A/N: Salutations comrades! (That means hello) Thank you so much for all the lovely feedback on the last story! This next one is for a Guest who asked for Greg's reaction to Warrick's death. I hope you enjoy! Non-Canon from the real events.

Summary – Catherine calls Greg to tell him about Warrick's death, and Greg thinks about his and Warrick's relationships with the team.

Lost Friend

Greg sighed with boredom and leaned forward on his suitcase handle as he waited for check-in. His flight to LA to promote his new book was in a few hours and he had been really excited, but all the queuing seemed to have sucked his enthusiasm away; Greg was not one to be stood still for too long.

Messing about on his phone, Greg was a little surprised when he started to receive a call from Catherine.

"Hey, Cath" he greeted.

He was only met by silence though and Greg thought he had lost connection, before a quiet voice spoke "H-hi Greggo" Greg frowned at the sorrow in Catherine's voice; she sounded like she'd been crying – or was trying hard not to.

"Cath, what's wrong?" Greg asked concernedly "C'mon, you can tell me" he added reassuringly. When he only received silence once more Greg started to get really worried.

"Greg…" Catherine said quietly and then began to sob.

That was the final straw; Greg knew if someone as strong as Catherine was crying, then it had to be bad. "It's alright Cath, I'm coming back" Greg said, grabbing his case and stepping out the queue, he began to walk through the terminal.

"N-no" Catherine said, managing to get her tears under control "I-I'm sorry for calling you. Sweetie, you've been so excited about this for weeks, you should go"

"Catherine you're clearly upset, and you're more important to me than some stupid book" Greg said firmly "It's okay, you don't have to tell me what's wrong if you don't…"

"Warrick's dead"

The words were so quiet, so shaky, that Greg wondered if he'd actually heard them right. No, he must have heard wrong, because he swore Catherine just said Warrick was dead and that couldn't be possible, they'd just all been together at the diner celebrating him getting free, there was no way he was gone…no way.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Greg asked quietly as he came to a stop. He hated to make Catherine say it again but he needed conformation even though he knew it was true; his hands were already shaking, just like they always did when he was upset and scared.

"Warrick's dead" Catherine said again, just as quiet, and then she started to sob once more.

"What? How?" Greg asked as he placed a hand on his forehead. His breathing was a little erratic and he felt like his heart was going at a mile a minute. Understanding Catherine was in no state to answer those questions right now, Greg knew he just had to get back to the team "Catherine I'm coming, okay, I'll be there as soon as possible I promise"

"I-if you're sure" Catherine replied.

"Of course I am" Greg said, trying to remain as calm sounding as possible. "I love you guys and I'm going to be there with you, I promise"

"A-alright" Catherine stuttered "Greg…"

"Yeah?"

"Be careful" she said worriedly.

"I will" Greg said firmly "I promise. I'm going to be there soon" and with that he hung up and started running through the airport.

He couldn't believe it, he just couldn't. Warrick, his friend and mentor, was dead, gone, never coming back. Greg felt the tears welling in his eyes, making his vision blur a little, but he swallowed them down along with the lump in his throat. Greg knew in this situation, he would have to be the strong one. Nick had lost his best friend, Grissom had lost a son, and Catherine…well it was quite possible she'd lost the man she secretly loved.

Greg was so caught up in his grief stricken thoughts he didn't realise he'd step out into the road. A sudden frantic beeping of a horn made the young CSI turn around and he was blinded by the oncoming lights. Greg gasped his fear when the car managed to screech to a halt literally just inches away, as the CSI placed his hand down on the bonnet.

"Hey! You alright?" the driver called from the window. Greg realised it was a taxi.

"Yeah, sorry that was my fault" the young CSI replied "Can you please take me to the Las Vegas crime lab?"

"Sure, hop in" the driver replied. Greg quickly threw his case into the trunk and then climbed into the back of the taxi.

So much for promising Catherine I'd be careful… the young man thought as he lent his head against the window. He still couldn't believe this was happing, he hoped it was just a horrible nightmare, and that he'd wake up any moment in his own apartment; ready to solve another case with Warrick. But no - Greg realised as she subconsciously pinched his arm just to make sure he was awake – that was never going to happen again.

Warrick had always been like a mentor to him, the rock Greg could always depend on. When the young CSI had first started in the field, Warrick had always been the most patient with him and led him every step of the way, but he didn't babysit Greg or make the younger man feel like he was in the way, he often encouraged Greg to find his independence and always offered great advice. Greg could safely say he wouldn't be the level 2 CSI that he was today if it hadn't been for Warrick's help.

Greg supposed it would be fair to say that of all the team, he was probably least close with Warrick. He wasn't particularly sure why that was – he guessed they were just two very different people both in lifestyle and upbringing – but that didn't at all mean that Greg didn't hold the friendship they had dearly, and if anything he'd always looked up to Warrick like an older brother.

Greg thought back to after the lab explosion all those years ago, and how Warrick had been there for him.

"Hey, Greg" Warrick said with a smile as he sat by the younger man's bedside, placing his kit on the floor.

"Hey" Greg said giving him a barely lucid smile; he was still really tired. The morphine was beginning to wear off the and the pain in his back was returning in full force as he was required to remain on his side. "You find out what happened yet?"

"No, sorry man. Not much longer though I promise "Warrick reassured him.

"I take it this isn't just a social visit?" Greg asked sadly as he looked down at Warrick's case.

"No, I need to photograph your injuries" Warrick said regrettably.

Greg sniffed "Do you have to?"" he said shakily; he didn't want anyone to see those disgusting scars.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, man. I'll be really quick though, I promise" Warrick said taking out his camera. Greg didn't say anything, just nodded his head slowly.

Warrick moved around and began to gently lift Greg's shirt up at the back. As the CSI began to remove part of the bandage, Greg couldn't help but let a soft whimper escape his lips; he hated himself for it, he didn't want to appear weak.

"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" Warrick asked worriedly.

"No, I'm fine" Greg tried to reassure him.

"Greg, you don't have to…"

"I'm fine" Greg insisted "Can we get this over with, please?" he asked in a whisper.

As Warrick began to take pictures, Greg couldn't help but wince at every flash, causing himself more pain. Soon, the fear and humiliation all got too much for the young man, and he couldn't hide the sobs which began to wrack his whole body.

"Greg" Warrick said quietly, coming back around the bed and kneeling down in front of the younger man "Greg, it's okay"

"N-no it's not" the young man whimpered as tears streamed down his face. And then much to Greg's surprise, Warrick leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the younger man's neck in a comforting embrace.

"You're okay" the CSI whispered to him "Everything will be alright, I promise"

Greg just gripped onto Warrick's shirt and cried as the CSI continued to whisper words of comfort to him; he stayed with Greg for hours.

Greg would never forget that day; he always remembered that as the day he truly became friends…brothers with Warrick.

His thoughts drifted to Nick, his other big brother. God, the poor guy will be devastated. Nick and Warrick, inseparable, two peas in a pod, the guys. Greg didn't know if Nick would ever get over this, and he definitely wouldn't be himself for a long time. He and Warrick had always taken care of Greg though, and so now the younger man vowed to take care of Nick – he owed it to Warrick.

Grissom, Greg knew this was the one thing that could finally make Grissom lose it, let his emotions be known. Greg knew this was more the time than ever to prove to the supervisor he could be a friend to depend on, rather than just a protégé. And Catherine, she'd always looked out for Greg, like a second mother, and now it was Greg's time to give that support back to her – she didn't deserve to be sad, none of them did, and Warrick didn't deserve to be dead.

"You alright, kid?" the taxi driver snapped Greg from his thoughts.

"Yeah" Greg replied distantly "Yeah I'm fine"

"So that'll be why you ran out in front of me then?" the driver asked with a smirk.

"Erm…well actually I guess I'm not that okay…my friend just died, you see" Greg confessed.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. What was his name?"

"Warrick Brown"

"CSI Brown?"

Greg frowned "Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Solved the murder of my sister. He was very helpful, and he brought our family peace. A great man"

"Yeah" Greg said with a small smile "Yeah he was"

The taxi rounded the corner, and the driver pulled over outside the crime lab. Greg got out his wallet, but the driver waved him off.

"This one's on the house…"

"Oh no, I couldn't…" Greg insisted.

"It's fine, kid" the driver smiled "as a favour for Warrick"

Greg smiled back "Thank you so much" he said before getting out the car.

He got his case out of the car and waved the driver off before heading inside the building. Greg could tell that the atmosphere was different, the mood was bleak, and everyone seemed to be walking around with solemn faces. After dumping his case at reception, Greg hurried off to find the rest of his team.

He headed towards the break room, and that's when he was met with the heart wrenching sight. Nick and Catherine were sat on the sofa together. Nick had his head buried in the crook of Catherine's neck as he sobbed, and Catherine was running a hand down his back soothingly, whilst tears silently streamed from her own eyes.

Greg entered the room, and Catherine looked up at him seeming a little shocked "Greg" she said quietly. Nick looked up at this too – his eyes all red and puffy – yet he seemed somewhat relieved to see the younger man was okay.

Not another word was spoken. Greg went forward and knelt down before his friends, pulling them both into a tight hug. Nick gripped Greg back tightly, and Catherine softly kissed him on the cheek before burying her head in Greg's shoulder.

"I'm so glad you're here" Nick whispered, and Greg squeezed his shoulder.

"Good, because I'm not going anywhere" Greg promised "I'm here for you both and I always will be"

And so Greg remained holding his friends – the people he loved – as they mourned for their lost friend, for their lost brother and love. And although Greg was hurting, he held back his own tears because he knew he had to remain strong, for Catherine, Nick and for Warrick.

I really liked writing this story because I got to explore Warrick and Greg's friendship, which unfortunately I don't feel was displayed enough in the show. I hope there wasn't too much OOCness!

Woo, I've got loads of prompts recently, but I'm always looking for more!

Please Review :) xx