DISCLAIMER: Me no own, you no sue.

A/N: New and improved revised version of this chapter thanks to being Beta'd by Lily G! I really appreciate it Lily! :D

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"Nick!"

Nick groaned and closed his locker, turning at his boss's yell, "What?" He had just walked in, why can't he have just a moment to--

"Greg's been involved in a 2-11. Brass just called. "

"What!? What happened!? Is he okay!?" Nick asked as he pushed his way past Gil and started heading down the hallway and towards the lab's doors.

He was stopped short when Grissom grabbed his biceps, "Nick, calm down!"

Nick took a calming breath. "What happened? Where is he?"

"He's in Henderson, apparently he was visiting the birth-mother and--"

"Are Annie and the baby okay? What about Mrs. Carson and Andy? They were--"

"Stokes!" Gil grabbed the Texan's shoulders and gave him a shake, "Take a breath and let me finish. Alright?"

Nick took a couple of big breaths before letting out a shaky sigh, "Yeah, I'm good, I'm sorry Gil. Are they okay?"

"He said that the Carson's were fine, but Greg was a little worse for wear."

Nick paled and he grabbed Grissom's arms as his knees begged to buckle, "What happened?"

"I don't know the specifics but Brass sent a cruiser to pick you up and take you to the scene, it should be here-- " Grissom was interrupted by a female's voice coming over the speaker system:

"CSI Stokes to the front desk. CSI Stokes to the front desk."

Nick took off running and soon he and his escort were booking it down the 215, sirens blaring. It took about ten minutes or so before they entered the cul-de-sac where the Carson's resided. There were two police cruisers, Brass's unmarked car, and an ambulance situated outside of the two-story home. Nick jumped out of the cruiser and raced over to where he saw Brass talking to Annie and Andy by his car.

"Brass! Annie! Andy! Are you alright?" Nick asked as he came upon the small group.

Andy was clutching his sister around her protruding stomach and tears were falling from his eyes. Annie had tears streaking her cheeks and chin as well and one of her arms was on her stomach while the other held Andy to her, comforting the smaller Carson. As soon as she saw Nick, the hand that was covering her stomach moved to her mouth and she gave a strangled sob, "We're fi…fine."

"Where's Greg?" Nick panted.

Pointing over to the ambulance, Annie managed to get out, "He's...he's ov...over there."

Nick turned towards the ambulance. Mrs. Carson stood by the back doors sporting a black eye and disheveled clothes; dark tracks ran from her eyes down the side of her face and her hands were out stretched in front of her. Both hands grasping another pair as she talked and smiled at the occupant of the ambulance.

The Texan walked slowly over to her and then ran full out when he saw exactly whose hands the older woman was holding.

"Greg!"

Greg's mouth quirked up into a smile and he reached out for his hubby. "Hey Nicky."

Evelyn moved back, making room for the two to embrace. She smiled sadly at the couple and waited in silence as Nick looked over his partner, kissing every scrape and bruise that was shown to him. She felt tears brim her eyes as she watched the two men, obviously very much in love, whisper reassurances and love to one another.

"Baby, how come every time I turn around you're gettin' into trouble?"

"I guess I'm just a magnet for it." Greg laughed out and he leaned forward, kissing Nick sweetly.

When they pulled apart, Nick rested his forehead on Greg's and asked, "What happened?"

"Um, I kind of, maybe, beat up Annie's dad," Greg said sheepishly.

Nick's eyebrows rose to the top of his head and he reached for Greg's hands, holding them tightly. "What?"

"There's more to it than that," Evelyn spoke up.

Nick turned to her, waiting for a response.

"Gregory-- she saw him wince slightly at the use of his full name and she smiled-- saved me and my family, from my husband's abuse. Hubert, brute that he is, came home angrier than usual and aimed his hate at Annie and her unborn baby. When I went to intervene, he punched me and pushed me to the floor."

She lifted her hand to her swollen eye and the purple, black bruise that had formed there before continuing on.

"I heard Andy and Annie scream and just as he was about to hit me again I felt his weight thrown from me. I sat up and ran to the phone, calling 911 as Gregory fought to keep my husband from us. I don't know when he arrived, but I am so unbelievably happy that he did."

Nick reached forward and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently, "I'm sorry this happened, but I'm glad you're all okay."

She looked into the sincere brown eyes and smiled, "Thank you and Nicholas. I'm sorry."

"What for?" Nick asked, surprised.

"For my behavior when we first met and every time you both visited to check on Annie or bring Andy presents. I let my prejudices blind me to how great you both are and I am sorry for the animosity on my part." She cocked her head to the side and wiped at a couple of stray tears that had escaped her eyes.

"It's alright Mrs. Carson. I understand. I, myself, even had a problem with men being together at some point. Well, until Greg took away the blindfold and helped me see what was right there in front of me."

Evelyn smiled and, after hugging both men, turned away to give them their privacy and moved over to her children. Clutching the two desperately to her in an embrace and thanking God above that Greg had decided to stop by tonight. Who knows what would have happened if he had not.

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A/N: Reviews welcome, but not mandatory. :D