Catherine held her breath as the stretcher was lowered, then she saw him, it was Nick, he looked at the three of them with a big Texas smile and said,

"Hi guys…did you miss me?"

The initial shock of seeing Nick alive was overwhelming and relief flooded in her, but she couldn't believe what they had done to him. Even though Nick was smiling she could see pain etched on his face. He was a wreck. Bruises laced his face and was that a slit across his throat? He favored his right wrist and she could see the disfiguration, what the hell did they do to him!

She could no longer stand there and watch. She ran right up to him with Warrick and Jim in tow and gave him a big hug as he sat up on the stretcher. Warrick reached down and placed a hand on Nick's shoulder. He just wanted to make sure it wasn't a dream. Brass just stood a few feet away to give the CSIs a little time together. The firefighters also took a step back so they wouldn't interfere with the reunion.

"Nicky your alive…we thought you were dead." She said with tears flowing freely still holding onto him.

Nick returned the hug and could no longer keep up the façade. He could feel the tears gathering in his eyes. This scene was way to familiar to him. After all it was Catherine and Warrick that went with him in the ambulance after his rescue from his shallow grave and now they were here with him. He was sorry that he had put them through all those emotions again.

"I'm really sorry that you guys had to go through all this…again." Nick said guiltily as tears fell on his shirt. He was looking up at Warrick and Brass while still hugging Catherine.

Catherine took a step back from Nick and looked at him. "Don't you dare feel guilty for any of this Nick. It's not your fault."

"Yea…don't be ridiculous. Those bastards are to blame for all of this."

Nick listened to both of them, they were right of course, but Nick couldn't help feeling like he did. It always seemed that he was the one that needed rescuing. The only thing that gave him solace was knowing that he would never have to worry about Ryan or the Mitchells ever again.

"I know you guys…I know." He was getting uncomfortable with the attention and decided to change the subject. "How's Grissom?"

But before either of them could answer the paramedics took charge.

"Excuse me, but we need to treat this man and get him to the hospital."

Catherine looked at Nick and could see that it was getting harder for Nick to bare the pain he was in, she looked back at the paramedics and said, "Of course."

The paramedic help Nick lay back down in the stretcher and he waved the firefighters back over to help lift it onto the gurney standing by. The paramedics proceeded to examine him. As Nick had suspected his wrist was broken as was his ankle. It felt a little better after they splinted both. Unfortunately since he had a concussion as well he couldn't have any pain medication.

The two CSIs stood there watching as the paramedics worked on Nick, finally the activity slowed down and one of the paramedics turned to speak to them.

"If one of you would like to come in the ambulance that would be fine, but only one."

Catherine and Warrick looked at each other, but Catherine spoke first.

"Warrick you go with Nick. I will meet you at the hospital."

Warrick was relieved to hear Catherine say that. He had felt guilty that he had gotten away while Nick and Grissom weren't so lucky. Who knows what would have happened to him it if hadn't been for Nick.

"Are you sure Catherine?" Warrick asked.

"Yes I am, besides I still want you to get checked out as well…remember Ecklie's orders."

Warrick grimaced with the reminder, "O.K. thanks Catherine."

Warrick looked over and noticed that Nick had his good arm up against his forehead with his eyes closed. Suddenly he was back watching Nick on that video screen. He still couldn't believe they were so close to losing him again. Nick opened his eyes and noticed Warrick looking at him. They shared a silent glance. Each knowing what the other was thinking. Neither man spoke. Then Nick was carted away by the paramedics. Warrick took a deep breath and followed them to the ambulance.

Nick was loaded up, Warrick and one of the paramedics hopped in and the ambulance took off.

Catherine picked up her phone and dialed Sara's number.

Back at the hospital Grissom was back to his normal self, giving the emergency room staff a hard time.

"Mr. Grissom please cooperate or I will be forced sedate you." The nurse warned.

"Look Nurse…" he looked at her name tag. "…Kellar. I will not receive any treatment until I know that my guy is O.K."

Greg and Sara could here the commotion in the hallway. They both knew how Grissom was when he was in the hospital and neither of them wanted to go in to the room with him. Though they knew one of them would have to.

"Draw straws?" Greg suggested.

"Well that would work if we had any straws Greg." Sara replied. "How about rock, paper, scissors?"

"O.K. That sounds good to me."

Both CSIs punched their hands three times. Greg held out a rock, while Sara showed scissors. Greg let out a triumphant laugh.

"Ha..ha rock crushes scissors."

"Yea, yea you know I could just pull rank on you, you know." She smirked. "I have been a CSI longer."

"That's not fair." Greg whined.

"I said I could, but I won't. You won fair and square, besides I think you annoy Grissom anyway," she said smiling as she walked through the door to Grissom's room.

"I do not…do I." He said to himself as he plopped himself in a chair out in the hallway.

Sara slowly opened the door to the treatment room that Grissom was assigned to. She could see a portable x-ray machine in the room and off to the side. The nurse Grissom had been having words with was bustling around the room gathering bandages and other things.

Grissom was in bed wearing a hospital gown, a sheet and an embarrassed look. Sara took it all in. It wasn't often that she saw Grissom like this. She was almost glad she lost. She cleared her throat to get the attention of both the room occupants. Both looked in her direction. Grissom had relief etched on his face while the nurse had annoyance.

"Thank god the cavalry is here." Grissom said relieved.

Sara looked at Grissom, "What's going on in here? I can hear you all the way in the hallway."

The nurse answered before he did. "He's refusing treatment until he knows his friend is O.K."

"What! Grissom what the hell are you doing? You need medical attention. Do you actually think Nick would want you to do this to yourself? It doesn't make any sense."

"Well that's how I feel. I'm sorry Sara, but you just don't understand."

"Understand what Grissom? Now you listen to me Gil Grissom you will get the medical treatment that you need or I will call Catherine, do you understand?"

Grissom looked at Sara with worry, "You wouldn't."

"Try me." She grabbed her phone for emphasis when it rang suddenly. She looked at the caller id and smiled. "Well speak of the devil."

Grissom chewed on his upper lip, then looked at Sara. "Fine…you win, but not a word of this to Catherine."

Sara smiled, "Deal." She went to answer the phone when the nurse spoke.

"Thanks for your help, but you will have to take that outside. I will be doing some x-rays of Mr. Grissom here…now that he's cooperating." She added with a tart look towards him.

Sara walked out of the room, sat down next to Greg and answered her phone, "Sidle."

"Hey Sara it's Catherine."

"Hi Catherine, please tell me you have good news. Is Nick O.K?"

Greg was just sitting there minding his own business when he heard Sara's end of the conversion, he pepped up trying to listen. Sara finally got the hint and let Greg listen in.

"Nick is fine in a matter of speaking."

"What does that mean?" Greg asked not understanding.

"He was injured, but nothing he can't heal from. He's on his way over to you guys. Warrick is with him in the ambulance. Make sure he sees a doctor to. I will be down there shortly. I still have a few things to wrap up here. How's Gil?"

"He's himself." Sara answered.

"He's giving the nursing staff hell isn't he?"

"Yep, but I had a little talk with him and he should be cooperating now."

"What did you say to him?" Catherine asked.

"I told him, that I would call you."

"Well that would do it." Catherine laughed in the phone. "O.K I will see you shortly."

"Thanks for the good news Catherine." Sara said gratefully.

"Anytime…see you soon."

Both women hung up their phones. Sara looked at Greg.

"Greg why don't you go out to the front and watch for Warrick and Nick."

"That's the best idea you had all day." Greg said standing up.

"Catherine said to make sure Warrick gets looked at as well. So don't let him talk you out of it."

"Sure thing."

"Thanks Greg."

Greg ran off towards the Emergency room entrance leaving Sara sitting just outside Grissom's room. She could no longer here Grissom giving the nurse grief. She smirked to herself. 'Why was the great Grissom so afraid of Catherine?'

The ride to the hospital was uneventful, Nick watched as Warrick struggled with his emotions.

"Hey 'Rick, you O.K. there buddy?"

Warrick was startled out of his reverie; he didn't realize he was daydreaming. "I'm fine Nick."

"You know it's not your fault." Nick said back.

Warrick played dumb, "What's not my fault."

Nick rolled his eyes, he hated when Warrick played this game, but he had been guilty of it too, "Me being here."

Warrick didn't answer, he just looked back down at his hands.

Nick knew that Warrick still felt a pang of guilt from when Nick was first kidnapped buy Brent and his men.

"Warrick look at me."

He looked back over to Nick.

"Its not your fault, any of it. What happened to me with Brent was not your fault. I never would have expected anyone to use me against my father. There was nothing you or Brass could have done without getting yourselves killed. As for this, I volunteered. Tennison came to me. I would have never forgiven myself if you or Grissom were killed because of me."

"But I left you guys…I abandoned you."

Nick shook his head. "That was the point you knucklehead."

That last comment brought a smile to Warrick's face.

"The original plan didn't work out like it was supposed to, but as long as one of us got out. That was fine. Was it your fault that Reed turned out on the take? Speaking of Reed, what happened to him? I really don't remember anything that happened on the roof."

"He's dead…shot by one of the sniper while he came after me."

"What about Davis?" Nick asked cautiously. The last time he had seen the doomed FBI agent he was about to be killed.

"He's alive, the swat team got to him just before they killed him."

"That's good news…the point is Warrick none of this is either of our faults. We can thank the Mitchells and Singer for all of this, but I have a feeling that we will no longer have to worry about them anymore."

"I see where you are coming from, but I just can't help but think that there was something more I could have done."

"You're doing it Warrick. You are here and alive. I'll tell you what next time you can be the one that get kidnapped…O.K?"

Both CSIs were smiling after Nick had said that.

"Are we O.K?" Nick asked. "Please stop feeling guilty, there's no reason for it."

"Alright Nick, if it will shut you up already." He said as he patted Nick on the shoulder. "We're all good…Thanks Nick."

"Anytime man…anytime."

The ambulance pulled into the ambulance bay near the emergency room. The paramedics opened the ambulance doors and pulled the out the gurney that held Nick. Warrick followed closely behind them.

Greg had been waiting in the ambulance bay with a wheelchair for no more than ten minutes when the ambulance that carried both Warrick and Nick backed in. Greg felt relieved when he saw Nick being pulled from the ambulance. He looked like hell, but in good spirits so far. He was probably still running on adrenaline and it hadn't worn off yet.

The paramedics wheeled Nick past Greg. Nick screamed, "Hey Greggo…how's Grissom?"

Greg smirked, "He's giving the nurses a hard time."

Nick smiled, "Well that's our Grissom."

As Warrick followed Nick into the emergency room he stopped in front of Greg.

"Greg, Nick was brought in on the gurney…why do you have the wheel chair?"

"Its for you. I'm under strict orders from Catherine to make sure you get yourself looked at. Now hop in."

"I'm fine man." Warrick argued.

But what Warrick didn't see was Catherine and Brass pulling in. He was flat out refusing to get in the wheelchair. Catherine and Brass exited their vehicles and walked quietly over to Greg.

"Warrick I'm telling you that if you don't get into this wheelchair I'm going to call Catherine."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."

"Go ahead then."

"O.K. I will."

By this time Catherine and Jim were right behind Warrick, when Greg pulled out his phone to dial Catherine's number. Warrick stood there watching Greg dial Catherine's number when he heard a ring behind him. He closed his eyes he knew he was busted. He turned around slowly only to see Catherine standing there glaring at him and Brass with a smirk on his face. He knew what Warrick was in for.

"Do you want to explain to me Warrick why you are not in the hospital getting yourself looked at like I asked you to."

Warrick scrambled for an answer, "Well you see it's like this…"

Greg was enjoying this. He watched as Warrick fumbled for an answer.

Catherine held up her hand to silence Warrick. "You see Warrick it's like this…you are going to sit down in that wheelchair that Greg has so graciously brought out here for you and you are going to go in there and get yourself checked out. Do I make myself clear?"

Warrick knew not to push Catherine any farther. He quickly sat down and allowed Greg to push him into the emergency room.

A few agonizing hours later Nick was finally settled in a room. His cuts and scraps had been cleaned, and both his wrist and ankle had been put into a cast. The doctor had told him that he had to stay overnight so they could monitor him for any possible problems with his concussion.

Warrick had been examined as was allowed to go home. Lucky enough he had just a bump and no concussion. He was relieved he hated hospitals.

After Grissom finally started to cooperate they found that he had two broken ribs. There was nothing they could do for him except wrap them. They also cleaned up his cuts and scraps as well. The doctor told him that he could go home, but that he had to take it easy. Sara laughed at that. She knew Grissom all to well. Grissom just looked at her like he didn't know what she was laughing about. The doctor left the room handing him a written prescription for some pain medicine if felt like he needed it and his discharge papers.

"Are you ready to head home?" Sara asked.

"I just need to make one stop before we leave." Grissom replied.

Sara understood that Grissom knew that Nick was all right, but still hadn't seen him with his own eyes. Until he did there would still be doubt. Grissom did a quick check around the room to make sure he didn't forget anything and with that he walked out of the room. He knew that he was supposed to wait for the nurse and the wheelchair but he was in too much of a hurry to see Nick.

They walked down a sterile looking hallway and came upon the room that Nick was in. Grissom looked at Sara. She got the hint.

"I'll wait out here for you. Give Nick my best."

"I will…thanks Sara."

Grissom pushed the door open to see Nick lying there with a cast on his ankle and a cast on his wrist. The lights were dimmed a little and it made the bruises on Nick's face seem darker than they were. Nick had a bandage around his neck where Brent had cut him and he could see an IV sticking out of Nick's good arm. He had his eyes closed, but when he heard the door close he opened them and saw Grissom standing there.

"I'm sorry if I woke you…I can come back later." Grissom said.

"No…no I wasn't sleeping. Please come in."

Grissom paused for just a second then came forward and slowly sat down in the chair next to Nick's bed. He tried not to grimace, but couldn't help it. Nick noticed the look he felt the same way.

"You O.K?" he asked Grissom.

"Yep I'm good…thanks for asking." He replied quickly.

Nick had been expecting Grissom's visit. His uncertainty was starting to overflow. He knew that Grissom was a very unemotional person and he was waiting for Grissom to tell him that he didn't mean what he had said when they were with Brent. Nick was going to make it easy for him.

"Look Nick about what I said when we were with Brent…"

"Don't worry about Grissom…I understand you just said that for Brent's satisfaction. Don't give it another thought." Nick answered thickly.

Grissom looked at Nick confused, "Nick let me finish."

Nick nodded; he would let Grissom say his peace. Then everything would go back to the way it was. He hoped.

Grissom paused once again to gather his thoughts he took a deep breath and began, "Nick, when I saw Brent with that knife to your throat I was paralyzed with fear. I was afraid that he was actually going to kill you and I couldn't allow that. I thought about how much I would miss having you around. I may come across an unemotional person at times…well most of the time,"

Nick smiled at that comment.

"…But I do have feelings. I just wanted you to know that I do consider you like a son to me and you have never disappointed me."

Nick was shocked when Grissom said that. 'How did he know? He knew that they watched him in the box, but how did Grissom know that he said that?'

"…In fact I couldn't be more prouder of you."

Nick had been afraid that Grissom hadn't meant what he said when they were with Brent and got himself ready for the let down. But Grissom surprised him. He put away his stubbornness and showed his emotions. Nick always worked with his emotions and felt that it helped him with his work and this proved it. Grissom said that he was proud of him. This meant more to him than anything. He wanted approval…Grissom's approval and now he got it. He always thought that he let Grissom down…disappointed him, but now Grissom said that he didn't. Grissom was proud of him.

Grissom sat there and watch Nick struggle with his emotions. He was worried that he had said too much too soon. Maybe he should have waited. He started to get up from his seat.

"I'm sorry Nick…I should have waited a little longer to talk to you about this."

Nick came out of his reverie and looked at Grissom, "No…I'm sorry please don't leave yet."

Grissom sat back down waiting for Nick to start talking.

"Thanks Grissom…"

"For what Nick."

"Thanks for protecting me and for not giving up…it means a lot to me that you said those things. I'm honored that you think of me as a son. I consider you like a father to me as well." Nick stopped for a moment to gather his thoughts. "…For so long I have wanted your approval, to know that I was doing things right, to know that I wasn't a disappointment to you."

Grissom emphasized again, "You were never a disappointment Nick."

Nick smiled when he said that, but stopped speaking for a moment and looked deep in thought. "…I am really sorry that you had to go through all of this because of me. If I could have protected you and Warrick I would have. I tried."

"Nick you did your best. You were able to help Warrick get away."

"Yep…I did, didn't I?" Nick said with pride.

"You sure did." Grissom smiled.

"Well one thing is for sure; we will never have to worry about the Mitchells or Singer ever again. Tennison was in here just a little while ago and said that everyone on the helicopter was killed. They confirmed four dead bodies."

"That's good news. Now we can close the chapter on the Mitchells and start a new one."

Just as Grissom finished his sentence, Nurse Kellar came crashing in the room with a wheelchair.

"Mr. Grissom you were supposed to wait for an escort out of the hospital, don't you know its hospital regulations. It's a good thing I saw your friend waiting outside for you."

Grissom looked back towards the door and could see Sara standing there trying to cover up a smile.

"Now Mr. Grissom if you would please come with me. This young man needs his rest."

Grissom shrugged his shoulders, slowly stood up from his seat and looked at Nick. "Well I guess this is my queue to leave. Get some rest and I'll talk to you soon." He said while sitting down in the wheelchair.

"O.K. Griss. You take care of yourself and don't overdo it."

Nurse Kellar turned the wheelchair around and headed towards the door.

Grissom looked at smiling Sara and said, "We are going to have a little talk about this when I'm feeling better." He pointed down to the wheelchair.

That wiped the smile right off of Sara's face, "But I didn't do anything."

Grissom was pushed out of the room with Sara in tow. Nick was shaking his head as he was laughing.

"Some things never change."