"Horatio the bullet used to kill the Martinez family matches ballistic reports to two other murders," Calleigh declared. The glass cubicle was populated with the CSI team discussing what their next move would be on the two connected cases of the Martinez family and Mendez. "Was there a lead suspect," Horatio inquired. "Vinnie Baldwin," she confirmed looking back over the report. "We've just found our next lead," he stated. "Baldwin is a known associate of Nikki Love's," Natalia chimed in.

Ryan held his tongue but he couldn't help but frown seeing the expressions around the room. Every lead they got somehow connected back to Nikki and he was becoming more certain everyday she wasn't a murderer. "Should we contact her lawyer and have her brought in," Eric asked. "Not yet," Horatio replied. "Let's see what Baldwin has to say first," Calleigh nodded towards Ryan.

"Go," Horatio's voice boomed over the task force. Calleigh, Ryan, and Horatio led the swarm of officers into the Baldwin home. Once the door was forced open they began clearing the home room by room. Calleigh took the left as her and Ryan made their way down a narrow hallway leading to a large set of double doors. Calleigh caught sight of blood drops near the door on the floor and sped up but Ryan was already on it.

They took a quick look at one another confirming their readiness and pushed the doors open. They canvased the room finally making their way behind a large antique desk where Nikki's body lay covered in blood and bruises. "It's Nikki," Calleigh breathed aiming her gun around the room for a final look. Ryan was kneeling down beside her just staring when Calleigh finally felt for a pulse. "There's no pulse but the blood looks fresh," she said out loud.

Alex Woods was on the scene in a matter of minutes having already been out picking up the body of a young man who'd ended his own life. Detective Tripp was with her as well having been on the same scene. "Poor thing," Alex sighed feeling the fractured ribs. "Ryan," she began softly looking at the bewildered CSI next to her and the body. Before she could finish however she felt something strange, blood rising and falling under her hand on a stab wound. "Get the paramedics in here now," Alex shouted above the room full of voices.

As Alex turned over the body Nikki felt the air return to her lungs causing her to choke and spatter blood. This simple act seemed to awaken her from her unconscious state but there was no denying her life was still at risk. The amount of blood surrounding her body, the fractures Alex had found, and the multiple stabbings were all draining the life from Nikki. "It's going to be okay," Alex cooed trying to call the woman.

"That bastard," Nikki choked making her grab at her chest. "Stay with me," Horatio yelled. Nikki was drifting in and out; she was already being placed in an ambulance and carried away. She took notice of the CSI at her side looking down at her with hope and fear controlling his expression. "Thank you," she whispered through the oxygen mask just before closing her eyes to the bright lights. Ryan Wolfe had heard but he'd been lost for words looking down at the dying woman.

"She's in a coma and the hospital staff is doing everything they can to keep her stable," Ryan reported. "Stay with her Ryan," Horatio nodded before turning and leaving. Ryan's phone then sounded and he looked at the screen, Calleigh. "Ryan a night shift CSI will relieve you a shift change this evening," she confirmed. "Okay," Ryan managed. "So far we haven't uncovered blood from anyone else but we've found a large assortment of prints. All of them belong to Baldwin so far but nothing ties him to the scene."

"Okay," he said again. "If we get anything else I'll let you know," she offered. "Thank you," Ryan's voice was flat but Calleigh took no offence and said goodbye before hanging up. Ryan wasn't in the mood to hear what they didn't have; he wanted to know who did this to Nikki and what their connection was to the murders. Numerous bells and beeps went off making him turn back to the room where she was down the hall. The nurses and doctors were rushing in and Ryan was close behind.

Having been forced outside the room and only able to watch from the window he found himself uneasy and on the verge of tears. I didn't help her; she wanted me to help her. Finally the staff was able to get her back into a stable state but the doctor approaching Ryan made him fear the worst. "Detective Wolfe," the man greeted with a small smile. "Miss Love is suffering from a great number of injuries but the real problem is her body keeps going into shock. I'm not certain if she'll wake up but once she's stable for twenty four hours we'll give a brain scan to access the damage and have a more definite answer then."

Ryan simply nodded and the doctor retreated down the hall before Ryan stepped into the room. Nikki's long blonde hair was messily tied back and dried blood was tangled within it. Her skin was absent of color expect of course for the many bruises now starting to show through. In all his time working as a CSI he'd never seen someone so brutally beaten and injured and left for dead - it was sickening.