Note: Here's the next installment. Hope y'all enjoy! Thanks for all the reviews! I'm working on replying to them...if I miss someone...i'm really sorry! My mailbox is kinda messed up right now..so anyway...here ya go!

Chapter Two
Nick moaned, slowly rolling over onto his back. Was it really time to move? Forcing his eyes open he glared at his alarm clock as it continued to drone over on his bedside table. The red numbers glared back, telling him the story he dreaded hearing. It really was time to move.

Grunting a few choice words, Nick slowly and deliberately stretched his muscles and reached over to shut off the alarm. His body was screaming at him for the go cart escapades earlier that day. He wasn't a teenager anymore, and his body was violently reminding him of that as he slowly stood, feeling the muscles in his back tense in anger at the movement. Raising his arms above his head, he slowly moved his upper body from side to side hoping to loosen the tense muscles.

Grabbing up a pair of jeans off his floor and a random shirt from his closet, Nick made his way toward the bathroom. He needed to shower something fierce.

The pulsating hot water worked its magic on his back. He could feel his muscles loosening up as he stood under the spray of water. Unable, or simply unwilling to move, he soaked in the relaxation the hot water rushed to his body.

Finally, willing his body to move he finished in the bathroom. Dressing rather haphazardly, he made his way to the kitchen, in time to catch his cell phone buzzing on the counter. Checking the caller ID, he put the phone back down. It was his mother again. He really didn't feel like being bothered by her questions, her concern.

Are you getting enough sleep?

How are you holding up?

Are you eating?

He was tired of giving the same answers, assuring his parents, his mom, that he was fine. It didn't help, they…she still called. Putting his phone in it's holder on his hip he turned toward the fridge. Opening it to survey the slim choices, he opted for a Diet Coke and a granola bar. He really needed to make time to go grocery shopping. It would have to wait, he thought glancing at his watch.

Grabbing his keys, shoving his wallet in his back pocket, he grabbed his coat and was out the door.

As most people were getting ready for bed, calling it a day, Nick was just coming alive. He'd been on the graveyard shift since he'd moved to Vegas. How long had it been now? At first it was hard to adjust to the different lifestyle, but now he wouldn't change it for anything. He loved his job, was used to the hours, and more than anything loved the people he worked with.

When Ecklie had split the team up a year ago, it'd been wrenching on the whole team. They knew, subconsciously, they wouldn't always be together. They knew one day the team would be split up, but the circumstances under which it had happened was harsh, uncalled for, grounded in the bitterness of the lab supervisor toward the graveyard supervisor.

Last summer, though, when it seemed the world had tilted on its axis, and Nick had been…abducted…he still had trouble with that word…the lab supervisor hadn't hesitated in re-uniting the team. They were more than a team. They were family.

No, now he was used to the life. It was what kept him going, what kept him thriving, regardless how much his body protested it at times.

Nick made his way to his SUV, pushing the button on his key ring to disengage the security system. Climbing into the driver seat, he put the key in the ignition. He could see the window of his neighbor's house illuminated within with the glow of the television. While people were watching the evening news, he was making it.

Pulling out of his driveway, he made the all-too-familiar drive to the lab. It was a drive he could probably make blindfolded, and quite often had made in a very much trance like state of mind. He'd lost count of the times he'd spaced out during the fifteen minute drive, unaware of his surroundings, lost in his own thoughts. It was often unnerving to realize he had no recollection of the drive he'd just made. Relief mixed with concern at the near miss of many accidents. He often wondered if it was a normal thing to do.

Traffic was light as he headed toward the lab complex. It was a Monday night, typically a quiet night in Vegas terms. He relished in the thought of a slow night, a chance to recoup from the arduous day and the rough case he'd just wrapped up.

Pulling into the lab parking lot, he found his unofficial spot and put his vehicle in park. Grabbing the abandoned pair of sunglasses from his backseat, he locked up his vehicle, arming the security system, and made his way into the building, his second home.

"Hey, Judy," he smiled routinely flashing his ID.

"Hey, Nick," the receptionist smiled watching the CSI walk past her toward the locker room.

He was early, the lab clearly in the midst of shift changes. Swing shift was in full…swing? Day shift was over hours ago, though a few hung around hoping to wrap their cases. Lab techs were busy in their own regards. Hodges, true to character, was busy talking the ear off some poor unsuspecting CSI. Was that a new CSI?

"Hey, Nick," Archie, the A/V tech, smiled as he passed the CSI in the hall.

"Hey, Archie. You're in early."

"Yeah, had some tapes to catch up on for days," he shrugged rushing on toward the dark viewing room. "See ya," he nodded ducking into the A/V lab, his domain.

"Yeah," the CSI nodded entering the locker room.

"Hey, man," Warrick nodded, the macho wave, as he busied himself buttoning his shirt.

"Hey," Nick smiled tossing the man his sunglasses. "You left these this morning."

"You got my message," he nodded catching the plastic frames with ease and placing them on the top shelf of his locker. "So, get this," he started as Nick opened his locker and began prepping his service pistol. "I get home from our excursion with Greg, right, expecting Tina to be at work."

"Yeah," Nick nodded; already interested in the direction to which this story was headed.

"So, I walk in the front door, dog tired, man. I was dead on my feet. I open the front door, not realizing that the thing was unlocked and there's Tina standing in the middle of the living room. She's furious," he shook his head, his voice emphasizing the last word.

"What? I thought she was working?"

"Yeah," Warrick smirked, "so did I. Turns out she didn't have to go in until late. So there she is, pacing the floor her arms crossed and shit. She starts letting me have it, right? For not calling her and shit like that," he continued readying his own service pistol and placing it in his side holster. "So, I'm standing there taking it and it dawns on me. So, here I am, standing there not sure how I'm still upright, and I start laughing."

"You start laughing?" Nick asked raising a brow.

"I'm laughing uncontrollably by now," he nodded in reply. "So, Tina stops whatever she's saying and just glares at me. What the hell's so funny? She asks me, right? So I try to get control, and it's no use. I just sit there laughing."

"So what was so funny?"

"Whipped, man. You were right," he laughed pulling out his field vest and putting it on. "So, she's completely steamed at me for not calling her and whatnot."

"What'd you do?"

"Man, what could I do? I was too tired to explain everything. I just went to bed, man," he laughed shaking his head as he followed Nick out of the locker room. "Man, where does it say in the marriage handbook that I have to tell her everything anyway?" he asked.

"I don't know man, I think it just comes with the territory," Nick laughed zipping up his own field vest.

"Man, consider yourself blessed."

"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind," he nodded making a beeline for the coffeepot. "Damn, who left this thing empty?" he asked picking up the glass pot. "Hey, where does Greg stash his special blend?" Nick turned as Warrick flipped the TV over to Sports Center.

"Check the cabinet over the fridge," Warrick said taking a step back to watch the highlights of the day. "Kid may be a decent CSI, but he sure ain't good at hiding anything."

"Hey guys," Catherine smiled breezing into the room as Nick stealthy replaced the coffee grounds. Her strawberry blond hair framed her pristine complexion. The suit she wore complimented her figure as she almost glided across the floor with her easy gate. Her years as a dancer still evident in the way she moved.

"Hey, Cath," Warrick nodded, ninety-five percent of his attention remained on the TV screen.

"What are the scores?" Nick asked joining the man in front of the television.

"Pistons won today. Celtics lost, though."

"Typical," Nick shook his head returning to the coffee maker. He skillfully took the pot out from under the drip and replaced it with his cup allowing it to fill up before replacing the pot to its place. "You want a cup?" he asked Warrick.

"Nah, I'm good."

"Yes," Greg said rushing across the room. "There's fresh coffee."

"Uh, yeah…" Nick stammered slightly. "I…uh…just made it," he glanced to Warrick his eyes full of the laughter he worked to stifle as he crossed the room.

"So, Greg," Catherine said from the table. "How was your birthday?"

"It was good, it was good," he nodded taking a sip from his own mug of coffee. Confused by the familiar taste he stole a glance at Nick, whose attention remained on the TV screen. "Did a few rounds on the go cart track, slept an obscene amount of hours," he smiled sitting back in his chair. "It was good," he nodded with a smile. "Hey Nick, where exactly did you get this coffee?" he asked unable to let the confusion slide.

"Oh, this? It's my own special blend," he smiled taking a seat at the table, the TV still within eyesight. "Fresh from the mountains of Hawaii."

"Ah, come on. You mean I'm gonna have to find a new place to hide it now?"

"You should have actually hidden it in the first place, man," Warrick laughed. "Anyone would know to look in the cabinet above the fridge."

"You know I can only get that stuff a couple times a year, right?"

"Hey, man, like I said, hide it if you don't want it found," Warrick shrugged.

"Or, leave it at home," Catherine smiled with a raised brow.

"Hey," Sara smiled entering the room her brown hair pulled back in a rare, yet sloppy, ponytail. The team was all accounted for now. "Sweet, coffee," she smiled her usual gap-toothed smile as her eyes fell upon the half full pot on the counter.

"Help yourself," Nick smiled. "It's Greg's specialty. He loves sharing," he laughed at the slightly downcast look on the young man's face. "Chill bro," he patted the man on the shoulder. There's a whole new, fresh pound of the stuff in your locker,"

"What?" he asked his composure brightening.

"Yeah," Catherine gave her motherly grin.

"We all chipped in and bought you some more," Warrick ruffled the kid's hair.

"Happy birthday, Greg," Sara smiled as Grissom entered the room.

"Good, you're all here," he glanced around the room. "I've got assignments," he smiled holding up the oh-so-familiar white sheets of paper.

"Sara, you and Greg cover the B and E at the Hampton Street Market," he handed the sheet to the female CSI.

"Possible robbery?" she asked reading over the sheet then handing it to Greg.

"Possible," Grissom offered a half shrug and nod of his head. He watched as the two went on their way.

"Warrick, you and Nick cover the DB in Buena Vista Springs," he nodded handing Warrick the assignment slip.

"Damn, that's in the hood," he whistled between his teeth.

"El barrio, huh?" Nick asked glancing over his partners shoulder at the piece of paper in his clutch.

"There are a couple officers on the scene," Grissom nodded. "Stick around and talk with me before you head out," he said. "Catherine you're backing me up on a double homicide," he handed her the last slip of paper in his hand.

"I'll meet you at the car," she nodded reading her paper as she exited the room.

"Look," Grissom said motioning for the two CSIs to follow him to his office. "This is a possible drive by shooting."

"Gang related?" Nick asked.

"Maybe," the supervisor nodded moving in behind his desk. "There are already two officers on the scene. I don't want you guys taking any chances," he said casting a glance of warning at both men.

"You got it," Warrick nodded.

"Yeah," Nick nodded in agreement.

"I mean it, guys. If there's trouble get out of there, let the cops handle it."

"Yeah, we will," Nick assured his boss. "Grissom, no worries," he offered his million watt smile as assurance.

He and Warrick made their way out of the boss's office and down the hall. Stopping at the locker room only to grab their field kits, they exited the lab and climbed into the mobile crime unit.

The moon was full tonight and already high in the sky. Traffic was heavy, and got heavier the closer the criminalists got to The Strip. Nick settled back in his seat, Buena Vista Springs was in North Vegas, it would be a while before they'd arrive at the scene.

"Damn," Warrick sighed getting comfortable in the driver's seat. "I thought Monday's were supposed to be quiet?"

"Yeah," Nick sighed, his own frustration showing only slightly. His cell phone rang, the shrill sound breaking the calm of the silence within the vehicle.

"You gonna get that?" Warrick asked as the phone went unanswered after several rings.

Glancing at the caller ID, Nick returned the phone to its holster. "Nope," he shook his head.

"Who you avoiding this time?"

"My mom."

"Still? Man, when's the last time you talked to her?"

"A month ago?" Nick thought back, not really sure of the last time he'd held a real conversation with his mother. "I'm tired of the same old thing, every time I talk to her," he said his phone ringing again.

"So much for a quiet night," Warrick shook his head.

Nick whipped out his phone, turned off the ringer and returned the device to its place. "That'll do," he nodded. He leaned his head back on the head rest, watching the scenery make its way by as the vehicle inched closer to the interstate on ramp. He used the time to mentally prepare himself for what lay ahead.

An hour later, once past the traffic of The Strip, and the rush of highway traffic, Nick and Warrick pulled into the parking lot of the Buena Vista Springs Community Center. Red and blue lights lit up the night sky. Two officers guarded the blocked off scene as onlookers gaped behind the crime scene tape. The CSIs were not ready for what they met, as the crossed under the tape, Detective Vega meeting them and their shocked gazes.

"Damn," Warrick managed to say.

"You got that right," the detective nodded standing next to the CSIs taking in the gruesome scene.

It was going to be a long night.