Chapter 11 By Kristen

Nick stifled a lazy yawn as he searched for another cup of coffee. He had started going back to the gym on a regular bases again. He was still in very good shape; he had only lost a little muscle tone over the past few months. However, it was going to take him time to get used to the running, swimming, and weight training he had been accustomed to in the past. Nick didn't perform at any of his peak times or anything, but it felt good to feel the endorphin high of a good work out. His doctor had agreed it was a good outlet for some restlessness and it might serve to let him sleep deeper at night.

He wasn't plagued by the countless nightmares like when he got back to the hospital; however, his sleep was interrupted at least a couple times a week by bad dreams. Nick still avoided his medications at all cost, except for a rare time or two. Strenuous workouts had certainly alleviated some of this the past few days.

Nick rounded a corner to find Warrick and Catherine in the hallway. He wasn't in a bad mood, which had been a bit more common with him of late.

Catherine begun to be a bit more relaxed around him more. Their conversations were more casual and normal.

"Hey, Nick." His boss greeted.

"Hey Cath," he replied in his usual friendly tone. He looked over at Warrick and gave him his head nod hello.

"What's goin' on?" Warrick asked, something he said when he never expected an answer.

Nick grinned a little. He and his partner often asked each other what was going on as their hello to each other. The criminalist looked up expectantly, his partner was a bit tense, which wasn't unusual for him of late. That basketball court to exorcise both their demons was looking better every day Nick thought.

"You and Warrick got a 419 at a liquor store. Vega is heading to the scene as we speak." Catherine said in an easygoing manner. She looked at Nick almost as if studying his reaction.

Nick's grin widened. He wasn't about to make a smart-ass remark. It was about time he got to work on a homicide. He stole a glance at the lanky CSI who stood rigidly next their supervisor. Nick ignored the tension. Not even his over protective partner could ruin this moment.

"Great." Nick looked over at Warrick. "I'm driving." Nick even winked at him.

"Picture that." Warrick responded.

Nick couldn't help but smile further. That was almost the "old Warrick", competitive about any aspect of the case, including who got behind the wheel.

"I'll meet you in the parking lot, bro." Nick beamed as he tapped Warrick's shoulder good-naturedly.

"Meet ya, there." The other criminalist shouted after Nick's retreating form.

Warrick gave his superior an uneasy expression as he sighed loudly.

Catherine Willows was not going to have any attitude thrown her way right now. She put a hand on Warrick's arm and stared at him intently. "Nick's a grown man. You're going to have to let this go eventually."

Catherine always used the word "it" or "incident" around the other CSI. She didn't back down even as her coworker scowled at her. "I know that," Warrick acknowledged gruffly. "He may act like he's moving on, and everyone in this damn lab might try to pretend that things are back to normal."

Warrick cleared his throat as someone walked by, but his intense gaze never faltered. "However out there...out in the real world, danger is around every corner. And I'll be damned if we all just forget what can happen."

Catherine shook head. "Bad things occur, Warrick. You can't stop them all and you can't be responsible for everything that goes on around you." She closed the distance between the both of them, her face peering up at him. "You got to let go of the guilt, or you might as well leave part of yourself back in that hole in the ground."

Conrad Ecklie started down the hallway and Catherine turned her attention towards him, thus halting their conversation. She walked away casting her colleague a concerned look.

"I all ready did." Warrick muttered to himself as he went to catch up with the subject of their conversation.

Both criminalists walked from the truck over to the local liquor store. The shop was located in run down part of town, on a corner street, with poor lighting. Both CSIs took in the surroundings knowing that sketchy locations in bad neighbors were often a bad mix. Detective Vega was standing outside with one other officer. He nodded to both men as they approached.

"Nick. Warrick."

"Vega." Nick answered.

Warrick nodded.

"Store closed less than half an hour ago. 911 call reported shots fired and an officer investigated ten minutes later. DB is behind the counter, shot point blank, single tap to the head. Money drawer's empty." Vega explained the situation in his usual, concise manner.

"Surveillance?" Warrick asked.

"Still checking the tapes." The detective answered.

"No witnesses? No one saw nothing or heard nothing?" Nick ventured to ask. He knew the crimes in situations like these, left very little to go on.

"Nothing, but our dead guy." The Latino replied. "The clerk might have shot the suspect. There's a weapon near the body, and some blood in front of the counter."

"Find any shells?' Warrick asked, studying the outside of the store.

"Haven't been here long enough." The detective shrugged.

Warrick looked over at the door, with bars along the inside window. It was ajar, he stepped closer, it hadn't been busted open. So the robbery might have occurred while the business was still operating.

The CSI looked around trying to spot any suspicious people. A cabbie was parked across the street. The driver and another person were talking between each other. A couple of wanna-be gang bangers were smoking cigarettes across the street. They would cast their looks over their direction every once in a while. "No eye witnesses, yeah I buy that." He said sarcastically.

Vega looked over. "I all ready spoke to them. They gave me the usual silent treatment. Took down their info."

Warrick didn't hide his surprise. He scanned over to the right at one of the other closed businesses, a check-cashing joint. A man in a ratty windbreaker and scruffy curly hair was eyeing them with interest. He leaned against the building and quickly looked away.

"You ready to go in?" Nick asked, interrupting Warrick's thoughts.

"Yeah." He answered and both CSIs began their investigation.

The shop was a typical cramped set up. Enough room for the booze, a small counter, and not enough room to occupy that many people. Nick stopped short after only a few steps. He shined his light on a drop of blood and put one of his markers down as he snapped a photo. He scanned the area looking for a shell casing.

Warrick walked past him and peered over at the counter and let out a low whistle. The body was slumped down, but the blood spray peppered the back counter. Blood stained the area and splatter was all over some of the bottles of liquor stored on shelves above.

"Man, this was very close range." Warrick shined his flashlight over the DB, brain matter particles were all over the front of the counter. The whole scene was a complete mess.

Nick followed some of the blood drops further in the squat building. "Yeah, well he might have gotten a shot off." Nick had all ready placed three markers down and canvassed the floor for any sighs of a bullet. "The slug might still be in out perp. We'll need to check all the local ERs for victims."

"Keep searching. Might be embedded in a wall, or shelf." Warrick mumbled, as the he went to the back counter. "Man, this is going to take all night. I hope the coroner isn't too tied up".

Warrick began taking photos of the body, detailing every angle of the DB. Then he started taking shots over the surrounding bloody stock behind the dead clerk.

"Yeah, the bullet could be anywhere. " Nick observed, as he continued to document the blood drops. He walked further to the back of the store. His camera flashing in the tiny shop. He squatted down to take another photo and headed towards the back door.

The front one opened and David the assistant coroner, arrived to go over and then release the body for investigation.

He wandered behind the register area, his eyebrows arching. "Not the prettiest site of the night."

Warrick moved out of the way, while the man went to work. The criminalist looked over at the interior of the store and noticed Nick's markers, their pattern leading away. He tightened his jaw muscles as he continued to look for his partner.

"Body has only been dead less than an hour." David called over his shoulder with his findings.

"Yeah, I know." Warrick answered somewhat distractedly. He started following Nick's trail with his eyes, as it led toward and out the exit door.

"The body's all yours. Just sign the needed paper work, " David went on a few feet away.

Warrick tried to keep himself in check. There was no need for this damn irrational worry. Maybe Catherine was right. He needed to loosen up a bit, allow Nick to regain some self-confidence. And he needed to get a handle on his nerves. Warrick licked his lips. He could hear some lecture from his therapist echoing in his head.

"Yeah, yeah." He answered David, heading back to the body.

Nick had inched his way into the alley. He got into a flow of snapping shots, dropping his marker, and tracking the small trail of blood. He scanned the narrow area for anything out of the ordinary. He wasn't going to take his surroundings to chance anymore. The path was quiet and still. He flashed his light over the asphalt trying to locate any more blood. The splotches of were getting further apart and the drops smaller.

Nick wiped his forehead with his arm, careful not to knock off his hat. He took a deep breath and headed towards a dumpster as he followed his trail. He noticed that the blood stopped near the trash receptacle. He studied the area, trying to determine if the suspect might have tended to his wound. Nick looked for anything that could be used to stop possible bleeding.

He rummaged around, his flashlight illuminating wherever he directed it. "Where did you go?" He wondered out loud.

Nick heard a noise and saw a man hidden in the shadows several feet away from him. Instantly alert, Nick straightened to his full height, his hand near his holstered weapon.

"Hey." Nick stepped closer to the figure. "Come over here." He ordered.

The person held his hands up in front of him, and nervously inched closer to the CSI.

"I'm s-sorry, sir. I-I'm not here to cause trouble." A quivering voice spoke.

Nick shined his flashlight at the approaching man, taking in his old blue windbreaker. The guy blinked several times by the brightness of the beam. Nick noticed his unkempt shaggy beard and hair. Nick studied that man, he had two mismatched shoes, and ratty old jeans.

The stranger was shaking slightly, obviously from nerves, but Nick didn't know what he was so skittish about.

The man pointed at Nick's vest. "You, a cop?"

Nick wandered closer to the possible witness. "I'm a criminalist for the Las Vegas Crime Lab. What's your name?"

"I'm Sam. Sam Williams, officer."

Nick didn't feel the need to correct him. "What are you doing over here? This is a sealed off area."

"I-I live around here," the man responded shakily. He was starting to stare past Nick, his eyes darting around the alleyway.

Nick didn't feel that the homeless guy was a threat, but his mannerisms were making him a bit anxious. "You got some ID?"

The shifty guy started backing away. Nick kept his right hand near his weapon as he carefully took small steps to keep the distance between them equal. "Sir, do you have any identification?"

It was obvious that the nervous man wasn't going to stand around for questioning. Nick grabbed his radio with his left hand to request assistance, when the motion set the guy running away.

"Hey, wait!" Nick shouted after him. He pressed the button on his two way. "Detective Vega, do you read?" Nick had all ready adjusted the frequency so his request wouldn't go blaring to every cop in the city.

"I read ya, Stokes. What's up?"

Nick wasn't going to pursue the guy. "I just caught a homeless guy back behind the store near the dumpster. He ran off before I had a chance to get any ID. He might be a possible witness or suspect."

"What's his description?"

Nick gave the detective all the needed info as well what direction the man ran off to.

"I'm calling for back up, Nick. Officer Reynolds and I, think we spotted your guy. I'll keep you informed."

Nick stood in the small alleyway trying to take in that last few moments. He felt a light sweat break out around his forehead, but otherwise he felt fine. He contemplated his next move when the exit door burst open. Nick spun on his heel, his hand gripping the butt of his gun.

"Nick! You all right?" A panicked Warrick shouted, as he jogged over to where the other criminalist was standing.

"Jesus, Rick!" Nick yelled, his heart pounding against his chest. "You scared the Hell out of me!" He complained a bit angrily

Warrick scanned the area, his heavy breathing loud in the still back alley. "I heard your request," as if that simple explanation answered for his weird behavior.

Nick narrowed his eyes; his partner had his radio tuned to pick up broadcasts by anyone near the scene. The criminalist shook his head. "Some homeless guy wandered over. I wanted to find out if he knew anything or saw maybe what happened. But he freaked out just after I requested some ID."

Warrick's eyes' drifted around taking in every inch of the alley. "Yeah. Guy have on a dark windbreaker?"

Nick furrowed his brow. "Yeah. Vega and Reynolds are searching for him." Nick's expression was curious. "How did you know?"

Warrick shrugged. "I noticed him when we arrived. He seemed a bit shady, but I didn't think nothing of it." Warrick blew out a breath. "I'll help you out here, till they get back."

Nick cocked his head. "Dude, last I checked, you got a body to process and I still have a trail to follow. Super Dave still here?"

"Yeah. He's almost ready to leave. " Warrick walked past his partner. "You check out the dumpster?"

Nick growled under his breath. "I was just about to." The criminalist stalked over to his last marker and picked up his camera. Then he stood toe to toe with the bigger CSI. "Go back in, Warrick. I got it out here."

Warrick Brown hadn't budged. The CSI's feet seemed glued to their spot and it was obvious that his mind was trying to rationalize his behavior.

Nick wasn't going to give his partner a chance to cop up an excuse. "Stop baby-sitting me, man." Nick's voice was low and even. Not exactly menacing, but his tone should have sent the message loud and clear.

Warrick seemed to take exception to the accusation. "Nick..."

His partner cut him off. "Go process the body and leave me to do my job." Nick's voice was thick, his accent heavy. He placed both hands on his hips and glared at his friend.

Warrick backed down and grudgingly left.

Nick walked over to the dumpster. He went to his haunches and searched for anything amiss. His frustration and guilt eating away at him. The CSI's concentration took a walk, and he stood up somewhat hot headed. Nick paced up and down the thrash bin, his blood pumping fiercely in his veins. He hated how he was feeling of late.

Paranoia. Fear. Anger.

He just wanted things to be like they were before that night.

That one fucking night.

Nick kicked the dumpster hard, moving the receptacle by several inches. He slammed his hand down on the side and tried to control himself.

Were things ever going to be the same, he wondered.

Warrick ignored David as he carried on about the body. He knew he should be paying attention. What a coroner had to say about the preliminary. However, his mind elsewhere, Warrick just stood mutely on.

The other man obviously sensed something was off and made a speedy exit with the body.

Warrick was going to make his way back to the counter when Vega entered the store.

The detective nodded at the criminalist. "Still haven't found that guy. I radioed to Stokes that Officer Reynolds is still canvassing the area."

Warrick grunted, slightly frustrated at the news.

"I'm going back out front to see if I can gather anymore statements."

Warrick watched the man leave, his thoughts still drifting back to the alley. If Vega was in the front of the store and the other officer was tracking down that homeless guy, then Nick was outside with no one watching his back.

His brain told him to stay put. Let his partner work the scene, fall back into their respective routines before the Hell of three months ago. Warrick gritted his teeth. That was the problem; things were never going to be the same. It didn't matter if Nick got pissed at him; he wasn't not going to take any more stupid chances.

Warrick practiced what he was going to say as he strolled over to the backdoor. Confrontations. He was never the best person at defusing situations; his sharp temper and mouth always seem to get his ass into hot water. He'd stand his ground this time.

Warrick pushed open the door walked a few steps outside. He let his eyes adjust in the dim light and saw his partner crouched down scouring the area under the thrash bin. He was defiantly on the hunt for something. Warrick didn't want to sneak up on him, but he noticed some movement from the corner of alley.

The homeless guy was approaching Nick from behind; the shady character was sticking close to the wall almost out of sight from all the shadows.

Warrick's mouth almost lost its ability to shout out a warning. He was all ready drawing his weapon and storming across the short distance to the where his partner was working unaware of the danger.

"Freeze! Put your hands up where I can see him!" Warrick shouted, spit flying out from the force and urgency of his voice.

Nick almost fell down, as he turned around so fast to see what was going on. His hand was pulling out his own weapon on the reaction to the words he just heard.

The homeless guy's arms were not up in the air like they should. His hands were in front of him, shaking so bad that it was hard to tell if he had anything at all in them.

"I said hands in the air!" Warrick ordered again, his finger itchy on the trigger. He glanced over at Nick, who seemed to be taking in the whole scene in shock.

"Get beside me Nick!" Warrick ordered through clenched teeth. He wanted his partner right there next to him. Not a few feet away, not so far away that he wasn't in control of the situation.

Nick's focus was on the scared as hell man, trembling a few away. Nick stepped towards the homeless guy. "Warrick, the guy's unarmed."

Warrick didn't know what to say. His Glock was pointed at the suspect... at the danger. Nick was certainly not going towards him like he requested. "Back away from him, Nick. Call it in on your radio."

Nick radioed the situation, but he was more worried about his partner then any possible threat. The criminalist saw the nervous man rooted to the ground. His eyes were like those of a deer in headlights. The guy's hands were empty; it still didn't cause his antsy partner to back down.

"Warrick, he's got no weapon. Put yours away." He ordered.

Warrick Brown was still trying to take in the entire thing when Detective Vega came bounding into the alley. He grabbed the suspect, turned him around, and cuffed the man before anyone else said a thing.

The "suspect" was now babbling away his apologies. Scared to death by all the commotion.

Nick walked over to him as Vega questioned him. The CSI stood and listened, as the poor man explained that his blanket and few possessions were hidden away by the dumpster. He was just trying to get them back. The man continued on for several more minutes, obviously frightened by the police. He had been scared that Nick was going to steal his things.

Nick glared at Warrick who listened intently to the story. There was no weapon, no real danger. He felt guilty, but regretted nothing. He looked over at his partner.

Nick knew Warrick well enough, that the man wasn't about to apologize. His mannerisms and facial expressions were an open book. That wasn't going to let him off the hook. No way. Nick's frazzled mind was too cranked up to deal with this...not yet.

Nick knew that Warrick got the message loud and clear. No words were needed, the air crackled with such tension, that even a single sound might cause one of them to lose their cool.

When both of them had the time to regain some composure things were going to go down. It was going to be tonight and it wasn't going to be pretty.

tbc...

Kristen's notes: I'm really amazed by all the great detailed discussion/feedback this story has generated. I'm glad that it causes everyone to want to leave such detailed comments and that you feel like taking the time to drop us a few thoughts. Its been amazing. thank you everyone. Hoped everyone enjoyed the tension in this one :-)

Shacky's notes:

Rozzy7- So glad you have enjoyed the story, I really enjoyed writing the Greg parts, trying to give Nick an outlet, someone who can maybe break through to him. Thanks for taking the time to review.

Poncholives- Kristen truly has done an excellent job writing Warrick because I believe his guilt goes deeper than anyone's, but in time hopefully he will see also. Thank you for your reviews, it's been great reading them.

Designation- I really see Warrick and Greg acting differently, not only different personalities, but I truly believe Greg has a better understanding because of the explosion, which I don't feel was dealt with enough on the show, he had to have suffered emotionally, even the ever fun and goofy Greg. Plus I think he understands Nick can feel normal around him, so I tried to write him that way.

Jewelbaby- Wow, so glad you like my stories, I have a whole bunch my at my LJ site, plus about six Nick/Greg video's I made, just in case you wanted to know. So glad you are enjoying this piece too, I love writing the Greg/Nick friendship scenes, not slashy, but I see their friendship on a different level cause I think Greg has always looked up to Nick. So glad you are liking this, and more to come.

CSIxMiss- Thank you so much, to say the best CSI story you have ever read means so much to me, and I'm sure to Kristen too, we put a lot of thought and work into this, and to know so many people are enjoying it, well it just makes it that much better for both of us. Thanks.

Goody- OK, I must admit getting a review from you was a true honor because I have always loved your stories, you know that. I hope you have been able to catch up. I really enjoyed writing Chapter 4, it was probably my favorite, cause I got to write Greg and Nick, angst then fun, and pure Greg magic and that part of Greg that makes him Greg, and why Nick likes him around so much. Yeah, I think these two probably really miss not working together, but that's just me, poor Greg around all those women.

Katknits-Yeah, even Grissom can't let Nick go yet, and it's starting to boil over for Nick, it's getting get a little hotter too, thank for the reviews, it's been great and I loved writing this.

Anmani- Thank you, we have really tried to capture Nick desire to be himself, but trapped sometimes, and the team dealing with their own demons they cannot admit to. I have been trying to write Greg as someone who tries to truly be honest because he's been their, and I don't think Greg could ever not be truthful with Nick.

New creation- Better and better, now that's a compliment. To write a story is one thing, but to keep it interesting and the readers coming back is something else, and even your daughter, Kristen and I couldn't believe that, her first CSI fanfic, we hope we do good by her.

Bebob- Thank you so much for your continuous responses. We truly appreciate them. And big, mean, angry Nick, yeah, damn hot, but it ain't over yet girl, keep reading, that's all I'm saying. I hope you think it gets better, that's what we were striving for, to keep you all coming back for more.

Charxed- We tried to update regularly, we wrote in advance so we were able to update quickly, to keep you all on your toes. Realistic and intense are just what we like hearing, we wanted realistic, and I hope we haven't disappointed.

LucreziaNoin86- Well, we got you hooked to I see, glad to see it, I hope you are enjoying it, as your first CSI fanfic it's a lot to live up to, so I hope it's everything you were hoping for.

NickGilGreggonumber1fan- I was really trying to get Grissom's emotions through in this chapter, in a Grissom way, which can be difficult, but this is as close as I think it gets for him, but it was a step for him none the less, it wasn't Nick that wasn't ready, it was him, and he admitted to himself finally.

Lemon Grass- First off, thank you for your consistent reviews, it means so much to see the same people coming back for more, and you got it, it's not that they don't "trust" Nick, they don't trust themselves to let him go, it's their fear holding them back, and Nick is starting to pay the price. I think his co-workers were very traumatized, in a way Nick could never understand, completely different, but helpless, and they don't want to feel powerless again toward Nick.

Amy- Yeah, I loved that Chapter Kristen wrote, Nick would have loved it, but he didn't see the fear creep up, but he handled it as well as he could, it's Warrick that can't let it go, but you are very perspective in your thinking where Nick's tests are involved.

higherbeingfriendfan- Glad you enjoyed this chapter, Nick can vent to Greg, and Greg has a way of listening, but also maybe getting through to Nick that the others don't because he doesn't pretend with Nick, he admits how scared he was, and maybe that helps Nick too.

Karen- Thank you, it is truly our pleasure to share our story with all of you, that's why we wrote it, we wanted to give our take on Nick and GD, his healing with the help of his friends that we probably, ( ok, we know) we won't get to see on the show, and it was been a wonderful experience writing with Kristen, she is truly the talent behind the fic, and has a gift of writing I can only hope to learn. Greg can open up, and him sharing what he felt with Nick in this chapter, how helpless they all truly felt, I just think Greg could reach Nick in a way the others can't, Greg can be vulnerable, and he can let Nick see that. Thank you for the compliments, it really has been a joy sharing this story with all of you and writing with Kristen.

Jones- We tried to deal with more of the action in the first few chapters, then move on and try to deal with Nick healing, trying to get past this, with the help of his friends, but don't worry, there is still more to come, hope you enjoy. And I wrote most of the Greg parts, so I really wanted to try and get across that maybe Greg understood more than most since he did almost die, not like Nick, by accident, but it did happen, and he suffered as well, treated like glass when he came back, gripped by fear and anxiety, and he could relate to Nick on a level the others couldn't. Plus I believe their friendship runs deep, they have such great chemistry on the show I have really missed this past season.

Groban- Yes they do, not just Nick, that is what they are starting to come to terms with.

KaseyKC- Nick is starting to feel the weight of his friends guilt, but it may get worse before it gets better for all of them. They mean well, they went through hell, which Nick is now starting to realize, he couldn't before, it would seem to real then, didn't want to know. Yes, the team needs healing too and hopefully they soon will realize that also.