Two Days Later

Bed-Stuy, New York

"…That's the warehouse," Emily Yokas, who had come off her high realizing that she was in trouble, said in an anxious voice as she pointed to a rustic looking building just down the street from where cop cars and CSI vehicles were parked. "Can I go home now? I've been in jail for the last two days thanks to you guys and I've got…"

Faith, who had come with the group because Emily was still a minor, scowled, "Not another word, Emily," she replied in an angry voice. "Your behavior has gotten steadily worse since your father died last year and…"

"Right," Mac said, cutting them both off as he turned to Stella, Danny, Lindsay, Adam, and Hawkes and saw that John was standing near one of the cop cars talking quietly with Bosco, who was in uniform. "We've got ourselves a CSI trainee over from NYU who will be working with us on this, so I hope you're all in a teaching mood."

Murmurs filled the small group as Mac motioned for John, who had been given a bulletproof vest by Bosco to wear over his sweater, to come over, "This is John Boscorelli and he's currently studying for his Bachelor's in Criminalistics," he said as John came over to the group. "His father, Maurice Boscorelli, is a beat cop here."

"So, you accepted Mac's offer, huh?" Danny asked in an impressed voice, grinning at John. "Good."

Mac silently opened the back of his vehicles, revealing a stockpile of HAZMAT gear, "We don't know the situation or the conditions that we'll find, so I want everyone protected from head to toe before we go in there," he ordered in a professional voice. "I want constant communication with each other in there and nobody is to be alone at any one time simply because we don't know who or what is in there. Get suited up and let's get our kits together."

As the others grabbed gear, John looked at Mac, "I'll help you get suited up," Mac replied calmly. "All right?"

Nodding, John grabbed a set of gear and began to dress himself in it as Mac gave him instructions.

Miami-Dade Crime Lab/Police Department – Miami, Florida

"Lieutenant Caine, I apologize that it took Jillian and I so long to come from Texas, but I am a federal judge and I had to deal with cases," Judge Bill Stokes said as he and Jillian Stokes sat in Horatio's office. "How's Nick?"

Horatio sighed patiently, "Nick developed breathing problems and so he's been sedated, intubated, and put on a ventilator to help his breathing, so his visitors are limited right now," he explained calmly. "I'm not sure what he'll remember whenever he wakes up, but he didn't seem to remember anything substantial before he got worse."

Judge Stokes sighed softly as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, which he flipped open to a photo of himself, Jillian, five dark-haired girls who were all smiling, a dark-haired boy who was scowling and Nick, who was also smiling, "Nick's brother is into some bad stuff and so I don't see him much if ever, but Nick called us every day before this happened," he explained calmly. "Nick's sisters all love him to pieces and are worried…"

"Derek got into drugs when he was in high school and I wouldn't have that in my house, so I offered to take him to rehab and get him clean, but Derek reacted by stealing money and some stuff around the house before running off," Jillian Stokes explained softly, gazing at her husband. "He recommended that last-minute babysitter…"

Judge Stokes sighed, "Jilly, shh," he replied calmly, seeing that his wife was upset. "It's not your fault."

"She did something to Nick and I don't know what," Jillian Stokes replied anxiously as Horatio's phone rang.

Horatio silently answered his phone, "This is Lieutenant Caine," he said calmly, suddenly frowning.

"Lieutenant Caine, this is Doctor Russell from Miami-Dade University Hospital," a voice said on the phone. "We've determined that the person you brought in, Nicolas Stokes, has a form of Streptococcus pneumoniae that is a superbug and he's also got lung infection. We've got him on strong antibiotics and he's stable, but his skin and hair were teeming with bacterias and your CSI's may be at risk for the same thing if they came into contact prior to Mister Stokes being treated. He's no longer contagious, but anyone who came into contact needs to be tested."

Horatio froze, "I'm sending Public Health and HAZMAT over to your lab to test everyone and every piece of evidence related to Nicolas, so you need to lock it down," Dr. Russell said calmly. "Isolate anyone with high risk."

The call ended, "Judge Stokes, Mrs. Stokes, can you please wait here?" Horatio asked as he got up.

Bewildered, they nodded and Horatio quickly left the office and hit the alarm as he hurried down the steps to the lab. Alarms filled the normally quiet lab and Horatio quickly hurried through the hallways, "Horatio, what's going on?" Tim asked as he came out of one of the labs while others streamed out into the hall. "Why the alarms?"

"Where's Ryan?" Horatio asked in an anxious voice. "We were all exposed to potentially dangerous bacterias and a strep pneumonia superbug from Nick Stokes and his clothes. Ryan's got a high risk because of his low immune…"

Tim's eyes widened and he pointed down the hallway where Alexx and Ryan were talking with an anxious looking Rick, who was helping shepherd people down the hallway, "Ryan!" he called out. "You need to be isolated."

Ryan froze, "Speed, help people get to muster points," Horatio called as he ran over to Ryan. "You need to be…"

"I'm fine, Horatio," Ryan said in a nervous voice. "Alexx and I were just taking a break because…"

Horatio shook his head, "You need to be isolated because you've got a compromised immune system due to your chemotherapy treatments," he replied firmly. "The hospital just called me and Nick Stokes has a form of Streptococcus pneumoniae that is a superbug and his hair and skin were teeming with bacteria. We were all exposed because we touched his clothes and some of us even touched him. You need to be isolated somewhere comfortable until Public Health and HAZMAT can come over and test you and everyone else. Come on."

Rick's eyes went wide, "A bacterial superbug?" he asked in an anxious voice. "You gotta be kidding me."

Horatio nodded and gently took Ryan's arm, escorting him through the crowd of lab techs who were all going to indoor muster points, "Just take a seat in here and try to stay calm," he said in a reassuring voice as he led Ryan into the empty break room and quickly locked him inside. "I'll keep in touch with you by cell-phone."

Ryan nodded and placed his hand on the glass, helpless to do anything but watch as his co-workers were hustled to different points around the lab to wait for clearance. He could see people looking at him locked in the break room and his fear rose, as only his closest colleagues knew that he had cancer and now everyone would be talking.

"...The whole lab's in lockdown," Tim heard Horatio say on the phone. "We're waiting on Public Health…"

Tim sighed as he stood in a conference room along with several employees, "I'm just glad I took those natural supplements after remission and I've been exposed to enough crap having kids that I'm not in the same boat as my brother," Emily said in an anxious voice as she sat in a chair. "I phoned Diana over at the hospital and she's…"

"Aunt Emily, can I talk to you?" Emily suddenly heard Jason, who worked with Alexx as a morgue assistant as a second job to help support his mother, brother, and older sister, ask softly. "I've got things on my mind."

Emily nodded and Jason sat at the table beside her, "I've been trying to ask my mom about when we can go to visit my dad at the prison, but she's told me not to worry and to focus on my job," Jason spoke softly. "What's wrong?"

There was a silence, "You're old enough to know the truth, but I don't want you yelling at your mom or your dad about this because they wanted to protect you, Jenny, and Emilio," Emily explained softly. "Your Uncle Ryan helped your dad get released from prison into in-patient psychiatric care at a hospital because your dad has some very bad things from his past that made him hurt a lot. Your dad's scared you and Jenny won't forgive him…"

Jason sighed, "Bad things like abuse from Grandma?" he asked softly. "I had a feeling it was happening…"

Emily gave Jason a look, "Dad used to come home really late when I was still up playing PlayStation or doing homework and he'd be all pale and teary like someone or something sucked the life out of him," Jason explained in a quiet voice. "He'd ask me quietly why I wasn't in bed and I'd end up making him a sandwich or something and we'd talk, but he didn't do much talking. I know Grandma tried to hurt me and he lost his mind over that…"

"…HAZMAT and Public Health are on-site," a voice came over the intercom. "HAZMAT and Public Health are…"

Hushed whispers filled the room and Emily frowned as she suddenly saw Horatio, who was decked out in HAZMAT gear, come down the hallway with other people also decked out in gear towards the locked break room where Ryan was still standing with a hand on the glass, "…Oh, great, what did Wolfe do now?" she heard a voice ask.

"…That dude's been late to work and sleeping on the clock and Stetler's too absorbed in himself to fire the dude for wasting County tax dollars," Dave Benton's voice carried over. "Lieutenant Caine's too busy trying to help his nephew and everyone else and he can't see that Wolfe's dead weight. What are you glaring at, Delko?"

Emily turned to see Eric, who had overheard Benton's comments, glaring menacingly at Dave while Callieigh tried to hold him back, "Eric, don't," Callieigh said in an anxious voice. "Dave, maybe you'd better be quiet."

"Why?" Dave snapped, glaring at Calleigh angrily. "We don't come here to sleep. We come here to work!"

Eric scowled and Emily sighed, turning away from the disagreement just in time to see Ryan being escorted out of the lab by two health officials with a blanket wrapped around him while Horatio watched worriedly.

There was a gasp and a bang, "HEY!" Calleigh shouted as Dave shoved Eric back. "STOP THIS CRAP NOW!"

"Is there a problem, Mister Benton?" Emily asked in a cold voice as she looked at Dave. "Anxiety?"

Dave scowled, "Your brother should get fired for sleeping on the job and being late," he hissed angrily.

Emily raised an eyebrow, "Ryan has thyroid cancer and he's late twice a week because he's got chemotherapy in those mornings and the other three mornings, he's so tired that Tim or Jesse have to go over to his apartment and help him get ready for the day," she snapped in an irritated voice as she got up and glared at the others. "Now, cork it before I recommend you get suspended for shoving Officer Delko! We're all still on the clock!"

Hushed whispers filled the room and Emily sighed as she walked over to an isolated corner of the room, "Stetler saw the whole thing and he didn't look happy," Jesse said in an anxious voice. "We're all adults here, guys."

"Is that why Ryan was isolated from the rest of us?" Valera asked softly. "His weak immune system?"

Emily nodded, "Horatio thought it would be best and I agree," she replied softly, watching as guys in HAZMAT uniforms came into the lab with their equipment. "Ryan didn't want the whole lab to know, but he's also told me that he's heard gossip about how he should be fired for his unprofessional behaviors. When we're allowed to go back to work, I'm going straight to Stetler and telling IA that this whole lab needs counseling and sensitivity training because the brainless techs don't know how to be supportive to employees with serious illnesses."

The hushed whispers continued, but Calleigh, Jesse, Natalia, Eric, Tim, and Valera were all quiet because they knew Emily was right and as department psychologist, she had the right to go to IAB with any concerns about staff.

Bed-Stuy, New York

"Is the smell bothering you?" Mac asked as he led John, Stella, Danny, Lindsay, Adam, and Hawkes into the warehouse and saw piles of blood, drug paraphernalia, and empty beer bottles and cans strewn everywhere as well as a metal table and some busted chairs. "It looks like there was definitely a party here at some point."

The sound of footsteps suddenly hit Danny's ears and he frowned when he saw a scraggly guy in jeans, boots, and a t-shirt, sweater, and a fleece jacket come into view with a gun, "MAC!" he shouted anxiously. "He's armed!"

After trying and failing to shoot, the guy bolted out of the warehouse and Mac suddenly heard Bosco shouting and swearing as well as a small 'thud', "Stella, go see if the cops got him," he said calmly. "Process everything."

Stella nodded and went outside, sighing when she saw Bosco cuffing the guy while Faith and Emily talked quietly nearby as if Emily knew the guy, "The punk won't tell me who he is," Bosco snarled. "He just says he lives here."

"Emily, who's your friend?" Faith snapped in an irritated voice, glaring at her daughter. "You seem to know him."

Emily didn't say anything for a moment, "Emily Yokas, you are in enough trouble over your street habits and this party!" Faith snapped, glaring at her daughter. "Withholding information from police will land you in Riker's!"

"Faith, his wallet says Derek Stokes," Bosco said as he held up a wallet that he got from the guy's pocket.

Stella frowned, "Stokes?" she asked in a confused voice. "I wonder if he's any relation to Nick Stokes?"

The scraggly guy glared at Stella, "You mean that goody-two shoes baby brother of mine?" he snapped.

Miami-Dade Crime Lab/Police Department – Miami, Florida

"I'm here to talk to Lieutenant Caine about Nick Stokes," Grissom said in an irritated voice as he and Greg stood with Tripp, who was guarding the taped off area. "Nick's parents were supposed to meet us here and…"

Tripp sighed, "The lab's on lockdown cause the hospital's worried about bacterial stuff and everyone being exposed," he repeated patiently. "Horatio probably has Stokes's parents safely locked in his office."

A muffled cry filled the air and Grissom frowned as he turned towards the noise and saw Ryan being scrubbed and soaked thoroughly in a decontamination shower while Alexx lingered nearby, "Why's everyone else being held in the lab and why is he out here?" he asked, recognizing Ryan. "I thought they were still in lockdown mode."

Greg quickly ran to the car that he and Grissom had brought over and popped the trunk, relieved that he hadn't put all of his clothes in the apartment, "Greg, what are you doing?" Grissom asked in a confused voice.

"That guy probably doesn't have dry clothes," Greg explained as he pulled a shirt, a hoodie, a pair of clean boxers, loose pants, and some socks out of the trunk before closing it up. "I know what decontamination is and he doesn't look good. Decontamination wasn't enjoyable for us either, but we didn't look like that after it was done."

Grissom nodded and Greg hurried over to the site just in time to see Alex bundle Ryan in towels and pat his wet hair and face down so he wouldn't freeze, "It's okay, baby," Alexx said soothingly as Greg approached. "Yeah?"

"I have some dry clothes for your friend," Greg offered in a worried voice. "My name's Greg Sanders."

Alexx nodded, "Doctor Alexx Woods," she replied in a calm voice. "This is CSI Ryan Wolfe."

Greg nodded, "Being locked in that staff room and drowned in cold water…" Ryan spoke in a shaking voice.

"You've got cancer and a compromised immune system, baby, so Horatio wanted to make sure you were safe," Alexx replied calmly as she patted his hair. "Greg Sanders here has some dry clothes for you to get warm in."

Ryan nodded as the towels were taken away and Greg quickly dressed him from head to toe in the warm, dry clothes, "Oh, man," he said, sighing as Grissom came over. "I recognize that guy and he looks upset."

"You're Ryan Wolfe, aren't you?" Grissom said in a confused voice. "What are you doing out here alone?"

Ryan gave Grissom a look, "I've got cancer and Horatio isolated me from everyone because my immune system's compromised from chemo," he explained, having only met the guy once. "They took my vitals, took some blood, and then stripped me and threw me in the showers. I remember meeting you when I started with Patrol…"

Just then, the doors opened and Horatio and the rest of the lab came out and Horatio immediately escorted a shaken Bill and Jillian Stokes over to Grissom, "Doctor Grissom," Judge Stokes said shakily. "Do you…?"

"I…I don't feel so good," Ryan said shakily as he sank against Alexx. "That shower messed with my head."

Greg sighed, "Come on, baby, I'll drive you to the hospital and you can get looked at," Alexx said soothingly.

"Do you think we'll be allowed to visit Nick soon?" Jillian Stokes asked anxiously. "He's our baby boy."

Horatio sighed patiently, "All you can do is go over to the hospital and try," he replied calmly. "Alexx, while you're there, would you please look in on Bobby for me? Detective Flack from NYPD has been sitting with him…"

Alexx nodded, "I have to stay here and get decontaminated along with everyone else, but I'll come as soon as I'm clear," Horatio said calmly, watching as Greg and Alexx helped Ryan step across the grass. "Doctor Grissom…"

"I can help wherever I'm needed," Grissom offered, sensing that Horatio was about to ask him for help.

Horatio nodded, "Alexx, let Judge Stokes and Mrs. Stokes follow you over to the hospital," he said calmly.

As the group walked off, Horatio gave Grissom a look, "I could use the help," he said in a relieved voice.

Crime Lab – Manhattan, New York

Derek Stokes sat in an interview room having been hauled over from the warehouse in Bed-Stuy by Bosco while Faith and Emily followed. The warehouse had been processed and while Mac and Faith lingered in the interview room, everything was being analyzed in the labs by Stella, Danny, Lindsay, Adam, and Hawkes while John observed and learned some things. Bosco and the other uniforms had gone back on their beats and Emily had been placed in a holding cell because she refused to give information to police and Faith would deal with it later that day.

"What were you doing at that warehouse?" Mac asked in a stern voice. "Were you partying there?"

Derek scoffed, but didn't say anything, "Are you related to Nick Stokes?" Faith asked in a sharp voice.

"What do you care, blondie?" Derek asked coldly. "I'm square with the Russians now, so I'm happy."

Mac frowned at the mention of the Russians, "What do you mean you're square with the Russians?" he asked coldly, now wondering if Derek had been involved in Nick's kidnapping. "You involved with the Russian mob?"

"I only get drugs and hookers from em, man," Derek replied casually. "They're cheap in what they charge."

Mac silently opened the wallet and took out a photo that had been found, "This your family?" he asked.

"At one time, but not anymore," Derek replied coldly. "My mom kicked me out when I was in high school."

Faith eyed Derek warily, "She didn't want me influencing my little sisters and my baby brother, but my girlfriend at the time already messed with my baby brother," Derek scoffed. "My dad's a bigshot judge in Texas…"

"You mentioned that you're square with the Russians?" Mac repeated impatiently. "What does that mean?"

Derek sighed, "The Russian mobsters here heard Nick killed Dimitri LaRusso and they threatened to cut off my drugs and the girls unless I helped them do something about it," he snapped in an irritated voice.

Horror washed over Mac as he realized that Derek was confessing being involved in Nick's kidnapping, "You know, at this point, I'd advise you to get a lawyer before you say more," he said in a concerned voice.

"Ah, screw lawyers," Derek scoffed coldly. "My mom's a lawyer and they don't do any good for anyone."

Faith looked angry, "What, you sold your own brother's safety and life out for drugs and hookers?" she asked angrily. "That's human trafficking, in case you didn't know!"

"They said he worked in the Las Vegas Crime Lab," Derek continued, ignoring Faith's angry tirade. "Ivan, the second in command, flew up from Miami and we flew out to Vegas to the Crime Lab along with a bunch of guys and machine guns. We had to wear masks so that people couldn't identify us, but Nick knew my voice."

Disgusted with what he was hearing, Mac silently excused himself and promptly threw up in a trash can.

Miami-Dade University Hospital – Miami, Florida

Greg sighed patiently as he followed Judge Stokes and Jillian Stokes into Nick's hospital room where a guy in green scrubs and a white lab coat was talking to a nurse, "Oh, Pancho," Judge Stokes said in a sad voice.

"Are you Nick's parents?" Dr. Russell asked in a calm voice, sighing as Bill and Jillian nodded. "Okay…"

Nick lay in bed unconscious in a clean gown with his head bandaged and his casted left arm and wrist in a clean sling with a clean bandage covering the staples in his abdomen. His other arm and hand rested limply on the blanket decorated by IV's and a pulse-ox clip while a tube was down his throat and providing Nick oxygen from a ventilator. Nick's face was pale and was bruised, as was his arm and neck and beads of sweat filled his forehead.

"I brought some family pictures and some of Nick's things from home," Jillian spoke softly as she held up one of the bags she had brought with her from Texas. "I thought they might help him feel better and remember."

Dr. Russell nodded and Jillian began unpacking things, "When Nick was first brought here, this social worker named Rosa Speedle brought him stuff because he was afraid and couldn't remember anything," he explained.

"I'll have to thank her," Jillian replied as she unpacked photos and personal things. "Bill, here's his puppy stuffie; the one he liked to sleep with when he was a boy."

Judge Stokes nodded and smiled sadly as he took the stuffed dog and gently tucked it under Nick's right hand, "The news said the Russians did this," he said calmly. "In revenge because he killed some Russian mobster?"

"I honestly don't know anything about it yet," Greg replied gently, watching Judge Stokes's lips as he spoke. "Um, I brought Nick something…"

Judge Stokes nodded as Greg opened his backpack and pulled out Nick's Woobie, "Um, Nick I know where Nick keeps his spare key and I thought he might like to have this," Greg explained nervously. "We're best friends…"

Swallowing hard, Greg shakily unfolded the blanket and draped it over Nick's body, "Were you also in the shooting at the lab, then?" Judge Stokes asked quietly, eyeing Greg. "Nick mentioned he had this lab guy as a buddy…"

Greg nodded, "I was shot in the leg twice," he replied softly, looking at them as they spoke. "I came out here with Grissom. Excuse me."

Unable to stay in the room, Greg quickly left and checked his wallet, suddenly wanting a drink because he should have been able to do more than just call out when Nick was being taken. Now, because he hadn't been able to do anything, Nick was laying in this Miami hospital with heartbroken parents lingering and crying at his bedside.

The walk through the hospital was surprisingly short and as Greg left the ER, he didn't notice that Ryan was being helped to leave by Alexx after being given the all-clear and told to rest, "Hey, Alexx, isn't that the guy who gave me the clothes?" Ryan asked as he watched Greg's eyes fill with tears. "I thought he was told to stay with us?"

"I need to go check on Horatio's nephew," Alexx said calmly. "Baby, why don't you go wait in my car?"

Nodding, Ryan went outside to Alexx's car and frowned when he saw Greg disappear into a nearby liquor store.

"…Donny, stop it, you're making me laugh too hard," Alexx heard as he came into Robert's hospital room and saw that Robert and Detective Flack were playing cards and chatting. "You invented that, so don't start…"

Flack smiled, "Yes, I freely admit to inventing the hoop shot dance because even against you, I did manage to get some baskets," he replied casually. "I got nuttin'…"

"It's all right, I'm getting a little tired anyway," Robert said calmly as he gazed at Alexx. "Doctor Woods, hi."

Alexx smiled as Robert set his cards on the portable table, "How are you feeling, Detective?" she asked kindly.

"I'm sporting a new accessory in my left ear along with casts on my arm and leg, a lovely bunch of tubes in my intestines, and my usual smile," Robert replied calmly. "I had been undergoing treatment for tinnitus in my ears back in New York and a little bit in Miami, but being in close proximity to multiple gunshots without any protection caused me to get moderate hearing loss in my left ear. Gil Grissom helped me get set up with my hearing aid and it helps me to be able to hear normally."

Alexx nodded, deeply confused, "My wife used to beat on me when she got manic and I got head injuries," Robert explained quietly, knowing Flack would tell if he didn't. "She was schizophrenic and it was very rough on both me and our kids."

Nodding, Alexx silently gave Robert a gentle hug, "Domestic violence is heartbreaking," she spoke softly. "It explains why you're so incredibly kind to everyone you meet even if they're really rude to you. If you ever feel like you're having a bad day…"

"Thanks," Robert replied softly as Alexx released him. "I'll probably be here for another week at least."

Alexx nodded, "Your uncle's busy with work and he asked me to check on you," she explained gently.

"Hey, Bobby, I'm gonna step out and get some coffee," Flack said calmly. "I'll be right back."

As Robert and Alexx continued to talk, Flack got up and stepped out into the hall, but before he could find where they kept the coffee, his cell-phone rang, "Flack," he said as he answered it. "Oh, hey there, Mac….you've got an update?"

Flack's smile faded as Mac told him about Derek Stokes and how he had been involved in Nick Stokes's kidnapping.

"Hey buddy, don't forget to pay for that bottle," the owner said as he watched Greg open a bottle of red wine and take a drink while ignoring the three bottles already in the basket he was holding. "You not a beer person? That's a lot of wine you have."

Unable to understand what the guy was saying because his voice was low and he hadn't been able to hear quieter sounds since the shooting and louder sounds triggered migraines that nearly paralyzed him, Greg continued ambling through the aisles. He had spent so much time at the lab because it had been relatively quiet and he had had to use his eyes obsessively during his walk breaks down the Strip because he couldn't hear cars or much around him. His hearing wasn't getting any better.

As Greg studied a shelf featuring different colors of wine, he suddenly felt a hand on his arm and looked up to see Ryan standing right next to him, "I followed you over here and called your name, but you didn't respond," Ryan said, eyeing the bottle in Greg's hand and the ones in the basket. "I thought Grissom told you to stay with me and Alexx, Greg?"

"I'm fine," Greg replied calmly, able to understand what Ryan was saying because he was looking at him. "Excuse me."

Ryan frowned as Greg moved to the counter and noticed that Greg kept his eyes on the little screen on the register and used as little of his hearing as possible. Greg can't hear good because of the shooting at the Las Vegas Crime Lab. Ryan quickly realized.

Not wanting Greg to get hurt due to his hearing loss, Ryan followed him from the store and walked behind him as they returned to Alexx's car in the hospital parking lot. Greg silently stashed the bottles in the car and suddenly looked distressed.

"Grissom's going to fire me," Greg said quietly, gazing at Ryan. "When he finds out I have trouble with my hearing."

Ryan sighed, "You know, I have a hearing aid too," he replied calmly. "My dad used to beat on me so bad that I ended up with hearing issues when I was older. There's something called the Americans With Disabilities Act that prevents people from being fired solely because they have a disability. I used to work Patrol before I became a CSI and the department simply asked me to work with a partner and check-in every week. My hearing difficulties didn't cost me my job and it won't cost you yours."

"Does this place have facilities where I can get my hearing tested?" Greg asked softly. "It's been this way for a month."

Ryan nodded and motioned for Greg to follow, which he did, "Hey, Doctor Loman, got a sec?" he asked calmly, seeing Dr. Loman at the desk doing paperwork. "My friend, Greg, seems to be having hearing issues and needs to be looked at."

Dr. Loman looked up and studied Greg briefly, "I remember seeing you on the news," he said calmly. "Let me guess, you were one of those unlucky CSI's on duty in Las Vegas when their Crime Lab got shot up by Russians and that CSI was taken?"

Greg nodded, grateful that Dr. Loman was speaking directly at him, "I have some time," Dr. Loman replied calmly.

Ryan led Greg over to a gurney and sat him down, "Just sit very, very still," Dr. Loman said as he walked over and began to carefully examine Greg's ears, "You seem to have something jammed in each of your ears that may explain some things."

"What's in my ears?" Greg asked in a confused voice, feeling pressure but not understanding why it was there.

Dr. Loman frowned, "It looks like pieces of glass," he replied in a confused voice. "Perhaps from the shooting?"

"That was a month ago," Ryan said in a stunned voice. "The guy's been walking around with glass in his ears for that long?"

Dr. Loman put the instrument down and looked at Greg, "You have glass in your ears," he said calmly. "I think I can get it out."

Greg's eyes widened, but he nodded, "Do you want me to call Grissom?" Ryan asked loudly. "To let him know?"

"I'll get a nurse and the necessary supplies and be back to get the glass out," Dr. Loman said calmly. "Sit tight."

Greg swallowed hard and held out his cell-phone to Ryan, unable to speak because he felt terrified to know that he had been walking around with glass in his ear for a month and it might have killed him. It wasn't long before Dr. Loman returned with a cart of supplies, a towel, and a nurse. Ryan watched as Dr. Loman wrapped a towel securely around Greg's neck and then positioned Greg's hand so he was holding an emesis basin just below his left ear. He then tiled Greg's head towards it.

"I'll be very gentle, don't worry," Dr. Loman said calmly as he picked up a loaded syringe. "I'll be irrigating your ears."

Greg closed his eyes and winced as he felt water being squeezed into his left ear, frowning when he heard the sound of glass hitting the plastic basin, "It's coming out slowly, but it's coming out," he heard Dr. Loman said encouragingly. "Just breathe."

"You have information for me, Detective Flack?" Horatio said calmly as he came down the hallway from the elevator after getting a call from Flack regarding the Nick Stokes cases and being cleared to work. "I trust that my nephew is resting or otherwise occupied."

Flack nodded, "Doctor Alexx Woods is sitting with him for a bit," he explained calmly. "I got a call from Detective Taylor…"

"Perhaps we should continue this discussion in the presence of Judge Stokes and his wife," Horatio mused quietly.

Swallowing hard, Flack silently followed Horatio to Nick's room and saw that Nick's personal things were now decorating the room and Judge Stokes and his wife were sitting beside the bed, "…Pancho's a fighter, Jilly," Judge Stokes said softly. "He'll get through this."

"Oh, hey there, Judge Stokes," Flack said, recognizing the man from broadcasts. "I've seen you on the news a lot."

Judge Stokes looked slightly amused despite his high level of worry for his sick and injured son, "I'm Detective Don Flack from the New York Police Department and I just got a call from Detective Taylor of the Crime Science Investigation Department in New York regarding your son's kidnapping case," Flack said in a somber voice. "The CSI's were searching a warehouse in Bed-Stuy on a tip by someone that says Nick was there."

"Bed-Stuy, New York is a cesspool of drugs and violence," Judge Stokes replied in a horrified voice. "Why was Nick there?"

Detective Flack sighed, "The source of information says that Nick was being beaten up there, but we don't have a lot of information yet," he explained calmly. "What we do know, however, is the identity of one of the people who kidnapped Nick."

Silence filled the room, "NYPD arrested a guy named Derek Stokes for coming at the CSI's with a gun and trying to flee," Flack said. "Upon being taken downtown, Derek admitted that he helped the Russian mob snatch Nick from the Crime Lab in Las Vegas last month."

Judge Stokes's eyes went wide with anger and he silently took out a handkerchief and began to gently wipe sweat off of Nick's forehead, "I haven't seen Derek in years," he replied calmly as Jillian started to cry softly. "Not since he was in high school."

"Derek said that the Russian mob threatened to cut his access to drugs if he didn't help avenge Dimitri LaRusso," Flack said.

Horatio sighed, "Nick Stokes killed Dimitri because Dimitri was going to kill me," he spoke quietly. "I'm sorry."

"Oh, Pancho, you brave little warrior," Judge Stokes commented softly, tears coming to his eyes as he gently stroked Nick's pale, bruised face, "Please don't apologize, Lieutenant Caine. I'm proud that Nick is so brave and cares about others as much as he does."

Jillian sighed anxiously as she got up from her chair and walked over to Horatio and Flack, "Derek got into drugs when he was in high school and he stole from us," she explained in a tired voice. "One day after Nick suddenly didn't want to be alone with Derek and his girlfriend anymore, I kicked Derek out and told him if he ever tried to come home, I'd call the police."

Horatio sighed, "Nick used to look up to Derek because Derek is the oldest and Nick is the youngest and they have five sisters in between them," Judge Stokes spoke in a sad voice. "After hearing what Derek has done, I can't see Derek as my son anymore."

"I promise you, Judge Stokes, between us, Las Vegas, and New York, we'll figure this whole thing out," Horatio said firmly. "You will get the answers and peace you seek."

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