Nick had the biggest smile on his face when he saw 6 of his closest friends so happy to see him.
The room burst into laughing and "How are you's"
Lindsay was the last in the room. She tried to fight her way between Warrick and Brass, but had no luck.
"Ahem!" She coughed when she couldn't get through. The laughing and talking died down. Warrick and Brass looked behind them to see a petite, 12 year old behind them.
"Oh, sorry munchkin," Brass teased as he picked Lindsay up and placed her on the bed next to Nick.
"How are you?" She asked as she gave him a hug. Nick gave her a strong hug back. Nick was the most emotional when it came to Lindsay. She cared about her as if she was his real niece.
"I'm great now that you are here," Nick said while looking up at all the other adults. That statement had made Lindsay's face light up.
"You won't believe what I brought you," Lindsay said as her mom passed her the bear behind her back.
"It wouldn't be M&M's would it?" Nick said as his eyes grew huge. He had a craving for M&M's that very moment.
"Well, that's part of it," She said as she pulled the bear from behind her back.
"There's more? Oh you shouldn't have!" Nick said with a hand on his chest
"Anything for my favorite Uncle," Lindsay said with a smile. The room filled with coughs as the other "Uncles" felt somehow left out. Lindsay looked back at all of them.
"What about me, Linds," Warrick said with a frown.
"Yeah and me," Greg said with puppy dog eyes.
"And me," Brass said with his hands on his hips.
"And don't forget me," Grissom said as he raised his hand
Lindsay sighed as she turned her attention back towards Nick.
"Boys," she said with a smile, "they are just so annoying aren't they?"
Catherine and Sara laughed as the "boys" stood there with their jaws open.
Nick laughed so hard tears started to form in the corners of his eyes.
"So I'm your favorite Uncle, huh?" Nick said while looking at the other men in the room.
"That's right," Lindsay said with a smile. "That's why I brought you this for good luck,"
She pulled the bear from behind her back and held it for Nick to see.
Nick's eyes began to well up with tears. He took in a deep breath. He couldn't believe that she remembered the bear all this time.
"Lindsay," he started but was cut off by Lindsay and her sobs.
"I made you cry didn't I!" She said as she dried her tears.
"That's not it at all Lindsay," Nick said drying his tears. "You've made me the happiest I've been since I've been in this place!" He said giving her a hug.
"If I made you happy, then why are you crying?" Lindsay said against his hospital gown.
"Because, I never thought I would see the bear again," He said drying her tears with his hand.
"Oh, I see," She said as she sat up.
This moment had choked up everyone in the room. But this time, they were happy tears.
"I'll keep this bear forever," Nick said as he looked into her eyes.
"Forever?" Lindsay said skeptically.
"Forever. The only time that I won't have it, is if you need it," Nick said smiling.
Lindsay wiped a tear from his cheek and gave him a final hug.
"I really got to get her home," Catherine said before she really broke down.
"But mom," Lindsay pleaded.
"Cath, we've known each other for 7 years now. You don't have to run away every time you feel like breaking down," Nick said with a tear in this eye
"Oh, Nicky," She said as she gave him a hug.
"How are you doin' Miss Thang?" Nick said laughing.
"I'm doin' just fine playa," Catherine said in the most urban voice she could muster. Everyone broke into laughter.
"Mom, please, stop," Lindsay said with a serious look on her face.
The room broke into ever more laughter as Lindsay begged her mom to stop.
"Sara," Nick said with a smile on his face. "Pretty Gal! Come over here and give me a hug," he said with his thick, Texas accent.
She smiled and walked between Catherine and Brass.
"Come here cowboy," Sara said laughing.
"How come he can call you pretty gal, but I can't call you a hottie?" Greg whined.
Sara turned her head to look at Greg and said, "Ever heard of a thing called class?" Sara could barely get the words out before the room started howling with laughter,
She turned her head back to look at Nick.
"We missed you," She said hugging him tighter.
"And I missed you guys," Nick said with a smile on his face.
Brass was next in line for hug/handshake.
"How you doin' there, Nicky?" Brass asked giving him a manly one handed hug.
"Brass I've known you for 7 years too. Now, can I get a real hug?" Nick said with his hands in the air.
"Ohhh, Nicky," Brass said with the biggest smile any of them had ever seen. "Only for you,"
As soon as he let go of Nick, his phone rang. Brass sighed and looked at Nick with apologetic eyes.
"It's no problem Brass. You can take the call." Nick said as he smiled.
"Sorry, Nicky. I'll be right back," Brass said while walking out of the room.
Greg came up to Nick and gave him a tight hug.
"Man, it has been so boring without hearing that southern drawl you have," Greg said chuckling. Everyone in the room was in agreement. Nick's voice was what they missed the most.
Everyone thought that Greg was smiling as they laughed. Greg let a whimper slip from his lips. Everyone heard it but no one was going to address it.
"What is wrong Greggo?" Nick asked as he loosened his hug.
"Nothin' man I'm just glad you're back," Greg said releasing Nick from his grasp.
"I'm glad to be back!" Nick yelped, trying to lighten up the mood.
Everyone laughed and brushed it off. Greg mouthed "thank you" to Nick.
Nick simply nodded his head and smiled
Grissom was next. He stepped forward, and the room fell silent.
"I…..we missed you Nicky," Grissom said with a smirk on his face. "You have no idea how good it is to have you back!" Grissom said with a cheer.
"Yeah!" Everybody said in unison.
Brass walked in with a basket from his car. The basket included a bottle of champagne for the grown ups and soda for Lindsay and Nick.
"Great timing Chief!" Warrick said as Brass handed him a paper coffee cup.
He passed the cups around to everyone. He gave a cup to Nick but quickly took it back.
"Oh, come on Brass!" Nick begged.
"Nope. You're on medication. NO ALCOHOL!" Brass said in a taunting voice.
"I hate you," Nick said in a whining voice.
"Oh, Nicky my boy, I have a feeling that those feelings will soon change when you see what I got you," Brass said in a childish voice.
Brass poured 6 cups of champagne and 2 cups of Coca Cola.
"Who's gonna give the toast?" Greg said as everyone looked at each other.
Everyone's eyes stopped at Warrick.
"Oh, no pressure guys," Warrick said jokingly.
The room fell silent as Warrick began his speech.
"To Nick. A man who is alive and kickin'. He fooled fate….again and has decided that he likes staying with us a lot more. May the many years you have on this earth serve you well, and may you go on to do bigger and better things," Warrick began to get teary eyed and his voice started to waver. "To Nick," He said and raised his glass.
"To Nick!" Everyone said while banging their paper cups together.
Nick smiled through the tears and hugged Warrick. This hug was not like the others and everyone saw it. This was a good solid hug. This was a hug of brothers.
Just as the moment really began to sink in, 6 phones rang in unison.
"Grrrrr," Sara said
"We have to go Nick. All the way to Mesquite. Sorry," Catherine said with an apologetic voice "Come on Linds, time to go."
"No. I want to stay with Uncle Nick," Lindsay whined.
"No. Uncle Nick needs to rest and how will he do that with a mouth like yours?" Catherine asked as the room lit up with laughter.
"Oh, well I guess it must be hereditary," Lindsay said as she sat back down on the bed.
The room was then filled with hoops and hollers. Catherine stood there with her mouth wide open.
"Cath, really it's OK. I want her to stay," Nick said smiling at Lindsay. "And anyways, Mesquite is in the opposite direction of your house. You can come and pick her up on your way home."
"How long do you think you'll be able to handle her for?" Catherine asked concerned.
"How ever long you're away," Nick said
Catherine looked skeptically and made sure Nick was ready for what was about to happen.
"She's gonna talk your ear off," Catherine said.
Lindsay opened her mouth and was about to say something witty but Catherine shut it down fast.
"We'll be fine promise," Nick said in his reassuring voice
"OK. Linds, look at me. Do not be rough," Catherine said.
"OK!" Lindsay said giving her mom a final hug.
By now everyone else had told Nick and Linds good bye and had left for their cars.
Catherine finally walked out of the room and left the two alone.
"Now the fun can really begin!" Lindsay said with a light in her eyes
Lindsay had been left with Nick for an hour. She hadn't worn him out yet. Catherine kept calling making sure he was OK with Lindsay there. Nick had finally assured his parents that he was in good hands with Linds and that they should go home and get some sleep.
"Got any 4's?" Nick asked as he sat cross legged in the bed.
"Go Fish!" Lindsay said proudly as she sat across from Nick on his bed.
"Got any……." She thought about it for a second. "9's?"
"I think you're cheating," he said as he laid the 9 down on the bed.
"Mom always said you were a sore loser," Lindsay said while placing her last pair on the bed.
"Your mother said that?" Nick asked with his eyes big.
"Yep. And I think she might be right," Lindsay said as she collected the M&M's that were in winners circle.
"Best out of 11?" Nick begged.
"Oh, Uncle Nick. Can't stand the fact that a 12 year old beat you at Go Fish?" Lindsay said in a taunting voice.
"Actually, no I can't," Nick said crossing his arms like a spoiled brat.
"Just admit it," She said with her nose in the air.
"Fine. You win," Nick said throwing his cards on the bed.
"Thank you. Thank you very much," Lindsay said popping M&M's in her mouth.
"Let me have a couple," Nick said holding out his hand.
"No. I won them fair and square," Lindsay said popping a handful in her mouth.
"Please!" Nick said begging
"Fine!" Lindsay said popping 2 M&M's into his hand.
"2? That's it?" Nick said in shock of the red and blue M&M in his hand
"Now, if I do remember correctly, you said "Lindsay may I have a couple?" And guess what uncle Nicky, a couple is 2.
Nick was in shock of how stingy she was being.
"You're cold. That's your mom coming out in you," Nick said as Lindsay's mouth hung open.
"Fine," Lindsay said opening a fresh bag and pouring some into her hand to give Nick.
"Nope. I don't want them now!" He said in a bratty tone.
"Fine more for me then!" Lindsay said popping a handful in her mouth.
"OK please?" Nick said giving up the tough routine and held out his hand.
"Oh, now you want some. Is it yes or is it no Uncle Nicky?" Lindsay declared with her hands on her hips.
"It's yes," Nick said shaking his hand.
"Yes what?" Lindsay said in her brattiest tone.
"Yes please?" Nick asked not sure of what to say.
"Yes please Princess Lindsay." Lindsay said with her nose in the air.
"Oh. Absolutely not," Nick said crossing his arms.
"I guess you don't want the M&M's bad enough," Lindsay said smiling.
"OK. Fine," Nick said as he took a deep breath. "Yes please Princess Lindsay. May I have some M&M's?"
"Yes you may," Lindsay said as she passed him a new, unopened bag.
"Oh, you're so generous! That's another part of your mom coming out in you. A good part," Nick said smiling at Lindsay. "Lindsay, you don't know how happy you made me by staying and talking with me,"
"The pleasure is mine Uncle Nick," Lindsay said with a smile on her face.
Nick laughed until he noticed Lindsay staring at the numerous bites on his skin. Nick self consciously covered them up with the blanket.
Lindsay looked away quickly. She was ashamed that she had made Nick feel uncomfortable.
"Lindsay," Nick said as he looked at her.
She looked out the window. She didn't want to look at his broken smile. The smile he put on to make you feel better.
"Lindsay," Nick said again with a little more force behind his voice.
"I'm sorry. My mom always tells me it's not nice to stare. Sorry I made you mad," Lindsay said as her eyes welled with tears.
"Lindsay, I'm not mad. How could I be mad at you? You are the only one that stayed with me all afternoon. You're a wonderful girl Lindsay," Nick said while pulling her into a hug.
"You know what's a mystery Uncle Nick?" Linds asked as she grabbed him tight.
"What's that Linds," Nick said with a smile.
"That you don't have a girlfriend," Lindsay said in an innocent voice.
Nick broke into laughter.
"I mean you are so nice and funny and cool," Lindsay said.
"Cooler then Uncle Warrick?" Nick asked hoping to receive a yes.
"Well, it's a tie," Lindsay said with a smile.
"That's just another way of saying no," Nicks aid laughing.
"No it's not. It's just a way of saying that I can't tell the difference," Lindsay said with determination in her voice.
Nick and Linds stared out the window for a few minutes.
Lindsay finally got up the guts to ask Nick the question she had been trying to ask him the whole day.
"Uncle Nick?" Linds started.
"Mmhmm?" Nick answered.
"What did that man do to you?" Linds asked it in her innocent voice.
Nick looked deep into her eyes and said, "So many things Linds."