Sorry for the LONG delay in updates and Thanks SO much for all of the wonderful reviews.  I hope this makes up for the wait a little, and I promise to try and write more soon.  But I'm still in Germany, so it isn't too easy.  I have no access to CSI!  L  But I'll be home at the end of the month. 

Same disclaimers as in Part 1

Part 8

Once inside the café, Nick noticed that Greg was a little more relaxed.  And he had to admit, he was too.  They felt safer, since O'Reilly was around, and so were a lot of other people.  After their late breakfast, they headed to the conference area and started their day of programming. 

It wasn't until late in the afternoon that Crane made an appearance.   Nick and Greg were coming out of the conference room when Greg stopped suddenly.

"Nick..." he said softly.

"What?" Nick asked, turning to face Greg. 

Nick followed his friend's gaze to the hotel's side door.  There they saw Crane leaving. 

"What do you think he was up to?" Greg asked, although he wasn't sure if he really wanted to know.

"Couldn't tell you.  Hopefully nothing," Nick asked.  "C'mon, we do have a dinner date to get ready for."

Nick was cautious going into the room since he knew very well that Crane was up to something.  At first, it looked like nothing was disturbed.    But Nick saw that a drawer was left a little open that he was sure had been shut when they left.

"Go through you're things," Nick said.

Greg did as he was asked.  It only took them a few minutes of searching, but both were paled with their discovery.

"He got in, somehow," Nick whispered.  "I'm going to call Grissom.  Then we're changing rooms."

While Nick spoke with Grissom, Greg packed his things.  What was left of them, anyway.  Crane had made off with a couple of shirts, a pair of pants and his gel.  And all of the notes about his escape that he and Nick had. 

Nick handed the phone to Greg because Grissom wanted to talk with the young lab tech.   And he needed to get his things together.

"How are you holding up?" Grissom asked.

"Been better.  We're changing rooms since he knows where we're staying.  He got in!  How did he…"

"Calm down Greg!  Just calm down.  He probably got a hold of a keycard since Nick said there were no signs of forced entry.  Just change rooms and make sure only two keys are given out.  Leave strict instructions that no other keys for your room are to be given out."

"Yeah, ok.  I'll tell Nick."

"I already have.  I just wanted to make sure you knew too.  Listen Greg, you want us to go out there…"

"No!  It's bad enough already.  More people…more people for him to go after.  You're safer in Vegas."

Grissom sighed.  "Nick said the same thing.  Alright, but remember, you need us there, we'll be there.  And we're here for you, anytime."

Greg didn't know what to say.  He didn't expect anything like this from Grissom.  "Uh…thanks.  Really."

After the conversation was done, Greg gave the cell phone back to Nick.  Together, they headed down to the front desk.  But they met someone in the hallway before the elevator that they didn't count on.

"Leaving already?  Back to Vegas?"  Crane asked, blocking their way to the elevators.