Chapter 4

Nick and Greg arrived back at Nick's to rest up until they can get more evidence and process it. Nick walked up to his door with Greg and Katie they had stopped by to pick up and found his door opened. He quickly pulled Greg and Katie to the side turning to them with a serious expression on his face.

"You two stay here" Nick instructed Greg nodded keeping a hold on the girl as Nick drew his gun and slowly walked into his house gun pointed.

Nick quickly scanned his front hall then moved into the living room ready for anything, but what he saw completely took him by surprise. There sitting in his living room was his entire family as they jumped up and yelled 'surprise' but quickly the smiles faded at the fearful look on his face.

"Nicky?" Jillian began

"Momma? shit! don't you guys ever scare me like that! Why was my front door opened anyway?" Nick replied then asked as he put his weapon away. The sudden yell of Greg's voice caused him to jump and he smiled.

"Nick is everything alright?" Greg asked yelling.

"Yeah you and Katie can come on in" Nick hollered back.

Greg came walking in with the little girl in toe then stopped as he came upon Nick's family all in the living room he quickly looked at Nick who shrugged.

"Had no idea they were gonna be here Greg!" Nick explained Greg just looked at him. Nick's mother could see the hesitant in his eyes.

"It's true! Today is Nick's birthday and we wanted to surprise him I promise we didn't even call him to let him know we were comin'" Jillian explained Greg relaxed and nodded.

"I'll go to my apartment then and..."

Nick quickly interrupted him shaking his head firmly "No absolutely not! It's not safe there in case you've forgotten" Nick pointed out.

"But..."

"No buts now go put Katie to bed and I'll see you back into the livin' room ok?" Nick instructed leaving no room for argument Greg nodded and disappeared out of sight and hearing.

Nick watched him go then sighed and flopped down on his couch. After a few minutes of silence, Bill decided to break the silence with a question of his own.

"Pancho? why is your friend here with that little girl? and why are you acting paranoid for?" Bill asked Nick just shook his head.

"it's complicated! it has somethin' to do with a case" Nick said he nodded as both his parents, his brother and sisters changed the subject and began to talk. they talked about anything and everything earning a laugh from Nick then he quickly sat up. this caught his brothers attention.

"Nick? are you alright?" BJ asked Jillian looked over at her son as did Bill and his sisters.

"Nicky...?" Vickie began

"Shhhhh!" Nick shushed them.

Nick strained his ears to listen and sure enough he heard movement in his backyard which had him to his feet and gun drawn in a heartbeat. in that moment Greg chose to come walking in and a reflective light barely caught Nick's eye he instantly new what it was as he quickly turned and rushed to Greg his heart beating a mile a minute.

"GREG! GET DOWN" Nick shouted and tackled Greg to the ground just as the glass shattered on impact of a gun going off. Nick pulled his cell out as he instructed everyone to stay down. "Brass! Get some men down to my house immediately I thing Mr. Simmons now knows where I live...yeah he just took a shot at Greg...No he's fine as are my parents and family...yeah they surprised me ok thanks! Greg you stay down and stay here" with that Nick was off rushing out into this back yard with his father and brother at his side each had their own gun licensed and all.

They returned back inside after a few minutes of searching and found nothing. Nick walked up to his mother to make sure she was ok then he ran over to where Greg was. He wanted to make sure he was ok and that he wasn't hit he breathed a breath of relief to find no marks on him as he drew the shaking young man into a hug not caring if his family was watching.

"It's ok Greggo I gotcha! I won't let anythin' happen to you or Katie" Nick said trying to assure the young man Greg was trembling with fear.

"Why? Why is he doing this? First my mom and now this? Nick I put your family in danger for heavens sake! He must really want Katie back if he's gonna go to any lengths kill me to assure he get's her back" Greg cried he began to sob.

"Nick? What the hell is goin' on?" Bill asked he was a little confused and angry that somebody would dare shoot at them. Nick turned to see his family with fear written on his face.

"Greg?" Nick asked Greg immediately new what he was asking so he nodded. Nick sighed and cleared his throat.

"I'm gonna go check on Katie she's probably scared that gunshot was pretty loud" Greg said

Nick nodded he then turned to his family and sat down on the couch. He took a deep breath and began. By the time he was finished with his story Jillian was almost in tears her heart broke for that little girl, but what Nick said next really broke her heart.

"But that's not the worst of it" Nick said.

"What is? I'm pretty sure nothin' could beat that" Gwen said bitterly at the man who dared to hurt that little girl.

"Oh I beg to differ! you won't think that after this" Nick said. Gwen stared at him confused like as he continued. "Yesterday that bastard..."

"Nick!" Jillian scolded him for his language.

"What? Well he is. Anyway yesterday that bas...uh monster" Nick quickly changed his words after the look Jillian gave him "killed Greg's mother" Nick finished the pain, pain for his best friend and now lover was evident in his voice Jillian gasped in shock and sadness. They turned and saw Greg standing there he had a small smile he looked so sad and lonely.

Jillian got up and slowly walked over to Greg she immediately drew him into a tight hug as he hugged her back. When she released him she stepped back a little and gave him the most warmest smile she had and wiped away the tears that fell with her thumb. Nick got up and walked over to Greg gathering the young man into his arms.

"Mom, Dad guys there is somethin' I need to tell ya and this might come as a surprise, but this is just how I am and I wouldn't change anythin' for anybody and..." Nick rambled, but Bill quickly cut him off.

"Son! Please what is it?" Bill asked Jillian already new what, but kept her smirk to herself.

"Please don't hate or disown me for this" Nick said and asked.

"Pancho why would I hate you? Or disown you for that matter? So fare you haven't...oh" Bill said then it clicked "Well I'd be lyin' if I said that this was a surprise, but truth be told we new all along. We were just waitin' for you to tell us on your own time" Bill said with a smile

Nick looked over at his brother and sisters and each and everyone of them have a smile on their faces and he couldn't help, but feel loved he nodded, got up and walked over to Greg drawing him into a hug as he looked at his family.

"Greg here is my boyfriend" Nick said Bill smiled big as did the rest of his family it was Lilly that spoke first.

"Ha I new it! You guys owe me 50 bucks each" Lilly sang triumphantly.

Nick watched as each of his family including his mom and dad fish out 50 dollars and handing it over. He shook his head in unbelief, but he just had to ask anyway.

"You new about Greg?" Nick asked.

"Well duh! You make it pretty obvious when you do nothin', but speak of him on and off" Lilly stated with a smirk.

"Ok ok I get it sis! But I do have to ask are ya guys ok with it?" Nick asked fearing the worst.

"Of course we are son! Like I said we had already new, but didn't go to you because we wanted you to come to us" Bill said then shook his sons hand he turned to Greg with a smile. "Son I just want you to know that your not alone, you have us as your family now and I am sorry for the loss of your mom if there is anythin' we can do you let me know alright?" Bill said and asked Greg sniffed and nodded.

"Thank you Mr. Stokes" Greg said Bill shook his head.

"Just call me pops if you want" Greg smiled and nodded.

When Brass finally arrived they had the whole neighborhood as well as Nick's backyard scanned. Once the area was secure Brass took everyone's statement and told Nick that he would have a couple of uniforms outside his house Nick said his thanks as they left for the night. After that they all gathered around the living room and talked through half the night.

It was close to midnight and the house was plunged into darkness and quite took over as everyone slept peacefully. The next morning both Nick and Greg were awaken by the smell of breakfast. They patted through the hallway and straight into the living room were they spotted Katie talking and laughing with one of Nick's sisters and that took them both by surprise. When Katie looked over at Greg she got up and ran for him.

"Greggy!" Katie yelled happily Greg picked her up and hugged the child.

"So what have you been doing this morning Katie?" Greg sweetly asked all the while he tickled her making her laugh.

"I was playing with Aunt Vicki" Katie replied Greg stopped for a moment and looked at Nick who shrugged then turned his head towards Nick's second eldest sister she smiled and nodded.

"What? It's ok if she calls me Aunt Vicki in fact I really don't mind it at all" Vicki proudly stated she Greg smiled at that.

"Breakfast is ready" Jillian called out as everyone ate.

Once breakfast was finished Nick had to get ready for work. Everyone left leaving Greg home alone with Katie. Jillian and her daughters left to go do a little bit of shopping for Nick's late birthday as did Bill and his son Bill Jr all the while the two uniform officers were still parked right outside Nick's home. Greg had just returned to the living room with Katie when he stopped dead in his tracks there in the living room covered in blood was Bryan Simmons who had a gun pointed at Greg he had that sick smile on his face.

"I told ya CSI Greg Sanders that if you took my daughter that you would pay dearly and now you two will come with me very very nicely" Bryan suggested with his gun drawn at them.

Katie whimpered clinging to Greg for dear life. Greg looked down at the child and nodded.

"don't worry It's gonna be ok" Greg assured the girl who nodded.

Bryan led them outside and straight for the car that was parked right across the street. It was an ordinary car and he was actually surprised that none had noticed him following them. He opened the trunk and ordered Katie to get in Greg had refused to put her in the trunk, but he unfortunately didn't have a choice and once the trunk door was closed he ordered Greg to get into the passenger seat and they drove off out of sight just as Nick and the others came pulling up.

"Well it's good to be back home right momma?" Nick asked with a smirk, but his smile was quickly wiped from his mouth when he saw the two officers on dead on the ground and he quickly sprang for his house with his family in toe. "GREG? GREG WERE ARE YA?" Nick hollered he searched the entire house, but no sign of Greg or Katie any where so he picked up the phone and called Brass "Brass Greg and Katie have been kidnapped"

"Nick are you sure?" Brass asked

"yes I'm sure" Nick assured him

"Did they go off to the park or something? Because you know kids love parks" Brass suggested trying to calm Nick, but this seemed to irritate Nick more.

"No they didn't go off to a park or somethin'" Nick gritted through the phone.

"How do you know?" Brass countered with a calm voice.

"How do I know? Oh I don't know maybe because of the two dead officers on my front lawn is how!" Nick ravaged through the phone now he was beyond irritated here he was trying to get help while Brass was wasting time trying to make excuses he could hear his curse and sigh.

"Alright Nick we'll be there in a few" Brass told him then hung up.

Nick stared at his phone then his house for a moment neither one saying a word then without warning he threw his phone causing it to break on impact making everyone jump in shock.

"DAMNIT!" Nick cursed as he sank down into the chair.

Jillian watched as her youngest child struggle with his emotions. She new her husband had always taught his boys to never show emotion nor cry, but seeing Nick break apart was breaking her heart she turned to her husband who nodded as she turned back and reached out to her son. Nick's head snapped up and he caught his mothers eyes they were soft laced with golden honey and it was enough to break the walls of emotion that he had so carefully placed up and began to sob. Jillian pulled her son into an embrace while soothing him.

"Shhhh, now now Nick everything will be ok! You'll find him I know you will" Jillian said soothingly.

"It's all my fault momma!" Nick whispered.

"Oh baby no it's not! You can't blame yourself for this" Jillian said.

"But it is! I told him he could stay here and that I wouldn't let anythin' happen to him and now he and Katie are gone" Nick sniffed he pulled back and looked at his mother.

"Nick son listen to me. Your mother is right blamin' yourself right now is not helpin' Greg nor Katie you need to get yer head on straight and find that boy!" Bill spoke up as he walked to his son. Nick looked at him then nodded.

"Yeah your right dad. I will find him and Katie even if its the last thing I do" Nick announced he got up just as Grissom and the others arrived.

"Nick Brass told us what happened and don't worry we'll get them back" Grissom assured Nick he nodded with thanks.

Now all they had to do was try and find were Mr. Simmons took Greg and Katie and go from there. They just hope they're not too late.

!

Bryan dragged both Greg and Katie into his suburban home as he tossed them both into the bedroom on the right side of the master bedroom. He closed and locked the door behind them. Katie was shivering from fear and the cold as Greg pulled her close.

"I'm scared Greggy!" Katie whimpered Greg nodded.

"As am I Katie as am I! Don't worry though Nicky will find us I know he will" Greg tried to assure the scared child he could only hope.

Tbc...