Nick Stokes exited the evidence room where he had been and proceeded down the hall towards the coffee room. It was going to be another long night. They hadn't seen Grissom since Candi went in there and that was three hours ago. Nick tried to resist the urge to check on them. He had to learn to mind his own business. At least that's what Grissom thought.

Greg was being a nut-job. He wasn't focussing and Nick was getting tired of it. This case was getting to everyone. But there had to be way to convict Lucas Harper. All the evidence pointed toward him and they were out of suspects. If they didn't prove him guilty soon, they would lose him. It was tiring Nick right out and all he could do was keep on trucking. They'd never had a case this tough before and he didn't understand why the D.A. just wouldn't go with it. Turning into the coffee room, he found Catherine Willows and Sara Sidle seated on the white leather sofas. They were fellow CSIs and were working a different case. Sara was sipping a can of soda and Catherine was holding an unopened bottle of water.

"So, I heard about Grissom. I didn't know he had a daughter," Sara pointed out. Nick groaned. He didn't want to explain again.

"She showed up looking for him. What else is there to say?" he sighed as he reached for a mug. Sara smirked.

"I heard it was that new girl of Greg's.. What's her name.. Sandi?" Nick rolled his eyes.

"It's Candi… And so what? It's also a coincidence," he paused. "You think?" He stared at his co-workers. "So you think…" his voice trailed off. Sara smiled.

"Probably is. I mean, it's not like she knew that Greg worked for her father until she found him, right?" Catherine shrugged.

"You're probably right. Now come on, that evidence won't analyse itself." Without another word, the two women disappeared.

After pouring himself a cup of coffee, he headed out of the room. When he entered the hallway, a female voice began calling his name.

"Nick! Nicky!" He swung around and with wide eyes, he noticed his ex-girlfriend, Anna, standing in the doorway. She was large around the waist and appeared flushed. He went speechless. She stared at him for a moment and burst out laughing.

"Don't worry, Nicky," she smiled as she walked up to him and rested a hand on his shoulder. "It's not yours." A sigh of relief escaped his throat and the color slowly returned to his cheeks.

"So what do you want?" he asked as he took a sip of his coffee and proceeded back to the evidence room. She glanced down to the diamond right on her left ring finger and played with it.

"I need a favor," she replied slowly and quietly .

"What kind of favor?" he asked cautiously as he lowered his cup.

"You see… My fiance's brother is in a little trouble with the law…" her voice trailed off. Nick stared at her.

"So? What can I do to help?"

"He's innocent. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and the cops are all over him. Please Nicky, help me." Nick sighed. How could he say no? This girl was one of his closest friends since childhood.

"OK," he said. "I'll check into it and see what I can do. What's his name?" Anna played with her engagement ring a little longer before meeting his gaze again.

"Lucas… Lucas Harper."