Chap. 2

"Man I thought Sara's head was going to explode" Nick said laughing.

Greg looked up and smiled a little "She was pissed."

"Big Yellow Taxi" Warrick said and rolled his eyes as Nick and Greg looked at him blankly "You know Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell…don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till its gone. You guys are embarrassing."

Nick shook his head "I never thought she'd become such a tight part of the group though"

"Well…" Grissom said tentatively "I think you had something to do with that Nick"

All four men looked down at their shoes uncomfortably as Nicks kidnapping was not a pleasant topic of conversation.

May 19th 2005

Constance walked into the Las Vegas crime lab with her purse in one hand and her travel mug in the other. Ever since Greg gave her a bag of Blue Hawaiian to brew at home she found not only was she getting great coffee but saving a bundle in the process. She sat down at her desk and started with the daily drudge. It wasn't long before the lab started to buzz with a negative tone to it. Finally she stopped Grissom as he passed her by for the 6th time.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Nicks been kidnapped" he said quickly before going on again.

Constance stood dumbfounded for a moment before sitting down. She knew a little about Nick, mostly from what Greg had told her. Why would anyone want to kidnap Nick? She knew that he had been stalked a few years back. Maybe the guy was back. Part of her hoped that was the case. She didn't want it to be random, if it was it could have been Greg. She fought back the tears as that thought came to mind. Just as she was getting herself together again Greg walked past her, he made brief eye contact but didn't stop. She didn't try to hail him down. He was going to be too busy and too concerned about his friend to calm her fears right now. 'Focus on Nick, I'll still be here after' she thought as she concentrated on her work.

Her desk was flooded with calls when the delivery guy came in. He checked her out and leaned in thinking he was a Casanova "Is this the Las Vegas crime lab?" he asked not looking at her eyes.

"Yes" she snapped.

With that the guy straightened up "Well I have a package for a Gil Grissom. It's regarding…uh…Nick Stokes."

Constance jumped up "What?" her eyes darted around for someone, anyone to accept this package. Never had she been so relieved to see David Hodges. Normally the guy creeped her out but now he looked like an angel.

"HODGES!" she yelled "This guy has a package for Grissom…it's about Nick."

Hodges' eyes widened "DROP THE PACKAGE" he ordered to the now stunned delivery guy "Connie call Grissom…NOW"

Connie watched the two men struggle for the package until Grissom showed up. After they left her desk she could feel her chest tighten. Her breathing picked up. She could feel the panic attack coming on and she had to control it. She couldn't fall apart now…not now…not now.

She got up and got some water. She wanted to help but there wasn't a thing she could do.

She sat helplessly for the rest of her shift, jumping every time the phone rang. Watching the doors hoping the next person coming through would be the cowboy.

Her shift ended with no hope for Greg's friend. She couldn't leave, not without an answer.

She made her way to the break room. Now she could cry. She hardly knew anyone here but still she sobbed. These people were trying to solve crimes, bring closure to families. Why would anyone kidnap one of them? Why Nick? Why not Sara or Warrick or…

Her sobs got more intense. With her head on the table she cried till she fell asleep.

The next thing she knew there was a more positive buzz around the office. She rubbed her eyes and looked around. People were smiling. She didn't need to be a CSI to know what that meant. Again, the first person she could find was Hodges. Her eyes wide she asked "They found him?"

Smiling he answered "Yep, he's alive. He's at the hospital right now. I'm heading over there if you want a lift."

As happy as she was the last thing she wanted to do was take a ride to Desert Palms with Hodges.

"Um…I'll take my car. I want to stop and pick something up."

"Whatever."

Trying to cover her tracks Connie stopped and got flowers and a little teddy bear with a cowboy hat. She only wanted to get the flowers but she couldn't resist the bear too.

She felt a little guilty but she wanted to see Greg more than Nick. After all of this she had to feel Greg just to know he was safe too.

She walked up to the hospital information desk "Excuse me, which room is Nick Stokes in?" she asked.

The nurse glared a bit "Are you family?" she asked dryly.

"She's with us" she heard a female voice call out from behind her.

Unimpressed to be breaking the rules for anyone the nurse just muttered "Go ahead"

Constance turned to see Catherine.

"Catherine…" she said running up to the strawberry blonde "Is he o.k. I don't even know everything that happened. Wait…I'm with you?"

"Nick is going to be fine. Everything will be explained just know that he looks a little rough and yes you're with us. If nothing else Greg will be happy to see you."

Constance blushed. She and Greg were going to keep this under wraps. Inter-office relationships were frowned upon.

"Your secrets safe with me" Catherine said with a smile "In times like this we all need someone. I know I'm going to go home and hug Lindsey extra tight tonight."

In the elevator Catherine gave Constance an abbreviated version of the days events.

'It was random' Constance thought as a lump formed in her throat.

The two women exited the elevator and saw a group of people standing around talking. Constance stood back and watched them. They were all so happy to have their friend back. No, they were more than friends…they were family. She suddenly felt out of place. She didn't belong here. She started to turn when she heard Greg "CONSTANCE!"

He ran up to her. Hugging her tight he kissed her. He didn't care about hiding it anymore, today had taught him how short and unpredictable life was.

Behind them Sara's eyes burned with tears. Today had already been so emotional this was not what she needed. She couldn't help but wonder why she felt like this. Greg had feelings for her for a while. Feelings which she did not reciprocate…till now.

"Nick's going to be kept here over night but he's being released tomorrow." Greg told Constance as they walked toward the group of people. "We're all going out for a big Texan style steak dinner. Would you like to come?"

"Oh…um…I don't know Greg" Constance stammered "You guys should really just do this together, you know, no outsiders."

Sara's heart leapt and she couldn't conceal the slight smirk on her face. Constance caught it and so did Warrick.

"You would be with me" Greg said softly, slightly embarrassed

Constance looked at Sara with angry eyes briefly before looking back at Greg "You talked me into it. I just hope the cowboy can keep up with me." Connie said smiling again.

Greg didn't know much about women but he was sure what he had just witnessed between Sara and Constance was not going to end soon or end well.

Grissom walked up to the newly outed couple "We're going to go down to the cafeteria and get some coffee…care to join us?"

"Sure" Greg said realizing how much he needed coffee.

"I just have to give these to Nick" Constance said holding up the tokens she had bought.

She gave Greg a kiss on the cheek and headed into the room where Nick was sleeping. She let out a small gasp when she saw him. Cath had warned her he looked bad but those fire ants sure did a number on him. Her skin itched and burned just thinking about what he must have gone through. She resisted the urge to scratch as she wrote a note to attach to the gifts. "Just a token from your shit disturbing temp secretary – Con."

She placed the gifts on the table next to so many others and headed out the door. As she opened the door to leave she heard Warrick and Sara arguing.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Sara defended.

"I'm talking about the look of death you gave Constance."

"I just don't think it's very appropriate for her and Greg to be inter-office dating."

Warrick clicked his tongue "Right. And this has nothing to do with the fact that poor Greg has been nursing an unrequited crush on you for years now and has finally moved on."

"No. This has nothing to do with that."

"I think…"

"Think what ever you want to Rick…I don't care anymore." Sara ended the conversation, her voice shaking with emotion.

Constance waited a minute, listening to Sara's heels click down the hall before exiting the room.

"Did you hear all that?" Warrick asked

"All what?" Constance said in a tone that indicated she had in fact heard but wasn't about to encroach on privacy.

Warrick gave a knowing look and preceded down the hallway "Coffee?" he asked

"Yep" was her answer. They made it down to the cafeteria in silence.

Greg burst out laughing when Constance opened the door the next day.

"What?" She asked angelically

He pulled her in for a hug and then held her at arms length and looked her up and down. She had chosen a pair of black cowboy boots and tight blue jeans, a black button up shirt with dark grey checked pattern tucked in and secured with a black belt covered with gold lace and a large flower belt buckle. Her hair was covered with a trendy black cowboy hat.

"One of these days I'm going to break into your closet and see just what else you have in there." Greg said laughing.

Constance's eyes got wide "You may never return." She said in a mock eerie voice.

"Stuck in your bedroom for all of eternity…I can think of worse things" He said.

"Come on horn dog or we'll be late."

At the restaurant they met up with Grissom, Sara, Nick and Warrick.

Greg had to stifle a laugh as Constance tipped her hat to Sara with a "Howdy mam'"

"Caths gonna be a little late" Warrick informed them "She said to do ahead and order."

"Great" Constance said "I'm starving. I haven't eaten all day. I wanted to give this little lady a run for her money" she said nodding towards Nick.

The table laughed with the exception of Sara.

"You're on" Nick said

Shortly after Constance ordered the 16 oz porterhouse medium well she spotted Catherine enter with what seemed to be a miniature version of her self.

"You must be Lindsey." Constance said standing up, offering the teen her hand. Lindsey shook it with apprehension. She knew everyone in this group except for this new girl in the cowboy hat.

"Yes…who are you?" The teen asked.

"Lindsey" Catherine reprimanded

"I'm Constance." Connie said laughing.

Lindseys eyes got big "Are you the one who's going out with Greg?"

The whole table got quiet. Constance could feel all eyes on her, especially Sara's.

"You could say that I guess." Connie answered quickly "Um…why don't you sit down. We all ordered already but I can go get the waitress for you." She motioned to the table before walking off. Warrick and Nick snickered as Greg made no attempt to hide watching Constance saunter off.

"She's really pretty Greg" Lindsey said as she eyes the menu left for her and Catherine.

"She is isn't she" Greg replied. He could almost feel the ice coming off Sara from across the table.

The rest of the table watched in abject curiosity as Constance kept up with Nick bite for bite. Nick looked up with questioning eyes.

"Only child raised by my father." Was all Constance had to say before digging into what was left of her baked potato.

"I can't decide if this is disgusting or erotic." Greg said as he compared Nick's plate to Connie's.

"I'd go with disgusting" Sara said under her breath.

Connie leaned in and whispered something that made Greg blush.

"I have to go use the washroom." Sara said pushing her way out of the booth.

The tension was heavy at the table until Lindsey piped up. "Is that a nose ring Connie?"

"Yep. I have my tongue done too." She answered.

"Cool!" Lindsey said looking at her mom.

"Not a chance." Catherine said anticipating the question.

Lindsey gave her mother a mutinous look.

"Hey Lindsey…" Constance said leaning in and looking shifty "Just do what I did"

"Yah?" Lindsey said more interested than ever.

"Wait till you're of age, have a job and buy it for yourself" Constance said straightening up.

The table laughed as Lindsey sat back and glared.

"I like you." Catherine said still laughing.

"Well Cath, you're not alone" Greg said putting his arm around Constance.

Behind them Sara was feeling nauseous.