Kinda short chapter this time (I think), sorry 'bout that guys, its just the way I write... Anyways, I'm not really sure what the significance of this chapter is, I just decided to write it... Enjoy...

Chapter 11

The first thing she knew was the throbbing pain in her head where she'd fell. Catherine was awake, but didn't open her eyes. She was too weary, and the thought struck her that people were probably watching her. She didn't want them to know she was awake, and to give herself something to do, she settled to evaluate her physical situation. The wound on her head hurt, and she could tell it was bleeding, but she was still much better off than Nick. Her arms and hands had fallen asleep, and her body was weak. She was not that injured, but she was exhausted. Catherine kept her eyes closed and listened, hoping to hear something or someone move. She didn't. Perhaps she was alone.

Warily, she opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Nick's face. He was still out, and his shirt was torn near the stomach. She could see a bruise forming, and she flinched in sympathetic pain. She looked around, and from her vantage on the floor she could tell they were not alone. There was a man dressed all in black standing near them. He was wearing a mask, so Catherine could not make out any of his features, but what bothered her was the gun he was holding. It was not a typical gun, or rifle. It was a sniper gun, and it was now pointing at her. She could tell there was a mocking grin on his face.

"Awake now, aren't we?" He said in a nasally voice. She didn't reply, glad she was wearing jeans and that they were still securely on. He laughed. "Don't worry; I won't do anything to you. At least not until the boss gets back." She tried to keep fear out of her expression and succeeded. She'd seen enough of these people in her dancing days. "I think he's going to have a little chat with you two." He looked down at Nick. "Well, maybe just you. This guy doesn't seem in very good shape right now." He nudged Nick with his toe.

Anger burned suddenly in Catherine's mind. "Leave him alone!" She said.

He laughed again. "Well Catherine, I'm surprised. I thought you were in love with your boss."

She hated his mocking nasal voice with a new passion. She had no romantic feelings for Grissom, but it dawned on her that these men were stalking them. The memory of Nick's stalker came to mind and she shuddered involuntarily. "I'm not in love with anyone." She said, almost vehemently.

"Oh? Then you won't mind if I shoot him?" The man pressed his gun against Nick's neck threateningly.

"No!" She said, alarmed.

The man sighed and pointed the gun at her again. "Well I guess I should stop distracting you. Have a look around." He said, motioning to the room.

Her eyes were still on Nick, but looked up in surprise when she heard him. Her heart started pounding. What was he talking about? Confused, she looked around and suppressed a gasp of horror. There were still bloodstains on the floor, and behind the man with the gun, she could see charred wood. Behind her, she knew there would be a hole where a plexiglass coffin once lay. They were in the warehouse where Gordon had blown himself up.

"Look familiar?" The man asked.

She looked up at him, horrified. What was this all about? Were they really behind Nick's kidnapping and were they doing this to finish him off? It sounded as if they were targeting all of the CSIs, but why? Gordon had done it for revenge, but now she doubted it. It seemed he had only been used. Had someone else played off his anger and used him for a larger scheme? It was possible that the people using him had forced him to commit suicide. This was getting more complicated than she imagined. When they'd rescued Nick, she was hoping beyond hope that it was the end. It seemed it wasn't.

A groan brought her back from her musings, and she looked at Nick. He was waking. "Nicky?" she asked in a soft voice. She was determined not to look at the man standing above them.

Nick opened his eyes groggily. "Cath?"

Catherine looked at him worriedly. "Are you okay?" She asked.

Nick looked bad. "Fabulous." He said in a weak voice.

He still had enough energy to be sarcastic. That was good, Catherine decided. She watched his eyes as he looked around them and saw the man standing above them. "Where are we?" he asked.

Catherine wasn't sure what to say. They'd taken Nick to the warehouse after he was rescued, but she didn't know how to handle it now that he didn't recognize the place. She was almost hoping that the man with the gun would speak, but he didn't. He wasn't even preventing them from speaking. "Nick," Catherine began. "Remember when we took you to that warehouse? After the whole Gordon fiasco?"

She wasn't even sure he was listening to her. He looked like he was in a lot of pain, but she could see his eyes wander behind her before they closed in recognition. Catherine was worried. She wasn't sure what the effect of the memories would be. He didn't say anything for a while, and he kept his eyes closed. She wondered how long he had. He still had a lot of blood to lose, but if he didn't get help soon she was worried that he would bleed out. "Nicky?" She questioned in a gentle voice.

He opened his eyes wearily and closed them again. "So tired…" His voice was barely a whisper and Catherine knew he'd fallen asleep.

TBC...