Hi everyone...OK I know it's a miracle I updated sooner than four days. What can I say? Thanks for all of the reviews and another special thanks to Tefla...now enjoy!

Only moments ago the man that sat in front of them had the look of defiance on his face. Now after an unfortunate phone call the only look he had was the look of survival. Carl knew he was in big trouble, but he figured since Harris kicked him to the curb it was only fitting that he returned the favor.

Carl took a sip of water from the cup that rested in front of him and looked from Brass and then to Grissom. He was positive that he had shocked them with him offering up Nick's location. He wondered what they were prepared to offer him in return. The two men had left the room for a short time to discuss their options and returned only moments ago.

He waited for them to start. He had literally placed the ball in their court. He was willing to play … but were they?

As Brass entered the interrogation room he could still feel a tinge of pain coming from his shoulder. He knew that it would take some time to fully recover, but those were the breaks in his profession. His attention left his shoulder only to focus on the man that they had been questioning for the last few minutes. Carl Stenson was involved in Nick's disappearance and had just offered up information on it.

He cleared his throat before speaking, "Well Carl normally we don't work this way, but we feel these are extraordinary circumstances. We usually get our information before cutting a deal, but in this case we are prepared to offer you a reduced sentence."

Jim watched as Carl shifted in his seat at those words. "So far we have you in aiding the abduction of Erin Matthews. We have video that shows of your involvement. Now you have also admitted in knowing where Nick is and we have your DNA and fingerprints at Nick's house. So we can only conclude that you were part of his abduction as well. That's two counts of kidnapping Carl. We can get the sentenced reduced if you cooperate and that's it.

Brass looked over to Grissom who sat just to his left. He noticed that the CSI looked at his watch again and started to fidget. They were running out of time.

"Come on Carl we don't have time to sit around. Where's Nick?" Brass asked again.

Carl squirmed in his seat he wasn't sure if this was the deal he wanted, but he wanted revenge on his former commander for just leaving him. There was a pact in the military never leave a man behind and that was exactly what Harris did to him.

He swallowed before he answered, "I accept your terms."

Grissom stood up anticipating the answer.

"Both Nick and Erin Matthews are at Capral Enterprises in the basement."

"How many men?"

"I would say about eight in total including Harris."

"What should we expect?"

"They have automatic weapons. I can't tell you anymore because I'm usually here. I don't know if Harris has rigged anything or not."

Grissom and Brass shared a look. It seemed that Carl only knew the basics and that Harris hadn't been as forthcoming to him as they had hoped.

"Thanks Carl." Grissom said.

For some reason those two words seemed to make Carl angry. "I didn't do this for you Grissom and I sure as heck didn't do it for Nick. I did it to help myself and only myself."

"Yea … well thanks again anyway."

Catherine, Warrick, Greg and Sara watched as Brass and Grissom went back into the interrogation room. When they came out only moments ago Carl had offered them the location of Nick, but he had wanted a deal. Brass wasn't authorized to give a deal and had to go up his chain of command. When the Captain returned he gave a thumbs up to the group and both he and Grissom went back in.

The CSIs watched Carl's reaction to the deal that was offered. They hadn't been told what the deal was, but they hoped it was enough for Carl to spill the location of Nick and Erin. They could tell by Grissom's body language that they had gotten what they wanted and within a few minutes both Grissom and Brass rushed through the door and down the hallway.

The group ran after them and the first thing Catherine heard was, "Dispatch this is Captain Brass. I need a SWAT team and a bomb squad over at Capral Enterprises. Make sure that they run silent and do not go into the building until notified by me."

"10-4."

Catherine finally spoke up, "Guys you want to let us know what's going on? Did Carl give you Nick's location?"

Grissom stopped so fast that Greg crashed into him. The youngest CSI stepped back and mumbled an apology.

"I'm sorry, but we are running out of time. Carl said that both Nick and Erin are being held in the basement at Capral Enterprises."

"So what's the plan?" Warrick asked.

"The plan is we are going to continue with the meet."

"What? Grissom why should you do that if we know Nick's location?" Sara asked.

"We want to divide and conquer."

The CSIs looked at each other. It seemed that both Brass and Grissom had thought the whole thing through and had come up with a plan.

"OK. So you are going to go and meet with Harris. Then what?" Greg asked.

"I will have a team with me at the Harris meet while Jim brings both the bomb squad and SWAT team with him. I'm hoping that we can hit the two simultaneously."

"And if we don't?"

"Let's think positive."

"I gotta go. I'm meeting Harris in twenty minutes and we need time to set things up."

"What about us?" Catherine asked.

"You guys are coming with me." Brass responded.

The team seemed to be good with that response. Grissom turned and started to walk in the opposite direction of the group.

"Gil." Catherine called out.

He turned around to face her, "Yea Catherine."

"Be careful out there and don't take any unnecessary chances."

"I will and the same goes for the rest of you." He turned back around and continued walking until they could no longer see him.

The four CSIs turned to face Brass who smirked at the group, "Let's get moving. I'm not sure how much longer Nick has."

They all understood what Brass meant by that and no one said a word. They all nodded in agreement and followed Brass out to the parking lot listening to him bark orders into his radio.

Nick swallowed. The last time Harris had talked about playing games it was followed by a short round of Russian Roulette. He quickly glanced over at Erin to make sure she was all right. So far she was keeping it together, but for how much longer. Nick hoped that Harris had something else in mind. He wasn't sure if he would make it through another round of that game.

"So what will it be Mr. Stokes?" Harris asked as he clapped his hands together.

Nick remained silent. Like before he wasn't going to be a willing participant in this game. The only thing that he'd be a willing participant of was getting the hell out of this situation.

"Ah pleading the fifth I see. Well that's all right I have something sinister planned."

Nick silently laughed to himself 'Sinister, please this guy must think he's in some cheesy scary movie'

"I know that earlier you enjoyed our little game, now let's see if Miss Matthews enjoys it as well."

Erin's head popped up and she looked over to Nick with questioning eyes. Nick hadn't had a chance to tell her what game it was that Harris had subjected him to.

"But don't worry Miss Matthews, Mr. Stokes will be playing as well." He picked up the gun he used earlier. "In fact. since Mr. Stokes is an expert at this game … he will go first."

Nick squirmed in his seat as he watched Harris once again open the chamber of the gun he held and gave the cylinder one big spin before closing it. Nick looked over to Erin who started to shake her head no.

"Move her across from Mr. Stokes."

"No please … don't do this." Erin pleaded.

"Please Miss Matthews you only encourage me." Harris laughed.

Erin let out a small sob as the guards dragged her occupied chair just across from Nick. She still shook her head no. She looked up at Nick who was trying to get her attention.

"It's going to be OK." He mouthed.

She understood his message, but some how she couldn't bring herself to believe it. Now she understood how brave Nick really was. He had already gone through this once and now he was being subjected to it again. After all that he was still trying to comfort her.

Erin watched Harris walked over to Nick with the gun and a look of sheer joy on his face.

"Please stop." She said again.

Harris placed the gun to Nick's head. Nick looked at Erin for a brief moment before he closed his eyes waiting once again for the inevitable. He could feel his anxiety rising, but he tried to keep it at bay for Erin. She didn't need to see him fall apart. This was one of the hardest things he had to do. Deep down he was scared, really scared, but he bit the bullet and put on the brave face. He wasn't sure how much longer he would last before he fell apart.

Erin could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks as Harris put the gun to Nick's temple. She looked into his deep brown eyes for a split moment before he closed them. She held her breath and Harris slowly pulled the trigger … click.

Nick's eyes popped open and he once again and let out the breath he had been holding. The first thing he saw was the tear stained cheeks of Erin.

"Well congratulations Mr. Stokes you made it through round one. Let's see if Miss Matthews will be as lucky."

"Just leave her out of this Harris."

"What and have her miss out on all the fun?"

Nick's attention was drawn away from Harris and to another man who now stood in the doorway. This man was older with graying hair and a rough looking face. He was well dressed and from the look on his face he didn't look too happy with what was going on.

"What the hell is going on here Harris?" Jake Evers bellowed.

Harris turned around when he heard the voice, "Ah Mr. Evers I was wondering when you were going to join us."

"I asked you a question Harris. What the hell is going on here?" he repeated as he walked further into the room.

Harris smiled at Evers. He knew or rather he had counted on the CEO to come up and check on him. This was all part of his plan.

Nick watched as Harris who was still standing next to him reach for another gun that was tucked near his back. He knew what was going to happen.

He started to shout out, "Hey watch out." But was stopped with a crack to the head.

Erin was startled when she heard the voice behind her. She was facing Nick with her back to the door. So she couldn't see anything she could only listen. She recognized that Harris was up to something, but couldn't quite place it until Nick tried to scream out and was silenced with a crack to the head.

Evers was steaming now, "Answer me Harris, just what the hell do you think you are doing?"

Harris smiled as he brought his gun forward and pointed it at the unsuspecting CEO, "Have you ever heard of a hostile take over?" Evers eyes went wide with surprise and he tried to back peddle out of the room, but he was too late. Harris pulled the trigger and Evers flew back a few feet and fell to the floor … dead.

Nick gasped as Evers flew back and hit the floor. He could still see the look of shock on his face. The blood seeped from the bullet hole to the heart. The CSI was happy that Erin was facing him. As it stood she was trying to make herself small in her chair. She had her eyes closed and was shaking.

He took a shaky breath trying to put the murder out of his head. He had now witnessed two murders. All this death and for what? He looked up at Harris who was still on his high. That would give them a few more minutes. He glanced over at Erin who was now staring catatonically at the floor. Nick lifted his leg up and nudged Erin. She didn't move. He did it again and this time she looked up. The look in her eyes said it all. She was giving up. No matter how hard Nick tried it was just too much for her.

Erin could feel herself slipping away. She heard the gasp come from Nick and she knew that the man that had entered the room had just been murdered. She couldn't do it anymore she could no longer put up the façade. She felt Nick nudge at her leg, but she couldn't bring herself to look into those deep brown eyes that had seen way too much death. She felt another nudge, this time she looked up with the look of defeat.

She could hear the hard breathing coming from Harris. He was obviously still on his rush after killing the man. She felt bad for the man that just lost his life, but she was happy that she was getting a little reprieve before she had the gun to her head. Tears no longer threatened to escape for they had already fallen. She wondered if she could cry anymore.

The rush that Harris had felt started to fade he looked over to his men, "Get this body out of here."

One of the men that guarded Nick walked over to the body and dragged it out of the room. This left only one guard and Harris. Harris had the other men leave on a mission earlier.

Harris looked over to Nick with fury. The CSI had almost succeeded in warning the man. He grabbed the CSI's hair again and landed a few more punches.

"That Mr. Stokes … was for your interference."

Nick was taken by surprise when Harris grabbed him by the hair and started to punch. Why he was surprised he didn't know. He should have expected that. He just remained silent and took the beating.

Harris stopped after a few punches. He didn't want to get too carried away. After all he did want Stokes conscious for Miss Matthews turn at the game. He looked over at the girl who had remained quiet. He smiled when he saw her body language. Harris had seen that before. It was the body language of a person who had given up. He took two steps towards her and placed his hand on her shoulder. She jumped at the touch and this brought a smile to his face.

The CSI watched the look of amusement on Harris's face when Erin had flinched. Nick could feel his anger starting to well up inside him. There was no way he was going to allow Harris to hurt her.

Harris leaned down and spoke into Erin's ear, "So Miss Matthews are you ready for your turn?"

Erin started to sob openly again. The tears that she thought had left her now returned in full force.

"Harris don't." Nick said.

"I'm sorry Mr. Stokes, but it is Miss Matthews turn."

Harris opened the chamber of the gun gave it another spin and closed the cylinder. He looked at Nick as he placed the gun to Erin's temple.

Erin cringed as she felt the cold steel up against her temple. She found the strength too look up at Nick before she too closed her eyes.

Nick watched as Harris started to pull the trigger. He didn't hesitate and jumped out of his chair and went towards Harris. This surprised both his guard and Harris. He had just hit Harris as he heard a ... BANG!

Please don't hate me. (tee hee) I just couldn't resist. Please hit that review button and let me know what you think. Thanks!