Warrick Brown watched Greg head out with Sara on a new case with a disapproving frown. He did not like this new arrangement. He worried about the kid when he wasn't around to watch out for him. It had been easier when the kid had just been a lab rat. Except for the one explosion in the lab, Greg had been safe there. Warrick still blamed himself for that one. He should have been more careful. Greg could have been blown to bits and it would have been Warrick's fault. What kind of protector was he, if he blew up his own charge?
No one had asked him if he wanted Greg out in the field. If they had asked, he would have said no. He already had enough on his plate, keeping Nick safe. Protecting his best friend was a twenty-four hour a day job. It seemed if Nick wasn't out finding trouble, trouble came looking for Nick.
Now he had the added job of protecting Greg to contend with too. Between worrying about the two of them, he was giving himself an ulcer. He wondered if it was time to start training Greg in the defensive arts. He didn't know if the kid was ready or, more importantly, if he was ready to train him. Warrick had begun to worry that Greg might need them when Warrick wasn't able to be there with him. Warrick came to the conclusion that he needed advice. As soon as his shift was over, Warrick decided, he would make a much-needed phone call to an old friend.
It wasn't two hours later when he made the call. He could not postpone the call until after his shift was over. The indecision was bothering him so much and he couldn't focus on his work. Weighing his options, he decided that a couple of minutes on the phone meant less than an entire shift of half-assed work. He dialed the familiar number without thought.
The overseas call took a moment to connect, but it seemed like a lot longer. On the fourth ring, the call was picked up. "Someone better be dead!" came the deep rich baritone of his age-old friend.
Warrick gave a rich laugh. "Well, not exactly."
"Warrick?"
"Hey Mac." Warrick hadn't realized how badly he had missed his old friend until he heard his voice. "You really should work on your phone skills." Mac's voice was like coming home after a long journey. Memories of the past came flying back at Warrick.
"And you really should work on your time-telling skills. Do you know what time it is here? I was sound asleep!" Mac snapped back, but Warrick could tell there was no real anger in his words.
"I was just……needing a friend." Warrick admitted with a sigh. "How do you feel about coming to the states for a visit? There's…..something…..I would like you to see."
"Are you in trouble?" Mac sounded worried.
"No. I have been keeping my nose clean. I haven't been in the game in a long time."
The phone was quiet on Mac's end of the line. There must have been something in Warrick's voice that spoke louder than the words he said, for Mac didn't hesitate long before answering. "Okay, I'll come for a visit."
"Thanks Mac." Warrick hung up. Suddenly he was feeling as if maybe life was not as complicated as he was making it out to be.
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"Hey Warrick." Nick greeted as he and Greg entered the locker room. Warrick was fully dressed and pacing the small space between his locker and the bench. It looked as if he had been waiting for them. It had been a calm night and they were all getting to leave when the actual shift ended.
"Hey Warrick." Greg echoed, grinning at his friend, happy to see the man. Although the night had been simple, they hadn't had a chance to speak. Warrick had been acting sort of weird that last few weeks, but that was common for all of them with this job. "What's up?"
Warrick did not answer right away; instead, he watched as the two opened their lockers and started to change into their street clothes. He jostled the change in his pocket nervously until Nick looked up, his smile morphing into a look of concern. "You okay Bro?"
"You guys have plans today?" Warrick questioned hesitantly, causing both men to frown. Warrick Brown was never hesitant. Warrick had a seemingly calm, laidback type of demeanor, but anyone who knew him could see through the outward appearance. He was bold; he was intense but never hesitant.
"When? Now?" Greg shut his locker with a bang, causing Warrick to start. Both men frowned deeper upon seeing this reaction. Warrick Brown was definitely acting unusual.
"Rick?" Nick stood up. "What's up? What's going on?"
"I've got an old friend coming to town…..His plane is probably landing right now. I'd like you guys to meet him…..if you have the time."
"Who is this guy?" Nick pondered aloud," I've never known you to be jittery about anyone."
"Mac is……important." Warrick grimaced, unsure how to explain whom and what Mac was without going into details. He would explain that later. "I owe him everything. He's saved my life more times than I've ever pulled your butt out of the fire." Warrick finally explained with an embarrassed grin.
"Sounds like someone I'd like to meet." Greg piped up.
"Yeah, I think I'd like to meet this guy too." Nick agreed quietly with a nod. This was definitely someone he needed to meet.
"Great!" Warrick grinned, looking and sounding relieved. "Just show up at my place. I gotta get there, in case he got here early."
"That was odd." Greg murmured as they watched the man hurry out of the locker room.
"Yeah." Nick agreed. "Guess we better go check this guy out."
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He slid into the locker room where the guys were, careful not to be seen. Warrick was inviting the others to come over and he felt a twinge of jealousy at not being invited too. He was a friend too, right? Why didn't he get an invitation? Pushing those thoughts aside, he focused on his job. His job was to monitor Warrick Brown. This job here at CSI was just a cover. His real job was to report on every move of Warrick Brown.
This was his job. For ten years, he had been watching Warrick Brown. It wasn't a tough job. It wasn't even an exciting job. Warrick Brown did his job and he hung out with friends. Not too exciting. Six years ago, Warrick had given up gambling, so trips to the casinos were no longer on the agenda unless it was job related.
Perhaps that was why he'd broken the rules. The number one rule was not to be seen by the subject. He was not supposed to become involved with his subject. He definitely wasn't supposed to become friends with him. Nevertheless, he had. Warrick Brown was a great guy to know. He was a great friend.
The men rose to head out. He let his cool gaze follow the man in question. Another boring night, sitting in his car outside Warrick's apartment with nothing-special happening. Another night of watching shadows through curtains while Warrick entertained his friends, most likely watching sports. He wished he could join in, but instead he was destined to be an outsider. He had found that it was much easier to keep an eye on Warrick Brown if he was in the apartment with him.
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Another set of eyes watched as Warrick exited the building. These eyes were hard and angry. He'd been watching Warrick for a month now and he was nearly ready. Warrick was wea. His defenses were down. The man had gotten comfortable and cocky. He was easy pickings.
He leaned over the edge to watch Warrick make his way across the parking lot and smiled. Where was his weapon? Did he bother to look around for signs of danger? NO. He would be an easy target.
Tomorrow. He would attack tomorrow. It was almost too easy. The only time he'd seen Brown look tense was around the other two. He'd been alert and protective around them, but alone, Brown was vulnerable. This time tomorrow, Warrick Brown would be no more. He would be nothing but another notch on the hilt of his sword.
A smile of sheer evilness spread across his face. Once he was done with Warrick, he would get rid of the other two. There was no sense waiting around for them to become aware of what they really were. Better to eradicate them before they even became a challenge.
Yes, this was the way to do it. Slowly purge the world of all the weak and useless ones while slowly building strength. Save the fighting for those who actually took this life serious. Tomorrow. Tomorrow Warrick Brown was going to die!
