Greg was coming back down when Nick noticed the sad look in his eyes. He hopped passed them and out the doors. The nurse had her coat on and was holding Greg's. It was time for Greg to return to the hospital for a proper rest.

Nick excused himself and quietly sped after him.

"Greg!"

He stopped and Elizabeth turned. She still had her left hand, it's shinny engagement ring dotting the air, and smiled at Nick. "I'm sorry if you take this the wrong way, but he must return to the hospital."

Nick was starting to walk towards them. He reached into his pocket as his pace began to speed up. He came around Greg and took his right hand. "It doesn't matter. It's jut a moment, miss." He slipped a promise ring that fit Greg's finger like a glove. "I just want to make a promise with him."

She nodded and backed away to check her phone.

Greg looked at the pewter silver. "What's this for?"

Nick took a deep breath. "I wanted, so badly, to give it to you, Greggo." He ruffled Greg's hair. "It's a promise ring from me to you. I'm binding myself to a promise to always keep you lighter. I want to make up for my short-comings somehow."

Greg was taking it off. "No, I won't."

Nick shook his head and closed Greg's hand over it. He lifted the fist to his lips and a gentle kiss across the knuckles before he held it close to Greg's heart. "It's my solitude promise to be your best friend before anything else." Greg was confused, so, Nick tried it another way. "I want to be by your side, always. You're the greatest friend and, maybe, being able to love you someday." He leaned forward and his lips touched Greg's cheek before he stepped back and around. "I have to go back inside, but I'll certainly come to visit when this is over today, Greg. Bank on that."

He waved before he ran back through the door.

Greg touched the ring and smiled to himself. "Maybe I'll be forgiven, finally."

Elizabeth came over and acted like she couldn't see the ring on his right hand. She just opened the door and smiled as he passed by. "They're coming to collect you to take you home for a change of cloths. I'm sure Nick will have a fit if you're not ready to leave by then."

Greg nodded and hopped out the door.

-two hours later-

Nick was taking a nap in the car while Sara drove to the hospital. She had every right to wake him, but he had every right to be asleep.

She was pulling into the parking stall when she heard his phone go off. It startled Nick and he quickly checked his phone. He looked confused and quickly answered. "Hello? Yes, this is he." Nick's eyes suddenly widened and he looked at Sara. "Are you sure? We just got here. Are you absolutely sure?" There was a long pause before he pitched forward and pressed his fingers into his forehead. "Okay, thanks." He let the phone drop and covered that ear. "Sara."

She tipped her head. "What?"

"C-can you call Ca-Catherine or, um, Langston?"

"Why?"

Nick began to cry.

Sara touched his shoulder. "Nikki?"

"Greg's transport vehicle crashed. He was flown to this hospital. His nurse died on the flight over." Nick covered his face and curled in on himself. "It's not fair."

Sara couldn't believe it. But she took out her phone and was dialing Catherine's number, knowing she was in the CSI SUV with the lab rats and Langston. "Catherine?"

"Yeah? What's up?"

Sara had to swallow the knot real hard. "Um, well..."

Nick slowly took the phone out of her trembling hands. "Calm down. P-please."

Sara nodded and touched the speaker button. "Catherine..."

"What's wrong?"

"Greg's... in a coma..." Nick said, before he swung the door open and slammed it behind him to go and lean over the rail in front of the car. His heart-broken scream echoed and Sara felt it in the car.

Nick was in more pain than anyone else now.