Disclaimer: I do not own CSI, but I wish I did...as I bet most of you out there do :(

Summary: The CSI's are one step closer, but can Warrick survive... (o, I am evil)

A/N: Thanks for all the nice reviews :D I want to apologise though for the lack of updates. My laptop won't turn on now and the makers didn't want to know originally when we tried to get it sent for repair..yes after 3 weeks we finally got the telephone care line to take it in...but, their computers have crashed so UPS won't be picking it up until Tuesday, when I'm in London at Uni, so I have no idea when it's going to be back for me to update again, but, I'll work on it on paper and will hopefully have the remainder of the story by the time it comes back :)On a random note...'Don't you see, we're a threat..a virus..on their hard drive. And they won't give up until they've pointed their little arrow at us..and dragged us to trash.'


Chapter 8: The End of the Road?

The clock was ticking. The three days were almost over and contact would once again be made. Everyone at the lab was feeling both tired and tense. However, they had found one key piece in the form of a partial print on the envelope. What made their day however, was that they'd discovered who the print was from. Catherine and Brass arrived at the lab at exactly the same time, while Sara pressured Grissom into letting Nick know what they'd discovered, hoping at least it would give him some peace of mind.

After filling in Catherine and Brass quickly, all three made their way down the corridor towards the exit. Sara joined them, holding a piece of paper in her right hand, and wrestling with a lightweight jacket in her left.

"I've got the printout of the address," she said, referring the the paper she held in her hand.

"I've radioed for some backup," replied Brass. "We don't know if it's where he's holding Warrick, so it's better to be safe then sorry." All four of them stepped outside, the bright sun on the horizon. It was early in the morning, perhaps a better time for the coming raid. 'The element of surprise.'

Brass got into his car. "I'll see you guys there," he said, closing the door behind him. Catherine, Grissom and Sara got in the Tahoe, Catherine in the drivers side, Sara in the passengers seat and Grissom opting for the back seat. Catherine turned the key in the ignition and reversed out of the parking space, heading down the street which Brass sped down only moments before.


"In, out, in, out shake it all about," came the taunting voice from the shadows. The smell of cigarette smoke hung in the air. Air that already smelt of stale blood and burnt flesh. "I'm impressed. In theory you should already be dead. But no, you're still breathing, albeit, with difficulty, and you even have the strength to haul yourself up the stairs in an attempt to escape." Tyrone moved towards Warrick, in a menacing fashion, his face full of anger. He lashed out. "Don't try that again, if not, you're a dead man, you hear me." The force of the blow caused blood to flow into Warrick's mouth. He spat it out, straight at Tyrone.

"Why you..." he lashed out again. Warrick didn't even flinch. He didn't want to show he was in pain, he didn't want to show he was afraid he was going to die. He knew it would be used against him. The fact that Warrick didn't show no pain seemed to aggravate Tyrone further. Tyrone grabbed Warrick's arm, which was still attached to the chair with both arms and twisted. The sound of snapping bone filled the room. Warrick winced as fresh pain flew throughout his body.

"That's better," said Tyrone. "Anything else?" he asked, sneering.

"Yeah," whispered Warrick. "Even if you killed me, you'd still fail. You're a failure.You're.." he paused, "crazy. You'll see you're brother alright..you'll be right with him."

The sound of wind rushing could be heard as a baseball bat was swung, heading straight for Warrick.


They drove up the street, which itself was a rather modest one. The house in question however, looked to have been neglected over a number of years. Catherine pulled their Tahoe behind Brass' car, which was out of sight. Catherine noticed Brass talking with some of the police officers at the scene. After Catherine had stopped the Tahoe, she, along with Grissom and Sara got out, prompting Brass to finish his conversation and walk over to the three CSI's who were waiting by the Tahoe.

"I've briefed the officers, now all there is left to do is get in there. We'll go in first, check the place out, you can follow up the rear. Get your weapons out just in case," Brass said. He walked back towards the other officers.

"It's almost over," said Catherine, staring at the house.

"Don't get your hopes up just yet," replied Grissom. "We still don't know he's in there." He picked up his kit from the trunk ."Ready?"

"As ready as ever," Sara chipped in. They headed over to where Brass was waiting.

"All set?" asked Brass. Grissom nodded.

Brass signalled to the other officers. They crept up to the house, keeping out of sight. He banged on the door three times.

"Police, open up!"


Silence. He banged again. Still nothing. He signalled to an officer towards the rear who was carrying a ram, and he promptly rushed to the door, taken in down in one single blow. Brass cautiously made his way inside, gun out in front, the officers behind following suit. He signalled towards the rear for someone to clear the up stairs, while he, along with some others, cleared the ground. Catherine, Sara and Grissom were at the rear and also had their weapons out. The upstairs was clear, as was the ground floor.

"Basement," Grissom said. Brass nodded. With Brass up front, they headed towards the basement. Gun still in hand, he opened the door and cautiously stepped inside. He flashed his torch into the darkness. No-one was there, but he continued down the stairs.

"Shit," Brass simply said.

"We're too late. They've already gone." Sara said, staring at the pool of blood in the middle of the room.

"Get me a sample of the blood," said Grissom, holstering his gun. "I'll take it back to the lab with me, check it out. The kidnapper may try to get in touch again. Catherine, help Sara process the scene. Don't let anybody else down here until you've finished." He made his way up the basement stairs again.

"You think we're too late?" Brass asked, still staring at the scene in front of them.

"I hope not," replied Catherine as she went to take a sample of the blood.


Ok. Sorry it was so long coming. Next chapter may take a while..no laptop no chapter. Sorry, but I'll update as soon as I can. Squidggle