A/N Okay I'm in a really really good mood again. This is odd because that has never actually happened to me before like that. Anyways my friend has been ungrounded and she is spending the night. Though she is not in this room at the very moment, she is playing monopoly; I thought this be a good way to share my happiness. Though this chapter may not be filled with happiness or anything, not quiet sure yet, getting the chapter could be happy, right? Well if it isn't I'm sorry please review still.
WarrickBrownIsLoved - Thank you so much for the review. Yes Gil is the father of Alex and yes Lindsey was raped. I have a reason behind that but it won't be discovered till I want it to. Which actually might just be this chapter. Again thanks for the review and all the other reviews you have given me throughout this story.
On with the chapter now.
Chapter Ten:
The man on the bed did not look like the one she had known for her entire life as a CSI. He did not look like the man she knew for who he was. He looked innocent and alone. Scared and hated. He no longer brought fear to her but to her surprise compassion. She felt sorry for him. The man next to her wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.
"You don't have to do this Cath," Black whispered softly. "You could just leave him alone. Never even see him again."
"I ... I can't Randy," she looked up at him fear in her eyes. "I want to know why."
"He was obsessed with you Catherine. That's why," he looked confused at the look of fear in her eyes when she looked back at Ecklie.
"Not me ... Lindsey," a single tear rolled down her cheek. "If it ... if it was him or ... or the other man."
"You never mentioned anyone else in your statement."
"I'm not sure if there was someone else that's why. All I heard was a noise ... I ... but ... just stay with me while I talk to him," she looked back up at him begging him to say yes. He nodded and opened the door for her. Ecklie turned his head a large smile appear on his face at the site of her, but it vanished when he saw Black. "Conrad Ecklie my partner Agent Randy Black."
"Catherine you do not need a bodyguard when you come to see me. I love you," he paused to slow down his talking. She stepped forward away from Black. "Send him ... away." He coughed slightly.
"Why Lindsey," She whispered softly looking him straight in the eye. He turned his head.
"I'm tired leave me be," he whispered.
"Ec ... Conrad," he snapped his head back to her hearing his first name. "Please if you love me tell me why you hurt Lindsey? Why hurt my baby girl?"
"I didn't," he looked back at the other wall. "Leave or I'll call a nurse."
"Con ..."
"Catherine come on."
"No!"
"Willows," Black spun her around by the elbow. "He said leave staying would be violating his rights and you know that. We must leave."
"I can't. Not yet. Not till he tells me who hurt my baby!" She slowly fell to her knees. "My baby Randy. My baby."
"I know," he sighed picking her up into his arms. Her hands automatically went around his neck as she let the tears come freely.
"Your lucky I want you to get the needle Mr. Ecklie otherwise I would have killed you myself by now," he walked out of the room and down the hall. Catherine had cried herself to sleep in his arms by the time he got to Lindsey's room; who was also asleep with signs of crying herself. Over in a corner was there boss watching both enter. He jumped up rushing to Catherine.
"Is she okay," he asked taking her from his arms and placing her near Lindsey. "I knew I shouldn't have said yes but never could I say no to this angel. Never."
"Director, Sir, what do you mean by that?"
"Where is Alex? Is he still with his father?"
"Yes," he looked sad.
-Grissom's Room-
By the time Alex had gotten to Grissom's room he wasn't doing so well. Three nurses where in there trying to calm him, which was only increasing his heart rate. They had said it was a good thing he entered at the time otherwise he could have easily had a heart attack. Now he just sat next to his fathers left knee watching him sleep. Tilting his head he frowned.
"You don't look like a dad," he whispered softly. "You look lonely."
"I am," Grissom whispered back opening his eyes. "For nearly three years to be exact."
"Windsey not let me hug her."
"Where is your mother?"
"Not here."
"I know that she isn't here ... but where ... is she," he looked like he was having trouble breathing.
"How should I know," he rolled his eyes. When he noticed that Grissom had began wheezing for air he hit the call button. Three nurses ran in one taking him from the room another screaming for the doctor. The nurse holding him refused his calls for his dad and just carried him down the hall. Finally he decided to start yelling for his mom and random people.
"Its okay your daddy will be okay," the nurse tried to reassure as she carried him into the waiting room where everyone was gathered. Black rushed up and took him hushing him quickly.
"What happened?" He demanded.
"The doctor is going to find that out. In the meantime please wait patiently."
"Easy for you to say your not the one dealing with a broken family now are you. Not the one having to explain to your partner that everything will be okay and having to deal with a fourteen year old girl who has been through an ordeal not many adult females can handle. And a little boy who has to watch both his parents suffer like this. You're ..."
"Randy," Roberts entered the room walking up. Black automatically shut up looking at his boss. "Catherine ... she wants to leave Vegas as soon as possible. Please arrange for my plan to escort her, Alex, Lindsey, you, and me to leave tomorrow morning at eight. Everyone else," the others looked at him. "Go back to the hotel and start packing your flight arrangements have been arranged already and I expect you back at work ASAP. Your flight leaves in and hour and a half so leave now."
"Yes sir," they all said at the same time. Roberts took Alex as Black walked off.
"I won't let her leave," Warrick stood.
"We won't let her leave," Greg said all the others standing. Brass looked ready to kill him while Dr. Robbins remained seated along with Sara who was crying now. Nick was seated trying to keep her calm. Roberts looked at them glaring.
"Cat can do whatever she damn pleases. I'm not stupid enough to go up against her again. If she wishes to leave and remain working for me then she damn well can." He turned and walked right into Catherine who had tears in her eyes.
"Mike tell me it's all a dream," she whispered hugging herself. He wrapped his arms around her and she cried even louder. "Just tell me it's a dream."
"I can't sweetie but I can tell you I'll make it all better. I help you get through this," he whispered running his hands through her hair. "I was there for Eddie and I'll be here for this."
"You know Eddie?" Brass asked cocking an eyebrow. Robbins stood smirking.
"I knew I recognized you Michael Roberts," he walked forward. Roberts held out a hand.
"Hello Dr. Robbins."
"Catherine would you like a nice cup of tea," Robbins asked her. She nodded lightly. "Well let's all go to the cafeteria and eat something. I'd love to hear what you have been up to Catherine. How old is Alexander now?" That made her smile lightly and she hugged him. They all slowly made there way to the next floor. The CSIs and Brass followed behind the others slightly confused and angry.
-Lindsey's Room-
Alex had snuck away from the group as they were walking to the cafeteria. Now he sat in a silent place. A place where he could think. True it was a place his mother avoided something in him when ever something bad happened would take him hear. Why he did not know. But what he did know was that every time he was here he felt protected and safe. It was the church inside the hospital.
It was empty and silent. Everything seemed to stop when he entered. Slow down and calm. He felt at peace and never wanted to leave. It had been two hours since he entered and so far only five people entered. Two doctors and three nurses all trying to see if he was okay. He just ignored them and eventually they left. To him only he was in there looking at the large cross.
"Can you be anymore like your father," His mother said taking a seat next to her. He ignored her also. She sighed. "Anytime I'm looking for him I go straight to the churches. Mainly this one. In fact when I couldn't find him after Lindsey's birth this was where he was in this exact spot. And after his surgery. And when he ended up shooting me to get a suspect."
"Leave me be," He mumbled glaring at her. "As you said earlier this is your entire fault."
"Alex," she was about to continue when a hand falling on her shoulder caught her attention. Looking up she spotted Grissom's doctor with a very grim look. He took her by the elbow leading her away from Alex.
"Ms. Willows ..."
"Is he ... is he dead?" She whispered looking over at the little boy now watching them intently. "Did he die?"
"No but his condition is worse then we thought. The reason for him having to go back into surgery was his lung collapsed. We now have him set up in the ICU the problem is that Mr. Ecklie was the only one that had an extra bed and I doubt both will be happy with this arrangement. Lindsey has been released and is rather afraid of everyone. From what the nurses tell me she won't let anyone but you near her now is that true?"
"Yes. This is normal for ... for well victims of this nature. It is only a couple who can actually deal with people of the other sex coming near them or anyone for that matter."
"The problem is that Lindsey refuses to let anyone into her room therefore we cannot give her back her clothes. That is not normal even with children around her age. All she wants is you or her father."
"Her father? But he is dead," she looked confused for a moment. "Is it possible that she is forgetting that now?"
"I have seen kids who want a particular person so bad they will forget they are dead or have never met them. This could be the case for Lindsey. Maybe you should see her now."
"I can't leave Alex," she looked back over at him. "He ... he needs someone to talk to."
"I can take him to see his father now. I think that will help some," the doctor walked over to Alex and told him something then the two left. Catherine slowly made her way to her daughter's room taking the clothes from the nurse before she entered.
"Mommy?" Lindsey asked when she entered. "I thought you left."
"No baby," he smiled handing over the clothes Black had brought to them. Lindsey quickly changed behind a curtain then walked out. She was hugging her self and refused to walk any further then past her mom. "Baby I can't carry you anymore. If you want you can hold my hand."
"Please," she looked at the ground slightly embarrassed. "It's just ... I ..."
"Its okay," she smiled offering her hand. "Where to sweetie?"
"Home," she whispered back. "I want to go home."
"We will soon. How bout we go see how Alex is doing? I think he be very happy to see his sister is okay."
"No! I don't want him to know what happened."
"He doesn't. Sweetie," she bent down in the middle of the hallway. Lightly placing her hands on her shoulders arms which were now wrapped around herself again she sighed. "I know this is hard for you but I will be here when you need me. If you want we can get something to eat and then I can take you back to the hotel."
-ICU-
The doctor had left Alex alone with the two men. This time it was Alex who had fallen asleep with Grissom watching. Alex was partially lying on his chest and drooling. It made him smile to see his son asleep in his arms memories of Catherine and Lindsey doing the same thing all the time. A small smile was plastered on his face, hardly even realizing the presence of Ecklie who he had seen earlier or the new addition to the room. The one who had tears in her eyes at what she saw.
"Catherine you have come back," Ecklie said smiling. Grissom's head shot up at the sound of her name and he sought out her eyes. They were busy taking in Ecklie at the moment.
"Not to see you but to gather my son," she snapped. "But if you wish to tell me who it was I will be glad to stay."
"Not with Grissom in the room I won't," he smiled over at Grissom. "I like privacy."
"Are you forgetting your located in the ICU kind of hard to leave don't you think." He was silent for a moment but he was smiling. He looked her up and down and thin his eyes traveled to Lindsey who remained outside the door. "She looks very much like you."
"Eyes remain on me," she moved over slightly blocking his view. At hearing what he said and seeing him looking at her Lindsey had began to panic tears streaming down her face.
"Mommy leave now," she begged.
"Okay baby," she moved over to Grissom's bed and went to pick up Alex. Grissom moved his working arm over him refusing to let him go. "Dr. Grissom please release my son."
"Our son or are you forgetting that. Catherine why are you treating me like a victim."
"Grissom ... Gil please let me take Alex to a real bed. I have ... family to worry about."
"Lindsey?" His eyes flew to the girl now curled in ball against the outside wall. "Catherine what is wrong with her?"
"Oh sweetie," she rushed to her daughters aid enveloping her in her arms. Lindsey crawled closer to her in fear. "I got you baby no one can hurt you. No one can hurt you," she closed her eyes fighting back the tears. "No one."
"Can we please leave now," she said between tears.
"Yeah," she sighed helping her to her feet and moving her down the hall. She then re-entered the ICU and quickly removed Alex from Grissom's grasp. She didn't even glance at him as she left and walked down the hall.
-Two days later-
Her plane had been delayed twice already. Apparently the engine was having problems and now they figured it would take a week to repair. Of course the director gave them a vacation until it was fixed but not once did Lindsey leave the room, therefore neither did she. Alex normally was taken out by Jonathen Black, Black's son. At the moment Catherine was in the shower and Lindsey was fast asleep. The phone continued to ring and when she turned the shower off she rushed out answering it, while pulling on a robe.
"Willows," She said into the receiver.
"Haven't heard that name for two days. I was getting lonely," a male's voice on the other end said. "Do you know how easy it was to get this number?"
"Who is this," she looked slightly confused. Lindsey stirred next to her.
"Mommy who is it," she asked rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Is that Lindsey. She is rather beautiful you know Catherine. Pity you almost lost her undercover," his voice sounded familiar and she gasped.
"Peter Mason," she whispered in shock. "Where are you?"
"The last place you would expect," he laughed slightly. "Nice office you have here. Pity you're leaving it behind. What to bad of a memory?"
"What do you want?"
"To speak with you. Face to face. I know you would want a place you felt safe or a public place so I came here. Not exactly safe but hey it works hey. You got thirty minutes to get to me or I'm gone."
She hung up the phone and spun to look at Lindsey. "Linds baby I have to go do you want to come with me or stay here ... alone."
"Go with you," she stood and quickly changed as her mother did. They were out of the hotel in a total of ten minutes, a record for them, and in a cab. It took another fifteen minutes for the cab to get them to the lab. After paying she looked at her watch, realizing it was night shift still she cursed Peter for his timing and quickly ran in. She ran past Warrick and Nick who were in ballistics discussing a case, Sara who was walking down the hall her name tag reading Sidle again, and Greg who was flirting with a new lab tech. Each followed her aware of Lindsey walking slowly through the lab after her mother. They saw her entered her old office and shutting the door quickly. Walking closer they were surprised to hear her talking to someone. "Peter."
"With three minutes to spare Catherine. Good very good. How is Grissom holding up?"
"Great talk now."
"Always liked to cut to the chase didn't you. Well then let's do this. I spoke with Ecklie and he told me you were looking for me."
"Uh ... I am?"
"About Lindsey," when he had said that Lindsey had her hand just above the door knob but she snatched it away shacking. "Did he tell you I like girls in there teens."
"Confessing?"
"For you I would do anything. You must realize the only reason I helped Ecklie was to save myself. I thought it best to turn myself in now and not have you find me later. I'm sure you would have gotten some excuse to kill me."
She was silent. The entire hall and room was silent until she spoke in a silent and calm voice. "Why here? Why meet me here instead of someplace else. Is there a reason?"
"Actually yes. This is the very office me and you first spoke. The one that used to be mine. It was fun beating Grissom."
"I think it be fun to put a bullet through your brain."
"Really? Here I thought we could have an adult to adult conversation about well your beautiful daughter."
"You better stay behind that desk or I'll ..." Lindsey through the door open her bottom lip quivering.
"Mommy I want to leave now."
"Okay we're leaving," she walked over taking her hand. Before she left she pulled out her cell and dialed a number. "Brass I have a suspect for you to arrest ... Warrick will be watching him." She hung up just as her cell went off again. "Willows ... Mike that is the best news I've heard in days ... Good good ... no no we are heading there now." She hung up again.
"Lindsey were going home," they walked off. Two minutes later Brass walked up with two police officers and quickly arrested Peter after Warrick told him what for. After that Warrick was off after Catherine.
-Airport-
Catherine was outside talking with Black and the Director when Warrick's Denali pulled up. Lindsey, Alex, and Jonathen had already gotten onto the plan, Jonathen holding Lindsey's hand for support. The three were waiting for the pilot to tell them the plane was leaving and were discussing the next case the two would be working.
"These are all murders taking place right in DC."
"Thirty year old men being stabbed to death in their bedrooms with clear signs they just had sex," Catherine whistled. "Damn this is interesting."
"Do you want the case Willows," Mike smiled at her.
"Hell yeah. I need a good rush," she smiled looking at Black. "Ready to watch me process scenes."
"Oh god," he laughed at her look. "I'm kidding. I'm sure I'll learn a lot."
"Yeah well let's hope she doesn't get hyper," Mike laughed. She lightly hit him laughing also.
"Yeah well ..."
"Catherine," Warrick placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned around shocked.
"What do you want Warrick?"
"Black told me not to convince you not to leave but screw him," he said. "I won't let you break Grissom's heart again."
"His heart doesn't remain broken for long does it," she snapped. "Didn't take him long to marry Sara."
"Doesn't take you long to run away." He snapped just as angrily. "Damn it Catherine my first rookie case here was a rape case. The first victim ran from it and you told her running never helps. Well what are you doing? Running. Teaching Lindsey to run." Her hand came across his face hard.
"Don't you dare bring Lindsey into this. She wants to leave so I am. What I want doesn't matter right now. Plus not like Grissom will notice I'm gone he just cares for his bugs."
"What about Alex? What does he want Catherine? What you want matters also."
"I want to go home."
"You are home."
"No home is DC. Where my family is. Lindsey feels safe there and Alex knows people there," she looked at Mike. "I'm getting on the plane now." She walked off onto the plane the others following. Another Denali pulled up and four people walked out (Nick, Sara, Brass, and Greg) just in time to watch the plane go take off.
They all stood until they could no longer see the plane in the sky then they decided to go do the thing they hated. Inform Grissom she was gone and get back to work. Everyone decided it be easier hearing it from someone closer to him so they sent Brass and Warrick. The others went back it Sara's Denali.
The End
A/N okay this is the end of the story. Hopefully I will have the sequel out soon. The more reviews I get the more I will think about the sequel so please please please review.