I Do's and Don'ts
Disclaimer: Don't own CSI.

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Rock Steady

When they got home, Nick felt the need to walk still feeling very antsy from his little scuffle with Liam. He walked inside grabbed himself a beer and walked circles around the house as Mandy sat on the bench on the porch. She couldn't confront Nick right now and it looked like he was not ready for her either. Her mind was still racing, she felt like the fool she had been warned about.

Nick paced around the house outside as Sam followed. They were both a mess and even Sam was feeling the emotion. Nick felt like he had embarrassed Mandy and all he could think about was his father. Nick thought that pacing around the house would make him feel better but it did not and never has. So he turned and went inside and looked at there family portrait that hung over the mantel.

The picture was a snapshot that described there family in a total utter nut shell. The photo had a beautiful fall back ground, Nick and Mandy sharing a kiss as Beau sat on Nick's shoulder as he picked at his father's hair. Nick held Mason upside as the boy smiled as he tried to squirm away from his father. Mandy held Lily's hand as she was pulling Mandy's arm to go as Sam posed at their feet. This photo always brought a smile to Nick's face; it was funny uplifting and reminded him of how lucky he was. Nick heard Mandy come inside and stand in the doorway.

"You know, I love this photo of all of us." Nick said studying the family picture.

"Me too…" Mandy said softly as she ran her fingers through her hair as she looked at her emotionally drawn fiancé. Mandy surprisingly she was not mad or as mad as she thought she should be, she was more so worried about his mental state. "Nick…"

"I'm sorry…" Nick interrupted not turning to face her feeling ashamed, but rather looking down at his feet. It was almost childish but it suited Nick, probably because she's seen him do this before. She could tell he wanted to shutdown and isolate but he was not. The fact that Mandy did not speak proved to Nick that he was right, she was mad at him.

"Nick… what did you mean, when you say he lied?" Mandy said displeased. She felt like a fool. Nick released a deep sigh as he went to his office. Mandy was confused and followed him, this was no time for him to being isolating and secluding. "Nick?" she said as Nick turned around holding two manila folders.

"This is stupid…" Nick said himself quietly getting emotional. "I know my pa, would've made a great grandfather. He would've helped us out just as my ma did… and it really has rubbed me the wrong way that he has just thinks he can walk in… its rubbed me the wrong way and I can't shake it. I trust you, I love you. You are amazing but I don't trust him… you should not either…" Nick said handing her the folders.

"What is this?" Mandy asked shyly.

"The top one is a folder I asked Greg to get together on Liam, the other is the file that the PI that Liam hired… I haven't read either of them." Nick said putting his hands up in surrender.

"How do you know he's a liar, then?" Mandy said as they moved to sit on the couch.

"The PI that he hired was an old college buddy of mine. I called him and told him what I was looking for, and he told me that he had to look it up, that he remembered the case but that it was old. When he called me back, he told me he had found it. I asked him how old it was and he told me that the case was settled… six years ago." Nick said putting his hand on Mandy's back.

"Six years?" Mandy said heartbroken. She buried her face in her hands.

"I'm sorry."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I just found out… you were already mad at me. I thought that you would think I was just trying to drive you two apart… I didn't know how to tell you. I'm sorry." Nick said feeling defeated. Mandy had always been so strong for him, and he felt like he had let her down and it was a terrible feeling.

Mandy didn't speak but rather opened up the folder from the PI and began skimming through it. It wasn't that she didn't believe Nick but she had to see it for herself. She felt stupid as she read the words that proved everything she feared, it brought her from the denial to this reality she's been avoiding.

"You are right… according to this your friend told him where I was two weeks before you were shot…" Mandy said disappointed as tears began to fill her eyes. Nick tried his best to console her. This was something he did not want to be right about, he wanted Mandy to tell him that he was over reacting.

"I'm sorry…" Nick said softly not sure what exactly to say.

"Why would he lie? Why didn't he just see me then? I feel so dumb…" Mandy said burying her face in her hands as she stifled a cry.

"Don't…"

"Why?! You were right, I got too invested and… I've been played. I'm idiot, I should've listened to you and my mom… I can't believe I was so dumb." Mandy said putting the folder down as she ran to their bathroom upset. Nick tried to chase after her but his tight pants hindered his movements.

"Babe…" Nick said slowly opening the door so that he did not scare her. "I'm sorry." Nick said feeling helpless. He wanted to make it better like she had always done for him but he did not know what to do or where to start.

"I'm so stupid…" she cried but Nick hugged her tight.

"You're not stupid. You have a big heart, and you want to see the good in people. You're not stupid, because anyone who chooses to be dishonest with you is stupid because they don't realize how lucky they'd be with you in there corner rather than going against them." Nick said kissing her forehead. They stayed like this for a moment, and Mandy still felt like she had gotten played but now she realized that she did not regret this she would have done it differently but she was glad she knew who Liam truly was, and that was a liar.

"Thanks…" Mandy said smiling holding Nick tight.

"It's my job, babe." Nick smiled feeling somewhat relieved.

"Oh look at your shirt. You looked so good in this." Mandy said grabbing his shirt sleeve to see a few droplets of blood on his sleeve cuff.

"We could still save it." Nick said taking his shirt off heading towards the laundry room as Mandy followed.

"Why are you walking funny?" Mandy asked and right as Nick was ready to answer he slipped on one of the boys' cars causing his legs to part ways as far as they could. Nick heard and felt his pants rip as he caught himself on the ground. Mandy attempted to catch him but ended up falling on top of him causing them both to fall, into a laughing mess.

"I guess your pants were too tight." Mandy chuckled, and Nick laughed pulling her close. "You're my rock." She said quickly giving him a kiss on his cheek.

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