Title: In Shock
Author: Nicksfriend
Rating:k+
Spoilers: For Gedda
Disclaimer: Bottom line...they belong to CBS and to those who make millions
Author's note:This is my fifth CSI fic. I actually jumped when the undersheriff shot Warrick; I did not expect it...but I could see that it could have been survivable.
The ride to the hospital was quiet as Grissom took in the worn appearance of Nick, who now was sitting with his head facing the passenger window,the fine shivers and sweaty skin visible even in the dark. He reached down and turned on the heat,trying to keep him warm,seeing another sign of shock.
How would he get Nick to see a doctor? He would have to probably threaten him, though he knew that could create a bigger problem.
Grissom could feel his phone vibrate and he reached down and retrieved it from his belt then flipped it open."Grissom."
"Gil, Warrick's surgeon needs to know his power of attorney, I know it is probably in his file but the files are in your office."Catherine's voice was hoarse as if she had been crying.
"I'll stop by the lab and grab it, we're on our way to t he hospital anyways." Grissom glanced over to see a very interested Nick.
"How is he?" Knowing that she wouldn't be asking for power of attorney if Warrick could make his own decisions.
"Not good,how's Nick?" Catherine knew that Nick was the last one left with Warrick. She also knew that Nick was Warrick's best friend,they had always been like brothers.
He could not be totally honest with that question with Nick sitting there listening to every word so he opted to say "He's with me,we'll be there shortly, I'll call when I get the file."
"Hurry Gil, the doctor did not give him much of a chance." Catherine's voice cracked, the emotion rising up inside of her, the lack of sleep and exhaustion weighing heavy with her as she was attempting to move through the motions of getting the POA established, feeling guilty for not knowing such a simple thing.
"We're coming Catherine." he then hung up the call,knowing that he had to get to the office and get the file.
"How's our victim?" Nick asked,seeing that he was still not connecting with the reality of Warrick's injuries.
"Hanging in there Nick, I need to run by the office to get something. It will only take a minute." He explained, seeing that Nick was not quiet coherent enough to understand that he needed to get Warrick's file.
As they pulled into the station, Grissom parked in his space and left the SUV running,"Nick. I'll be back in a few minutes."
Nick nodded, a look of confusion crossing his face.
Grissom ran in,pulling out his keys as he moved down the hallway, seeing the looks of pain and grief on every person he passed, even Hodges, who seemed immune to such emotion was having a difficult time.
He opened up his door and went straight to the filing cabinet,pulling out Warrick's file and placing it on the desk, he opened it up to see that Warrick had listed Catherine Willows as his POA.
Pulling out his phone he hit her number and waited for her to pick up.
"Catherine."
"Catherine, Warrick listed you as his POA. I'll bring the form to the hospital." Grissom listened to the quiet response on the other end of the phone.
"He chose me?"Her voice low and sad,"Why would he pick me?"
"He probably felt you wouldn't be too quick to pull the plug Catherine,he trusts you."Picking up the folder and heading out of the office,locking his door behind him.
"It's just a lot of responsibility Gil. I don't know if I can make the best decisions for him, I'm not a medical doctor." Her voice cracking with emotion.
"He chose you because you are his friend,he trusts your motherly instincts, he has seen them in action so many times, that is what he is counting on Catherine. You won't let him down,you never have." Grissom finished as he walked back to his car.
"I wish I could feel the same Gil." Wondering if she could fulfill the designated assignment of power of attorney.
"Nick and I will be there in a few minutes." He hung up the call and
opened his door to find Nick missing,"What the hell." he spoke out loud to nobody.
The vehicle's engine had been cut off the keys still in the ignition. Throwing the file into the front seat he started to look around, attempting to locate the distraught man. "Nick!" He called loudly in the parking area,getting the attention of several officers standing in the lot.
"Grissom is something wrong?" The first officer asked.
"If you are looking for Nick, he caught a ride with Officer Cameron. I figured he was getting a ride home." A second officer chimed into the conversation.
"Thanks." His cellphone still in hand he hit Nick's number and waited for an answer but it went to voice mail,"Nick, call me as soon as you get this message." he hung up the phone and walked back to the door of his car,"If I have another rouge cop on my hands I will put him on indefinite leave." Concerned for Nick and what he might do to Pritchard if he found him first.
He started his vehicle and headed to the hospital, Catherine was going to kill him. He picked up his phone remembering that Nick had left his SUV at the diner,he dialed Brass's number.
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
Nick arrived back at the diner and thanked his officer who had given him a ride, now he watched as Ecklie's team worked the scene, a tow truck loading the car.
He walked over to his Denali and opened up the door,he glanced over at Brass who had spotted him in the parking lot,he was talking on the phone to someone.
Moving his tired body behind the wheel he placed his keys into the ignition, starting the engine,wanting to leave, wanting to find the person responsible for shooting the man in the car, it felt personal,it felt close.
"Nick,hey wait buddy. Where do you think you are going?" Brass's authoritative voice ringing in his ears.
"Home. I'm tired."Nick did not face the man talking, he just starred ahead.
"I think you have some of the evidence in the back, do you mind if I take a look?" Brass trying to stall for time, Grissom would be there after he dropped off Warrick's file to Catherine.
"Sure."He hit the unlock button on the door.
"You didn't label these Nick,they need your initials, date and time and a label. You know the procedure Nick." Brass knew that he was being hard on the CSI but he was in no condition to be behind a wheel of a car,and he would have to run over him to get out of the parking lot.
Nick got out of the vehicle and walked around to the back, the blood stained clothing a grim reminder of what he had been through ,he started to work labeling the items,his hand shook as he took his pen and labeled,timed and initialed each bagged item.
Brass looked on with empathy,there was enough guilt for everybody,if Warrick died, a whole lot of people would be effected in one way or another,especially Nick who was already showing symptoms of a break down.
"Hey, you done yet?" Brass asked trying to keep Nick's attention on doing his job.
"Yeah, can I go now?" Handing the bagged clothing to Brass.
"So you labeled all of the evidence you collected from the car and the area around the car?" Brass continued being tough but he knew Nick needed direction right now and he was going to give it to him.
"Brass motioned Ecklie over to the him, Ecklie saw Nick and felt sick to his stomach, he was going to have to face them eventually but he didn't think it would be this soon,"Hey Nick, I'm sorry."
Brass quickly cut the director off seeing that he did not know what was going on with Nick,"Nick needs to make sure he labeled all the evidence from the victim's car, can you assist him Conrad?"
He gave Brass a confused look,but Brass did not give him any explanation, he just pointed to the scene, Nick followed as Ecklie walked back to the scene.
Brass just shook his head, thinking to himself that Grissom needed to get there, he needed him now.
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
Grissom entered the surgical waiting area,folder in hand when he saw Catherine sitting in a chair, her head down, glancing at her watch.
"Catherine, have you heard anything else?" Grissom asked as he walked over and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"No but he said it would be a while. I think he was trying to prepare me for the worse, he said that he probably would not make it,but he doesn't know Warrick, he is a strong man. I have a feeling he will surprise them all."Giving Grissom a small smile and placing her hand on his,giving it small squeeze.
Grissom nodded and took a seat.
"Where is Nicky?" Catherine suddenly realizing the absence of her colleague.
"He's with Brass." Kicking up an eyebrow at Catherine, " Trust me it's a long story but he is in good hands right now."
"How is he taking it?" Knowing the close relationship of Warrick and Nick.
"He isn't,he keeps referring to Warrick as the victim, I guess it's his way of dealing right now." Grissom was starring at the nurse who was now approaching.
Catherine followed Grissom's gaze, the nurse who was wearing scrubs called out."Warrick Brown family?"
"Catherine stood and took the proferred folder from Grissom, "I am his power of attorney, Catherine Willows."
The nurse's expression remained blank as she walked over,"I need to speak to you privately for a few minutes."
"This is Gil Grissom,he is Mr Brown's supervisor, he has my permission to stay." Feeling as if she was about to give them bad news regarding her friend.
The nurse was a little hesitant but decided to give them both the information,"Well, we removed the bullet from Mr Brown's chest, he had a lot of bleeding. But the doctors repaired the damage, he now has a chest tube due to damage to the right lung and a tracheotomy which was performed in route to the hospital to assist his breathing." She glanced over to the man who was listening intently and continued with the details.
"Mr Brown received a low velocity injury to his neck, he had an entrance wound and an exit wound,both missed major arteries,but there are several nerves in that area, the cranial nerves, phrenic nerve, and several others. We will not know to what degree his injury is until the swelling subsides and he is more alert."
Catherine was feeling that the news was in his favor until the nurse continued with her assessment.
"Mr Brown coded twice upon arrival and he was in hypovolemic shock when he arrived, several major organs were deprived of oxygen for periods of time, our concern of course is the brain and heart,both were possibly damaged but to what degree again we will not know until he awakens and is able to give us some clues." She shifted her feet,feeling nervous given her audience, the forensic investigators.
"Where is the doctor?" Grissom asked wanting the surgeon to speak to them directly given the information.
"He is still with the patient,they are closing up the neck wound,making sure that we are not dealing with any bullet fragments that might have veered off from the path of the projectile." She answered looking back as if she should be going back to assist.
"Can you ask him to speak with us when they are finished?" Catherine asked still holding the folder in her hands. "Do you need a copy of the POA form?"
"It would be appreciated, it will help assist the doctor in his further treatment of Mr Brown." She took the folder,"I'll make copies and bring this right back,I'll notify the doctor too." The nurse then disappeared behind the Personnel Only door,
"Thank you."Catherine replied to the retreating nurse, realizing that this was going to be a long day,suddenly remembering to call her daughter and her mother.
"Gil, I need to call mom and Lindsey,I'll be back in a few minutes, my battery is running low on my phone,I haven't had time to recharge it since Warrick was arrested." She pulled out her phone and noted the dead symbol on the phone.
"Mine too. Listen, I need to go and get Nick. I'll be right back." He started to leave but hesitated for a few seconds, he then gave her a small hug. He turned and walked down the hallway,no words needed to be spoken.
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
Nick had finished going through the evidence he had collected, all initialed, timed and paperwork finished, he needed to leave.
He looked up and saw the red headed waitress going to her car, carrying a familiar object, his jacket."Hey!" He waved at the woman who had opened the door to her car and was preparing to get in the driver's seat.
She turned when she heard someone calling. Glancing over to see the man whom the jacket belonged. Picking it up out of the passenger seat where she had placed it a few seconds before, she exited the car and walked towards the man who she had watched leave earlier.
"My Jacket." He spoke out loud in recognition, remembering that he had left it earlier when he heard the gunshots.
"Hi, my name is Stephane, I found your wallet in the pocket of your jacket and was going to bring to your home." Her voice was sweet and kind,her inner beauty revealed to the distraught man.
"I guess you know my name then." He felt nervous talking to the red head. He had fallen for her when he first saw her weeks ago,she was beautiful.
"Nicholas Stokes, I looked at your license." She paused as if she were thinking about asking the next question,"Are you feeling better?" The trepidation apparent in how she asked the question,quiet, and unsure if she should even ask such a question who was still a stranger.
"Somebody was shot, I found them." he attempted to explain his earlier actions.
"You didn't know who it was?" Remembering his reaction from earlier, she was for sure that it must have been one of the individuals at the table.
He became suddenly quiet and reached out for the jacket,"Thank You, I appreciate you wanting to return it."
"To be honest I guess I really wanted to meet you. You always seem so quiet and shy around the diner." Smiling and hoping silently that he would ask for her number.
Guilt overwhelmed him,he could not ask her for a date, not today."Maybe another day. Today is not a good day." He turned and walked away.
Stephane watched sadly as the torn man walked back towards the flashing lights.
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSICSI