Crimson Puddles

Summary: Lindsey finds someone in the middle of the woods, and the situation grows more dangerous as the men after Lindsey find Nick and close in on their target...


Nick's world slowly faded to black as he felt himself being lifted roughly off the ground, and being dragged by his arms over the hard, cold ground. The tugging at his arm sent more pain coursing through him, and when his left ankle hit a rock his sight was replaced by a blinding white light that he had never seen before, and just as suddenly everything went black. Please let her be safe… please let her be ok… was the last thing he could think about before he finally went unconscious after letting out a final bloodcurdling scream.


Lindsey fled in panic. Her legs carried her swiftly, but she felt as if though she was in 'Alice in Wonderland' and that the ground was moving against her. She heard someone scream in the distance, and she recognized it. They had found Nick, and they'd find her anytime now. Tears fell widely down her face as she heard pounding footsteps behind her. Come on Nick… please… you've got to be ok… you've got to help me…

Then she felt someone grab a hold of her. She tried to scream, as she lashed out at the man who had grabbed her, and she felt the strong hands let go of her arms. At first she tried to run, but there was a restraining arm on her shoulder, and she slowly opened her eyes, afraid to see one of the men clad in black.

She gasped in surprise when she saw the young man looking at her worriedly. He was wearing a camouflage jacket, jeans and an orange vest. He isn't after me… he's a hunter; maybe he can help me…

"Are you ok? Do you know where your parents are? What's your name?" Ryan Taylor asked hastily as he tried to calm himself down. In all the years he had gone hunting he had never seen a little girl like her running through the woods, especially alone, and dressed in bright colors.

"I-I'm Lindsey… Willows… I… they're chasing me… they hurt him…"

"Who? Who is chasing you? Who got hurt?"

"These men… I don't know who they are…" She cried and felt a bit reassured by his gentle touch. "They hurt Nick… he came to pick me up, and they… they shot him… Then they chased us out here, and he… he tried to save me…"

"Oh God…" He froze as he heard people approaching. That's got to be them… I can't just let them hurt her… He quickly pushed her down behind a tree stump, and he crouched in the shadows with his rifle ready. He saw the first man in all black and a ski mask approach, soon followed by two others. They were coming closer, when he decided that there were doubtfully any more. He fired rapidly, and watched as the three men fell to the ground. There was no doubt in his mind that they were all dead.


"Oh my God…" Catherine whispered as they heard Nick's scream echo through the trees and rocks. Please let them be safe… please… They broke out into a breakneck run as they tried to follow the trail of blood while they ran. How did Nick even make it this far? Let alone with Lindsey… Her heart stopped when a few moments later they heard three rapid gunshots.

Brass had his radio in hand immediately and started yelling, "We've got shots fired! We need all available officers in the vicinity to get out here now!"

Catherine had already pulled her gun out. She looked at it, and frowned. I hate carrying this thing, but if someone hurt Nick or Lindsey… I swear I won't hesitate to use it. A quick glance over showed that Grissom had also gotten out his own weapon; the sight of him with a gun sent a shiver down her spine. They're going to be ok… they're going to be ok… Warrick shot her a nervous glance, and they kept moving.


"Ok… come on… Lindsey… they can't hurt you anymore…" He stopped as he heard shouting in the distance, and at first he moved to bring his rifle up, until he registered what they were saying. 'Come on! We've got to split up, that way we can cover more ground! I don't care what it takes, just find them! If anyone finds anything radio it in to me, and I'll send more officers to assist you! Got it, then let's move!' He sighed as he realized every cop in Vegas was probably scouring the area for this girl, and the man she had been with.

"Come on, Lindsey… I'm gonna take you to the police, ok?"

"My mom… she's got to be out there…" Lindsey stammered quietly. Her heart was pounding rapidly, and she looked frantically for any sign of her mother. Where are you? I need you…


"I'm coming Lindsey…" Catherine whispered under her breath, and she ignored the concerned looks from Grissom and Warrick. At least they know better than to try to stop a pissed off mother… a mother that just needs to know her daughter is ok… But she knew that wasn't all she needed to know. She needed to see Nick; to tell him that he was a better friend than she had ever given him credit for. Who else would've gone this far for Lindsey? I don't think Warrick could've even pulled this off… and I know no one else on the team would've even stood a chance…


Ryan fought the urge to call out as he carefully walked with Lindsey towards the shouts they had heard. There could be more of them out there… If I yell I'd just give up our position…


Catherine caught sight of movement, and glimpsed a brief flash of soft blue move through some bushes.

"Lindsey!" everyone looked at her as she took off towards a patch of thick bushes, and Grissom watched wide eyed as Lindsey moved out from behind the bushes followed by a man in camouflage still holding a rifle.

"Catherine wait!"

"Mommy!" Lindsey cried out, and she didn't hesitate to run flat out into her Catherine's outstretched arms.

"Oh God… you're safe… you're ok… oh thank God…"

"Drop it now!" Brass yelled harshly at the man standing there. It took Ryan a moment to understand why he was being told to drop his rifle, and then it hit him.

"Ok… ok, ok… look, I'm not one of the guys chasing her… I was just out hunting… and I heard her crying out, so I… I brought her back here… because I heard you guys yelling…" He rapidly tried to explain as he quickly tossed his rifle to the ground. A smile penetrated his scared expression when he saw the little girl wrapped tightly in the arms of some woman that by mere resemblance had to have been her mother. At least she's safe…


"Ok. Well, get him in there, and have everything ready. Yes, I already told you; tell them we have Lindsey too. That way we hold more of an edge in case they don't find her. It gives us more time to search for her, and it'll make them quit looking… What do you mean they already found her? Then make the ransom fifteen million for just him!" he finished yelling furiously through the phone before slamming it down on the receiver.


"Lindsey… do you know where Nick is?" Catherine whispered urgently at her daughter who had suddenly gone pale.

"I… I don't know… he was running right behind me… then he made me promise not to turn around… not to stop… even if he wasn't behind me anymore… I was scared. Is he… is he ok?"

"I don't know sweetheart… I don't know…" Catherine whispered as her arms held Lindsey close. Tears were falling steadily down her face as she thought about what type of condition Nick might be in.

"Hey, Catherine…" Grissom waited quietly for her to look up before continuing, "Why don't you take her back to the lab… get her story… you know the 'drill' and be careful. Warrick and I can handle this. I'm sure she would like to be in a warmer place…"

Catherine nodded slowly, and knelt back, her hands holding Lindsey's firmly, yet gently. Then she realized that her daughter was wearing Nick's coat. Oh God… she whispered when she noticed the sleeve was soaked with blood, and without waiting, she pulled off her own coat, and took off Nick's just before replacing it with her own.

"Could you bag this Warrick? I'm going to go get Lindsey back to the lab…"

"Sure thing Catherine… How is she doing?"

"She's scared to death, and there's only one hole in the jacket… He was shot, and it wasn't a through and through…"

"Damn… I… how did he make it this far, Catherine? How… how did he manage to even run on his leg?"

"I don't know Warrick, but we'll find him… I promise. He's going to be ok." Catherine said as she quickly hurried back over to Lindsey, and they headed towards Brass.

"Hey! Thank God she's ok!" Brass yelled as the helicopter rotors spun over head rapidly.

"This our ride?" Catherine yelled, unsure if Lindsey was up for it.

"Yeah, what do you say, Lindsey? You want to go for a ride?"

Lindsey nodded her head slowly, and Catherine carefully helped her up into a seat, before pulling herself in.

"Find him Brass! Do whatever it takes, just find him!"


Nick slowly opened his eyes as the pain suddenly emanated all over once more. His eyes looked around the distorted room, and he could see blood still flowing from his arm and based on the amount of blood near his leg he could tell that they hadn't replaced his bandages. Something's wrong. He suddenly felt a sickening sense of fear and he tried to swing his hand up to his face when he felt his elbow bump against something. Suddenly his vision cleared a bit more and he could see his reflection. Oh God… no… no… no… He started to scream and shake frantically as he realized he was once more surrounded by Plexiglas. Please… let me out… please… I can't go through that again… not again… I can't do it…

Catherine sat next to Lindsey as she began to calm down.

"Ok… Lindsey… I… I need you to tell me everything that happened…"

"I… I was waiting for you to pick me up, and then… someone grabbed me from behind… I was scared, and then Nick showed up. He yelled at the guy to let me go, but he wouldn't. Then he lunged, and knocked us both to the ground. Then… he… he helped into his car, and while I was climbing into the passenger seat… the guy shot him. He… climbed in, and started the car when they man shot him again in the arm. Nick drove off… but… but they followed us, and then he had me bandage his arm. I did my best, but he was hurting so badly… I could see the… his pain. It scared me. Then he had me get down under the dashboard… Then the next thing I knew his car was on its side, and he put me in the back seat. He broke the passenger window, and then helped me out. After that… we ran… he had me tie up his leg after a while, and then after a while he started to slow down… and he made me promise."

"Promise what, Lindsey?" Catherine asked softly, tears were quickly forming in her eyes as she thought of how much Nick had done for Lindsey, and for her.

"That I wouldn't stop if… if he fell behind…" Lindsey barely managed to spit it out before she started crying into Catherine's shoulder.

"Hey, Catherine… there's something that you'd better see." Ecklie was standing awkwardly in the doorway looking at them. She was shocked to see that his eyes were puffy and red. Was he crying? If this is that bad… please just don't say he's dead… Nick… he can't be…

"I'll be right back, Lindsey, ok? Just stay here, and I'll have someone come in to be with you."

"Ok… you've got to find him Mom… he… he rescued me…"

"Yeah, he did… we're going to find him, Lindsey. I promise." She slowly followed Ecklie out into the hall, and she sighed when she saw Doc Robbins heading towards them.

"Hey, Catherine… I heard you just got back…"

"Look, Doc, could you go sit with Lindsey? There's something that Catherine really needs to see."

"Uh, sure… Good luck… and bring him back in one piece!" He called out at them as they took off down the hall. I'm not sure I could bring myself to do that autopsy…


"What is it?" She asked as he led her inside the A/V Lab. As soon as she saw the monitor she froze. Tears immediately started to fall from her eyes as she watched Nick lying in an unburied glass coffin. Her fingers slowly touched the screen where she cloud clearly see the pain etched in Nick's face. There was blood everywhere as he weakly put his hands up against the top of the glass; tears fell down his face, and on impulse she turned up the speakers. Her other hand slowly covered her mouth as she heard his sobs filled the room.

"Oh… Nick…" her voice was quiet, and her she wavered slightly as her fingers slowly fiddled with her hair, and she couldn't bring herself to withdraw her other hand from beside Nick's face. You saved her Nicky… You gave up everything for her… I'll never be able to thank you enough for letting me keep my daughter. I'm so proud of you… and I swear… I will find you if it's the last thing I ever do…


He moaned in agony as he felt the cold Plexiglas against his palms once more. His breathing became shallow and rapid as he tried to push the lid open. "No… you've got to let me out… I… can't do this again… not again…"


Catherine let out a sob, and she slowly shook her head. "Why… why are they doing this?" She whispered to the screen when she felt a shaky hand reach out and grab her shoulder. She looked over at Ecklie, and was almost surprised at how horrified he looked. Several tears made their way down his face as he handed her a small piece of paper. She took a quick look back at the screen, and slowly read the letter.

Catherine Willows,

I'm sure that, by now, you're wondering what we'd want with your daughter. After all, that is why this all went down, but your damn friend here got in our way, so we'll take what we can get. This is how it's going to go down; you can go and have a nice little chat with you father.

I doubt you'll have plenty of resistance, but if you care even the slightest about the man who saved your daughters life then you'll find a way. So, we demand fifteen million dollars, to be delivered by Mr. Braun himself, the drop off instructions will follow shortly. Take a good look at your friend, Miss Willows. Think of what he's already been through, and know that if these demands aren't met then your friend will once more find himself six feet below the ground. We also have our own collection of fire ants. I'd suggest you find a way to get through to your father and fast. Your friend is losing blood quite quickly, and I know you don't want to see him die from suffocation, blood loss, or anaphylactic shock.

Get the money, get Sam Braun, bring them to me in person, and I'll give you your friend. He's suffered quite a bit already, Miss Willows, and I know you don't want to cause him additional pain. Think it over, but your friend only has so much blood.

The letter dropped from her hands and she fell to her knees as her eyes looked back up at the screen. I'm not going to let you down Nick. If they want Sam Braun, they're going to get him.

"Ecklie," Catherine started as she lifted herself back up, and wiped her tears away, "Call Gil, I know he'll want to be here for all this. Archie, make sure you're making a recording of this, and do your best to trace any type of transmitting signal."

"W-where are you going?" Ecklie stammered quietly as she moved towards the door.

"I'm going to go have a little chat with Sam Braun." She whispered grimly, and she gave the Nick one last look before she turned and left the room. There's no way I'm going to let you down Nick, even if I have to drag him down there against his will. I'm not going to let you die. Not like this...


Grissom ran nonstop through the lab. Ecklie's call had scared him beyond belief. There had been no mistaking how weak the Assistant Deputy Director's voice had sounded. Ecklie had been crying… And, if Ecklie was crying over Nick, a man he practically despised, then it couldn't be good. He slammed into the A/V Lab followed closely by Warrick. They both froze as they heard Nick's moans and his begging. Then they saw him. Warrick began to seethe in pure fury when he saw the bloodied Nick lying weakly in his glass coffin; his hands were pressed flat against the top of his grave, and his eyes showed just how terrified he was.

"God no…" Greg whispered behind them; causing both Grissom and Warrick to turn and they watched as Greg and Sara stood just inside the doorway. Greg was clutching at his stomach, and slowly allowed himself to fall back against the nearest wall. Sara felt her own anger boiling as she looked at the camera.

"Damn it!" she finally let lose, and sent her fist flying into wall full force. "Why can't anyone just leave him alone! It wasn't enough for them to shoot him twice? They had to go and stick him inside another goddamned coffin!" She was about to slam her fist back into the wall, until Grissom grabbed her arm, and pulled her into a hug.

"It's ok… we'll find him… I promise, Sara. We'll find him." He could feel his own tears falling down his face as he watched Nick slowly dying in the coffin. With all the blood he's lost he can't more than a few hours left to live…

"Jesus… how could anyone do this?" He asked aloud, but he didn't expect an answer, they were all in shock, then it hit him. "Wait… where's Catherine?"


"Well, so he was saying…"

"Sam, come on, you're coming with me." Catherine interrupted the conversation with an irritated look.

"Dear, he's already got a girl…" the fairly young woman sitting in the middle of the booth began.

"Shut the hell up. If I wanted your opinion I would've asked. Sam, we have to talk, now." Catherine couldn't contain the anger in her voice, as she thought of how similar the situation was to the last time she had spoken to him.

"Everyone, this is Catherine, my daughter. What do you need?" He asked, trying not to let too much concern into his voice.

"I need fifteen million dollars, and you're going to give it to me."

That was all it took for him to quickly send the others sitting at the table away, and once they were out of earshot he answered her, "Now when you came to me last year for a million dollars it ended up burned in some damn explosion. Why should I give you fifteen, when you can't even handle one?"

"Because, someone tried to kidnap your granddaughter."

"If they only tried to kidnap her why would you need the fifteen million?"

"Because she got away, and they kidnapped a CSI instead."

"And, why in the hell should I give a damn about a CSI?"

"You want to know why? I'll tell you. He took two bullets when he tried to rescue Lindsey, one to his leg, another to his arm. Then he managed to out-drive five vehicles that were chasing them. Finally, when they forced him off the road, and he crashed he made it over eight miles through the woods with her, while running on a leg that still had a bullet in it. And, finally, he misled the people chasing him, so that he'd get caught, and Lindsey could escape. He sacrificed himself for her, and the least you could do would be to pay his ransom."

He gazed into her eyes, and he could see the fury boiling in them. The way she had spit out the words, making sure he caught every detail made him uncomfortable, but the entire story sounded too wrong. No one can walk, let alone run for eight miles with a bullet in their leg…

"Why should I believe your story, Mugs? In all my life, I have never heard of anyone walking anywhere with a bullet in their leg, let alone running."

"Fine. Grab the money, and we'll go over to the Crime Lab. Then you can see the evidence firsthand. Maybe that'll make you realize how much he did to save your granddaughter."


Catherine hadn't bothered to even look at the others on the team as she slammed the door to the A/V Lab wide open, and was followed in by a reluctant Sam Braun. Grissom quickly put a restraining hand on Warrick who was suddenly infuriated by the mere sight of the man. They had all been updated on the note, and they knew that the only reason Nick had been lying in that box was because of the rich casino owner standing in their midst.

He looked in surprise at the blood that flowed rapidly from the man's arm and leg. He furrowed his brow as the man cried and groaned in pain and anguish.

"You can take the money, Catherine."

"Actually, we need more than just the money." Catherine replied without taking her eyes off her friend who was still crying as his hand rested flatly against the lid to his Plexiglas prison.


His body ached, and he knew he was losing blood fast. His hands were pressed hopelessly against the glass as he tried not to panic.

"You've gotta find me… please…" He whispered as more pain coursed through him, and caused even more tears to fall from his eyes. Please… you guys gotta find me… I did my best… please… I can't take it anymore…


To Be Continued…


Notes: The next chapter ought to be up fairly soon, maybe tomorrow night. As always, please read and review! Depending on your input I could have the next chapter done by tomorrow afternoon, or even in the morning… Also, thanks a ton to everyone who has reviewed my story so far! Thanks for the support!


Next Chapter: The team is given the drop off instructions, and while Catherine tries to convince Sam Braun to go through with everything Grissom sends the rest of the team back to processing evidence while he watches Nick continue to rapidly lose his blood…