Miami-Dade International Airport – Miami, Florida

Horatio smiled as he looked out the window of the medical plane and saw that the ambulance was waiting to whisk his nephew off to the hospital. He was confused, however, to also see a police car and Tripp there.

Sighing, Horatio unbuckled, got up, and moved to the back, unable to help but smile when he saw Greg sitting back there, quietly reading to him from a book he had brought. Robert was lying there, quietly listening to him read.

"We're landed and the paramedics are here," Horatio replied calmly. "Are you still feeling all right?"

Robert nodded, "Greg, here, has been keeping me calm," he replied quietly. "He's very nice."

Greg blushed, got up, and moved out of the back, "I can still hear things through the muffs if I turn my head to whoever's talking," Robert said quietly with a sigh as he heard the plane open up. "Can you go tell them…?"

Horatio nodded and quietly left the plane at the same time with his and Robert's bags as Grissom, Flack, and Greg did, "My nephew's in the back and I ask that you be gentle with him," he said in a calm voice to the paramedics. "Frank, what are you…?"

"This is about that guy who turned up in Calle Ocho this morning, isn't it?" Grissom asked nervously.

Horatio frowned and gave Grissom a look, "I got a call in Las Vegas this morning from a social worker named Rosa Speedle that said her son, Tim, was checking the mail and getting ready to go when this badly injured guy came stumbling down the street and collapsed in his arms," Grissom explained. "He fits Nick Stokes's description."

"The guy has amnesia, though," Tripp said in a worried voice. "He was wearing a lab coat, jeans, a nice shirt, and socks. Heck if I or anyone else knows where his shoes got to; he's also got no ID and is scared to death."

Horatio sighed, "The guy's at Miami-Dade University Hospital and Speedle's sitting with him," Tripp said. "Your CSI's took his clothes and he's been through surgery. Duquesne called a few minutes ago and said she talked to the guy, but he can only remember clicking sounds and waking up in green grass or leaves and the name 'Nicky.'

"I-I call Nick that sometimes," Greg spoke in a trembling voice, shocked to hear that Nick had amnesia.

Horatio nodded, "Tell you what, I have to go over there anyway to get my nephew admitted, so I will approach him and see if any other memories have surfaced," he said calmly, gazing at Grissom. "I know you're also here on Victims' Assistance business, Grissom, so why don't you and Mister Sanders go tend to that and I will call you…"

Grissom nodded and left with Greg, even though Greg looked reluctant to leave. Flack smiled as he saw the paramedics bring Detective Caine off of the plane on a backboard and over to the waiting gurney.

"Ugh, it's cold," Robert spoke in a tired voice as he was laid on the gurney and released from the backboard.

Horatio smiled, "Even in Miami, temperature drops a little in the fall," he replied calmly.

"Your boys are gonna be happy to see you, buddy," Flack said in a pleasant voice as he smiled at Robert. "How old are they now?"

Robert sighed, "BJ's already 11 and Adam is 5," he replied softly. "I almost have a teenager, Donny."

"Oh, by the way, I've been taking care of Amanda and Maggie's graves for you since you left and leaving flowers or something nice there every week," Flack said in a more somber voice. "Always something colorful like you asked for."

A sad smile crossed Robert's face, "Thank you, Donny," he replied quietly. "It's just too hard to be there myself right now. Maybe when the boys are a little older, we can visit."

Flack nodded understandingly and looked to the ambulance, "Your ride's ready," he said reassuringly.

"Perhaps you'd like to ride along with us, Detective Flack," Horatio commented. "There is room for you."

Flack was quiet for a moment, "Ah, all right," he replied in a kind voice as he held his duffel close.

Miami-Dade University Hospital

"…You're Ryan Wolfe's sister, right?" Ryan heard Dr. Loman ask. "Thank you for answering my call."

Pain shot through Ryan's head as he opened his eyes and saw himself under a bright light, which made him flinch, whimper, and start vomiting, "Photophobia is a symptom of a migraine," he heard Dr. Loman say worriedly.

The light faded and Ryan realized he was in a trauma room on his side, "What happened?" he asked groggily.

"A nurse came to check on you and you weren't responding to stimuli or commands and your breathing was also staggered," Ryan heard as he was rolled on to his back and saw Dr. Loman and Emily standing over him.

Ryan gave Emily a look, "Did Tommy eat his breakfast and stuff?" he asked in a groggy voice.

"Diana came this morning and sat with us," Emily replied calmly. "Tommy knows it's your chemo day."

Ryan sighed and noticed the IV in his arm, "I told you that you looked anemic," Dr. Loman said calmly as he rifled through a chart while lingering beside the gurney. "Your red blood cells are low enough that I have to suspend the chemotherapy for a month or so until you can get the count back up. I've already informed your doctor."

"Okay," Ryan replied in a faint voice, too tired to argue. "Emily…did you talk to Tim about that guy?"

Emily shook her head, "There's a guy up on the Recovery floor who matches the description of that CSI from Las Vegas who went missing a month ago after being kidnapped from his Crime Lab," Ryan spoke in a tired voice. "He's got bad injuries and amnesia, so I think he might benefit from talking to you since you specialize in trauma."

Nodding, Emily kissed Ryan's cheek, "I'll go check it out," she replied calmly. "Stay here and get some rest."

Sighing, Ryan lay still on the gurney for several moments before exhaustion took over and he fell asleep.

Rosa smiled as she came into 'Nicky's' hospital room carrying two large bags, "I brought your friend some things of your father's that I was going to give to charity anyway and I also went by the store and got him some basic stuff," she said as she walked over to Tim and saw that the amnesiac young man was asleep. "How's Nicky doing?"

"Sleeping soundly and his bruises are starting to turn colors now that his body temp's rising," Tim replied softly.

Rosa nodded and set the bags on the dresser, "I also bought him a few books to give him something to do when he's feeling better," she said as she began to unpack what she brought. "And some stuff to brighten up the…"

'Nicky' suddenly let out a soft whimper and rolled on to his right side while remaining asleep. Grateful that he had brought his CSI kit upstairs with him, Tim quickly got his penlight out and moved around the bed because it was obvious that the guy was trying to take weight off of his back. Tim shone the penlight on 'Nicky's' back and frowned when he saw blood on the bed that was coming from deep cuts on his back that had burst open.

Swearing under his breath, Tim quickly retrieved his camera and quickly took a few pictures of the wounds before pushing the nurse's call button. He quickly returned the camera to the kit as the nurse came in.

"Those cuts must have burst when his temp was brought up," Tim said in a worried voice. "Torture cuts."

The nurse gently poked 'Nicky's shoulder, "Yes?" he asked in a groggy voice as he opened his eyes fearfully.

"Your back is bleeding, sir," the nurse replied softly. "Officer Speedle's gonna help you up so I can get you a clean bed, gown, and stuff to take care of those cuts on your back. I know it'll be hard, but can you let him help you?"

'Nicky' nodded and let Tim help him up and off the bed, "My back was cut?" he asked in a faint voice.

"Here, sit here," Tim said calmly, gently easing Nicky into a soft chair. "Nicky, this is my mom, Rosa Speedle."

Nicky gazed up at Rosa nervously, but didn't say anything, "She's a social worker and she brought you some clothes and other stuff," Tim explained in a calm voice, watching as Nicky's eyes filled with tears. "Hey…"

"Cold…kept hitting me over and over," Nicky gasped through his tears. "I…I'm so cold…it hurts…so much."

The nurse quickly returned with a clean bed, heating blankets, and another nurse who had a cart filled with medical supplies. Nicky started sobbing uncontrollably and Tim gently put his arms around him.

Soft whispering filled the room and Tim watched as one of the nurses came over with a syringe that was labelled as being a sedative, "Just relax, sir," the nurse said, injecting the syringe into Nicky's IV. "You'll be okay."

Nicky's sobs faded as the sedative quickly took effect and he slumped against Tim unconscious.

Crime Lab

"Cardoza, are you all right?" Eric asked as he came into the Trace room and saw Jesse, who was getting blood off of Nicky's clothing, standing at the table with the bloody lab coat in hand staring off into space. "Jesse."

Jesse sighed, "I sent the blood off with Natalia," he replied softly. "I was just thinking about things."

Eric nodded, "Before today, I thought Bernard Marquez was the most psychotic person I would ever know," Jesse continued quietly, sadness in his voice. "Emily was a student at the place where my wife taught and she confided in her about the abuse she had been receiving from Bernard and about him killing Jenna. Tracy brought Emily to our house and I went with Emily over to her place and helped her get things together. What I didn't know is that Bernard had found out where Tracy and I lived and went to confront her about where his common law was…"

"If you don't wanna talk about it, you don't have to," Eric spoke quietly. "I had no idea…"

Jesse set the lab coat on the table, "It's fine," he replied calmly. "I've been seeing a counselor about it."

Eric nodded silently, "After Emily and I got her things, we went back to my house and it was trashed and the walls were covered in blood," Jesse spoke quietly. "Tracy was dead and in pieces. Bernard had used a meat cleaver…"

Tears filled Jesse's eyes and he stepped away from the table so to not contaminate the lab coat, "…Jesse, Eric, I've got a hit on the blood!" Natalia's voice echoed down the hallway. "You guys are gonna want to see this!"

Jesse and Eric exchanged a look and hurried to the lab where Natalia was on a computer with some of the blood in a vial on the machine. On the screen was a photo of Nick along with some information listing him as Nick Stokes, a CSI with the Las Vegas Crime Lab.

"It is him," Eric said in a shocked voice, frowning at the screen. "Was all the blood on the clothes his?"

Natalia nodded, "Eric, here's my cell," she said calmly. "Gil Grissom's number is in here. Call him for me."

Nodding, Eric took the phone and went into the hallway, "Um, Natalia, Emily said you're the co-head of Victims Assistance, right?" Jesse asked in a quiet voice, gazing at Natalia. "I was wondering if you could help me out."

Natalia turned away from the computer and nodded, "The night that Bernard Marquez killed my wife, I walked in on it and I told Emily to run and call for help," Jesse explained quietly. "I then tried to fight Bernard, but the guy was strong and had me on the floor in seconds. He tried to chop off my head and arm while I was still awake, but then I heard a gunshot. Emily had used her student gun to shoot Bernard and he ended up fleeing…"

Sorrow filled Natalia's eyes, "Police took pictures of the injuries and I took the file with me when I moved back," he explained in a shaky voice. "I still have scars and I know Bernard Marquez is dead, but I'm not sure department counseling will be enough to deal with this. Emily thinks I need a referral for Victims Assistance resources like counseling and phone tree support. I'm having nightmares, insomnia, and pains from the scars..."

Natalia was quiet for a moment and nodded, "I'll mention it when I see Grissom," she replied softly.

Walmart Supercentre

The busy department store had allowed Greg to slip away from Grissom unnoticed and find refuge where few people were at that time of day. He had already been to the books and selected a few I Spy and finding objects books that would help him keep his racing mind busy since he was off-duty from lab work and he was now in the toy section of the store, silently looking through the stuffed animals for something to help him sleep at night.

Grissom had gotten the rental car and then dragged him to Wal-Mart of all places, saying that where they were staying didn't have any food or supplies stocked. Greg, as hungry as he was after subsisting on stuff from the break room's vending machine for three weeks, had no desire to be in a noisy, public place where his racing brain had no chance to slow itself down. It was almost like being back at the lab when the shooting had taken place.

The sound of breaking glass filled Greg's ears and he silently selected a stuffed animal from the metal cage, tossing it in the basket as he silently drifted through the aisles. Hot tears filled Greg's eyes and he leaned against a nearby wall, basket in one hand while he placed the other over his eyes. The lights and the noise were assaulting his senses to the point where he was getting a migraine and he could feel his chest tightening up in panic.

An anxious, quiet sob escaped Greg's lips as he cried quietly over what had happened in the lab and the dark path he had been going down since the shooting. He had worked massive amounts of hours and then spent time wandering the Strip when there was nothing to do; he had forsaken eating, drinking, and sleep because he hurt.

There were quiet footsteps, but Greg didn't move or stop crying because he couldn't even though he knew it was probably against store policy to cry in the middle of the store. A pair of hands suddenly grabbed his shoulders.

Greg closed his eyes as he suddenly felt himself being lowered into a chair while the basket was eased from his forearm, "…Greg, come on, don't pass out," he heard Grissom's gentle voice. "I know you're not feeling good."

"Migraine," Greg croaked in a shaky voice, frowning as he suddenly felt himself moving. "What's happening?"

Quiet talking filled the air and Greg suddenly felt himself being pulled from the wheelchair and laid on something soft that crinkled, "…Stetler, what possessed you to call paramedics for Greg?" he heard Grissom say.

Greg suddenly felt a mask being placed over his face, "…Get a set of vitals," he heard a voice say.

Rick gave Grissom a look as they stepped back to let the paramedics work, "You come to check up on Catherine, Grissom?" he asked nervously. "She's doing very well at the Behavioral Health Center since she's been here."

"Among other things," Grissom replied calmly, noting Stetler's overflowing cart. "Robert made it back this morning and he's over at Miami-Dade University Hospital if you wanna see him."

Rick nodded, "I'm might take his sons and Lenny over to the hospital later after school and homework are done," he replied calmly. "I was looking at shoes when I saw Greg wander past like a zombie with his eyes glazed over as if he didn't know where he was or where he was going. I got concerned and followed him for a bit with my phone out."

"Looks like a form of shock…" Grissom heard a paramedic say. "That could have been caused by the migraine…"

Grissom sighed, grateful that he had confiscated Greg's wallet on the ride over so he would have to stay in the store, "Are you this guy's family, sir?" one of the paramedics asked, looking up at Grissom.

"Yes," Grissom lied, watching as Greg lay motionless on the gurney. "Greg…Greg is my son."

Rick gave Grissom a look, knowing full well that Grissom was lying, but neither man said anything and Grissom suddenly felt his cell-phone ringing in his pocket, "Gil Grissom here," he said as he quickly answered it.

Central Park – Manhattan, New York

"You doing all right, Uncle Carlos?" John asked in a kind voice as he wheeled Carlos, who had gotten a pass from the hospital, through the park so he could get some fall air. "Classes ended early, so I thought you might like…"

Carlos, who was now wearing sweats, loose shirts, and hoodies instead of a gown, sighed softly, "I'm well enough to be outside, John," he replied calmly. "I'm finally healed up enough that they want to try rehab soon."

"You'll be great," John replied calmly, stopping the chair near a vendor. "Do you want somethin' to eat?"

Carlos nodded, "Is there cider?" he asked quietly. "My hands are starting to feel a little cold."

John nodded and quickly got his wallet out of his pocket, "One cider, please," he told the vendor.

The vendor nodded and as he prepped the cider, John knelt down beside the wheelchair, "If you're gettin' cold, Uncle Carlos, we can start heading back," he said reassuringly. "I hear it's supposed to snow pretty soon."

"If we went back, I'd probably end up going to sleep on you and then you'd be bored all afternoon," Carlos replied.

John shrugged, "I got stuff to read if you need to rest," he replied calmly. "You're still recovering."

Rising, John took the cup and paid the vendor before handing the cup to Carlos and putting his wallet back in his pocket, "Thanks for not treating me like I'm made of glass just because I can't walk," Carlos said in a tired voice as he let the warm cup soothe his freezing hands. "I meant to ask someone to get me gloves when they visit…"

"I know you're frustrated," John replied gently, knowing that Carlos's visitors had dwindled in recent days simply because few actually knew how to deal with a once vibrant FDNY paramedic becoming paralyzed. "I know."

Carlos nodded, "Your family, my family, and Sully are great, but everyone else thinks I'm this helpless guy who is just going to be stuck in bed for the rest of his life and they're uncomfortable," he said softly. "They can't deal with me like this and so they just stay away. I hear that Bobby finally got back to Miami today since Sully told me…"

"Uncle Bobby got back there because you helped him," John spoke gently, sighing as Carlos started to cry.

Carlos sighed, "It's just hard," he replied softly. "I'm sorry, John; I don't need to be crying in front of you."

John sighed and gently rubbed Carlos's shoulder, "Crying's normal," he replied calmly. "Wanna go back?"

Carlos nodded and John carefully turned the chair and quietly walked back in the direction of the hospital, making a mental note to talk to his parents about Carlos's frustrations because they would know how to be of help to him.

Miami-Dade University Hospital – Miami, Florida

Tim sighed quietly as Nicky lay asleep on his side underneath a pillow since the wounds on his back had been cleaned, treated with antibiotics, and bandaged. Along with the scars on his back, Nicky had also developed a fever as well as a strain of bacterial pneumonia that was being treated with intense antibiotics. Thanks to his mother, however, Tim knew the hospital room looked homier, but Tim also knew that this guy had a long, long way to go before the hospital would actually declare him fit for release. The guy wasn't fit to sleep in any sort of shelter and he was too child-like to make it like those on the street fought to.

"Speed, update me," Horatio said in a concerned voice as he entered the room and saw Nicky's state.

Tim gave Horatio a look, "Nicky woke with back pain and that's when I found the bleeding scars on his back," he explained in a quiet voice. "I took pictures of them and called the nurse, but Nicky started going on about how cold kept hitting him over and over and how it hurt him. The scars…I wonder if they were caused by cold water."

"You mean like waterboarding?" Horatio asked in a concerned voice. "That's an interesting theory."

Tim nodded, "I remember seeing scars like that on John Sullivan when he was tortured," he replied calmly. "I don't suppose there's any chance that any of our evidence says who might be responsible for hurting this guy?"

"I finally found this room," Emily said as she came into the room. "Hospital wasn't overly helpful."

Horatio sighed patiently, "Might be a while before he wakes up," Tim said calmly. "He was sedated."

Emily nodded, "Okay, then I can go down to the ER, check on Ryan, and then go see what Gil Grissom wants," she replied in a calm voice. "Before you ask, Ryan's red blood cell count is low and he's got anemia, so Doctor Loman decided to suspend his chemo for a little while. Grissom texted me saying he needs me to counsel someone…"

"Speed, you're the first person this gentleman can remember, so he's come to trust you," Horatio commented softly, giving Tim a look. "I'll send relief soon, but could you stick around here for a little while longer?"

Tim nodded, "I think Callieigh sent Patrol to follow the blood trail, but I haven't heard anything," he said.

Horatio was suddenly very quiet, wondering if the Russians had been somehow responsible for this because Nick Stokes had killed Dimitri LaRusso in Las Vegas. Then again, the Russian mafia weren't choosy with who and how they chose to torture.

A faint groan came from the bed and Horatio and Emily quickly moved around to the other side of the hospital bed as Nicky's eyes fluttered open and immediately filled with confusion, "More cops?" Nicky asked groggily, eyeing the badges on Horatio's and Emily's belts. "Am I in trouble?"

"No, you're not," Horatio replied calmly. "Nicky, my name is Lieutenant Horatio Caine and I'm with the Crime Lab."

Nicky tilted his head curiously as if trying to see if Horatio was trustworthy, "You…you seem safe enough, I guess," he finally said in a tired voice before gazing at Emily. "Officer Speedle showed me a picture of you and him…"

"Yes, my name is Emily Speedle," Emily replied warmly. "I'm the psychologist for the police department."

Nicky nodded, "If…if you think it might help," he replied quietly. "I'm going to be in here a long time and the nurses were saying that I should be locked in the Psych ward because I don't have ID and I can't remember stuff."

Horatio suddenly felt angry, "I'm sorry that they did that, Nicky," he replied softly. "Would you like me to talk to them and your doctor about watching what they say around you? I don't think you need the Psych ward."

Nicky nodded, his eyes fearful, "I've been trying really, really hard to remember stuff," he spoke shakily.

"Emily, why don't you and Nicky have a conversation now that he's awake?" Horatio suggested gently. "I will go see what is going on in the ER with both Ryan and Gil Grissom. Nicky, is it all right if Emily talks to you?"

Nicky nodded and Tim got up so that Emily could sit close to the bed. She gently took Nicky's right hand in her own and gave it a gentle squeeze, as she could feel that this amnesiac stranger was afraid and needed comfort.

"Could you tell me what you do remember, Nicky?" Emily asked gently, smiling at him. "Please?"

Nicky sighed, "You seem really trustworthy and gentle," he replied softly, comforted by her hand in his.

Emily nodded, "I can tell you what I remember," Nick said in a quiet voice, feeling somewhat safe.

"Um, Nicky, I have to record this simply so we can find out who you are and what happened to you," Tim said as he fished a portable tape recorder out of his kit. "Maybe you'll remember something we can use to help you."

Nodding, Nicky waited until the tape recorder was on and began to speak as Horatio silently left the room.

Manhattan, New York

"…Hey buddy, got a fiver?" John heard a sultry voice ask as he waited at a corner with Carlos. "I kinda need it."

John and Carlos turned, both of them shocked to see Emily Yokas coming towards them dressed in fishnet stockings, high heels, and a tight dress with fur on the collar, "Emily Yokas?" John asked nervously.

"Yeah, I'm kinda in need of some money, Johnny," Emily replied softly. "You owe me after last year!"

The light changed and John silently pushed Carlos across the crosswalk, "Was that Faith's kid?" Carlos asked in a surprised voice as they reached the other sidewalk, stopping to watch as another scantily clad girl joined Emily.

"I don't owe Emily anything because she offered to come with me," John commented. "I planned to go alone."

Carlos sighed patiently, "You shouldn't have run off to Miami last year even if it was for Ellie," he said calmly.

"My mind was in a bad place then," John replied softly. "My mom was working at the Bed-Stuy firehouse as a paramedic under Uncle Jimmy's watch and my friend, Smartie Dominguez, was killed in cold blood…"

Carlos frowned and looked up at John, "You mean that kid who was found in that alley?" he asked.

"Hey, John, I was wondering if you could do me a favor?" Emily asked as she and her friend came from behind.

John scoffed and continued pushing Carlos until Emily and her friend got in front of them, "I stole some money from a guy's wallet a while back and I was wondering how to find him," Emily said in a worried voice. "I managed to steal some from my mom and stepdad's mad money and I wanted to find the guy and pay him back what I stole. I was at this party over in Bed-Stuy after dark a couple of weeks ago and this friend of mine named Pavel…"

"I wonder how your mom would feel if she saw you dressed like that," Carlos commented in a concerned voice.

The other girl glared at Carlos, "This friend of mine named Pavel thought I was cute and invited me to go on a walk with him to this abandoned warehouse," Emily continued quietly. "He said he and his friends were having a party of their own, so I went over there and saw a bunch of big guys in leather fighting with this guy in a blue lab coat. The warehouse was filthy and full of crap, but it seemed like the guy was putting on a show since he was fighting really hard and in a lot of pain. Pavel got the guy's wallet and said it was a gift for me."

Mention of the wallet caused John to freeze, "I wasn't interested in the wallet and the guy finally got knocked out and tied up with duct tape," Emily said softly. "Pavel said that the party was over because Nicolas had to rest."

Unaware that Ty and Brendan had spotted them and were coming to bust the girls for prostitution, John frowned and froze when he saw Ty and Brendan grab hold of Emily and the other girl, "Emily Yokas?" Ty asked quietly, stunned at seeing what Faith's kid was into.

"Uncle Ty, Emily and her friend saw Nick Stokes in New York," John said anxiously. "She just told me she did."

Ty froze, as Nick Stokes was an unsolved case that was currently in the hands of CSI, Anti-Crime, and Major Cases and a guy matching Nick's description had been found in Miami, but was unable to tell them anything, "Uncle Ty, please, can you call Detective Mac Taylor at the Crime Lab about it?" John asked softly. "It's getting colder and I need to get Uncle Carlos back to the hospital in case it snows. We didn't bring any blankets or anything."

Emily swore at the retreating John and Carlos as Ty and Brendan handcuffed her and her dark-haired friend.

Ignoring the bad words, John kept quiet as he wheeled Carlos back to the hospital and back up to his private room in the Rehabilitation Unit, "So…I hear you're gonna be doing work with the Crime Lab," Carlos said in a calm voice.

John quickly turned down the bed and moved the rails, "Sully comes over and visits me when Detective Salas has pre-natal appointments," Carlos explained calmly. "He brings me outside food because I look too thin, according to him and he told me about your opportunity."

Smiling, John walked over to the wheelchair, "You ARE too thin, Uncle Carlos, to be honest," he replied calmly. "And, yes, I've decided I'm going to give it a try and see how I like it."

Carlos chuckled, "And yes, the hospital food is crap," John replied calmly. "I've eaten enough of it."

Before Carlos could reply, Jimmy came into the room using a cane to walk, "Hey!" Jimmy said kindly.

"You're looking better," Carlos replied calmly, unsure of why Jimmy was there. "How are you?"

Jimmy smiled, "I just got done with some physio," he replied calmly. "Thought I'd stop by."

Carlos sighed, "I haven't had much company in the last month," he spoke quietly, wincing as he felt pressure on his spine and neck from being in the chair for too long. "Kylie and Tommy have school and Holly works…"

Jimmy looked surprised that Carlos seemed angry, but John silently pressed the nurse's call button, "You seem upset," Jimmy said in a worried voice, not used to this angry side of Carlos. "I got pretty banged up in that…"

"I'm sorry if I'm inconveniencing you by being angry," Carlos spoke quietly. "I'm not made of glass."

Jimmy's eyes widened in shock as a nurse arrived, "I think I'm ready for some rest," Carlos said quietly.

Nodding, the nurse helped John get Carlos back into bed, "I was in the hospital for two weeks with injuries from that Dimitri LaRusso thing," Jimmy replied in a stunned voice. "I spent another two weeks at home in bed…"

"You know, Officer LaRusso finally got to go home," Carlos said in a quiet voice. "When do I get to do that?"

John sat on the windowsill next to his backpack and Jimmy sat down beside the bed, deeply surprised that Carlos was opening up, "My family has to work so hard just so I can recover and I miss them," Carlos replied softly, his anger at Jimmy just a cover because he was sick of being in the hospital. "I want to go home and be with them."

"You'll get there," Jimmy replied calmly, quickly realizing what Carlos was angry about. "It'll just take time."

As John sat on the windowsill, his phone buzzed and he checked it. There was a text from Detective Taylor saying that he had been informed of Emily's interaction with Nick Stokes and wanted to meet with him at the lab in two days for a meeting because Emily and her friend were too high and drunk to actually be of use at the moment.

Miami-Dade University Hospital – Miami, Florida

Ryan sighed sleepily as he opened his eyes and found that Dr. Loman had moved his bed to a sick station in the open area of the ER where he could be more easily monitored. He quickly figured out that he was under two blankets, sporting an oxygen tube in his nose, and wearing at least three IV's in his arm while a pulse-ox clip sat on the index finger of his left hand. There was a portable table next to the bed that had a plate of food and a juice box on it, but Ryan didn't feel hungry even though he needed to eat and build up his strength to resume chemo.

The ER was strangely quiet and Ryan found himself grateful for the quiet, as it allowed him to actually relax and not worry about anything. His brother was being looked after and the whole situation with the amnesiac guy was being handled by his colleagues; he could actually take a moment and think about himself for a change.

"Done your chemo yet, Ryan?" Jesse asked as he came into view and saw Ryan in bed. "What's up?"

Ryan sighed, "I had some extreme side-effects and I also have anemia," he replied tiredly. "My chemo's been suspended until my red blood cell count comes back up, but I don't have any appetite right at the moment."

"Aw man, that sucks," Jesse replied calmly. "So…how long is the hospital keeping you for?"

Ryan rested his hands together, "At least overnight," he replied groggily. "Doctor Loman's idea."

"If you end up throwing up tomorrow morning like you have every other morning, at least you're somewhere where you can get meds for it," Jesse replied kindly. "I hear a lot through those apartment walls, you know."

Ryan sighed tiredly, "Sorry," he replied apologetically. "I try to be quiet, but mornings aren't easy."

"Maybe if you actually ate food instead of chugging smoothies three times a day, you'd feel better," Jesse replied.

Ryan gave Jesse a look, but silently grabbed the portable table and forced it closer to him, "I'll try," he said quietly.

Jesse nodded and watched as Ryan slowly ate the food, "You know, I go walking in the mornings before work," he said in a calm voice. "Maybe you should come with me when you're feeling better to build up your strength."

In another section of the hospital, Grissom sighed heavily as he sat in the hospital room where Greg, who had been treated for shock and dehydration, was now resting while IV fluids were pumped into his body. Grissom knew he had to yell at Ecklie for allowing the young CSI to work endless hours after being injured in the shooting at the lab.

Grissom also knew, however, that he had confirmation through evidence that 'Nicky' was in fact Nick and he had somehow made it to Miami alive after being missing a month. He wanted to go see Nick for himself, but he had heard from a CSI named Delko that Nick had amnesia along with other injuries and might not know who he was.

"How is your young CSI doing?" Horatio asked in a calm voice as he came into the room and saw Greg was asleep.

Grissom sighed, "He'll be fine," he replied calmly. "I haven't seen your nephew since he was transported."

"Robert is resting because the flight from Las Vegas tired him and Detective Flack is sitting in the room because he thinks I could use a break," Horatio replied calmly, giving Grissom a look. "My CSI's used the blood on the clothing to determine that 'Nicky' is in fact your missing CSI, but he doesn't seem to have any recollection of who he is or how he ended up in Miami today."

Grissom nodded, "Nick's parents live in Texas and I'm really trying to figure out how to approach them about this, as there seems to be a very good chance he won't know who they are and that will freak them out," he said.

Horatio sighed calmly and pulled out his cell-phone, "Since Nick ended up in Miami, that would make informing Nick's parents my responsibility," he replied calmly. "If you would be so kind as to give me their phone number…"

Grissom did so and Horatio silently dialled the number, "Judge Bill Stokes," a kind male voice said. "How can I help you?"

"Judge Stokes, my name is Horatio Caine and I'm head of the Miami-Dade Crime Lab," Horatio said in a calm, composed voice. "A young man matching your son's description was found wandering in Miami this morning with amnesia, but my CSI's were able to use evidence on his clothing to determine that it's your son, Nicolas."

There was a gasp on the other end of the line as Emily and Tim came down the hallway, "My son is alive?" Judge Stokes's voice replied in a shocked tone filled with emotion. "It's been a month since he went missing and….Where is our son at?"

"Miami-Dade University Hospital," Horatio replied calmly. "Just know that he currently has amnesia and might not…"

There was a heavy silence, "I understand that," Judge Stokes replied calmly. "His mother and I will come as soon as possible."

Horatio sighed, frowning as Emily came into the room looking worried, "Thank you," he heard Judge Stokes say. "Goodbye."

"Horatio, there's been a complication," Emily spoke in a shaky voice as she entered the room. "With Nick's health."

Grissom and Horatio frowned, "We were talking and Nick suddenly started complaining of chest pains and coughing so hard that he couldn't get a breath," Emily explained in a concerned voice. "A doctor came in just as Nick passed out, so Nick was intubated and put on a ventilator to help his lungs have a break. Some blood was taken just to see if there's something…"

"What exactly is going on?" Grissom asked in an unusually sharp voice. "Caine, I thought you said he was just beat up?"

Tim came into the room, "I found waterboarding marks on his back not too long ago and since then, he's developed bacterial pneumonia with a moderate fever," he explained in a calm voice. "They're running tests right now and we got kicked out of his room so they can see what's going on. Nick was only found this morning, so it's really very normal for stuff to suddenly show…"

"I notified Nick's parents of Nick's whereabouts," Horatio cut in calmly, knowing that Grissom was highly upset and Tim's little analysis of Nick's worsening condition wasn't helping.

Emily nodded, "It was the right thing to do, I think," she replied softly. "Nick's parents should have the opportunity to come and help him through his recovery if they choose to. I'm not sure how much sicker Nick will get, but at least he'll have support."

"I'd like you to keep working with Nick if his parents allow it," Grissom said calmly. "You have your Master's now, right?"

Emily sighed, "If Nick is able to communicate when they're done running tests, I will help how I can," she replied gently.

"Thank you," Grissom replied in a quiet, but annoyed voice, calming himself so Greg wouldn't wake up. "Things just had to get worse."

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