Ch. 42 (Allie POV! Yay!)
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Okay. I'll admit, I felt bad. Really, really bad. I actually felt sick to the pit of my stomach. This was really not what I had wanted to hear. I was happy here. Content. I began to breath harder.
"Me?" I shrieked. Victor, currently unaware of my thoughts, winked at me. I ignored him and started paying attention to the horrid feeling of dread coming over me. I actually wanted to cry. I never cry, I thought to myself.
"Yes, you! And he wants you A. S. A. P!" Victor snapped his fingers jauntily, he snapped up and took hold of my hand. "Now, will I book the ticket for today, tomorrow...actually, I booked it for two weeks from now. Now, I heard your momma and brother are currently residing over that way...at least you've got a place to stay. And haven't you just had surgery? Was it...appendectomy?"
I nodded. "Mm. I-is this, uh, permanent?"
"Oh, yes!"
"As in...for good?"
"Oh, yes! Believe me, you'll find it so much better there. The bright lights, the weather...actually..." He chuckled. "That could almost be here. So, I have spoken to Gil-"
"Grissom?"
"Yep. And he says he gives you his blessing. Horatio is desperate for you to come back. Tripping over himself to get you, in fact. Now, the ticket is on it's way. All you have to do is tie up whatever loose ends you have around here."
Loose ends? My thoughts turned to Greg which only made me want to cry even more. I couldn't possible leave Greg now...I just told him I loved him. Then there was dad...Jimmy Mead and Michelle! No. No way. "I'm sorry...I can't." I mumbled.
"What?" Victor asked, abruptly. "Did I just hear you refuse? No, no, no - my dear - you cannot! I've booked the ticket. Half your family live over there, for God's sakes! What is there to stay here for?"
"Greg..." I spoke quietly.
"Excellent!" He mis-heard me. "I'll open the champagne and you go and pack your bags." He smiled. I stood up.
"I...excuse me, please. I have something to attend to. Bye." I slipped out of the room and held my hand against my face. I felt awful! I wondered for a split second if I had a temperature or something. I walked - but it didn't feel like walking, it felt more like floating - to the locker-room. I couldn't wait for this shift to finish. I looked at my watch, tears threatening to appear. Oh, great. Five or six hours to go. Maybe I could go on the sick...no. Damn appendix.
"Hey, Allie!" Nick swanned in. I blinked double-fast.
"Hey." I tried to sound cheery but it came out sounding flat and odd. Nick opened his locker, conveniently placed next to mine.
"You okay?" He asked, shoving his jacket into the locker. I blinked again. Stupid tears. Of all places - why did I have to break down in the lab?
"Uh-huh." My voice cracked a little, causing Nick to frown.
"You sure don't sound okay." He sat next to me. Fortunately I was turned away from him. "Wanna talk about it?"
"Nuh-uh."
"Allie..." He placed a hand on my shoulder which just killed me entirely. Finally, I started to cry. I didn't want to but I could not restrain myself. Nick turned me round and faced me. He gave me a pitied smile. "Hey, hey...what's wrong?"
"I...can't...I...don't..." I stammered. Suddenly, these strange noises appeared out of nowhere. Then I realised, they were coming from me. I had somehow broken into severe sobs and Nick pulled me closer into the hug. I let my head fall onto his shoulder.
"Allie, it's alright...whatever it is, don't worry. Did something happen? Was it Sara?" Suddenly Nick pulled away, blatantly concerned. I shook my head no, not really wanting to speak. "Your brother maybe...uh...um...family member?" Again, I shook my head. "Well...is it Greg?" I shook my head but broke out into a huge mass of tears and wobblyness. I could feel myself shaking. Poor Nick. I must've worried him because he nearly killed me with the gripping hugs. "Don't worry...okay? It's okay, Allie." I pulled back and wiped my eyes. "Now...you wanna talk about it?"
"I...don't...think I - ah- can." I spoke the way distraught people talk. All hiccups and stutters. Nothing different there, huh?
"You can talk to me...now, if I close the door here..." He reached over and shut the door by pushing it. "And I hand you my jacket, cause you seem cold..." He placed his jacket around me. It was nice. Warm. Smelt like Nick, too. "Then, will you explain the tears?"
"No...I - can't..." More loud sobs. I was glad Greg was safe in the lab. I really couldn't have faced him. Or anyone.
"Alright. Take your time. Just...whenever you feel like it." He pulled me into another hug and I sat for at least half an hour just crying and hiccuping. Some people came in and left again -quicksmart. "Allie...how are you now?" Nick asked. I nodded. "That doesn't help me, Allie. You're gonna have to help me out a bit here." He ran his hand soothingly across my back. I pushed a strand of dark hair out of my eye. My eyes began to feel puffy.
"He...wants - me -to...leave!" I cried. Nick laughed.
"Allie, nobody wants you to leave." He said, smoothly. I shook my head.
"Smith - said - that - oh! Horatio...oh, Nicky!" I turned back into those stupid incoherent noises.
"Shoosh, now. Look, whatever Smith said to you, I will go now and beat him up for you." He pulled me away from him and I laughed despite everything.
"You're - so - oh - sweet!" I breathed. It took a few moments but I regained semi-composure enough to explain to Nick about Victor Smith. His face turned uberly-serious and, for a minute, I thought he was gonna cry, too.
"Allie...why are you crying?" He asked, pushing my hair away from me. I sighed.
"I don't know!" Hiccup. "It's just-" Stifled breath. "I told Greg-" Gasp. "I loved him-" Sob. "I can't leave him-" Hiccup. "Now, Nick!"
"Allie...you need to think this through. Greg won't mind, you know. I'm sure he'll be happy for you, whatever you decide."
"I- know!" I yelled. "That is the problem exactly...I love him, Nick! Yesterday I was so happy a-and now-" Gasp. "This piece of ass happens!" I raised my voice. It was as though I had no control over my own speech. Nick stood up and ran a hand through his hair.
"Okay..." He bit his lower lip for a moment before smiling a little. "I'll tell Grissom you're not feeling too good so-"
"No! No, no!" I shook my head and rubbed my face, attempting to straighten myself out. I pulled my jacket over. "It's fine...it'll all be fine, Nicky." I walked up to him and smiled. "How do I look?"
"Red. Bloodshot. Not very healthy." He raised his brows. I glared even though it stung.
"Well...I'd better go and see Grissom, then." I thumbed towards the hall. Nick nodded.
"You want me to go with you?" He asked, placing his hand on my arm.
"No, thanks." I shook my head and started to the door. "Thank you Nick." He nodded and I left. I felt decidedly better after my little, um...minor episode. I practically ran down the corridor to Grissom's office. Little did I know, he was expecting me.
A/N: So...sorry for this chapter. It's very emo! Anyways...Michelle - thank you for all the reviews. You are great ;)
Please R&R!
JauntyChick
XoX
