Disclaimer: Same as normal...I do not own CSI or any of the characters you recognise.
A/N: So..here it is: I sat down and said to myself-self that until I'd finished this chapter I wasn't allowed to get up from the seat :) And..it worked..sort of. From here, the chapters will be jumping back and forth from the characters, so if a character isn't in this chapter, they'll be in the next :)
Chapter 11: To Die For Another
The cold of the floor slid through Nick's body as he opened his eyes slowly. Blinking a few times he tried to take in his surroundings, but the darkness of the room fought back. His head swam in the dizziness as he tried to focus, lifting his head a few inches from the floor. The room was silent except for the sound of heavy breathing coming from another corner of the room. Struggling against the bonds that held his hands behind his back, he managed, after several attempts, to sit himself. Leaning his head back against the wall, he let the dots in front of his eyes settle.
'Where am I?' he thought to himself, struggling against the rope.
A short sharp intake of breath brought him back to reality and away from his thoughts. Turning to where the sound came from, he could just make out the silhouette of another person.
"Hello?" he croaked through a dry throat.
"Nicky?" a soft, almost inaudible voice replied.
'Hey, I recognise that voice,' he thought to himself, the adrenaline now rushing through his body.
"Warrick? Is that you?" he asked, struggling to his feet. His legs shook as they held the weight of his body.
"Yeah. The one and only." The hint of sarcasm touched his voice.
Nick had managed to make himself stable, and made his way over to Warrick, making sure to tread carefully.
"Are you okay?" he asked as he got closer. He stopped in his tracks as he saw Warrick, now in a heap on the floor. His hands were bound in front of him, allowing him to cradle his broken arm. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. The Warrick Brown he knew was strong, bold and sometimes outspoken. The one in front of him however was bloodied, withdrawn.
He knelt down.
"What happened?" he asked. He noticed the dried blood stains littering his friends body, the burns. The stale stench of flesh still filled the air.
"You want the whole story?" Warrick asked between breaths.
Nick thought about this for a moment.
"Well, I know some of it," Nick replied. "Well, from what Grissom and the others have worked out."
Warrick nodded his head slightly, wincing as he did.
"Well er, I left you. Got a cab," he closed his eyes as he tried to recall what happened. "I was searching for my keys, but I heard a noise. That's the last thing I remember before I woke up. The rest is sort of... fuzzy." He coughed, sending a fresh wave of pain through his body.
Nick slid his body down the wall so he sat next to Warrick. He didn't say anything for a few minutes, everything Warrick had told him, coupled with everything he knew from the lab running through his head.
"You know we'll get out of here," he said, optimism in his voice. Warrick didn't say anything in reply but Nick kept talking, trying to reassure his friend; and himself.
"Yeah. Grissom and the others are working on it. They found a fingerprint and got a name from AFIS."
Warrick made to shake his head, but stopped.
"We're not getting out of here until Marty Silver is released," he said sadly. "He's already moved once to here, he may move again. Besides, time's almost up. After that," he trailed off.
This time it was Nick who shook his head vigorously.
"Don't talk like that 'Rick," he said. "They'll find us. And..and they'll get this bastard," his voice wavered. "And don't forget that you've still got to beat me at one on one in basketball. Best out of five."
The sound of the footsteps alerted both Warrick and Nick to their visitor. The door opened, allowing some light to flood in the opening of the door. The man closed the door behind him, then flicked the switch on a torch and pointed it at Warrick and Nick. Nick squinted, his eyes adjusting to the light, and it was now that the light was shining on them both that he saw the extent of Darrick's injuries.
"Hello Mr Stokes. It's nice of you to join our little party."
Nick wasn't sure who this man was, but, if Grissom and Catherine were right this was either Tyrone or Jason.
"Tyrone," he said, taking a while guess, and saying it more to clarify it was him as opposed to making a greeting.
Tyrone sniggered. "Well, I guess you've worked out who I am. Nevermind. It doesn't matter. Even if they do find you, I'll be long gone from here. My brother free." He paced up and down. "Not looking too well is he?" he said as he motioned towards Warrick. "Shame really, we were getting on so well."
Nick suppressed the urge to laugh.
"See, that's where you come in. Two CSI's for one prisoner is a much better bargain then one. Hopefully it will hurry it along a little."
"You know, even if they do release him, you won't get far. Police will catch up with you eventually." Nick said.
Anger flashed in Tyrone's face as he moved forward, backhanding Nick across the face. Nick wasn't quite able to keep his balance, the force sending him sprawling.
"Those bitches deserved everything they go. They wound him up. Teased him. Well I'm not going to let him die for another worthless bitch. Marty protected me. He helped me. Now I'm going to help him. I'd die for him if I had too. But that's not really an option. Tell me Mr Stokes. Would you die for another?" he asked. "Would you die for your friend here if it guaranteed his release? "
Nick picked himself off the floor, and stared at Tyrone.
'He's crazy.' Nick thought to himself.
"I asked you a question," he snarled. This time he grabbed Warrick round the top of his shirt and dragged him along the floor. Warrick groaned as the rough floor aggrivated his injuries. He doubted he could stand, let alone stand up to the guy.
Nick, who up until now hadn't said much stood up, his anger causing the blood to pump around his body. He ran, forcing his body weight into Tyrone. Even though he was taller then Nick, he was till propelled across the room. Nick managed to keep his balance, but despite his size, Tyrone moved quickly. He pounced on Nick, throwing him across the room, followed by a swift kick to the abdomen.
"I wouldn't do that again if I were you," Tyrone snarled, bringing himself up close to Nick, who now had blood trickling down his head. "See, that's what partly got Warrick where he is. Playing the brave fool." He lowered his voice, the threat however still there.
"Now tell me Nick, would you die for you friend?"
Nick looked Warrick in the eyes, and nodded silently.
"Good," hissed Tyrone as he picked up the torch and exited the room, leaving Warrick and Nick alone again in the darkness and to contemplate their fate.
To be continued..
