Disclaimer: I own none of the characters (except a mysterious man and a couple of dead bodies). Everything belongs to the wonderful people of CSI and CBS. I just realized I hadn't mentioned that the Title is from the song "One More Day" by Diamond Rio, as are the chapter titles.
Spoilers: Spoilers for "Overload" and "Stalker" starting this chapter. They will be very vague however.
Archive: Only here, if you wish to use it somewhere just let me know.
Timeline: I'd say somewhere around mid season 5 (close to Christmas and the New Year).
Feedback: Yes, please!
Warnings: Possible Character Death and mentions of past abuse. There will also be a slightly religious part in this chapter. If that's a problem for anyone I'll indicate when it starts and ends with
Pairings: Okay when I said that I've decided on a pairing... well I lied. It was a lot harder than I thought once I started writing.
Previously on One More Day:
Warrick felt the bottom drop out of his stomach when one of them looked up and mutter, "I'm sorry..."
And Now Chapter 3: One More Sunset
"You're – excuse me you're what?" Warrick hesitantly asked the paramedic. Too many times had he had to tell someone that they had lost a loved one yet he didn't know how he would handle the news.
"I'm sorry but your friend's condition is just getting worse. We need to take him to the hospital. Is there any preference at which one he should be treated?" The paramedic answered him.
Relief flooded through him as he was reassured his friend was still alive. "I know his insurance works with Desert Palms. That's where we took him when Nigel pushed him out of the window." The paramedic nodded, jumped out of the ambulance leaving Nick with the other, and shut the doors. He hurried around to the front and hopped in before driving off. Warrick was glad to see that they were moving quickly but was disappointed not to see Nick. From what he'd gathered however, Nick was a lot worse off then he had been sent flying from a two story window. Sighing in agitation Warrick spoke again, "What the hell happened?" He wasn't necessarily expecting an answer, he just needed to ask.
Sara looked down at her feet, trying to gather her voice, "I- God I don't know. He was fine, perfectly fine, when he went in there. The first officer did another run through when we were done to make sure no one was there and there wasn't anyone. We'd - we had already packed up our cars and Nick realized he'd forgotten his camera. He said it would only be a few seconds so he went back in to get it. He told me to go ahead of him. I saw the first officer pulling out of the neighborhood when I was already driving down the road. I figured Nick was right behind him..." Sara paused looking down at her hands, still covered with Nick's blood.
Grissom laid a hand on her shoulder signifying that she didn't need to say anymore yet. She tried to smile to reassure him that she would be okay but her face seemed permanently frozen in a frown. "Nick must have found something. There was no one in that house- there was no one near that house. He must have found something and stayed behind to collect it. Whoever," she paused trying to gather her words. Before speaking again she swallowed and cleared her throat, "did that to him must've come after we left."
Catherine nodded, barely able to keep her emotions in check. Unlike the other four there, she was an emotional person and she showed it. Seeing Nicky like that, bleeding, pale and shaking, had taken its toll on her. Pulling her coat close to her she spoke for the first time since being there, "We should," without any preemption her voice broke and tears stung her eyes, "Some of us should head to the hospital incase there's any news. He needs someone to be there with him when he wakes us." Catherine didn't even stop to consider the thought that he might not wake up.
She was standing in between Greg and Warrick and they both put their hand on her shoulders. She sighed gratefully slightly leaning towards Warrick for support. Catherine looked towards Grissom, wondering who would stay and process the scene and who would go to the hospital.
Seeing her look Grissom sighed and faced the house, "Some of us are going to have to stay here. I know you want to go to the hospital but who would you want on this case: us or Ecklie?"
Greg nodded and said, "I'll stay if you want me to. I want to be able to help Nick anyway I can."
Catherine sobered up and nodded, "I want to be on it too."
Grissom looked her over as if checking to see if she would be able to make it through the night without breaking down. His nod showed that he did. "Sara and Warrick- you guys want to head over to the hospital?"
"More than you know," Warrick said stepping away from Catherine and grabbing Sara's hand, something he'd never done. He nodded to the group and before leaving told them, "I'll call you if he wakes up; you call us if you find anything."
"Of course," Grissom spoke before stalking towards the house. Warrick lead Sara to his Tahoe and slipped her in the passengers' seat, grateful she didn't put up a protest. Warrick walked around the car and sat in the front seat. For a moment he just sat there, not starting the car or making any sounds. Leaning his elbows on his knees he buried his head in his hands. He hadn't been this worried since the lab explosion. Hell, he wasn't even as worried then as he was now. They had known that Greg would be ok; they had no such reassurances with Nick. Warrick's hands shook as he started the engine and pulled the car down the street.
There were a few minutes of silence until Sara spoke, "I'm sorry."
Warrick almost slammed on the breaks when he heard those words. He never heard those words come out of Sara's mouth, especially when it was completely unneeded. "What on earth are you talking about girl? You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for. I mean unless of course you pulled that trigger." He was trying to ignore the harsh emotions stirring up in him. Not only was Nick in the hospital near death, but now Sara was going to blame herself for it.
"I know better than to leave someone alone at a crime scene. Damnit Warrick I know that. It's like... it's like Holly Gibbs," Sara turned facing him and this time the tears where on her face, not just in her eyes.
"Don't you even compare that. I was dumb and left Holly alone so I could gamble Sara. Don't even think about it being the same thing. The only person to blame for this is the person who shot him." Warrick fervently told her. He hoped he didn't sound too bitter, but thinking of what had happened to Holly could happen to Nick only brought him dread.
"God I was probably the last one to talk to him," Sara muttered, wiping furiously at her eyes.
"Don't talk like that Sara because you're just one of the thousands of people who will talk to him. He'll wake up and be just like normal, chattering nonstop and making us all smile," Warrick said, battling down the tears that stung his eyes. Blinking a couple of times and swiping a hand over his eyes to make sure no tears had leaked out, Warrick pulled into the Desert Palms emergency entrance. Not caring that the car might be double parked, he shut off the engine and got Sara out of the car. Both quickly walked into the waiting room.
As expected it was filled with anxious parents, crying children, and many grieving folks. There were quite a few agitated adults stalking around, yelling at passing doctors and nurses. Although their behavior was not generally something Warrick accepted, he almost felt like being one of them tonight. Walking up to the front desk he stood in a line with about twelve other people. The sterile white walls were blinding him and making his head hurt. Rubbing his head he took a small step forward in the slow-moving line. Sara had taken a seat in a corner, her eyes still red and slightly puffy.
When the line had faded and Warrick was finally at the front he pulled out his badge and spoke before the receptionist, Marie, could help him. "Hi, I'm from the Las Vegas Crime Lab, Warrick Brown. My co-worker Nick Stokes was brought in a short time ago with a gunshot wound to the chest, is there any chance you have any information regarding his conditions?" Warrick was slightly surprised at how calm his voice sounded.
"I'm sorry Mr. Brown, but all I know is that he was brought in for emergency surgery to remove the bullet. It could be hours before he gets out. Any word I hear I'll make sure it gets back to you." Marie told him gently. Either she was incredibly good at her job or Warrick had not disguised the worry in his voice as much as he thought he had.
Warrick nodded and pointed to Sara, explaining to give information to her if he wasn't available.
"Of course, is there anything we can do for you?" She asked kindly.
"Just help my friend," Warrick said before walking to sit down beside Sara. He collapsed into the chair beside her and buried his face in his hands for what seemed the millionth time that day. It was the only way he could block out the world. All the lights, sounds, and hurt that he was experiencing at the moment. The emergency room was much too crowded for his taste. He was never one for claustrophobia, yet the confined space and multitude of people were making him slightly dizzy. Or maybe it was just the thought of his best friend lying on a hard hospital table being operated on. He heard Sara sniffle beside him and she lightly rested his hand on her arm.
She tired to smile at him, yet the smile was entirely fake. "I'm... God I'm worried Warrick. I keep thinking about this time Nick and I were on a case involving a dead boy- nine years old. He was so compassionate and caring towards the family. He always wore his emotions on his sleeve..." before Sara could continue Warrick interrupted her.
"He wares his emotions on his sleeve. Don't start using past tense on me." Warrick said vehemently to her. He couldn't help it, Nick was like a brother to him and hearing him spoken about in the past tense was just too much.
"I know and I'm sorry. He's just so much more caring than I think I could ever be. He empathizes with everyone, always tells them the truth but he just... he does it so they know he's caring about them. He's never cold towards anyone and he just... I imagine him waking up every day and just being glad he's alive you know?"
"Yeah, he's a bright ray of sunshine. Always has been. I think... I've always thought something had happened to him as a kid ya know? He loves Texas, loves his family and his friends. It just didn't make sense for him to move- so I figured something must have happened." Warrick confessed, glad to be able to talk about Nick without breaking down.
Sara shifted in the uncomfortable chair, "I think something always has to happen for you to go into a profession like ours. He's just lucky he comes out of it still as..." she paused searching for the right words, "un-tainted as he is."
Warrick nodded looking towards the swinging doors with the words 'emergency room' written in bright red letters above them. A thought suddenly occurred to him, "He had a date tonight. Nick did I mean. With a girl he met when he and I went out to a bar after work. Someone should call her so she doesn't think she's getting stood up." He wasn't quite sure why he thought that, but it just seemed like something Nick would have wanted done.
"Do you have her number?" Apparently Sara thought it was something Nick would have wanted done also. He realized that he did not have her number, there for making it impossible to call the girl.
"I don't even remember her name," Warrick confessed. Looking around the room Warrick suddenly found the need for air overwhelming. "Sar, I think I'm going to go outside for a second. I need to get out of here." Sara didn't say anything, but nodded to show she had heard him. He stood up and lightly patted her head before heading outside. Seeing a bench Warrick quickly walked over to it.
His heart felt jammed in his throat. Ignoring the sharp chill in the air Warrick let his head fall back against the building. How could this have happened? To Nick of all people. Good, sweet, innocent, caring Nick. Nick always put others before himself. 'Except when he and I were making bets.' Warrick thought silently. Slowly raising his head upwards a thought struck Warrick. It wasn't something he often did; in fact he couldn't remember the last time he had done it. He wasn't exactly sure what you were supposed to do, praying was something awfully new to him.
"Why are You doing this to him? He doesn't deserve this- no one does. I just want him to be okay." Warrick felt the tears fall down his cheeks, cold from bitter weather. "I know I haven't done this in a long time, and it only seems like I come to You when I'm in trouble or something's wrong. But I... I need You now. I need you to be with Nick and to help him make it through this. He's strong, one of the strongest people I know, but I don't think he can do it alone. I'm going to be here for him and God, I hope You are too."
Warrick's chest heaved with emotion and he felt himself getting dizzy from crying. He couldn't remember the last time he had cried either. It just wasn't something he normally did. He was usually able to keep his emotions together. But knowing that Nick was close to death and there was hardly anything he could do to prevent it was just an unbearable thought. He had been so gung ho about coming to the hospital he didn't realize how much he wanted to be in the field right then. He wanted to be catching the bastard that had put Nick in the hospital. He was just immensely glad that his team was on the case and not Ecklie's.
Just when he thought that he saw Catherine, Gil, and Greg walking towards the sidewalk. He immediately knew they'd been pulled off the case. As they neared the entrance he stood up and asked, "What happened?"
Catherine swiveled to look at him, "The sheriff thinks we're too close to the case. Says that if- if, uh, this goes to court that it could be used against us."
"Damn," Warrick muttered kicking the wall swiftly.
"Have you heard anything?" Greg asked him as they walked into the building. Warrick noticed that there was a definite slump in Greg's shoulders, and no swagger in his walk.
"Just that they took him to surgery as soon as he got here. Receptionist said that it could be hours before we hear anything." Warrick told them, steering them over to where Sara was still sitting, silently starring into space. Although her eyes were unfocused, tears still steadily poured out of them. Catherine sat next to her and pulled the other girl into a comforting hug, letting her own tears fall. Sara let herself fall into the embrace, her face not visible from being hidden on Catherine's shoulder. Warrick sat on Catherine's other side and rubbed her back comfortingly. Greg and Grissom perched themselves on chairs across from the three.
As Sara and Catherine continued to silently cry, Warrick noticed a slightly balding doctor appear from the doors. The doctor had blood smears on his coat and was looking weary. Warrick jumped from his seat and walked quickly to the doctor. "Excuse me but were you treating Nick Stokes?" He asked anxiously.
"May I ask who you are?" The doctor asked looking at the group huddled together.
"Warrick Brown, Las Vegas Crime Department, I'm a co-worker of Nicks," he told the doctor holding out his identification.
The doctor nodded and introduced himself, "I'm Timothy Keith and yes I have been helping Nick." The rest of the team had followed Warrick and were now surrounding him and the doctor. "I'm sorry to say that your friend experienced an extensive wound just below his heart. About a millimeter higher it would have punctured his aorta and he wouldn't have had a chance. However, when he fell to the ground he must had gone down hard as he has a couple of cracked rids, one which slightly punctured the lung. We've got his breathing back under control but his internal bleeding could still be a problem. We did remove the bullet and if it is needed for evidence we'll give it to the people working on the case. Mr. Stokes is not in for an easy time I hate to say. We're going to give his heart a rest but we need to go back in and patch up some internal wounds. He's in the ICU and I'm afraid I can't let you see him right now. He's very lucky to still be alive. When the paramedics arrived they said he'd been going into shock, if you had been seconds later he wouldn't have made it," the doctor paused and let the words sink it.
Grissom nodded and spoke for his team, "Thank you doctor. The day shift will be working on his case and any evidence you find should be handed over to them." The doctor nodded his understanding and left to get back to Nick.
"At least we know he made it through surgery," Greg said, trying to find the silver lining. They all nodded and sat back into their previous positions. For about fifteen minutes the crew just sat in a companionable silence, the air thick with worry.
Sara cleared her throat and spoke to the group, "Warrick and I were talking earlier and he mentioned that he thought something had happened in Nick's past. Something... not good. That's all I've been able to think about since he said it..." She stopped as if making sure she wanted to continue, "When I think about it, it really makes sense. I just wonder what could have happened."
Catherine noticeably stiffened when Sara spoke. Grissom called her on it, "Catherine, do you know something?"
"I... yeah I do."
Chapter Four: Baby, I'd be satisfied
Will Catherine reveal Nick's secret? Stay tuned to find out. I said that the case would unravel more in this chapter but I got a little side tracked with Warrick. Next chapters focus will probably be mostly Catherine. Then I think a Nick one will be in order.
I'm not extremely happy with the way this one turned out. Especially Sara bringing up something happening in Nick's past to the rest of the group... seemed way too forced and not a good transition. But I had to get it in there somehow. Oh and the explanation about Nick's injuries has no truth to it whatsoever. I'm not very good with medical terms and things so if anyone would like to help me with that, or recommend a website that might I'd really appreciate it.
As always I am looking for a beta and if anyone would like to help I'd love it! Thanks
-Amy
