Las Vegas Nevada

"Lenny?"

Lenny, who had been sequestered in Catherine's office all day with his schoolbags and books after speaking with police, looked up from his book and saw Morgan standing there with a takeout box, "I ordered food for you," she said kindly.

"I'm not hungry," Lenny replied softly. "Do you know if my sister was found?"

Morgan shook her head, "Lindsey's really social," Lenny spoke softly, his expression worried. "Ever since we found out we have different dads, she's done her best to be rude to me at school and home. She treats me like I'm trash, as does her friends."

"Does your mom know?" Morgan asked softly, frowning. "She could help."

Lenny sighed, "She tells Lindsey to stop when she sees it," he replied softly.

Morgan nodded, "Is my dad coming to help find Lindsey?" Lenny asked in a concerned voice. "My mom called him earlier and says he hasn't called back."

"I can check," Morgan replied as she set the box on the couch. "Here."

Once Morgan was gone, Lenny set his book down and left the office to find a bathroom because he felt enough anxiety to throw up. He could hear loud talking and machines working, but he kept going until he suddenly heard his mother's voice.

"...So that's why Rick never called back," his mother said. "The Crime Lab was shot up and he got hurt. I thought he would have been on a plane already…"

Lenny froze in his tracks, "We've got everyone we can out searching for Lindsey and we can't find any trace of her except the phone call," Morgan's voice spoke gently. "Lenny told us everything he saw and the direction that the limo went…"

"I'm so glad he's the strong one right now," Catherine's voice spoke softly. "He's so quiet and strong and I'm glad I can count on him to be when I'm just a mess…"

Swallowing hard, Lenny turned and walked outside. He knew he wasn't strong and he knew that Lindsey might not be in danger now if he had agreed to get in the limo that morning.

"...Archie's just gotten the call recording, but has anyone thought about checking the location where Ryan and Sofia were held?" Morgan asked quietly. "She might be there."

Catherine sighed, "There's no evidence to suggest that…" she said in a quiet voice.

If I can find my sister, maybe my mom will be happy again. Lenny thought as he silently turned and made his way to the exit. He had heard about the whole case on the news and from his time in Vegas, he knew where things were and that the location Morgan referred to wasn't that far from the lab. He could reasonably help Lindsey and then maybe, just maybe, things would get better between them at school and home.

Hoping that his efforts would help, Lenny went outside and began to walk.

Manhattan, New York

"You didn't like the attention, did you?" Stella asked in a concerned voice as she brought two glasses of juice over to the table where she and Horatio were sitting for John's graduation party at the Plaza. "When the media was taking photos and video?"

Horatio sighed softly, "The day wasn't about me and since I put in the request for John to receive those awards, my chief and NYPD thought it would be best that I be present to give them," he replied softly. "I'm glad that it's over and I can…"

Horatio's phone suddenly went off and he answered it, "Horatio," he said quietly.

There was anxious talking and Horatio's eyes went wide with horror as he listened to Calleigh tell him that the lab had been shot up and Jesse, Speed, Rick, and Robert had all been injured, but that Robert had been shot in the spine, "I..I'll be back to Miami as soon as I can get on a plane," he spoke in a shocked voice. "Keep me posted."

Stella frowned as Horatio ended the call and pocketed the phone, "The lab was shot up and several people, including Bobby, were injured," Horatio explained in a somber voice. "I know I said we'd have time together, but I need to get back right away."

"Did you want to talk to Mac?" Stella asked. "Maybe he can help with that."

Horatio nodded and allowed Stella to walk him over to the tables where Mac was mingling, "Mac, Horatio needs a favor," Stella spoke softly. "It's an emergency."

Mac frowned, but said nothing, "My Crime Lab was attacked and several people were injured, including the nephew I raised," Horatio explained. "I need to get back."

Appalled, Mac looked around for Flack and found him over at the buffet tables with Danny. He motioned for Flack to come talk to him, but Danny followed.

"Don, Lieutenant Caine just got a call from Miami that the Crime Lab was shot up and Detective Caine was shot in the back," Mac explained softly. "Could you…?"

Flack paled, "My best friend…" he stammered. "Could I what, Mac? Go down?"

"If that's what you want to do," Mac replied quietly. "I can call and arrange for Lieutenant Caine to take a police chopper, but I need someone to drive him there."

Flack nodded, "While it's being arranged, I'll need to run home and grab a few things," he spoke in an anxious voice. "Natalia will need help with the kids…"

"Is Detective Caine going to pull through?" Danny asked. "I asked Flack for his email…"

Horatio suddenly felt nauseous and promptly excused himself to throw up, prompting Stella to quietly go after him without attracting attention. Fortunately, only a few people saw them leave and only John Boscorelli looked concerned, but he was too busy eating and talking to others to be able to chase after them for information.

Mac sighed, "Is there anything we can do to help Miami?" Danny asked softly, filled with anxiety and regret that he hadn't patched things up with Robert at Christmas.

Just then, Horatio and Stella came back and went over to where the Boscorelli-Sullivan family was sitting. There was quiet talking and Mac watched as Bosco said a few things before standing up and quietly excusing himself. John got up and made his way over to where Mac, Danny, and Flack were standing.

"Um, can I help at all?" John asked softly. "I…I know the situation, but…"

Mac sighed, "As much as I know you care about Detective Caine and his family, you can't go running down to Miami right now because we don't know how long Detective Caine will be out of commission and the hearings for your experience with Lieutenant Caine are next month," he replied calmly. "I know you wanna help."

Danny suddenly sighed, "I know how you can help," he spoke quietly, praying that Lindsay would forgive him for his impulsiveness later. "I'll go down to Miami and help out at their lab if they'll have me and you can be a big help to Lindsay by looking after Lucy when she's at work if you want. That would be a big help."

Mac looked surprised and Danny looked at him, "Mac, I know I screwed up big time by blaming Detective Caine for what happened that day and I never got the chance to apologize before this happened," Danny replied softly. "I should really do this."

"All right," Mac replied as Horatio came over to them. "I'm lending Danny to you."

Horatio raised his eyebrows quizzically, "I'm gonna come work in your team for a few weeks until your people heal up," Danny spoke quietly. "Do you mind?"

"I.…" Horatio spoke as Lindsey came over to them. "You should ask your wife."

Danny quietly whispered in Lindsay's ear and Lindsay looked surprised, but nodded at the expression on Danny's face, "It's fine," Lindsay spoke quietly. "It really is."

As Mac got on the phone to arrange the chopper and time off for Danny and Flack, they didn't notice that John had gone back to his table to find where his father was.

Retching sounds filled the air as Bosco lost the contents of his stomach in the alley next to the Plaza Hotel. The minute that Horatio had mentioned the incident in Miami, all of the memories of his own rape, hostage situation, and the loss of Maritza hit him.

"Maurice?" a concerned, familiar voice suddenly called out. "Where are you?"

Bosco sank to his knees, exhausted from vomiting, "Maurice…" a worried voice spoke as he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. "Honey, are you okay?"

"I want to help LaRusso, but even the thought of going back to Miami makes me ill," Bosco managed to say in a quiet voice. "I relieved everything in my mind…"

Danielle sighed and helped Bosco stand up, "It never fully goes away," she replied in a quiet voice as she faced him. "I've been through trauma and I get how you feel."

"I'm very grateful for you," Bosco spoke softly. "You're my everything."

Danielle gave Bosco a hug, "I'm calling your precinct and saying that in all the excitement, you started exhibiting flu-like symptoms and my expertise as a paramedic recommends you stay home from work and rest tonight," she spoke in a calm voice.

"We…we should go and finish the party," Bosco spoke softly. "I'm just a bit tired."

Danielle sighed softly, "We can go back inside if you want, but I think you're partied out and just trying to be strong for John," she replied softly. "You don't need to be."

Bosco shrugged, but didn't protest simply going back to the lobby and he promptly sat on one of the couches once they got inside. Danielle silently sat next to him.

As they sat there, they noticed Grissom and Brass suddenly leave the hotel with their carry-on bags in tow. Not long after that, Stella and Horatio exited the hotel with Flack and Danny at their heels, "Don Flack's probably going," Bosco spoke softly. "I know that he and LaRusso have been best friends forever. Not sure where Messer…"

"Mom, Dad, why'd you leave?" John asked as he suddenly came over to them.

Bosco sighed, "I had some flashbacks and threw up in the alley," he replied softly.

"I could tell Grandpa Sully to wind the party down and we all go home," John replied.

Bosco frowned, but John sighed, "I'm getting tired anyway," John said quietly.

Before Bosco could argue, John made his way back into the ballroom and found that his grandfather was sitting with Yelina, Ray, Nicolas, Ty, Carlos, Holly, and Kim while Caira sat at the next table with David, Ellie, Mikey, and Emily. "Um, Grandpa, how much longer is this thing gonna last?" John asked quietly.

Sully frowned, "John probably wants to go spend time with his girl," Ty commented, an amused grin on his face. "He graduated today and he's now a man!"

Ignoring Ty's comment, Sully got up and moved away from the table, "Look, Dad had a panic thing when Lieutenant Caine brought up the attack in Miami cause it made him remember," John spoke quietly. "He doesn't want attention brought to it."

"Things are starting to wind down anyway, but I can push it," Sully replied softly. "I already arranged for us to take the leftovers home so we'll be okay for food for a bit."

John nodded and walked over to the next table, "John, what's going on?" Caira asked, her eyes narrowing at how busy things had suddenly become. "What's wrong?"

"Ellie, let's go get more snacks before they take it away," David said eagerly.

Ellie nodded and helped David take the stroller with Mikey and Emily over to the food table, "Something's happened," Caira spoke quietly. "You're being all quiet."

"I…I don't wanna burden you with my problems or my family's problems," John replied as he sat down at the table. "You're great, but you've been through a lot…"

Caira gave John a look, "Your family is the first family I've actually fit in fully with," she replied in a quiet voice. "DB's great, but his wife and kids hate Colin and I."

John looked confused, but Caira kissed him on the cheek, "Please, let me help you help your family," Caira spoke softly. "I love them and they feel like my family."

"All right," John replied softly, sighing. "Let me explain everything."

Miami, Florida

It had only been two hours since the shooting, but a lot had happened in that time.

Once Speed, Jesse, Rick, and Robert had been taken away by ambulances, Calleigh had taken charge at the lab and had set Eric and Walter to work processing the scene while she and a uniform had taken a walk around the building to see if anyone or anything had been left outside. During their walk, they had found bullets, magazines, tire treads, and a body in the midst of the mess. That had complicated matters. Natalia had given her statement and was now at the hospital while the kids were at Anthony and Rosa Speedle's, as they were all still being homeschooled for the rest of the year.

Quickly reassigning Walter to outside, Calleigh had hurried to the hospital to see if Ryan, who had gone to be checked for injuries, Emily, or any of those minorly injured were available to work. She also needed to collect everyone's clothes as evidence.

"...No, I don't feel that great, but I'm getting out of this hospital and getting on a plane to Vegas because my soon to be ex wife let my son run away!" Calleigh heard an angry voice shout as she entered the emergency room. "I'm sorry that Bobby is in surgery, but there's absolutely nothing I can do about it right now. LET ME UP!"

Calleigh quickly followed the voice and was shocked to find an infuriated Rick sitting on a gurney in blue scrubs and a sweater sporting a bandage on his head and bandages on his hands as well as an IV. Tripp, Dr. Stokes, a nervous looking Jessop, and Emily were all there, "What's all the yelling?" she asked in a concerned voice.

"I got a call on my cell about an hour ago that Lenny ran away from the Crime Lab when Catherine assured me he would be fine there," Rick replied irritably. "I need to get on a plane to Vegas right now and find my son. I just need a little help…"

Calleigh frowned, "Your son is missing too?" she asked softly. "How…?"

"Lenny ran away when nobody was watching him," Rick replied with a sigh, wincing as he slowly got off the bed, revealing that he had bare feet. "Can I get shoes?"

Tripp sighed, "My badge is with my things and has ID in it," Rick said quietly.

Emily nodded, "Emily, where's Tim?" Calleigh asked in a concerned voice.

"Tim's resting in a quiet room with pain meds for his broken ribs," Emily replied quietly. "He was very upset over the shooting and just needed time to himself."

Calleigh nodded, "Jesse and Detective Caine are in surgery," Emily explained softly.

It was then that Calleigh noticed that a box filled with bagged clothes sat at Emily's feet along with several smaller bags filled with nail files and other small objects, "I…I got here first and Tim wouldn't let anyone else process him, so I just did what I could to process everyone," Emily spoke quietly. "I used whatever I could get a hold of since I don't have a kit of my own. Horatio lent me one so that I could qualify…"

Calleigh looked surprised, but felt very grateful because it had saved her several hours of work when they were short-handed, "Look, I know the lab is a crime scene, but I would appreciate my badge and ID," Rick spoke firmly. "I need them to fly."

"All right," Calleigh replied softly. "Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't…"

Emily quickly retrieved Rick's badge and ID from the box and Calleigh opened it, handing Rick the items carefully, "You're about my size," Dr. Stokes said as she quickly took off her shoes. "They're not comfy, but they'll get you on the plane."

Tripp watched in admiration as Dr. Stokes helped Rick step into her shoes, "Frank, why don't you take Sergeant Stetler to the airport?" she suggested softly. "I'm sure y'all have some sort of way to get him to Vegas faster than a normal plane."

Rick nodded and murmured a thank you, wincing as Dr. Stokes removed the IV from his hand and quickly bandaged it. Once Frank had helped Rick out the door, Calleigh sighed and Jessop picked the box up, "Did Ryan and Alexx come here?" she asked.

"They're in the staff lounge," Emily spoke softly. "They're pretty shaken up."

Calleigh nodded, "Jessop, can you run the box back to the lab, please?" she asked in a concerned voice. "Eric and Walter are there and should be able to help you with it."

"What can I do?" Emily asked softly as Jessop left with the box. "Can I help?"

Calleigh looked relieved, "Can you help me talk to everyone?" she asked in a concerned voice. "It was a shift change for techs when it happened, so the only ones in the building were us. With so many injured, we're a little short on help…"

"I can do that," Emily replied in a calm voice, determined to do what she could.

Miami-Dade International Airport

Thanks to Tripp's sirens and fast talking over the radio, Rick quickly found himself on the tarmac at the airport where a police chopper was being prepped. He was tired and his ribs hurt, but seeing his son was more important and he would have to manage.

"You sure you're all right to fly?" Tripp asked in a concerned voice as they sat in the car, waiting for the pilot to come tell them. "You look tired and shaken up."

Rick scoffed as another police chopper, labeled NYPD, suddenly landed not too far away. Once the propellers stopped, Horatio, Flack, and Danny all got out with carry-on suitcases. Horatio noticed Frank's car and hurried over to it.

"Rick, what are you doing out here?" Horatio asked. "I heard you were injured?"

Rick scoffed, "My son ran away," he replied weakly. "I'm going to Vegas."

Just then, the pilot came over and Rick pulled himself from the car with nothing but what he was wearing, his badge on his belt, and his ID in his pocket, "I..I don't know how Bobby is, but I know Natalia's over there," Rick spoke tiredly. "I have to go."

Without waiting for a reply, Rick followed the pilot to the chopper and shook with pain as he boarded with the pilot. As the chopper started up and took off, Horatio gave Frank a look, "He blew up at the hospital and Candace donated her shoes to him."

"What do you mean he blew up?" Horatio asked worriedly. "Did he go AMA?"

Frank nodded, "It's his kid, though," he replied. "I'd do the same thing."

Flack and Danny exchanged a look as they walked over to the car, "Are you the ride to the hospital?" Flack asked in a confused voice. "I'm here to help Bobby out."

"Frank, this is Detective Danny Messer from New York," Horatio cut in, knowing that Flack and Tripp already knew each other. "Danny will be helping in the lab for a bit."

Frank nodded, "Nice to know you," he replied. "Want a ride? Hop in."

Manhattan, New York

The phone rang again, but Danielle ignored it as she settled Bosco on the couch with a blanket. She had helped him get his uniform off and now that he was in a t-shirt and pajama pants, she had called in sick for him and was making him a super omelette, bacon, sausages, and hashbrowns, "Who is it?" Bosco asked worriedly.

"Ty Davis," Danielle replied, checking the caller ID. "I'm ignoring it."

Bosco sighed heavily, "People are probably wondering why I left the party before it was over," he spoke in a shaky voice. "If I told them that I was triggered…"

"If people have to be so nosy that they disregard your want for privacy, I can beat them up," Danielle replied smugly before sighing. "What happened to you in Miami was absolutely terrible and it's okay that you need lots of time to recover from it."

Bosco sighed, but didn't dispute the point, "I'm going to stuff you full of happy food and then put you to bed with some sleep tea," Danielle spoke softly. "All right?"

The door opened just then and Sully came in carrying bags filled with food from the party, "Hey," he said warmly. "We dropped off some of the food with Carlos…"

"It's fine," Danielle replied in a kind voice. "They need it just as much as we do."

As Sully went to put the food away in the kitchen, Yelina, Caira, and John came in with David, Ellie, Michael, Emily, Ray, and Nicolas. John was carrying a bag full of surprise presents that people had dropped off at the table as they left the party.

"DADA!" Michael howled, reaching his arms out as he saw Bosco. "DADA!"

John quickly brought Michael and Emily over to Bosco and both Michael and Emily immediately calmed down, "You, sir, could use a nap," Bosco said, looking at Michael mock sternly. "How about we eat and then we go night-night?"

"Sweep," Michael whined, his face distraught as he rubbed his ears.

Sully sighed, "Michael got overstimulated from the noise," he replied softly.

Emily, meanwhile had snuggled against her dad and gone to sleep without a fuss, "I wonder if there's something more than hearing with him," Bosco spoke softly, sighing as Michael stood up and ran his hands on his face. "How's my Mikey?"

"Dad, can we watch a movie with you?" David asked. "Since you're sick?"

Bosco sighed, "If you can get these two down for a nap, sure," he replied quietly.

"Why does Mikey hate noise so much?" Ellie asked as she walked over to the couch.

Bosco shrugged, as he didn't know, but he was saved from having to answer when John and Caira came over, "We can put them to bed," Caira offered softly. "Please?"

Bosco shrugged and Caira took Emily to the nursery with David and Ellie at their heels because they liked Caira and wanted to help, "She knows everything and wants to help cause she loves you guys," John spoke softly. "She's so kind."

"Yeah?" Bosco replied, deeply impressed with Caira's kindness. "Good."

John picked up Michael and went off to the nursery, "A nap for Ray and Nicolas sounds like a good idea," Yelina spoke in a kind voice. "Come on, Ray."

Once Yelina had gone out of earshot with Ray and Nicolas, Sully looked at Bosco, "You were triggered by Lieutenant Caine talking about the attack on his Crime Lab, weren't you?" Sully asked quietly. "That's why you left right after…"

"I threw up in the alley outside the Plaza," Bosco replied softly. "A lot…"

Sully nodded, "Davis has called 12 times," Bosco commented. "I'm ignoring it. I don't need him psychoanalyzing me."

"I'll talk to Davis," Sully promised. "Did you call in sick to work?"

Danielle brought the food over to the table along with a glass of root beer, "I did," she replied in a calm voice. "Maurice, your comfort food is ready. I'll get my plate…"

Bosco slowly moved over to the table and Sully looked relieved, "Hey, Sully, I'm sorry," he spoke in a quiet voice. "If I could cure how it made me feel…"

"No, Bosco, don't apologize," Sully replied firmly. "Just…do you."

Danielle joined Bosco at the table with her own plate and root beer, prompting Sully to smile and peer at the stove, eager to eat whatever they had left on the stove.

Miami, Florida

"...The current conditions of Detective Speedle, Detective Cardoza, Sergeant Stetler, and Detective Caine are currently unknown," a reporter said on the screen as the battered Miami-Dade Crime Lab was shown in the background. "As you can see…"

A gasp filled the room, "Detective Caine wasn't supposed to be there," a voice said.

Scoffing, McKeen turned away from the television in Ivan's house and saw that Valera had returned with a bag of stolen merchandise, "You're not still crushing on Bobby LaRusso, are you?" he asked in a smug voice, smirking. "Really, Valera?"

"I only helped Derek try to kidnap Adam because it would bring Bobby to me," Valera spoke in a shaking voice. "Natalia was an FBI mole who slept with half the men in the lab and took my opportunity away. That's why I did what I did…"

McKeen looked amused, "You'd fit in with the Noches quite well," he replied, giving a look to Ivan, who was sitting in a chair in the back of the room. "Ivan, where are the boys and the rest of them who participated? Still draining the kitchen of food?"

"They returned the weapons to the armory and then, yes," Ivan replied softly, a smirk on his face. "Need I remind you, Jeffrey, that there's still the matter of Andrea…?"

McKeen sighed, "All in good time, Ivan," he replied softly. "After a big hit like the one we and the Noches just did, we need time to recover and regroup."

"The Noches are under my thumb now because Riaz killed one of his men at the shooting," Ivan replied crossly, his expression sour. "He could have gotten us caught and I told Riaz to make himself scarce for his sin or else I would keel him."

McKeen nodded, "Where eez leetle Derek Stokes these days?" Ivan asked coldly.

"Oh, I heard through the society papers that he and Emily Yokas got married a few months ago and are living in Austin," Valera spoke up. "He's rehabilitated…"

McKeen looked amused, "That's cute," he replied coldly. "If you'll excuse me…"

Sighing heavily, McKeen left the room and sequestered himself in the private room that Ivan had given him. He had accomplished so much in such a short time, but he was getting tired and still had so much to do…so many people left to break.

Jessica Angell, Derek Stokes, Jill Adams, Emily Yokas…he would get them all.

Las Vegas, Nevada

As Sara, who had decided to see if the Crime Lab needed help while her husband was in New York, pulled into the Crime Lab parking lot, she saw a cab pull up in front of the doors. She quickly got out and was surprised to see a battered looking, bandaged Rick Stetler get out of the cab with a rolling carry-on suitcase.

"Uh, Sergeant Stetler, hi," Sara spoke in a worried voice. "What are you…"

Rick sighed irritably, but calmed when he saw Sara, "Lindsey was kidnapped by Sam Braun several hours ago and Lenny ran away just a few hours ago," he explained in a shaky voice. "I was hurt when the Miami Crime Lab was attacked, but I had to come."

Sara frowned, speechless as she followed Rick inside and watched as he slowly made his way to Catherine's office, "Rick?" Catherine spoke in a stunned voice, her eyes wide as she saw her husband standing there. "I heard there was an attack…"

"Where's that idiot supervisor of yours?" Rick asked shortly, his patience gone.

Catherine sighed, "Grissom?" she replied softly. "In his office, but I…"

Rick sighed irritably as Grissom suddenly came out of an office and down the hall, "You," Rick hissed irritably. "Are the most incompetent, irresponsible, son of a…"

Grissom froze and Catherine came out of her office, prompting Sara to retreat to the break room. There, she found Brass quietly enjoying a cup of coffee.

"I thought you and Grissom were in New York?" Sara asked quizzically.

Brass sighed, "We came back when Catherine phoned about Lenny," he replied in a tired voice. "She had everyone else looking for Lindsey and that got out…"

Sara nodded, "Rick Stetler just showed up," she spoke softly. "Battered…"

Brass flinched, got up, and hurried out into the hallway, "…Did you ever actually love me, Catherine Willows?" Rick was saying coldly. "Or was it the fact that I made money and Eddie didn't that you made me think that Lindsey was my daughter?"

"Eddie didn't want attachments," Catherine hissed angrily, glaring at Rick.

Rick scoffed, "And yet, you seem to favor Eddie's daughter over the son that you and I share," he replied coldly. "I get emails from Lenny…he gets bullied by Lindsey and her friends at that preppy, piece of crap school that Sam Braun is paying for…"

Grissom's eyes widened, Catherine looked appalled, but Rick scoffed, "Once the kids are found, you can have Lindsey, but Lenny is MY son and I am not leaving him in your care another moment!" he snapped. "I'll have my lawyer get papers if…"

"Can we get back to the case, please?" Grissom interrupted. "Update me on that."

It was beginning to get cold, Lenny thought as he entered the industrial area and looked around at the buildings. He saw lights in a building that looked abandoned and decided to start there; if anything, those lights might be where Lindsey was.

"...What do we do now, boss?" a voice said anxiously. "The city's up in arms…"

Lenny crept around the building to the back, figuring that Sam and the bad guys were in the front. He found that the back door was unguarded and so he snuck inside, being very careful not to make noise. It didn't take long for him to see who he came for.

"Lindsey?" Lenny whispered in a quiet voice. "Lindsey, hey…"

Lindsey, who had spent several hours sitting on a mess of crates after being locked in the back by Sam, frowned, "How'd you get here?" she asked softly. "What about…?"

"Shut up and come with me," Lenny hissed coldly. "The back door's unlocked."

Lindsey gave Lenny a look as doors in the front opened, "Sam Braun," an angry voice hissed. "My name is Clavo Cruz and McKeen sent me from Miami…"

Lenny's eyes widened and he grabbed Lindsey's arm, knowing she wouldn't scream as he dragged her outside, "Grandpa Sam's not gonna hurt me," Lindsey hissed.

A shot suddenly rang out and Lenny dragged Lindsey out of the industrial area, ignoring the fact that she was trying to pull away, "What are you doing, Lenny?!" she asked in an angry voice, glaring at him. "Grandpa Sam was gonna take me home!"

"He's a liar and a cheat," Lenny hissed anxiously. "Mom's freaking out cause you went with him and the cops are looking everywhere for you. You're that important."

Lindsey frowned, "How did you even get here?" she asked in a confused voice.

"I can walk you back," Lenny replied anxiously. "The Crime Lab isn't far."

The sound of engines and shouting could suddenly be heard and before Lindsey could stop him, Lenny grabbed her hand again and began to run as fast as he could.

Miami, Florida

Anxiety filled Natalia as she paced the waiting room, waiting for news on Robert after he had been rushed into surgery. He had been dropping her at work when the shooting started and he had used himself to protect her…he had risked himself…for her.

Natalia had, of course, called the kids at Speedles and had explained what had happened, promising them to keep them updated with the truth because they were old enough to hear it. Since then, she had continued her pacing and her worrying.

"Natalia?"

Natalia stopped and was surprised to see Horatio, Tripp, Flack, and Danny come into the waiting room, "I…I know I'm supposed to be working, Horatio, but I can't bring myself to do it," she stammered anxiously. "I…Bobby shielded me from the…"

Horatio silently hugged Natalia as she began to cry, as they were both facing the same issue, "You…you don't have to worry about working for a while," he finally managed to say. "Detective Messer from New York came down to help lighten the load…"

Natalia exhaled anxiously and nodded, noticing Flack as she pulled away, "I'm going to help you with the kids so you can be with Bobby," Flack explained quietly.

"Thank you," Natalia spoke anxiously, gasping when Alexx suddenly came into the room. "Alexx, I thought you were at the lab? What are you doing here?"

Alexx sighed, "The nightshift took the post of the body we found outside," she explained in a quiet voice. "Calleigh, Walter, and Delko are busy at the lab and I was here with Ryan, but he got someone to take him home. I thought I'd check on Bobby."

Natalia looked concerned and Alexx sighed, "From what I can gather, he's out of surgery and they're getting him settled in the SICU," Alexx explained softly. "The past scarring did create a bit of blood loss in surgery, so they want to just get his volume up to a safe level before they put him in a room."

"How bad is he, Alexx?" Horatio managed to ask, his tone quiet and sad.

Alexx exhaled softly, "He took a bullet in his lumbar artery and that's been repaired, but he also took damage to his internal organs," she explained. "He's got a colostomy and at least temporarily paralysis. He's breathing on his own, fortunately…"

Flack couldn't take it and sank on to a couch, stunned and Tripp sighed heavily at the prospect of losing a good partner, "I talked the on-duty staff into letting you and Horatio in if you wanted to see him in SICU," Alexx spoke softly.

Natalia nodded, as did Horatio and they both quietly followed Alexx to the SICU, which wasn't far from the waiting room. A uniform lingered outside the door, not saying a word as the three went into the SICU. Robert was laying on a gurney near the door surrounded by tubes, IV's, and machines, but he was breathing on his own.

Swallowing hard, Natalia approached the bed and gently kissed Robert's forehead, prompting Robert to stir weakly, "Mmm…Talia," he managed to say groggily as he struggled to open his eyes. "I wanna hold you and kiss you, but I'm so sleepy."

"Just sleep," Natalia replied softly. "You can kiss me when you're more awake."

Horatio sighed anxiously, "Natalia…" he spoke softly. "How can I help?"

"You..you're back, Uncle?" Robert's groggy voice asked. "Talia needs rest…"

Horatio raised an eyebrow, "I can go and come back for the night after I see the kids," Natalia spoke anxiously, desperately needing a break to cry and collect thoughts.

Nodding, Horatio took a seat beside the bed while Natalia left, "Hey, pal," he spoke in a soft voice as he took Robert's hand in his own. "Just stay strong and fight."

Las Vegas, Nevada

"Mommy!"

The sound of Lindsey's voice prompted Catherine to bolt from her office and Grissom, Rick, Sara, and Brass joined her just as Lenny dragged Lindsey through the doors of the Crime Lab, "Mommy!" Lindsey said, running into Catherine's arms.

Catherine held Lindsey, but was shocked when Lenny didn't come to her and looked uneasy, "Len, where were you?" Rick asked softly. "You…you found your sister."

Lenny didn't say a word, as Lindsey had cussed him out the entire run back to the lab and he didn't know why she hated him so much, "Lenny, honey, I can call the others back now and get someone to process you both," Catherine said, reaching for him.

Swallowing hard, Lenny pulled away and began rubbing his wrists nervously, "Can you not touch me, please?" he asked softly. "Call whoever, but don't touch me."

Rick, however, reached out and rolled up Lenny's sleeves, revealing razor-like cuts on Lenny's wrists, "You call this observant parenting, Cat?" he asked sharply.

"Rick, Catherine is a great parent," Grissom spoke up. "If you were here…"

Rick swore loudly, "For a supervisor and esteemed entomologist, you're pretty ignorant about the people you claim as your family," he replied in an irritated voice, glaring daggers at Grissom and Catherine. "She got Sam Braun to beat me up and send me back to Miami because she thought I was incompetent. I can't believe that you didn't notice or care about that. You were a crap boss in the past…just like now."

"Just because you and Warrick didn't get along…" Grissom began, clearly upset.

Rick scowled, "You favored Warrick even though he broke every rule in the book and you let him bully LVPD into drumming me out of the lab," he spoke in an angry tone, his voice starting to shake because of tiredness, pain, and low blood sugar.

"Can you three just cool it?" Sara interrupted. "Everyone needs to be recalled."

Grissom sighed irritably, "I don't have time to be dealing with your crap, Rick," he replied in an irritated voice. "I have to recall everyone, get someone to process these kids, send my apologies to New York for not staying, phone Miami to see what Victims Assistance can do down there, and prep for the trial in New York in May."

Sara suddenly felt sad as she realized that Grissom hadn't mentioned his work at the lab or spending time with her or the children. What were his priorities right now? Did his future plans even include her or the kids at all?

"Lenny isn't going to be processed by you or your idiots," Rick hissed coldly.

Brass sighed and quickly got between Rick and Grissom, "Rick, why don't you stay with me for a few days so you can rest and get the custody thing sorted out?" he suggested calmly, giving his friend a pleading look. "I've got a big house…"

"I want to stay with Dad," Lenny spoke anxiously, fighting not to cry as he rolled down his sleeves. "I hate Butterfield and I hate living here. I wanna live with Dad."

Catherine looked hurt, but she sighed and nodded, "Fine," she replied softly.

"I should get back to my kids," Sara spoke numbly. "I hope everything will be okay."

Grissom and Catherine led Lindsey off to be processed and Sara promptly went outside, too hurt to even chase after Grissom. Brass gently shepherded Rick and Lenny out to his car, not saying anything as he loaded the car and then took off.

Once they arrived at Brass's house, Lenny secluded himself on the couch with his schoolbag to cry and process what had happened. Brass sat Rick at the kitchen table and immediately began making food, as he could tell that Rick's blood sugar was low. He knew, from their emails, that Rick was now a diabetic and his irritability meant his sugar was low.

"It'll all be okay, Rick," Brass spoke softly. "Everything…everything will be fine."

Numb from all the happenings of the day, all Rick Stetler could do was sigh.

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