Greg, Sara, Ray and the police officer were still sitting in the bedroom, but with their hands up.
Monroe was shaking while pointing a gun at them. "Let me go, Stokes, or I'll shoot them!"
James' body was lying on the floor. A clean head shot took him out instantly. Shattered glass was lying all over the room, some of it hit Monroe and the CSIs.
Greg gave Nick a look. This time he didn't want to let Monroe get out of there. He didn't have a bomb at him, just Ray's gun. They could arrest him without anyone getting injured, Greg thought.
But Nick didn't want to risk anything. Being in a similar situation like Greg was, he now understood why Greg let him go. Also, he knew something Greg didn't.
"Alright, Monroe... I'll put my gun down. Just don't hurt anyone, okay?" Nick slowly did so.
"Come in and sit on the bed!" Monroe was shaking more and more. His heart was beating like crazy and sweat and blood was dropping from his face.
Nick went in. He seemed to be oddly calm and gave his colleagues a faint but soothing smile.
"Just leave. Get out of Vegas and don't come back. Start a new life somewhere else," Nick said to Monroe.
Greg gave him a rather confused look. Why the sudden change of heart? He was all over him for doing the same thing he was about to do now. But this time, Greg thought, they had a good chance of getting everyone out alive AND arrest Monroe.
Monroe looked confused. He wasn't even pointing the gun at anyone right now, he was just standing there, holding it in his hand.
Ray gave Nick a look. He could take him. He's probably lost a lot of blood due to his head wound, he might even have a concussion, he probably wouldn't be able to react properly. But Nick shook his head very subtle.
"Come on, get out of here!" Nick yelled at Monroe while taking his phone out. Monroe didn't even notice it, he just left the apartment.
"Monroe's coming out, Catherine, he's got a gun but he's also got a head wound! Be careful!"
The CSIs looked surprised at Nick.
"They're down there?" Sara said relieved.
Nick nodded. "He's not going anywhere." He smiled and touched Greg's arm caring. "Are you guys alright?"
All four of them nodded.
"You're quite attentive, Nick, you know that? I wasn't sure you'll get what I was trying to say on the phone..." Sara smiled while she gave him a hug.
"Yeah, good job, Nick." Ray smiled while patting him on the shoulder.
Greg gave Nick an appreciative smile. "Really, good job, Nick..."
Catherine greeted her colleagues with big hugs. "I'm so glad you're all okay!" She had tears in her eyes she didn't want to conceal.
They all smiled at her.
"Thanks to Nick," Ray said, walking towards Brass.
"I'm actually glad you didn't do as I told, Nicky. But that doesn't mean you get a free pass every time now, okay?" Catherine joked.
"Nah, don't worry 'bout that, Catherine..." Nick said laughing.
"So it's finally over... Dunbrook will rott in jail, James is dead, Monroe arrested..." Catherine didn't know what to say. She was overwhelmed right now. She quickly recollected herself and said, "You two should take some time off now. Visit your families, get your minds off of this. It's been rough months, we all could need some time off right now, but I think it's only fair for you and Greg to be the first."
"That's actually not a bad idea, but first we all need to celebrate." Nick smiled at them.
"Great idea! Nick's buying, guys!" Greg said jokingly while patting Nick on the shoulder.
Both of them hoped that they could leave all the troubles these last months caused behind and that their friendship came out stronger from all of the arguments they had.
And right now it sure looked like it did.