Chapter 17- Little Gem

3 Days passed in a flash. When Nick would come home form work he'd usually find Alyssa sleeping and he him self would crawl under the covers and wouldn't stir to the early afternoon where he'd find on her computer or reading. Nick would then watch sports highlights or go out and run an errand. At first he thought that she was avoiding him. Until day two when he had come out of shower to see her standing in front of the TV mortified and in a panic.

Alyssa walked into the main room in her sweat pants and tank top, combing her damp hair our while Nick, was in the shower. As she approached her eyes caught the TV remote sitting on a couch, next to a throw pillow. Alyssa reached for it and clicked the on button as she looked at the clock. 10:30. she began to channel surf but dropped the remote control, Batteries rolling and all. As she bent down to pickup the pieces the program came back on. Crude breathing began to sputter out of the speakers. Alyssa stopped dead in her tracks and looked up and over the couch. Her eyes widened at the sight before her, late night sex show. She panicked for she had heard the water turn off a minute earlier. "Fuck." She said rather loudly and searched the floor for the batteries and remote backing. The breathing increased as did the moans and cries. Alyssa heard the door to the bathroom clock as her own breathing increased and searched desperately after finding only one battery and the backing. She heard a cough in the door way as she closed her eyes, slowly standing up from the floor and turned to find Nick, eyebrow raised. "ididn'tmeantoIdroppedremote." She sputtered out in one breath. God this looked bad and she knew it.

Not only was Nick totally side tracked by the noises coming from the Television, he couldn't help but smirk at the brunette completely flustered in front of him.

"You sure? You're gonna stick to that story Crane?" He teased.

Her eyes widened at the connotation. "I didn't honestly Nick, I dropped the remote as I was flipping the channel." She pleaded. He HAD to believe her.

"Yup… That's what they all say." He said turned around.

"I swear. Aren't you gonna help me find the other battery?" She questioned.

"No…"he faced her again.

Her eyes went wider. He laughed.

"It's by the leg of the couch." He pointed out.

She looked down. "Oh." Was all she said, picking up the battery and popping it in.

She turned to the TV. "Whoa, people bend that way?" She tilted her head. "He must be enjoying that."

It was Nick's turn to look flustered. He cleared his throat. "Hey no more porn for you," She scolded teasingly as she stuck out her tongue.

"You're just pissed that you're going to work and you can't watch it with me." She said turning up the volume to the woman climaxing, and taking a seat on the couch.

Nick unlocked the front door of the house, after 3 hours of over time and a really rough day, since everyone was getting more time off due to the addition of a CSI and Sara was still on her sick leave, everyone had been taking on extra and tonight's case was no exception. He placed his keys in the key bowl and turned to his right, only to see a sleeping figure on his couch. She was bundled up in her bed comforter and masked a tear stained face. The lamp beside her was on but there was no book in her hand or near her. Nick walked over, knowing if she slept on the couch she'd pay tomorrow with kinks and sores. He kneeled down in front of her to see she had rubbed her cheeks raw and red. Pulling a strand from her face he saw her eyes shoot open and felt her jump. She suddenly and looked around then back at Nick. Fear, was all he saw as he searched her eyes to what could have made her cry. She broke the eye contact and looked at her hands feeling extremely vulnerable and nervous. She has experienced a nightmare, not like the ones that she had, had when she was in the hospital but ones dating back to after her mothers death and before her fathers suicide.

"Lys, what happened?" Nick asked concerned.

She let her wall build before she answered him. "Nightmare," She shrugged and began to sit stand only to be pulled back down, eye level with Nick.

"Tell me about it." He said softly.

Alyssa starred but shook her head only to see Nick settle in his place.

"Tell me about it." He repeated but a little more harshly. "Let- let me help you, please."

She was caught off guard but looked back up at him, nodding slowly.

"As long as you don't… pity… me," She said softly. Nick nodded and took a seat beside her as she sat back on the couch and crossed her legs.

"After my mother died, my dad changed, for the worst." She breathed slowly. "He quit his job, he began to drink to mask up his loneliness. One night after my 13th birthday, my father had gone out to the bar with his buddies, but when he arrived home he announced to the whole house how lonely he had been and how no hooker would sleep with him for the price he could offer." She looked up at Nick, "He blamed me for it, and told me he would make me 'pay' but not by bruises, but by…." She trailed off and looked at her hands. "Using me as his hooker," She quoted him. Alyssa looked at Nick, who in turn had made a fist that had made his knuckles go white. The questions that went through his head were the kind of questions that he would ask one of the victims of one of his cases but he couldn't bring himself to ask the victim in front of him.

Alyssa looked down at his white fist, she took it in her hand and unclenched it with her own, then looked up at him. "I'm ok if that's what you're thinking and, no I didn't report him. He committed suicide when I was 16." She said and sighed and tucked her legs under her.

Nick just watched her.

She didn't fall apart and she was strong, one of the strongest women he'd known. He took her hand in his and stood her up.

"C'mon," he said softly, "You need sleep and we'll talk in the morning." He knew there wasn't anything to say except his opinion on the man, which in turn wouldn't help things.

Nick led her to her room and watched her crawl into bed as he took a seat next to her.

"Please don't treat me like a kid Nick, I'm not." She said sitting down and facing him.

He watched the glow from the window lumeness against her face as the shadows from the trees danced across forming gleaming shapes in her moist eyes. He nodded in turn and leaned in.

"Oh believe me I know." he said and kissed her forehead.

She sat wide eyed for a few seconds and gave a soft smile. "Sorry I'll remember to bring my clothing in the bathroom with me next time." She said lying down but propping her head up with her hand and facing Nick.

"Hey I don't mind" He said leaning backwards.

"Pervert," She mumbled and rested her head on the pillow. She was exhausted. She looked up Nick who was watching her.

"Need me to stay till you fall asleep?" He asked softly.

Alyssa responded by sliding backwards allowing more space for Nick to sit. He took this as a yes, kicking his shoes off and lying next to her, facing her.

She closed her eyes, "Good night," she breathed. Nick waited till her breathing evened out.

"Goodnight," She said nodding off.

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