A/N: Thanks for the reviews. This is the second last chapter. Hope you like, and keep reviewing.

III. Judgement

"So, where's the wife?" Nick joked as he walked in uninvited and plunked down beside his friend on the couch.

"Tina," Warrick corrected albeit automatically and flicked off the television, turning to face him. "Don't you ever knock, my dear friend?"

"What do you care?" The Texan shot back, taking in his surroundings. "She hasn't made you clean up yet?"

"No." Warrick sighed.

Nick caught his gaze. "What's up, 'Rick? Aren't you s'posed to be happy when you get married? In case you forgot, that's a good thing to do."

"Not if you regret it," the black man muttered.

Nick sat up straighter. "Really… care to share?"

"No."

A quirky smile touched Nick's lips. "Next question: how pissed was Cath?"

"Do you have a good reason for being here?"

Nick smirked. "That answers question number two." He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "What next…"

"Nicky, my man, I'm starting to not like you."

Frowning, Nick replied, "Fine. I'll get straight to the point." Seeing he had Warrick's full attention, he forged on. "Why the hell did you get married, man? You and Cath have been dancing circles around each other for years!"

It was Warrick's turn to frown.

"Nick, you're on borderline…" he warned softly, but the Texan took no notice.

"Honestly, 'Rick, I think you're taking my ordeal harder than I am. I never thought you'd make such a jackass move! Even Greg wouldn't do that!" Nick exhaled heavily. "Sorry, buddy, I just don't get it." His brow furrowed in frustration.

Warrick's cobalt blue eyes grew sad. "I don't know, Nicky, I don't know why."

"Do you know what an annulment is?"

Warrick chuckled in spite of himself. "It's not that easy."

"You're the one making it difficult," Nick retorted. "Seriously, 'Rick, It's not that complicated. Explain to Betty-"

"Tina."

"-whatever… anyway, explain to Helen that you're not in love with her and getting married was a mistake," Nick went on, ignoring Warrick's now outright laughter, "get an annulment, profess your undying love for Cath, and live happily ever after."

"Nick, this is Vegas, remember?"

"So?"

In that still, silent moment in time, Warrick's mind flew back to that afternoon…

"'Cause sometimes you don't seem like you're really happy for me."

"Warrick…" she sighed and laughed nervously, "You know, the thing that makes a fantasy great is the possibility that someday it might happen…" she shrugged. "And when you lose that possibility… it just kinda… sucks."

He shook his head. That's what she thought of him. She didn't love him; he was a fantasy.

When he voiced his thoughts aloud, Nick shook his head disgustedly. "I thought you were better than that, man. I thought you were better than all this shit. I really did." He stood up and headed for the door. "Call me when you're in your right mind again."

Warrick sighed. It was the truth, and he had spoken it. So why did he feel so bad?

'Cause it wasn't the truth.

He had just made the biggest mistake of his life.