NickGilGreggonumber1fan: Yep poor Nick. What's a little story without some butt whupping.
Nichole101: Thanks!
Chrissie0707: Don't you just love twists?
Crystalpheonix: Thanks for the review. It's only going to get better for you guys.
Tefla: Ouch pop bottle. Reed deserves it. You may be right about your prediction. Thanks for the review and for checking out the story.
Nicky69: Thanks so much for the great review. Hope you like the next chapter. I thought it turned out pretty well. Enjoy! Hugs and stuff right back at cha!
Snowangel-983: Thanks!
FaithHopeandLove951: Thanks. Poor Nick's in trouble again, he's worse than my 2 year old. Hee hee. I hope you like the next chapter.
Angelic Little Devil: Thanks for forgiving me I appreciate it. Now I can stop hyperventilating (hee hee). Thanks for the great review. Hopefully your roommates don't think you are too crazy. Share the wealth I always say. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
Happy-me-111: A chiropractor that's hilarious. Yep lots of twists. I don't want you guys to be able to figure out my story. So that's why there are so many twists.
Onthinis: Thanks for the great review. I'm glad that you are enjoying it. It's been a lot of fun writing it.
Mma63: Yep that's right. Nick always finds himself in those situations, doesn't he? Thanks for the review.
Everybetty: Oh man. I should have used that quote in my story. Just joking. Thanks for the review!
Pike2: Thanks for the review. Nope the plan was tossed out the window, and you are right the little item that Nick gave Warrick will show up in this chapter. Enjoy!
Dumbandhappy: Thanks for the review.
And now Chapter 19…
Tennison was still explaining things when he heard something in his earpiece.
"Excuse me." He put his hand to his right ear and listened closely. He then looked to the group and said, "The chopper has been sighted it should be here shortly."
The group shared a look. They were literally moments away from a possible major catastrophe.
The thumping of the helicopter blades could be heard; everyone looked up to see the chopper hover then land on the roof of the courthouse.
Tennison put his hand to his ear again than grabbed his radio and yelled, "B-squad move in now!"
Catherine and Sara both jumped, they weren't expecting Tennison to yell. All of the sudden a feeling of dread came over the group. Tennison had just given the order to move in. They all knew what that meant. They only hoped that Grissom, Warrick and Nick would make it out of there alive.
Tennison continued to listen and after a few minutes he said, "B-squad report." He listened again then barked another order into the radio, "A-squad when targets are in sight, take them out."
The three CSIs found it hard to walk up the stairs handcuffed. During their trip up to the roof each of them stumbled a few times only to be righted by their captors.
The closer to the roof they got the louder it was. They could feel the vibrations coming through the floor from the helicopter blades.
The whole time they were on their way Reed tried to get Brent to listen, but Brent was too much in a hurry. Nick gave an inward sigh of relief. He hoped that their luck would hold up and that Brent wouldn't find out about the surprise waiting on the roof...at least until it was too late.
Reed mumbled to himself in anger. There was no way he was going to go through all this just to be blown away. He let Grissom, Mike and his guards pass him and then continued up with Warrick who was bringing up the rear.
Nick tried to glance around to see where Reed had gone to, but was reminded with a smack to the head to pay attention where he was going.
Throughout the walk up Warrick had figured out what Nick had given him, a handcuff key. Nick had come through; this would give them another opportunity. When Nick had given him the key earlier he had placed it in his back pocket, now he retrieved it and very inconspicuously started to work on unlocking them. The closer they got to the roof, the faster he worked. Then it happened he felt one of the cuffs loosen.
Warrick gave a silent cheer when he felt one of the handcuffs come loose. He knew though that this wasn't the right time to start something. They were in a stairwell with nowhere to go. He would have to make a move on the roof; hopefully he would be able to get a weapon away from one of these guys if he surprised them. He had a feeling that something was going to go down anyway. 'Why would Nick have a key and gun if there wasn't some sort of plan in motion? And why was Reed so anxious to talk to Brent?'
Grissom had remained the ever so good hostage. He planned it that way. When Nick first arrived he saw him give something to Warrick. There was some sort of plan that Nick knew about. The best thing Grissom felt that he could do was to make himself as small as possible and let the plan go on its own. When the time came he would do what was necessary to help Nick and Warrick.
Nick grew more anxious with each step up. He knew what was waiting on the roof. He had hoped that Warrick figured out what it was that he had given him and used it. If he could get free he may be able to tip the scales in their favor.
The group stopped at the door with Brent in the lead, he turned and grabbed Nick in a chokehold and put his gun to his head, Mike and Ryan followed suit with Grissom and Warrick.
Brent turned around with Nick to make sure that everyone was ready. Nick looked at Warrick with questioning eyes. Warrick answered his look with a nod to indicate that he was free. Nick closed his eyes in relief.
Grissom could tell by the look in Nick's eyes, that whatever Nick had given to Warrick he had been able to use it.
Brent called to one of Ryan's men to open the door and the group made their way out cautiously to the chopper. Each of them looked around for any snipers that may be hidden in the neighboring buildings.
They were half way to the chopper when the first shots were fired.
The B-squad had secured the courtroom and gave the bomb squad the O.K. to come into the building to disarm any remaining bombs. They had to do all this before the chopper took off for obvious reasons. Luckily enough there was only one unexploded bomb.
'So far everything was going as planned even with the little hitch they encountered,' Tennison thought as he continued to monitor his radio. The earpiece crackled to life as he heard a voice come through. "Targets acquired." Tennison grabbed the radio and spoke forcefully, "Take the shot!"
Catherine, Sara, Greg and Brass were talking when they heard Tennison bark the order. They all looked up to the roof and within in seconds could hear the volley of gunfire.
Even when the gunfire stopped each of them kept looking up at the roof hoping for some sign that their friends were still alive.
Within in moments of the volley the helicopter took off. From their position they were unable to see who was in the helicopter. They all looked to Tennison who was still listening to the radio.
"A-squad report." He listened then responded. "Confirmed 4 dead perp's and three innocents 10-4…has the building been secured?"
Catherine, Sara and Greg heard Tennison's words but none of them would believe them. Three innocent's killed. They couldn't be dead, could they? They had just seen Nick and Warrick not even an hour ago. How could they be dead? Catherine could feel her eyes clouding up. She was the acting supervisor she had to keep it together. That's what Grissom would want her to do.
Sara had just heard what Tennison said she was in denial. There was no way they were gone. Grissom, Warrick and Nick were three of the strongest people she knew. There was no way they were dead the tears fell freely.
Greg was in shock; he had just lost two of his best friends and someone he looked up to. He couldn't believe it. He didn't even get to say goodbye.
Brass just balled his fists, closed his eyes and let the guilt consume him. It was his fault that they were here now. If he had protected Nick better that night he would have never been kidnapped, and they wouldn't be in there dead. Brass could barely here the words Tennison was saying.
"O.K. roger that." Tennison looked at the group and spoke, "The B-squad has secured the building and the bomb squad has already made a full sweep of the building, the building has been secured. Since you guys are already on scene I would suggest you get started."
Catherine couldn't believe this guys audacity. They had just lost three of their closest friends and family and he was treating this like some casual crime scene.
The group just stood there for a few minutes while the world went crazy around them. Firefighters and paramedics were entering the courthouse to make sure that there were no fires from the first two bombs and to check for any victims that my have been trapped.
The bomb squad was leaving the building after thoroughly searching it. Various police officers and detectives entered the courthouse as well.
The news media seemed to have moved closer to the courthouse from where they were before. Though none of them were allowed to enter the courthouse and anyone who tried was shooed away by a police officer.
Catherine finally got her feet to move. 'One step at a time Catherine. You have to do this for the guys.' She thought to herself.
Greg and Sara hesitantly followed her. Between the three of them and Brass they had been to well over a hundred crime scenes, but none could prepare them for this.
They inched themselves up the stairs of the courthouse and had finally made it to the door. The door had been propped open because of all heavy traffic going in and out.
Tennison had followed them in. "This way." He pointed to the courtroom where it all happened.
The CSIs looked at each other and followed Tennison into the fated room.
When they all walked into the courtroom what they saw made the gasp in surprise.
As soon as they were half way to the chopper the snipers hit. Nick tried to take cover, but Brent held onto him to hard. So hard that he started to get lightheaded from the lack of oxygen. Brent moved back and forth, right and left to not give the snipers something to shoot at.
The two guards that had been guarding Nick with Brent went down in one shot. The other guard watching Grissom got it next. Mike still had Grissom has his protection, along with Ryan and Warrick.
Brent started scream a round of curses. If Nick weren't trying so hard to breathe he would have actually laughed. Nick struggled to loosen Brent's hold, but it only got tighter. Nick was starting to see stars and then he fell limp in Brent's arm, he was unconscious.
Brent was grateful that Nick had finally passed out from lack of oxygen. It would be a lot easier carrying an unconscious man than one that could fight back. Nick was light enough were he could scoop him up over his shoulder, besides Nick could give him more protection and he was just about to the chopper anyway.
Mike whom at this point was saying his own string of curses pulled Grissom along forcefully. Grissom didn't want to make it easy for him, so he made himself limp, so that Mike would have to drag him a long. Mike would have to work harder to get him to the helicopter that is if he could reach it before he was taken out. He grabbed Grissom tighter around the neck Grissom had no choice but to cooperate or his neck would snap from the pressure. He was now in the same boat as Nick, being held so tightly that his oxygen was being cut off. Grissom struggled to stay conscious, but he lost the fight. Mike struggled to keep Grissom upright for protection.
When Warrick stepped onto the roof the volley of gunshots started immediately. Ryan was under the impression that Warrick was a helpless, tied up hostage. Boy was he ever wrong. He slowly moved his hands in front of him and when Ryan jumped from a snipers stray bullet Warrick chose that moment to strike. He head butted Ryan in the face with the back of his head. Ryan was caught by surprise and released the hold on Warrick.
Warrick turned quickly as the gunfire continued around them and knocked the gun from Ryan's hand. He looked at Ryan with all the anger and hatred that he could muster. He ran at Ryan like a bull to a matador. He tackled Ryan and started to punch him, but had forgotten about one person, Reed.
Reed had been at Ryan's side, but had taken cover when the bullets starting flying. When he saw Warrick free he decided that it would be in his best interest to help Ryan. He got up from his position and ran over to Ryan and Warrick. Warrick was still on top punching Ryan when Reed ran over and hit Warrick in the head with the butt of his gun. Warrick fell over to the side, but didn't lose consciousness. Just as Reed did that another gunshot was heard. Reed's eyes went wide in shock as he looked down at his chest, where blood was now seeping and fell over dead. Ryan jumped up and retrieved his gun. He was about to grab Warrick, when Mike screamed.
"Leave him and help me with Grissom."
Warrick looked up only to see Brent reach the helicopter with Nick over his shoulder unconscious. Mike and Ryan were just behind him dragging Grissom with them. Brent threw Nick down unceremoniously into the helicopter and Grissom was placed next to him. The three remaining men jumped into the helicopter and shut the door.
Brent screamed over the blades. "Get us the hell out of here!"
The helicopter slowly lifted itself off of the ground and took off.
Warrick watched the helicopter take off then fell back finally losing the battle for consciousness.
Well there you have it Chapter 19. Hope you liked the chapter. Please review! Thanks!