ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

INT. LOS CASTILLOS COMMUNITY POOL - DAY

The water is waist high on the men. Both are suffering from hypothermia. Greg's fever is so high that steam is rising where the cold water laps against bare skin. Greg comes too, staring at the water.

GREG
We're going to die.

NICK
No we're not.

GREG
He's going to win.

NICK
Stop thinking like that.

GREG
I wanna die.

NICK
It's just the flu talking. We'll be fine.

Greg passes out.

NICK
Greg?

Nick adjusts his arms around Greg so he can rub one of his arms, then the other. He looks up, as if saying a prayer.

INT. POOL HOUSE OFFICE - DAY

Blaine watches the two dying, thrilled by it. He doesn't see a monitor on the far side that shows police cars, CSI vehicles, bomb squad, and two ambulances pull up to the gate.

EXT. LOS CASTILLOS LUJOSOS COMMUNITY - DAY

Police and CSI climb out of their vehicles. Brass notices the camera on the gate. He draws his side arm and shoots it, startling everyone. He looks at Catherine.

BRASS
His just lost an angle.

No one says anything. The chain on the gate is cut and they cautiously enter.

BRASS (CONT'D)
The pool house is in the center. We
don't know where he's at and we
can't be certain he hasn't placed
bombs elsewhere. Move out.

They spread out to the other streets, leaving the paramedics and lab techs at the gate.

INT. POOL HOUSE OFFICE - DAY

Blaine notices the camera is out. He taps buttons and makes adjustments, but the screen remains staticky. He grabs a pistol and leaves.

EXT. LOS CASTILLOS LUJOSOS COMMUNITY - DAY

Riley and two officers are walking through a half constructed house. She sees a movement and motions to the officers. Blaine comes around the corner before they can get out of sight.

The killer, CSI, and officers are surprised to see each other, but only for a second. Blaine starts firing at them as he ducks behind a finished wall. A bullet takes out one of the officers. Riley turns back to the officer, but sees the man's partner is with him.

RILEY
You guys going to be okay?

The officer nods. Riley runs after Blaine.

INT. POOL HOUSE OFFICE - DAY

Blaine runs in and slams the door, sliding the metal bar across it. He grabs a remote control from the control board and leans in, watching a monitor that's showing Nick and Greg. He jams his finger on the control. Nothing happens.

He look up, seeing the men fall into the water. But the bomb doesn't go off. He screams, smacking his hand against the detonator control.

Something hits the door and Blaine spins around. Brass is glaring at him through the small window in the door.

BRASS
Open this door, Blaine Juhl! You're
under arrest for kidnapping and
attempted murder.

Blaine tries the control a couple more times. Brass laughs at him.

BRASS (CONT'D)
My guess is that's supposed to make
a ka-boom.

Blaine slowly looks up at him. He drops the remote control and grabs a pistol, pushing the barrel against his head.

BLAINE
I guess I miscalculated the weight
of the water, so you should hurry
right in and get them. The billions
of little friends in Greg would
love your company.

Blaine shoots himself.

EXT. POOL HOUSE OFFICE - DAY

Brass steps back. He turns to the police, CSI, and bomb squad. Catherine takes a step toward the pool door and Brass quickly blocks him.

CATHERINE
What's wrong?

BRASS
I think Greg is contagious and--

RILEY
You saw how they looked before we
left, Brass. We can't wait for you
to call the CDC.

BRASS
Look, I understand that--

Catherine gets in Brass's face.

CATHERINE
We are going to get Nick and Greg
now, Jim. And you're going to move
or help.

Brass sighs. He turns, opens the door, and leads them inside.

INT. LOS CASTILLOS COMMUNITY POOL - DAY

The group comes into the pool area, finding empty chairs. Riley sees them on the bottom and dives in to pull them out. CSI, police, and the bomb squad clamor to help her pull them out. The paramedics arrive with the lab techs. Someone cuts their belts and they are separated.

FADE TO: WHITE

INT. CATHERINE'S OFFICE - NIGHT

Catherine looks up from the book she's reading, watching Greg stop just inside the door.

SUPER: Twelve Weeks Later

GREG
Hi.

CATHERINE
What are you doing here?

Greg quickly sits down. The sudden movement makes him wheeze a little and he masks a cough like he's clearing his throat.

GREG
About that... I want to come back to work now.

CATHERINE
You're on medical leave.

GREG
Yeah, but--

CATHERINE
You were infected with the Avian
flu. You nearly died.

GREG
Yeah, but that was two months ago and--

CATHERINE
Greg, go home. In four weeks, the
CDC will clear you and you can come
back to work.

GREG
Catherine, I'm going stir crazy! I
need to do something. Maybe... Maybe
part time? A couple hours a day or
something? I'll stay in the lab.

CATHERINE
You can't work with DNA, Greg. The
CDC hasn't cleared you.

GREG
Ballistics doesn't have DNA --
usually. And there's Q.D or A.V..
I'll even work in the morgue.
They're dead, they won't care.

Catherine can't hold her ground.

CATHERINE
I'll see what I can do about five
hours a week. You will stay in
ballistics and you will not touch
anything with DNA.

Greg grins.

GREG
Thank you!

Greg hops up and heads back to the door.

CATHERINE
Since you're here...

Greg slows to a stop and turns.

CATHERINE (CONT'D)
You and Nick took files from the
building without permission.

GREG
We had to, Catherine. Blaine was--

CATHERINE
So I've had to fabricate some information.

Greg stares at Catherine, shocked by what she's just admitted.

CATHERINE (CONT'D)
You two had permission to take
those files as part of an ongoing
investigation into Petra O'Connor's
accomplice. Understood?

GREG
Totally understood.

CATHERINE
If I get the hours approved, I'll
call you.

GREG
Thank you!

Greg leaves. Catherine smiles, turning back to her book

INT. CSI - CORRIDOR - NIGHT

Greg passes the locker room. The door is open and he sees Nick sitting at the end of the bench. He backpedals, watching him.

Nick holds his hand above his leg, watching it tremble. Greg enters the room.

INT. CSI - LOCKER ROOM - NIGHT

As soon as he enters Nick pushes his hand against his leg to hide the trembling. He looks up and is surprised.

NICK
I thought you were out for another month.

GREG
I needed to get out. How are things?

Nick gets up and opens his locker. He tries to hide his still trembling hand.

NICK
Busy.
(joking)
Picking up your slack.

Greg leans against the lockers, watching Nick.

GREG
What's going on with your hand?

Nick pushes his hands into his pockets, turning.

NICK
It's nothing. Doctor said it'll
probably go away.

GREG
What will?

Nick forces a smile.

NICK
I'd better get back to work.

He walks to the door. Greg follows him.

GREG
You off Sunday?

Nick stops at the door, turning to him.

NICK
Yeah. Why?

GREG
Maybe we could take your dirt bikes
up to the hills and terrorize small
animals and hikers.

NICK
(smiles)
I'll meet you at Frank's at eight.

GREG
Eight's great!

Nick laughs. He pulls his hand out, wagging a finger at Greg.

NICK
Now there's the Greggo I know. See
you Sunday.

Greg smiles, watching him leave. His liveliness vanishes now that he's alone. He sits down on the bench, staring at the lockers. The old Greggo may take a long time coming back.

FADE OUT.

THE END