Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight nor CSI characters or series.

Misplaced Wolf

Chapter 2

TIA POV

I was woken up by a constant beeping. Opening my eyes, I was blinded by the bright white light that appeared so suddenly. Blinking a few times, I looked around to room that I was in; it was unfamiliar and the bed I laid in was extremely uncomfortable. As I turned my head, I noticed the source of the beeping came from a monitor. Beside it sat Nick, the man who was like my second father. He was watching me with tears in his eyes. His badge sat on his chest; 'Nick Stokes' it read. He smiled when he saw my eyes open.

"Tia? Oh, thank God you're okay!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with relief.

"Where is my dad?" I asked him. "Can I see him?" Nick look down once again, squeezing my hand. I frowned. "Nick? Where is he? Where is my dad?" I pleaded, my voice rising as I spoke.

He shook his head and began to talk. "He…" he paused, "he didn't make it." His grip tightened on my hand as tears slipped from my face. He continued to speak. "He bled out before anyone got there, sweetheart."

I shook my head and screamed. "No! No! No!" I ripped my hand from his grip and brought my hands to my face. "You're lying! He isn't dead! No!" I screamed.

Nick wrapped his arms around me, hugging me tightly. I tried to pull away from him, but he didn't let me go. He held on tight as I fought him.

"I know you're upset honey, but it is going to be okay. I promise."

I finally stopped fighting him and just sobbed into his chest until I couldn't cry anymore. Once I had calmed down, Nick allowed me to pull away. He held onto my hand as he handed me a cup of water. I had only taken a few sips when there was a knock at the door, and in walked Captain Brass, my father's boss. He smiled at me softly and stopped beside my bed.

"It's good to see that you are awake, dear." I tried to return his smile, but I couldn't; my face ached from the tears that now stained my face. "I called your uncle, Sam Uley," he continued "he is coming to pick you up as soon as he can."

I froze at the name, Sam Uley. "You are going to be staying with Nick until he arrives." I nodded absentmindedly, trying to listen. It was a struggle, everything was changing so quickly. Brass tried to comfort me by saying that I would be only a few hours' drive away everyone, but what I really heard was that I was going to be taken away from the only family that I had ever known. Taken away from Grissom, Catherine, Sara and most importantly, Nick.

Looking at Nick, I took his hand. "I don't want to leave." He pulled me into his arms, and I closed my eyes, leaning into his arms.

"Did you check this Sam guy out?" Nick said to Brass.

"Of course," Brass replied. "From what I found, he's an upstanding citizen. He seriously has the cleanest record, not even a parking ticket to his name. When he gets down here I'll have a talk with him to see if the record actually fits the guy. I would never want to put her in that type of situation..." I felt Nick nod behind me.

"You won't leave me, will you?" I whispered to him as Brass exited the room.

Before Nick could respond Brass turned around and asked, "Tia, did you have a puppy with you?"

I nodded my head; I had completely forgotten about Snowflake. "Yes, where is she? Is she okay?"

He nodded his head and smiled. "Yes, she is just fine; Catherine took her back to Nick's place for the night and is taking care of her for you." I forced a smile and thanked him.

"You got a dog?" Nick asked.

I smiled softly at the memory, my first real smile since I woke up. "Dad bought me one." I said simply.

Nick kissed my head. "Everything's going to be ok, baby girl…" he paused "I promise." With his reassurance, I nodded my head and laid back down. Nick stayed with me until I drifted back to sleep, hoping that this nightmare of a situation wouldn't get any worse.

I woke later that evening with Nick still sitting beside me. He gave me a fond smile.

"Hi, Princess. I just checked you out of here." I couldn't stop the smile on my face, glad to be getting out of this place. "If you want, we can go and get your stuff and then go back to my house; I can get Catherine and Sara to do it instead, if you wish."

"No, I want to go with you." I said with a heavy sigh.

Nick nodded his head slowly, and I removed myself from the covers. I slipped out of bed, hissing at the pain in my shoulder. It wasn't unbearable, but it ached. Nick stepped outside and allowed me to dress before we left. Walking through the hospital, Nick had his arm placed gently around my shoulders as we walked past the nurses station. Sympathy covered their faces, but I avoided their eyes and just kept walking.

We got to the elevator after what felt like a life-time and I sighed heavily, glad to be out of everyone's gaze. We got down to the underground parking garage, and Nick pulled out his keys. Opened the passenger side door for me, I slipped in as he went to the boot. The bag containing my father's and my belongings was placed in the trunk, and he returned in his seat.

We sat in silence for some of the drive before I finally caved. "Do you know when this, ugh, Sam guy is supposed to come down and take me?"

Nick frowned and looked out the window. "In a week or so… He called Brass while you were asleep; he and his fiancée are coming to see you." I felt my stomach tightened with the thought of having to spend time with an uncle who I had barely heard of and never met before, along with an aunt who would most likely attempt to be a motherly figure. Apparently this nightmare could get worse.

"Am I going to have to spend time with her alone?" I asked Nick.

"No. At least, not for a while."

I frowned at his response. "What do you mean by that?"

He smiled softly and glanced at me before returning his eyes to the road. "I put in a request for a leave of absence. I have plenty of vacation time stored up, so hopefully I'll be able to spend some time with you and help you move in and adjust and everything." I smiled and we fell back into silence.

It didn't take long before we pulled up outside mine and my father's apartment. Well, what use to be our apartment. With a deep sigh, I began to speak up when Nick's phone rang.

"Stokes." He answered. He nodded his head, listening, and his face widened with a smile "Great, thank you, Grissom." He hung up to phone and turned to me. "I'm going to Washington with you."

I smiled. "That's great." He squeezed my hand, and we climbed out of his car and walked up and into the apartment. As we stepped inside, I was surprised to find Sara and Catherine already inside. They had boxes filled with stuff, and they smiled as we walked in. They both walked over and hugged me tightly.

Looking around the bare living room, I felt tears slip from my eyes. "I can't believe that I won't be living here anymore."

Nick squeezed my shoulders. "It's going to be fine, honey. Everything will be okay."

I nodded my head, and we all finished packing. Once I had collected everything I wanted, we filed into Nick's car and drove to his home. The rest of the furniture and my father's possessions were to be placed in a storage which Nick had generously offered to pay for until I could myself.

Driving away, I doubted I would never see that place again.

Two days had passes, and today was the day of the funeral. I couldn't believe it. Nick was taking me to lay my father to rest. I had been hesitant all morning; I had refused to get out of bed and just sat there with my puppy, refusing to move. Nick had tried everything, but I still refused to go. He had finally called Catherine over, and she coaxed me out of bed.

Getting me up, she had picked out a simple black dress from the clothes I had collected from the apartment. She told me to shower and that she would do my hair once I was finished. I showered and dressed quickly. Catherine straightened my hair, we ate, and then were off.

Sitting in the service, I held onto Catherine and Nick tightly. I didn't want to let either of them go as one by one people spoke for my father. Somebody they all had loved…lost in the most horrible way…a piece of their heart gone, never to be replaced…and on and on it went. Many people spoke, including Nick who spoke for me. I didn't have the strength to get up and stand in front of all those people who had gathered to say goodbye. Most people commented on how he was the most caring, loyal and bravest of them all, and that those who knew him could never imagine life without him. We would all miss him.

Yes, we all would. I would the most. I would miss my father for the rest of my life. I was fourteen, I shouldn't be sitting at my father's funeral; I should be sitting at home, playing with my puppy on a Saturday morning while my father made me pancakes for breakfast. But it would never be that way again; that was all gone now. This was it.

Three days had passed, and I now sat in Brass's office, bored and waiting my new guardians to arrive. My arms were crossed over my chest as I stared out the window.

Brass walked into his office and cleared his throat "Tia, this is your Uncle Sam and his fiancé, Emily."

Turning my head to face them, I glanced at the man; he moved to my side as I shifted my gaze to the woman, Emily. Looking at her, I frowned. I didn't think things could get much worse, but I was wrong. Now there is this girl, and not just girlfriend but a fiancé. Soon to be wife. There was no hope of her leaving us; she was here to stay. I couldn't help but wonder what if she was going to try and be a motherly figure in my life. Good, God…

"Hi, Tia" Sam sounded. "It's good to meet you."

I frowned at him, mumbling a quick 'Hi.'

Brass cleared his throat. "We just need to go over some stuff before you to take Tia to her new home, do you mind?" he gestured.

Sam shook his head, answering 'of course not' and stepping out with Brass.

Emily shifted closer to me, and smiled softly as Nick walked in. I sent him a smile and he returned one. He walked over and introduced himself. "Hello, I'm Nick Stokes." Emily moved ro shook his hand, introducing herself as well.

"Can I go talk to the team while I wait?" I asked Nick.

"Of course, dear."

I hopped off the chair and exited the room quickly. I walked into the break room to find almost everyone there. Grissom spotted me first, and he smiled before handing me a box. I opened it and smiled when I realized it was all my dad's stuff from his desk, along with his badge.

Looking up at him I whispered a 'thanks'. Hugging him tightly, I said "I am going to miss you all so much." My eyes watered. They all took turns hugging me and began saying their goodbyes when Nick stepped in.

"It's time to go, Sweetpea." I nodded my head and walked over to him. "Don't cry, sweetheart. It's going to be okay" he said, hugging my tightly.

I nodded my head again, slower this time before I turned back to everyone. "I will be back soon… One day, I'll be a CSI Agent ready to kick some ass." That earned a few chuckles, and they all smiled at me. Taking my hand, Nick and I walked out of the break room and back to Brass' office.

I looked up at Brass and sighed "Bye, Brass. I'm gonna miss you."

He hugged me and smiled. "Good luck Tia."

I pulled back and looked towards Uncle Sam.

"Are you two ready to go?" he asked. I nodded. "What car do you want to go in?"

I turned to look at Nick and stepped closer to him. "Nick's car"

Sam nodded, and we turned to leave. Getting outside, I sighed for the countless time as we climbed into the car. I looked out the window as the desert flew past us. All the wonders of the city I had lived in were disappearing one by one, and now it was just The Famous Las Vegas. It isn't home anymore; home is gone.

A/N: Thank you for reading! Please review and let me know what you think! And a big thank you to my awesome beta- , go check her out!