Title: Good Enough

Warnings: Slash. If you're at Chapter 16, you know that by know. Also, mention of child and domestic abuse.

Spoilers: "Overload." Also, if you haven't read "Murder on the Orient Express," be warned that I spoil the ending to it.

Chapter 16

Shifting uncomfortably in my chair, I glance around Grissom's office. I'm here to discuss my interview with Molly Cooper and her mother, as well as the letters Garret Ames dropped off. Still, I can't help but feel like I'm in the principal's office. I'm waiting to be scolded for something.

Not to mention the fact that the last time I was here, Grissom tried to bond with me.

Leaning forward in his chair, Grissom finally says, "So, how did the interview go?"

I shrug. "Well, everybody's hiding something."

Grissom gets a far-off look in his eyes. "Well, that's true of life, isn't it? We're all hiding something."

Raising my eyebrows, I say, "These people are. Molly Cooper admitted to being in the house, but she says she left right after Cody. She met friends at IHOP prior to meeting Danny, but she shut up when we asked for names. Add to that the fact that Cody never mentioned Molly's presence at the house."

"True. Perhaps Molly is covering for Cody?"

I lean back in my chair. "Cody's parents put him at home when the murder took place."

"Nicky, would your parents lie to protect you?"

Without a second's hesitation, I say, "Absolutely." Cocking my head, I tug on my bottom lip. "You figure the Briers' have been lying to us all along?"

Grissom clasps his hands. "Well, I don't know, but it's a possibility. Remember that eyewitnesses are the least reliable form of evidence."

I nod. "We don't have anything that puts Cody in the house when Danny was killed."

"We don't have anything that puts him at home when Danny was killed," Grissom counters, "Expect the word of his loving parents."

"Speaking of parents," I say, "Mr. Ames and Mrs. Cooper are hiding something as well."

Looking intrigued, Grissom says, "Okay, what's your theory?"

"Well," I say, "Kim Cooper mentioned that she was on a date with someone the night Danny was killed. She and Garret Ames looked pretty chummy when I saw them in the lobby. I'm guessing he's the mystery date."

"Hmm…" Grissom crosses his arms. "That could explain the animosity between Molly and Natalie. Tell me something, Nick. Did you read 'Romeo and Juliet' when you were in high school?"

"Sure. Freshman year."

Grissom pulls a letter from the stack Garret Ames handed to me. "Give me a summary."

Frowning, I say, "Uh…feuding families. True love. They died to be together."

Oh.

I sit up straight. "What are you thinking?"

"Well," Grissom says with a near-grin, "In these letters, Daniel refers to himself as Romeo to Natalie's Juliet. He goes on to say that their families are the Capulets and the Montagues."

"Sounds like Danny was more troubled than people thought."

Licking his bottom lip, Gris says, "He wrote that life wasn't worth living if he didn't have her."

"What does he say about Molly?"

"Nothing. He talks about Cody and about the trip to LA."

Stretching, I ask, "What else?"

Gris rifles through the letters, finally, tugging one free of the stack. "Here he apologizes for hurting her. Says he wasn't mad at her. He was mad at the world."

"Sounds like he hit her, too." I shift in my chair. "I asked Mr. Ames, and he said he was sure Natalie was never beaten. He seems like a good dad, y'know?"

Grissom shrugs, "Well, even the best of parents don't want to believe that something horrible can happen to their child."

"So, we've got one girlfriend who was being battered, another who was probably getting battered, a best friend who got clocked at least once."

"Let's look at our major players: We know that Cody and Molly were in that house. Cody is the best friend. Molly is one of two girlfriends. Cody and Molly are friends."

"Natalie is the other girlfriend, but she was home with her brother when Danny was killed." Anticipating Grissom's question, I add, "But we have no proof of that."

"Additionally, if you're correct about Mr. Ames and Mrs. Cooper, then Natalie and Molly also have a connection."

"And Cody is Natalie's cousin. According to Mr. Ames, Nat and Cody used to hang out, but haven't recently. But there seems to be at least a minor relationship between Cody and the Ames'. I mean, Cody called his uncle after Danny hit him."

Grissom cocks his head the way he does when he's pondering something. "They're all interconnected. Nick, did you ever read 'Murder on the Orient Express'?"

"Yeah, years ago."

"Remember who the killer was?"

"About everybody on the train," I half-laugh. "Twelve people who all knew the vic and each other got together, and each one took a swing at the vic. It was like they were the jury, passing sentence on him."

"Right! They covered for each other. Each passenger on the train misled Poirot just enough that the murder couldn't be pinned on one person."

I stand up and begin to pace. "These are kids, Gris. Are you saying that they got together to kill Danny, and that they've been covering for each other?"

"What do we know about what happened in the room?"

I bite my bottom lip. "Well…"

"What does the autopsy tell us?" Gris asks, slightly irritated.

I've been so out of it lately that I really can't remember. "He didn't have enough pills in his system to kill him."

"Right," Grissom nods. "We also know that there were bruises on his hands. They could be defensive marks, or they could be the result of an attack against one of the suspects. We also know that Daniel had bruises on the back of his legs, consistent with falling backward over something. And," Grissom says, "There was a bruise on his chest that is consistent with someone striking him."

"Or pushing him," I mumble. "Grissom, none of this adds up."

"Well," he says. "We're going to have to do the math until it does."

"I'm just saying you're getting too emotionally involved with this case. You're tied up in knots." Greg rubs the ball of one hand into my right shoulder. "Not that I mind working them out, but dude, your stressin'. It's unhealthy."

I adjust my body so it's more comfortable, and so Greg can reach my upper arms. He's right. My muscles are tight as a drum. The case is only part of it, though. I don't know. I guess I thought getting together with the man I love would solve all my problems, but it hasn't. Most of the old ones are still with me. And my relationship with Greg has caused a few new ones.

Letting out a deep, labored breath, I say, "I guess I identify with Cody a little. And Garret."

"Why?"

"Why?" I crane my neck back to look at Greg. "I guess we all have similar parents. And similar life experiences."

"You never murdered anybody."

"How do we know they did?"

Greg's trying to keep me in perspective. I know that. But I just can't see these kids or their folks as murderers. Maybe I am feeling too close to some of the suspects, but I've always trusted my gut before. And my gut is telling me that none of our suspects are murdered Danny.

Greg pats my left shoulder. "All right, you stay there. I'll get the door."

I flinch. "The door? I didn't hear the doorbell."

"Relax, Nicky," Greg says, a hint of frustration in his voice. "We're friends. You're allowed to be at my apartment."

With my shirt off? I snake my hand to the floor and snatch up my shirt. I just managed to get it buttoned when Greg swings open the door.

"Hi, boys!"

Catherine. I feel my breathing start to relax.

Ever since our little heart-to-heart over breakfast burritos, Catherine has been hovering over me. For want of a better word, she's been mothering me. Yesterday, she dragged me down to the grocery store. "You can't live on fast food," she told me. And this morning, she reminded me to do my laundry. I have to admit, I kind of like her fussing over me.

"So," she says, flopping down on the couch. "What are you two studs up to?"

Greg grins mischievously. "Sorry Cat, there's a lady present."

"Who?" She winks.

Smiling, Greg says, "Hey Cat, want to stay for dinner?"

"Did it come with a good-looking delivery guy?"

"That could be arranged."

"Hey," I say, trying to sound put off. "Are you flirting with her?"

Greg chuckles. "Ooh. Jealous." He strides toward his kitchen. "I cooked pasta. Is that cool?"

"Yeah. Lindsey had a sleepover last night. I don't have to pick her up for a while."

After Greg disappears into the kitchen, Catherine pats the seat next to her. "Let's talk."

I trudge dutifully over and drop down next to her. "Listen, Cat. If you're going to join the Greg Sanders chorus about coming out, I'm not ready."

"That's fine," she says. "Don't do anything you're not ready to do."

"Really?"

"Yeah. How are you two doing otherwise?"

I smile. "Good."

Catherine grins. "Nicholas Stokes, you're blushing."

I am?

"I am?" I laugh a little. "I'm way too old to act silly and lovesick."

"You're too young not to," Catherine says evenly. "So, what happened with Mom?"

I bite my bottom lip and glance toward the kitchen. "We're walking on eggshells."

"Have you told…?" She points toward the kitchen.

"Are you nuts?" I whisper. "He doesn't have to know."

She gazes at me. "Your call. But you need to talk to your parents. They may not want to hear it, but…" Catherine trails off.

I look up and see Greg, leaning quietly against the wall. "And the room fell silent," he says. "Talking about me?"

I feel my chest tighten. I know Catherine and I didn't say anything to tip Greg off about what we were really talking about. But I can't help but notice that Greg has the same look on his face that Brass did after he walked in on Greg and me in the lab.

Noticing my discomfort, Catherine winks at me, and says, "Maybe he was flirting with me."

Greg posture relaxes somewhat. "I wouldn't doubt it," he says dramatically. "Anyway, food's getting cold."