Chapter 7

The CSI team has worked hour after hour they new they were running out of time. If only Bryan would just stop with his game and give them the info they needed they would find Greg in time, but unfortunately that was never going to happen. Nick worked the inside of the car that was towed in as Warrick and Sara worked the outside. They had to find something they just had too. Warrick stood up quickly after looking at the tires.

"Hey guys I found some mud on all 4 tires" Warrick said Nick and Sara looked up at him "I'm gonna get it to Hodges and have him analyze it" they nodded as Warrick took off after gathering the mud.

Warrick walked into trace spotting Hodges sitting at his desk he walked over to him tapping him on the shoulder causing the young man to jump. Hodges took off his headphones and looked up to Warrick.

"Hey Warrick! What can I do for you?" Hodges asked.

"I've got some mud here I need analyzed quickly. I wanna know where it came from asap" Warrick said Hodges grabbed the evidence and nodded.

"Ok give me some time and I will have it ready soon" Hodges said Warrick nodded and left. Now all they have to do is wait and that was the worst part.

!

Greg was quickly loosing consciousness for the water was way too cold and it was already up to his waist and he new he was getting Hypothermia, but he had to stay awake. Greg looked around him looking at the scenery he shook his head.

"HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME PLEASE!" Greg yelled out knowing that no one would hear him, but he had to try he just had too. When no one responded he bowed his head and sobbed. "I wanna go home! Nicky where are you?"

!

"Ok Mr. Simmons I won't ask you again where...Is...Greg?" Grissom asked irritated.

They had decided to interrogate Bryan Simmons again, but he remained quiet not saying a word. Grissom sighed and got up he and Brass walked out.

"This is getting us nowhere what we need is a miracle" Grissom stated Brass nodded and they both left.

They walked straight for the breakroom and found Nick and the others sitting there taking a quick much needed break. He took his glasses off and sighed they looked over to him as Nick quickly stood up.

"Well? Did he say anythin' yet?" Nick asked hopeful Grissom shook his head.

"No! I'm afraid he just remained quiet through out the entire interrogation" Grissom replied Nick sunk down into his seat placing his head into his hands; he had hoped he would talk, but nothing.

It was bout 3 hours later when the team had decided to go home for a couple of hours and get some much needed rest when Hodges came rushing in quick like he was waving the paper in his hands all the while trying to catch his breath.

"Hodges what have you got?" Sara asked.

"Just...a...minute..." Hodges replied through his breath. Once he got his breathing undercontrol he quickly stood up "I analyzed the mud you gave me Warrick and I got a hit"

"Well? Where did that mud come from? Hodges we don't have much time left come on man move it along" Nick said and asked impatiently. Hodges sighed and nodded.

"Well the mud came from Lake Mead and judging by the minerals that came from the mud I would say it was recently too" Hodges stated "meaning..."

"Meaning Greg is somewhere at Lake Mead" Nick stated they nodded, walked into the interrogation room and up to Bryan. "Mr. Simmons we know you took Greg to Lake Mead, but we just don't know where so where did you take him? Where is he?" Nick said and asked Bryan just remained silent. "Fine don't talk, but make no mistake we will find him" with that Nick left.

"Alright everyone let's head to Lake Mead! Brass can you get the entire SWAT team and some dogs?" Grissom commanded then asked when he turned to Brass he nodded and was on the phone within minutes then hung up after and gave an approval nod.

Minutes later they were headed for Lake Mead prying and hoping they weren't too late. They arrived at the lake half an hour later after leaving the lab. They got out took out their flashlights for the sun had once again sat and it was dark out. Grissom turned to everybody and addressed them.

"Alright let's split up and look! Take your radios for Lake Mead is a big place so Greg could be anywhere if you find him radio us immediately and give your location understood?" Grissom instructed then asked they nodded and split up.

They went through every inch calling out Greg's name hoping they would get a response, but nothing so they continued they were not about to give up.

Greg kept his head up or so he tried for the water was now to his neck and he had to keep his head elevated to prevent water from entering his mouth. As he closed his eyes he suddenly opened them he could have sworn he heard someone calling him it was faint, but he definitely heard his name being called. "Greg! Greg where are you?" that sounded like Warrick and so he decided to yell out.

"WARRICK! WARRICK I'M OVER HERE. HELP ME" Greg yelled out hoping Warrick had heard him.

Warrick walked around the grounds looking for any sign of Greg so he had decided to yell out hoping he would get a response "GREG! GREG WHERE ARE YOU?" he quieted down long enough to hear and when he didn't get a response he decided to move on, but suddenly stopped when heard yelling back it was faint, but he heard it none the less "Warrick! Warrick I'm over here. Help me" Warrick new that voice and ran in that direction. When he arrived what he saw shocked him to no end. There was Greg tied to a pole and the water was now over his mouth and nose. "oh man! Greg no!" Warrick ran to him, but stopped suddenly remembering to radio it in so he quickly grabbed his walky talky. "This is CSI Brown I have found CSI Sanders he's over by the ravine call for a medics"

"Copy that"

"Warrick stay with Greg we're on our way over to you guys" It was Grissom this time.

"Oh I will don't worry about that" Warrick stated then he dropped his walky talky dived into the water he swam to Greg then lifted head out of the water and held him up all the while trying to hold himself up too. He found a rock he could stand on to gain some level and used it. "Oh shit this water is cold! Come on buddy open your eyes" Warrick begged Greg did just that for a moment.

"W-W-Warrick? I-I-I didn't th-think y-you w-would h-hear me" Greg stuttered his teeth were chattering together indicating he was cold.

"Shhhhh don't talk your hypothermic and you can go into shock save your strength the others will be here soon" Warrick explained softly as he kept Greg's head above water, but it was starting to rise again and he didn't know how long he could keep Greg and himself above water level as Greg's eyes closed for he couldn't keep awake any longer. "No Greg don't fall asleep! Stay awake" but he didn't get a response "come on guys where are you?"

it took about 5 minutes before everyone came running into view they were shocked at what they saw, but Nick quickly snapped out of it grabbed his pocket knife from his jeans and dived into the water he found the ropes that bounded Greg together by feeling for them and got to work cutting them. After several minutes of coming up for air and diving back down Nick had finally managed to get the ropes cut and both he and Warrick by swimming carried Greg out of the freezing water and on to solid ground. Greg wasn't responding as Nick lifted his head onto his lap.

"Greg? wake up beautiful please open yer eyes" Nick begged, but nothing.

"Nick we have to get him to the medics" Grissom announced Nick nodded and lifted Greg up off the ground and ran all the way.

Once the medics were in view Nick quickly made his way to them and placed Greg down onto the stretcher they quickly felt for a pals finding a faint one they took out the iv and attached it to his arm and placed him into the paramedics as Nick climbed in behind them they didn't say anything for now was not the time to argue and drove off for Desert Palms hoping they were not too late.

Tbc...