You're My Only One, the Only One I Ever Cared For
XIV
Nick’s POV
As i reached Lottie’s room i stood outside for a moment. Looking through the window i could see Greg with his back to the window. His head was bowed but i knew that his attention would be on Lottie. I wasn’t surprised if he was exhausted after everything that had happened. I couldn’t see Brandon and there was no Warrick and so i presumed that Warrick was the one looking after him for the time been.
As i stood there just watching i hadn’t realised i had gone into some form of daze until i felt something tugging on my jeans. The motion pulled my mind back to reality and as i looked down i watched Brandon start crying. I was quick to pick him up watching a tired Warrick appear around the corner.
“Hey, what’s up Brandon? What’s upset you?”
Brandon said nothing at first he just buried his head into my shoulder and gently cradled him in my arms until he started to calm and i sat down on a nearby bench Warrick sitting in the seat beside me confused by Brandon’s outburst.
“Hey Brandon you can tell me what’s upset you.”
“You don’t like me.”
I was taken aback by Brandon’s words but sat him in my lap so he was facing me.
“what makes you say that. You know i love you.”
“You ignored me just until i started tugging on your pants, you didn’t listen to me.”
“I.......I’m sorry. I was just thinking about something.”
“You mean like Gissom when he think’s?”
“yeah exactly like that. I’m sorry buddy i didn’t mean to upset you.”
“i know you love me now.”
I couldn’t help but smile as Brandon stood up wrapping his little arms around my neck as i partially buried my head into his neck enjoying the hug.
“If Nicky get’s a hug then i want one to.”
I watched and smiled as Warrick pouted at Brandon and he jumped into Warrick’s arms hugging him to.
“Can we so we Gweg? I want to see my sister to? I think gweg need’s a hug to.”
I smiled and nodded taking Brandon into my arms once more as we both stepped into Lottie’s room. Greg turned to face us as the door moved and he smiled slightly. I placed Brandon in his lap and smiled as he hugged Greg tight before curling up into Greg’s arms. He seemed happy there as i stood beside Greg looking over at Lottie lay there knowing it was hard for Greg to deal with.
“How is she?”
“same as earlier Ecklie didn’t try anything. It could take a while for her to recover still though they reckon a couple days still. Did you get to Steph in time?”
“he was already there. He had her at gunpoint then tried to suffocate her. Catherine managed to shoot him though, Steph’s going to be ok form what i gathered.”
I yawned and stretched out my arms above my head instantly regretting it as i felt my side tighten and ache. I pulled my hand back down gently pressing it to my side to the tender area of skin.
“Nick what happened to you? You didn’t get stabbed twice did you?”
“No, Ecklie got a shot off grazing my side in the struggle. It’s nothing just aches a little like the stab wound. Nothing i can’t handle.”
Greg just stared at me as i pulled my shirt down a little more making sure it covered the bandage on my side. I was grateful that Warrick picked then to change the subject.
“I will give you some time with Lottie on your own and go see what the other guys have planned for some form of work schedule. Nick you coming to see Steph, Brandon what about you?”
“I want to stay here with Gweg so he’s not alone. I want to stay with Lottie to.”
“Nick want about you?”
I turned to Warrick and nodded my head. I wanted to be with her but in the back of my mind i still had that video playing. My mind was still focused on that and i couldn’t get away from it until steph was actually awake. One thing i had to do though was find out what injuries she had gained from the kidnapping.
As we got to Steph’s room Sara and Grissom were just leaving. They informed Warrick they needed him on shift as normal tonight and he nodded but still stepped into the room where Catherine was sat with her back to us. She didn’t turn around and i guessed she didn’t know we had stepped in since Grissom left at the same time. Warrick went to step forward and i stopped him silencing him as Catherine took Steph’s hand into her own thinking she was alone now.
“i know you love nick. He think’s you don’t after today but i know deep down how you feel for him. He loves you to more than you could ever know. He may not be here with you but i know he wanted to go see Greg. He misses you already thinking he had lost you once that hurt him. I could see it in his reaction and in his eyes. Your the only girl I’ve seen him care for in this way and i know that he won’t leave here until he knows your are perfectly ok. Until he has you awake and talking to him again. I heard you say his name earlier i know that was out of love.................we miss you all to you know. You and Lottie.”
Catherine was quiet again and i watched her move a hand to her face. It was this that got Warrick to break the silence and making Catherine jump as he comforted her slightly. She seemed surprised to see me here but also grateful as i stepped around to the other side of Steph’s bed pulling a chair beside it.
“Cath do you know what injuries she gained? From everything?”
“They found four separate taser burns on her. Along with a broken rib, a fairly deep cut to the right thigh, a gun shot wound to the left shin. Sprained left wrist, head injury to the back of the skull and the side, fractured collar bone and severely bruised abdomen. Apparently she is the luckiest girl with what she appears to of been through. She was raped as well.”
Catherine said the last part in a more sorrowful tone. I felt my breath catch in my throat as she spoke that and even Warrick seemed sorrowed by the news. I placed my hand on-top of Steph’s since it was uninjured.
“I want you back. To take you home and look after you properly and care for you. This is over now you won’t be hurt again.”
I averted my eyes to the floor forcing myself t hold back my emotions. I just sat there for a few minutes silence having taken over the room. I looked back up to steph then taking in everything Catherine had steph and realising my stupidity. I kissed the top of Steph’s head gently letting one tear drop down noticing it hitting her arm.
“I was stupid to think that video was real. You wouldn’t have put yourself through this to run away with him you would of just disappeared but instead you got this. I love you steph with all my heart and i never want to lose you ever.”
“I.....love....you......to...........poncho.”
I jumped slightly at the sound of my nickname, the one my dad called me. I looked up though and couldn’t help but feel relief as slowly steph opened her eye’s a single tear running down her cheek. I was quick to wipe it away as i smiled grateful she was ok.
“Hey, glad to see you awake again. How you feel?”
“I ache and I’m sore and exhausted.”
“You fought through a lot it’s no surprise, you need to get some rest, lot’s of rest.”
“it’s not just me. You do as well. I heard about you.”
“Steph is right nick. You need to let those injuries heal your only going to be in more pain if you don’t.”
I couldn’t win as Catherine teamed up with steph. I was no match in arguing the both of them and so nodded accepting and sitting down allowing the chair i was in to recline to the half lying position.
“Warrick, would you tell Brandon and Grissom and Sara that Steph’s awake. If Brandon wants to come down for a little bit let him before steph gets some sleep.”
Warrick nodded and quickly headed out the room. Catherine spoke to steph a little bit before she headed hoe to see Lindsey for a little while before she started shift. Warrick soon returned with Brandon and i smiled as he seemed happy to see his sister was ok. He to was soon yawning though and demanded to go back to Greg. He informed me of how Greg was comfy to sleep on and that Greg was asleep when Warrick came in and that he had to go back before Greg woke up and was upset. He todl steph he would come back after his sleep though and i smiled. Steph however had soon fallen asleep the additon of the drugs she was on making her drowsy and allowing her to recover some more.
As i reached Lottie’s room i stood outside for a moment. Looking through the window i could see Greg with his back to the window. His head was bowed but i knew that his attention would be on Lottie. I wasn’t surprised if he was exhausted after everything that had happened. I couldn’t see Brandon and there was no Warrick and so i presumed that Warrick was the one looking after him for the time been.
As i stood there just watching i hadn’t realised i had gone into some form of daze until i felt something tugging on my jeans. The motion pulled my mind back to reality and as i looked down i watched Brandon start crying. I was quick to pick him up watching a tired Warrick appear around the corner.
“Hey, what’s up Brandon? What’s upset you?”
Brandon said nothing at first he just buried his head into my shoulder and gently cradled him in my arms until he started to calm and i sat down on a nearby bench Warrick sitting in the seat beside me confused by Brandon’s outburst.
“Hey Brandon you can tell me what’s upset you.”
“You don’t like me.”
I was taken aback by Brandon’s words but sat him in my lap so he was facing me.
“what makes you say that. You know i love you.”
“You ignored me just until i started tugging on your pants, you didn’t listen to me.”
“I.......I’m sorry. I was just thinking about something.”
“You mean like Gissom when he think’s?”
“yeah exactly like that. I’m sorry buddy i didn’t mean to upset you.”
“i know you love me now.”
I couldn’t help but smile as Brandon stood up wrapping his little arms around my neck as i partially buried my head into his neck enjoying the hug.
“If Nicky get’s a hug then i want one to.”
I watched and smiled as Warrick pouted at Brandon and he jumped into Warrick’s arms hugging him to.
“Can we so we Gweg? I want to see my sister to? I think gweg need’s a hug to.”
I smiled and nodded taking Brandon into my arms once more as we both stepped into Lottie’s room. Greg turned to face us as the door moved and he smiled slightly. I placed Brandon in his lap and smiled as he hugged Greg tight before curling up into Greg’s arms. He seemed happy there as i stood beside Greg looking over at Lottie lay there knowing it was hard for Greg to deal with.
“How is she?”
“same as earlier Ecklie didn’t try anything. It could take a while for her to recover still though they reckon a couple days still. Did you get to Steph in time?”
“he was already there. He had her at gunpoint then tried to suffocate her. Catherine managed to shoot him though, Steph’s going to be ok form what i gathered.”
I yawned and stretched out my arms above my head instantly regretting it as i felt my side tighten and ache. I pulled my hand back down gently pressing it to my side to the tender area of skin.
“Nick what happened to you? You didn’t get stabbed twice did you?”
“No, Ecklie got a shot off grazing my side in the struggle. It’s nothing just aches a little like the stab wound. Nothing i can’t handle.”
Greg just stared at me as i pulled my shirt down a little more making sure it covered the bandage on my side. I was grateful that Warrick picked then to change the subject.
“I will give you some time with Lottie on your own and go see what the other guys have planned for some form of work schedule. Nick you coming to see Steph, Brandon what about you?”
“I want to stay here with Gweg so he’s not alone. I want to stay with Lottie to.”
“Nick want about you?”
I turned to Warrick and nodded my head. I wanted to be with her but in the back of my mind i still had that video playing. My mind was still focused on that and i couldn’t get away from it until steph was actually awake. One thing i had to do though was find out what injuries she had gained from the kidnapping.
As we got to Steph’s room Sara and Grissom were just leaving. They informed Warrick they needed him on shift as normal tonight and he nodded but still stepped into the room where Catherine was sat with her back to us. She didn’t turn around and i guessed she didn’t know we had stepped in since Grissom left at the same time. Warrick went to step forward and i stopped him silencing him as Catherine took Steph’s hand into her own thinking she was alone now.
“i know you love nick. He think’s you don’t after today but i know deep down how you feel for him. He loves you to more than you could ever know. He may not be here with you but i know he wanted to go see Greg. He misses you already thinking he had lost you once that hurt him. I could see it in his reaction and in his eyes. Your the only girl I’ve seen him care for in this way and i know that he won’t leave here until he knows your are perfectly ok. Until he has you awake and talking to him again. I heard you say his name earlier i know that was out of love.................we miss you all to you know. You and Lottie.”
Catherine was quiet again and i watched her move a hand to her face. It was this that got Warrick to break the silence and making Catherine jump as he comforted her slightly. She seemed surprised to see me here but also grateful as i stepped around to the other side of Steph’s bed pulling a chair beside it.
“Cath do you know what injuries she gained? From everything?”
“They found four separate taser burns on her. Along with a broken rib, a fairly deep cut to the right thigh, a gun shot wound to the left shin. Sprained left wrist, head injury to the back of the skull and the side, fractured collar bone and severely bruised abdomen. Apparently she is the luckiest girl with what she appears to of been through. She was raped as well.”
Catherine said the last part in a more sorrowful tone. I felt my breath catch in my throat as she spoke that and even Warrick seemed sorrowed by the news. I placed my hand on-top of Steph’s since it was uninjured.
“I want you back. To take you home and look after you properly and care for you. This is over now you won’t be hurt again.”
I averted my eyes to the floor forcing myself t hold back my emotions. I just sat there for a few minutes silence having taken over the room. I looked back up to steph then taking in everything Catherine had steph and realising my stupidity. I kissed the top of Steph’s head gently letting one tear drop down noticing it hitting her arm.
“I was stupid to think that video was real. You wouldn’t have put yourself through this to run away with him you would of just disappeared but instead you got this. I love you steph with all my heart and i never want to lose you ever.”
“I.....love....you......to...........poncho.”
I jumped slightly at the sound of my nickname, the one my dad called me. I looked up though and couldn’t help but feel relief as slowly steph opened her eye’s a single tear running down her cheek. I was quick to wipe it away as i smiled grateful she was ok.
“Hey, glad to see you awake again. How you feel?”
“I ache and I’m sore and exhausted.”
“You fought through a lot it’s no surprise, you need to get some rest, lot’s of rest.”
“it’s not just me. You do as well. I heard about you.”
“Steph is right nick. You need to let those injuries heal your only going to be in more pain if you don’t.”
I couldn’t win as Catherine teamed up with steph. I was no match in arguing the both of them and so nodded accepting and sitting down allowing the chair i was in to recline to the half lying position.
“Warrick, would you tell Brandon and Grissom and Sara that Steph’s awake. If Brandon wants to come down for a little bit let him before steph gets some sleep.”
Warrick nodded and quickly headed out the room. Catherine spoke to steph a little bit before she headed hoe to see Lindsey for a little while before she started shift. Warrick soon returned with Brandon and i smiled as he seemed happy to see his sister was ok. He to was soon yawning though and demanded to go back to Greg. He informed me of how Greg was comfy to sleep on and that Greg was asleep when Warrick came in and that he had to go back before Greg woke up and was upset. He todl steph he would come back after his sleep though and i smiled. Steph however had soon fallen asleep the additon of the drugs she was on making her drowsy and allowing her to recover some more.