Hi everyone...thanks again for the great reviews. They are really appreciated and a special thanks to my Beta (Tefla).
Grissom left shortly after visiting hours were over. Whether Nick realized it or not he still was a sick man and needed his rest. Nick fell asleep within minutes after Grissom walked out the door with a good night we'll see you tomorrow.
Nick woke up when the nurse came into his room.
"Good morning Mr. Stokes."
"Good morning," Nick replied groggily. He reached for his side as he adjusted his position in the hospital bed.
"You'll be happy to know that the doctor is discharging you this morning."
"Yea he told me yesterday…no offense, but I can't wait to get out of here."
"No offense taken Mr. Stokes. I can honestly say that hospital stays aren't among the favorite vacation spots. And what you went through on top of your illness well I can't blame you."
The nurse walked over to Nick, "Before you leave there are a few things I need to do first."
"OK."
"First I'm going to remove this IV, which I'm sure you won't mind."
Nick smiled at that, for the past few days he felt like he was dragging a ball and chain around with him. Not to mention he was starting to get sore from it.
She peeled back the tape holding the IV in place and removed the catheter that had been embedded in his hand. She pressed some gauze and a band-aid down on his hand. She then took his blood pressure and pulse and checked his incision.
"Is someone coming to pick you up?" she asked.
"Well I kind of drove myself here."
"Mr. Stokes as a rule anyone who just had surgery isn't supposed to drive a car for at least two weeks."
"But."
"Don't worry we'll be giving him a ride courtesy of the Las Vegas Police Department," a voice from the door said.
Nick looked over to the door to see Brass, Warrick and Greg standing there. Nick smiles as the three men walked into the room and stopped in front of the bed.
"So rumor has it you're outta here." Warrick said smiling and shaking Nick's hand.
"Yep I'm finally being released from solitary confinement."
"Well you know it's for your own good." Greg replied.
"Don't remind me Greggo."
"Then it's settled no driving Mr. Stokes until the doctor has cleared you. I will be back with your discharge papers and a wheel chair." The nurse looked over to Brass. "One of you may want to get the car and pull it up in front that way I wheel Mr. Stokes straight to the car."
The nurse left the room and Nick got out of bed. He took off his hospital gown and grabbed his Texas A&M t-shirt and put it on. He was already wearing his jogging pants from the night before.
Brass watched as Nick went about the room collecting his belongings. He opened the closet door and retrieved his gym bag and gym shoes. He flipped through the gym bag looking for a pair of sox then he found them. As he was sitting down on the chair besides the bed to put his socks and shoes on. Brass explained what they were going to do with transporting since he was still officially in protective custody.
"OK Nicky this is what's going to go down. Warrick and I will drive you back home in Warrick's car. Now we won't have a police escort I didn't want to cause a scene, but once we are at your house there will be some plain clothes cops watching your place from outside."
"Hey Brass I'm going to go and get the truck. I'll meet you guys downstairs."
"Thanks Rick."
"What about my truck…I drove it here."
"Well I'm sure one of us can drive you back here to get it once you're cleared to drive." Brass responded.
"Greggo I can't believe I'm saying this, but will you drive my truck back home?"
A big smile appeared on Greg's face," Sure Nick."
"And don't you even thing about touching my radio…only the basics."
Brass and Greg glanced at each other and Brass just shrugged.
Greg played along, "What would the basics be Nick?"
"Ignition, steering wheel, gas and break pedals…get the idea, but no radio."
"You mean I can't take her out on a nice hot date with one of my girls."
Nick looked at Greg with disbelief, "First of all Greg you would need a girl and second of all you wouldn't get that far."
"Geez Nick lighten up I'm only playing with you."
Nick smiled, "Had you going didn't I?
"Ha Ha."
He reached back into his gym bag and pulled out a pair of keys. "Here Greg my truck is in the emergency room parking lot. Do you think head down now take my truck and open up my house?"
"Sure no problem." Greg started to walk out the door.
"Hey could you please take my gym bag with you. I don't need anything else from it."
Greg grabbed the gym and headed out the door just as the nurse came back in with a wheel chair.
"Are you ready to go Mr. Stokes?"
Nick looked around one last time before answering, "Yep I think I've got everything."
He walked over and sat down in the wheel chair. He suddenly felt a shiver up his spine. The memories that he had tried to suppress were coming back. The wheel chair had triggered them. He was used to this sort of thing. After his kidnapping last year during his recovery any little thing would remind him of that coffin. It took a long time for him to even get into his shower without being claustrophobic. He knew that he would need time to get over this as well.
Brass watched as Nick momentarily shut down, he figured that he was probably remembering something. Brass unfortunately was all too familiar with that feeling as well. He been up a time or two reliving memories of the past, but he eventually overcame them and had gone on with his life. Nick would do that to though it would take time.
"Nicky you ready to go?" Brass asked.
Nick looked at Brass, "Yea let's get out of here."
Brass walked over to the door and opened it, the two officers that were standing guard turned around to see Nick wheeled out of the room. Brass followed the nurse while one officer coaxed his way in front of the nurse while the other stayed next to Brass.
The officer in the front pressed the down button on the elevator the elevator doors opened and the group moved into the small area that would take them to the lobby.
The lobby wasn't busy at all just a few people walking in and out. One man sat in the chairs near the elevator. He had been informed that Nick Stokes was being released today and he was going to finish the job and if he had to take a couple of cops out with him. He saw the detective and the two CSIs go up and then a few minutes later both CSIs came back down. He knew it would only be a matter of time before Stokes was brought down.
He reached into his coat to feel his gun hugging his ribs. He lived by this gun and soon he would be using it. It gave him great pleasure. He loved his job…he loved killing. He always got such a high. Others needed to sniff or to smoke it, but he got his by killing.
He could see the elevator on its way down and got up from his seat and moved over to the elevator as if he were going to get on the next time it opened.
He watched as the little arrow finally hit Floor 1. He reached into his coat and pulled out his gun just as the elevator doors opened.
Nick was thrilled to finally be going home, but as he was pushed into the elevator he suddenly became a little claustrophobic and started to breath a little heavy. He could feel the beads of perspiration starting to form on his head.
Jim looked down at him and could tell that Nick was having problems.
"Nicky it's OK we are almost out of here. Just relax and take in some calming breaths."
Nick could feel the occupants of the elevator staring at him. The nurse became concerned for him and came around the front of the wheelchair. She knelt down in front of him and in a soothing voice.
"Mr. Stokes you need to calm down…concentrate on my voice. Please take in some deep breaths and you will start to feel better. We are almost down to the first floor and then you will be outside."
Nick did as she said he took in some deep calming breaths. He cursed at himself for letting this happen. He knew that he was going into the elevator he should have been ready. He guessed with all of the excitement in leaving he didn't think it would be a problem. He still was having a hard time concentrating on the nurse's voice. All he could remember was being in that box again. He knew physically he wasn't there, but mentally he couldn't get away.
Brass silently shook his head and put his hand on the CSIs shoulder. He knew that Nick was going to have to work through this. He at least wanted Nick to know that he wasn't alone and that there were people that were there to help him.
"Nicky you're safe…you are here with me. Nicky look at me." Brass said with force.
Nick gulped then looked at Brass.
"Nicky you're safe…you can see me right? You can feel me right? I'm right next to you. Now listen to the nurse and take some deep calming breathes."
Nick shook his head he knew better than to be on the receiving end of Brass's anger, but in this case he was helping…helping with tough love. Nick began to relax and reached up to feel Brass's hand on his shoulder.
He looked up to Brass and with a shaky voice said, "Thanks…I'm sorry I lost it. I guess with everything that's happened in the last few days I guess some old memories surfaced."
"It's no problem Nicky…just remember we are all here to help you. OK?"
"Yea sure. Thanks again!"
"Anytime Nick." Brass said with a smile and a small wink.
Nick knew that Jim Brass always made himself look hard to the outside world, but when his friends were concerned that heart of stone turned into a heart of compassion and understanding. Brass was there during the most difficult time of his life and here he was still. He was a good friend and he hoped someday that he could do the same for him. Until then he knew he would be safe with this man by his side.
The nurse had just stood up in front of Nick as the doors to the elevator opened to the lobby. None of the occupants had time to exit before a man with a gun came into view.
Brass was the first one to see it and screamed, "Gun!"
Sorry I couldn't resist...don't kill me, but shower me with reviews. Thanks!