An Unfair Act of Vengeance

Notes: Hey, this is another, fairly long chapter, but just so you know, most of the violence is over after this chapter. The action isn't quite over, but there are only two or three, maybe four (but unlikely) chapters left before it's all over! Please review, I always like reading your comments, and I hope you like this chapter!

Summary: Nick and Grissom talk to Officer Dayton's parents, and once they leave Nick and Grissom go to see the bodies. Meanwhile, Catherine gets more disturbing news. Nick and Grissom find themselves in severe danger, while the rest of the team works frantically to try and stop the situation from getting any worse. Sheriff Atwater finds himself once more publicly embarrassed as the media continues to pick at the story. Somehow Nick manages to keep it together, and he begins to find his self-confidence returning…

"I'm… we're…" Grissom wasn't sure how to answer. I don't even know why we're here…

"We're sorry, my name is…" his breath caught in his throat before continuing, "Nick Stokes… I… saw…"

"Y-you're the one… you were the one he was after…"

"I-I'm s-s-sorry… for your loss… I…" He couldn't finish as he suddenly found it impossible to breathe. Tears were forming in his eyes yet again as he bowed his head.

"You didn't do anything wrong… my… our son… we wouldn't have wanted us to be angry with you. He would've… he would've given us one of his looks… and he would've said that it was just his job. Just your job… so please… I… we… we want to… I don't know… but it would… it'd mean a lot to him if you were there… for his funeral. Now, I'm sure you're busy… and that a funeral is the last thing you need…"

"I-I'll be there…"

"We're so sorry… sorry that any of this had to happen… if you call this number here… and ask for Jonathan or Helen… we can give you the date… and time…"

"Ok… if you need… anything…"

"Just get better… make sure that your life is worthwhile… it'd mean more to us than anything."

The two people slowly turned and supported each other as they made their way down the hall. Nick couldn't but feel even more guilty as he heard the mother's sobs once they were farther away. They lost their son… all because some psychotic freak wanted me… He deserved to be with them. They deserve to watch to have their son back...

"Come on… Nick… we should get in there… so that the doctor can send them to be prepared for their funerals…"

"Yeah… I-I guess we should…" He followed Grissom into the room, and the doctor gave them a small smile before he turned down the hall and left.

Nick took a deep breath as his eyes wandered along the numerous drawers. His eyes could help but focus at the distorted view of the body bags. God… I'm in a room with dozens of freaking tombs… They're just about the same size… He shook his head as he tried to focus on the two people who had been pulled out, and he gasped before letting out a loud sob. Another few minutes and I would've been lying right there next to them… His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when he heard his supervisor let out a grunt from behind him.

He painfully turned around, but looked in shock as he saw some woman handcuffing his supervisor to a pipe that ran into the floor, and he watched in shock as she placed an odd mask over his face. Once he got a closer look he could see that it was a large metal mask that had a large metal funnel sticking out of it and right into his mentor's mouth. He can't cry out… He had seen pictures of the mask before, in some prior case he had been working.

'It was used back in the medieval times… it was a way to silence people who spoke to often…it's called the 'Peace Breaker's Muzzle…' Grissom's voice rang out through his head… No… I've got to do something…

Suddenly her attention was solely on him, and he desperately tried to do something to stop her. In an instant she had knocked both his crutches away from him; his body soon began to wobble unsteadily as he tried to do something. Why can't I cry out? His voice was gone. Somehow he found it impossible to scream or cry for help as he once more felt his fear taking control.

He could hardly move, and in his weakened condition he could hardly put up a struggle as he felt himself being slammed down onto one of the sliding benches that was identical to those in the other drawers. He felt a piece of tape close over his mouth. Suddenly he felt his body begin to spasm on the bench as he fought as best as he could against his attacker, but he could already tell that he was too exhausted to manage to hold anyone off.

Grissom cringed as he felt a sharp pain reek havoc on his head. A loud moan of terror brought him back to his sense as he managed to slowly focus his eyes on Nick. He could feel his eyes go wide in surprise as Nick fought in vain against their attacker. She moved quickly, and he could tell she was undoubtedly strong. Then he watched in horror as she tore half of Nick's shirt clear off, and the rest slowly fell to the ground. No… Nick… I won't… I can't let her hurt you… He pulled with all his might against the chains as he watched Nick's eyes shut tightly as he continued to struggle hopelessly against his assailant.

Nick felt his back touch the cold metal of the table, and it sent a shiver down his spine as he felt sweat begin to run down his face as he struggled. His vision was becoming blurry, and he found it hard to breathe through his nose as he felt someone's hands stroking his chest. For a slight moment he felt his vision clear, but he instantly regretted it as he saw the woman smiling sinisterly at him. No… no… no… please… someone… please… help me…

"Hello, Catherine Willows speaking… What? What do you mean another missing employee? She what? Oh god… Thank you very much… for… uh… calling…"

"Catherine… what's wrong?" Warrick asked in sudden concern.

"That was the Phoenix PD… they followed one of Alberts' employees to the airport, and they just found out that she took a flight to Vegas…"

"Oh my God… there could be someone else after Nick…" Sara's mouth dropped open as she fully became aware of what her words could mean. Without another word the four raced out of the room in desperation. Just let him be ok… just let him be ok… was all Sara could think as their footsteps echoed rapidly through the halls.

As soon as his legs felt the icy touch of the metal bench his struggles became less forceful. He was losing strength fast, and he knew if something didn't happen soon he'd once more be subjected to the cruelty that he had tried so hard to forget since he had been nine. Please… someone… anyone… please… help me… Make it stop… please…

He had never felt this sudden rush of pure rage before. His blood boiled as he watched the woman menacingly ripping pieces of Nick's clothes. An excruciating pain erupted in his wrists as he began to pull at them with all his strength. Something wet began to flow onto his hand, but he didn't care. He knew it was blood. Then he felt it. The pipe he was chained to had moved slightly with his pulling. I swear to God… even if I lose my hands… I'm not going to let her hurt Nick anymore… His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Nick's final piece of clothing land on the floor not far from him. Come on… move! His arms yanked wildly against the pipe now as he begged for it to give way.

"Here you go Miss Peterson… I'll be right back to talk with you… just wait for me in there ok?"

"Sure thing, doc…" She had once more found herself thinking back to that man she had seen. He was just so terrified… yet he didn't run away… Her contemplation on what had happened came to an abrupt halt when she quickly opened the door and stepped into the dimly lit morgue.

"Judge! Mrs. Stokes… where's Nick?" Catherine called at the top of her lungs as they watched the couple sitting on a bench at the far end of the hall.

"Why? Is something wrong? Is Nick in danger?" Bill called back. He knew his voice wasnervous and on edge, but he didn't care. The only thing that matters is Nick's safety… I just want him to be safe… please let him be safe…

"Who the hell are you?" Emily found herself yelling in an attempt to get her away from the 'tough guy' she remembered so vividly from before. Please let him be ok… please let him be ok…

"Oh… does the Cowboy have a girlfriend? Perhaps I should introduce myself. My name is Anna DeVille. I wouldn't get your hopes up though my dear… he'll soon be mine forever…"

Her eyes traveled from the tall, muscular woman to the man lying on the table. The tape over his mouth prohibited him from sobbing, but she could clearly see his chest pounding as he tried to breathe. His body was drenched with sweat, and her eyes narrowed in anger at the pile of torn clothes that was lying in a heap on the floor. She even tied his hands together with his own belt… No one should have to go through this. No one… She searched frantically with her eyes for some type of weapon, but she was too far away from the nearest table to grab much without being taken down. She slowly looked over her opponent. She quickly took in the long, straight bleached hair, the dark makeup, the look of pure evil in her eyes.

Without the slightest hesitation she lunged for the nearest object on the table, and she glanced over at Nick's body. He was no longer struggling, yet his entire body was trembling, and his eyes were clamped shut as tears fell freely from beneath the closed lids. A loud moan escaped his throat, but it was muffled by the tape. Her fingers wrapped around a glass beaker, and she brought it crashing down against the other woman's face.

"I want every inch of this hospital locked down, and I want to know where Nick is within the next five minutes!" Catherine couldn't keep her voice down as she looked at the array of officers around her. It was too important. Something in her gut screamed that he was in danger, and that he needed help. Her eyes watched as the officers quickly dispersed and started their search.

"Ah… hello, good to see you…"

"You too, Rory. It's always a pleasure to come to one of your parties…"

He smiled at the simple pleasantries. This was so routine, but even so he found it relaxing. His head turned at the sound of someone stomping angrily towards him. Nothing could've prepared him for the sight of his own wife heading straight for him.

"You son of a bitch! What the hell were you thinking? I'm damn sure I didn't marry someone who could just treat a situation like this like you did! I know I didn't marry some insensitive asshole who only cared about his job!"

"Dear, please… we have guests." He offered in an attempt to keep her calm, but it only served to make her even more angry.

"There you go again! You care more about these damn guests than that man's life! You didn't even think twice as to how he or his family might react to those pictures! You just showed the entire world this man while he was most vulnerable! God… I can't even look at you!"

"I-I… what do you want from me?"

"I want you to show some kind of compassion! I want to know that the man I married cares about the people who work for him! And… until I know that, I'm gone, and don't bother calling me. I'll know when the man I married is back…" She took off past him, and for the first time he noticed that she was carrying a bag with her as she hurried out the door. How could I be such an imbecile? She's right… I'm not the man she married. Where did I go wrong? His gaze slowly shifted to the other people who were merely staring awkwardly at him.

"Hello Catherine. She's with him right now. And he's about to undergo something so much worse than he did when he was nine."

Catherine froze as the other end of theline went dead. The voice had been cold and viscous. It almost sounded like I was talking to Alberts himself…

"We've got to hurry! Our suspect is presumably with Nick!" Her voice screamed into the radio as she began to run down the hall towards another room that hadn't been searched.

"What in the hell is going on?" Dr. Gibbons shouted as he watched even more cops run past with their guns drawn, and flashlights waving. Warrick froze, and slowly made his way over to the concerned doctor. "We've got all sorts of patients in this hospital, and we can't have cops busting into everyone's room!"

"Hey! Nick is in danger, we believe one of Alberts' henchmen is with him right now! If we don't find him… we may never see him again. So, as far as patients are concerned… I don't give a damn!" He didn't waste another moment before he took off running towards another room. I swear… I'm not going to lose him… not again…

Grissom watched in surprise as the two women struggled. He could feel the blood flowing faster from his wrists as he pulled even harder against the pipe. Suddenly Nick once more caught his attention. The Texan's entire body was quivering, but Grissom could tell that his friend was terrified. Nothing could hide how much his skin had paled, and a steady drip from the edge of the bench confirmed that Nick was crying. I'm going to help you. I swear… I'm not going to let you down again! With a sudden burst of energy he felt the pipe give way behind him, and he immediately jumped to his feet and ran for the blonde.

She had easily seen him coming, and easily tripped him. He fell to the ground with a loud cry of pain. She smiled as she noticed his hands were still behind his back.

It was all the distraction Emily needed to grab the next closest item and swing it out at the other woman. I won't let you do this to him… He deserves to be happy… to be spared…

He could suddenly see himself lying in his old bedroom. It looked so different from how he remembered it. There were all sorts of toys and junk scattered around. His eyes refocused on the door that led into his room. He was in his parents' home… then he saw her. She was about his brother's age… maybe a junior or a senior… she quickly threw him down onto his bed. He watched as the younger version of himself was thrown onto his former bed… He winced as he heard his own, younger cries fill the room…

"Sofia, have you got anything?" Catherine called down yet another hallway.

"Sorry, Catherine, I couldn't find Nick… and what about Grissom?"

"We can't find him either! Come on… they've got to be around here somewhere…" Her voice cracked, and she hurried on down the hall as her long hair moved along with her quick movements. Maybe… maybe he could help us… maybe he's heard something…

"Hello?"

"Hey…"

"Mugs? Why exactly are you calling me? I thought that after the last time we spoke you were rather mad at me…"

"Look, I haven't talked to you since because it's just too complicated, Sam."

"Well, you didn't seem to have a problem asking for a million dollars…"

"If you are even conceited enough to think…"

"How much money do you need this time, Mugs?"

"I don't want your money, Sam. I want to know if you've heard anything about this Alberts' guy, or any of his henchmen."

"How would I have heard about that, dear?"

"Because, no matter how innocent you want me to think you are… I know you're in the loop when it comes to criminals… please… do have anything?"

"Look, Mugs, all I've got is some knowledge that this guy seems to like his medieval tools."

"What?"

"Medieval tools. Like a rack, or guillotine. Medieval torture devices…"

"Oh my God… if you hear anything, anything at all, Sam… restrain whoever mentions it. Then call me."

"Somehow I don't believe this is your typical protocol…"

"It's not, but I can't let them hurt him anymore."

"Him? Would this happen to be the same guy as before?"

"What the hell do you care?"

"Listen, Catherine… regardless of who you believe… who you know I am… I do care about you, and if this guy means this much to you… then he means a lot to me as well. I only want you and Lindsey to be happy…"

"Is… is that a yes?"

"It is… If I, or any of my guys hears something, you'll be the first to know…"

"T-thank you…"

"I love you, Mugs." He said before he quickly hung up. This Stokes guy meant a lot to her, and he wasn't going to disappoint her. He finger pressed the small button on his desk and the door opened as several men walked in.

No. I… I can't be the victim anymore… I've got to do something… He slowly forced his eyes open, and he watched in terror as the blonde woman went flying backwards and into the bench. He felt himself sliding into the tight confinement of the drawer, and felt himself grow colder as he realized some sort of freezer was at work. It thinks I'm just another dead body… Then he caught a glimpse of black metal by his leg. He forced his eyes to focus, and he slowly discerned the rough shape of a gun. He felt his hands pull against the rough texture of his belt, until finally his right hand came free.

She smiled in victory as she threw Emily backward onto the floor. A quick look in the other direction showed Grissom sprawled on the floor near Nick's torn clothes. She reached for her gun, only to realize that it wasn't there. Oh shit… where did it go? She turned around just in time to see the Texan's arm grab hold of the cold handle. A second later she felt a sudden burst of pain in her chest. Moments later it was accompanied by several more torrents of intense pain.

He could see her eyes go wide, and he would've smiled if the tape over his mouth hadn't prevented it. She can't hurt me anymore… she can't hurt anyone…

"We've got shots fired!" Catherine screamed into her radio as Sofia chased after her towards the morgue. Greg came bounding after them, followed closely by Warrick and Sara and several other cops. Catherine burst through the doors, and froze. The scene in front of them was too real for comfort. One woman was lying in the middle of the room with several gunshots in her chest. Not far from her another woman dressed in a simple dress suit was rubbing her forehead. Then she saw Grissom lying on his side, she could see the blood on his wrists, but her eyes were more focused on the strange looking mask that had been placed on him. This guy seems to like his medieval tools…

Then she saw the opened drawer. The bench was only sticking out a few feet, and she could clearly see the two bare feet sticking out from within the drawer. Her eyes slowly traveled down towards the pile of shredded clothes. Oh God… please… please let him be ok. She quickly grabbed a towel from a nearby shelf, and cautiously held it into the drawer. I can at least save him a bit of dignity… She felt a weak, doddering hand grab the towel, and after she heard him stop moving she slowly pulled the bench out.

The look on his face surprised her. He didn't look scared. She carefully peeled the tape from his mouth, and she felt her jaw drop when he actually managed a small smile.

"Oh… Nick…"

"I-I'm ok Catherine… I… stopped her."

Suddenly it dawned on her. Of course he's feeling somewhat happy. For the first time in the past couple of days he's finally been able to do something to help not only himself, but others too… He was finally able to defend himself…

"I-I'm so proud of you Nick…" she stammered, as she found herself smiling back down at him.

"S-so… am I…"

Nick looked over to see Grissom standing next to Catherine while a doctor quickly wrapped bandages around his boss's wrists. He let his head fall back, and suddenly felt relieved by the cold metal of the table. He chuckled softly as he someone place a warm blanket over his still shaking body. A quick glance towards the door showed the rest of the team waiting silently as people went about their jobs.

"Hey… you guys… what do you think you're doing back there? Can't you tell when your friend needs a hug?"

Warrick smiled weakly, and laughed as he quickly made his way across the room, and felt Nick's arms wrap around him solidly.

"I just hope no one gets the wrong impression man… I mean, I'll be your friend… but that'd just be a bit too close…"

"Yeah… you're probably right, bro… why don't you make yourself useful and get me some clothes?"

"Uh… yeah, sure thing, man. I'll be back in a minute!"

"So… how are you feeling Nick?"

"Actually… I think I'm better than I've been in a long time, Catherine…"

"How so?" Greg piped up in pure curiosity. This was definitely not what he had expected to find when they had burst into the room.

"Because… I… I realized that I couldn't live in fear. I realized that everything I need to be happy is right here. It's all of you… you guys are all I need, and I still have you… we still have each other…"

"Yeah… yeah we do. Thanks to you Nick. You saved yourself, Grissom, and that other woman. You did a lot of good today. You overcame your fears, and let your hope for a better future shine through everything else…"

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter: Nick and the rest of the team testify at the trial. Meanwhile, Nick begins to form a new friendship with Emily Peterson, while finding it easier to deal with his past…