A/N: number 2 of the 4! Don't say I'm not good to u! I'm soory in advise for the editing, it was done very quickly!!
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Warrick opened the door, "Hunny, we're home."
Nick smiled. "We're in here." He called out from the living room
Warrick walked to the living room, "Hey, you ok Sara?"
Sara nodded, "I'm ok." She held onto Nick. "We lost Ecklie and Conrad..."
Cath walked in with Lynsey in tow and heard what Sara said. "What- what happened, how?"
"Some dumbassed cop pulled us over." She sat upright.
Nick looked over at Warrick and Cath. "I was speeding..." He looked down. "And then we reached the crossroads too late...." He sighed sadly. "I'm sorry..." he whispered
Sara looked at Nick, "It's not your fault hun."
Nick sighed unhappily. "I know... but... I mean... you know... we don't know where they are... and we could've found out... "
Warrick grabbed Nick's map of Vegas. "Well you were driving past the crossroads."
"Lynsey can I have your marker pen?" Warrick asked the little girl.
The little girl handed him a black pen. Nick looked over at Warrick, and watched him with the map.
"Mommy, why did Ecklie take Grissom?" She looked at the team in ponder.
Cath was a little taken aback by the Lynsey's question. "Well... uh... honey... I - I don't really know." she frowned. She knew Ecklie practically hated Gil.
Lynsey looked at the map, "There's where Uncle Grissom was gonna take mommy." She pointed at a small carpark and a chruch on the map.
"You're right... " Cath loked at the map.
"Church?" Warrick echoed.
Sara looked at Catherine. Cath smiled a little. Lynsey giggled.
"Maybe Ecklie knew?"
"But how would he?" Cath asked puzzled.
"It's Ecklie..." Sara looked at all of them, "Me, Nick and Greg MAY have been talking about it...."
Nick looked down.
Cath smiled, but sighed a little. "Well at least this is a start. We have an idea as to where they are."
"Call Brass?" Warrick half asked half stated.
"Can I come?" Asked Lynsey.
"Ah.. I don't think that's a good idea hun... " Cath started.
Sara looked at Nick, "You ok Nick?"
Warrick answered his own question and went to call Brass.
Nick shook himself mentally, not realizing he spaced out. "Uh.. yea... yea I'm fine..."
Brass heard the phone and answered it. "Brass."
"Brass, it's Warrick, we have info on Gil and Jan."
"Ecklie and Conrad are responsible..."
"You sure?" Brass asked. Although he didn't like Ecklie much either, he had to ask.
"Positive!"
"Alright.. i'll put an APB out on them and send a few of my guys out around to go look for them..."
"Brass you know the church outside of town... check there."
"Alright... I'll call you guys as soon as we know anything..." Brass said and then hung up, immediately sending the APB out. Warrick headed back inside.
Nick looked up at him. "What did he say?"
"Sending out an APB."
Nick nodded. "ok.. "
MEANWHILE
-----------------
Ecklie tied Gil and Jan back up. "Conrad, move!"
Conrad opened the back doors of the van and finished getting it ready. He walked back to Ecklie. "Ok.. ok.. it's ready..."
"MOVE!" He pushed Gil on his shoulder.
Jan looked over at Gil to see if was ok. Conrad grabbed Gil's bad arm and yanked him to his feet, hauling him to the van.
"Argh." Gil moaned as his arm slammed againest the side of the van.
Conrad just smiled at him and threw him in the back, making him land on his arm again.
Jan frowned. "Hey! Leave him alone!" she yelled at Conrad.
Ecklie smiled at Conrad. "Come Jan hun... be a darlin' and shhhh."
Jan glared at Ecklie. "Don't you dare 'hun' me... "
Gil cried out in pain. he didn't want to but it was sore. Ecklie grabbed Jan and kissed her.
"Get off her Ecklie, NOW!" Gil shouted.
Jan looked at Ecklie and wiped her mouth in her shoulder, and spit in his face. She would've slapped him if she wasn't tied up.
Ecklie frowned and whispered violently in her ear, "You'll pay for that bitch!"
Conrad pushed Gil back in the van and shut the door in his face.
He wiped his face and got in the drivers side. "Drive Conrad."
Conrad looked at Ecklie, and then at Jan. "You want me to put her in the van too?"
"Yeah, We'll need her." Ecklie ordered.
Conrad walked over to Jan and grabbed her, and pushed her in the back of the van.
Ecklie got in his side. "To the mine."
Conrad nodded and began to drive down I-15.
Jan looked over at Gil and whispered at him. "Are you ok?"
Gil groaned, "I'll be fine..."
"Are you ok?"
Jan nodded. "Yea..." She frowned at Gil.
"I'm sure the guys are working to find us..."
"I hope so... " She looked up towards the front of the van then back at Gil.
BACK AT NICK'S
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Nick was leaning back in the couch when his phone started to ring. He got up and answered it. "Hello?"
"Nick? It's Brass."
"Oh.. hey Brass... did you hear anything? did you find them?" Nick bombarded Brass with his questions.
"I'm sorry Nick, nothing."
"Dammit!" Nick cursed into the phone. "Sorry..." he quickly apologised
"We are checking out a few sightings, but you know how sightings can be!"
"It's ok! I understand Nick." Bras said .
"Yea... " Nick sighed into the phone. "You'll keep us posted?"
"Of course!" Brass hung up.
Sara was curled up hugging Lynsey in Nick's bed. They had both fallen asleep and Nick carried them through. Nick hung up and walked to the kitchen. He flicked on the overhead light over the oven and sat at the table, just looking at the clock. He didn't want to tell Sara just yet about what Brass said. Actually, he didn't want to tell any of them.
Sara yawned and looked at Lynsey. She carfully move her and walked to the kitchen. She was greeted by Nick sitting at the table.
"Nick?"
"Sara? what are you doing up?" Nick looked up at her
"I was thursty, are you ok?" She sat besdie him and sipped the water she got from the fridge.
"No... actually i'm not really..."
"Whats wrong?" Sara asked taking his hand.
"Brass just called... there's no sign of them... " Nick frowned at her.
Sara nodded, "ohh."
Nick sighed. "Maybe... maybe we could go out that way and help look?" Nick suggested
"Tomorrow... Get some rest first, ok?"
"Hold on, I'll move Lynsey." Sara got up and walked to Nicks bedroom.
Nick nodded. "ok.."
She carried Lynsey through to Catherrines room.
Catherine squinted up at her. "'Night Sara... and thanks" She went back to sleep with her arm around Lynsey
"Night Cath."
Nick headed back to his room. Sara closed Catherines door. Walking past Warrick's room she heard him snore. Laughing she walked into Nick's room. Nick looked up at her and patted the spot next to him. Sara sipped into Nick's bed and cuddled into him. "We'll find, won't we?"
"Yea... we will.." Nick tried his best to assure her.
Sara looked up at Nick, "I trust you."
Nick smiled a little at her. "Let's get some rest..." he leaned back and pulled her to him.
Sara stared out the window and thought of Gil and Jan. She started to cry quietly. She held onto Nick tighter than before. Nick looked at her and just rubbed her back soothingly and kissed the top of her head.
ARRIVING AT THE MINE
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Conrad pulled off I-15 and drove up to the old mine and stopped the van, turning off the ignition.
Ecklie got out, "Right here we are!" He opened the back of the van.
Conrad jumped out beside him and reached in the van for Gil.
Gil struggled, "Get away from me Conrad."
Ecklie grabbed Jan and closed the door. Jan tried to get away from Ecklie by stomping on his foot and trying to yank herself from his grip. Conrad squeezed Gil's injured shoulder to make him cooperate. Ecklie hit Jan across the face. Gil gritted his teeth in pain. Jan felt her cheek stinging and a tear start to roll down her cheek. She wiped it away gingerly with her shoulder. Conrad walked Gil towards the mine and took out his flashlight as he entered. Ecklie followed with Jan. He leaned to her ear, "You'll pay for that too!"
Jan felt herself starting to panic as he heart started beating faster, but she tried not to show it. Conrad walked down the small slope, almost slipping, and continued to the back of the mine. "Watch you step back there!" He called back at Ecklie.
"Got ya!" Ecklie shouted towards him.
Gil struggled some more, "Why are you doing this Conrad?"
Conrad didn't look at Gil. "Did I say you could speak? Keep moving..." He nudged him on again. "If you want answers... why don't you ask Ecklie?" He said quietly.
"That's right I forgot! Your the second guy, always a follower never a leader. Always the sheep, never the sheep-dog!" Gil shook his head and smiled.
Conrad growled and pushed Gil to the ground, then stepping on his injured shoulder.
"ARGH!" He yelled causing Ecklie to look over.
"What's he saying now?"
"Nothing important..." Conrad sneared. He turned around and left Gil alone.
Jan looked over at Gil, worried about him. 'are you ok?' she mouthed to him. Gil shrugged up againest a wall. HE nodded to Jan.
Ecklie Pushed Jan beside Gil. "Stay!" He laughed.
Jan looked at Gil's shoulder. It looked like it had started bleeding again. She looked up at Ecklie and Conrad. "He's bleeding again... I need to help him..." She started to ask.
Ecklie turned to Conrad, "Ya know, all those years ago we were wrong, it was Jan that was the dog and tart... not Sara, although I wouldn't mind your sister Gil... Lucky Nicky.. huh? Conrad, Jan or Sara?"
"Hmm... i'd have to think about that... " Conrad grinned.
Ecklie grabbed the bag he had brought with him, he took out a 1st aid kit and wrapped Gil's wound, tightly. "Ohh I forgot Conrad, you have a thing for Catherine... I always thought her and Warrick had a connection. What about you Jan... or you Gil? See their chemistry."
Jan closed her eyes and bit her lip trying to keep from crying. She took a few deep breaths
"Whats wrong Jan.... hit close to home?"
Gil looked over to her, "Don't listen to him Jan."
"What makes you SO confident Gil? Think of the time they spent at UNLV... togehter, knowing each other. When did she stop the letters? Same time as Warrick?" Ecklie laughed.
Jan tried to think of something else, keep her mind off their current situation when she heard her stomache growl and realized that she hadn't eaten since that night. "I... I'm hungry.." She said, trying to get him to drop the topic.
"In the bag Conrad are some... Energy Bars... give them some..."
Conrad nodded and got the bars and gave them one each, tearing the wrapper off first. Jan took the bar and ate a bit.
Ecklie smiled, "What do you think Conrad? About Warrick and Cath?"
"Yea... I think they hit the sac together a few times... " He laughed.
"Does it not bother you Gil that Nick has his way with Sexy Sara? I bet Warrick's had some too... And remember that guy Hank?" Ecklie said to Conrad.
He turned back to Gil, "She's been around!"
"O yea... I remember... " Conrad laughed and grinned.
Gil looked away from Ecklie, "Warrick and Sara are friends and as for Nick... He's a good guy and Hank... well she deserved a little happiness."
Ecklie began to laugh. "Con..Con.. Conrad, you hearing this!"
Conrad chuckled, "Haha... yeah... " he picked up his thermos and had a drink of water.
Gil frowned. "Don't listen to them Jan."
Jan finished the energy bar and felt her stomache settle down a bit. She looked over at Gil and leaned against the wall, bring her knees up to her chest. She nodded at him.
Ecklie leaned down over Jan, "But you know could be true... Gil's so wrapped up in work and Catherine to notice." He laughed, "Sara, your oldest best friend may have slept with your one true love..."
Jan closed her eyes and looked up at Ecklie. "Shut Up! Just shut the hell up!!" She yelled at him. "it's not true... its not.." She whispered to herself.
"Ecklie leave her alone!" Gil shouted.
For this Gil was knocked out by Ecklie's fist. Just too much pain to stay awake.
"Gil!" Jan looked over at Gil, who was lying unconscious on the ground. Jan got up on her knees and started to crawl over to him.
Ecklie whispered into Jan's ear, "It's still there though, isn't it. When you saw her and Warrick goofing around. And the way he always protected her in High School. The way she is now closer to Warrick. And the fact she's gorgous, slim, fit. She's been there for him through his problems."
Jan couldn't hold it in any longer. She brought her elbow up behind her and got him in the chin. He stumbled back and said quieter, "She once was going on a date with Hank, he stood her up. Nick was working so Warrick took her out. They both came in the next day with that glow. She was all loving towards him and Nick after that."
Jan felt sick to her stomache, even though she knew it couldn't be true, she still wondered.
"Her and Nick hadn't gotten together, they hadn't even spoken about it until you came back... until Warrick's attention went else were..."
Jan closed her eyes and sank back against the wall, curling up a little.
"I'm going to get stuff out the van and hide it, you take care of Jan and Gil..." He whispered to Conrad, "Once he wakes up, knock her out and mess with him..."
"Stop... please..." She whispered. She was broken down and didn't have the strength to fight him.
"Will do..." Conrad smiled at Ecklie.
Ecklie leaned to Jan one last time to break her down further, "So he had Catherine while still seeing you, she was a cheerleader, better than you I'll bet, gave him what he wanted... maybe it was a sex thing? Where you that bad? He then had Sara... the geeky girl who became a sex goddess... He had her too... maybe the memory of you was hard to erase!"
"What do you want from me? what do you want to hear??" Jan asked, on the verge of tears
Ecklie smiled and winked, "you'll find out later... just remember, you're not the pick of the pack anymore... it's always been the cheerleader or the geek... never you..." Ecklie turned and walked to the van whistling.
Jan tried to wipe everything he said out of her mind, but couldn't and felt herself starting to cry. Gil groaned as he rolled over. Conrad grinned and walked over to Jan and hit her with enough force to render her unconscious. He turned to Gil.
"Jan!" Gil shouted.
"Where did your master go?" Gil asked.
Conrad walked over and just grinned at him. "He's... away... So, Gil... How does it feel knowing that Warrick had his was with both Cath and Sara?"
Gil looked at Conrad, "You do NOT expect me to believe that do you?"
"Well... believe what you want.. we all know the truth... besides you and Cath ddin't start going out again until Jan came back and Warrick was distracted."
"Shut up Conrad..."
"C'mon.. didn't you ever wonder why she stopped sending those letters? and what she and Warrick used to do at UNLV together?"
"Shut up!" Gil stopped himself, he mentally counted back from 10.
"What? You know what I''m saying is true... you know they're were probably doing each other the whole time... and even back in high school.."
"She loved me! She loves me... you're trying to play with me..."
"Go on... keep telling yourself that... Maybe you should ask her about university... and those nights in high school that you didn't hang out cuz she had something else, more important to do..."
"She had plans, going out with her mom or friends..."
"Doing Warrick..." Conrad added casually
"NO!" Gil stopped himself again.
"She wasn't interested in Warrick like that Conrad... you're trying to make me angry, to loss control."
"What's the matter Gil? Starting to believe this yourself? Maybe you knew all along?" Conrad grinned. "I sympathize with you... I mean, getting played like that... Cath, Sara and Warrick... "
"Leave Sara out of this..."
"Oh.. that's right... you weren't awake for our little conversation earlier... didn't you know? Sara did Warrick too..."
"Shut up..." Gil shifted over.
"Sara is in love with Nick, she always has been..."
"WAS... see there's the kicker... her and Nick didn't start doing it again until Jan came back and Warrick distracted again... See... Warrick was doing Sara and Cath...."
"Please don't even make me try and make me think Warrick done that... he wouldn't."
"Are you sure?" Conrad played on Gil doubt. "I mean, just take a look at Sara and Cath.. both great looking... and probably easy... maybe they were looking for something better than you or Nick could give them..."
"EASY!? Why you son-of-a-bitch!"
Conrad grinned at him and continued. "I mean, I don't think it's a coincidence that they both turned to the same guy... too bad it wasn't Ecklie or myself though... Just imagining how they'd be in bed.. well i guess we'll find out soon anyways..."
"Please they wouldn't touch you with a pole..."
"Well they first found out you two were missing, Sara came up to me pleading that I would find you... you know, i think she's into me..." Conrad smirked
"Ya right! Dream on Conrad..."
"Hey if Warrick can score with the two of them... I'm sure i can get either Cath or Sara... play on their sympathy strings.."
"Warrick didn't 'score' with them and Sara has Nick. Catherine knows what your like..."
"Are you so sure?" Conrad asked seriously, then takinga step back to look for Ecklie.
Gil hesitated, he knew that Catherine could make mistakes, *no Conrad's playing you* "Yes!"
"Hmm... I guess you'll learn the hard way... " Conrad turned and left Gil with his thoughts. He went to look for Ecklie.
Jan started to wake up a little, her head feeling fuzzy. Gil sat there staring out the mine. He knew Conrad was lying but still... they were young and together in Vegas.
Jan rubbed her head and started to sit up. "What happened? Gil? you ok?" She looked over to where Gil Was.
Gil nodded, "I just... my shoulder."
Jan nodded. "W- where are they?" Jan asked nervously.
"Outside, what did they say?"
Jan shook her head. "nothing... nevermind..."
"No, tell me... Please?" Gil looked at her.
Jan closed her eyes, trying to push back the tears she knew was coming. "Just shit about Warrick with Sara and Cath..." Jan took a deep breath. "Its not true... it can't be... can it?"
"Of course not!"Gil frowned, "They said the same to me."
"Catherine and I have.. Sara and Nick STILL dance about each other! I mean they're still at High School, the way they dance about it!"
Jan felt a tear roll down her cheek. "God... i just wanna go home... i just want this to be over with..."
"I just want to make sure Catherine and Lynsey are ok..." Gil shut his eyes.
# outside #
Conrad walked up to Ecklie. "Did you hide everything?"
Ecklie walked back to the mine and heard Conrad, "Yeah, all done.."
"Ready to go back inside... see how our guests are holding up?" Conrad grinned.
"You break Grissom, he's a tough one..."
"I dunno if he's actually broken yet... but his heads filled with doubts and questions that'll eat at him.."
"Good... Jan's breaking quicker than I thought."
"Well i have to hand it to you... you're a master of manipulation... "
"I know! I'm damn good! You'll learn. If you break Gil, you'll be the master!" Ecklie laughed, "I'd love to see him cry!"
"So would I... " he nodded back at the mine. "Let's go back in..."
Ecklie headed back laughing.
Jan could hear Ecklie laughing and grimaced. *I can't give in to him... I have to be strong...*
Gil shut his eyes, *here we go again*
Jan sat up straight and told herself over and over that nothing Ecklie said was true.
Conrad walked in. "hey.. look... they're both awake..." he said to Ecklie.
Gil growled up at the two. Conrad just grinned at Gil. Ecklie smiled down at the two. Jan kept a calm, firm face. She just glared at Ecklie.
"Now we have more fun..." Ecklie grinned.
AGAIN AT NICK'S
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Sara shifted in her sleep. Nick felt her next to him and opened an eye. he knew she was having a restless sleep. He wrapped an arm around her and held her close.
"No, no, Gil help Nick... Gil, NO!"
Sara tossed and turned in her sleep.
Nick shook her lightly. "Sara... Sara... wake up..."
Sara looked up him and hugged the life out of him.
"You had a bad dream..."
"You... Gil..." She started to cry,
"What? What happened?"
"We were some where and Gil was falling but he grabbed you then I saw Ecklie walked up behind you and he... he.." She started to cry again.
"Shh.... shh... sara... it's ok..."
Sara snuggled into him.
"Why don't you try to get some more sleep? I'll be right here... I promise.."
Sara nodded and cuddled into Nick's chest. Nick wrapped his arms protectively around her, to ward of the bad dreams
"I love you Nick." Sara fell alseep again.
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Warrick opened the door, "Hunny, we're home."
Nick smiled. "We're in here." He called out from the living room
Warrick walked to the living room, "Hey, you ok Sara?"
Sara nodded, "I'm ok." She held onto Nick. "We lost Ecklie and Conrad..."
Cath walked in with Lynsey in tow and heard what Sara said. "What- what happened, how?"
"Some dumbassed cop pulled us over." She sat upright.
Nick looked over at Warrick and Cath. "I was speeding..." He looked down. "And then we reached the crossroads too late...." He sighed sadly. "I'm sorry..." he whispered
Sara looked at Nick, "It's not your fault hun."
Nick sighed unhappily. "I know... but... I mean... you know... we don't know where they are... and we could've found out... "
Warrick grabbed Nick's map of Vegas. "Well you were driving past the crossroads."
"Lynsey can I have your marker pen?" Warrick asked the little girl.
The little girl handed him a black pen. Nick looked over at Warrick, and watched him with the map.
"Mommy, why did Ecklie take Grissom?" She looked at the team in ponder.
Cath was a little taken aback by the Lynsey's question. "Well... uh... honey... I - I don't really know." she frowned. She knew Ecklie practically hated Gil.
Lynsey looked at the map, "There's where Uncle Grissom was gonna take mommy." She pointed at a small carpark and a chruch on the map.
"You're right... " Cath loked at the map.
"Church?" Warrick echoed.
Sara looked at Catherine. Cath smiled a little. Lynsey giggled.
"Maybe Ecklie knew?"
"But how would he?" Cath asked puzzled.
"It's Ecklie..." Sara looked at all of them, "Me, Nick and Greg MAY have been talking about it...."
Nick looked down.
Cath smiled, but sighed a little. "Well at least this is a start. We have an idea as to where they are."
"Call Brass?" Warrick half asked half stated.
"Can I come?" Asked Lynsey.
"Ah.. I don't think that's a good idea hun... " Cath started.
Sara looked at Nick, "You ok Nick?"
Warrick answered his own question and went to call Brass.
Nick shook himself mentally, not realizing he spaced out. "Uh.. yea... yea I'm fine..."
Brass heard the phone and answered it. "Brass."
"Brass, it's Warrick, we have info on Gil and Jan."
"Ecklie and Conrad are responsible..."
"You sure?" Brass asked. Although he didn't like Ecklie much either, he had to ask.
"Positive!"
"Alright.. i'll put an APB out on them and send a few of my guys out around to go look for them..."
"Brass you know the church outside of town... check there."
"Alright... I'll call you guys as soon as we know anything..." Brass said and then hung up, immediately sending the APB out. Warrick headed back inside.
Nick looked up at him. "What did he say?"
"Sending out an APB."
Nick nodded. "ok.. "
MEANWHILE
-----------------
Ecklie tied Gil and Jan back up. "Conrad, move!"
Conrad opened the back doors of the van and finished getting it ready. He walked back to Ecklie. "Ok.. ok.. it's ready..."
"MOVE!" He pushed Gil on his shoulder.
Jan looked over at Gil to see if was ok. Conrad grabbed Gil's bad arm and yanked him to his feet, hauling him to the van.
"Argh." Gil moaned as his arm slammed againest the side of the van.
Conrad just smiled at him and threw him in the back, making him land on his arm again.
Jan frowned. "Hey! Leave him alone!" she yelled at Conrad.
Ecklie smiled at Conrad. "Come Jan hun... be a darlin' and shhhh."
Jan glared at Ecklie. "Don't you dare 'hun' me... "
Gil cried out in pain. he didn't want to but it was sore. Ecklie grabbed Jan and kissed her.
"Get off her Ecklie, NOW!" Gil shouted.
Jan looked at Ecklie and wiped her mouth in her shoulder, and spit in his face. She would've slapped him if she wasn't tied up.
Ecklie frowned and whispered violently in her ear, "You'll pay for that bitch!"
Conrad pushed Gil back in the van and shut the door in his face.
He wiped his face and got in the drivers side. "Drive Conrad."
Conrad looked at Ecklie, and then at Jan. "You want me to put her in the van too?"
"Yeah, We'll need her." Ecklie ordered.
Conrad walked over to Jan and grabbed her, and pushed her in the back of the van.
Ecklie got in his side. "To the mine."
Conrad nodded and began to drive down I-15.
Jan looked over at Gil and whispered at him. "Are you ok?"
Gil groaned, "I'll be fine..."
"Are you ok?"
Jan nodded. "Yea..." She frowned at Gil.
"I'm sure the guys are working to find us..."
"I hope so... " She looked up towards the front of the van then back at Gil.
BACK AT NICK'S
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Nick was leaning back in the couch when his phone started to ring. He got up and answered it. "Hello?"
"Nick? It's Brass."
"Oh.. hey Brass... did you hear anything? did you find them?" Nick bombarded Brass with his questions.
"I'm sorry Nick, nothing."
"Dammit!" Nick cursed into the phone. "Sorry..." he quickly apologised
"We are checking out a few sightings, but you know how sightings can be!"
"It's ok! I understand Nick." Bras said .
"Yea... " Nick sighed into the phone. "You'll keep us posted?"
"Of course!" Brass hung up.
Sara was curled up hugging Lynsey in Nick's bed. They had both fallen asleep and Nick carried them through. Nick hung up and walked to the kitchen. He flicked on the overhead light over the oven and sat at the table, just looking at the clock. He didn't want to tell Sara just yet about what Brass said. Actually, he didn't want to tell any of them.
Sara yawned and looked at Lynsey. She carfully move her and walked to the kitchen. She was greeted by Nick sitting at the table.
"Nick?"
"Sara? what are you doing up?" Nick looked up at her
"I was thursty, are you ok?" She sat besdie him and sipped the water she got from the fridge.
"No... actually i'm not really..."
"Whats wrong?" Sara asked taking his hand.
"Brass just called... there's no sign of them... " Nick frowned at her.
Sara nodded, "ohh."
Nick sighed. "Maybe... maybe we could go out that way and help look?" Nick suggested
"Tomorrow... Get some rest first, ok?"
"Hold on, I'll move Lynsey." Sara got up and walked to Nicks bedroom.
Nick nodded. "ok.."
She carried Lynsey through to Catherrines room.
Catherine squinted up at her. "'Night Sara... and thanks" She went back to sleep with her arm around Lynsey
"Night Cath."
Nick headed back to his room. Sara closed Catherines door. Walking past Warrick's room she heard him snore. Laughing she walked into Nick's room. Nick looked up at her and patted the spot next to him. Sara sipped into Nick's bed and cuddled into him. "We'll find, won't we?"
"Yea... we will.." Nick tried his best to assure her.
Sara looked up at Nick, "I trust you."
Nick smiled a little at her. "Let's get some rest..." he leaned back and pulled her to him.
Sara stared out the window and thought of Gil and Jan. She started to cry quietly. She held onto Nick tighter than before. Nick looked at her and just rubbed her back soothingly and kissed the top of her head.
ARRIVING AT THE MINE
---------------------------------------
Conrad pulled off I-15 and drove up to the old mine and stopped the van, turning off the ignition.
Ecklie got out, "Right here we are!" He opened the back of the van.
Conrad jumped out beside him and reached in the van for Gil.
Gil struggled, "Get away from me Conrad."
Ecklie grabbed Jan and closed the door. Jan tried to get away from Ecklie by stomping on his foot and trying to yank herself from his grip. Conrad squeezed Gil's injured shoulder to make him cooperate. Ecklie hit Jan across the face. Gil gritted his teeth in pain. Jan felt her cheek stinging and a tear start to roll down her cheek. She wiped it away gingerly with her shoulder. Conrad walked Gil towards the mine and took out his flashlight as he entered. Ecklie followed with Jan. He leaned to her ear, "You'll pay for that too!"
Jan felt herself starting to panic as he heart started beating faster, but she tried not to show it. Conrad walked down the small slope, almost slipping, and continued to the back of the mine. "Watch you step back there!" He called back at Ecklie.
"Got ya!" Ecklie shouted towards him.
Gil struggled some more, "Why are you doing this Conrad?"
Conrad didn't look at Gil. "Did I say you could speak? Keep moving..." He nudged him on again. "If you want answers... why don't you ask Ecklie?" He said quietly.
"That's right I forgot! Your the second guy, always a follower never a leader. Always the sheep, never the sheep-dog!" Gil shook his head and smiled.
Conrad growled and pushed Gil to the ground, then stepping on his injured shoulder.
"ARGH!" He yelled causing Ecklie to look over.
"What's he saying now?"
"Nothing important..." Conrad sneared. He turned around and left Gil alone.
Jan looked over at Gil, worried about him. 'are you ok?' she mouthed to him. Gil shrugged up againest a wall. HE nodded to Jan.
Ecklie Pushed Jan beside Gil. "Stay!" He laughed.
Jan looked at Gil's shoulder. It looked like it had started bleeding again. She looked up at Ecklie and Conrad. "He's bleeding again... I need to help him..." She started to ask.
Ecklie turned to Conrad, "Ya know, all those years ago we were wrong, it was Jan that was the dog and tart... not Sara, although I wouldn't mind your sister Gil... Lucky Nicky.. huh? Conrad, Jan or Sara?"
"Hmm... i'd have to think about that... " Conrad grinned.
Ecklie grabbed the bag he had brought with him, he took out a 1st aid kit and wrapped Gil's wound, tightly. "Ohh I forgot Conrad, you have a thing for Catherine... I always thought her and Warrick had a connection. What about you Jan... or you Gil? See their chemistry."
Jan closed her eyes and bit her lip trying to keep from crying. She took a few deep breaths
"Whats wrong Jan.... hit close to home?"
Gil looked over to her, "Don't listen to him Jan."
"What makes you SO confident Gil? Think of the time they spent at UNLV... togehter, knowing each other. When did she stop the letters? Same time as Warrick?" Ecklie laughed.
Jan tried to think of something else, keep her mind off their current situation when she heard her stomache growl and realized that she hadn't eaten since that night. "I... I'm hungry.." She said, trying to get him to drop the topic.
"In the bag Conrad are some... Energy Bars... give them some..."
Conrad nodded and got the bars and gave them one each, tearing the wrapper off first. Jan took the bar and ate a bit.
Ecklie smiled, "What do you think Conrad? About Warrick and Cath?"
"Yea... I think they hit the sac together a few times... " He laughed.
"Does it not bother you Gil that Nick has his way with Sexy Sara? I bet Warrick's had some too... And remember that guy Hank?" Ecklie said to Conrad.
He turned back to Gil, "She's been around!"
"O yea... I remember... " Conrad laughed and grinned.
Gil looked away from Ecklie, "Warrick and Sara are friends and as for Nick... He's a good guy and Hank... well she deserved a little happiness."
Ecklie began to laugh. "Con..Con.. Conrad, you hearing this!"
Conrad chuckled, "Haha... yeah... " he picked up his thermos and had a drink of water.
Gil frowned. "Don't listen to them Jan."
Jan finished the energy bar and felt her stomache settle down a bit. She looked over at Gil and leaned against the wall, bring her knees up to her chest. She nodded at him.
Ecklie leaned down over Jan, "But you know could be true... Gil's so wrapped up in work and Catherine to notice." He laughed, "Sara, your oldest best friend may have slept with your one true love..."
Jan closed her eyes and looked up at Ecklie. "Shut Up! Just shut the hell up!!" She yelled at him. "it's not true... its not.." She whispered to herself.
"Ecklie leave her alone!" Gil shouted.
For this Gil was knocked out by Ecklie's fist. Just too much pain to stay awake.
"Gil!" Jan looked over at Gil, who was lying unconscious on the ground. Jan got up on her knees and started to crawl over to him.
Ecklie whispered into Jan's ear, "It's still there though, isn't it. When you saw her and Warrick goofing around. And the way he always protected her in High School. The way she is now closer to Warrick. And the fact she's gorgous, slim, fit. She's been there for him through his problems."
Jan couldn't hold it in any longer. She brought her elbow up behind her and got him in the chin. He stumbled back and said quieter, "She once was going on a date with Hank, he stood her up. Nick was working so Warrick took her out. They both came in the next day with that glow. She was all loving towards him and Nick after that."
Jan felt sick to her stomache, even though she knew it couldn't be true, she still wondered.
"Her and Nick hadn't gotten together, they hadn't even spoken about it until you came back... until Warrick's attention went else were..."
Jan closed her eyes and sank back against the wall, curling up a little.
"I'm going to get stuff out the van and hide it, you take care of Jan and Gil..." He whispered to Conrad, "Once he wakes up, knock her out and mess with him..."
"Stop... please..." She whispered. She was broken down and didn't have the strength to fight him.
"Will do..." Conrad smiled at Ecklie.
Ecklie leaned to Jan one last time to break her down further, "So he had Catherine while still seeing you, she was a cheerleader, better than you I'll bet, gave him what he wanted... maybe it was a sex thing? Where you that bad? He then had Sara... the geeky girl who became a sex goddess... He had her too... maybe the memory of you was hard to erase!"
"What do you want from me? what do you want to hear??" Jan asked, on the verge of tears
Ecklie smiled and winked, "you'll find out later... just remember, you're not the pick of the pack anymore... it's always been the cheerleader or the geek... never you..." Ecklie turned and walked to the van whistling.
Jan tried to wipe everything he said out of her mind, but couldn't and felt herself starting to cry. Gil groaned as he rolled over. Conrad grinned and walked over to Jan and hit her with enough force to render her unconscious. He turned to Gil.
"Jan!" Gil shouted.
"Where did your master go?" Gil asked.
Conrad walked over and just grinned at him. "He's... away... So, Gil... How does it feel knowing that Warrick had his was with both Cath and Sara?"
Gil looked at Conrad, "You do NOT expect me to believe that do you?"
"Well... believe what you want.. we all know the truth... besides you and Cath ddin't start going out again until Jan came back and Warrick was distracted."
"Shut up Conrad..."
"C'mon.. didn't you ever wonder why she stopped sending those letters? and what she and Warrick used to do at UNLV together?"
"Shut up!" Gil stopped himself, he mentally counted back from 10.
"What? You know what I''m saying is true... you know they're were probably doing each other the whole time... and even back in high school.."
"She loved me! She loves me... you're trying to play with me..."
"Go on... keep telling yourself that... Maybe you should ask her about university... and those nights in high school that you didn't hang out cuz she had something else, more important to do..."
"She had plans, going out with her mom or friends..."
"Doing Warrick..." Conrad added casually
"NO!" Gil stopped himself again.
"She wasn't interested in Warrick like that Conrad... you're trying to make me angry, to loss control."
"What's the matter Gil? Starting to believe this yourself? Maybe you knew all along?" Conrad grinned. "I sympathize with you... I mean, getting played like that... Cath, Sara and Warrick... "
"Leave Sara out of this..."
"Oh.. that's right... you weren't awake for our little conversation earlier... didn't you know? Sara did Warrick too..."
"Shut up..." Gil shifted over.
"Sara is in love with Nick, she always has been..."
"WAS... see there's the kicker... her and Nick didn't start doing it again until Jan came back and Warrick distracted again... See... Warrick was doing Sara and Cath...."
"Please don't even make me try and make me think Warrick done that... he wouldn't."
"Are you sure?" Conrad played on Gil doubt. "I mean, just take a look at Sara and Cath.. both great looking... and probably easy... maybe they were looking for something better than you or Nick could give them..."
"EASY!? Why you son-of-a-bitch!"
Conrad grinned at him and continued. "I mean, I don't think it's a coincidence that they both turned to the same guy... too bad it wasn't Ecklie or myself though... Just imagining how they'd be in bed.. well i guess we'll find out soon anyways..."
"Please they wouldn't touch you with a pole..."
"Well they first found out you two were missing, Sara came up to me pleading that I would find you... you know, i think she's into me..." Conrad smirked
"Ya right! Dream on Conrad..."
"Hey if Warrick can score with the two of them... I'm sure i can get either Cath or Sara... play on their sympathy strings.."
"Warrick didn't 'score' with them and Sara has Nick. Catherine knows what your like..."
"Are you so sure?" Conrad asked seriously, then takinga step back to look for Ecklie.
Gil hesitated, he knew that Catherine could make mistakes, *no Conrad's playing you* "Yes!"
"Hmm... I guess you'll learn the hard way... " Conrad turned and left Gil with his thoughts. He went to look for Ecklie.
Jan started to wake up a little, her head feeling fuzzy. Gil sat there staring out the mine. He knew Conrad was lying but still... they were young and together in Vegas.
Jan rubbed her head and started to sit up. "What happened? Gil? you ok?" She looked over to where Gil Was.
Gil nodded, "I just... my shoulder."
Jan nodded. "W- where are they?" Jan asked nervously.
"Outside, what did they say?"
Jan shook her head. "nothing... nevermind..."
"No, tell me... Please?" Gil looked at her.
Jan closed her eyes, trying to push back the tears she knew was coming. "Just shit about Warrick with Sara and Cath..." Jan took a deep breath. "Its not true... it can't be... can it?"
"Of course not!"Gil frowned, "They said the same to me."
"Catherine and I have.. Sara and Nick STILL dance about each other! I mean they're still at High School, the way they dance about it!"
Jan felt a tear roll down her cheek. "God... i just wanna go home... i just want this to be over with..."
"I just want to make sure Catherine and Lynsey are ok..." Gil shut his eyes.
# outside #
Conrad walked up to Ecklie. "Did you hide everything?"
Ecklie walked back to the mine and heard Conrad, "Yeah, all done.."
"Ready to go back inside... see how our guests are holding up?" Conrad grinned.
"You break Grissom, he's a tough one..."
"I dunno if he's actually broken yet... but his heads filled with doubts and questions that'll eat at him.."
"Good... Jan's breaking quicker than I thought."
"Well i have to hand it to you... you're a master of manipulation... "
"I know! I'm damn good! You'll learn. If you break Gil, you'll be the master!" Ecklie laughed, "I'd love to see him cry!"
"So would I... " he nodded back at the mine. "Let's go back in..."
Ecklie headed back laughing.
Jan could hear Ecklie laughing and grimaced. *I can't give in to him... I have to be strong...*
Gil shut his eyes, *here we go again*
Jan sat up straight and told herself over and over that nothing Ecklie said was true.
Conrad walked in. "hey.. look... they're both awake..." he said to Ecklie.
Gil growled up at the two. Conrad just grinned at Gil. Ecklie smiled down at the two. Jan kept a calm, firm face. She just glared at Ecklie.
"Now we have more fun..." Ecklie grinned.
AGAIN AT NICK'S
-----------------------------------
Sara shifted in her sleep. Nick felt her next to him and opened an eye. he knew she was having a restless sleep. He wrapped an arm around her and held her close.
"No, no, Gil help Nick... Gil, NO!"
Sara tossed and turned in her sleep.
Nick shook her lightly. "Sara... Sara... wake up..."
Sara looked up him and hugged the life out of him.
"You had a bad dream..."
"You... Gil..." She started to cry,
"What? What happened?"
"We were some where and Gil was falling but he grabbed you then I saw Ecklie walked up behind you and he... he.." She started to cry again.
"Shh.... shh... sara... it's ok..."
Sara snuggled into him.
"Why don't you try to get some more sleep? I'll be right here... I promise.."
Sara nodded and cuddled into Nick's chest. Nick wrapped his arms protectively around her, to ward of the bad dreams
"I love you Nick." Sara fell alseep again.
