Disclaimer: Don't own any of the CSI characters however Lucy and Grace are my characters.
Authors Note: Well this is the first chapter of the repost. I must say I like it a lot better this way. I posted this quicker than I realised so I hope you all enjoy it! Please review it makes my day. Thanks.
Amazing Grace!
It was midnight and the strip was still lit up, casinos were still open and people were still walking in and out of nightclubs. Even though there was life and happiness on the strip all was quiet and dark nearer to the desert, a lady in her early twenties with shoulder length blonde hair was laughing and running around a sand filled park with a man in his late twenties. Just then the lady spotted something poking out of the sand, as they walked nearer they noticed that it was a hand.
"Oh my god," said the woman putting her face on the mans shoulder.
"I'll call in," said the man taking his phone from his pocket.
"Gil," said the homicide detective Jim Brass as he walked in the office, which was full of bugs and creatures, an entomologist would be interested in.
"Yeah what's up Jim?" asked Gil looking over his glasses.
"A hand was found in the park near the desert, Stokes called it in."
"Nick?" Gil asked puzzled, "well let's take a look."
Gil stood up and headed out of the door closely followed by Jim.
"Grissom!" called Catherine walking out of one of the DNA labs followed by Warrick.
Even though he was the boss he responded to being called Grissom as everyone he knew called him that.
"Hey Grissom, what's up?" asked Warrick looking at him.
"Nick just found a hand," said Grissom looking at the both of them, "come on."
They all left the crime lab and walked to the parking lot. Warrick drove Catherine in his black Tahoe and Grissom went in the detective car with Jim, it was Sara's night off and she had decided to catch up on some sleep. They all drove out to the park near the desert and Nick was standing by the police cars that had just pulled up, with the girl he had been with that evening.
Nick spoke to the girl and then walked away from the police cars and over to the others who had just pulled up.
"Nick, what are you doing all the way out here?" asked Warrick who was his best mate.
Nick glanced over at the lady who was now talking to the police.
"Oh I see, nice," said Warrick smiling.
"Glad you approve," said Nick laughing a little.
"So what's her name?" asked Grissom.
"Her name's Lucy," said Nick glancing over at her, she looked worried as if she had done something wrong, which she hadn't.
Grissom walked away and over to the crime scene, Catherine followed not before turning to her colleague.
"Blonde? Thought you like red heads?"
"Oh ha ha," said Nick watching Catherine walk over to Grissom who was looking at the hand.
"So Nick now we all know what you do on your nights off," said Warrick looking at him.
Nick just gave a little laugh, he was a very private person and none of his colleagues really knew what he did on his nights off, which is just how he like it. Just then Lucy came over.
"Warrick this is Lucy, Luce this is Warrick," said Nick introducing the pair.
"Hi, nice to meet you," said Lucy shaking Warrick's hand.
"Well looks like the boss wants me so I better get going," said Warrick smiling and shaking hands with Lucy and Nick.
Warrick walked over to Grissom and Catherine opened his field kit and placed on a pair of latex gloves. They were all looking around at the evidence and Warrick was taking the pictures.
Nick was hugging Lucy and they were watching the others as they searched for the evidence they needed.
"So are you not working on the case?" asked Lucy looking up at Nick.
"No I can't be involved we found the hand," said Nick kissing Lucy on her head.
"Can we go home then?"
"Yeah I'll tell Grissom ok, stay here."
Nick let go of Lucy and walked over to the cop cars and managed to catch his boss's attention, Grissom stood up and walked over to Nick.
"Grissom I'm gonna take Lucy home, ok?" asked Nick in his Texan accent.
"Ok, but make sure I can contact you in case we get another call in," said Grissom walking away from Nick and back over to Catherine and Warrick.
"Ok, thanks boss!" called Nick, he walked back over Lucy and took her hand they walked over to Nick's black SUV and he drove them back to his house.
At Nick's, Lucy was sitting on his dark green leather couch watching the T.V. When there was a knock at the door, Lucy got up and headed to the door, as she opened it she was greeted by a big hug from a little girl and a kiss on the cheek soon followed.
"Hello little one," said Lucy standing up and giving the little girl a hug, she turned her attention to the woman who was with the little girl, "hi Mrs Stokes, come in."
"Thank you dear, how many times have I told you to call me Jillian?" she said heading in and sitting on the sofa.
The little girl had already run into the dining room with her backpack and tipped the contents onto the table.
"Nick is just in the shower, he'll be out in a minute," said Lucy sitting on the opposite couch to Nick's mother.
"Look at this, look at this!" called the little girl running from the dining room to where Lucy was sitting.
"Grace don't run," said Lucy catching the little girl as she ran into her arms.
"Sorry mummy I just wanted to show you my drawing," said Grace in her innocent child voice.
"Let me see," said Lucy taking the piece of paper from her daughter's hand, "so tell me whose this?" Lucy was pointing at the picture.
"This is you mummy and that is me and that is daddy," said the little girl pointing at the different people in her drawing.
"Oh right and where are we in your picture?"
"Well we are at the park see, there are the swings and our picnic." Grace kept pointing at the picture.
"Well I love it baby shall we put it on the fridge?" asked Lucy standing up and picking up the little girl.
"Yeah! Can we use that special magnet?" asked Grace all excited.
"What the flower one?"
"Yes please."
"Ok come on then."
Lucy carried Grace into the kitchen and they put her picture on the fridge. Just as Lucy was walking back into the living room carrying Grace, Nick came out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel round his waist.
"Hey mum," said Nick kissing his mother on the cheek.
"Daddy!" called the little girl charging at Nick. He picked her up and gave her a big squeeze.
"Daddy can I show you my picture?" asked Grace looking at him with a cheeky smile on her face.
"Of course you can baby," said Nick smiling at his beautiful little girl, she had blonde hair that reached her shoulders like her mum and brown eyes just like him.
Grace let go of Nick and he put her on the floor, by this time Lucy and Nick's mum were in deep conversation, so Nick followed Grace into the kitchen where she stood pointing at her picture.
"Wow, you drew that baby, I love it, is that mummy, you and me at the park having a picnic?"
"Yeah!" said the little girl smiling proudly and nodding her head.
"Ok I'm going to get dressed why don't you go and talk to mummy and grandma or draw me another picture," said Nick smiling at his little girl.
"Ok." Grace headed back into the dining room and sat at the table she searched around and found a clean piece of paper, Grace continued to look around the table pushing things onto the floor if they got into her way, she eventually found what she was looking for, her colouring pencils. She sat quietly at the table while her mum and grandmother sat in the living room talking. Nick was in his room drying off, he put on a pair of boxer shorts, black jeans and a light blue shirt, he left his room and placed the towel in the washing bin.
"Well it was nice talking to you Lucy," said Jillian standing up and heading towards the door
"Are you going mum?" asked Nick walking into the living room.
"Yes I've got some shopping to do, before your father and I head back to Dallas."
Jillian walked over and kissed her son on the cheek.
"Ok mum thanks for coming this weekend Grace loved spending time with you and dad," said Nick smiling at his mother.
"Bye you two, bye Grace!" called Jillian from the door.
"Bye Grandma!" called a little voice from the dining room. Jillian looked at Nick with a puzzled look on her face.
"She's drawing me another picture," said Nick looking at Lucy who was smiling.
"Ok well I hope to see you all soon, maybe this time in Dallas," said Jillian looking at the both of them and opening the door.
"Sure mum, we hope to get back home as soon as we can, I know I would love Grace to see where her mummy and daddy grew up," said Nick understanding his mother's hint.
"Ok then I've really got to be going now." Jillian kissed her son and Lucy on the cheek and headed out if the door she climbed into her rented car and drove down the street.
Lucy closed the door and turned to face Nick she slowly walked over to him and placed her head on his shoulder, she snaked her arms around his waist and he did the same to her.
Their moment was cut short when Grace came strolling in with her picture.
"Hey baby, let me see?" said Nick crouching down on his legs and holding his hands out for the picture.
"That's me in my room with my toys," said Grace pointing at herself in the picture.
"Well its very nice baby, shall we put it on your wall in your room," suggested Lucy looking at her daughter who was smiling.
"Well I hate to cut this short but I have to go to work," said Nick looking at the clock on the wall.
"Why daddy?" asked Grace looking up at her father.
"Because if I don't go to work I wont be able to buy you and mummy nice things," said Nick picking Grace up and giving her a kiss. The little girl giggled at her father.
Nick gave Grace to Lucy; he picked up his keys from the coffee table and looked back at his daughter.
"Gracie, do what your mum tells you and can you please tidy up your mess in the dining room before you go to bed," said Nick noticing the mess in the dining room where his daughter had been drawing.
"Ok daddy, I love you," said Grace from her mum's arms.
"I love you too baby."
Nick moved closer and kissed his daughter on her forehead. Lucy put Grace down and hugged Nick.
Nick glanced down at Grace and then to the dining room.
"Ok daddy I'll tidy it up." Grace walked into the dining room and began tidying up her mess.
"She always listens to you," said Lucy staying close to Nick.
"Yeah I know," said Nick smiling and kissing Lucy on the top of her head.
"Hunny you're gonna be late for work."
"Ok I'm going, tell me how she was when I get back."
"Ok I will baby, have fun at work," said Lucy smiling.
"I'll try, I love you," said Nick opening the door.
"I love you too."
Nick left the house and got into his black SUV and drove to the crime lab. Lucy closed the door and headed into the dining room, Grace was still cleaning up a few things.
"Hey baby, are you finished?" asked Lucy watching her daughter pack up the last of her things.
"Yes mummy, I finished."
"Would you like some dinner?"
"No thank you I had some with grandma," said Grace with a little yawn.
"Would you like to sleep in mummy and daddy's bed tonight?"
"Yeah!" cheered Grace.
"Come on then little one."
Lucy picked up her daughter and went into Grace's room. She walked over to a chest of drawers and pulled out a little pink nighty with Barbie on the front. Lucy undressed her little girl and put the nighty on her, they went into her and Nick's room. Grace had already jumped into the bed and had her blanket and favourite teddy with her. Lucy went to her own drawers and found Nick's Cowboys football jersey, she put it on and climbed into bed, she turned out the lights and cuddled up with her baby. They soon fell fast asleep.
At the lab Nick had just pulled up in his SUV and was greeted by his best mate Warrick.
"Hey man," said Warrick walking into the lab with Nick.
"Hey."
"So after the whole thing earlier in the desert how's Lucy?" asked Warrick looking at Nick while walking down the corridor in the lab.
"Yeah she's ok a little freaked out but doing ok."
Nick and Warrick went into the locker room and placed their things in their lockers. Catherine and Sara walked in a couple of minutes later and put their things in their lockers.
"Hey Cath, Sara," Nick greeted the both of them.
"Hey Nick." they both replied.
They all left the locker room and headed to the break room, they went in and poured themselves some coffee. They all sat down and Warrick and Catherine filled Sara and Nick in on the body in the desert case. Just then Grissom walked through the door carrying a piece of paper.
"Warrick, Catherine I want you guys to continue with the body in the desert with me. Sara and Nick you've got a 419 at the Tangiers," said Grissom giving them the slip of paper.
They all stood up, Sara and Nick headed out to the parking lot, while Catherine, Warrick and Grissom went to DNA.
"So are you driving or am I?" asked Sara standing outside the lab with her field kit in her left hand.
"I will," said Nick taking his keys out of his pocket.
They got into the car and drove to the Tangiers. The drive to the hotel took ten minutes once there Nick parked his SUV and they headed inside.
"Nick Stokes, Sara Sidle crime lab," said Detective O'Reily for the benefit of the man who was standing next to him covered in blood.
"Sir can you tell us what happened here?" asked Sara while Nick started taking pictures and collecting the evidence.
The man who was talking to Sara and Detective O'Reily kept repeating the same thing over and over again and Sara was starting to get agitated.
"Ok sir…excuse me!" called Sara into the mans face as he still wasn't listening.
"What?"
"Could you please give me your shirt?" asked Sara politely.
"Uh yeah, sure ok, if it helps prove I never did ought," said the man.
"Yeah well, we'll be the judge of that," said Nick walking back over to Sara and bagging the mans shirt.
Back at the lab Catherine, Warrick and Grissom had found all the evidence they needed to convict the woman's husband with her death.
They had found out that the woman had been having an affair with one of her colleagues and when her husband found out he was furious, he had confronted her about it but when she denied it he had killed her. Once he had realised what he had done he had taken her to the desert and buried her but was interrupted and had just left her hand sticking out of the sand.
Grissom and Jim had been given a confession once they had piled enough evidence on him.
Nick and Sara on the other hand hadn't been so lucky in getting a confession, so it meant they would have to pull a double.
"Hey Sara, why don't you go ahead and get our results from Greg I'll catch you up," said Nick taking his phone from his pocket.
"Uh yeah sure ok," said Sara puzzled. She didn't ask any questions, Nick was always a closed book to anyone, just like her.
"Hello," said a child's voice on the other line.
"Hello Gracie," said Nick with a grin across his face, "is mummy there?"
"Uh hang on daddy."
All Nick could hear was the little girl calling for her mum, he gave a little chuckle.
"Hiya," said a voice, which was very cheery for seven in the morning.
"Baby I'm not going to be able to take Gracie to playgroup with you," said Nick with disappointment in his voice.
"But baby you promised Grace, she's going to be so upset," said Lucy.
"I know and I'm really sorry."
"Ok well we'll see you later."
"Yeah ok, I love you," said Nick.
"I love you too," said Lucy.
They both hung up and Nick went to see Sara and Greg about their DNA results.
At Nicks house Grace was eating her breakfast.
"Hey Gracie, I got something to tell you," said Lucy walking into the dining room.
"Daddy's not going to take me to playgroup is he?" asked Grace a little disappointed.
"No baby but daddy says he's sorry."
"He's always sorry," said Grace finishing her cereal and going into her room and slamming the door as best as a four year old could.
Lucy went into her little girls' room where she found her lying on her bed crying.
"Baby, come here," said Lucy sitting on her daughter's bed and taking her into an embrace.
"Mummy, why is daddy always so busy?" asked Grace with her voice in a whisper.
"Well daddy's job is very demanding," said Lucy looking at the little girl who looked puzzled, "demanding just means if they call he needs to go."
"Mummy, do I have to go to playgroup?" asked the little girl.
"Not if you don't want to," said Lucy looking at her baby who was really upset that her dad wouldn't be home to take her.
"Why don't we watch a film?" suggested Lucy.
"Yeah ok, can I choose the film mummy?" asked Grace her face lighting up a little.
"Of course you can."
Grace went to the shelf in her room where all her own DVD's were kept.
"Lets watch this one mummy?"
"Ok then come on, how about we put our pyjama's back on?"
"Yay!" cheered the little girl, she pulled back her duvet where her pink Barbie nighty was and started to put it back on.
"Come on mummy start putting daddy's shirt on," said Grace excited and tugging at her mum's top.
"Ok."
She went into her and Nick's room and put Nick's Cowboys shirt back on, then headed into the living room where Grace was sitting with her blanket and teddy.
"At last," said the little girl holding up the DVD.
Lucy turned the TV on and they watched The Swan Princess.
Nick spent most of his time moping around the crime lab, him and Sara were still nowhere near solving the crime but were closer than when Nick had called Lucy.
"What is the matter with you?" asked Sara, "you've been moping since you phoned whoever it was."
"What?" asked Nick nearly biting Sara's head off.
"Jesus, sorry Nick." Sara stepped away from him.
"Sorry Sar, I didn't mean to snap, I promised something to someone and I've let them down 'cause of pulling this double," said Nick.
"That's ok, about the snapping, shall we go get our evidence?"
"Do you mind if I talk to Grissom and see if I can shoot off," said Nick apologetically towards Sara.
"That's ok I'll see where our evidence is going and you talk to Grissom," said Sara heading in the direction of the DNA lab.
"Thanks!" called Nick.
Nick started walking towards Grissom's office, as he walked past the breakroom there was Grissom and Catherine.
"Hey Nicky!" said Catherine noticing him walk through the door.
"Hey, Grissom I need a word."
"Sure ok you want to go to my office?" asked Grissom turning to face Nick.
"No, I just need to ask you if I can go home, I got something I need to sort out," said Nick looking at his boss.
"What about your case?"
"Sara's picking up DNA results I'll make up the time."
"Ok and in the meantime tell Warrick to come see me," said Grissom.
"Ok thanks boss," said Nick turning and walking out the door. As Nick walked out of the breakroom he bumped into Warrick.
"Hey Warrick, Grissom wants to see you," said Nick.
"Why?"
"Dunno I'm off home."
"See ya later man," said Warrick heading into the breakroom.
"Warrick I want you to go help Sara, Nick's gone home," said Grissom.
"Sure thing Griss, I'll go find her."
"Try DNA."
Warrick headed out the door to the DNA lab. Catherine and Grissom continued their conversation, which they been interrupted from by Nick.
Nick was in his SUV and he drove back to his house, he walked up to the front door and opened up when he opened the door, Lucy was lying on the couch with Grace and they were fast asleep, they had finished watching The Swan Princess around eight thirty in the morning so they had put Mulan on but fallen asleep and not seen the end, the credits were rolling when Nick turned off the TV. He walked into his room and took a blanket off his and Lucy's bed and took it into the living room and placed it over Lucy and their daughter. Just then Lucy started to stir.
"Hey baby," said Nick.
"Hey I thought you were pulling a double?" said Lucy confused.
"I was but I managed to get a couple of hours off, I was gonna go with you to pick up Grace but I see she's already home," said Nick.
Lucy had managed to slip off the couch without waking Grace.
"Yeah she was upset that you couldn't take her to playgroup and asked if she could stay home, so I said she could," said Lucy hugging Nick.
"Oh right well maybe we can all go out later, Grissom gave me the rest of the day off, I just got to make up the time," said Nick.
"Yeah doing something later will be great, Grace will be happy, you know she misses you, we both do," said Lucy.
"I miss you both too," said Nick kissing his long term girlfriend and mother of his child.
Lucy had gone into the kitchen to make a drink for herself and Nick, she brought it into the living room where Nick was sitting on the opposite sofa to his little girl and watching her sleep.
"She looks so peaceful," said Nick taking the glass from Lucy.
"I know when she wakes up and sees you she's going to be so happy,"
Just then Grace started to stir under the blanket. "Daddy!" shouted the little girl jumping off the sofa and running to her dad.
"Hey princess," said Nick picking up his little girl and giving her a hug.
"Mummy said that you had to go to work and I was sad because I wanted you to take me to playgroup," said Grace looking at her dad.
"I know baby and I'm sorry but I told my boss that I needed to spend some time at home," said Nick giving his daughter an even bigger hug.
"I love it when you at home daddy."
"I love being at home too."
"Hey Grace why don't you go and get dressed daddy has a surprise for you," said Lucy smiling at her daughter.
"Ok I'll be back soon," said Grace kissing Nick and running off to her room.
"Bless her," said Nick watching his little girl.
"I know she loves you to bits," said Lucy hugging Nick.
"I love you both to bits."
"Mummy, mummy, did I do it right?" called Grace pulling at her clothes.
"You did it perfect, let me just tuck your label in and put your shoes on the right feet and you're good to go," said Lucy adjusting her daughter's top.
"But mummy you're not even dressed yet," said Grace looking at her mum.
"Oh yeah, well why don't daddy put your shoes on while I get dressed."
"Ok, daddy put my shoes on please," said Grace in her sweet innocent voice.
"Ok come here," said Nick taking her shoes from her hand.
Lucy came out of her and Nick's room wearing blue jeans and a baby pink coloured top.
"Well I'm ready now," said Lucy putting on her boots.
"Ok well lets go then," said Nick picking up the booster seat for his daughter.
All three of them left the house, Grace held Lucy's hand while Nick placed the booster seat in the back seat of his SUV.
"Daddy is that my seat?" asked the little girl.
"Yeah princess, your special seat," said Nick picking her up and strapping her in.
Lucy climbed into the passenger seat and Nick was in the driver's side. He started the car and backed out of his driveway.
Nick drove to Adventure World the perfect place to treat his daughter.
"Wow! Mummy look where daddy has taken us!" shouted the little girl from the back seat.
"Yeah I know," said Lucy.
All three of them got out of the car, Grace held Nick and Lucy's hands as they crossed the road and went into Adventure World. As they entered Nick paid and they each had their hand stamped.
"Mummy, daddy, why that man put that on my hand?" asked Grace confused.
"Well if you get lost in here you have to speak to someone in a special uniform like that one and then they find who your mummy and daddy are by looking at the stamp on your hand," said Nick explaining everything to his little girl.
"Ok I'll remember that, can I go and play now?"
"Of course you can me and mummy will be sitting here," said Nick pointing at the table.
"Ok!" shouted the little girl running towards the ball pond and jumping in.
"She's so happy you're here, it's been a while since we all spent the day together," said Lucy talking to Nick but watching her daughter.
"Yeah I know and I've missed this you know seeing her so happy," said Nick looking at Lucy, she smiled at him and they shared a quick kiss across the table.
Lucy looked back at the ball pond but she couldn't see Grace anywhere.
"Nick," said Lucy with panic in her voice.
"What is it Luce?" asked Nick with a lot of concern in his voice.
"Grace she's not in the ball pond I cant see her."
"Well she can't be far away let's go look for her."
Nick and Lucy searched everywhere but their little girl was nowhere.
"Nick I can't find her," said Lucy taking his arm.
"I know me either."
"Nick where do you think she is?"
"I don't know but until we find her no one is leaving."
Nick walked over to the door he showed his badge and told them what happened. All of a sudden sirens sounded and shutters closed on the doors and windows.
"Ok I'm very sorry everyone but for now no one can leave the building, and could everyone please find their children and remain calm!" yelled one of the workers.
"Ok I'm looking for a girl, four years old, she's got blonde hair," said Nick looking at the crowd of scared people.
"Please you have to help us find her," said Lucy standing next to Nick.
"We're really sorry but we didn't see anything," said a man holding his son on his hip.
"I understand this is an inconvenience for you all but this is now a crime scene and you're all involved," said Nick with an apologetic look on his face.
Nick took out his phone and dialled a familiar number.
"Hello Grissom," said Nick into the receiver.
"Nick, what can I do for you?"
"Come to Adventure World, there's been a kidnapping."