Monday, September 1st, 2003
10:27 am
The glass doors open automatically, allowing Nick to enter the Physiotherapy section of the hospital. Catching a glimpse of himself in a reflective surface, he winces.
He'd done a quick job of pushing his hair into place twenty minutes earlier and it shows. Despite his efforts, it looks as though he's just rolled out of bed, which is of course, true. His unshaven face and wrinkled shirt don't help the situation any either.
Ah, to hell with it.
Hurrying down the wide hall he takes the first left, as per Warrick's instructions, and enters a room lined with exercise mats and gym equipment. Along one wall there are various patient stations with curtains for privacy.
Hi. I'm Nick Stokes. I'm looking for Dani Bennett, he tells a nurse.
She nods and looks over her shoulder. She's working with Karen over there. I think she's almost done.
Can I go back and see her?
Go ahead.
He finds Dani quickly, the sweat dampening her oversized t-shirt and leggings as she pushes through another set of leg lifts. Her long auburn curls are caught up in a simple ponytail through the back of her black ball cap, with several loose tendrils sticking to her damp neck.
Give me two more, Dani, the physiotherapist requests. Two more and you're done.
Nodding, she grits her teeth, the muscles in her arms and back tensing with effort. Fists wrapping around the hand grips, she straightens her leg two more times before slumping against the back rest.
That was great work, Dani. Really great. Go home, relax. Take a hot shower if you start to stiffen up.
Thanks Karen, Dani says wiping her face and neck with a small towel.
I'll be here. With a final smile, Karen pats her shoulder before slipping away.
Mustering up her strength, Dani starts to stand up and looks right into Nick's warm eyes. Hey! This is a nice surprise.
Warrick got called in to testify at the Colton case this morning, he explains. He asked me to pick you up.
On your day off? You are such a good friend. Dani smiles, allowing Nick to help her to her feet. She moves slowly, holding onto his arm as she picks up her jacket and limps across the room to the door.
Leg sore? he asks sympathetically.
Yeah, but it hurts a little less every week.
So, are you hungry? he asks as they make their way out to Nick's SUV.
I'd kill for a cup of coffee, she replies.
Starbucks it is.
Twenty minutes later they are seated in two overstuffed forest green chairs near the window, a large white cup clutched in Dani's hands, a slice of banana bread on a napkin resting on her knee. The cafe is unusually quiet and the strong aroma of coffee brewing is soothing. Digging into the pocket of her nylon jacket, Dani pulls out a prescription bottle and taps out two pills.
So what's her name? she asks bluntly before tossing the pills into her mouth and taking a sip of coffee to wash them down.
Nick replies, doing his best to keep his expression neutral.
What. Is. Her. Name? Dani repeats, emphasizing every word. And don't tell me there isn't one because you have that look.
What look?
The I-got-some-loving-last-night-and-again-this-morning look.
Finally, Nick blushes and Dani chuckles.
I knew it! she teases. I knew the moment I saw you.
The hair, the shirt, she gestures with one hand. The smile.
Ducking his head, Nick laughs. You're enjoying this far too much.
So what's her name? Dani presses. I want to know about this girl.
Her name is Diane, he admits.
Diane what?
Robertson. She works as a nurse at University Medical.
Dani's jaw drops. That cute little redhead with the big green eyes? The same nurse who changed my bandages?
Inwardly he braces himself, waiting for her reaction.
Good for you, Dani says, much to Nick's surprise. She's a sweetheart.
You're okay with it?
Do you mean am I okay with the fact that you picked up a girl who happened to be my nurse while I was in the hospital recovering from life threatening gunshot wounds?
Pretty much.
Relax Nicky, she says with a smile. If nothing else, almost dying has reminded me that life is far too short. I want you to be happy and maybe that was the right moment for you. You can't plan it. After all, I didn't exactly meet Warrick under the best circumstances.
Have I mentioned lately how great you are? Nick asks.
Right back at you, big brother. Dani grins and takes a bite of her banana bread. So tell me all about her, and don't leave anything out - except the parts where you two get naked.
Nick throws his head back and laughs.
Approaching Nick's house, Warrick tugs his tie loose and shoves it in his pocket. At the front door he pauses to read a note taped to the door.
She's sleeping.
Come on in.
Taking the piece of paper in hand, Warrick tucks it in his shirt pocket and quietly turns the doorknob. As he steps inside the door, Nick looks up from the magazine in his lap. Nodding hello, he rises from his chair and soundlessly walks over to the front door.
Hey. How is she? Warrick asks quietly, glancing over at the couch where Dani is fast asleep.
She's fine. You weren't kidding, though. We got back here and she zonked out pretty fast, Nick tells him.
I'm not surprised. She's been pushing herself really hard at physio. Warrick digs into the front pocket of his dress pants and produces a set of keys. Take these, will you?
Carefully bending down, he gathers Dani in his arms and lifts her up, cradling her injured side against his chest. She murmurs something under her breath, but doesn't awaken.
Get the door for me? Warrick requests and Nick nods.
They move quietly, but when Warrick steps out into the sun, Dani's eyes pop open and she winces at the bright light.
Ow. That hurt. She pulls the brim of her hat lower over her eyes to block out the sun.
Close your eyes and rest, Warrick soothes. I'm taking you home.
Quickly, Dani is deposited into the reclined passenger seat of his SUV and seat belted in.
I'm sorry I fell asleep Nicky, she says, stifling a yawn.
Don't worry about it, he says squeezing her hand. You get some rest and I'll see you soon.
Warrick closes the door and takes the long way around his SUV with Nick beside him. They pause at the rear bumper.
Is she going to be okay? Nick asks, brow furrowed in concern.
Oh yeah. A couple of hours from now she'll be fine, Warrick assures him. A hot shower and a long nap is all she needs.
Well, if there's anything I can do, let me know, will you?
Just keep doing what you're doing, Warrick says quietly. Dani puts on a brave face, but that's not who she really is. She's like a marshmallow that was held too close to the fire and got burned. That tough exterior is her protection. She needs you more than she can say.
I'll be here, for whatever she needs, Nick vows solemnly. I really missed her and will do anything to help make sure she stays in Vegas.
Tuesday, September 16th, 2003
6:23 am
The sound of female laughter carries out into the hall, catching the attention of Warrick and Grissom as they approach the Autopsy room. Grissom pauses and looks over at Warrick.
That's sounds like-
Warrick finishes, pushing the swinging door open and walking inside. Silently, the CSI supervisor follows.
The two men enter the room to find Dani curled up in a chair across from Doc Robbins, two large white Starbucks coffee cups and muffins resting on the table top between them. Dani's dressed casually in jeans and sneakers, but her top is a royal blue, butterfly patterned blouse with a mandarin collar and cut-in shoulders that hugs her slim figure. Black sunglasses hold her hair off her face.
Jeopardy? And he didn't think that was funny? Dani manages, giggling as she picks up her coffee and takes a sip.
He called it a childish metaphor, Doc replies dryly, then notices the two men staring at them. Grissom. Warrick.
Looking over, Dani smiles cheerfully and waves.
Hi Dani. Nice to see you. Doc, we need to see the body again, Grissom says, walking over to them as they stand up.
Hey. What are you doing here? Not to mention so early in the morning, Warrick asks, lowering his head to kiss Dani's cheek. Thought you'd be curled up in bed.
Couldn't sleep, so I called Doc to see if he was up for a visitor and some breakfast, she replies, sliding an arm around his waist for a quick squeeze. I didn't want to interrupt the case you're working on.
Warrick looks over at Grissom and Doc as they open the small door and pull out a tray with the refrigerated body, covered by a sheet.
You better get over there, she adds quietly.
Yeah. Be right back.
A few minutes later the door closes again and the three men make their way back over to where Dani is sitting, engrossed in the book cradled in her lap.
See you later? Warrick asks, crouching down beside her.
I've got physio at 8:30.
Okay. I'll be there at 10:30 to pick you up, he promises, standing up again. Have you got cab money?
I'm fine. Dani swats him lightly on the butt to send him on his way.
Doc watches the two men leave before sitting back down across from her.
Now, where were we? she asks.
He smiles. The answer is: the three main ways to take cocaine.
Dani laughs. Well Alex . . .
10:41 am
Stepping into the physiotherapy clinic Warrick looks around for Dani's familiar ball cap and ponytail. Instead he spots her therapist and walks over to her.
Hey Karen, where's my girl working today? he asks with a smile.
Surprised by his question, she frowns.
She's not here.
What? Didn't she have an appointment today? he asks, confused.
Yes. Dani came in right on time as usual, but she left about twenty minutes ago, Karen informs him.
She left?
She got done early and called your cell, but apparently it went straight to voicemail so she left a message.
Pulling the phone off his belt he realizes that the battery is dead.
If it makes you feel any better, she left with her dad, Karen offers hopefully.
Warrick's eyes widen with surprise.
She said her dad was here so she was going to go with him.
A slow smile spreads across Warrick's face, lighting up his eyes. Well what do you know. Progress.
Karen asks, confused by his comment.
Oh nothing. He waves her off. See you tomorrow.
Karen waves back as he hurries out the door. 11:27 am
Heart broken and numb, Dani moves into the bathroom, quietly closing the door behind her. It takes everything in her to hold the tears back. She doesn't want to cry over this. Not again.
Her expectations had been laid out clearly. Straight forward. Entirely reasonable, or so she thought.
She somehow manages to keep it together until the deluge of hot water pouring over her starts to cool. Then her legs begin to wobble, as if they're made of jell-o and she just can't take it anymore. Worried that she'll lose her balance and fall, she sinks down to her knees, heedless of the now icy water pouring over her frame. Overwhelmed with the sense of loss, the tears roll down her cheeks, hot against her chilled skin.
The sound of running water wakes Warrick with a start. In one smooth motion, he rolls off the couch and gets to his feet. She'd come in so quietly that he hadn't heard the door, he realizes.
Walking over to the bathroom door Warrick raises his hand to knock, but changes his mind. Testing the doorknob, it turns easily in his palm. He quietly pushes the door open, expecting to see her curvy silhouette in the translucent shower curtain and the room full of steam, but there is none. Confused, Warrick walks further into the bathroom.
It feels like too much trouble to reach over and turn the water off. Dani's fingers and toes are numb, her skin covered in goose bumps as she shivers uncontrollably. It occurs to her that she should get out of the water, but she's weak, unable to move. She can no longer feel her face, so she doesn't know if she's still crying. She can't face it, not yet.
The shower curtain is pulled back a few inches as Warrick's voice cuts through the sound of the water.
You okay?
Dani blinks rapidly, pushing the water out of her eyes and tries to stand up, but she can't. There's nothing for her to hold onto to help her up that Warrick won't see.
I'll be out in a minute, she finally replies, hoping her voice won't betray her. It does though, and she can't keep the pain hidden.
Suspicious, Warrick yanks back the curtain completely, revealing Dani's huddled form in the tub. Frowning, he quickly turns off the faucet, ceasing the endless torrent of water flowing over her naked body. What the hell is going on?
Dani shakes her head, feeling a strange combination of relief and despair. If she says it out loud, it will be all the more true. It's nothing. I'm okay.
Grabbing a towel off of a nearby shelf, Warrick wraps the fluffy blue cloth around Dani's body before guiding her to her feet and lifting her into his arms.
Baby, you're freezing, he says, carrying her out of the bathroom and down the hall to the bedroom. Confused and more than a little scared, Warrick holds Dani snugly to his chest as she nuzzles her head in the crook of his neck. Something is very wrong.
I'll be okay, she says, her teeth chattering.
Laying down next to Dani, Warrick grabs a blanket from the foot of the bed and covers her with it before cupping her cheek. Star, you're lips are blue. He kisses her forehead and rubs his hand briskly over her chilled arm, trying to warm her. Through his t-shirt, he can feel how cold her skin is. Why are you crying?
I got done early, she says hoarsely. I was just going to call a cab, but then he showed up. Out of the blue.
Yeah, Karen told me, Warrick interjects. What happened?
He wanted to talk. There is a strange distance in her tone, as if she's talking about something mundane, like the weather instead of something she's waited for her whole life.
I guess, in his own way, he was apologizing, Dani replies softly.
Warrick's brow furrows. For what?
He told me that he hadn't planned on being a father at his age, because he wouldn't know how to deal with it. Fresh tears stream down her cheeks as her chin trembles.
It's not like there's a rule book, Warrick mutters.
He said he can't do it. That he couldn't pretend anymore, she finishes, her voice cracking.
Warrick curses under his breath as the dam finally breaks and Dani begins to sob uncontrollably. Her fingers grip his t-shirt, hands closing into tight fists as she holds on for dear life. Knowing that there's nothing he can say to comfort her, Warrick wraps his arms around her and lets her cry. 2:23 pm
Carefully extracting himself from Dani's side, Warrick slips off the bed and silently leaves the room, closing the door behind him. Picking up the cordless phone resting on the hall table, he hits a number on the speed dial and holds the phone to his ear as he walks to the other side of the room. A few moments later, someone picks up on the other end of the line.
Hey. It's Warrick.
Hey. What's up? Nick asks.
Warrick glances over his shoulder at the bedroom door. I need a favor.
I need you to cover my shift tonight.
Concern fills Nick's voice as he asks, What's wrong?
Dani's having a really tough day, Warrick replies. I can't leave her alone tonight.
If you need someone to keep an eye on her-
I appreciate the offer, but she needs me. It's . . . complicated, Warrick finishes.
Okay. I'll go in tonight and we can sort out a trade later.
Thanks Nick, Warrick says. I owe you one.
I hope she's okay.
Warrick sighs and looks over at the bedroom door again. Me too.
