XXX - SLEEPOVER
"We don't have a lot to do right now," Grissom walked into the breakroom and glanced at Warrick, who had just poured another coffee. "Nick and I can handle the body identification; Sara's going to run the prints we pulled from the butcher's blade we found with the body. Why don't you go home, Warrick?"
Warrick looked up at Grissom and smiled, "Really?"
"Yeah. I'll buzz you if I need you, but there's no point in all of us pulling doubles. I've already told Catherine to go home. You might want to tell Katie the news."
Warrick grinned, "Thanks, Grissom. I'm beat."
"Make sure you rest, then. You helping move Alli into Greg's old apartment today?"
"That's the plan. You going to be there?"
"Depends on what time I get to leave. Catherine's going - taking Lyndsey. You might want to take Katie and Nancy."
"Will do," Warrick yawned widely, "thanks Griss."
* * * * *
"Blueberry pancakes!" Nick practically chortled. The smell had preceded Alli into the lab, and Nick was in heaven. "A girl after my own heart!"
Alli grinned at him, "A promise is a promise - extra syrup on the side, and I brought a double order because I thought you might like to share with Sara."
"You hear that, Sar - food."
Sara rolled her eyes, "Didn't any one ever warn you not to feed the wild animals?" She smiled at Alli before bending back to the task at hand. "And all that sugar? He'll be bouncing off the walls!"
Nick leered at Sara. "Lucky you!" he teased.
Alli started laughing, "Do you two always bicker like this?"
"For them, it's foreplay," Greg interjected. Nick snorted in agreement and winked at Sara, who was trying not to blush. "So - what time are we going to help Alli move into my apartment?"
Nick shrugged, "I don't know who long we'll be here, so - let's say 3:00?"
Greg looked at Alli, who nodded. "Three's good. So, Alli - want us to meet you at Doc Robbins, or do you want to meet us at Nick's?"
Alli shrugged, "I don't know - whatever's easiest. C'mon. I'll take you home."
Nick was already halfway through his pancakes, "See you two later! Sar - if you want some of this, you better get over here. I'm a hungry man."
* * * * *
Vincent sighed in exasperation when Grissom stuck his head in the lab for the fifth time in less than 20 minutes. "Got those results for me yet, Vincent?"
"Grissom, I told you I'd page you. I don't have a lot to work with here, and Ecklie's got me running a ton of samples. You should have made Greg stick around."
"Greg shouldn't even be working yet - he's still recovering from surgery," Grissom returned, trying not to let his exasperation show. It wasn't Vincent's fault that he wasn't half the lab tech Greg was. "Just do your best, okay? I just need confirmation on the blood and the marrow. We can get dental ID to make sure this is the guy we think it is." He looked at his watch, "Got a time frame for me?"
"Another couple of hours," Vincent muttered.
"Okay. If I leave you alone, will you promise to have the results on my desk when shift starts again tonight?"
"Grissom, if you leave me alone for the rest of the day - I'll have it there for you."
"Fine then. I'm heading out."
* * * * *
"I've got a print match," Sara grinned as Grissom walked into the lab. "Enoch was all over this blade."
Grissom smiled, "He screwed up. First murder. Didn't plan it well enough - not like the others. This is good news."
"You got a confirmation on the DNA yet?" Nick asked.
Grissom sighed, "Not yet, but we all know it's Eric. Vincent promised to have the results on my desk later today. I think you two have done enough for now as well - head on out. We'll go over this all tonight."
"You going to talk to Mr. Winters again?"
Grissom nodded grimly, "I want to see the look on his face when he realizes we've nailed him. Brass has him stewing in an isolation cell, so I'm sure Enoch will be in a great mood tonight."
Nick grinned at this, "He's a sick bastard. He deserves whatever he gets."
* * * * *
Warrick took an appreciative sniff when he walked into his apartment - Katie had obviously been cooking, and the aroma of hot coffee, bacon and eggs was almost more than he could take. Warrick was starving.
Sticking his head into the kitchen, he smiled. Nancy was sitting at the kitchen table, still in her pajamas, and Katie was flipping eggs. He realized she was wearing one of his old t-shirts as a nightgown, and it hung almost to her knees. Neither had heard him come in, and Warrick admired the homey scene before him before clearing his throat.
"What - no one's talking to me this morning?"
"Warrick!" Nancy bounced out of her chair and ran to him, "Katie said you weren't coming home until later this morning!"
Warrick smiled and hunkered down to hug the little girl, "That's what I told her when I called earlier - thought I was going to be working late, but my boss told me to come home."
Nancy grinned at him, "I'm coloring. Wanna see?" She pulled on his hand as she led him to the kitchen table, pointing at her artwork. Warrick admired the various crayon drawings she displayed, smiling at Katie when she handed him a plate of bacon and eggs.
"Hi," she smiled at him shyly.
"Hi," he responded. "This looks fantastic - but isn't it yours? You didn't even know I was going to be here."
"I'll make some more," she responded, blushing when he reached over and fingered the frayed color of his shirt, his strong fingers brushing lightly against her neck.
"This looks nice on you," he murmured, "you should wear it every night."
"I didn't have any more clean clothes - I hope you don't mind. I threw all our stuff in the wash this morning."
Warrick grinned, "Why would I mind?" He slid into an empty seat across from Nancy and started eating his breakfast. "I got some good news today."
Katie looked at him over her shoulder as she cracked an egg into the frying pan, "Good news would be nice, for a change."
"We're pretty sure we have Enoch. Brass says you no longer need to go to a safe house."
Nancy looked up from her pictures, "We hafta leave?" She looked like she was going to cry.
"No - not anymore," Warrick responded gently. He looked at Katie, who was just standing there staring at him. "Cat got your tongue?"
"They got Enoch?" her voice wavered a little bit, and her eyes flooded with tears.
Warrick nodded gently, "He's been arrested. Nancy, do you want to color in the living room? I need to talk to your sister privately."
The little girl nodded, "Is it about us leaving?"
Warrick shook his head, "No - I promise, you don't need to leave. I just need to talk to Katie about some - grown-up stuff, 'kay?" He smiled indulgently as Nancy nodded and gathered her crayons and paper, carrying it into the living room carefully. Katie was just finishing her eggs, and Warrick slid a couple of pieces of bacon from his plate to hers, motioning for her to sit down. They ate in silence for a few minutes, before Katie looked up from her plate.
"Do you really want us to stay with you?"
"Where else would you go?" Warrick responded. "You need someone to help you get back on your feet, and I'm offering. I care about you, Katie - you and Nancy. I think you've both had enough upheaval in recent days without having to stress about where you're going to live and how you're going to survive."
Katie hung her head miserably, "Everyone is always taking care of us. I'm grateful, Warrick- but I'm so ashamed. We can't live here indefinitely."
Warrick smiled at her gently, "That's why I think I need a bigger apartment."
When Katie shot a look at him, he grinned, "Katie - what's so wrong with staying here? Enroll Nancy in a normal school - we can do that tomorrow if you want. I've already spoken to the DA about getting the stuff you had to leave behind at the commune. Hell - we might even be able to get some of your money back. In the meantime, regroup here. No pressure.
"What did you do before your parents died? School? Job - what?"
Katie smiled timidly, "I'm an accredited Early Education Specialist - I worked for a daycare center."
"See - if you want to, go back to work doing that. There's tons of daycare centers around Las Vegas. It wouldn't take you long to find a job."
"And you - you - wouldn't mind? If I worked and we stayed here? I'd help with the rent, and the bills. I wouldn't want to be a mooch."
"Why would I mind if you worked? You're an adult. Do what makes you happy. If you feel the need to contribute towards the rent, fine. But wait till you get a job first, and get some money saved."
"But you would need to move into a bigger apartment."
"Planning on doing it anyway. Having you and Nancy with me just gives me the push I need." Warrick reached across the table and took Katie's hand gently in his own. "Look at me Katie."
When she did, he smiled, "I want you to stay with me. I won't beg; but I'll ask. It's up to you - if you feel you can't, then you can't. I won't push you into doing anything you don't want. But I do want you to stay."
Katie covered his hand with her other free one, marveling at this gentle man before her, "We'll stay, then. Thank you, Warrick."
* * * * *
Nick grinned at Sara when they pulled into his parking lot. "Looks like Alli's still here."
"I like her."
"So do I."
"She's good for Greg."
Nick nodded absently as he opened the front door, calling out in a false falsetto, "Honey, we're home!"
D-NA skittered towards Sara as fast as her little legs would carry her, wrapping herself around Sara's ankles and purring loudly. Sara scooped her up happily, "Hey puss-puss! Miss me?"
Alli and Greg were sitting on the sofa, drinking coffee. Greg grinned when he saw them, "I thought you guys had pulled a double?"
Nick shrugged, "Griss let us go early. Vincent can't get the lab work done fast enough, and there was no point in standing around waiting. Is there still some coffee in the pot?"
Greg nodded absently, turning back to the TV. "Hope you don't mind, but I mentioned to Alli you had School House Rocks on DVD and she wanted to see it."
Alli grinned at Nick and Sara, "I loved School House Rocks when I was a kid - `My Hero Zero' was my favorite song when I was 6."
Greg rolled his eyes and smacked her with a throw pillow, "How can I convince you that 'Lolly, Lolly, Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here' is the best one?"
"You can't, Greg - so don't even try."
Sara laughed as she walked into the kitchen, hollering over her shoulder - "As someone just introduced to the wonder of School House Rocks, I'd have to say either 'Three is a Magic Number', 'Verb - That's What's Happening' or 'Dem Bones, Dem Bones, Dem Dry Bones' are the best."
Nick snorted at the last one, "Go figure, eh?" He smiled when Sara handed him a coffee and sank down into the loveseat beside him. "Me? I like them all."
The four watched in silence for a few minutes, before Nick sighed. "I'm tired. Gotta grab some zzz's before Alli makes us slog her stuff to Greg's apartment like the peons we are." He winked at Alli as he stood, before frowning into his coffee cup. "Maybe coffee before bedtime isn't the greatest idea."
"Coffee's always a good idea," Sara rebutted as she held out her hand for Nick to pull her to her feet. "See you guys later."
* * * * *
The ringing of his cell phone woke Warrick up. He had collapsed not long after breakfast, after making Katie promise to wake him up at 2:30 so he could get ready to help Alli move before work. Grumbling, he looked at his watch - it was almost 2:30 now - and answered his phone.
"'Lo?"
"Warrick - that you?" Catherine's chipper voice echoed loudly in his ear. "Did I wake you?"
Warrick grunted, and Catherine started laughing. "Listen, my sister is taking Lyndsey for a sleepover tonight, and Lyndsey asked if she could invite a friend. She wants to know if Nancy would like to have a sleepover with her. Warrick? You listening to me?"
Warrick sighed, "Yeah - Cath. Hold on just a second." Standing, he quickly pulled on a pair of ratty old shorts, "I'll go find Katie."
Catherine chattered about the move as Warrick moved down the hallway. Katie and Nancy were playing Old Maid, and the CD player was playing softly in the background. Warrick smiled at them, "Just a minute, Cath - let me ask. Katie - Catherine wants to know if Nancy would like to have a sleepover with Lyndsey at her sister's house tonight. You catch all that?" he teased.
Nancy was bouncing in her seat, "Please, can I? Please, please, please? I never had a sleepover before?"
Katie bit her lip, "Do you know Catherine's sister?"
Warrick nodded, "Great lady. Lyndsey adores her. Nothing to worry about." At Katie's reluctant nod, he turned back to the phone, "Katie's a little nervous about it, but she says okay. Nancy is bouncing off the walls. How we gonna do this?"
"I'm dropping Lynds off on my way to work, so I can take Nancy with us from Greg's apartment. Greg just called - we're meeting at Nick and Sara's at 3:00."
"'Kay - sounds good. See you soon then."
"Warrick - Grissom wants me to remind you that it's your night off," Cath interjected before Warrick could hang up. "You can thank me later."
_____________ ____________
Author's Note: Busy. Really busy. That's my only excuse. Please R&R - only a bit more to go!
"We don't have a lot to do right now," Grissom walked into the breakroom and glanced at Warrick, who had just poured another coffee. "Nick and I can handle the body identification; Sara's going to run the prints we pulled from the butcher's blade we found with the body. Why don't you go home, Warrick?"
Warrick looked up at Grissom and smiled, "Really?"
"Yeah. I'll buzz you if I need you, but there's no point in all of us pulling doubles. I've already told Catherine to go home. You might want to tell Katie the news."
Warrick grinned, "Thanks, Grissom. I'm beat."
"Make sure you rest, then. You helping move Alli into Greg's old apartment today?"
"That's the plan. You going to be there?"
"Depends on what time I get to leave. Catherine's going - taking Lyndsey. You might want to take Katie and Nancy."
"Will do," Warrick yawned widely, "thanks Griss."
* * * * *
"Blueberry pancakes!" Nick practically chortled. The smell had preceded Alli into the lab, and Nick was in heaven. "A girl after my own heart!"
Alli grinned at him, "A promise is a promise - extra syrup on the side, and I brought a double order because I thought you might like to share with Sara."
"You hear that, Sar - food."
Sara rolled her eyes, "Didn't any one ever warn you not to feed the wild animals?" She smiled at Alli before bending back to the task at hand. "And all that sugar? He'll be bouncing off the walls!"
Nick leered at Sara. "Lucky you!" he teased.
Alli started laughing, "Do you two always bicker like this?"
"For them, it's foreplay," Greg interjected. Nick snorted in agreement and winked at Sara, who was trying not to blush. "So - what time are we going to help Alli move into my apartment?"
Nick shrugged, "I don't know who long we'll be here, so - let's say 3:00?"
Greg looked at Alli, who nodded. "Three's good. So, Alli - want us to meet you at Doc Robbins, or do you want to meet us at Nick's?"
Alli shrugged, "I don't know - whatever's easiest. C'mon. I'll take you home."
Nick was already halfway through his pancakes, "See you two later! Sar - if you want some of this, you better get over here. I'm a hungry man."
* * * * *
Vincent sighed in exasperation when Grissom stuck his head in the lab for the fifth time in less than 20 minutes. "Got those results for me yet, Vincent?"
"Grissom, I told you I'd page you. I don't have a lot to work with here, and Ecklie's got me running a ton of samples. You should have made Greg stick around."
"Greg shouldn't even be working yet - he's still recovering from surgery," Grissom returned, trying not to let his exasperation show. It wasn't Vincent's fault that he wasn't half the lab tech Greg was. "Just do your best, okay? I just need confirmation on the blood and the marrow. We can get dental ID to make sure this is the guy we think it is." He looked at his watch, "Got a time frame for me?"
"Another couple of hours," Vincent muttered.
"Okay. If I leave you alone, will you promise to have the results on my desk when shift starts again tonight?"
"Grissom, if you leave me alone for the rest of the day - I'll have it there for you."
"Fine then. I'm heading out."
* * * * *
"I've got a print match," Sara grinned as Grissom walked into the lab. "Enoch was all over this blade."
Grissom smiled, "He screwed up. First murder. Didn't plan it well enough - not like the others. This is good news."
"You got a confirmation on the DNA yet?" Nick asked.
Grissom sighed, "Not yet, but we all know it's Eric. Vincent promised to have the results on my desk later today. I think you two have done enough for now as well - head on out. We'll go over this all tonight."
"You going to talk to Mr. Winters again?"
Grissom nodded grimly, "I want to see the look on his face when he realizes we've nailed him. Brass has him stewing in an isolation cell, so I'm sure Enoch will be in a great mood tonight."
Nick grinned at this, "He's a sick bastard. He deserves whatever he gets."
* * * * *
Warrick took an appreciative sniff when he walked into his apartment - Katie had obviously been cooking, and the aroma of hot coffee, bacon and eggs was almost more than he could take. Warrick was starving.
Sticking his head into the kitchen, he smiled. Nancy was sitting at the kitchen table, still in her pajamas, and Katie was flipping eggs. He realized she was wearing one of his old t-shirts as a nightgown, and it hung almost to her knees. Neither had heard him come in, and Warrick admired the homey scene before him before clearing his throat.
"What - no one's talking to me this morning?"
"Warrick!" Nancy bounced out of her chair and ran to him, "Katie said you weren't coming home until later this morning!"
Warrick smiled and hunkered down to hug the little girl, "That's what I told her when I called earlier - thought I was going to be working late, but my boss told me to come home."
Nancy grinned at him, "I'm coloring. Wanna see?" She pulled on his hand as she led him to the kitchen table, pointing at her artwork. Warrick admired the various crayon drawings she displayed, smiling at Katie when she handed him a plate of bacon and eggs.
"Hi," she smiled at him shyly.
"Hi," he responded. "This looks fantastic - but isn't it yours? You didn't even know I was going to be here."
"I'll make some more," she responded, blushing when he reached over and fingered the frayed color of his shirt, his strong fingers brushing lightly against her neck.
"This looks nice on you," he murmured, "you should wear it every night."
"I didn't have any more clean clothes - I hope you don't mind. I threw all our stuff in the wash this morning."
Warrick grinned, "Why would I mind?" He slid into an empty seat across from Nancy and started eating his breakfast. "I got some good news today."
Katie looked at him over her shoulder as she cracked an egg into the frying pan, "Good news would be nice, for a change."
"We're pretty sure we have Enoch. Brass says you no longer need to go to a safe house."
Nancy looked up from her pictures, "We hafta leave?" She looked like she was going to cry.
"No - not anymore," Warrick responded gently. He looked at Katie, who was just standing there staring at him. "Cat got your tongue?"
"They got Enoch?" her voice wavered a little bit, and her eyes flooded with tears.
Warrick nodded gently, "He's been arrested. Nancy, do you want to color in the living room? I need to talk to your sister privately."
The little girl nodded, "Is it about us leaving?"
Warrick shook his head, "No - I promise, you don't need to leave. I just need to talk to Katie about some - grown-up stuff, 'kay?" He smiled indulgently as Nancy nodded and gathered her crayons and paper, carrying it into the living room carefully. Katie was just finishing her eggs, and Warrick slid a couple of pieces of bacon from his plate to hers, motioning for her to sit down. They ate in silence for a few minutes, before Katie looked up from her plate.
"Do you really want us to stay with you?"
"Where else would you go?" Warrick responded. "You need someone to help you get back on your feet, and I'm offering. I care about you, Katie - you and Nancy. I think you've both had enough upheaval in recent days without having to stress about where you're going to live and how you're going to survive."
Katie hung her head miserably, "Everyone is always taking care of us. I'm grateful, Warrick- but I'm so ashamed. We can't live here indefinitely."
Warrick smiled at her gently, "That's why I think I need a bigger apartment."
When Katie shot a look at him, he grinned, "Katie - what's so wrong with staying here? Enroll Nancy in a normal school - we can do that tomorrow if you want. I've already spoken to the DA about getting the stuff you had to leave behind at the commune. Hell - we might even be able to get some of your money back. In the meantime, regroup here. No pressure.
"What did you do before your parents died? School? Job - what?"
Katie smiled timidly, "I'm an accredited Early Education Specialist - I worked for a daycare center."
"See - if you want to, go back to work doing that. There's tons of daycare centers around Las Vegas. It wouldn't take you long to find a job."
"And you - you - wouldn't mind? If I worked and we stayed here? I'd help with the rent, and the bills. I wouldn't want to be a mooch."
"Why would I mind if you worked? You're an adult. Do what makes you happy. If you feel the need to contribute towards the rent, fine. But wait till you get a job first, and get some money saved."
"But you would need to move into a bigger apartment."
"Planning on doing it anyway. Having you and Nancy with me just gives me the push I need." Warrick reached across the table and took Katie's hand gently in his own. "Look at me Katie."
When she did, he smiled, "I want you to stay with me. I won't beg; but I'll ask. It's up to you - if you feel you can't, then you can't. I won't push you into doing anything you don't want. But I do want you to stay."
Katie covered his hand with her other free one, marveling at this gentle man before her, "We'll stay, then. Thank you, Warrick."
* * * * *
Nick grinned at Sara when they pulled into his parking lot. "Looks like Alli's still here."
"I like her."
"So do I."
"She's good for Greg."
Nick nodded absently as he opened the front door, calling out in a false falsetto, "Honey, we're home!"
D-NA skittered towards Sara as fast as her little legs would carry her, wrapping herself around Sara's ankles and purring loudly. Sara scooped her up happily, "Hey puss-puss! Miss me?"
Alli and Greg were sitting on the sofa, drinking coffee. Greg grinned when he saw them, "I thought you guys had pulled a double?"
Nick shrugged, "Griss let us go early. Vincent can't get the lab work done fast enough, and there was no point in standing around waiting. Is there still some coffee in the pot?"
Greg nodded absently, turning back to the TV. "Hope you don't mind, but I mentioned to Alli you had School House Rocks on DVD and she wanted to see it."
Alli grinned at Nick and Sara, "I loved School House Rocks when I was a kid - `My Hero Zero' was my favorite song when I was 6."
Greg rolled his eyes and smacked her with a throw pillow, "How can I convince you that 'Lolly, Lolly, Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here' is the best one?"
"You can't, Greg - so don't even try."
Sara laughed as she walked into the kitchen, hollering over her shoulder - "As someone just introduced to the wonder of School House Rocks, I'd have to say either 'Three is a Magic Number', 'Verb - That's What's Happening' or 'Dem Bones, Dem Bones, Dem Dry Bones' are the best."
Nick snorted at the last one, "Go figure, eh?" He smiled when Sara handed him a coffee and sank down into the loveseat beside him. "Me? I like them all."
The four watched in silence for a few minutes, before Nick sighed. "I'm tired. Gotta grab some zzz's before Alli makes us slog her stuff to Greg's apartment like the peons we are." He winked at Alli as he stood, before frowning into his coffee cup. "Maybe coffee before bedtime isn't the greatest idea."
"Coffee's always a good idea," Sara rebutted as she held out her hand for Nick to pull her to her feet. "See you guys later."
* * * * *
The ringing of his cell phone woke Warrick up. He had collapsed not long after breakfast, after making Katie promise to wake him up at 2:30 so he could get ready to help Alli move before work. Grumbling, he looked at his watch - it was almost 2:30 now - and answered his phone.
"'Lo?"
"Warrick - that you?" Catherine's chipper voice echoed loudly in his ear. "Did I wake you?"
Warrick grunted, and Catherine started laughing. "Listen, my sister is taking Lyndsey for a sleepover tonight, and Lyndsey asked if she could invite a friend. She wants to know if Nancy would like to have a sleepover with her. Warrick? You listening to me?"
Warrick sighed, "Yeah - Cath. Hold on just a second." Standing, he quickly pulled on a pair of ratty old shorts, "I'll go find Katie."
Catherine chattered about the move as Warrick moved down the hallway. Katie and Nancy were playing Old Maid, and the CD player was playing softly in the background. Warrick smiled at them, "Just a minute, Cath - let me ask. Katie - Catherine wants to know if Nancy would like to have a sleepover with Lyndsey at her sister's house tonight. You catch all that?" he teased.
Nancy was bouncing in her seat, "Please, can I? Please, please, please? I never had a sleepover before?"
Katie bit her lip, "Do you know Catherine's sister?"
Warrick nodded, "Great lady. Lyndsey adores her. Nothing to worry about." At Katie's reluctant nod, he turned back to the phone, "Katie's a little nervous about it, but she says okay. Nancy is bouncing off the walls. How we gonna do this?"
"I'm dropping Lynds off on my way to work, so I can take Nancy with us from Greg's apartment. Greg just called - we're meeting at Nick and Sara's at 3:00."
"'Kay - sounds good. See you soon then."
"Warrick - Grissom wants me to remind you that it's your night off," Cath interjected before Warrick could hang up. "You can thank me later."
_____________ ____________
Author's Note: Busy. Really busy. That's my only excuse. Please R&R - only a bit more to go!