a/n: This is a pretty short chapter, but my next one is long and just couldn't be split up. I'm completely flattered by the reviews—thanks a lot, and I hope you continue to like this story. For any Alias fans (if there are any left after Season 3), check out my other stories.

PR Muck-ups

"What did you think of the press conference?" Warrick asked Grissom. Gil raised an eyebrow at the tall man.

"What do you think I thought of it?" he asked back. Warrick smiled, one of the few any of them had seen lately.

"PR doesn't help us in a situation like this," Warrick answered. Grissom nodded. "Do you think the tip line might help?"

Grissom straightened up his desk, sorting the tapes he'd already seen and those still waiting for him.

"The tip line, the reward the Stokes have up for grabs, all of it won't help much. I don't think Nigel Crane will keep Nick anywhere a random person might see him." Grissom sighed. "I appreciate the Stokes' devotion to Nick, but they're getting in the way."

Warrick laughed.

"Have they been breathing down your neck too?"

Grissom cracked a smile. "Yes. And Brass's, and the Sheriff's."

"You think everyone would realize we're just as adamant about getting Nick back," Warrick said.

Grissom nodded, but turned back to his tapes.

Warrick watched him as he divided the tapes in neat piles. His leader was worried, just like all of them were. But while Catherine, Sara and Warrick had each taken a turn for a couple hours of sleep, Grissom hadn't. He was pushing himself, too much especially since none of their leads had produced anything. Warrick wondered if Grissom felt like he should have put the puzzle together sooner, to realize Jane Galloway wasn't the reason Nigel Crane emerged.

He shook his head to himself. Now wasn't a time for any of them to blame themselves. They needed to stay sharp. For Nick.

Grissom noticed Warrick hadn't left. He looked up from the tapes expectantly.

"Do you think he's still alive?"

Warrick hadn't meant to voice that question, but he knew he wasn't the only one wondering.

"We both know that each hour means less of a chance that he lives," Grissom said. "But if there's one thing I've learned from these tapes, it's that Nigel Crane depends on Nick."

Warrick furrowed his forehead and cocked his head to the side. "Depends on him?" Grissom nodded.

"For acceptance, friendship—without Nick, Crane feels lost," Grissom said. "I just hope Nick figures that out."

Warrick just hoped Grissom's analysis was that simple.

"Catherine!" Sara jogged down the hall to catch up with the blonde. "Lorna Gibson."

"You found her?" Catherine asked excitedly. Sara's step faltered.

"No," she said. "Well, sort of. She's coming back from a trip to Spain."

"When?" Catherine's eyes were wide with anticipation.

"Tomorrow," Sara said. "She's on a plane back already."

"Let's meet her at the airport," Catherine said. They nodded to each other.

"Yeah," Sara agreed. "Did you hear about the truck?" The two women walked down the hallway.

"Crane's, right?" Catherine filled in. "Brass filled me in. But no one's seen it since the convenience store."

It was another dead end. Sara was getting sick of those. All she wanted was to have Nick back. He'd always been a close friend—he was goofy, and egotistical, but as soft as men came behind that Texas exterior. Life had been glum without him.

She could hardly wait for Lorna Gibson to get back.