nick teased.

"Aw, man." Anya smiled jokingly at Ryan. "We should go someplace else."

"No way, man, too much information." Warrick shook his head with a smile.

CSIVCSIVCSIV

It was the best Christmas that any of them could remember. The four days spent at Carlos' ranch were filled with laughter and music, games and food, and presents and family.

Despite some shyness on the first day, all the kids from various families got along very well, which meant a lot of tears from the younger kids when the time came to leave. Jude and Eddie agreed to keep in contact with the others, as did Hailee, despite Nick repeatedly telling Warrick to stop looking at his niece.

Greg got home at eleven o'clock four days after Christmas, happily exhausted. He started to head to his bedroom, but instead his father called him back.

"Greg?"

"Yeah?"

"I...I have something to tell you."

"Like what?" Greg asked.

His father didn't meet his eyes, instead casting his eyes to the floor. "Greg, I've been called to work."

Greg blinked. "Wh...what?"

"They're sending me to Afghanistan."

"Why?" Greg cried. "You...you said you quit, you promised that you were done with the army!"

"I know, Greg. I meant it, but my retirement wasn't supposed to be official until Boxing Day. Instead, they called me back in. My boss says once more. Just once more. One two year tour."

"Two years. Another two years without my dad." Greg gritted his teeth, tears welling in his eyes. "Oh, that's just perfect."

"Greg, I'm sorry." Andrew sighed.

"It's because he's so good at what he does." Elise whispered.

"Then screw up!" Greg cried. "You're not sorry! You love your job, more than you love us!"

"Greg, that's not true."

"Oh yeah? Prove it! Say no, just don't go." Greg dared his father.

"Do you know why I joined the army Greg?"

"No, I don't." Greg answered shortly.

"Because of your sister."

Greg blinked. "I don't have a sis-"

"No, Greg. You do." Elise swallowed.

"Wh...what?"

"Her name was...is Elle. She was born four years before you. She was taken from the playground when you were one and a half. I was told that if I served my time in the armed forces, she would be given back." Andrew ran a hand through his hair. "The police never found her. I thought...I thought it couldn't hurt. So I joined the army, did my time."

"Why? Why would someone...?"

"I don't know." Andrew took a deep breath. "But Greg..."

"That's why you were always so... but... you... You've lied to me. My whole life you've lied to me!" he cried.

"Greg, I'm just doing what I can for my family."

"But not for me. I get it." Greg fell backwards onto the stairs. "You're leaving, because you've lied. I hate you!"

Both of his parents recoiled. "Greg, I've tried-"

"I don't care! I only ever get to do what you want me to do! You don't listen to what I want. And you didn't even tell me I have a sister? I don't believe this!"

"Greg, please!" his mom begged. "Please don't-"

"Leave me alone!" Greg yelled, running out of the house.

"Greg!" his dad roared, following him out but Greg ran. He ran faster than he'd ever run before in his life, confusion and adrenalin sending his feet flying over the pavement. He could hear his dad behind him but he started pumping his arms harder, pushing his feet faster.

It felt kinda good.

He rounded the corner, and raced ahead, ducking into the dark cover of the park. He weaved through the trees until he arrived, exhausted, at the playground. He crawled into the little children's tunnel to catch his breath.

A sister?

And his dad was leaving him. Again.

A sister?

Greg got up after a minute and started walking back towards the street. As if on cue, rain spluttered from the sky, beating down with increasing strength on Greg's head. He barely felt it.

Who could he go to?

Where could he go?

"Hey, kid...you lost?"

He turned to a concerned looking man. "Oh, no, I'm just..."

"Not making trouble I hope."

"No sir, I'm just...well I'm just a little-"

"Freezing? That sweater is hardly suitable for this weather. Come in, come on." The man said, gesturing to the house he had come from.

"My mom wouldn't like it." Greg answered automatically.

"Well she'd like it even less if you died of hypothermia now, wouldn't she?"

"I guess." Oh screw it. It's mom's own fault. She shouldn't have lied.

"What's your name, kid?"

"Greg Sanders."

"Well Greg Sanders, let me get you some hot chocolate and clean clothes." The man smiled. "Have a seat."

Greg smiled and sank thankfully into a chair next to a fireplace.

"Here you go." The man said, announcing his return with a steaming mug.

Greg thanked him and sipped at the delicious drink. God, he was tired.

His eyes started feeling incredibly heavy. "Wha'...what did you say your name was, sir?"

The man smiled. "My name is Jason. Jason Johnson."

I only like the end. Not happy with this chapter but it was taking so long :-(

The reason I cut most of Christmas is that i want to use it in flashbacks. Will that work?

I'm sorry that my writing standard is so terrible, I'll try to improve, I swear!

Should I start the chapter again or is this okay?

Please review.

*Don't be so rude! Get your ass down here right now.