Nick was aware of pain.  He hadn't felt any pain while with Kristy.  He tried to pry open one eye to be greeted by glaring white light.  Hastily, he shut his eye and tried to make out the sounds around him.

He could hear a faint beeping.  It sounded like a heart monitor to him.  And he could make out the quiet hiss of oxygen pushed through tubing.

Nick tried to move his arms, but noticed his right one felt heavy.  His mind was confused.  He didn't remember his arm being that heavy before.  Or maybe he did.  He just couldn't be sure.

Then the trickle of soft voices reached his ear.

Every noise that surrounded him was designed to be unobtrusive, but it was all failing miserably.  It made Nick's head hurt, along with his heavy, heavy arm and his abdomen. 

He groaned and tried to sink deeper in the bed without jarring his painful body.

Catherine looked over to Nick at the sound.  She took his left hand and squeezed lightly.  "Nicky?"

"Yeah."  His voice was raspy from disuse.

Tears of relief flooded Catherine's eyes.  "Hey," she said softly.  "Welcome back."

Warrick came to stand beside Catherine as Nick opened his eyes.  "You look like shit," he teased; grateful that Nick had finally woke up.

"Thanks," Nick whispered.

"Anytime man."

Catherine helped Nick sit up and take a sip of water.

"How long I been out?" he asked once he regained use of his voice.

"Day and a half," Warrick answered.

"Sure as hell feels like longer."

"Tell me about it," Catherine mumbled.  "You had us worried."

"Brass?"

"He's fine," she assured him.  "He's just resting in his room right now."

Nick nodded and struggled to keep his eyes open, but felt sleep tugging at him.

Warrick patted his leg.  "It's okay man.  Get some sleep.  Everyone will be here when you wake up.

Nick gave a drowsy smile and slowly drifted to sleep.

When Nick next opened his eyes he was sure if he had the strength or energy he would have jumped out of bed in surprise at finding Greg and David Hodges hovering over him.  Greg looked thrilled that he was awake, while David merely looked bored – and possibly irritated, but Nick thought the man always looked irritated.

Nick glanced around the room and noticed most of the night shift was there.  He could see Bobby and Archie talking animatedly with Grissom.  Catherine was sitting in a chair reading a book and Brass had his wheelchair parked next to her reading a magazine.  Warrick and Sara were joking with each other.

"Hey man," Greg said with a smile.  "It's good to see you awake."

"Good to be awake."

The others made their way to Nick's bedside and David stepped back with a roll of the eyes.  "Well, since it's abundantly clear you'll be fine I'm going back to the labs to get work done."

When he was gone Catherine smirked at Nick.  "He was worried about you, that's just the way he shows it."

"That's the way he shows every emotion," Archie chuckled.

Nick laughed, but grimaced at the pain it caused.  "Please guys don't make me laugh."

Sara looked sympathetic.  "Are you in a lot of pain?"

"I'll tell you what."

"What?"

"I just told you."

Sara looked at Warrick in confusion when he laughed.  "I guess it's a Texas thing," he explained.

"Uh, yeah.  I'll take your word for it.'

"Any luck catching any of the shooters?" Nick asked.

"Actually, they're bring in the last shooter about now," Grissom answered.

Nick was surprised.  "Really."

"Yes.  Archie, Greg and Bobby worked straight through to process the evidence."

"Yeah, and Arch used traffic cameras to id the shooters," Warrick added.

"I am impressed man," Nick offered the three men with a huge grin which promptly turned into a yawn.

"I think Nick needs his rest," Doc Robbins insisted with a gentle squeeze to Nick's shoulder.  "Good to have you back Nick."

"Thanks."  Nick closed his eyes as he listened to everyone file out and let sleep claim him.

By the end of the week Brass was released from the hospital.  Nick found it unfair.  He was stuck in the hospital working his ass off in physical therapy in hopes to be released in the next few weeks.

He was sick of the hospital and he had better things to do.

And he made sure everyone knew.

"You know you sure are cranky when you don't get your way," Catherine teased as she watched Nick argue with his nurse.  He was determined to go outside – even if he had to rely on someone else to push him around.

"Knock it off Catherine!" Nick snapped.  "You know I'm goin' stir-crazy around here.  And the Nazi here," he added indicating his nurse, "doesn't seem to understand that I just want to see something beside institutional, monochromatic, sterile hospital halls."

"Nicky, just be a good boy, take your meds, wait till after they draw some blood, then you can go for a change of scenery."

He sighed, acting the part of the martyr.  "Fine doctor Willows."

"You realize this whining and moping gets annoying after awhile?"

"So I've heard."

An hour later Catherine pushed Nick in his wheelchair in the park behind the hospital.  He took a deep, grateful breath.  The relief he felt at being out of the building was immeasurable – even if it was for a short time.

"Cath, I really want to thank you – and the other guys – for putting up with me," he said apologetically.  "I know I haven't been the most cheerful."

"We understand," Catherine assured him.  "We're all just grateful you and Jim survived the shooting."

Nick nodded, not wanting to think about how close he came to death.

"Just keep working at your therapy and do what the doctor tells you and you'll be home in no time."

Nick gave her a warm smile.  "Yes ma'am."

She smacked his arm lightly.  "Smart ass."

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And the award for the fastest reader to review a newly post chapter goes to vonnie836 – who reviewed within, like, 2 hours after I posted.  *humbly bows*  Thank you!

The short dialog between Nick and Sara that Warrick describes as "a Texas thing" is courtesy of Bill Engvall – on of my favorite comedians.  I've always wanted to work that into a story, specifically involving Nick since both Bill and George are Texans.  Heehee!

I apologize for not posting anything sooner.  Everyone's been wonderful in reviewing so faithfully.  Thanks guys.  And I also apologize if this chapter stinks.  I was kinda struggling with it.  My muse wasn't very cooperative this time around.

Well, this story should be wrapped up in one or two more chapters.  But we'll see – you never know when the muse will decide to add something.