"Warrick!" shouted Lindsey as she raced to him.

He picked her up and held her tight.

"Hey you," he said softly.

Lindsey had her face buried in his neck but peeked up and looked at Grissom who was standing behind Warrick. She held her hand out to the familiar face.

"Hey Lindsey," Grissom greeted her as he took her hand and shook it gently.

"Hey," she said as she held his hand tightly.

She remained clinging to Warrick as she swayed her slightly from side to side.

"Everything's going to be ok Lindsey. They're just patching your mom up. We're so happy you're safe," Sara attempted to console her.

Her voice cracked as she fought the tears back. Lindsey turned her head to Sara and smiled feebly. It wasn't Lindsey that really needed the consoling.

"Thanks," Lindsey whispered.

Sara embraced her from Warrick's side. It was becoming too much for Sara. She sobbed on Lindsey's back. Nick pulled Sara gently away and held her.

"Shhh. It's ok Sara. It's been a tough night. Its ok," Nick tried to soothe her.

"You were very brave Lindsey. I know you made your mommy very proud. We're all so happy you're ok. I'm gonna get someone to bring your Grandma. Is there anything you need?" Brass asked gently.

Lindsey shot up. Warrick interpreted as her wanting to be put down so he lowered her to the floor. Lindsey let go of Grissom and tightened her grip around Warrick.

"Once Grandma comes, does Warrick have to go? I don't want him to go. Even if Grandma comes," she pleaded.

Everyone had been focused on Lindsey. Even Sara, Nick had been able to calm her down. But Lindsey's request set her off again. It made all of their hearts ache. She might've been spared physical pain but Lindsey's psyche was traumatized.

"No, no, no," echoed Brass, Grissom and Warrick.

Lindsey's looked back and forth at all of them, panic stricken. All of their eyes seemed genuine. Well she couldn't see Sara's; they were still buried on Nick's chest. Lindsey's eyes stopped at Warrick's.

"I'm not going anywhere Linds. I'll even go home with you and sleep outside of your bedroom door if you want me to. Ok? No more worries. I won't let anything happen to you," he promised her.

His promise seemed to satisfy Lindsey. She loosened her hold. Warrick lowered her to the floor. She gave him a quick hug then walked up to Grissom.

"If you're all here, who's doing the work to put that creep away?" she asked intently.

Grissom smiled compassionately at Lindsey.

"Greg stayed behind with someone who used to be a CSI. There were other CSIs heading out there: our shift is almost over. But you don't have to worry about that creep, we have everything we need to make sure he goes away for a long time," he told her confidently as he put his arm around her.

They walked over to the seats in the waiting area and sat down as they continued their conversation. Warrick looked at Grissom curiously; it was the first time he had heard Griss state the unknown. Even if it was to a child, Grissom would never speak out of context. Warrick dismissed the thought and settled on being content that Lindsey was ok. He let out a sigh of relief as Nick and Sara walked up to him. Brass closed in the semi formed circle.

"That guy isn't gonna bother anyone again. He was D.O.A. when we got there," Nicky whispered.

"Lindsey doesn't need to know that. Let Catherine decide. I don't think it's a good thing for an 11 year old to know that she was responsible for a man's death –even though he deserved it," Brass whispered.

Warrick, Nick and Sara nodded in acknowledgement at Brass.

"I'm gonna head out and notify Catherine's mom then I'm heading home for the night. Call me if anything changes with Cath. I'll visit her after a couple of hours of sleep," Brass also whispered.

"Guess we should go have a seat too," Sara stated as she looked back over to Lindsey and Grissom.

The guys grunted in agreement. Nick didn't release his hold on Sara. They sat down together in a loveseat and Sara snuggled her back to Nick's chest. Nick kept his arms around her. They seemed to be easing each other anxieties.

Grissom and Lindsey were having a lively conversation about Lindsey's frog dissection in last week's biology class. Warrick smirked, happy that Grissom could distract Lindsey even if for a moment. Warrick sat down but got right back up. He was still too tense to even try to sit still. His thoughts still raced around his latest discovery… How would he tell Catherine's his feelings?

Warrick walked toward the windows. He placed his hands on the glass at shoulder level and looked out at Vegas. Everything started sinking in. His gambling problem. Catherine being attacked on the job and off the job. Nicky's abduction. His quick marriage to someone he didn't really know. Lindsey's abduction. Not warning Cath that Lindsey had a gun. Holding Catherine in his arms as she bled. Holding Lindsey in his arms as she cried. Warrick squeezed his eyes shut. It was all he could do to refrain from losing it. Someone tugged the back of the jacket he was wearing. Warrick turned around.

"I'm sleepy. Promise you wont go?" Lindsey asked him meekly.

Warrick looked at the seating area. Grissom was at the surgical reception desk. It looked like Sara and Nick had fallen asleep. His eyes set back down toward Lindsey.

"I promise. The only place I'll go without you is the men's room and if they let me see your mom," he answered her as he led her to a loveseat.

"Why wouldn't I be with you to see Mom?" Lindsey asked in a whisper after seeing Nick and Sara.

Warrick sat down as the little girl curled up next to him.

"Well sometimes they don't allow kids in certain areas. But I talked to the nurse downstairs and your Mom should be ok. You'll see her soon," he answered her softly.

"I hope so. Mom always says I'll be the death of her and I don't like when she's right," she mumbled as she settled in the crook of his chest and arm.

Her comment received a slight chuckle from Warrick.

"She said she loved me and made me promise that I'd think something twice over before ever deciding. She also asked me to be good for Grandma and you. Guess she knew you'd be watching me," Lindsey continued.

"You're always good with me but Mom's trying to cover all the bases Linds," he whispered as he kissed the top of her head.

"She also told me to tell you that she loves you. But you already know that," she said as she grabbed Warrick's arm and wrapped it around her to where she was comfortable.

He stayed still and silent. Lindsey played with his hand.

"I thought you got married? Mom said you got married. Where's your ring?"

Lindsey squirmed a bit to look up at Warrick. He looked dazed.

"Warrick?" she attempted to get his attention.

He was still stuck at Catherine's message. He snapped out of it when Lindsey called his name. He looked at her tenderly.

"It didn't work out Baby Girl. Your mom's right, you should always think twice before making a decision. Stops you from making bad ones," he said simply with a small smile.

She smiled back at him.

"I'm glad. I didn't like you married. We haven't seen you in ages. Mom's been a drag without you around," she said softly as she resituated her self against Warrick.

He chuckled again as he cradled her. Grissom walked over with a hospital scrub, blanket and pillow.

"Hey. The admissions clerk said they have everyone working on Catherine so we wont get word until she's in the clear. She got me a blanket and pillow for Lindsey and I thought you'd like to clean up some," he said handing the scrub to Warrick.

Lindsey reluctantly sat up. Her eyes looked at his anxiously. Warrick was amazed at how much he could see Catherine in Lindsey. Lindsey was a tough cookie but still needed reassurance.

"Men's room like we talked about. Be back in 5," he said in a low voice as he stood up.

"k," she answered as she grabbed the pillow from Grissom.

Lindsey got comfy with the pillow as Grissom laid the blanket over her. He walked over and sat in the recliner next to her as Warrick walked to the men's room.

The urinal was his first stop. He figured he'd take care of that while he was in there. He took off the LVPD jacket and placed the scrub in it at the side of the sink before using the urinal. He walked to the sink once he was done and started to wash his hands. He started to notice the blood on him. He felt terrible that he hadn't noticed it earlier, that he subjected Lindsey to it. Then again she was covered in the same blood. Warrick washed hastily when he thought of Lindsey and his promise to be back in 5 minutes.

The blood was up his left arm and left side of his abdomen. His mind flashed to image of Catherine lying on the ground. She was in pain and weak from the blood loss but kept it together. She even smiled at Lindsey in attempt to reassure her. His thoughts traveled further back to the search for Lindsey. Cath lost it then but picked herself up and stayed focused. His mind traveled forward to Lindsey's words: "She also told me to tell you she loves you. But you already know that."

His emotions suddenly overwhelmed him and he broke down in front of the mirror. He wept and he sobbed as he washed his body. Catherine loved him and he didn't have to think twice to figure out if he loved her. He was physically and mentally exhausted. He just wanted to hold Catherine and never let her go. He was frustrated at himself for never having the sense of seeing things for what they were earlier. He felt that if he wasn't so blind, all of the day's events would've never occurred. He felt the same guilt he felt when Nicky was taken. He knew his friends survived but his conscience still choked him. Nick walked into the men's room.

"Hey Bud. You alright?" he asked with great concern.

Warrick immediately washed his face with the running water and regained composure.

"Yeah, I'm good."

Nick walked over and leaned against the sink closest to Warrick.

"Tough night but things turned out ok. I'm glad they turned out the way they did or I don't think I could've stayed on the job. I can deal with dead nameless bodies but searching for the living, the innocent living, it's too much. It's just too hard," Nick said as his voice rattled toward the end.

Warrick looked over at Nick sympathetically.

"Yeah it's hard but I couldn't imagine working with other people. I've never had much of a family. You guys are all I got," Warrick said as tears welled up in his eyes again.

The boys hugged each other forcefully.

"Yeah. Family," Nicky repeated.

The broke away feeling slightly refreshed. The each were feeling the effects of the day's events and the outlet did them a world of justice. Nick used the urinal as Warrick got on the scrub.

"How's Sara doing?" Warrick asked.

"She's still sleeping it off. We're waiting to see Cath then we're gonna crash. She's gonna stay with me for a little while. I don't think anyone wants to be alone now," Nick responded as he concluded business and headed to the sink.

"No doubt. I better get out there. I told Linds 5 minutes." Warrick said as he started to walk toward the door.

"Yeah, she was out cold when I walked out of there but keep your word. And hey Warrick, sorry about the whole Tina thing. I'm sure you'll tell me what happened when you get a chance but I think you're on to better things," Nick said cheerfully.

Warrick held a slight smile and nodded.

"Hope so Nicky. Hope so," he answered as he walked out.

Nick looked up at the mirror as the men's door closed.

"You are buddy, you are," he whispered.