I do not own CSI
Jason sat waiting for Nick. He was waiting to hear how long he'd be in prison. Jason kept thinking about Carmen. Thinking about her made the prison less lonely and desolate. Then Nick came in.
"Hey." Nick greeted.
He sat down across the table from Jason. Jason didn't raise his guard. Back before he met Carmen he would've warily eyed Nick. You had a hard time figuring out what he was thinking. Jason was tired of that. He didn't want to hate Nick anymore. Hatred burned you up too much.
"Here's the news. Originally, you would've been in prison for life. But since you saved Carmen Vern and exposed a hidden threat the judge decided you'd be reduced to thirty years."
Jason cringed inside. Thirty years was still a long time.
"You want to know how to make it even shorter?"
He perked up, interested.
"Since you've been on the inside of the Red Armageddon you might be able to help us shut down the other cells. It depends on how useful the information you'd provide us. But we're looking at twelve years at the least."
Twelve years? You couldn't say no to that. Jason readily agreed. He was then taken to his cell. He was looking up at the ceiling when a door opened with a loud squeak.
Carmen came in wearing a light green dress. Someone was with her. A man dressed in a business suit watched Jason curiously. It was Carmen's father. His dark hair was slicked back. He was quite different from Carmen but they both shared a soft looking face.
"Hi Jason." Carmen introduced her father. "This is Mr. Vern, my Dad."
Jason stood up and shook his hand through the bars. "It's nice to meet you sir."
"Carmen has told me all about you. I want to thank you for bringing her back." Mr. Vern smiled and put a hand on Carmen's shoulder.
"I-it was nothing sir." Jason felt nervous in the presence of his future father-in-law.
"Although I personally would like my daughter to have met a married someone who was not an ex-criminal I trust Carmen has good judgment."
"I'll work on school before ever marrying Carmen. You won't ever have to worry about us going broke."
Mr. Vern gazed Jason, almost as if he was looking into his soul. Jason held his gaze, fighting the fear he had.
Mr. Vern suddenly smiled and said, "Can't wait to go fishing with you, son."
Jason grinned back. He had to tell them the news.
"I'll only be here for at least twelve years if I help take down the rest of the Red Armageddon."
"That's wonderful!" Carmen exclaimed.
She handed him a piece of paper with her address on it. "Let's stay in touch."
Eventually the Verns had to leave. Jason, even though in a cold cell, didn't feel defeated by it. He had hope. For the next twelve years he'd work hard. That was alright with him. All his troubles seemed to let go of him.