Chapter 5

They drove off to his house in silence, and her hand was gripped in his the entire trip. He pulled in and she let herself out of the truck and waited for him to unlock the doors.

"I don't have my keys, or anything for that matter," Mandy said holding out her empty hands feeling helpless.

"I know. I'll go get your stuff later today? How does that sound?"

"OK. Thanks," she really didn't ever want to go back there. But it was her home, and she would eventually have to go back. She could delay it though as long as possible.

"You don't have to go back there anytime soon," Nick said reading her mind, "This is your place as much as mine"

"Thanks. Your place though is so… Texas"

He laughed. "You're right it is a bit bachelor, but until you, I didn't care about that. How about this? I'll run over later and pick up some of your stuff, and you can redecorate. I don't mind."

"No it's your place. I don't want to do that to you"

"Its our place, I want you to feel comfortable, and trust me. The bachelor look isn't working for me anymore anyways."

She was a bit reluctant at first but agreed. The redecorating could wait, she just wanted to take a shower and lay in bed.

"Can I just shower and go to bed?" she asked him exhausted from the day.

"Absolutely."

She found her way to his shower and was grateful that she did at least have a few things at his house. Her shower lasted a long time; she just wanted to wash away as much of the day as she possible could. Nick sat on the bed waiting for her to reemerge from the bathroom. Most other days he would have joined her to you know conserve water. But he knew that she needed time to recollect the past events alone, and he respected that. So he called Catherine to ask for a favor.

"Hey Cath, its Nick"

"Hey! How are you feeling? How is Mandy? Gil filled me in for the most part, but wanted to hear from you."

"We are OK. She's shaken up, but she'll be OK. Are you free for a few hours tomorrow?"

"Yeah I have the morning off"

"Great, any way you could come by tomorrow? Mandy is staying with me. She doesn't want to go back to her place, which is understandable, but I want to go get a few things for her. I don't want to leave her alone. Maybe you could come over and hang out while I go?"

"Yeah I can do that. Do you think she will be OK with that?" Cath asked. It was really thoughtful of him, but she worried Mandy might find it to be too much.

"I think she will want the company."

"OK, I'll stop by around 10? Does that sound good?"

"Perfect thanks… Oh and do you know anyone wanting some furniture? I think I am going to redecorate my place."

"Wow, the Texas stuff even?"

"Ha yeah. She doesn't like it"

"My little guy is finally growing up. But I'll ask around if anyone is looking for furniture."

"Thanks Cath."

"No problem see you tomorrow. Get a good night of sleep. You deserve it. Although, as your supervisor. I should probably have a discussion with you about following protocol. It can wait till you come back though"

"Yeah I know. We will talk later."

He hung up and flipped on the TV in his room. He channel surfed until he found an old black and white film. He left it on knowing Mandy would enjoy it.

When Mandy emerged from the bathroom he found Nick laughing. If anything could heal her, his laugh could. She saw that he was watching "The Philadelphia Story" and crawled into bed next to him.

"I love this movie" she told him, "Katherine Hepburn is magnificent"

"It is actually pretty funny." Nick said to her as he wrapped his arms around her. He was a little sore but it was worth the pain.

"I never thanked you," she said after a long silence.

"Thanked me? For what?" he asked confused.

"For finding me. For saving me"

"You saved me too," Nick replied, "And not just tonight. I've never felt more scared than I did tonight. Because I have never cared about anyone like I care about you"

"I feel the same way" Mandy responded before kissing his cheek, "you are more than I ever expected."

"I just wanted you to know. I will always look for you. I will always find you"

"Me too"

they snuggled together and continued to watch the movie.

"If you need to talk, I'm here" Nick said to her.

"I know, thanks. I'm ok though. Honestly. I am . I know that sounds crazy, but with you here, I'm OK. "

"Good" he said kissing her forward and wrapping her around him. He wanted her close.

A few hours later they were both asleep above the covers intertwined. He woke up sweating. He had a nightmare. This time he didn't make it in time. He didn't save her. All because of that bastard. He rubbed his temples. The pain killers were starting to wear off and her weight was starting to hurt a little. He didn't want to wake her but he had to get some pills. Nothing too strong just some aspirin would do the trick. He extricated himself from her and then headed to the bathroom. While he was there, he showered and brushed his team. Brad had got a few good ones, and his face definitely suffered. Nothing permanent but his face was bruised. He examined his other wounds and decided they weren't as bad. He was surprised at how fast Brad had bulked up and wondered if he had taken steroids to supplement.

He came out of the bathroom to see that Mandy hadn't moved. She was mumbling in her sleep, something he had gotten used to. He knew she was dreaming, and hoped it was a good dream, not a bad one. He got back into bed, but not before pulling the sheets over both of them and wrapping his arms around her, spooning her tightly.

"Hey Cath!" Nick said the next morning after they had woken up and ate breakfast .

"Hey Nicky" Cath replied after coming inside.

"Who is it?" Mandy called from the kitchen

"It's Catherine!" he responded.

"She doesn't know I'm coming?" Catherine asked him quietly.

"Nope."

"Nick…"

"It'll be fine"

"Right. Men say that all the time. And it usually isn't"

"C'mon just play along" Cath shook her head before wandering into the kitchen.

"Hey Mandy how are you?" she asked

"I'm OK actually. Tired and sore, but I got the better end of the deal compared to Nick." She said smiling. "How is everything at the lab? Is everything OK?" Mandy asked.

"Yeah I just wanted to stop by and see how you guys were doing"

"Oh ok, well do you want something to drink? Orange juice? Coffee? Tea?"

"Tea would be nice" she said surprised that Nick had something like that.

"Don't worry Catherine, its something I had brought over. He doesn't seem to have much in the way of tea"

"Ah a woman's touch finally found Nick's house"

"It has. Look. I think I'm going to head over to your place and pick up some stuff. Is there anything that you specifically need me to pick up? I'll grab some clothes for you as well." Nick asked.

"Umm yeah can you get my laptop?"

"Sure thing. "

"Thanks" she could see right through this thinly-veiled attempt to not leave her alone. She played along with it.

As soon as he left she turned to Catherine. "So that's why you stopped by. Don't worry its fine" Mandy said to her.

"Yeah Nick didn't want you to be alone"

"He's sweet, a little overprotective"

"yeah but can you blame him after last night. He's going to be a little clingy for awhile, but you should enjoy it"

"I know, I do. I don't know why I'm not more affected by this."

"People handle these things differently just depends on the person."

Nick called Warrick hoping to catch him.

"Hey Nicky, how is Mandy holding up?"

"Hey 'Rick, she seems to be OK, I was hoping you could do me a favor"

"Sure what's up"

"I need some help moving Mandy's stuff out of her condo. Any chance Sara could help? The more the people, the faster it can get done" Nick asked hopefully.

"Yeah, we can help. I'll meet you there."

"Thanks Rick, I owe you one"

"No worries man."

Nick drove to her condo and found that the crime scene tape was removed, and the door was closed. He walked in and began gathering stuff to bring to his place. He searched around and found a few suitcases in a closet. He began packing her clothes and her personals. He decided to move as much as possible. It wasn't too much later before Warrick and Sara arrived with boxes.

"Thought you might need these" Sara said as she began to pack up some stuff in the kitchen.

"Thanks, that was a good call." Nick said as he moved from her bedroom to the bathroom. He just left his stuff in the garbage, he had all that stuff at home. Warrick packed up her living room, and started moving boxes to his truck. They packed up as much as they could into Mandy, Nick, and Warrick's cars.

Sara drove Mandy's car back to Nick's, along with the two Denali's full of Mandy's possessions.

"Hey do you want to keep this?" Catherine said as she held up a Texas covered blanket.

"Yeah keep that, it's warm" Mandy answered as she was wandering around Nick's townhouse, finding things to get rid of. She found it hard to remove anything. They just all reminded her of him, and she didn't want to get rid of anything.

"You haven't wanted to get rid of anything" Catherine observed, "You know this is like a get out of jail free. You have the opportunity to clear out some of this junk"

"I know, but it just reminds me of Nick, and I don't want to get rid of that"

"I understand, Gil still has that fetal pig in his apartment"

"Ew" Mandy responded before sitting down on the couch.

"Are you OK?" Catherine asked her.

"I think so, I guess every time I think about the fact that I have to go back to my condo, it freaks me out. It freaks me out that Brad could get in so easily."

"That's natural. And I think you can stay here as long as you want, there is no need to go back to your place."

"Yeah, but right now we are in the fairy tale part of our relationship. Still excited about each other, when that wears off, I would like to be able to go back to my place."

"Mandy, I don't know how you feel, but I have never seen Nick this committed to anyone. Do you really think your relationship will take a turn?"

"I don't know. I just don't like not having control of anything"

"Listen, I know what you mean, you are talking a notorious control freak, but with the right guy, you have to let those doubts go."

"Yeah I know"

"Are you happy with Nick"

"Of course, he's great. He's the greatest thing in my life"

"Then hold on to that. Don't let everything else get in the way. You have to let go, and give into it. He won't hurt. I know it"

"Thanks Catherine" Mandy said smiling, "Now, lets get rid of these banners, and that flag... and those posters"

She pointed at all of the decorations in the living room.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Catherine said hopping up to bag the items.

They dragged out a few more bags of garbage when Nick, Warrick and Sara drove up to the drive.

"Hey there!" Catherine said waving at her friends.

"Hey Cath, whatcha throwing away?" Warrick asked her as he got out of his truck.

"You would never guess... Texas stuff"

"What? Wow. Nick, do you know this is happening?"

"Yeah. I gave her the green light."

"Man she's got you whipped!"

"Really do we want to go down that road," Nick asked shaking his head, "I could go all day about your…"

"Hey!" Sara interrupted when she got out of the car, "its not that bad"

"Of course not" Warrick said kissing her on the temple.

"Nicky, did you leave anything at my place?" Mandy asked as she saw all three vehicles were packed to the brim with her stuff.

"I tried not to, I figured you would want your stuff."

"I do, that was really sweet of you." Mandy said as she kissed him quickly.

"I was thinking... why don't you just move in here." Nick said when he pulled away from here.

"What?" Mandy asked surprised.

"I want you around all the time. I know it's fast, but I honestly think it is the right decision. I can't let you get away from me."

"I'm not going anywhere, so are you sure about this?" she asked him seriously.

"Like a heart attack" he replied looking at her trying to gauge her reaction.

"Well then, I'm in!"

"Great! We can call a real estate agent on Monday to put your place on the market"

"That will be a relief, I have no intention of going back there."

"You won't have to" he said as he kissed her. "This is going to be awesome, roomie"

She smiled as she started unpacking the car.