CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Chapter Six

Nick Stokes

"Ripple Effect"

This was his chance now. His chance to show the team, he would never let them down. Dependable Nick. It had an okay ring to it, but it wasn't as good as Grotesque Greg, Fatmama Greg, The Idiots guide to Greg Sanders, or anything like that.

Now if truth was told in all its justice, Nick might, just might have admitted his deepest darkest secret. His fear of the water. Ever since he had witnessed the death of a drowning man as a small child, he wasn't fond of the inky blue liquid which you could be so easily smothered by. The fact that all his life, a lake or a stream was close by and hung around like a daunting nightmare was terrifying for Nick. That was why the Nevada Desert was such an escape, a getaway. And he liked it here in Las Vegas even If he would never admit it.

"I will do this" he told himself, running to the waters edge, "I will do this for the team. Or so god help me, they're gonna chew my ass."

Nick paused just before he entered the water, and looked out over the lake. The lead swimmers were a lap or two ahead of him; if he was fast enough he could catch up. All around him the loud commotion of the audience, whistling, laughing, talking, shouting, eating, running, and cheering was louder than life itself. Gulping down his fear, Nick plunged in headfirst…and everything went eerily silent. The fierce iron hand gripped at his heart as the dark waters consumed him. It was all he could do not to bolt out of here, screaming down the high way like a deluded psycho.

But bravely he pushed himself on, and it was a relief to feel his head break up into the cool air.

"Let's get to it!" he commanded his body, tightly clutching the baton in one hand as if it was his life support.

Using his thick muscles Nick swam forward. He wasn't such a bad swimmer, in a public pool where everything was controlled and safe. It was mainly outdoors which made him edgy. He hauled himself along, kicking wildly and stroking hard. And in a manner of moments he was gliding along like a wonky fish, trying his best to stay on course.

The water was actually refreshing after waiting around all day in the endlessly blazing sun. But however cold it was now, the fear remained, and it was always gonna be there…

"I'm getting bored!" complained Greg, from the backseat of the car.

"I think its exciting" said Catherine training a pair of binoculars on Nick in the water, "Besides it's almost over, you sook!"

"Yeah I know, but it's a bit glum watching wonderboy swim at it for ages and following him around the edge of a river in a car. When is it gonna end!?" he demanded. Everyone ignored him.

"Hey Cath, I got a question" Warrick said from the backseat next to Greg, "Was that you, that caused the bike stack. I mean officials don't know, yet" he waved his hand toward the speaker hooked to the cars console.

Catherine blushed guiltily, "Hey it wasn't that bad. Besides just look at what Greg did, I mean for god sakes he almost killed half the audience."

"Hey! Okay, that was soooo not my fault!" exclaimed the young investigator, "See there was this girl-"

"You crashed 'cause you were lookin' at some chick in the audience right?!" Warrick looked like he was about to smack him across the head.

Greg blushed and stuck his nose high in the air, "Yah! I mean she was H.O.T- ow!"

"Idiot" murmured Catherine, sitting back down in her passenger's seat.

Grissom had been silent the whole time, carefully concentrating on keeping the car on the unlevel track. He had to smile to himself at the team's 'chit-chat', sometimes they were like kids. A loud voice coming from the speaker broke through his thoughts.

"Grissom. You there!?" asked Sara, her voice full of static over the communication line.

Grissom quickly twisted a knob on the machine, "Yeah, where are you?"

"I'm getting ready for the run now" said the speaker.

"Well make it quick, Nick's on his last heat comin' in hard on second place"

"Second place?!"

"Surprise surprise" cheered Greg, jumping in his seat, "This'll show Ecklie, that self conniving pric-"

"We'll see you soon" Grissom quickly muttered.

"Guess so"

"And Sara" said Grissom as an afterthought, "Good luck."

There was a moments silence over the line, then, "Shut up."

The line went dead.

"She sounds pissed" laughed Warrick, "I don't wanna get in her way."

"I thought I was bad" murmured Catherine under her breath.

They all glanced out of the car again to check on Nick, who was taking long powerful strokes, his stocky body glistening in the water. The leading guy was maybe 7 strokes ahead now.

"You know if wonderboy in the pond keeps it up we'll hit first place."

"Yeah right" snorted Greg, shaking his head.

"No, no" said Grissom, "Warrick I think you may just be right."

Nick was level with first place now, pink and yellow undines aligned.

Catherine poked her head out the window, "Common Nicky! You're almost there!"

Warrick and Greg followed her lead, shouting encouragements out their window from the backseat. In a manner of seconds Nick had over taken Team San Francisco.

"And we have a new leader folks!" shouted the speaker, the commentators voice ringing loud, "It seems our home team Las Vegas is taking to the front in an attempt to break San Francisco's record. Keeping in mind the San Francisco team have held this for years, each and every one of them studying in a different type of professional athleticism-"

"Yeah like Ken and Barbie dolls" snorted Catherine.

"-But the question is, will Las Vegas be able to hold off until the end? Or is this just another dwindling hope?! Now, let's check out the other contestants-"

"'Dwindling hope' my ass!" shouted Greg, "Las Vegas will kick their butts!"

But just as quickly as their hope heightened, it was sent crashing back down. The guy swimming for San Francisco realized he was losing his pedestal and fast. Before Nick could swim out of reach, the strong muscled man reached over and grabbed Nick's leg.

"Bastard!" shouted Warrick, about to jump out of the car.

Grissom slammed the car to a halt as Nick spluttered and went under the surface, and with grim determination the San Francisco guy swam faster and faster.

"I don't see him!" screamed Catherine, "He went under!"

"Nick!" called Greg loudly.

The car stopped and four Las Vegas Crime Detectives jumped out, splashing through the shallow water and to Nick, who emerged splattering and choking out water.

"Son of a cowboy!" he cursed, rubbing his foot.

"Are you okay?!" asked Catherine.

"Yeah"

"He's already bailed" said Warrick, glancing at the yellow speck now far away.

"I won't let him get away with this!" said Grissom angrily, stalking over back to the car and ripping his communicator out, "I'll radio them in and tell them what's happened."

"I'm gonna try to finish" said Nick.

"You sure?"

The Texan nodded and his friends allowed him to slip back into the water. But it was no use. With this drawback, they were now back to square one…

A:N/ Hope you like it, cause I don't. But thanks to all reviewers.

Sar'z