Hanging by a Moment
- Free Falling
Chapter Three
Author: Jen
Author's Note:
Anyway I've tried where possible to get rid of the confusion though it's still got some way to go before everyone including the writer has the whole picture! Hopefully there is enough here to keep you interested mean time.
Ok enough from me MAJOR ANGSH done in flashback, I have once more only borrowed the characters, please read & enjoy as ever it's the relationships between our main characters that is really the issue. I also covered Sara getting moved from CSI two to three and though Nick did sort of go out at end of last chapter I had a lot to cover with him still in it so this chapter is shared between all characters Nick/Sara/Grissom/Catherine/Warrick & Greg who finely got in & this chapter starts with scene at end of last chapter just from other characters point of view!
Alright way big intro & whether anyone else gets this remains to be seen but there is something in here & I'm no where near done yet!
The hand linked in his added slight pressure for a second his brown eyes closed; his heart beating a little faster as that smaller hand now gently released from his. They were almost there as his gaze took in the women walking by his side.
It was at that moment Sara Sidle's dark starlight eyes lifted love shone in them. It left him free falling. As they came to a stop; the last few yards reached the dark eyes looked once more into his. No words were need spoken between them in that moment.
Before they walked forward entering the room together Sara staying close beside him for a moment more before leaving his side her touch gone. With Sara moving of to her left to where Catherine and Warrick stood; leaving him to face the man who stood directly across from him, who was now looking him direct in the eye:
'Nick my office now and don't be late again'
He swallowed his gaze coming back fully onto Gil Grissom's; uncertainty overtook him in that moment, the colour draining from his face with Grissom now addressing all of them:
'Catherine you take Sara and Warrick on that kidnapping case'
The tone was familiar enough the edge that went along with it though was not; he did not move his colleagues filed out, Sara the last. The only sound left was silence as he looked again at his boss.
Who glared at him before starting to walk; his head bowed he followed keeping his gaze on the tiled floor of the corridor. He still did not look up as they reached the office taking the seat across from Grissom. He waited.
His brown eyes looking only at the desk in front of him; the silence was deafening his gaze lifted to at last look at the man who sat across from him at that desk. He still did not speak the tension in the air grew. His boss who was now looking him again direct in the eye broke the silence:
'Nick'
There gaze remained level; he addressed his boss:
'Grissom'
There was a pause he did not fill it; Gil's voice struck out again:
'There is a lot we need to sort out Nick'
Nodding in answer; he tensed up still not saying anything as Gil once more glared at him:
'I also have a case that needs investigating are you up for it?'
The words took him off guard; finding him self once more unsure of how to take his boss he waited a moment in puzzlement, expecting something further to come but Grissom remained silent.
Keeping his mouth shut; he shrugged his shoulders in response to the question just asked the chiselled features of his supervisor darkened the tone deadly:
'Well are you?'
For a moment fear clutched at him; Gil continued to look his way, he was going to need to start answering him. Diverting his gaze he replied:
'I guess so'
The words had no more than died from his lips as Grissom's voice cut back across to him:
'Right well we're already late and you left us in the dark Nick and one way or the other your going to talk this over are we clear on that.'
The tone left no room for argument; he flinched under the words and the look Gil was currently giving him. Heightened by the fact he now had a case and it would be Grissom that would be overseeing him, feeling dread at that thought he went to speak his boss once more beating him to it the message clear with his words:
'So as I can keep an eye on you Nick'
There gaze locked for a moment; the sharp edge now gone from Grissom's tone as he bowed his head looking again at the desk before slowly bringing his gaze back up nodding once more in answer.
Gil looking him again in the eye; pushed a case file across in front of him. He read it trying to get his CSI mind in gear with little success, Grissom reading his very thoughts spoke the tone informal:
'Do the overview Nicky and we'll take it from their'
It was a statement carrying more weight than the words which had just been said, acknowledging at the same time what was being asked of him; and he was going to need to talk. With Gil leaving him no option on that; something which was hard at the best of times…
From a boss who more often than not at times barely acknowledged his existence; and the underlying fact he had not only kept them in the dark. He had defied Grissom outright in front of the whole team, going way over the line in everyway possible along with it before walking out something which at no time Gil Grissom would take lightly….
His gaze at that came back onto his boss for a moment; before shifting to take in everything that swamped this office. Letting his gaze wander; he tried to impress a grin which still managed to materialise. Grissom picking up on it gave him a glance the words came without thinking as he commented over the small office and all its antiquities:
'You got room in here for anything else Grissom?'
Giving Gil a serious look his boss replied the tone softer than before:
'Loads Nick'
The tension in the air melted; his boss continued to look his way. Unsure of what to say next his gaze buckled. Looking to the case file instead for a moment; his thoughts drifting to Sara and then from her to his late father and with that he looked again at Grissom. Who was now looking at him impatiently there also was what looked like concern; in that gaze as well he ignored it as Gil got to the work at hand:
'I think we've kept Brass waiting long enough Nick'
There gaze met and held nothing was said though; as Grissom stood up he followed suit this time falling into step with him as they stepped out into the corridor, trying to gather his thoughts at the same time.
Aware that he would be the one from now on doing the talking; and that he owed Gil an explanation, which was an understatement. It was what he was going to need in some context to tell him over and above and the fact it was Grissom…..
With that he looked again at Gil with mixed feelings; as his brown eyes shifted looking past Grissom to the room they were passing it was the room they had left earlier and that he had walked into with Sara…..
It was that same room he was in now these months later the sun sharply reflecting of the table in front of him; just it was the end of the shift. A very different shift from what that one had been…
Where Grissom had overseen him every step of the way on that case they had worked on; with them in some respects managing to talk things through. Over the Wilkinson case; and the fact he had walked out. Something which among other things Gil had not forgot about in a hurry…..
With Grissom being the way he always was; and maybe for that reason alone there had been a lot he had not elaborated on when Gil had asked about his father. It had remained unsaid; his boss also picking up on it that there had been more to it than what he had told him.
He had left it be though; acknowledging that if he had wanted to tell him he would have. Plus the fact he had not told Gil in the first place over what had happened in his time off. Something which his boss had made crystal clear was not to happen again no matter what the circumstances and the full force of Grissom's anger which he had all out expected had not come with them in one way or other sorting things out….
…….It had taken time though as his thoughts trailed off slowly coming back to the present as he lifted the steaming cup off coffee from the table in front of him; his gaze coming to rest on the woman who was sitting not far from him on his right his thoughts changing completely at that moment.
Listening in at the same time to Sara and Gil's conversation they were talking about that 100th case of Sara's. There voices sure and quite going over the relevant data they sat at the formal table in this room - this all important place.
The place which was as much a home as it was his work environment with its files, books, coffee machine, microwave and fridge which he could hear the constant drone off; plus that table where all the important decisions were made all evidence talked over and all options off where to go next in any major case were put forward.
It was also where they met as one; as a team one colleague always pointing something out to the other and where his boss Gil Grissom more importantly had the final say.
There also had been many heated arguments over there where his two colleagues now sat, just this common room was not only a serious place it had its lighter moments as well as it was now when they were ending the shift.
He finished his coffee sitting the cup down on the small table; Catherine sat across from him they were situated to the left of the main area in the less formal part the red head to busy with her own work to notice his gaze on her. With that his gaze shifted back to where it had been to Sara….
Sending a smile her way the dark eyes looked into his for a moment there gaze held before slowly parting. As he looked again around him remembering the moments that had all shared here one specifically sprang to mind Lindsey Willows birthday and Catherine's reaction.
He smiled also making a mental note of the paragliding leaflets he was to get tomorrow for Lindsey and the fact that both him self and Sara had the night off his gaze fell back on Sara again at that thought….
The dark eyes came up to meet his again Sara now sending him a full smile, Gil now also turning to look his way not saying anything. With that his gaze once more drifted past them letting them continue; turning again to Catherine who was still looking at a file and then beyond her to the windows that looked out onto the currently busy corridor.
Every few seconds at least one person walked past some going onto start their shift others like what he was just about to be finishing there's and heading for the lockers. He watched seeing live flicker past people going about there duty in this all too busy hectic work place. Someone waved at him on the way past the person slowing down a little looking in on them.
It was Greg his mobile phone in hand; the young lab technician also at the end of his shift and by the look on his face was definitely thinking about other things probably a hot date.
He waved back at the lab technician who smirked giving one last glance his way as Greg moved on down the corridor his pace quickening with no one else apparently having seen the exchange between them.
A smile came to his features; remembering the day when Greg had found him and Sara in the locker rooms. The look on Greg's face with the lab technician being the one to find out first although it had only been a matter off moments after that when someone else also found out…
With that his thoughts shifted again his gaze falling back on looking at the now quieter corridor seeing someone else approach the person was coming in here to join them his pace slowing to enter the room.
It was Warrick and he had been waiting on him his hand gripping the American football which lay on the table, next to the case folder that they both had been working on taking his best aim he sent it hurtling towards his competitor:
'You owe me one big time Warrick'
With ease Warrick caught the football before Nick's aim had the diverse effect and ended up hitting something that it should not have, he grinned at his competitor knowing that the Texan was in all round good mood for breaking the case they had been working on and Nick was rubbing it in as usual as he threw the ball back Catherine looking up at the commotion they were now causing:
'In your dreams Nick'
The Texan once more grinned at him spinning the ball that had been thrown back at him the tone innocent:
'Come on Warrick don't be like that man just because I got it right for once'
Warrick rolled his eyes still not saying anything watching his competitor at play with Catherine watching in amusement the actions of the man across from her Nick spinning the American football with an element of skill waiting on his answer:
'This is your night of Nick'
Nick turned his head nodding in answer his attention no longer on what he had been doing the American football now coming to a swift stop being placed on the table; Sara heading over to Nick grinning at him on the way past.
He quickly replied fully to his competitor:
'Tomorrow night Nick I'll be the one to take the suspect down ok'
They glared at each other Nick sending him a meaningful look the Texan tone light:
'Maybe'
Warrick turned his head Gil had been listening in on them by the look on his face as he now turned back to Nick replying to that:
'No maybe about Nick'
There was no answer the only person that seemed to have heard his reply was Catherine; who rolled her eyes at him Nick's attention now definitely elsewhere and by all accounts oblivious to him the CSI three deep in conversation with Sara.
Who now sat beside the Texan he smiled watching the pair of them before taking the spare seat next to Catherine listening in on the conversation; only Gil was left at the table going over documents:
'You still on for tomorrow Catherine?'
Catherine lifted her head looking at Nick the CSI three's intent serious gaze was upon her while Warrick and Sara were talking over there cases and the double shift they had tomorrow. She smiled at the serious look on Nick's face before replying softly:
'If you are Nick and I'll finely get to see this apartment of yours that I've heard so much about'
They shared a glance Nick smiled looking Sara's way not saying anything else the brown eyes shyly innocent under her gaze:
'Around three will that be ok Nick?'
The CSI three gave her that winning smile:
'Fine with me Catherine'
Nick turning his attention back to the other conversation, for a moment she looked back down at her work before once more looking up at the CSI three across from her glad to see Nick as he was now.
Then to the woman that sat next to him; her own thoughts turning to the changes which this relationship had brought when it had come to light a short time after the day Nick had walked out on them…..
The dynamics of the team changing twice over with that; Nick asking the one question that she herself had been unable to put forward over that relationship between Gil and Sara. With the tension which had hung over them all on that one being played out, the cards laid on the table and her own relationship with Gil had been tighter since…..
The second more profound change following hot on the heels of that; as she watched the couple in front of her, Sara coming out her shell through Nick which had reflected not only onto her live outside the labs but her work as well …..
…..A fact none of them had missed most notably Grissom; and today Sara was getting the merit she deserved becoming a CSI three with it being the sensitive man who sat beside her that had helped make it happen….
With that in mind she watched as Gil made his way over to them the conversation between her other three colleagues stopping all looking at the boss Gil stepping forward pride clearly visible on his face and in his voice handing over Sara's CSI three cards.
His words only commending the scene further; while Nick and Warrick looked seriously on her own eye however was firmly on Nick. Seeing the look in those brown eyes his handsome gaze set on Sara who was smiling after all the undo attention; from both Gil and Warrick the latter of the two adding a joke that Nick was going to have even more competition now.
Nick at that playing along with Warrick's jibe by launching an all out attack back Sara joining in as well; Gil who stood a little apart caught her own eye with a slightly amused look as they shared a glance watching the three younger members of the team fight it out.
Sending him a smile her gaze once more fell back on the CSI three across from her the enthusiasm in Nick's gestures, his strength of character stealing the limelight while the three colleagues continued to bicker between them selves, in comedic fashion.
Grissom trying to now calm them down for once with little success; her own voice cut in at that sharply bringing them all to a halt….
Nick's steady gaze landing on her they looked at each other one colleague to another she acknowledged it in the way she always did; Nick at that moment looking downward the head bowed before looking back up at her the brown warm eyes giving away more than any spoken word…
…. With Sara being the one who had helped Nick overcome his father death and there was an added edge to Nick one that had come only through Sara; more confidence, surer off himself and his abilities bringing added dimension to his work.
One which had made the competition between Warrick and Nick all the hotter and being second in command she had also watched Gil push Nick all the harder for that same reason though the CSI three had remained blissfully unaware of it.
Though it was what she seen now; watching the actions and closeness of both Nick and Sara which had the most profound effect of all. One always there for the other and that they were completely gone on each other she smiled again at the look in Nick's brown reflective eyes.
He was completely head over heals; something that had given him a great deal of ribbing from other colleague's most notably Warrick .Her own gaze at that drifting back across to Gil knowing how much Sara meant to him and although he had more or less given Nick the opposite impression it was apparent to her that deep down he approved of that relationship as well.
For they seemed in her eyes anyway to be two equals that had at last found each other complementing each other strength for strength and when they thought no one had been looking she had seen the look they gave each other and watching the content young man across from her now how having Sara by his side had made all the difference…
'So your going paragliding tomorrow Nick?'
Gil breaking the conversation and her own thoughts; one stray thought remaining though as she looked between the two, the workaholic which was Grissom and the CSI three who tried his best to win his approval. That they had mended the fences after the Wilkinson case but it had not been easy; as Nick now turned to face his boss nodding in answer Warrick also having overheard kicked in his own answer:
'Nick prefers that to roller coasters Gil'
The CSI three sent his competitor a cautious glance:
'Warrick'
The two rivals glared at each other; Grissom in turn giving her a look to speak instead it was Sara who stood up breaking the whole thing up making ready to leave, Nick following suit grinned handing his case file over to Warrick before turning to Gil his Texan accent clear filling the room:
'So I hear you and Catherine took that last case down in style nothing to do with the cockroach though?'
The Texan shifted his gaze between them a grin on the handsome features waiting for a reply; she looked at Gil for the reaction which was sure to come, it did Grissom giving his younger colleague a glare before answering in typical form:
'That we did and do you still want the night of or not Nick?'
Nick's gaze turned to her ignoring the look on Gil's face; Nick trying his best to also hide a grin as Sara dug him in the ribs, Nick at that commenting light-heartedly to Grissom:
'Ok boss maybe the cockroach had a little to do with it I was just going by Catherine here'
The Texan smiled her way she returned it as Gil returned comment to the CSI three:
'Nick'
The hint taken Nick gave them both a look his features turning into a broad smile politely leaving it at that, the end of shift banter thankfully over.
Nick and Sara standing for a moment more talking between themselves; Sara linking hands with Nick as her own gaze returned to Gil's for a long moment they held eye contact before Grissom's gaze moved of her to the couple who were heading for the door…..
With that her gaze followed suit the couple now almost out of her sight but for a split second she was certain Nick's soft brown eyes looked back at them as if in someway knowing but maybe it was the trick of the light or her own eye maybe…..
For it was a day she would end up remembering for all the wrong reasons; a day that would mark the end of an era one that would never come again and though none of them knew it at that moment…..
….It would be the last time they would stand together as they had been, as that team of five. For the following day a light flickered and dimmed. Thought quenched completely and the world that she and her colleagues knew was forever a darker crueller place without it ….
The first light of the rising Nevada sun bathed the room, the light of it capturing the sleeping lean form…..
Sara lay close watching the man next to her the steady rise and fall of that chest, the first light playing of those handsome features, the brown eyes which expressed so much closed in sleep oblivious to her loving gaze….
……Light reflecting of the tanned skin she smiled seeing him twitch then murmur something in sleep. Those sounds which enticed her; his head falling a little closer to her own still deep asleep, though as the light began to filter through stronger than before the rising sun capturing Nicky Stokes in its early rays….
It enthralled her studying his every movement; as she now moved ever so slightly closer, close enough to now hear that heart beat below her. Stretching her arm out across the chest she closed her eyes resting there protectively hearing that slow constant rhythm…..
For a moment letting her self drift; with the love they shared from the first time they had lain like this only strengthening and deepening with what had lain dormant in there friendship now free it encompassed both of them ….
Nick letting her into every inch of his live; finding herself only falling more opening up in a way she never had with anyone before letting Nick walk where no other had, with there only being further understanding between them but that was only a small part of it.
There was a constant thrill in what lay there between them and there relationship only mirrored that gathering at such pace it still left her spellbound how far they had come and how intimately she now knew this man…
…and whenever they looked in each other eyes forever left her heart pounding or in that gentle warm touch and even when they had had there fights the making up afterwards had been even more intense and rewarding.
The depth of love between them only growing; the heights to which they had soared through it only continued to strengthen the unbreakable bond her spirit, heart and soul were one with this man who had given all of himself over to her and who loved her from the very depths of that heart and soul of his….
Instinctively she opened her dark eyes feeling at the same moment the live below her beginning to stir, the heartbeat becoming a little faster with the arm which had been protectively wrapped round her shoulder in sleep slid gently to her waist.
With that she lifted her head slightly as Nick's brown sleepy eyes flickered open looking directly into hers she smiled at that look:
'Good morning sleepy head'
Her tone playful Nick's brown eyes shone at her in return:
'Sara'
Grinning at him she touched the square jaw line before replying:
'Yeah'
The features turned serious on her:
'You always this bright first thing'
Nick giving her a playful look and had she actually thought a little more about those words off Nick's she might have even then coined onto the fact of what was happening within her….
Which was in every way linked with this man beside her; but right at this moment looking into those brown soft pools the comment was taken at face value, her hand circling the bare muscular chest before replying teasingly:
'For a night off Nick you sure know how to make the most off it'
Arching her eyebrow at him the brown eyes sent her a burning look Nick's gentle hand came up to hers; there fingertips touching first then interlinking the touch itself magnetic her smaller hand encircled within Nick's…..
Sending him a mischievous smile at that there gaze again met; Nick's features turning innocent the hand in hers at that moment gave a gentle squeeze his tone serious in answer to her:
'By sleeping'
His brown eyes rested tenderly on Sara Sidle.
The small hand linked in his tightened its grip in answer; to the words just spoken between them.
With the early morning rays from the sun filtering through onto them; for the moment though he was too taken with the woman who lay beside him to notice the increasing light of day…..
Sara now lifting her head a little the brunette shoulder; length hair cascading further forward onto his chest with that movement. The dark fiery eyes alight; her fine features tucking up into that full smile.
There was a hint of mischief also playing in that gaze which was directed at him as Sara with pin point accuracy dug him hard in the ribs with her free hand causing him to groan:
'Nicky'
His heart gave a pull; the hand linked in his released coming to his shoulder, Sara drawing him over with her he gazed deep into those dark eyes:
'Sara'
Her name was no more than a whisper; as she continued to look up into those brown warm eyes of the man whose arms she was now protectively cradled in. Her hand which gripped Nick's shoulder fell, her gaze getting lost in those brown depths as she traced the strong forearm…..
…..The dark eyes sparkled; Sara's hand coming back up to his shoulder, slowly touching the silky cream skin he reached out following the gentle contours of Sara's slim form before coming to rest at her hip.
He smiled, Sara's look becoming even more mischievous as they drew into a kiss. There lips lightly touching at first for a moment keeping it that way; then they surrendered to each other Nick bringing her close, the kiss deepening in intensity sealing the love between them in that moment….
Before they slowly withdrew; Nick's brown eyes coming to once more look into hers she blushed under that gaze hitting him with one last comment:
'I don't think sleeping quite covers it Nick'
Receiving a quizzical look in return the hand which lightly rested on her hip came up to her cheek barely touching it:
'You're the most gorgeous thing I ever laid eyes on Sara'
The tone itself went straight to her heart; she looked up into those brown innocent pools and that all too serious gaze the love shining there and what always overcame her in these moments. It left her in awe for this man to be hers in this way as she quietly teased him back:
'You're not to bad looking yourself Stokes'
Sending him a wicked smile she leaned in giving Nick a quick kiss, her thoughts changing to the day ahead:
'Double shift Nick'
They both turned at the same moment to look at the clock; smiling he turned back first bringing Sara closer to him:
'Which means you and Warrick are spending the day in the labs if I'm not mistaken Sidle.'
They kissed again at that, Sara giving him a comical look:
'Something like that Nick'
The dark eyes glinted into his waiting on his next comment:
'Let me guess you don't want to be late for work?'
Shaking her head in answer she leaned in kissing Nick hard:
'Must be your bad influence'
Receiving a hurt look she ceased the moment touching the jaw line her tone soft:
'Double shift or not Nick who said anything about being late?'
The gentle features turned serious the dark starlight eyes shone brightly into his, Sara arching her eyebrow at him. For a moment they stayed as such not saying anything the look enough; then the hand dropped from his jaw….
Sara giving him that smile; returning the same one he gave those dark eyes one last glance before he leaned in tenderly kissing Sara, her arms wrapping round his neck bringing him even closer ….
Instinct taking over between them; the kiss growing in magnitude as he looked once more into those dark eyes as he followed Sara's every contour….
His touch ever gentle upon her; kissing between the full breasts, then brushing the nipples which gathered and stiffened under his touch, before he came up to look again into those dark pools kissing Sara's soft lips in that same moment…
….For a second her dark eyes closed as they once more kissed; Nick gliding over her as the intimacy grew in the rhythmical collision of there flesh. Pleasure engulfing every part of her…..
The brown soft pools came to once more look into hers; gently her fingers traced his lean form knowing every crevice and groove of that slightly rough skin as she lost herself there in those chasms……
…….A cry escaped from her lips; they were free falling in this chasm of there own making and with that touch that belonged only to him, there lips once brushed each other…..
The rising Nevada sun hit the mountains…..
Light cut across the bedroom the beams becoming brighter with each passing moment as they once more kissed; Nick lying back as her hand which lay on the bare chest followed the movement…..
Her arm stretching back out across the muscular chest to lie again in that crevice her head resting at Nick's shoulder blade; they lay peacefully studying each other Nick's finger's gently running through her hair, as the light grew steadily stronger….
The dark eyes looked brightly into his stifling a grin at Sara; his gaze moved off her taking in the sunlight which was bathing them as his gaze came back to where it had been. Slowly trying not to disturb Sara to much he rose, kissing her shoulder before discarding the sheets….
Turning with the slight touch of the shoulder; she lay where she was taking in the lean frame as Nick began to dress, acting at the same time on that earlier comment of his:
'Do you tell every woman that?'
She smiled the head looked up; the gaze innocent a smile coming to the strong features:
'No just one in particular'
Continuing to look his way she propped herself up into sitting position wrapping the bed sheets around her; she smiled wickedly as Nick half dressed leaned on the edge of the bed planting a kiss on her forehead. Keeping herself poised in position, her hand tucked into the top of the combat trousers she looked up enquiringly:
'So how does it feel being a CSI three Sara?'
His lean frame now coming down to her height; the strong hand linking with hers gave a gentle squeeze the brown eyes shone gently into hers as her free hand lingered on the jaw line before answering:
'Just the same as being a CSI two just you no longer out rank me partner'
The hand on his jaw moved the dark eyes were mirages of love as he leaned in kissing Sara hard; as her fingers came up to purposefully run through his hair ruffling it as she did so. Smiling at her he slowly withdrew clearing his throat; unable to resist one last comment:
'Yea but I don't get that treatment from any other CSI three'
Rolling her eyes at him; she tried her best to hide a smile also grabbing the nearest pillow making ready to threateningly launch it at him. That smile of his now there in all its glory as Nick winked at her and left the room….
Nicky Stokes stood at the kitchen counter; light was just starting to hit of the coffee table; the rucksack with his paragliding gear sat ready next to the couch. Sara making her way through glanced at it then grinned his way.
The cup which he held in his hand stopped in mid motion his gaze drank her in; Sara ready for work was dressed in Levi jeans and a deep red crop top. The jeans snug on her trim form, the top casual but elegant revealed a little of her cleavage the deep red making the fire in those dark eyes all the more visible…
With her creamy skin illuminated by what she wore; she looked radiant in every sense of the word and was now giving him a look to match. Sara now moving from there over to him grabbing a cup of coffee as she did so….
Sending Nick a wink she lifted the coffee moving from the kitchen counter over to the large window; her gaze taking in Las Vegas which was basking in the early morning sun stretching for miles in either direction from this vantage point before her gaze shifted of the suburban sprawl before her.
To look at the crystal clear horizon; the mountains and the deep blue sky where cumulous clouds stood out tinged in the early morning light; they would make good paragliding. Her gaze drifting back onto the distant mountains and peaks; which could be seen from here her thoughts turning to Nick…..
As she continued to look at the mountains before slowly turning back to face Nick; finishing the coffee at that moment she moved swiftly from the window back over to the counter. Before once more looking Nick's way the brown eyes danced at her. Sensing that something was on his mind she gave him a direct look.
Sara's dark eyes penetrated his; giving her a lopsided grin in response and though Sara was unable to, he could not help but ask:
'You sure you don't want to come?'
Rolling her eyes and knowing how much it meant to him; she played on the serious look she was getting:
'What and cramp your style Nick'
A smile broke across his features; Sara's starlight eyes flared at him as she now tilted her head giving him a meaningful look. His heart missed a beat….
For a moment more he stood there mesmerized unable to tear himself away from that gaze. Then in one sure movement the pace between them gone; he gently wrapped his arm's protectively round Sara's slender waist drawing her close….
Her heart leapt in the embrace as Nick drew her close. Heat from his muscular form engulfing her slowly her hands came down to entwine with Nick's her dark eyes closed; his head now resting at her shoulder and for a moment they stood as such enjoying the contact of it before she turned to look into those brown soft pools….
Seeing the amused look on those handsome features she gave him a full smile; Nick kissing the nape of her neck in answer to that before slowly reaching away for his jacket, making ready to leave…..
Letting him go her gaze followed the quickness and sureness of those steady movements of his; the brown warm eyes looked her way again and what was there in there relationship shone there in those brown pools; her heart raced smiling back.
As she gazed admiringly his way taking in the normal casual wear accustomed to him; light coloured combat trousers, a blue v-neck sweater that showed a little of the tanned chest below and his fawn jerkin jacket covering his physic.
Light reflecting for a moment of the face of the black watch into her own eye; as one strong muscular arm reached for the rucksack Nick lifting it with ease standing up to his full height shifted a smile her way.
His athletic form reaching the door before turning back to face her; they shared a look. The brown eyes giving her that intense gaze but it was the words that were spoken at that moment that would be etched in her memory and heart for years to come the Texan voice full of love the words coming straight from that heart of his:
'You complete me Sara'
The tone itself serious but soft; Nick standing at the door looking every bit the man he was the light capturing his energetic frame, the confidence in his stance, the brown short hair setting of the handsome serious features, the light shining in those intense brown eyes that were looking into hers. The love in them was immeasurable it sent her into free fall….
As Nick turned leaving her hanging by a moment; with that she jumped to live bounding out into the hallway catching him up, reflexively grabbing the collar of the jacket as she did so her tone gentle:
'Plus you're the only man who can put up with my singing'
There gaze met; that smile crossed his features before falling into a lopsided grin the brown eyes reflecting of hers the gentle hand coming up to caress her cheek; she trembled under the touch. It held intimacy like no other; as they continued to gaze in each other eyes….
Then Nick slowly leaned in kissing her full on the lips; she fell into him responding to the tenderness of his touch. Nick bringing her even closer his arms protectively coming round her waist pulling her tight into him, the intensity of it overwhelmed her as the kiss slowly ended leaving her breathless.
Nick grinning her way holding the embrace for a moment more gave her a shy look:
'But you would not want it any other way'
The brown eyes were deep wells of love as she smiled back her hand touching the blue soft cotton of the sweater:
'Stokes'
Sharing a grin his hand linked with hers; the brown innocent eyes coming to look once more into hers as they affectionately disengaged; Nick giving her just enough time to plant a kiss of his forehead…….
Her hand gently releasing from his strong one; the brown warm eyes staying on her for a moment as her gaze followed his energetic pace. With Nick reaching the end of the hallway swivelled back round to face her; she sent him a smile as he done so the rich soft Texan accent rang out:
'See you at work Sara'
It would be his last words to her neither of them expecting it would never come to pass; that Nick would never make it and if she had known what lay ahead on this day, she would have never let this vulnerable strong man who had light up her entire live out of her sight…..
…..Nick standing there for a moment more; the brown intense pools giving a gaze that eclipsed her heart where she could see right into the very depths of that soul of his and though nothing was said between them. She always wondered what was going through his head at that moment….
Then the brown eyes dropped there gaze; his athletic form moving with the vigour and live that was so much part of him as Nick turned falling out of her line of vision. It was the last time she would see him….
Greg stood looking in through the glass the meeting in there was yet to start. It had been twenty-four hours since the first word had hit that Nick Stokes was missing the news itself passing through the labs at such pace sending a shock wave throughout along with it.
At first he had refused to believe what he was hearing that something like this could happen to a colleague but as the hours passed and the fact the evidence was running its way through the labs to be analysed the reality had sunk in…
He looked at the slim A4 folder in his hand and the name on it. It was not the first time Nicky Stokes DNA and details had passed through the labs for all the wrong reasons then Nick had been the prime suspect now he was the victim; and as the lab technician his work had been to confirm in black and white what the team which was left already knew.
The finger prints and blood had all been his colleagues, the only evidence there was and this folder held all the data on that, it was like a death certificate and he had been the one to sign it. Science in the end only giving one answer that Nick was dead and Greg no matter how hard he tried could not accept that fact….
….and this folder which he currently held was more for it held all the relevant data; the sum of those parts the blue print and genetics behind that live, and it was now you seen just how much that one live touched others….
Plus if it was not himself standing here but someone else then that person would have been rather taken aback, surprised and overcome by the amount of emotion being shown by colleagues…
With that his finger tapped the thin folder it seemed little these sheets of black and white paper; for the person whose details it carried, his gaze shifted to the seats to the right of where Gil, Catherine, Warrick and Sara were currently sitting.
That was the last place that he had seen Nick and all he had simply done was wave. With his last words to Nick being a short time before that which had also been given to Warrick telling them both to get out his lab, the Texan had leaving in his usual fashion.
He shook his head feeling anger at himself that his words had not been better for Nick of all that team had always been the easiest to talk to about anything with the Texan by nature being easy going but serious and well liked throughout the labs. Someone who least deserved this fate it made his blood run cold even at the thought of what had befallen his colleague….
With that his gaze fell on Sara and the look in her eyes. His own thoughts went back to a very different day from this and even now it brought a smile to his face remembering what he had walked in on:
It had been the end of his shift and he had rushed into the quiet locker rooms more interested in getting home than anything else at that point. However he came to an abrupt halt his frantic pace ceased when he came upon Nick and Sara in the locker rooms they were the only two people there and they clearly had not heard him come in.
His own eye taking a moment to register just what he was seeing his mind then raced trying to figure out when all this had happened and why the heck he had not heard about it.
The only thing he did know about was the Wilkinson case and the mood Nick had been in over that case, it had been worse than Grissom on a bad day and that was saying something. With Nick showing a side that Greg did not want to see again in a hurry and worried though he had been he knew he would find out sooner or later what had been up with the CSI three.
However this was two days later and something had definitely happened of the different sort. He stood a moment longer realising they were still completely oblivious to the fact he was there and like a school kid that had just caught the seniors doing something they were not meant to be doing he cleared his throat loudly.
Thad did draw there attention as Sara turned round Nick's serious gaze falling on him, nothing was said for a moment the couple holding hands in front of him smiling at one another and like him not altogether sure what to say either, as Sara finely broke the ice:
'Greg'
With that he quickly replied his tone innocent:
'Sara'
Then smiling he glanced at the man at her side emphasising the point as he spoke:
'Nick'
The silence descended again with them not going beyond the formalities of each others names plus going by the looks the couple were now shifting each other. He had obviously been the first to find out as he spoke again acting on that, something he would instantly regret for it happened every time:
'So Gil does not know about you two yet?'
He had not even finished the sentence when he registered the fact Nick and Sara were no longer looking at him and someone behind him replied:
'I do now Greg'
With that his gaze fell on Gil who was standing beside him. Gil giving him that gaze that always made him nervous and along with it he sensed Sara and Nick giving him the same look it was one of those moments when he wished the ground would just swallow him up on the spot.
Feeling out numbered and out of his depth he gave them his best smile and at last spoke:
'I guess I should leave'
Gil nodded still giving him that same glance and with that he looked quickly at Nick and Sara sending a smile there way as he headed back towards the door that he had not many minutes before rushed in no longer in quite such a hurry to get home.
It was at that moment someone else also walked in, the timing even better than his own had been as he found himself getting a puzzled ice glare:
'Hi Greg I thought your shift was finished'
It was Catherine he smiled looking over Gil's way, Catherine picking up on it:
'Something happen I should know about?'
This time he grinned at her his tone deliberately coy:
'Maybe you had better ask Nick and Sara'
Before anything else could be said and knowing what Catherine was like with him he took flight back into the labs deciding not to hang around to watch whatever happened next knowing he would hear soon enough …
…That was six months ago and though he could not help be a little jealous of Nick it was apparent how they felt for each other and seeing them as a couple he was surprised it had took them so long to get together as it had done.
For being opposites in one sense they were a lot alike in other ways and they had become a welcome sight in the dark surroundings of these labs; where what they shared brought a little light into these non-descript corridors, that dealt so much with the darkness of live and the fact he had never let either of them live it down that he had been the one to catch them together.
With that his smile faded looking at the sadness, fire and pain in Sara's gaze. However there was something else in those dark eyes which shone there, it out weighed everything else it was the love for the man that had not only been her colleague and friend but had been so much more and he could only begin to contemplate what Sara was going through.
Just it was the whole team not just Sara that was suffering as his gaze now moved round them Warrick the element of cool to this team, was no longer far from it at this moment by the impatient gaze he was shifting Gil's way mixed with the look of emotion and frustration on his features that went along with it.
It spoke volumes as his gaze shifted to Catherine who sat alone the seat empty next to her the blue eyes had a heart broken look. She had been the first on that crime scene and though he knew Catherine had plenty of experience on the field; that scene had none the less shook the usually controlled CSI she was and with working so many cases with both Catherine and Nick he was all to aware how much that Texan meant to her.
With that his gaze fell on the man in charge looking at Gil; it was the first time the lab technician had seen him like this. Emotion was there something Gil hardly ever showed and Greg was sure if they ever found the person responsible for this he knew by the look in Grissom's eyes that there would be hell to pay for this some day…
Slowly he ran his finger along the binding of this folder, thinking of the man that was not here he had been like a brother to him in a way a big brother that he had never had and the team in there had been struck at the very heart, by an unseen enemy that had not only taken Nick but had taken a whole team down with him and they were giving up when a live depended on them now more than ever and he could not let that happen….
… Even when the evidence and information gathered was giving them no hope that death had by science been the victor only underlined by the fact this was the critical twenty four hours when the chances had all but diminished of finding Nick alive.
However Greg's gut instincts were telling him otherwise and though he had little experience out on the field something was telling him that for a hit; there was easier ways than what had been carried out. If the person responsible had wanted Nick Stokes dead and for that reason it gave him hope yet that Nick might still be alive. Although he was not sure who else would believe him on that one.
The one thing he did know for certain though and Gil had been adamant on was that Nick had known his attacker. On that judgement he himself thought there was a small chance they might as well but Gil had already been down that route and come up with nothing…
He was not going to be discouraged though. His gut instincts were to strong to ignore and like Nick he did not believe in all of Grissom's theories and considering Gil still had to come up with one for this case Greg was going to add his own input.
Lab technician though he was he knew science did not hold all the answers plus this was a colleague and friends live that was hanging in the balance. His field of work giving the wrong answer, one he did not believe to be correct and he wanted to do everything in his power to help find Nick with renewed will; he glanced one last time at the folder in his hand before heading towards the door to enter that all important room.
A room which usually was a hive of activity but right now it was completely still and sombre as Greg closed the door quietly behind him you could hear a pin drop it was that deathly silent. The mood which hung over those colleagues before him filled the air as he moved forward his gaze fell to the table.
Looking at the evidence and information that was scattered across it his eye drawn to one thing. The one thing which had been on the victim lay there only Sara's gaze was on it, Nick's watch was there in a sealed packet and compared to everyone else Greg took it as a sign a good sign…
Slowly he made his way forward; it would be the moment when he would go from CSI wannabe to becoming a serious CSI and those gut instincts would stand him in good stead. Though it would be years before any of those thoughts would be proved right one way or the other…
He took the spare seat all eyes were on him; the silence only seemed to intensify as he drew up beside Catherine nothing was said. Gil giving him that gaze making him all the more nervous and he knew his slight resemblance was not helping either, but they were giving up it was written on all there faces and the person who was not here would have never done that.
Putting his own folder on the table he lifted the sealed packet looking at the watch concealed safely inside it. His gaze rested on the cracked face and the time on the aluminous dials, his thought going back over these last hours….
They had been clutching at straws from the onset, finding nothing to go on making no major break and they had found no trace of Nick dead or alive and that he was essentially still missing …
…Missing but more than likely to be dead.
Greg watched the second hand of the watch ticking away. Live slipping past in his own hand as he gazed at it; knowing there was only a slim chance the owner of this watch was still alive but he knew Nick.
The CSI he had been determination, humanity and will being Nick Stokes hallmark. Nick being someone who did not give up when the odds were all out against him and Nick would not have went down without a fight that the Texan would have clung onto live when no one else would….
….Making the watch which he was looking at all the more significant it had not stopped.
It was still keeping perfect time and Greg superstitious though he could be. Thought there was something in that for the watch was a possession directly linked to the person that wore it and with as much certainty in his tone as he could muster his voice loud and upbeat he spoke his mind glancing first at Sara and then Gil:
'Nick's alive'
He pushed the watch back onto the middle of the table his words had an immediate effect as Sara lifted her head as if agreeing with him both Catherine and Warrick gave him a glare and though no one said anything he felt the change in them as his gaze fell back on Gil's steal glare the look implying that he wanted to know what he was basing that judgement on and enthusiastically he replied:
'The watch Gil'
They glared at each other again as Gil at last spoke starting the meeting, Greg listened hoping that his gut instincts were correct and that this missing person was still alive…..
The haunting fierce cry filled the rocky Nevada valley another piercing cry answered it, Nicky Stokes looked up from his watch his gaze fell on a pair of golden eagles which had distracted him he watched them as they soared a little higher, the cool breeze lifting them they entranced him with there beauty and power soaring over these ancient mountains that were there home.
For a moment his gaze diverted back to his watch it was early morning yet, the sun starting to climb a little higher illuminating the Sheep Range of mountains before him the leaflets for Lindsey he had already collected; leaflets which he knew would please a girl that took after her resourceful mother, with that now done the morning was his own as he looked out over the mountains where those eagles soared over the landscape.
Something else flicker in his line of vision catching his eye, his gaze moved with it a little further down air borne and looking a little out of place compared to those eagles. The bright red canopy of the paraglider who he had just spoken to fifteen minutes earlier….
Someone who bore no real significance to him Drew Tanner a guy in his mid-twenties who he just happened to have met and who like him happened to have a love for paragliding and was a native of Las Vegas. Someone who would later on this same day also speak to his boss….
His gaze once more moved drifting back onto the pair of golden eagles now circling one another, one of them diving lower towards those mountain peaks a smile crossed his features.
He could not have picked a better mid-November morning it was cool but the sky with its cumulus clouds which were slowly drifting across the sky would make perfect paragliding.
The mountains which stretched out before him looked distant outlined against the blue, mountains which defined not only this part of Nevada but ran a line right up through the states to the big sky country of Montana and beyond.
Breathing the sharp clear air in his gaze shifted round the rugged shrub less landscape in front of him; he was miles from the fast paced, chaos of Las Vegas, his work and Sara which lay to the south of where he was now…..
His brown eyes shifted again looking further to the west out beyond those mountains was California and the Pacific Ocean and with that he swung his head round to face the chasm below him. Looking to his east; and out there beyond the range in front of him was the tranquillity off Lake Mead, with Arizona and the Grand Canyon beyond that and further east still lay Texas…..
The lone star state where he had grown up where the land so very different from this; with its lakes and green foothills that he had looked out onto as a boy and cowboy country that Dallas and the state of Texas had as its foundations.
His thoughts turned reflective it was where he had grown up; but Nevada with its diamond deserts and mountains which were altogether different and though for his years he had not been far travelled, apart from the lone star state and Nevada he had seen little of the continent that was his homeland….
The lure though had always been there with his by the book parents; who had along with the law and justice which had been the back bone of his up bringing made sure each of them by heart knew the history and geography of each state.
It had been drummed into him and the maps in his fathers study showing the vast Americas had only intrigued and sparked an enthusiastic youngster who knew nothing different from the sheltered, hard working, traditional Texas way of live…
….Neither of his parents once expecting there youngest son would one day uproot and leave the home state of Texas to see beyond the horizon of the foothills which surrounded Dallas which he had spent most of his live looking out onto…
To make his own roots and to at least see a little of this land with his own eye, his footsteps leading him here to Nevada to Sin City and these mountains….
The mountains drawing him in much the same way he was drawn to the stars and to Sara. There was something about the ancient history which surrounded them that man did not rule here only the land and the elements did and where you were as near the heavens as you could get…
…And in times of trouble the mountains were where he had come to gain perspective and reflect finding peace when inner torment had threatened to overwhelm him and where you were but a spec in this vast open frontier….
His hand touched the earth below him, his features clouding for a moment he had come here often after Kristy even more so after Nigel Crane and his thoughts now drifted to his late father remembering him as he had been for a moment feeling the loss which had been raw some months before.
As an old memory returned his gaze shifting to his Para-gliding gear and without realizing it he also touched the ring on his finger feeling the cool metal. He had always had a head for heights and what he was going to be doing today was the extreme of that….
At the age of six though and dared by his sister five years older than him; his closest playmate at that time. He had climbed to the highest branch of the Red Oak tree which curtailed there backyard, doing it in style reaching the top before coming back down to earth with a thud and with one proper war wound for it.
Which had taken his father away from his work and one Matthew Garrett who at that time had been a close ally of his father and had remained as such, with his father coming to see what the outcome of his exploits had been; and apart from a bruised ego, some scratches and that he had managed to fracture his right wrist in the fall, which had not went down well.
With his sister getting into a proper scrape over letting it happen; it had in the end though only encouraged him to seek further heights, landing him in only more trouble and the fact he could never keep his feet on the ground or out of mischief with his sisters continuously running after him in one way or the other during that time.
Grinning at the memory his thoughts shifting of his father and his early childhood memories looking at the pair of golden eagles; something else which had always intrigued him he studied them for a moment. Knowing there significance it was there to the naked eye emblems of power and courage and always had been since ancient times and they mystified him completely.
Watching the pair at play, the sun higher now the Para-glider he had been watching earlier was now out of his sight. Once more one of those eagles gave a cry it filled the chasm in front of him calling on its mate who now swept below it and in the light there vast wing span became clearer as they became silhouetted next to the sun gliding free over this defiant land.
His thoughts turned inwards his gaze staying on the pair of golden eagles high above; thinking of Sara his heart missing a beat remembering the words spoken between them this morning, her gentle features carved in the light and the look in those dark starlight eyes just before he had turned to leave it had left him falling…
The love shining there; with the fragility and spirit within Sara encircling him illuminating his heart and soul and the love they had shared from the first time he had taken Sara into his arms lay beyond him. The unspoken instinct forging itself with Las Vegas answering to there beckoned call…..
Sara opening her heart and soul to him; the love there taking him to new heights and he could not get enough it enriched his live in everyway possible, her very touch upon him sent his heart free….
With that his gaze landed once more on his gear and though she did not quite share his love of heights, Sara had been a quick enough learner when it had come to the paragliding; the look in those dark eyes seeing them light up the delight across her features showing her the ropes and that penetrating gaze as he had told her the basics of this sport which he had been introduced to after one certain case.
Sara being a born natural; getting the same thrill as he did and anytime they came together they were always teasing each other, challenging themselves and more often than not giving themselves a long hike back through the wilderness to the tahoe.
It gave inner joy to him and the way she sometimes tossed that brunette head of hair, the sparkle in those eyes combined with that energy and curiosity of hers it perplexed him and the occasional ribbing Sara gave him for being the party animal he could be at times….
And all Sara had been through in her own live his heart ached all the more knowing the pain caused by a father who had mistreated Sara and her mother but she had still none the less loved.
The look across her gentle features; Sara's dark eyes alight but tear filled as she had told him, all the while he had tenderly held her close hushing her shouldering the pain. To be there for her in that way, to share all those things not only with what had gone before in her live but in everything else as well…
With no words required between them; just a glance into those dark intelligent eyes enough and in those moments it brought a smile to his own features and the fact Sara never ceased to surprise him….
The bond only deepening between them binding them closer; they were as one and where ever else that lead it would forever fulfil him and whenever he looked into Sara's dark starlight eyes only strengthened that it was like nothing else on this earth.
Sara completed him in every way possible; he closed his eyes for a second remembering the first time he had asked her up to dance not long after they had got together…..
……Quietly teasing her at the same time about not getting out enough and that he was not going to take no for an answer. Sara teasing him right back and linking his hand with hers the dark eyes looking deep into his he had taken her up to dance to an old western tune it had been like poetry, each movement as one …..
It unbound him and whenever Sara sang his heart ached. It was like coming home to a home he had never been to before; his dawn light and evening star, his beating heart was one with hers and he would be forever free falling with Sara like those eagles above who soared and glided over these mountains….
With that his gaze shifted again looking over the rocky windswept landscape he smiled he felt settled here in this land lifting his head; he closed his eyes feeling the heat of the sun on his face and the cool breeze go through his hair….
It was here in Nevada in these mountains that his call had been answered finding what he had been searching for all his live. He felt at peace here something that he had not felt in a long time and the feeling he belonged here…
Under these skies looking out onto these mountains which drew him like the endless stars in the evening sky and that his live was here with Sara, Las Vegas now as familiar to him as the eastern side of Dallas where he had grown up.
With his work bringing the challenge and justice he had always sought and a little more Sara completing that circle; in all his live he had never been more content than he was now ….
His brown eyes flickered open looking back out over the golden landscape below him his gaze searching for those eagles but they were now out his sight. With that his hand reached for the helmet and the rest of his gear he jumped agilely to his feet.
Standing for a moment more he drew in all that was around him. The blue of the horizon where sky met mountain; the occasional sound telling him he was not totally alone out here in this wilderness.
Grass growing sparsely where the little thin soil in these craggy surroundings allowed it, the breeze the only other sound as it skirted over the earth. At his feet a stray piece of tumble weed flew past him his eye followed it as it lifted of gently being carried through the air, the breeze now catching it as it gathered speed to land in some other spot far from here…
With that he buckled up turning round the purple canopy already spread out before him on this incline carefully he put on the helmet. Taking a clear breath he readied himself looking from this precipice seeing a few pinion pines clinging to the bare rocks further down the progressive slope.
Giving him self one last quick check the purple canopy began to lift; his thought turned inwards for a moment it was like nothing else the feeling of taking of stepping out into nothing….
Almost all and he thought again of Sara a grin coming to his features. The canopy flared above him he stepped out skill fully; hanging by a moment for a second then he took flight. Gliding out then he was free falling giving a whoop of joy his cry rang out echoing off the mountains….
Way out in the distance a lone golden eagle glided over the barren desolate mountain landscape; its sharp eye taking in the Nevada land before sweeping lower to those rocky crags giving a long fierce echoing cry as it searched for its mate…..
Thousands are reported missing each year throughout the United States -
In Las Vegas 5 – 7 Adults are reported missing each day;
And more than 200 reported missing each month.
Most turn up either alive or deceased within the 24 – 72 hour time frame from the time reported missing. Some don't…..
Nicky Stokes was in that category.
The dark office was silent behind him the clock ticked slowly his gaze landed on this all important document which lay on his desk. A document given to him on the opening of this case; a case which was now days old …
It held all the key information on an individuals live. When and where they were born, there social security number, there education, employment history, health status and all other relevant data. Nothing was missing from here. It was a permanent record for every year of that individual's live…..
There achievements all they had done; what had moulded them and what had also impacted there live was written between the lines of this official private and confidential document. It gave insight - sharp insight.
Gil Grissom laid the palm of his hand on the file looking at the name written in bold black type Nicholas Stokes. This was the documentation of his live and it reflected all the Texan had been….
Reinforcing along with it two facts; which to all that had known him had always been there along with that will and determination of his the CSI three had been strong more so than he had ever let on and crucially on all counts he had been a fighter…
His gaze shifted at that thought looking at the blank file which had Nicky Stokes written in red it was the missing person file. Beside it sat evidence; the work of Ecklie's team, photos from the crime scene, Nick's watch, the information they had gathered since and the data Greg had run off.
All these documents would be amalgamated. As it was now this was an open case. An open case with more questions than answers; a puzzle in which they, the team left held next to none of the pieces…
With a crime scene which gave nothing with nothing unusual leading up to it; a motiveless attack which had happened no later than noon and that they could only ascertain as being a hit on an innocent who had been more innocent than most. The victim being well liked and popular it went with his name. Few enemies with suspects for that reason alone being few and far between….
Making it all the harder with no one having any reason to harm the CSI three who had done no wrong to anyone and anyone who had ever meant him any harm was safely behind bars Nigel Crane for one.
Every aspect of there colleagues live being delved into, bringing only more pain for those closest to him. Each derogative covered from all angles - they had missed nothing; the alternates having been checked and re-checked…..
With one thing a coincidence as such; but one which was to significant to overlook taking them back to the victims past his grass roots to Dallas and his family…
….That only six short months after the death of his father; who had been a high status district attorney on the Texas Supreme Courts, Nicky Stokes his youngest son was now missing.
Presumed to be dead; with evidence and science giving them nothing to disprove that and this link his only lead could mean everything or nothing…..
It was at that moment someone's warm touch halted Gil's thoughts, the touch was upon the hand which was still firmly placed over the file he looked up into a blue set of oceanic eyes what shone in them was what he himself felt as he now gripped that slender hand in his.
Linking them as he did so neither of them spoke; there hands now entwined over the file, his gaze shifted to the watch as it lay with all the other evidence then back to Catherine Willows.
The blue eyes gave him a look then like his followed to the name on the file; there colleagues name as there gaze once more met at that, the hand in his adding pressure at that moment he responded with that simple touch clasping Catherine's hand all the tighter.
His glance falling back on the strong women across from him; seeking refuge in her steady gaze; the blue eyes that had always held him firm and were now completely drawing him the heart ache he seen there and what they both knew the reality of which was now hitting home.
They had lost one of there own. The team left pushing itself to breaking point and beyond for him and they had not succeeded. They had failed him and the words that Greg had spoken hours ago, the hope he had given was now all but gone…..
'It's not him'
The tone gave away more than the words; Warrick Brown stood next to Gil Grissom the darkness was beginning to descend the rain which had been drizzle turned heavier at that moment. He did not move though, he forced his gaze downwards for a second looking at the features frozen in death.
A shudder went through him his gaze quickly moving elsewhere; to the lights of inner city Las Vegas which could be seen from here they flickered brightly through the rain and the darkness which was spreading onto this desolate, isolated area of what had once been the forefront of Vegas.
It was now the youth of today's playground the tainted earth and grassy turf showing the relics of that bygone era as his gaze swept back to the body which lay in the undergrowth concealed; was the victim of some other crime as the cop once more covered the still form.
He shivered his gaze unable to move from the covered form; and the raw fear which had clutched at him all the way here began to lift. It was not Nick Stokes body lying here in this forlorn spot. His gaze moved he drew in a breath, the rain continued to lash down.
Before he slowly turned to look to the man who stood beside him there gaze met; no words were need spoken between them at that moment. For this was the one thing they had dreaded more than anything for it had been the one thing, which they had all known was inevitable a body turning up….
His thoughts diverted at that his gaze remained where it was seeing what also shone in Gil Grissom eyes something which they were both aware off; that they had been lucky this time this might all happen again tomorrow and the next time they might not be so lucky the next time it could be Nick….
With that he once more looked at those lights of Las Vegas which stood out barbarically proud and strong in the distance trying to find some shred of hope. Yet there was none; with his colleague the man who had not only been his friend and fiercest competitor, Nick had been someone he had looked upon as a brother, a younger brother and that he could now be nothing or than dead…..
……..And it was the one thing which he was unwilling to accept and more to the point never would as his gaze stayed on the twinkling lights of the city; registering at that same moment Gil's voice and his words as he spoke now on the mobile phone the rain slackening a little the words were sharp and clear.
With Grissom passing this vital information on information that would go to Dallas; to the investigation opened there and to Nick's family but right now. It was to Catherine and to the woman who was staying with her, something which at any other time would have been unthinkable but circumstances had seen to that…..
His colleague being left with no option no one wanting her to be alone; during this time for she was the person going through the most, for she had been the individual closest to Nick Stokes – Sara Sidle.
The locker room was peaceful; only the occasional sound was heard of someone passing in the corridor outside Sara Sidle's dark starlight gaze fell on the empty locker. It had been Nick's locker and it had remained empty out of respect and because no one had the heart to give it to someone else or a new CSI someone who had not known Nicky Stokes….
A tear slid freely down her cheek at that thought; she did not stop it her hand falling to just below her stomach feeling the live growing there. This little live suffering the pain and turmoil which ran through her….
After that day of days three months ago and it was here in the locker room that Gil had broken the news to begin with; here where he himself had found out about them along with Greg and Catherine and it was here her world had fell apart.
The physical loss alone tearing her apart; the emotional pain wrenching her in those hours which followed where the hope of finding the man she loved with all her heart and soul alive steadily faded. Finding her self alone in a way she never had been before where the sun still rose and fell but Nick was no longer there…….
Her dark eyes closed another tear slid down her cheek thinking only of him; the man who had she let him would have went to the ends of the earth for her and in all the short time they had together Nick had given her what no else ever could…..
….Opening a door one she would never close; for it was something that came only once in a lifetime. Something that belonged only with the stars in the evening sky untouchable and endless and in all the time there relationship had they had loved a life times worth…..
Slowly she opened her eyes feeling the tears mingle on her cheeks; her hand falling a little lower as she felt the live within her stir and kick, a fresh tear slid down her cheek her thoughts slipping back to those initial hours…..
Nick's apartment the place which had become her second home a crime scene; and had remained as such for as long as it had took them to gather all that they could and it had been then when she had no where to go and going back to her own apartment had been quickly squashed that she had somehow ended up at Catherine's.
Where she had been unable to eat or sleep and the cold harsh dark reality had begun to sink in; exhaustion taking its toll on her with Catherine going through much the same as she was and though they had never been close before they had found a bond.
Supporting each other and Lindsey ; a girl who had idolised him and could not understand all that had happened and was like them also blaming her self in the one small part she had to play in that fatal day; with no amount of talking from Catherine changing her mind the girl feeling it had somehow been her responsibility.
Something they all had felt as her dark eyes closed; no longer looking at the locker. That she had not been there for him when he needed her most. The pain of that alone and that the man she loved was now to only belong in the past tense that he was to become but a memory to not only her but to all that had known him…..
Her thoughts broke off her dark eyes opened taking in the stillness of the locker room her hand coming up to too her top pocket bringing out the small black and white picture she sat it on her lap her finger gently tracing the image following the tiny head, arms and body of the baby which was growing within her womb.
A fresh tear slid down her cheek; her hand going back to where it had been resting there her thoughts turning inwards the surprise, disbelief and shock when this had come to light of its own accord, the strip turning blue only confirming what she had started to suspect.
That there blood now ran as one; there DNA combined into the most precious and greatest of gifts and she could not share this with him. To have seen his reaction the look across that handsome face and in those brown intense eyes; all that she herself had went through and that she could not put his hand to where hers was now to feel the live which was neutering there…
It broke her heart and that she now held the greatest of responsibilities one that she could not help feel, guilt over. That he had not been here to make this decision with her. With it being one thing they had never discussed; though he unlike her had always been the one for kids and she could not help but feel it would have been what he him self would have wanted….
Her thoughts trailed off; feeling the baby once more kick this time harder than before she winced slightly a smile also managing to tug across her features, the maternal instinct telling her it was his son she carried as the baby again kicked.
With the first time she had felt this baby stir as if trying to tell her something; had been the second time a body had turned up and like the first time. It had not been him.
Her hand slid back over the small bump with this live giving her something she had thought gone; something she had dared not think and that if he were truly dead how close they had become that she had not in some small way felt his passing……..
She looked up taking a deep breath; her thoughts changing as her gaze once more landed on the empty locker and that she could not hide in her work, it had only brought a new level of pain and the investigation opened in his name…..
The questions asked in those first desperate hours. Anything that would help, find him alive and find who was responsible and the agony that she could not do more. With them making no breakthroughs when it had mattered most.
Every part of his live being looked at; the trail in the end leading them back to where she hoped it would not for it brought only more anguish and pain, to what had happened in his childhood and the close nit family which he had drifted away from….
There investigation taking them to within the highest levels of the Texas Supreme Courts in the search for answers and to those who had been the enemies of Tom Stokes. With Nick being a pawn in someone else's game; a game which he had played no part in…..
…..With Gil and Catherine having been twice to Dallas and now three months on; they had a suspect someone with clear motive and someone who Nick would have known and this man could bring closure…..
Closure that she did not want as her hand fell again to just below her stomach; and that the only way she could get through each day was living with the not knowing. That he was missing; and if they found closure in Dallas it would only be to one end the man who she loved and forever would was dead……
She closed her eyes again her thoughts diverting; and that she had to be strong, that he would not have wanted her to look back or give up. For to do so would be to take away all the things Nick had loved about her from the first; and for the sake of this baby, there child with this little live depending on her for its every need….
The seed of there love with her body changing and developing along with this baby, growing within her womb and what up until now she had only shared with one person.
Though it was something she could no longer withhold; combined with her frequent mood swings and her diet which had caused some raised eyebrows.
She had somehow managed to keep this to herself as her hand swept back over the small bump the first sign's visible that she was three and a half months gone with his child. Something which his family in Dallas had the right to know; to his five sisters and his one brother who Nick had barely mentioned and more importantly to Nick's mother Grace Stokes…..
With yesterday being the first she had told anyone of this; to someone who she trusted, someone who Nick had worked with and someone they knew only in a professional sense. With it being Doc Robbins and maybe because he was not Gil, Catherine, Warrick, Greg or even Brass it had made it somehow easier and where after she had told him he had looked at her and in his quite manner told her one thing:
'He would have been proud Sara'
Slowly at that she opened her dark eyes again feeling tears on her cheeks; as she looked once more at the black and white picture on her lap her gaze remaining there for a long moment before she tucked the picture safely back in her pocket her head lifting to look at the empty locker.
Trying to gather her thoughts at that same moment; she stood up the palm of her hand touching the empty locker her thoughts turning inwards once more, his name now only to be found on file, listed as a missing person…..
His fawn jacket and mobile phone returned to her no longer needed as part of the investigation, his black watch remaining as evidence; and his apartment which had not been touched since but could not remain so for much longer. All that she had left of him; the good strong man who was the father of her yet unborn child.
Her hand fell from the locker her hand wiping away the tears the moments they had shared; his love which had enveloped her. The look in those brown warm eyes whenever she had sung; his enthusiasm and that stubborn determination as her head lifted taking in the half light of the locker room. A smile coming to her features remembering him as he had been….
The live which had been so much part of him; surrounding her in every way, with Las Vegas there playground Nick showing her it in all its glory; the mountains there sanctuary and where they had so often went paragliding Nick teasing her non stop, coaching her like a true professional and where he had been in his element…
Her smile faded her dark eyes closed and that she could no longer feel his touch; to be in his arms; and when he had danced with her, where it had felt like they were the only two people on earth. The contact of it alone where he had waltzed her round; the brown eyes looking deep into her own it lay beyond anything ….
…..Touching her heart and soul to the very depths of her being and it belonged only with him; the man who she loved whose heart was one with hers and that she did not know whether he still breathed, whether that heart of his still beat…..
Her dark eyes opened she drew in a breath unable to think of him in that way; for him to be dead and that she had to somehow face this cruel world without him; and the love which had come from his heart and soul, which had encircled her and had touched every part of her was somehow not gone it lay personified and rooted in the live; which grew beneath her own heart…..
As she looked one last time at the empty locker blinking away the tears her hand for a moment slipping back to just below her stomach before slowly turning walking out into the busy brightly lit corridor she followed the passage; her head lifting as she came to a halt the corridor going on as she now turned sharply to her left facing another longer corridor it was quieter.
Her gaze falling at that to Gil Grissom's office at the end of the long corridor which swung of to its right after that; the office was all dark and what she had been expecting as she gathered her pace. Following the tiled floor again she came to a halt a little down the long corridor she was on, turning to face the room which was on her right hand side.
They were there getting ready for the start of shift as her gaze stayed on her two colleagues who sat across from each other at the main table in that room, there hands linked over the table and who had not seen her yet .
As she stayed for a moment more her hand on the handle of the door and though neither of them had given anything away; she like Warrick had seen how close they had become in these few months.
How much they now relied on each other and what was there in there eyes something which neither of them could hide and for what it was for it was what she shared with Nick and now lay in her heart; as her thoughts turned to a different day when he had stood by her side at this same door….
As she now clicked open the door; walking forward she turned there way grinning there hands no longer linked there conversation having ended up on her entering; as she went over to the fridge first looking carefully at its contents before reaching for the beef sandwich and the carton of juice feeling a hunger pang at that same moment.
Taking both she went over to the main table taking the seat at the end; between both Gil and Catherine who sat to her right the person and who she was still staying with. As she looked Catherine's way with it being Catherine Nick would have told to first; what she was about to tell them both.
With them both waiting on her to speak she did not say anything; instead for a moment she looked around her with it being here in this room. This most important of places where everything major was discussed both formal and informal.
Here where they had all shared so many moments; and more importantly where Greg had spoken those words of Nick being alive and it should be here now in this moment that she should tell them of this….
As she felt the live which lay protected and safe within her own womb once more kick as if in answer; as she looked once more between Grissom and Catherine and for whatever else was to come. Whatever the outcome in Dallas; this would change all there lives in the way in which Nicky Stokes touched hers as she found her voice……
TO BE CONTINUED
P.S Is this any good? & also before anyone clobbers me over Nick's family, investigation & what happened to Nick its all coming in the next chapter!!!!!