Crimson Puddles


"You can do it, bro, just a few more feet."

Nick only grunted in response as he took another shaky step between the metal railings. He took another step, only to have his left leg start to give out from under him. Warrick immediately caught him, and he helped Catherine get him back onto his feet.

"It's only been a few days Nick, just take your time, it'll get easier." Catherine whispered lightly as he took in several deep breaths. It had been four months since he had started his therapy, and he had made it a lot farther than the day before.

"God, need… sit… down…" he panted heavily as Catherine left him leaning against Warrick to retrieve his wheelchair.

"Here you go, Nick, just relax."

"Huh, that's easy for you to say."

"Well, that's more than enough for today. How are you feeling, Nick?" The physical therapist butted in, gently moving Catherine aside as he began to look at his arm.

"It hurts, but I feel better. I like being able to m-move on my own."

"I bet, now, I'm going to take off your shoe so that I can check out your ankle."

Warrick handed his best friend a towel so that he could start wiping some of the sweat off his face and neck. The therapist, Michael Parson, carefully pulled the shoe free, and used his own towel to rest Nick's foot on.

"Well, your muscles are doing much better, and I think you'll be able to go home today. I'll be at the front desk, and we'll have the forms and a wheelchair waiting for you. But I want you to take it easy tonight, and try not to move a whole lot until tomorrow's session, ok?"

"I'll try my best…" Nick sighed, and grabbed Warrick's hand as he tried to get his heavy breathing back into something that would resemble control.

"Also, you shouldn't be all alone for a whole night yet. Something could happen, even something like falling out of your bed could become a severe problem."

"We'll figure something out, I promise." Warrick answered calmly.

"Well, my house is supposed to be finished with some renovations, so I've had the 'wonderful' experience of staying with Sam."

"Guys, I'll be fine, honest…"

"Nick, bro, I'm not leaving you all by yourself. You can stay at my house; Tina's working so much that she's hardly ever around. Besides, it'll be like the good old days, ya know?"

"Okay, okay, I'll stay at your place. I'm just gonna need some clothes."

"Yeah, don't worry, we'll stop by your place, grab your stuff, and then we can kick back and watch a game."

Nick couldn't help but chuckle, "Leave it to you to come up with a good plan. God it'll be nice not to be in a hospital."

"I'm sure it will be, buddy. Now let's get you out of here."


Two hours later Warrick was sitting by his bed as he felt the surprisingly firm grip on his hand. He could see how nervous the other man was, and he just hoped Nick would be able to sleep without having any horrifying nightmares.

"Hey, bro, anything I can do to help you sleep a little?"

"I, uh, this is gonna sound stupid…"

"I promise you, Nick, if it helps you sleep it isn't stupid."

"Yeah… right. I, those p-pictures, from the hospital, you have them right?"

"Yeah, right here on the nightstand."

"S-stick em under the pillow… it just, uh, let's me remember that you're all there. I still say I should be on the c-couch."

"It's ok, bro, really. You need to be at least a bit comfortable, and that couch really isn't fun to sleep on. Besides, if you fell I don't think I'd live more than five seconds after Catherine found out. She'd rip me apart like nothin else." Warrick smiled as Nick chuckled.

"No kidding. Just, I'm not intruding, or anything, am I? I mean, I, uh, I know that you and Tina have been having some problems, and I don't want to make something worse."

"Nick, I won't lie to you, we are having problems, but none of it is your fault. I warned her before we got married that I was going to be here for you whenever you needed help. My only regret was not being there for you as much as I should have been."

"God, sometimes we really have screwed up lives don't we? But, if having friends like you, Catherine, Sara, Greggo, and hell, even Grissom… well, I'm willing to live a screwed up life if it means that I can have friends, family, like you guys. Everything you've done for me… it's meant a lot. I'd say I'd like to repay the favor, but, well, I don't want to have to, because I don't want you to have to go through all kinds of hells."

"I know you'll always have my back, and I'll do my best to have yours covered. Now try to get some sleep. I promise if you're having a nightmare that I'll wake you up, okay?"

"I guess, I could use some real sleep." Warrick grinned, and watched as Nick tried to fall asleep. It broke his heart to his best friend struggle just to sleep, but once he had finally fallen asleep over a half an hour later Warrick had the feeling that everything was going to be ok.

He was rooted to the spot. His eyes taking in every movement Nick made as he slept. Judging by the slight smile on his face he was apparently having a good dream. Must be nice, buddy, not having a nightmare for once. It's also nice to see that you're really getting some sleep without too many drugs in your system. How do you do it? How can you still be so strong after everything you've gone through? I guess it doesn't matter, does it? As long as you can get better then I'll be ok.

Warrick was so lost in his thoughts as he watched Nick sleep that he failed to hear the door to the bedroom being opened carefully, and it wasn't until after he heard the bag drop rather loudly that he noticed Tina staring at Nick with her mouth open. Before she had the chance to say anything he had pulled her hurriedly pulled her out of the room and shut the door behind him gently.

"What in the hell is Nick doing in our bed, Warrick?"

"He just got released today; it was a last minute thing."

"And, you didn't call, because?" She replied, clearly irritated.

"Because, Nick needed a place to stay. He can't stay alone, and Catherine's house is having work done on it. There was no one else available. Why is this even a big deal?"

"Where are we supposed to sleep, Warrick? I mean, haven't you done enough for him? Everytime he calls, anytime he asks for something, you go and do it for him. And it never matters what we were doing; you just run off. If it was even just once in a while, but it's so often Warrick, and when you canceled that dinner we had been planning for three weeks…"

"He was scared to death, Tina!" Warrick shot back starting to feel angry.

"When isn't he going to be scared to death, huh?"

"It doesn't matter Tina. You know, I told you before we got married that I still had to be there for him, no matter what."

"Yeah, but you didn't say that that meant your entire life, Warrick!"

"Yeah, well he needs support, now more than ever, and I am going to give him that support!"

"What about the rest of your team, huh? Aren't you the one who says you're like a family?"

"We are a family, but that doesn't mean that he's just going to be able to turn to one of the others. Catherine has a kid to take care of, and the only person he has really, and I mean really opened up to is me. I won't let him down. I can't, and it just isn't going to happen."

"What, because you feel guilty?"

"Hey! That isn't fair, Tina. You have no idea what seeing him on that screen did to me! Yeah, I wish it had been me; he's been through enough already. Maybe I was relieved that it wasn't me too, because I know I wouldn't have made it for more than a few hours in that damn coffin. But, don't you ever say that is why I'm trying to help him. I'm doing this because he's my brother, hell, he's more than that. He has always been there for me. He is the sole reason I managed to quit gambling, he's the one who always managed to congratulate me when I got a case or recognition that he deserved."

"It doesn't matter Warrick!" she hissed acrimoniously. She sighed in frustration as she bit her lip while waiting for him to respond.

"Maybe it doesn't matter, but what matters is that I am going to help him."

"And what about me? I know you're concerned about Nick, and that you want to help him, but our marriage is dying, and I've tried my best to keep it alive. If you want it to die, then just say so. I think it's about time you chose. Your wife, or your friend."

"Don't turn this all onto me, Tina. You're the one who hardly believes me when I tell you I'm with Nick. You're the one who practically cringes when someone mentions Catherine. Besides, it's even more unfair to try and blame this all on Nick. It isn't his fault that he's gone through hell so many times! And, he has a hard enough time just opening up to me. But, if this is what our marriage has turned into, I don't think it's really worth hanging onto, now is it? I'm sorry Tina, but I can't turn my back on Nick. I won't do it."

"Well then, enjoy the couch. I'll be back later to get my stuff."

"Tina, how did it come down to this?" Warrick questioned, but he could feel the anger disappear as they both took in what was about to happen.

"I'm not sure I know, Warrick. Maybe it wasn't 'meant to be' or, well, maybe this whole thing was a mistake. Our jobs take so much away from us, and I was unfair about your friend. We just, it just got away from us. I'm not even sure we were ever in love."

"I'm sorry, Tina. I didn't want things to turn out this way, but life just keeps throwing curve balls at us all left and right."

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have tried to shift the blame on Nick. Things are just so stressful, but look who I'm talking to; you know all about stress. Goodbye, Warrick." She smiled softly before turning and gently heading out the door after grabbing her purse and keys from the table by the front door. "I can, uh, get the rest some other time."

Warrick offered a weak smile, "Goodbye Tina." He kissed her cheek softly. They both froze when they heard a muffled cry from their bedroom. His head immediately turned to look towards the closed door, and he felt Tina place her hand on his shoulder.

"Go on; he needs you more than I do. Just… make sure he gets better." Warrick merely nodded in response before heading towards the bedroom. Just as he reached the door he heard the front door close quietly.


"Hey, sweetie, how was your day?"

"It was ok, I guess. Do people always talk about other people behind their backs, or do they grow out of it?"

"Well, some do, but, unfortunately, some don't. Why, are there kids talking about you behind your back?" Catherine asked with concern.

"Well, kinda, there were some older kids talking. They said no one would do that if they didn't have something in it for them… that he wasn't really a hero."

"Well, they're wrong. There aren't many people like Nick, but they do exist. Nick didn't have anything invested in this; he just wanted you to be safe."

"Yeah, I know, but I hated hearing them go on about him like that."

"Well, Lindsay, there are always going to be those immature people that talk about others behind their back. We even have people that work in the lab who do it. The important thing is for you to ignore them, because you know what the truth is."

"Yeah, I guess. Hey, Mom?"

"Yeah, sweetie?"

"I was, uh, wondering, well, I talked to my teacher, and she said that we could do a special performance of our play, and then you could see it!"

"Wow, that would be really nice."

"Maybe Nick could see it too? Do you think we could dedicate the performance to him?" She shot off, unable to contain her excitement at the possibility.

"Whoa, calm down, Lindsay. That is a good idea, but we'd have to talk to Nick about it first."

"Why?"

"Well, Nick is a pretty private person. I just think a surprise like that might, well, he isn't in a very, uh, emotionally stable condition, Linds."

"Yeah, but I think it'd make him happy. I mean, he had such a hard life growing up, and I think it'd be the perfect way for me to thank him. I don't think people do enough nice things for him. He needs to feel special, like he's really important, because he is."


All he could do was watch as they slowly climbed out of the hole. His hands beat against the glass above him as he pleaded for them to come back, but they were gone. The voices and noise that had previously engulfed the night air was gone. Tears fell as he called out for anyone to come back. He kept screaming how sorry he was, and cried out desperately for them to come back. His hands hit against the glass weakly, and suddenly he could feel more ants seeping into the glass. Suddenly the feel of cold metal pushed up against his chin, and he could see the barrel of his gun stuck tight against his skin. Tears fell freely and he cried out I'm sorry one final time before he felt the first bite on his leg. It was too much, he felt his finger tighten on the trigger and let out a final scream before everything disappeared. Then he was surrounded by trees, still in his glass coffin he stared out as the flames drew closer.

Warrick stood, shell-shocked when he saw Nick's hand subconsciously curl up as if he was holding a gun. His jaw dropped as he watched the hand move up to rest on his chest with the make believe gun to where it would've been pressed tightly against his chin. He shook his head, trying to get himself to move, but Nick's quiet pleas for someone to come back, and that he was sorry kept him rooted where he was. It wasn't until he watched the finger go down on what would have undoubtedly been the trigger and Nick let out a final scream did he find himself able to move.

His hand gently took hold of Nick's shoulder, and he shook it slightly, hoping Nick was still ok. "Come on, bro, just wake up, you're ok, it isn't real. Nick, wake up, come on, it's just a nightmare, you can wake up." He stood back for a moment, wondering what he could do to wake Nick up. He shook him a bit harder, yet still gently, but he wouldn't wake up.

"Ok, Warrick, just stop and think. He isn't unconscious, he's breathing, but he's trapped in a damn nightmare. Just think… maybe water, but that could scare him, shaking him doesn't work…" He bit his lip in frustration, before he decided to get an icepack from his freezer. At least I can help him to stop sweating. You gotta wake up, though man…

His hand hastily rummaged through his freezer as he searched for an icepack, knocking various items off their shelves. Just as he had grabbed the desired item he heard the most bloodcurdling scream he had ever heard. Oh God, Nick… please say that you're ok…


Catherine smiled as she watched Lindsey standing in front of a mirror, holding her play in front of her so that she could have the lines memorized by heart. A loud knock at her door brought her out of her trance, and she reluctantly moved to go see who it was.

"Uh, hello, Catherine."

"Paul. I, uh, I-"

"Oh, I'm sorry, this is probably a bad time, huh?"

"Ah… nah, I just wasn't expecting anyone. Come on in. Can I get you anything?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Ok, then, do you mind me asking why you're here?"

"Well, I've been here a few weeks now, and I was just, uh, wondering if there was anything I could do to help out with Nick, or with whatever."

"Wow, I don't know. I don't think so; he's staying at Warrick's until my house gets finished."

"Yeah, that's how I found you here. This is a nice place."

Catherine sighed, "Yeah, but it comes at a high price. Just be glad your father isn't Sam Braun."

"I will be, I guess. Anyway, I guess, well, uh, I just wanted, I don't know, exactly."

"Listen, I'm sure trying to work with anyone on our shift recently has to be like hell, but then again, you've caught us at what is probably our worst. Just trust me when I say this; it'll get better. Stick with it, and once things start to get back to normal you'll find it easier to fit in."


"Well, that makes things official, Nick's case is completely closed." Sara sighed in exhaustion as she set the filled out reports on Grissom's desk.

"Even so, make sure that it isn't destroyed, ok?"

"Sure, any particular reason why?"

"I don't know, it just doesn't feel like it's over."

"It isn't over. Our part as criminalists is over, but what they did is going to have some major repercussions. I just hope Nick can handle it."


"Damn, Nick, come on, just breathe, man. Just breathe, take slow deep breaths…" Warrick tried to sound gentle and calming, but he could hear the fear in his own voice as he watched Nick struggle to breathe as he sobbed, tears running down his face as he whimpered several times. He was completely drenched with sweat, and his entire body was visibly trembling as Warrick held him with his arms wrapped around him. Deciding words couldn't help he carefully placed the icepack over his friend's forehead; praying it would help Nick calm down.

It was another few minutes before Nick had stopped sweating, but his breathing was still erratic, and his arms and legs quivered rapidly. Warrick looked around, and grabbed the paper bag that had held Nick's medications. He helped Nick hold it up, and after several long minutes his breathing had once more slowed down, just slightly faster than normal.

"You ok, Nick?"

"I should be fine…" his frail voice answered between unsteady gasps for air.

"Just take your time, bro, relax…"

"I'm sorry, it's just that… that wasn't supposed to happen." He took in a deep breath before allowing himself to continue, "You're supposed to wake up before it h-h-happens. But I didn't. I was in that damn grave, and e-everyone left. I waited, I tried to say that I was sorry, but no one came back. Th-then the ants were back, and it hurt so much. I p-pulled the trigger, and I didn't wake up. Then there was… fire… just, too…"

Warrick immediately moved and pulled Nick into a hug while managing to seat himself on the bed with his back against the wall. He gently patted Nick's back as he broke into sobs.

"We don't have to talk about anything you don't want to, buddy, got it?"

"Th-there aren't words, there just aren't words. It was… beyond h-horrible…"

"It's ok, it's gonna be ok. You just had a nightmare, everything is gonna be ok." He whispered repeatedly, wondering if it was more to reassure his best friend, or himself. Just get better, Nick. Everything will turn out fine, it has to.

"I wish none of this ever happened, Warrick."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. But bad things happen; we just have to find a way through it. Besides, there is good news."

"Yeah right, and what would that be?"

Warrick sighed at the sarcastic, yet hopeful tone of his buddy's voice. "You've got us to help you through this. Just, promise me that if you ever need help that you'll come to me, or to Catherine… just that you won't try to bear all this alone."

"I… I couldn't if tried… and thanks, man. It means a lot, but what about Tina?"

"Don't worry about that, buddy. Just know that I'm available whenever, wherever, for whatever, got it?"

"Yeah, yeah, I got it, I… I feel so damn pathetic."

"Well, you're not. No one, and I mean no one, can handle everything on their own. That's why we have friends, family, and the last time I checked we're both."

"We are both. That won't change, will it?" He asked, trying not to sound nervous.

"Nick, a lot of things change, but the only way our friendship is gonna change is by getting better, by us getting closer. We'll always be brothers."

"I'm holding you to that, ya know…" Nick chuckled weakly.

Warrick smiled, "Good, cause I'm holding you to it too."

"Warrick?"

"Yeah, man, what is it?"

"Thanks. I mean, I wouldn't have made it anywhere without you, and Catherine too… It's just, well, I've never had a friend like you before, it means a lot that you're here when I need you."

"There's no where else I'd want to be, than here to help you through this, and I mean that."

Nick's slight smile, and calmer demeanor was enough evidence to show Warrick that his words had hit home. You're gonna be ok. And I will always be here for you…


To Be Continued…


Notes: Thanks for all the reviews and comments so far. I only have one more chapter planned, and possibly a sequel later this year after doing some other stories. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I look forward to reading your thoughts on this chapter.