Chapter 3

Greg spent the next day in the hospital with Katie and when it was time for them to leave Nick arrived to pick them up. Greg smiled gratefully at Nick who just smiled back Katie kept a hold on Greg's hand as they walked to the truck. Greg introduced Katie to Nick who smiled and waved lightly at the small girl it he then explained that Nick was his very best friend and that he was somebody he trusted with his life so she shouldn't be afraid to trust him. Katie smiled and nodded she released Greg's hand, walked over to Nick and hugged him this shocked both Greg and Nick, but after a moment he hugged the child back and soon they were well on their way to Nicks.

2 days later...

it had been two days and still no word nor trace of Bryan Simmons and that was worrying Greg to no end. He was sure he was already starting to over stay his welcome. Greg walked into the breakroom as he grabbed a pot of coffee he had made earlier just as Nick and Catherine came walking in they were laughing and talking, Greg looked over at them and smiled when they caught sight of him and smiled back.

"Nick can I ask you a question?" Greg asked Nick nodded.

"Sure bud what's up?" Nick asked.

"Am I becoming a burden on you?" Greg asked this caught Nick off guard and Catherine couldn't do nothing, but watch. Nick shook his head.

"No Greg your not, I don't mind you and Katie stayin' really I don't" Nick tried to assure the young man, but Greg seemed unconvinced.

"Are you sure Nick? Because we can go back to my apartment I mean it's no..." Greg began, but Nick quickly cut him off.

"Greg! It's no problem really" Nick stated assuring him once again Greg let out a breath of relief and nodded.

"Ok I just don't wanna seem like a pest is all" Greg said Nick only smiled fondly this caught Catherine's eyes as they grew wide she smirked grabbing Nick by the arm.

"Uh Cath what are ya doin'?" Nick asked she just pulled him out and down the hall, but before she did she turned to Greg.

"Be right back" Greg nodded.

Catherine stopped and pushed Nick to the side she looked both ways of the hall way to make sure no one was looking or listening then turned back to Nick with the same smirk she had in the breakroom and hugged the fire out of him. Nick was confused at her behavior and it kinda frightened him a little.

"Cath?..."

"Oh Nicky I new you like Greg I just new it" Catherine happily said as she pulled away Nick was shocked to say the least.

"Cath I-I..uh...I d-don't know w-what..." Nick tried to come up with an excuse, but he new he couldn't so he sighed and looked at Catherine this time right in the eyes "How did you know?" Catherine smiled big.

"The way you smiled at him and plus the way you look at him when he's not looking! Honestly Nick you couldn't be more obvious hell I wouldn't be surprised if the entire lab new" Catherine replied Nick turned a shade of red and she couldn't help, but giggle so Nick nodded.

"Yeah I do like him...I-I think I might even love him" Nick admitted.

"Awww that is soooo sweet! Nick you need to tell him" Catherine said Nick shook his head.

"No Cath! He would never return my feelin's and I don't wanna scare him away" Nick said then walked away Catherine took a deep breath and released it with frustration unaware that Warrick was standing there and heard every word.

"Nick denying his feelings for Greg again?" Warrick asked causing Catherine to jump in surprise she quickly shook it off and nodded.

"Yup" Catherine huffed Warrick shook his head in amusement.

"I swear that man is so thick headed I might need to beat it into his skull" Warrick stated Catherine looked at him.

"Is there something your not telling me?" Catherine asked.

"Maybe..."

"Oh come on tell me" Catherine pleaded Warrick shook his head.

"Sorry! Not my place to tell" Warrick said then walked away Catherine shook her head and headed back to the breakroom.

She entered just in time as Warrick and Grissom came walking in right behind her it was a slow day and they were getting board.

Brass was sitting in his office when the call came in it annoyed him that he couldn't get a decent quite time in his office. He sighed and picked up the phone none the less.

"Brass!" Brass answered he listened to the voice on the other end he bowed his head and shook it in disgust "Any ID?" he waited his jaw clinched in anger he new the moment the officer on the other end read the ID he sighed "Alright thanks is she on the way to Desert Palms? Ok I'll let Greg know and grab the CSI's thanks Tom" Brass thanked him then hung up.

He got up and made his way towards the breakroom if he new the CSI's that's were they'll be and sure enough that's where he found them. Brass walked in with that look on his face it was sad and full of sympathy and usually that meant no good could come from that.

"Guys I just got off the phone with dispatch..." Brass stopped and took a deep breath.

"What happened?" Warrick asked concerned. Brass looked at him then he turned his attention to Greg.

"Greg someone reported screaming coming from your apartment...I'm afraid your mother has been hurt real bad! Officer Herras said that she was badly beaten she's on her way to Desert Palms right now! I thought you would want to know" Brass explained.

Greg stood in complete shock and horror his cup slipped from his fingers and crashed to the floor. He quickly snapped out of his shocked state and ran for the door and out the building. He got into his car and drove to Desert Palms. Greg arrived in short record and time he exited the car and ran into the emergency room where he approached a nurse sitting behind the desk.

"Excuse me ma'am I'm looking for Rebecca Sanders? She came in badly beaten?" Greg asked desperately the woman nodded.

"Yes the officer that explained to the medics told me that the woman on the stretcher was the same woman in the picture are you family?" she asked Greg nodded.

"Yes I'm her son" Greg announced he gave her his Id she nodded in sympathy.

"I'm sorry, but she was taken back into surgery I'll let the Dr. know your here as soon as we hear something ok?" she told him he nodded and sat down in wait.

!

"Poor Greg! I feel so bad for him" Sara said shaking her head as they processed the scene it was heartbreaking to see their youngest team member go through this.

"I know, but for his sake we need to keep our heads up and find this guy" Warrick pointed out Sara nodded.

"Hey guys I called my neighbor and told her what was goin' on she said not to worry that she'll keep Katie for as long as we need to be able to catch this SOB" Nick announced they nodded and went back to work.

!

it has been nearly 3 hours since Greg got the news, by then he new Grissom and the others would be back at the lab. He was lost in thought that he had almost missed his name being called he looked up at the surgeon who had that look on his face.

"Mr. Sanders?" he asked Greg nodded the look meant it was not good. "My name is Dr. Riley I operated on your mother Rebecca Sanders"

"How is she?" Greg asked hoping that look wasn't what he was fearing, but his heart broke at what the Dr. had to report.

"I'm so very sorry, but we did the best we could I'm afraid we lost her! You can come and see her before we release her to the morgue" Dr. Riley said Greg was in tears he sat down and nodded he then looked up.

"T-Thank you, but I can't" Greg got up the Dr. nodded.

"Again I'm so very sorry for your loss" with that the Dr walked away. Greg stood there for a moment then slowly walked out.

Greg headed back to the lab driving slowly and ignoring the honking of the horns he turned into the parking garage and sat there for a while. He then got out and made his way into the lab Judy was about to greet him when she saw the lost look in his eyes she immediately new he lost a loved one she gathered him into a hug as he hugged her back then made his way towards the breakroom to let Grissom know what's going on. He opened the door and came walked in everyone in there looked at him.

"Greg?" Catherine called softly Greg looked up trying to hold back his tears and shook his head.

"S-She she's dead! My mother's gone" Greg stated

he could hold back any longer as he hit the ground sobbing with everything he had. Nick was immediately by his side drawing him into a hug as he clung to him for dear life. Catherine was speechless as was Sara, Warrick and Grissom their heart broke for him.

"Greg I am so sorry" Sara said sadly.

Warrick didn't know what to do he wanted to comfort his best friend, he couldn't believe this was happening and he wanted so much to put a bullet into the head of that bastard who abused Katie and killed Greg's mother. He took a deep breath to calm himself as he watched one of his best friends start to cry.

For the first time in years Nick cried. He cried for his best friend had just lost his mother the only living family he had left and he new this because Greg had confided in him years ago and now he has no one...well he has him, but he's not about to tell him that right now. So he just held the young man in his arms and allowed him to cry.

"Greg I-I don't know what to say" Nick said Greg just shook his head.

"Just hold me" his reply was muffled, but Nick heard it none the less so he picked him and himself off the floor and carried the young man to the sofa and sat down and just held him.

The others watched in complete sadness as did Brass who happened to walk in at the same time as Greg and heard everything. He quietly walked over and sat down as he watched with fondness at the display on the couch and he couldn't help, but make a comment.

"I know this isn't the best time, but if there is anyone who deserves happiness at this point it's both you and Greg! You two belong together and right now Greg needs you more then ever" Brass said everyone looked at him in wonder and shock as did Nick.

"Brass how...?" Nick began, but Brass quickly hushed him

"Nick I'm a detective and pretty damned good one at that! I've seen the way you look at him the way your always over-protective and not to mention the way you flush when he's mentioned face it Nick your in love with him and the sooner you come to terms with it the better you both will be" Brass stated Nick just sat there stunned he thought he had hidden it well, but obviously not. Greg pulled back and looked at Brass then to Nick.

"Nicky? Is he right?" Greg asked and hoped Nick stared at his secret-well not so secret anymore love and nodded that put a little bit of light back into his eyes.

Greg wanted so much to kiss Nick right now, but he new he would feel uncomfortable so he refrained from it. Nick however had other idea's he wanted to put the full light back into his eyes so he leant forward and kissed his love. Greg hesitated for a moment shocked at his boldness then when his brain was able to catch up he quickly kissed him back. The others looked and smiled 'Finally' they thought when Nick pulled back from the kiss allowing them to breath.

"About damn time" Warrick muttered everyone laughed and nodded then turned their attention back to the case at hand.

This was going to be a difficult one they new it and it was because now they have Bryan Simmons on the murder of Rebecca Sanders the mother of Greg Sanders and they'll be damned if he get's away with it. They will make him pay no matter what.

Tbc...