72 hours

Ch3: Wednesday Night

Catherine has her car come to a screeching halt as she frantically arrives on scene. The scene isn't as chaotic as she thought it would be. She heard Lindsay's voice call out the officer down but heard nothing afterwards. She sees an ambulance and walks to it as fast as she could in heels. She could hear yelling... Nick yelling.

"Have you lost your damn mind?!" Nick shouted upset as he pointed at her. Lindsay was obviously shaken.

"I thought..."

"No, you didn't think! You could've easily have gotten yourself killed! The ink are you card isn't even dried yet! Have you got any damn sense?!" Nick yelled again further upsetting Lindsay. "You don't listen! For god's sake, Ray. I told you to leave and you wanted to take your time... And now look..." Nick said upset rubbing his forehead. Lindsay went from really upset to really confused.

"What are you..." Lindsay said wiping a tear. Nick groaned as he began to rub his hands together nervously.

"Lindsay!" Catherine called up trying to hide her anxiety. She sees Lindsay arguing with Nick. Catherine ran over to her, giving her a big hug. "Are you alright?"

"I'm... Fine..." Lindsay said smiling, it was obvious she was shaken up. Lindsay tried to hide her shaking hands. Catherine inspected Lindsay for injuries but Lindsay pulled her arms away. "Mom, I am fine. What's wrong with Nick?" She said sternly. Catherine gave her another strong hug.

"Get off of me!" Nick yelled pushing the paramedic down. Nick staggers away from the ambulance wiping his face. His behavior was erratic but she's seen it before.

"Damn it, Nicky." She said as she cautiously approached.

"I said don't touch me!" He yelled again as the other paramedic approached him. Nick began looking around as he held his chest wincing.

"Nicky," she said knowing full well it would startle him. Nick spun around and saw Catherine. He looked slightly relieved in his highly agitated state.

"Catherine..." Nick said excited. Catherine tried to hold his hands but he continuously pulled them away. "You gotta go. Help Ray... Clark, he's..." Nick tried to ramble on upset as Catherine tried to reason with him.

"Nicky." She said holding his hand. He had a confused expression.

"He's... He's bleeding... I think he's dead..." Nick said panicked as he ran his hands through his hair.

"Nicky, take a deep breath. You're safe. Nicky..." Catherine said holding his hand tight. Nick looked around and pulled his hand away. He turned around and cover his face.

"Is Lindsay alright?" He said frustrated with his face still covered.

"She's fine. Are you alright?" Catherine asked again touching his back but he pulled away. Nick remained quiet, as he rubbed his forehead. Catherine sighed as she crossed her arms.

"Are you going to let the paramedics help you?" She asked him again.

"I'm fine." He said matter of factly. Nick took a deep breath trying to calm his nerves.

"Nick..."

"Damn it, Catherine! I told you I'm fine! I don't need any help from them, or you! Leave me alone!" Nick exploded telling at her. Catherine remained stoic.

Perks of being friends with someone so long is that you know and understand certain behaviors. After the shooting Nick suffered from PTSD. He continues to suffer with it but had a better understanding of his triggers and was usually able to calm himself down. Catherine knew that between the PTSD and the pain he had was causing his agitation.

"I'm sorry, Cath..." Nick said as his face softened. Catherine smiled. Nick winced touching his chest. "How's Lindsay?"

"She's fine, Nicky. Why don't you sit down, and let me take a look?" Catherine said softly.

"I'm..."

"You're holding your chest and still wearing your vest. Let me look?" Catherine said. She helped him pull off his shirt giving them flashbacks of the events early. She then took off his used soft armor vest and untucked his under shirt. He had a larger bruise forming on his chest.

"See it didn't even break the skin," Nick said with a nervous smile.

"Nick, you probably broke some ribs..."

"I know there broken." He said grimacing.

"Go to the hospital. Get checked out, please." Catherine said Nick opened his mouth contemplating an argument but his chest hurt with every breath. "Please, don't argue with me. Let me get Lindsay settled and I will meet you at the hospital." Nick sighed as he climbed in the back of the ambulance.

The car ride was awkward and uncomfortable. Lindsay continuously replayed the events all while being confused about Nick's behavior. She had been with him now just shy of six months and she's never heard him curse or even raise his voice. He had redirected her before or critique her skills but never yelled. She's known him her whole life and only heard yell like like that once, and oddly enough it was at her father.

"I have to get gas." Catherine said smiling at Lindsay. Lindsay nodded still uneasy.

"Why was he acting like at?" Lindsay said following her mom.

"I'm not going to make excuses for him. He shouldn't have talked to you like that. After Nick was shot... he had trouble." Catherine said trying to sugarcoat it. "He was diagnosed with PTSD. It's gotten a lot better. He's able to recognize his triggers and handle them. There's still certain triggers that he has that... Well, you saw him."

"How long til I stop shaking?" Lindsay said looking at her hands.

"A couple hours."

"Nick was right. I shouldn't have chased him." Lindsay said.

"You shouldn't have,"

"I was mad at him, and I don't know... I was trying to prove a point and could've died." Lindsay said wiping her eyes.

"Mad at him?" Catherine asked confused. Lindsay gave her a look and rolled her eyes. "Oh... I take it you didn't know he was wearing a vest?"

"No, I've been with him all this time and didn't know."

"Don't beat yourself up. I found out in a similar way. Nick usually wears a vest in the field. It's second nature from his days as a police officer."

"I thought I was done for and then Nick fell on me." Lindsay said replaying the events again in her head.

"Your nerves will be shot for a little while come on let's get you home and settled in." Catherine said giving her a hug.

"Nick will give the nurses hell of you don't get there." Lindsay chuckled. "I should say thanks, especially given how much hell I gave him today." Catherine's phone chirps and she chuckles. "What is it?"

"It's Nick. He says I hope four broken ribs are worth a pizza." Catherine chuckled as they drove off.

"Do you love him?" Lindsay asked, Catherine looked at her surprised.

"Why would you ask that?" Catherine asked growing uncomfortable.

"Oh, come on. For someone who's suppose to be observant you don't see it? The way his face lit up when you walked in. When he hugged you. Now, you're getting him pizza from his favorite place." Lindsay said skeptical.

"He's like that with everyone. We've been friends with eachother for a long time, Lindsay."

"Keep telling yourself that, mom. Not that it's any of my business but this isn't the first time this has happened. Nick loves you and you know it. You know Nick will never say anything because he doesn't want to lose you as his friend." Lindsay said smiling shaking her head.

Lindsay and Catherine wander around the hospital smelling like a pizza. Catherine was surprised not to hear him arguing with any nurses or doctors. Once they find the room Catherine shows him the box of pizza. Nick's face lit up as he recognized the logo on the box.

"Ah, thanks!" Nick said excited as he sat up. They saw that his bruised was bigger. "No, ma, Catherine brought me some food." Nick said on the phone. Nick casually just put his phone down in his lap as he struggled to sit up to eat the pizza. Catherine smirked as she took the phone, and handed him a piece of pizza.

"Hello Mrs. Stokes," Catherine smiled.

"Oh Catherine, dear, call me Jill. Did Nicky tell you about his big job offer?"

"He did." She chuckled. Nick's mother was always so cheery and happy.

"Only problem is that it's in the wrong state." Jill laughed. "My baby boy is going further away." Catherine laughed, as Nick rolled his eyes. Nick smiled as he choked away on the pizza. The pain medication always made him hungry. "alright, let me call Cisco. Make sure my baby rests please, and if he needs us out there we are on the next flight."

"Jesus, ma! I'm fine." Nick groaned.

"Nicholas!" She shouted on the phone. Nick sighed.

"Sorry, ma. I call you later." Nick said apologetically. Just as Catherine hung up her own phone began to ring. Catherine groaned and left the room.

"I'll be right back." Catherine said leaving. Nick checked his watch.

"Are you alright?" Nick asked Lindsay offering her a piece of pizza. Lindsay chuckled taking the other slice.

"I'm okay. Thank you... I'm sorry for the way I acted."

"It's okay. I'm sorry for you walking in and seeing what you saw." Nick said awkwardly.

"We don't have to talk about that." Lindsay joked, and they both laughed. "I'm sorry. I froze back there."

"I didn't think you were wearing a vest, and your ma would've had my hide if anything had happened to you." He said smiling. His accent strangely soothing. "I gave your ma my word that I'd look out for you. Just do me a favor and never chase a suspect without a vest alright." Nick smiled trying to stand up.

"I promise... Where you going?"

"I'm ready to go." Nick smiled with a dopey expression.

"Where are you going, Nicky?"

"I'm ready to go... What's wrong?" Nick asked immediately noticing her tone had changed.

"The girls' caseworker, her mother worked at my casino. They can't find any family." Catherine said still troubled. Nick pulled himself to his feet using the IV pole.

"When are we picking them up?" Nick said recognizing the passion in her voice.

"I'm waiting for a call back. My lawyer has submitted a request for temporary guardianship." Catherine said kind of shocking the two of them but not quite. Nick hit his nursing alarm. The nurse comes in surprised to see him standing.

"I'm ready to go." Nick said putting his hands on his hips. The nurse did not look happy.

"Let me talk with the Doctor." She said leaving.

"Sam has probably destroyed the house..." Nick said with a groan as he rubbed his face. "Damn it!"

"What is it?" Catherine asked seeing him suddenly get frustrated.

"Lauren trashed my house this morning. I was going clean it up when I got home, and... Oh god, this sucks..." Nick said wiping his face.

"Don't worry about it. We will pick up Sam, and come over to my place for dinner and rest." Catherine said touching his shoulder. Nick looked at her with raised eyebrows.

"Is that alright with you, Lindsay?" Nick said looking still at Catherine.

"Yeah." She chuckled.

They left the hospital with an out of work note and a decent helping of painkillers that would last Nick at least until he met with his doctor again. They picked up Sam and Nick grabbed some clothes and headed over to Children Protective Services to wait to see about the girls. Sam was loving the attention that Lindsay was giving him.

"I have to wait to meet with their case worker. It might be a little while." She said petting Sam. Sam was loving all the attention he was getting. "Where's Nick?"

"He's outside." She said as Sam laid down exposing his belly for her.

"I'll be right back." Catherine said going outside. She sees Nick playing on his phone while smoking a cigarette. Nick occasionally smoked on and off throughout the years. A disgusting habit that he had little ambition to quit. "You know I hate that you do that right?" She said giving him a hug.

"Yeah, I know..." Nick said blowing the smoke in the air. Nick smiled putting his arm around her. "Ecklie keeps texting me. Was he on scene? Am I in trouble?" Nick asked confused as he forwarded Ecklie's call.

"No, I didn't see him. Why would you be in trouble?" She asked and Nick shrugged his shoulders. "Are you on grubhub?"

"What do you think the girls are going to want for dinner? By the time we leave here it'll be late. I figured this might be easier. Maybe get a pizza? Everyone loves pizza." Nick said shrugging his shoulder.

"I could kiss you." She says softly as she hugs him. Nick is and has always been her rock. The president of her fan club. Her partner in crime. Her protector. Her best friend.

"Could?" Nick smiled.

"Not while you stink of cigarettes." She teased as she left. Nick flicked his cigarette away and chased after her.

"Hey now..." He chuckled.

They waited about an hour before they were able to take the girls home. Nick ordered a pizza which was a huge hit. It took a little while for the girls to settle in, but they were able to with some assistance from Sam who immediately fell in love with the girls. Nick prepared the guest room for them, as Catherine watched cartoons with them. Lindsay called it an early night as she quickly realized she underestimated how tired she truly was. Catherine took a shower before joining Nick in the living room. She pours herself a glass of wine and gives Nick a bottle of water with some pain medication.

"Cheers," he joked as he laid back in her recliner. She joined Sam. Sam just stared at Nick.

"What's he doing?" Catherine chuckled as she pet him.

"He wants to play with the girls?" Nick asked but Sam remained the sleep. "He's a prince. He wants to sleep in their bed?" Nick said and Sam perked up. "Go." Nick said and Sam trotted off.

"Nicky, what have I gotten myself into. I haven't taken care of any children in a long time. Even when Lindsay was that little I had my parents, and Eddie."

"Lindsay and I will help. What you're doing is great. Even if it's only temporary. You're a great mom." Nick said with a smile.

"Miss Catherine..." They heard a squeaky voice say from behind them.

"Alina, what's wrong, sweetheart?" Catherine said putting her wine glass down.

"I had a bad dream." The little girl said upset. Catherine picked her up, and brought her back to the room with Sam in tow. "What if the bad man comes after me and my sister?"

"That bad man went away forever. He will never be able to hurt you."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm absolutely positive, and you see Sam. He's going sleep in here with you tonight. See Sam is a special dog." Catherine smiled as she brushed Alina's hair back as the she has a sleepily smile across her face.

"Special?" She asked getting comfortable.

"Sam was a police dog. Sam's job was to make sure that bad guys stayed away or he helped bring them to jail. Sam will make sure no bad guys come anywhere near you tonight, okay?" Catherine said softly as Alina fell fast asleep. Catherine left the room and went back down stairs to join Nick. Nick was stuck at the edge of the recliner. He couldn't muster the strength to get off the recliner, but he could hear everything she said.

"Is she asleep?" Nick asked as he heard her get close.

"Yes." She walked by and Nick grabbed her hand. Nick was incredibly touched by her actions but was dumbstruck for words. His thumb stroked the back of her hand. "Nicky..." She said and Nick kissed her hand. Catherine joined him on the recliner straddling his hips.

"I, uh," Nick stuttered as it became awkward.

"We should talk about last night. It was..."

"Incredible." Nick said finally finding his words. She blushes. "You have nothing to be blushing for, it was incredible. You were incredible."

"Nicky, it was incredible. I just didn't expect it to happen and it did. I'm not mad it happened at all..." She said before making a face at him as she felt him grow against her inner thigh. "Nicky," she chuckled, as she blushed again putting her hand it.

"Dont go starting something now," Nick said with a smirk.

"I hardly started this." She chuckled.

"You're on top of me, Cath." He said keeping his hands on her thighs. While she tried to stay on topic it was difficult feeling him against her thigh. Nick was like a really fun bicycle once you get back on the bike you forget how much fun it is, and now she was trying to be serious and all she could think about is riding the bike. She couldn't help but kiss him. Nick smiles as he holds her face.

"Nicky, I need more than just... This." She said pulling away keeping her hands on her chest.

"I think you're amazing." He said keeping her close.

"Nicky..."

"I'm not just saying that, Cath. You're amazing." He said holding her face lightly stroking her cheek. "I'm just in awe. You have me speechless, and I can't..." Nick said struggling to find his words.

"Nick." Catherine said holding his hand.

"Catherine, I'd give you the world if I could." Nick pleaded. Catherine smiled as she kissed him again. Nick continued to keep Catherine close tugging at her oversized shirt. She pulled held his head running her fingers through his still damp hair. She pressed her chest against his and he hissed and pulled away slightly.

"Are you alright?" She said worried pulling away.

"I'm fine... I'll be dead if Lindsay catches us." Nick said kissing her. Nick kissed her jaw and and just under her ear. Nick slid his hands under her shirt. Nick pulled her shirt off and pulled her close again as he kissed her chest.

"Are you sure..." Catherine said breathless as Nick kissed her collarbone.

"Lose the pants." Nick said just as breathless. Catherine smiled as her eyes grew wide. She slowly got off his lap. She seductively and slowly took her pants off being sure to dramatize her hips. Seeing Nick's face gave her the boost of confidence she didn't even know she was looking for, but it was nice. "Get over here." Nick said with a smile holding her hand. She climbed back on his lap. Nick's hands continued to roam. Nick had one hand on her lower back and the other on her breast as he kissed it. She reached down taking him ion her hand as she kissed his neck. Nick was able to slide his pants down just enough which proved to be harder than he thought. Between his sore ribs and Catherine he could barely hold back.

Catherine sighed as he took her. His grip on her hips so tight that she thought for sure he'd leave bruises. She pushed the recliner back as she slowly moved her hips. She put her hands on his chest for leverage. Nick was mesmerized by her movements. Her hips rolling onto him and her breasts bouncing in front of him was like dangling a delicious candy just out of reach.

"Oh god, Cath..." Nick groaned as Catherine had a white knuckle grip on his shirt. Catherine flung her head back as she moaned. Nick sat up keeping her close as he held her tight meeting her thrusts. Catherine held Nick's head for balance as he did all the work. Her highpitched moan was stifled in his neck. Catherine looked at him as she grinded into him, she brushed her hair out of her face. She felt herself losing control as leaned back holding his legs as he slammed into her. Nick let out another groan before resting his head in between her breasts.

"You're amazing," she said breathless as she kissed his cheek. Nick laid back exhausted as Catherine rested her head on his chest.

please review! Thoughts?